MP Fiona Mactaggart announced this amazing statistic at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee the other day. ‘Stressed Britons spent a total of 76 centuries on hold to Government phone lines last year.’ It later turned out that she was out by a factor of ten and that she meant to say 7.6 centuries … Continue reading We’ve been hanging on for 7600 years
Feelings trump facts
I have been an admirer of Dr Edward de Bono’s work for a long time. I have read many of his books which are always stimulating; in fact I’m just about to finish ‘I’m right, you’re wrong.’ His ‘Six thinking hats’ is one of the books that has had the greatest influence upon me and … Continue reading Feelings trump facts
Don’t expect it in the shops soon
I started on my first book a couple of weeks ago. It’s going to be brilliant, or rubbish. It will probably be somewhere in between. I say my first book as I have many more planned. A whole section in Waterstones perhaps. I have to start somewhere. I was going to start with a novel … Continue reading Don’t expect it in the shops soon
Less homes where no-one works
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the number of jobless homes (where no-one is in work) has dropped by 182,000 since records began in 1996. This is the lowest percentage recorded. Employment Minister Mark Hoban said: ‘it’s good news that the number of workless households has fallen by more than 425,000 … Continue reading Less homes where no-one works
The story is in the information
I’ve had a long held belief that we should not get hung up on the numbers. We measure so many things at work and make decisions based upon what the numbers say yet all they are telling us is a story. The numbers are an insight into what is happening. They are not what is … Continue reading The story is in the information
Don’t decide day
Leaders and managers of the world, unite with me in celebrating Don’t Decide Day! It must have been about twenty five years ago when I was sitting in my office doing – well I forget what I was doing. It was a nice office though, a sort of S shape with my desk in one … Continue reading Don’t decide day
I need another word for what I do
I spend most of my time at work trying to get the best people into the jobs that they are best suited to, creating situations that allow them to be stretched and develop while trying to clear the right paths to make this happen. Most people would call this manipulation. But that is such a … Continue reading I need another word for what I do
The scale of morality
Fifty years ago Martin Luther King gave his most famous speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington in front of a crowd of 250,000 civil rights activists. It contained the memorable line ‘I have a dream’. For me King is one of humanities true greats. He fought for what he believed in. … Continue reading The scale of morality
Pain now, pain later
We’ve just finished a roll out of a new telephone system. It took over a year and we’ve replaced fourteen previous systems with a single brand spanking internet protocol system. It has been the best of times and the worst of times. People were up in arms. The new system didn’t work. It didn’t do … Continue reading Pain now, pain later
Opinions – a dollar a dozen
You can buy Twitter followers. Only $17 for 5000. What a bargain! While you are at it how about some Facebook friends? They’re like real friends. Who is going to know? Only $67 for 3000. You can also buy YouTube views, Facebook likes, Twitter retweets and even LinkedIn connections. Why? If you are a new … Continue reading Opinions – a dollar a dozen
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 