The pre installed Paul Reynolds would like to welcome the new instance of Paul Reynolds New Zealand/ Aotearoa to his new role in Telecom, NZ.If you like, consider this a chap on the door with a piping hot bowl of Scots broth and maybe a wee dram to keep out the cold.
Once you are unpacked, and sorted, it would be great to have you over for a bite to eat and maybe a chat.
When you get settled, no doubt you will be unpacking the books, and putting them up on the shelves. I take it you are going to be based in Wellington? If so, have a look in Unity Books - great selection of titles on innovation, history, cultural change - the lot.
The even have a copy of The Scottish Enlightenment, by Arthur Herman. You probably already have it, and have read it from cover to cover. [UK Guardian review]
I hope so - despite the views of some critics, it's still a brilliant analysis of how a small but smart country seized the chance to build a new optimism by thinking the future into existence - courtesy of a plethora of heroes - from Hutcheson, Kames, Hume, and of course, Adam Smith.
Speaking of Adam Smith, and his classic title The Wealth of Nations, like loads of others I have had him quoted left right and centre as being the father of small government and modern shareholder capitalism.
Funny old world - you and I know this is simplistic twaddle; that, in contrast, he was really clear that the purpose of the modern enterprise is to give the consumer [as opposed to the shareholder] the best deal possible.
Funny old world - you and I know this is simplistic twaddle; that, in contrast, he was really clear that the purpose of the modern enterprise is to give the consumer [as opposed to the shareholder] the best deal possible.
Also, he was equally clear that there was vital role for government around education, and building civic space.
Enough of the lecture - as another Scot who came to New Zealand nearly 20 years ago I can tell you it is the most brilliant place - wonderful people, an environment to die for, and a strong and dynamic future ahead of it, provided it can get its head round some really substantial issues like, poor infrastructure investment, low savings, and, notwithstanding some standout innovators, a tendency to economic complacency.
Maybe you can help!
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p.s. loved these presentations, Building the 21st Century Network -
Can we have one?
6 comments:
Ha! I'm glad you've posted about this - I got quite a surpise seeing the name and then realising the picture was different. I'm lokoing forward to checking out that presentation - work computers don't have the capability. :( Thanks for the link to it.
As one whose Scots ancestors arrived here five generations ago may I say how grateful I am for the words of praise for this new land.
As one who has had to deal with Telecom as both customer and service provider to their staff I wish it was you running things as I have absolutely no faith whatsoever that this change will alter their attitude of "stuff the customer,there goes a profit."
please check the links to this post - very intgeresting comment from Prof Gavin Kennedy of Edinburgh on Smith and his legacy
The New Mr Reynolds will be living in Auckland, apparently. He seems a lovely chap, albeit incredibly tall, and someone who has a unique take on telco business allegedly:
1: The customer has money.
2: The customer wants to buy a product.
3: We have that product.
4: Let's SELL the product to the customer!
5: That is all.
Having seen the waste of time/energy/money Telecom has spent on regulation, on battering its competitors/customers and on belittling its end customers, this is quite the turn around. I hope it's all true.
gah, Blogger's eeevil.
As another imported Paul what I was trying to say is: welcome! And here's hoping the new Telecom is as good as the new BT.
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