UK universities need more than ABB grades to compete in the global market

Each year, right in the middle of August's silly season, we see the same old proclamations from the media, politicians and university dons about A-Level grades. This year the debate has been enriched further with a good healthy dollop of nonsense about competition. Now that universities can take an unrestricted number of students with ABB or above the hype would have it that we are all ruthlessly battling for students and their valuable fees.

Unleashing the commercial potential of academic research

If we are to unleash the potential of our academic entrepreneurs; government, universities and the business community need to remove the barriers to commercialisation of research.

When it comes to employment we must not ignore those with disabilities

The widely reported move by SAP to target programmers affected with autism spectrum disorder because of their specific skills and to encourage innovation provides a timely reminder of the importance of diversity for the UK's enterprise culture.

Moocs a gamechanger but not a cheap option

Andrew McGettigan asks whether Moocs will offer a low cost alternative mechanism for delivery of higher education (Will Moocs be the scourge or saviour of higher education, The Guardian,13 May).

16 Projects - 3 steps for managing a project portfolio

If you are a fan of the David Allen system "Getting Things Done" then you may like this system for managing a project portfolio. My definition of a project is any piece of work, area of responsibility or relationship that requires multiple actions. 

1. Keep a minimum of 20% of time free for single tasks, correspondence, the unexpected and minor projects

This is vital to deal with correspondence, single action items, modest (usually maintenance) projects and unexpected activity requiring urgent attention.

2. Use 80% to deliver major projects.

A major project may be time-limited or recurrent, it may be an organisational unit or division for which you have responsibility, or it may be a working relationship with a colleague. If you accept that each major project needs at least 5% of your time, then the maximum number of projects is 16. If you have more than 16 projects / reports etc...then it may explain why you are working all the time!

3. Make sure your meeting schedule is helping you deliver your project priorities. 

Make sure your meeting schedule is project focused. Your time is valuable so if it does not match up against your critical projects then the schedule is not fitting the priorities. In order to track this make sure that every appointment is tagged with a project label.

In summary - these simply guidelines help:

(a) Identify times when you are over-capacity - with all the implications on you and those around you.

(b) Prioritise projects - so you know which need the most attention right now

(c) Consider the feasibility of taking on a new project - if you are at capacity you can't take on a new project without ditching an existing project

(d) Reinforce the importance of project review. Its obviously vital to keep on track of your projects to maintain momentum - but also so you can determine when you can exit and take on something new!

(e) Focus on the projects that really matter to you.

If there is general interest in this approach I'll post something on implementation.

Why I ran 1000 for Children In Need - and will keep going...

In January 2012 I decided to try and do something for charity - a small personal challenge. It was really just an excuse to get fit rather than any grand gesture. I decided to try and run 1000km over the course of a year and given my fitness levels, I wanted to wait until I got a few hundred km under my belt before fund raising. 

My choice of Children In Need, rather than a more specific charity was surprising, but I felt that they would know how best to use any money I raise. I also thought it might be good to join with others in a collective show of support for the numerous projects that Children In Need fund.

There have been times when the running has been hard. Sometimes its been tough to get out of the door to run mainly because of time and occasionally because I can't be bothered or the weather is too bad. I have had no injuries or illness, but even so it can feel hard to run 20km every week - there are lots of good excuses not too. However if I'm in any doubt I have the support of my daughter's words of encouragement - "man-up Dad"!

However what has kept me going has been the thought of the thousands of individuals who work  tirelessly, often in difficult circumstances and without glamour or a spotlight - to help people who need them. Through the people and organisations that help my autistic son, I see a small segment of this part of our society and I am staggered by their unstinting commitment to their causes. It reminds me that the simple act of putting on a pair of running shoes and jogging a few miles a week is a genuine luxury.

I am now past 1250km - I have not raised much money so please sponsor me - in any event I will keep going to the end of the year. 

And who knows maybe I'll just keep going through 2013.

So why not sponsor me (http://buff.ly/Xy4dvg), join me or set your own challenge.

@SteveCaddick

#run1000challenge

#childreninneed

No people, no recovery - the UK economy cannot afford a talent deficit

Opinion is divided on whether we are entering a phase of growth or enter a triple-dip recession and whether the coalition is being effective in cutting the structural deficit.