24 November 2009

Learning to listen through 'crowd computing'


Arun Marsh

As local government struggles to close the digital divide and communicate using the methods that many residents favour, a new conference has taken a look at six tools that councils can easily and cheaply use to listen to citizens.

The Crowd Sourced Council - presented by FutureGov and Capital Ambition - attracted visitors from across the capital and beyond to learn more about the new tools at their disposal.

LocalGov.co.uk was the event's official media partner and went along to speak to organiser Dominic Campbell.

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One common problem was the reluctance of more senior officers to take what they percieved to be as a risk on new innovations and it was pointed out that these officers are less likely to appear at this sort of conference, preferring the more traditional 'big ticket' events and therefore missing out on what smaller companies had to offer while being bombarded by the 'big technology'.

Other barriers included the officer time to set up and experiment with new technology, despite potential long-term time and cash savings on offer to those prepared to branch out.

Overall it was felt that while all those in attendance were extremely enthusiastic with what they had seen, broadcasting this message to their local authorties would be difficult.

Dominic said he would urge councils to take the opportunity to engage in a simple and easy way, allowing them to engage with more than the 'usual suspects' that turn up at council meetings.

'They need to be open to these tools, and use them to listen. This would allow them to improve public services in a way that people want,' he said.
 
To find out more about the individual tools on offer you can head to their websites:  Uservoice, Audioboo, Yoosk,  Consultwise , GovDelivery and Quiet Riots.





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