How to find the right people for your organisation
Once you have been interviewed the applicants you like and you have a short list, don’t waste too much time trying to make the final decision, as you may miss out all together. If you think that someone is good, it is likely that other employers will too and they may well be snapped up by someone else, while you are making your mind up.
NHS Data Integration
Here at Eximium, we are firm believers that data integration can improve your systems efficiency, thus saving time and money. I came across an article on the Guardian website today, by Michael Cross, about the governments plans to integrate the personal information the NHS keeps on us into one joint database. The idea is to breach the gap between hospitals and home care.
It’s a really interesting article. The theory behind the governments plan is sound and I can see how this could make some very real improvements within the NHS and how they work. My concern isn’t the integration, but the security of the data. Having everything in one place has enormous benefits, but also significantly increases the risks. This database will need to be extremely well protected and unfortunately, with the governments past record on data security, there are substantial doubts.
For help with your business systems integration or security from Eximium, click the following link:
http://www.eximium.net/contactus.asp
To read Michael Cross’s article in full and have your say, click the following link:
Terrorist database sparks privacy fears
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has revealed possible plans to compile an extensive database as part of the war on terrorism. It has also been suggested that a private company may be used administer the database, including recording details of telephone calls, emails and internet use. Under the current system, information has to be specifically requested from communications companies and internet service providers, but is not always readily available.
Ms Smith said that access to such data was an instrumental part in fighting terrorism and that the UK must adapt to technological changes if it is to deal with terrorism and organised crime effectively. “It is a difficult and sensitive area, which is why we will consult on a range of options. But I think doing nothing is not an option here if we are going to see our ability to deal with serious crime and terrorism actually eroded in the future.”
The proposed consultation has prompted concern from civil liberties groups and critics of the scheme fear that the idea raises serious privacy issues. Former Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald told the Guardian newspaper that he was not convinced by the Home Secretary’s assurances. “All history tells us that reassurances like these are worthless in the long run. In the first security crisis the locks would loosen.”
Derrick Cameron, MD of IT business specialists Eximium, acknowledges the importance of having access to potentially sensitive data, but recognises concerns that opposition groups have. ”This would be a massive undertaking for any private company. The database will be enormous and will need some serious software to ensure that security is tight. We have seen too many security breaches by public departments recently: people are naturally cautious and apprehensive about how secure the data will be and what it will be used for. However, it is an essential part of the fight against serious crime and terrorism that the appropriate organisations have access to this type of data. Whatever the outcome, the Government will need to have a thorough consultation to ensure they get the processes right.”
How to find the right people for your organisation
Make sure you leave enough time to find someone who is right for the job. You usually have at least 4 weeks notice before a current staff member leaves and if you don’t give the agency much time to find you the right applicant, many will just send you who they can find, which will make your job harder. You will need to sift through more applicants which will make it harder to find people who are suitable.
Leap year causes problems for early Zune players
As many people were saying goodbye to 2008, Microsoft was dealing with a bug that affected many of the older versions of the Zune music player. Many owners of 30GB Zune players found that their machine froze up at midnight Pacific Standard Time on 31st December, as the devices automatically rebooted then froze during the process.
Microsoft reported that the problem has been dealt with and that the players should function properly once they have been fully charged and switched on again. However, some Zune owners assert that they are still having problems with their machines, suggesting some lingering glitches.
The problem is thought to have been caused by the fact that 2008 was a leap year. Microsoft has stated that there was a problem with the internal clock driver and the way that the device handled a leap year. Microsoft spokesman Brian Eskridge explained that fully charging the Zune player then turning it on should restore the device. “It worked for me and it seems like it’s working for customers. From the limited time I’ve looked on the forums, it seems customers have had good success with it.”
“This goes to show how easily IT systems can be disrupted by something as simple as a leap year,” comments Eximium’s MD Derrick Cameron. “This is something that the industry needs to ensure that it has ironed out. In this case, it caused frustration for customers which may have some financial implications for Microsoft in the long term. In business, such deceptively simple glitches can cost a company thousands of pounds if the software isn’t designed to take care of issues like this.”
How to find the right people for your organisation
Try to look for someone who you think will enhance your department. Different personalities can have a different effect on your other employees. They can even make either a positive or a negative impact on the efficiency, morale and productivity of your department.
Broadband for all
Lord Carter’s Digital Britain interim report has suggested that super-fast broadband should be available for the whole of the UK. The scheme hopes to provide access to at least 2Mbps broadband for every UK citizen by 2012.
The report recommends that the BBC play a lead role in promoting it and that the government reduces the amount of red tape that companies encounter if they want to build networks on the same scale as Virgin Media’s 50Mbps service. The government is also considering handing out financial incentives to companies who invest in the overhaul of the existing communications infrastructure and will use the full digital report in June to decide. The report will also contribute to the formation of a government led strategy group which will decide the best way to proceed.
