Nicholas Ranken

I’ve always felt that an organization can’t change without a clear vision of what the future will look like. In other terms, if the leaders of the change don’t know where they want to be, how can we get there?

Today, I stumbled across a story in the form of a fable that represents well the perils of communicating vision and illustrates the gap between a reality for the organization and what staff perceive.

I’ve replicated it here, but you can read the full article at: Performance Management Company blog

In the Beginning was The Vision
And then came the Assumptions
But the Assumptions were without Form
And the Vision was without substance.

And Darkness was upon the faces of the Workers
As they Spoke amongst themselves, saying:
“It is a Crock of Shit, and it Stinketh, badly.”

So the Workers went to Supervisors and sayeth unto them:
“It is a Pail of Dung, and none may abide the Odor thereof.”

And Supervisors went to Managers, and sayeth unto them:
“It is a Container of Excrement, and it is
so very Strong that none may abide it.”

And Managers went to Directors and sayeth unto them:
“It is a vessel of Fertilizer, and none may abide its Strength.”

And Directors went to Vice Presidents and sayeth:
“It contains that which aids plant Growth, and it is very Strong.”

And Vice Presidents went to Executives and sayeth unto them:
“It promoteth Growth, and it is very very Powerful.”

And Executives went to the President, and sayeth unto him:
“This powerful Vision will actively promote Growth and Efficiency
of our departments and our company overall.”

And the President looked upon the Vision
and saw that it was good.

Thus the Vision became The Reality.

Stimulated by a discussion with a good friend and colleague, I have just been reading up on the two levels of change put forward by Gregory Bateson and Paul Watzlawick and I thought I’d summarise briefly:

First-order change:

• Change within a given system.
• The system itself remains unchanged while elements or parts undergo some kind of change.
• Problems are approached mechanically, the same problem solving strategies can be used over and over again.
• Example: a father dealing with his son’s chronic misbehaviour by applying more punishment. The structure of interactions between father and son remain constant.

Second-order change:

• Change to the system itself.
• The system is transformed structurally and/or communicationally.
• Problems are solved by trying something radically different or unexpected.
• Example: encouraging the son to misbehave under certain conditions.

That’s fine. But what about our projects and clients in all this?

Well, an awareness of these two levels of change can help when working on a change project. It is important to realise that two people can experience the same event as either a first-order change or a second-order change. For example, a boss may insist that his/her project does not change the whole system or framework but just the rules of working within this framework, “we are just asking the team to come in a half hour earlier”.

However, certain employees may feel that the framework has radically changed, the environment has changed, new points of reference must be adopted. For example, “My whole family life needs to be re-organised to get there on time. It’s not fair. Why can’t we just continue the old way…”

Understanding and taking into account the modifications to the environment and it’s impact on the emotional human fabric of the population undergoing change are the keys to developing actions for successful change initiatives.

Implementing change of the fist-order would mean accepting the need to change but within the framework of the old situation. This is likely to produce little effect and in some cases may reinforce current difficulties. A second-order change would mean stepping back, looking at the system differently and adopting new points of reference. The change can the take place in a new environment and framework.

The paradoxical theory of change and communication
Extracts from Paradoxical Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice With Individuals, Families and Couples
By Gerald R. Weeks, Luciano L’Abate

I am going to take a short break from blogging (I’ve not been posting much lately) as I am very busy finishing two projects and starting a new one in September. I am also preparing to do some post-graduate studies and buy my first apartment. I’ll be back when things settle down, hopefully with new stories about change from my new position.

In the meantime, I invite you to check out the archives of my blog (either by date or theme – see right hand column). Below is a list of posts that have attracted the most comments to date.

Motivation according to Spots & Myers
Learning from Kotter
From strategy to practical ideas…
A definition of change communication

If you would like a copy of the article I contributed to Strategic Communication Management (see post below), just drop me a line by email.

A bientôt,

Nicholas

Melcrum, a leading research, publishing and training company specialised in the field of internal communication, has just published an in-depth report on delivering successful change communications. I feel very privileged to have been asked to contribute to this research.

If this is something you are interested in, you can order a copy
of the full report on-line: Delivering Successful Change Communication or download the Executive Summary.

Also, keep a look out for the June-July 2007 edition of Strategic Communication Management which will be dedicated to the topic of Change Communication. I have written a four page feature.

I found this recently and wanted to share it. It came in some text after Maslow, Macgregor and Herzberg which are great references on the subject. However I was kind of taken by the simplicity of this contribution.

I looked up Spots & Myers on Google but I can find no reference. Anyone heard of them? Could this be Isabel Briggs Myers? Hmmm.

Things a manager should do to ensure his team is not productive:

• Ask as much as possible
• Criticise his employees in front of their colleagues
• Blame them for their mistakes
• Treat them without any respect for their feelings
• Do not consult before taking action
• Do not explain your actions
• Refuse to take your employees’ ideas into account

Things a manager should do to ensure his team is productive:

• Provide structure
• Inform
• Listen
• Encourage new ideas and responsibilities
• Consult before taking action
• Show your esteem
• Spend more time on building relationships than technical problems

And with that said, I think the above makes a good reminder of communication objectives for my next mission: communication and team coaching for a complex and pressurized IT project at a major French telecommunication company that is undergoing major contractual changes.

Bon weekend!

Nicholas

[updated with English translation on 6 June 2007,  original French is below]

Ce qu’un chef doit faire pour que l’équipe ne soit pas productive:

• Demander plus que possible
• Critiquer ses collaborateurs devant leurs collègues
• Les blâmer pour leurs erreurs
• Les traiter sans respect pour leurs sentiments
• Déclencher l’action sans consulation
• Ne pas expliquer les actions
• Refuser de prendre les idées des collaborateurs en considération

Ce qu’un chef doit faire pour que l’équipe soit productive:

• Prévoir une structure
  
• Informer
  
• Ecouter avant de passer à l’action
• Entraîner à plus d’idées, de responsabilités
• Déclencher l’action après consultation
• Montrer de l’estime
• Passer plus de temps sur les rapports humains que sur les problèmes techniques

Liam FitzPatrick, from Competent Communicators and the Black Belt Dojo blog, offered this in a comment and it made me chuckle so much that I thought it would be best as post in its own right. Unfortunately I see many of these every day… ouch!

1. Regard any new idea from below with suspicion – because it is new and because it is from below.
2. Insist that people who need your approval to act first go through several other layers of management to get their signatures.
3. Ask departments or individuals to challenge and criticise each other’s proposals.
4. Treat problems as a sign of failure.
5. Express your criticisms freely and withhold your praise (that keeps people on their toes). Let them know they can be fired at any time.
6. Control everything carefully. Count anything that can be counted, frequently.
7. Make sure that any request for information is fully justified and that it isn’t distributed too freely (you don’t want data to fall into the wrong hands).
8. Make decisions to reorganise or change policies in secret and spring them on people unexpectedly (that also keeps people on their toes)
9. Assign to lower-level managers, in the name of delegation and participation, responsibility for figuring out how to cut back, lay off or move people around.
10. Never forget that you, the higher-ups, already know everything important about this business.

Source: Rosabeth Moss Kanter via an interview with the BBC.

Harvard Business School Professor, John Kotter, is considered the number one leadership guru in the United States. In his books, he offers eight steps for successful change:

1. create a sense of urgency;
2. build guiding teams;
3. get the vision right;
4. communicate for buy-in;
5. empower action;
6. produce short-term wins;
7. never let up;
8. and make change stick.

In a recent interview with Management Consulting News, Kotter highlights the need to pay “more attention [...] to the front end of the change process.” For me, this interview provides two very interesting points that got me thinking about what can be done in practice.

Lack of urgency

Firstly, Kotter states that many organisations vastly underestimate building sufficient urgency when preparing change programmes. Managers often say to him, “Our people understand how important it is to solve this problem. We’re beyond that.” They are keen to move on to communicating about the team or, more likely, they want to talk about communicating the vision for the future.

So what can we do to build urgency? Here are a few ideas from my past experiences. What has worked for you?

