I tried to write this blog yesterday...couldn't; my thoughts would not fall into place - it is strange how hard the death of someone you don't really know can impact you so much. Gary Speed's tragic passing yesterday was not met with the usual standard sorrow but with almost nationwide upset, numbness and a sense of loss.
That is a sign of the man. When you see the reaction from those in the game, other celebrities and supporters it is clear the loss of Gary Speed will be felt for a long time. He was, by all accounts, a top professional, player and more importantly person. His ability as a player seemed to be transferring to management with Wales improving rapidly during his tenure.
The fact that we are talking about Gary Speed in the past tense does not make sense and everything I seem to do since hearing that news reverts back to thoughts of him and the sadness his passing will cause.
Sadly with the media in the UK the focus will soon turn to how and why. That is not, other than for the direct family and friends, important. What is important is to focus on his achievements as a person and the memories that he has created - these can never be removed.
As a Newcastle fan I hold a special place in the my heart for Gary Speed. He was, as Sir Bob coined, a 'blue-chip' player; someone the club - both on and off the field - could rely on. Alongside Rob Lee he is my all time favourite Newcastle player; it's no coincidence that after we sold him our form started to worsen. I saw him as a future manager of Newcastle and it saddens me greatly that we will never even get to discuss this as an option
His death has hit the football - and wider - world hard but our grief can be nothing in comparison to what his family must be going through. I hope and pray that they find the strength to move on from this.
Football is all encompassing in the UK; almost everything we do has some link to the sport - work conversations, pub discussions, TV viewing, etc. The emotion we put into the game suggests it is important...the events of this weekend confirm that it is not. Shankly may have been a legend but he could not be more wrong when stating football "is not a matter of life & death...it is more important than that"
RIP Gary Speed - you will be missed
Monday, 28 November 2011
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Work Travel...Friend or Foe
Whilst sitting at dinner during an International security networking reception I started chatting to a senior security person within a major organisation (Microsoft). Given my role in event operations and his in delivering expertise in IT related security to a worldwide audience we had limited similar conversational points. These included:
- Sport
- Exercise
- Love of beer
After these had been exhausted the conversation gradually headed back towards the realms of work. As mentioned, there is little in common here...however he is a regular visitor to a number of events across the globe.
Other than discussing what makes an event work (an MS sized budget helps it seems) we spent a lot of time musing over the idea of travel through work. I thought I travelled a fair amount...I don't, well not in comparison to this particular MS employee. The fact that he had over 4 days at home (UK) was a shock to him
Recent trips have included Vegas, Sydney and Prague (had to mention that given that was our event). He's seen some great sights, got to engage in some different cultures - all on the works penny (well majority anyway). Sounds great...doesn't it?!
Other than a long term girlfriend I have no commitments to speak of at home and yet I find the periods where I constantly have to pack / unpack and live out of various hotels across Europe monotonous and not all that enjoyable. Yes it beats commuting every day to the same office but at least with that you get to come home in the evening and see those that matter, be it friends, family or otherwise. I can't imagine how hard it would be to leave family behind when embarking on these trips.
Travel with work is part and parcel of a number of jobs and is especially true of the events industry. It has major perks (mainly you get to 'see' places you wouldn't necessarily get to and with no / little cost to yourself) and on the most part it is a great aspect of the job. However I tend to only think that when it is one 3/4 day trip in a 6/8 week period; when it's up to a handful in that period the 'great' and 'fun' aspects suddenly diminsh.
I'm not moaning - a lot of people in a lot of jobs would love to get the opportunity to travel through work - I'm simply stating that it's not quite as glamorous or exciting as it may appear from the outside.
I love events, I enjoy travelling but my preference - where possible - would be to back in blighty wherever possible. Is work travel a friend or foe...well to me it's neither / both, depending on my mood (yes I am sitting on the fence).
I'll let you guess what the Microsoft individual thought...
- Sport
- Exercise
- Love of beer
After these had been exhausted the conversation gradually headed back towards the realms of work. As mentioned, there is little in common here...however he is a regular visitor to a number of events across the globe.
Other than discussing what makes an event work (an MS sized budget helps it seems) we spent a lot of time musing over the idea of travel through work. I thought I travelled a fair amount...I don't, well not in comparison to this particular MS employee. The fact that he had over 4 days at home (UK) was a shock to him
Recent trips have included Vegas, Sydney and Prague (had to mention that given that was our event). He's seen some great sights, got to engage in some different cultures - all on the works penny (well majority anyway). Sounds great...doesn't it?!
Other than a long term girlfriend I have no commitments to speak of at home and yet I find the periods where I constantly have to pack / unpack and live out of various hotels across Europe monotonous and not all that enjoyable. Yes it beats commuting every day to the same office but at least with that you get to come home in the evening and see those that matter, be it friends, family or otherwise. I can't imagine how hard it would be to leave family behind when embarking on these trips.
