Well,here we are on Friday 29th February 2008, Yes, it is a leap year. This is the first ever blog to be written on 29th February and will be the last leap year blog until 2012.
Will there still be a blog in 2012? What form will it take? Will I still be a blogaholic? We shall see.
I hope you are well on this final day in February. As I was walking to the office this morning it was light! Hooray! The daffodils are blooming, which reminds me:
A Happy Saint David’s day tomorrow to all our Welsh bloggees or
"Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus”
Plenty going here at CIOBS , with many students arriving today to sit online examinations – good luck to you all.
Where is Raymond? you ask, well, here is a link to this week’s CIOBS news podcast where you can here the great man in all his glory.
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/about/what_podcasts.cfm
Talking of podcasting,next week’s will be a very special one,you will not hear my voice or the dulcet tones of Raymond Brown. It is mystery guest speaker time again.
So tune in to next Thursday’s podcast when all will be revealed.
Monday and Tuesday next week sees an Apex 5 revision session running here at Drumsheugh. I look forward to welcoming delegates to that one.
And there’s more: I will be in Leeds next Thursday, one of those day trips once again. I am sure that my carefully planned itinerary will go like clockwork – I will let you know.
Tonight sees the grand final of the Courier/CIOBS Junior Schools Debating Competition Final. This will take place at the Lower Parliament Hall, St Andrews. Good luck to the finalists.
Well I should get on.
Just a reminder to all Chartered Banker students that 1st Assignments must be in the hands of your subject tutor by midnight 1st March 2008.
No excuses will be accepted for late submissions.
Michael (Leaping around as usual)
Friday, 29 February 2008
Friday, 22 February 2008
Revison notes for sale - English & Welsh versions
I know I will be accused once again of being a blogaholic and I know it is only two days since the last blog, but, hey let’s do it as they say, It’s Friday, it’s wet and windy here in Edinburgh - so we need cheering up.
Firstly, the main reason for today’s jottings is to reveal that the revision notes for both Retail Banking and Business Law, (England and Wales) are now available for purchase.
“Hooray” I here you cry, “about time too,” you say.
I am sure that your colleagues have told you that the Scottish versions are fantastic - so you have demanded the English and Welsh versions.
Well, your demands have been met ladies and gentlemen.
The cost of each set of revision notes is £ 20.00. What a bargain!
To obtain these invaluable learning tools and be the envy of your colleagues please call 0131 473 7777 and they will be on their way to you in no time.
Since it is Friday we must have a Friday funster.
Is this true?
The bank clerk must have had a bad day when she was approached by a customer who asked:
“What do I have to do to change the address on my account?”
“Move house,” she replied
Boom boom as they say!
Well I wish you a pleasant Friday and a lovely weekend.
Speak to you soon.
Michael (it’s the way I tell them)
Firstly, the main reason for today’s jottings is to reveal that the revision notes for both Retail Banking and Business Law, (England and Wales) are now available for purchase.
“Hooray” I here you cry, “about time too,” you say.
I am sure that your colleagues have told you that the Scottish versions are fantastic - so you have demanded the English and Welsh versions.
Well, your demands have been met ladies and gentlemen.
The cost of each set of revision notes is £ 20.00. What a bargain!
To obtain these invaluable learning tools and be the envy of your colleagues please call 0131 473 7777 and they will be on their way to you in no time.
Since it is Friday we must have a Friday funster.
Is this true?
The bank clerk must have had a bad day when she was approached by a customer who asked:
“What do I have to do to change the address on my account?”
“Move house,” she replied
Boom boom as they say!
Well I wish you a pleasant Friday and a lovely weekend.
Speak to you soon.
Michael (it’s the way I tell them)
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
February Frolics
Well here we are in the middle of February, the Valentine’s Day gifts are available at vastly reduced prices in the shops, Burns night has come and gone and the mornings are still frosty.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel and the spring diet of examinations for Chartered Banker and related diplomas is fast approaching.
So it is time for a few reminders.
The examination timetable is available on our website at
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/examtimetable.pdf
Assignments relating to the above should be in the hands of your subject tutors as follows:
Assignment 1 1st March 2008
Assignment 2 10th April 2008
Please note that these are the latest dates for submission. Assignments can be submitted at any time up until then. No excuses will be accepted for late submission. You have been warned!
