Revenues Are Up – Spend Them Wisely
As revenues rise following the Great Recession, spend them in strategically in key areas instead of just restoring all previous cuts.
17 Tips for Managing Your Inbox
Getting too much email is a fact of life for most of us, and dealing with it all is time consuming. Last week, I wrote about time management techniques, and how you handle your email is hugely important in this endeavor. Below, I’ve outlined some of the most common techniques for email management. Different techniquesRead… Read more »
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Cool Government Drones
Combine smartphones, robots, and a little R.C. car action, then take the result to air and you’ve got drones. Chances are, you’ve already been wowed by eye-in-the-sky drone footage. Perhaps you’ve been gobsmacked by the video showing the extent of the Nepal earthquake damage in Kathmandu or the one of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Or maybe you’ve simply delightedRead… Read more »
10 Steps to Creating a Mentoring Story with a Fairy Tale Ending
Just like a good fairy tale, a mentoring relationship should have a happy ending. Each mentoring relationship is different and has its own dynamics. Nevertheless, there are certain things you should think about when you are starting a relationship with a mentor. Just like any other relationship, these partnerships require love and caring to growRead… Read more »
Survivor Options for Married Federal Spouses
When thinking about Federal Employees’ Retirement System survivor’s benefits (SSB), many people will oftentimes refer to the survivor annuity. However, the truth is that there are really a number of possible survivor benefits that you can choose from within the FERS system.
Toasting: The Best Opportunity to WOW People in Less than 4 Minutes
You know what a toast is. You know that it should have an intro, body, and conclusion. You know that a toast should leave people with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Can you remember one that WOWed you? Do yourself and your honoree a favor and get your act together! PREPARE for the toast andRead… Read more »
Statistical Spot Checks for Your Agency’s Diversity Profile
Maintaining a diverse federal workforce and eliminating barriers to equal employment opportunity are not only required practices for federal agencies under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Management Directive 715, but are also crucial to encouraging a more effective and creative workforce with less internal strife. The private sector is now investing heavily in diversity programsRead… Read more »
What My Favorite Author Told Me and Why It’s (Half) Bad Advice
As someone who writes stories for a living, I spend a good share of my time reading them. These days, my reading time is mostly spent among news articles and opinion pieces so I can sharpen my skills in technical writing and see how personal and technical writing styles have merged thanks to digital spaces like Medium. Even ifRead… Read more »
5 Tips for Managing Conflict
Whether this is your first time hearing these tips or this is a refresher for you, conflict management is one of the trickiest areas for people to navigate successfully. Yet, conflict is inevitable and can take a toll on your effectiveness and productivity (not to mention your stress level) if not resolved. I recently attendedRead… Read more »
Digital Engagement Series Part 2: Identify and Segment Your Audience
Originally posted on the GovDelivery Blog. Once you have developed key performance metrics – your agency goal, objective, and tactics – the next step is defining your audience. Identifying and analyzing your audience allows you to discover information and create a link to establish common ground with the people you serve every day as a governmentRead… Read more »