Thirteenth Floor TV

Author: admin

Themes: Sustainable Training Tags: Sustainable Training

Background

Project team
Lead Walsall Strategic Partnership Customer Liaison
Others Walsall Housing Group
Location West Midlands

Thirteenth Floor is a nationally established multi media company providing services to the communication industry including :

  1. Video DVD Production
  2. Web site design and build
  3. Audio visual services
  4. CD/DVD Duplication
  5. Web casting
  6. DVD/CD rom authoring
  7. Encoding
  8. Events and exhibitions
  9. New media
  10. Live broadcast

As part of the Constructing Excellence Demonstration Project, 1254 Walsall Strategic Partnership Customer Liaison, Thirteenth Floor were commissioned to produce a DVD based on the Walsall Housing Group post Large Scale Voluntary Transfer, explaining to customers processes and works to achieve 'Decent Homes Standards' to their homes.

The brief was based on an overview of works to be carried out supplemented by four specific sections dedicated to:

  1. Replacement kitchens/bathrooms
  2. Replacement windows
  3. New/upgraded central heating and insulation
  4. Electrical rewire

Inherent in the brief were requirements to:

  1. Communicate:
  2. Real environments
  3. Real situations
  4. Elements of disruption
  5. Partnering aspects
  6. The role of Customer Liaison
  7. Health and safety issues
  8. Constructors responsibilities
  9. Elements required to address diversity
  10. BMEconsiderations
  11. Respect for people

The production was successfully launched in October 2005.

Parallel to this activity Thirteenth Floor TV have carried out similar projects developing an ever growing client base in social housing, including:

  1. Wates Group Ltd
  2. FHM
  3. G Purchase C onstruction
  4. Walsall Housing Group
  5. Solihull Community Housing
  6. Sandwell Homes
  7. Lovell
  8. Mansall
  9. Radway
  10. Select Windows
  11. Astra Seal
  12. Nationwide Windows
  13. SPI
  14. Octopus Electrical
  15. Connaught
  16. Taylor Woodrow
  17. East Midlands HA

During these processes, and dealing with a broad spectrum of clientele, it became evident that there is a need to establish procedures, systems and a defined specification to ensure an efficient and cost effective product.

Therefore, the basis of this submission will be to achieve a client orientated service addressing specifically elements of communicating Decent Homes at an economical cost

Description of Innovation and Expected Benefits

Product Innovations

1. Best Practice Guidelines

This document (see 1. in Supporting Information) will lay out step by step processes and explain in 'lay terms' and plain English the methodology of Video/DVD production from concept to distribution:

  1. Client concept
  2. Client brief
  3. Target audiences
  4. Key messages
  5. Secondary messages
  6. Locations
  7. Where to use testimonials
  8. The role of the client
  9. The role of the production company
  10. Production team (client)
  11. Production team (production company)
  12. Scripting
  13. Voice overs
  14. Treatment (Image related to script)
  15. Filming schedule

The importance of the production team 'signing off' (when both parties are satisfied)

Best value in duplication

The acceptance of the concept by Constructing Excellence would give credibility and authority to the concept

2. Generic Decent Homes Standard DVD

Thirteenth Floor TV are conscious of the costs involved in the Production of high quality media presentations. A decision was made to invest in the region of £7500 in the production of a generic entry level DVD encompassing common aspects related to Decent Homes Refurbishment. Research has indicated that the common elements to demonstrate would be:

A] Production and background
B] Pre work:
  1. Notification of time scale
  2. Notification of scope of work/choices
  3. Start date
  4. Constructor visit and survey
  5. Notification of safety issues
C] Work:
  1. Tenant requirements to provide access
  2. Clearing work areas
  3. Removal of existing
  4. Provision to maintain services
  5. Replacement
  6. Clearing waste and surplus
D] Post Work:
  • Hand over
  • Defect check
  • Collection of Customer Satisfaction data
  • Instructions or handbook

This will be achieved by using a selection from the bank of unbranded film footage created by Thirteenth Floor TV assembled in the logical sequence A] to D]

Methodology

Following an initial client enquiry there are options as to how the basic data is collected

  • A client / producer meeting to establish a project brief
  • The client will review thirteenth floor unbranded film, and in conjunction the thirteenth floor team, will determine the generic elements to be included in the project.
  • The meeting should be recorded, at this stage the Generic Questionnaire [see supporting information] will be completed to determine client stock and existing procedures
  • The Generic Questionnaire can be supplied to the client, in hard copy, for self completion, returned to the producer for appraisal and the formulation of an outline production.
  • The Generic Questionnaire can be supplied to the client electronically as an email, completed, by the client 'on screen' and returned to thirteenth floor for appraisal and the formulation of an outline production. The advantage of this process is to provide the client an overview and estimate of costs without' time costly' meetings

When the project is approved the procedures in the Best Practice Guidelines will be followed

Customizing

Built into each Generic Decent Homes Standard DVD there is a provision new footage specific to the client's project including Logos and branding

Training

Both the Best Practice Guidelines the Generic Decent Homes Standard DVD processes have a secondary value as a staff induction and training medium specifically related to Social Housing including

  • Front line housing management staff
  • Housing managers
  • Constructors site staff
  • Customer/Resident/Tenant liaison staff
  • Construction operatives
  • RSL board members
  • LGA local councillors
  • Estates managers

Promotion

Clients are using similar productions for marketing, promotional and advertising exercises

IT

The DVD format can be web linked, intranet {for in house staff training broadcast] and used as a down load

Project Details
Project ID: 2848
Project Status: Completed
Region: All
Project Dates
Inception: 30 September 2005
Planned Finish: 30 September 2007