Changing after decades
The loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been felt around the world, especially acutely in the UK. Hers was an excellent example of service, stability and continuity in a changing world.
The news of her passing reached me as I arrived in Albania and going through TV channels from the region I noticed how they were all leading with the news. A true ‘world leader’.
I offer my condolences to all the Royal family, friends and fellow citizens. We feel a great loss, while having a huge amount, and the longest reign, to be grateful for.
Decades of doing something can be a good sign of contribution.
At the same time, I discovered how hard it can be to change after decades.
Ahead of my trip to Albania – my first time there – I noted that Albanians shake their head for agreement and nod their heads for disagreement: the opposite of the UK and much (not all) of the rest of the world.
Naturally I prepared in advance for what I would say to start the training programme I was running, as I was sure there would be moments I would need to seek agreement, or not, to some of the thoughts and concepts of Advanced Financial Statement Analysis we were working on. I was well prepared – I thought.
On arrival at Tirana Airport, I looked for a taxi driver holding a sign who I knew was waiting for me. Seeing the bank logo on a handheld sign I approached the driver who said to me “Bank?”. I nodded in response and yes. He looked doubtful. I indicated we should move towards the exit. He looked more doubtful and repeated his question. I think I nodded again.
After some more attempts at sign language, pleases and thank yous, he found my flights details on his phone which I was able to compare to the name on my passport, which convinced him I was his pick-up.
We both had our doubts: but no doubt about where the problem lay. My decades of nodding for agreement and head shaking for disagreement was so ingrained, I never recognised until afterwards that it was my response that was the issue.
Many of us will look to provides decades of great service. I am not sure we will all live up to the example set by the Late Queen Elizabeth. This was a lady who adapted her approach to the many people from different cultures around the world that she met.
An example that even after decades – maybe especially after decades – we may still need to adapt our approach.
Stat of the Week – 51% The US market share of the IoS operating system on US cell phones
What this does not say: the path to this figure has been gradual, so many people have not noticed. But trading phones is not just the phone: it’s the operating system that people get to like. Yes< I shall stick with my iPhone for a while yet.
Buzzword of the Week – Auditor’s Report
Definition – The conclusions of the auditors on a company’s annual accounts and director’s report, often referred to as a certificate which is filed with the accounts. Different countries have differing requirements – not all companies need to file an audit every year. Auditors are usually expected to offer an opinion that the accounts represent a ‘true and fair view’ of the company’s financial situation – known as a ‘clean’ certificate.
Alternate View – The vast majority of these provide a great service in building trust that what we read reflects the situation. Yet the audit profession has gone through something of a crisis, arguably going back to the demise of Arthur Anderson after the Enron crash of 2001. We then had the financial crash 2007-09, and in the UK sad examples of Carillion, Patisserie Valerie and BHS, among others, which resulted in auditors being fined for negligence. While a qualified certificate justifiably draws attention to a problem, a clean certificate can no longer be fully relied upon. You may need to do your own due diligence.