Moving to London (and how you could help me)

by Cyrille Sat Sep 27th, 2008 at 04:10:49 PM EST

Hello all.

As some of you know, my wife and I should move to London this January. I say should because the current environment seems to make companies a bit more cautious than they used to be. So Mouna's transfer details are not yet known, and mostly, my move has been made conditional to my finding a mission in the UK.

I am a management consultant, working in various organisational missions, and mostly in operational excellence (Lean 6Sigma, Kaizen, GE workout ...).

For those of you who know what that means, I am a Master Black Belt in Lean 6Sigma.

So I can teach and certify project managers, run or coach projects. And I can help a company / branch / division / services with their program: helping them writing and implementing the roadmap, choosing the projects, validating the savings, optimising their indicators and dashboards...

In more organisational missions, I run workshops, do IT systems aligment with processes and strategy (I'm afraid I'll need a better translation for that particular offer we have, it doesn't come out right in English), process mapping, capacity planning, strategic marketing.

I have worked in industry, telecommunications, and banking.

We are quite keen on moving together, and January is pretty soon now. So leads would be very welcome. And I would be overjoyed to uncork a good bottle of French wine to celebrate the transfer that would follow a successful deal ;-)

Should any of you be able to help me, I would be most grateful. I don't want to post my resume directly on the site, but I will send it by email.

Moving to London (and how you could help me) | 31 comments (31 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 4)

I honestly wouldn't know how to help but good luck.

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sat Sep 27th, 2008 at 05:10:15 PM EST

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 3)

Drop me an email.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat Sep 27th, 2008 at 05:13:27 PM EST

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

There's always Finland or Sweden to consider ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Sep 27th, 2008 at 06:09:01 PM EST

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 4)

I will give you the same advice I give to any person currently living elsewhere in europe entertaining the idea of moving to London : Don't.

Can I put that any more forcefully ? How about "Are you out of your tiny freaking minds ??"

Seriously, you have no idea about property prices in the south east of england. You can't afford to buy (unless you're combined wages are north of £100k. As for renting, hmmm, how does a £1000/month for average to poor grab you ? don't htink that moving out of london and commuting will help, unless you're preared to commute ridiculous distances that would require a TGV to make bearable (did I mention we have 3rd world transport infrastructure?)

Please don't have children while you're here. It's not just that our health service is overloaded and underfunded, putting your wife's life in actual danger unless sensibly returns to France, but you child will have to be educated in some of the worst schools in Western europe (and getting worse - Cameron has just announced that he intends to copy the US school system lock stock and barrel).

what's good tho, seeing as you already seem committed ? The beer is okay so long as you take my advice of where to drink it. British food is also very good, so long as it pretends it's from Asia, or comes from the right restaurants, but forget the french thing of every corner having a marvel to enjoy - my nearest town of 60,000 inhabitants has precisely zero places worth visiting to eat (and it ain't poor, the disposable income is extremely high). A culinary journey around london and the south east can be a stunning revelation.

So, in short, there's lots to enjoy epsecially if you can do it in short doses. But living here ?? Just say no.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 05:10:24 AM EST

Heh (none / 1)

Sometimes you need to move out of the nest to learn to appreciate it...

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 05:59:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

It's not just the place.
If things work out decently (a big if in the current economic climate, I know), I'll become country manager for my company. Which is some experience.

I wouldn't get that chance in France.
So... we will always be fond of Paris, but it makes some sort of sense.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 11:05:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

Will you be employing people ? {hopeful}

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 12:46:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

I hope to, eventually.
What do you do?

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 01:40:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

What do I do ? umm, I make inane comments on ET.

