Software
The secret life of small systems
or how to outsmart the software cartel
Phil Dearson
Hi there! I'm Phil Dearson - an idealistic skeptic creating systems for independence. I've advised over 200 organisations across almost every industry.
Work
Same ingredients, different kitchen
Choose a seasoned cook
Base Operations
Enough
Or how to spot a Porg
Base Operations
My current systems (Q3 2025)
What runs the Volcano Base?
Innovation
Curiosity Patch Notes
Where enthusiasm and experience play musical chairs
AI
Voicing the dog
Anthropomorphism as interface
Software
When the cloud sneezes
No cloud tool is entirely storm-proof
Base Operations
Drawing lines in the digital sand
Computers are indifferent sand
Software
Do you love your systems?
Would you make them a cup of tea?
Automation
Exit not found (please consult the minotaur)
Familiarity is not mastery. It’s just a longer leash.
The Core
The Core #10: Best practice is a myth
The Core is a limited series of concise principles, sharing the ideas that sit at the heart of everything I
Base Operations
The proposal that wasn’t
How do you write a brief if you don't know what's possible?
The Core
The Core #9: Meetings are for decisions
The Core is a limited series of concise principles, sharing the ideas that sit at the heart of everything I
The Core
The Core #8: People first, technology last
The Core is a limited series of concise principles, sharing the ideas that sit at the heart of everything I
Consulting
An Ideal Customer Profile walks into a bar...
Searching for patterns over profiles
The Core
The Core #7: Admin isn't for humans
The Core is a limited series of concise principles, sharing the ideas that sit at the heart of everything I
The Core
The Core #6: Surveillance capitalism is unethical
The Core is a limited series of concise principles, sharing the ideas that sit at the heart of everything I
The Core
The Core #5: What stands in the way becomes the way
The Core is a limited series of concise principles, sharing the ideas that sit at the heart of everything I
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