Many famous people do a Christmas message and indeed there are also many alternative messages these days.
We at CIOBS will not join the masses. This is indeed a time for looking back and reflecting (Oh no I am falling into the trap!) I hope that 2007 has been good for you. Here at Drumsheugh it has certainly been a year of change with the appointment of our new Chief Executive and the appearances of the Grim Reaper from time to time.
The results of the Chartered Banker examinations did appear on Friday. Well done to the many successful candidates.
Congratulations also go to the many students sitting online examinations here at Drumsheugh on Friday. We had a full house at both the morning and afternoon sessions.
2007 saw the beginning of this blog and it is remarkable and pleasing to know that there are people from all over the globe visiting us online
On behalf of everyone here at CIOBS I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2008.
Feliz Navidad
Nadolig Llawen
Nollaig chridheil huibh
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Joyeux Noel
Michael (It is nice to be multilingual from time to time)
Monday, 24 December 2007
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
It's getting nearer
Well hello to all you bloggees out there and trust that I find you well. The hectic end to the year continues here at CIOBS as I am sure it does with you also. I am doing this blog just before meeting with our Chief Executive this morning. I am sitting here smartly dressed of course with my shoes polished as always.
It has been a strange couple of weeks with no travelling around the U.K. Last Thursday was a highlight I must say. 10 potential Chartered Bankers arrived here at Drumsheugh and it was a delight to meet with you all. In fact it turned out that I had met some of you before in Leeds of all places.
I remember doing a talk in Grangemouth a few years ago and as I started two of the organisers left the room. "Are you not staying " I asked " No Michael" came the response"We have heard you before!" So it is nice when people come back and stay!
From Grangemouth to Greece and that is where you will find Colin Morrison this week. He is attending a conference in Athens and returns to CIOBS on Friday.Be prepared for the change in temperature Mr.M it was -6.5 Celsius in Edinburgh on Monday morning. He might read this and decide not to return.
Where is Raymond? I hear you cry. Well he is working hard and he has on his plate at present another set of revision notes. Currently he is producing revision notes for Retail Banking, the English and Welsh Law version. I am sure that he is having fun with those. I would imagine that he is also plotting to get me away from this blog and take it over once again.
Our weekly podcasts continue and another one is about to be released. Keep an eye on the website.
I can exclusively reveal that the Chartered Banker, incorporating all specialist and bespoke qualifications, results Should be available on the website this Friday 21st December. Good luck to you all with this.
Just a mention for our magazine Scottish Banker. The December/January edition is now available. This is sent to all current members. Any non-members out there who wish a copy please get in touch and I will get you sorted.
Thursday of this week brings the monthly staff meeting. This is where the CIOBS staff meet on a monthly basis funnily enough!
Enjoy the rest of the week and keep warm wherever you are.
Michael (Staying warm in Edinburgh)
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
You were warned!
Yes, I am back as Raymond predicted. Delighted to be back of course to the world of CIOBS. It was certainly a busy week while I was away. A busy week for Mr.Brown with, among his many other tasks, the Apex course, Podcasting and of course getting a blogg in without me.
This week has been very interesting so far. Our esteemed Chief Executive, Simon Thompson, met with David Cameron this week during the Leader of the Opposition's visit to Scotland. Simon and David had a chat about the Financial Services Industry.I am told that a few observers were heard to say " Who's that guy with Simon?" apologies to Annabel Goldie if you are reading this. Please don't tell her where I live if she asks.
If that was not enough there have been enquiries about our courses from many places this week, in fact I took a call from someone in Mauritius. I started dreaming about visits and courses, but then I looked out of the window at our dreary December weather. I know that G.Reaper visited Mauritius on business a couple of years ago, so it looks as if he hasn't put them off!
Our ever so popular podcasts continue. I would recommend last week's very highly. Raymond was in great form and no, he didn't mention football at any stage.
Tomorrow brings yet another batch of new students to Drumsheugh Gardens for an Introductory day. A warm welcome to all you prospective Chartered Bankers - The journey begins tomorrow.
The only downside to this event is that I will be running it. This session is the last course scheduled to take place in Drumsheugh House in 2007. Will we be in a festive mood? I am not dressing up that may happen later on in the week!!!
Well on that bombshell I must get on because I know that Mr B will be calling me from a secret location soon. He is out and about on his travels today and will very shortly be appearing at a venue near you. Oh no he won't ( Right! cut out the panto stuff Michael. This is a serious Blogg)
Have a good day and a great week
Michael (Dressing up is a festive thing. Honest !!!)