The recommendations are as follows:
• Broadband for all: “We will develop plans for a digital Universal Service Commitment to be effective by 2012, delivered by a mixture of fixed and mobile, wired and wireless means. Subject to further study of the costs and benefits, we will set out our plans for the level of service which we believe should be universal. We anticipate this consideration will include options up to 2Mbps.”
• Recommendations to be made on who funds broadband Britain: “We will develop detailed proposals for the design and operation of a new, more broadly-based scheme to fund the Universal Service Commitment for the fully digital age – including who should contribute and its governance and accountability structures.”
• Development of public service champions to encourage people to get online: “We will encourage the development of public service champions of universal take-up. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan recommended the appointment of a Digital Inclusion Champion and expert taskforce to drive the government’s work on digital inclusion.”
• The BBC’s services should make people want to pay for their broadband: “We are inviting the BBC to play a leading role, just as it has in digital broadcast, through marketing, cross-promotion and provision of content to drive interest in taking up broadband. With other public service organisations, the BBC can drive the development of platforms with open standards available to all content providers and device manufacturers alike.”
The interim recommendations were;
• Create a strategy group to identify changes needed: “This strategy group will, by the time of the final Digital Britain report, assess the case for how far market-led investment by Virgin Media, BT Group plc and new network enterprises will take the UK in terms of roll-out and likely take-up; and whether any contingency measures… are necessary.”
• Make it easier for companies to roll out super-fast broadband legislation: “The government will, while recognising existing investments in infrastructure, work with the main operators and others to remove barriers to the development of a wider wholesale market in access to ducts and other primary infrastructure.”
• Consider offering incentives for companies to roll-out broadband networks: “We will, by the time of the final Digital Britain report, have considered the value for money case for whether public incentives have a part to play in enabling further next generation broadband deployment, beyond current market-led initiatives.”
• Set up an advisory body for community networks: “The government will help implement the Community Broadband Network’s proposals for an umbrella body to bring together all the local and community networks and provide them with technical and advisory support.”
Age ratings a possibility on the internet
The issue of safeguarding young people against explicit images on the internet has again been raised with the suggestion of applying age ratings to websites. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham revealed that the Government was looking at a range of measures to ensure that children are protected from seeing offensive material. This includes a planned liaison with the US over international rules for English language sites.
In an interview with the BBC, Burnham explained the reasoning behind the proposals. “I think we do need to have a debate now about clearer signposting and labelling online because it can be quite a confusing world, particularly for parents who are trying to ensure their children are only accessing appropriate stuff.” The move is likely to win support with parents, many of whom are unsure how to safeguard their children from some of the violent and explicit material that they can access to on the internet.
Several children’s charities have already expressed concerns over the issue with the NSPCC calling for computer manufacturers and retailers to install security to stop children finding violent or sexual content on the net. A poll carried out by the children’s charity in October suggested three out of four children had been disturbed by images they had come across whilst surfing the net.
“There’s no doubt that some will see Mr Burham’s suggestions as an infringement of civil liberties but it is an issue that needs to be addressed,” comments Derrick Cameron, MD of IT trouble-shooters Eximium. “Parents are right to be worried by what their children can see on the internet, and many people would advocate the need for guidance. However, we have no one body in the UK capable of administering internet classifications and it is an issue with huge practical implications. I look forward to seeing the Government’s proposals in more detail with clear guidelines on how the classification system could work. In the meantime, parents must remain aware of what their children are viewing on the web.”
Eximium shortlisted for The Ixion Challenge!
I’m delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for a remarkable competition being run in the East of England - The Ixion Challenge, created by Ixion Holdings Ltd.
Ixion Holdings Ltd is a successful non-profit making business support organisation which wants to help other businesses in the region be equally successful. They already play a significant role in helping businesses to grow and thrive, and are offering SME businesses within the East of England the chance to receive a package worth up to £32k.
Including ourselves, there were 68 entries for stage 1 of the competition, many of which were apparently ‘of a very high standard’. 8 of these have been selected to go forward to the next stage, which involves submitting a ‘survive and thrive’ business plan.
We are thrilled to have been chosen by the judging panel as one of the 8 businesses to move forward to stage 2 of this competition. We’re currently putting together our business plan for the next stage in the hopes of becoming one of the 4 businesses chosen for stage 3, which will involve pitching our business plan to the judging panel at a visit to our offices!
Watch this space for further news of our progress!!
For further information about this competition and Ixion Holdings Ltd please use the following link to their website:
How to find the right people for your organisation
Think carefully about how much experience you really want the successful applicant to have. Some companies ask for a standard 2 years experience, regardless of what the job is. Are you unnecessarily discounting a potentially great applicant?
