Lent begins. Thoughts turn to chocolate, booze or bacon sandwiches. Rather like making a New Year Resolution, giving up something for Lent is one of those long-standing traditions which is often short-lived. We might view giving up something as winning ourselves a few points on the self-righteousness scale. A personal Read more…
The World Cup, Meghan Markle and the Royal Wedding. The top three searches on Google in 2018. The most popular question: ‘What is Bitcoin?’. Ones about Brexit only coming ninth behind Diwali and upskirting. As one year ends, it’s natural to reflect on what we looked for in the last Read more…
“I don’t want to get to retirement and think, ‘Was that it?’” Well, that was 20 years ago. Today, I got to retirement. That was it. And that was good. So good. For most of the intervening 20 years, I’ve worked with the most wonderful team of colleagues. Caring, supportive Read more…
If I’d had £5 every time someone asked what I’ll be doing in retirement, I could have bought myself my own gold watch. Play on repeat: ‘Writing books and blogs, learning the piano, photography, family history, U3A, joint ministry with my wife…’ But how upset I’d be if nobody asked. Read more…
Had a few days in Switzerland earlier this month. Speaking at a conference of business people from across Europe followed by being a tourist in sunny Zurich. Sharing the conference stage with an English colleague, we were to be interviewed by globetrotting, all-Australian, Greg van Borssum. Martial arts expert, Mr Read more…
‘Tiredness can kill. Take a break.’ A sign for the drivers who should have stopped the last time they saw it. For the doctor with one patient too many. For the precision engineer whose work is not as precise. The shop assistant giving out the wrong change. The vicar who’s Read more…
Chances are, your computer or smartphone is using software called SQLite. In fact, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Skype all use it. So, when the product’s Christian founder, Dr D Richard Hipp quoted the Rule of St Benedict in ethical guidance for programmers, he certainly caused a bit of stir. Read more…
Christine was my manager for 12 years. In the year 2000, she contacted me in my previous job inviting me to be part of a group setting up a new employment service to help people experiencing mental health conditions. We started working together at Workways some 18 months later: it Read more…
‘Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, Turn and face the strange’ David Bowie’s lyrics reflect the way that change is a constant and often unsettling companion. Over the last 30-40 years, the workplace has changed beyond all recognition for many people. Technology, the internet and social media has brought massive change. Organisations go from one Read more…