February 2019 - John Heaven

Rethinking Europe and Remembering Helmut Schmidt

If there’s one thing Helmut Schmidt wouldn’t have wanted, it would have been people constantly asking what he would have wanted or thought. But he’d have to forgive us, because on many occasions over the two days of #RethinkingEurope, his words and actions shaped the events. And that is the thing about Helmut Schmidt, the…

Birds on the wire

Regulating against network effects: six ideas

Governments are right to be concerned about network effects, in particular the threat to competition. However, network effects often result from a captive user base and sensitive data. These require a new approach to ensure a level playing field.

Some balloons

In praise of overblown promises

If you’re like me, you can’t stand adverts whose promises outstrip their products, sales people whose pitch doesn’t withstand the gentlest prod with a few sharp questions, or politicians who promise the earth but leave the planet when the time comes to deliver. However, for better or for worse, we wouldn’t be where we are…