Wedding Question Box

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to post a quick craft that I undertook this week in preparation for a wedding that I’m MC’ing this weekend.  The Bride & Groom of course wanted to avoid the annoying clinking of glasses to have them kiss, so I suggested an alternative.  For this “Kissing Game” I had the Wedding Party provide me with trivia questions about the couple, and in order to have the newly weds kiss someone from the wedding guests will need to answer one of these questions correctly.

Since the Bride is really craft-y, I decided that I should keep with the spirit of the weekend and create a shnazzy “Question Box” from where the questions could be drawn.

Here is my step-by-step guide as to how you can make your own Question Box:

Step #1 – Procure the supplies

Here you can see that we have a number of lovely decorations that are going to give our Question Box a unique and definitely colourful look.

Step #2 – The Box

Selecting the right box is key to the spirit of the game.  Because this event is so formal I made sure to select a CLASSY beer box.  These beers are banquet beers, or canned class.

Step #3 – The Tools

For this project all you will need is a hot glue gun and a box cutter, since we’re using a box.  Note: do not use a box cutter if you plan on making your box on a plane while en route to a wedding!

Step #4 – Cut the top off the box

 

In the first photo you can clearly see me cutting the top off the box, being very careful not to puncture any of the cans while doing so.  The second photo shows what your box should look like once the top has been removed.  Note that I cut off the handled portion, since the open spaces of the handle would not make for a good bottom of the box (the questions would fall out silly!)

Step #5 – Remove the cans

You can’t put questions in the box if it’s full of beer!  Take the cans out.

Step #6 – Drink the beers

Since you no longer have a box in which to keep your beer, you don’t have much choice but to drink them all…

Step #7 – Take a nap

You can’t finish the box while sleeping, plus you also now need to…

Step #8 – Wash Up because your Fiancée thinks she is “hilarious”…

 

 

Step #9 Decorate the box

So first I drew in some giant question marks with a huge sharpee, because nothing screams mystery like question marks.  Still, just in case it wasn’t obvious I spelled out the word “Question Box” in bright letters stick-on stickers.  I then added flowers because bitches love flowers.  To make the flowers pop I placed a blue rhinestone in the centre of each.  Also,  since you can never have too many rhinestones, I added silver ones strategically all over the box.

Now, it has been suggested to me that I could have covered the box in construction paper ahead of time but, think about it for a second, how then would the Bride & Groom know that I bought such a classy beer for the occassion?  Sometimes you people just don’t think outside…. the box. 🙂

Step #10 – Final Product

I added in some tree like things to give it a “je ne sais quoi” feeling.  Which I believe is French for something mysterious.  And there you had it!  Your own Question Box that will certainly grab the attention of all the wedding guests, wedding party and most definitely the Bride & Groom!

Step #11 – Using the box

Just in case it was clear, all you need to do is reach into the box and pull out the questions, as picture above.  Make sure you put questions in the box for guests to pull, otherwise you’ll just have another pretty box with no substance.

Thanks for taking a look a my project.  I would love any feedback and to see what you can come up with!

All the best,

Matt

 

MAKING (a little) TIME

Not going to give in to the excuse that “I don’t have time” to blog.  You make time for what is important and, since I’ve decided for some reason that the upkeep of this site is important, here I am.

Now that doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily get something of substance this week. 🙂

It has been a busy week trying to clamour  together MGIS Solution teams for a number of proposals we are actively pursuing.  Going to be diving into the bid writing phase shortly but with so much rolling in it has been a real task staying above water.

If you are looking for something in the following positions:

PM, BA, Business Architect, SAP, ERP Architect, Business Process and HR

I have something for you!

Contact me ASAP!

Wired

One of the words I hear most often on the recruiting side of the business is how nearly every single bid is “wired” for someone.  Rarely is this true, except in the case of incumbents (and sometimes even then the client doesn’t want them back).

This initial framing by consultants of the requirements will often push away good candidates from great opportunities.  Perhaps having worked with large companies or body shops has jaded consultants into thinking that the recruiter is merely throwing any and every opportunity in front of as many faces as possible hoping that someone bites.  I can’t imagine working like that…

Since I also take part in the writing of our proposals, I can imagine  nothing worse than combing hundreds of RFP pages to ensure every detail is covered, and then creating hundreds of more pages of text when you have zero chance of winning.  While a successful proposal is inevitably exciting, I’m sure most proposal writer’s will admit that the process is less than thrilling.  So, when I bring an opportunity to one of our resources, I am certain we have a chance to win with a strong proposal and competitive pricing, even if we’re not the “favourite”.

My suggestions to consultants is read the SOW carefully to see if you can do the job.  Often times it will cue you to what the non-requirements that Evaluators will want to see.  It will also likely spark your memory, and that matrix might not look so menacing.  Next, go with a company that will have lower overhead, isn’t partnering, is open about rates and be competitive with your per diem.  You might be surprised how those RFPs slowly become “wired” for you…

Cut backs?

Yes, it’s been awhile.  No I won’t write a paragraph about it.  Welcome back (to both of us).

So the question I’ve been most asked over the past few months, when people discover what it is that I do, has been “So, are things  slower for you with all the government cut backs?”