1. Honest and factual communication between management and staff about the current situation. Facts, figures and industry comparisons can help to explain the thinking behind the change of strategy.
2. Workshops based on a co-development model help teams to get to grips with the issues, understand and feel the need for change themselves.
3. Listening and take the temperature regularly: don’t just assume that everyone understands and agrees with the need to change. A short survey, poll or a conversation over coffee can shed a lot of light.
4. A clear switch or cut-off point. I have heard of IT system changes where the management are reluctant to switch off the old system and the possibility of maintaining parrallel systems is actively considered. This is crazy. You can’t build urgency around something that itself is not clear.
5. Lastly, something a bit more fun: a clock that counts down to the change can help make the urgency visible. You would be surpised by the reaction and discussion something this simple can generate.

Fear and a lack of credibility

At the heart of any change is, of course, fear. However, the problem is that words, images, arguments and promises on their own cannot alay fear.

As Kotter says, “The ultimate way to help people believe in what you are doing is not words, but deeds. Every time you do something well, fear goes down because credibility goes up.”

Effective change communication can support a competent team in building this credibility. It can provide a reliable source of information and serve to build trust around the team and initiative.

And this is where I have a problem with the idea of “marketing” change internally. By making un-attainable promises or appearing to “over-sell” the change, fearful staff will often smell a rat. If messages don’t correspond with everyday reality, if the promises made are hard to believe, then your credibility goes down and fear is increased.

If communication serves to reinforce daily reality or illustrate something has gone right, then trust can be progressively built. As Kotter says, people start to think “Maybe there’s a chance that they can pull this off and I’m not going to be pushed off a cliff after all.”

Here are a few tips for change communications that can inspire credibility:

• Provide impartial and balanced reporting of the facts.
• Communicate regularly and always at the date/time promised.
• Proof-read thoroughly to remove any spelling or grammar mistakes.
• Provide information in a professional format adapted to the context.
• Illustrate and explain the achievements, small or large, that constitute milestones to the change.
• Reply promptly to all feedback.
• Don’t be afraid to state that change is difficult.

This last point is frequently problematic on IT system changes where the first month following a major implementation is usually the hardest. By preparing users for this reality, explaining that it will be hard at first but that team is here to help, you create a message that can be believed. Promising full benefits or return on investment right from the outset is delusional. Of course promising support when the team cannot follow through would be equally catastrophic!

Read also: Kotter’s 8 reasons why change fails

Nicholas Ranken

A recent comment on the following post, “A definition of change communication“, got me thinking about what content we should be providing in this factual, fast and frequent manner?

Projects, and IT projects in particular, are usually run on a tight budget. Time, money and resources are often short. What I see happening is that any old information to hand is packaged and sent out to future users. The information I am thinking about is often extracted from progress reports, the sort of information that team managers give to hierarchy in PowerPoint files to track their progress.

However, successful change communication needs much more than this. It needs to be passed through a filter, a communicator, who will ensure messages are structured for a defined target audience. This should be someone that will digest the information into the following key points (a useful pense-bête):

• What is happening?
• Why is it happening?
• What does it mean (for me)?
• What are the next steps?

And there isn’t just one wise communicator in an ivory tower that can prepare this. It will require regular contact (surveys, conference calls, cups of coffee…) with the stakeholder groups being targeted, or at least a representative. In my experience, key users are invaluable change communication allies.

A simple, factual change message that goes straight to these points is more likely to be taken on-board; especially when it is competing amongst the hundreds of messages that we are “assaulted” with everyday via e-mail, press, radio, TV, intranets, websites, blogs, meetings, conference calls, workshops…

Maybe this sounds like common sense to some, but it surprises me that communications are rarely prepared in this way.

Nicholas

Still on the subject of consulting, I recently came across Schein’s description of three primary models for organizational facilitation.

1. Purchase models: refer to the purchase of expert information and advice
2. Doctor-patient models: refer to the purchase of diagnostic and prescriptive services
3. Process consultation models: refer to collaborative client-consultant relationships in which consultants function as facilitators and help client learn to improve their internal problem-solving processes.

These short descriptions give a good sense of perspective for those involved in change management and coaching with clients, activities which correspond to the process consultation model.

Source: Schein 1988

I thought I’d share a small pearl of wisdom that I recently heard on a training course. It’s about the profession of consulting and it struck a cord with me.

