The Missing Link

Lay everything bare. That's the way in 2008. Kyle, Katona, Price, Brand, Ross and a homogeneous cast of thousands have all become dramatis personae in the spouting of the trivial and the dysfunctional. There is a time for diplomacy and a time for tact. That time is 4.54pm as I compose this blog entry. The organisation I am about to direct a tirade at shall remain nameless. I would say they know who they are, but I fear they don't. I come away with the distinct impression that not only does their right hand not know what their left hand is doing, the left hand believes its opposite number never existed in the first place. As a business, we have spent the best part of a year meeting various figureheads from this organisation and asking who it would be best to speak to given our line of work and how it will enhance theirs beyond question. Usually it's a "drop me an email and I'll point you in the right direction". Then the email only returns after 2 prompts over a 2 to 3 week period and even then it usually results in the same thing.Nada. Sometimes you'll get a name and a direct number. But they tend to be the wrong person too. It's a shambles. From top to bottom. Side to side. Would you be surprised if I told you public money pays for this organisation? Thought not.

Wise and Morecambe

Is it possible to do a disservice to a town in Lancashire? On the evidence of this morning, the answer is an unequivocal "yes". Think of Morecambe and the collective conscious turns to the statue of Eric and at a push, potted shrimp. At least the latter is true for ardent acolytes of seafood kingpin Rick Stein. I'd just consumed another not so full English ( didn't fancy the fried egg ) when my Morecambe ignorance thwacked me square between the eyes. Inside Ex, organised by the enterprising Price dynasty is the B2B exhibition arm of Inside Business, a suitably prosaic periodical. They get business talking, pressing the flesh and on occasion, paddling palms and pinching fingers. Their guest speaker at today's breakfast event was Red or Dead pioneer, eco campaigner and housing visionary Wayne Hemingway. And of course, son of Morecambe. For someone so steeped in the London firmament, Wayne retains his gritty Northern candour. It's apparent that he tones down nothing for the politicians and the assorted groups that consult with him. Being brave and never minding his P's and Q's has been the making of Wayne Hemingway. Morecambe is proud.