Cameron’s Indian Takeaway………….#business

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

David Cameron has been visiting India again in an effort to drum up bilateral trade. Very laudable indeed. As we can see from Tata’s investment in Jaguar Land Rover the company has come on leaps and bounds since the Indian Conglomerate took over the ailing British company in 2008 with billions of pounds investment.

There are also many areas where UK companies can help India, particularly in developing infrastructure which is one of the main bottlenecks to growth in the country & in improving telecommunications.

India is a vast country both geographically and economically. With a GDP of nearly 2 trillion GBP it is on target to become 4th largest in the world around 2020 at current growth rates.

Of course, India is not without it’s problems:-

Infant Mortality – 63/1000
320,000 deaths from diarrhea per annum
Sanitation coverage 31 %
Only 15% of rural population has access to a toilet.
29.8% below poverty line, most living on less than $2 per day.

India has come a long way in the last 20 years but it also has a very long way to go in eradicating poverty & disease within it’s own boundaries. Hopefully David Cameron can persuade his hosts to address these issues as well as selling them a few helicopters.

chris@projectsguru.co.uk

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Our New Year hopes for 2013

Posted on December 31, 2012 by admin

2012 has been a pretty miserable year with freakish weather on both sides of the Atlantic, in the U.K the highest rainfall since records began saw people washed out of house and home and businesses ruined. In the USA Hurricane Sandy battered the East Coast and several lives were lost, homes ruined & businesses destroyed.

Scandal followed scandal in the world of banking, PPI miss-selling, Libor fixing, Rogue traders etc etc

As austerity measures bite, wages decline & the economy bumps along the bottom like a flat baloon.

OK, so that was 2012, what do we want from 2013:-

Less emphasis on GDP and more on sustainability. The current system based on mass consumption, Consumerism & unsustainable growth fed by mountains of debt is bust ! We need to replace it with a more responsible, ecologically sound system based on managing the worlds scarce resources more effectively and equitably.
We need to take environmental change seriously. Whether there is a direct link between recent extreme weather & man made global warming is up for debate but there is irrefutable Scientific evidence that carbon dioxide emissions are having a direct impact on average global temperature. The long term consequences could be cataclysmic.
More People Power – the disaffection with the banks has led to huge defection to “community” banks like the Co-operative bank. Long may this continue. We are the mass consumers and we can have a massive impact by promoting ethical business practice & behavior.
Reduce our thirst for Oil – despite most of the Western world being in recession (or near) the price of Oil remains stubbornly around $100 a barrel. There are a number of factors at work here but there is little doubt we have reached “peak oil” where future supplies will gradually decline and the price rise. We need to break the cycle by urgently seeking alternative energy sources AND reducing consumption. The Automotive industry has made great strides in recent years but nowhere near enough. Much more Innovation is needed in this area.

A flatter playing field – whilst workers real wages & salaries have reduced year after year the income of Senior Management & Board members has continued to rise. The gap between rich & poor gets larger every year. This defies rational thought. It is up to us to change things by greater political action, workers representatives on company boards, greater shareholder influence on remuneration committees etc etc. There is NOTHING inevitable about allowing this obscene poverty gap to continue increasing.

So there are some of our wishes for 2013. Whether they come true is up to me and you. All the best.
chris@projectsguru.co.uk

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Is Intellectual Property killing #innovation

Posted on August 22, 2012 by admin

You only have to follow the News to find out who’s suing who in the Intellectual Property wars, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Nokia – they’re all at it – but is the whole intellectual property industry an anachronism of the past ?

Most technical innovation takes place at such a rapid pace, & product life-cycles are so short, by the time the dispute get’s to Court the product is obsolete.

Geography also plays its part with some countries immune to International legislation.

There is also a strong argument that resources currently deployed pursuing & defending IPR could be better & more effectively deployed in innovation itself.

What do you think ?

chris@projectsguru.co.uk

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Diamond geezer #business

Posted on July 3, 2012 by admin

The news today that Barclays CEO Bob Diamond has resigned has been greeted in many areas with unbridled euphoria. Those who blame “greedy bankers” for the current crisis are rubbing their hands in glee.

