2021 National Conference Speakers and Panellists

Technology Showcase: Business Systems

Originally broadcast Thursday 1st October 2020, 12:30

Inspired People go above and beyond – so how can you inspire your employees to engage with your planning team to drive impressive ROI? Your employees need to work in a positive environment so they can continue to grow, remained inspired and be more productive. So how can WFM help with this?

Technology Showcase: Calabrio

Originally broadcast Friday 2nd October 2020, 12:30

The State of the Contact Centre: Embracing the Evolving World of Work Join Ed Creasey, Director of Pre-Sales for Calabrio, as we explore how leading contact centres are turning disruption to their advantage. From the rapid increase in importance of the contact centre, to changes in demands from employees and customers, we will be envisioning the contact centre of the future. Join us to discuss tangible ways to embrace this evolving world of work.

Conference Endnote

Originally broadcast Friday 4th December 2020, 09:15

Positive habits for a successful career With so much uncertainty in the world, it is important to take control of our conduct, behaviour and attitude. Developing simple positive habits can make a huge impact on how you learn, share ideas and ultimately transform yourself and our career. This endnote presentation will take a look at the role of professionalism, how to build positive habits and an opportunity to hear from members who have transformed themselves during 2020.

Keynote: Unlocking Opportunities

Originally broadcast Monday 26th April. 2021, 09:30

Hear from Phil Anderson, Director at The Forum with the conference opening keynote. Understand how disruption can pave the way for new opportunities and how you can become key to unlocking change and development.

Standards and Business Accreditation

The Standards programme is designed as a journey of improvement leading towards accreditation for Planning, Insight and Quality teams and functions. Whether you are at the start of your journey, wanting to understand the fundamentals of best practice, or an established team wanting to become best-in-class this programme is you.

Keynote: Unlocking Opportunities

Originally broadcast Monday 1st November 2021, 09:30

How has our thinking changed during 2021? Phil Anderson and Dave Vernon, Directors at The Forum will explore the ever-changing business environment and the different approaches being taken to drive forward with improvements.

Conference Endnote

Originally broadcast Friday 5th November 2021, 09:30

Learn how to invest your time wisely to help you spend time on the things that matter the most. Doing something different on a daily basis.

Looking back on 2021

2021 was our year for Unlocking Opportunities. Doing more of what we do well is a great opportunity that we don’t always fully exploit. One of the most valuable things we can do is put time aside to reflect on what has gone well. When things go wrong we are quick to review, so that we can learn from our mistakes. We are not so good at learning from our successes. If we can repeat and build on our successes then that has to be a good thing. As we come to the end of 2021 it is time to look back on what we have done well, so that in 2022 we can do it again only better.

Moment of Truth: Confident to Succeed

Our actions, or inaction, will define us. We are the key to our own success. During 2021 we focused on unlocking opportunities and the part each of us can play in helping to shape the future. For 2022 we want to focus you on your Moment of Truth and being confident to succeed.

Keynote: Your Moment of Truth

Originally broadcast Monday 4th April 2022, 09:30

Confident to Succeed Every day we practice living versus an ever-changing world and environment. Those who strive to learn and improve can adapt better. Those who are contempt with how they are or refuse to accept the changes around them will find it hard to catch-up as the change required to survive and thrive becomes bigger.

Your Moment of Truth: confident to succeed

For our 22nd year, we focus on the opportunity we have, as professionals, to drive successful improvements, whether in planning, insight, or customer experience. This Best Practice theme for 2022 represents the next stage of this coming of age for our professional disciplines.

So, we invite you to consider your moments of truth. What makes you confident to succeed?

Liquorice Consistents – Does somebody at Bassetts not like me?

At our Customer Strategy & Planning Connections conference in Newcastle on 26th April ‘22 we explored probability using Liquorice Allsorts.

Questions to consider for annual leave

As the world reboots after the firm reset of the Pandemic, we have the opportunity to revisit, redefine and reshape how we have done things. 2020 was a strange year, especially for annual leave, as lockdown restrictions changed how we used annual leave and the Government stating leave can be carried over, firmly “kicking the can” down the road, to give us a problem for another day (or year).

