Tag Archives: Whats’s Next

The Drive for the line – completing my PhD thesis

Back from an amazing 6 weeks in Israel and Europe, its now time to knuckle down and complete my PhD thesis.

While I was away I used siesta time and early in the day to work on a Book Chapter for a book on family business. The first draft is due for submission in the next week or so.

I have a final version of an article for submission and inevitable rejection.

After a meeting with my Supervisors, I have a timetable for submission of my thesis. So now its time to drive for the finish line.

Over the next few months, my blog will chart my progress to a mid-May final draft for my Supervisors for review and then to its submission for examination in the first week of July 2020.

To remind myself of life away from my PhD each post will have a photo from our recent trip!

The Natural History Museum, London

Changing Identities – An interview with me. The transition to “What’s Next”.

I credit Herminia Ibarra’s book “Working Identity – Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing your Career” as the critical step in how  I have approached “What’s Next”.

As I was reviewing the book for a presentation recently, I decided that I’d interview myself using the Interview Guide that formed a key component of the excellent case studies within the book.

Tell me about your career to date?

From school I went straight to University, actually an Institute of Technology and studied Accountancy. I started my career as an accountant whilst an undergraduate and stayed in the accounting profession for the next 37 years.

More than half of that time was as a partner of a Big 6 and then following merger a Big 4 firm. I have been privileged to have this opportunity

Why did you change careers?

The firm I worked for made it clear that 55 was a key date. In order for their to be renewal in my firm, it was necessary that partners didn’t stay too long. I’d known that for 20 or so years so it wasn’t a surprise.

How long did it take?

On reflection, I think I started the process the day I joined the firm. Continue reading

Two Years of “What’s Next”

It is now two years since I commenced “What’s Next”. I am no longer the man in the suit peering over the fence to see what’s there. I am living, and dare I say loving “What’s Next”!!!

Source: http://innovationpov.com/evolution-of-concept-stimuli/

I am well into my PhD, with my Supervisors telling me I am on track. There is still an enormous amount to do, however it does seem to be coming together. I have completed my Major Review, a year one milestone. I have written more than 20,000 words, some of which might even make it into my thesis!

We have enjoyed a significant stay in Italy, a cornerstone of my planning for “What’s Next”. We have also had a short trip to the USA, courtesy of a paper built on my Honours research and are now planning another trip.

My bike riding has been consistent, but I am not riding as often as I’d like. I read Jim’s Fit Recovery Blog  and realise how much more I could be doing, buy hey, I am out on the bike!!!

I have continued with my blog. Continue reading

Next week will be “What’s Next”!

While I will have a little tidying up  through April, this is the last week in the office of a firm I have worked at for over 20 years and in an environment that has consumed me for over37 years. Wow!

This is the last week for saying “I’ll see you during the week”. My formal client roles are pretty much all dealt with.  I’ve attended my last partners meeting! It’s pretty much done.

All that’s left is to tidy up, have some final individual chat’s with my team and attend a couple of farewell events  and then Friday night my career in professional services will be over.

This week is truly my last week of transition. After that it’s not transition, it’s actually “What’s Next”.

Time for riding, study, tutoring, travel and…

Dawn Second Valley

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