Broadcasts

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Workshop for Socitm KPIs review and performance management (Nov 19)

As a participant in Socitm benchmarking during 2009  you are invited to the annual Socitm workshop on performance management to be held on 19 November (10am to 4pm) in London. The main emphasis of these annual workshops is to help senior ICT managers keep abreast of major developments in ICT performance management.

We will consider what the council of the future might look like, review the implications of the Operational Efficiency Programme report to the Treasury (April 2009), the relationship  of our Socitm KPIs with the audit agencies VFM indicators, the introduction of new green KPIs and explore other potential new KPIs.

If you would like to attend this workshop, please contact roland.waterhouse@socitmconsulting.co.uk

Monday 28 September 2009

Social Media - important new tool or security threat?

In August we asked for your help in completing a survey on the use of social networking in order to inform the forthcoming research paper from Socitm Insight.  Although we had a good response considering that it went out at the height of the summer holidays, we are giving you another opportunity to complete it so that we have the best possible set of results.  Please accept our apologies if you have already sent in a return, but if you have not, we would really appreciate you doing so on this occasion

Views within public services about the use of social media (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and the rest) have quickly polarised. One camp seems to think it's a vital new tool, presenting unprecedented opportunities to engage citizens and deliver services in innovative ways. The other sees it as a huge threat to productivity, a drain of bandwidth and a real threat to the security of council systems.  Social media enthusiasts in local government are quick to blame 'IT' for blocking access on grounds they regard as spurious. So, as an IT manager, what do you think ? Just let us know by filling in our simple survey (see attached).

The results (anonymised) will be incorporated into a new report on social media that Socitm Insight will be publishing in the autumn enabling you to benchmark your views and your local authority's practice, against that of your peers and other councils. There will also be a session on this topic at Socitm 2009 (Edinburgh, 11-13 October - see Socitm website for details) where you will be able to discuss the results.

In testing, our reviewers have completed the survey in less than five minutes, despite the breadth of ground we are covering.  We've used our usual check boxes and drop-down lists to make it as painless to fill in as we possibly can!
Please send your completed return to chris.head@socitm.net by Friday, 2 October 2009.

 Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Weekly Broadcast Friday 25 September 2009

1. Socitm seeks Head of Business Relationships and Commercial Development
2. Workshop for Socitm KPIs review and performance management (Nov 19)
3. Socitm 2009: day tickets also available

Socitm seeks Head of Business Relationships and Commercial Development

As part of our ongoing developments, following the appointment of our new Head of Policy and the recruitment of a Head of Membership, the Society is seeking a dynamic and creative individual to drive Socitm's future business growth. One of our key areas for development is that of our business relationships and commercial services and we are looking for an experienced professional to head up these aspects of our work. Use this link to access further information about this role.

Workshop for Socitm KPIs review and performance management (Nov 19)

The annual Socitm workshop on performance management will be held on 19 November (10am to 4pm) in London.  The main emphasis of these annual workshops is to help senior ICT managers keep abreast of major developments in ICT performance management.

The context for the day is set by the severe financial pressures facing the public sector, and ICT managers who need to be able to manage tightly their own costs and help their organisations facilitate transformation and efficiency across all their services. They must also ensure that their ICT services are robust, reliable and valued by their customers, and be able to demonstrate this.

We will consider what the council of the future might look like, review the implications of the Operational Efficiency Programme report to the Treasury (April 2009), the relationshop of our Socitm KPIs with the audit agencies VFM indicators, the introduction of new green KPIs and explore other potential new KPIs.

Please advise roland.waterhouse@socitmconsulting.co.uk of your intention to attend this workshop.

Socitm 2009: day tickets also available

If you are unable to spare two whole working days to attend the Socitm conference, you might consider attending as a day delegate on the Monday or Tuesday - lots of people do. Monday's programme includes 16 different parallel sessions to choose from. On Tuesday you have the option to mix and match Socitm 2009 sessions with the Learning from Better connected: Scottish edition event, which is being run in parallel with Socitm 2009. Details of both events are published on the Socitm website. Keynote speaker for Socitm 2009 is Geoff Mulgan, Director of the Young Foundation and a former Head of Policy in the Prime Minister's Office. Other key speakers include Adrian Joseph, Head of Google Enterprise EMEA, Jason Lowther, Director of Policy and Delivery, Birmingham City Council, and Elma Murray, the former Head of ICT who has recently taken over as chief executive at North Ayrshire Council. There are still some places left, but you should book now to ensure your place.  Please visit the Socitm website to access the booking forms.

Monday 22 September 2009

A new, strategic approach to council websites?
Find out more at Learning from Better connected: The Scottish edition on Oct 13

Better connected 2009 highlighted the fact that the economic recession, which now looks certain to be protracted, means all public sector organisations need to think hard about how they can meet relentlessly increasing demand (think housing, benefits, education and social care) with at best static, and most likely declining, resources. Developing self-service should be high up every local council's strategic plan and that must mean major changes for most councils in the way the website is directed and managed.

