I seem to be going down the route of a "portfolio"   more »

The Llysfasi Spirituality Workshop (see earlier article today) has contributed to what is looking like a change of direction from seeking management work, to applying the spiritual direction skills that I am developing. The most obvious place for this is within the church, however I am discovering that there is an unfilled need for coaching of clergy and other church leaders, and that this could develop into coaching or facilitation work within the business world, which would draw on my previous business experience too.

Some of these thoughts have developed from a conversations that I enjoyed at a fascinating workshop that I was part of on Monday, looking at facilitation skills in the context of the future of "Whatever Next...?" I was in great company, including another Cranfield MBA Alumnus, and a director of 3D Coaching.

Returned yesterday from a ten-day trip to Spain to help clear out the in-law's house. This was an emotional time for all of us, although the sunshine and some physical work in the garden was good therapy; we were pleased to complete more than we had expected.

Disappointed to find an e-mail telling me that I would not be invited to a second interview for a job that I had been keen on.

My journey with the government agency Jobcentre Plus continued today. I had to attend an interview because I have been on their books for thirteen weeks without finding a job. The letter asking me to attend (and listing dire threats if I did not, such as stopping my Jobseekers' Benefit) told me to bring evidence that I had been seeking work.

So I turned up with lots of papers expecting a conversation enquiring about how my job-hunting was going. These were not asked about. Instead, I was told that I had to widen my job search (I wasn't asked whether I already had) and told to choose a job that I wanted from a list of the ten most popular jobs advertised at the Chippenham Job Centre.

I should say that the nearest that there computer could get to my work with CMS when I signed on with them at first was "Office Manager" - not very close really - and I now had to widen my search from that.

Pleas, that none of the jobs that I wanted were on the list, were ignored because of rules that had to be obeyed. I could see nothing about charities, or strategy, or general management, or marketing. Not being attracted at the moment to jobs as a cleaner or storekeeper, the best seemed to be "Local Government Administrator." There then, at a stroke, is my new career. The lady who sought to guide me through this charming process advised me that I should choose this rather than "Civil Service Administrator" because it would be better paid. Maybe I can now apply for a job like the one she has.

Am I mad, or is it everybody else?

Yesterday I attended the final day of my Working For a Charity Course in London. I recommend it! (My placement with Send a Cow will continue through the Summer.)

 My purpose in doing the course was to gain, or regain, an overview of how the charity sector works, and the course has exceeded my expectations. This has happened not just through the content of the course, and enjoying the many different presenters, but also through enjoying the company of the other fellow travellers (the other eleven course members) and Elaine and Catherine who organised it so well.

It has been great to watch course members grow in understanding, skill, and confidence during the course; and I hope that we shall keep in touch.

As well as learning new facts about the charity sector, it has been good to realise how skills gained in previous voluntary and paid work will transfer into work in the wider charity sector. It has also reminded me of skills that I have that I tend to take for granted - for example in marketing, communications, presenting, and coaching.

Today I started work for Send a Cow in Bath. They are an interesting charity developing sustainable farming in Africa, and originally started by farmers from this area. I shall be doing some consultancy work for them, to look at the effectiveness of their fundraising to churches, and it got off to a good start today.

This is a voluntary placement for about 20 days or so spread over the next few months, tied to the Working For a Charity Course.

Take a look also at their fun Cowforce web site, with games and downloads, aimed at schools and children! The jokes are entertaining too.

The charity has diversified from its original work of (literally) sending cows to Africa to work more widely in sustainable agriculture and community development. Livestock, and initiatives such as keyhole gardens and economical clay stoves, help to support and build communites - whether extended families or those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. I like a quote in the Summer 2007 issue of Send a Cow's "Lifeline" newsletter, from an African Farmer: Without peace and love in the home, even meat is bitter!

More good quotes, from Mark Berry's blog. See category "quotes" for more.

My favourite of these (I used to work for Intel):

"Failure is just part of the culture of innovation.  Accept it and become stronger."
Albert Yu, Senior Vice President of Intel

One of the things that I don't like about job-hunting is uncertainty, so I felt chastened by a conversation between John and Mother Teresa.

John has been on a three month pilgrimage to Calcutta to meet MT and to get clarity. He asks her to pray for this.

