Observations from the Antipodes

For you North Americans...

No meeting Fridays. This is a great idea. Casual friday + no meetings friday is a great way to end the workweek. Also, staff drinks is a great way to put a full stop on the week. Also, no meetings fridays... is a great day to have meetings... and staff drinks is a great way to get departments talking to each other... I'm just sayin'

When there are 8 people in a makeshift war room... sometimes it is best to go on and work Saturdays. Especially if you are writing a bunch of SQL... because sometimes you do not like to be interrupted. Also, sometimes it is best to make sure you prepare for the negative reactions people might have (see: aversion to change). This way before the walls go up, there is a plan in place.

It is best to never lose sight of the big picture.

I see things as layers and overlays... that also makes for a grand visual aide

Do not stop using the single green barrel in your power point presentations, even if no one gets it... yet.

Sometimes you can have 5 meetings with 1 decision.
Sometimes you can have 1 meeting with 5 decisions.
The more people at the meeting... the less likely it is to have a decision.
If the proper people are not at a meeting... it is unlikely to produce a decision... and if it does, maybe it shouldn't have...

I secretly like it when people are screaming at each other in meetings.
I like it even better when people laugh because I'm so calm when other people are screaming.

Swearing in the office should be mandatory.

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Most importantly, the wife will be on a plane in two weeks time.