Transduction - leading transformation - Issue #184
My weekly posts
Too often, demand management becomes a euphemism for delay, deflection, or denial.
In this video, I challenge the idea that rising need or poor choices drive public service costs—arguing instead that systemic design is the root issue. It calls for strategic, systemic change over tactical fixes, shifting focus from demand management to enabling capability through redesign, integration, learning, and earlier, easier support. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_withyou-systemschange-leadership-ugcPost-7343392933317885952-KY80?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADUV_eUBZSxZvFpx70OV050F6K5HM2MhTMo
LGR: Is it a business case, or a proposal? Is a transformational vision required, or sober analytics?
Local Government Reorganisation requires more than just technical rigour—it’s a political campaign, a vision for the future, and a robust proposal all at once. This post highlights the need to balance strategy, sustainability, and detail, navigating competing agendas while crafting compelling, future-fit cases that central government can’t ignore. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_localgovernmentreform-lgr-strategy-activity-7343557066944372737-PlAA
Putting the five core practices into practice
Too many change efforts fail because leaders seek quick fixes over honest practice. This post proposes five core disciplines—conversation, clarity, learning, culture, and purpose—as essential to organisational viability and adaptability. These are not soft skills but rigorous practices that support real change in complex environments. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_agile-digitisation-productiveconversations-activity-7343179569169899520-Wm1
Courses and events
Financial Times expert survey on management consultancies - vote now!
If you're a consultant then you can vote in the peer survey to find Britain's leading consultancy. RedQuadrant has done well for the past eight years. Usually, we've been listed in the public and social sector, organisation and change, people and performance, or in strategy. https://engage.statista-research.com/index.php?r=survey/index&sid=358489&lang=en.
Commissioning Compass: systems assessment for change
Our newly launched tool, the Commissioning Compass, helps you to assess your commissioning system and form an action plan for improvement. It's available for free via our Teachable site - try it now! link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass
This September - Outcomes-based commissioning: a ten-step introduction
We've announced new dates for our introduction to commissioning course at the PSTA, perfect for early career commissioners in police, justice, health, care, children's services, or other commissioning disciplines. Register your interest now. https://link.redquadrant.com/10step0925
Next National Commissioning Academy
We're building our cohort for the next national commissioning academy - our flagship commissioning programme from the PSTA. Register your interest now: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
iNetwork, Making Savings in the Public Sector. 8 July.
Join iNetwork for a fantastic opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and hear best practice on making savings in the public sector. Speakers include Benjamin Taylor of the PSTA, Zakki Ghauri (City of London), Digital Care Hub, Engage Process, David Willis (North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative). Register now! https://lnkd.in/eFSkuKAK
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship
Work in England or Wales? Want to develop your systems thinking skills? Sign up now for the next cohort of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship — Cherith Simmons, with experts from SCiO (including me). It's funded by the apprenticeship levy to the end of the year. https://app.sli.do/event/pJLVg5fZ4NZocjSi8uEqim
SysPrac25 - The Systems Thinking Practitioner Conference.
3-4 September, Milton Keynes. SCiO, The Open University, and the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR) are excited to invite you to SysPrac25 — the essential conference for systems thinking practitioners, learners, and leaders. Join us on 3rd and 4th September 2025 at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes for two dynamic days of insight, interaction, and innovation. Book your place now: www.sysprac25.org
iNetwork, Making Savings in the Public Sector.
Virtual, Tuesday 8th July, 10:00-11:30 AM. Join iNetwork for a fantastic opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and hear best practice on making savings in the public sector. Speakers include Benjamin Taylor, Zakki Ghauri (City of London), Digital Care Hub, Engage Process, David Willis (North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative). Register now! https://lnkd.in/eFSkuKAK
Things I shared on socials:
Consultation on further reforms to public procurement
The Cabinet Office has today launched a ten week public consultation on plans for further reforms to public procurement aimed at strengthening British industry, creating jobs, and enhancing skills - and which build on the publication of the Industrial Strategy earlier this week. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/public-procurement-growing-british-industry-jobs-and-skills-consultation-on-further-reforms-to-public-procurement?mc_cid=0dc57e7292&mc_eid=f9f7369f3c
New UK Government plans to simplify local governance
The UK Government has announced plans to simplify local governance structures. The new legislation will transition all councils to the leader and cabinet model, phasing out the committee system. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-ware-92a15b35_written-statements-written-questions-answers-activity-7343630434964004865-AitR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Harish’s Notebook – the arbitrariness of objectivism – Jose (2025)
Cybernetic constructivism rejects the idea that we have access to an objective reality. It does not deny that there is an external reality independent of an observer. https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6yU
Burn the digital paper!
A call to arms – Irving (2015) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_burn-the-digital-paper-a-call-to-arms-activity-7344108111642738689-vLx2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Why I joined DOGE
Reorganisation, local government and the future of English Devolution. Copus and Leach
Today in the first of a new series 'Other Ideas' of occasional long-form essays, Localis publishes an analysis and critique by Emeritus Professors Colin Copus & Steve Leach on some of the fundamentals of local government reorganisation and devolution. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonathanwerran_reorganisation-local-government-and-the-activity-7343563214577672192-JJ9L?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho