Remotidex meeting notes 10th July 2020

At the July 2020 Exidex we really pushed the envelope and met via Google Meet for a change. Apart from a few computer issues we all felt it was pretty good – as we are all now multimedia systems technical experts these days!

Exidex (The Experienced Individuals Ideas Exchange) is a project based in Bishop’s Stortford where Experienced Individuals "Exies" meet up in a comfortable and relaxed place (currently our own homes) to brainstorm and exchange ideas about how to make things better.

First of all I have put it out there that this will be the last remote Exidex, and that I want to meet in person on the 11th August. I will personally notify the senior management at C?te to ensure they are open by then, and will also have a word with the Chief Medical Officer to warn against any ideas he might have about any localised lockdowns.

The topic for this Exidex meeting was procrastination as a positive – more about that later.

We took some time to discuss the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, with various points of view being put forward about the way things have been handled nationally. On a local level we all felt that there has been a tremendously positive response in the community and that should be valued and cherished. How to keep that momentum though?

Of course – volMatch! We had a good look at the first proposed social media posts, and the suggestion to use more local imagery was taken on board. Watch this space! Well actually, watch this space: www.volmatch.org but you know what I mean.

We shared thoughts on how we can best help people in the local area to recover from lockdown and cope with the anticipated financial turmoil. It all looks rather bleak, and the news is unremittingly grim. We have the answer though: Hazel Hill. Some of you will know that Hazel Hill was the North London schoolgirl who, aged 13, used her mathematical ability to calculate that Spitfires could use eight machine guns instead of four – which some historians credit as the ultimate difference between success and failure at the Battle of Britain.

The relevance of this story today is that the answer to how we get through the aftermath of the pandemic crisis lies in the ingenuity of our young people. We thought for a while about whether the current shake-up of post-18 education might turn out to be a blessing in disguise if some of the weaker courses at weaker institutions might fade away, and open the path to a better skilled future workforce. If it means the education that we are providing for our young people is more applicable to the world that they’re going to be living in, then good.

It then occurred to us that we’d run out of time to talk about the benefits of procrastinating – which was fine. We can talk about that another time…

 Exidex is for people who can identify with one or more of the following:

 ● not in work

● motivated by being pro-active

● may have taken early retirement or a career break and are now looking for something stimulating and productive to do

● would like to gain employment by offering their skills and experience

● whose children may have flown the nest and are now looking for new opportunities

● in a job that is not making the best use of their relationships and capabilities

The ideas that the Exies bring do not necessarily have to be revenue generating business ideas – they can be in the charity sector or anything that the Exie feels will be interesting. The aim is to create the buzz that can be found in small groups when ideas are floated, refined and gather momentum before spinning off with a life of their own.

If you or anyone that you know could fit the description, please do visit the website www.exidex.com or get in touch with us at [email protected]

We look forward to meeting you at the next Exidex meeting. The date for this is Tuesday 11th August, at C?te Brasserie in Bishop’s Stortford (assuming they have reopened by then!). Please book in here, and have a good month!