With an identified need to give higher priority to the continuous learning and development of staff, over the last year, Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE) colleagues have come together with development experts to redesign the ERE appraisal process, placing a greater emphasis on learning and development, enabling staff to excel in their current roles and where appropriate supporting their readiness for promotion.

This change launching in October 2014 is supported by three learning interventions:

1. A brief online learning blackboard module ‘Successful Appraisals’ introducing the changes, explaining the benefits and highlighting some key equality and diversity issues. All Education, Research and Enterprise staff are asked to view this.
2. ½ day skills training for appraisers. The success of the new approach relies heavily on the quality of the individual appraisal discussions and therefore the interpersonal skills of appraisers to lead supportive conversations in which both parties feel able to be open and honest. So important are these skills, that UEG have decided to mandate this practical skills session for all appraisers of ERE colleagues. If you are responsible for leading appraisal discussions, please reserve your place here.
3. One hour briefings for appraisees -‘How to get the most out of your appraisal’. The active participation of appraisees is vital to success and therefore briefings for appraisees will be held in each faculty setting out what to expect from appraisal and how best to prepare. Dates and venues will be issued soon.

What about professional services and technical staff? Designed by ERE staff for ERE staff, the new appraisal process and training has been tailored to meet the needs of this group, focusing specifically on the areas of Education, Research, Enterprise and Leadership, Management and Engagement.

A consultative review of the PPDR process for professional services and technical staff is currently in the planning phase with more information to follow.

The Operational Excellence programme is leading work to make the University’s processes more efficient, with the aim of reducing bureaucracy, freeing-up time and making it easier to access the services that students and staff rely on. Over the last year, workshops have reviewed and improved areas as diverse as new programme validation, website maintenance and the payment of casual staff.

With a full programme team now in place, activity will be increasing across the University throughout the autumn term. The team are regularly receiving proposals for new workshops to compliment the key strands that are already established. Alongside these, they will be organising a series of lunchtime training sessions that will introduce staff to different aspects of continuous improvement. More details about these events will be published shortly.

The programme’s Groupsite includes information about the objectives of this work, an outline of the techniques used and profiles of the team. A priority for the programme over the coming year will be measuring the benefits as a result of the improved processes.

This month the team are particularly keen to hear from staff who have existing experience of process improvement – either from within the institution or in previous workplaces. So, if you’re experienced in Six Sigma, Lean or other techniques, please contact the programme office. Even if you don’t have time to train as workshop facilitator, you may be able to contribute to the work in another way.

The programme’s new website can be found at www.southampton.ac.uk/excellence.

You can email the programme office at excellence@southampton.ac.uk.

You can also follow the team on Twitter, @UoS_Excellence, where they will be posting information from around the University and best practice from across the sector.

On 1 October, the University of Southampton will be launching the Southampton Business School.

The vision for the School is:

‘For ambitious leaders who want to change the world, Southampton Business School provides a transformational experience, connecting people and organisations to deliver ground breaking social and economic impact’.

Moving forward, the school will build on the strong foundations of the current Management School and exemplify the University’s strategic ambitions of distinction, globalisation and growth.  It will be a rewarding place to teach, study, carry out research and to work with enterprise.

Southampton Business School programmes and activities will ultimately extend across the University, drawing upon the established academic strengths and connections of the University to establish a distinctive, internationally competitive position to attract the best UK and international students.

The next couple of years will be an exciting and interesting time and, to get a better insight into the way the University is presenting Southampton Business School, please click here to see a leaflet which will form part of the publicity campaign promoting the new school. A new web site for Southampton Business School will also be going live shortly and the URL for that will be made available shortly.

For new and returning students to Southampton Business School the immediate operational impact of these changes will be minimal, as the new business school will  continue to deliver the same high quality programmes and further improve them. The launch of the new business school will make no change to the qualification existing business school students earn, as that is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Our Distinguished Lecture Series aims to inform and stimulate intellectual debate across a broad range of subjects. Students and staff are invited to listen to some of the finest speakers as they share their thoughts and ideas.

We are delighted to be able to announce the following speakers as part of this series. For more information and to reserve your seat use the links below;

Rick Haythornthwaite, Chairman of Centrica – 20 November 2014

“Can energy in the UK ever be climate friendly, secure and affordable?”

Phil Smith, Chief Executive of Cisco Systems – 25 November 2014

“The Future: 30 Years in the Making”

Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of BT Group plc – 10 February 2015

Sir Roger Carr, Chairman of BAE Systems plc – 17 March 2015

For further information on upcoming and past speakers please visit the University website and our Distinguished Lecture Series Facebook page.

Welcome to the 2014/15 academic year! We’re delighted to start the year by sharing the Staff Survey results with you. Click here for the university level results and how your feedback will be taken forward.

The year also began with a great new appointment – if you are curious about our new Chief Operating Officer, Steve White, read our interview here.

You have also been providing your views about the attributes the University will need in its next Vice-Chancellor to steer us through the changes happening in the sector. Read the summary of your input and how it will be used here.