I've been hearing increasing numbers of social media friends talking on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter about getting back to the normality of travelling again for business. Most of the comments I've seen are by friends who haven't travelled since 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the commenters speak of their apprehension at travelling again, venturing literally into the unknown. Others worry about ongoing exposure to infection risks. And others speak of the challenges at this time, … [Read more...] about Travel in a time of Covid-19
coronavirus
The Internet and a brighter future
Most people would agree that what we have experienced over the past 12 months has changed - in a lasting manner - the ways in which we share information and communicate with each other, whether for business or for pleasure. Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated far-reaching change in ways that no one could accurately have predicted in 2019. Communications technology and the Internet are central to all of this and are at the heart of discussion I had in late January with Paul … [Read more...] about The Internet and a brighter future
SDF 43: The wearing away of trust
In the first episode in 2021 of our monthly Small Data Forum podcast, Thomas, Sam, and I discussed the big picture of Trump and what's next for him, Joe Biden and America post-Trump, and in the context of our predictions in episode 42 in December. Those predictions weren't that shabby, as it turns out. We considered what social media is: platform, publisher, or leech, which provoked some lively and trenchant opinion. We pondered the consequences and outcomes of the Capitol riots or … [Read more...] about SDF 43: The wearing away of trust
FIR 198: Is #WFH the post-pandemic future?
What coronavirus will do to our offices and homes post-pandemic is a question that prompts multiple answers on a daily basis. If there are ten questions, you'll find ten different answers. About the only thing that's consistently equal in opinion is that there will be change and it will be profound. It's a big topic that exercised Shel and I in the August 2020 episode of The Hobson and Holtz Report aka FIR 198. We anchored the discussion with a broad-brush picture painted by the BBC that … [Read more...] about FIR 198: Is #WFH the post-pandemic future?
Boris Johnson’s self-isolating kerfuffle
Yesterday evening, I watched Boris Johnson deliver the daily coronavirus briefing from No 10, with questions from the media entirely devoted to the Dominic Cummings kerfuffle (view on that from the Guardian and the Telegraph). If Boris had thought that his measly statement about it would have been enough so he could move on, he was sorely mistaken. In essence, he robustly defended his advisor saying he had spoken to him at length and was satisfied that his actions in driving over 250 miles to … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson’s self-isolating kerfuffle
FIR 195: UN call to educate, uplift and inspire the world
In the last few episodes of For Immediate Release: The Hobson & Holtz Report, we've been highlighting great examples of how organisations are engaging with employees, customers and other stakeholder groups during this time of coronavirus lockdown. In this episode 195 for May that Shel and I recorded a week ago, the example of what the United Nations is doing captured our imaginations leading to a great discussion. In a global call to action at the end of April, the UN asked for help in … [Read more...] about FIR 195: UN call to educate, uplift and inspire the world
FIR ZoomChat 8: Evil Fictitious Corporations
The eighth weekly Zoom conversation with FIR hosts and listeners covered a lot of ground, including a look at Phil Gomes’ collection of mugs featuring the logos of evil corporations from movies. Not to worry, there was lots of communication-focused conversation, too. Watch Now You can also listen to or download the MP3 audio file. Join us on Thursday May 21 at 1pm EDT / 6pm UK time for the next episode of FIR Zoom Chat. You’ll need the specific Zoom URL for this meeting: contact … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 8: Evil Fictitious Corporations
FIR ZoomChat 7: Conference Ribbons
The seventh weekly Zoom Chat featuring listeners and FIR co-hosts Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz in conversation took place last Thursday. As with each of these informal chats, we do them live via Zoom, recording each one as we go. The recording is published after the live conversation usually within a few days of the event or, as is the case with this episode, quite a few days later. Whether sooner or later, we hope you enjoy these unstructured, unfiltered, authentic conversations. You get … [Read more...] about FIR ZoomChat 7: Conference Ribbons