BPA CONFERENCE 2011
A chance to network
potential for the media to reach millions, in a matter of minutes, was clearly demonstrated and highlighted as both an opportunity and a threat. A clear message was the need to have a champion
for social media within the organisation, and for that champion to receive support from colleagues to provide inspiration, with senior managers being made aware of the value of engaging with the public.
Story 5
Are you paying attention to your staff?
Jason Barbour, managing director of Barbour Logic, and Alastair Cooper, of NSL, may work in very different sectors of the parking industry but they are on the same side when it comes to staffing issues. Both realise that achieving the best from their
‘At the moment enforcement on the street is
reactive,’ said Peach. ‘It has a high cost in terms of both labour and infrastructure. Tere is the added cost of missed tickets and a loss of revenue from spaces that are not full.’ With a sensor system in each parking space, data
can be fed back to a gateway or information panel, which can be used to inform decisions in the future. Te data provides information on real-time space
availability, reducing the amount of drivers looking for spaces, cutting emissions and allowing dynamic management of traffic flow. Peach’s vision is of an integrated system between
space sensors, pay machines, enforcement solutions, mobile and web-based apps and integration with sat nav systems. Tis can only be good news for lorry drivers who will no longer have to negotiate narrow country lanes.
Story 4 Search for a champion
Anne Snelson, marketing manager for RingGo, presented the conference with her thoughts on the role of social media in parking, stressing that these forms of media simply cannot be ignored. Highlighting best practice across Twitter,
Facebook and LinkedIn, from councils like Nottingham and Worcester, she explained how local authorities had the choice to either set the agenda within these circles, or be driven by it. Te key dilemma, in her opinion, was the ability
to react quickly to social media activities, while remaining within relevant pre-defined framework for formal message production and approval processes: this being difficult given the political environment in which councils operate. Examples were provided of social media used for polling, collaboration and market testing. Te
26 OCTOBER 2011
staff is done through valuing them and recognising their strengths and weaknesses. ‘People are both the biggest asset and the biggest
cost,’ said Barbour. ‘Getting information about your staff is essential, if you don’t it would be like a football manager trying to manage a football team without ever watching the team play.’ According to Barbour, the difference between an
employee who is fast and competent at a task and one who is not, can be the equivalent of having two extra members of staff. ‘Te important factors are each person’s output,
quality and time they devote to each task,’ he said. ‘Ten it is a question of re-apportioning work to
the fastest workers and freeing up those who are doing the task slower.’ At NSL, the company’s emphasis on staff welfare and development has earned it the Investors
IN SOME OFF- STREET CAR PARKS MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IS USED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS TO SPACES VIA LED LIGHTING
New machinery on display at the exhibition
www.britishparking.co.uk
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