EXCLUSIVE: Computers, wine and rock 'n' roll

Monday, February 08, 2010

Steve Palmer, president of Socitm and CIO at Hillingdon Council, gives us a breakdown of an ordinary week, balancing his duties at both Socitm and Hillingdon

Sunday

Some cycling and rowing whilst gathering my thoughts for the coming week, particularly my council's transformation programme. I lead part of the programme and other day job and Socitm issues are to the fore. Part of the afternoon is taken up catching up with all the necessary reading I haven't done.

Monday

As usual out of the house by 6.20 for the 55 minute (M25 permitting) drive to work. Monday is "BID" (Business Improvement Delivery) day each week. BID operations in the morning – strategy in the afternoon. Couple of lunchtime interviews for Business Analysts to join the programme, no joy, Discussion with colleagues in our Customer Contact Centre (I'm the head of service for that, ICT and some other assorted bits and pieces) monitoring service performance, discussing ideas about reducing avoidable contact and improving reception services at our civic centre in Uxbridge,

Tuesday

Strategic ICT development programme meeting to deal with the needs arising from BID and the council's other main priorities. Couple of important Socitm board issues including our financial performance (we are a PLC and subject to company law) and also the development of our membership offering. Oh, and an email or two with one of my Socitm colleagues about our annual conference band RocITM – nice to see Solace have finally caught up with the Soul Aces at their conference. Battle of the Bands anyone? I'm an enthusiastic but very (probably below) average rhythm guitarist by the way. Afternoon finals of the Microsoft Britain Works Challenge as a judge, evening to Brisbane Road, Leyton as the (occasionally) Super O's thrash Bristol Rovers 5-0.

Wednesday

Telephone calls with Cabinet Office and press about g-Cloud and Hillingdon's work so far (yes, I'm trying to be helpful) and also approached the discussion from point of view of Socitm. Calls with a couple of key suppliers on innovation ideas and reducing our costs. Meeting of the council's Business Transformation Board with updates on customer experience and ICT. Meeting on the HillingdonFirst Card - a multi-purpose smart card that offers benefits and services to residents and we have 160,000 active cards. I oversaw implementation last year and the card is a great success. We're looking, in conjunction with our leading politicians, at how we might possibly build on it and offer even more value to our residents.

Telephone interview with online publication about Socitm and where we are going. Central London in the evening for a couple of hours informal discussion with peers from various organisations and sectors on the future of technology as an enabler for improved engagement and government, Discussions helped by a refreshment or 2 (this session is voluntary and outside of working hours m'lud…)

Thursday

Early morning update on a one-stop shop that I have responsibility for. Catch up with what is going on and take some issues away to address – feel guilty about not going there enough, note to self. Strategic meeting with senior colleagues and a major telco looking to bring investment into the borough followed by some discussions about progress on our unification of ICT services within the council. Pleased (relieved?) to see it is going well. Three 1-2-1's with some of my direct reports, catching up with colleagues about strategy development, our service alignment with the business and performance. Walkabout to see some of the people who work with me to deliver our services and a meeting with one of our leading Councillors on our various programmes.

Friday

Early start at home on email and completing some reports and written updates for my various areas at Hillingdon. Morning spent at a meeting in London with a major partner/supplier on some technology futures that we're trialing with them. The wonders of my handheld keep me in touch with and up to date with the office, what did I do before the advent of such devices? Afternoon spent with some peers on potential joint working initiatives. Home around 6.30, wine bottle open 6.31...