IBM has just asked me to manage a second programme for them at Legal & General and offered me a six-months extension to my contract with a rate increase.
All of this is really good. There are some really professional people at IBM, not least many of those who transferred over from L&G back in October, and there are some interesting challenges ahead, both in terms of the programmes I'm looking after and in helping to integrate transferred staff into IBM.
It's a new world for me because I'm far more involved in infrastructure than I ever have been before, and it's a long while since I worked at an insurance company, so it's all good personal development stuff as well.
Between this and the work I'm doing for the APM on the professional standard I ought to have a satisfying time in 2011.
www.stevesyder.com Blog from Steve Syder, Interim Director of Programmes and Projects
Showing posts with label Solvency II. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solvency II. Show all posts
Friday, 17 December 2010
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Never underestimate the importance of Stakeholder Engagement
I've always considered stakeholder engagement to be one of the primary skills I bring to the table on any assignment, which was why I volunteered to write the Stakeholder Management section of the upcoming revision of the Association for Project Management's Body of Knowledge.
Stakeholder engagement loomed large on each of the programme rescue assignments I undertook over the last five years, and it's playing a large part in my current role.
People are newly TUPE'd over to a new organisation, and so are understandably nervous and concerned for their futures, even though their futures can be very rosy in the new organisation if they embrace it.
The retained staff too are inevitably struggling to come to terms with the changes. There are new processes for them to learn, they can no longer "call in favours" from colleagues to cut the bureaucratic corners because those colleagues now need a Purchase Order, and some of the retained staff feel that the new outsourcing arrangement is a judgement on their past performance.
Add to the mix the fact that this is quite a political working environment and you can see why careful stakeholder engagement is so important.
Fortunately, I have an excellent programme sponsor, so, whilst my stakeholder engagement skills have brought most people on board with the new proposals, the sponsor's experience in dealing with one or two stragglers has been invaluable.
I'm always careful to remember that:
1. People must be won over
2. Logic alone won't do it
3. Neither will adhering slavishly to a methodology
4. Often the most sceptical once won over become the most evangelical.
Have a good day and keep that "Can do" attitude!
http://www.stevesyder.com
Stakeholder engagement loomed large on each of the programme rescue assignments I undertook over the last five years, and it's playing a large part in my current role.
People are newly TUPE'd over to a new organisation, and so are understandably nervous and concerned for their futures, even though their futures can be very rosy in the new organisation if they embrace it.
The retained staff too are inevitably struggling to come to terms with the changes. There are new processes for them to learn, they can no longer "call in favours" from colleagues to cut the bureaucratic corners because those colleagues now need a Purchase Order, and some of the retained staff feel that the new outsourcing arrangement is a judgement on their past performance.
Add to the mix the fact that this is quite a political working environment and you can see why careful stakeholder engagement is so important.
Fortunately, I have an excellent programme sponsor, so, whilst my stakeholder engagement skills have brought most people on board with the new proposals, the sponsor's experience in dealing with one or two stragglers has been invaluable.
I'm always careful to remember that:
1. People must be won over
2. Logic alone won't do it
3. Neither will adhering slavishly to a methodology
4. Often the most sceptical once won over become the most evangelical.
Have a good day and keep that "Can do" attitude!
http://www.stevesyder.com
Thursday, 7 October 2010
IBM Assignment
I'm currently a month into my latest assignment at IBM, the end client being a major insurance company, with my attention being focussed specifically on a Solvency II programme and an online protection service improvement programme.
It's an interesting place to be.
I started before the contract start date, so I was there to witness all the TUPE process, on-boarding etc.
It took me back to my days with EDS, where my assignment started before they signed the contract with Lloyds TSB; both assignments were for American companies, both were right at the start of the contract and both involved a lot of very professional people, so all in all, work is pretty stimulating.
Most of the people I have spoken to who have transferred over to IBM as part of the TUPE process seem genuinely excited abot the move, and see it as enhancing their career prospects, so they are good to work with too.
Solvency II is interesting to be involved in because it has far-reaching implications for all insurance companies, and work will need to be well underway in every company by early 2011.
Online protection is also very interesting, being complementary to my eCommerce work at Camelot last year.
Looks like being a good run up to Christmas and the New Year for me!
It's an interesting place to be.
I started before the contract start date, so I was there to witness all the TUPE process, on-boarding etc.
It took me back to my days with EDS, where my assignment started before they signed the contract with Lloyds TSB; both assignments were for American companies, both were right at the start of the contract and both involved a lot of very professional people, so all in all, work is pretty stimulating.
Most of the people I have spoken to who have transferred over to IBM as part of the TUPE process seem genuinely excited abot the move, and see it as enhancing their career prospects, so they are good to work with too.
Solvency II is interesting to be involved in because it has far-reaching implications for all insurance companies, and work will need to be well underway in every company by early 2011.
Online protection is also very interesting, being complementary to my eCommerce work at Camelot last year.
Looks like being a good run up to Christmas and the New Year for me!
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