Nigel Hurst on Risk Management in Projects

The benefits of risk management in projects are huge. You can save a lot of money and avoid unnecessary delays if you deal with uncertainty in projects in a proactive manner. The result will be that you minimise the impact of project threats and seize the opportunities that occur, allowing you to deliver your project… Continue reading Nigel Hurst on Risk Management in Projects

Yoel Siegel on how to Initiate Development Projects

Today I had the pleasure of watching Dr. Yoel Siegel explain how to initiate urban development projects. I filmed the presentation and it is available to watch here below in a six minutes video. Dr. Siegel is working with project promotion and facilitation in Community and Regional Development, linking social dynamics with urban/rural economic advancement.… Continue reading Yoel Siegel on how to Initiate Development Projects

The (Dark) Art of Procurement

Procurement is a necessary process that involves an organisation acquiring services from an external source, in a structured and accountable way. Limited or open procurement is a common method for obtaining consultancy or other services throughout the world. When a tendering process is initiated it should allow a fair and confidential opportunity for bidders to… Continue reading The (Dark) Art of Procurement

The Importance of the Summer Holiday

With the “better” summer weather upon us here in Europe our thoughts at this time of the year turn to the holidays. Europeans are very lucky compared to many in the world as we tend to take 2-3 weeks holiday, usually over the summer period. Others cultures view this long period of low productivity and… Continue reading The Importance of the Summer Holiday

Public consultation on EU Urban Agenda and the Integrated Territorial Investment platform

Public consultation is a regulatory process by which the public’s input on matters affecting them is sought. Now a new EU public consultation has been announced, that ought to help all great cities of the European Union in preparing the necessary Integrated Territorial Investment platform. Following the news from a few days ago that the… Continue reading Public consultation on EU Urban Agenda and the Integrated Territorial Investment platform

New French trains are “too large”

A news article caught my eye this morning which demonstrates how easily a project can go badly wrong, and the financial consequences of rectifying the problem. France’s national railway operator SNCF recently ordered 2,000 new TER (Trains Express Regionaux) trains from Alstom and Bombardier, as part of a £2.43bn national upgrade. Responding to customer demands… Continue reading New French trains are “too large”

Why I could never work for Lego

Like so many people, I’ve loved playing with Lego ever since I was young. Even today I still love opening the colourful box, tipping out the bags of brightly coloured pieces and then following the instructions wondering how this new Lego creation will come together. Lego’s greatest business turnaround from near bankruptcy to market leader… Continue reading Why I could never work for Lego

EBN TECH CAMP 2013

On the 4th to 6th December 2013, the Bearing team attended the successful EBN (European Business Network) Tech Camp 2013 event in Rovereto, northern Italy. The three day event was organised by EBN for Business & Innovation Centres, Incubators, Accelerators and similar organisations whose clients are new or early-stage companies growing innovative businesses. Providing innovation… Continue reading EBN TECH CAMP 2013

High Speed 2: Controversy on the rails

High Speed 2 (HS2), the controversial planned high speed railway which will link London, Birmingham and the north west of England has taken a major step forward this week as Members of Parliament have approved legislation allowing funding for the next stage. Phase 1 of HS2 will run from London to Birmingham, with a small… Continue reading High Speed 2: Controversy on the rails

Great Planning Disasters

Adventure is just bad planning – Roald Amundsen In most of Europe, today is a cold mid winter day, which is a perfect setting for staying indoors and engaging in some tranquil reflection and thought. In this blog post, we examine the nature of public planning disasters, taking off with a recent example from Berlin´s… Continue reading Great Planning Disasters