Same problem - different flight

The same problem with the climate control occurred again on South African Airways aircraft on the same route, that means it is the same aircraft I flew from Perth to Johannesburg a little over a week ago.

The turbine on the tail for electrics and air-conditioning was non-operational, the cabin was uncomfortably hot just as it was flying from Perth to Johannesburg. Same problem on the same route means the problem was not resolved, they just keep running the aircraft with known maintenance defects.

Will this mechanical issue prevent the aircraft from flying? Well, clearly no but it is uncomfortable for passengers and that pretty much tells us that South African Airways isn’t performing maintenance on their aircraft and they more than likely have liquidity issues so let’s see how this pans out.

Bringing my mountain bike back into Australia

As we prepare for landing, I think about my next set of problems. That is, bringing my mountain bike back into Australia.

I spent hours cleaning that bike, first there was a preliminary wash with water to get it half clean. Next I rode from my room to the house of the Field Maintenance Superintendent for the next cleaning cycle, that was running water and a brush of the bike assembled. That took a few hours to do, I think about four hours.

Then the wheels were removed and more washing took place, still with the hose, brush and paper towels. Then I started packing the bike up, handlebars off and the bike was dried and packed in the travel bag.

The next weekend the bike was pulled out of the bag and another cleaning took place with paper towels and spray. I started with CO spray and then onto a water dispersal fluid, that took another four to five hours and the bike was repacked into the bag.

So after those hours spent cleaning the bike, what was quarantine going to say? I’m pretty sure they are going to inspect the bike, it is clear they don't want soil brought into Australia. We have strict bio-security rules for a reason and I’m doing my best to comply with those rules.

I can't say I’m nervous, I’m not trying to hide anything so the question is now, how long am I going to be held up with inspections and how much is this going to cost me? I guess they will require further inspections, cleaning and possibly treatment. I am going to find out pretty soon I guess.

Smoking during work hours

As a non-smoker, I wondered if I could start taking breaks pretty much whenever I wanted? Maybe I need to take constant fresh air breaks. I reckon I will be losing 45 minutes to one hour lost productivity per day based on the smoking social gathering that is taking place in my workplace.

Our office was unattended, the phone is ringing and people are queued up at the counter while the whole front office staff are standing out the front together having a smoke. There is no point complaining to the boss as he is the one leading the smoko break - go figure.

You walk out the front and there are cigarette butts everywhere, this is the front gate of the college - the main entrance. People entering the college are greeted with staff standing out the front standing around puffing on a cigarette, students lazing about smoking and the grass is littered with cigarette butts - is this really the image the college wants to project?

Ironically, our evacuation point is the smoking area, this isn't an actual legitimate or designated smoking area but it is an official evacuation area. So the last time we had a fire drill, I reckon I inhaled more smoke than if I stayed in a burning building.

I fired off an email to the campus manager asking about this and was not met with an answer, nobody wants to tackle this issue and that is why it will continue to be a problem. Now I am out, this doesn't affect me just now but my job is open and I may be back - I will tackle it then.

Sipping Riesling in Frankfurt

It was a cool Friday evening, glancing at my watch, it had just turned 7:30 and the crowd was in a wonderful mood. The first thing I noticed was everyone was standing around sipping Rhine Riesling on this beautiful autumn evening.

In the plaza, pop-up bars abounded, a plethora of options were available, there was no shortage of choices, the real issue was to find a clear spot to stand. As I wandered up to the one of many bars, I was astounded at the choices of Riesling on offer.

I was offered a selection with a simple question of sweet or dry? This wasn't a difficult decision, of course, the answer was dry. I was given the option of a tasting that supported my initial selection and a glass was poured with a choice of 0.1 at €2.50 or 0.2 at €5.

The choices are so simple, there was a €2.50 deposit for the glass that wasn't unreasonable, I was so happy to be drinking from a decent quality glass at a pop-up bar in the heart of Frankfurt.

Friday evening was a wonderful atmosphere, guys in suits standing around soaking up the long days of sunlight, women in work attire happily chatting away after their work week had drawn to a close and the weekend approached.

This was a great lead into the weekend, everyone was happy and I certainly was. I found Frankfurt to be a wonderful place to visit, I would certainly be happy living in this city.

The five-step problem solving model

I love the use of models in a workplace environment, my business training is supportive of models and efficient decision-making should be highly structured. From my personal experiences, haphazard, illinformed and misconceived decisions occurred after ad hoc ideas lead to poor decision-making. 

At business school, I undertook a unit on decision-making, we read a ton papers loosely related to decison-making but never really reviewed one model. So I went searching for my own models, the whole framework of university education is research based after all.

The five-step problem solving model begins with the recognition that a problem exists, the identification of the problem of what should be occurring as opposed to what is actually happening. The analysis of the identified problem

The second step is to gather information, in order to make an informed decision. All decisions should be based on fact and the only way to do so is via reliable data collected via information.