Calabrio Technology Showcase

Originally broadcast Monday 14th November 2022, 12:30

Are your agents empowered to be Brand Guardians? Join Tripti Tapuriah-Modi and David Evans from Calabrio who will discussing key findings from Calabrio’s State of the Contact 2022 report and how to treat and empower agents as Brand Guardians.

Verint Technology Showcase

Originally broadcast Tuesday 15th November 2022, 12:30

The Struggle is Real: Insider Tips to Empower Your Remote Agent. Join this insightful and lively fireside between renowned experts Chris Rainsforth of the Forum and Huw Jones, Workforce Management Guru at Verint.

Davies Technology Showcase

Originally broadcast Wednesday 16th November 2022, 13:15

Tips for the successful selection and procurement of CX Technology CX technology alone rarely delivers the beneficial impact and financial returns promised – as successful adoption needs more than just a great technology solution. Hear from Davies Group.

Workshop: Calibration

Originally broadcast Thursday 17th November 2022, 09:30

Calibration is a fundamental necessity of any Quality Assurance, development, and improvement process.  Hear from BPA Quality & L&Q.

eGain Technology Showcase

Originally broadcast Thursday 17th November 2022, 12:30

Join eGain for a discussion on Knowledge Hubs and how to Turbocharge your CX and AX with KX (Knowledge-Guided Experience).

Community Learning Keynote

Originally broadcast Friday 18th November 2022, 12:30

Hear from a Forum Hero and organisations who have taken a team approach to learning.

Partner Article: Improve Contact Centre Operations with Robotic Process Automation

Alvaria Automate™ Attended and  Alvaria Automate™ Unattended allows centres to optimise normal and repetitive operational activities and automate error-prone tasks through robotic process automation (RPA) —improving accuracy, efficiency and consistency, while helping maintain compliance. 

Partner Article: Majority of UK businesses still ill-equipped for a hybrid working future according to new survey

UK businesses are firmly committed to a flexible working future but the majority are still in the planning stage of their hybrid working projects according to a new industry survey of contact centre industry professionals.

Partner Article: How to set the right service level goal in your call center

What is your contact center service level goal? Odds are, some or all of the groups are at either 80/20, 70/30 or some combination of those. They are extremely common. Do you use average speed of answer (ASA)? If so, is it 20 seconds or 30 seconds? Those are by far the most utilized ASAs. But what do these actually mean and how do you know if you have the right measure?

Strength in numbers the value of community

We build strength when we focus on how we collaborate and who we do this with. When we bring together trusted data, analysis and insight alongside a group of people with a collective desire to improve, we can achieve greatness.

Keynote: Strength in Numbers

Originally broadcast Monday 15th May 2023, 09:30

Hear from The Forum team on this year's theme - Strength in Numbers, The Value of Community and what this personally means to them. This thought provoking session will frame the week of learning that will be available through the rest of the Virtual Conference and challenge you to own your learning.

Technology Showcase: Sabio

Originally broadcast Monday 15th May 2023, 12:30

WEM and wellbeing, understanding AX during operational change. Join Sabio's expert team to discover the power of their new and cutting-edge wellbeing technology, integrated into the agent desktop and WEM capabilities. This innovative approach provide a systematic view of the impact of the workplace on the employee, as well as practical guidance to promote success.

Technology Showcase: QStory

Originally broadcast Monday 15th May 2023, 13:15

Powering Game Changing Contact Centres. QStory will be showing you how to use next level automation to supercharge agent engagement and unlock maximum performance.  

Interactive Keynote: Does AI really have a place in Quality Assurance?

Originally broadcast Tuesday 16th May 2023, 15:15

Join Chris Rainsforth and Chris Mounce from EvaluAgent for a discussion on the ever increasing presence of AI and the place it has in Quality Assurance.

