IJIS Institute Delivers Proceeds of Badge & Tech Benefit to IACP Foundation

$6000 Check to Help Family of a Law Enforcement Officer Impacted by Sandy Ashburn, Va., April 2, 2013. The IJIS Institute, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mission-critical information sharing for justice, public safety, and homeland security, delivered the $6,000 proceeds of the 3rd Annual Badge & Tech Benefit to the International Association of ChiefsRead… Read more »

Innovation is the Magic Word: An Interview with Pamela Wright, CINO of NARA

Innovation is one of the many buzz words floating around federal agencies. In a recent interview, Pamela Wright (CINO of NARA) shared the innovation goals of the National Archives and explained two projects that are looking to achieve those goals. I had the pleasure of speaking with the Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) of the NationalRead… Read more »

The 1 Thing You Can Do To Make Sequestration Work FOR You

For many agencies April signaled the start of harsh budget cuts across the board including cuts to pay and benefits. For many state and local level agencies, those harsh cuts began last year. Regardless of when the cuts began, many employees find themselves in an uncomfortable situation with more time on their hands than theyRead… Read more »

Here’s something new for you, dear readers

As always, I am trying to be helpful. No, really! I am. So, here’s a new thing. Every so often I will answer some questions put to me by visitors to this blog. All you have to do is ask a question, about a topic big or small, in the comments below. Then, once IRead… Read more »

Vote Compass – not just interesting, but useful for government and the public

Vote Compass App for Australia abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2013/votecompass/ The ABC has launched the Vote Compass service in Australia, designed to help the public match their policy views with the official platforms of Australian political parties. Vote Compass (votecompass.ca) was developed by political scientists in Canada, where it has been used for both Canadian and US elections. AsidesRead… Read more »

Facts, Beliefs, and Being Wrong

We are happy to share this insightful blog post from NCDD member John Blakinger, who reflects on the interplay of facts, beliefs, and being wrong when we are trying to address problems together. John’s reflections come from www.CivilSay.net. Philosopher Charles Bernard Renouvier said “There is no certainty, only people who are certain.” And when itRead… Read more »

Why Training Fails

8 reasons why training programs fail. They are: 1. No on-the-job rewards for behaviors and skills learned in training, 2. Insufficient time to execute training programs, 3. Work environment does not support new behaviors learned in training, 4. Lack of motivation among employees, 5. Inaccurate training needs analyses, 6. Training needs changed after program hadRead… Read more »

Breaking news: Australian Government to appoint Government 2.0 Minister

I’ve just learnt from an inside source that the Australian Government has decided to go several steps further than the Queensland Government (who appointed an Assistant Minister for eGovernment last year), by appointing Australia’s first Government 2.0 Minister. The new Minister, who will be announced later today, will be responsible for taking forward the government’sRead… Read more »

Public service messages with a smile

I’ve been a bit serious lately on the blog. Sorry. Here’s a bit of whimsy to lighten the mood. Worcestershire County Council have produced this video to inform the public about what they are doing about pot holes. As you’ll notice, they haven’t gone for the usual talking head interview approach. I rather like itRead… Read more »