They may, however, be missing the point. All the talk about a culture of greed and lax morals is no more than politicians & moralist’s hot air.

If you put the kids in charge of the sweet shop then pull the blinds down and let them get on with it it’s not much of a surprise when you return much later all the sweets are gone & the shop is in disarray.

The current legislative framework is a result of persistent deregulation since the early 1980′s presided over by Labour & Tory and is the root cause of the Banking Crisis.

The system is broken & needs to be fixed.

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Unemployment – #Innovation is the answer #pmot

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

In the U.K today we slumped to another level of misery with unemployment hitting 2.57 million, the highest for 17 years. What a tragedy especially for our youth with levels above 21% for 16 – 24 year olds.

So what’s the answer – there is no magic solution to the world economic crises but how about some of the following:-

less focus on “the markets”, our repeated emphasis on stock indices performance has led to short terminism in the extreme.
Stop bailing out failing financial institutions. Trillions of pounds of taxpayers money on both sides of the Atlantic has been thrown away propping up banks which have made disastrous risky investments at our expense.
Using the money saved from the above embark on a major series of public works, transport, housing, digital technology and green energy solutions should be at the forefront.
Set up a state bank to invest in small businesses. Small Businesses employ around 60% of the private sector workforce & are desperate for funds to enable growth.
Set up more Technology parks. Cambridge is a fantastic example of how successful this strategy has been over the last 20 years.
Encourage start-ups in the North by offering financial incentives to do so. Far too much of our industry is currently situated in the overcrowded South East. There is a wealth of untapped talent in the North which is currently going to waste & plenty brownfield sites to build on. The developments at Salford Quays including Media City is a great example of what can be done when there is a will to do it.

These are just some ideas how we can stimulate the economy by investing in Innovation & Technology instead of continuing to bail out banks pouring more valuable resources down the drain.
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1o ways to invigorate teamworking #pmot #in

Posted on December 18, 2010 by admin

Most people involved in New Product Development agree that best results are obtained when people work effectively in teams so here are 10 guaranteed ways to improve teamworking:-

1) Locate the team together in the same room. – If people sit together they work together. It is essential that the primary form of communication is face to face. There should be some allowance for privacy but any cubicle walls should be below head level.

2) Locate the Project Manager in the same room – As the Project Manager there may be a tendency to remain distant or aloof from the team. This is counterproductive and wrong. The Project Manager should be located in the same room as the team. If She has her own office the door should be left open to allow ready access. If She sits with the team there should be a private office available for personal discussion.

3) Hold regular team meetings – although there may be some resistance to this (too much work etc) it is essential that the team meet at least once a week to discuss project status.

4) Issue meeting minutes – It helps communication if everyone knows exactly what is expected of them following the team meeting. The minutes also act as a good crib for next weeks meeting.

5) Promote a democratic culture – environments where people feel free to speak their minds openly and honestly lead to faster problem solving and decision making.

6) Promote team activities – 5 a side football or similar activities are great if everyone is fit and active but be careful to choose something EVERYONE can take part in otherwise you will alienate some team members and defeat the purpose. I have always found bowling to be a great choice which just about everyone can do.

7) Eliminate the Blame Culture – resist every opportunity to blame others and take responsibility for your own decisions. Blame Cultures are endemic in some organizations and will take time to be eradicated but the changes in performance will be immeasurable.

8) Listen twice as much as you talk – we all know the old saying about empty vessels making the most noise and no where is this more true than in Project Management. Try really listening to people and see their reaction.

9) Put the Structure in place – whether its based on PRINCE2, Project Management Institutes PMBOK or some alternative combination, Teams are more effective when they no what the rules are.

10) Keep a sense of humour – as the Project Manager nothing upsets or disorients the Team more than a panicky Manager. Keep a sense of perspective, enjoy the fun bits and lead by example.

chris@projectsguru.co.uk

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Education is wasted on the poor…..

