This week, I’ve learned that:
- I must trust my better judgement and never allow anyone to push me into demonstrating their products without a properly rehearsed demo and the right equipment…
If this morning has reenforced one thing to me it’s “never, ever, ever agree to run someone else’s demos using an environment you haven’t personally set up and practiced in…” #carcrashdemo
— Mark Wilson ???? (@markwilsonit) April 30, 2018
- There are people working in offices today who not only claim to be IT illiterate but seem to think that’s acceptable in the modern workplace:
Fascinating to sit in on two handover sessions today for replacement PCs. Feedback from one user: "remember we're not IT literate – I wouldn't use a computer if I could help it"; resistance to change is one thing, but not being prepared to use the tools of the #ModernWorkplace?
— Mark Wilson ???? (@markwilsonit) May 1, 2018
- That operations teams have a tremendous amount of power to disregard and even override recommendations provided by architects who are paid to provide solid technical advice.
- That, in 2018, some conference organisers not only think an all-male panel is acceptable but are hostile when given feedback…
Lesson in how not to engage with influencers in your target audience? When the fact that there were no female speakers other than on the #WomenInTech panel was highlighted to @CIOsynergy organisers, @CXOsync responds that the comments hold no value. Astounding. Welcome to 1968. https://t.co/ETo74xQpIY
— Mark Wilson ???? (@markwilsonit) May 3, 2018
I’ve also:
- Gone on a mini-tour of Southern England working in London, Bristol and Birmingham for the first four days of the week. It did include a bonus ride on a brand new train though and a stint in first class (because it was only £3 more than standard – I’ll happily pay the difference)!
- Taken a trip down memory lane, revisiting the place where I started my full-time career in 1994 (only to be told by a colleague that he wasn’t even born in 1994):
Fond memories of this place… started my career here in 1994 (#ICL #Powerof4) pic.twitter.com/ZRQ7O3T5gV
— Mark Wilson ???? (@markwilsonit) April 30, 2018
- Squeezed in a “run” (actually more like a slow shuffle) as I try to fit exercise around a busy work schedule and living out of a suitcase.
- Managed to take my youngest son swimming after weeks of trying to make it home in time.
- Written my first blog post that’s not a “weeknote” in months!
- Picked up a writing tip to understand the use of the passive voice:
This is a very cleverly-illustrated writing tip (via @benjaminellis) https://t.co/dNRURQ72xq
— Mark Wilson ???? (@markwilsonit) May 1, 2018
- Met my friend David Hughes (@DavidHughes) for a coffee or two at my favourite coffee shop.
- Got Zwift working with my Garmin Edge 810 and an ANT+ dongle so I can finally train again using a borrowed turbo trainer (whilst waiting for my trainer to be returned from repair)… probably a bit too late for next week’s London Revolution though!
- Got my mountain bike back with some new disc brakes, replacing the troublesome Avid Elixirs with some Shimano XTs.
So the week definitely finished better than it started and, as we head into a long weekend, the forecast includes a fair amount of sunshine – hopefully I’ll squeeze in a bike ride or two!