I’ve given a few lectures to students now. It is nice to be asked and I am always keen to oblige yet they can be a difficult audience, especially early in the morning. My latest attempt to enthuse the next generation was at Northumbria University where I gave a talk on ‘Entrepreneurial opportunities in the … Continue reading Entrepreneurial opportunities
Unfolding plans 173 – The wedding planner
If I understand Shakespeare correctly I am somewhere within the fifth and age of man. I realise that I am in fair round belly with eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances. I’ve only got two ages left and so I’d best get on with what I have … Continue reading Unfolding plans 173 – The wedding planner
Unfolding plans 170 – free from location
I thought the traffic was bad through the Team Valley but having travelled to Manchester yesterday I'm thinking I've been getting away with it lightly. Lee and I were making our way to a Local Government Strategy Forum at the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club just north of the city. The drive down … Continue reading Unfolding plans 170 – free from location
Unfolding plans 162 – #Dynamites15
Last night’s Dynamites15 was excellent. The banqueting hall in Newcastle Civic Centre was packed to the gunnels with a whole host of people interested in the tech industry across the North East. Every seat was sold which made it a bigger and better event than the first one we had last year. A huge amount … Continue reading Unfolding plans 162 – #Dynamites15
Unfolding plans 157 – Profanity
Is profanity ever acceptable? The first sentence in ‘The Martin’ contained the F word. The opening sequence to ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ was filled with it. Celebratory chefs are noted for its liberal use. They pepper their phrases with it. I’ve been trying not to use it so much if at all, especially the … Continue reading Unfolding plans 157 – Profanity
Unfolding plans 155 – Change Management Institute
I did my pitch to the Change Management Institute last week. The evening was held in the Northumbria University Business School where the Manor’s goods yard used to be. It was the first time I had ever been in the building and I must say it was impressive. I think what I said went down … Continue reading Unfolding plans 155 – Change Management Institute
Unfolding plans 153 – men or women
The presentations at the Women in IT event that SOCITM launched were great. There were lots of similar stories that reminded the audience, if it needed to be reminded, that the job of getting true diversity in the IT industry is far from over. I covered most of what went on in a previous blog … Continue reading Unfolding plans 153 – men or women
Unfolding plans 152 – taking stock
Friday is always a good day to take stock. Today is day five of National Customer Service Week and so it’s a great opportunity to think about what has happened. It was not just ICT Services that got involved. Social Care Direct, Transport, First Contact, Customer Services (of course), Neighbourhood Services, Highways, Regeneration and Economic … Continue reading Unfolding plans 152 – taking stock
Unfolding plans 151 – Employee engagement and culture
This week is flying by. It’s day four of National customer Service Week already. I’m still wearing my Institute of Customer Service badge (with pride) even though I’ve changed jackets since yesterday. Today’s theme is employee engagement and culture which is perfect as we’re having our second day of our Lean Start-Up training. The group … Continue reading Unfolding plans 151 – Employee engagement and culture
Unfolding plans 148 – Know your customer
So, it’s day one of this year’s National Customer Service Week. I’ve already told you what our plans are but like the best laid plans of mice and men I haven’t got off to the greatest of starts. Perhaps that’s a little unfair. I had planned to go down to Durham to meet up with … Continue reading Unfolding plans 148 – Know your customer
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 