Leadership

The Federal Coach: HUD Chief of Staff Laurel Blatchford on Risk Taking and Engaging Employees

Laurel A. Blatchford, chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) since 2009, previously worked for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg first at City Hall and then at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). During her time in city government, Blatchford worked with agenciesRead… Read more »

Agency Transitions: What happens when the Executive Director leaves?

Nonprofit Organization (NPO) Executive Directors often enter an agency with one objective – a need to bring the organization to its full potential or to maintain the success of the organization. Executive Directors uphold their position for years; so when they decide to pursue other opportunities, the organization, its board members and key stakeholders mustRead… Read more »

OPM Pathways Programs Proposed Regulation Live

This is big news in federal HR community – check it out – http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/Pathways/ Regulations will be announced in Federal Register tomorrow. More analysis forthcoming. Forum discussion – What do you think of OPM Pathways Programs? OPM Issues Proposed Regulations to Help Recruit and Train Students and Recent Graduates Proposed Pathways Programs Will Help BuildRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: Congress Heads Home Without Extending FAA Funding

After pulling together a last minute debt limit deal to avoid economic calamity, Congress has packed its bags and headed home for summer recess – neglecting to extend funding to the FAA and leaving 4,000 FAA employees without pay. The Washington Post also reports the impact the FAA shutdown will have on those traveling thisRead… Read more »

Creating A Culture Of Communication

In my seventeen years of government employment, I encountered many bureaucratic procedures that made accomplishing anything very difficult and inefficient. Most government employees know that the agency or program they are working for could be improved but they do not have the opportunity to express their ideas or are afraid to express new ideas asRead… Read more »

What does Aneesh Chopra Think About Innovation?

Just read this great interview by Deloitte Review with US CTO Aneesh Chopra. Awesome insights into the importance of innovation! Below are a few of the key points from the interview. I hope you enjoy and learn as much as I did. Ecosystems for Innovation: An interview with U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra Historically, larger companies,Read… Read more »

Research and Best Practices eNewletter

Research Digital Junkies (07/2011) – A new McKinsey report highlights a dramatic increase in the intensity with which people use digital devices and platforms. Nearly half of online consumers in the U.S. are advanced users of smartphones, social networks, and other emerging tools. Mobile Trends (07/26/2011) – The fastest growing mobile activity is VoiceoverInternet ProtocolRead… Read more »

Managing and Protecting Information on Social Networks

GAO recently did a study of Federal agencies using various social media sites. Since many agencies have started to explore how to use social media to achieve the objectives of the agencies mission, the GAO wanted to explore how social media services may pose risks to both personal and government information. The GAO was taskedRead… Read more »