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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
05 Jan 2018 - 10:49

null The almost human manager

  In 1970 when studying the effects of the appearance of robots , the Japanese robotics professor   Masahiro Mori discovered something strange was going on . The more human a robot looked the more people demonstrated empathy towards it up to a certain point at which they felt a strong revulsion. When the robot was almost human people found it most disturbing. This was because... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
03 Jan 2018 - 23:30

null Top tips on the transition from practitioner to manager

    How to decide what to delegate and what to do yourself. How to make your team members feel valued. How to allocate work . How to prioritise. How to retain your professional values whilst owning senior management decisions. How to keep your team members motivated. How to develop team members . How to manage an underperforming member of the team . How to make the best use... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
26 Dec 2017 - 11:43

null Show a little respect

  So shouted Jose Mourinho  as the opposition celebrated their victory a little too loudly for his liking. Aretha  Franklin spelt it out R E S P E C T . Do we mean deference to age, our betters or those who have don it, what ever "it" is. It is frequently demanded but it can only be earned. The speaker  acts offended but is their indignation because they feel... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 Dec 2017 - 12:33

null Management cancels Christmas 

  The new chief executive,  is determined to turn things round. The senior managers Christmas meal was an early casualty of the new regime. "We have nothing to celebrate and it would send out the wrong message to the public if senior managers were seen to be partying when the organisation has so much to put right". "When we improve performance and get the budget back... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Dec 2017 - 08:33

null Simple things interview panels get wrong

        As an experienced recruiter and frequent chair of recruitment panels I am surprised there are not a lot more formal recruitment complaints from both internal and external candidates. From my experience panels are often inadequately prepared, don't allow sufficient time, think HR procedures are overly bureaucratic and so don't bother to make or... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
30 Nov 2017 - 22:53

null Too nice to succeed

The claim that nice mangers can't deliver in a period of prolonged austerity is an insidious one in local government. There are no shortage of examples to contradict this but the debate is pointless because managers can't help but be the way they are. If yours is not a relentlessly aggressive style them trying to make it so will be at the cost of the finesse which is so admired by... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
28 Nov 2017 - 12:31

null A brief history of management bullshit

For decades LAs had enjoyed a virtual monopoly on local public services. Then the PM of the day announced that the public didn't care who provided their services as long as they represent value for money. Soon LA's would be facing tough competition from the private sector. Management teams across the country did what management teams do, restructured, downsized and outsourced. But for... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Nov 2017 - 15:21

null Back when social work rocked

Back when social work Rocked Don't laughter but when I became a social worker it was seen as a Rock and Roll profession. Righting wrongs, fighting injustice, challenging the system, speaking up for people. We took on the housing department, the benefits agency and the juvenile court. Whether in court or in the head teacher's office we argued for a second ( or third) chance. When the... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Nov 2017 - 15:11

null Has grandad got a drink problem?

   Has grandad  got a drink problem?   The baby boomer generation has a drink problem according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr Tony Rao chair of the substance misuse in older people working group said that ," The latest (ONS) statistics are a wake-up call to the rising problem of alcohol misuse in a generation of baby boomers".  Excessive... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 Nov 2017 - 18:59

null How to abolish complaints

Always keen to take ideas from the world of commerce and business and apply them to local government I was interested to experience how a modern high tech company deals with customer complaints. The first step is don't deal direct. Your complaint isn't with us it's with your provider. There is an obvious parallel here with adult social services. Your complaint about your home help... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 Nov 2017 - 14:35

null A clash of cultures 

          In recent times it has become increasingly common for new leaders of LA's to have a business background. This is seen by many and by the leaders themselves as just what local councils need in a period of prolonged austerity, people who know how to keep costs down and maximise efficiency. But running a LA like a business can bring a leader... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
03 Nov 2017 - 16:32

null Just to make it more interesting

  Can you trust your colleagues let alone partner organisations or those you are contracting with? Why don't people stick to agreements, why do they put short term benefit before greater long term gain?   Three teams of senior managers. Each round of negotiations a team picks red or blue. They meet with the other teams to agree which colour they intend to submit. If both teams... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
27 Oct 2017 - 13:11

null "You can leave the office now"

Am I being sacked? Am I being given permission to leave early? Am I being told the protesters have left? Has the hostage situation come to peaceful end. Was the bomb alert a false alarm? Is this my boss speaking or a disgruntled colleague who has to work late?  I am being marched out, ushered out, shepherded out, helped out,  walking out or coming out either way  I am... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
24 Oct 2017 - 18:54

null Dog lovers will understand

  To a dog we must seem immortal. During your average dogs life time you hardly age at all. Fifteen is a good age for a dog. If you have a dog you will have known the joy of the companionship they bring and the sadness as old age over takes them. You can't replace your dog, each is unique ,but you can get another one and most dog lovers do.  In fact throughout your life you can... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
23 Oct 2017 - 12:20

null Are you cut out to be a senior manager

So you think you have what it takes to be a senior manager in local government.  Here are six questions for any wannabe senior manager. Just select the answers which most closely reflect your views and then check out the verdict. ( Tip try not to answer D)  Can you live with the very real prospect that a decision you made or didn't make, or something you didn't know... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Oct 2017 - 17:56

null Stranded on Mars

Your Mars rover breaks down, your only hope of getting back to the safety of base is to walk. The group must decide which items to take with them for this perilous journey, they can only take what they can carry and the more they carry the quicker they will use up their oxygen supply. The shortest route back to base is over most difficult and dangerous terrain and would involve carrying heavy... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
21 Sep 2017 - 09:57

null Managers Interview questions and answers

  How confident would you be If at your next job interview you knew the questions before they were asked?  Even better what if you had the answers. Working out what the questions will be is not that difficult once you understand the process every interview panel uses. Knowing the questions is not the same as knowing the answers but with a little effort in advance you can come up with... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 Sep 2017 - 14:28

null I asked for an armchair and they gave me a lamp shade

You successful make the case for additional resources but instead of the much needed arm chair the board gives you a decorative lamp shade. We are not talking about giving a new look to your old office but one chief executive's description of  how the board dealt with the need to invest in new services as well as make  deep cuts.    You make the business case for... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Sep 2017 - 17:42

null The bigger the job the fewer the requirements

  Adverts for top jobs in the public sector stipulate very few requirements. Unlike the long list of essential requirements (skills,knowledge and experience) you find in average recruitment pack for a middle management post. Typically a senior manager is required to demonstrate experience of  working in a complex organisation managing a large budget and large staff group ... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 Sep 2017 - 11:04

null Can the public ever learn to love social workers?

In books, films ,TV soaps and dramas there are inspirational teachers. Sure there are bad teachers and lazy teachers, well meaning but ineffective teachers but there are also passionate, dedicated and inspirational teachers. Social work also has passionate, dedicated and inspirational professionals, just not on tv. Nurses on tv are skilful, caring, professionals who get to know their patients... See more
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