BA Nerd and Proud!!

Is it really the start of October?! …that can only mean that after all the months of planning it’s over for another year!

Of course, I’m musing about the hugely successful BA Conference Europe that took place last week, going virtual for the first time in its long history.

From the first moments of the inspiring first keynote talk from Nigel Owens to the closing words, it was brilliant.

So much content, so many presentations, most of which I didn’t get a chance to see because there was that much on offer it was simply impossible. But I didn’t miss out… because all of the content is available for the next 9 months. So in my own time I can watch the presentations I didn’t get a chance to see ‘live’ and revisit the ones I found insightful.

The BA conference is traditionally known for its friendliness and for being able to get together and chat to fellow BA nerds in an easy going atmosphere. Somehow, even virtually it still managed to maintain this feeling through the conference chat lounges. I was able to speak to new people about different presentations, to BAs I met at last years conference, and even hooked up with an old colleague from years ago.

This technology stuff might actually have its uses! 😉

On top of all of this, there was the BA Conference Extra which opened up the conference to the social media world, where I could access talks on Youtube during breaks and much more (I know, I’m a nerd!)

I had a particular interest in seeing the announcement of the new Business Analyst of the Year as it brought back many happy memories of last year. Well done to Taz Wafa from Bank of England, I look forward to seeing what you do over the coming year.

Oh and best of all, I had the pleasure of watching all of this while relaxing at our beach-getaway on the east coast of Scotland …which my dog, Bosley, thought was fab!

My workshop

If the week wasn’t full-on enough, I was also lucky enough to be running a workshop again this year with my colleague and fellow BA Gary Cockburn, this time on Empathy Mapping.

This is a good technique for any BA to have, so it was a pleasure to be able to pass on our knowledge and experiences in this area. The delegates were very engaged during the workshop participating and interacting throughout. And as an added bonus, Gary and I learnt a lot from the session as well.

Behind the curtains

In the past I’ve only been an attendee at the conference, this year I had greater responsibility being part of the organising committee. Specifically, helping out on one of the tracks and getting involved with identifying and guiding the speakers for that track. It was a real pleasure helping get ‘conference ready’.

Being ‘behind the curtains’, it was great to see the whole thing coming together and being more hands-on during the event. I also saw just how much hard work went into making it all happen, from a relatively small number of people. Simply amazing and quite inspiring.

It wasn’t all conference

Life in September was hectic for another reason. Apart from the conference – and of course work! – I also run …not that I’m any champion or even a decent club runner.

I took up running about 5 years ago to lose weight and keep fit. I now run half marathons a couple of times a year, usually for charity, and in between times run several times a week, enjoying the physical and mental health benefits.

(As I’m sure you’ve heard or experienced yourself, it’s quite liberating to be out running, just you and your thoughts)

Thanks to Covid-19 and like everything else, this year’s events had taken an odd turn. I was due to run in the 40th Anniversary Great North Run in September for MIND (the mental health charity), but understandably that event was cancelled. As a replacement, the people at GNR invented not one, but two virtual events:

• 40 runs in 78 days to be done by 13th September
• Virtual GNR run (half-marathon) on 13th September

Despite picking up a last-minute injury, I managed to complete both challenges and raise money for MIND in the process.

So what’s next?

Well, while all this has been going on I’ve still been working. The ripples of the conference will continue for a while yet as I take in some of the insights from the conference and put them into practice.

…and it won’t be long before we are back here again for the next BA event.

As for the running, well Octobers challenge has already begun: Run a minimum of 5k everyday…

…wish me luck!