Buying goods and services through a robust procurement process leads to lower overall costs in the long run. It ensures that there is strong competition between suppliers and that companies come to the table with the right products at the lowest possible prices, matched to the client’s exact requirements. Or does it? The mantra is … Continue reading The cost of procurement
Crows
Who says mankind is bad for wildlife? Certainly not the crows. You see them everywhere but especially along the highways and byways of this country. These handsome birds with their black feathers like oiled leather uniforms guard the kerbs and verges, feeding of the mashed remains of whatever is killed by the passing vehicles. Rabbits, … Continue reading Crows
Half term
And I would just like to remember some words of St. Francis of Assisi which I think are really just particularly apt at the moment. ‘Where there is traffic, may we bring freedom. Where there is chaos, may we bring order. Where there is congestion, may we bring opening. And where there is delay, may … Continue reading Half term
An area the size of Wales
How often have you heard this international unit of area used to describe a bush fire, a flood or an area of deforestation? The flood is covering an area the size of Wales. But what does this mean and why Wales? There are plenty of other principalities to choose from and so why not San … Continue reading An area the size of Wales
Dear money
Dear money Dear Money, I hope you are well. I wrote my first cheque today in fifteen months and I realised how little we see of each other these days. I must admit that there was a small tear in my eye when I thought of all of the good times that we spent together. … Continue reading Dear money
Cheap fuel?
With the cost of petrol and diesel seeming to rise almost every day you might be tempted to do that extra bit of shopping around to save a penny or two on a litre. Be careful though as most of the time you may as well not bother. Here's why. I've made a lot of … Continue reading Cheap fuel?
Divided people
I am not an expert on what is going in Syria. I have never been there and am unlikely ever to go but what I do know is that I think the world needs to be very careful in how it reports this conflict. From what I can understand, the uprising started following the arrest … Continue reading Divided people
Freedom of information
What is a freedom of information? Is it a place where information lives, like a fiefdom, or a kingdom? Is freedom a collective noun for information, like a pride of lions or a parliament of crows? A freedom of information. Can information ever be truly free? Can it roam the Serengeti of the mind or … Continue reading Freedom of information
An internal market
I think a lot about customer service. I wear my Institute of Customer Services badge with pride. You would think, therefore, that I would be supportive of the concept of the internal market. Well I’m not, at least not completely. The idea of the internal market is that services and functions within an organisation treat … Continue reading An internal market
Pen amnesty
I only use two pens. I have a Parker Duofold fountain pen which I use for work as I think it makes we write better and I have a red pen for marking things off that I have done. Occasionally I use another pen to take a note or to act as a back up. … Continue reading Pen amnesty
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 