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Delivering Complex Programmes

In today’s interconnected world, digital transformation and ERPs are not just buzzwords; they are strategic imperatives for organisations across all industries. The rapid pace of technological advancements, like AI, coupled with shifting customer expectations and cost pressures, has elevated digital transformation to the top of the agenda. Despite the widespread adoption of ERP and Enterprise Applications, many organisations still struggle to unlock their full potential, with many transformations documented as failures. At SmartCo, we help organisations navigate the complexities of their ERP journeys and digital transformation initiatives, driving sustainable growth, change, and innovation. Navigating Uncertainty: Why ERP is Essential for Future-Proofing Organisations In an era marked by disruption and uncertainty—from Brexit and Covid-19 to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East—adaptability is crucial for organisations. While it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement around Generative AI, ERP and application transformation represents a way to fundamentally shift how businesses operate, engage with customers, and create value. From streamlining operations and optimising processes to enabling new business models and revenue streams, ERP systems like Dynamics 365 and IFS can revolutionise every aspect of an organisation. Realising this potential requires more than just deploying new technologies; it demands a fundamental change in mindset, culture, and organisational behaviour. By proactively embracing change and investing in ERP capabilities and application projects, organisations can position themselves for long-term success and stability, fostering the innovation that they ultimately need to differentiate. Charting a Course for Success: The Strategic Blueprint for ERP Transformation A successful ERP transformation initiative begins with a well-defined strategy, plan, and execution roadmap. Crafting a strategic blueprint involves aligning ERP efforts with overarching business goals, identifying key focus areas, and prioritising initiatives based on their potential impact and feasibility. It’s crucial to ensure that the ERP journey aligns with business goals for at least the next five years. Understanding the current landscape is essential before embarking on the ERP journey. This means conducting a thorough assessment of existing business processes, technology architecture, and organisational structure. Knowing your “as-is” state helps identify gaps, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. It also ensures that the new systems integrate seamlessly with existing systems and processes, minimising disruptions and maximising value. Navigating this transformation requires close collaboration between business and technology leaders, alignment and buy-in across the organisation, and a carefully selected suite of external partners to bring in expertise and knowledge. By establishing a clear vision, setting realistic goals, and outlining an execution roadmap, organisations can navigate any transformation, ERP or other, with confidence and purpose. Leadership, Governance, and Assurance: The Cornerstones of ERP Transformation Effective leadership, strong governance, control, and project assurance are critical for ERP transformation success. Leaders must champion the agenda, foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and provide the necessary resources and support for meaningful change. Organisations often lack the capacity to sufficiently resource internal SMEs and project teams. Addressing this early and bringing in relevant expertise to support robust governance structures and accountability mechanisms is essential. A strong project management team with the necessary experience and expertise is crucial to drive ERP initiatives, manage risks, and optimise resource allocation. We increasingly see clients running large application programmes seeking external assurance partners to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the Board. At SmartCo, we work ‘client-side’ using proven methods to assure and monitor project health, ensuring the right skills in the core team and enabling leaders to create an environment conducive to success. Leveraging Technology: Innovation and Integration While a successful ERP implementation often represents an opportunity for sticky Business Change, technology also lies at the heart of ERP transformation, serving as a catalyst for other innovation activities (like AI and RPA) and driving efficiency and growth. Organisations must embrace these emerging technologies once the enterprise platforms are stable and operating successfully across all business areas. Dynamics 365 and IFS, with their integrated suite of applications, provide the flexibility and scalability needed to meet these demands. However, successful ERP transformation isn’t just about adopting new technologies; it’s about integrating them seamlessly into existing processes, systems, and workflows and making the change stick! Sustaining Momentum: The Role of Culture and Change Management ERP transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey of evolution and adaptation. To sustain momentum and drive long-term success, organisations must embrace a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and agility using proven change management