A free press cannot be free. A press that is given away to its readers for nothing cannot be impartial and free from undue influence. We pride ourselves in this country that we have a free press and that it fulfills the important role of holding governments and other institutions to account. We convince ourselves … Continue reading Free press
Six months
It is six months since I left Durham County Council and half a year since I started my own business. The time has passed so quickly. Looking back it may look like a crazy idea to have given up the relatively stable world of paid employment and to venture off into the unknown, yet I … Continue reading Six months
Audience feedback
I have had so much to write about these days that I have not got round to some feedback from the IT & Digital Leaders Dialogue event in Manchester, at the beginning of October. I was one of the participants in the Panel Discussion: Addressing the IT skills gap and promoting cultural change? There were … Continue reading Audience feedback
The man who enjoyed his work
My friend's brother, Chris, was most disappointed that I have changed my job. He has been telling everyone that I was the only person he knew who actually enjoyed his work and now that I had retired, or at least semi-retired, his story was ruined. I told him I was sorry and went on to … Continue reading The man who enjoyed his work
Newcastle Scaleup Summit
I am not a scaleup. I am a startup as I have only been going a few months. I’m certain that I really don’t want to scale my business, I am wanting it to stay very much as what is known as a lifestyle business instead. I am clear about that. Why then was I … Continue reading Newcastle Scaleup Summit
Pro Bull Riding
I feel that I shouldn’t but I have enjoyed watching the Pro Bull Riding on the television. It is back on the Free Sports channel. It is something that I never thought I would get into. It is all a bit redneck and cowboy for me and I have no history in any of these … Continue reading Pro Bull Riding
The best of talent
‘We need to be competitive, we need to attract the best’ is the clarion call of many of the leading tech organisations. In order to stay at the top of their game they need to pick the cream of the crop, the students with first class honours from the leading universities. I understand this yet … Continue reading The best of talent
North17
The first Socitm north conference has been and gone, It seemed a long way into the future when we first talked about it with Chantelle, Graham and Richard. Now we can think about the next one as it was a resounding success. Numbers were great and the content was great. Even the food, the atmosphere … Continue reading North17
Is open plan a bad thing?
According to the Harvard Business Review, it is easier to focus in a coffee shop than in an open-plan office. This is yet another attack on a style of working that has been very much in vogue. Walls have been ripped down and we have all been expected to work with colleagues as far as … Continue reading Is open plan a bad thing?
The power of social media
I use Twitter a lot. It is my way of keeping brand Phil alive and well. I know it works as people respond and always mention it to me when I meet up with them. As Carlos Fuentes said ‘We all need witnesses to our life to be able to live it.’ Occasionally though it … Continue reading The power of social media
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 