| |
Our Achievements
Our consultancy,
LAWRENCE Solutions, has been active since 1996. (Initially
we were known as 'Chris Lawrence' ICT consultancy).
Our specialist
areas of expertise include
- events, conference and
project management
- research and evaluation
work, report writing, audits and reviews
- digital inclusion
- provision and development
of basic IT training courses, and familiarising trainers
with appropriate methodology
- provision of impartial
IT advice and support (for SMEs and third sector organisations)
- web site development
(for small organisations)
- programming and operation
of ppvote (formerly 'Option Finder') equipment.
Our recent achievements
have included
. . . . In events, conference and project management
. . . .
the organisation
and event management of . . . .
- a series of seven Digital
Inclusion Practitioners' Events at locations around
Scotland (for the Scottish Executive Digital Champions
team)
- 'learndirect scotland
on the road' series of events for learndirect branded
learning centre staff (with one day conferences in Livingston,
Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Peebles
and Dumfries)
- 'Digital Inclusion -
connecting the people of South Ayrshire' on behalf of
South Ayrshire Community Learning Partnership
- 'Creating or expanding
a social enterprise' - a two day Master Class with Jerr
Boschee
- 'Websafe' (a workshop
on web safety issues) on behalf of Scottish Enterprise
Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council and Reid Kerr College
- Dundee Partnership's
Conference 2005 - 'Making a difference to Dundee'.
. . . . In research work, report writing,
audits and reviews . . . .
- Evaluation of Flexible
Learning Centre at Access North Ayr.
- Appraisal study of the
ICT infrastructure and support arrangements of voluntary
organisations in Inverclyde.
- Review of Central Registered
Body in Scotland (CRBS) System on behalf of the Scottish
Executive.
. . . . In digital inclusion . . . .
- Management and development
of the Ayrshire Digital Inclusion Network forum (for
ICT training providers and practitioners).
- Presenting at Digital
Inclusion Practitioners' Events.
- Digital inclusion work
in Ayrshire, Dundee, Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire.
- Writing for the National
Grid for Learning's Communities Channel web site.
. . . . In the provision and development of basic IT
training courses, and familiarising trainers with appropriate
methodology . . . .
-
Development
of an internet training course (Surf IT) and additional
modules.
-
Familiarising
trainers with the Surf IT methodology and materials.
-
Facilitating
the use of Surf IT in Dundee (on behalf of Scottish
Enterprise Tayside), in Lanarkshire (on behalf of Scottish
Enterprise Lanarkshire) and in Renfrewshire (on behalf
of Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire).
-
Conducting
training workshops on internet use and awareness, e
commerce, web sites, data protection and information
management, IT troubleshooting, digital imaging, use
of IT 'gadgets'.
-
Facilitation
for the SLN project.
. . . . In the provision of impartial IT advice and support
(for SMEs and third sector organsiations) . . . .
-
Working with
GCVS's Healthy Organisations Service as the Database consultant.
-
Work as
a business adviser for the Ayrshire Business Technology
Centre and East Ayrshire Business Partnership.
-
Network
specification and installation for voluntary organisations
and SMEs, and ongoing support and advice.
-
Helping
and advising organisations in upgrading their IT systems.
-
Extensive
IT support and training for housing associations via
SHARE (Scottish Housing Associations Resources for Education).
-
Supporting
the development of a community web site with audio,
video and photographic materials (www.hilltownhorizons.org.uk and www.craigneuk-online.org.uk).
-
IT audits
and reviews.
. . . . In web site development (for small organisations)
. . . .
-
Web site
design and management for small organisations and projects.
(An example of e-commerce is Langford
Woodcraft)
. . . . In the programming and operation of ppvote (formerly
'Option Finder') equipment . . . .
This is a wireless electronic voting system which allows
the views of participants at an event, meeting or conference
to be recorded anonymously. Questions are asked, and participants
choose how to reply from a range of numbered options offered.
Responses are displayed graphically almost instantaneously.
As well as providing quantitative feedback, discussions
can be developed from questions asked, eg why people hold
the views they have expressed. The equipment is popular
and enjoyable to use.
- Use of 'Option Finder'
technology for assessing audiences' views, ideas, responses
and feedback at many events ranging from small meetings
to large conferences, informal gatherings to more formal
occasions (including both community and business events).
- Provision of training
sessions in how to use ppvote equipment.
Consultancy Ethos
We set and maintain
high standards . . . .
We are VAT registered
and maintain professional indemnity insurance on standard
terms and conditions for work carried out on behalf of clients.
The consultancy
has a register entry under the requirements of the Data
Protection Act 1998. We adhere to the eight (good practice)
data protection principles.
We recognise
the value of equal opportunities legislation and afford
equal respect and dignity (and without discrimination on
any grounds) to everyone we have contact with. Integrity,
discretion and client confidentiality are also regarded
as of the upmost importance.
We have no formal
contracts or relationships involving pecuniary interests
with external suppliers and consultants, and any advice,
help or guidance given is therefore impartial.
All urgent correspondence,
telephone calls, faxes and e-mails are usually acknowledged
the same or following working day, with follow up and further
information provided as soon as possible. Contacts are kept
informed as to what to expect within what timescale.
Regular reports
on the progress of all contracts are provided to the managing
organisation. Timetables and action plans are set out as
required, and used on an ongoing basis to make sure that
progress is achieved and any milestones are reached.
|
