Edition 38 - So this is Christmas? And what have you done?

Hey folks, ????

Here we are the last Double-click of the year! Have you enjoyed them so far? I have to say it’s been cathartic for me getting a bunch of this out my brain!?

Over the past 6 months we’ve had a real mixed bag of topics based on what has been occupying my brain each week with things about me, management, failure, success and everything in between!?

I guess as we reach the last of 2022 it makes sense to do a bit of reflecting. For the losses as well as the wins.?

Let’s double click. ????

Why John Lennon and Yoko Ono nailed a Christmas hit.?

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun…

I have to say this is my all time favourite Christmas song. Surprising I know!! But these first 18 words of the lyrics really do sum up my feelings when it comes to December.?

Christmas is almost always the longest time away from my regimented diary so it gives me the headspace to stand back and look at the things that have happened over the course of the year. This one has been a weird one for me both professionally and personally.?

It’s the first year I’ve had without my mum. That’s been weird. She was always the person who I rang when something was happening, because whether it was a good or a not so good thing she would always know what to say to reality check me. She instilled in me a deep sense of confidence that I could do anything if I really put my mind to it. I miss her every day but the learnings she gave me are deep enough for a lifetime. For that I am truly grateful and I continue to carry that mantle trying to instil such belief in my kids.????

On a professional level 11:FS has achieved some great things this year but I’m disappointed to accept that overall we haven't achieved what we wanted to. I haven't gotten the business where I wanted it to be by the end of this year and that super sucks but also super motivates me to make it happen.?

I can use the economic climate as an excuse, of which we like so many others have felt the impact, but really it’s down to the things we have in place not meeting the standards we initially thought they would. There’s things we need to change and evolve which is why conversely this time of year is seriously exciting always for me.

Winding down gets me pumped up.?

For most people December means intense budget planning and the longing feeling that after a full on year time off is in sight. Sure these things are true for me also, but actually it’s the time of year that has a tendency to get me the most fired up.?

Like in sports winter time is the off season for the team so the focus is very much on how to make next season the best ever. Planning and structuring could not be more important when it comes to putting the pieces in place to get to the next level, failure to plan is planning to fail and all that.?

Over the last two years we have put in place the rituals and rhythms to get planning and execution really effective. Right from the start we’ve always believed in being restless. We work with the belief that digital banking is 1% finished but this mantra is the thread that runs through everything we do internally as well as what we deliver for our clients.?

Whether it’s processes, people, initiatives or even our values all of this is only 1% finished because really it will never be done. The industry and more broadly the workplace will never stop evolving so in order to stay fresh, or to use a much loved buzzword, stay agile, questioning the quality and relevance of everything is key.

Under the hood.?

To give you a little insight into planning the 11:FS way, our cycle breaks down into 3 different stages:?

Annual company lenses: Setting out the key themes for the year companywide.?

343s: 3 objectives for 3 months broken down per division and looking through the annual lenses.?

Individual objectives: Each team member will then have a set of objectives that roll up to their team 343s. Setting these objectives ensure that each member is doing the most important thing that quarter to move the business towards.??

This top down / bottom up approach ensures that everyone in the business? is aligned with the direction we want to go in for the year while giving transparency to the long term objectives for 11:FS as a business. Parallel with this and most importantly, each Eleven will have a clear set of goals and a sense of purpose as without everyone playing their part the business does not move forwards with velocity.?

Success is a team sport. ??????

Being the CEO and spearhead to the business over the past few weeks my time has been spent on setting those annual lenses that will bring about the right direction of focus to get us back on track for 2023.?

Here’s a peek at where I landed and what the business will be thinking about with everything they do next year:?

Stability - The world is going through unprecedented times and the waters will be choppy for businesses, clients, people and the economy. We need to ensure that we navigate these waters carefully both in our actions and our spend. Our plans must be firm and our actions to enact them decisive. We must create the stability for the growth our plans create and the predictability that is required to make that happen.

Unity - We are a group. Our business units are part of a flywheel that creates opportunities for everyone across the 11:FS group. We are not, and cannot become silos, if we want to achieve our plans and continue to punch above our weight. We need to continually seek opportunities to simplify the complex and breakdown barriers to achieve our outcomes.

Focus - We are all here for a specific reason and focussing on the right thing daily gets us to the outcomes we need. We just become what we do every day so must ensure that what we do drives the outcomes required.

Rest and reset.

Those of you who are now thinking that I don’t switch off you are very much wrong. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to relaxing with my family, eating mince pies and not using my voice for a bit. Seriously, it's quiet in Norfolk!?

I love my job but I’m the first person to tell you how important it is to relax and recoup. When there’s a big season ahead you have to recharge your batteries in order to come back swinging 100%.?

Besides, I get my greatest ideas when I have the time and brain space to think about stuff much to my Chief of Staff's annoyance. ??

Have the best break folks. Merry Christmas and see you all fresh in January.?

Bye for now. ????

Dx