Best Practice Guides

Take a look at our full range of Best Practice Guides - outstanding books that bring together highlights from our extensive online member library of best practice materials. Designed not only to inspire, but also to identify practical insight and provide toolkits and hot tips, we intend our resources to help you to raise standards across the industry. Packed with case studies, research, thought leadership and supplier listings, this is the year-round resource that contains the jewels of the year’s best practice.
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Best Practice in Insight, Reporting and Analysis Assisted Learning Pathway

Virtual Learning

Learn the secrets of great analysis and reporting that drives action, whether working on resourcing, customer, performance, analytics or other types of data.

After this session, you will understand;

 - What good looks like: with examples, trends, top tips and pitfalls to avoid
 - How reports & presentations can drive brilliant learning
 - Methods to improve data structure, accuracy and analysis

Planning & Insight in Field & Branch Operations

Virtual Learning

Learn how to apply the whole planning cycle, from capacity to scheduling & real-time, with the chance to explore further your role and where it fits in.

After this session, you will understand;

 - The key drivers of performance and how to explain them
 - How to set up effective data, reporting & comms plans
 - Crucial elements of a good plan and their impacts, including shrinkage, models & forecasting

Planning & Insight in the Back Office Assisted Learning Pathway

Virtual Learning

Learn how to apply the whole planning cycle, from capacity to scheduling & real time, with the chance to explore further your role and where it fits in.

After this session, you will understand;

 - The key elements of capacity plans and backlog management
 - How to set up effective data, reporting & comms plans
 - Crucial elements of a good plan and their impacts, including shrinkage, models & forecasting

Best Practice in Insight, Reporting and Analysis Assisted Learning Pathway

Virtual Learning

Learn the secrets of great analysis and reporting that drives action, whether working on resourcing, customer, performance, analytics or other types of data.

After this session, you will understand;

 - What good looks like: with examples, trends, top tips and pitfalls to avoid
 - How reports & presentations can drive brilliant learning
 - Methods to improve data structure, accuracy and analysis

Planning & Insight in Field & Branch Operations

Virtual Learning

Learn how to apply the whole planning cycle, from capacity to scheduling & real-time, with the chance to explore further your role and where it fits in.

After this session, you will understand;

 - The key drivers of performance and how to explain them
 - How to set up effective data, reporting & comms plans
 - Crucial elements of a good plan and their impacts, including shrinkage, models & forecasting

Planning & Insight in the Back Office Assisted Learning Pathway

Virtual Learning

Learn how to apply the whole planning cycle, from capacity to scheduling & real time, with the chance to explore further your role and where it fits in.

After this session, you will understand;

 - The key elements of capacity plans and backlog management
 - How to set up effective data, reporting & comms plans
 - Crucial elements of a good plan and their impacts, including shrinkage, models & forecasting

Reporting & MI Automation

15th July 2021, 9:30 - 11:00

14th October 2021, 9:30 - 11:00

9th December 2021, 9:30 - 11:00

Free Webinar - 2020 Vision: Crystallising your knowledge Launch

Hosted on 27th April 2020 by Phil Anderson and Paul Smedley

2020 is The Forum’s 20th year and this year we want to look back on our first 20-years and think ahead for the next 20-years. Our vision, back in 2000, was and remains to raise standards in customer operations helping to set standards across Planning, Insight and Quality. Now, having established communities of best practice we can continue to raise standards and prepare for the future.

This year’s theme refers to the clarity and sharpness of vision required to purposely move forward towards your targets, goals and dreams. Whilst recognising the benefit of our fluid thinking over the past 20-years to crystallise our knowledge of best practice and standards.

 - “Purpose, Learning and Self-Awareness” Keynote from The Forum’s Phil Anderson
 - 2020 Best Practice Guide launch and chapter review
 - 2020 Best Practice Programme – how to get involved

Introduction to MI & Insight

Date TBC

This module provides an introductory understanding of:

- the fundamental inputs and outputs of the MI and Insight processes.

- the role of MI and Insight within the planning cycle 

- the characteristics of best in class MI and Insight teams as evidenced throgh The Forum's standards-benchmarking programme

Measures of Success for MI and Insight

Date TBC

Understand how to create the right measures to track and develop your MI and Insight efforts. Learn how to create the right process, aligned to your strategy and how to take a holistic view when setting measures of success. Learning outcomes include:

- What does good look like? Explore the key characteristics of an ideal real time function and key considerations to develop understanding and learning.

- Define your purpose. Understand how real-time planning can support your business strategy and impact it can have on customers and colleagues.

- Creating the right measures. Understand different perspectives and develop a holistic framework of success measures.

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