Weeknotes #2

This week has been an exhausting one. Made some difficult decisions which are never easy, and ultimately had to manage the fallout of them. A reminder that it can sometimes be lonely in leadership, especially when rationale remains invisible. Subsequently, have been working longer much hours than usual, and had less time for extra curriculum reading and learning. I did however get to a spurs game (albeit a 2-1 loss) and enjoyed some good time with mates this week.

Work 💼

Time in meetings: 15.5hrs with a lot of phone calls on top

• Some really tough decisions and managing the fallout of them. When it’s good it’s good, when it’s bad it’s shit.
• AI & LLM event hosted by Croud: Looking at changing search behaviour, was nice to get out of the office for a focused event. Was hoping for more specific techniques for LLM/ AIO optimisation, however due to enigmatic nature of the algo’s, not much is known.
• Continued planning for 2026 including the mapping out our roadmap for the year, however made difficult by unclear business plans.
• Trialing Semrush’s new AI toolkit/ features: delighted that a lot of the teams hard work into search led content design is paying off, with the RSPCA outperforming all competitors in LLM visibility. score of 84/100.
• Service design for digital products: Really wanting to re-adopt a service design mindset to the way that we develop digital products/ experience, it’s certainly slipped recently due to high demand; resultantly leaves very little time for creativity. I have therefore started designing a service design workshop for new in men brief.
• Reviewing our feedback processes: Trying to work on improving the system a bit more, and have kicked off some conversations and review of our current laboureous feedback processes.

Read 📚

Listen 🎧

Play 🕹️📖📺💻

Executive Learning 🧠

Overall it's been a difficult week, and has been a real test of resilience and reacting with empathy. Tougher week at work, however a very enjoyable week outside of work, lots of time with mates certainly helped.