Travel with work is part and parcel of a number of jobs and is especially true of the events industry. It has major perks (mainly you get to 'see' places you wouldn't necessarily get to and with no / little cost to yourself) and on the most part it is a great aspect of the job. However I tend to only think that when it is one 3/4 day trip in a 6/8 week period; when it's up to a handful in that period the 'great' and 'fun' aspects suddenly diminsh.
I'm not moaning - a lot of people in a lot of jobs would love to get the opportunity to travel through work - I'm simply stating that it's not quite as glamorous or exciting as it may appear from the outside.
I love events, I enjoy travelling but my preference - where possible - would be to back in blighty wherever possible. Is work travel a friend or foe...well to me it's neither / both, depending on my mood (yes I am sitting on the fence).
I'll let you guess what the Microsoft individual thought...
Friday, 4 November 2011
Are we too reliant on technology...?
A confession - I'm only writing this latest blog because my email server has crashed...again...and I got to thinking (yes I appreciate that sounds like something out of Sex & the City) about how much we rely on technology.
The answer is a lot - in fact that doesn't do it our level of reliance justice. Imagine for a second that you have no email, no internet, no mobile phone - in fact no modern technology at all - all you have is a fax machine and landline telephone...would you be able to cope and more importantly provide the level of service your clients and business require?!
The simple answer for Connect is no. Not because we are not able to speak by phone to people but the fact is that business today is designed to be run remotely, on the move and instantly - all these require modern technology. You take it away and it's amazing how quickly simple business tasks become rocket science. The above does not even mention the job that is a server not working...!
You take a server out of the equation and suddenly not only can you not email contacts but you can't access databases, work files and alike. If you can't access databases then you can't get contact numbers (as you don't have a mobile phone) so you can't call people...sounds scary doesn't it?! Ok, it's not quite that bad - most of us have folders with contracts in, which of course have the basic contact details...however there is this idea of a 'paperless' office seems to be gathering momentum - now how would that work if systems crashed?!
So, that question again - are we too reliant on technology? I tend to try and defend myself against the norm but I have to admit that at Connect we are probably too reliant on technology. Given the industry we work in - events - we spend a lot of time working remotely and on the move, which is 100% reliant on the supporting technology working. If our systems fail then suddenly everything we do is harder. I'm 99.9% certain that we are not the only company that this applies to.
Is being reliant on technology a bad thing? Obviously if the technology crashes then yes but at the same time the service we offer is so flexible (and therefore essential) for clients because of technology. If we removed the wireless connected iPads and laptops, remote servers, 24hour contact, etc then yes we would be able to work when all technology has crashed but for the other 364 days of the year when everything is working our service would be greatly reduced.
The fact is today's world love and embraces technology and we accept the issues that may arise as a result. If the choice was given to us all to choose between what we have now or what we had 15 years ago I am convinced the vast majority would go for the former.
Right...let's see if I can actually get some work done now...server...nope still down...damn technology!!!
The answer is a lot - in fact that doesn't do it our level of reliance justice. Imagine for a second that you have no email, no internet, no mobile phone - in fact no modern technology at all - all you have is a fax machine and landline telephone...would you be able to cope and more importantly provide the level of service your clients and business require?!
The simple answer for Connect is no. Not because we are not able to speak by phone to people but the fact is that business today is designed to be run remotely, on the move and instantly - all these require modern technology. You take it away and it's amazing how quickly simple business tasks become rocket science. The above does not even mention the job that is a server not working...!
You take a server out of the equation and suddenly not only can you not email contacts but you can't access databases, work files and alike. If you can't access databases then you can't get contact numbers (as you don't have a mobile phone) so you can't call people...sounds scary doesn't it?! Ok, it's not quite that bad - most of us have folders with contracts in, which of course have the basic contact details...however there is this idea of a 'paperless' office seems to be gathering momentum - now how would that work if systems crashed?!
So, that question again - are we too reliant on technology? I tend to try and defend myself against the norm but I have to admit that at Connect we are probably too reliant on technology. Given the industry we work in - events - we spend a lot of time working remotely and on the move, which is 100% reliant on the supporting technology working. If our systems fail then suddenly everything we do is harder. I'm 99.9% certain that we are not the only company that this applies to.
Is being reliant on technology a bad thing? Obviously if the technology crashes then yes but at the same time the service we offer is so flexible (and therefore essential) for clients because of technology. If we removed the wireless connected iPads and laptops, remote servers, 24hour contact, etc then yes we would be able to work when all technology has crashed but for the other 364 days of the year when everything is working our service would be greatly reduced.
The fact is today's world love and embraces technology and we accept the issues that may arise as a result. If the choice was given to us all to choose between what we have now or what we had 15 years ago I am convinced the vast majority would go for the former.
Right...let's see if I can actually get some work done now...server...nope still down...damn technology!!!
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