Rob’s ramblings… (sorry predictions!)

QR codes, accelerometers, Kinetic, Drones…the list of new technology changes daily. Here, Rob Newell, Digital Director at TBG’s sister company VU Creative, predicts what digital developments could mean for the housing sector. With 11 years’ experience of digital and web development under his belt, we thought we’d better listen up…

Rob’s ramblings… (sorry predictions!)

1. QR codes will become more mainstream as Smartphone handsets start to be delivered complete with QR code reader technology.
What are QR codes?
Crack the code
How do I make my own code?
QR codes for housing organisations


2. New ways of using accelerometer picture tilting technology are developing all the time. Left right, up down, move that iPhone all around.
What is it?
Using accelerometer technology in the housing sector


3. With Kinetic, Microsoft has created the only true wireless and controllerless hardware – you and your movements become the remote control. Events, exhibitions, training, home, games, fitness and engagement – this technology will be built into all hardware in the not too distant future.
Kinetic pairing – how can I use it?
The future for housing organisations


4 Augmented reality – less of a prediction, more of a reminder – and now housing relevant uses are being pioneered in the US. How long until they cross the pond?
What is Augmented reality?
Some of the best uses of AR

5. Drones, small, unmanned gadgets which pass information back to you. It’s still a bit of fun at the moment, but we’re starting to see ways that this technology could add real value.
How it works
How could it work for the housing sector?


New technology opportunities are developed every day, and only some will ever be useful for you. If you want more information on how your organisation can be more effective and create value for money, contact Rob Newell, creative digital director on 01933 409411.


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What are QR codes
QR codes are everywhere. From crisp packets to business cards, buses to billboards. If you have missed this one completely (and don’t despair, they’re often small and unexplained additions to packaging or promotions), a QR code is a little graphic that you hold your Smartphone camera over and it takes you to a specific web page. They are cheap to create, utterly trackable and easy to use - when you know how.

Crack the tbg code here

Make your own code at http://www.qrstuff.com/. Remember to send it to us to check out!

QR codes for housing organisations
My advice on this one is look out, it’s coming and it’s not as hard to see the use as perhaps first thought. In two or three years time it will be a case of how did we live without QR codes, or do you remember before we had QR codes? Just think about QR codes on adverts in bus stops in your area, providing direct access to vacant property listings or local services. The ways to use this are only limited by imagination and web capability.

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What is accelerometer?
It is the technology that detects movement in your phone as you tilt it. At the moment these are really used for entertainment-based games, like driving cars or flying aeroplanes, however new ways of using this technology are evolving all the time.

Using accelerometer technology in the housing sector:
Team the accelerometer with Googlemaps... Properties could show as an icon and clicking on them would reveal a pop-out showing the prospective tenant or buyer details and availability. This could also be expanded upon to allow people to look around the area, see what the area is like, how far the local school is – even how tidy the neighbours keep the garden.

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Kinetic pairing – how can I use it?
You can pair the kinentic with a normal PC, so your movements are detected and you become the remote control. This will become much easier and more widespread once Microsoft releases the software development kit to allow this to happen. But we’re already doing it... don’t worry, it’s totally legal!

The future for housing organisations
If you pair the controllerless tech with artificial intelligence you have got personal trainers in your living room, office or wherever your computer is – the possibilities are endless. Architects are already using this to draw floor plans. And Kinetic will infiltrate the sector, with particular opportunities for tenant engagement. Just as webcams have gone from being a single unit, to being fully integrated into computers, so this technology will become integrated and begin to negate the need for a keyboard and mouse all together.

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What is augmented reality?
As virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one, so augmented reality gives a live or indirect view of the real physical environment – with elements created by computer generated input. The view of the environment (reality) is modified (augmented) by the computer....

Some of the best uses of AR
- The best AR apps
- Creating AR without being a coding wizzkid!
- Most useful

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Drones
How it works
It works like this: we buy a drone, such as a remote control helicopter. We connect it up with two video cameras which then feed video back to our phone as we fly it around the office, home, event or exhibition. It is relatively inexpensive to buy the equipment, and the uses of it are both fabulous and frightening.

