European Telework Information Day Brussels - 28th May 1998 Report By Jeremy Millard ETD Project Manager

Results of European Telework Week 1997

In both 1995 and 1996, ETW had over 30 events occurring across Europe, with interest generated in local, regional and national media. International focus enabled the events to benefit from additional public and media awareness, and thus reach broad audiences.

In 1997 the numbers soared to 147 registered events and to 345 reported events which took place throughout Europe. All this activity directly brought together over 10,000 citizens, as well as millions indirectly due to an even wider media coverage in most member states, through regional and national newspapers, commercial and internal magazines, TV shows, etc.

Particular aims of the 1997 Telework Week were to:

• provide a focal point for grass roots organizations to co-operate in their promotional activities
• shift public, business and media perceptions of telework towards that of a normal and desirable business practice that can enhance competitiveness
• establish links between telework and the development of Electronic Commerce
• reinforce the link with sustainable development and build initial links to local network initiatives.

In order to build on the success of previous years, the European Commission and telework activists across Europe encourages everyone interested in telework and related activities to actively contribute to European Telework Week 1998, 2-9 November 1998.

Planning for ETW'98 is already taking shape. The groups and individuals across Europe that make this week the focus of so many of their activities are launching their plans and gathering their resources to generate an even greater impact than we saw in 1997. In addition to well-established activities at local and national level, which will attract even more participants this year, the Telework Awards are also expanding and we expect to see many examples of excellence in telework development.

As part of Telework Week, we also expect some initiatives in which the public across Europe can contribute to the understanding and impact of telework. Many of the individual activists across Europe will, again, be putting significant effort into promoting and organising local events. These activities are always in need of additional help, so if you would like to assist in any way, just contact the co-ordination office in Brussels and we shall put you in contact with local activists. There are numerous other activities in the European Telework Agenda which continue to focus public attention on the issues and potential of new working practices.

As in 1997, the 1998 European Telework Awards will be given to individuals, companies or institutions who, in the opinion of the evaluators, have made the greatest contribution to the development and uptake of telework in Europe. The awards themselves are uniquely numbered and moulded from a unique sculpture by French sculptress Liliane Caumont, and symbolise the role of man and woman working in a global environment.

In 1997 there were 5 categories of award, in 1998 there will be seven categories:

Best Contribution to European Competitiveness
A real (operational) telework implementation (not a project or trial) with characteristics that are readily applicable to other organisations, such as a quantifiable impact on productivity, costs, customer service and/or other competitiveness factors.

Best Advertising Campaign
Single or multiple advertisements based on the topic of telework published or broadcast on or after 1 January 1 1997.

Most Entrepreneurial use of Telework A telework implementation, adding significant value to an entrepreneurial endeavour.

Most Innovative use of Technology A telework implementation or promotional programme using current or new technology in an innovative manner to achieve its objectives.

Best Public Initiative
A telework implementation, promotional programme, technological solution, legislative or regulatory action relating to telework by a public institution (national, regional or local).

Best Contribution to European Sustainability
A telework implementation, promotional programme, technological solution, legislative or regulatory action relating to telework contribution to sustainability in terms of environmental or social outcomes; sustainability demonstrated in both the rationale for the activity and its expected results.

Best Single Article or Programme
On the topic of telework or closely associated topic, broadcast or first published on or after Jan 1, 1997.

Note: A copy of the original item must be provided, with copyright permission for making copies available to the adjudicators, and (in the case of an item whose original language is not English) an English translation or transcript.

What is the procedure? Any individual or organisation may propose themselves for an award. The nomination must be accompanied by a dossier consisting of no more than 7 A4 pages, detailing the following:

• a description of the project/activity
• a description of the results and impact
• a summary of why the proposer thinks the project should be considered as a winner.

The dossier and any materials supporting it, should be provided in electronic form wherever possible. An example and template of the dossier can be found at www.etw.org/98/award/example

Note: a proposal may only be submitted to a single category, if it is submitted to multiple categories only one will be accepted.

All nomination dossiers must be submitted by Wednesday September 16 to the Telework Week co-ordination office, by e-mail or mail, or a physical copy can be delivered in person to the Reception desk at the "European Assembly on Telework" in Lisbon, by Wednesday 23rd September 5:00pm

The dossier will be evaluated by a panel of experts, and a short list of 3 contenders in each category will be announced on the final day (September 25th) of the "European Assembly on Telework", in Lisbon. The submissions will be evaluated by the judges and awarded a score out of 10. The three highest scorers in each category will then be invited to attend the award ceremony in Brussels, and asked to prepare a short 5 minute presentation on their project, with the exception of these two categories: Best Advertising Campaign and Best Single Article or Programme, which will be invited to make their submissions as posters or audio/video displays. The audience at the award ceremony will be asked to rate each presentation or display and these scores will be combined with the expert evaluation to give the final winners in each category. In the event of a tie, the vote of the chairman of the expert panel will decide.

Each winner will receive the award which is a one of a limited series of reproductions of the original sculpture. The award is the property of the winner, but the copyright of the award rests with the co-ordinators of Telework Week.

So, what constitutes a Telework Week Activity or Event? Almost anything that contributes to the overall goals of the week. Here are some of the activities that have been effective in the past:

• a travelling roadshow visiting different locations (schools, village halls, etc.) to inform young and old of the possibilities of telework and working in the Information Society.
• targeted seminars for certain types of company to inform about the business techniques involved in telework.
• radio phone-in programmes, getting the opinions of teleworkers from near and far about the benefits and problems of new ways of working.
• press conferences with politicians or business personalities supporting the spread of new activities.
• conferences with expert speakers on specialised topics. a concerted local press campaign about telework using the advertising potential of local suppliers.
• a demonstration teleworked activity across the internet with public access to the demonstration.
• statements of support from key personalities to the press and media. a fund raising event for charities and non profit making organisations that support the benefits of teleworking.

These and many more have been used to transmit the message of changing work patterns to a wider body of people.

OK so I have an idea, what next? You will have to do it yourself. Here are some steps that would be sensible to follow: contact the European Co-ordination Office, or look at the web site of European Telework Week, http://www.etw.org, to get the co-ordinates of national support centres. announce the outline for your event at an early stage which may be useful in attracting partners or creating synergy from the outset plan the event in detail, attract the necessary support and prepare your promotion material, for which you may use the ETW logo and/or banner confirm details of the event to the national support centre and the international co-ordination centre in order to allow us to promote your event.

You are welcome to use the Partnership Brochure and other ETW documentation in order to inform people and attract sponsors to support your activities. Remember, the earlier you can start planning the events or activity the better. And, the sooner you let us know of your plans, the sooner we can assist you in achieving your objectives.

The support mechanisms we offer include:

• as an organiser of an event you can use the European Telework Logo in your documentation, adverts, etc.
• if you have a web site you can link to the national and international web pages and they will reciprocate.
• documentation and newsletters that are widely distributed around Europe will help give your activity visibility.
• the national support centres will be happy to advise on several aspects of organising an event based on experience.

The Telework Week web site www.etw.org is now in place and will start to collect information regarding the various activities about Telework Week, as well as the awards and other items of interest. This web site is complementary to the ETD web site www.eto.org.uk where there is a substantial and rapidly growing repository of information about European, National and local initiatives concerning telework, teletrade and telecooperation. These sites will keep you informed of the latest developments, so get connected.