Accelerate Success: Deliver Better Outcomes, Faster.

Tools, Training, Help & Support for your digital programmes

Do sluggish programme timelines keep your benefits just out of reach, turning promising opportunities into waiting games? If the pace of progress feels frustratingly slow, and the wait for tangible results seems endless, then it’s time to explore a new path forward. Dive into our insights to discover how you can transform the velocity and impact of your digital programmes.

Start Your Journey…

Getting Digital Right Membership provides all the essentials for your digital programme to achieve its ambitions, equipping you with the comprehensive toolkit needed for success.

GDR revolutionises digital transformation for local government, housing associations, higher education, and the third sector. Tailored for Leaders, CIOs, Programme Managers, and Digital Teams confronting the unique challenges of strict governance and the need for agility, we provide unparalleled support to navigate and thrive in the dynamic digital era.

The Stakes Are High

In the realm of digital programmes, the stakes are high, and the margin for error is slim. Traditional approaches often result in delays, budget overruns, and solutions that fail to meet the dynamic needs of the public. GDR is the antidote to these challenges, ensuring that your digital transformation journey is:

Adaptive:

Swiftly respond to changes without the drag of traditional governance processes.

Efficient:

Achieve your strategic objectives faster and with better resource utilisation.

Effective:

Deliver projects that truly meet the needs of your stakeholders and the public, enhancing satisfaction and trust.

Compliant:

Navigate the complexities of governance with ease, ensuring full alignment with policies and regulations.

Are you ready to transform how you deliver digital programmes?

Embrace the agility, efficiency, and effectiveness that the Getting Digital Right approach offers. Let's redefine what's possible in digital programmes together.

Meet the Founder

Richard Godfrey

Digital Expert, ex-IT Director, Author, DL100 Club, Podcast Host

Richard ‘took the leap’ and left his local government career and started his first business in 2019. Since then, he’s worked across the public and third sectors as a mentor and advisor on digital programmes. He has over 15 years experience of delivering better outcomes and through an awful lot of trial and error he has devised the framework to deliver successful programmes.

Now he spends his time helping other organisations to do what he’s been doing. To deliver meaningful digital programmes that are understood by all and deliver clear benefits.

What we do

Our approach to transforming digital programmes creates a flexible, yet structured pathway to success.

Accelerating Time to Value:

Our approach significantly shortens the journey from concept to reality, delivering quicker time to value and ensuring your digital investments start paying off sooner.

Achieving Superior Outcomes:

Our frameworks are designed not just to meet targets but to surpass them, leading to enhanced performance, user satisfaction, and ultimately, better results for your organisation and its stakeholders.

Fostering Cohesive Strategy:

We champion more joined-up thinking, aligning all elements of your programme from the ground up to create a unified, strategic approach that delivers cohesive and impactful results.

The GDR Advantage

What Members Receive:

As a member of GDR, you gain exclusive access to a wealth of resources designed to propel your digital initiatives to new heights:

Access to Key Documents and Templates: Unlock a treasure trove of meticulously crafted documents and templates that streamline your digital programme’s planning and execution processes.

Direct Support from Richard: Benefit from Richard's extensive expertise with personalised guidance to navigate the complexities of your digital transformation journey.

Educational Videos: Explore a library of insightful videos that break down complex digital concepts into manageable, actionable insights.

Weekly Clinics: Participate in our weekly clinics, offering live support, Q&A sessions, and deep dives into pressing digital transformation challenges and trends.

Why We Do It:

At Syncity, our mission transcends mere digital transformation; we're here to redefine the way organisations realise the full potential of their digital aspirations. For too long, the promise of digital transformation has been a distant dream for many. We aim to change that narrative. Think of us as your dedicated coach and mentor, standing by on the sidelines, ready to guide, support, and empower your team. Our approach is not just about implementing new technologies but about fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement that delivers tangible, lasting benefits. With GDR, you're not just adopting a new system; you're embracing a new era of digital excellence.

At GDR, we pride ourselves on our complete independence; our focus is on delivering pure, unbiased advice without any sales pitches for software, ensuring you receive the most authentic and effective guidance possible.

Empowering Better Digital Delivery:

At the heart of GDR is our commitment to enabling organisations to execute superior digital programmes, ensuring that every project not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Enhancing Leadership Understanding:

We bridge the gap between complex digital initiatives and executive comprehension, ensuring leaders have a clear, in-depth understanding of their programmes' trajectories and outcomes.

Injecting Agility Across the Board:

With GDR, we embed flexibility and responsiveness into the DNA of your programmes, allowing for rapid adaptation to change and unforeseen challenges.

Richard Godfrey, the visionary behind Syncity and the architect of the "Tanjun Agile" framework, brings his extensive expertise in digital transformation to the forefront with his seminal work, "Be the Five." This book distills years of experience into a compelling guide for navigating the complexities of digital programmes, especially within the rigid frameworks of government offices. Through "Be the Five," Richard introduces readers to a revolutionary approach that encompasses discussing, discovering, deciding, designing, and delivering, providing a comprehensive roadmap for achieving agility and efficiency in projects of all scales.

