Posts Tagged: Affairs

GAO Report Signals Opportunity for Contractors in Agile Software Development

Applying agile software development methods to IT projects has been a hot topic as of late at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The agency recently unveiled a report highlighting its 32 tips for applying agile development to help improve how the federal government will develop and implement IT infrastructure projects. Specifically, these tips focus onRead… Read more »

Q&A: Robert Derby of Sage Communications Discusses Why Agencies Like GSA Need Targeted Marketing to Save Taxpayer Dollars

As government agencies are continually under the microscope when it comes to the most effective use of taxpayer dollars, it is critical to make sure that all marketing efforts are targeted and offer the most ROI. The editorial team of FedConnects recently connected with Robert Derby, Senior Vice President, Branding and Marketing Communications at SageRead… Read more »

Agencies Developing More Comprehensive Mobile Strategies and Policies

Monica Mayk Parham, Marketing Director, Market Connections, Inc. The rise of mobile technology in the government sector has allowed government employees to be more nimble and effective. Though with increased mobility comes greater challenges for those in charge of implementing mobile applications, such as Roger Baker, CIO at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). TheRead… Read more »

VA Takes Bold Steps in Using Research to Repair Supplier Relationships

When doing research regarding perceptions and attitudes of key stakeholders, it is often very challenging to gain feedback that may be brutally honest or even negative. The reality is that the most honest feedback from research is always the most valuable and provides organizations with the insights needed to enhance performance. The Department of VeteranRead… Read more »

Can New VA Policy Drive Telemedicine Adoption?

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently proposed a new policy that could provide a roadmap to increase telemedicine adoption should it be implemented across the healthcare community. According to an article in InformationWeek, the VA is looking to eliminate copayments for veterans that utilize telemedicine for doctor’s visits. The policy is designed to drive moreRead… Read more »

Preventing An “American Hiroshima”

The Department of Homeland Security and FBI recently issued a memo to its state and local law enforcement partners titled “No Specific Threat to American Jewish Community, Despite Recent World Events.” The intelligence document said in part: “We have no specific information that Iran or its surrogates are targeting Jewish organizations, facilities, or personnel inRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Alfonso Batres: A Leadership Veteran

Alfonso Batres has spent nearly three decades working with the community-based Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Readjustment Counseling Vet Centers, starting in the field offices and heading the national program since 1994. The program, which provides counseling, family services, job assistance, medical and benefit referrals, has expanded from 200 to 300 centers in the lastRead… Read more »

VA Must Restructure To Effectively Process Veterans Claims

Gregg Zoroya in an article which ran in the USA Today Newspaper on April 6, 2011 wrote about the VA backlog of claims increasing tremendously from 200,000 to a whopping 450,000 from 2009. He said in the article, that VA had expected an increase in claims and hired an additional 3000 employees, which brought theRead… Read more »

VA Transforming Perceptions, Using Innovation to Improve Acquisitions

2011 VA Supplier Relationship Transformation Webinar On February 25, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted its second Supplier Relationship Transformation (SRT) webinar. 934 discreet users registered to watch senior VA officials report summary findings from the department’s recent feedback collection efforts. VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould, Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) DeputyRead… Read more »

Interested in Human Resources for the DoD?

If you’re interested in human resources for the Department of Defense, we have a special training event just for you called Human Capital Management Defense (HCMD) 2011, which is taking place Feb. 14-17 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. Now in its 6th year, HCMD brings together HR professionals who are focused onRead… Read more »