Eavesdrop on a conversation between two senior IT staff of a fictitious company charged with the successful execution of an outsourced arrangement that has just passed its two-year anniversary. Gain an insight into the difficulties they are experiencing, their search for the root causes and their development of a plan to deliver targeted improvement. The…
The SIAM Professional Body of Knowledge has been published and is available free from here. William Hooper of Oareborough Consulting is delighted to have been part of the international team of SIAM experts who wrote the book. The Professional BoK and preceding Foundation BoK are practicable guides that support qualifications accredited by BCS The Chartered…
Outsourcing agreements come to an end, just as do some political treaties. What can those steering the perils of partition learn from each other? There are few experiences as visceral as the turmoil of politics. As a British citizen, I have taken my part and cast my vote on 23rd June, 2016. The comparison of…
Service Integration and Management (SIAM), also known as multisourcing, is all the rage. What is the essence of integration, what do you get from it and how do you make it work? I am suspicious of fashion, as anyone who has seen my wardrobe will attest. That there is a new management fad promotes interest…
Success in delivering change is dependent upon the ability of project managers and others to wield influence, build support and overcome resistance. Services, projects and companies are social entities supported by human endeavour. Their functions are shaped by personal agendas and relationships which can be engaged to advantage, or ignored at peril. A new book…
The success of any endeavour is hugely influenced by the quality of the approach taken. Whilst some deliver with élan, others fail pitifully. The injection of constructive competition can stimulate energy and challenge participants to raise their game. The approach to a project or service captures the essence of the way in which the objectives…
Summer 2014 has seen the spectacular failure of a number of services. Some important lessons have been drawn from these. What are they and how should they affect services and the way they are run? We all make mistakes. One of the key differentiators for service suppliers is the way that they recover from them.…
The best customer service is distinguished by the passion and energy of the staff delivering it. Whilst all know good service when it is seen, measuring it can be a challenge and managing it well can be harder. What can and should be done to sustain outcomes and optimise value? Building and Buying Well An…
Access to essential information and the ability to apply it with full knowledge of its implications are essential to all services. Knowledge management has long been a bane of services. What does one have to do to keep the information flowing? The European Committee for Standardization suggests the definition: “Knowledge is the combination of data and…
The choice of partner can have profound effects, in love and in commerce. Few get married with the intent of immediate divorce. What considerations should sway your selection of a partner? A good selection results in your finding the party that delivers you the best value solution to your need. The Office of National Statistics…