Reversing a decline in customer satisfaction can unlock productivity gains for business

With economic conditions tight and a possible recession looming, every customer purchase decision matters to businesses. Whatever sector you’re in, there are many facets to enticing customers to buy – quality, value for money, convenience – but one of the key ingredients is customer service.  From Jo Causon, CEO at The Institute of Customer Services.

Releasing potential in technology: make it work for customers & colleagues

Investment is huge but benefits only flow when our operating models and processes are re-designed to be data driven, and the human connection is concentrated where it’s most valued. As Chris Rainsforth reveals, digital transformation requires operational excellence. So how do we step up as professionals in planning, insight, knowledge sharing and quality control?

How to become a true brand guardian

Uncover opportunities to raise customers’ experience of your brand and focus on what matters most. Ed Creasey charts the major new insights from Calabrio’s latest research.

Keynote: The Value of Community

Originally broadcast Monday 9th October, 09:30

In this opening keynote, The Forum team members will discuss the importance of community. They will provide practical advice to help you expand your connections within and beyond your organisation.

How to unlock value in moving to the cloud

In such a complex technology marketplace, how do we make the right strategic choices? Nigel Medforth uncovers how to set yourself up for success with a customer and user-led IT project, and not the other way around.

Operational Readiness

This video is to accompany the article in the 2024 Best Practice Guide: Shaping the Future

2024 Innovation & Transformation Awards: Inspiring Personal and Professional Development at eBay

Learn how eBay are nurturing personal and professional growth within the team, underlining the organisation’s commitment to continuous improvement and talent development. By prioritising personal and professional growth, eBay is poised to unlock the full potential of its workforce, driving sustained success and organisational resilience in the ever-evolving business landscape.

2024 Innovation & Transformation Awards: Firstlink: Transforming Operations at Firstsource

This platform, a brainchild of collaborative efforts between the development team and operational stakeholders, has revolutionised the way business is conducted, ushering in a new era of efficiency, connectivity, and streamlined operations. The adoption of Firstlink has heralded a new dawn for the organisation, propelling it towards greater efficiency, connectivity, and operational excellence.

2024 Innovation & Transformation Awards: Empowering Teams through Innovative Workforce Management at Motorway

The implementation of the workforce management tool exemplifies Motorway’s commitment to innovation and employee empowerment. Through effective communication, strategic planning, and a flexible approach to change, the team successfully navigated through challenges, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a work environment conducive to growth and success.

2024 Innovation & Transformation Awards: Operational Excellence at Novuna

Novuna exemplified the importance of effective team integration and operational efficiency in driving organisational success. Through collaborative efforts, transparent communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement, organisations can navigate challenges and seize opportunities in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.

2024 Innovation & Transformation Awards: Customer Centricity at Water Plus

Water Plus, a prominent business water retailer, embarked on a journey to streamline their customer service processes through the implementation of a pod way of working. This case study delves into their innovative approach, challenges faced, and the remarkable outcomes achieved. By prioritising customer-centricity and investing in employee development, they have set a benchmark for excellence in the industry, paving the way for sustained growth and customer satisfaction.

2024 Innovation & Transformation Awards: Global Continuous Improvement and Collaboration at Worldpay

The Continuous Improvement Squad have embedded their approach to drive a culture of innovation and empowerment. Collaborating to help solve problems and prioritise improvements. Supporting colleagues with problem-solving workshops to help build their knowledge and confidence to identify new ideas and implement change. This inspiring case study demonstrates how to embed continuous improvement methodology as business as usual.

2024 Planning Awards: Wheatley Housing Planning Team

Wheatley Housing Planning Team is committed to enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction through collaboration, automation, and strategic planning. Initiatives included streamlined communication, automating payroll processes, and implementing new telephony and WFM solutions. Challenges such as manual transitions and peak season volumes have been addressed with a focus on long-term strategies and cost efficiency. Process improvements have reduced processing times, while integration supports cohesive operations.

