Settling in

Starting a new job, or starting out on your own, is a bit like opening a box of chocolates. You dive in, sometimes with the help of a map/menu (or an induction) and choose which bits to pick up first. 


It might be that you go for the old favourites, the comfy slippers that you know and love, or in my case, the ones you've never tasted before.


The major reason for me taking my new job (see previous post) was that I wanted a challenge, and that is certainly what I've got.


So, who am I and what am I all about? A question I often ask myself.


By day, Liverpool John Moores University have my attention and loyalty. Every other minute of the day I move between mum (and other family roles), techie, organiser and  chief schmoozer. 


Taking on Twestival for it's first two iterations put me in touch with a great gang of Liverpool tweeps, who are incredibly supportive, welcoming and friendly and I try to put into the community what I get out.


I'm interested in doing things better (in all ways), it was called business process re-engineering when I studied. I really like doing that. I also like mashing stuff up, and playing with new toys and gadgets. I haven't programmed for a while, but know that I still could if I wanted to, and prefer human interaction than purely technical.


I love parties, socials, get togethers, getting people talking and thinking and creating original ideas. I don't like boundaries, so the fact that I work in a particular environment won't stop me from talking to any other area of the University, the City or the World!


I write this after a significant time away from blogging, twitter has become my first love for sharing and collaborating but sometimes you need a little more than 140. Just now and then.


Things that are going on for me right now include organising Mashed Libraries Liverpool (which needs a much more inventive name!), and the OCLC mashathon which is likely to precede it in May. I'm supporting a friend in organising Liverpool Twestival for the first time (liverpool.twestival.com) and considering getting involved with the geekup community.


So, all in all, life is good.


Projects that I'll be writing about soon will be (note to self):

• RFID - how to use it to battle stock management problems
• Mobile apps 
• Process review and culture change
• Supplier relationships
• Re-modelling higher ed websites (for support services)
• Using social media to enhance professional relationships
• Mashups and Mashathons
• Going car-less
• Setting up a digitisation suite and finding partners to work with
• Organising events with no time and no budget

I love getting the train to work. Merseyrail is fab! (you can quote me).


















Where to find more about me:


LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/m8nd1


Twitter: http://twitter.com/m8nd1


Work: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/79449.htm


Twestival: liverpool.twestival.com