Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

kevinjohnsonmbe

Veteran Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    12,034

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    73

 Content Type 

Everything posted by kevinjohnsonmbe

  1. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Spot on. Choose the job / customer. Only just did a website last Nov whilst down with man flu. Had an email from a chap 4 weeks ago for a local property. I didn't recognise the name or the address but emailed back with some questions same day he had emailed me. Next day, he replies apologising that the time difference (he was -8 hrs) was the delay in his response (which was next day anyway! I've waited months for others not to bother with a reply) Turns out he's in Malaysia, saw the website, wanted some work doing to a house he rents out. Went had a look, sent him some prices, did the work, advised on some more, sent the bill, BACS transfer next day. No quibble, no nonsense. He's now in the book of customers to look after. It's just a shame the book of *king idiots is so much bigger than the book of good 'uns!
  2. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Was a pharmacist on LBC few weeks back. He was talking about the drugs scam. Drug rep's, Doctors' surgeries, pharmacists, all in on it... A new drug is patented for a period of time so that the manufacturer can recoup R&D costs, then it goes to open licence. Take paracetamol for example. There are now a load of generic types, even widely available from the supermarket for pence. Dr's surgery writes the branded name on the prescription, pharmacist issues a generic low cost alternative, bill goes from surgery to NHS for the branded variant at many times the purchase cost of the generic variant. Dr's surgery - as a stand alone business entity - creams the massive mark up and the NHS, and by extension the tax payer, takes it up the ass. There is much that is in need of fixing from within before we start milking the taxpayer for more juice!
  3. kevinjohnsonmbe
    That’s what the tune-up wizard said - it’s the same engine but ‘governed’ into different model spec’s to fit into tax brackets. He just unleashes that which has been previously suppressed. He Changes the engine performance (wether for economy or acceleration/ top end) but the vehicle retains original tax bracket. £300 for a re-map.
  4. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Yes, I think similar could be said for most, if not all. But there’s only the 1 that is so distorted by irrational thinking. A 6 figure salary manager - that isn’t managing - in the private sector = fired. All parts of a system working in unison (?) towards an efficient output is good for all - a successful business. Majority of the parts of a system working (hard) but within deeply entrenched silos is no good for efficiency - the NHS. Some NHS trusts demonstrating good working practices because they have effective and innovative managers.
  5. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Agreed Wes, most, if not all, public sector employees benefit from annual incremental increases - I can’t believe it hasn’t been exposed when the unions are banging on about the pay cap. And how how many of those agency staff are the very same full time NHS employees?
  6. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Easter just round the corner.... Wouldn't buy a sofa any other time of year.... (or would I??)
  7. kevinjohnsonmbe
    That’s the one Gary. Just read “taxpayer” for shareholder and we’re in the xact same place!
  8. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Saw a news feature t'other day where micro beads were found in an alarming number of branded bottled waters... (leaving the debate about bottled waters aside for a minute) Bit of a worry if the fish are eating micro beads, then we're eating the fish, if there are micro beads in the water that we're drinking too.... Where next and to what effect?? It's quite 'adjacent' really, it hasn't taken too long for the plastics that are a relatively recent arrival on the scene to make their way into the food chain. Doesn't leave much time for adaption (tin hat, retires to wibble in the corner....)
  9. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Are you blinded by the (in part understandable) emotional attachment? Money in - product out. Management responsibility is to ensure the product out achieves VfM (NHS) or profit (private sector.) Those 2 functions are not vastly dissimilar once the hysteria is stripped away. Failure to strip away the hysteria / political bias and approach the matter sensibly will result in the collapse of the very institution that most energetic protagonists of it warn against. Baffled.....
  10. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Well, I thought the point was a fairly obvious one, so much so that I genuinely didn’t think it necessary to break it down - at least it is in my circuitry, that’s not to say I won’t welcome an alternative view Take the outputs out of the equation (seemingly impossible, but ENTIRELY necessary when discussing/ thinking about NHS if there is ever to be any hope of finding a sustainable future) 2 organisations (granted, vast difference in scale but so what) 1 recognised and seeks to “fix” inefficiency, the other doesn’t... Thats the point....
