Have you ever been in a conversation where the more someone spoke, the worse it got? Where no matter how many explanations received or questions asked, the result was the same: a complete and total lack of a concise message? Yup. Clear as mud! Sometimes, I’m pretty sure it’s the speaker. Sometimes, I’m embarrassed toRead… Read more »
The “grey tsunami” was a big topic at my agency a few years back. The expectation was that up to 70% of the agency’s workforce would take early retirement. Massive amounts of tacit knowledge would be lost. In preparation, my team attempted to “crowdsource” the knowledge of the experienced staff. We wanted to convert thatRead… Read more »
So, you finally got your public sector organization on Facebook, you set up a page, and over a few months or years you slowly cultivated a strong group of engaged stakeholders. You were gaining fans, your posts were getting better and better, and everything seemed to be going swimmingly. Then one day you began toRead… Read more »
In the past couple months you may have heard about popular burrito chain Chipotle’s new marketing campaign. The campaign commissioned ten well-known creatives to write something that could be read in two minutes, then printed that work on the sides of nicely designed Chipotle soda cups and paper bags.The writing tapped the talents of peopleRead… Read more »
We are pleased to share the post below from NCDD supporting member Jennifer Wilding of Consensus. Jennifer and her team have been working to increase civility in Kansas City, and we wanted to share their simple yet powerful infographic on what KC residents told them officials can do to improve public engagement. Check out Consensus’Read… Read more »
Achieving agency missions becomes harder and more complex every minute. But with a limited budget, many agencies are stuck between the need to deliver new services and the cost of supporting old infrastructure. To break the cycle of dependence on proprietary systems and endless service contracts, agencies need simpler, widely compatible network infrastructure that empowersRead… Read more »
When laptops first replaced desktops as the new, go-to digital device, being glued to your cubicle or home office while checking email suddenly became a thing of the past. Now that the number of people owning smartphones has rapidly increased and shows no signs of slowing down, we’re redefining what it means to be trulyRead… Read more »
I’ve blogged about the need to be the grit in the oyster in comms and PR and to the need challenge. That scheme the chief executive has? It’s going to fail and you need to diplomatically warn them. That elected member who demands a press release? It’s down to you to tell them that won’tRead… Read more »
This post was originally published on Ideas & Execution. The role of technology and design in government is undergoing a significant change. As digital and mobile technology advance, user-centered design and open source platforms are changing from nice-to-haves to necessities in the public sector. There is growing recognition in public institutions that the slow paceRead… Read more »
“Emotional intelligence.” The phrase conjures the image of a therapist and a couch, but in reality being more emotionally intelligent you can help relieve stress, help you communicate effectively, help you empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. Being emotionally intelligent is one of the keys to mastering your career. Don’t believe the hype?Read… Read more »