HERE'S A PREZI...

  
Powerpoint is dead. Long live prezi.

Prezi is a new presentation system - anyone can use it after thinking through what you want to say. I'm completely converted and looking forward to the gasps and awe of people I present to (lol).

Here's a great example with a great content.

The root cause of our failed economy on Prezi

The one thing I like about this though is it will make someone with little to say look a complete fool!

At the end of the day, a good presentation is one that is delivered by somebody with something to say and who knows their onions.  It'll sort the fakers from the gurus this. I like!
  

NEW WORLD ORDER..

 
I read a quote recently that went something like this..

"We must be impatient with those in
the public service who see themselves as
pen-pushers and guardians of rubber
stamps, thieves intent on self-enrichment,
bureaucrats who think they have
a right to ignore the vision of Batho
Pele, who come to work as late as possible,
work as little as possible and knock
off as early as possible."

I am involved in an interesting world at the moment. 
One in which the old world order of UK politics is rapidly changing - led
by an onslaught of budget cuts.  No or less money  means people have
to change how they work - to get the same results with less financial input.

This is great.  For me.  Given that part of what I do is advise government
departments etc about how to do things a little differently.  Now with added 'less money'!

Rapid and constant re-assessment of work is what is needed.  Personally and
among the organisations I work with.  A lot can be taken from management
and business theory

Insight. Improve. Innovate.

Interesting. Useful.  Most of all it also reminds me of a long time ago
in my past when somebody once told me I could get by in the world
with two of the three i's.

This was a different world.  And the i's were different.  I got away with
it from around 1990 to 2010.  Twenty years trading on two out of
the following three; Industry. Initiative. Intelligence.

Those that know me, know which one i I mostly avoided!

And so to now.

Got to get on.  Industry seems to be required.  Oh dear!

CHARLIE SAYS...

  

Day 2 - Observation 2: Beware A Stranger Bearing Gifts...

An obvious one you may think.. but when someone gives us something we often feel indebted in some way to them (I'm not talking about close friends and relatives here.  We are, remember, talking of ways in which people manipulate people around them for their own ends).

This rule can take many forms.  It is not always about physical gifts that are being presented. Those who wish to deceive somewhere down the line are expert providers of 'information', often slow drip-feeds of information that bring the two people seemingly closer together (a workplace practice of experts in this field - drawing soldiers in to sacrifice them later - so called social harvesting). The same can be said of someone who appears to be spending a lot of time with you or on something you are working on with no apparent reason to be doing so. 
  
Short one today I'm afraid.. Busy working!
  

NEW-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING?

   
I've not blogged for a while - busy busy and all that.

So, today I'm going to kick off a run of daily blogs. To keep it nice and short I'm going to put down a rule a day from what I've been reading on Neuro-Linguistic Programming lately (wiki entry here for 'what is NLP?').

One rule per day from the secrets of the NLP trade.... otherwise known as factors that can affect your judgement and change your decision or mind when faced with everyday information.  Some are obvious, some less so.

Day 1 - Observation 1: Wow! You're just like me!

• Watch out when you're asked about your hobbies, interests, your home town,
  values, beliefs, favourite TV, music or foods etc. if this is followed by a
  'wow, me too' response from somebody.  If it happens a lot, then they are
  probably not being 100% truthful with you.

• Another aspect of this rule is that if someone is being nice and agreeing with
  everything we are saying we tend to like them more and - as a consequence - tend
  to automatically agree with them more even if it doesn't really make sense to do so.
  This response is automatic and very difficult to fight off.

• Rapport and chat create trust that might not be correct. Talking with someone in
  a certain way, that is similar to the way they talk (speed, tone, words used etc) allows
  a person to create a psychological or emotional bridge.  If this happens to you then
  you immediately feel more comfortable, less inclined to stop and think about what it
  is the person is saying - after all they are saying it how you would..  Take great care
  if your movements, speech pattern or tone are being echoed.

