IT network is key feature of membership group
Published 29 Jul 2011 09:30
Technology in business is constantly evolving and, with new products and services regularly being introduced, it can be enormously difficult to keep track of and manage the IT environment. itSMF UK, the UK's largest service management user group, is focused on helping IT professionals successfully resolve their IT issues and make sense of growing complexity in the IT environment. Based in Winnersh, Reading and headed up by newly appointed CEO Ben Clacy, the group boasts more than 12,000 members - including over 60% of the FTSE 100 companies.
Offering fresh injection
Clacy moved into this position just six months ago, having worked for itSMF UK in a business development role for over four years and his commercial expertise and outlook have offered a fresh injection to the organisation. In 2006, Clacy made an interesting move from the commercial sector to the not-for-profit sector.
For Clacy, it was a natural step to take. Both his previous business development role and his new CEO position offer a greater degree of personal fulfilment and whilst the itSMF UK does need to be commercially run, it is not the ultimate goal for the group to end the year with huge profits.
In many ways Clacy's position is enviable; he has the business know-how to run a commercially successful organisation and the enthusiasm to enjoy coming to work and making a difference.
Aim of the game is to re-invest
The itSMF UK is a not-for-profit organisation, which is a term most often associated with charitable organisations. However, Clacy says the name is misleading as whilst profit is important, the money is re-invested back into the membership.
According to Clacy a more suitable phrase would be 'not-for-dividend'. The aim is to re-invest into the group to enable the itSMF UK to deliver more to its members but in a period of recession and an unpredictable financial market, this has proved to be tough.
However, over the past few years, Clacy and the team at itSMF UK have managed to survive and to evolve to meet market challenges.
This is due to the fact that the itSMF UK has given the membership benefits a complete overhaul. Innovative services and thought leadership events have been added to the portfolio.
Key benefits of the service
Clacy states that a core feature of the itSMF UK is the invaluable network of thousands of IT peers that is formed by the organisation itself. Another highlight is the newly introduced priSM credentialling programme; an internationally recognised professional development scheme.
The membership also runs conferences, seminars, regional meetings and special interest groups.
In early November, the organisation will hold its annual conference in London with over 40 educational sessions planned on topics such as 'Green ITIL', 'Realising the Full Potential of Your People' and 'Social IT'.
A number of industry specialists will also be offering insight and expertise to members and an awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Lenny Henry.
Change of premises needed
As the economic gloom continues the itSMF must continue to look closely at costs. The itSMF UK offices are now potentially too large for the organisation's needs.
With a more focused team and requirements, Clacy says they need to look at what premises they require to meet the needs of a more agile organisation.
The Horizon
In an organisation whose funding originates largely from its members and the fees they pay, it is imperative that one of Clacy's management goals is to focus on increasing the core membership base and the value delivered to members.
In a climate in which finance directors are watching money with hawk-like intensity, the benefits of membership need to be spelt out.
A challenge that Clacy foresees for the itSMF UK is maintaining the group's proximity to its members and delivering what they need. Members not only fund, but effectively run the organisation and therefore Clacy and his team need to continue to effectively communicate the value of the itSMF UK and its services.
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 29 Jul 11
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