MT: "No! I will not do that. Clarity is the last thing that you are clinging to and you must let go of it."

John replies that she always seems so clear about what she should do.

MT: "Oh, I have never had any clarity whatsoever. What I have is trust. So I will pray that you trust Jesus."

This conversation, between "renowned ethicist" John Cavanagh and Mother Teresa was referred to in a talk by Peter Grieg of 24/7 Prayer delivered at an Alpha event at Holy Trinity Brompton Church. It was printed in Focus, an enclosure in the latest issue of the Church of England Newspaper.

Last Friday I enjoyed a day in the company of half a dozen other people at a picturesque conference centre in Buckinghamshire. We were all people at decision points in our lives, and this was a "Whatever Next...?" Day.

With sensitive facilitation, and feedback from one another, we found new ways of looking at our situations and new ways of moving forward. The only thing we knew beforehand was that we should start by sharing our stories (therapeutic in itself), enjoy good food, and choose how the day would flow from there.

True. I recommend it.

I realise that I'm fed up with describing myself as unemployed.   more »

Today I started a Foundation Course on working for charities.   more »

Is the job hunt working?

I seem to be finding people to network with and jobs to apply for, and I'm even being invited to interviews. However nobody has offered me employment yet! Maybe I shouldn't be impatient - I'm only 27 days into unemployment. (May be I should have a counter in this blog - but that's the problem: I want it to be counting DOWN not UP!)

I do feel that I am still in the Research Phase: learning from the experiences that I have as I meet people to discuss work. This is shaping my ideas of what work I want to do, and I continue to consider self-employed options too.

I feel that words of St John of the Cross are helpful, as I sail into uncharted waters. (Yes, this blog is supposed to have a nautical theme.)

Conversations that I have been having in connection with my search for work have reminded me of my interest, and skill, in strategic marketing.

Marketing is defined as matching the resources of the organisation with the needs (or "wants") of the customer. This is what I had practised in my industrial career, and the question of how to match organisational resources and customer needs is foundational to business strategy.

What puzzles me is that in the charitable sector marketing seems to be used in a much-diminished way: not referring to business strategy but to particular communication activities such as "marketing campaigns" (which the industrialist would probably call advertising, or publicity, or mail-shots).

I think, sadly, that such misuse of the word marketing contributes - in some not-for-profit organisations - to a real lack of strategic thinking about how to match creatively the resources of the organisation, which include its supporters, with the needs of its beneficiaries.

After an enjoyable week of dinghy sailing, "back to earth" and job-hunting with a bang!

Visited the government Job Centre Plus today to register as unemployed.

Continuing to explore a range of avenues, and taking a look at jobs being advertised by Bible Society.

Today, Friday, was my last day working for CMS.

This picture is of Partnership House, Waterloo Road.

I got excited at the thought that I may leave CMS and go straight in to another job, however it is now clear that I shall enter that state called "unemployment." I like the idea of a rest, however my diary already seems full of appointments with people I feel that it will be useful to connect with. While waiting to see whether God may guide me to more full-time employment (whether in another mission agency or elsewhere) I am exploring management consultancy and interim management, as well as opportunities within the church.

I should enjoy some overseas work. I should like to renew friendships in India, and explore more, and I have an unfulfilled yearning to spend time in Africa.

My redundancy notice ends on 18th May, but I have negotiated an earlier departure on Friday 30th March.

Our family are feeling a lot of grief at the moment, with bereavements in the family as well as that of leaving work and freinds made at CMS.

Thanks to all those who are supporting me in different ways as I look for new work.

Today someone reminded me that Charles Handy recommended that people have a portfolio of work. I wonder whether I am heading in that direction, which has the potential to be particularly adventurous, as the jobs that I have applied for so far may be either full time or part time.

I have been invited to second interview by a UK mission agency who are seeking a collaborative Chief Executive.

I am also exploring the possibilities of management consultancy, having responded to an advertisement from The Management Centre, London, who specialise in working with not-for-profit organisations.

Today I had what seemed to be a successful interview with Accts MMI for the post of Chief Executive and Team Leader. This followed an encouraging practice interview with Tom on Monday.

It feels strange to be having to change jobs within two years of joining CMS.   more »

My job at CMS has been made redundant.   more »