Broken Train

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




I was recently at a ICT supplier update session and training was discussed. This supplier used technical authors to generate on-line help, training materials and surveyed outcomes using SurveyMonkey. It was a refreshing approach, in respect of a lot of training on application software (particularly in Housing or Finance), that often falls far short, of what it should deliver.

If someone is good at their job, surely they would make a great trainer? That is an often wrong assumption that's made.

The problem is sometimes, people often know their areas inside out. They are good developers or implementers, but do they actually have some skills to communicate it over as trainers?

Most trainers I come across, particularly around ICT, systems and implementations don't hit the spot. Common problems include lack of a set agenda, scant preparation to understand customer configuration or requirements, no signposting particularly setting the scene initially, inability to keep to the agenda, unclear communication, lack of background materials (or very poor ones), left as reference. 

A cynic might conclude that suppliers do not want to train their customers too well, as it will interrupt a lucrative income stream. I think it's more fundamental than that. Often the individuals sent out to train are not equipped to do it properly, otherwise outcomes would be so much better.

I have organised and delivered lots of training sessions in the last 20 years, trying hard to cover a pre-agreed agenda and to keep it engaging. It's not easy to get it right, but the more you do correctly, the better future ones go. Customers should have the opportunity to rate the trainer as well as attendees rating the training. A good supplier will provide feedback forms or a web-link to an on-line survey, which can be used right after the session. If your supplier does not survey effectiveness, introduce your own assessment form, sharing with your supplier.

If the outcomes are not achieved, tell your supplier straight away and see if the problem can be rectified to both your satisfaction. Just paying for another day of training is not an option. If you have a good experience with a particular trainer, ask for them in the future. It's worth waiting a few weeks to get better outcomes, at the rates often charged for system, process or ICT training.   

Related Post: Do you pussyfoot around your housing ICT suppliers? Would they really know if you were dissatisfied?

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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.


Beck - Broken Train.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy ,TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Swords Of 10 Thousand Men

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/

A work colleague congratulated me last week, that I had reached ten thousand followers on Twitter. I have got to admit, I hadn't clocked it myself, but was quietly pleased to spot I had indeed reached 10.1K, the next time I bothered to check https://twitter.com/hotpixUK

I spend a fair bit of time on there and with a good set of tweeters followed, it's a bit like my own personal newspaper view of my world, in some respects. It brings me what's topical as well as big chunks of photo, housing and ICT news. I tend to follow active tweeters, who on the whole highlight lots of internet content and links that I would never find without it. I have got to say too, that my slightly dodgy twitter handle of @HotpixUK does not seem to have been a barrier.

I do regularly decline to 'buy followers'. The standard lately has plummeted, with most of the bots turned bi-sexual, with an un-natural interest in 'Booty' IMO. Also they wouldn't really have any interesting content to float my boat, so I have saved my $29 thus far.

It's always good to meet followers and who I follow in real life, in a bar or restaurant would be my preference, although a conference or exhibition is just as good. Many a meeting when everyone has gone around the table, someone new to me has asked "are you the Tony Smith who tweets about housing ICT from Twitter", or "are you Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy"? The latter always makes me smile and generally leads to some really good conversations after the (official) meeting.

One example is Boris Worrell (@BorisOrbitGroup - https://twitter.com/BorisOrbitGroup ), a good egg and a very interesting chap, either online or in real life.

I am occasionally asked, could I sign up to Twitter without tweeting, to just try it out?

Well you could just lurk quite easily, but it's the taking part and the interactions that can lead to some really interesting things.  One piece of good advice is, always reply to engagements, even if you just retweet, due to shortage of time. I have tailored a few individual course to organisations looking to use more social media, highlighting two models I use between @HotpixUK and the @FOLGrappenhall account that supports the local community library, I am on the board of, for publicity.   

While some troller's do inhabit Twitter, I think if you have an informed opinion, you should engage even if the responses coming back are in opposition to it. We are only going to change hearts & minds by engaging. I believe reaching to block a person on twitter, because their opinion differs to yours, is basically a cop out. Engage with it, or the drip-drip of that response becomes the accepted fact.

