When I mention to people that I’m going to an ‘Unconference’ most people ask me what it is and some even accuse me of skiving or slacking (depending on their country of origin) ! Trust me, it’s certainly not skiving. In fact an Unconference is as far removed from skiving as possible. I’m sure most of you reading this will have attended many conferences in your time. You know the form: Turn up in your best suit, pick up your name badge, wander self-consciously into a massive room and shuffle up nervously to the coffee table trying hard not to let the person next to you see you squinting to … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Elkie Holland
AWR stands for Agency Workers Regulations and these will come into force on 1st October 2011. Background to the AWR This comes from the EU Directive which aims to get equal treatment for part-time and fixed-term workers. The initial drafts were blocked in Brussels for many years even though equal treatment for temporary workers has been in operation in many European countries since the 1980′s. In 2008, not enough countries were continuing to block the Directive in Brussels so the UK Government agreed a compromise deal with business and unions which meant that equal treatment would apply after 12 weeks of an assignment.m (However some Day 1 rights remain) In January … Continue reading
Following the 2011 Fiscal Reunion, I managed to catch up with Roger Flatt, the main organiser of this event to find out how it went. ELKIE: Why did you decide to organise a Fiscal Reunion ? ROGER: Mark Yoxall and myself had been trying to arrange a get together with Alex Morgan and Ross Brooker for what seemed like (and probably was) months and months, but for one reason or another it never got off the ground. Mark and myself eventually decided to name a date far enough away, and chose a place that was hopefully fairly central. ELKIE How was the concept received ? ROGER: Once we’d settled on … Continue reading
Ever wondered why people attend Rocket U2 Universities ? The answers can be varied and include a number of things eg: Take certification exams. Attend the hands-on labs. Catch up with Rocket U2 staff from both the UK and USA. Meet up with other developers and business owners. One of the attendees this year was Ian Holmes, a Director of Reflex Data Systems Ltd which is possibly the UK’s leading supplier of information systems for the textile trade. Reflex work with dozens of fabric and flooring merchants and manufacturers offering a good portfolio of products and a bespoke service too. Ian Holmes agreed to share his reasons and experiences of this year’s Rocket … Continue reading
Andy Youniss, President and CEO of Rocket Software opened the UK U2 University 2011 by videolink. Andy explained that he was unable attend this event as later that day Rocket would be announcing an aquisition. So, U2 is no longer the “new kid on the block”. Aldon now known as Rocket Aldon, was acquired on 22 March 2011. Andy Youniss said: “Aldon’s strengths in application lifecycle management and expertise in the IBM i platform expand existing Rocket capabilities, which will allow us to bring more value to our customers.” Andy Youniss took the time to present via video link to the U2 delegates his roundup of highlights which included: There … Continue reading