  11. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Good to have you back Vesp! Yome rested, recharged and fully firing on all cylinders!!! ?
  12. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Private V Public sector: Private sector - Carpetright - closes poorly performing branches.... Public sector - NHS payrises on top of annual and in-year payrises
  13. kevinjohnsonmbe
    I'll have a look at the MPGs on 15 plate transit custom and 17 plate Hilux tomorrow - don't fancy going out to check now. But, similar to Mick, I'm not that interested, only know it because 'puter tells me what it is. Anyone gone down the re-mapping route? Is it worth the effort?? Not something I'd normally consider, it is what it is when it comes out the factory and that's fine by me, but was on a job last week and the neighbour wants a tree down, nothing too complex, offered a re-map on the transit or Hilux in return. He reckoned the Transit Custom is amongst the best vehicles for advantage from re-mapping. I'm not interested in speed / acceleration (can't polish a ?) but would be interested in low end torque for towing and increased fuel economy. Is it worth the effort?
  14. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Don’t live in a village Mr ??, we’me out out on us own so there’s less chance of me upsetting the neighbours!! But yome right, >20miles away makes me twitch!! Gotta go over the river Sunday for TKD grading but should be able to slip out and back before lunchtime, unless they bleddy Plymuff beys have the wheels off!! Sweating a bit over Richard’s suggestion that 6 hrs is part time.... I’d be considering that as OVER time not PART time!!
  15. kevinjohnsonmbe
    He’s been busy advising the boffins at DSTL Porton Down.... And brushing up on his chemistry O Level ready for the arrival of the OPCW team. They’ll be in need of some expert opinion and intellectual inspiration.....
  16. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Where are you Clive - That looks like Millbrook....
  17. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Yellow Card Mr E!
  18. kevinjohnsonmbe
    ?? I’ve got an eye on the Kernow Spring branch conf thing... If time (weather) allows, hoping might be poss.
  19. kevinjohnsonmbe
    I’m with you on that one Mark.... It’s all just just an elaborate ruse to divert attention, and to pre-empt the gut wrenching national humiliation of England’s imminent woeful performance at the World Cup..... Easier to fake a bio attack than for England FC to deliver a credible performance on the world stage ?
  20. kevinjohnsonmbe
    With the exception of Gary’s point about climbing gear / techniques - where the 2 mainstream org’s haven’t kept up with available gear, what significant advances have happened since the back handle chain break? Fair point about towed / tracked chipper - but the “new” part of that would be a ride on / walk behind tracked piece of plant - the chipper parts are unchanged. I like your pragmatic approach Paul, self cert or in-house is just as credible as NPTC / LANTRA (if planned, executed & recorded effectively) but the OP is talking about not getting a Safe site card because he doesn’t have formal update. That might be an over jealous / mis-interpretation of the regs, but there we have a real world example of the impact of unintended consequences....
  21. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Yeah, but that’s for yr second job as in flight sewage treatment plant supervisor for the space shuttle, you gotta keep your flying hours in-date! ?
  22. kevinjohnsonmbe
    That’s the way to do it ??...... If you have to! I take issue with the principle of refresher training though. It’s a gravy train for accrediting bodies... You can’t “un-learn” something after 5 years - what a ridiculous concept. Does an electrician, dentist,, Masters graduate cease to be qualified after a predetermined timescale? No. You can’t “un-learn.” Is is it the supposed “hazard” associated with the work? Sorry - that just doesn’t stack up - driving test at 16, drive til age 79+. Well, 1000’s of people per year are killed on the roads. Nothing like that amount from fatal chainsaw injuries so it just doesn’t stack up. Sorry, not buying the “things change” line either... Not a credible argument. Its a cartel!
  23. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Hell! How long did that take?
  24. kevinjohnsonmbe
    Peasy......! He can't agree to disagree because he's insufficiently committed to his stance to believe that we will always disagree, he knows he'll come round when the light dawns.... Or, that he is only faking his disagreement because there's no point arguing with someone you agree with....
  25. kevinjohnsonmbe
    And that is where we will have to agree to disagree.....

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

Articles

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.