June 23rd, 2009

Now even those of you who are as interested in politics as the contents under your sink can’t have failed to notice the drama around British politics.  Firstly the action in inaction of people not turning up to vote due to complete disgust over the expenses and the worrying tendencies of those who did – two seats to the BNP says it all (although my personal favourite was a UKIP voter who voted BNP as he couldn’t unfold the ballot paper properly).  Then terminator Gordon Brown, is there nothing this man can’t survive?!  However I am standing firmly on the side of the positive on this one.  James Purnell fantastic resignation, and the recent vote into the Commons for the new speaker with all candidates giving speeches and a blind vote are great indications of an about face to the actual electorate.  Whilst the more cyncial would point to Speaker Bercow’s appointment as a spite from Labour, there can be no denying the strong possibility of change he offers.  Right now is a exciting time for change in British politcs and I’d urge even the uber apathetic to get involved and get informed.

Source: Newsnight, The Times

June 4th, 2009

Calmer horizons?

Blueskies recruitment, this week released the results of a poll, suggesting that expectations for marketing agencies are looking up. Although by their own admission the poll was only intended as a snapshot, rather than a rigorous study, it does seem to echo (at least in the anecdotal experience of this writer) a cautiously improving optimism amongst agencies compared to the beginning of the year.

They found that some 47% were feeling more positive against the 44% who were feeling less positive than they were at the start of 2009. 

There are two reasons this cheers us up. Firstly – and there’s an interest to be declared here – for those who work in agencies, it’s just plain good to hear. More altruistically, it can herald a wave of increased marketing activity, many of the results of which will have a positive impact upon businesses, and then confidence generally.

Blue skies ahead all around? Signs of hope, at least.

confidence, marketing agencies, positive impact

June 2nd, 2009

There’s nothing like some perspective to pull people out of their introverted,  stressed out world.  Recent evidence suggests that our moral compasses have gone haywire due to an overload of information and that we are increasingly choosing to participate in black and white judgment calls, a la “Britain’s Got Talent” as that’s all we can process.  However I’d argue that it’s a question of what we make ourselves look at; whilst I’m not above the “tune out” factor when needed, maybe sometimes we need to look elsewhere for the tune out.  There has been a recent spate of interest again in the Hubble telescope and the images being relased by it; the sheer expanse and wonder of the images are the sort of tune out needed and highlight the issue of choice.   Much as the direction needed for optimism, perspective and where we get it needs to be driven by a choice from what we have available and being brave enough to tune out in a more positive way.

Source: The Times , Hubble