There is nothing more magical than a rainbow. (There is nothing faster than a Post Office van but that is another story.) There is something about seeing the ephemeral band of colours splashed across the sky that brings out the spiritual in me. If there was one thing that would make me believe in a … Continue reading Unfolding plans 197 – Visible spectrum of change
Unfolding plans 196 – App hype
There is such hype about apps. Everyone uses them. Everyone has to have them. You’re just not out there if your firm doesn’t have an app. A lot of people agree. There are at least three million of the things to download onto your smartphone or tablet. Beware however as only around five per cent … Continue reading Unfolding plans 196 – App hype
Unfolding plans 191 – Great staff
Another day, another award ceremony. This time it was our very own Great Staff Great stuff awards. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate all of the great work that goes on in the Council. It is very easy to knock what we do and just as easy to highlight the mistakes, the failures … Continue reading Unfolding plans 191 – Great staff
Unfolding plans 188 – Open Data
Is open data the same as big data? Well no, not really. Open data is stuff that is out there which can be freely used, shared and messed about with by anyone, anywhere, at any time and for whatever purpose they choose. It is the wildebeest of the data world, able to roam free across … Continue reading Unfolding plans 188 – Open Data
Unfolding plans 186 – Dynamo think tank
Yesterday we had our first Dynamo North East think tank. It was held at Sage head office. They are the only technology led FTSE100 company and it is based right here in the heart of the region. More than twenty of us attended. Everyone was a member of the organisation and we had come together … Continue reading Unfolding plans 186 – Dynamo think tank
Unfolding plans 172 – World Paper Free Day
It’s World Paper Free Day today. I hope you’re enjoying it. I hope you didn’t send a card! I didn’t know there was such a thing until a couple of weeks ago but I put it in my diary and here it is. I’ve long been an advocate of getting away from paper at work. … Continue reading Unfolding plans 172 – World Paper Free Day
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 167 – The governors
We govern our ICT with three overlapping circles, a trefoil or a shamrock. Our governance is a lucky charm. We have three overlapping groups that set direction and hold us all together. The Strategic ICT Group comprises directors and Head of service. Their job is to set the direction and need for technology. They also … Continue reading Unfolding plans 167 – The governors
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
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 