Accessible digital services — everyone’s a winner

Providing accessible digital services is win-win. Making your services available to all users regardless of disability or device means more customers get a better service. And this in turn expands your reach, engagement and satisfaction.

A recent report from New Zealand’s Auditor-General looked at the digital services the National Library provides, in order to share the insights with the wider sector. This case study shares lessons from the report and from Sam Minchin, Manager, National Library Online.

Accessible digital services for the cultural heritage sector

Growing the 'Gram

Hot on the heels of getting 1000 downloads of our Project kick-off kit, we’ve hit another momentous milestone: we now have — drum roll please — 100 followers on Instagram.

We started on the ’Gram last year as a way of having a bit of fun while keeping in touch with our clients and friends. We’d love you to join us!

Click the Boost and Instagram logos to join us on the 'Gram.

Agile training from working Agile coaches

The Agile Professional Foundation is a two-day comprehensive introduction to the world of Agile taught by experienced Agile coaches. This means you get the benefit of their insights into how Agile teams work in the real world. Interactive and engaging, the training is a fun way to find new techniques to help you make a difference in your day-to-day work.

How to book the Agile Professional Foundation

Meet your trainers

Gavin Coughlan is Boost’s Culture Lead. Originally from Ireland, he’s now a prominent figure in the New Zealand Agile scene. When he’s not running our courses, he’s Scrum Master on projects for clients such as the Ministry of Social Development. Outside work he hosts the Indie show on RadioActive and tries to find room for his wall-spanning vinyl collection.

“Thanks Gavin - you're a great teacher! I learned heaps. It's given me the confidence and understanding to move into a Scrum Master role.” Rachel Margaret, SilverStripe

Rebecca Jones is currently Scrum Master for work we’re doing with the National Library and Creative New Zealand. She’s been coaching Agile teams for three years and is in demand as a facilitator of our private Agile training. She loves the social side of Agile and brings an infectious enthusiasm to all her teams and training groups, including — and perhaps especially — when she’s teaching tots how to knit.

“Thank you so much for this week. You are an excellent presenter and facilitator which was so evident in how well you held the room and created an environment which encouraged honesty, respect and collaboration.” Sarah Benjamin, Vanguard New Zealand

Book your Agile Professional Foundation course

Meet Gav and Bex in our YouTube course preview

Click the image of Gav and Bex to preview the training on YouTube.

Showcasing Kiwi know-how on the global stage

GS1 New Zealand wanted to build a mobile game to showcase their world-leading technology at the global GS1 conference. With a reputation for wowing the crowds they wanted something special.

"We honestly didn’t know whether meshing together iBeacons and a multi-platform app in a gamified way was possible with the budget," says CEO Peter Stevens.

Find out how they went

Click the photo of the GS1 mobile app on a phone to learn more.

Guidance vs. leadership and Agile teams

“Leadership Freak” Dan Rockwell has written about the benefits of leaders guiding their teams without giving them all the answers. Answer-giving creates dependency, he says, while guidance shows respect, builds confidence and enables action.

How to give guidance without giving answers — Leadership Freak blog

It’s a useful skill in Agile. As Product Owner, you guide the team by showing them how your product will improve your customers’ lives, but you don’t answer the question of what the team builds. You communicate the vision, you don’t dictate the features.

Learn how Product Owners can guide Scrum Teams to success — Boost blog

Click the image of a Scrum team to learn how a Product Owner can guide their team to success.

Pick up more tips in our past issues

For more resources, commentary and ideas to help you and your team make a positive and lasting impact, check out our archive of past issues of Boost News. And, if you haven’t already, you can also subscribe.

Boost News: Tools to help you make a difference