Consulting was described using the concepts of Yin and Yang that originate in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics. In short, these concepts are attributed to two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe.

I’ve noticed that consulting is often a balance between the opposing, but complementary, forces of “leadership” and “servitude”.

Ultimately a consultant is hired to provide a service. The definition of servitude given by Wiktionary is: the act or state of being in service to someone. So, I guess that implies that the client is in the driving seat, they are requesting a service.

Yet, a consultant is hired to bring specialised knowledge of a particular domain and should lead a client to make the best choices in relation to his/her stated objective. In change management this often involves challenging a client’s own convictions and resistance to change.

Too much leadership or inappropriate leadership and the consultant will be perceived as arrogant and trying to force his view or theories on the client. However, too little and a consultant is seen as ineffective and not really providing any added value to the client, a kind of (expensive) hired labour.

I thought this was quite an accurate representation of the challenges that a consultant can face. It appears to me that getting this right has just as much to do with relational skills as pure expertise.

Personally, I find this a fine balance; I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

Nicholas

The third and final part of my Relax series with Cram Redgeh of the Living Life as a Gay DJ in the UK podcast. Enjoy and why not leave him a comment and let him know you are listening?

Part 2 of my week on Relax with Cram Redgeh of the Living Life as a Gay DJ in the UK podcast. Leave him a comment and let him know you are listening!

Thanks to all of you that have been in touch. I’ve really appreciated your comments and emails. Last week I was interviewed by Cram Redgeh of the Living Life as a Gay DJ in the UK podcast. Check it out, I pick 6 of my favourite songs to be played over the week. Enjoy!

RECORDED: 24 June 2006 DURATION: 3:07 SIZE: 18MB SYNOPSIS: Trying out iMovie with some old films of Gay Pride. Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Bob Sinclair, Love Generation Photos of Paris Gay Pride Podcast #29 Proud in Paris New! View all my video podcasts on my new YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/nikinparis CONTACT: I would love [...]

Thanks for everything this year and looking forward to more fun in 2008!

Thank you to all my friends and listeners for all the birthday wishes. Here is a little surprise for you :) Click on the photos for more… And here are the photos from the party for my 30th… Podcast coming soon, hugs, Nik x

RECORDED: 28 October 2007 DURATION: 29:07 SIZE: 26.7MB SYNOPSIS: Back after a break, catch up with my news and hear a little more about the fab Vélib scheme. MUSIC AND LINKS: Strangers in Wonderland, Addicted Vélib website Vélib on Wikipedia CONTACT: I would love to hear from you: Leave me voicemail (USA): 1-775-637-6474 Email me: [...]

RECORDED: Wednesday 8 August 2007 DURATION: 38:53 SIZE: 35.8MB SYNOPSIS: Take a break, put your feet up, grab a glass of your favourite vin and join me for this wine-themed podcast. As this will be the last podcast before my summer holidays, I also tell you about my holiday plans with Bruno. MUSIC AND LINKS: [...]

RECORDED: 18 May 2007 DURATION: 6:11 SIZE: 27.8MB GUEST: Bruno SYNOPSIS: Film from our trip to London in May. Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Pulp, Common People London Eye Photos from our trip CONTACT: I would love to hear from you: Leave me voicemail (USA): 1-775-637-6474 Email me: nikinparis [at] gmail.com Add yourself to [...]

Unfortunately I let my voicemail number expire – d’oh! So, if you listen to any old podcasts, you should not use the number I give out! The new number is: +1-775-637-6474 If you called me since June and I haven’t played your voicemail on the podcast, I most likely didn’t get the message. Sorry for [...]

Merci James!

You can now view my photos on a Flickr map! A podcast will be coming soon. I need a bit of a break…

RECORDED: 28 March 2007 DURATION: 2:24 SIZE:14.6MB SYNOPSIS: Some local colour from Marrakesh. Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Dar Essalam restaurant, Marrakesh, Morocco CONTACT: I would love to hear from you: Call the listener line: 1-775-637-6474 Email me: nikinparis [at] gmail.com Add yourself to my Listener Map

Lewis, of the Spirit of Saint Lewis, brought this to my attention and I thought it was worth sharing. The French association AIDES has been running the following posters during the presidential election campaign to draw attention to the exclusion experienced by HIV-positive people in France. The posters show the three main candidates for the [...]