techniques. This involves fostering an environment where internal stakeholders are regularly engaged to have their ‘WIFM’ (What’s In It For Me) questions answered. By driving these conversations and investing in change management expertise where needed, organisations can ensure ERP transformation initiatives continue to deliver value long after the initial implementation. Measuring Success: Key Metrics for ERP Transformation To gauge the effectiveness of ERP transformation efforts, organisations must define clear key performance indicators and project metrics to track progress and measure outcomes. These metrics should align with strategic objectives and reflect the desired outcomes of ERP initiatives. A crucial step at the beginning of any major application-enabled transformation is to baseline the current business state/metrics, including spend, headcount, or process lengths (e.g., month-end close). These metrics can expose some uncomfortable truths but help form the business case for change and investment. Once baselined, these numbers should be regularly reviewed to prove that value is being created. External companies can support this value realisation process, providing tools and templates to aid this effort. Organisations must establish quantifiable targets and benchmarks to assess the impact of ERP transformation on business performance. By regularly monitoring and analysing performance data, the Project Delivery Team can identify improvement areas, course-correct as needed, and drive continuous improvement. SmartCo Consulting ERP Services System Integrator and Client-Side Assurance Services: Our expertise in system integrator assurance and client-side advisory services is a key offering that separates us from some of the other consultancies. We excel at maintaining clear project scopes that align with your organisational objectives. Through rigorous quality assurance processes, we identify and mitigate project-related risks and manage transformational changes effectively, including comprehensive communication and training strategies. Acting as your strategic partner, our client assurance team oversees SI partners, offers expert advisory services, and ensures alignment with your vision. We manage all aspects of your ERP implementation with a focus on quality, transparency, and continuous improvement. Project Planning and Control: Our consultants develop detailed implementation roadmaps covering timelines, risk and issue management, resource allocation, budget tracking, and milestone setting. This meticulous planning ensures your ERP project stays on track and within budget, delivering expected outcomes efficiently. Configuration and Data Migration: We ensure that business requirements align perfectly with optimised ERP functionality through effective vendor management. Our data migration experts handle the seamless transfer of data from existing systems to the new ERP system, ensuring data integrity and minimal disruption. Change Management: Our change management strategies ensure a smooth transition to the new ERP system, minimising disruptions to your operations. We focus on preparing your team through training and engagement, enabling them to embrace new processes and technologies confidently. Programme Audit: We offer a comprehensive programme audit service that provides an unbiased review and robust challenge of the programme at key stages, such as scope, plans, and budget. Our independent oversight ensures that project decisions are sound and aligned with best practices, providing an additional layer of confidence. By leveraging best practices and tools, we provide SteerCo-level assurance, challenging and validating programme decisions and direction to ensure success and adherence to strategic objectives. ERP Testing and Quality Assurance: SmartCo Consulting also offers a dedicated ERP testing and quality assurance (QA) service. Our QA experts rigorously test every aspect of your ERP implementation to ensure it meets your business requirements and performs flawlessly. We conduct comprehensive functional and non-functional testing, including system integration testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and data integrity testing. Our focus on meticulous testing processes helps identify and resolve issues early, ensuring a smooth and successful go-live. By leveraging advanced testing tools and methodologies, we ensure your ERP system is robust, reliable, and ready to support your business operations. Resource Augmentation: Our extensive network of skilled professionals allows us to assemble multi-disciplinary teams to provide specialised assurance on specific functions or roles as required, ensuring you always have the right expertise at your disposal. About Oliver Oliver is SmartCo’s Partner and COO with 20+ years of experience leading large-scale, multi-million pound transformations. ​Oli is responsible for overseeing all programmes to ensure on-time and within budget delivery, creating scalable solutions that exceed objectives. About SmartCo Consulting At SmartCo Consulting, we are committed to delivering exceptional ERP programme results. Our dedication to flexibility, data integrity, transparent communication and continuous improvement ensures your ERP system not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Trust SmartCo to be your partner in achieving ERP success. For more information on how we can support your ERP needs, please contact us here.
