The Training Zone
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Fools Rush In
Many industrial disputes can be compared to “set pieces” in sport. A well-rehearsed sequence of events is played our, usually resulting in a resolution where both sides can claim some sort of victory. But just like sport, a set piece can be spiced up with the unexpected. And so it was at the end of last…
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Admit It – You Got It Wrong
You can hear it in your head. The harmonica and accordion sadly serenading the sense of failure. The haunting reverberated voice, hitting a falsetto note in the final verse : “What do I got to do? What do I got to do? When sorry seems to be the hardest word.” It’s a classic. At least…
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Cut The Crap
Greg Dyke was a fascinating character, and in my opinion, one of the best bosses I ever worked for. He did many things as Director General of the BBC. But I didn’t think that nearly a decade on from one of his infamous initiatives, I’d be using it to open a blog. For a start, there were…
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Money Talks
It’s often said that it’s vulgar to talk about money. Although those saying that are usually among the chattering classes who have more money than sense. But a few seconds of radio this past week made me quickly want to go and check on my bank balance, since I’m clearly being paid too much. BBC…
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A Matter of Trust
In all of the fallout from the BBC’s Delivering Quality First programme, a lot of focus has been placed on BBC Local Radio. And rightly so, in my opinion. Much is said of the fact that is costs some £143m a year to run – far more than some of the BBC’s networks. But, of…
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What’s The Alternative?
It’s not very often that the words “Jon Gaunt” and “common sense” are mentioned in the same breath. Seriously, the man’s credibility as a broadcaster has been called into question in recent years. And that’s putting it mildly. The shock jock has shocked so much that he can’t get a job these days. Yet in…
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Mutiny On The Auntie
I should start this installation of my blog by stating that these are my own views and not necessarily those of the BBC. Or are they? Earlier this week I wrote about the importance of “grass roots” campaigning if the BBC’s proposed cuts to Local Radio are to be reversed, or at least limited. I…
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Delivering Confusion First?
So – it’s a week or so since the BBC announced its programme of cuts, ambitiously entitled Delivering Quality First. And perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the exercise – which will see 2000 staff lose their jobs – is that nobody appear to be “up in arms”. At least for now. That may change…
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Leaner, Fitter…. Better?
The sky didn’t quite fall in. The world didn’t quite end. But yesterday in my BBC office there was a sombre mood as we learned the harsh reality of how the cuts will affect us. Although the phrase I heard most often was “it could have been a lot worse”. That’s going to ring a…
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D-Day For Local Radio
Tomorrow’s a big day for BBC staff. We’ll find out the results of the long awaited DQF programme. DQF stands for Delivering Quality First, but likes its predecessor “Creative Futures” it actually stands for cuts. And some of the biggest the BBC has ever seen. The Corporation is looking to save 16% over the next four years,…
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