Monthly Archives: June 2012

We Love Local Government

Sad news this week; the chaps at We Love Local Government are closing their blog down. I understand their reasons. A group blog is a double-edged sword. You can pump out a lot of posts which gets you a regular … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Barclays falls back on the rogue trader fallacy

After his bank was found guilty of illegally manipulating Libor rates, Barclays CEO Bob Diamond said he was “sorry that some people acted in a manner not consistent with our culture and values”. Once again, we are being asked to believe … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

This was no car crash. Chloe Smith will go far.

My Twitter stream today was full of stuff about how Chloe Smith had been savaged and humiliated by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight and how cowardly it was for George Osborne to send in a wee lassie to defend his volte-face … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Local government in 2020: A preview of the state to come

As the combined implications of fiscal austerity and demographics start to sink in, we are beginning to get an idea of what life after Peak State might look like. The Local Government Association has published a projection of council finances for 2020 and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Employee loyalty – What do I get?

I have never been loyal to an organisation. Ever. I feel the same way about loyalty as I feel about passion. It’s a big word and not one I use lightly. That doesn’t mean I’ve never been committed to my … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

It would be surprising if people didn’t worry about immigration

Yesterday, Ed Miliband waded into that most toxic of political subjects with a speech on immigration. Labour, he said, got its immigration policy wrong. He will inevitably be shot at from at least two entrenched positions. Whatever he says will … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Should Civil Servants be ‘ranked and yanked’?

In a speech to Parliament yesterday, Aung San Suu Kyi appealed for help to build Burma’s civil service. She said, “governments may come and go but a civil service will go on forever.” The irony of asking for such help … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

A few part-time workers get good rates. Most don’t.

One in ten part timers earn over £40k a year, screamed a number of headlines last week. They don’t, of course, because that is a pro-rata figure. The Telegraph, at least, clarified this in its opening paragraph. Others, like the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Is talent management too elitist?

Talent Management – it’s all about attracting, retaining and developing your top talent isn’t it? The High Flyers, Young Turks, Hip Young Gunslingers, Fast-Trackers, HiPos and Rock Stars. (Yes, I really have heard all these terms used in companies – often without … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments

Future governments face tough choices – whatever their politics

The CBI and IPPR published a report on the future of public services last week. It warned: Britain faces a longer-term fiscal challenge. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that by 2030 Britain will once again move into deficit … Continue reading

Posted in Peak State, Public Finances, Public Sector, Uncategorized | 9 Comments