2024 Planning Awards: Iain McFarlane at DHL

Through streamlined processes and a commitment to continuous improvement, Iain achieved significant savings and operational efficiencies. By fostering a culture of learning and embracing challenges, Iain empowered his team to excel and innovate. He exemplifies the potential for personal growth within the organisation, with a focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: ACCA Quality Team

The ACCA Quality Team have transformed quality for their teams both domestically and internationally. By adopting a nuanced grading system and decentralised management, they tackled operational and cultural differences head-on. They not only harnessed technology for enhanced data analysis but also improved operational efficiency and integration across geographical locations. The outcome was a marked improvement in customer experience, demonstrating adaptability and innovation in educational quality assurance amidst modern challenges, with a strong emphasis on teamwork.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: Firstsource WFM Academy

Firstsource’s WFM Academy addresses the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling in a tech-evolving corporate world. Through bespoke, technologydriven learning programmes, it aims to bridge the global skill gap, enhancing workforce capabilities. This initiative has successfully uplifted employee skill levels by 16%, demonstrating its effectiveness in aligning with business strategies and fostering a culture of continuous learning. The Academy sets a benchmark in corporate learning, ensuring organisational adaptability and long-term success.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: HGS Quality Team

HGS introduced ‘Quality Central’ to revolutionise its quality management across diverse sectors. Facing challenges from manual, siloed processes, the quality team’s deployment of this centralised platform marked a significant shift. Through strategic design, stakeholder engagement, and client-specific implementation, the initiative led to enhanced performance metrics, improved customer satisfaction, and streamlined reporting. This transformation underscores the power of technological integration and strategic planning in optimising organisational efficiency.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: The AA CTC Team

The AA significantly improved its service by implementing end-to-end outcomes testing. This approach not only deepened understanding of the customer journey but also heightened regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Key to success was engaging stakeholders early, fostering collaboration, and driving procedural changes that benefitted both customers and the business. This shift not only enhanced customer experience but also transformed the quality assurance team’s role, promoting a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: The Open University Knowledge Management Team

The Open University, spearheaded by Liz Vosper, has advanced its knowledge management system, addressing initial challenges such as inadequate web content management skills. Their journey, characterised by innovation, collaboration, and a focus on accessibility, has significantly enhanced system efficiency. Implementing e-learning for content writers and improving accessibility standards, they’ve set a new benchmark in the field, showcasing their commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric design.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: Utility Warehouse Operational Change & Improvement and Knowledge Management Teams

Utility Warehouse, a leading UK multi-service provider of energy, telecom, and insurance, embarked on a transformative journey to overhaul its operations. Spearheaded by their Operational Change department, the initiative saw the evolution of their Albert Evolve knowledge platform and the introduction of the Live Interactive Support Agent (LISA). Aimed at enhancing customer service efficiency, this transformation included rebranding, content optimisation, and extensive employee training, resulting in significant time and cost savings, improved platform engagement, and positive feedback from staff.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: Water Plus Quality Team

Water Plus, the largest water retailer in the UK, is enhancing customer service and employee growth. Their approach includes comprehensive training, customer engagement, and strategic quality assurance. Initiatives like structured coaching, development programmes, and technology use for self-service have significantly improved customer satisfaction and employee morale. This focus on continuous improvement and strategic quality alignment has led to notable achievements in service delivery and operational efficiency.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: Jess Baldock at DAS

In the customer service and QA sector, Jess Baldock’s journey with DAS has become a source of inspiration. Jess embarked on a transformative path, shifting the QA role from policing to nurturing, focussing on relationship-building, approachability, and tailored feedback. Through her innovative strategies, Jess overcame significant hurdles, leading to remarkable improvements in team morale, agent performance, and the overall perception of the QA function. Her story offers valuable lessons for enhancing employee engagement and redefining quality assurance processes.

2024 Improvement & Quality Awards: Alice Fletcher at HGS

Alice spearheaded a transformative quality management initiative at Hindustan Global Solutions (HGS), significantly impacting its extensive global operations. By introducing Quality Central, a system meticulously designed to refine quality management processes, Alice not only streamlined operations but also nurtured a culture of continuous improvement. This strategic move revolutionised performance tracking significantly reduced administrative burdens, and marked a substantial leap towards operational excellence and strategic focus.