We’ve been privileged to speak with even more industry thought leaders this academic year as part of our #FinnemoreFireside chats, and the insight they provide us and our community is invaluable.

So thank you to Edtech NED, legislator, schools and education expert Jim Knight for your thoughts on the disconnect between the education and labour market, and the need for a school system which truly meets the needs of learners, communities and employers.

Thanks to Derek Hills from Ark for sharing your views on where you see AI fitting into technology budgets and the broader education landscape, and what the future of MIS might be.

Thank you Matt Woodruff for an insightful conversation about how technology can support more effective decision-making at all levels to improve outcomes and identify ways to be able to ‘do more, with less’ – more important than ever in today’s economic climate.

Thanks to Catherine Tallis of HFL Education, a long-standing provider of MIS support to schools, for discussing the ways in which support teams must adapt as the MIS market continues to evolve.

Thank you to Chris Kirk of CJK Associates Ltd for your insight into MAT’s needs in terms of vision, strategy, operating models and governance, and what this means for suppliers – both now and in the future.

And finally, we were delighted to welcome back Martin Baker of The Safeguarding Company for a follow-up chat about the lessons that can be learnt from the Child Q case. A challenging topic and we really appreciate you sharing your experience.

Nick and I have thoroughly enjoyed making the series and already have a great session ready to go in the new term from Lyndon Stickley and Sam Curtis at iplicit. Ollie Burnett from the school support team in Coventry will also be joining us to talk about all the valuable ways they support their schools, including helping them procure and migrate to their new MIS Bromcom as a group earlier this year. Watch this space!

Have a great summer break everyone 🌞

We’ve been privileged to speak with even more edtech and industry thought leaders this term, and the insight they provide us and our community is invaluable.

So thank you Tony Lockwood for talking to us about how companies can improve the performance of their products and develop new solutions.

Thanks to Duncan Baldwin for giving us an insight into teaching, his time at Capita SIMS, influencing government as Deputy Policy Director at ASCL and his current Headship.

We were delighted to welcome Winston Poyton back for a follow-up chat on IRIS Education, especially given how much has changed in the world of school management systems in the last 12 months alone.

It’s great to speak with colleagues from MIS support teams as it gives such a unique and insightful view of the landscape, so thank you Keren Wild for getting involved and giving us your perspective.

Sue Macgregor talked to us about Alps Education’s focus on providing the right analytical tools to schools so they have the power to help every student achieve their full potential, thank you!

And finally, thank you to Ian Koxvold of Supporting Education for talking to us about changes across the education sector, what the future might hold in terms of new solutions, and new strategies.

Sarah and I have thoroughly enjoyed making the series, and already have some great sessions ready to go in the new term with industry thought leaders Andy Kent and Jonathan Coyles – watch this space!

Have a great Christmas and see you in 2022!

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In case you missed it, here’s a round-up of all our thought leader Q&A sessions from last term.

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I am interested in what Product Leaders think makes a good Product Manager? And what is your way of identifying a good Product Manager?

I am constantly asked what makes a great Product Manager and what do I look for. I am a great believer that a strong Product Manager is the CEO of their solution. They need to get involved in all aspects, from inception to launch, and then in-life management.  It’s for this reason that I am a strong believer in ‘You hire for attitude, train for skill’. If someone has the right behaviours then you can teach them the skills to be a great product manager. I have learnt over many years that a title doesn’t make the person good at their role.

My approach to interviewing is that the first interview is to understand the candidate’s personality. So I tend to ask myself:

• Can they fit into the team dynamic? (If you want to disrupt the ‘status quo’ to strengthen then that is OK too)
• What does their personality bring to the team that is currently missing?
• Do I think they can work within a team, yet be focused enough to work on their own and drive the solutions that they will be managing?
• Are they tenacious and can they prove this?
• Have they got the right social skills to be able to work with a number of disciplines around the company? They will need to be able to communicate and influence different types of people.
• Are they someone that thrives on ownership and responsibility?

Using this approach means they get to know mine and the company’s expectations. And at the same time, this 1-2-1 personal approach to the first interview allows the candidate to understand if the company is the right fit for them.