How can I ensure I get the most out of my membership?

• In 2014 HouseMark will be introducing new systems to ensure we have more regular contact with our members. We will closely monitor each member’s level and type of usage of our services and proactively highlight those which you could make more use of. We want to ensure, that across the organisation, you and your colleagues are aware and take full advantage of the support available. We will also be seeking to introduce a member-benefit statement so that you can see at a glance what savings you have made by being a member.​

• Can you come and present what the benefits of membership are to my organisation?

• Yes, in fact this is something we will increasingly seek to do. We are happy to come along as part of one of your existing team meetings and spend an hour showcasing and discussing what is available. Alternatively, if you want to arrange a specific meeting then again we would be happy to attend.​

• What opportunities for networking with other members are there?

• As part of your membership we run bi-annual Performance Improvement Club meetings across the country. These are for operational staff involved in improving business performance and here you will hear the latest in service improvement techniques and make new peer contacts in your areas of interest. At executive management team level, we also offer roundtable business insight sessions on a regular basis with stakeholders such as DCLG, HCA, DOH, Bank of England agents, ratings agencies, HM Treasury housing team, Inside Housing etc.

What data services does HouseMark provide?

Initially, the main source of data will come from our current benchmarking system. However, very soon this data will be supplemented by other external sources of data to enhance the type of analysis which will be available to members. We’re also working with Dr Duncan Shaw of the Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) on a number of big data projects. In the near future, this will be the place where our members will come when they have a need which can be met with data work – either by commission our Data Services team to do the work, using a HouseMark service, or accessing our data platform and doing the work themselves.

 

How will HouseMark ensure the data services it provides meets its members’ requirements?

During the Autumn of 2013, HouseMark invited all members to take part in an online consultation survey. The purpose of this was to identify what members wanted from a new reconfigured benchmarking service. The responses from this consultation are currently being analysed and a the new service will be available from April 2014

 

What data from other sources are you planning to use?

We expect to be able to source data about housing need, house prices and market rents in addition to data from the Census and indices of multiple deprivation. We are also looking to source other sources of data relevant to the housing sector.

 

Will there be any additional data collection effort required by me as a member in the future?

We’re currently looking to develop ways of making data collection for members as easy as possible. Reducing input effort is a key member concern, and could mean more direct sourcing from member systems, support with data extraction or reviewing the scale of data collected. We will work with our members to agree their preferred method and make sure the identified solution works for them.

 

When can I expect to see new data products and services?

The reconfigured benchmarking service will be available to members ready by spring of 2014.  Other data services will become available during 2014.  We will continue to refine the data we collect and the services we provide over the following years to ensure that the data services provided are relevant and meet the needs of our members.