Thinking outside the box

Great article here!

At a time of increasing financial pressure, service commissioners may be tempted to play safe with design – but Ruth Keeling finds that trying new approaches can produce better results and, ultimately, save public cash

After years of efficiency programmes, the state of public finances is such that departments are being asked to cut expenditure again. How will they do that? One answer may be a radical rethink of the way services are designed – at least, that is the idea behind the Design Council’s ‘Public Service by Design’ programme....

The Shortlist for the Civil Service Awards 2009

http://network.civilservicelive.com/pg/groups/247940/civil-service-awards/

Lots of innovative projects here - worth a visit

Trust & creativity

I have just blogged on my other blog about what it takes to earn trust as a leader. (click here for the piece)

But it was an article about W.L.Gore & Associates that got me thinking about this topice. The article is well worth a read as it discusses how this company generates creativity and innovation. You can read it here.

I was left wondering - what would the NHS or a local council look like if it was run along similar lines? Answers on a post card to... (see contact points left!)

What do I know?!

When I have time, I send out emails asking people for any ideas that they have come across. Many of the responses are shown below. I am hugely grateful for all the examples that have been sent to me. Please keep them coming!

But every now and then I get an email which deflates me a little. I won't reprint one I received in the last few days because - I want to keep to keep the organisation anonymous. Moreover, the email is at pains to make clear that according to the "Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 Act, sections 4 and 12" they have not given me permission to use the information.

However, I can say that had this organisation actually had:

• A staff suggestion scheme
• An annual efficiency statement
• Initiatives that have provided a benefit of around £50k
• Success stories communicated to the communications team
• Directors who saw it as part of their responsibility to have some knowledge about these matters...

...then the organisation in question might just be providing a better and more efficient service to its clients and local citizens.

But what do I know, of course?!

Press cuttings: There must be a better way...

I've been looking at some of the functions the communication and marketing department performs and how they can be performed with less people (we're losing staff through transformation). Specifically if by changing the way we do certain things we can save time and money, or if we can do it better... (rest here)

Useful posting and indeed overall blog about Web 2.0 strategies for local govt (specifically Newcastle City Council) - thanks for the link from http://twitter.com/NewcastleCC

McKinsey report bites the dust - another example of where the small creative ideas have been overlooked?

The government says it has rejected advice from management consultants to cut the NHS workforce in England by 10% over the next five years... Sir Gerry Robinson, the businessman who presented a BBC series about the NHS, said he saw an "enormous amount of waste" and jobs should go. He added he was "infuriated" by yet another report, which cost a lot of money and "tells you the obvious".

(BBC: NHS workforce cuts plan rejected)

Many years ago, I read a book by Edgar Schein (Process Consultation Volume 2: Lessons for managers and consultants - which is still available) and it changed my approach to consultancy. In it he describes three model of consultancy: The purchase of information or expertise, the doctor-patient model and process consultation. I have discussed these points at greater length on my other blog (click here)

I make the overall point that all too often the wrong kinds of consultancy are procured - and ownership of the problems are handed over to external consultancies.

It is my ambition that this blog will assist with ensuring that more credence and resources are given over to making sure that staff (including NHS staff) are empowered and encouraged to offer the small & creative ideas that are, can and will make more of a difference to service improvement.

New initiative by Nick Clegg (leader of Liberal Democrats)

Nick Clegg has just launched a website designed to provide A Fresh Start for Saving Taxpayer’s Money

The website goes onto say:

Do you work in the public sector? Budgets are going to be tight for years, if not decades. There isn’t going to be any extra money - in fact there may be less money in some departments across the public sector.

We need to cut out all inefficiencies in order to protect front-line services. This Government has a staggering record on waste. We need to stop money from being thrown away – that means talking to the people who know best about how public services are run: public servants.

Your ideas for efficiency savings will make sure that all the money there is goes on providing quality services.

http://www.nickclegg.com/2009/08/intheknow/

Naturally I would claim neutrality on the party political aspects of this initiative - but it is one that I would still support. The more than senior politicians - of all parties - get to hear about the 'small creative ideas' that are making a difference to the public services - the better it is, in my view. I would urge you visit the website and make your contribution.

Railway station pest control - back to the future!

