Background Yesterday I was listening to a podcast by Brett Terpstra, Systematic on the 5by5 network with Merlin Mann as a guest. The high intensity, high velocity discussion was, as usual, excellent. My interest peaked during their discussion of the difficulty of saying "no". As I see it, there are a couple of possible reasons … Continue reading About saying “no”
Rethinking my GTD contexts in OmniFocus
The big idea I have been rethinking my contexts based on a blog post I recently read and cannot, for the life of me, find back. The basic idea is to have two lists. The list of things to do today and the list of things to do. Each day, you transfer items from the … Continue reading Rethinking my GTD contexts in OmniFocus
Wiki enabled laws, regulations and procedures
This is a rewrite of a post published on the ‘Unburden’ blog in 2010. I still think a lot remains relevant today. Background I’ve been reading an interesting book: “Here comes everybody”, written by Clay Shirky. You can find his blog here. You may want to visit and read some of his writings… they’re excellent … Continue reading Wiki enabled laws, regulations and procedures
Brett Terpstra on why to use markdown >
I had been looking for a good explanation on why to use markdown for all your text editing needs. However, the essential had already been written by Brett Terpstra. Link by clicking on this title. All the rest would be mere commentary.
On the evolution of the private sector’s coercive powers and our obligation to build community
Some observations Democratic governments have been and still are established by the people, for the people and of the people to make us (feel) more safe, more secure, more prosperous than before. People without democratic governments often feel less safe, less secure and are often less prosperous; Our freedom is, by its very nature, limited. … Continue reading On the evolution of the private sector’s coercive powers and our obligation to build community
A great email decision
One of my best decisions in a long time: I’ve ditched my email client at work in exchange for a regular, planned access through our email web client. Turns out that I actually spend a lot less time in my email browser window than I did in my email client. To be more concrete, while … Continue reading A great email decision
How to make your tools work for you
It's you and your workflow, not the tool Let's be clear. There are a lot of really cool tools out there. Both in the Mac App Store and outside of it, there are plenty of interesting tools that may add quite a punch to your workflow. If you get to know them. Intimately. And if … Continue reading How to make your tools work for you
The need for an integrity oversight committee
Integrity and the continuous batlle against fraud and corruption are stepping out of the limelight where they've been pushed into for far too long. Recent integrity issues, such as the LIBOR scandal, highlight the need for ethical behaviour from the top down, with clear and hard boundaries which are consistently enforced. The case should also … Continue reading The need for an integrity oversight committee
Embedding risk management in the strategy cycle
As of its inception, there have been a lot of comments on COSO-ERM and how it can be applied in practice in an organizational setting. Those of you, dear reader, who have followed this blog know I am not an avid fan of the framework. However, contrary to some experts I don't agree the authors … Continue reading Embedding risk management in the strategy cycle
The rotational audit staffing model – a small audit department’s perspective
Richard Chambers recently published an excellent article on the rotational audit staffing model. I wanted to add my perspective as the CAE of a small audit department, active in an inherently complex sector, development aid. The reality of a small audit department The size of the audit department is most often a function of the … Continue reading The rotational audit staffing model – a small audit department’s perspective
Exploring The Black Box 