February 11 Research and Best Practices eNewsletter

Research

Innovation in Government (02/03/2011) – Report provides a framework government leaders can use to create a climate of innovation in their organization. Tips for fostering innovation include: establishing a lab for testing new ideas; organizing a task force to identify barriers to innovation; rotating employees in the agency to spread ideas; training employees on innovation; and, connecting with a mentor.
http://ourpublicservice.org/OPS/publications/viewcontentdetails.php?id=155
Engaging a Multi-Generational Workforce (02/2011) – Concrete advice on how to communicate well with employees from different generations. Report identifies the four primary generations in the federal workforce today and their specific preferences related to learning, communicating and recognition for their accomplishments. http://www.businessofgovernment.org/sites/default/files/Engaging%20a%20Multi-Generational%20Workforce.pdf

Is social sign-in the next wave? (02/09/2010) – Study found when customers are given the ability to use social sign-in linked to their Twitter, Facebook or Google accounts (instead of creating a brand new account on a site) they are more likely to return to the site and have a more favorable impression of the brand. http://www.bizreport.com/2011/02/report-consumers-dont-want-to-register-to-buy-online.html#

News
Can smartphones replace PCs? (02/08/2011) – Smartphones outsold PCs in the fourth quarter of 2010 for the first time. Both devices saw increased sales but smartphones’ experienced a massive increase and PCs, a very slight jump. http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/survey-says-smartphones-outsold-pcs-for-the-first-time-ever/

Facebook keeps gobbling people’s time (02/07/2011) – Facebook accounted for 10 percent of U.S. page views in 2010, while three out of every ten Internet sessions included a visit to the site.
http://techcrunch.com/2011/02/07/comscore-facebook-keeps-gobbling-peoples-time/

QR barcode use explodes (02/2011) – Over the last 6 months of 2010, QR barcode use grew 1200%. This is the same technology Starbucks uses when you pay for your order with your mobile device. Women are driving the success of this technology which is pushing the growth of mobile payments. http://static.aws3.mobioid.com/files/pdf/The-Naked-Facts-2H2010.2.pdf

Viewing history through FourSquare (02/2011) – National Archives and Records Administration, along with the Presidential Libraries and Museums, are now collaborating with FourSquare to distribute informational tips at historic sites.
http://fcw.com/blogs/gov-2/2011/02/archives-giving-tips-on-history-through-foursquare.aspx?s=gov2_030211&admgarea=TC_GOV20