Yearly Archives: 2009

Bad user testing beats no user testing

Jakob Nielsen has noted that it’s now twenty years since he started what he calls the ‘discount usability movement’. This might be egging it a wee bit, I’m not sure there is such a ‘movement’ apart from that which Nielsen promotes. It’s true that major companies use discount usability tactics – I noted before howRead… Read more »

Council homepages: what’s wrong with ‘interesting development’?

There’s been a great flurry of interest in local government webbie circles because a few councils have gone down the Google route of deliberately reducing homepage content and pushing search as the way to find what you’re looking for, what you want to do, what your task is. Lancashire’s Kevin Rainsbury told the lively threadRead… Read more »

Creating Public/Private Partnerships in Development Services

Does your organization strive to get customers involved in development services-related performance? Most communities have recognized that creating a public/private partnership for managing performance is essential for existence. Customers want you to succeed, but they have to be involved to help you. Experience has shown that creating a partnership, involving customers sincerely in your day-to-dayRead… Read more »

Strategic Planning – Critical Success Factors

I am curious if anyone else has identified Critical Success Factors for their organizations during their strategic planning process. We have come up with 5 critical success factors we feel apply across the entirety of our agency which covers several different business lines. They are: 1. Organizational commitment to operational excellence. 2. Effective and efficientRead… Read more »

President’s SAVE Award – Sounds Wicked Cool

Just talked to OMB about this really cool program…basically the President is reaching out to government workers for ideas to improve government with winners getting awards. To me, these simple programs make so much sense, energize and empower workers, and are good for our nation…. More info below —————————- Today, the White House Office ofRead… Read more »

Hitting a Home Run; Baseball and the Acquisition Process

From The Acquisition Corner An interesting post by Bill Gormley of Washington Management Group described parallels on two of my passions, baseball and improving the acquisition process. It is an interesting read and a fun way of discussing what can be a somewhat difficult process and subject. Some specifics points he makes and my take:Read… Read more »

SOCIAL MEDIA: What still SCARES us?

An article came out today with this headline, Six Reasons Companies Are Still Scared of SOCIAL MEDIA. I know some might, at first glance, discount the article, noting the obvious differences in government organizations and companies. I can’t help but think, based on social media discussions here, that there aren’t parallels to draw in theRead… Read more »

Federal Eye Eye Opener: Gov’t Opens Entrepreneurship Office

Happy Friday! The Commerce Department will establish a new Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to help small businesses grow faster, part of the Obama administration’s new $100 billion innovation agenda announced earlier this week. The administration is especially interested in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs as statistics suggest businesses less than five years old accountedRead… Read more »