I’m not sure if I remember this correctly as it is a long time since I’ve read War and Peace. I’ve always loved the way that the Russian classics were written and whilst it is a long book, (my version was in three separate books) it is well worth a read. I think I have … Continue reading Unfolding plans 166 – War and Peace
Unfolding plans 165 – the demand curve
You can do anything with ICT given enough time and money. Well, nearly anything. That’s great. It means that we can all do thousands of things now that we couldn’t do in the past. Things are certainly different from when I was a lad. When I was at school we had no computers at all. … Continue reading Unfolding plans 165 – the demand curve
Unfolding plans 164 – challenging assumptions
The Lean Start-up training is paying dividends already. No, I haven’t invented some new product that is going to cure world poverty or even make me a small fortune yet I have been able to apply some of the principles that I have learnt, especially around the use of assumptions. I have come to realise … Continue reading Unfolding plans 164 – challenging assumptions
Unfolding plans 163 – Durham City connectivity
Superfast broadband connectivity across Durham and the region has been a big issue for us. The Digital Durham programme has been running for a few years now. Indeed our first ever cabinet to go live was number 56 just around the corner from Next in the centre of the city. That was a good day … Continue reading Unfolding plans 163 – Durham City connectivity
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 161 – Fun Day
Of all the audiences that I speak to, I find young children to be the hardest. I’m sure I would get used to it but I’d have to work hard to be a teacher. This morning we laid on a fun day at the education development Centre for a group of Year 5 pupils from … Continue reading Unfolding plans 161 – Fun Day
Unfolding plans 160 – Meetings
I spend a lot of time in meetings. They seem to be a part of what we do. They are a part of the fabric that holds our organisation together. But why? Not why do meetings hold us together but rather why do we have them? What is their purpose? Well that is easy isn’t … Continue reading Unfolding plans 160 – Meetings
Unfolding plan 159 – the data trail
Somehow I’ve let data slip off my agenda. It has slipped off the map. I realised this when I was at the Open Data Event put on by Dynamo North East and the Federation of Small Businesses. I should mention Sunderland Software City as well. I realised that while we were full of intent we … Continue reading Unfolding plan 159 – the data trail
Unfolding plans 158 – three great speakers
We’ve held the last Society of ICT Managers (SOCITM) meeting for the year. It was a bit touch and go at times getting the speakers and the running order sorted but in the end Graham, as always pulled it off. What could have been a bit of a pup turned out to be another interesting … Continue reading Unfolding plans 158 – three great speakers
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
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 