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BBC Technology News

Europe takes to streets over Acta

Thousands of people take to the streets across Europe to demonstrate against a controversial anti-piracy agreement,

Video game sales slump in January

US video games suffer a 34% annual drop for January, according to analysts at NPD. The figures come less than a fortnight before the PlayStation Vita launches.

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Business Consultancy

Business Consultancy is the central consulting group within the NICS.  Its role is to assist senior managers to shape the future of the NI Public Sector in the delivery of reform to produce benefits for the people of Northern Ireland. The business is focused on 5 areas of expertise, which are defined below.

Policy Appraisal and Review

Business Consultancy supports client organisations to analyse, develop, enhance and implement policy, programmes and projects.

Client organisations include: -

  • Department of Social Development (DSD) - Evaluation of Community Change Programme
  • DSD – Economic Appraisal of NICVA
  • DSD – Review of Law Centre
  • DFP  - Centre for Applied Learning (CAL) Review of training non-attendance

Strategic Management

We will support client organisations to plan and manage a change in direction.   Our consultants will further assist organisations to develop policies, processes and plans to achieve their goals.

We have worked with client organisations to support them in strategic management, including: -

  • DFP – Land and Property Services
  • OFMDFM – Government Legal Service for Northern Ireland
  • DFP – Central Procurement Division (CPD)
  • Department of the Environment (DOE) – Local Government Reform

Organisational Development

We will support client organisations to examine what currently works and what doesn’t, looking for ways to streamline production, reduce costs, increase revenue and manage the impact on HR and culture.  We will then act as business advisors to offer creative solutions.

We have worked with client organisations to support them in Organisational Development, including: -

  • Department of Education (DE) – Organisational Transformation
  • NI Assembly – Implementation of the Review of the Assembly Secretariat
  • Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) – Wheelchair Access
  • DSD – Review of Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Performance Measurement

We will support client organisations to identify good performance, set targets and demonstrate success or failure.

We have worked with client organisations to support them in Performance Measurement, including: -

  • DFP – IT Assist – Benefits Realisation
  • DFP – LPS – Customer Services Integration Baseline
  • DFP – NICS Reforms – Benefits Management

Corporate Governance

We will support client organisations to direct and control their organisations

We have worked with client organisations to support them in Corporate Governance, including: -

  • Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) – Validation of Business Continuity Plans
  • Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) – Review of Departmental Structures
  • DHSSPS – Business Continuity Planning
  • OFMDFM – Northern Ireland Regional Risk Assessment

The Business Consultancy group consists of highly skilled consultants. The organisation has an ethos of investing in the development of its staff, ensuring the skills and knowledge support the needs of its client group.

In supporting future needs of managers a number of partnerships, internal and external, are being developed. These partnerships will further strengthen the level of service that Business Consultancy provides to its clients.