This week has been very interesting so far. Our esteemed Chief Executive, Simon Thompson, met with David Cameron this week during the Leader of the Opposition's visit to Scotland. Simon and David had a chat about the Financial Services Industry.I am told that a few observers were heard to say " Who's that guy with Simon?" apologies to Annabel Goldie if you are reading this. Please don't tell her where I live if she asks.
If that was not enough there have been enquiries about our courses from many places this week, in fact I took a call from someone in Mauritius. I started dreaming about visits and courses, but then I looked out of the window at our dreary December weather. I know that G.Reaper visited Mauritius on business a couple of years ago, so it looks as if he hasn't put them off!
Our ever so popular podcasts continue. I would recommend last week's very highly. Raymond was in great form and no, he didn't mention football at any stage.
Tomorrow brings yet another batch of new students to Drumsheugh Gardens for an Introductory day. A warm welcome to all you prospective Chartered Bankers - The journey begins tomorrow.
The only downside to this event is that I will be running it. This session is the last course scheduled to take place in Drumsheugh House in 2007. Will we be in a festive mood? I am not dressing up that may happen later on in the week!!!
Well on that bombshell I must get on because I know that Mr B will be calling me from a secret location soon. He is out and about on his travels today and will very shortly be appearing at a venue near you. Oh no he won't ( Right! cut out the panto stuff Michael. This is a serious Blogg)
Have a good day and a great week
Michael (Dressing up is a festive thing. Honest !!!)
Friday, 7 December 2007
Another Week in the Life of......
Hi there,
With the inimitable Mr Downey on his hols this week, there's a window of opportunity (small!) to get to the blog desk and quickly scribble a few notes before he returns on Monday.
As always, a busy and interesting week at the CIOBS. On Monday and Tuesday, eight delegates sampled the delights of the ApEx 1 Revision Course - that's the Regulatory qualification subject UK Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics, for those who don't know! As always, a couple of intensive days, but everyone seemed to enjoy it and take something away from it. Here's hoping that they will do well when they sit their exam.
What else has been happening? Well, work continues on the Revision Notes for the English law version of Retail Banking and of course podcasting continues too. A number of assignments have also come in for the now totally replaced Associateship subjects, So Mr D and I will be getting on to these ASAP.
Elsewhere in the office, the Customer Service Team are preparing to deal with the annual influx of CPD cards and the imminent mailing of associated information to our members. Talking of CPD, did you know that we are launching a new CPD scheme? To this end, we have arranged a secondment from RBS Group and John Grierson will join us next month to take this forward. All being well, the new scheme should be up and running for the 2009 CPD year!
Have you have heard that in addition to the four new subjects being added to the Chartered Banker qualification, that even further exciting changes are planned? If not, I can exclusively reveal that 2008 will see a major change to our premier professional programme, with a new compulsory subject being added. The subject will be Professionalism & Ethics and should be ready by late Summer 2008, so watch out for that!
Anyway, that's enough excitement for one day - it was good while it lasted!
Have a great weekend but beware next week - he's BACK!!
Raymond
With the inimitable Mr Downey on his hols this week, there's a window of opportunity (small!) to get to the blog desk and quickly scribble a few notes before he returns on Monday.
As always, a busy and interesting week at the CIOBS. On Monday and Tuesday, eight delegates sampled the delights of the ApEx 1 Revision Course - that's the Regulatory qualification subject UK Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics, for those who don't know! As always, a couple of intensive days, but everyone seemed to enjoy it and take something away from it. Here's hoping that they will do well when they sit their exam.
What else has been happening? Well, work continues on the Revision Notes for the English law version of Retail Banking and of course podcasting continues too. A number of assignments have also come in for the now totally replaced Associateship subjects, So Mr D and I will be getting on to these ASAP.
Elsewhere in the office, the Customer Service Team are preparing to deal with the annual influx of CPD cards and the imminent mailing of associated information to our members. Talking of CPD, did you know that we are launching a new CPD scheme? To this end, we have arranged a secondment from RBS Group and John Grierson will join us next month to take this forward. All being well, the new scheme should be up and running for the 2009 CPD year!
Have you have heard that in addition to the four new subjects being added to the Chartered Banker qualification, that even further exciting changes are planned? If not, I can exclusively reveal that 2008 will see a major change to our premier professional programme, with a new compulsory subject being added. The subject will be Professionalism & Ethics and should be ready by late Summer 2008, so watch out for that!
Anyway, that's enough excitement for one day - it was good while it lasted!
Have a great weekend but beware next week - he's BACK!!
Raymond
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
