One of the things I do as part of my work is to organise workshops. Having done this 8 times now, I thought I'd share some key experiences that seem to work well. Firstly: keeping to time. This isn't hard but does seem to be rare (which I find frustrating and, on some occasions, downright rude). Secondly: bar camps. These are a terrific way to end the event on a high with people fired up and ready to put new plans into action.

• How to run Workshops to Time And Why It's Worth Doing
• The Benefits of Ending a Workshop with a Bar Camp

People do like to find excuses for not doing something they just don't want to do. In the case of opening public sector information, so that the people who have paid for it can access it, the excuses are entirely predictable and wholly unconvincing.

• Fifty Shades of No