Wednesday 28 January 2009

UCISA Leadership Event Manchester Jan 28 Day Sessions

Some nice quotes in session one by Chris Head of CHH Consulting and previously Head of IT at Surrey County Council:

At every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past – Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-1949).

The diminutive chains of habit are seldom heavy enough to be felt until they are too strong to be broken – Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

Chris gave a case study on building an ICT strategy, why you do it, who it's for, the need for strong governance arrangements and clear terms of reference for a governance board and the need for commitment by others to support the IT service in preparing the strategy - it's not about the destination in this case but the journey.

The second session by Steve Hopson CIO of Cheshire County Council was another case study on transformational change in a huge billion pound organisation. There was lots of detail here in terms of a framework and there were seven deady sins and ten steps to heaven in managing change programs. The definition he used from the NHS to describe transformational change:

Transformational change is radical in nature. It requires a shift in assumptions made by the organisation and its members. Transformation can result in an organisation that differs significantly in terms of structure, process, culture and strategy.

The next session was an hour and a half and for me was the highlight of the event. Adrian Gilpin of the Institute of Human Development presented a multimedia presentation that was engaging, interactive and very challenging to the delegates. Pause for thought on these quotes:

Leaders are all different - the only thing they have in common is followers
I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung. - Rabindranath Tagore
People are absolutely brilliant at ignoring advice – we all need to discover for ourselves
The opening frames of the film gladiator (noting that Powerpoint not in evidence on the battlefield!)
Maximus: Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you're already dead! [Cavalry laughs]
Maximus: Brothers, what we do in life... echoes in eternity.
The Guiness advert about belief.

There is more, much more. A story worth listening too.

After lunch there were two personal case studies from people who are relatively new in post at their Instiutions but the background stories and the genuine advice and sharing of experience was brave and very well received.

Final wrap up discussion - I liked the point that someone made about the IT being the veins and arteries of the organisation - could be a useful analogy.

No comments: