It was Forty years ago today Uncomfortably wearing my new Slater Menswear suit and a tie that was strangling me I jumped on the bus to Sighthill in Edinburgh for my first day at work. I was to be employed by Bank of Scotland as a computer programmer during my sandwich year (a 48-week assignment) from Edinburgh Napier University. I was the first Technology undergraduate the bank had hired in this role and neither I nor they knew what to expect. Fortunately, their expectations were suitably low. My place of employment was a large two-story building with a lower floor below ground which housed, the freezing computer centre where the IBM equipment which powered the bank's operation was based. I was to be located on the upper floor of this windowless building designed for function not for employee comfort. Working in a windowless environment is a truly surreal experience. On my first day, I was provided with a security access card, a cardboard clock-in card to mark my arrival and departure, a deck/chair/computer monitor and a mentor, Archie Dixon. I was asked to sign various forms, including one to set up a pension which today I am eternally grateful for :) The year that followed changed my life. I worked with committed individuals, men and women who were excited by the possibility of what technology could achieve and their enthusiasm seeped into me. I received the most incredible education from professionals who were always willing to take the time to explain to me how something worked, why something was important and to help me develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that I use to this day. Though a novelty they treated me with respect, patience and with an honest desire to have me as part of the team. And I learned the responsibilities of being a team member the most important of which was to deliver on my commitments. But what I remember most was the mentorship I received. The hours and hours that Archie and others would take out of their busy day to slowly explain to me how the bank operated, how the systems linked together and the importance of creating high-quality, well-documented code. They also allowed me to participate in client meetings, including my first trip to London where I developed my passion for what technology could achieve for the end user. How it could improve their life through the automation of the mundane, and the creation of the possible. I am reminded of my time at the bank whenever a young entrepreneur asks me for help. I owe a great debt of thanks to those who invested in me and I repay this by simply helping others when asked. Who will you help today? After graduating I returned to the bank and for five years I built a successful career, moving from Programmer to System Analyst until I decided I needed a new challenge. You never know if you use a Lloyds Banking Group ATM today perhaps there is still a small piece of my code still running, I would like to think so.
Theresa Shearer FRSE
5 个月
“Who will you help today”…… Katie McVey a timely nudge to support people in their learning rather than doing for or too ……#People #Leadership CIPD Recruitment & Employment Confederation Institute of Directors (IoD) future leaders definetely need experiential learning as outlined by Russell Dalgleish this can also be supercharged ??and leveraged with formal lifelong learning Bob Cowie this post reminded me of you and a young CEO on day1.
Douglas M.
5 个月
That code was replaced around 1999 when they realised it was going to cause a date bug. ?? Slater were and possibly still are the best for customer service. Always a great place to get treated with utmost respect even though the suit maybe be wonderfully low priced. Their technique was simple, a bloke to help you pick the suit and a team of women sales people to upsell the shirt, ties, belts, shoes and make you part with another few hundred quid. Genius but you felt great and ready for your big night out or interview. I was over the road in Royal around the same time but also spent time at BoS, our paths may well have crossed.
Mike Cassidy
5 个月
Interesting the recall you have of this timeline in your life which I sense is more like 4 rather than 40 years ago. Often reminded it is about direction (compass) rather than time (clock ) that determines where we are going… To the next 40 years in what ever direction this journey called life may take you but be sure to have a road map (plan) to get you there… Mindful we are all on this journey together we can truly make a difference by being a change agent for others. You’ve got this my friend. MC aka US SCOT ??????????????????
Bart Kowalczyk
5 个月
Incredible story, it’s interesting how much details do you remember.
David White
5 个月
Russell, I can honestly say that the Bank of Scotland computer centre in Sighthill was the most depressing building I have ever worked in. It operated 24 hours a day but unless you looked at your watch you did not know if it was day or night.
Samantha Leeman
5 个月
I'm currently sat in that very same office Russell Dalgleish, with a wonderful team of people who help me every day to learn new things. ??
Ian Dowson
5 个月
Great post Russell, 40 years ago I went into that building in Sitehill Edinburgh as well, it was to look at HOBS Home and Office Banking Services so a Corporate could be paid on line by its customers. It was probably the first online banking system globally, I begged them to make the system available for large corporate use, in those days I had budgets and offered ￡￡￡￡￡￡'s but to no avail.
Jock Boyle
5 个月
Thanks Russell great post, it’s life experiences that give us the knowledge for us to learn from and then pass on,
Digital Innovator & Collaborator
5 个月Did you build a back door into the ATMs code? Asking for a friend..