Blair Mcpherson

1 week ago | thehrdirector.com | Blair Mcpherson

The job of a prison intelligence analyst is about more than listening in on inmates phone calls or watching monitor screens in the hope of catching them deal drugs, fashioning weapons or using smuggled in mobile phones. Most of their time is spent reading 5 by 5 ‘s that is processing and analysing intelligence reports submitted by prison officers. These consists of overheard conversations, tip offs, rumours, gossip and who is mixing with who.

2 weeks ago | thehrdirector.com | Blair Mcpherson

AI- automated recruitment systems that aim to eliminate any subjective human bias risk overlooking candidates personal skills and contribute to creating a dehumanising environment for job seekers who spent hours crafting a supporting letter or completing the Additional Information section only for these to be over ruled by an AI straight jacket. Call centres and the Gig economy are examples of de humanised efficiency . Every one hates Call Centres even the people that work in them.

2 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Blair Mcpherson

LEADERSHIP Gambling on the next chief executive Appointing any chief executive is a risk, so how can councils shift the odds in their favour, asks Blair McPherson. By Blair McPherson | 28 April 2025 SHARE Appointments at chief executive level are always a gamble. History tells us most appointments fail. Especially if the previous post holder was a long-term success.

3 weeks ago | thehrdirector.com | Blair Mcpherson

Organisations that aren’t working have common characteristics , a dysfunctional leadership, poor cohesion at the top, cultures that avoid challenge and leadership teams misaligned on purpose or performance. Often it is not until financial failure that action is taken. By then decline is advanced. The early warning signs (staff turnover, disengagement, poor decision-making, cultural drift) are visible but have been ignored for too long.

3 weeks ago | thehrdirector.com | Blair Mcpherson

Ever wondered what your employees/ colleagues really think of you? Well you won’t find it in the 360 degree feedback form they were required to fill in! How ever if they refer to you by a nickname ( behind your back) it’s probably unflattering but accurate. The existence of nickname for unpopular senior managers tells us not only something about them but also something about the culture of the organisation.