Strategy of Dissemination and Communication with Users

The elements that SORS took into account in drafting a new strategy of dissemination are: the users and the greatest possible satisfaction of their needs for data from the aspect of adequacy, availability and timeliness; strengthening the recognisability and trust among users in SORS trade mark, which is consequently reflected in expansion and frequency of use of official statistical data and information; and optimising the statistical process of preparing the dissemination of products and services. Experience shows that users first look for needed data on the website of national statistics. Besides providing official statistical data, SORS will also enable its users to acquire data from the statistics of various ministries, government offices and international statistical data in order to ensure easier and quicker access to data and information.

SORS is aware that the mere availability of statistical data is not enough, and will make efforts for the promotion of official statistical data and its actual use, for the development of statistical literacy among different groups of users, such as the general public, researchers and media.

SORS will prepare for the dissemination of products and services even more efficiently than before, which will be achieved with the promotion of the culture of innovation among employees, the introduction of successful solutions from the international environment, cooperation with universities, the rational consumption of resources, efficient use of information and communication technology, the automation of the process, and transparent use of uniform standards in the entire process.

SORS's dissemination of products and services will be further adjusted considering the needs for and possibilities of using statistical data, which is determined by the statistical and computer literacy of individual user groups.

The purpose of the strategy is to improve the efficiency of searching for and acquisition of statistical data, which will comply with the users' needs, and to display data for the general public in an understandable way, maintain the level of trust of the public, and increase the use of data for the planning and monitoring of policies at different levels.

The purpose will be achieved with the following goals:

1.satisfied users,
2.improvement of statistical literacy,
3.recognisability and good reputation of SORS trade mark, trust of users and actual use of statistical data,
4.efficient preparation, promotion and transmission of data and information

Satisfied users

Simple search for data which comply with the user's needs, and understanding and use of data without effort is the way which leads to a satisfied user. Dynamic development of new statistical products and services and improvement of communication with users will increase the use of statistical data, which will consequently mean that the development of society will be increasingly based on objectively measurable information, and the well being of citizens will increase.

Simple search and acquisition of statistical data

Simple search and acquisition of statistical data will be enabled by an efficient search engine at the website, improved navigation through the website, and efficient tools and formats for drawing on internet content, and the smoother functioning of the website. Moreover, users will have an opportunity to actively participate in the preparation of the website content; it will be possible to acquire statistical data through mobile phones; the website will be user-friendly to persons with special needs; access to the statistical data of ministries, government institutions and international organisations will be enabled to and from the website.

Coordination of data and users’ needs

SORS will regularly monitor user satisfaction with statistical products and services, reduce time between the occurrence of events and publication of data on these events, increase the consistency of data acquired from different sources, the degree of detail of data, its time and international comparability, simplicity of acquisition and adequacy of data for further use, and availability of comments and explanations important for the data to be understood. Statistical data will be available to users free of charge (except for that prepared on a special request from a user). SORS will develop new statistical products and services.

Understanding and use of data

When published, statistical data will be neutrally commented on, displayed in simple tables, both graphically and cartographically, and information on data will be understandable, easily accessible and updated. Demanding users will be able to tabulate selected variables and time points depending on their needs and use graphic and cartographic presentations. SORS will cooperate with universities and libraries in increasing the statistical literacy of the population.

Improvement of statistical literacy

Improving statistical literacy is of key importance for adequate use of statistical data and information. SORS will continue to cooperate with groups of users such as journalists, students, primary and secondary school students, and much more emphasis will be put on the public, who will be, unlike the mentioned activities established by direct contact, addressed through the website, which will contain different options for e-learning and interactive work. In so doing, SORS will use certain possibilities provided by new concepts of publication of data online (WEB 2.0 software).

Recognisability and good reputation of SORS's trade mark, trust of users and actual use of statistical data

SORS will promote its trade mark, as the importance of trade marks for users is expected to increase in the future. SORS will act to improve the recognisability of official statistical data by the public in order for users to differ them from other data, being aware of its quality and compliance with professional standards and, consequently, its applicability. SORS will promote the use of statistical data in the management of the society and state.

Differentiation of official statistical data from other data

In order to improve the recognisability of SORS and official statistical data and maintain its good reputation, SORS will increasingly promote itself in the media, at expert conferences, fairs, and different interest associations, develop a comprehensive visual image, regularly measure its reputation, recognisability, and users' trust.

Use of statistical data in the management of society and state

SORS will prepare on request from the state and local institutions and interest associations additional analyses and, in accordance with the principle of protection of information privacy of individuals and business interest of companies, will also enable the use of statistically protected microdata. SORS will try to provide Slovenian researchers with the most favourable conditions for the use of microdata of other EU countries.

Efficient preparation, promotion and transmission of data and information

SORS will prepare the dissemination products and services even more efficiently than before, which will be achieved with the promotion of the culture of innovation among employees; the introduction of successful solutions from the international environment; cooperation with universities; rational consumption of resources; efficient use of information and communication technology; automation of the process; and transparent use of uniform standards in the entire process. This will shorten the procedure of the preparing for the dissemination of statistical data, minimize the number of sources for that part of the statistical process and the possibility of error.

Consideration of needs for data, statistical and computer literacy and communication capacities of users

With surveys, at meetings and through direct contact with users (for example, members of the Statistical Council of RS, members of statistical advisory committees and others) SORS will monitor their needs for data, statistical and computer literacy, and information and communication capacity, and will take into account the acquired data when preparing the dissemination of products and services.
Databases will be more comprehensive, graphic presentations of data will be better and more user-friendly, while SORS will also upgrade its publishing activities relative to users' needs.

Consideration of uniform content, professional and technical standards

During the preparation of the dissemination of products and services, SORS will optimise the process of dissemination of statistical data by promoting a culture of innovation among the employees; introducing successful solutions from the international environment; cooperating with universities; consuming resources rationally; using information and communication technology efficiently; automating the process; and using uniform standards in the entire process transparently.