Welcome to "IT's All About Choices," the show where my guest and I discuss our lives and careers, framed by our choices—both good and bad.
In 2023, I celebrated my 30th year in the workplace. As I reached this milestone, I felt it was time to reflect on the choices that had brought me to this point. I wanted to share these experiences not only for my own benefit but also to help others navigate similar career journeys.
I will delve into my own choices as well as those of my network of colleagues, customers, mentors, and friends who are willing to share their experiences. We'll explore the choices made in their lives and careers in IT or potentially in other fields.
IT's All About Choices.
ITs all about Choices. 3 minute shorts - Why do i write books?
📽 Another 3-minute short. Answering a question I'm often asked: Why do you write books?
📺 In this video, I briefly cover how I got into writing, my doubts, worries and feelings when someone tells me they've read one of my books.
⏭ I also briefly cover the next book I'm co-authoring with Lucy Grimwade (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucygrimwade/) 👀 this space.
29 Jul 2024
ITs all about Choices 3 Minute Shorts - Dealing with self-doubt
My thoughts on my own self-doubt and how i handle it.
26 Jul 2024
What a decade of freelancing has taught me.
Questions from mentees: I get asked many questions, but this one often comes up.
My answer to 'Should I become a freelancer?' is based on my experiences, warts and all.
26 Jul 2024
ITs all about Choices. 3 minute shorts - what a decade of freelancing has taught me.
Questions from mentees: I get asked many questions, but this one often comes up.
My answer to 'Should I become a freelancer?' is based on my experiences, warts and all.
7 Jun 2024
ITs all about Choices - The Women of ITSM
In this episode, two incredible women, Sophie Hussey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiehussey/) and Lucy Grimwade ACC 💥 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucygrimwade/), will join us; both have been nominated for 2024's Women in Tech Excellence awards.
Together, Sophie and Lucy spearhead a groundbreaking initiative - launching a new community dedicated to Women in IT Service Management: 'Women of ITSM'.
22 Sept 2023
S2 Ep1: ITs all about choices - The Allyship Special
🤲 On this #allyship (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=allyship&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7105193298411016192) special, I'm joined by a panel of special guests discussing the choices involved when seeking or offering allyship.
Georgina Otubela (Payne) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAADuQ7QB3Fkg6HK_ta5ryLpmyU7-YthBwH8) - A seasoned service delivery leader. Georgina is passionate about developing teams and empowering them to achieve their goals through dedicated leadership and mentoring.
Jag Sohal (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABpYS6AB0M2AC-gXOgiNIXj666k2wv2j530) - An IT Business Partner, and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-bcs/) Early Careers Ambassador. Jag is an early careers myth-buster who co-hosted the 2022 IT & Digital Apprentice Awards for the BCS (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcs/).
Lucy Grimwade ACC (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAd1PCIB96hgT1wEH_QiaxubeXNDONwBsyU) - Lucy is a career coach, an IT Consultant, Speaker, Author, Social Media guru and the co-creator of the Women in Technology #ITSM (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=itsm&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7105193298411016192) Community of Practice. Lucy is the person you want in your corner; Lucy's fortnightly 'Are we there yet?' newsletter on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkedin/) dares to ask questions and make points needed in today's world.
Kevin Dainty (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAM4y5gB7ov1-h3nVGqikAxm8JJXq-yXyRw) - Kevin is why our panel met, as the creator and ambassador for the Women in Technology Mentoring Programme (https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-technology-mentoring-programme/) sponsored by Reed (https://www.linkedin.com/company/reed/)
This global programme of over 2000 people is the basis for #mentoring (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=mentoring&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7105193298411016192) and #allyship (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=allyship&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7105193298411016192) that brought us together.
7 Jan 2023
S1 Ep10: IT's all about Choices. Episode 10. Working in IT Security, and learning from your mistakes. With Arthur Barnes
In Episode 10 of IT's all about Choices I'm joined by an old client, Arthur Barnes.
We discuss working in IT Security and Learning from your mistakes.
Arthur and I met in 2015. I had chosen to give up the security of full-time employment to work as a self-employed contractor, not only did I give up a good job, but I also chose to work in what was to me a whole new part of the industry - IT Security Operations.
I'd spent the best part of 5 years wondering whether to give up full-time employment. Choosing to do so is the best professional decision I've ever made - though it didn't feel it at the time. Working with Arthur was a great choice.
We kicked off 2023 by covering a lot of ground, including:
Arthur's career in IT Security and life choices
The importance of mentors and great leaders enabling their teams
Discussing how ITSM and SecOps share so much
How IT Security Forensics can lead to you having to ‘get out of town’
What makes a good IT Security professional from Arthurs point of view
Physical and Emotional maturity and well being
And Arthurs future choices
18 Nov 2022
S1 Ep9: IT's all about Choices. Episode 9 Female Leadership in Technology with Liz Lyne
In Episode 9 of IT's all about choices I’ll be joined by my former manager and mentor Liz Lyne.
Liz and I met in 2010 working together for several years.
In my career, I've been lucky enough to have some great mentors. Working with Liz and learning from her was pivotal to my own self-development and I hope I now pass this on to others. Liz was especially helpful when it came to my ability to read through the lines using listening and empathy.
In this episode, we'll discuss Liz's career choices and her own journey working in the technology sector, our time working together and Liz's future choices now she is recently retired.
