The Federal Coach: HUD Chief of Staff Laurel Blatchford on Risk Taking and Engaging Employees

Laurel A. Blatchford, chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) since 2009, previously worked for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg first at City Hall and then at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). During her time in city government, Blatchford worked with agenciesRead… Read more »

Trainer as Leader: the Human Factor

It’s easy to think of the trainer as the leader–at least in the moment, but he or she is a leader in other ways, too–keyed to the human factor that makes the company work and its people resource rewarded and fulfilled. The trainer/leader listens to his audience and works with them. He or she teachesRead… Read more »

Agency Transitions: What happens when the Executive Director leaves?

Nonprofit Organization (NPO) Executive Directors often enter an agency with one objective – a need to bring the organization to its full potential or to maintain the success of the organization. Executive Directors uphold their position for years; so when they decide to pursue other opportunities, the organization, its board members and key stakeholders mustRead… Read more »

Durham, N.C. to let residents text to 911

Verizon Wireless and Durham North Carolina have partnered to start a pilot that will allow residents to send a text message to 911. The pilot will last for six months and will allow 911 dispatch to handle text based calls in addition to voice. Durham is the first city in North Carolina to utilize theRead… Read more »

State and Local Contractors: Prove Your Worth Now

{Originally published at GovWin.com, a Deltek network.} Agencies are eliminating contractors to save their own employees. At last week’s State & Local IT Market Forecast for 2011-2016 webinar, Chris Dixon, Deltek Manager of State and Local Industry Analysis, encouraged contractors to “look for ways to help agencies understand the value of their contractors and theRead… Read more »

Serious Recycling in Trenton, NJ

Did you know that just a few hours north on I-95 there is a major (and incredibly inventive) recycling company? We didn’t. But the Trenton, NJ-based TerraCycle is starting to make itself known. Now, calling TerraCycle a recycling company doesn’t do them justice. They just aren’t your traditional “sort and ship” recycling operation. TerraCycle actuallyRead… Read more »

A “Balanced Budget Amendment” finally?!

In response to the hectic process in which the federal government was able to avoid defaulting on our debt payments, there are thoughts about creating a balanced budget amendment to avoid future financial problems. This same amendment failed back in 1995 but is this the economic, financial, and political climate to make this change? (NYTimesRead… Read more »

This Week’s Blogpost Will Not Be Broadcast

I had a post for this blog all queued up to go yesterday morning, a great post, one of my personal faves in a long time. I was really excited to post it. Then I got into the elevator with someone I’m doing a bit of work with right now, got some news, and decidedRead… Read more »

A look at Verizon Wireless’ Stellar Quarter 2

Verizon is the best rated carrier, but can’t rest on those laurels Verizon Wireless (VZW) stated that their operating revenues in Q2 were up to $27.5B. They claim to have 2.2M new additions – I was even one of them. But while they are attributing these newcomers to the iPhone and their stable of LTERead… Read more »