On a slightly less intense theme, Michael Heppell, he of 'Be Brilliant' fame(?) posted a link recently to a great site that carries pics of 3-D street art.  Click and wonder for yourself at the skills of Julian Beever

    

Just remember, If you don't take control of your mind, others will do it for you.

  

ECONOMICS...

Now, I'm not the world's best economist.. Far from it. But I am an economist. Give me that.

As I cook my risotto tonight, back from the local pub in the snow and waiting for the rice to soften, I am quite frankly amazed at the audacity of some people. And a neighbour at that. Having said that, if any of my other neighbours read this they would know who I'm talking about immediately given this guy happens to embarass himself on a regular basis (or at least more than I do ;) - a sense of humour is always useful in life )

I have just come back from a conversation with (incidentally a Guardian reader) who thinks that gas is a public good - hot on the heels of some story sowed from the paper he reads about utilities companies making profits or something, he clearly had an issue with gas this evening? Anyway, given that I challenged him on the definition of a public good by pointing out that if there were only one litre of gas left in the world and he used it to heat his house I would not be able to heat my own (joint and non-excludable consumption - look it up if you are lost) I think I rest my case... At this point he very un-chivalrously, unmanly and downright rudely turned his back on me..

Look up the proper definition of a public good if you will - here.

This guy knows nothing. Full stop.

Anyway, I must go off to stir my risotto - but please, I do know more than the average Joe in the pub about economics - my parents will tell you that given they funded my education. My pupils may also tell you that, from the four countries where I have lectured. And lastly, but not leastly, my current clients might tell you the same given they pay me a handsome daily amount to advise them.

What is my neighbour doing on a daily basis? Well, from what I can see, nothing more than reading the Guardian and listening to Radio bore, sorry four, not much else.....

This IS what is wrong with the UK right now - too many coffee table economists, politicians, newspaper educated policy advisers that haven't a fucking clue about the basic tools never mind the real world complexities. Apologies for no deletions of the swearing but - to be honest - the time HAS come... 2010 the year of say it as it is. And if you don't know about a subject - do what I do - SHUT THE FUCK UP...

WHAT A WASTE..

Re-branding has been seeping through the whole political dung heap for a while now, often under the guise of real restructuring... but in the main what has really been happening has been a complete waste of taxpayers money on new logos, new stationery, making government e-ready, etc etc. spin spin spin.. Look we're really busy restructuring.. what? we are supposed to deliver policy? No mate. Do something mate? Not me mate. I'm in New Labour. I mainly just talk about it.

Here's just one among a myriad of examples. Hold on tight to your seats as it gets extremely messy.

But first, switch on your speakers and click here if you want a nice soundtrack to the whole sad sorry affair.."

In a feat of mayhem mathematics when Gordon Brown came to power in 2007 he re-branded (sorry 're-structured') two government departments in the name of streamlining into three. See diagram below. The DES and DTI were re-divided into DCSF and DBERR with a third department created from the University and Skills functions (of DES) and Science and Innovation functions (of DTI) to be known as the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, the DIUS.

Now DIUS went about their business getting ready their new logos, stationery, website, the mechanisms of modern government... getting exciting isn't it?


Everything was going to be different from hereon in. The country was heading into the brave new modern world of 'knowledge transfer', 'innovation', 'competitiveness', even 'advanced manufacturing'.. (Q: what do these spin concepts really cover?)

Only in June this year Gordon decided to stop the process, disband DIUS and create a new department.. the Department for Business Innovation and Skils.. clearly the University bit was getting in the way of acceptance by business.. surprise, surprise.

Trouble is DIUS has spent £953,911 on building their website alone and god knows how much more on the other goodies of empire building.. Leaks are coming out of the DIUS Commons Select Committee that the final bill for DIUS alone is around £7.1 million. And thats a minimum estimate.

Worryingly, this is just one story in the naked city of New Labour..