An example of innovative pest control (I am told by Kevin Sorkin) at Marylebone Station!

http://www.civilservicelive.com/wp-content/uploads/pest-control.jpg

I think I will avoid wearing any (fake) fur hats if I go there...

This also reminds me of a very early post on this blog - on creative pest control in a prison - click here.

Community cohesion - excellent resource

There is an excellent network and growing resource concerning community cohesion coordinated by the Universities of Coventry, Leicester, De Montfort & Warwick. Packed with good practice examples and networking opportunities - I commend you to sign up and share what you know!

http://practitioners.cohesioninstitute.org.uk/live/welcome.asp?id=10

Practitioners' Network

The iCoCo Practitioners' Network was established in May 2006 to bring together cohesion practitioners. The purpose, remit and aims of the Network are:

• exchange ideas, discuss issues and seek solutions to problems
• find out about successful initiatives operating throughout the UK
• seek out, share and disseminate good practice
• contribute to the development of training opportunities
• provide a 'what works' enquiry system
• identify the need for action research programmes and assist in their development
• advocate on behalf of practitioners and community cohesion in general

Please visit it if you are at all interested in community cohesion.

Cyclehoop - instant cycle parks!

Anything that can be done to encourage more cycle use (and therefore less car use) is in my a view a good thing. So here is the cyclehoop! In the words of the website - it is a revolution in bike parking. It is a device which clamps onto existing street furniture instantly turning them into good places to park - and lock - your bike to.

More information - click here

And many thanks to Ruth Keeling and her blog for pointing me in this direction. Indeed thanks to Kevin Sorkin for directing me towards Ruth's blog!

Novel way of raising cash for charity

A WRITING workshop is being held to help people create their own novel and raise money for charity at the same time. The one-day workshop has been organised by Lifeline Resources, a local cancer charity which organises four-day therapeutic breaks free of charge for cancer patients and their carers...

More information (thanks to The Plymouth Herald) - click here

Great idea!

Dream...

Not quite a 'small' creative idea - but a rather big one!

http://www.dreamsthelens.com/home.html

Dream: Jaume Plensa's landmark sculpture on the former Sutton Manor Colliery in St.Helens, Northwest England

I like the idea of a sculpture to encourage people to dream. It certainly is

a triumph, a stunning visual feast, and a spectacular object lesson in the "art of the possible", demonstrating what can be achieved when committed people with a shared vision work together towards a common goal.

In my view - the core purpose of the public services is to assist people to dream, have ambitions and realise these - either through providing the tools to enable this (such as education) or remove the barriers to their achievement (tackling ill health and crime). I hope this beautiful sculpture inspires people both as citizens and as service providers - to make more dreams possible.

Congratulations to St Helens!

Environment & Transport savings

• Carrying out bulk, skills training in-house with the external trainers coming to us rather than sending staff away. We did a 2-week in-house road safety training scheme (Rospa) and it is estimated that £8000 was saved . We also ran a risk assessment course in house and saved around £4000.
• Developing skills inhouse rather than using external consultants. By example we have trained up our safety engineers to do safety audits (of new scheme designs). External consultants would charge around £2000 per audit, we now use internal staff at much lower cost.

Thanks to Suffolk County Council for these examples.

Efficiency savings from Audit Services in Suffolk

Format:

Area of work

• Activity
• Amount if quantifiable

Internal Audit Programme

• Use of IT Auditor from NHS Audit Services as opposed to private sector IT auditor
• At least £2,640

Training

• Contract Audit Training - Cost of course £70 per delgate. Cost of same course on an individual basis provided externally would be at least £600 per delegate
• Approx £2,000

Internal Audit Programme

• Re de-commissioning of 14 day care centres across Suffolk over a period of 15 months. An 'Establishment Closure Finance Certificate' has been introduced by Audit Services. 12 days for one audit leader at £35 per day
• Approx £3,000

Training

• VFM Training - Cost of course £50 per delegate. Cost of same course on an individual basis provided externally would be at least £300 per delegate.
• Approx £1,500

Training

• West Dean Training Course - Cost of course £500 per delegate. Cost of same course on an individual basis provided externally would be at least £2000 per delegate.
• Aprrox £3,000

Training

• Audit Commission Presentation; free course. Cost of same course on an individual basis provided externally would be at least £150 per delegate.
• Approx £450

