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!
www.stevesyder.com Blog from Steve Syder, Interim Director of Programmes and Projects
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Friday, 13 August 2010
Green Shoots of Recovery?
Maybe the jobs market really is beginning to look up. I'm at least finding more appropriate contracts to apply for this month.
I'm waiting for the result of an interview I had yesterday, and expect to hear today if I have been selected for interview for a second role.
Both opportunities are roles I would relish.
Having said that, I'm not easing up on my search for an assignment; competition is too tough out there to take anything for granted.
When I'm not job hunting I'm now busy working on the Stakeholder Management section of the APM's next edition of the Body of Knowledge (BoK), so at least I'm keeping my brain ticking over.
I'm waiting for the result of an interview I had yesterday, and expect to hear today if I have been selected for interview for a second role.
Both opportunities are roles I would relish.
Having said that, I'm not easing up on my search for an assignment; competition is too tough out there to take anything for granted.
When I'm not job hunting I'm now busy working on the Stakeholder Management section of the APM's next edition of the Body of Knowledge (BoK), so at least I'm keeping my brain ticking over.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
The Power of the Internet
The internet seems to be an integral part of most people's lives these days. I know that I and most of my friends, family and colleagues are connected to it most of the day.
This gives the worldwide web great power, and sometimes I wonder if that is necessarily a good thing.
My wife and I went away for a golfing weekend last weekend. We booked it through our usual golf trip arranger, so we were confident it would be OK. I then did a bit of research about the hotel at the golf course, and, much to my dismay, I found one very damning review.
The writer clearly felt very strongly, as she had written a very long review, listing a whole catalogue of things wrong with the hotel, not least the lack of hygiene.
In counterbalance to that review, I read many that praised the hotel, its staff, the food etcetera, but needless to say, we arrived at the place somewhat concerned about what we would find.
We need not have worried. It was, as one reviewer said, a place of "faded grandeur", but the cleanliness, size of the rooms and quality of the facilities was absolutely fine.
More than absolutely fine was the service given by every single member of the staff, who were very impressive.
The food was a little mixed, dinner and lunch being very good while breakfast was less impressive.
The only point of agreement I found with the damning review was the poor quality of the mattress, and we were assured that is due for replacement.
So it just goes to show - one damning review could spread like wildfire and damage that hotel for years to come, and yet we had a great weekend.
It takes a long time to build up a good reputation but only moments to build up a bad one. Never was that saying more true than in these internet days.
This gives the worldwide web great power, and sometimes I wonder if that is necessarily a good thing.
My wife and I went away for a golfing weekend last weekend. We booked it through our usual golf trip arranger, so we were confident it would be OK. I then did a bit of research about the hotel at the golf course, and, much to my dismay, I found one very damning review.
The writer clearly felt very strongly, as she had written a very long review, listing a whole catalogue of things wrong with the hotel, not least the lack of hygiene.
In counterbalance to that review, I read many that praised the hotel, its staff, the food etcetera, but needless to say, we arrived at the place somewhat concerned about what we would find.
We need not have worried. It was, as one reviewer said, a place of "faded grandeur", but the cleanliness, size of the rooms and quality of the facilities was absolutely fine.
More than absolutely fine was the service given by every single member of the staff, who were very impressive.
The food was a little mixed, dinner and lunch being very good while breakfast was less impressive.
The only point of agreement I found with the damning review was the poor quality of the mattress, and we were assured that is due for replacement.
So it just goes to show - one damning review could spread like wildfire and damage that hotel for years to come, and yet we had a great weekend.
It takes a long time to build up a good reputation but only moments to build up a bad one. Never was that saying more true than in these internet days.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Association for Project Management
Another good day with the APM last Friday - a feedback session for all those involved in the work we've been doing lately.
Everyone was very positive and things are moving forward at a good pace.
I'm hoping to be involved with the rewrite of the Body of Knowledge, and I should hear about that next month.
I enjoy my work with the APM; everyone is so professional and committed. I'm really looking forward to our project going public towards the end of this year.
Everyone was very positive and things are moving forward at a good pace.
I'm hoping to be involved with the rewrite of the Body of Knowledge, and I should hear about that next month.
I enjoy my work with the APM; everyone is so professional and committed. I'm really looking forward to our project going public towards the end of this year.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Programme Management cf Project Management
(with apologies for the spelling of "Program"!)
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/4751.html
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/4751.html
Four Ways Social Networking Can Help Build a Business
Four Ways Social Networking Can Help Build a Business:
http://www.bnet.com/2403-13070_23-219914.html
http://www.bnet.com/2403-13070_23-219914.html
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