A PDF version of "Be the Five" is free to download on the link below.

Or you can purchase your copy on Amazon to embark on a journey of discovery and innovation that will redefine your approach to digital transformation.

Common Challenges in Digital Programmes:

Navigating the digital landscape can be daunting, with many leaders and teams facing challenges that keep them up at night. Understanding these concerns is the first step in overcoming them. Here are some of the most common issues that we help address at GDR:

Pace of Delivery: Concerns about digital initiatives moving too slowly, struggling to keep up with market demands or internal expectations.

Overwhelming Governance: Feeling stifled by excessive governance and red tape, which hampers agility and innovation.

Lack of Strategic Clarity: The absence of a clear, coherent digital strategy, leading to confusion and misaligned efforts.

Uncertain Purpose: A widespread lack of understanding regarding the objectives and benefits of digital programmes, questioning the 'why' behind actions.

Overload of Work: Facing an insurmountable workload with no clear methodology to prioritise tasks effectively.

Ineffective Transformation: Difficulty in realising the full potential of digital transformation efforts, leading to disillusionment and frustration.

Operational Silos: Digital functions operating in isolation, resulting in disjointed efforts and a lack of cohesive progress.

Resource and Knowledge Gaps: A shortage of the necessary skills, resources, or knowledge to drive digital initiatives forward confidently.

Lack of Guidance: The absence of a trusted advisor or mentor to navigate the complex digital terrain, leaving teams feeling unsupported and uncertain.

Questioning and Support Void: Not knowing who to turn to for answers to critical questions or for strategic guidance, creating a sense of isolation.

Prohibitive Consulting Costs: The high expense associated with hiring external consultants, which can strain budgets and limit access to expert advice and support, emphasising the need for a more accessible and cost-effective solution.

GDR is here to shine a light on these challenges, offering a pathway through the digital maze with expert advice, strategic support, and practical tools designed to transform these common problems into opportunities for growth and innovation.

What People Are Saying

“Richard has been invaluable in helping us to understand the relationship between digital and the delivery of the cathedral’s strategic outcomes. His ‘Be The Five’ approach has proved to be a very effective way of reviewing our software systems and has empowered our teams to make decisions that bring value across the cathedral. In a period of significant change, Richard has been the best sounding board for all of our questions and always willing to offer suggestions and solutions to problems as they arise.”

— GAYE KIRBY - HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGY - DURHAM CATHEDRAL

“Richard at Syncity has become my trusted advisor. His experience and knowledge of ICT programmes is unparalleled in the sector. His non nonsense approach leaves you in no doubt as to where you are at with your plans. This approach makes it simple to take your plans forward, knowing that you are on the right path.”

— Nova Roberts, Assistant Director, Change Management and Regulatory Services, West Lindsey District Council

“Richard is a real insider. Inside the issues and challenges of digital transformation; comes with a deep understanding from working inside local authorities about how to effect meaningful change. He also has previous inside knowledge of the private sector as it fashions new products for the market.”

— ANDREW GRANT - EX-CEO AYLESBURY VALE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Who We're For?

At Getting Digital Right, we cater to a diverse spectrum of professionals who play a pivotal role in steering their organisations towards digital excellence. Our community isn't just for the tech-savvy; it's a hub for anyone and everyone who recognises the transformative power of digital and seeks to harness it effectively within their roles. Here's how GDR can support various members of your team:

  • CEOs and Leaders: For the visionaries at the helm, GDR provides strategic insights and actionable advice on embedding digital into the core of your business strategy, ensuring your organisation stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

  • CFOs: Financial leaders will find value in our focus on optimising digital investments, understanding the ROI of digital projects, and navigating the financial implications of digital transformation, making every penny count towards your digital journey.

  • Professionals in Digital, Transformation, and Change: From digital officers to transformation managers, our resources help you stay abreast of the latest digital trends, tools, and methodologies, empowering you to lead and implement change effectively.

  • PMO Leads and Project Managers: Project leaders will benefit from our extensive toolkit, including templates, best practices, and case studies, designed to enhance project delivery, stakeholder communication, and team collaboration in digital initiatives.

"Getting Digital Right" is for anyone who believes in the power of digital to transform, innovate, and lead. Whether you're setting the strategic direction, managing the finances, leading the change, or driving the projects, GDR is your partner in navigating the digital landscape effectively and efficiently. Join us, and let's get digital right, together.

Be The Five

The "Be the Five" methodology is our foundation at Getting Digital Right. It offers a transformative blueprint for aligning your digital programme with your organisation's overarching goals, ensuring that every step, from initial discussion to final delivery, is strategically focused on achieving desired outcomes. This approach empowers teams to navigate complex digital landscapes with agility and precision, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By methodically addressing discuss, discover, decide, design, and deliver phases, "Be the Five" not only clarifies the path towards digital transformation but also ensures that each action taken is in direct service to the organisation’s ambitions. This alignment maximises efficiency, enhances value delivery, and secures the strategic cohesion necessary for sustainable success, making it an indispensable methodology for any organisation seeking to thrive in the digital age all begins with an idea.