Change Agents, Meet Alex Grech, Change Incubator

We struck an interesting conversation the first time he commented. I've always held a fascination for Malta - and he lives there.

Naturally, I wanted to learn more about the island. I also love the fact that he speaks not only Maltese, English and conversational French - he speaks Italian, too.

A Brit with 30 years’ experience in business strategy and change management and who is quite involved in the island's education and culture.

I do like the idea of shaping business, which is how he describes his work, and that seems to be his strong suit. Alex has many online outposts, one of which is his personal blog.

Why are you online?

The Internet enables me to connect with people beyond the confines of a small island in the Mediterranean. It's weird spending more time 'talking' with and learning from people on the other side of the planet than 'real-life' people with whom I have little in common.  But that's just the way our generation has panned out.  We're not prepared to live within our natural 'confines' of geography, work, race and all the baggage of life that we have accumulated in the process.

What prompted to post in "About You" at Conversation Agent?

The trigger was that the title.  It's not very often that someone has a section in their blog 'about you' - it's always 'me, me, me'. It was the human tone, it felt like a generous, genuine offer.  I didn't have to think much.  I just responded.  I even forgot to put a contact link like my twitter account!

What are you working on that you feel will connect ideas and people?

My work at StrategyWorks is to act as a catalyst for the development and implementation of ideas for change within organisations.  Many of these ideas are already nested in the heads of great people inside these organisations - it just often happens that they are 'blocked' from being implemented by a mix of fear, complacency and red tape by others with a vested interest to resist change.  My job, as an external, is to get these ideas to incubate in several people within, map out a plan, secure buy-in and then, for a while, act as a champion of change.  

I also have a side project called MaltaInsideOut.com.  It's really a pilot for connecting people wishing to travel to, work or live in a city with real 'insiders.'  And in the process either find their tribe, or create their own.  I started with Malta, because that is where I happen to live, at the moment; and because I have ready access to insiders who can write, create visuals and are generous with their time.  It will be interesting to see if we can take it to the next level.

Who would you like to connect with?

Anyone who is curious about life, making sense of social media and trying one's best to bring up a young child.  People who are passionate about what they do and have ideas about how to get to a better place.  People with edge.  And dreamers.
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This is an open invitation for those of you who believe in making your dream come true, the change agents in our midst, and all those who are passionate about getting their ideas done to connect with Alex.

Comments

[Tobias Singer]

"We're not prepared to live within our natural 'confines' of geography, work, race and all the baggage of life that we have accumulated in the process."

Very well spoken!

I've studied in Malta for one semester and I know how lost you can be on a small island without the internet. Our ways of communication have changed so dramatically. It's great that people from all over the world can connect and share their knowledge and ideas!

[Valeria Maltoni]

Tobias -

I sent you a welcome message, but it kicked back to me. I haven't been to Malta, and I'd like to see it at some point. We have changed how we communicate and how we relate with each other.

I was reading over at your blog. Do you need to be a leading marketing blogger to make a difference? That is something to lose - the opportunity to make a difference. Lead us!

[Tobias Singer]

Thank you, Valeria!

Where did you send the welcome message? To my email address? Strange that it kicked back to you.

You're right. I'm really trying to make a difference and I wish I had more time for blogging about branding. I should probably change my about me page though, that's a little out of date...