Greg Davis

After almost two years at it, my masters thesis was submitted last Friday.

“Learning from Third Party Certified Environmental Management Systems in Local Authority Organizations”

Abstract:

Cities face immense environmental challenges with limited resources to implement management solutions. Relevant trends in the private sector toward third party certification to external environmental management standards have yet to be fully embraced by governing Local Authorities (LAs). As the first city in North America to obtain ISO 14001 certification, the City of Calgary is examined as a case study of the implementation of a certified Environmental Management System (EMS) from impetus through to ongoing effects on learning. Investigation demonstrates that the unique characteristics of LA organizations are important factors in considering the strengths and challenges of using a voluntary external standard to establish environmental priorities. While LAs must understand the risk of over-emphasizing the standard itself, an informed approach increases organizational transparency and accountability, and enables collective problem solving. The certification process is a motivating surrogate force for cities which typically lack the competitive pressure found in for-profit sectors.

“My father didn’t believe that a glass, specifically the shape of a glass, could change the flavor of beer.”

Skyler And Dad Drink Beer From A Voodoo Glass from Skyler Tanner on Vimeo.

Wow neither would I have thought..

I had noted previously that I find it really useful to set a timer when doing computer work.. turns out some of gone a little further and coined “The Pomodoro Technique, which is:

a time management method that can be used for any kind of task. For many people, time is an enemy. The anxiety triggered by “the ticking clock”, especially when a deadline is involved, leads to ineffective work and study habits which in turn lead to procrastination.

The aim of the Pomodoro Technique is to use time as a valuable ally in accomplishing what we want to do in the way we want to do it, and to enable us to continually improve the way we work or study.