In fact the Grim Reaper himself will be out and about reminding you all of these dates – so lock your doors and windows and stay safe from that bad man.
Revision days are now in place for the above and information on these can found here
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/Revision_Course_Timetable.pdf
Please remember that enrolments for these examinations close on 1st March 2008, however, late entries will be accepted up until Friday 14th March 2008 – this is subject to a late fee of £50.00
Once again at this grey time of year the blog is still lacking colour. I know that it can be very colourful when Raymond is around, we shall see how the blog reacts to his next appearance!
It’s a busy old day here at CIOBS HQ with various meetings going on with my afternoon one being held in the downstairs kitchen – what fun!!
And finally …. Is this true?
A young contact centre worker had to ‘phone potential customers and ask them a few short questions. If they didn’t want to answer, he would ask if their partner had time to answer the questions.
One woman he spoke to told him “I am very busy ironing at the moment “
“Perhaps your husband could help then” suggested the contact centre chap
“Oh no” she replied “There’s no way he would touch the ironing.”
Have a great day
Speak to you soon
Michael (Lacking a bit of colour)
But there is light at the end of the tunnel and the spring diet of examinations for Chartered Banker and related diplomas is fast approaching.
So it is time for a few reminders.
The examination timetable is available on our website at
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/examtimetable.pdf
Assignments relating to the above should be in the hands of your subject tutors as follows:
Assignment 1 1st March 2008
Assignment 2 10th April 2008
Please note that these are the latest dates for submission. Assignments can be submitted at any time up until then. No excuses will be accepted for late submission. You have been warned!
In fact the Grim Reaper himself will be out and about reminding you all of these dates – so lock your doors and windows and stay safe from that bad man.
Revision days are now in place for the above and information on these can found here
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/Revision_Course_Timetable.pdf
Please remember that enrolments for these examinations close on 1st March 2008, however, late entries will be accepted up until Friday 14th March 2008 – this is subject to a late fee of £50.00
Once again at this grey time of year the blog is still lacking colour. I know that it can be very colourful when Raymond is around, we shall see how the blog reacts to his next appearance!
It’s a busy old day here at CIOBS HQ with various meetings going on with my afternoon one being held in the downstairs kitchen – what fun!!
And finally …. Is this true?
A young contact centre worker had to ‘phone potential customers and ask them a few short questions. If they didn’t want to answer, he would ask if their partner had time to answer the questions.
One woman he spoke to told him “I am very busy ironing at the moment “
“Perhaps your husband could help then” suggested the contact centre chap
“Oh no” she replied “There’s no way he would touch the ironing.”
Have a great day
Speak to you soon
Michael (Lacking a bit of colour)
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Do you need anything fixed?
Well wasn’t Raymond’s blog most entertaining last week. A Raymond Brown blog is special is it not? I know that I certainly look forward to his jottings. I loved the remark about anti-Downey software. I wonder if there is a market for that? I will get my team on to it.
So what highlights do I have for you this week? Well firstly I should mention that the dates and times for the legendary Chartered Banker revision sessions have been finalised. Details can be found on the CIOBS website in the downloads section.
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/Revision_Course_Timetable.pdf
These sessions are free to all students studying either Chartered Banker or one of the related Diplomas.
I can also reveal that the February/March edition of Scottish Banker will be with our members very shortly. Highlights include a financial crime update and details of the Deloitte Financial Services Rising Star Awards 2008.
Page 38 is wonderful, if you go there you will not only see a picture of both Shona Downie and Sandra Aitken, our recently recruited Customer Relationship Managers, but you will learn what a healthy pair they really are. What with marathons, cycling feats and unusual sporting challenges. I better look out that old tracksuit and get training!
Well here we are in the middle of February and it is a crisp but cold start to the day here in Edinburgh. It was a morning for scraping the car again (what I mean is scraping the ice off the windscreen, not scraping the car as such!!) and it is still dark driving to the office these mornings. Come on Spring where are you. Please no more frosty mornings.
On this very point I have just had a call from the Grim Reaper himself and he described in great detail how his central heating boiler at home is not working, I am now an expert in the workings of gas central heating. So do not hesitate to give myself or GR a call if you have any problems with your heating system.
Just one of the many ancillary services we have on offer here at CIOBS.