Continuous rebranding is clearly a waste of money. If politicans took the time to stick their head in the real world they'd notice business doesn't rebrand or restructure itself that often.

What has been happening in these latter days of the New Labour 'modernisation campaign' is a concentration on selling the product rather than having any decent product to sell. When you really dig deep it appears that most of it is generally about selling a con (spin) or wishlist rather than being based on anything solid. There appears to be a belief in the present government that if you say something often enough it will become true. And Gordon this week is repeatedly saying 'it's not over yet..' From where I'm sat he appears to have fallen foul of his own spin machine.

God Bless New Labour and all who sail in her.. only to the other side of the world please!

THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE..

I have had an entertaining yet mildly worrying exchange of emails with a friend of mine who runs a business not dissimilar to me.

He and hiw wife are now to have their second child, after rearing the first to 16 years old.

Our emails went something like this (the names have been changed to protect the guilty)..

>>From: A September 22, 2009
>>There's going to be a little addition to the (family) next March.
Yes, we are having a baby! F had the 12 week scan and all's well, so it's going to be a busy 2010 (actually make that 2010-2028!)
A

>>From: Polko September 22, 2009
>>Congratulations, and make that 2010 - 2031!!
Polko

>>From: A September 22, 2009
>>Maybe, but I reckon by 2028, that 99.9% of the population will be going to university and therefore our latest addition will have a free choice of decent jobs without the need for us to fund 3yrs drinking!
A

>>From: Polko September 22, 2009
>>I think you may be right. I even had a conversation with [my son] about the validity or otherwise of even getting a degree now that you can readily become a BA in Cultural Media Assorted World Studies easily enough. There is a strong argument for simply learning from those around you and start your own business at 15.. Get on with it whilst the others are mounting up their debts and forcing themselves to become wage slaves forever..
Polko

To put it another way.. University education gives you knowledge sure enough. But it doesn't provide much by way of attitudes and competencies that are then directly useful in the world of work. Through my day to day experience with plenty of people from diverse backgrounds in property, business and even to some extent the public sector, it is the people who have the right attitude and can readily apply modern competencies that get on and enjoy professional success - be that making money, managing people or organising organisations.

There will always be a need for core degree subjects - not many doctors, lawyers or civil engineers can get away without a College education I guess (but you know, some can!). For the rest isn't it what you do with it rather than what you know at the end that defines the benefits of a University education?

On the money side of things, as an economist I am familiar with all the econometric studies that show a positive return on a First Degree education and the even higher return to continuing this into Masters levels (the biggest leap in lifetime income potential is recorded there), but many of these studies are now being outmoded based as they are on old data series and a continuing structural shift in the modern labour market and skills demands of employers. The world is changing. And fast. There are now many disparities in income generating potential with plumbers and tradesmen often earning way in excess of somebody with a degree, even a good degree from a renowned University. And I personally know people in business who began very early, failed a few times, learned a lot and are now sat very comfortably indeed.


Just a thought.

And if you just can't be bothered click here and print out whichever degree certificate you want..

RAMBLIN' ON

Only a few days to go until I am back on my travels. This time is interesting as I will be with Mrs Polko (usually the case), Mr Polko the Elder and Mrs Polko the Elder. DON'T PANIC, I am not descending into a Tolkien-esque fantasy game of elves and trolls, Elders and scrolls (though that would be fun too). I am away on holiday for 10 days with my parents - their idea to go whitewater rafting at the ages of 70 and 73.. Great. No chance of backing out then!

The real reason I am very much looking forward to this trip is that I shall be meeting up with old friends in Slovakia for the first time in 15 years. I used to lecture in Bratislava as part of my Jean Monnet (European) lectureship in Economics - a job that took me to Bratislava, Budapest, Caen and Murcia as well as Manchester. Which was nice. One person will not be there, but she is now living in New York - which is as good an excuse as any to plan a visit there too - as if Polko needs an excuse! Ramblin' is one of the things I seem to do best.