RECORDED: Thursday 1 March 2007 DURATION: 10:03 SIZE: 45.8MB GUEST: James & Bruno SYNOPSIS: Part two of my anniversary podcast. Video of our trip up the Eiffel tower. Enjoy! Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Eiffel Tower on Wikipedia Official website Photos of the Eiffel Tower Paris, je t’aime d’amour, Patrick Bruel CONTACT: I would [...]

RECORDED: Thursday 1 March 2007 DURATION: 57:47 SIZE: 39.8MB STEREO GUESTS: Yes SYNOPSIS: One year podcast anniversary and 50th podcast, join me and my surprise guests on a soundscape tour of a surprise Paris location. Enjoy! Voice messages from Lee, Archerr, DaveinVA, Chef Mark and Turtle. Thank you everyone for your support this year, it [...]

RECORDED: Friday 9 March DURATION: 1:02:40 SIZE: 28.8MB SYNOPSIS: Back after a long break getting over appendicitis, join me to catch up on the operation and hear about the smoking ban that came into effect in France on 1 February 2007. Includes news clips about the ban in English and French. MUSIC AND LINKS: News [...]

A very big heartfelt thank you to everybody that has sent me comments, e-mail, voice-mail and even video clips to wish me a quick recovery! You’ve all been so kind. I’m now back on my feet with a small scar as a souvenir! If all goes well, and the weather holds out, I will be [...]

Last Friday before my appendix came out.

RECORDED: 15 February 2006 DURATION: 5:19 SIZE: 33.5MB SYNOPSIS: Ceci n’est pas un podcast, but a little video update on what is happening and why there was no show last week. Artwork by my valentine, Bruno Click to play CONTACT: I would love to hear from you: Add yourself to my Listener Map Call the [...]

RECORDED: December 2006 DURATION: 7:03 SIZE: 43.3MB SYNOPSIS: Final part of Paris by night: part 3. Paris Opera, les grands magasins: Les Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps, and La Place Vendôme. Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Les Galeries Lafayette Le Printemps Quand on n’a que l’amour, Jacques Brel La vie en rose, Edith Piaf [...]

I just found a YouTube video of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. It gives a great idea of what it’s like – ENJOY!

RECORDED: Wednesday 27 December 2006 DURATION: 29:32 SIZE: 20.4MB STEREO Princes Street, Edinburgh SYNOPSIS: A soundscape tour in Edinburgh, Scotland as I walk from my parents’ flat to the city centre to go shopping in the sales. I talk about my Christmas and new information about my family history. Binaural recording – put on your [...]

RECORDED: Sunday 12 November DURATION: 5:05 SIZE: 31.6MB SYNOPSIS: Paris by night: part 2. Place de la Concorde, Les Tuilleries, Le Louvre and Le Pont des Arts on the Seine. Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Charles Trenet, Que reste-t-il de nos amours? Lucienne Delyle, Mon amant de Saint Jean CONTACT: I would love to [...]

RECORDED: Saturday 16 December 2006 DURATION: 35:39 SIZE: 24.5MB SYNOPSIS: Something a bit different. I kick back and discuss my parents’ recent visit to Brazil and my mum’s visit back to the coffee farm and school where her father, my grand-father, grew up in the rural interior of Sao Paulo state. MUSIC AND LINKS: Ribeirao [...]

OK, I’m feeling guilty about not providing regular updates and content. I also miss the fun and the interaction. So, to tide things over until my next media post, here are a few photos that were taken by Bruno on Sunday. I have a couple of important meetings this month, so I thought it was [...]

Interested in news from France or a French view on world affairs? Check out the new 24 hour French news channel, France 24, currently available in French and English. Arabic coming soon. What’s really cool is that you can watch the station on-line through a live feed in English or French (Live Feed / La [...]

RECORDED: Sunday 12 November DURATION: 3:53 SIZE: 24.5MB SYNOPSIS: Paris by night: part 1. “Je m’baladais sur l’avenue le coeur ouvert à l’inconnu..”. Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Joe Dassin, Les Champs-Elysées Yves Montand, La Bicyclette CONTACT: I would love to hear from you: Add yourself to my Listener Map Call the listener line: [...]

