User Profile

[edison]

If there's one thing I hate more than Range Rover and BMW drivers, it's Range Rover and BMW drivers with those bloody headlights that can practically blind you from a mile away. ...

[edison]

I'm not a fan of LEDs. Had several lots installed in bathroom, kitchen and elsewhere in the last 4-5 years. The first lot were not very impressive, the supposed 'warm' light was anything but. My wife hated them.

We had ones put in our bathroom about 3 years ago and most failed within a...

[edison]

I've followed James Watt on LinkedIn for several years. He's always come across as being very ambitious, driven and provocative but at the same time, socially responsible, particularly around being a carbon neutral company.

So it's disappointing to hear this story but at least he's taken...

[edison]

I'm sure Ryanair will start to charge passengers by weight soon. You'll get a free allowance of say 70kg free, then have to pay an extra quid per kilo.

I've been on two flights where all the passengers were weighed (in New Zealand and Costa Rica) where the planes were around 15-20 seat...

[edison]

Given that IT Project Manager, Business Analyst and IT Consultant are categorised as occupations in short supply and eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, surely it's going to be boom times all round? ...

[edison]

It was less than $1 during 2011 and hit a high of abut $16 that year......

[edison]

I think it's happening in the UK too but perhaps less prominent compared to big US tech companies.

The video touches on some of the reasons why, especially work life balance/avoiding burnout and wanting to do something with a greater sense of purpose.

Purpose is becoming the...

[edison]

I use the publications for what they are - guides, and in my experience they are a good starting point. I would place more value on the data than that found on a job board. There are so many factors affecting a salary, you ideally need a few sources and even using several will only give you a range....

[edison]

There are also several IT salary and contractor rate surveys published each year by the likes of Hays and Robert Half. Some have data by region/size of company.

Usually you need to have some relationship with the agency e.g. have hired staff to be able to get a free copy.

[edison]

Not sure why you think I'm trolling? I'm describing exactly how I'm finding the market at the moment along with several other people who do similar roles to me.

Conversely, December to March was absolutely dire.

This week the Economist reported that there is the start of a...

[edison]

There are a few cost of living indices usually used for ex-pat purposes and produced by the likes of Mercer, a global HR and rewards consultancy. I think the Economist does one too. The basket of goods and services though is more aligned with an ex-pat lifestyle so perhaps not quite what you have in...

[edison]

Do you think? Where will you get petrol from in 2050?...

[edison]

True, satisfaction comes in different forms. The last thing I'd do as a manager though is beat people with a stick or threaten to. I get most of my satisfaction at work through helping people and coaching and developing my team. Most good managers I know do the complete opposite of using a stick and...

[edison]

If by wealth you mean earnings then that isn't true.

The average is distorted by the small proportion of very high earners. Median earnings are a much better indicator and in real terms, have hardly changed over the last 20 years in the UK. Since 1999 median gross annual earnings have increased...

[edison]

Those that 'manage' get day rates of £800-1000+ so I'll live with not being able to 'do.'

The market for Heads of IT/IT Directors etc is usually a market in its own right. Over the last 4-6 weeks it has become red hot. I've got 9 or 10 opportunities on the go at the moment, 4 of...

[edison]

Why do you think the lifespan of an electric car is only 6 years??? There are plenty of Teslas for example, on the road that are older than that.

Do you mean the life of the battery itself rather than the car?...

[edison]

I can't think why you need to pay £50-100ph for a tutor. I've used an excellent maths tutor at £30ph who managed to get my 11 year old to pass GCSE maths at grade 7. And my daughter is being tutored by a secondary school Head of English for about £35ph and she's managed to improve her by 2-3 grades...