All processes via one system at Holland Festival
In front of the scenes, Holland Festival is known for its innovative programming. But behind the scenes it was time for some change. Holland Festival bundled as many processes as possible into one digital system for a more efficient process and to reach the audience more effectively. Read more about their approach and their factors for success.
Holland Festival innovates with a new digital system. From shortlists for the festival programme to the festival archives, this digitalisation process has improved practically all operational processes. “As a smaller organisation, we like to lead the field and to be progressive. This project ties in with our aims,” say Norbert Bode and Emily Ansenk.
An organisation-wide, digital innovation
An organisation-wide, digital innovation The new, digital system brings all the departments together. This increases efficiency and reduces the margins of error. This project started as a quest for a new and more advanced marketing database. Soon enough the staff identified opportunities to streamline multiple organisational processes. This meant that the project quickly grew into an organisation-wide, digital innovation process that involved everyone.
All-in-one platform creates greater transparency
Holland Festival transferred the entire operational process to a single platform. This all-in-one platform now functions as planning system, CRM, CMS, scheduling, registration system, development package, and archiving module.
The ticket system was also linked to this platform, giving the festival organisers more insight into the visitors’ sales history. This information is very valuable, since this allows visitors
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The platform as content archive
The software also serves as CMS and provides a basis for long-term record keeping. All event data are stored, from the promotional photos to technical plans. This information can be used for promotional materials or with new performances, for example.
Everyone is involved
Holland Festival drew up their plan after listening carefully to the wishes of their staff. The plan creates a clear framework and provides guidelines for decision-making, and because of this it is supported by everyone in the organisation. A flexible mindset helps a lot too. “As a festival organisation, we are very flexible. Being able to quickly change direction and being open to change are skills that the vast majority of our staff possesses,” says Emily Ansenk, Holland Festival director.
Concentrate on the user and apply a step-by-step approach
Holland Festival divided the project in phases so that it could develop and test new parts of the software. Holland Festival applies design-thinking methods: they work iteratively and focus on solutions and the user. They work with a multidisciplinary project team so that they can involve people with the required expertise at each stage of the process.
It always takes time before a system is fully implemented and people have become used to it. The system also requires further development over the course of time, in view of changing needs.
A cost-effective solution
A new system does not necessarily cost more than your old working methods. You can even reduce costs by integrating all your existing software packages into one system. Moreover, your entire organisation can benefit from the advantages offered by one central system so that you can save time and become more efficient.
Our digital society demands a different way of working. Digital process optimisation facilitates this and makes your organisation more agile.
Successful innovation: join our workshop
Holland Festival has used this system to also optimise their processes, resulting in a new way of working. Would you like to know how you can do this too? The DEN Academie can show you how to innovate successfully using design-thinking. Workshop The innovative approach | DEN Academie