A warm welcome to John Grierson of RBS who joined us recently. John is on secondment to CIOBS and is responsible for the review of our CPD scheme. John also has a piece in Scottish Banker this month. No mention of any sporting achievements though!
I better be off now the Ciobs boiler may need looking at.
Michael ( Where are my tools?)
So what highlights do I have for you this week? Well firstly I should mention that the dates and times for the legendary Chartered Banker revision sessions have been finalised. Details can be found on the CIOBS website in the downloads section.
http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/Revision_Course_Timetable.pdf
These sessions are free to all students studying either Chartered Banker or one of the related Diplomas.
I can also reveal that the February/March edition of Scottish Banker will be with our members very shortly. Highlights include a financial crime update and details of the Deloitte Financial Services Rising Star Awards 2008.
Page 38 is wonderful, if you go there you will not only see a picture of both Shona Downie and Sandra Aitken, our recently recruited Customer Relationship Managers, but you will learn what a healthy pair they really are. What with marathons, cycling feats and unusual sporting challenges. I better look out that old tracksuit and get training!
Well here we are in the middle of February and it is a crisp but cold start to the day here in Edinburgh. It was a morning for scraping the car again (what I mean is scraping the ice off the windscreen, not scraping the car as such!!) and it is still dark driving to the office these mornings. Come on Spring where are you. Please no more frosty mornings.
On this very point I have just had a call from the Grim Reaper himself and he described in great detail how his central heating boiler at home is not working, I am now an expert in the workings of gas central heating. So do not hesitate to give myself or GR a call if you have any problems with your heating system.
Just one of the many ancillary services we have on offer here at CIOBS.
A warm welcome to John Grierson of RBS who joined us recently. John is on secondment to CIOBS and is responsible for the review of our CPD scheme. John also has a piece in Scottish Banker this month. No mention of any sporting achievements though!
I better be off now the Ciobs boiler may need looking at.
Michael ( Where are my tools?)
Friday, 8 February 2008
Depressed - in a Tecnnological Sort of Way
Hi again all,
Anyway, for those students who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Investment assignments on the CIOBS website, you need not contain your excitement any more - just click here to find them !
Also for students, I can exclusively reveal that the Revision Course timetable for the Chartered Banker examinations has been finalised. That was the good news - the bad news is that due to a severe technical problem, it's unlikely that will we be able to publish it until next Tuesday - then, if you don't receive an email from us, just follow the above web link again and ye shall find what ye seek! As always, technology is bloomin' wonderful when it works (and to be fair, it usually does).
CIOBS is running a session with Miascape Ltd, which will help attendees to understand the thinking behind organisational behaviours. Entitled Forty Years' Experience in 40 Minutes, this Members Only event on 2oth February should be worth a visit to Drumsheugh Gardens. More bad news though, if you haven't already booked, a little bird tells me that the event is almost sold out, so you may be too late! If you want to find out if the are spaces left you can email my charming colleague, Ashleigh at ashleigh@ciobs.org.uk On second thoughts, given our current technological difficulties why not phone her on 0131 473 7797 (I think the phones are still working!!).
As you may well know, we have been conducting a number of customer surveys recently, from Customer Service to CPD - if you have received an invitation to participate, please let us know your views (the CPD one even has a prize draw for entrants - woohooo!).
It may be sometime before I have the chance to blog again, so a very Merry Christmas to you all when it comes! Talking of Christmas, you know how you have Spam Blocking software for your email programme, well I'm asking Santa for some Downey Blocking software for the blog - come on Santa, don't let me down!!!
Have a fab weekend!!!
Raymond
It's really such an immense pleasure to be able to blog again!
So many things have happened since my last visit here, but I know that Michael has kept you updated and entertained (in the loosest sense of the word).Anyway, for those students who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Investment assignments on the CIOBS website, you need not contain your excitement any more - just click here to find them !
Also for students, I can exclusively reveal that the Revision Course timetable for the Chartered Banker examinations has been finalised. That was the good news - the bad news is that due to a severe technical problem, it's unlikely that will we be able to publish it until next Tuesday - then, if you don't receive an email from us, just follow the above web link again and ye shall find what ye seek! As always, technology is bloomin' wonderful when it works (and to be fair, it usually does).
