The trades union Unite is delighted that the government has decided to ban restaurant owners from keeping back a share of tips that customers give to staff. According to its website, Unite has been exposing rip-off tipping practices in the hospitality industry since 2008. In response to the announcement, a Unite regional officer Dave Turnbull … Continue reading Tips should be banned
Imagine a car
The opening speaker on day 2 of the Unit4 conference gave us his thoughts on the future of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). It was at the Conference Centre in Harrogate. I am not the greatest of advocates for ERP in that I don’t think grand systems solve anything and in the effort to combine all … Continue reading Imagine a car
Stadium of Cyber
The sign over the door on one of the conference rooms in the Stadium of Light, Sunderland Football club’s ground, said ‘Magic Moments Bar’. I’m not sure that it was referring to the latest #CyberFest event that was being held in the room next door yet it could well have done. The fifth event in … Continue reading Stadium of Cyber
Party politics
Over the last few weeks we have been witness to a perfect example of why party politics is bad. It is a distortion of our democracy yet it has been around for so long that we think it is an inevitable consequence of the democratic process. Perhaps it is, yet it prevents us from having … Continue reading Party politics
Energetic buildings
Someone once told me that an introvert is someone who feels drained by engagement with people rather than invigorated. I’m not sure how true this is but since then I have taken myself to be an introvert. I like dealing with people, I am perhaps at my best when amongst groups of people yet afterwards … Continue reading Energetic buildings
The thrill of your own book
It is a strange feeling, unwrapping the package that has come through the door to find a copy of your own book in your hands. All those months of effort are starting to finally come to fruition. I say finally as, even though this is my second book, it was only a proof version. It … Continue reading The thrill of your own book
Jigsaw pieces
Have you ever stared at a jigsaw piece and wondered what it is called or looked at the shape that you are looking for and wondered how to describe it? I have and apparently I am not alone. Despite a few attempts at a comprehensive classification of jigsaw piece shapes and cutting designs, there is … Continue reading Jigsaw pieces
More Diverse Times
I had four meetings on one day last week. There was nothing unusual in that. On most days I have this number and sometimes more. The meetings in themselves were not that unusual either. I met with Newcastle University to talk to them about both #CyberFest, or rather CyberNorth, and the North East Initiative on … Continue reading More Diverse Times
#CyberFest Blyth
Once again I found myself on the banks of the River Blyth. The last time was at the Port of Blyth to talk about Low Power Wide Area Networks and this time it was as part of #CyberFest, the North East’s biggest cyber festival. I always love going to see the amazing ships that dock … Continue reading #CyberFest Blyth
The need for ethics
We live in two realities, the things that exist in our physical world and the things that happen in our minds. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. When I look out of my window I see trees moving in the breeze and red rooftops with the odd pigeon or two. Cars pass by … Continue reading The need for ethics
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 