Last week we joined MATs, LAs and the Bromcom team for an exciting day of learning, networking, and inspiration at the annual Bromcom Shard Event. There was a great lineup of expert speakers and engaging workshops; here are 7 things we learnt at last week’s event:
- There is still a huge appetite from schools to participate in an aggregated MIS purchase, and there were some brilliant stories from LA Support Teams who helped make this happen for their schools.
- MAT and school leaders want data that can help them make informed decisions, not just on attendance and academic performance, but on areas such as:
- Financial performance
- Operational efficiency
- Culture
- Staffing & HR
- Support Teams are increasingly looking to support multiple MIS so they can meet the needs of their schools, irrespective of which MIS they use – they support the process, not the product. It’s a positive step for everyone as the relationship between schools and local support is a close one, it’s something schools usually want to continue.
- Using AI alongside MIS data can and will make a difference to schools . . . but it really does need to be handled with care when it comes to users understanding children’s data. It’s an interesting conversation
- Academies and MATs have often led the charge in moving to a new MIS as they’ve tended to go to market and look for new cost-effective, innovative cloud solutions shortly after academisation. However, the rate of switching MIS amongst state schools has also accelerated and actually shows signs of increasing if anything! In 2018 77% of state schools used the then-dominant supplier SIMS, this has now fallen to 55% in 2023 (it will be interesting to see what the next census data shows).
- A huge priority for MATs when they look to test the MIS market is understanding all the separate products and subscriptions they currently buy in to which they potentially wouldn’t need when they switch MIS. Across a MAT the savings really do stack up and can be used to fund staff or be reinvested in teaching and learning.
- Strong professional relationships and great customer support are everything in our sector. It was great to hear so many individuals praised as we heard about the various journeys MATs, LAs and schools had been on switching MIS.
There’s definitely plenty of change going on across the sector and it’s clear that MATs and LAs want the very best solutions for their schools – both in terms of value and outcomes. It will be interesting to see what happens next!
Thanks again for the invite, Nick loved presenting a session and we enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues 🙂
Don’t let perfectionism be the sneaky saboteur of your new product release
In my work with companies selling to the education sector, I’ve witnessed this unfortunate scenario far too often. They fall into the trap of aiming for a 100% flawless product, and it ends up holding them back.
Here are the two common traps they find themselves in:
1. The “I’ll Think It All Up” Trap
Some folks genuinely believe they can conjure up the ultimate solution by brainstorming in their cosy office or bedroom (their ivory tower). But here’s the truth – you’ve got to get your solution out into the real world! Put it to the test and see if it genuinely meets your customers’ needs.
2. The “Fear of Failure” Trap
Ah, the fear of messing up. It’s a powerful force that can keep you strategizing for ages, trying to ensure failure is nowhere in sight. But the only way to create something truly amazing is by putting it in front of your customers. Embrace their feedback, learn from it, and let it shape your masterpiece.
All this perfectionism isn’t good for business. Waiting endlessly for the “perfect” solution only gives your competitors an opportunity to gather feedback, make improvements, and snatch up your market share.
All you need is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to bring to the market and an open mind. Your customers are the real experts here. They’ll give you the precise insights you need to craft that perfect solution.
So, embrace imperfection, launch with confidence, and let your customers guide you to greatness! And don’t let perfectionism be the sneaky saboteur of your new product release!