On the data is collected and analysed, you are able to devise alternate solutions and then analyse the consequences of each potential solution. A number of quantitative data analysis exist that may use extensive mathematical modeling and programming.

Implement the decision, in many respects is the easiest step. To properly implement a decision, in many instances a matrix is required that not only sets out responsibilities and tracks progress, it identifies obstacles and provides solutions.

A step often overlooked is evaluating the decision, this step is important for future decision-making as the process is reviewed in relation to the data collection methods, evaluation criteria and compilation of the action/consequence grid.

Diving the Suunto D4 dive computer

I was going through old inventory at the dive shop and I found an older style and now outdated Suunto D4 dive computer. Any excuse for a dive right?

The Suunto RGBM algorithm is fairly good option for a first dive, you have fairly long no-decompression limits to actually enjoy your dive. I reckon when undertaking multiple dive days, any dive computer except for a Suunto is a good choice. 

While these are compact wrist mounted computers, the limits they place on on divers for repetitive dives means they severely limit your options for what you are able to do. I am not a huge fan of the RGBM algorithm but I do understand the importance of conservatism. 

What really annoys me is every other diver in your group can dive the profile you are unable to do and ascend safely - I have missed eagle rays, large mackerel and manta rays because of sitting in the shallows because of the ultra-conservatism of Suunto - never again.

A lack of leadership

I watched with great interest my former workplace descend into chaos brought about constant sniping, infighting and backstabbing. The leadership vacuum created by those holding positional power along with laissez faire management not only allowed this situation to develop - they encouraged it. 

The study of organisational behaviour is of special interest to me, these behaviours are textbook occurrences that occur in a leadership vacuum, this is unfortunately a government funded institution based solely on personal gain.

The behaviour by the majority of staff is poor, this is a taxpayer funded organisation with a charter to provide a service to citizens at a reasonable cost. The trouble with long-term government positions, people are elevated to roles well beyond their skill-set and capabilities.

What I learned with more than a decade in state government employment is the need to improve one's position at the exclusion of another. At the lower positions in a state government enterprise in the one upmanship and the need to white-ant fellow workers to achieve those goals.

Then there is the constant meetings with terms like teamwork used throughout yet I don’t see much application here. Leadership posters hanging on the wall everywhere, that is humorous in some respects yet sad in others.

So what needs to be done to correct this situation? Mission, vision and values statements need to be ingrained within the organisation at business unit level. This is all about culture and the application of values - this is what needs to occur.

The FIRE movement

The New York Times reported the FIRE movement to the masses; FIRE is Financial Independence Retire Early with millennial generation as the adopters of this philosophy. Naturally, this movement got hold in the United States after their disastrous economic meltdown - hardly surprising really. 

The FIRE movement espouses frugality, this is a pre-requisite for saving. Blowing income on non-required expenses and luxuries right now is the basic foundation to invest for the future. The ideals seek long term gains in low-cost index funds heeding the advice of Warren Buffett over speculation in forex, futures or even IPOs.

This form of investment takes full advantage of the powers of compounding with the largest gains generated later rather than earlier. They are listening to old guys like Buffett who have benefited enormously from solid investment and proven philosophies.

The millennial generation have jumped on board the FIRE phenomenon in the United States and I can't blame them. For many, their first experiences with the jobs market and interacting with the economy were in the aftermath of the GFC and the ensuing recession.

They were left behind, offered limited opportunities and lost belief in the system - hardly surprising. They were told to get an education they burdened with high tuition fees that limit their future investing potential - I love it when people back themselves in.

This formed a whole new mindset, for young professionals at least, they have the opportunity to get into their career, live frugality and save for better times so they can experience life. I say good on them, as older generations we would be getting on their case about blowing all their money and opportunities whilst living an extravagant lifestyle.

Hanging at my favourite cafe

When I’m in the Philippines I love hanging out at my favourite cafe, originally it was to cover coursework for my Bachelor of Training and Development. When I completed that qualification, I then without reason undertook more pain with a postgraduate qualification.

When I was hanging in the Greenbelt mall, this was without a doubt The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, I could spend hours there with my textbook, a folder full of required readings, documents and journal articles.

My drink of choice was their double espresso, when Mecky would arrive she used to drink a macchiato, her tastes changed somewhat as she now preferred a double espresso as well

Shangri La Plaza offers a few choices as they have a Starbucks, a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Toby’s Estate, Dome Cafe and Mary Grace as dedicated outlets along with all the restaurants. Forget Starbucks - no way

My trips overseas we less than lightweight, dragging all this gear around was cumbersome and a greater burden than needed at times. But, what a location to study?

When I was in Mandaluyong it was the Dome Cafe, they once again had a WiFi connection and I could spend hours working away refilling my long black every now and again.