A bit like the assumption "Gordon Brown's deficit crashed the UK economy", became fact, instead of what really happened, "Global banks, including many in the UK, crashed the world economy, and bailing them out crashed the UK economy".  On Twitter, if all sensible #ukhousing folk blocked the "We have an affordable home supply problem, rentable and for mortgage" deniers,  before long everyone would believe RTB (Right To Buy 2.0) was the solution and social housing providers, were definitely the problem (not the solution).

I am often asked questions about social housing ICT and queries about systems software, procurements, problems with suppliers and how to make better choices with integrated housing management systems. For me, I am happy to help, and when I have asked questions on Twitter, I have generally found people extremely helpful. In one instance, finding 49 Win5.6 devices for a client still on some legacy mobile working system.  It helped pull them out of a tricky situation on that occasion. All with the help of Twitter 8-)

So a massive "Thank You" and "*Hug*" to all my Twitter followers. If you see me at the next conference free bar, make sure you introduce yourself, if you recognise me.

Related Post: Is your IT team really pants, why is it not delivering for the organisation?

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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.


Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a thousand men.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy ,TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

We Have a Technical Helpdesk

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/




Have you ever worked on a technical support desk? You will have certainly had to deal with or log calls on one at some stage, I am sure. They can be very irritating to work with and it's got to be said, dealing with it from the other side of the fence, as irritating too.

I have worked on a couple of helpdesks at two different software organisations, so I have been around the block on this one. You experience people meddling with data, doing unauthorised raw updates, breaking stuff and also find some of the most obvious bugs, that you would have expected any half decent QA or system testing would have revealed.

On the former, often users are not aware of their contract which pretty comprehensively will forbade them doing those raw updates. That's not suppliers being peevish, its protection for them and the client. If you scramble your data making it corrupt or unloadable in the application, your contract does not support it. Consequently, a charge will be certainly quoted to sort it out.

Equally, if your users do something slightly crazy, like run the annual/quarterly leaseholder debit twice, that's not technical support either and its unlikely that your software supplier will clean up all the transactions, from your accounts for free. Maybe for something like that, reach for last nights' system backup, restore and lose some up-time. It all depends on the severity of the mistake. Perhaps getting admin to manually reverse out (or mitigate the) changes, is the best way.

One example recently I heard about was a large RSL accidently raising 1,200 gas service works orders, when they were not required. The housing system had not error-ed, it had done exactly as designed & instructed.  It was far cheaper to have an admin resource chew through them all to cancel, than ask the system supplier to automate a one off fix to do the same task.  it is often costly for the supplier to bespoke something like this, as one cancellation may impact eight or more tables and other related contextual updates.

All types of things can be done to make systems more foolproof, however in my experience, fools can be pretty damned ingenious!

If you have never worked on a technical support helpdesk, here's a useful snapshot, in the event your system supplier offers you a job on one. Something I am told that can happen a lot in the social housing system sector. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG7hYnMyxyY 

Related Post: What sort of waste do you generate & tolorate inside your organisation?

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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.


Gary Numan - We Have A Technical.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA, Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,implementations,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX , NINTEX workflow,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC , Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint,Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy ,TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

See Europe

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/


Has anyone noticed that one of housings biggest mobile working providers has had a wee make-over recently?

There is a new logo too, a lot more European.





Out goes

In favour of

Quietly Greg Jones has assumed the title of CEO from Bob Dent who now seems to be concentrating on his Internet Of Things, over at Zonr. A smart move for Robert, I would say. An area of tech that will be taking off for housing, offices, everywhere.

Earlier this year I had a sneak preview of the new 1st Touch customer portal type offerings. They are surely getting closer to a release now, but the smattering of French (and some obvious translations from French revealed its origins, possibly from Aareon's  subsidiary there.

I think that's a good thing and will bring us some great ideas, this side of the channel. I would not like it to dilute the quality of service customers see here however. I hear a lot of moans & grumbles about all manner of software & application suppliers , in a sector (not just mobile) that can at times seem like a 'Broad church of over-selling and under-delivery'.

No supplier however large can take its existing customers for granted. If innovation, value, fairness and quality are not clear to clients, they will eventually jump ship to alternatives. I think 1st Touch will be a European success story, but would hope that's not at the expense of punters back here in Blighty.

Related Post: What kind of sledgehammer do you need to crack your Contractor/DLO nut

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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.


