Conversations on Big Data is a series of discussions with executive-level leaders about using big data analytics in creative and interesting ways to improve business outcomes. Today’s Conversation is with Gerald Ray, the Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Appellate Operations (Appellate Ops) at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Appellate Ops manages cases whereRead… Read more »
I know you must be thinking that my idea involves comedy. Since we normally see headlines that may as well shout: “Federal workers are bumbling fools.” But I don’t mean this as comedy at all. And anyway, we’re not. What we are, on the whole, is: Highly skilled Passionate about helping other people Caught inRead… Read more »
Before I dive into how important meetings are to your career, let me begin with an aside: I asked 10 people to give me their opinions about meetings. Here are their responses: Waste of time I have too many My parents told me if I don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything atRead… Read more »
My life-long mentor and former rugby coach, Gordon Campbell, once stressed the importance of controlled aggression. I swear one day I will write a book entitled, Life’s Lessons from a Rugby Pitch. Rugby is a game of elegant violence. The adage is that although soccer is a gentlemen’s game played by hooligans, rugby is aRead… Read more »
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to hear the Dalai Lama speak when he was in Calgary, Alberta. At the conclusion of his talk, he took a few questions from the audience and I was fortunate enough to be able to ask him about public engagement. I asked, “What, if anything, should weRead… Read more »
Does it take a crisis for government to work right? Last week, I attended a forum sponsored by the American Society for Public Administration that looked at the successes in implementing the Recovery Act and potential lessons for public administration in the future. Little did I realize that the future would come so quickly, withRead… Read more »
There is a greater emphasis on building open solutions for the cloud and in the federal government a greater push towards the Gov Clouds. These isolated clouds provide secure capabilities for workloads and are intended to meet compliance requirements. There is a greater comfort level in moving towards cloud solutions as security concerns have beenRead… Read more »
Stocks went on another wild ride last week as the extreme volatility continued. We did see a capitulation-like sell-off on Wednesday that may have marked a temporary bottom, and on Friday stocks rallied to end the week. Here are the weekly, monthly, and annual TSP fund returns for the week ending October 17: The stockRead… Read more »
Last time, we discussed life in a Rubber Room. It can feel like the dead end at the corridor of a career, a padded cell, a cul-de-sac, or a waiting room where the waiting never ends. But escape from a rubber room is possible. Workers retire, take a job with another governmental or private sector organization,Read… Read more »
Halloween is right around the corner and this is the time of year many of you will be working hard to complete your IDP for FY15. But this is also an opportunity to take stock of where you are in your career and whether or not you’re gaining the experience, expertise and insight you need.Read… Read more »