Fusion 2007 - Final Day
By admin | September 19, 2007
My final Birds of a Feather session was this morning. I facilitated the Incident and Problem management track. It was a small group and I have made the suggestion that next year we look at dividing the sessions based upon organizational size or perhaps create a separate track for small to medium sized business. The challenges of IT Service Management are very different in smaller organizations than those in large-scale companies and this is something that should be addressed. While the framework of Service Management is the same, implementation and challenges can be very different. It was a good session and information was shared and exchanged to the benefit of everyone involved.
Next on the agenda, my final session of the the conference was a workshop about adoption of Service Management within an organization. We had discussions and group exercises to bring out the ideas that were illustrated during the workshop. It was very informative.
The closing keynote speaker was Bill Wills, the Deputy CIO for the State of North Carolina. His presentation was titled “ITSM - Doing It In Real Life.” His real world experience bringing Service Management to his organization was insightful as well as funny. He was a wonderful closing speaker for a great event.
Overall, my first national conference experience was a good one. It wasn’t perfect, nothing ever is. I hope that I have made a start at some good relationships with a few people that I have met and I really hope to use the knowledge I’ve taken away from this experience and the sessions to move forward in Service Management.
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Fusion 2007 - Day 3
By admin | September 19, 2007
The general membership meeting was this morning at 7:15am! Not quite sure why it was that early, but it was tough getting up (LOL). Overall the vision for the future is promising. There are strong efforts being made to support the local interest groups and to strenghthen the lines of communication between the national and local organizations and to create better support for the local organizations as well. It was a good meeting and it was good to hear what other members had concerns about.
The keynote presenter this morning was Erin Gruwell, the driving force behind the “Freedom Writers” school program and portrayed by actress Hillary Swank in the movie of the same name. Her presentation, titled “On Becoming A Catalyst for Change” was moving and emotional for all of us. Using stories based upon real life experiences with her students in Long Beach California, she illustrated how change is possible against impossible odds. It resonated with every person there and definitely put into perspective the things that we fight every day in our work environments when trying to be catalyst for our own institutional cultural changes.
Afterwards, there were more breakout sessions and networking opportunities. I placed a strong emphasis when picking my sessions on “real world” examples and was pleased with the results.
Lunchtime included a LIG luncheon where I met with and spent time with LIG officers and board members from all across the country and Puerto Rico as well. We introduced ourselves, exchanged ideas and stories and made wonderful contacts. We were also introduced to several LIG members who were running for the National Board this year. It was great to put faces to names and meet them in person.
The afternoon keynote speaker was Cal Ripken, speaking about “The Keys to Perseverance.” His was entertaining and spoke elequoently about what perseverance means to him (using lots of baseball analogies) and maintaining balance in your work and personal life. There were autographed based (only 4 though) that were tossed into the audience and it created quite a stir!
The afternoon sessions were very informative. I’m very happy that I kept on the “practitioner” tract. There was a huge exhibit hall where the vendors were and it was nice to be able talk to the vendors over a series of days. You could attend the sessions and then speak with vendors using information from other practitioners in the evaluation process. I wish there had been more time with both!
That evening there was a great networking event and entertainment was provided by “The Office - Broadway.” The production was a series of skits using popular songs with the words altered to reflect various Service Management or IT issues. It was funny and delightful and a good time was had by all.
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Fusion 2007 - Day 2
By admin | September 19, 2007
It’s been a whirlwind and a great time.
I started my day with the Manufacturing and Utilities “Birds of a Feather” session and though the turnout was light at 7:15am (big surprise!) it was a good experience.
There was an amazing opening keynote presentation by former Blue Angel John Foley. You would imagine that there wouldn’t be much to compare between us and the Blue Angels, but that was a grave mistake. There’s committment, there’s dedication and there is trust, all things that are needed to succeed in our business and with Service Management implementations, projects and continuous improvement. His keynote spoke to those things and more. It was a wonderful experience.
The first breakout sessions were very good. There were a few problems with some sessions being closed as they were filled to capacity, but I was able to attend two of the four sessions I had scheduled for that day. I met so many people on Monday that it was quite a buzz!
As John Foley would say “Glad to be Here!”
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Fusion 2007 - Day 1
By admin | September 16, 2007
Day 1 in Charlotte has definitely been interesting. There were 4 simulations of ITSM from BMC, HP, PinkElephant & Gameworks. I had a chance to observe 3 of the 4 (didn’t have time to squeeze in HP.) They were all quite engaging for the participants as well as the observers in different ways. BMC used an airport theme, PinkElephant used workgroups building models and Gamesworks used Apollo13 as the backstory to their simulation. It was my first experience with Service Management based simulations, but I met some fellow observers who have seen this done with ITIL training classes as well. I would love to heard what you have to say if you’ve every been to one (or more than one.)
After the simulations there was a welcome session and a chance to go through the exihibit hall. I walked through and stopped and talked to a few people that I knew and some new friends that I’ve met so far. There was refreshments to keep our stomachs busy while visually, there was lots going on. Great vendor exhibits, lots of information available and a chance to really speak to people in depth, in a non-pressure situation about their products. I walked through for a chance to see everything. Tomorrow I’ll go back and talk to specific vendors.
As for tomorrow, my first Birds of a Feather session is at 7:15am with the Manufacturing and Utilities Groups. I’ll definitely let you know what happens and report back on the opening speakers and breakout sessions.
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Birds of a Feather Sessions
By admin | August 29, 2007
I’m excited to have been selected to moderate two of the Birds of a Feather sessions in Charlotte! Manufacturing/Utilities at 7:15am on Monday and Incident/Problem Management at 7:15am on Wednesday. The BOF sessions are designed to bring together those of us with questions and those of us who might be able to provide guidance and answers. Monday’s sessions are grouped by Industry and Wednesdays are grouped around Service Management areas.
Stop by and say hello… Jocelyn
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See you in Charlotte!
By admin | August 5, 2007
Hi - I was sitting at my computer and thinking that it might be fun to be an “on the spot” reporter for our annual event in Charlotte. So I put it to a vote - and the aye’s have it. Beginning Sunday September 16th, keep your eyes on this space for information about what you’re going to miss by NOT going to Charlotte. Hopefully, you’ll want to be there next year…
Jocelyn
09/12
I’m leaving for Charlotte on Sunday and I’m very excited. There are so many Tracks and I’m still working out my schedule. The days will go by quickly and I want to cover as much as I can. For myself - and to report back you.
I’ll update you Sunday night - on the first day!
Topics: itSMFusa - Charlotte 2007 | No Comments »
Hello Everyone!
By admin | April 4, 2007
Welcome to the itSMF nyLIG Blog.
Topics: General | 1 Comment »