Amica consultants have been helping Higher Education establishments improve their performance and administrative efficiency. We recognise that while many of the pressures experienced in commercial and industrial organisations are prevalent, there are also significant differences, including:
- the parallel requirements of teaching and research
- very devolved authority and responsibility
- an unusually consensual decision making process
- intense public interest, scrutiny and accountability
- processes which often require academic staff to carry out non-academic tasks
As a result, our approach is designed for the specific needs of the sector. The key differences include:
- emphasis on administrative efficiency at all stages of our projects
- deployment of more rounded and experienced consultants, who can persuade and influence, not just analyse
- small footprint engagements, which provide maximum leverage and minimise the burden on the time and budgets of hard pressed staff
- vigorous governance, to ensure effective communication with all interested parties
The fundamentals of our approach to operational performance improvement in Higher Education are collaboration, pragmatism, staff development and workplace reform. We recognise that, unlike many sectors, in Education, excellence is a legitimate goal in its own right. As a result, we have a consistent record of success in the sector.