Communications

Notes from National League of Cities: The Power of People Like You (My Slides)

In two previous blog posts, I highlighted remarks from Harvard’s John O’Leary and PTI’s Alan Shark and a keynote by Obama campaign guru Andrew Bleeker. Below is my slide deck, which tells the story of James Hammond from the City of East Point, Georgia, who was seeking advice from GovLoop’ers as he launched social mediaRead… Read more »

Notes from National League of Cities: Andrew Bleeker and Tips from the Obama Campaign

Andrew Bleeker, an online digital strategist who was key to the successful use of social media in the 2008 Obama campaign, is the keynote for the National League of Cities social media session I’m participating in right now. Below are notes from his excellent remarks – regardless of our political leanings, we can all learnRead… Read more »

Notes from National League of Cities: Social Media and Municipalities

Today, I am writing live from Denver, Colorado, where I am participating in a panel for the 2010 National League of Cities (NLC) Congress of Cities and Exposition. Fellow panelists include: – Mark Basnight, Public Information Officer, Charlotte Fire Department– Andrew Bleeker, Principal, Bully Pulpit Interactive (Obama Campaign)– Pam Broviak, City Engineer/Assistant Director of PublicRead… Read more »

The rules of engagement on social media

Digital diplomacy is a two-way street – once an organisation like the Foreign Office is publishing news, comment, and policy information on the internet , then it needs to learn how to listen and respond too.At ministerial level, this is a problem of opportunity and timetabling more than anything. Opportunities for participation on television andRead… Read more »

Govies Show Sacrifice: It’s OK, Freeze My Pay

Today President Obama announced a federal pay freeze for Federal employees. If you haven’t heard, here’s all the details from our friends at the Washington Post: Obama announces two-year pay freeze for federal workers Of course, GovLooper Candace Riddle has already posted a forum about inviting you to: SOUND OFF: Your Thoughts on the FederalRead… Read more »

Three Thoughts As I Deck the Halls

I’ve been neglecting this blog. Too busy with holiday doings. So before I forget them, here are three quick thoughts that might deserve longer pieces…after the holidays. 1. Dashboards I’m beginning to wonder about the wisdom of all these performance “dashboards.” I understand that, in the spirit of open government, it’s good to have someRead… Read more »

TSA Supervisor to Staffer: Speak English

Last month, President Obama signed into law a bill that tells Uncle Sam to speak and write plainly. The bill echoed Obama’s executive order in May instructing agencies to write job announcements in clear language. Unfortunately, one smart-ass TSAer at BWI airport didn’t get the memos. Happily, her supervisor did. The New York Times reports:Read… Read more »

Is the State Department Wiki Leaks the Beginning of a Nightmare For Open Government?

After three days of consuming the best of cuisine during Thanksgiving holiday, I have once again experienced my usual holiday epiphany to become inspired. It is usually around this time of year, that I personally and professionally aspire to take my goal setting to the next level. Honestly speaking, I am excited about expanded hopesRead… Read more »