My shoes, honest! Italian leather, not wooden clogs… ;)

RECORDED: Tuesday 14 November DURATION: 54:50 SIZE: 37.7MB SYNOPSIS: After a long wait, I’m back with a long show! I start off show #40 by indulging myself with reviews of my podcast on iTunes, listener feedback and then bring you up to speed with what has been going on in my life: change, uncertainty and [...]

Apologies for disappearing again. I’ve been called to work on a very urgent project and it has been crazy, crazy, crazy! I recorded a long show on Tuesday, a week ago, and just haven’t been able to push it out to you. I know, excuses, excuses… But it will go out this the weekend. And [...]

It’s that time of year again: the Dieux du Stade calendar for 2007 is out! Dreamy, French rugby men…. Enjoy! Get the calendar: USA :: Europe Mylène Farmer et les Dieux du Stade 2007

RECORDED: Tuesday 19 September DURATION: 41.08 SIZE: 28.2MB SYNOPSIS: Finally! After my break, I am back with new and improved sound! I bring you up to speed with an assortment of developments since my last podcast: new podcasting equipment, the PC salvage operation, messages from listeners, meeting my first listener, Parisian vacation rituals and a [...]

They are on their way… … so, keep an eye on your mailbox!

Maybe I was not very clear but I’m surpised that I have not had ANY requests for postcards from my podcaster friends. If you’re thinking of requesting a postcard, listener or podcaster, don’t be shy! I’d be more than happy to send you a hello from Paris. For those that have already written in, thanks, [...]

RECORDED: 13-16 July 2006 DURATION: 12:03 SIZE: 28.9MB GUEST: Bruno SYNOPSIS: Experience our Bastille weekend in Honfleur, Normandy in glorious, moving techni-colour! Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: NiPP#33 Honfleur life See where Honfleur is (requires Google Earth) Check out the photos from the week-end Pont de Normandie on Wikipedia CONTACT: I would love to [...]

First of all, apologies for the downtimes that my site has been experiencing. You may have been unable to connect to nikinparis.com or download shows recently. My host assures me that they have taken steps to correct the source of the problem. Here is an extract from their message: “…it appears that there is a [...]

RECORDED: 15 July DURATION: 40:12 SIZE: 36.9MB GUEST: Bruno (well, just a tiny bit) SYNOPSIS: A week late, but nonetheless, hear about our weekend in Honfleur, Normandy for the Bastille day weekend. MUSIC AND LINKS: Christophe Goze, Ce que tu veux :: Podsafe Music Network See where Honfleur is (requires Google Earth) Check out the [...]

Thanks to the guys behind PodPress and MyChingo, you can now leave an audio comment on any of my posts. You will find an “Insert audio comment” link at the bottom of the usual comment space. All you need is a microphone! Try it out and add your voice to the show!

RECORDED: Thursday 6 July 2006 DURATION: 19:10 SIZE: 17.6MB SYNOPSIS: Something different, still on the topic of gay pride: this changed my life. MUSIC AND LINKS: Christophe Goze, Little boy :: Podsafe Music Network Outright Scotland on Wikipedia :: Outright Scotland Online CONTACT: I would love to hear from you: Add yourself to my Listener [...]

Don’t miss my conversation with Special Delivery Mark at specialdelivery.libsyn.com. Actually, I don’t speak that much, I mainly just laugh the whole way through! And if you did miss it, why the hell are you not subscribed to his feed????? Do it NOW!! More shows coming soon… A bientôt mes amis (Speak soon my friends), [...]

RECORDED: Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 June 2006 DURATION: 45:59 SIZE: 42.2MB SYNOPSIS: On today’s show: Brazil vs France, Gay Pride weekend, losing things and listener feedback. Apologies for the wobbly mic noises. MUSIC AND LINKS: Sonny Combs and Kitty Kat Rodeo :: You Said :: Interview :: Podsafe Music Gay Pride photos on Flickr [...]

