The road to understanding is difficult and long but is paved with many interesting and beautiful things. There are things that are going to whet your appetite, things that are going to distract you, things that frustrate you, things that will lead you up some cul-de-sacs and things that will lead you to true enlightenment. … Continue reading The road to understanding
Trade shows = Free stuff
Let’s face it, the real reason that anyone goes to a trade show is to get their hands on some free stuff. It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as it is free – the best four letter word there is. (For clarity free and food are the two best four letter words … Continue reading Trade shows = Free stuff
Personal development plan
I’ve had my personal development plan meeting this week. You may know it as an appraisal. Now I talk with my boss about performance and objectives all of the time but my PDP allows a once a year formal discussion about how well we are doing. It’s a two way street. As with all processes … Continue reading Personal development plan
Keep rowing
I’ve been reading a book of late called ‘The oarsome adventures of a fat boy rower’ by Kevin Biggar. It was leant to me by Leah from OnBrand Partners. It’s about how he went from being a couch potato (I can empathise) to winning an Atlantic rowing race. It’s a great tale of commitment, team … Continue reading Keep rowing
What learning a language can teach you
I’ve been inspired by a blog I read today. It was by Benny the Irish polyglot who is convinced that anyone can learn a foreign language and be fluent in three months. I came across his site when I got the urge to learn Dutch for some reason, perhaps with a view to going on … Continue reading What learning a language can teach you
Give me the keys that unlock people
Everybody has a key that can unlock them. Most have more than one and they are someone that they trust. It could be a member of their family, their partner or their mother perhaps. It could be a colleague at work or a close friend. It could be an upstanding member of society like a … Continue reading Give me the keys that unlock people
Feelings trump facts
I have been an admirer of Dr Edward de Bono’s work for a long time. I have read many of his books which are always stimulating; in fact I’m just about to finish ‘I’m right, you’re wrong.’ His ‘Six thinking hats’ is one of the books that has had the greatest influence upon me and … Continue reading Feelings trump facts
Less homes where no-one works
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the number of jobless homes (where no-one is in work) has dropped by 182,000 since records began in 1996. This is the lowest percentage recorded. Employment Minister Mark Hoban said: ‘it’s good news that the number of workless households has fallen by more than 425,000 … Continue reading Less homes where no-one works
The internal customer
Treating parts of the organisation as customers in an internal market is a great idea except for one thing – it doesn’t work. Why not? Before I expand it is worth defining what is meant by a customer and a supplier. A customer is someone who has a demand for products and services and expresses … Continue reading The internal customer
Hawkeye
Sunday 11th August and the third day of the ashes test is well underway at the Riverside ground in Chester-Le-Street. Australia’s first innings is close to the end. Anderson takes a run up and bowls. The ball bounces and strikes Lyon on the pad. The England team turn to the umpire, raise their hands in … Continue reading Hawkeye
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 