Chapter 3

Based on the fringes of Melbourne’s central business district the office building where Phillip worked was a stone’s throw from Central Station. Central, one of five city loop stations, was a under a shopping mall that typified Melbourne’s love of old and new. A block sized glass and steel ultra-modern mall completely enclosing an old red brick lead pipe factory.

Phillip arrived a little after 8am. Off-white light from banks of neon lit the IAS office. Three staff members tapped at laptops on desks cluttered with cups, extension leads, and old monitors. He said quick hellos to everyone in the office and settled into his desk.

IAS, Information Architecture Services, was a small company started by a group of likeminded consultants fed-up with the usual way IT projects ran. Luke the Director of Operations had gained his experience through numerous government and private contracts. He found he was often rehired months or years later to implement new systems replacing the ones he had previously designed. Wes was the Chief Executive and handled a lot of the customer facing, sales focused aspects of the business. He maintained a technical view point having moved from years of hands on project work prior to starting IAS with Luke. Both of the guys maintained a healthy reputation in the industry for their intelligence and work ethic.

Phillip had been one of the first to join IAS after it was founded. Like both Luke and Wes he had previously worked for a large multinational consulting company. Phillip had met Luke many years back on a project for a communications company. There was an instant bond as both of the guys wanted to get in, get the job done and get out. Whereas it seemed most of the people wanted to do nothing, take as long as possible, and ensure their retirement. Luke only had to recall one example of Phillips attitude to convince Wes to bring him on board.

It was a few years back working at a client site on a project that dragged like it would never end. After a number of workshops that seemed to result only in more workshops. Phillip and Luke found themselves sitting next to each other in the latest meeting. They both tried to listen intently but Phillip caught Luke rolling his eyes and typing his disgust to some friends on a social networking site.

Phillip shuffled some papers anxiously and asked under his breath. ‘What the hell was going on here? A room full of architects and project managers and they couldn't get the phone conferencing to work!’

‘Lucky they don't need to change any light bulbs!’ laughed Luke.

‘Why does it take three people to take notes, another to operate the projector, and a fifth to chair the workshop?’

After the meeting Phillip could barely contain his anger. 'Can the team running the workshops please remain back for a few minutes? I'd like to do a quick debrief'

Phillip gave them a five minute roasting on multi-tasking, being prepared and acting professional. 'Shit guys you're all senior people, man up and get the job done.’

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