We already have the answers to many of the big issues that we are facing. They are hidden within the datasets that we have. They are stored away on servers, databases, PCs and filing cabinets just waiting to be discovered. There are patterns amongst the data that can lead us to new ways of providing … Continue reading Big Data
A year of work in progress – day 14
Day 14 – 21 January 2014 What is it about having a beard the makes people think they can poke fun at you? I’ve suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous beard insults already including: your photo must have been taken when you were much younger; any longer and it would look weird and; you … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 14
A year of work in progress – day 13
Day 13 – 20 January 2014 I’m back at Meadowfield this morning, partly to see how they are getting on and partly to have a face to face meeting with Bob (though he didn’t want a mention in the blog, he’s quite happy to have fallen below the Google radar) – a 121 as we … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 13
A year of work in progress – day 6
Day 6 – 9 January 2014 It is not often that we get a chance to make a direct impact upon the good people of the county. ICT is usually in the background (or in the basement in most cases) but it is different with the Digital Durham programme. Our aim is to provide, or … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 6
Today we start a new job
It feels like the end of a journey, one that has lasted nigh on three years. It feels like we’ve been working to get meaningful broadband across the County forever. For the people who need it, the 170,000 on the wrong side of this digital divide, I’m sure it feels the same. And in many … Continue reading Today we start a new job
Channel shift – it has to be more than just about money
I’ve been to a conference on channel shift, encouraging your customers to move to different forms of interaction with your organisation. It was good, perhaps not worth the five hour train ride but you always pick up something interesting from these events. Lunch was nice too. But my gripe was that speaker after speaker talked … Continue reading Channel shift – it has to be more than just about money
The day I didn’t buy online
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
This is not a technical revolution
The future has arrived. The new Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch is finally out. You can wear it on your wrist and it can respond to your voice and run apps. It sounds fantastic and will no doubt be another step forward in the personal technology arms race. The future has always been about technology, … Continue reading This is not a technical revolution
Living in a new norm?
I have made some new acquaintances, friends even. I met them online on an extranet site for people who are interested in changing organisational cultures with a view to improving the way that they operate and deliver their services. The site is called the ON2net. My new colleagues are called Tamara, Julian, Chris, Grant and … Continue reading Living in a new norm?
Yes Minister
I have had many novel experiences in my time at Durham County Council but I’ve never met a Minister of State. Well, not knowingly. I’ve met many politicians, MPs, MEPs and even a Lord. I bought him a drink or two and we became drunk as Lords as the saying goes. I’ve even given a … Continue reading Yes Minister
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 