Hi there...your freindly neighbourhood CEO is going offline until early January to re-charge batteries. However, until then I thought I'd share something with you that is beginning to be regularly mentioned/discussed in the local 3rd sector....... "Disability Direct is very successful as a local group with lots of self-generated income - should commissioners buy services from them or let new groups have a bite of the pie?"
It's no secret that DD & The Disability Syndicate has ambitions to expand into as many services benefitting the sector and disabled people as possible. Yet, those facing the difficult decision of commissioning will know that DD has worked hard for it's current success - (at the recomendation of funders who "on paper" praise groups who do all they can to raise their own income). Part of the thought process they have will probably include something like this...."well if we don't fund DD, they have plenty of other income streams or we need to give other groups a chance...and so on.....
Yes, we are successful, but we are not "full"...we have lots of ideas and lots more to do!!!
Funders/Commissioners must not fall into the trap set by peer agencies plagued by what some have described as "professional jealousy". Let me give you yet another scenario which a like-minded individual shared with me today...."If you have seen the perfect jumper and it's only sold at Marks & Spencer for £30, you buy it and you enjoy wearing it....you don't look at it and say "actually i refuse to buy it because Marks & Spencers made £100m profit last year".... think about it...Mr. Raju has a point!!!
Anyway, just thought I'd have my final rant of the year!
Seasons Greetings to you all
Agree?.....Not Agree? Don't like Marks & Spencers?
Amo
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Wednesday 28 September 2011
The "Special Relationship"
We've all heard of or read about the "special relationship" Great Britain enjoys with the USA. Yet if you cross the big pond and speak to Americans, they simply describe it as a relationship and not particularly special unless they need an alibi. Now then, you're thinking......"and where are you going with this Mr Raju?"
For many years we have enjoyed what we thought was a "special" relationship with a key partner and stakeholder. Recent changes and pressures within this agency have led to changes in personnel and internal stresses. We are now feeling the somewhat shocking after effects of changes in an entirely different organisation and are adjusting to new almost unchartered areas in working relationships. However, DD is strong, vibrant, energetic and in no way displaced by external action or inaction as will prove to be the case.
A lesson to be learnt by all other ULO's/ CILs and in fact any group - Do not get too close to other groups, their kick hurts more than a kick from your peers.
Amo
For many years we have enjoyed what we thought was a "special" relationship with a key partner and stakeholder. Recent changes and pressures within this agency have led to changes in personnel and internal stresses. We are now feeling the somewhat shocking after effects of changes in an entirely different organisation and are adjusting to new almost unchartered areas in working relationships. However, DD is strong, vibrant, energetic and in no way displaced by external action or inaction as will prove to be the case.
A lesson to be learnt by all other ULO's/ CILs and in fact any group - Do not get too close to other groups, their kick hurts more than a kick from your peers.
Amo
Monday 1 August 2011
AGM 2011
Friday 29th July 2011 - An absolutely fantastic Annual General Meeting with strong representation from service users from Enabled Art, DD Derby, DD Payroll Services, New Horizons, DD Nottingham and not forgetting The Stuffed Guru Youth Forum.
At a time when the buzz term is "user-led", what better way of demonstrating & confirming our approach as the biggest ULO in the country? With very positive questions and comments from members, the trustees and I were enthused with confidence for the year ahead. The guest speaker could not have been more appropriate too!. David Kelly from Social Enterprise East Midlands continually highlighted the trading divisions of The Disability Syndicate as prime examples of how & why charities can and should make money to be invested back into services.
Naturally, staff played a key role in the event too as all were on hand to ensure the evening was enjoyed by all.
A big thank you from your humble CEO folks! Here's to next year's AGM!!!!!!
Amo
At a time when the buzz term is "user-led", what better way of demonstrating & confirming our approach as the biggest ULO in the country? With very positive questions and comments from members, the trustees and I were enthused with confidence for the year ahead. The guest speaker could not have been more appropriate too!. David Kelly from Social Enterprise East Midlands continually highlighted the trading divisions of The Disability Syndicate as prime examples of how & why charities can and should make money to be invested back into services.
