Lance Greenfield's Blog, page 16
October 24, 2020
Book Review: Brilliant Basics for New Trainers by Niall Lavery and Glen Butler
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Brilliant Basics for New Trainers by Niall Lavery and Glen ButlerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
One of the joys of training is that, no matter how experienced you are, you can learn something new every day. Here’s an opportunity to learn something new.
This book is packed full of great advice for trainers from those who have been there and done it. Every tip is backed by anecdotes of personal experience, smothered liberally with good humour. Anyone who has presented in public or delivered any training will empathise and will recognise parallels with their own experiences.
Having said that, I have no doubt that there are snippets from which we can all learn. I can guarantee that you’ll find something in the book which will help you to improve your own delivery.
The narrative is easy to follow and the structure allows you to choose between reading straight through from beginning to end or dipping into it for reference from time to time. My personal advice would be to read the whole book and then place it on you most reachable bookshelf for future reference.
It is easy to read and you will enjoy it. Have fun!
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Book Review: Little Big Lies by Liane Moriarty
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Big Little Lies by Liane MoriartyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
My top advice to you regarding this book is that you should persevere. By the time you get to the end of the story, you will agree with me that it was well worth it.
For me, the first quarter of this book was boring and suffered from character-building overload. There were just too many people with superficial appearances that I just knew were false. You could say that the title of the book had warned me that it would be so. I soon learned that somebody had been killed at a school event for parents and that one of those parents was responsible for the death.
However, once I had struggled through that first quarter, the action picked up to a pace that kept me interested throughout and always had me wanting to read on to see what happened next.
I predicted the identity of the victim fairly early on and was even quite close on the motive. That didn’t spoil my enjoyment though. I couldn’t wait for that person to meet their untimely death, although I would have liked them to endure some prolonged suffering before their life was terminated. I would have loved to witness the uncomfortable wriggling of the victim for a while.
What I couldn’t guess was the identity of the perpetrator. Nor could I guess how the victim would die.
I enjoyed reading the consequences of the death for some of the main characters in the book, especially the closing line. DON’T you dare skip to the last page! You’ll spoil your own experience.
I recommend this book with some emphasis on my advice at the beginning of this review.
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October 20, 2020
Book Review: A Single Swallow by Zhang Ling
Rating: 3 out of 5.
A Single Swallow by Ling ZhangMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Having read this book and not loved it in the same way as many other reviewers, I feel rather guilty. I do like it and I think that the story is fascinating. It is brutal in places and often tragic. The biggest tragedies are the words that were never spoken by the main characters, which have been regretted ever since. This is a recurring theme throughout the book and clearly demonstrates that opportunities should usually be seized at the time that they arrive rather than thought about for many years to come.
The three main strands of the story are narrated by a Chinese soldier, an American pastor and an American military instructor. These characters, whilst sharing a celebratory drink on VJ day promise to return, as ghosts, to the village which pulled them together, on the anniversary of that day after their deaths. Eventually, they hope, they will meet up and reminisce. On the face of it, that’s a very clever device to enable the telling of a story from three individual points of view. But, for me, it failed.
The pastor, who is also a doctor, dies soon after the end of the war, before he can even make it back to the States. The Chinese soldier dies a few decades on. The military instructor dies at the age of 92, by which time the other two ghosts have grown impatient and angry that they have had to wait so long.
The strands of the story bear authenticity and match other accounts that I have read from the same region and period. They reveal great details and feelings which tug at my heartstrings. The binding force is Swallow, a local girl with whom each of the three main characters form differing relationships. Not only do they perceive her differently, but they each have different names for her. She is key to the development of the story from the beginning right through to the very end.
A three-star rating means that I liked the book and that I would recommend it.
So, why didn’t I rate it higher?
Ask yourselves this question. If old friends and comrades met up, even as ghosts, after many years of separation, would they sit and narrate their part of the story for hours on end without interruption? Of course not. They’d have animated conversations with many interruptions for questions and disagreements. I’ve attended many reunions and they are always filled with multiple chatter as we merrily and sometimes forlornly reminisce. Each of these characters is permitted to speak for tens of pages of the book at a time. It is impossible. That disappoints me.
Then there is an element of ridiculous. Two dogs, who played a central role in the lives of all four main characters, including the Swallow, get together for a reminisce of their own. That would be OK as it stands and would be rather entertaining. However, not only are these two dogs trilingual, speaking Mandarin, English and Dog, they are very intellectual in their language and descriptions and they are wonderful philosophers, probably more so than their human masters. They are also mind-readers. They relate the thoughts of the humans and one of them can even read a thermometer and understand the magnitude and meaning of the patient’s temperature.
Although these aspects distracted me from the amazing stories, I would still highly recommend the book to you.
Read it. I look forward to hearing your own opinions.
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October 18, 2020
Ocado’s Number One Fan
Who doesn’t love a GOOD NEWS story, especially in these troubled times that we live in? This is the heart-warming story of how a young lad’s day was made by the initiative of the Ocado staff at our Erith Customer Fulfilment Centre.
