It's all gone crazy. There used to be a time when I could decide to get involved in this and that, go to this meeting and that meeting but not anymore. Now it is more a question of having to go to this meeting or that meeting or even that meeting. I am being stretched … Continue reading It’s all gone crazy
Appropriate channel management
Is channel shift the way to go? For years now we have been obsessed which moving customer traffic from one channel to another. Cost has been the driver. Move your customers from the most expensive channels to lower cost ones, face to face, then telephone and then online. Clever people have worked out the transactional … Continue reading Appropriate channel management
Greater clarity
I need to provide greater clarity. I have heard this enough times now to know it's true. People are wanting more from me. I am in a bit of a dilemma though. I want to be clear. I want to give enough detail that provides direction but not too much to stifle creative thinking. Some … Continue reading Greater clarity
Apprentice video
I have never liked video. Appearing in one that is, rather than watching one. It is not my medium and so when I am asked to get involved I don't approach it with my usual enthusiasm. For once the gloss wears off on my type seven personality. I have only had one successful engagement with … Continue reading Apprentice video
It’s a broad market
Dynamo North East continues to go from strength to strength. Membership numbers are up and while there are still some big players yet to join, the organisation must represent the majority of employees in the industry across the region. This years’ conference, Dynamo17, will be held in Durham. It will be the fourth such conference … Continue reading It’s a broad market
Delivering the goods
Me and trains. I do like them, I confess. I outed as a train spotter a long time ago. In truth it is the engines, the locomotives that I like, especially diesel. Perhaps that is too much information. My fascination spills over into my television viewing habits. I enjoyed ‘A slow train across Africa’ with … Continue reading Delivering the goods
A nod to the clouds
I suppose it's been quite a day. There was no fanfare nor a round of applause but sometimes the big things happen without any razzmatazz. They just happen. I'll start by saying that this was the best ever strategic ICT Group I have been a part of. Not that the bar for that is very high. … Continue reading A nod to the clouds
Hacking for our people
I like working with Waterstons. I would have said I love working with them but my father in law used to say you can only love people not things. May he rest in peace. He is still remembered. I could say I love working with the people of Waterstons. Vic would be happy with that. … Continue reading Hacking for our people
Describing the amorphous
Our processes support the definite. They struggle with the more amorphous. It is difficult to use our processes to conceptualise. This always catches me out. I am a person who likes to do his thinking in public. I like to come to meetings with half-baked ideas. I want to use the discussions to help shape … Continue reading Describing the amorphous
What do we do?
Not many people know what we do as the local authority. I had known this already through conversations I have but it became very obvious during my guest lecture at Newcastle University. The students found it very difficult to describe the services that they used in the city. I find this quite surprising as in … Continue reading What do we do?
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 