Regroup, Review, Replan

As we know Covid-19 has had a terrible effect across the Globe and devastated so many lives and businesses. Hopefully the worst of it is over with and the potential second wave is not as bad as the first. The time is now to regroup, review and replan 

What would we do differently?  

• Do I want to go back to how it was pre Covid-19? 
• How do I want to proceed?  
• What does my future look like? 

And so on.... 

So, I have done exactly that, and have finally taken the plunge to head out in to the world of freelance consulting!  

These past few months have been great for soul searching and contemplating the future. I hit the big 50 last year and although it is only a number, and I do treat it that way, but is does help you focus on the remaining 15- 20 years of your career - slightly longer than planned due to Jake, my six-year-old son! 

I personally don’t want to go back to how it was pre Covid19. I was very fortunate to work for a great company during the main part of the Pandemic and my wife was able to stay home to do the schooling, so we didn’t have it too bad. It gave us a great opportunity to be together more and fully develop a great work life balance.  

Moving forward I would like my new business to reach all corners of the globe. One of the positive outcomes of Covid – 19 is that businesses have more faith in technology and not everyone has to be in the office or even on the same continent to be able to work efficiently! Majority of my work can be done from my home office, the coffee shop or even whilst travelling. Infact I am currently working with some clients in Australia, which is going very well. 

How does my future look? 

Well we can’t predict the future but we can defiantly plan for it and hopefully we will make it. I have lost too many family members and friends over the last two years to mention, some very inspiring people. This has made me realise now is the time to act and stop putting off your plans Carl! 

Therefore, to help me realise my dreams I am looking to build a network of clients anywhere in the world. Work with them on improving their processes and maximising their use of Microsoft 365. 

I was fortunate enough to lead the Ports of Jersey Continuous Improvement Programme for nearly four years. Its success was down to the way the teams across the operation adapted the way they worked. During that period a culture of operational excellence was embedded into the organisation, leading to:  

·    300+ processes reviewed and improved  

·    200+ members of staff trained to Yellow Belt Six Sigma  

The resulting benefits:  

·    2 million minutes of wasted time saved  

·    ￡1,000,000 saved  

  Not only have there been tangible benefits, but all the employees now have the ability and authority to review everything they do in a structured and systematic way. They are encouraged to remove any ‘wasted time and effort’ and implement the improved processes. This is employee empowerment at its best and is now business as usual within the Ports of Jersey.  

I have spent the last year working as a Consultant within the Channel Islands helping businesses transform the way they work by implementing versions of the above programme.  

 ‘Carl's natural curiosity and improvement mindset were exactly what we were looking for to lead our Operational Excellence initiative - the Acceleration Programme. We equipped him with tools, gave him the space to deliver - and he did amazingly well. So well, in fact, he started early revenue from the programme by selling it to external companies’ – Doug Bannister CEO Port of Dover (former CEO Ports of Jersey) 

 Microsoft Customer Stories

I am available for contract work ranging from 5 days a week to 1 day a year, whatever suits your requirement's. Please visit my web site and drop me a line. It would be great to meet you. 

Many thanks and stay safe

Appleton Consulting Web Site