Thursday 20th November 2008, 03:18Oh how we laughed...........These are tough times. And I don’t believe the people who say it will all be ok, we can carry on as we always have done. Or the change affects those over there, not me. We are entering a period of significant change. And it will be bumpy. What can we learn from the past;
“But we have always done it this way” said the captain as his ship went down.
The paraffin lamp poked fun at the gas fitters digging up the road, making all that mess for nothing.
How we laughed at Walt when he talked of a whole new world of animation, we guessed he had been drinking as he regaled us with his vision for “Themed – Parks”, next it will be “Garlic – Bread” we jeered.
“Buy him a calculator” we giggled at Warren. Why doesn’t he understand, it’s a great idea to give people in poverty lots and lots of credit. If they can’t repay it, we just take back the house.
“Skills Shortage, try telling the boss” muttered the man from the TUC.
Roneo, Roneo, where for art thou Roneo. Oh, the photo copier was only having fun but the Roneo Copier did blush.
“A black President”
“Deflation”
“Hull City in the premier league?”
Safe as houses. You can’t beat bricks and mortar.
“Don’t bother briefing the workforce; they don’t understand the issues we are grappling with in the board room” Said the legals in their neatly pressed pinstripes.
But things are changing. And I believe they are changing for the better.
Sometimes we find ourselves saying daft things. Sometimes it’s tough to be able to see what’s round the corner. Sometimes it’s a cold place to be when you are the one who wants to stand out from the crowd. Having an insight, challenging, wanting to debate the uncomfortable, feeling that we should listen to those least listened too, having a crazy idea, risk taking, innovation, creativity and never being quiet when you have something to say.
But when I look at A4e, and I scrutinise the core characteristics which have enabled us to lift so many people out of poverty, innovation, creativity, fearlessness, risk taking, energy, passion, determination, endeavour, leadership, focus, belief, vision, humility, simplicity, effort, sweat and tears have all played their part. Thank you for building our company with your commitment. Thank you for the energy. Thank you for saying uncomfortable things and challenging the heart of what we do. I believe we will come through the next few years, stronger, wiser, fitter and better equipped. And when we do, it will be because you took the chance to be a part of our future success by never holding back with an idea, a daft idea, a daft crazy idea that you almost dared not to share. So thank you and if it helps, email me and lets see if we can take some of these ideas and bring them into the sunlight.
Thanks for everything you do every day.
Roy
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