I've spent a lot of time thinking recently about the future - and having moved away from Windsor and out to Cheltenham has provoked a feeling of Me2.0 - a re-starting or looking at what I really am and do - and from a working perspective what I can offer paying clients.
For the last 4-5 years I've worked and played in the Communities of Practice and social software space and developed some good client relationships based on solid delivery. At the same time I've managed projects in the enterprise space - mainly managing complex client-based IT projects and some "project management improvement" projects particularly in the area of Earned Value.
.and I've got good crits from my clients - "an excellent communicator and a very positive & motivational person to work with" - "respect & appreciation went to John immediately for his competency, professionalism and patient & positive approach" and so on. But looking with a fresh eye I see that all this positive feedback is generated from projects which involve managing the interface between conflicting groups of clients / stakeholders / suppliers.
So whilst my desire is to work with positive people in a trusted learning atmosphere and coaching and aiding situated learning - it appears that my greatest value is to be found in the middle of the bloodiest and most complex battles resolving conflict and creating value by developing clarity and having the faith and leadership to bring the projects to completion.
So - rather than continuing to confuse my personal branding with the social software / Web2.0 / CoP message . I'm relaunching John Barben - Me2.0 - and focusing on the project management and project control space. It's what I do - so I'd rather be authentically me and be clear in what I offer.
The new description "the application of real project experience and sophisticated approaches to define, develop and deliver complex projects in a conflicted client / supplier environment and the creation of value by the management and alignment of the supply and value chain". Not exactly "Just Do It" - but I'll have to work on it to make it snappy. Any suggestions???
