Views, observations and advice from Kevin Duncan

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP MAY 18 2012

May18
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

It’s the 20th Anniversary of text messaging – 4 billion now do it.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

Is it Nokia’s last stand? Many think so.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Is 3D printing the key to Utopia? You can now print prototypes with working parts with a Makerbot.

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

I have finished reading The Growth Drivers, by Bird & McEwan.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“He has a firm grasp of the obvious.”

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Inchoate: just beginning

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7. BEST MUSIC MOMENT

Off to see Justin Currie, former Del Amitri front man, tonight at the Union Chapel, voted London’s best music venue by Time Out readers.

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

8. BEST OVERSEAS TRAVEL IDEA

Looking forward to a short break to Dubrovnik in Croatia. May also visit Bosnia and Montenegro. Interesting.

To see my write-ups on 50+ countries, go to: http://kevinduncan.typepad.com/sod_it_im_off/

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit, Music, Travel

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP MAY 4 2012

May04
2012 2 Comments Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

Has the internet run out of ideas already? I love the idea, even if the internet isn’t an entity.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

Watch real time statistics about population and expenditure changing right in front of your eyes at Worldometers.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Sometimes you have to do it the old-fashioned way. Residents in Northumbria have been digging their own broadband trench.

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK

I have finished reading Drinking From The Fire Hose by Frank and Magnone.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“Where are the off ramps and on ramps on the path to purchase?”

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Propinquity: nearness in place or time

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7.     BEST MUSIC MOMENT

The Tedeschi Trucks Band album Revelator is brilliant.

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

8.    BEST OVERSEAS TRAVEL IDEA OR WORLD ISSUE

Just planning a short break to Dubrovnik in Croatia. The girl in the bank had never heard of it. I said it’s east of Italy. She had never heard of Italy either.

To see my write-ups on 50+ countries, go to: http://kevinduncan.typepad.com/sod_it_im_off/

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit, Music, Travel

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP APRIL 30

Apr30
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

Laser attacks on planes – over 2,000 of them.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

Censoring tweets causes outrage.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/company/expert-advice/products

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Descriptive camera describes the scene you point it at…

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

I have finished reading More Time To Think by Nancy Kline.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“I pride myself on being a Marketing Gnu.” Great typos of our time…

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Eerie: ghostly or disturbing

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit, General

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP

Apr13
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

UK ‘exporting surveillance technology to repressive nations.’ Well done.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

US senators seek employer Facebook snooping probe.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/company/expert-advice/products

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Artificial Intelligence robots: how machine intelligence is evolving.

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

I have finished reading Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“I broke the internet.” Courtesy of my mate Ed’s Mum.

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Phalanges: the bones of the fingers or toes

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7.     BEST MUSIC MOMENT

Dr. John’s latest album, Locked Down.

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit, General, Music

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP APRIL 5

Apr05
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

For me, my daughter Rosie winning the Cannes Young Lions Media category with her mate Laura. An amazing performance from the awesome twosome. And here they are on hearing the news in the pub:

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

An article on why all our kids should be taught how to code. Interesting stuff.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/company/expert-advice/products

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

The Geochron clock that plots daylight on a moving world map in real time. Check it out – every boardroom should have one.

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

I am currently reading Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

A superb pay off line in an apologetic customer service letter:

“Thanks for your patients.”

And in one of my training sessions, one attendee remarked:

“This looks like a series of contiguous niches.”

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Fauxpiary: plastic stylized trees

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7.     BEST MUSIC MOMENT

Last night I saw old rockers UFO. Superb. I have now seen them 8 times – more than any other band. Sad, I know.

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit, General, Music

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP APRIL 1 2012

Apr01
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

Richard Branson wants to travel to the core of an active volcano with Virgin Volcanic. Real Jules Verne stuff.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

Check out http://prezi.com for a brilliant way to make presentations more interesting.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/company/expert-advice/products

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

External airbags on cars. So if you must get run over, make sure it’s by a Volvo.

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

I am currently reading Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“I’ve only got one word to say about that: forget it.”

This is too good. It’s similar to the classic: there are two chances of that happening – none and fuck all. But it’s arguably better, because ‘forget it’ isn’t one word – it’s two. So this person couldn’t be more inaccurate if they tried. The statement is also truly emphatic. By preceding the remark with ‘I’ve only got one word to say about that’, they leave themselves with nowhere to go. The tee-up suggests that it had better be a good single word. And of course it isn’t. Which proves both that this person is not very intelligent, and they can’t count.

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

Sales stats just in show that 7,500 have been downloaded since October.

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Ornery: bad-tempered, stubborn

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7. BEST MUSIC MOMENT

Tickets to see Ronnie Wood do a Chess label blues round-up in June have arrived. He’s bound to invite some famous mates…

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit, General, Music

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP MARCH 23 2012

Mar23
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

Orphaned baby owlets are adopted…

Research news: 17 years is the total average length of time Britons spend sitting on the sofa in a lifetime.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

More stupid job titles this week….

Hard on the heels of the Head of Freshness furore last week, more daft titles have been rolling in. Head of Excellence, Head of Realisation, and my favourite, Head of Sprinkles, which I am unreliably informed comes from a doughnut company.

The best annual award goes to Waxer of the Year. Crikey.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/company/expert-advice/products

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

The new Lytro camera. You can take a photo and then focus later, although it has been pointed out that people should really focus before they shoot – mentally that is.

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

Two this week: 23 Things They Don’t tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang.

Organizations Don’t Tweet by Euan Semple.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“This is a role-based, web-native, best-of-breed service.”

