Money and the Aberdonian

Every decision I have to make seems to have a financial implication. To spend; to save; to discount; to bid for; to price; to calculate; to extend credit etc etc.

Sometimes the cumulative effect is such that I end up with the feeling that I don't want to spend anymore, and can't make anymore decisions (not true in reality). This is not helped by the birthright of being an Scot and an Aberdonian at that (Aberdonians being seen as especially "canny" (careful) by rest of the Scots, whom themselves are seen as "canny" with money.

I wonder if I would feel the same if there was a never ending supply of funds at the Bank. The answer is probably yes - because at the end of the day it is not my funds, and as CEO I have a duty to make the money work hard, but protect it, and get it to stretch as far as I can.

The solution, if there is one, for me, is to take a deep breath, and ask myself the questions "Do we really need this? Do we need this now? How does this fit with our objectives and mission?

An Issue of Trust

The newspapers and TV are full of the revelation that the BBC have broken the viewers trust by having false winners in competitions, including fundraising events.

A real reminder to all of us that trust with staff and service users is not something that can be abused, neglected or even deliberately jettisoned for the sake of better figures/results/convenience. With the increasing financial and competitive pressures it is not easy for anyone, including the BBC, to always maintain the correct focus, but we must. There is simply no alternative.