Day 27 – 10 February 2014 Today I was in Slough, at O2’s offices. I’d entered a competition to win some help from The Local Government Digital Fund. I hadn’t expected to get anywhere but got shortlisted into the last six and was asked to present my thoughts at a Dragon’s Den style event. I … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 27
A year of work in progress – day 26
Day 26 – 7 February 2014 Today was all about Building Schools for the Future or BSF to use its initials. The brain child of Tony Blair’s government, BSF was designed as an investment programme to improve the lot of secondary schools across the country. Apparently politicians from all English political parties were supportive of … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 26
A year of work in progress – day 24
Day 24 – 5 February 2014 On the way to Newcastle yesterday I was listening to a play on Radio 4. They have some very good stuff on and it always amazes me how the radio manages to paint pictures with words. The play was called Test Case and was about a man who was … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 24
A year of work in progress – day 23
Day 23 – 4 February 2014 An email that came in late in the afternoon yesterday has unsettled me. We let a customer down badly. I set out this year to enjoy every day at work which doesn’t mean that I can’t get angry or upset from time to time. I just need to work … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 23
A year of work in progress – day 22
Day 22 – 3 February 2014 Another month starts and I have a couple more presentations. Meadowfield first and then Seaham which means I have to drive down past Durham and then back across to the East. This doesn’t make sense except that the engineers who work in the schools find it very difficult to … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 22
A year of work in progress – day 20
Day 20 – 30 January 2014 A whole day in County Hall and so I decided to get the train in. I can only do this if I don’t have to be somewhere else and don’t have to be too early or late. It was a welcome break from the car park on the A1 … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 20
A year of work in progress – day 19
Day 19 – 29 January 2014 It is easier to get from where I live to Seaham through the Tyne Tunnel and I pretend to myself that this makes a welcome change from my normal daily commute. I just get stuck in different places. An accident at Moor Farm roundabout didn’t help. Our offices there … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 19
A year of work in progress – day 16
Day 16 – 24 January 2014 Apart from the occasional café the shop windows were still dark as I made my way across the old Town Square in Durham. I pulled up the collar of my coat. Even the brisk walk down from the station wasn’t enough to beat back the freezing air that bit … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 16
Big Data
We already have the answers to many of the big issues that we are facing. They are hidden within the datasets that we have. They are stored away on servers, databases, PCs and filing cabinets just waiting to be discovered. There are patterns amongst the data that can lead us to new ways of providing … Continue reading Big Data
A year of work in progress – day 15
Day 15 – 22 January 2014 There are two difficulties in writing a daily blog: Finding the time and enthusiasm to keep it going and; Making sure you don’t repeat yourself. There is a third, to keep it interesting but that may be a step too far. Whilst there is always something new going on … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 15