TV Smiths Explorers - See Europe.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA, Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,implementations,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX , NINTEX workflow,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC , Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint,Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy ,TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Your Call - So Good

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/


A big deserved thank you for OmFax and St Leger Homes in Doncaster, for inviting me to host the 'YourCall' event last week. I always enjoy meeting and chatting to the incredible staff and managers, delivering excellent customer services in the social housing sector.


This 'Your Call' event was a cracker, really interesting with some varied opinions, starting straight after the breakfast pastries and coffee. The event was attended by a great group, including from St Leger (natch!), A1 Housing in Worksop, Astraline (who provide out of hours services), Berneslai Homes  in Barnsley, WDH in Wakefield, Newark & Sherwood and Ongo in Scunthorpe.

First up after the stats from the 'Your Call' survey was revealed, ( you can still register your thoughts via the link on http://tonysmiththathousingitguy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/say-something-about-state-of-social.html ), was a discussion on the diversification of channels. Everyone these days want to channel shift, offer cheaper 24/7 service online. But what does it mean for the traditional customer service team?

Well Twitter and social media raised its head, increasingly a method that customers are using to contact & express opinions about the social landlords in the group. For some just a 9to5 Twitter prescience was enough. Most were all experiencing some levels of added commercialisation and some were experiencing group expansion. These brought their own challenges and the creation of waste in the customer service centre. Often it was in-complete integration  that created problems. That old chestnut, data not held in a single place, presenting information to customer service staff.

One other issue cited was incomplete channel shift or a partial implementation that actually doubled up tasks. Examples are when a website form can be completed at any time 24/7, but arrives as an email, for customer services to key into another system, the following morning. I recalled my experience of the Halifax online bank 'IF' from 1999, doing just that. Spookily enough, one of the attendees still had an 'IF' (Intelligent Finance) account. I bet the Halifax have managed to integrate it all properly by now!

On the subject of personalisation of service, all agreed that one of the tricks was to recruit for attitude not knowledge. One RSL tried its best to recruit staff from its resident bodies. An absolutely brilliant idea. The better integrated systems seemed to make it easier to personalise. often a CRM module was badly synchronised with back-end housing systems. This can lead to duplicate contacts, data spread across many places or completely missing in action sometimes.

To empower staff to be able to deliver expert service, some attendees utilised work shadowing, to see the effect on other staff. Seeing the process as a long customer journey was seen as useful and had informed front & back-end staff as to the importance of each step as being part of delivering excellence. Failures generate waste calls and small changes, such as automated texts and keeping customers/tenants informed, can significantly reduce waste.       

So, all in all a very interesting morning indeed. I hope Peter Graddon & Omfax will be continuing the 'Your Call' idea into the future. A great way to exchange great ideas, issues and best practice.

Related Post: Does Mobile or Channel Shift often mean doing everything twice?

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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.


Joy Zipper - You're So Good.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA, Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,implementations,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX , NINTEX workflow,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC , Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint,Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy ,TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Mondo Bondage

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/

S&M I am told can be an interesting pass-time, if it's something that all consenting adult parties enjoy. I am reliably told that a 'safe word' is essential, for when the pain really, really needs to stop. A handy way to remember the two meanings of the S & the M, is to think of the abuse coming from Me or Someone else.

#UKhousing has been having a dose of its own abuse recently. A few lashes in the chancellors emergency budget, 1% reduction in rents and some tongue lashing in the Times, to degrade & soften up the 'ill-performing sector' for the humiliation of more RTB2.0 (Right To Buy). We are getting used to watching the bottom line, how to build our budget reviews and line our loyal staff up for voluntary or maybe mandatory redundancy. Dark heavy clouds have descended over some of the most optimistic and forward thinking managers & directors. 

After a softening up to threaten nationalisation or reclassification , the housing sector was asked to swallow its pride last week, by its national body, The NHF. I think they shouted something like, "Hey turkeys, can we all vote for Christmas?" or similar.

To me it's got a familiar ring to it, from a government with recent form in this area. It was only a few weekends ago, that someone persuaded the BBC, "Hey turkey, can you stump up £650m for free TV licences?"

Now if the latter one had gone through parliament, like maybe it should have, a clause or two, or the House of Lords may have moderated it. Possibly a means test could have restricted it to all retired people with an annual pension of £10,000 or less. That might have saved the BBC maybe £100m, probably funding four more, internationally acclaimed costume dramas, or 52 weekends of Michael McIntyre annually. Maybe it was lucky they did it to themselves.

