Always Prepared

The first day on a new assignment is always a mixture of dread and excitement. What are the problems? Who are the key people? What's the culture? Will the days be long or just flash by.... It's only 3 months this time..

It's no fun being a smoker in the UK these days, especially in the winter. Outside in the cold and rain smokers like to stick together. It does have its advantages though....

I soon found 'smokers corner' on my first day. My solitude soon broken by the arrival of a middle aged northern lass, well wrapped against the elements. I knew exactly what she was going to ask as she lit up her Marlboro Red..

“You're the new guy” she told me bluntly
“I am indeed” I replied. “Well new to here..” I added.
“Bet you're glad you came here. The last two didn't last long.”

I smiled. Maybe she was an informer for the London crowd. The big bosses at BadOrg PLC.
“I should be OK. There's lots of nice people here.” The PR bit done.

Her turn to smile. “Yes but they think you will soon get fed up here. It's a mess up there and you're just a contractor, passing through..”

“Well I like to think I can do a job even though I am only here for 3 months.” I countered.

“I hope you do“ she replied. “Better sort out the Finance people here. They pee all your guys off. And there's too many people playing on the Internet too. And the big bosses could do with getting themselves up here to show some support”. She continued: “They keep throwing more at your guys to support but they inherit problems from the project teams”

She was ranting but seemed to have an insight. I guessed she had waited her moment for our chance encounter in the smoking area. She was confident about her analysis.

I must stay positive. After all it was only my first week.

“I'm confident we can pull things around” I said. “I've worked in a few big organisations and they all have their problems. I'm looking forward to the challenge” I was on a roll.

“Good luck” she said stubbing out half a cigarette. “I got to dash I'm just starting my shift. Let's hope you're the decent manager they need upstairs....”. She smiled again cheekily.

“I hope so“ I smiled. “And what do you do then starting work at 6pm of a night?”

“I'm your office cleaner luv. See ya!”

I make a number of assumptions before I arrive at a new assignment site. It matters not whether the designated role is support, change or project management. I always find on arrival:

- The brief from the recruiter (agent or direct) has big holes in it
- The senior management brief is on their priorities and little on the problems and obstacles
- There are always good people willing to share their views on the issues
- No appraisal exists of whether Oracle applications give Value for Money
- A black hole exists between the business and IT teams
- A black hole exists between the Oracle projects and support teams
-The Oracle applications investment is rarely managed as a whole

Of course there can be many other issues to be addressed but these assumptions help me get off to a flier! Most other issues tend to be related to my assumptions. I like to do my best work in the early days of a contract. I'm careful not to divert too many resources away from support and projects activities whilst we address the basic problems and start adding value.

It does pay to be always prepared.

Oh and be careful what you leave lying around in your trays or throw in the waste paper basket!

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