Len Goodman, head judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing says that he’s a wind-up watch in a digital world. I’m not. He has a few years on me but I am a silvering surfer, happy to be fully in tune with the shift towards the modern online way of doing things. I use social … Continue reading The day I didn’t buy online
Is work the worst place to work?
Here I am sitting at home working. I’m parked at the kitchen table looking out into the garden with my laptop open in front of me. I’m connected securely to the work’s network and I’m happily and productively beavering away. The sun is just starting to rise. I’ve halved my inbox, done most of the … Continue reading Is work the worst place to work?
All problems can be solved from an armchair
How annoying is it? You’re breaking your back working away on some intractable problem when along comes some armchair critic to tell you where you’ve been going wrong. Very is the answer. They have absolutely no concept of the issues that you’re facing, the hassle that you are under and the multiple directions in which … Continue reading All problems can be solved from an armchair
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
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
Keep rowing
I’ve been reading a book of late called ‘The oarsome adventures of a fat boy rower’ by Kevin Biggar. It was leant to me by Leah from OnBrand Partners. It’s about how he went from being a couch potato (I can empathise) to winning an Atlantic rowing race. It’s a great tale of commitment, team … Continue reading Keep rowing
What learning a language can teach you
I’ve been inspired by a blog I read today. It was by Benny the Irish polyglot who is convinced that anyone can learn a foreign language and be fluent in three months. I came across his site when I got the urge to learn Dutch for some reason, perhaps with a view to going on … Continue reading What learning a language can teach you
Feelings trump facts
I have been an admirer of Dr Edward de Bono’s work for a long time. I have read many of his books which are always stimulating; in fact I’m just about to finish ‘I’m right, you’re wrong.’ His ‘Six thinking hats’ is one of the books that has had the greatest influence upon me and … Continue reading Feelings trump facts
The internal customer
Treating parts of the organisation as customers in an internal market is a great idea except for one thing – it doesn’t work. Why not? Before I expand it is worth defining what is meant by a customer and a supplier. A customer is someone who has a demand for products and services and expresses … Continue reading The internal customer
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 