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Long Lane Pastures Community Project
The SmartCo team recently had the pleasure of spending a rewarding day at Long Lane Pastures, a beautiful community garden in North London. Embracing the crisp Autumn sunshine, we rolled up our sleeves to make a meaningful difference. Together, we cleared 18 barrowloads of foliage from the pond and tackled overgrown weeds, brambles and scrub in the Octavia Hill area, helping prepare the space for snowdrops to flourish and ensuring the pasture remains a vibrant haven for both nature and the local community. Donald, the chairman of Long Lane Pastures, expressed his gratitude, saying: ‘Many thanks to the staff at SmartCo Consulting. You have made a real difference.’   Beyond the physical work, the day also served as a reminder of the importance of connecting with nature and nurturing our mental well-being. At SmartCo, we’re deeply committed to fostering mental health, not just in our teams but also in the communities we serve. Initiatives like these not only strengthen our bonds as colleagues but also provide a moment of reflection, grounding and growth. A huge thank you to everyone who participated, for your hard work, teamwork and positive energy, making the day such a success. About SmartCo Consulting SmartCo is a consultancy business specialising in the delivery of digital transformation projects for large private and public sector organisations. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all. If you’d like to discuss how SmartCo can support you in the community, please contact us today.
Thriving in remote work with ADHD
I’m excited to share my journey at SmartCo as a remote working mother of 2, recently diagnosed with ADHD after several years of misdiagnosed post-natal depression. Since my diagnosis, I’ve discovered that challenges I once faced have become strengths, and I hope my learning can inspire others. The Power of Task Lists and Clear Objectives Living with ADHD means I need structure to thrive. Task lists are my lifeline, helping me break down work into manageable chunks. Tools like Trello and Planner keep me organised and on track. Clear objectives are crucial – knowing exactly what I need to deliver helps me stay focused and motivated. Without this, I easily become disengaged and often question myself as to what am I aiming for? Deadlines: My Productivity Boosters Deadlines are my best friends. They give me a sense of urgency and a clear timeframe to accomplish tasks. This helps me manage my time effectively and ensures I meet my goals without feeling overwhelmed. There’s no better feeling than ticking off the ‘To Do’s’ at the end of the day. I find this approach works at home too when I give myself 10 minutes to put the laundry away before my next call! Spotting Improvements and Simplifying Processes One of my superpowers is spotting inefficiencies. I can see where steps can be shortened, savings can be made, and processes can be simplified. Why make things harder than it needs to be? This knack for streamlining operations has given me access to lots of opportunities, and I enjoy it! Shameful to say this is not effective at home when I have Amazon, Netflix, Disney+ subscriptions which hardly get used! The Importance of Effective Communication I have worked remotely for 6 years now which works well for me for my work-life balance but it also means I rely heavily on effective communications. Effective communication is vital for everyone, not just those with neurodiversity or home workers. As companies grow and scale, maintaining clear and open communication channels is essential. At SmartCo, I champion effective and consistent communication to ensure everyone, whether remote or onsite, feels part of the team. Virtual ‘water cooler’ chats help foster a sense of community and keep us connected. These are just some of my ADHD quirks, that have become the foundations of finding the right employer. I would always ensure that they can support me in these areas. Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace Employers can play a significant role in supporting neurodiverse employees. Here are a few ways: Flexible Hours: Allowing employees to work during their most productive times Right Tools: Providing access to productivity apps and communication platforms Regular Check-Ins: Frequent catch-ups (remote and onsite) to keep everyone on track Training and Awareness: Educating the team about neurodiversity to foster understanding. Supportive Culture: Promoting mental health awareness and providing resources About SmartCo Consulting SmartCo is a consultancy business specialising in the delivery of digital transformation projects for large private and public sector organisations. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all. If you’d like to discuss how SmartCo can support you in the workplace, please contact us today.
Welcome to Zaib Randeree
We are thrilled to announce Zaib Randeree has joined SmartCo as a Client Services Manager. Wishing you a warm welcome from the entire SmartCo team. We sat down with Zaib to ask her a few questions about her career path, her new role at SmartCo and what she’s most looking forward to about joining. Hi Zaib. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? My career journey began with a background in Healthcare Management and Health Services Financial Management, which I studied in Toronto, Canada. I then gained invaluable experience in London working in the NHS within clinical trials, where I deepened my understanding of the healthcare system and operations. I transitioned into Consulting a short while later, where my focus shifted to delivering health and finance related projects from an operational and business analysis lens. I’m excited now to take my experiences and health background further to engage with clients here at SmartCo! What is your new role and key responsibilities? I sit within the Healthcare team here at SmartCo, as a Client Services Manager. Briefly, my key role and responsibility includes managing client relationships and ensuring successful high-quality delivery of our healthcare projects, through working alongside our project delivery and client teams. What are you looking forward to most about being part of the team? It’s a busy time for health (as it always is, really!). I am excited and looking forward to getting stuck into working with our health clients over the next while as I settle into my role. What attracted you to SmartCo? SmartCo is a company that fosters a welcoming culture, innovative collaboration and offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact. As a smaller firm, you really do get the opportunity to connect with the team and be valued. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? My 2 boys keep me pretty busy, so you can usually find me chasing after them and spending time with the family. I am a coffee fanatic, so I enjoy exploring niche coffee shops around London with my husband when we can! I like to also aim to keep healthy by running and doing Pilates. I balance that out with my love for baking…I’ve got a pretty bad sweet tooth!