Naturally, staff played a key role in the event too as all were on hand to ensure the evening was enjoyed by all.
A big thank you from your humble CEO folks! Here's to next year's AGM!!!!!!
Amo
Thursday 23 June 2011
Service v Budget
It truly is hard work being the biggest local ULO in the country and growth only adds to the workload. While staff are extremely busy delivering this year's service delivery plan, they look at me with a suspicious eye - "What's he up to now? Is he going to add another project upon our already heavy shoulders?" The answer is usually, Yes!
We have some great staff who are keen to help DD grow and one or two are even turning into "Mini-Me's" with budgets and efficiency always at the forefront of service, not sure if that is a good thing or bad? Although it does lead to an important question - do staff solely concentrate on delivering a service or do they keep Mr Pound Sterling in mind? Ok, here I go again, time to be contraversial........
Historically, many people joined the voluntary/3rd/not-for-profit sector out of a strong desire to support their communities or just to serve the people. Yet today our workforce consists of staff who previously worked across all sectors and all bring with them experience and ideas of how services should be run. I myself have worked for all three sctors too which has quite possibly led to the strengths of DD today. How? Whilst working in local government the need for a strong set of policy and plans was important. In retail, I became hungry to make the boss more money! And good old DD got me in touch with people and their needs.
Today, the survival of our sector depends on more staff with all of the above. I've said it before and i'll say it again and again - the days of government handouts are gone. Mr Cameron may have publically declared The Big Society as his idea, yet I'm sure all 3 parties will be singing from similar hymn sheets on that particular subject come next election.
CEO's can sit behind desks and talk business all day but it is the front-line staff who need to be the true wheeler dealers as they have to "stretch" the budget as far as they can to ensure Jo Bloggs gets the service they asked for. Our sector needs more people with vision and entrepreneurship and I urge people from the other 2 sectors to consider careers with us. If you don't have the skills, volunteer! Trust me, the gaffa will be watching to see what you can add to the organisation.
Agree? Don't Agree? Mr Raju has lost the plot?
We have some great staff who are keen to help DD grow and one or two are even turning into "Mini-Me's" with budgets and efficiency always at the forefront of service, not sure if that is a good thing or bad? Although it does lead to an important question - do staff solely concentrate on delivering a service or do they keep Mr Pound Sterling in mind? Ok, here I go again, time to be contraversial........
Historically, many people joined the voluntary/3rd/not-for-profit sector out of a strong desire to support their communities or just to serve the people. Yet today our workforce consists of staff who previously worked across all sectors and all bring with them experience and ideas of how services should be run. I myself have worked for all three sctors too which has quite possibly led to the strengths of DD today. How? Whilst working in local government the need for a strong set of policy and plans was important. In retail, I became hungry to make the boss more money! And good old DD got me in touch with people and their needs.
Today, the survival of our sector depends on more staff with all of the above. I've said it before and i'll say it again and again - the days of government handouts are gone. Mr Cameron may have publically declared The Big Society as his idea, yet I'm sure all 3 parties will be singing from similar hymn sheets on that particular subject come next election.
CEO's can sit behind desks and talk business all day but it is the front-line staff who need to be the true wheeler dealers as they have to "stretch" the budget as far as they can to ensure Jo Bloggs gets the service they asked for. Our sector needs more people with vision and entrepreneurship and I urge people from the other 2 sectors to consider careers with us. If you don't have the skills, volunteer! Trust me, the gaffa will be watching to see what you can add to the organisation.
Agree? Don't Agree? Mr Raju has lost the plot?
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Slating the "Empire" for being too good!
ULO's/DPO's/CIL's (whatever you want to call us) are encouraged to be entrepreneurial and raise as much income as we can. I'm all for that!!! Some of us actually get off our full fat backsides and do something about it by creating trading divisions and social enterprises. However, and get ready for this..... once we bring in the income and then look for new business opportunities, comments are made "you're too big to be a local service", "leave some room for smaller groups" and my favourite "you can't be involved - you have a conflict of interest" - Yes we have an interest - an interest in providing support to disabled and older people now, not in 6-12 months time after countless pointless meetings - NOW!
