Stream of Consciousness
Technology’s lie
Easy to use technology requires significant investment. This is less and less understood, but we should become more aware of it.
Latest
Stream of Consciousness
How governments can (and why they should) ensure right use of taxes
I don’t like paying taxes I have a confession to make: I don’t really like paying taxes. And I’m certain I’m not the only one. Each month, when my pay check arrives, I notice the difference between my gross and net salary. Living in Belgium, known
Stream of Consciousness
“Can” versus “Should”
I’m sure you’ve heard this question before, in both personal and professional contexts: “Can you do this?” And the answer, most of the time, is obvious. It is a question as to capability (“Do you have the skills to do this?”) and capacity (“Do you have the time
Stream of Consciousness
Presentable - “Designing the Space you work in”
A quick note on an excellent podcast show I recently discovered: Presentable. Episode 32 covered a conversation with Sarah B. Nelson, Program Architect at IBM, about the spaces we work in and how they influence creativity. If you are interested in this kind of thing, this was an interesting almost
Quality of Life
What is Quality of Life really all about?
It’s a hot topic, quality of life. One of my last posts was about the recent Quality of Life conference Sodexo held in London. You can read that blog post here. But what is Quality of Life? I’m again referring to the website of my current employer, Sodexo:
Quality of Life
On Rework
I’m quite impressed by the contents of the reboot of the Rework podcast. The last two podcasts focused heavily on business, ethics and the obligations of businesses to take a stand, even if it is an uncomfortable one. By the way, you just may want to listen to the
human resources
Slash and the Quality of Life challenge
This week, Sodexo organised its Quality of Life conference. The conference addresses one of the key challenges for future HR functions. How do you address the new type of knowledge worker as to their Quality of Life needs. Meeting a new slash I had a wonderful conversation with a new
iPad only
Going iPad only
My specific “computer” needs make my case an excellent case for iPad only use. Which is exactly how I’ve been working on my ageing iPad Mini for the past couple of weeks. It works but could need a power boost, which is why I’m looking at the iPad
strategy
China’s cashless society
In one of the most interesting episodes of the Masters of Scale podcast by Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn’s co-founder - the question asked and answered is “Where will the next Silicon Valley be?” Hoffman goes on to answer that Silicon Valley can occur wherever the conditions are right (nice political
politics
What matters about taxes
As Belgians, we “enjoy” a significant level of taxation. And while I, as anyone, would like to pay as little taxes as possible, it is not the level of taxation which vexes me, but the often ineffective and inefficient way in which taxes are being used. In other words, I
link list
Excellent Rands’ article on rumors in organisations
If you want to read one good article today, read this one … Rands in Repose’s in-depth look at rumors in organisations, “How to build a rumour.” Why? Well, if you write this: Scary but true rule: As a leader, at any given point during your tenure, 30% of
burden reduction
Trust, but verify
Ronald Reagan and the Belgian law dealing with subsidy conditions Ronald Reagan used this old Russian proverb (“Doveryai, no proveryai”) when referring to his relationship with the Russians in the context of the nuclear disarmament in the 1980’s. In essence, the proverb refers to the understanding that any agreement