By Talc Admin on
26/10/2009 6:29 PM
The latest BCA Report on Infrastructure Needs in Australia is yet another well argued case for national priorities, sensible national reforms and lots of bricks and mortar. However, in 150 pages of closely presented ideas, there is not one mention of the skills need to plan, build and operate our national infrastructure. Not one sentence, not one idea or one recommendation. Apparently the environment, social and economic factors at play don't include the workforce. At least not in this Report.
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By Talc Admin on
26/10/2009 9:55 AM
Web 2.0 as a form of social media has been around for less than 4 years, yet there is a sense that that a growing herd of Internet users, consultants and marketing gurus is now stampeding towards the topic. Their noise is deafening. What is less clear is why they are running so hard towards this particular technology. A cynic might suggest it's all about the money, the prestige and the "buzz".
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By Talc Admin on
21/10/2009 10:25 PM
Last week was the annual get together of the Australian Freight Council Network (AFCN) in Canberra; and it coincided with the Quarterly Council meeting of the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) - held at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). This conjunction of events hopefully heralds a new era in industry networking for the T&L sector.
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By Talc Admin on
20/10/2009 11:08 AM
How many of us have stories about taxi drivers, especially in Sydney? Just when you think that 99 drivers prove that things are getting better, you meet the one that proves they are not getting better. What do you do about it? Complaining is not an option.
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By Talc Admin on
18/10/2009 10:06 AM
The long overdue move to national regulation in Australia is not so much a question of of "why", but "how"? Given the task of setting up an integrated national framework for land transport, maritime and aviation regulation there is always a temptation in the heart of Government to go for a simplified, logical and rational framework. This may not however be the one industry wants or needs. Then the question arises - "who speaks for the industry"? What constitutes a practical national outcome that meets everyones' needs?
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By Talc Admin on
13/10/2009 5:28 PM
There is a growing sense that the T&L industry is aware that ICT and web based platforms are part of the future of greater productivity for the industry. Collaborative information systems are being considered in various parts of the freight network e.g. ports and shipping. But what about the bigger picture? What about the 135,000 businesses with less than 5 employees? What about regional, rural and remote Australia? What kind of web based system works for them?
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By Talc Admin on
12/10/2009 9:50 AM
Imagine a network of 20 to 30 multi modal freight terminals integrated into our national freight system, all located in key locations to draw down freight traffic (mainly road) into less congested areas, and providing a boost to national energy and environment targets. These common user and open access terminals, acting as "inland ports" would fill a vital missing link in an overall refight strategy for Australia.
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By Talc Admin on
30/09/2009 7:43 PM
After a decade of avoidance of IT systems that allow people to share data and applications, the T&L industry is beginning to "get it". The question now is: will the T&L industry truely create open access systems in areas such as ports and shipping, freight forwarding and the hire and reward business, and health and safety? The temptation will be to listen to slick software developers, to buy off-the-shelf systems and to take a great leap into the late 20th Century when we are are already in the 21st Century,
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By Talc Admin on
28/09/2009 8:13 AM
Recent media stories (SMH 27/09/09 page 5) have suggested that politicans are using techology such as Twitter and Facebook as "spam" and that government should go "to the next level" and use these social media to engage people rather than lecture them. The media is behind the times. Government is already using social media to engage with the community. There is more to come - watch this (cyber)space.
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By Talc Admin on
26/09/2009 1:07 PM
There are over 100 industry and professional associations in the T&L sector. Average membership is less than 500 people. There are a few larger groups and some are well funded by their members. However, most are in decline in terms of new membership. Why is this so? Why are T&L professionals staying away from associations and "clubs" that might provide them with collegiate support?
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