The programme is similar to that of the extremely successful Learning from Better connected event held in Birmingham in May, but has a distinctly Scottish flavour. The event is being run in parallel with Socitm's annual conference, being held in Edinburgh this year. There will be an opportunity to 'mix and match' attendance at this event with Socitm 2009

For more information and how to book your places, visit the Socitm website.

Weekly Broadcast Friday 18 September 2009

Optimising IT Services for business success

It has come to our attention that the item above included in last week's News from Socitm contained a typing error, for which we apologise to both recipients and to Ben Clacy. Please see the revised article below, which contains the correct contact name and e-mail address.

As every organisation in the UK faces economic downturn, Service Management and the tangible benefits it can bring move into focus for many organisations. At the heart of Service Management are the principles of delivering IT Services that are continually cost effective whilst delivering the business benefit they set out to meet. It can be used to address the inefficiencies in systems, processes and workforce allowing you to become more resourceful and save money.

With this in mind the itSMF UK 18th Annual Conference focuses on 'Optimising IT Services for Business Success.'  It is the world's leading IT Service Management Conference; a space where the industry convenes to learn, discover, interact and exchange ideas, skills and products.

The Conference will once again be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 9th-10th November 2009 and plans to be even more successful than last year's; which was rated "the best yet" by itSMF members, with approximately 1,200 attendees from over 45 nations.

SOCITM members are being offered the chance to book on at itSMF member rates for the month of September and with the Early bird package currently available you could save up to £150 on a full delegate booking.

To learn more and book onto this prestigious event click here: http://www.itsmf.co.uk/conference09/ or contact Ben Clacy at itSMF on 0118 918 6500 or ben.clacy@itsmf.co.uk

Weekly Broadcast Friday 18 September 2009

1. Socitm seeks Head of Business Relationships and Commercial Development
2. Workshop for Socitm KPIs review and performance management (Nov 19)
3. Optimising IT services for business success

Socitm seeks Head of Business Relationships and Commercial Development

As part of our ongoing developments, following the appointment of our new Head of Policy and the recruitment of a Head of Membership, the Society is seeking a dynamic and creative individual to drive Socitm's future business growth. One of our key areas for development is that of our business relationships and commercial services and we are looking for an experienced professional to head up these aspects of our work. Use this link to access further information about this role.

Workshop for Socitm KPIs review and performance management (Nov 19)

The annual Socitm workshop on performance management will be held on 19 November (10am to 4pm) in London.  The main emphasis of these annual workshops is to help senior ICT managers keep abreast of major developments in ICT performance management.

The context for the day is set by the severe financial pressures facing the public sector, and ICT managers who need to be able to manage tightly their own costs and help their organisations facilitate transformation and efficiency across all their services. They must also ensure that their ICT services are robust, reliable and valued by their customers, and be able to demonstrate this.

We will consider what the council of the future might look like, review the implications of the Operational Efficiency Programme report to the Treasury (April 2009), the relationshop of our Socitm KPIs with the audit agencies VFM indicators, the introduction of new green KPIs and explore other potential new KPIs.

Please advise roland.waterhouse@socitmconsulting.co.uk of your intention to attend this workshop.

Optimising IT Services for Business Success

As every organisation in the UK faces economic downturn, Serivce Management and the tangible benefits it can bring move into focus for many organisations. At the heart of Service Management are the principlles of delivering IT servoces that are continually cost effective whilst delivering the business benefit they set out to meet. It can be used to address the inefficiencies in systems, processes and workforce allowing you to become more resourceful and save money.

With this in mind the itSMF UK 18th Annual Conference focuses on "Optimising IT Services for Business Success". It is the world's leading IT Service Management conference; a space where the industry convenes to learn, discover, interact and exchange ideas, skills and products.

The Conference will once again be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 9-10 November 2009 and plans to be even more successful that last year's; which rated "the best yet" by itSMF members, with approximately 1,200 attendees from over 45 nations.

Socitm members are being offered the chance to book on at itSMF member rates for the month of September and with the Early Bird package currently available you could save up to £150 on a full delegate booking.

To learn more and book onto this prestigious event, go the website or contact Ben Clancy at itSMF on 0118 918 6500 or ben.clancy@itsmf.co.uk

Wednesday 16 September 2009

E-democracy - One day seminar on Nov 25
E-democracy ... Find out more from a special one day seminar on Nov 25 sponsored by Socitm Insight

The UK's leading annual conference, now in its sixth year takes place on Wednesday 25 November. It covers all aspects of e-democracy, from e-campaigning, e-petitions and e-voting to all aspects of the use of the internet and new technologies in the policy cycle; democratic activity and engagement. This Headstar event is sponsored by Socitm Insight.

The programme covers many perspectives from councillors to bloggers, from policy-makers to campaigners. For more information and how to book your places go to the Events page of the Socitm website.