Sad news last week, my cat died.  She lived to a grand old age, had a good life, and it was not unexpected… So, although it was sad, it was more melancholy than tragedy, and she will certainly be remembered fondly.

Now all of this happened just before the long weekend and like many of these things, although they are something you know has happened, life is busy, had just just have to get on with things without thinking about it too much.

This week, however, with festivities over, the schools back, things are slowly returning to a little more routine… and with not working onsite, I have been able to get on with things a little more quietly… whilst working remotely. 

Working remotely in my house is not exactly serene, but it is a different pace. I would linked to to working in the school library, rather than that free period in room 3B!… Now I am sure many people preferred the break room or common room, but I was firmly in the library camp (yes, with my little briefcase… lol), not only as I didn’t have to duck to avoid paper-based projectiles, but because I could focus and concentrate.

And, often it is in these moments that you notice things the most. Like today. Today was the day I really noticed the cat was gone. 

My normal routine:

• 2 (very) large cups of tea… before a few meetings first thing.
• Around 10:30 – get up and make a fresh coffee…

It was at this point I realised I would normally go to pet the cat and check she is okay (it relaxed me too)… except this time she was, of course, not there. 

Now it is only a small thing, and as mentioned, I was not too upset, but it did make me realise how often it is the small things that make you notice change. They can have a disproportionately big impact.

Back in the office… with my coffee… this got me thinking about how important it is to pay attention to other small moments too.

So, it is not necessarily the big wins, grand gestures and shiny things that can have the big impact… the quiet and steady presence, little touches, just being there for folks matter too.

Pound for pound – dollar for dollar, the impact of these can after all be very effective… the challenge… effort is required! As a result, they can be all too easy to put to one side, often only realising when it is too late. Money is, after all is simple if you have it.

So a surprise spring resolution… to try to look after the little things a little more, be there for folks and try to not worry so much about being that quiet(er) presence in the corner.

Welcome back, everyone.

If you haven’t been recently, it really is worth the trip. I’ve just returned from another visit out East. 

Flying back to Heathrow, walking across the linoleum worn by the endless stream of feet and wheeled suitcases—is always a bit of a reverse culture shock. But this time, I felt it even worse.

Every time I go to Asia, I’m struck by just how modern the infrastructure has become. It really is truly world-class—new, advanced, and incredibly well-designed. Deeply impressive.

I recently read a statistic stating that China has used more concrete in the last three years than the US did in the entire 20th century. That’s quite the achievement and highlights the sheer pace of change across the entire region.

However, what stood out most for me on this trip wasn’t just the futuristic, gleaming new buildings and technology, but just how well it is all being maintained.

Now, I’m not saying that building new things is easy; it’s not, but the shiny and new does often get all the attention.

Big projects often attract the investment, recognition, and excitement. The same is true for new products, new processes, and new technologies—we all love them. I certainly do, especially when it comes to cutting-edge, shiny, tech!

But while new is exciting, what truly keeps everything running is often the established systems and infrastructure—those that already have their costs well and truly sunk, yet continue to function reliably. Well and properly maintained, they can last for decades.

It is this that most impressed on this trip. Revisiting places from 10, 15 years ago and seeing them not only still standing but being actively maintained, renewed, and updated.

It was no small feat, and takes real commitment together with a degree of long-term commitment and planning.

The same applies to business. We often focus on new customers, new products, and new technology because they demand attention and investment. It is even true for new employees too. 

This is not to say there isn’t value there, there is… but does it also get a disproportionate amount of attention (and investment), vs those old legacy processes, nay customer and even employees… who are always there reliably working away in the background? Maybe.

The challenge is ignoring and passing over some of these processes and customers (yes and employees) can of course come at a cost. They may not be the most exciting places to be in the office, but they are probably holding up a lot of the business in the background… and if they are not there, or go wrong… it can be a shock!

After all, all new infrastructure, customers and employees at some point eventually become “legacy”. Doing nothing may save money in the short term, but in the long run, should it go wrong if can cost even more to fix. If we look after them along the way, they last longer and can generate even greater value.

And, this was what was impressive from the trip.  Seeing the investment in maintenance, looking after and planning for the long term, balancing the new, whilst valuing the old.

Something to bring back to the office I thought… one to mull on.

Have a good rest of the week everyone.