SmartCo is an Awarded Supplier
SmartCo is a HealthTrust Europe Awarded Supplier More great framework news for SmartCo. We’re proud to share that we’ve been successfully appointed to: Lot 6 – ICT and Digital Consultancy Solutions and Advisory Services of the HealthTrust Europe (HTE) Consultancy Solutions Framework. This achievement marks an exciting step forward as we expand our role in providing clinically-led digital transformation to healthcare providers. From advisory services to digital deployment and optimisation, we are committed to driving transformation and innovation across the healthcare sector. This opportunity allows us to work even more closely with healthcare organisations, helping them harness the power of digital technologies to improve patient care, operational efficiency and overall outcomes. ‘We’re delighted to be awarded onto HealthTrust Europe’s latest professional services Framework. The framework was designed to support change in healthcare through digital transformation which mirrors our service offering. With upcoming changes in the procurement landscape, we must secure compliant and robust routes to market. This is another important framework for SmartCo and we are excited about supporting our NHS customers on it.’ George Jackson, Head of Commercial If you would like to discuss this framework and how it could be used at your organisation, please contact us here.
Welcome to Alex Buchanan
We are thrilled to announce Alex Buchanan has joined SmartCo as a Managing Consultant. Wishing you a warm welcome from the entire SmartCo team. We sat down with Alex to ask him a few questions about his career path, his new role at SmartCo and what he’s most looking forward to about joining. Hi Alex. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? I’ve been working in creative agencies and media companies for almost 25 years. I started out as a graphic designer (working in live events) before moving over to advertising and getting into technology roles at the global communications holding companies WPP, Omnicom and Publicis. I’ve also worked with major broadcasters and famous brands like ITV and Nike. Over the years I’ve become quite a technology generalist and have worked on a variety of weird and wonderful technology and enterprise IT projects. My specialism, however, is the technology behind creating and managing content. What is your new role and what will you be focusing on? As a Managing Consultant for Media & Entertainment (M&E), I’m responsible for delivering great work for our M&E clients, starting with WPP. What excites you most about being part of the team? With SmartCo, we have a tremendous opportunity to unlock the vast network of operating companies within WPP, but also extend into other agency networks and media companies. What’s unique about SmartCo? During my time at WPP I had the pleasure of being a SmartCo client, and I’m happy to say there is genuine different between SmartCo and other consultancies. Our uniqueness is definitely our people; we care about our associates and the work and it shows in the quality of the work we deliver. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? When not working, I’ll probably be out mountain biking, running or watching rugby. Our three children are all at university this year, and they happen to all be in good rugby towns; Leicester, Bath and Bristol – so we’re planning to catch a few games as we travel around to visit them all!
