Getting out more

On Tuesday, I attended the Public Sector Show in the Excel conference centre in London. It was an opportunity to learn a little about what else is happening in the public services around the country, speak up for the role of first tier local government (Town and Parish Councils) and just let people know that Buckingham is great place to visit, live and do business in!

As with most of these kinds of events you are bombarded with sales people seeking to foist on you their marketing items in exchange for information that will prove to their bosses that paying the £1000's to have a stand there was worthwhile. I came away with a handspinner but that was all!

What did I learn?

• Local government cannot afford to ignore Brexit: this is not just a Whitehall project for central government. There are huge issues around recruitment for example.
• People can talk about passion completely dispassionately
• Commissioning is not procurement in a dress/suit: it is an entirely different approach to organising public services that is focused on outcomes first and foremost
• Negotiation begins with knowing what your contender wants (really wants) and never assume that you know
• Don't think that you can have a conference session in the middle of an exhibition without either brilliant soundproofing or an amazing sound system or preferably both. (People do need to hear what the presenters are saying!)
• Silent disco headsets can be used for things that don't involve house music...