Update on Life

As you may know, I started a new job as a management consultant for Happold Consulting upon our return from Armenia.  I will post a bit about Armenia in the coming week but many questions have been asked of me regarding work.

I must admit, it has been a bit of a culture shock returning to work in the western context.  On my first day, I was given a new cell phone, a new ultra portable laptop and docking station.  The office is an open plan so thankfully there are no cubicles.  I made a promise to myself come hell or high water that I will not return to a cubicle farm.  Everyone is busy coming and going with projects all over the UK and a few in the US and Europe.  Actually, if you are familiar with the Chicago Spire, Happold is doing a huge portion of the faciliation on the project.  The man who coordinates all the steel logistics (purchase, fabrication, shipping and installation) sits right next to me.  Also, the company is involved in the Olympic Statdium in London and a few other major projects such as the new Lourve museum in the United Arab Emerits.

As for me, my first project will be a change management project for Dorset County Council on the south coast of England.  It is about two hours south of Bristol by train.  The project involves bringing together a diverse set of stakeholders to develop a signage policy for the whole county that has a few towns and a handful of hamlets.  There is a “naked road” movement in the UK and northern Europe that is proving to be very cost effective while being safer for the public.  I have been brought in for my soft skills with the intention of building agreements between various organisations.  Using my soft skills and not my technical skills is certainly a focus for me as I switch careers tracks.

My commute to work is not too bad.  I walk about three quarters of a mile up to the local train station which I take to the main Bristol train station.  I catch another train to Bath and walk to the office.  It takes about an hour if all the connections go right.

The nice thing about the job is that a lot of time will be spent with the client.  Working with a public sector client is nice as the focus is not on the bottom line but on value for money.  In my previous work life, I did not like working to make someone redundant.  My success was juxtaposed to the detriment of someone else.  At least in this project, it is nice not to have that cloud overhead.

While working, I will have to do my dissertation as my deadline is January 2009.  It will be a busy six months to say the least!  However, being busier will certainly be to my benefit.

In closing, I have attached a video from work below.  This is the building of the Chicago Spire and it was developed by people I work with.  I thought you might enjoy watching it.