Understanding the Importance of your Customers

“There is only one boss. The customer.” – Sam Walton Have you ever gone into an Apple store? If so, you probably were greeted by an enthusiastic employee wanting to know if they could help you? They will answer all the questions you have about their products and they don’t pressure you to buy. TheyRead… Read more »

Critical leadership skills in uncertain times

The current environment including the government shutdown, sequestration, and a slow recovery from a long recession have all made the need for real leadership an even more critical resource for organizations than ever. It’s not just the technical capabilities or their ability to execute that becomes so important, although that is of course critically importantRead… Read more »

New Tricare Agency Opens Its Doors

The Defense Health Agency has assumed responsibility for Tricare, pharmacy benefits, medical information technology and other military-related health programs, Military Times reports. Patricia Kime writes the Pentagon started the new agency as part of a reorganization aimed to streamline operations and eliminate duplicative services. Jonathan Woodson, assistant defense secretary for health affairs, estimates the moveRead… Read more »

More public strategist

It’s time for a change. From today, the public strategist is becoming rather more public. The threadbare pseudonymity of Public Strategist has outlived its usefulness – the new About page tells all. There were two reasons for being faceless and nameless here. The first was distance. I wanted to be very clear that there wasRead… Read more »

The Solution Revolution, Messy Outcomes, and Trust in the Age of Information

Originally published at cpsrenewal.ca. While I didn’t intend it, this speaks to the current shutdown. Citizens don’t yet understand how much civil service accomplishes for our countries. Last week Bill Eggers from Deloitte was in Ottawa, explaining his view of The Solution Revolution: the idea that for-profit businesses and social enterprises will solve societal needsRead… Read more »

Logistics

A Full Bird in the Pentagon said, “All computing is logistics.” Since he was a customer, he wasn’t wrong. The customer may not always be right, but they are never wrong. Figuring that code is the record of culture, perhaps logistics is more. Jack and I are watching the crash-and-burn of four organizations. Previously successfulRead… Read more »

Announcing the Online Facilitation Unconference: Oct. 23-25

NCDD is proud to be collaborating as a Media Partner in next week’s Online Facilitation Unconference! The Unconference is a free, fully digital convergence of folks from around the world interested in sharing and learning about virtual facilitation (i.e. facilitating and moderating online). You can read the event description below or find out more andRead… Read more »

Coffeeneuring to Big Bear Cafe

For my second coffeeneuring adventure, I biked to Big Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale. Reminder: the idea behind coffeeneuring is to bike to seven different coffee shops by November 17. Like most bike people, I have more than one bike. I’ve limited my addiction to just to two cycles – a Specialized Sirrus and Breezer ZigRead… Read more »

Expect Nothing in Return

A couple of weeks ago Kent Aitken shared a post by Tim Sanders on CPSRenewal titled Expect Nothing in Return. It got me thinking about my own interactions I have on-line and what my expectations are about them. The author indicates we are “socialized to thinking that networking is an exchange of value.” I thinkRead… Read more »

Social Media: Old Wine in New Bottles?

Summary: We often refer to social media as “new tools for doing old things.” In fact, it was the tagline for The Denovati Group’s predecessor, Social Media in Organizations (SMinOrgs). Like many simply stated ideas, it can be subject to (mis)interpretation, including equating the idea with “old wine in new bottles.” This post explains theRead… Read more »