To be honest, I don’t think we’ve ever been busier…

Everyday we have government clients reaching out to us for solutions on everything from replacing skills they know they will be losing, finding new ways to keep the same productivity with less resources and seeking advice on how to better structure to ensure a leaner, functioning team going forward.

In reality, I think the government has figured out that the “privatization” of the public service is a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable method.  Consultants are no longer raking in the rates of years past and, with the glut of resources on the market today, they are getting very high-level resources at almost unthinkable per diems.

In addition, they flood the market with thousands of public servants who have seen consultants “making the big bucks”, and you could easily talk someone back into their job at the same value, with no benefits and the ability for Canada to cancel their contract at will.

So if anything, I can only imagine that things are going to be very busy going forward.  Consultants will have to choose their relationships wisely.  Big companies with a lot of overhead are going to eat into per diems as they try to survive on increasingly meager mark ups.  Smaller companies who can work quickly and efficiently, with little overhead, real solutions and real relationships are in prime position to respond to the client needs in this new public service.

It’s going to be interesting…

New Post?

Wednesday, 3pm EST.

Pick your Partner

Too often I hear people talk of Win/Win scenarios but their actions are only in the best interest of their position.

Experts…

I know, I know… It’s been awhile. We just moved offices to something a little more permanent, so no excuses anymore aside from being too busy/lazy/inattentive.

But thought I would quickly get a word in for the few people that still peek in here to see what’s up with me.

Big word we’re kicking around MGIS right now is Experts, and more specifically what makes someone a Real Expert. Having been in the business for over a year now I’ve had a chance to work with a number of different consultants and I can say that nearly all of them have been absolutely fantastic to deal with.

But being pleasant doesn’t make you an expert. Fortunately I have had a chance to watch and interact with a few Real Experts in their field and it is something very inspiring to watch. They are people who not only have an impeccable CV but who walk into a room and instantly command attention from everyone. You can tell by the way they speak, work and lead that they have the knowhow and where with all to analyze, plan and execute a Real Solution for the clients.

And there is nothing better than getting feedback from the client thanking you for finding them a Real Expert who takes pride in offering them a Real Solution!

My Spare Time

Taking a break from the seemingly never ending grid creation machine I’ve become entrenched in…

Just wanted to write this somewhere, figured maybe someone may read it and, if I’m lucky, someone might even know what I’m writing about!

This past Tuesday at Therien Martial Arts we had a special guest.  It was none other than Royce Gracie.  This man revolutionized martial arts World-Wide by introducing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the masses.  Not only was he in little ol’ Stittsville teaching a seminar but he also did something I have witnessed nor heard of a Gracie family member doing at a seminar…  He rolled with attendees!

Namely, he rolled with me!

I had the chance to grapple with the Professor and I’m not ashamed to say it was a lesson in humility.  I’m going to guess that many IT professionals play golf.  I would like you to imagine playing a round of golf with Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer.  For hockey players, it is the equivalent of strapping on skates and trying to play defense against Wayne Gretzky.   If you’re into popping your eyes as far out of your head as you possible can, it was like measuring up to Claudio Pinto.

Whatever the Holy Grail of your passion, I met mine.  And it only took 5 minutes for me to be submitted twice (once to an ankle lock and the other to an armbar).  Felt like a 5 year old wrestling with dad.  It is truly amazing to meet someone who has mastered, learned and created more than I will ever see.

I hope that I will have the opportunity to train with him again in the future.  Hopefully roll again and, even better, offer stiffer competition.

Now back to grid writing, at least you know a little more about me now…

Matt

Business Transformation Architect

Here’s what you need!

• Minimum ten (10) years of Business Transformation Architect experience on IM/IT-enabled business projects.
• Minimum ten (10) years evaluating existing procedures and methods, identifying and documenting items such as business processes, database content, structure, and application subsystems.
• Minimum ten (10) years experience for at least two (2) IM/IT-enabled business projects: gathering requirements and developing business; and performing business analyses of functional requirements to identify information, procedure, and decision flows; and developing and documenting statements of requirements for considered alternatives; and analysing, evaluating, documenting, and developing business processes.
• Experience developing project documentation such as process maps, functional requirements (e.g. information procedural and decision flows), and workplans for a minimum of two (2) IM/IT-enabled business projects.
• Experience as Business Transformation Architect with at least two (2) IM/IT-enabled business projects using UML CASE tools such as Enterprise Architect software.
• Experience conducting interviews with stakeholders and subject matter experts for a minimum of two (2) IM/IT-enabled business projects.
• Experience in the implementation of business process improvement processes in programs for a minimum of two (2) IM/IT-enabled business projects.
• Experience in identifying organizational and/or project business opportunities for improvement and streamlining of business processes for a minimum of two (2) IM/IT-enabled business projects.
• Minimum of two (2) working experiences with a federal government organization performing activities as Business Transformation Architect.

If that sounds like you let me know ASAP!

Next big thing…

Here is the next big thing I’ll be working on:

Bid involving Level 3 for Project Manager, Business Consultant, Business Transformation Architect, Enterprise Architect and Project Executive.

Will be posting the requirements for each position over the next day or so.  Let me know if you’re interested in any of the positions.  Only a few companies invited to bid so with competitive rates we have a very good change of winning this 2 year contract!

Matt