| In April 1997 a dozen managers (each from a different organisation)
met to find a way to work together to help each other achieve quality
improvement. They concluded that, despite differences in size and
business sector, they had a lot in common in terms of the challenges
they were facing in applying 'quality' thinking.
They decided that there was practical value in sharing information
and ideas. They also decided that the forum they preferred was a
professionally facilitated one-day Workshop. These decisions
set the mould for The
Business Improvement Network.
HOW DOES THE NETWORK OPERATE?
There are two main means by which The Business Improvement
Network furthers its aims:
Workshops
These normally involve 15-20 organisations and are hosted by a Member
company. Workshop topics are always set according to priorities
determined by Members themselves. Workshops
are highly interactive and participative (operating via a mixture
of working groups and free discussion).
Free information
The website, as well as publicising the Workshops, also serves as
a source of free
information for managers on the subject of continual improvement.
We are gradually building up a valuable reference library of straightforward
information, driven mainly from the practical experience of managers
who have figured out how to turn the theories of 'quality' and 'business
excellence' into the realities of continually improving business
results.
WHAT SORT OF TOPICS DOES THE NETWORK DEAL WITH?
The selection of topics for Workshops (and for the Members'
section) is based solely on Members' inputs.
These inputs are collected at the end of every Workshop, as part
of the registration process, and (increasingly) by individual telephone
calls and e-mails.
You can find here a list
of topics covered in the past (many of which will be covered
again in the future if the demand is there).
WHICH ORGANISATIONS ARE MEMBERS?
About 400
organisations have taken part since the Network was created
in early 1997.
WHO OPERATES THE NETWORK AND WHY?
Advanced Training administers
and facilitates The Business Improvement Network on behalf of its
Members. We do this on a cost recovery (rather than profit generating)
basis.
Why do we do this? Leaving aside the obvious answer that we do
it because we are mad, the two reasons for our support of the Network
are:
Public service
We strongly believe that the principles and tools of 'quality' and
'business excellence' are inefficiently, and often ineffectively,
applied. The promised benefits are lost in a fog of jargon and empty
phrases and are made difficult to attain by an emphasis on models
and badges rather than on straightforward good practice.
We have, as managers ourselves, experienced the unfortunate results
of this state of affairs and we are totally committed to promoting
a better way of doing things.
Long term relationships
Although we make no money on the Network itself, Advanced Training
is a commercial organisation. The exposure we get in running Network
Workshops will allow Members to form opinions on whether or not
they like our better way of doing things, our style and our methods.
If they do, we may be fortunate enough that they choose to consider
us when they need help with in-house business improvement training
and consultancy, which is our main business.
That being said, you will find no selling carried out in the Network
Workshops - we are all far too busy ensuring each event is a success!
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS THE NETWORK?
The following are the main indicators of the success of
The Business Improvement Network in promoting new ways of looking
at 'quality', business excellence and continuous improvement:
People come back Almost all Workshop participants tell us that
they would like to attend another Workshop (and many have already
done so).
Perceived value There is an increasing number of reports from Members
of practical value gained as a result of Workshop participation.
Official recognition Insight from Network Workshops has resulted
in our developing innovative new events:
For the Institute of Management (now the Chartered Management Institute)
: courses for senior managers called Creating a Climate of Continual
Improvement and Application of the Business Excellence Model.
For The Management Unit of The University of Reading: a series
of workshops, oriented to continual Improvement, for quality managers
and other senior people.
Also, the Institute of Quality Assurance has decided to offer Business
Improvement Network Workshops as part of their service to their
Corporate and individual clients.
HOW CAN I JOIN THE NETWORK?
Simple. There is no fee. Just
register and you will be given access to the Members' part of
this site. Plus you will get regular updates by e-mail on Workshops
and other events.
All that is asked of Members is that they:
| • |
show a willingness to share their experiences freely (except,
of course, where commercial considerations apply) in order to
allow others to benefit from insights into what works well and
what works less well |
| • |
keep an open mind to the possibility of learning from other
organisations' ideas and approaches. |
| • |
treat as confidential any insights gained via the Network. |
MEMBERS FEEDBACK
Finally, you will be interested to read a few of the feedback
comments we have received from Members.
CONTACT DETAILS
Jim Wade
tel: 0118 987 5120
fax: 0118 987 2683
mob: 077 88 6666 08
email: jim@bin.co.uk
web: www.bin.co.uk
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