8 . Glasgow Business February 2016


INTEL Johanna Dow, Chief Executive, Business Stream


Each issue we ask a major business figure what technology they use to gather the information they need to keep their finger on the pulse


Take just OneNote – it could help you be more productive


» Swapping pen and paper for digital note-taking frees up valuable time


WHAT TECHNOLOGY (FROM GADGETS TO SOFTWARE, INCLUDING APPS) MAKES YOUR WORKING LIFE EASIER?


I can’t imagine living without my iPhone and tablet, as I’m completely reliant on both for all sorts of daily tasks. I find that I have to write things down so that I remember them, so moving away from pen and paper has been a challenge for me, but I’ve been trialling Microsoſt’s OneNote, which is brilliant. I can scribble notes on my tablet in meetings, which my PA can access real-time. So by the time I come out of a meeting, she has actioned most of my tasks already!


WHAT WEBSITES/APPS/MAGAZINES/ NEWSPAPERS DO YOU TURN TO FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE?


Industry press is vital for me – Utility Week and the Water Report in particular. Tere’s so much happening generally, but the main topic at the moment is preparations to allow all non-domestic customers in England the chance to choose their water supplier. Tat creates a huge new market for us to compete in


and allows customers in England the opportunity to access benefits which customers in Scotland have benefited from over the last eight years through the competitive retail market. As an accountant by trade and a member of the


Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, I read its Accounting and Business magazine to keep up with professional news. I also review the main broadsheets online first thing


in the morning to keep me posted on current affairs and business news.


WHAT BOOK(S) SHOULD EVERYONE IN BUSINESS BE READING?


Why Should Anyone Be Led By You? from Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones, which encourages authentic leadership. I first read it a few years ago and found it really inspiring. And Game-Changing Strategies: How to Create New


Market Space in Established Industries by Breaking the Rules by Constantinos Markides of London Business School. Tis one couldn’t be more apt for us given where we are, as the biggest player in the world’s first deregulated, non-domestic water market, and looking to compete in a new market with the regional monopolies in England from 2017.


WHAT DO YOU DO THAT HELPS YOU BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY OR SAVE TIME?


Using OneNote is definitely making me more


productive, although my PA would say that’s because I pass all my actions to her!


WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?


Never wait for things to happen – make them happen for yourself. Follow your moral compass and never stray from it,


even though there will be plenty of occasions where your values and principles will be put to the test.


HOW IMPORTANT IS TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION TO YOUR BUSINESS?


As a company, we like to be different and to stay one step ahead of our competitors, and technology is – and will continue to be – an increasingly significant differentiator for us, especially when the English market opens up. Tis is an evolving area for the sector as a whole, but we are well prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities as they arise.


WHAT TECHNOLOGIES DO YOU USE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS?


We use Rant and Rave customer feedback technology to give us real-time insight on what we’re doing well and what we can do beter. Since launching the system several months back, we have received more than 9,384 items of real-time feedback, with sentiment analysis built-in. Tis allows us to act on our customers’ concerns much quicker than previously. Our online


account management options, including our free app, are really popular with customers and help us to provide a more efficient, responsive service for our customers at their convenience.


Johanna


Dow, Chief Executive, Business Stream


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