"Toronto is like New York run by the Swiss" – Peter Ustinov Fortunately England were not run over by the Swiss, I can still eat Toblerone as England's workmanlike performance ensured a flattering 3-0 win and on to meet Croatia on Monday on what will be a deciding game to advance to the quarter finals.
Preparation is everything. Noah did not start building the ark when it was raining" – Warren Buffett As I write this I am just about to start watching the second of England's three qualifying soccer matches at the 2004 European Championships. If they do lose to the Swiss I really am not eating Toblerone again.It was interesting to read, after the disappointing two goals in the last 3 minutes victory… Read More »The Power of Preparation
"Football is not a matter of life and death, its much more important than that!" – Bill Shankly This weekend saw the start of the European Football Championships and a bi-annual occurence in my house (whenever the World Cup or Euro's are on) that I go 'soccer' crazy in the hope that one year England will repeat its feat from 1966 of winning the World Cup or some other trophy.… Read More »Its Only a Game
"If someone thinks they are being mistreated by us, they won't tell 5 people, they'll tell 5000" Jeff Bozos – CEO Amazon.com I am pleased that summer has truly arrived in the past few days even if it is often with hot and sticky weather, but it does also mean that the area is filled each week with many interesting and stimulating activities that go on.One such event this past… Read More »Juggling Customer Service?
“Insecure managers create complexity” – Jack Welch I came across an interesting article this week about the use of simulated work environments to assess people for certain positions. (The link to the article is in the "Whilst you are surfing" section). It was something I used in the UK with a number of recruitment clients as part of the selection process. It certainly highlights to all of us how prepared… Read More »Give us a job!
"There is no reason for anyone to have a computer in their home" Ken Olsen – Computer Designer and founder of Digital Equipment I have just completed a full day's training with my own coach, which was entirely via a telephone line and the web. Originally the workshop was meant to be in New York which would have involved at least 2 days including travel etc.The technology that we have… Read More »The Lost Art of Communication?
"And when it rains on your parade, look up instead of down. Without rain there would be no rainbow" Gilbert Chesterton We just had a long weekend here in Canada and as with many bank holidays that I remember from the UK this one was a wet one also! We had many inches of rain and with two young children you can go stir crazy in a house very quickly.Luckily… Read More »Rain Rain Go Away
"Service is what life is all about" Marian Wright Edelman We spent Saturday morning volunteering and participating in the local Rotary 5k/1k run/walk for kids. The slightly overcast weather certainly did not put a dampener on our efforts. My 4 year old son Aidan ran and walked in the kids 1k race, raised $250 for the charities and was one of the top children fundraisers. We had over 500 local… Read More »The future is the children
Last Sunday was Mothers Day and our family is blessed to have such a wonderful mother, I could not ask for anyone greater as companion, best friend and leading light for my two fantastic children. Probably like many we do not stop enough to appreciate the role our parents and caregivers gave us or say thank you enough. When I am at work I can concentrate on it 100% because… Read More »Mothers Day
We have moved home recently to a wonderful part of Ontario that gives us access to many of the outside activities that we love. However one of the inconveniences when moving is changing Doctors. It took us over 6 months to finally get an appointment in town with a doctor who was taking new patients. Whilst we were in the waiting room a couple came in with a 4 day… Read More »Oh Doctor I’m in Trouble…….