The Work Thread 2 - Get back to work!

[Victor Mildew]

We've all been called to a meeting shortly with the director and told "it's nothing to worry about"

[Rax]

Got a Product Owner role coming up at work soon which I'm going to be applying for. It will be the first PO role the company has ever appointed as it's looking to change its direction in terms of how it delivers IT, so no pressure.

none here have experience as a PO?

Never been one myself but I do work closely with them. Usually the PO has been in place before I start but where I am now we just hired the companies first one and hes putting processes and all that good stuff in place right now so its interesting seeing the role created from nothing when Im used to just seeing it in full swing. Hes very busy right now so enjoy that if you get the job.

[LewisD]

Could do with some advice here lads...

As some of you know I'm really into airsoft.
I've been getting to know people in the game for years now and gradually getting a reputation myself.

I've been offered the chance to be a "Brand Ambassador" for my favourite gun manufacturer.
It'll mean giving up my weekends, travelling the south of the UK, visiting different sites each weekend.

I'm not sure how much if it pays yet, or even if it actually does pay, though there are things thrown in.

I'm concerned about giving up my free time, leaving the missus with the kids and having to spend on petrol to do all this travelling.
But at the same time, this could be a fantastic lily pad to use to jump to something bigger in the airsoft scene.

What to do... I think I need to ask about money, but how do I bring it up without coming across as greedy or unappreciative of the offer?

[Jenuall]

Got a Product Owner role coming up at work soon which I'm going to be applying for. It will be the first PO role the company has ever appointed as it's looking to change its direction in terms of how it delivers IT, so no pressure.

none here have experience as a PO?

Product Owner as in an Agile PO?

Yes.

@GG: Ownership in the sense of being the link between the consumer and the business, overseeing the coders and ensuring the consumer's requirements and preferences are met.

Nice. I've been a Scrum Master for the last 4/5 years and have worked closely with a variety of different POs in that time, and have also acted as a "proxy" Product Owner on a few occasions as well.

It's an interesting role, lots of organisations make the mistake of thinking it's just a "project manager" type gig and stick existing PMs into the role which tends not to work out so well as it does require quite a specific set of skills that aren't necessarily shared with being a good PM. I would say that communication skills are one of the most important aspects for a good PO - the ability to share the "vision" of the product with the rest of the team, understanding and communicating the needs of the users and the how the state of the market effects the direction and approach that should be taken etc.

Availability is key as well (from both the PO and users/consumers/stakeholders where necessary) - most of the times where I've seen Agile projects go somewhat astray one of the key factors has been a level of disconnect between the team developing the solution and those helping to guide, shape and provide input/feedback on that development. If a PO is available for answering queries, providing guidance and feedback, and acting as a conduit to get more info and input from external sources then this allows the development to continue smoothly and the "inspect and adapt" cycle of improvement that Agile thrives on to work as well as it should.

[Kezzer]

Ask about how they will reimburse you for the milage/fuel for travel - it's a legitimate question, and if you ask it like it is expected that they will sort you out, it will not come across as greedy or unappreciative.

That might open up the discussion about pay a bit more too.

Have you checked out their careers page? see if they have a sales rep post. Might be worth just going for that?

[poshrule_uk]

We have this new system at work and I really hate it and what's worst is I'm a support for the department so have to be super positive about it which I can fake so no issues as I'm being paid to work.

The issue is the system for me doesn't fit our company stlye of doing business and its been adapted to work for us from its original intention (its an off the shelf product) so we are effectively putting square pegs into round holes. Why are businesses so stupid!!!!!

Plus the system has had endless issues more I expected, are new systems generally really buggy when they are first released?

I have my 1-2-1 tomorrow think I will vent to my manager

[Hexx]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

[Jenuall]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

You're sick and they're still making you do 4 weeks of work?

Sad times.

[Cuttooth]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

You're sick and they're still making you do 4 weeks of work?

Sad times.

Got to keep up that Bradford score.

[Jenuall]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

You're sick and they're still making you do 4 weeks of work?

Sad times.

Got to keep up that Bradford score.

The Bradford Factor's coming to get you!

[Green Gecko]

Could do with some advice here lads...