RECORDED: Sunday 18 June 2006 DURATION: 34:30 SIZE: 31.7MB GUEST: Special Delivery Mark SYNOPSIS: Join my favourite Californian delivery boy, Special Delivery Mark, and myself for a chat over Gizmo about his time in France. Hear about his adventures looking after a French farm at the age of sixteen, his experiences with a sexy French [...]

RECORDED: Friday 23 June 2006 DURATION: 25:20 SIZE: 23.3MB SYNOPSIS: The continuation of show #26 with a whole load of feedback and shout-outs. Thanks everyone. MUSIC AND LINKS: Sonny Combs and Kitty Kat Rodeo :: Let You Go :: Interview :: Podsafe Music Podcast Soup :: Turtlecast :: Archerradio :: Ongline Podcast :: Ramble Redhead [...]

RECORDED: Wednesday 21 June 2006 DURATION: 29:10 SIZE: 26.8MB SYNOPSIS: I return to the format of podcasting as I walk to work to tell you about all the different things that Bruno and I did to celebrate his birthday. I had originally planned to include a second part with listener feedback and shout-outs. In order [...]

Check out what we were up to this weekend… :) Paris, Marche des Fiertes (Gay Pride) 2006

RECORDED: Monday 5 June 2006 DURATION: 8:35 SIZE: 51MB GUEST: Bruno and Titi SYNOPSIS: Film footage from our trip to Lille to see Sheila. Visit the beautiful center of Lille and join us in the car on the way home! Click to play MUSIC AND LINKS: Extracts from Sheila CONTACT: I would love to hear [...]

RECORDED: Tuesday 13 June 2006 DURATION: 6:48 SIZE: 40.6MB GUEST: Bruno SYNOPSIS: A birthday picnic for Bruno at the edge of the Seine as the sun goes down. See the exact location of our picnic: download file. Requires Google Earth. Click to play CONTACT: If you appreciate the show and listen regularly I would love [...]

RECORDED: 27 & 28 May 2006 DURATION: 27:50 SIZE: 25.6MB SYNOPSIS: A soundscape tour from the wedding weekend: the Shropshire countryside, the church, the wedding speeches, singing and dancing and the journey home.Thank you to the wedding speakers: the father of the bride, the mother of the bride, the mistress of ceremonies (sister of the [...]

RECORDED: Saturday 22 April 2006 DURATION: 1:02:13 SIZE: 71.3MB SOURCE: Ramble Redhead Show Episode 54 SYNOPSIS: Listen as Ramble Redhead takes my podcast interview cherry! I’ve listened to the Ramble Redhead show for a while now and I felt very priviledged to be a guest. Here is my interview in full. If you are not [...]

RECORDED: Friday 31 March – Sunday 2 April 2006 DURATION: 8:25 SIZE: 51.5MB SYNOPSIS: Just before James and Juliet’s “big day” on 27 May, experience James’ stag weekend in film! Warning: dodgey filming and drunken boys. You have been warned. Click To Play MUSIC AND LINKS: Clarika, Les garçons dans les vestiaires Listen to pocdast: [...]

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RECORDED: Thursday 11 May 2006 11pm DURATION: 24:40 SIZE: 22.7MB GUEST: James SYNOPSIS: Another chat with James, learn about how we got to know each other and our Erasmus years abroad. Auberge Espagnol version Nik and James. MUSIC AND LINKS: Sonny Combs and Kitty Kat Rodeo :: Let You Go :: Interview :: Podsafe Music [...]

RECORDED: Saturday 20 May 2006 1pm DURATION: 39:40 SIZE: 36.4MB SYNOPSIS: Hailstones, Texas, concerts and lovely listener feedback! Bercy, Palais Omnisport MUSIC AND LINKS: 46bliss, The Way You Are, Podsafe Music Network Musings Northwest Ramble Readhead ArcherRadio ReMARKable Palate Lovely listeners Podcasters Unite – Join the Revolution CONTACT: If you appreciate the show and listen [...]

RECORDED: Sunday 14 May 2006 DURATION: 1:29 SIZE: 8MB SYNOPSIS: A bit of Paris brought to your screen. Enjoy! Click To Play MUSIC AND LINKS:Bruce Parker, La Boheme CONTACT: If you appreciate the show and listen regularly I would love to hear from you: Add yourself to my Listener Map Call the listener line: 1-775-637-6474 [...]

