Back in March we held our first Away Day for the various data related professionals in Camden. That meant bringing together my team (Data Analytics and Research Team, DART for short!). As well as our Data Analysts from the various executive directorates, our Insights, Learning and Impact team who produce the excellent State of the Borough report. Finally, by no means least, our Population Intelligence team in Public Health.

This group of people will play an even more pivotal and vital role maximising the opportunity our data provides in our aim to improve residents’ lives and achieve We Make Camden.

Innovation Theme

The official theme of the day was Innovation, and how we might be innovative with the use of data, but it was just as much about community. We adopt a hub and spoke model for our data professionals. I really wanted this fabulous group of people to get to know each other and understand what each other does, and the challenges they face, and appreciate each other’s contribution. Collectively, I need to lead them through volatile and uncertain times facing complex and often ambiguous challenges. Having a strong and vibrant community of data professionals makes the challenge much easier to overcome.

After a very entertaining ice breaker, which really got people energised, we had a brief introduction to the science of Innovation. It’s the systematic practice of introducing new products and services. After that a special guest Laura Grayson from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), talked to us about their experience of creating “Innovation Squad” and the impact it’s had in MHCLG.

An away day wouldn’t be complete without an interactive exercise where we explored some of the opportunities within Camden. We also gave the audience the chance to ask team leaders anything they liked through a panel discussion, and a “speed dating” circuit of tables.

Data Awards

We topped off the day with some awards to recognise contributions across all our data professionals. I was very proud to sponsor some awards to celebrate the amazing successes we’ve had, and the incredible people continually delivering for Camden. Those awards covered a range of categories designed to highlight the many and varied contributions.

• Rising Star: A colleague who has progressed quickly in terms of their skills, knowledge, and performance.
• Unsung Hero: A colleague whose contributions have been foundational to the success of our work with data but may have otherwise gone uncelebrated.
• Ethics, Governance and Culture: A colleague whose work has contributed to data ethics, data governance, or data culture; either within a specific business setting or across the organisation.
• Impact: A colleague whose work has had commendable impact; either for clients within the organisation or out in the community.
• Collaboration and Peer Support: A colleague who consistently works in a collaborative way and supports others.
• Visualisation and Storytelling: A colleague whose work has involved compelling communication through visualisation, presentation, and/or storytelling.
• Innovation and Problem Solving: A colleague whose work has involved the development of creative new solutions to challenging problems.
• Mentorship and Development: A colleague who has provided mentorship and facilitated the professional development of others.

Key Takeaways

These really are an incredible group of people that are invested in delivering good. They are incredibly versatile.

Listening to the stories throughout the day really drove home that in data there is no us and them. It requires everyone. Data professionals can’t do data well without the support of the amazing people throughout the council.

Reflecting on our theme of the day, innovation requires:

• Leadership and leadership support, and the right cultural mindset
• Embracing a learning mind set to test and learn iteratively
• A willingness to change
• Resilience and adaptability
• Seeking ways to collaborate
• Welcoming feedback
• Celebrating success

The value of the day was seeing the energy and positivity in the room. Even though we know there are challenging times ahead of us, if we pause and look back on what this group any many others have done – they can be very proud of what they have achieved over the last two to three years.

What can other boroughs learn from this approach?

If you’re looking to bring similar communities together in your own organisation these are the things I would consider:

• First, is your leadership.  Authenticity goes a long way to galvanising a community around you.
• Second, is relationship. Build relationships with key stakeholders around common interests.
• Third, is your curiosity and listening to the challenges and problems faced in the different parts of the buildings and a willingness to factor those into your plans.

This blog was written by Martin Waudby, Chief Data Officer for the London Borough of Camden.