Cue the music – click the link and read along to the soundtrack!

It all started when I was around one apparently, though I don't have many recollections of this. Obviously. The Polko Elders travelled every year - working hard in between given that Mr Polko The Elder started his first business when Polko was 2 months old. Talk about risk taking (but then sometimes you've got to make the big bold moves in life). Later we would travel more than once a year, taking Polko and Brother Polko to almost every country in Europe, Polko to Scotland once a year for ice hockey training and lots of places in Britain in between.

Then I turned 17, left sixth form (A Levels for those outside Britain) early as it wasn’t the place for me – nor any other free-minded individual it would seem as many more left after me – and I ended up in London. Once I had worked the ‘streets of gold’ syndrome out of my blood I got back into the educational betterment way of life again and travelled in between college days – again throughout Europe mainly. Ten weeks around Turkey during the first Gulf War was exciting though. Polko and Scouse Polko (former girlfriend!) never made it to the Iranian border as planned. Luckily.

Jump forward a few years and I’m back working/lecturing/ramblin’ the Universities of Europe – followed shortly after by working in Brussels, Madrid and Hungary for a consultancy company. I escaped public sector employment before I got locked in with nothing to show for it but a final salary pension scheme and a colourless personality.

Since leaving the world of ordinary work for a much more rewarding but risky way of life I have continued my travels, for pleasure more than business these days but still as hooked as ever. St. Lucia, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Turin, Warsaw, New York. And the list goes on. Happily.

So, what’s it all about? Why am I going on about travel? I look back and think of all the people I have met, and the variety of cultures, backgrounds and mindsets each has brought me into contact with. From petrolhead Yanks in Hicksville parts of Arizona and California through amazing individuals that have challenged their brains and stamina from Eastern Europe to kindred spirits working for themselves in a similar vein to Polko Incorporated Industries (!) from Budapest to Dusseldorf and back again. Travel quite literally, but also emotionally, broadens the mind. Not a bad thing at all I say.

Polko Says… Life’s for living. Life’s for Ramblin’

Endnote: Thought I'd add this convenient plaque from Jean Monnet's grave - nice little summary of who he was for those that didn't know. A quiet but massively influential European citizen. Full wikipedia article here.

Education (aka ED-U-KAY-SHUN)

Polko says.. Common Sense and Education.

Unfortunately, I have found that these two things very rarely surface in an individual in anything like equal proportion. If one aspect is lacking you tend to find that that person reverts to saying, "of course you see all these educated people, they have no common sense". Or vice versa.

Recently I have had cause to remind myself that education really does give you a better chance in life.

I will interject to explain a little about Polko. Polko - the real Polko now not anonymous blog Polko (although they are very much the same person in many a way!) - has a First Class Honours Economics Degree (gained when degrees were degrees), a Masters Degree from a top London University, several peer reviewed papers published in professional journals and is the author of a book (that nobody will read because its subject is so academically interesting). To top all this I have a fair amount of common sense and basic 'life skill'. I can get stuck in when it comes to plumbing, electrical work (and we're not talking about changing a plug here - I have practically re-wired a four storey Victorian office and shop saving thousands on some spotty young electrician who would have been working from the manual and from the manual only, down'ing tools when he hit a problem he'd never encountered before). Oh, and Polko possesses a sense of humour too. Well fuelled by Mrs Polko I might add.

Back to the plot.

...which brings me to this morning. This morning I looked around at the few people that live on top of my hill and realised that I am the one that has the easier life (I very rarely work 5 days a week), more frequent holidays, for what they're worth the nice cars, more hobbies and interests outside of bringing up my family and, not that it registers high on my scale, but a higher disposable income (despite having had a child with a money-sucking leach from outer space - no, really - somebody had to and this alien appeared to have a good strong and varied genetic structure).