IT's all about Choices
14 Oct 2022
S1 Ep8: IT's all about Choices. Episode 8 with AGILE coach, Dave Laycock
In Episode 8 of IT's all about choices I’ll be joined by a mentor of mine, Dave Laycock.
Dave and I met in 2010, back then I worked for Dave, and if I'm honest this time working together reset and challenged so much of my thinking and approach to work.
I'd grown confident, considered myself experienced and I wasn't shy in my belief. Working with Dave showed me that you could blend approaches and styles to achieve even better results.
Dave and I will discuss the choices that led to us working together, how Dave changed my approach, and Dave's future choices.
16 Sept 2022
S1 Ep7: IT's all about Choices. Episode 7 with Ricky Raithaha
In Episode 7 of IT's all about choices I'm joined by Ricky Raithatha.
Back in August 2008, I interviewed Ricky, offering him a role in my London-based Service Management team. Ricky was excellent, the missing piece of the jigsaw, in fact, Ricky was so good that my job was done and I chose to move on to pastures new 3 months later.
We will discuss the choices that led to us working together and whether Ricky thinks I left him in the lurch!
Ricky has since gone on to have an amazing career, we'll cover how he switched from employee to consultant, and back again as well as his decision to switch his career from Service Management to ServiceNow developer.
So please join us on IT's all about Choices as we reflect on a myriad of life and career choices, working our way up to the present day, as well as exploring those choices Ricky is planning for the future.
IT's all about choices
8 Jul 2022
S1 Ep6: IT's all about Choices E6 with Becs Doherty and James Doherty
In Episode 6 of 'IT's all about Choices' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMjKm41mM8A) I speak with Bec’s Doherty and James Doherty, all the way from Auckland, New Zealand. Today, Bec’s works as a People & Culture Manager, and James as a Project Delivery Leader.
Back in the mid-2000s, we all worked in and around the City of London. Bec’s working with a team of highly skilled coordinators with James and I supporting the critical information technology of the same investment management business, each of us choosing to operate in this highly pressurized environment.
We will discuss the choices that led to us working around one another and how this show led to a rekindling of memories such as how Bec’s and James went from sitting in their sun-kissed Auckland lounge reading the morning papers to being on a flight from New Zealand to the UK 9 weeks later, or how attempting to ‘fit in’ to a new country can lead you to choose an alternative place to make your home or indeed the impact act of choosing not to fit in when life holds another path for you.
13 Jun 2022
S1 Ep5: IT's all about Choices E5 with Doug Oram
In Episode 5 of IT's all about choices I’ll speak with Doug Oram, a fellow Enterprise Service Management Professional and the man who introduced me to classical music.
Back in 2005, I took my first steps out of the sanctuary of IBM, stepping into a whole new world of Investment Management. A choice to leap into the unknown could have ended in failure had it not been for Doug's guidance during some turbulent times.
Doug himself was no stranger to leaping into the unknown. Growing up in Kentucky, USA, Doug's choices took him to London and then into Europe before returning to the UK and being pivotal in delivering service management expertise to the UK's Health and Social care services during the COVID pandemic.
Please join Doug and I as we reflect on the choices that led to us working together and those we have made since, as well as those choices that are still to come.
IT's all about choices
13 Jun 2022
S1 Ep4: IT's all about Choices E4 with Nick Evans
In Episode 4 of IT's all about choices I’ll speak with Nick Evans. Nick is recently retired having been a long-time employee with IBM.
In the early 2000's Nick was managing IBM's largest helpdesk of that time. During this period I was transitioning from a Helpdesk analyst to a more Service Management focussed professional. A big step for me.
My career choices have been heavily influenced by Nick and the faith he put into me, possibly more faith than I had in myself.
So please join Nick and I as we reflect on the choices that led to us working together and those we have made since, as well as those choices that are still to come.
IT's all about choices
13 Jun 2022
S1 Ep3: IT's all about Choices E3 with Derek Kelly
In Episode 3 of IT's all about choices - I’ll speak with Derek Kelly.
Derek and I made a series of choices that led to us working together in the more formative years of our careers from 1998 through to 2005.
At the time our career paths seemed almost entwined, but sometimes choices are made that lead to separate paths being taken. We’ll reflect on the choices that led to us working together and those we made in 2005 which led to us taking different directions, as well as those choices that are still to come.
This should be a really fun and insightful episode, and we hope a useful reminder that IT's all about choices.
13 Jun 2022
S1 Ep2: IT's all about Choices E2 with Marion Herholdt
Back in 1998, I made a choice that would change my life and my career forever.
In Episode 2 of ITs all about choices - I’ll speak with Marion Herholdt, Marion gave me confidence during a period where I really doubted my own choices and my ability to ‘make it'.
We’ll reflect on the choices that led to us working together and those that have come since and are still to come.
It’s been 20 years since we worked together and I cannot wait to catch up with Marion and illustrate that even when you think you’ve made a terrible choice - it can be the making of you.
13 Jun 2022
S1 Ep1: IT's all about Choices - E1 with Zaf Khan
On this, the first episode of 'IT's all about choices' I'll be joined by a man I'm proud to call a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration.
My guest is Zaf Khan, Zaf and I first met and worked together in 1997. We were both young dumb and full of fun, but behind all of this, we shared a purpose and a drive that I expect neither of us really knew how to harness at the time.
We'll discuss the choices that led to us working together and the choices that have led Zaf to today and the choices he plans to make to shape his future.
Zaf is easily one of the most eloquent speakers I've met, so I invite you to join us and listen to how everything we've done has been all about choices
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