I was once told a story by someone who had been to an open air opera. I think it was Sarah and it was in Italy but those bits of information are not germane to the tale. What is important is that it was in the open air and the sun was shining, or at … Continue reading Disruptive opportunity
Milton Friedman is out of time
The current economic and social system in which we live, at least here in the anglo-american parts of the globe, is coming to an end. News of its demise may be a little premature yet I can hear its rattle. It is simply unsustainable. Inequality in wealth is growing both in absolute and relative terms. … Continue reading Milton Friedman is out of time
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
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
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
My first VentureFest
It was my first VentureFest and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. When I started out on my own, this was one of must attend events that everyone seemed to be talking about. It promised so much, it was at St James’ Park and it was free. What more could I ask? I … Continue reading My first VentureFest
Who runs the North East now
In October, Northumbria and Durham universities updated their 2000 report ‘Who Runs the North East Now? Governance and Governing in an English Region’. It looks at the way that the public sector is lead throughout the region and, at times, makes grim reading. It seems that little has changed since the turn of the millennium, … Continue reading Who runs the North East now
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 