It never has been an Information and Records Manager’s job to set the world alight with futuristic ideas and evolutionary processes to manage data. We tend to stick to routine and tried and tested methods to manage the organisation’s information. But in this fast-paced world we need to step out of our comfort zone, innovate, disrupt and embed new technology in our planning. Strategic thinking considers innovation and new techniques and technology for the future; it encourages intuitive and creative thinking; it encourages interaction with others including people from all levels in the organisation.  This session will discuss strategic thinking in the context of the Information and Records Managers work and aim to stimulate future thinking and leadership in our data and information management world.

Alison North 

Alison’s career spans more than 50 years managing data and information in various roles. She was one of the first members of the RMS in 1983. Founding her own information management consultancy and service company in 1986 she became an early advocate of diversity and inclusion promoting women in senior roles in business. Specialising in records retention from 2000, she developed a records retention application and sold her business in 2011. Since then she has continued as an independent management consultant working across many sectors worldwide. Her futurist strategic thinking has assisted many businesses to innovate and deliver their businesses more efficiently. She is a fellow of IRMS in the UK and of ARMA in the USA. She is a board director of the Federation of Small Businesses and deputy chair of her local enterprise partnership.