We now have a Tory administration who offered extended RTB as a manifesto giveaway promise, expecting not to have to do it in coalition.  Having won the election outright, now it's a promise to be delivered. With a resurgent Labour left and actually a slim majority, it might only take 11 Tory rebels, to stop or seriously soften a bill for more RTB giveaways. We could expect the House of Lords to give it a good seeing too as well. Many MPs can see the danger of losing more of our social housing. London pretty much unaffordable to rent in, increasing costs of housing homeless, migrants funnelling in from Syria and other asylum seekers.

If parliament passing a bill for extended RTB sounds like sadism imposed on the social housing sector, the NHF are effectively saying, be masochists and vote now like turkeys for this. Make it easy as it would be a difficult ride through parliament. Once the sector had voted for it, surely it would be spun like, "The sector knew it was failing and that selling off lots of its much needed low rent homes, to boost the PRS still further, was the best commercial thing to do".  Pushing up rents is good commercially for the UK and shifts the voting demographic to the political right.

Anyone with experience in the sector knows that previous RTB has never come near to even 10% replacement and that over 40% of homes sold, end up in the PRS anyway. I lived in one for a year, paying four times more than a social rent, in a flat in worse repair than the (still) social rent ones adjacent. How any board can suggest we flagellate and subject our organisations to the pain of more RTB, knowing the wider consequences to society, cost of the future HB bill, failure of replacement etc baffles me.

We need to take our chances with a proper bill (primary legislation in October), through parliament, surely that's the only sensible course of action?

Let something as fundamental as this be discussed in detail, deconstructed and given proper scrutiny. We need to get the message out too. What we do for society, to our staff, their family, friends, MPs, House of lords members, local & national newspapers, other traditional & social media.

The London Evening Standard has already picked up on the effects of more RTB. Read Anthony Hilton's Article here.

It's time we stopped beating ourselves up and refused the offer, from a body that I would hope, should always act in the best interests of social housing, to take on more masochistic pain, administered by our own hand.  Already a number of voices have spoken up and a number of RSL's led by Red Kite Housing are using the 'safe word', which on this occasion is 'No'.

Related Post: Should Common Housing Register partners have greater autonomy?

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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.


The Tubes - Mondo Bondage.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA, Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,implementations,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX , NINTEX workflow,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC , Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint,Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy ,TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Board

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/

Iggy Pop, certainly one of my fave artists. He's doing those SwiftCover ads now (insurance for non-musicians only of course), but would he ever join a board? I am on the board of a local community library, and it does (broadly) push my buttons. I like the difference it makes. If we can leave this world a tiny bit (or a wee bit, as my Scots friends would say), then we have lived a good life.

Its hard work being on the board of anything though, isn't it?

I have met so many people who participate in all kinds of things, many who have surprised me. Emma Maier, (who's editorial in Inside Housing I enjoy a lot), one of the latest. Anyone who participates in keeping a library open is a valued friend of mine.

So how do we keep the social housing (& other organisation) board members informed, connected and happy?

A neat trick that many of my clients have switched on to, is issuing board members with iPads or other tablets, with secure access to their systems. An APN can enable board members to have a secure Active Directory login, with an ability to view what they need. Generally that can be via SQL Reporting Services, Clearview or a similar reporting environment, shared drives, or if in use a MS Sharepoint environment. This also makes it easy to provide a dedicated email address too.

Board members feel valued when organisations take this approach and function better. There's less paper to generate & wade through too. Much better for the environment. even emailing PDF reports out to show data as easily understandable charts, with explanatory soundbites, will be gratefully received.

Individuals from a professional background may have minimal time to immerse themselves into deep detail. I find with my community library, I am an active board member, but cannot easily attend every meeting. If i could join the meeting easily via Skype, or other means that would be really convenient. If practical, that might work for certain boards too, maybe more easily done occasionally with just the odd board member joining remotely. If too many tried it, I guess its going to look more like a 1980's episode of 'Celebrity Squares'.

Board members often need training as well, which eases them into their role. This can be easily delivered on tablets via elearning environments. Marrying these up with all the collateral of being a board member can make a real difference. If you aren't combining elements like this, you are certainly missing a trick. What innovations have you shared with your #UKhousing board members?  

Related Post: So, are your key suppliers, Good, Bad or Ugly?

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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.


Iggy Pop - Bored.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


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