Internal Audit Programme

• Use of IT Auditor from NHS Audit Services as opposed to private sector IT auditor
• At least £2,200

Internal Audit Programme

• Use of IT Auditor from NHS Audit Services as opposed to private sector IT auditor
• At least £1,470

Training

• West Dean Training Course - Cost of course £500 per auditor. Cost of same course on an individual basis provided externally would be at least £2000 per delegate.
• Approx £6,000

Training

• Delegate under 19 years old and AAT is therefore free
• £540

Records Management

• Review & disposal of files held in storage - destroyed 250 boxes, storage now costs £38.54 per month, or £462.48 per year.
• Annual £2,640

Internal Audit Programme

• Use of IT Auditor from NHS Audit Services as opposed to private sector IT auditor
• At least £2,310

Galileo Training

• Provision of Galileo training to Audit Services staff - Training to 15 members of staff - estimated cost £200 per delegate
• Approx £3,000

Many thanks to Suffolk County Council for these examples.

New Adopt a Box Scheme to Combat Graffiti - Harlow

Local residents are being asked to help combat graffiti on cable TV and phone boxes through the new Adopt-a-Box scheme.

Dozens of the boxes are targeted each year by vandals but, due to their locations in public areas, there are few ways of protecting them. The Council is now asking local people to help by adopting and repainting boxes in their neighbourhoods....

More information - click here

Reading group - in a pub

Walsall Council Central Lending Library support a reading group in a pub - seems like a good idea! More information - click here

And details of the pub itself is here

(I wonder if they will include James Joyce's Ulysses?)

Customer Journey Mapping Workshop

One of the earlier posts on this blog featured details of how Stoke-on-Trent Council have developed a model for Customer Journey Mapping (see the post below for more information). This has created such interest that the Council have decided to put on a workshop - here is their notice:

___________________

In response to all the feedback we've had about our blog posting about our Customer Journey Mapping model we've decided to hold a half day workshop.

The workshop will be held in Stoke-on-Trent at our Civic Centre on the morning of the 4 November. The workshop will be £95 per person for public sector employees including lunch. If anyone is interested in finding out more or coming along to our workshop please contact will.haywood@stoke.gov.uk or telephone Will on 01782 237610. We'll be providing more information about our workshop soon.

___________________

Great to see this and I wish them well with their workshop!

UPDATE: And here is a link to the details of the workshop:

http://www.stoke.gov.uk/ccm/content/ce/bestvalue/customer-journey-mapping.en

UPDATE 2: I have blogged about this whole issue on my other blog here

UPDATE 3: A report of this workshop is above

UPDATE 4: It is my understanding that this team has now been disbanded.

This blog is not on holiday...

Cornwall and then Tunisia beckons - so this blog will be quiet for the next couple of weeks. Thanks to everyone who has visited over the last few months - so far there have been over 5000 page impressions.

Whether you are a regular visitor here (and there is a growing number) or you have wandered in by accident or come here for the first time - you are most welcome. Please browse and be inspired by all the good ideas I have managed to assemble so far.

In my absence - please do add your "small creative ideas" either by making a comment here or email me jon@jonharveyassociates.co.uk if you would like. The idea does not have to be yours - if you spot what someone else is doing and think it deserves a mention here - there is scope to add a link.

Thanks!

Very best wishes to all.

Jon

Good neighbours

Good Neighbours awards (From Knowsley Council)

Do you know somebody in your community who deserves a special thank you?

A person who does that extra little thing that makes your neighbourhood a better place? Someone who has helped you with your garden, or done the shopping for you when you couldn’t? Perhaps they have looked after your children so you can have a break or even go to work? Maybe they’ve just been there when you needed someone to talk to.

If you live in Knowsley, the ‘Good Neighbours’ Awards are your chance to pay tribute to someone special, either adult or young person, whose kindness has made a real difference to your life or that of another neighbour.

The awards are run by the Knowsley Partnership, in conjunction with the Knowsley Challenge.

What a great idea! More information here.

Swine flu: crisis management (local authority)

When a six-year pupil tragically died of swine flu in the London Borough of Hillingdon, the media spotlight turned on the council. This case study looks at how its communications team supported schools, council staff and the primary care trust.

Further information & helpful guidance on the IDeA website here

UPDATE: There is also an ongoing discussion on the IDeA forum as well - that you may find useful - here