Maternity leave return to work
‘Don’t quit your daydream, it’s your life that you’re making.’ Lyrics that I listened to on repeat when I returned to work after my first child in 2022. I remember so vividly thinking to myself, Darcy why are you daydreaming about being a working mum? Surely, it’s a human right to have a work/life balance and be able to look after your own child that you just spent 9 months growing! Unfortunately, it would seem this isn’t always the case. Not necessarily because the options aren’t there, but because people feel so trapped they don’t even know they exist. Much like the position I found myself in, in August 2022. Returning to work with the expectation of being in the office from 9 – 5.30 and letting someone else raise my not even 1 year old. I remember thinking… ‘Maybe I can’t return to work, maybe being a stay-at-home mum is my only choice.’ Just how ridiculous does that sound. Well, that was until I was approached by SmartCo. The company that has given me my ‘daydream’ (however cheesy that may sound). Having a thriving career whilst being a present parent. Being able to do the nursery drop offs and pickups. Having the option to work from home or go into the office. Key there being, having the option, an essential part of being a return-to-work mum. Let’s fast forward to January 2023… POSITIVE. We were expecting another bundle of joy in September 2023. But wait, work… I need to tell SmartCo. I’ve only been here 4 months… what will they say? I remember having the telephone conversation in March with HR and my line manager and finishing the phone call feeling relived. It would seem I had nothing to worry about and this call was shortly followed by a company wide announcement… ‘the maternity policy is to be reviewed’. Following this came a thorough working conditions assessment of my home working arrangement, the flexibility and encouragement to attend all required/suggested appointments and fantastic support company wide. 9th September 2023, I started my maternity leave at 5pm and went into labour at 7pm. What I like to call, working up until the last minute! This was then followed by 7 wonderful months of welcoming our new arrival into the world before my expected return to work date, 1st April 2024. A seamless return to work with a very helpful handover from my maternity cover who had joined us permanently during this time. As well as a great level of support from HR and the whole team in general. Which brings me to today, 5 months since I returned to work. My feet are firmly back on the ground and I have recently been moved into a new role ‘People & Culture Officer’ which has opened up so many great opportunities for me and allowed me to take on and own a handful of exciting projects. I can proudly say that I am a full-time working mother of two beautiful young girls. I hope that one day my children know that I fought to be a present mum. I fought to aspire them to have a successful career. I fought for the life that unfortunately so many return to work mums don’t believe exists. It’s 2024, it’s time large corporations recognise the importance of mums returning to work whilst also being present in their children’s life. About SmartCo Consulting SmartCo is a consultancy business specialising in the delivery of digital transformation projects for large private and public sector organisations. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all. If you’re a return-to-work parent, looking for a new opportunity, please contact us today.
Long Lane Pastures Community Project
The SmartCo team recently had the pleasure of spending a rewarding day at Long Lane Pastures, a beautiful community garden in North London. Embracing the crisp Autumn sunshine, we rolled up our sleeves to make a meaningful difference. Together, we cleared 18 barrowloads of foliage from the pond and tackled overgrown weeds, brambles and scrub in the Octavia Hill area, helping prepare the space for snowdrops to flourish and ensuring the pasture remains a vibrant haven for both nature and the local community. Donald, the chairman of Long Lane Pastures, expressed his gratitude, saying: ‘Many thanks to the staff at SmartCo Consulting. You have made a real difference.’   Beyond the physical work, the day also served as a reminder of the importance of connecting with nature and nurturing our mental well-being. At SmartCo, we’re deeply committed to fostering mental health, not just in our teams but also in the communities we serve. Initiatives like these not only strengthen our bonds as colleagues but also provide a moment of reflection, grounding and growth. A huge thank you to everyone who participated, for your hard work, teamwork and positive energy, making the day such a success. About SmartCo Consulting SmartCo is a consultancy business specialising in the delivery of digital transformation projects for large private and public sector organisations. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all. If you’d like to discuss how SmartCo can support you in the community, please contact us today.
