Summer newsletter 2016 approximately 1,500 errors each Welcome When starting with the end year, saving a lot of rework, unnecessary email traffic and result is the right thing to do phone calls. “Our team can As Leicester City have now focus on things that will demonstrated through their make a difference and improve recent Premier League triumph, the business, rather than fixing it is essential when starting out Zeeshan Tayyeb is Finance Director at IRIS things that have gone wrong.” on an improvement journey Software Group. When he joined IRIS two years to be absolutely clear from ago, a key challenge was to look at the different Zeeshan went on to explain two the outset of the goal and to additional benefits that have gain the buy in of all the team processes and integration within the organisation, been realised from working with involved. We know this holds which has grown massively over the years both Processfix. “One of the best things true both on and off the pitch organically and through acquisitions. He has taken about a Processfix workshop is that as many will remember their the people who own the process Processfix workshop described his organisation from local, manual processes work out what’s happening and in our winter 2011 newsletter. with workarounds, to simple, standardised and then own the actions to improve optimised processes, before starting a new systems it. That’s the beauty of it. If a With this in mind we begin consultant comes in and says “fix with Zeeshan Tayyeb, Finance implementation project. these 20 things and everything Director at IRIS Software will be fine”, people don’t Group who shares his story of believe in it and at best do them starting with the outset in mind half-heartedly. With Processfix, and empowering his team to your people work things out for remove unnecessary waste and themselves. As a result, they have complexity from their process. a great sense of achievement and champion the solutions This autumn the annual throughout the organisation. Operational Excellence Network is being hosted by King’s College London. Processfix work with “Our team a wide range of universities who wish to improve their can now focus processes and this year we are delighted to announce on things that Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Chair of the Universities UK Group on will make a Efficiency, as keynote speaker. Read all about it on the following difference and pages and we hope you are We asked Zeeshan about the to deal with a lot more volume able to join us at what looks kind of process challenges that under less stressful conditions.” improve the set to be a stimulating event. he faced when he arrived at IRIS. “The software industry has When we talked to Zeeshan, business, rather evolved enormously over time and IRIS was about to implement a compared to when IRIS started, new CRM and ERP system. “We than fixing NEWSFLASH! is very different. When you factor decided to undertake a Processfix in some bolt-on acquisitions workshop to make sure the new things that have with different processes, a lot of system was fit for purpose and Leicester, UK – May 2016 complexity becomes built in. to get rid of inefficiencies. At the gone wrong.” Congratulations to Processfix client workshop, we looked at our Leicester City for winning There is no one reason for the sales order process, starting the Premier League complexity, it is just different from a closed opportunity and And then, as well as having people at different times, all with finishing when the invoice was unlocked this piece of work their reasons for doing things in paid into our bank account.” in the workshop, the people a certain way, or to deal with involved, who were all from specific issues. A great example The team focused on the ultimate different parts of the business, here is one of our offices and their outcome: for the customer, being understood that any process franking machine: they were able to use the software; for the can be streamlined using a reluctant to move from paper- company, getting paid for it. “By similar approach. By taking this based systems to electronic, looking at the process in these knowledge and focusing on the as they had recently invested two basic terms, we have taken desired outcome, I am confident in a franking machine and the a lot of unnecessary complexity they will deliver process infrastructure around this. They and waste from the process.” improvement in many other were extremely worried about processes under their influence.” wasting the costs associated The target has been set to increase with this, rather than looking efficiency and accuracy from If you would like to know more towards the ultimate goal, 96% to 99%+. On a volume about Zeeshan’s experience which would be to become of approximately 40,000+ at IRIS, please contact him on: more efficient and enable them transactions, this will reduce [email protected]. 