Digital Lounge
Connecting people and technology, we examine the tools and tactics that can drive real-world enterprise digital transformation. Business transformation experts from Crimson and elsewhere explore both the latest tools from Microsoft (including Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Azure) as well as the current challenges of managing change and building digital capabilities within organisations faced with ever-accelerating change. Exploring Microsoft tools and the people challenges that are shaping digital transformation. Expect updates on the latest news from Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Azure and current staff hiring and retention strategies.
Episodes

Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
AI is set to revolutionise housing associations, offering tools that improve operational efficiency, enhance tenant satisfaction, and enable proactive asset management. From chatbots to systems predicting repairs and rent arrears, AI is already gaining traction. Full-scale adoption and widespread integration are expected in the next two years.However, apart from a few specific AI applications, most housing associations lack a comprehensive AI strategy that addresses risks and opportunities across the entire organisation. Developing a strategic framework for AI will help housing associations mitigate risks and harness AI's full potential to improve tenant experience and long-term sustainability.

Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Join us as we explore effective marketing strategies, the role of agents, the applicant journey, and risk and compliance measures. We’ll delve into the technology, processes, and data strategies essential for attracting and supporting international students, drawing on our extensive experience with leading universities across the UK.

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Are you already using elements of Microsoft's Power Platform but only in limited areas of your housing organisation? In this session, our Housing IT experts delve into Power Platform's advanced features and functionalities, which can elevate your IT operations from routine to revolutionary. Discover how to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and extract greater value from Power Platform. Power Platform offers an expansive suite of tools for automating repetitive tasks, creating powerful applications, and generating actionable insights. These tools can transform housing organisations, cut costs, and improve resident services.

Friday Jun 14, 2024
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Universities have long been bastions of tradition and stability, but in today’s fast-paced digital world, sticking to the old ways can be detrimental. From rapid technological advancements to shifting student expectations, the pressure is on for higher education institutions to evolve. But how can universities effectively make the case for digital transformation? To build a compelling case for business change, it's essential first to understand the drivers behind this need, such as technological advancements, changing student demographics, and job market needs. In this session, we’ll discuss some of the emerging digital trends that UK-leading universities are adopting to increase student satisfaction, grow market share, increase efficiency, and more.

Thursday May 09, 2024
Thursday May 09, 2024
Is your team struggling to realise the promise of Microsoft’s low-code/no-code tech suite? Would you like to better leverage the Power Platform to digitise more across your institution and show how IT can have an even greater impact on productivity? Are you eager to break shadow IT with a governed platform? While Microsoft Power Platform has much potential, only a few have cracked the code to long-term success. During this podcast, Crimson’s higher education experts will draw from their experience in the sector, highlighting an array of university business functions—including curriculum management, enrolment, interview coordination, facilities management, accommodation oversight, and risk management—and discuss how the Power Platform can inspire change away from messy spreadsheets and paper. 🎟️ Why Attend? You will learn tips from the team’s 25+ years of consulting experience about helping to build the business case, prioritising requests from the university, and getting your users excited about Power Platform’s possibilities. Drawing from Crimson’s battle-tested methodology, we will explore which areas of the University could benefit first, how long such projects might take, what skills the team will need, and what they might cost.

Monday Apr 22, 2024
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Microsoft is rolling out its highly anticipated Dynamics 365 & Power Platform Wave 1 release. Crimson has been busy advising customers on how to leverage the latest enhancements. Join us as we assess some of the most critical updates in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. Discover how these innovations have already started to reshape IT strategies and gain insights into what’s coming. The question remains: are you ready for what’s next?

Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
After the Grenfell Tower tragedy and during a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, it's become important for organisations that provide homes to help both their customers and workers more. But the big question is, can artificial intelligence (AI), like Microsoft's Copilot, really be the answer that some people think it is?AI and other tools that automate tasks promise to eliminate repetitive work, handle large numbers of requests for repairs, and answer questions faster. But what can AI do right now, especially when housing organisations have so many other important things to deal with?🎟️ Why Attend?In this episode of the Digital Lounge podcast, we're going to talk straight about what AI can really do and the common problems that many housing providers face. The panel of housing sector experts will share how AI can be used in real situations. They'll also talk about a big issue that stops a lot of people from getting the most out of AI: bad data management.AI is becoming more and more important and will play a big role in helping the housing sector keep going strong. Our experts will talk about how every organisation that provides housing can make a plan that includes AI and prepares them for the future.🎤 Special Guests:Oliver Sinclair, Crimson's Principal Consultant, joins us for this live episode. Ollie is a seasoned technical advisor, helping housing associations and home builders improve customer experience with seamless Dynamics 365 and Power Platform implementations.Ciara McMillan MBA joins Ollie. Ciara is a well-known face within the Housing Community and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Customer Insight Committee at Futures Housing Group. She helps customers in the housing sector maximise their investment in Microsoft technologies, driving intelligent customer and colleague experiences.

Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
UK housing sector professionals face significant challenges in customer communication, needing to integrate various methods like phone, email, and social media smoothly. Adhering to data privacy rules and organising customer information is crucial, alongside providing quick, resource efficient service.Building strong customer relationships and ensuring each interaction from start to resolution is personalised is extremely important to our customers within the housing sector. Equally as critical, are tools that can aid effective decision-making and facilitate customer self-service for enquiries and complaints.In this live podcast, we will explain Crimson’s Digital Contact Centre, a Microsoft-powered solution that cost-effectively solves all the challenges above. Plus, you can hear how our customers (leading names in the housing sector) have already tested, implemented, and loved the Digital Contact Centre.

Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
UK universities confront challenges in delivering effective CPD programmes. They must keep courses relevant in evolving fields and balance theory with practice.Integrating tech for online courses, tailoring content for diverse needs, and ensuring accreditation is key. Additionally, maintaining affordability, accessibility, and engaging busy professionals is vital. These challenges underline the need for a robust, adaptable, and user-friendly CPD management solution you can discover in this exclusive live podcast.

Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Join us as we delve into Crimson's 2024 IT Salary Survey findings in this informative podcast. The annual report summarises the 2023 market for candidates and employers and looks ahead to the 2024 trends, focusing on changes to the IT jobs market, contractor rates, and salaries. The figures are based on extensive market research and candidates Crimson has placed at leading companies across the UK. This podcast is perfect for organisations keen on understanding the factors shaping their IT hiring strategies in 2024. Likewise, prospective candidates aiming to navigate the job market in the upcoming year can glean valuable tips and insights.
Tune in as we discuss the evolving landscape of the IT jobs market, dissect what constitutes compelling job adverts, delve into candidate expectations, and reveal some effective employee retention strategies. Discover actionable tips for contractors and permanent candidates seeking to enhance their chances of securing new opportunities. Plus, we'll also provide the latest insights into skills shortages and salary changes.
Download the 2024 IT Salary Survey