Me and trains. I do like them, I confess. I outed as a train spotter a long time ago. In truth it is the engines, the locomotives that I like, especially diesel. Perhaps that is too much information. My fascination spills over into my television viewing habits. I enjoyed ‘A slow train across Africa’ with … Continue reading Delivering the goods
Hacking for our people
I like working with Waterstons. I would have said I love working with them but my father in law used to say you can only love people not things. May he rest in peace. He is still remembered. I could say I love working with the people of Waterstons. Vic would be happy with that. … Continue reading Hacking for our people
Socitm revisited
When Roy first asked me to get involved in Socitm I was a little less than enthusiastic. My attitude has changed however. After a slow start we have got something good going. The meetings go from strength to strength. There was a time when there was only the single representative from the twelve local authorities … Continue reading Socitm revisited
Far from Home Counties
I can’t remember the last time I ever was in Gerrards Cross. To be honest I am not sure I have ever been there but I used to live in Oxford which is not more than a stone’s throw away and so I would be surprised if I hadn’t. Anyway, it didn’t ring a bell … Continue reading Far from Home Counties
TechArt
It is funny where life takes you if you let it. It is filled with little nooks and crannies down which you can wander. Inquisitiveness can be a blessing and a curse however. There is always something interesting to discover but there is never enough time to chase it all. My latest rich seam to … Continue reading TechArt
Training Apprentices
How exciting I am now a director of an ATA, an Apprentice Training Agency. Service Direct Newco, a wholly owned subsidiary of the council has been awarded this status. It has been a long up-hill climb to get there but it offers us some important capabilities. My thanks must go to Cath, Steven and Lee … Continue reading Training Apprentices
Learn from play
Children learn from play. Hold the front page. Who could believe it? Whatever will they think of next? I heard it on the news so it must be true, yet anyone who has ever had children knows this to be self-evident. Children learn the social norms of interaction, collaboration and hierarchy through play. Anyone who … Continue reading Learn from play
A spoonful of humour
A man came up to me after the Socitm meeting. We had just broken for lunch but he clearly wanted to speak to me. I had claimed my seat and was walking back to the carvery when he approached. I had said hello already when he arrived, I try to welcome everyone who comes. I … Continue reading A spoonful of humour
A0
I've been trying to get our ICT strategy onto a page. A single page. It is proving to be quite difficult because of all the complexity and the enormous list of things we get involved in. I've tried words and I've tried pictures. I would really like it to be like an infographic, all modern … Continue reading A0
Random benchmarking
Is comparison with another organisation ever worthwhile? I am not so sure. Every now and then the question of benchmarking raises its ugly head. Ugly to me that is. Tom and I have ended up having a conversation over its merits. Benchmarking in itself is not bad. It is what is done in the name … Continue reading Random benchmarking
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 