I’m getting bombarded with press releases from companies that feature in the Black Book of Outsourcing, a book that is now being updated annually with new information on suppliers in the outsourcing business.

I have every respect for Douglas Brown and Scott Wilson, authors of the book. I haven’t got the new edition yet, but I have read earlier ones and it’s an interesting and well put together piece of work.

However, I still find it a little odd when I read some of the marketing hyperbole that comes through on emails about the book. Companies almost screaming with joy that they were featured in the book. If they explained what they had achieved so that they were featured in the book then it might be more interesting, rather than sending me a series of executive quotes describing what an honour it is to be in the Black Book.

As the bard of Staines, Ali G, might say, is it cos I is English?