How it could work for the housing sector
Imagine this - you are sitting in your office discussing the latest external refurbishment of a local block of flats. To make this easy you send your helicopter drone out of the window and join your colleagues and partners around your computer screen as you all enjoy the images of the block in real time. Or, you are sharing estate-based regeneration plans with residents. To illustrate this you display on a big screen the exact site and show how it relates to their home. The possibilities are endless.

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Are you ready to bare all?

Plans to consult on extending the Freedom of Information Act to cover housing associations have got the sector talking. The Government believes greater scrutiny equals more effective organisations. Former NHS communications manager and The Bridge Group’s Associate Account Manager Emma Dudman shares her experience of the Act and suggests how you can get ahead of the game.

Housing minister Grant Shapps has announced the Ministry of Justice will consult on bringing housing associations under the scope of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIa). Currently the Act is applicable to all public bodies so many of us will have had some exposure to the legislation through contracts with local government. Yet many in the sector – backing the National Housing Federation’s line – are resistant to coming fully under the Act. Chiefly because of the perceived cost implications in managing and responding to requests and the thorny issue of whether social landlords should be seen as public entities. The Act is a framework through which any individual can request information classed as in the public interest. Responses must be provided within prescribed timeframes (usually within a maximum of 20 days) and the Information Commissioner’s Office enforces compliance.

During my time in the NHS I’ve dealt with requests which represent good, bad and spurious use of the Act. Undoubtedly some people use FOI when they don’t need to. Despite the attempts of sites such as Whatdotheyknow.com to guide requesters through the process. FOI can become a channel for vexatious complainers, especially as requests can be made using a pseudonym. Some journalists use the Act as a blunt investigative tool, which can lead to time-wasting requests for information which is already publicly available. And the conspiracy theorists and activists love it – submitting often baffling treatises for obscure facts.

But what was good about labouring under the legislation? Firstly, it forces you to analyse your data management. Something all businesses can benefit from. To comply with the Act organisations must create a publication scheme which lists what information they hold and any plans to make it publicly available. The aim of this is to avoid unnecessary requests but it can also be a valuable exercise in determining who in your organisation has what data and why. Secondly, FOI requests can provide insight. Generic press requests from the nationals or trade titles, which had clearly gone to all similar organisations, encouraged us in the NHS to always be aware of how we compared on key issues. The housing sector is better at evaluation than many, but if you don’t already know how you’d fare in a league table on everything from repair times to waiting lists, FOI is another incentive to find out.

Queries about the gender of GPs in our patch highlighted not enough patients knew they could request a male or female doctor depending on their preference. Questions about prescribing helped our patient engagement team identify hot issues around chronic illness and target appropriate research. Indeed, for some hard-to-reach groups the anonymity of an FOI request may be the only way they feel comfortable raising an issue.

Grant Shapps’ argument in favour of the Act’s extension hinges on this potential to empower those who most need access to information. He challenges that the activities of housing associations, as beneficiaries of public investment, should be as transparent as possible.We’d encourage organisations to share their views when the Ministry of Justice begins its consultation on this issue. Find out now what you’d need to do to comply with the Act as part of your business planning. Who would manage a publication scheme and how would you process requests?

The National Housing Federation Code of Governance advocates operating in an accountable manner and most of us would assert that openness with tenants and other partners is already a priority. Yet, being subject to the Act removes an organisation’s ability to set its own comfort zone. If the extension happens it will mean even the most progressive among us in this area will face challenges in finding the capacity to handle requests and to move to a culture where nothing is off limits.


Key things you can do now:
1. Think about how you would deal with queries if the Act is extended? How would you create capacity? Ensure whatever process you’d chose gives your communications staff oversight of responses.
2. Explore creating a publication scheme for your organisation. For most organisations this can be as simple as including on your website what reports, research and facts and figures will be shared publicly and when.
3. Identify your weaknesses. What FOI request do you fear? Take steps to deal with that issue and get your press team to plan crisis management around it now.


If you would like to discuss how your press team could gear up to deal with FOIs or want to improve data management within your organisation email our Head of Communications, Jonathan Goode or call the office on 024 7656 0440.

