Friday Round-Up: Juggling Work, Family, and a Change
Friday Round-Up: Juggling Work, Family, and a Change
The first week back after my two-week break has been a mix of adapting, learning, and reflecting. Getting back into the groove of juggling work-life balance has been a focus this week – especially as I’m working from home at times to look after my little girl. It’s a challenge, but one I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Another big change: the “Best Dressed Man in IT” is no more! I’ve officially dropped the suits and am embracing a more modern, casual approach. What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear if others have taken a similar step and how it’s worked for them.
Back to the Grind
Returning to the office on Monday was a welcome shift. As much as I enjoyed my time off, I realized just how much I’d missed the buzz of the office, collaborating with the team, and working with our clients. There’s something uniquely satisfying about solving challenges and seeing progress unfold.
Personal Wins
On the fitness front, getting up early enough to train on the bike has been tough, but I did it. Small wins like this keep me motivated.
On a different note, I managed to catch Nosferatu this week – something completely out of the ordinary. It’s a beautifully gothic film with brilliant acting and a fresh take on the vampire genre. If you’re looking for something unique, I highly recommend it.
Customer Service Woes
Unfortunately, not everything has been smooth sailing. Dealing with Three.co.uk support has been a low point. I simply want to stream Sky TV through my new 5G Home Broadband, but the chatbot, phone system, and even live support have been unhelpful and frustrating. If anyone from Three is reading this, I’d love to see improvements in your customer experience.
Honesty in Sales
I’ve noticed a surge in salespeople reaching out to businesses, which is expected in a competitive market. But what’s frustrating is the lack of honesty in some of the pitches.
At Uptech, we’ve been offering SOC (security operations centre) services to clients for over six years, with 95% of our clients covered. Yet, I’ve heard companies claim they’re the only ones locally providing these services, despite their engineers being based in London or Dubai. That’s not local!
We don’t “sell” at Uptech – we consult and provide genuine advice. Lying to win a client might work short-term, but it doesn’t build trust or satisfaction in the long run.
Always Read the Fine Print
Another reminder this week: always check the fine print on contracts. If a company offers to buy out your current contract or gives you an incredible deal, ask how they’ll make their money back. Whether through hidden price increases, selling their business, or cutting corners on service, it always comes at a cost.
We’ve seen telecom contracts with seven-year terms and annual price hikes of 20-25% after year two, plus exorbitant exit fees. Choose providers you can trust, and always read the fine print.
Lessons from Home Repairs
Speaking of trust, I’ve been having some work done on the house this week and found issues with work completed seven years ago. It’s a reminder that quality and integrity matter – in every industry.
Reconnect and Build Relationships
One of the best parts of the week has been reconnecting with people. Picking up the phone, chatting, and checking in reminds me how valuable relationships are – in business and in life.
Thoughts on the Economy
The economy isn’t looking great, but it’s not a surprise. Without diving too deep into politics, it feels like every party is focused on their own agendas rather than the population’s needs. If we want things to improve, we’ll need to dig in, innovate, and drive change ourselves.
Looking Ahead
This week’s been a mix of highs, lows, and lessons, but I’m ready to take on whatever next week throws my way. Let’s keep pushing forward – personally, professionally, and as a community.
How’s your week been? What’s been the highlight of your week?
Have a good weekend!
James