Thriving in remote work with ADHD
I’m excited to share my journey at SmartCo as a remote working mother of 2, recently diagnosed with ADHD after several years of misdiagnosed post-natal depression. Since my diagnosis, I’ve discovered that challenges I once faced have become strengths, and I hope my learning can inspire others. The Power of Task Lists and Clear Objectives Living with ADHD means I need structure to thrive. Task lists are my lifeline, helping me break down work into manageable chunks. Tools like Trello and Planner keep me organised and on track. Clear objectives are crucial – knowing exactly what I need to deliver helps me stay focused and motivated. Without this, I easily become disengaged and often question myself as to what am I aiming for? Deadlines: My Productivity Boosters Deadlines are my best friends. They give me a sense of urgency and a clear timeframe to accomplish tasks. This helps me manage my time effectively and ensures I meet my goals without feeling overwhelmed. There’s no better feeling than ticking off the ‘To Do’s’ at the end of the day. I find this approach works at home too when I give myself 10 minutes to put the laundry away before my next call! Spotting Improvements and Simplifying Processes One of my superpowers is spotting inefficiencies. I can see where steps can be shortened, savings can be made, and processes can be simplified. Why make things harder than it needs to be? This knack for streamlining operations has given me access to lots of opportunities, and I enjoy it! Shameful to say this is not effective at home when I have Amazon, Netflix, Disney+ subscriptions which hardly get used! The Importance of Effective Communication I have worked remotely for 6 years now which works well for me for my work-life balance but it also means I rely heavily on effective communications. Effective communication is vital for everyone, not just those with neurodiversity or home workers. As companies grow and scale, maintaining clear and open communication channels is essential. At SmartCo, I champion effective and consistent communication to ensure everyone, whether remote or onsite, feels part of the team. Virtual ‘water cooler’ chats help foster a sense of community and keep us connected. These are just some of my ADHD quirks, that have become the foundations of finding the right employer. I would always ensure that they can support me in these areas. Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace Employers can play a significant role in supporting neurodiverse employees. Here are a few ways: Flexible Hours: Allowing employees to work during their most productive times Right Tools: Providing access to productivity apps and communication platforms Regular Check-Ins: Frequent catch-ups (remote and onsite) to keep everyone on track Training and Awareness: Educating the team about neurodiversity to foster understanding. Supportive Culture: Promoting mental health awareness and providing resources About SmartCo Consulting SmartCo is a consultancy business specialising in the delivery of digital transformation projects for large private and public sector organisations. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all. If you’d like to discuss how SmartCo can support you in the workplace, please contact us today.
Welcome to Zaib Randeree
We are thrilled to announce Zaib Randeree has joined SmartCo as a Client Services Manager. Wishing you a warm welcome from the entire SmartCo team. We sat down with Zaib to ask her a few questions about her career path, her new role at SmartCo and what she’s most looking forward to about joining. Hi Zaib. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? My career journey began with a background in Healthcare Management and Health Services Financial Management, which I studied in Toronto, Canada. I then gained invaluable experience in London working in the NHS within clinical trials, where I deepened my understanding of the healthcare system and operations. I transitioned into Consulting a short while later, where my focus shifted to delivering health and finance related projects from an operational and business analysis lens. I’m excited now to take my experiences and health background further to engage with clients here at SmartCo! What is your new role and key responsibilities? I sit within the Healthcare team here at SmartCo, as a Client Services Manager. Briefly, my key role and responsibility includes managing client relationships and ensuring successful high-quality delivery of our healthcare projects, through working alongside our project delivery and client teams. What are you looking forward to most about being part of the team? It’s a busy time for health (as it always is, really!). I am excited and looking forward to getting stuck into working with our health clients over the next while as I settle into my role. What attracted you to SmartCo? SmartCo is a company that fosters a welcoming culture, innovative collaboration and offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact. As a smaller firm, you really do get the opportunity to connect with the team and be valued. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? My 2 boys keep me pretty busy, so you can usually find me chasing after them and spending time with the family. I am a coffee fanatic, so I enjoy exploring niche coffee shops around London with my husband when we can! I like to also aim to keep healthy by running and doing Pilates. I balance that out with my love for baking…I’ve got a pretty bad sweet tooth!
SmartCo is an Awarded Supplier
SmartCo is a HealthTrust Europe Awarded Supplier More great framework news for SmartCo. We’re proud to share that we’ve been successfully appointed to: Lot 6 – ICT and Digital Consultancy Solutions and Advisory Services of the HealthTrust Europe (HTE) Consultancy Solutions Framework. This achievement marks an exciting step forward as we expand our role in providing clinically-led digital transformation to healthcare providers. From advisory services to digital deployment and optimisation, we are committed to driving transformation and innovation across the healthcare sector. This opportunity allows us to work even more closely with healthcare organisations, helping them harness the power of digital technologies to improve patient care, operational efficiency and overall outcomes. ‘We’re delighted to be awarded onto HealthTrust Europe’s latest professional services Framework. The framework was designed to support change in healthcare through digital transformation which mirrors our service offering. With upcoming changes in the procurement landscape, we must secure compliant and robust routes to market. This is another important framework for SmartCo and we are excited about supporting our NHS customers on it.’ George Jackson, Head of Commercial If you would like to discuss this framework and how it could be used at your organisation, please contact us here.
