Insights & Observations

The public and private sectors live in their own swim lanes. Too often forgetting each other’s purpose and misunderstanding perspectives.

I want to share what I’ve thought and what I’ve learned. Testing how we govern, measure, and deliver public services, through the public and private sectors, and at the intersection of the two

You will find a mix of articles published on this site, and often elsewhere.

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Latest posts

  • Tips, tricks, and things to think about
    I’ve been doing some work. Just a little consulting, and I’m enjoying it. Not because I am chasing the work, but because it’s good to be helpful.  Good advice unfettered by the need to find the next job or grow a business. It’s probably what I always really wanted to…
  • in defence of Defence
    This article was published in The Mandarin 24 July 2026. I have added some commentary for subscribers. In hindsight, I am not sure I really homed in on the message I was trying to get across. This isn’t an article about procurement, it’s about trust. Governments lose confidence when the options presented appear incomplete…
  • I visited Bilboa because of a 2B pencil
    I’ve been on holidays to Spain. Old houses, monasteries, castles, everything I was told to see. My wife takes amazing photo’s, I make very clever, funny, insightful, acerbic comments, mostly on Facebook for all to see.  The only place I insisted on visiting was Bilboa and one of my exceedingly…

Occasional papers

White papers, deeper opinion pieces, and submissions to government generated here, and over time inside the company I ran. Click link to download

Observations and commentary

The status quo leads us nowhere new.
Critical reflections and sharp opinion pieces on how government works — or doesn’t.

    Practical practices

    Real-world tools, tips, and strategies — tested in practice — to help you get the job done.

    • Tips, tricks, and things to think about
      I’ve been doing some work. Just a little consulting, and I’m enjoying it. Not because I am chasing the work, but because it’s good to be helpful.  Good advice unfettered by the need to find the next job or grow a business. It’s probably what I always really wanted to…
    • Negotiations aren’t just for negotiators
      As published in The Mandarin December 3, 2024 by Kiah MD John Glenn If I had realised this when I first started out my life would have been much easier – everywhere! I would have got more of what I wanted to achieve with much less angst. At home, at…
    • Getting stuff done – executable strategies
      As published in The Mandarin November 1, 2024 by Kiah MD John Glenn  Most of us have to get stuff done – at least at work! For some, it’s simply done by managing a process. Start at the beginning, work through the process, end up with an outcome. For most…

    Pursuits and procurement

    Two sides of the same coin. From writing RFT’s to understanding both government buying and selling.

    AI in practice

    Exploring how AI is changing the way we think, write, decide, and deliver — especially in public work.

    • AI, and all that I fear
      First published in The Mandarin 26 March 2025 AI, and all that I fear “It’s too new. It’s just guessing. I don’t know how it…

    Negotiation & Influence

    On how we reach agreement, navigate power, and shape the conditions for good delivery.

      Defence

      Recent thinking on delivery, procurement, and reform inside Australia’s Defence environment.

      Leadership

      Observations, advice and commentary on leadership.