Blog
Why social media and PR matters
I have long shared Neville Hobson's philosophy about social media and PR. In this video, he explains how nobody controls the message, that there is no one-way of using social media within an organisation as it depends very much on its culture, but that honesty,...
Preparing for the empty nest
This time tomorrow my life will have changed for ever. We are taking our youngest son James to university - and he can't get there quick enough, eager to experience student life, especially with Freshers' Week and all its parties. I am immensely thankful that James is...
Why are we behind the Koreans with QR shopping codes?
As an enthusiast of QR codes, I wonder why we are behind the Koreans who have embraced this technology for supermarket shopping. Hat tip to the erudite Winchester Whisperer for alerting me to this: The Korean company, Homeplus, has taken shopping to a new level by...
How our special educational needs provision could be transformed
There are 1.7 million children in England with special educational needs, ranging from dyslexia and Down's syndrome, to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity. The way their needs are met is currently under review by the government. And not a moment too soon. Next...
My moonlight walk for charity
In one mad impulsive moment I put my name forward to join the Cancer Research UK charity Shine walk through London on 1st October. I have entered the half-marathon, so 13 miles of pavement plodding - but for a great cause, and I will be in great company too having...
Could Westminster’s working hours modernise from today?
Joan Ruddock MP will today lobby her colleagues for a change of working hours in the House. It's quite a modest request really: she suggests close of day at 6 or 7pm midweek for business in the House, enabling MPs to get back to their young children in time to read...
Abcodia’s serum biobank
Here is my latest video showing Abcodia's biobank, and explaining how its serum collection can for used in the research and development of molecular diagnostics. Abcodia’s CEO Dr Julie Barnes and Prof Ian Jacobs , non-executive director with Abcodia and the lead...
Twinings – bring back the old Earl Grey
I have just joined a new Facebook group urging Twinings to ditch its new wishy washy Earl Grey tea and reinstate its original aromatic recipe loved my millions around the world. The new version is weak and tasteless, like perfumed dishwater. It lacks substance and...
Howard Jacobson and bloggers
I am flattered to have my blog praised on the new Dale & Co political website run by Iain Dale. A post written by guest writer Martin Thompson questioned the scathing attack on bloggers made by the 2010 Man Booker prize winner Howard Jacobson. This is what Mark...