Welcome to Alex Buchanan
We are thrilled to announce Alex Buchanan has joined SmartCo as a Managing Consultant. Wishing you a warm welcome from the entire SmartCo team. We sat down with Alex to ask him a few questions about his career path, his new role at SmartCo and what he’s most looking forward to about joining. Hi Alex. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? I’ve been working in creative agencies and media companies for almost 25 years. I started out as a graphic designer (working in live events) before moving over to advertising and getting into technology roles at the global communications holding companies WPP, Omnicom and Publicis. I’ve also worked with major broadcasters and famous brands like ITV and Nike. Over the years I’ve become quite a technology generalist and have worked on a variety of weird and wonderful technology and enterprise IT projects. My specialism, however, is the technology behind creating and managing content. What is your new role and what will you be focusing on? As a Managing Consultant for Media & Entertainment (M&E), I’m responsible for delivering great work for our M&E clients, starting with WPP. What excites you most about being part of the team? With SmartCo, we have a tremendous opportunity to unlock the vast network of operating companies within WPP, but also extend into other agency networks and media companies. What’s unique about SmartCo? During my time at WPP I had the pleasure of being a SmartCo client, and I’m happy to say there is genuine different between SmartCo and other consultancies. Our uniqueness is definitely our people; we care about our associates and the work and it shows in the quality of the work we deliver. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? When not working, I’ll probably be out mountain biking, running or watching rugby. Our three children are all at university this year, and they happen to all be in good rugby towns; Leicester, Bath and Bristol – so we’re planning to catch a few games as we travel around to visit them all!
Maternity leave return to work
‘Don’t quit your daydream, it’s your life that you’re making.’ Lyrics that I listened to on repeat when I returned to work after my first child in 2022. I remember so vividly thinking to myself, Darcy why are you daydreaming about being a working mum? Surely, it’s a human right to have a work/life balance and be able to look after your own child that you just spent 9 months growing! Unfortunately, it would seem this isn’t always the case. Not necessarily because the options aren’t there, but because people feel so trapped they don’t even know they exist. Much like the position I found myself in, in August 2022. Returning to work with the expectation of being in the office from 9 – 5.30 and letting someone else raise my not even 1 year old. I remember thinking… ‘Maybe I can’t return to work, maybe being a stay-at-home mum is my only choice.’ Just how ridiculous does that sound. Well, that was until I was approached by SmartCo. The company that has given me my ‘daydream’ (however cheesy that may sound). Having a thriving career whilst being a present parent. Being able to do the nursery drop offs and pickups. Having the option to work from home or go into the office. Key there being, having the option, an essential part of being a return-to-work mum. Let’s fast forward to January 2023… POSITIVE. We were expecting another bundle of joy in September 2023. But wait, work… I need to tell SmartCo. I’ve only been here 4 months… what will they say? I remember having the telephone conversation in March with HR and my line manager and finishing the phone call feeling relived. It would seem I had nothing to worry about and this call was shortly followed by a company wide announcement… ‘the maternity policy is to be reviewed’. Following this came a thorough working conditions assessment of my home working arrangement, the flexibility and encouragement to attend all required/suggested appointments and fantastic support company wide. 9th September 2023, I started my maternity leave at 5pm and went into labour at 7pm. What I like to call, working up until the last minute! This was then followed by 7 wonderful months of welcoming our new arrival into the world before my expected return to work date, 1st April 2024. A seamless return to work with a very helpful handover from my maternity cover who had joined us permanently during this time. As well as a great level of support from HR and the whole team in general. Which brings me to today, 5 months since I returned to work. My feet are firmly back on the ground and I have recently been moved into a new role ‘People & Culture Officer’ which has opened up so many great opportunities for me and allowed me to take on and own a handful of exciting projects. I can proudly say that I am a full-time working mother of two beautiful young girls. I hope that one day my children know that I fought to be a present mum. I fought to aspire them to have a successful career. I fought for the life that unfortunately so many return to work mums don’t believe exists. It’s 2024, it’s time large corporations recognise the importance of mums returning to work whilst also being present in their children’s life. About SmartCo Consulting SmartCo is a consultancy business specialising in the delivery of digital transformation projects for large private and public sector organisations. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all. If you’re a return-to-work parent, looking for a new opportunity, please contact us today.