Sep 46 min read

LinkedIn August

1,089 impressions

I’ve shifted over the years from a preference for exploring ideas in words (that’ll be the historian in me) to seeking out images to substitute for 1,000 words (that’ll be the consultant).

This is one of my favourites. It simultaneously informs, inspires (demands) thinking, and brings a smile. That’s quite something.

It also reminds me of a comment in a press conference by Brian O'Driscoll , the greatest number 13 IMHO.

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.”

I don’t think it’s his originally - I believe Miles Kington has dibs on that - but it sounds a lot better coming from the great man!

790 impressions

I need you to play fair.

No looking it up or reading ahead.

Here goes.

Say it to yourself. Speak it out loud if you like.

What flag is this?

Well done if you know - you must be fun at parties.

If you don’t, here are some clues.

1) it has the tallest peak in the world

2) it has the wettest place in the world

3) it has the most active volcano in the world

4) it was a monarchy until 1893

5) it’s made up of 137 islands

6) it’s number 50

Still not there?

Well aloha to the answer.

It’s Hawaii, which became the USA’s 50th state 65 years ago today on 21 August 1959.

I know that from my “on this day in history” app (yes, I do. Live with it.)

So, why have I chosen to write about it?

Actually, it’s not because of the anniversary - although a little “Hau'oli La Ho'omana'o” does seem appropriate.

It’s because it’s brought another date to the forefront of my mind.

7 December 1941.

The “day of infamy” when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, precipitating America’s entry into WW2 and, well, the rest is history.

Churchill had been lobbying FDR for reinforcements and direct action but, in the end, it was Japan’s attack - and Hitler’s support for it - that became the tipping point for the President, Congress and American people.

The link with my day to day business?

History is replete with examples like this. Of things taking unexpected turns. Of unforeseen events and actions providing solutions that weren’t expected. Of the situation going from bad to better.

The same is true in our own daily lives and, yes, in governance too. An unflattering review or damning inspection report or unwanted resignation or toxic dynamics or critical article or financial blackhole or overwhelming omnishambles doesn’t have to be the end of the story. The denouement can be positive. The journey to resolution can be transformative. And the catalyst for redemption can be unexpected.

Reading about Hawaii has been fascinating - I’ve had to relearn everything I believed to be true about Everest, for instance - and I was totally unaware of the flag and the story behind it.

Above all, though, very nicely for a Wednesday, it’s reminded me that what has gone before can be the inspiration for turning things round this time.

If ANHH Consulting Ltd can be part of your solution to challenging times you know where to find us. We’ll be doing it peacefully and in a spirit of partnership though.

Aloha. How perfect to have the same word for hello and goodbye.

535 impressions

Slides. Workshop. Tuesday.

Risky business.

Or, more accurately, a session on strategic risk management.

For a charity client of ANHH Consulting Ltd.

Strategic risk management is a key jigsaw piece in the good governance puzzle. My slides reference the Charity Commission's expectation that Trustees will...

"Act with the care and diligence that is reasonable to expect of a person who is managing the affairs of another person."

Setting aside the obvious - that lawyers would salivate over what that statement actually means - it seems "right". Appropriate. Sensible.

But...

1. We're all natural (calculated) risk takers.

2. Remaining viable often depends on taking risk.

3. The more progressive strategies often depend on taking risk.

4. Delivering charitable objects often depends on taking risk.

5. Opportunity and risk are two sides of the same coin.

There's a whole language around risk - controls, assurance, tolerance - but the one that matters most, and is usually given insufficient attention, is "appetite".

How hungry are you?

Or, less flippantly, how far are decision takers prepared to go to discharge their duties, deliver their strategy, and support their beneficiaries? And, there might be multiple appetites. In a provider of care services, for instance. Perhaps higher when it comes to attracting and retaining staff, but lower when it comes to reducing quality or alarming the Regulator.

That's where the real debate lies.

And that's the debate that demonstrates the "care and diligence" that the Charity Commission expects.

Risk is when I don my best governance anorak. Love it. Think it's the most intellectually stimulating and professionally satisfying part of governance.

I'm strange like that.

If we can support you with your risk management processes, you know where to find us. After all, it's too much of a risk not to.

548 impressions

Positivity alert❗️

🐾 Today is both hashtag#NationalDogDay and hashtag#InternationalDogDay 🐾

🐶 For those of us in the know, every day is a dog day, of course. But today is our special opportunity to thank them and to honour them.

🧑‍🎨 Vincent Van Gogh once said that

“𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙜 - 𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 - 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.”

I can only agree.

This is Billy. A retired former racer from Ireland via Ashbourne Rescue Centre who adopted me back in 2022. 42 races, 9 wins. Still runs like the wind. Does zoomies that make your heart sing. Living the life he deserves.

I can’t imagine a world without the wonderful soul that is Bill. But, sadly, there are too many dogs in rescue centres wanting nothing more than love ❤️ and attention.

We don’t deserve dogs. Dogs are so pure, so loyal, so loving. Non-judgmental. Supportive. Good for your health.

I didn’t have dogs growing up, but have been blessed as an adult. Stitch, Zippy, Oscar - now Billy. And Buster and Blanche with my partner.

Thank you - you crazy, loving, loved, adorable, funny, serious, special canines.

656 impressions

Risk and sartorial eccentricity.

Not your typical bedfellows.

𝗕𝗨𝗧...

Last evening, as I reflected on yesterday's risk workshop, I noted that today is #NationalBowTieDay.

Put the two together, and you have #BowTieAnalysis. A risk assessment technique applied in high-risk industries, it aims to answer four things:

1️⃣ what can go wrong (hazards)❓

2️⃣ what bad effects could occur (adverse events)❓

3️⃣ how likely is the hazard to lead to harm (risk)❓

4️⃣ is there a need for action (controls or barriers)❓

The approach is applicable in many settings. It takes time and multi-professional effort to do, so is best used sparingly for the biggest challenges, but it's an innovative way to visualise and understand sources of risk, effectiveness of control, potential outcomes, and gaps in risk management.

Seizing the opportunity, I can't let National Bow Tie Day pass without comment. I was listening to a market expert talking earlier in the month about tedbaker having to close its remaining 31 UK stores. The reason given, I guess deliberately simplistically, is that "people no longer wear suits".

The pandemic created a new normal for "office" wear - smart on top, tracksuit/jeans/best-not-to-ask below the camera (admit it, we all do it!) - but I'm struggling to remember the last time I saw multiple ties on screen. Let alone a bow tie.

I've always loved a self-tie bow tie (don't get me started on pre-tied). Used to be my every day attire. They have an undeniable power to:

🥸 signal self-expression

🗯 spark conversations

⚡ divide opinion

🕰 demonstrate a nod to the past

🌀 challenge the status quo

Basically, all the things I love. I find myself drawn to Rick Kaplan's succinct observation: