Darryl King’s blog ireckon

[ NB> to see how Dymocks handled this, quick note at bottom, follow up post to come ]

I had a mission. A simple mission. All I wanted was to replace a copy of a good book that was so good, someone has lifted it!

The book itself is not the issue, but it was a good project management book which I like to keep handy to explain to people our project management documents and process.

Anyway I digress. Too late to stop at a book shop and none of the local major stores show in store inventory, (Gee wouldn’t that be such a good idea! Live store inventory) and my preferred local bookstore Coaldrakes at Milton, is nearly closed and doesn’t have it in stock. I want it now. Well more importantly I want to order it now and just have it turn up quickly.

Help - Google! Yes look at that Angus and Robertson has it, Dymocks has it. That’s a start. Amazon has it (of course) and they will ship tomorrow which means less than 5 days and I will have it. How do I know this? Well I have always gotten my books from Amazon quicker than they promise.

Angus and Robertson, ships within 24 hours 7-14 days till I get it. Okay that is one slow camel it is coming on, unless of course it is actually coming via the USA, in which case I may as well just order it from there.

So back to Dymocks. Well look at that, yes they have it and can ship immediately, even better they seem to be the only site on the planet that has it as a downloadable PDF. Wow that is better; I can store it and not waste any paper. Except the electronic version is dearer than the paperback (now that is odd). The electronic version is enough to make me jump in and buy it.

This is what happens next: (more…)

Brain fodder, I guess you might call this. Certainly it is an observation, personal but then it is my blog, so I guess my observations are the point.

Over the last few weeks I have noticed the following topics getting lots of heat across social media and blogosphere:

Note: I obviously don’t follow / read the entire web and am noting this observation from what I see.

• Obama
• Australian Internet Filter
• Twitter
• Financial Crisis
• Lots of new product / start-up releases
• green issues
• etc

(more…)

When we moved into our new office just over a year ago, we were busting the seams on our old space and needed more.

At the time it felt like we would need more and more space to keep up. A year later, we have hit our maximum and have such a good space, I figured it was about time we made better use of it.

We have already got 1 complimentary business (marketing firm ‘Nutshell Marketing‘) sub leasing / sharing some space and the communal business facilities.

Watching the blogosphere and seeing all the press about Coworking and its development overseas and slowly here, it seems about time we did something a bit more proactive about making the best of the space.

(more…)

What is a team? What makes some teams win over others, and how does that impact on our successes?
This past weekend I have watched several sporting events which were big for their own reasons, but out of which I got to observe the real key characteristics of teams in action.
Some things stand out:

• A willingness to do your part irrespective of what others are doing
• Understanding that dropping the ball by one of  your team mates is just part of the nature of team activities and if you can help you do.
• In a team you don’t seek to get square, you just do it because you believe in the team.
• There is no I in team but there is a me. I am allowed to revel in my successes and get rewarded for them but ultimately me is just part of team.
• Teams lose when the I thinks it is bigger than the group.
• Every team needs leaders – leaders in action more than words, but leaders none the less.

In an article I read Mick Malthouse (shame he coaches the Pies – but everyone deserves employment I guess), he talks about the true quality of character, that shines when the chips are down and in hard times (yes it is a cliche but it is true).

(more…)

Ireckon has been a proud supporter of the Beacon Foundation, a national not-for-profit aimed at helping young people create their own future. They work with schools to provide positive influence and leadership to help young people avoid unemployment and to think forward.

Today I got to experience first hand the work they do, and how well it works.

Ireckon was asked to provide some financial support to Forest Lake High School, and we were invited to hand over the cheque to the Student Leaders involved in this year’s program. The presentation was held at their assembly for Years 10,11,12 and not only did we get to have our small minute of involvement but watched and listened to the senior staff and school leaders conduct their assembly.

(more…)