Thinking of the future

Let’s face it, I work as a management consultant which means that most of my work is about the future, helping people and companies to think about structures and governance and strategy, all the things that will help them going forward.  Today though, there is very little thought about the future. Understandably and quite rightly … Continue reading Thinking of the future

I wouldn’t start from here

There’s that old joke that goes along the lines of someone is lost and stops another for directions. ‘Can you tell me the way to so and so?’ they ask, only to get the reply ‘Well, I wouldn’t start from here.’ There is a point to this joke and that is, if I have to … Continue reading I wouldn’t start from here

Smartphones? For how long?

It is the future. How we laugh at the thought of people typing things into computers. They used to sit there at wooden desks, in adjustable chairs, interfacing with their device at the speed of tapping. Those who were good typists could get a good speed going while the rest of them had to keep … Continue reading Smartphones? For how long?

History is new

We live in a country that lives on its past. We talk of kings and queens, battles and castles. Our favourite weekend activity is to visit a stately home and everyone knows about 1066 and all that. Our days of empire are behind us. Thank goodness in my opinion. Our sense of history, pomp and … Continue reading History is new

What can machines do better?

You would think it is an easy question. What can machines do better than people can? Most people could answer it though they had to draw breath first and repeat the question while they thought about it. I was at the excellent Northumbrian Water Group Innovation Festival at Gosforth Park Racecourse. I was only able … Continue reading What can machines do better?

Near future jobs. #DSS17

I am still thinking about digital skills after the DSS17 conference at Sunderland Software City.  It is such a complex problem to deal with.  There are so many players involved, right from parents and family, through the education system to employers.  Even peer pressure has a part to play. One interesting aspect about working in … Continue reading Near future jobs. #DSS17

Age versus youth

Annand house is a warren of corridors and small meeting rooms.  My pass let me in but it took some time for me to find Debbie.  I even ended up on the wrong floor. Our paths have crossed a number of times over the last few weeks.  Ever since the elephant eating party we seem … Continue reading Age versus youth

Unfolding plans 179 – A break down

I got the call that I had been dreading this morning.  One of my daughters had broken down on the A1 at one of the busiest times of the day.   She was all right.  The car was off the road and she was safe. The police had been informed, the roadside assistance was on its … Continue reading Unfolding plans 179 – A break down

Unfolding plans 178 – Out of the toolbox

The topic for this round of presentations has been ‘Out of the Toolbox’.  The title is an obvious reference to thinking outside the box but also attempts to draw us back to the work that we do. It was Saul Kaplan who said that we need to take our ideas off the white board and … Continue reading Unfolding plans 178 – Out of the toolbox