I used to do computer support, I'm very good at custmoer service, I think of it more as user advocacy and ownership of problems. apparently I may be suited for training as well.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 02:24:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

Damn Competition for employment.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 02:34:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 1)

Well, it seems that I won't employ anyone in that role from the get go, but later who knows? We can discuss that while over there.
Or maybe you could have a daily fee for short term assignments -that could happen faster than a full time opening.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 02:40:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Heh (none / 0)

well it'll beat bar work. My inability to write a useful cv probably means that serving in a pub is about as good as I'll get for a while

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 02:49:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (none / 1)

I'm with Helen.

I was born in London, and I lived and worked there from 1983 to 1999.

It's a great place to visit: but you wouldn't want to live there these days unless you are rich.

"The future is already here -- it's just not very evenly distributed" William Gibson

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 06:40:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 3)

I'll try to reassure you somewhat Helen.

"Seriously, you have no idea about property prices in the south east of england."

Actually, I do. It is indeed very expensive. But I am aware of that.

"You can't afford to buy (unless you're combined wages are north of £100k."

Well, they are. But we're definetely not buying.

"As for renting, hmmm, how does a £1000/month for average to poor grab you ?"

Oh, I know it's awfully expensive. But then my company will give me an extra that pretty much pays the rent (€2800 per month) for moving. And my wife will most probably get a significant raise for the transfer, if not quite as much.

"don't htink that moving out of london and commuting will help, unless you're preared to commute ridiculous distances that would require a TGV to make bearable (did I mention we have 3rd world transport infrastructure?)"

I know it's pretty bad and indeed we'll make do with a small flat -just as now.

"Please don't have children while you're here. It's not just that our health service is overloaded and underfunded, putting your wife's life in actual danger unless sensibly returns to France, but you child will have to be educated in some of the worst schools in Western europe (and getting worse - Cameron has just announced that he intends to copy the US school system lock stock and barrel)."

Ah, that's interesting to know. OK, we are planning on having children while we are there. Not that they'd be very old when we'd leave, since they are as of now unconceived. I'll make a note about the delivery though. But I'm surprised: life expectancy is slightly higher in the UK than in France. So if there were so many deaths in labour, how could that be?

Anyway, I was rather keen on having some of my career abroad without being determined. But Mouna is determined, plus it would be very good for her background (actuary), as the UK is far more advanced in that field than we are apparently. So a few years in the UK would be good.
I would have chosen Somerset if I could have, but with my company, it wouldn't make sense. So London it will have to be. Then we'll return as soon as Sarkozy is kicked out ;-)

As for the "french thing of every corner having a marvel to enjoy ", we rarely go to the restaurant. I cook myself. We get much better wine that way, and after cooking classes, if presentation may not always be top notch, the taste tends to be worth a decent restaurant. Though I'll miss having a market close to home for sure.

It's not the best of times though. I know. But when we tried 4 years ago it couldn't happen. I don't think she'd swallow giving up without trying. Plus I'll get to play cricket again.
If it makes you feel better, while we are away, we'll buy my parents' flat in Paris when they leave it. So we'll have something to make us come back. And a big place to invite you when you feel like coming.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 09:28:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

ah well, if you can blow 2300 a month on living exes, then I guess I should just shut up :-)).

the market situation isn't very good here, Borough market is excellent but is far from cheap. Nothing like you're used to in paris tho'. I guess we could help with all sorts of suggestions about shopping places, but Franceinlondon is a good start.

good indian/pakistani restaurants are worth seeking out tho'.

ps anyone know what the large white beans you put in cassoulet are called (apart from grandes haricots blanches) ?

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 10:25:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

flageolets

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 11:00:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

Lingots.

<sorry, but this is bean country down here ;)>

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 03:31:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 2)

Cyrille, so you play cricket. Hmm. There is in fact an ET XI, captained by the excellent stormy present. Well, when I say XI... If you'd join, perhaps we'd be four or five, and one day there might really be eleven of us and we could get a game!

