Covid-19 is the pandemic that the world has been waiting for. Ten years ago I remember attending events about the possible threat of bird flu. Everyone was talking about how it would sweep across the world and that we needed to start planning right away. Fortunately the virus didn’t make the leap from birds to … Continue reading A new world emerges
The human touch
Like many of us, I have been stuck at home for thirteen days now. In reality this is no great hardship as I am still well fed, have company and have things to keep me going. There are people far worse off than me and so I am not complaining. I do miss the human … Continue reading The human touch
Taxation is a thorny issue
Seemingly no one wants to pay tax yet the world could not operate if we did not. According to Duncan Watts in his book Six Degrees, ‘In not one country in the world is the payment of taxes a voluntary exercise.’ The question should be why? You should try running a country without it. Now … Continue reading Taxation is a thorny issue
A representative organisation
I often chew the cud with an old friend of mine about what is wrong with the world of work. Whenever we are together the conversation somehow gets around to the role of women and minority groups and how to get greater diversity and representation in the workplace. It is not an easy subject yet … Continue reading A representative organisation
Stick to the speed limit
You can get anywhere in a car using just a few rules, perhaps three. Stick to the speed limit, drive on the left and give way to traffic to the right. Yes, there are many more rules but these three allow most people to get to where they need to be without too much thinking. … Continue reading Stick to the speed limit
Corporate Social Responsibility
‘We never use the phrase Corporate Social Responsibility, or the initials CSR at Ringtons.’ said Richard from the Newcastle based tea and beverages company. ‘It sounds too much like a crime. Instead we focus on our business doing good things in the community.’ I was at Muckle LLP for a breakfast event as part of … Continue reading Corporate Social Responsibility
Are food banks good?
I have been pondering over the question ‘Are food banks a sign of a successful society or rather and demonstration of a failing society?’ I am of two minds. Food banks are an increasing phenomenon. In 2017 there were nearly 1.2 million three-day food packs issued by the Trussell Trust, one of many such organisations … Continue reading Are food banks good?
Atlas Shrugged again
I got to the end of Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It is a great book and has made me think long and hard about my values and my thoughts on the way the world works. To make its point the book, at times, is a little simplistic. All books have to be. It is … Continue reading Atlas Shrugged again
The organizations we deserve
Businesses must operate within the law and within ethical principles. Ironically that is what the law states yet in the sordid grapple for money, status and power sometime things go awry. Motor manufacturers meddle with their emission figures to make their cars look better, online taxi firms undermine the working conditions of their employees to … Continue reading The organizations we deserve
Informal Friday
Informal Friday is great. It takes place on the third Friday of every month in BarLuga in the centre of Morpeth. You can go along between 8 and 10 in the morning and meet up with people, all sorts of people. The only real thing that they have in common is that they are in … Continue reading Informal Friday
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 