Bins, bargains and the Big Society: apps for social housing providers

Apps are the latest trending topic in housing, and small wonder. They're pocket-sized, but delivered correctly can pack a real punch. So how are organisations already using this technology and what can you do to keep things practical?

This screenr presentation from our associate Kerry James explores a few housing, social and retail apps and gives pointers on where providers can go next. Just a little food for thought, plus a useful tip on dealing with possums trapped in dustbins, for now. Expect more musings on our blog in the coming weeks...

How social is social media?

How do young people from poorer backgrounds use social media? This was the question that The Bridge Group and WM Housing Group looked to answer at a recent jointly-hosted Young People’s Digital Awareness Day.

More than 20 youngsters, between the ages of 12 – 21, including schoolchildren, apprentices and young people living in foyers, attended the day.

The full results, including questionnaires from other youngsters in the west midlands, are still coming in, but the overwhelming evidence suggests that these people, who largely came from economically excluded backgrounds, use digital media much the same way as anyone else.

• 100% of the youngsters use social media, the vast majority of people accessing the internet from a computer either at their, or someone else’s home.

• Facebook and text messaging are their favoured sources of communication

• 60% access the internet every day

However, busting the myth that young people nowadays hide behind technology, 65% of the youngsters preferred to liaise with their friends face-to-face and 70% prefer to communicate with organisations either face-to-face or on the telephone.

And organisations beware, the younger generation claim to have a healthy cynicism of company pages on Facebook as they feel well aware that these can be sales tools.

Nikki Cheung, Senior PR Consultant at The Bridge Group, who helped facilitate the day, said: “Many studies exist on how young people communicate, but evidence on how young people from less affluent households use digital media is few and far between.

“It is important for us to understand this social group so that we can best advise our clients how to communicate with their current or potential future customers.

“The day was great fun and highly interactive. However, now the hard work begins. When all the analytical data comes in we must then interpret the information so that we can put together a report complete with tips for organisations which work with young people.

“I would like to thank everyone at WM Housing Group who was involved in this event. It truly was a joint exercise and I look forwards to maybe repeating the exercise again in the future as we keep abreast of trending technology.”

Watch this space for the analysed results…

Babies, boys and biscuits

So we’re eight months old, in merger speak, which we think has gone pretty quick.

Two new staff, three tbg babies and a scary amount of celebratory tea and biscuits later, we can safely say we’re chuffed to bits with progress to date. If you’re sitting comfortably, then please, do carry on....

Firstly a big welcome to our new boys - Graphic Designer Nathan Nightingale and Web Developer Robert George. Nathan joins the design studio after working on brands such as Volvo, Sandvik and a midlands-based rugby club. Meanwhile Robert brings seven years’ development experience to the web team having worked in sectors ranging from restaurants to telesales.

But the new arrivals don’t stop there as ‘once, twice, three times a baby’ takes the 2011 theme tune top spot. Congratulations to Leigh, Creative Design Director, Jonathon, Head of Marketing, and Michelle, Regional PR Manager, on their beautiful, bouncing bundles. Prepare for the ‘ahhh’ factor before you check out two of the cuties...

Fighting Talk

It’s been tested in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria, to name just a few. And finally the folks of England have had their own jolly good test of how well social media works. The result is that social media is highly social.

We’ve had last-minute organised riots across London, Birmingham, Manchester, even Gloucester, for goodness sake. It seems that geography across England is not a problem for social media access. And judging from the people who have been interviewed in the media, I don’t think we need to worry about any underclass not having access to the same communication tools – it seems that people were fairly represented.

Of course no-one ever said that Twitter, Facebook and the likes were only for the use of good. Fast communication methods can be used for all purposes – great news for the criminally minded. But also useful for more community-oriented masses, which our current crisis has also flushed out into the spotlight. The clean-up operations going on in all affected localities are a good way to warm your heart and remind you that humanity still exists – in this case a humanity that is largely organised via the web.

Of course, what’s not yet clear is whether the rest of the UK is as digitally connected. But maybe someone can think of a more suitable method for finding out the answer.