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 03:35:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 2)

I played in the French 1st division (OK, there were just two) and am a qualified umpire.
But I am probably extremely rusty -haven't played in around 4 years. I guess my bowling is AWOL, although batting and fielding should still be reasonable.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 04:57:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

Hey, that's serious. You're rusty... :-)

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Sep 29th, 2008 at 08:00:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

I used to have pretty good reactions and the ability to catch. I often fielded at silly point, mid on and off cos the batsman knew if he slogged it at me, he was out. It cramped their style down one side of the pitch.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Sep 29th, 2008 at 01:59:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A -what-? (none / 1)

I am a Master Black Belt in Lean 6Sigma

From what I read on Wiki, that sounds fascinating to my ears. It also means I'm totally out of my depth - happy hunting though!

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 06:05:01 AM EST

C'est pas trop tard! (none / 1)

Repens toi et reste ici!

The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet. Winston Churchill

by r------ on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 06:58:54 AM EST

Re: C'est pas trop tard! (none / 1)

On the other hand, Londoners do speak English (well, some of them do...)

"The future is already here -- it's just not very evenly distributed" William Gibson

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 07:45:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: C'est pas trop tard! (none / 1)

Touché Chris.
On my second to last time in London, where I was going to deliver a training, I needed to ask for directions.

Only the fourth person I asked spoke reasonable English -although he too was a foreigner.
And at least two of the previous ones were shopkeepers!

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 12:28:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 0)

It sounds like a good plan for you two --even though I don't have a clue-- but I hope it's renewable. Well, it is, if you are having children...

You will be close to Helen, Migeru and others. If I remember some company person in London whom I respect/is not RW, I´ll let you know.

Should I babysit your flat in Paris, while you´re out? (;

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.

by metavision on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 10:38:35 AM EST

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

It's for sale.
If it doesn't sale, it will be for rent. 60 square meters near the Maraîchers station.
Any takers? ;-)

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 11:00:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (none / 1)

If it doesn't SELL.
What an awful typo that was.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 11:02:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 5)

Before selling, or renting, a complete inspection of the property is necessary, including a in-depth analysis of neighborhood, climate, ease of access, ancillary considerations, noise levels, and repairs/upgrades to the flat. To be complete this study should be taken in the flat during all weather conditions (heat/cooling problems) and during the different seasons (solar heating?).

The ATinNM Residence Inspection and Analysis (ARIA) Company has been established for the purpose of conducting these, and other, services for you, ~~the sucker~~ Our Customer.

For the low price of €500, our team of experts will live in the flat and conduct extensive testing while in residence. After one year a market, suitability, replace/repair, and Livability (and MORE!) report will be written in suitable jibberish passing all human understanding delivered directly to your mailing address. This report will allow you, ~~the sucker~~ Our Customer, to contemplate your purposeless existence in a Post-Modernist World, devoid of objective meaning.

So don't delay!
Call Today!

:-)

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 12:08:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Moving to London (and how you could help me) (4.00 / 3)

No joke.

In 2000 I went from NYC for a one week reconn -- housing, childcare, creche -- restricted to 8k radius of Regent's Park. I lined up the estate agencies and interviews prior, by internet. This venture was NOT subsidized by my employer. I ended up leasing in Swiss Cottage for GBP 1950 per mo, also NOT subsidized by my employer. The remaining expenses are too painful to recall except to say this. If it were not for the NHS and cash economy of transient EU and post-colonial labor (cleaning and sitting), I wouldn't have stayed as long as I did. Commercial childcare sucked worse than what was available in NYC where employer subsidies and "pre-tax" shelters were virtually non-existent. For godssakes, private pediatric consultation was quoted at GBP 200.

I'd given anything --almost-- for a dying auntie in a council flat.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 12:56:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

on that translation into English ... (4.00 / 2)

... using the verb you already have as an active verb sometimes helps ...

"do IT systems aligment with processes and strategy"

Align IT systems with business processes and strategy.

I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.

by BruceMcF (agila61 at netscape dot net) on Sun Sep 28th, 2008 at 08:07:17 PM EST

Moving to London (and how you could help me) | 31 comments (31 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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