One of the main pillars of the Made Smarter programme since the pilot, has been the belief that it is not just the technology in a business that needs to evolve but the people using the technology do too.
However, change on such large scale can be intimidating and raise worries within an established team, it is therefore critical to ensure that change in managed in the right way.
Read the Case StudyThe People Lead Digital Research Programme
The People Lead Digital Research (PLD) programme is a pioneering three-year initiative funded by Made Smarter Innovation, with a focus on placing people at the heart of digitalisation efforts. The programme bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and its practical application within businesses and communities, ensuring its alignment with real-world challenges and opportunities.
Objective
The PLD focuses on turning research into tangible impact. To achieve this, they aim to transform each piece of research into practical, actionable tools or insights tailored for industry. Recognising that businesses operate under different constraints, the collaboration between Made Smarter Adoption and the PLD aimed to test these tools at scale with SMEs. Feedback from SMEs is then used to refine and enhance the tools, ensuring they deliver maximum value to the SME community.
Case Study: The Dignity Cards
A standout element of the programme has been the development of the PLD cards, created by Karen Lancaster from Nottingham University. This innovative tool helps businesses preserve dignity at work during digital technology adoption. The PLD cards facilitate discussions between key stakeholders, addressing concerns and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
The deck consists of 56 cards, The set includes 36 Scenario Cards, each presenting a situation where a manager has implemented digital technology without adopting a people-centred approach, leading an employee to feel their dignity is compromised. These cards explore both perspectives of the issue without implying that either party is at fault.
The game also includes 20 Action Cards, which present discussion-based activities like, “Provide two reasons why you agree with the perspective that dignity is being compromised.” Players navigate through different scenarios, engaging in conversations about dignity-related challenges in digitalisation.
Claire highlighted the importance of these cards in managing employee reactions to tools like AI, which can provoke nervousness or resistance. By encouraging open dialogue, the cards enable organisations to navigate wider implications of digitalisation beyond solving immediate problems. The Made Smarter Adoption North West team has effectively utilised the PLD cards with the Digital Champions Forum, receiving generally positive feedback.
Looking Ahead
Claire’s engagement with the PLD programme has evolved over time. Initially drawn to its potential during a showcase of academic projects, she recognised its value and brought it into the Digital Champions Network launch. Her involvement deepened as she joined the Steering Board as an honorary member, providing strategic advice and fostering greater collaboration.
Currently, the programme is seeking funding for a second phase. Claire’s hope is to build on the foundations established in the first phase, enabling deeper engagement and more impactful results. As part of the Strategic Advisory Board for InterAct, she continues to advocate for initiatives that align with the goals of PLD and Made Smarter.
“Technology is a tool and without the right people to utilise them, then companies will struggle to realise the benefits of using new technologies. That is why a focus on people is at the core of our adoption service. Having access to new tools which focus on the people aspect of technology adoption, such as the outputs from the PLD team, helps our work with SMEs to ensure they can adopt digital technologies to their full potential. I believe this first collaboration has been successful, and I look forward to continuing this work in the future.”
Claire Scott, Technology Adoption Specialist, Made Smarter Adoption North West