1. Careers
your questions answered
❱❱ I’ve started a new job and there are so many
quality problems I don’t know where to start.
What ideas can you give me to put a plan together? people on
the move
© SERGEY BAYKOV
What we are describing here is ef- more pain you can resolve for each
fectively a coping strategy combined unit of your effort the better. Don’t ❱❱ John Broome
with a prioritisation plan. Hopefully spread your efforts too thinly by trying John Broome, ACQI,
the people who took you on for this to tackle a whole range of issues at has been appointed vice-
new role are already aware of once. There is an unwritten rule with president, Asia region,
the situation and aren’t ex- project management that it is better for Australian certifica-
pecting miracles over- to have just a few projects on the go tion body, International Standards
night. Do get used at any one time. This way they all get Certifications. Having previously
to communicating done better and quicker, which frees held a similar role with BSI, John
often and in some you up to deal with the next one. has taken over responsibility for the
detail about If you can do this and deliver real nine country business units in Asia.
where you are benefits then try to hang on to at least John is currently based in the Phil-
and when your a percentage of the savings in time or ippines, having spent eight years in
management money to reinvest in further improve- Hong Kong.
team can expect ments. This should be easier with a
to see some positive track record, thus enabling ❱❱ Chris elliott
results from your you to move from the vicious circle of BAE Systems has appointed Dr
efforts. Make sure fighting fires and controlling problems Chris Elliott to aid the group man-
you make it clear over to the virtuous circle of improve- aging director of programmes and
to them what you are ment with fewer problems and more support, Nigel Whitehead. Chris,
doing and what problems resources to effectively solve them. who is a leading systems engineer
you are dealing with. More Be aware of the temptation to get and a barrister, will advise on work
importantly, tell people what you are involved in matters of routine and to review the company’s approach
not dealing with – yet. general support. Many people in the to product safety across all sectors
In terms of prioritising where to organisation will want your input but in the UK.
start, do take time to assess exactly your focus has to be on the prob-
what the current situation is. If things lem landscape until resources are ❱❱ marek GraBowski
are as bad as you imply, then hav- available to spend time and effort on Marek Grabowski will take over
ing an overview is vital to ensure you tackling problems through effective from Jon Grant as leader of the Au-
spend your efforts wisely. Part of your process design and robust manage- diting Practices Board on 1 March.
initial assessment should be an evalu- ment systems. Mark retired as a partner at Price-
ation of the pain that each problem The culture shock of having a waterhouseCoopers at the end of
is causing. Here you can take advice seemingly endless range of problems 2009. Jon Grant will continue to
from those around you to understand to deal with can be immense, par- work with the accounting watchdog
the implications of each problem ticularly if you have come from a job on a part-time basis.
and the cost to them in terms of time where you have had time to sit back
spent dealing with the outcomes of and think. However, the satisfaction ❱❱ elizaBeth BalGoBin
the problem. This will help you to of seeing the transformation through Charities Evaluation Services has
prioritise areas for improvement. The cannot be bettered. appointed Elizabeth Balgobin as
interim chief executive. Elizabeth,
previous leader of the London Vol-
untary Services Council and CEO
of Hackney Training and Employ-
please email your useful links ment network and the Pan London
career questions www.apm.org.uk HIV/AIDS network, will hold the role
and job moves to www.mindtools.com until a permanent chief executive is
editorial@thecqi.org www.pmi.org.uk appointed in July.
50 | FEBRUARY 2010 | qw www.thecqi.org
p50_CareersQWFeb10.indd 50 21/1/10 12:57:38