To Coyne A Phrase
Drone home
I’M usually a late adopter of technology.
This isn’t because of any fear of the unknown but rather that I don’t like to exert time and effort on something that – like Betamax and mini discs – doesn’t take off.
What clearly has taken off (smooth link award anyone?) is the first commercial UK drone delivery, carried out by Stratford-upon-Avon distribution firm FPS.
It has conducted a trial which was a “proof of concept” project, investigating the feasibility of drones being used to carry out an immediate, local service.
Whilst current legislation and restrictions on the size and weight of items carried mean that deliveries of this kind will not be commonplace any time soon for FPS, the exercise has made it clear that the possibility cannot be ruled out completely.
As FPS managing director Neil Davis says: “In the short term, the drone solution is likely to be cost prohibitive, and with current legislation we are not planning any changes any time soon.
“In addition, given the varied weight of products in our portfolio, it would only really be viable for lightweight parts travelling to customers in less populated zones. However this has proved a very useful exercise to form our future vision.”
The product delivered was a Gates belt tensioner, from the FPS automotive aftermarket product range.
Can delivery drones succeed on a commercial scale? Part of me thinks no but then I recalled that a delivery man recently smashed a set of bathroom scales I had ordered by throwing them over the garden fence, so perhaps a drone couldn’t do a worse job!
Random acts of kindness
WELL done to Khush Purewal, a director in accountancy firm KPMG’s Birmingham office, for reinforcing that one good turn deserves another.
He heard about an act of kindness shown by Steve Garrett, London Midland customer service advisor at Telford Central, who had handed over part of his packed lunch to a hungry passenger waiting at the station.
Khush was so impressed that he offered Steve him a thank you lunch at KPMG’s offices.
In an ideal world Khush would now be rewarded for his act of kindness and it would be passed on down the line.
I’m a great believer in the idea that if you do something positive for somebody else then something positive will happen to you (although life’s experiences seem to suggest that this is a somewhat naïve belief but hey ho!)
If ever I see anyone poring over a map in the centre of Birmingham I go over and ask them if they need any help with directions.
Occasionally people will look at you as if you are a madman or a mugger but generally they appreciate the offer and if it makes them feel better about the people who inhabit the city that I call home then do much the better.
It also means that they don’t have to go up to those strangely attired city centre street wardens who look like a cross between Ulster Orangemen on parade and the Penguin from Batman.
Having lived in London for a long time and faced that capital city standoffishness around strangers it’s great to be in a place where people do talk to each other at the drop of a hat.
And where people try to help each other if they can.
Now, let’s keep the chain going. Who’s going to do something nice for Khush?
Office of the future
A PERSONAL butler, a rooftop terrace and nap rooms are just some of the 50 things that make the coolest office.
Researchers at online gaming site MobileSlots.com asked what workers would love to have in their working space and have come up with a list of 50.
Some of the things suggested like slides and nap rooms already famously exist in the innovative offices of companies like Google, Ben & Jerry’s and Innocent.
The list ranges from practical solutions, such as an in-office crèche for working parents, to the downright ridiculous, such as an ice cream van to roam the corridors.
A spokesperson for MobileSlots.com said: “For most of us, offices are a bit dull and boring so fantasising about an amazing workspace is great escape.
“We found that lots of the items on the list, whilst they seemed wacky, actually had sound reasoning behind them.
“At work, we are always looking for ways wanting to de-stress, be more energised and encourage creativity. Perhaps having puppy rooms, a library and massaging chairs would help along with this.”
Of course office locations are just as important. Proximity to a pub, decent sandwich shop and a newsagent would be fairly high on my list.
As to the office itself, I’d like a hammock and a clock permanently set at 5.30pm please.
Have a great weekend.