It was originally published on the Ocado intranet by our Internal Communications Specialist, Harriet Reddish. I am delighted to have received the permission of the family and Ocado to share the story with the rest of the world.
Meet Frankie!
He is 18 months old, and lives with his Grandma near Ocado, Erith. Just before lockdown, Frankie was due to have surgery for a cleft palate, which was unfortunately cancelled. This meant that during lockdown he and his family had to shield so that if the surgery was rescheduled he would be fit and ready to go.
During this time he developed a fascination with our Ocado vans and he would get so excited every time one went by. After his surgery was completed in July and he was able to leave the house, Frankie and his Grandma would sit on the wall outside and wave to each Ocado van that passed by. Of course our drivers waved back to them!
Frankie’s Grandma wrote to us to let us know how much he loves our vans. In response, Steve Hammond, Erith General Manager, and Josh, one of our fantastic CSTMs (Customer Service Team Members – delivery drivers) arranged a visit to the brave little boy with some goodies and, of course, one of our vans! Steve presented him with some toys and a cake and Frankie was thrilled to sit in the cab of the van. He enjoyed playing with Josh’s customer phone.
Frankie had a great time!
October 17, 2020
The News… or Not? (Rant ;) )
A few months ago, I started to do a series that was a little more political. At the time, I put out a proposed agenda of other topics I would take on. Well, it obviously didn’t happen.
My first big topic was supposed to be “media”, ie, “The News”. Wow, the more I dug, the deeper down the rabbit hole I got! And I did not dig far enough for my liking. Sigh. Oh well, I will do just a quick overview, but no footnotes or anything that I had originally planned. And no stories showing how far out a lot of “news” really is! This will be a very small, light, scratching of the surface.
As I talk to people, read things and watch “The News”, I have some interesting observations. OK, none of this is original and many have talked about it before, but seeing it first hand…
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October 12, 2020
The Heart of Ocado
It has often been said that the heart of Ocado is our delivery drivers. Our full job title is Customer Service Team Member (CSTM). When we bear that in mind, that is why we are so good at what we do. Our mission is to delight our customers.
Anyone who knows me and who has worked with me during my professional career, will know that I have always been passionate about delighting my customers. Doing that is what makes any business successful.
Recently, we were asked to complete a questionnaire to provide content for the public Ocado blog. The questions had been submitted by our customers. I was very happy to learn that my answers had been interesting enough to be selected, along with two other incredible drivers, to feature on the blog.
Our answers were cropped for the blog. You can see the blog post, as it was published, here.
[image error]Ocado Man with van designed by Bunty (aged 11)
If you are interested enough to read my answers in full, read on.
How long have you worked for Ocado?
9 months.
What do you enjoy listening to when you’re driving?
Classic FM all the way. The presenters are very knowledgeable about the composers and their wonderful music.
Do you like to chat to your customers when making deliveries?
Very much so. I learn something new every day and I meet some amazing people.
Which van do you like driving most?
Lemon – because I am a writer who loves alliteration. “Lance in the Lemon Van” appeals to me. I also believe that yellow is the cheeriest colour.
What’s your favourite Ocado product?
The new M&S ready meals and stone-baked pizzas.
What is the nicest comment that a customer has said to you?
It’s Ocado man! The service that we receive from Ocado is the best and you are the best of the best, Lance. Thanks!
How many deliveries do you do a day?
Averages out at about 18 but can vary from 12 to 26.
Where is your favourite place to deliver?
The New Forest during daylight hours but this is one of my least favourite areas when it is dark and raining. Bournemouth and Poole are good at any time. The open areas of Bath are lovely but I’m not keen on the tight, steep areas of that city.
[image error]New Forest
What would you like us to know about your job delivering groceries for Ocado?
I love it when the customers show genuine delight when I turn up at their door with their order. I get upset when I am running late because I know that the customer experience is badly impacted. This is often because the route schedule is either impossible or too challenging and, occasionally, because there are unexpected routing, traffic or delivery problems. This can be very stressful.
What is your favourite memory from working at Ocado?
The first day that I was able to wear the full uniform. I am proud to be a part of the strong Ocado brand and I had longed to show that off in my dress as well as the van that I drive. Sadly, the first six months of service lacks that identity.
[image error]Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
October 9, 2020
Making a difference – with the understanding that all of life is interconnected.
As a strong believer in the interconnectedness of everything in the universe, in in the time dimension as well as the spatial, I really enjoyed this article and the wonderful illustrations.
Merci Janet!
When I change one tiny section of a ten meter mural…everything is changed. The rhythm, balance, composition, everything. The same is true for life.
The other day I watched a documentary about Clive James (Australian critic, broadcaster and writer.) Filmed in 1991, London looked like a different world to the one we are inhabiting now. Much less crowded….no one carrying i phones….generally speaking a seemingly more manageable place.
Since 1991 many things have served to change the rhythm, balance and composition of our beautiful world. So much has changed in such a short period. Far too rapidly for we human beings to assimilate in a balanced fashion.
