By Julie Allan, Gerard Fairclough, and Barbara Heinzen.Story telling is now acknowledged as a rigorous approach, increasingly valued in business and public policy for its ability to offer fresh insights, raise awareness, enhance creativity and deal with complexity and uncertainty. Power of the Tale takes the everyday stories of life in a variety of organizations and suggests, not only why they are vital, but also how to start telling stories that could make a difference in a working environment. Tales, of the sort described in this book, are a powerful antidote to the overly analytical culture that afflicts many organizations today.
Although elected members of councils have been taking decisions about e-government for several years, a large number have been reluctant to dip their toe in the information technology pool. This is surprising in one sense because most of them do at least some of their work at home and IT can contribute to the efficiency of homeworking. There are now clear indications that change is gathering momentum and increasing number are taking the plunge into the IT pool.The capital cost of connecting members has been a drawback, with many higher priority projects. Councils are now finding cheaper, but effective ways of getting them on line. Tynedale council has recycled 50 out of date PCs. Other councils, such as Test Valley, give members a monthly allowance, usually about 60 pounds, to cover the cost of the PC, consumables and Internet connection. This removes the need for capital expenditure. Some councils, such as Powys, install a flat screen plus keyboard in homes and provide a dial up link to a server in the town hall. This system is supplied by Esteem, a company specializing in homeworking.
Read more on COUNCIL MEMBERS GETTING TO GRIPS WITH E-GOVERNMENT…
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched an electronic claim service that also has a facility for advising change of circumstances such as a new address or a different partner. The service is not totally electronic, because claims must be supported by a birth certificate. Research by the Department published recently makes it clear that unless the marketing challenge can be met, take-up will be modest.The Department surveyed its different client groups to assess interest in electronic services. Overall only 8% of respondents said they would use the Internet to contact the Department in the future. 57% preferred the telephone, 38 % face to face and 5% said they would write a letter.
Read more on NEW ONLINE CHILD BENEFITS SERVICE FACING MARKETING CHALLENGE…