- site updated 2 September 2010
|
The Business
Improvement Network is a group of managers with a common interest
in the best practice application of quality, business excellence and continual
improvement approaches. We are interested in theory - up to a point. But our real focus is on how we can apply the theory in a practical way to move positively and systematically towards business excellence. If this is your first visit to the site, we recommend at least a quick browse through the Introduction below. Otherwise, click here to skip the Introduction. |
 |
|
|||||||||||
How
did the Network come about?
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, instead of the normal 'expert presentations', the forum they preferred was a professionally facilitated one-day Workshop.
These decisions set the foundations for what The Business Improvement Network has become today.
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, instead of the normal 'expert presentations', the forum they preferred was a professionally facilitated one-day Workshop.
These decisions set the foundations for what The Business Improvement Network has become today.
How
does the Network operate?
The main means by which The Business Improvement Network furthers its aims are:
INFORMATION
We are gradually building up a valuable free reference library of straightforward information for managers on the subject of continual improvement, 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.
Also, via the Network bookshop, we provide a direct gateway to books on the subject of continual improvement, both from the business and the personal point of view
LIVE EVENTS
These are hosted by Member organisations and take two forms:
Workshops - normally involving 15-20 organisations, these 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).
Open Space gatherings. These innovative events allow larger groups of Members (50 or more) to work together cooperatively on several topics within a top-level theme.
Find more information on imminent live events and on past live events.
DISCUSSION FORUMS
We have recently set up Business Improvement Network Online as a way of allowing Members to share information, knowledge and ideas 24/7.
Please feel free, after registering as a BIN Member, to register to join the Discussion Forums.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING CLUB
This Club (operating on a free-to-join basis like the Network itself) will allow organisations to seek help from other Club members on specific issues or projects. More soon!
INFORMATION
We are gradually building up a valuable free reference library of straightforward information for managers on the subject of continual improvement, 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.
Also, via the Network bookshop, we provide a direct gateway to books on the subject of continual improvement, both from the business and the personal point of view
LIVE EVENTS
These are hosted by Member organisations and take two forms:
Workshops - normally involving 15-20 organisations, these 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).
Open Space gatherings. These innovative events allow larger groups of Members (50 or more) to work together cooperatively on several topics within a top-level theme.
Find more information on imminent live events and on past live events.
DISCUSSION FORUMS
We have recently set up Business Improvement Network Online as a way of allowing Members to share information, knowledge and ideas 24/7.
Please feel free, after registering as a BIN Member, to register to join the Discussion Forums.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING CLUB
This Club (operating on a free-to-join basis like the Network itself) will allow organisations to seek help from other Club members on specific issues or projects. More soon!
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.
The site contains a list of topics covered in the past (many of which will be covered again in the future if the demand is there), as well as list of scheduled and planned Workshops.
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.
The site contains a list of topics covered in the past (many of which will be covered again in the future if the demand is there), as well as list of scheduled and planned Workshops.
Which
organisations are Members?
Over 600 organisations have taken part in live events since the Network was created. We maintain an up-to-date list on this site.
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 inhouse 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!
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 inhouse 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:
For 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:
All that is asked of Members is that they:
What
next?
Well,
you read this far. Thank you for that!
If you think you might like to be part of the Network, then please explore the rest of the site.
The menu on the left is self-explanatory and will enable you to get anywhere in the site except the Members' area (to access that, you will simply need to register). Registration will also mean that you will be automatically updated by e-mail about Network news.
If you need any further information, or if you have any comment (critical or otherwise) we would welcome your contact.
Finally, if you like what you see, then bookmark the site and visit often ... and please tell your colleagues and business partners about it!
If you think you might like to be part of the Network, then please explore the rest of the site.
The menu on the left is self-explanatory and will enable you to get anywhere in the site except the Members' area (to access that, you will simply need to register). Registration will also mean that you will be automatically updated by e-mail about Network news.
If you need any further information, or if you have any comment (critical or otherwise) we would welcome your contact.
Finally, if you like what you see, then bookmark the site and visit often ... and please tell your colleagues and business partners about it!