CIOBS is running a session with Miascape Ltd, which will help attendees to understand the thinking behind organisational behaviours. Entitled Forty Years' Experience in 40 Minutes, this Members Only event on 2oth February should be worth a visit to Drumsheugh Gardens. More bad news though, if you haven't already booked, a little bird tells me that the event is almost sold out, so you may be too late! If you want to find out if the are spaces left you can email my charming colleague, Ashleigh at ashleigh@ciobs.org.uk On second thoughts, given our current technological difficulties why not phone her on 0131 473 7797 (I think the phones are still working!!).
As you may well know, we have been conducting a number of customer surveys recently, from Customer Service to CPD - if you have received an invitation to participate, please let us know your views (the CPD one even has a prize draw for entrants - woohooo!).
It may be sometime before I have the chance to blog again, so a very Merry Christmas to you all when it comes! Talking of Christmas, you know how you have Spam Blocking software for your email programme, well I'm asking Santa for some Downey Blocking software for the blog - come on Santa, don't let me down!!!
Have a fab weekend!!!
Raymond
Friday, 1 February 2008
February Fun
A Friday again and time for a blog from the CIOBS blog team. Well that’s January gone, but I fear that the awful weather will remain. Not good news for the golfers amongst you.
Talking of sport, a very warm welcome to the many rugby supporters who will be visiting Edinburgh over the next few weeks. I read a report this morning stating that the visitors to the RBS 6 nations will inject £60 Million into the Scottish economy with the largest proportion of that sum going into the economy of Edinburgh – Yipee!!!
On the CIOBS front I can reveal to all you potential Chartered Bankers that the assignments for the new Investment subject will be available on the downloads section of our website very shortly. We have had a few enquiries about this subject and UK Financial Services also.
Chartered Banker revision days are at the final planning stages and dates for this will also be available on the website soon.
My thanks go the mystery persons who have agreed to provide us with assistance in March. No names, but thank you very much indeed to Mr X and Mrs Y
Congratulations to the two young men who passed their examinations here at CIOBS this morning. The looks on their faces as they left Drumsheugh were a picture. Take it easy on the celebrations lads, remember you are professionals!
I must make mention of the weekly podcast. This week’s edition can be found at http://www.ciobs.org.uk/about/what_podcasts.cfm. There are also a couple of “back issues” available to those of you who have missed the recent items.
The podcast has been very interesting to do and the feedback has also been very interesting, in fact here is a selection of some of the comments received.
“I love it” Mr A, Kirkcaldy
“It certainly gets me out of bed in the morning” A Riser, Glasgow
“We get all our news from the podcast” J. Bird, Glasgow
“Love the accents guys” B. Wylie, Glasgow
So it is highly recommended.
I hope the week has been good to you and that the weekend is enjoyable
Michael ( Thanks for the feedback guys, the cheques are in the post! Is that ethical?)
Talking of sport, a very warm welcome to the many rugby supporters who will be visiting Edinburgh over the next few weeks. I read a report this morning stating that the visitors to the RBS 6 nations will inject £60 Million into the Scottish economy with the largest proportion of that sum going into the economy of Edinburgh – Yipee!!!
On the CIOBS front I can reveal to all you potential Chartered Bankers that the assignments for the new Investment subject will be available on the downloads section of our website very shortly. We have had a few enquiries about this subject and UK Financial Services also.
Chartered Banker revision days are at the final planning stages and dates for this will also be available on the website soon.
My thanks go the mystery persons who have agreed to provide us with assistance in March. No names, but thank you very much indeed to Mr X and Mrs Y
Congratulations to the two young men who passed their examinations here at CIOBS this morning. The looks on their faces as they left Drumsheugh were a picture. Take it easy on the celebrations lads, remember you are professionals!
I must make mention of the weekly podcast. This week’s edition can be found at http://www.ciobs.org.uk/about/what_podcasts.cfm. There are also a couple of “back issues” available to those of you who have missed the recent items.
The podcast has been very interesting to do and the feedback has also been very interesting, in fact here is a selection of some of the comments received.
“I love it” Mr A, Kirkcaldy
“It certainly gets me out of bed in the morning” A Riser, Glasgow
“We get all our news from the podcast” J. Bird, Glasgow
“Love the accents guys” B. Wylie, Glasgow
So it is highly recommended.
I hope the week has been good to you and that the weekend is enjoyable
Michael ( Thanks for the feedback guys, the cheques are in the post! Is that ethical?)
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