Sidestep and Twist

Yesterday, I finally agreed with my publisher the name of my new book. Previously, I’ve been calling it “How hits work”, and while that’s a reflection of the content, its kind of boring.

So the new name is Sidestep and Twist, which is much catchier.

The basic premise of the book is here.

In the meantime, I’ve put The Little Vendor Book, which I was also working on, on hold. There are two reasons: the first is the deadline for Sidestep and Twist is March, so I don’t have much time spare.

The second reason is, this: I’ve been rereading all the stuff I’ve written over the last year or so, and concluded it’s all pretty negative. I have hardly anything positive to say any more, and am thinking I don’t really need to bash a few vendors out of habit.

When I fix my attitude so I’m more constructive, then I might write about being on the customer side of sales experience. Hope those of you who were so interested won’t mind too much.

Comments

[Andy Rouse]

James
Being negative about the Vendors isn't necessarily a bad thing, maybe they deserve it?
Perhaps if you put it in context of emphasising where they could improve.
My suggestiong si concentrating on something longer than a quarter and look to delivering a good service rather than massive margin. They could also spend more time in delivering the service rather than trying to avoid service credits or blame the customer for their failings.
This isn't just about my current experiences but from last 15 years dealing with the major IT suppliers and working for one (which is even worse when you want to deliver a decent service but margin/profit dictates and the CEO stock option is paramount).
Cheers and if you want any whisky for Xmas please follow the link

[José Luis Campanello]

James,

happy to hear about your new book.

Sad to hear about the vendor book. I was really hoping to read it.

It's good your book finally got on the Kindle (yet, a bit expensive for something with no manufacturing cost... somehow i don't think hardcover book manufacturing amounts to an extra of US $ 3 compared to bits and bytes).

http://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Future-Proof-Bank-Business-as-Usual/dp/0470714190/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291734599&sr=1-1-spell

Regards and happy holidays.

José Luis

[Thelema321@aol.com]

I think its great you are going with Side Step and Twist having heard you trail some of the ideas. I cant wait! Yours Thelema

Maybe you could sidestep vendors and go with the Innovation Economy - new paradigms in Global Business

[James Gardner]

So nice of you to say that. I really appreciate it.

[Andrew H]

Hi James - could you release the completed parts of te Little Vendor Handbook on your website - I for one was looking forward to reading it and it would be a shame for your work to go to waste.

[James Gardner]

Andrew,

As you might expect, it is presently not really in any form that's
suitable for publication. I think I will come back to this work in
due course, but not until after I'm done with Sidestep and Twist, of
course. Am so grateful you're interested in the work, though, and
will make sure that if I do eventually kill the project off
altogether, I'll send you everything i've written to date.

Thanks so much for your comment

[paul]

How do you have time to write books when holding such an critical role in such times? surely you should be busy helping the DWP to react to the cuts, the plans for a simplified benefit system etc? and if the answer is you work lots of hours then surely all of that additional energy should be pumped into the government issues rather than authoring?

[James Gardner]

Dear Paul

Thank you for your comment.

Surely you're not suggesting that just because I work for the Government I should be allowed to do nothing else? I write books in my own time, at home.

I assume, and hope, that you made this comment because you wanted to assure yourself that this is something I do privately, and not funded by the taxpayer.

If so, I hope you are now happy that your taxpayers pounds are being spent wisely.

James.

[Dave Briggs]

Cretin.

[Paul]

Hi James,

Thanks for the reply, I didn’t doubt for a second that you don’t pen your books during working time for DWP.

Just to set the scene a little, I am employed by the DWP in an IT Delivery capacity and like many of my colleagues, am facing the real prospect of redundancy – I am not complaining to you about that I am simply highlighting a reality for staff working for the same Government Department as you.

As such and in such critical times, I would like to think that the ultimate technical leader of the DWP was utilising every drop of his creative juices to sculpt and map the future of the Departments IT Strategy rather than authoring books. Even if you do, as I truly believe, work into the night on your own books – have you thought of the message this gives to DWP colleagues, public etc?

As an analogy how would you feel if say, David Cameron announced that he was launching a book relating to Consortium Management or George Osbourne set pen to paper on a Budget Management for Dummies Guide? – I’d imagine you would think shouldn’t these guys be busy with their day jobs right now?

p.s. – FAO Dave Briggs, single word insults on an open blog forum directed to somebody expressing an alternative view – really? Surely you’re better than that.

Paul

[Fibonacci levels CFDs]

This is a good book about vendors that we can learn from. I must say that you have a brilliant and extraordinary idea shared. There is always a room for some improvement and needless to say you did a great job. I am looking forward to read it. More power and keep up the good work.