What's good about this Community and how can we improve it?

Personally I don't think I could do my job as nearly as effectively without the postings - I visit every day and enjoy reading the more 'quirkier' questions (things that are not necessarily in a text book!).  I appreciate the regular contributors and do have my favourites - and am very grateful that they take their time to contribute their knowledge and expertise.

 Its also useful learning differing opinions and reading the heated debates that sometimes take place!

I am with Leanne and sometimes lack confidence when posting an answer - as I don't want to put myself 'out there' for fear of reprisal, but do take on board Mike's comments.

As for my pet hate - finding a posting that seems to answer my query and which also seems to have had a lot of responses - only to find lists and lists of people to be responding to a kind offer to supply a policy, document etc etc.  grrrrrrr!

Keep up the good work!

PS - wasn't even sure how the 'tagging' system worked but will definitely find out more and try to use it in the future.

Hi Helen and Leanne

I would concur with Mike's comments about being having the confidence to post. The CIPD wants us all to be "thinking performers" which means we all need to have an opinion on what we're doing. Others may disagree, and none of us gets it right the whole time, but it's through dialogue that we can shape and understand our approach.

I too like the debates and think we have a lot more potential around these as people become more confident.

Which reminds me, Steve, an early CIPD idea was to use these communities as a way of seeking feedback from members to inform responses to government consultations. What happened to that one?

Kind regards

Anna

I can honesty say that this has become my favourite all-time thread. Such a positive read. It's important to me especially as I believe it is our job to deliver value regularly and consistently to the CIPD community (and beyond).

Anna - on your specific point about consultations... we have tried this a few times, particularly Charles Cotton, but let's just say that we didn't get a deluge of responses. Our fault, I think, and not the community's. I need to be a little more creative with how we present things like that.

Thanks.

Steve 

Thanks to Mike and Anna for your support.  My early New Years' Resolution is now to be more active on the communities :)

Many of you have said really wonderful quotable things in Steve's new thread about the communities and how much you like them.

Marketing colleagues here at the CIPD would like to be able to use some of these comments when they are promoting the benefits of CIPD membership. Is it ok if we pull out some of your comments to use at appropriate and relevant times in future on printed or e-marketing material?

I hasten to add this would be a happy by-product of this thread - its original intention wasn't to gather testimonials!

Please email me if you feel strongly either way. j.ratcliffe@cipd.co.uk

Thanks

Johanna

Digital Communications Manager

Johanna

so is that a we say yes and you implement some of our ideas... good exchange  ;)

Mikes right,

That's so typical of what happens on all these boards, seize on all the positive good ideas and 'listen' to (or should that read sideline) all the rest. If marketing are so keen for input why aren't they feeding back on these communities, testing out ideas?

Why are the CIPD so selectively biased in how they regard these boards?

As the data was not originally supplied for the purposes of marketing and is only available to members you might be overstepping the mark under the Data Protection Act.

Hi Mark,

That is not what I meant at all. The web team (in particular Johanna) are particularly receptive to ideas and certainly from my experience do listen to members. My comment was meant tongue in cheek... hence the smiley...

As for your comment about DPA, Johanna did in effect ask for people to contact here giving permission. As it happens in Appendix A of the site T&C's it says:

"... Any content added or submitted by you to the Community remains your intellectual property. By adding or submitting content to the Community you grant CIPD an unrestricted worldwide licence to publish the material on this website..."

So not a massive step to what is being asked, sure it does not say ok to use in printed material - but again Johanna asked if people minded one way or another - I guess it will be taken that your contributions to this thread you do not wish considered?

I think if there was some objectivity going on the team would be objectively looking at the community usage rather than simply focussing on frequent visitors. Lean thinking would advocate seeking feedback from once only visitors, those who didn't receive any replies, those who visited but didn't post etc. I guess it would also advocate examining processes rather rather than asking assumptive and leading questions eg....what's good about the communities?..if you only ask one type of question to one particular audience, don't be surprised if you only get one type of response.

I think I already mentioned that there is a difference between what members ask and expect, dependent upon their grade of membership and level of study - perhaps this should be explored.

PS. Understood about the T&C's but the issue is one of anonymity, ie. having your name identified alongside comments. DP Act provides for individuals not to be personally identified and subjects can object under Section 10.