Product reviews for Where Will I Do My Pineapples?

Having been involved in BSF at a Local Authority level for the past five years, this was the book people had been asking for all along. “Can you put us in touch with someone who has done this already?” Being in wave one, the answer was, for most of the time, “Er -¦ no.”

So, I very much looked forward to reading this book.It is an interesting, reassuring and useful read and it's clear from the way it is written that to enter the process without taking your sense of humour along for the ride is an unwise move. In fact, a sense of humour and an acceptance of the ridiculous is essential!

So much did the accurate description of the BSF process resonate, that at times I could feel my blood pressure rising in a way that only those who have experienced the endless rounds of meetings, BSF lingo and frustrations with bureaucracy can appreciate.

For those of us who have experienced BSF, it was reassuring that we were not alone, and it was a prompt for reflection. For those still to go through the process, it will be a very useful guide to how it feels from an SLT point of view, with valuable reminders that the people involved are the key to the success of the project. (N.B. Although the BSF process has been halted in its tracks by many authorities - the chances are that you will at some point experience a new build and, in any case, the contents of this book ring true for any change process.)

The book is a good balance of education and management theory, supported and illustrated by anecdotes, examples and soul-searching.
The Do's and Don'ts section at the end of each chapter is a particularly useful quick reference for any leaders of any change project, and are unashamedly focused on making sure that everyone is involved and cared for. Although one tends to learn most from one's own mistakes, to ignore the experiences and lessons learned in this book, could seem reckless.