My little tribute to Tom Lehrer. (to be sung briskly, à la The Elements or Wernher von Braun)
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-local-government-transformation-song-activity-7355520391668211713-oga3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho Check out the video and join the conversation on LinkedIn.
We started with a vision that was bold but undefined,
We held a consultation where no one seemed inclined,
To challenge our assumptions or critique our sacred cows,
So we ticked the box for “engagement” and moved on anyhow.
Oh, we’re synergising stakeholders with joined-up paradigm,
We’re reframing urban futures in a post-levelling time!
Yes, we’re nudging toward resilience with pathways still unclear,
But we’ve got a lovely dashboard and a contract for next year!
We restructured our departments in a matrix-type affair,
Now no one knows who leads them, but the colours look quite fair.
We’re agile when we’re waterfall, and lean when we’re robust,
And our data’s open-access (if you file a FOI request).
[Bridge – spoken, Lehrer-style]:
Of course, we’ve adopted a dynamic locality-based approach to complexity enablement…
In line with statutory obligations, naturally.
Yes, we’re integrating partnerships with behavioural design,
We’re deploying pan-agility on someone else’s dime!
We’ve got pilots, platforms, toolkits — just don’t ask what they do…
Because the metrics say we’re thriving — and the metrics must be true!
Now we’re drafting innovation with a passion for reform,
While the bins pile ever higher in a quietly tragic form.
But we’ve launched a consultation hub — we’ve digitised dissent!
And we’ll circle back next quarter (when the budget’s overspent).
So here’s to transformation, with its post-it-scented charm,
With its frameworked aspirations and its dashboards of alarm!
And if nothing really changes, at least we tried our best — With a strategy for impact, and a lanyard on
chosen path 