As some of you know I'm really into airsoft.
I've been getting to know people in the game for years now and gradually getting a reputation myself.

I've been offered the chance to be a "Brand Ambassador" for my favourite gun manufacturer.
It'll mean giving up my weekends, travelling the south of the UK, visiting different sites each weekend.

I'm not sure how much if it pays yet, or even if it actually does pay, though there are things thrown in.

I'm concerned about giving up my free time, leaving the missus with the kids and having to spend on petrol to do all this travelling.
But at the same time, this could be a fantastic lily pad to use to jump to something bigger in the airsoft scene.

What to do... I think I need to ask about money, but how do I bring it up without coming across as greedy or unappreciative of the offer?

You should get paid for this or otherwise its probably illegal in a few different ways, plus they can claim mileage and stuff like that on their corporate expenses so there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to extend that to you.

You should be able to simply ask what the pay is. If they don't offer pay there are various legal arguments you can pose without sounding like a dick, don't worry about that, it's your right.

Whether they want you to be self employed to avoid taxes or whatever they should still have a budget. It is not worth doing stuff for free if you are giving up your family time, just trust me on this, it goes super wrong further down the line. If they won't pay you anything ask if they will for example consider offering you free gooseberry fool for some social media activity or something like that, as that's something you can more easily manage in your own time and detach from, but nothing more.

[Kezzer]

^gecko, (as always) has said it better that anyone could

[Hexx]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

You're sick and they're still making you do 4 weeks of work?

Sad times.

Kick a guy while he’s down

[That]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

ObBob just projectile vomited.

[Jenuall]

4 weeks of work on the sick \o/

You're sick and they're still making you do 4 weeks of work?

Sad times.

Kick a guy while he’s down

Obviously just jealous at you getting 4 weeks off!

How is the eye?

[Hexx]

Remarkably painless given what they did!

[Jenuall]

Happy Days™!!!

[pjbetman]

Could do with some advice here lads...

As some of you know I'm really into airsoft.
I've been getting to know people in the game for years now and gradually getting a reputation myself.

I've been offered the chance to be a "Brand Ambassador" for my favourite gun manufacturer.
It'll mean giving up my weekends, travelling the south of the UK, visiting different sites each weekend.

I'm not sure how much if it pays yet, or even if it actually does pay, though there are things thrown in.

I'm concerned about giving up my free time, leaving the missus with the kids and having to spend on petrol to do all this travelling.
But at the same time, this could be a fantastic lily pad to use to jump to something bigger in the airsoft scene.

What to do... I think I need to ask about money, but how do I bring it up without coming across as greedy or unappreciative of the offer?

First of all, dont you work for your father in law (or something similar)? Would it be awkward to ask for a reduction in days? Maybe go down to 3 or 4 days to accomodate the new job.

I'd absolutely recommend that you chase this 'dream', otherwise you might really regret it if you never get another chance. But if the financial side is crap, then no point puttingyour family under pressure for it.

[Errkal]

Could do with some advice here lads...

As some of you know I'm really into airsoft.
I've been getting to know people in the game for years now and gradually getting a reputation myself.

I've been offered the chance to be a "Brand Ambassador" for my favourite gun manufacturer.
It'll mean giving up my weekends, travelling the south of the UK, visiting different sites each weekend.

I'm not sure how much if it pays yet, or even if it actually does pay, though there are things thrown in.

I'm concerned about giving up my free time, leaving the missus with the kids and having to spend on petrol to do all this travelling.
But at the same time, this could be a fantastic lily pad to use to jump to something bigger in the airsoft scene.

What to do... I think I need to ask about money, but how do I bring it up without coming across as greedy or unappreciative of the offer?

Doesn’t hurt to find out more, don’t ask specifically about money, but say you are interested in more information what would be involved etc.

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

Charity at work...I signed up to a sponsored walk at work where the Terms and Conditions stated that a minimum of £150 must be raised per person OR a £100 self donation was required.
Anyway I have withdrawn from the event and realise under the terms and conditions I am still liable to donate £100 to the charity. I decided to ignore it but the communications team at my work place have emailed me asking me to donate and then send them a receipt as proof. WTF?
Should I pay it or just ignore them as they are only an internal department...not like they will fire me or take me to court.