The defining factor is quite possibly level of education - at least that's what my econometrics/statistics background tells me! Somebody else lurks a little higher up the hill. Another one like me with even more years of education under his belt. This one an eye surgeon. I have a suspicion he too doesn't work as much as people think he does (not now anyway) to live in the big house.

So, I thank my parents at least for giving me the two things that I consider to improve my score; a basic training in common sense (don't you like my builder's bum - below) and the possibility to pursue education to the highest level I could.

...which brings me to the worry that if the people that publish my son's SATS practice test papers (Coordination Group Publications Limited - where the strapline image 1 above was lifted from) can't spell, and these are foremost education consultants, then how are the teachers that have been entrusted with my son's education supposed to give him an adequate one? (Don't even get me started on the fact that one of his teachers burnt all the toast - I mean ALL the toast - on day one of the SATS week breakfast club. I don't think they teach toast making on the PGCE? But, then again, you don't need teaching, you need common sense.. equal proportion as Depeche Mode once said - Get The Balance Right).

Anyway.. I was working through a few revision papers with my son at the weekend as this is SATS week for Year 6 pupils. As I read the inside cover of the English answer booklet I noticed that they started to flip around with the spelling of practice, sometimes appearing as practise instead of with the c..? Odd I thought, maybe it was a one-off - I know I'm hard on the people that work with me for spelling and general consistency/typo errors but everybody's allowed one mistake - but it just kept coming up time and again. More strange is the fact that it changes between practice and practise throughout all the English and Maths, etc papers - no consistent error, just all over the place, sloppy practice..

Either get something right or get something wrong? The inconsistency shows me two things. That this was a true misunderstanding and not just a one-off mistake and, more worryingly (given that the page footer pronounced proudly that Glenn Rogers and Vanessa Kushner were to be thanked for the proofreading) nobody had been bothered to check through it - despite this gem of wisdom from the instructions to children!

Wherever you are out there in the real world - well done Glenn, well done Vanessa. You couldn't even do this simple task right!

Here's the paper - click the link for a larger view - wonder at the inconsistency of it all. The Maths one is unfortunately the same - but in an inconsistent way!


The English paper sternly warns: These practice papers won't make children better at English... How could they, they didn't help the people writing them did they?

So, what of the world that my child is growing up in? I fear it is disappearing down a very long but fast rotating grey vortex.

...which brings me to the Public sector. As the Director of a company I received a notice a few weeks back asking me to check our current accounts position with a local authority that shall remain unnamed (in Lancashire and begins with B - there are a few but it's one of those!). So, given we have an environmental policy we filled out the form and e-mailed it back to them. Problem 1: the form stated we had to do this by Friday 9 May 2009. Now unless my year planner has been hijacked in some cruel hoax I think Friday was the 8 May don't you? Error one. Maybe Vanessa or Glenn now work at B? Problem 2: When e-mailed a bounce back occurred about five minutes later, the postmaster@b_.gov.uk telling me that the address I had used did not exist. Error two. Now I have some friends who work in the public sector that constantly moan they don't get paid as much as others (whilst almost in the same breathe deriding anybody who appears to get paid a lot without really knowing the stress and strain that others might go through in their jobs). Don't get me wrong, not all of these people moan. But some do. I have only one thing to say about it: pay peanuts and you get monkeys. Clearly b_.gov.uk are following this recruitment method.

...which brings me to the end. For now. I sincerely hope I spelled everything correctly today. And my son too as he's going into his English SATS just about... ... ...now.

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT - PART 4.... and counting

I'll let the image do the talking on this one..


Those who have read or spoken to me on the "role of government" and/or other public sector bodies will know what I think of any policy that attempts to interfere unnaturally in order to provide a "more equitable distribution" of University undergraduates..

I leave you with this series of questions..

what is equity? should it be based on parental income? on what your background is? which postcode you use on your application form? or should it perhaps be based on how intelligent you are.. maybe?

I for one hope the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge's views (second clip above) will become more widespread in the academic community..