This week I have learned: the reason we fly flags at half mast when mourning. Apparently, it comes from the naval tradition of when one country defeated another, the victor's flag would be flown above the vanquished. In death, a flag at half mast is to indicate defeat to the unknown flag of death above. … Continue reading Weeknote 750: which feels like a big number
As we enter into the final stages of the editorial processes for randomthebook.com, yesterday I found myself with a creative challenge. Each of the stories in the book will be illustrated with a pop art-style collage. I've been struggling to get into the task, so wanted to break it down into more manageable steps. In … Continue reading Disposable applications
This week I have learned: if you raise concerns constructively, they might get heard. over the coming weeks, there's going to be a bit of a focus switch. I'm in need of it. I'm looking forward to it. I do like it when I bring a good team together. It's a bit of gut, a … Continue reading Weeknote 749: a shift
For many years, I've had a pet theory that you can tell a huge amount about the culture and values of an organisation from what you see and experience in their office reception area. Some examples: A large insurance company I visited in the City of London some years ago had toilets available for visitors … Continue reading Software as signs
Back in my mid-thirties, as you may already know, I spent a couple of years employed in the world of management and leadership development. I spent my days working with managers from across all sorts of organisations and at all sorts of levels helping them to discover better ways in which they could lead and … Continue reading Situational AI
This week I have learned: I've got to capacity. Actually, I probably was a few weeks ago, but this week I was able to articulate it to people. So I'm watching out now to make sure I don't take on too much. Moods come like prevailing winds. We then have a tendency to associate things … Continue reading Weeknote 748: at capacity
This week I have learned: the power of time travel (again). In a chain of coincidence, I was able to meet up with a former colleague and his partner on Tuesday evening, and an old friend at work on Wednesday. In both cases it was 20 something years since we'd last seen each other. Those … Continue reading Weeknote 747: nostalgia
Eight or so years ago, I was doing some work for a UK law firm. At the time, across the legal industry, there was considerable interest in AI, primarily machine learning, to automate high-volume work such as commercial conveyancing for mortgage lenders. Ultimately, the aim was to reduce costs. I remember a conversation with one … Continue reading A benchmark for AI
This week I have had flu. That is literally all.
This week I have learned: The first week back is always the longest, isn't it? Debates about remote working appear as heated as they were at the start of the pandemic. The world has definitely moved on. Expectations have changed. But there are opinions. Developers using LLMs like a coding language is fascinating. As far … Continue reading Weeknote 745: And we are back
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