Mark Owens

Columnist

Mark Owens

Managing Director (Northern Ireland), Civica

NI Should be at the Forefront of Digital Transformation in Public Services

In 2017, the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive launched Making Lives Better, a strategy to help deliver more modernised public services through better use of technology, work processes and investment in people. At the time, no one could have imagined that this new approach would be put to the ultimate test within only three years. Nevertheless, over the past 12 months, we’ve seen a radical shift towards digital tech, as our vital public services have supported us through the pandemic.

People of all ages across NI, from children to senior citizens, have embraced digital technologies to keep life moving forward. As a community, we’ve moved from offices to home working, from classrooms to home schooling and kept in touch with loved ones via video call for well over a year.

Now, as we emerge from the darkest days of the pandemic, citizens and communities of all ages and backgrounds have a newfound appreciation for, and very different expectations from, digital public services. According to Civica’s latest ‘A Word from the Wise’ research, over two-thirds of citizens over the age of 70 in NI recognise the role technology has in helping elderly or vulnerable adults live independently for longer. Nearly three quarters feel confident that they would be able to use devices such as iPads, smartphones, and wearables to improve their health, safety and wellbeing. In other words, one of the biggest barriers to the digitalisation of our public services - digital literacy - has effectively disappeared over the past year.

For the Northern Ireland Executive and local councils, this means we now have a unique opportunity to accelerate the delivery of more digitally enabled, streamlined and personalised public services.

Building on a solid foundation

The pandemic laid bare the key role of digital technologies in maintaining our vital public services, from healthcare to education, during times of crisis. The pandemic may have been a catalyst for an increase in technology adoption, but NI has been at the forefront of digital transformation for years. Back in 2016, the government launched the Northern Ireland Digital Transformation programme which aimed to increase the number of government services accessible online and deliver 70% of all citizen transactions with government via digital channels by 2019. By 2024, all citizens in Northern Ireland will have a single ‘digital care record’ that will replace the outdated patchwork of digital and paper systems used at the moment, providing easier, more tailored access to medical care. As we begin to return to some semblance of normality, the Executive and local councils have a unique opportunity to expedite the digital roadmap for NI so we can become a true world-class digital economy. The public sector must work with the private sector to harness the tried, tested and trusted technological solutions which already exist to meet the demand from citizens to provide more digital services.

Data is the catalyst

Data is critical to this. The NI Executive and our other public bodies already have access to a wealth of data. But raw data sitting on spreadsheets and hard drives across various departments is of little value. Unlocking the true value of data depends on how we collect, manage and use it. The Executive has launched the Open Data Strategy for Northern Ireland 2020–2023 to drive a transparency agenda across government and create a resource which will improve the economy and lives of people in NI. With more availability of data, organisations from both the private and public sector can generate better insights to improve decision making. The availability of this information will help public bodies develop robust services that deliver maximum value for citizens and communities. NI led the way on embracing digital tech to support people and business during the pandemic. For this, we should feel pride, but also a sense of ambition for what the future could hold. If digital technologies can keep vital public services running during a global pandemic, imagine what they could do during less challenging times.

We have a unique opportunity to fundamentally transform the relationship between citizens and the vital public services they depend upon to live their lives. Let’s embrace that opportunity with both hands and build a better future.

SUN AWARENESS 2021 WITH BELFAST SKIN CLINIC

Medical Director, Dr Pamela McHenry

Sun Awareness is the British Association of Dermatologists’ annual campaign to raise awareness of skin cancer. At Belfast Skin Clinic we believe in prevention and early detection to reduce your chances of getting skin cancer. Here are some skin safety tips. • Tanned skin is damaged skin • Never let your skin burn, whatever your skin type. • Every time you use a sunbed you damage your skin. This damage ages the skin causing wrinkles to appear and can lead to skin cancer. Using a sunbed once a month or more can increase the risk of skin cancer by more than half. • Children burn more easily. Sunburn in childhood can lead to skin cancer later in life. Protect them with a hat, t-shirt and factor 50+ sunscreen.

View Tanorama on the BBC iPlayer now. www.sunsmart.org.uk www.which.co.uk july 21 ’sunscreens you can rely on’

For more information or to book an appointment visit www.belfastskinclinic.com or email: info@belfastskinclinic.com

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMES THAT ARE READY TO ADAPT

Susan Dempsey and Fiona Craul, founders of Sweetspot Sourcing, a company who benefi tted from InterTradeIreland Elevate programme.

The pandemic has had a huge impact on economies globally. As we begin the recovery stage, now is the time for SMEs to re-enter productive phases in their businesses, according to Professor. Alan Ahearne, special economic adviser to Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.