17TH NOVEMBER 2016 – HOSTED BY KING’S COLLEGE LONDON AT THE ANATOMY MUSEUM IN CENTRAL LONDON Efficiency, effectiveness and value for money The contribution of process improvement The Operational Excellence Network is hosting its third annual open meeting for those interested in improving practice on managing change in higher education. There will be an opportunity to share ideas and experience, network and consider how to work more collaboratively. Processfix works with a wide range of organisations process improvement to that agenda. Our emphasis, who wish to improve their business processes. Each as usual, will be on maximising opportunities organisation is developing their programme in their for the sharing of experience and ideas. own way, in line with their strategic agendas and objectives. The Operational Excellence Network As with previous network meetings the programme gives process improvement programme champions has been designed to improve professional the opportunity to share their experiences, pool practice and provide an opportunity for colleagues their expertise and provide continuing support. to learn from others’ experience across the sector. This year the focus will also be on how to With efficiency, effectiveness and value for money support colleagues who are challenged with having such strong currency in higher education leading and implementing change projects all discussions at present, this year’s workshop will year round with the learning being captured focus on the contribution of strategic business and disseminated via the network website. UK higher education is a national success story. We enjoy a global reputation for excellence in teaching and research, and our universities continue to be in the vanguard for advancing individuals and wider society, helping to solve the many problems facing people across the globe today. In addition we are seen globally as an efficient sector; one which uses every pound wisely. However, the challenge of ensuring that we maintain this standing should not be underestimated. Many With special guest speaker nations are investing in higher education, seeing Professor Sir Ian Diamond that the higher level skills of graduates and the social Vice-chancellor of the University of and economic benefits of research are central to Aberdeen and Chair of the Universities an advanced 21st century society. Internationally, UK Task Group on efficiency higher education is becoming ever more competitive and UK higher education must work tirelessly to maintain our international standing and to become “The sector is adapting both financially and environmentally sustainable. to a more competitive environment, and we must “to meet the demands of recognise and master the competitiveness in the 21st complexity of this turbulent century, universities must landscape if both success work in ever smarter and and sustainability are more innovative ways” to be achieved” In this context, delivering efficiency and value for money is an absolute operational priority. All stakeholders Professor Sir Ian Diamond is Principal rightly expect efficient use of resources and in the current and Vice-Chancellor of the University of financially austere times investment to maintain excellence Aberdeen, an appointment he has held in both education and research will often come since 1 April 2010. He was previously Chief through such efficiencies. Thus, to meet the demands Executive of the Economic and Social of competitiveness in the 21st century, universities must Research Council. He was also Chair of the work in ever smarter and more innovative ways. Research Councils UK Executive Group, the umbrella body that represents all seven UK [Diamond, Ian. 2015. Efficiency, effectiveness and Research Councils. Before joining the ESRC, value for money. Universities UK. Foreword] Sir Ian was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Southampton, where he had For further information and to book your place been for most of his career. please contact our network coordinator Jenny Hocking at [email protected] Today’s programme 09:30 – 10:00 Coffee on arrival and registration 12:15 – 13:00 The efficiency, effectiveness and value for money agenda in higher education 10:00 – 10:15 Welcome and introduction Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice Jenny Hocking, Programme Facilitator, Processfix Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen 10:15 – 11:15 Transforming the student experience 13:00 – 13:45 Lunch and networking at King’s College London Tessa Harrison, Director, Students and Education, 13:45 – 14:45 The contribution of process King’s College London and Chair of the improvement plenary Association of University Administrators Panellists to include Tessa Harrison and Keith Harrison with Mark Ricketts, Director of Process Improvement at 11:15 – 11:30 Morning break the University of Bath and Stephen Marshall, Secretary and Registrar at the University of the Arts London 11:30 – 12:15 Why technology is not the answer to everything at Birkbeck 14:45 – 15:30 Network sharing session: Keith Harrison, Secretary to the Governors, Birkbeck championing the ‘to be’ Participants share experiences about championing improved process implementation 15:30 – 16:00 Wrap up and end of workshop About us And Finally… Organisations rely on processes to get things done.