Information Overload or Clarity through Data Collection???

“Traditional ways to deal with information--reading, listening, writing, talking--are painfully slow in comparison to ‘viewing the big picture’." Kathryn Alesandrini. 

We are definitely doing a lot of the reading, listening, writing and talking these days.  Now we begin the synthesis of all of that information.  It is encouraging to realize how much we have absorbed, how passionate we have become about the project and how it feels like it is all coming together …. slowly!  But it is our nature to question if we have done enough.  Have we asked enough questions?  Have we talked to enough people?  Have we found the best practices elsewhere?  

What is the big picture? 

As Mike Singletary (athlete) said, “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is?  It is the opportunity to play.”

Thank you TURKONFED and IBM CSC!  #ibmcsc turkey

Happy Turkish Republic Day!

Today is Turkey’s Republic Day.  It is a national holiday which actually began yesterday at noon.  We are working from the hotel today as the offices are closed.  That works out just fine as we are at the stage where we have collected so much information and data that it is time to see just what we have and what we still need to find.  Information overload is the general consensus.  Now we have to synthesize everything that we have.

TURKONFED Office Building

Building everywhere flew the Turkish flag

 

This evening we will travel to the Bosphorus Sea and go out on a cruise to watch the Republic Day fireworks from the water.  One of our team members has arranged this through the hotel.  It has rained for the last two days so we are hoping for better weather for today.  #ibmcsc turkey

Shopping at the Grand Bazaar

It was a weekend of exploring.  With our thoughts still swirling from the full week of work, seven of us set off early Saturday morning to explore.  And explore we did!  We were all familiar with how to get the Metro into the Kerakoy area since that is where one of our sub-team's client is.  From there we walked over the Galata Bridge into Eminonu.  

The ladies with their heads covered

New Mosque - the courtyard

New Mosque - inside

 We made a quick stop into the New Mosque (built in 1500's) and then on to the Spice Bazaar.

All that Turkish Delight!

 

Beautifully displayed spices

 Now on to the Grand Bazaar.  Up every street on our way to the Bazaar, there are shopkeepers spilling onto the streets with their wares.

Just heading into the Grand Bazaar

As the afternoon gets more crowded, counting for 7 was top priority!

 

 

 

 While in the Grand Bazaar, I was approached by a young girl, perhaps 12 years old, with her mother and sister.  She, with the help of one of the shopkeepers, explained that she had to do homework for her English teacher and asked if she could ask me some questions.  Her mother recorded our conversation … right from the hello, my name is …. What is your name?  Where do you come from?  What do you like about my country? Etc.  She was very sweet and it was fun to do.  It was so nice to see how many of the local shopkeepers and others stopped to try to help her out.  She ended up interviewing a couple of us from the group.

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice 50 cents a glass

Fortunately for us on this Sunday morning, it is open!

 

Sunday was another adventure.  The time changed here this weekend and I was unaware it was going to.  Apparently there was a sign in the elevator to remind us but since I am only on the second floor, I walk up and down and avoid the elevator.  The good news was it was an extra hour so I was just ahead of myself this morning.  Today we headed down to the local ferries and took one from the European side to the Asian side of Istanbul for lunch.  The Bosphorus Sea in the Istanbul area is very full of boat traffic and lots of fishing.

Alas, the weekend must come to an end and it is time to start thinking about the project again.  I have much reading to do this evening but am ready to start up again.  #ibmcsc turkey