New Articles

The following articles, which have appeared in various publications, are now available for download. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in able to view each article; this can be downloaded from www.adobe.com. Click on the heading of each article to download the corresponding document.


1. Customer Relationship Management – Adapting the principles of CRM to associations

Understanding that associations have ‘customers’, ranging from members and voluntary officials to internal customers (e.g. staff) and external ones (e.g. the media, government, etc.) and how they each need to be treated in different ways if the organisation is to be successful.

2. Business Continuity Planning – why organisations are still at risk

Many associations believe that they have effective business continuity plans, but they’re wrong! Too few organisations have bothered to test their plan or keep it up to date. A guide to the main pitfalls and how to solve them.

3. Remote Working – You cannot be serious! (as featured in ACEVO)

In January 2003, BlueSpark Consulting had one of those rare moments when we had the opportunity to completely re-think how we work. Our big opportunity, if we were brave enough to grasp it, was to do way with the need for permanent office space, to which we all commute when not working at our client’s offices. This article explores BlueSpark Consultings experiences with remote working, and shares some of what we learnt as we decided to practice what we preach.

4. Data Protection – particular issues in the membership and voluntary sectors

This article explains why complying merely with the Data Protection Act 1998 may not be sufficient. It covers particular issues and risks associated with the need to keep sensitive and personal information secure and provides guidelines for the release of such information.

5. Knowledge Management – unlocking the information mountain

‘Knowledge management’ is defined differently by different organisations and also (often) by different individuals within those organisations. Some, at the lower end of the sophistication scale, see knowledge management as just a form of document management, whilst others may consider it to be a more advanced tool, guiding information retrieval and analysis based on business rules and/or case tools. This article gets behind the hype and jargon and describes how knowledge management, applied appropriately within your association, can be of significant benefit in many areas.

6. Risk Management and Information Systems – understanding and managing risk effectively when implementing IT solutions in associations

Many senior managers in associations are asked to make decisions related to investment in new or upgraded systems without fully understanding the inherent risks in the process. Typically, managers will rely on their IT staff to guide them on this. However, the risks go well beyond just the technical ones. This article describes, in practical terms, a framework for assessing the risks in a pragmatic manner and putting in place mechanisms for managing and reducing them.


7. Information and Communications Technology Strategy – ensuring that your Information Systems support your strategic objectives

Whilst there is now a widespread understanding that it is necessary to have an ICT strategy, often these strategies are over-biased towards the technological aspects whilst skimming over the business imperatives. This article is a ‘refresher course’ in why having an up-to-date strategy is vital and how to develop one that remains a living document.

8. Upgrading Your IT Systems – do you really need to?

Many associations come to a point where they believe that they need to upgrade or change their IT systems. This article explains why this may not always be the most cost effective course and explains why managers should first find answers to a number of specific questions discussed in this article before committing themselves to what is often an expensive and time-consuming project.

9. IT Security and Business-Driven IT Continuity – why more organisations are realising that protecting their vital information is no longer just a technical issue (first of a series of three)

Particularly within the not-for-profit sector, where databases containing sensitive personal information are frequently the ‘life blood’ of the organisation and where the ability to reliably and quickly access a fundraising, membership or finance system (for example) is critical to the efficient running of the organisation, there has never before been such a need to bring IT security and continuity planning onto the Chief Executive’s agenda. This article explores the information security and disaster recovery planning issues facing not-for-profit organisations today.

Note that this article is the first of a series of three. The second and third parts will feature in ‘Association Manager’ and will be available in coming months.