Week Notes #10 (22 Sep - 28 Sep)
My Week
Working on an exciting brand film. It’s been a long process and at times we’ve had to hold our nerve that things will pan out well. It seems like they may be. Hopefully something very exciting will be coming to screens in early 2025.
As part of our Senior Leadership Team Development Programme training, we’ve been paired up with buddy’s. Great first meeting this week and interesting where there’s parallels across the organisation. It was also really helpful in distilling priorities and looking at what feels achievable during periods of change and transition.
The National Theatre is conducting research on business models used by performing arts organisations. Its aim is to uncover challenges, opportunities and support needed for performing arts organisations to inform future policy and funding. I had a session to discuss digital business models. It was fascinating to reflect on the different ways of operating and our approach. Alongside how this applies both to the performing arts sector and the wider entertainment industry.
We’re in the process of appointing a research agency to support us in understanding our digital audience behaviours and motivations, especially in relation to live theatre. It was wonderful to be involved with the playback sessions from the responses to the brief and to dig deeper into what could be possible through the research.
Starting to share the digital strategy work with senior leaders within the organisation. The messaging needs further refinement, however with each sharing it gets clearer.
Life Stuff
It was a quiet life week. A weekend at home chilling out is sometimes just what’s needed so there was a pyjama Sunday!
Tuesday was press night for Coriolanus at the National Theatre. It’s not my favourite Shakespeare, however the production was really well done and Es Devlin’s design ensured the production moved with pace and was well contained on the enormous Olivier stage.
Edit - it was also Modern Languages day at school. I appreciate the dread and fear that can come with preparing for another fancy dress day at school. However, my wonderful mother lives in an annexe in our front garden so I’m fortunate to have never had these feelings. She’s usually across the calendar better than I am and prepares weeks/months in advance. Willow merely decides which country/character she’d like and as if my magic (hours of toil at the sewing machine and countless hours sourcing the right materials and accessories!) it appears. This week it was Spanish 🇪🇸
Watching / Listening / Reading
📺In Vogue: The 90s on Disney+. Watched the first episode and found it interesting to look back on the 90s and the power that Anna Wintour holds within the fashion industry.
📺The Perfect Couple on Netflix. Jumping on the bandwagon with this one. Loved the opening sequence and enjoyed the pace of the story.
📺 What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates on Netflix. A couple of episodes in on this one and enjoying the perspective.
🎧 To Set a Great Strategy, Start by Imaging the Future you Want from HBR on Strategy Podcast. Featuring Mark Johnson, co-founder of innovation consulting firm Innosight. Key take aways changing behaviour before changing mindsets and creating a culture of learn it alls, not know it alls.
🎧Training your Brain to Work More Effectively for HBR IdeaCast. A conversation with neuroscientist Mithu Storoni on personal productivity in an AI age. Reminders about the need for the right environment for the brain to be able to generate ideas. Learning how to stay in a place of uncertainty, without experience panic.
📖How the Next Generation of Managers is using GenAI by Gabriele Rosani and Elisa Farri for Harvard Business Review. Helpful reminder to adopt a conversational mindset and exercise critical judgement to avoid over reliance on the technology.
📖The Most Effective Negotiation Tactic, according to AI. By Matteo Di Stasi, Jordi Quoidbach and Alison Wood Brooks for Harvard Business Review. Thought this was interesting, especially as my role involves a significant amount of negotiation. The power of open ended, How, What, Why questions.
📖How a playful mindset can boost creativity in your team by Duncan Wardle for Harvard Business Review. Brain is in "beta state - a state of constant busyness where creativity is blocked". Sometimes a reminder to be playful and have fun can be important at times when it feels like everything is urgent and important.
📖How to Keep Learning at Work - Even When you Feel Fried by Nihar Chhaya for Harvard Business Review. Self doubt and critical inner voice lead to questioning yourself. Don't forget your agency over your thoughts and beliefs. I believe lifelong learning is an essential skill. It's something we should strive to continually do. There will be periods in life when you do more/less but for me it's essential it's there in some way.
Again, full disclosure I continue to have a Harvard Business Review subscription.
📖How to Move Fast and Fix Things by Anne Morriss and Frances Frei. I’ve listened to their Fixable podcast so decided to dive into the book. Will report back properly once I’ve read a little more.
📖Still going with Reykjavik by Ragnar Jonasson and Katrin Jakobsdottir. I’m only reading at bedtime so may take a little time!
📖Stevie Martin on Substack. Laugh out loud funny! Definitely worth checking out.
Back again next week for more thoughts, reflections and insights.