Still friends with former colleagues

I worked with these guys for thirteen years, we had some great relationships, we work together and there is a fair degree of mutual respect. That is for a handful of these guys, the rest I couldn't care less about.

I worked in a team of just over fourty guys and I’m staying in contact with just four of them. So that's what thirteen years of work comes down to just four people. That being said, whilst I have a general lack of respect for a vast majority of former colleagues; the ones I respect are held in high esteem.

So I ask myself, why the large discrepancy? I worked with some very high performers, the vast majority don t perform at all. The question now becomes, how is this allowed to happen? Leadership is based on values and culture, whilst management is based on measurement.

What we were seeing is a general lack of accountability brought about by a culture of value erosion with no performance measurement. In many respects this was interesting to view from an organisational design viewpoint. I have taken many lessons from these experiences so I never have to witness again.   

5 km in 38 minutes

Running five km in thirty eight minutes, these numbers aren't flattering, I know that. Still, I persist and really enjoy my run despite the times I post.

My numbers were a little different when I was twenty five, whilst I never bothered timing my runs, they were around twenty minutes or better. So, what happened? Well, for starters, I ran five to ten kilometres three to five times a week, now it is one to two times in any given week.

When I wasn't running I was doing weights, normally a run was combined with a weights session, if I didn't run then it was just a weights session. We also need to take into account my age, I'm not 25 anymore, I'm 50 so I need to expect a slowdown of sorts but I need to ask myself, is double the age and double the time acceptable?

Ok, so I have hamstring issues on my left leg, I also have a sore left knee, I walk with a limp these days that causes muscle strains in unusual places on my lower legs. Standing in one position too long causes pain, a little difficult when I am supervising workers as I am direct contact and tend to spend long periods in one place.

Or should I be happy? I'm 50 and still running, sure, it's not at a level that I am happy with, should I just be happy that I get out twice a week for a run. Actually, I'm happy I am still out running, could I go faster and harder? Well, yes I could but I run to a heart rate monitor as I had heart issues so I don't push it. I try to get a maximum heart and lung workout as that is my desired outcome.

I never ran to a timer or heart rate monitor previously, I wish I did so I had a better baseline but since it was never an issue before I never concerned myself with such details. Since I began to write this post, it sat in a folder waiting to be published my heart rate monitor broke and I no longer run to a specified heart rate.

Now I run with a chronograph watch on my wrist, my old TAG Heuer s/el and I'm posting times around 35 minutes now - I’m happy with my progress. What annoys me is I've had this timepiece for 20 years and only recently began to run with it on my wrist, previously I had taken it off my wrist for any form of exercise without ever thinking about it.

Still, I’m 50 years old and not just running, sure the young ones knock me off with their pace and endurance but I'm happy to be out there exercising and enjoying life. Next I'm going to fix up my mountain bike and clock up more kilometres on bush tracks and enjoy the scenery and spend more time paddling on my kayak. Life is great, loving the Perth outdoors lifestyle.

Shay's Flat Vineyard 2012 shiraz

I'm a member of a wine club, it really isn't a club but a wine selling business. For me, the benefit of their sales expertise is the opportunity to be introduced to wines I am not familiar with. I am fortunate to live in Western Australia where we have world class wineries, new world wines and restaurants.

I was fortunate to be offered a carton of 2012 Shays Flat Winery shiraz, this is a wine I wouldn't normally purchase without a tasting. Until I became involved in this wine group, I had pretty much avoided Victorian wine, I am happy to be converted. This shiraz is deep red, this will stain anything it comes into contact with including tablecloths, shirts and trousers - I need to be a little more careful than normal.

Lovely cedary oak textures are exhibited, French oak flavours are displayed after 12 months maturation in French oak with blackberry and cigar box later in the palette. Apparently, a small volume of the wine is matured in stainless steel vats to preserve a degree of freshness. The tannins are not overwhelming but has enough legs to allow a fairly decent cellaring, for me, I was enjoying this wine relatively young.

Almost considered unemployable

I spent too long employed in the state government, I was just about considered unemployable back in the private sector. That all changed now, I am so glad to be out of the government and all of its inherent problems.

I understand that the perception of government employees is viewed as under worked, overly regimented and inflexible - it actually pretty accurate. Well, this perception is based on my personal work experiences anyway.

Fortunately, I am now employed in a leadership position, that offers a degree of freedom to run your area as you see fit - I escaped mediocrity.

Naturally, leadership roles come with a degree of stress involved but that is the trade-off for the lack of physical excursion involved. But now I am back in the private sector, I am no longer seen as an employment risk and in a year or two I will be employable again.

So why are long-term government employees seen as an employment risk? It is pretty obvious really, the perceptions are fairly accurate, lazy, a lack of accountability, indecisive, lacking vision, leadership posters hanging everywhere with no positive leadership examples to speak of. It's a pretty damning review and unfortunately fairly accurate.