Stephen was telling me about a conversation he was having with a friend who had been in marketing for longer than he cared to mention. The subject of new media came up and his friend hit the roof. ‘Don’t talk to me about new media’, he said ‘there is no such thing - there is … Continue reading Things will find their own level
Low Power Wide Area Network
Over the last couple of years I have been involved in a project to create a 5G test bed across the region. The idea being to put the North East at the forefront of this exciting technology, autonomous vehicles and all that. Since leaving my last role however I have stepped away from that and … Continue reading Low Power Wide Area Network
A visit to Port of Blyth
Just before the end of the year I visited a couple of places that I had passed many times but had never been to. The first was the Nissan Factory, an iconic place for the region. Is it in Washington or Sunderland? It could well be in both as it is a sprawling mass of … Continue reading A visit to Port of Blyth
My last blog of the year 2017
I always try to finish off the year with something special to say. All of my blogs try to say something yet the end of the year and the start of the new one is a strange time, a period of reflection and a opportunity for renewal. The world does not know any difference. … Continue reading My last blog of the year 2017
Hanging round universities
In my new life I seem to be hanging round the universities a lot. I was never a stranger as such when I was working at Durham but since then I find myself in all sorts of events at Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland University. I am off to Teesside in the new year as well. … Continue reading Hanging round universities
Disruptive opportunity
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
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
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 