Today we find ourselves with leaders who clearly have no understanding of interconnectedness, rhythm, harmony and balance overseeing and governing our collective futures. We wake each day alert to what new form of madness, they have imposed upon us!
Meanwhile, our beautiful world…
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October 8, 2020
Book Review: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, Harmony Becker (Illustrator)
This is an excellent review by my friend, Lisa Vegan. You can read her original review on Goodreads here.
[image error]
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Extremely well done! I loved it. Full 5 star book!
I already knew most of what was described as happening in the wider world and in the camps in general because I’ve already read so many books, seen films, seen interviews with people who were there.
It was the first I’d heard of the involvement of Vroman’s Book Store (still in business in the Los Angeles area) and Herbert Nicholson, a Quaker missionary, who delivered book to several of the camps. What a great man! Heartening to know how many people opposed the internment of Japanese Americans (my parents included) but even better to know of people who tried to make things better in various ways.
While I did already know a lot about what happened to those of Japanese ancestry and in the camps, I liked reading this personal story of George Takei as a young boy and of his parents and brother and sister. I’d actually heard him speak of this, but it was great reading a book with a more in depth account than what I’d already heard. I’ve always liked him. I first saw him on the original Start Trek tv show when I was 13 (I watched that first Star Trek show as regularly as I could) to his guest spot on The Big Bang Theory (I wish there had been more) and I always enjoy watching him being interviewed and I admire him as a person. He’s an effective activist for human rights causes.
The black and white and gray/brown tones illustrations do a great job of showing people’s facial expressions and depicting the story that’s told. They’re a bit too cartoonish for my personal taste but I enjoyed them in this book. I love the image that’s faded out that pairs with George saying he didn’t remember something, in this case their last Christmas at Tule Lake with his father already gone. There are only two color illustrations and they’re on the front and back covers.
My library has this shelved in their teen section so I did put it on my young adult shelf. Adult readers who normally don’t read young adult books should not let that label (or the fact that it’s a graphic book) put them off. This is just as much of a book for adult readers and many older preteen children will also enjoy it.
Sometimes I feel as though I can’t get enough of these stories. Every person’s story/family’s story is important and should be known. Kudos to the three authors and the one illustrator who created this book and especially to George Takei for sharing his story.
I love musicals. How could I never have heard of either Fly Blackbird! Or Allegiance?! I guess I have been out of the loop re musicals/plays for a long, long time.
I appreciated how times and several things post WWII are covered, including our recent immigration crisis and how people who seem to some like “others” are still being ill-treated. This is a perfect book for this time in our history.
I got a kick out of his interview audition for the show Star Trek. It really was a great show, and ahead of its time.
It was interesting to see George’s feelings about his father and his relationship with his father from the time he was a young boy until after his father’s death, and this account is a loving tribute to his father.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming and with important things to say about how we all view and treat one another, as well as a compelling memoir.
Book Review: Peak Landscape and Light: A Photographer’s Guide to the Peak District by Karen Frenkel
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Peak Landscape and Light: A Photographer’s Guide to the Peak District. Karen Frenkel by Karen FrenkelMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
In the best possible light
This book is packed with brilliant, almost perfect, images of the beautiful Peak District. It is obvious that Karen Frenkel has put a huge amount of effort into capturing all of the scenes, which include landscapes, flowers and rocks amongst many other subjects, in literally the best light possible. There must been a lot of planning and preparation and thought before she finally clicked the shutter on each exposure.
The results are stunning.
Descriptions of each subject accompany every photograph, and she has added a few notes about her approach and the equipment that she used at the end of the book.
Whether you are familiar with the Peak District or living on the other side of the planet, you cannot fail to be inspired by the beauty that Karen has managed to capture through her lens.
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October 3, 2020
Book Review: Precognitions by Daniela I Norris
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Precognitions by Daniela I. NorrisMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Precognitions builds upon the three intertwined stories of the first two books in the series, Recognitions and Premonitions, drawing the strands together into a strong rope with satisfactory, yet open, conclusions.
In the previous episode the three main protagonists were Amelia of twenty-first century New York, Adele of eighteenth-century France and a shaman from a remote village in West Africa in the fifteenth century. Although these characters figure in the third volume, the focus shifts to Jen, the daughter of Amelia, Jules, the lover of Adele, and the protégé and successor of the original shaman in the first two books. However, the continuity is excellent.
Once again, the stories run along at a perfect pace to keep the interest of the reader. I always wanted to read on. Not only that, but the prose has great rhythm and melody and even harmony. It is easy to read.
As a strong believer in the interconnectedness of everything, through both time and space, the series has played to all that I already know. I loved it. Having said that, sharing those beliefs is not necessary. I am sure that most of you will enjoy the book.
The only demerits are that there are times when tenses are mixed within paragraphs or even sentences and there are a few typos or minor errors that should have been picked up by proof-readers.
I recommend the book to all of my friends and I would advise that it would be best to read the series in order even though it would be possible to read each book as a standalone.
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