Posted on October 13, 2010 by admin

School for Poor children

That’s the only conclusion to be drawn following Lord Browne’s review of University Education funding and the recommendation to remove the cap on Universitie’s tuition fees.

This is a fundamental change to the system which erodes any ideals of meritocracy – the philosophy that status should be based upon achievement regardless of class or background.

Once the cap is removed it is inevitable that the “best” Universities like Oxford and Cambridge will raise their fees considerably making them even less attractive to those from poorer backgrounds.

Of course this will not deter the rich who will pay anything to extend their priveledge. The result will be an increasing slope to the educational “playing field” where the poor can only afford to go to the cheapest (& inevitably) worst Universities.

This will also lead to a decline in the academic status of the top Universities as they “dumb down” their entrance criteria to attract the less academically able rich.

The education & background of the main proponents of the change to University funding is worth emphasising:-

David was Privately educated at Eton

David Cameron is the son of a Stockbroker and was privately educated at Eton.

Fees at Eton were £28,851 p.a (2009-10)

David went on to Oxford University.

Nick was Privately educated at Westminster School

Nick Clegg is the Son of the Chairman of the United Trust bank.

Nick was Privately educated at Westminster School and went on to Robinson College Cambridge.

Fees at Westminster School are £28,344 p.a (2009 – 10)

Lord Browne was Privately educated at Kings School, ELy

Lord Browne is the Son of a British Army Officer.

Lord Browne was Privately educated at Kings School Ely.

Fees are £21,510 p.a (2007-8)

Lord Browne went on to St John’s College Cambridge.

In Great Britain today the vast majority of Private, Independent Schools enjoy Charitable Status. Effectively this means the education of the privilidged rich is being subsidised by the British Tax payer to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Consequently we must conclude that Education is wasted on the Poor.

chris@projectsguru.co.uk

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Stop trade with China Now ?

Posted on October 8, 2010 by admin

Today’s news that the Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo has been awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Price for his peaceful resistance to Chinese oppresion and work for Human rights has raised the heat on the debate – “Should we stop trade with China now ?”

Most people are aware that the vast majority of Western companies outsource manufacturing operations to China for cost reasons and perhaps it is time we began to seriously question this strategy. Have a look at any company’s website and you will find a description of the company’s environmental policy but you will be hard pressed to find any information about the company’s attitude towards democracy or human rights. If we are so concerned about Global Warming and it’s impact on the planet perhaps we should also be paying more attention to which regimes we do business with.

Of course the opposite argument is that by doing business with China we are helping to raise living standards which will inevitably lead to greater pressure for democracy and human rights.

However it would be nice to know that the debate had at least taken place and to see some kind of clear policy on company websites regarding human rights policy.

What do you think ?

Join the debate on Twitter now @projectsguru

chris@projectsguru.co.uk

www.projectsguru.co.uk

Ed – tell us what you will do for manufacturing ?

Posted on September 26, 2010 by admin

Now that Ed Miliband has being elected Leader of the Labour Party perhaps we should expect some real policies to revive the U.K manufacturing industry. Ed has mentioned “broadening the industrial base” but there is precious little on the official Labour Party website to illustrate what this means.

The last Labour Government presided over the biggest decline in manufacturing industry EVER ! from 28% GDP in 1996 to a pathetic 10% in 2010.

“So what ?” you may ask.

Well, manufacturing is important for the following reasons:-

1) Jobs tend to be higher paid than those in administrative rolls.

2) Every job in manufacturing creates 10 others in the Supply Chain.

3) Products manufactured in the U.K generate important foreign income and reduce the trade deficit.

4) Making things generates a sense of self worth and pride.

5) Manufacturing provides valuable Tax revenue.

If we seriously want to reduce the current account deficit and claw our way out of recession we need some real policies to revive the manufacturing sector based on new product development and innovation.

So Ed – tell us what you will do for manufacturing ?

chris@projectsguru.co.uk

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1o ways to invigorate teamworking #pmot #in

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