Matt Webb has been keeping UnOffice hours for a few years, a few timeslots in his week during which anyone can come by and talk to him. Several people in my network similarly have opened parts of their weekly schedule for others to be able to plan a conversation with them. Using a tool like Calendly, it saves the back and forth of finding a time. More importantly it is a clear signal you don’t have to ask if it’s ok to have a conversation. You can just go ahead and plan it if you want to talk to them.
I like that idea. A few times in the past I’ve mailed a selection of my own contacts to ask them for a conversation, just to catch up and hear what they are doing. It always leads to some new insights or connections, and sometimes it generates a next step. It’s a serendipity aid.
As an experiment I’ve created a schedule in which anyone can book a conversation on Wednesday afternoons (Central European Time). You can find the link to my Calendly schedule in the right hand side bar.
Cool, after announcing UnOffice hours this morning, the first conversation is scheduled for next week. A conversation with a friend, but on a topic that otherwise maybe wouldn’t have surfaced in this way for a conversation.
It was an agreeable week for me. Visiting a conference and some longer meetings meant I had less time than I originally wanted to do focused work.
This week I
launched my ‘UnOffice‘ experiment, with a first conversation lined up for next week
presented the EU legal framework for data and digital to the Edgeryders network, to see how this may aid their efforts. The conversation strengthened my urge to build network and community around these developments along the lines of how we did 12 years ago around open data. Took time to write out my thoughts on that later in the week.
Visited the Public Spaces conference, which I enjoyed, and where both POSSE and Habermas were name checked early on. In the afternoon there were sessions discussing the new EU legal framework, which was good, and showed how much it is needed to go out and explain the utility of these legal instruments.
Discussed a range of follow-up actions to conversations had earlier with the JRC
Generally felt good about the way I worked out notes this week. Really enjoyed and appreciated the ratcheting effect it has for me. Also this week it felt natural to use small bits of time to jot down a few thoughts here and there, that by the end of the week felt substantial amount of useful material.
Had our monthly all hands company meeting, at our offices. We also took some time for more photos (see below) of ourselves, and our work. For our website, and e.g. in slides etc.
Woke up one morning at 5:45 by a tremendous thunder and lightning strike nearby.
Had our car towed again, for what seems the same issue as last November
Had a meeting with the Ministry for Economic Affairs to explore the use cases that may be helped by the new EU data legislation
Took in some sessions, where they fitted timezone-wise, of Nick Milo’s PKM / Obsidian conference
With E finalised plans and arrangements for Y upcoming birthday party. Also with Y wrote the party invitations for her friends, and with her cycled around town to deliver them
Did some admin trivia that took a surprising amount of time
Created a script that now allows me to post material directly from my feed reader to my markdown notes
Took Y to her weekly swimming lesson
Photoshoot for our site in the staircase of our office building.
The first work week of this year was a filled one. As is implied by sparse blogging (like the last few months which were very busy too). However it looks like this was the last peak, and the coming weeks allow more time to actually focus on a few things, not just running to the next deadline.
This week I
Prepared some talking points and had a conversation with the new board member of a client, about the work I do for them
Had a meeting with my businesspartners discussing the final financial numbers of 2022 and determining the yearly bonus for the team. We had about 10% more turnover than last year.
Later in the week had another meeting to finish the 2023 budgeting. Salaries are rising significantly, as we’re indexing in line with the statistics office inflation figure for 2022, and there are the regular yearly increases for our team members. Our portfolio is well filled however and if we do the work, in terms of turnover should be more than ok to cover those salaries.
Did a lot of small things and several meetings to do the final preparations for a meeting with a minister next week. Quite amazing the level of preparation and detailed planning that goes into such working visits.
Had the weekly client meetings
Started the week with a empty-my-head exercise to create an overview of all the things going on in the various projects I’m involved in, and to choose the starting and focus points after returning from holidays.
Had a pleasant conversation with Frank Meeuwsen about networked agency and personal professional development of teams. He booked a conversation with me through my ‘open hours‘. Fun to catch up.
Took Y to her weekly swimming lesson. This was her first swimming lesson where she was fully clothed. It means she’s getting closer to getting her swimming diploma. The Dutch benchmark for a swimming certificate is being able to manage situations where you accidentally end up in the water, meaning you need to be able to swim distances, also under water, with clothes and shoes. Not merely a hypothetical situation, given the many surface waters in our part of town.
Helped E set-up her own VPS and Yunohost.
Spent Sunday morning with E and Y visiting the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Y wanted to see the Nightwatch (currently being restored in situ), so we did.
Visited a few new years meet-ups, from clients, and today the meet-up of the open source geo community, which took place in Hilversum, on the way back from visiting the Rijks in Amsterdam.
Portrait of Ramses Shaffy (1933-2009) as ‘metro map’ of the life lines of people important to him (24 by 13 meters). By Marjan Laaper. At Vijzelgracht metro station, near the Rijksmuseum
Neighbourhood police station 1919-1938 Hilversum, designed by Dudok