How should public sector organisations approach channel shift to ensure they deliver significant, ongoing efficiency gains and public benefits?  Brett Husbands shows how to gently convert people to using online channels in real time to achieve true service transformation. 

For many local government organisations, there is a gap between aspiration and reality when it comes to realising their channel shift programmes.  They can see their ultimate goal of a self-service model for public interactions, and many organisations have already made headway in this by offering a select number of services online.  But how should they extend these initial footings to build a solid foundation for pervasive online interaction?

Read more on CHANNEL SHIFT: SPEEDING UP THE LONG GAME…

Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes, but some of the most popular learning and development interventions used in the workplace can actually thwart innovation. That’s according to the final report in a series of CIPD research insights on HR and its role in innovation, written in collaboration with researchers at the University of Bath.

Read more on WARNING THAT INNOVATION CAN BE FRUSTRATED BY LEARNIING PROGRAMMES…

James Larmour of Freeth Cartwright considers HM Treasury’s “Standardisation of PF2 Guidance”

The PFI has always been subject to criticism, but is now something a pariah. Once New Labour’s preferred procurement technique for capital infrastructure, PFI is seemingly unloved by the Conservative party which created it. So much so that in November 2011 the Chancellor announced the Government’s intention in to undertake a fundamental reassessment of PFI. The result is PF2. But as the name suggests PF2 is not fundamentally different to its predecessor.

Read more on PF2: A NEW APROACH TO PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP?…

Temporary staff  usage among Councils has increased by 1.6% compared to the same period in 2012. The increase signals a possible resurgence in temporary staff usage in 2013 because of the freeze on recruiting permanent staff  and the immediate need to deliver public services.

Read more on INCREASES IN TEMPORARY STAFF GIVE COUNCILS FLEXIBILITY…

Evidence centres are being set up to provide  rigorous, high quality, independently assessed research to support decision making at every level of public services. The Centres will  cover areas with public spending of over £200 billion.

Read more on EVIDENCE CENTRES TO INFORM DECISION MAKING…

The London Grid for Learning is providing 2,000 schools across London with new Wi-Fi service and Voice over IP (VoIP) service. This is a joint venture with Virgin Media Business.

These new services will underpin the ability of schools to take full advantage of new e-learning tools like tablets, interactive whiteboards and educational podcasts, and provide teachers with the tools they need to inspire the next generation of young professionals. It will also save schools  around £100 million each year .

Read more on LOW COST WI-FI SUPPORTS E-LEARNING IN LONDON SCHOOLS…

Commissioning managers fulfil a strategic role. It involves managing budgets, improving efficiency and generating savings. It is much more than procurement. This article explains how an online assessment tool used prior to training  can improve their competency, knowledge and performance .

The assessment tool measures a combination of the managers’ competencies, knowledge and confidence levels. It identifies the skills gap and training needs of specific individuals enabling future training to be more tailored to address their specific needs.

Read more on IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMISSIONING MANAGERS…

Delivering a more innovative approach to service delivery in local government requires the potential of social capital within services to be unlocked. It also requires  customers and suppliers to be viewed as equal partners in the co-production of services. These are the key findings from a report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The report is based on detailed case studies  from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Sunderland City Council and the London Borough of Sutton.

Read more on INNOVATIVE COUNCILS DELIVER RESULTS…

Northamptonshire Police have outsourced training to the University of Northampton as part of a partnership agreement.

Initially the training will involve detectives and student officers, but this will be extended later to include community support officers, reservists, special constables and possibly cadets.

Read more on NORTHAMPTONSHIRE OUTSOURCES POLICE TRAINING…

As the public sector prepares for mandatory eProcurement in 2016, Pedro Paulo, discusses the technology and drivers, plus how this technology will strengthen public sector purchasing.

The stark economic climate caused by the global financial crisis has caused organisations to examine any areas which can offer potential cost savings and boost efficiency.

Read more on THE STATE OF ePROCUREMENT…