What is it about us, or at least some of us that when we get inside our cars all common courtesy seems to fly out of the window? When we’re walking down the street and somebody wants to come in front of us we would normally stop and say ‘after you’. We might even proffer … Continue reading Road rage
Colchester General Hospital targets improvement
Once again another hospital finds itself in the news because of its target driven culture. This time it is Colchester General Hospital and follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission which found inaccuracies in recorded cancer waiting time data at the hospital. The manipulation of data to give the impression that targets were being … Continue reading Colchester General Hospital targets improvement
Wearing the poppy
When I was much younger, in my teens and early twenties I was adamant that I would not where a poppy around Armistice Day but now that I have become older it has become a more and more important symbol for me. I used to feel that the poppy somehow glorified war, especially the ‘Great … Continue reading Wearing the poppy
Buy more – pay more
The system of commerce that we operate within has the underlying principle that if you buy more then you should pay less. Buy two get one free. 33% extra free. Bulk-buy discounts available. The thinking is that the more that is shipped then the lower the distribution cost, the lower the associated overhead and the … Continue reading Buy more – pay more
Brand aware
Today we have been running a pilot session for our upcoming ICT workshops. These are building upon the successful customer focus sessions we ran last year. The basic thrust of the event is around our ICT strategy, how this fits in with what the business wants and what our individual roles are in delivering it. … Continue reading Brand aware
Lean your kitchen
I saw an article the other day on whether you can apply lean principles to your kitchen. It was called Determining the Overall Productivity in Your (Wife's) Kitchen and came with an amusing video, sepia-tinted to make it look old. Now I know that lean is more of a way of thinking than a set … Continue reading Lean your kitchen
Ubuntu
Bees have been in the news a lot. There is widespread panic that they are all going to be wiped out and that we will all die of starvation. It could be a virus or the effect of insecticides that is causing the devastating reduction in numbers of what the BBC euphemistically call pollinating insects. … Continue reading Ubuntu
Jigsaw your mind
I’m off for a few days and have some time to kill. There’s a jigsaw that’s been lying unopened on the bookshelves and so what better time to give it a go? My eldest brought it back for me from her round the world tour and so it is well travelled. It’s a picture of … Continue reading Jigsaw your mind
The road to understanding
The road to understanding is difficult and long but is paved with many interesting and beautiful things. There are things that are going to whet your appetite, things that are going to distract you, things that frustrate you, things that will lead you up some cul-de-sacs and things that will lead you to true enlightenment. … Continue reading The road to understanding
Trade shows = Free stuff
Let’s face it, the real reason that anyone goes to a trade show is to get their hands on some free stuff. It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as it is free – the best four letter word there is. (For clarity free and food are the two best four letter words … Continue reading Trade shows = Free stuff
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 