It's been almost a year since I started this blog, so I thought now is a timely moment to talk about why I write this blog and who I actually am. The blogs subscription base has grown considerably over the last year and I expect it to grow considerably over the next year.
The world BPM community may be a relatively small place, but it has huge power to effect change on organisations - and one of my aims is to get in touch with as many of that community as I can. In the words of Seth Godin, I am reaching out to my tribe. Having this blog has given me the vehicle to meet a lot of process people - some I can help, some help me - but I always have a good time meeting them. Note: if you are ever in Sydney and you invite me for a coffee or a beer, I will ALWAYS accept (particularly if its beer).
So, I suppose I write this blog to achieve that, but also because I like to write, and it's easiest to write about something you know. It's also easier to write about something you enjoy. I do enjoy my occupation - I'm lucky in that respect (although I continually moved toward doing the things that I enjoy throughout my career). I started this blog because I felt I could bring something a bit different to the table - something practical that people could immediately relate to.
I also write this blog because (to be brutally honest) it's a good way for me to promote myself, my business (www.Ninjaconsulting.com.au) and to get a foot in the door. I always tell people that having a blog about what you do for a career is like having the opportunity to get an interview without having to go to the interview - it's a poster for your expertise and your passion. I am always looking to make connections and get consulting work, so if you need me, drop me a line.
So that's why I write, but who is The Process Ninja?
I'm a 35 year old guy - married with 3 kids under 3 (work that one out!) - I live in the fabulous city of Sydney, Australia. I was born in Knutsford, England but my parents are Scottish and I grew up in the town of Barrhead near Glasgow in Scotland. I did relatively well at school, went on to study Marketing at The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow before I studied a postgraduate diploma in Hospitality Management. I moved to Sydney in 1997 where I met my wife. We returned to the UK for a couple of years where I worked in IT before moving back to Sydney in 1999. I worked in BA and IT related roles until 2002 when I bought a cafe, almost killed myself running it (and turning it into a process centric business) before I plunged back into the corporate world in 2004. I have worked in Business Process Roles since then.
Whilst I work full-time in process I'm also the Marketing Director of my parents underfloor heating company in the UK. I'm also writing a book about buying a cafe as well as starting a hospitality consulting business (The Cafe Ninja). I'm also currently renovating an investment property. I like to keep multiple fingers in multiple pies! Adding all that to three young kids you can see why I don't get much free time...
But when I do there are a few things I love doing: watching my beloved Glasgow Rangers, drinking wine, eating good food, cooking (good food), listening to good British rock music. I'm also totally obsessed with researching my family tree.
So that's a summary of my aims for the blog and who I am. I'd love to find out more about you all and (where possible) to meet you. So why not drop me a line or give me a call to say hello - it will be most welcome.
- TPN