Hyphens can be brilliant, or disastrous, depending on how they are used. The current trend is abusive to hyphens, simply using them as a device to keep adding more and more descriptors to words, and extending sentences and phrases beyond their healthy length. The service here apparently has three qualities. It is role-based, web-native, and best-of-breed. Every word is joined by hyphens. Role-based seems self-evident – if something isn’t based on its role, then what is it based on? Web-native desperately clings to some form of primaeval quality to suggest that this service was an aboriginal forerunner of the world wide web. We all know that it almost certainly wasn’t. And best-of-breed sits alongside ‘ultimate’ and ‘world class’ as one of the worst examples of lies and overclaim that can afflict marketing language. This person is obviously obsessed with hyphens.

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Expunge: to delete, erase, blot out, obliterate

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7. BEST MUSIC MOMENT

I have just ordered tickets to see Ronnie Wood do a blues round-up in June. He’s bound to invite some famous mates.

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

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Posted in Animals, Books, Business, Business Bullshit

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP MARCH 16

Mar16
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

Why finish books? It’s a brilliant question. Most could be knocked off in a short essay, and some probably should never be written at all. Check out the article – and see if you finish it.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

I have been collecting stupid job titles this week. A media agency had a Head of Freshness, BT has a Head of Corporate Memory, and other gems sent to me include Chief Belief Officer, Minister of Fun, Head of Milk, Head of Proactivity, and Head of Noise.

And at Vitacress apparently there’s someone who is (or has?) a Head of Lettuce.

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com/company/expert-advice/products

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Augmented reality glasses could be here by Christmas…

For regular technological updates, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK

How To Manage by Jo Owen is a decent handbook that does what it says on the tin. Next up will be 23 Things They Don’t tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“I’ve got fifteen balls up in the air on this project and two of them are mine.”

A nasty business all round, this, and deeply hilarious. Hard-pressed managers in offices are forever bewailing the fact that they have too many things on the go at once. They variously describe this as plate spinning, juggling and a range of other multitasking pursuits. This character is probably juggling, although it’s possible that he has just hurled the balls in the air in no particular order. Anyway, there are fifteen of them, so there’s no way he can catch them all. But there’s an additional hitch, because two of them are his. Whether this means that he owns them and the other thirteen belong to someone else, or whether they are actually his testicles is up for debate. It sounds pretty painful to me.

This guy is undoubtedly overworked and if this goes wrong he will be fired unceremoniously.

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. WORD OF THE WEEK

Obscurantist: opposing reform or enlightenment

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

7. WILDLIFE SPECIAL

Here is Harry the Pelican in fine form in St. James’s Park. He certainly doesn’t need feeding.

8. GASTRONOMIC SPECIAL

Anyone fancy a nice glass of red?

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Posted in Animals, Books, Business, Business Bullshit

FLYING EAGLES

Mar13
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

This week’s blog features some shots from Friday’s eagle flying extravaganza, at Eagle Heights in Eynsford, Kent.

Sarah and I flew a range of birds – a hooded vulture, Steppes eagle, Fish eagle, White-Tailed eagle, and a Bateleur.

We also did some indoor work. First by trying to train a Striated Caracara from South America (not easy – it landed on both our heads), and then a tiny Burrowing Owl who was nervous about leaving her cage.

They have all sorts of other wildlife there – three Cheetah, 27 rescued Husky dogs, nesting Bald Eagles, and a random camel, among others.

While we were there, the animals kept arriving: an Arctic Fox in need of rehab, and four skunks, best enjoyed upwind.

A highly recommended day out…

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Posted in Animals

KEV’S WEEKLY ROUND-UP FEB 27

Mar05
2012 Leave a Comment Written by KEVIN DUNCAN

Welcome to my review of the week.

1. MOST INTERESTING NEWS STORY

The rise in nomophobia: fear of being without a phone.

To follow me and get the latest as it happens: http://twitter.com/@KevinDuncan

2. BEST (BUSINESS) MOMENT

Are you a digital junkie? Most people seem to be. Take the test…

For all sorts of business ideas, inspirational books, apps and short videos explaining them all, visit: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/

…or my Expert Advice LinkedIn profile.

3. BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

This Facebook CIA spoof interview brilliantly shows how we give all our information away for free.

For regular technological update, sign up to: http://www.facebook.com/TechnologyRulesMyLife?sk=wall

4. BEST BUSINESS BOOK OR IDEA

Richard Branson’s Screw Business As Usual.

Next I’ll be looking at How To Manage by Jo Owen, and 23 Things They Don’t tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang.

For over 150 of the best business books summarized for your convenience and enjoyment, visit http://greatesthitsblog.com/

5. BEST BIT OF BULLSHIT

“That puts a completely new ballgame on the picture.”

This is a transatlantic car crash. Many European businessmen have decided that they are more likely to get promoted if they borrow some macho language from our American friends, and anything to do with baseball fits the bill. So they talk about ballpark figures, striking out, and touching base, without really knowing what they are talking about. Many have never even been to a baseball game. So this character believes he is putting a completely new ballgame on the picture. If that is genuinely true, then the picture in question must be the size of a ballpark, so hundreds of yards wide, which seems unlikely. And it appears crucial that the ballgame is completely new – in other words, an old one, or one in progress, simply won’t do. This person has just started a nasty American metaphor and they can’t get out of it.

You can download five volumes of bull ebooks on Amazon http://tinyurl.com/6aqsegj or Apple itunes store: http://tinyurl.com/69f4hj9

6. BEST MUSIC MOMENT

Me guesting on bass for Diesel Park West at the Half Moon in Putney 2010. Courtesy of Preston….

For over 450 gigs reviewed with set lists and tickets going back to 1976, visit http://flyingvs.com/

7. WORD OF THE WEEK

Finagle: to get or achieve by trickery, craftiness or persuasion.

For more word fun: http://www.expertadviceonline.com/literaryfun.htm

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Posted in Books, Business, Business Bullshit
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