We are probably one of the biggest disability support service in the country and I know success breeds envy across the sector we work in and quite happy to admit we're flattered by the support and praise of the many. It's the "few" that concern me. The few who haven't quite accepted our growing presence in the region and continue to slate a group guilty of nothing else but doing everything it legally can to meet the needs of it's members.
A short message to you narrow minded few... If local authorities want to work with us rather than you, then take a moment to look at why they will not engage with you rather than why they wish to work with us. It's not rocket science - they are not happy with how you operate, govern and provide services (or lack of).
A few blogs ago, I mentioned how some describe The Disability Syndicate as empire builders...yes we will continue to expand our "empire" in the interests of our members but to quote a great philiosopher from a galaxy far far away.."The Empire Strikes Back"!!!!!...and feel free to ask those closest to me who will most probably confirm I'm not as nice as Darth Vader.....mmmwwwooaaahahahah!!!
Amo
We are probably one of the biggest disability support service in the country and I know success breeds envy across the sector we work in and quite happy to admit we're flattered by the support and praise of the many. It's the "few" that concern me. The few who haven't quite accepted our growing presence in the region and continue to slate a group guilty of nothing else but doing everything it legally can to meet the needs of it's members.
A short message to you narrow minded few... If local authorities want to work with us rather than you, then take a moment to look at why they will not engage with you rather than why they wish to work with us. It's not rocket science - they are not happy with how you operate, govern and provide services (or lack of).
A few blogs ago, I mentioned how some describe The Disability Syndicate as empire builders...yes we will continue to expand our "empire" in the interests of our members but to quote a great philiosopher from a galaxy far far away.."The Empire Strikes Back"!!!!!...and feel free to ask those closest to me who will most probably confirm I'm not as nice as Darth Vader.....mmmwwwooaaahahahah!!!
Amo
Monday 7 March 2011
Budgeting For YOU!!!
Great news folks!!!!....We very recently won the contract for the provision of a Personal Budgets Support Service in Derby City. Alongside this contract is an opportunity to develop Derby's very first PA Register, something we have been keen to develop for many years.
Once up & running (from April 2011), there will be 4 staff offerring valuable expertise in managing cash budgets for disabled and/or older people in Derby. We are also happy to confirm that we are the busiest voluntary agency in the city in terms of Brokerage services....quite rightly too!!! The Department of Health and larger disability agencies have endorsed the need for User Led Organisations (ULO's) such as Disability Direct to take the lead in the implementation of the Personalisation Agenda in each locality. Don't get me wrong - we should not be awarded contracts for simply being a ULO. We have to prove our worth and continue to bring innovation to the discussion.
We already support over 150 people on a budget and are now really looking forward to getting our teeth into some creative and pioneering support plans! Watch this space!
Some good news for Nottingham coming soon too!!!!!
Once up & running (from April 2011), there will be 4 staff offerring valuable expertise in managing cash budgets for disabled and/or older people in Derby. We are also happy to confirm that we are the busiest voluntary agency in the city in terms of Brokerage services....quite rightly too!!! The Department of Health and larger disability agencies have endorsed the need for User Led Organisations (ULO's) such as Disability Direct to take the lead in the implementation of the Personalisation Agenda in each locality. Don't get me wrong - we should not be awarded contracts for simply being a ULO. We have to prove our worth and continue to bring innovation to the discussion.
We already support over 150 people on a budget and are now really looking forward to getting our teeth into some creative and pioneering support plans! Watch this space!
Some good news for Nottingham coming soon too!!!!!
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Success of Chores4You
What a great way to officially launch a new service.....Chores4You!!! Copy and paste the link below into your browser :-
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Workers-chores-return-vital-donation/article-3117176-detail/article.html
Amo
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Workers-chores-return-vital-donation/article-3117176-detail/article.html
Amo
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