Today, the Eiffel tower will be lit in blue as part of a series of events to mark the 56th anniversary of Robert Schuman‘s famous declaration that is widely recognised as the founding of the European Union. Since 1985, 9 May is the date of “Europe Day“, now celebrated in the 25 member states of [...]

RECORDED: Friday 5 May 9am with parts on Wednesday 3 May 9am DURATION: 31:10 SIZE: 28.6MB SYNOPSIS: On today’s show: active leaves from the rainforest, champagne, prostitutes, Brazilian transexuals, the French Post Office and open air flirting. A regular day in the south of Paris? MUSIC AND LINKS: Momo LaMana, Mata Te, Podsafe Music Network [...]

Wow, I made it to second place in the “Audio Blog” category of iTunes Music Store France on 1 May! The podcast in number one position is for a French TV presenter… so some unfair competition there! However, I’m happy to see that I’m ahead of Sa Parole pour Aujourd’hui, “His Word for Today”, by [...]

Guess what? I’m the #5 podcast in the “Audio Blog” category of iTunes Music Store France today! Thank you to everyone that has subscribed to the show and that is listening – it’s thanks to you! Hugs, Nik x

RECORDED: Friday 14 April 10am DURATION: 16:20 SYNOPSIS: Recorded during my holidays in Le Brusc, near Toulon on the Côte d’Azur in the south of France. Accompany me on a walk along the beach and across the port to fetch the morning baguette. View photos of the port MUSIC AND LINKS: Jeanne Moreau & Vanessa [...]

Hi everyone! I had recorded a show explaining that I will be away for a week. Going for a week’s holiday to the south of France with Bruno. Unfortunately a mini family drama took place this afternoon so I didn’t manage to finish editing the show and I now need to rush to the airport. [...]

RECORDED: Tuesday 4 April 7pm DURATION: 25:30 SYNOPSIS: Today, I’m gobsmacked. After a hard day at work, I rant about why can’t people just communicate and work with each other to achieve a common objective? I discuss the petty games people play in the office and power games. Tell me if I’m boring! LOL :) [...]

RECORDED: Tuesday 4 April 9am DURATION: 20:10 SYNOPSIS: News of my weekend in the UK… a surprise stag party for my best friend. What do you get when you cross 13 men, a canal boat, fake tits and lots of alcohol…? MUSIC AND LINKS: Bianca Aguia, One day you’ll be there Podsafe Music Network How [...]

RECORDED: Thursday 30 March, 8.30am DURATION: 23:40 SYNPOPSIS Join me on my walk to work as I discuss the recent social and political unrest in France, strikes, demonstrations and the CPE: contrat première embauche. Listen to the birds in the background! MUSIC AND LINKS Banheiro Feminino, Que Vidao Podsafe Music Network Blog on the Unrest [...]

A change to my original plans… taking it easy! Hugs, Nik x RECORDED: Wednesday 29 March 11.30pm DURATION: 19:00 SYNOPSIS I change orginal plans to give you a podcast on the social/political situation in France and talk about the feedback to my first two shows. MUSIC AND LINKS Kick in the Can, Dan Podsafe Music [...]

A second show for my first day of podcasting! Coming to you live as I take a walk in the evening through the streets of Paris. Hugs, Nik x RECORDED: Sunday 26 March 10pm DURATION: 14:10 SYNOPSIS I chat about my evening with my boyfriend’s parents as I walk home from his flat. MUSIC AND [...]

Finally… here’s my first show! It’s a taster of what is to come… it’s also a bit shakey so please be gentle and give me some feedback! Hugs, Nik x RECORDED: Sunday 26 March 11am DURATION: 16:20 SYNOPSIS An introduction to the Nik-in-Paris Podcast and your host, Nik. I talk about what you can expect [...]

OK so this is my first post on my blog and test with an audio file! Stay subscribed! More coming soon as I sort my feed, site and graphics! Hugs Nik xx Feeding BritCaster.com Podshow PDN {podshow-9af11f7ecd55d7a17e71534493b596e2}