The Ron Swanson Theory of Creative Disruption

Everyone has worked with a Ron Swanson — a stonewalling figure resistant, if not downright hostile, to change. Though the Parks and Recreation character presides over the operations of a fictional Indiana township, this figure isn’t unique to city governance. Any public or private organization of a certain size and bureaucratic complexity has at leastRead… Read more »

Release of FEMA P-908 – 2011 Tornado MAT Report

In honor of the one year anniversary of the tragic Joplin, Missouri tornado, FEMA is pleased to release publication P-908. The Spring 2011 Tornado MAT Report is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the April 25–28, 2011 tornadoes in the southeastern United States and the May 22, 2011 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri.Read… Read more »

Nice Video Overview of Recorded Future

The video below provides a nice overview of some of the features of Recorded Future. The views are stylized to make it easier for a presentation, but I think it does a great job of showing the power of this fantastic analytical tool. Please take a look and let us know your thoughts: Recorded Future:Read… Read more »

29 Cities Apply to Code for America

2012 is turning out to be a big year for Code for America. Earlier this year, we launched two new programs to help bring technology innovation to bear on the challenges facing governments – our Civic Accelerator and Code for America Brigade. Both of these new programs will play an important role in complementing andRead… Read more »

Wanted: A Few Good Women and Men to Serve as Presidential Innovation Fellows

This has got to be one of the coolest initiatives of the Obama Administration! They just launched a new Presidential Innovation Fellows program. This new initiative will bring top innovators from outside government for focused “tours of duty” with our best federal innovators on game-changing projects. Combining the know-how of citizen change agents and governmentRead… Read more »

Market Connections and AOL Government Study Shows that Feds See Great Potential in Mobility but Warn of Inadequate Investment

Market Connections and AOL Government just released a report that shows how federal managers see a significant potential for mobile technologies to improve productivity and saving taxpayer dollars. However, respondents to the study expressed concerns that current investments are inadequate to achieve much of that potential. The findings were based on an extensive survey commissionedRead… Read more »

Al Qaeda’s Electronic Jihad, NSA Cyber Operations Classes, and More

Here is today’s federal cybersecurity and information technology news: An Al Qaeda video calls for an “electronic jihad” against American computer networks. More here. The National Security Agency will set up Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations at Dakota State University, Naval Postgraduate School, Northeastern University, and University of Tulsa where cleared students canRead… Read more »

Lathe Or Dedicated Machine?

I was a master carpenter at a factory that made blasting caps. Part of my job was rigging, safely moving large, heavy things. We had many single use tools in our factory – jigs, templates, reams, crimpers, burnishing tools, but the toolmakers, the top of our heap, had lathes, great big steel beds that wouldRead… Read more »

Do you speak government?

I wanted to share this post with GovLoopers because it’s relevant to communicating both on behalf of — and to — government agencies. Would love to hear your thoughts: Part of being a good communicator is bridging the legitimacy gap with your audience. If you send a brochure or a blog post to an ArmyRead… Read more »