MAKE-A-WISH
You can use it for the Princess wish on Friday . You would know about it because our Salesforce system could push that requirement out .
“ We worked really hard to make sure we ’ ve got a 360-degree view of a wish ; that we ’ ve got the connectivity , and the donor or supporter journey that really plays to our values .”
Working on this led Make-a-Wish UK to its partnership with JPMorgan and its Force for Good programme , which is helping bridge the technology solutions and skills gap in areas where it is needed most .
“ We are really working short term , but also much longer term , because we recognise that if we want to work in a different way , and this has been a really big part of the transformation , we must find partners who can work with us on a pro bono basis ,” says Watson .
Make-A-Wish UK have worked with Pracedo for a number of years , Pracedo have supported the evolution and development of the Salesforce platform that supports Wishes and Income . Despite some challenging moments , the organisation has witnessed great efficiency gains in ways of working .
“ We have a very small internal team , and so we do need external expertise to support us ,” explains Watson . “ What we needed to do was bring all the technical knowledge of architecture and structures and how to use something creatively into alignment with what we did in terms of wishes , because that ’ s a skillset partners don ’ t tend to have .”
Technology is what drives efficiency , and Watson knows that , but she also explains that it ’ s important to understand the organisational requirements before venturing down any digital-solution rabbit holes . Not only can this be overwhelming
Harry driving a boat , looking for the Loch Ness Monster
when shifting to a technology-driven system , but it also prevents overcomplication of specific tasks .
“ Sometimes that can simply look like replicating a process in an automated way , but actually if you don ’ t have the skill sets to understand how that can support or change the way you ’ re working , you just end up with the same process . You ’ re just clicking buttons to do it rather than with a piece of paper ,” says Watson . “ That ’ s not effective , that ’ s not efficient .
156 January 2024