Speaking on the important business impacts and opportunities associated with Covid-19, Professor Ahearne’s webinar forms part of a content series from InterTradeIreland’s All-island Innovation Programme, which aims to give crossborder SMEs access to cutting-edge thinking through practical business advice.

As we exit a second lock-down we examine why his message is still relevant.

Industries most critically impacted by the pandemic were consumer-facing sectors, but as the economy reopens, signs of growth are the reason for optimism.

Tourism

A key ingredient for prospering in recovery is “agility and adaptability”. Professor. Ahearne also explains SMEs need to fi nd a way to tap into consumer savings.

The tourism sector has been heavily challenged, but continued restrictions will encourage domestic travel. For companies who wish to avail of these opportunities InterTradeIreland’s E-Merge support can help your business develop its online sales and marketing.

The Green Economy

Climate change is a pressing issue and governments need to enable a green recovery in order to become low-carbon. This means opportunities exist for fi rms to re-brand and “ride the tailcoats of the green economy”.

InterTradeIreland has committed to enabling businesses to adapt to a low carbon economy, including our Synergy programme. which has supported projects such as the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation on an all-island biomap

Localised supply chains

Global supply chains were interrupted during the pandemic and many think this may lead towards de-globalisation, meaning a shift towards more localised supply chains, with businesses producing locally and consumers buying more locally.

For companies looking for ways to drive growth and recovery, cross-border trade can be a lucrative opportunity and both InterTradeIreland’s Acumen and Elevate programmes can provide funding to do so.

For more information on InterTradeIreland support, contact us today.

SPB BUCKS THE TREND OF CONVENTIONAL OFFICES

ACCORDING to the latest statistics released by CBRE, take up of office space across the UK has fallen significantly during the first quarter of 2021, compared with the same period in the previous year. In the UK, take up of office space fell by 74 per cent, whilst Belfast was 41 per cent lower when compared to the same period in 2020. The impact of the pandemic has forced many businesses to reconsider the way in which they operate and in VenYou Client Services Director, Donna Linehan’s opinion, the serviced office sector could provide the perfect answer.

Donna writes… The upheaval created by the coronavirus pandemic has left many businesses searching for an appropriate way forward which accommodates both staff and company needs. With the uptake of offices falling across the UK and here in Belfast, it’s becoming more and more apparent that conventional office spaces do not offer the flexibility or cost effectiveness required for the hybrid working arrangements that will likely become the ‘new normal’.

For many years, the serviced office sector has promoted itself as a flexible option for businesses and what may have been viewed as somewhat of a fad in the past, now finds itself leading the conversation regarding the future of office working.

The Scottish Provident Building, located in Belfast’s Donegall Square and managed by VenYou, a bespoke serviced office provider which also manages Ascot House and Northern Court, is currently noticing an increased interest from local business owners.

A number of new companies have moved into the building in recent months, rendering its current occupancy level at a strong mid-80 per cent compared to last March when it dipped to 70 per cent having been in the high 90s pre-pandemic. We know that one of the biggest attractions for businesses is the fact that the serviced office sector offers the utmost in terms of flexibility.

At VenYou, we offer our tenants short-term lease contracts, meaning that businesses do not have to commit to lengthy contracts, which can be especially beneficial if they’re a new start-up or emerging business.

In terms of cost effectiveness, there is a common misconception that the serviced office sector is expensive, however it certainly gives great value for money when you consider what is included in the cost. For instance, with VenYou serviced offices, our tenants pay one manageable monthly payment, which includes rent, internet usage, housekeeping, reception services and other sundries; for a small additional cost you can avail of our state-of-the-art meeting rooms and video conference facilities.

This, coupled with flexible contracts, means that serviced offices can provide the perfect environment for companies to grow and expand. Alongside new tenants joining the Scottish Provident Building, several of our existing tenants have also experienced such business growth that they have needed to move to larger office space within the building.

As a serviced office provider, one of our main missions is to provide a supportive environment where our tenants’ businesses can grow and expand. Therefore, if a business requires a larger, or indeed a smaller office space, we guarantee to try our very best to accommodate them. One further advantage of the Scottish Provident Building is the fact that it boasts a traditional layout from the early 20th century, which means that our offices can safely and comfortably accommodate between three and eight members of staff, whilst some of our larger offices can fit up to 20 desks.

With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic, it’s no wonder that more businesses are searching for flexible, supportive and cost-effective alternative office spaces for the future. I firmly believe that the serviced office sector has much to offer and will continue to buck the trend of conventional office spaces well into the future.

For more information, contact the VenYou team by calling: 028 9091 8500 or visit the website: www. venyou.co.uk.