I’ve been at another conference. This time it was presented by the Federation of Small Businesses in conjunction with Dynamo and Sunderland Software City. It was titled ‘North East Leading The Way In Open Data’ and I was asked to speak. You know that amongst my interests is helping to develop the region so that … Continue reading Unfolding plans 143 – Leading the way in Open Data
Unfolding plans 141 – Teaching people how to learn
At work I would like to teach people only one thing. I would like them to learn how to learn. Once you have learned how to learn you never need to be taught anything again. Give a man a fish or teach him how to fish. I’m sure the same thing applies to women. I … Continue reading Unfolding plans 141 – Teaching people how to learn
Unfolding plans 140 – be mindful of others
A couple of days ago I was telling you about Lee and his stories. His tale of children and coasts tugged on a few strings. It brought back memories of childhood, happiness, helplessness and an innocence lost. It gets me every time I hear it (and I’ve heard it a few times now!). He has … Continue reading Unfolding plans 140 – be mindful of others
Unfolding plans 139 – we need fewer rules
First break all the rules. That is what the book said. If this is a rule then should we break it? First stick to all the rules? It’s all a bit confusing. There are too many rules, too many regulations. I can’t be expected to know them all yet every time we are faced with … Continue reading Unfolding plans 139 – we need fewer rules
Unfolding plans 138 – we need more entrepreneurs
I’ve heard it said many times that entrepreneurs are a special breed. They are vital to the health of the economy. They create the wealth that this nation relies upon to pay for its hospitals, its roads and all the other good things we’ve come to expect in a modern economy. I agree. Those people … Continue reading Unfolding plans 138 – we need more entrepreneurs
Unfolding plans 136 – change as a constant
At this round of presentations (I do go on about them a bit yet they take up a lot of my thinking time and so that is my excuse) we decided to split the Spectrum event into two. Prior to this we had delivered the presentation in the main office, on the shop floor as … Continue reading Unfolding plans 136 – change as a constant
Unfolding Plans 131 – A SOWE
I’ve been thinking about how we create a self-organising work environment. A SOWE. I’ve been thinking about it ever since I saw Sugata Mitra’s work at the first Dynamo conference and that was well over a year and a half ago. How do you get your teams to come together and deliver what is required … Continue reading Unfolding Plans 131 – A SOWE
Unfolding plans 130 – Lean start up
Lean start up sounded an interesting concept. Justin, one of my colleagues at Dynamo was telling me about it. In essence I took it to be a way of shaping your business ideas before you get too bogged down in business plans and financing. It is a way of making sure that your idea has … Continue reading Unfolding plans 130 – Lean start up
Unfolding plans 129 – I should have got the train
I should have got the train into Seaham. It’s obvious once I’d thought about it. I was sitting at Nose’s point working on the strategy (see Unfolding plans 124) when a train rumbled past on the line that hugs the coast. It was a two carriage Northern Rail train on its way to Middlesbrough, I … Continue reading Unfolding plans 129 – I should have got the train
Unfolding plans 128 – what holds you back?
Whose unseen hand is it that rests on your shoulder and holds you back? I think it was in the Facebook offices that a sign was hung which asked 'what would you do if you weren't afraid?’ Underneath someone had written 'I would write on this wall'. I like that. It appealed to my somewhat … Continue reading Unfolding plans 128 – what holds you back?
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 