Category: General

This week I have learned: - un-constructive name-calling is surprisingly hurtful. Criticize by all means... - being the edge case of an automated process is surprisingly stressful. But at least they had the sense to talk to me about it... - there is a pre-holiday tax to be paid - and probably a post-holiday tax … Continue reading Weeknote 254: en vacances

The coal mining industry of post-Second World War Britain might not be the most obvious of places to seek ideas for how to address contemporary issues of digital transformation but, hey, go with me. The coal industry in the 1940s had barely changed since the turn of the century. Although coal was a primary source … Continue reading Down Pit

This week I have learned; - it's not so much "when one door closes, another door opens" as "will somebody please slow these ruddy revolving doors down before I puke!" - being recognised by complete strangers because of one's online activity is still a little unnerving (that sounds a lot more sordid than I meant) - once … Continue reading Weeknote 242: promotions

I spent a great couple of hours in the company of Anne Marie McEwan yesterday in the inspiring setting of the Royal Festival Hall. Our conversation covered many areas, but one thing that sprung up was why issues of improving the world of work should be of particular importance to employers at this point in time. … Continue reading The Employer 5 Forces

Things I have learned this week: - if you want to get a big audience for a blog post, paraphrase The Sound of Music Next week: Edelweiss.

I spent yesterday afternoon at a fascinating event hosted by software development company Softwire, exploring issues of attracting and retaining young technology talent. Panelists Bill Thompson from the BBC, Softwire's CEO Zoe Cunningham and employer brand specialist Daria Taylor explored a number of themes. But by the end of the session I think I've concluded … Continue reading How do you solve a problem like millennials?

I had an exciting conversation yesterday with Claire Burge, someone with whom hopefully I might get the opportunity to work in the near future. At the core of her business thinking is the concept of No Email. It's a wonderfully simple encapsulation of a whole stack of thoughts that she has (many of which I share) … Continue reading A bunch of cargo cults

It appears that many membership organisations are facing an existential crisis. In the past two decades the means by which we can establish and sustain networks has changed dramatically, first through tool like email and latterly through the emergence of social networks. In an era when the cost to communicate with a group of people … Continue reading Membership

Ask people if they want something new, something different, something better, and they'll probably say "yes". Get people to change their behaviours to use the new, different, better thing you've just built for them and it's a different story. It's hard. They don't change. At a basic economic level I guess you can explain this … Continue reading The change paradox