Sunday 30 September 2018

Voice of the Voiceless

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


As many of my twitter followers are aware, I often try to engage as widely as possible in the sector. A lot of that includes chats with lots of residents, who essentially are the ultimate end users of many of the systems that I am involved in, helping landlords procure and squeeze the ultimate from. Dozens over the years have contacted me after reading this blog.

Most residents I believe have a positive (or perhaps adequate more realistically) experience of the services provided by their landlords. Certainly though, there are problems out there, poor service, poorly supervised & controlled maintenance contractors, poor communication probably lying at the root of most issues. Restricted funding for truly affordable and social housing does not help either.

While a few people in the sector I know, may take the view that they are better blocking some of those voices, I would rather try to engage and understand. Maybe I can suggest something new or just learn by the insights of what is going wrong from the resident viewpoint.

These resident stories are the ideal threads to help me understand what’s missing in landlord systems and processes. Far better than a room of housing managers, imagining what processes should look like for poorly understood tenant needs. Actually that is a principle of the ‘Design Thinking’ methodology and  a great way to design better systems.

Occasionally, I am sure (& the old person has told me), I have been described by some as a ‘loud Manc’. Over the summer on Twitter I have followed and had a few exchanges with a chap called Phil Murphy (@MancCommunities), who probably has gained membership of that exclusive club too.

Phil is a specialist in fire safety, a socialhousing resident and active in bringing a historic Carnegie library back into use as an arts centre. As anyone who knows me well might predict, I arranged to meet up with him for a pint and a bite of lunch. It was one of the most interesting afternoons I have had all year.

Phil is working on a number of resident projects, many involving fire safety and how residents and landlords may identify issues easily. I am sure when some initiatives/events are arranged I will blog about them here, to help spread the word.

Its refreshing to see so many residents using free social media tools, seemingly many using them better than some landlord comms teams, still locked in the 9-5. Phil has now set up a new site, focusing on resident issues called ‘Real Voices’ https://realvoices.org.uk/ . Keeping with the DIY and free tools ethos, Phil has built it with a piece of open source software called Elgg ( https://elgg.org ). It was a new one to me, although Phil had successfully used it before on a previous project. It has potential for the users and group owners to have some control and use it to form their own networks around their own groups that they control.




I think the site & environment has massive potential, for residents to share problems and landlords to see service failings that can be tackled with better management, systems and procedures. Often residents do not know what channels they can use to have their issues addressed or in some cases have (or appear to have), exhausted those channels and can benefit from others experiences.

I would advise all residents and tenants who read this blog, to register on https://realvoices.org.uk/ and check it out. Comments here welcome on your experiences too. 

Related Post: Why customer service teams, need to see digital self-service as the future evolving, not just the next threat... 


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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Rage Against The Machine – Voice Of The VoicelessRage Against The Machine – Voice Of The Voiceless.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark,Housing Portfolio Management System, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing 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software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue,Portfolio Management System, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star 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Thursday 20 September 2018

October Daze - #HousingDay – 10th Oct 2018

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


As readers of this blog or followers perhaps on Twitter will know, I have been involved in previous years, taking part in hashtag #HousingDay. This year it will be Wednesday 10th October 2018.

I have worked within the Social Housing sector for over 20 years, even grew up in ‘Council Housing’, so I have an acute understanding of how low cost housing can change peoples lives. I believe wholeheartedly that it’s a definite ‘lift up’, not a hand-out. Lack of truly affordable housing (not ‘A’ffordable, which is 80% of a market rent, and pretty much out of reach for so many, particularly in many of our cities), is a massive issue.

The sector does much good, on so many levels. Like in any sector, sometimes it gets things wrong and I am of the view that a lot of what I can do, to help organisations with systems & processes, we can position and get in the right tools to enable continuous improvements, to take place. Many random tenants across the UK have contacted me for advice or guidance what to ask landlords for, or how to make their voice heard.

#HousingDay is one opportunity for those residents and all the organisations providing #socialhousing to make their voice heard.

In recent years, #Housingday has been organised by Ade Capon, who has done an excellent job. Ade has now left the sector, but this year passed the baton to Leslie Channon (who has been involved as tenant and now joined the sector with HACT). Together with journo Jon Land (many will recognise from 24dash / 24housing), I was pleased they asked me to help with blog set up and generally spreading the word.

We now have an emerging blog at https://housingday2018.wordpress.com/ where we will be featuring articles from the sector, as well as insights from residents, which I think is one of the most important elements. Without tenants and their experiences, we would not have a sector, more importantly, organisations would not have the feedback to improve, which is so vital.

Please look out for the #HousingDay hashtag and think what you will do to shout far and wide about Social Housing, what we do, how it feels to experience it and why we need much more of it, to provide enough housing of all tenures across England, Wales & Ireland.

Feel free to contact me, Leslie or Jon, with news, blogs and other material, we can add to the wordpress site, Twitter or other social media.   

If you are a housing organisation struggling with poor systems for delivering excellent customer service, feel free to get in touch too!


Related Post: When choosing applications software, why you should always look beyond the badge... 



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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Nitin Sawhney – October DazeNitin Sawhney – October Daze.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark,Housing Portfolio Management System, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue,Portfolio Management System, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, 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