20161115 – Ira Goldstein – Fed Management Playbook – booktalk

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The Federal Management Playbook: Leading and Succeeding in the Public Sector, a booktalk with author Ira Goldstein.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 • 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Stories of government management failures often make the headlines, but quietly much gets done as well. What makes the difference? In his latest publication, Ira Goldstein offers wisdom about how to lead and succeed in the federal realm, based on his decades of experience with two major government consulting firms and as a member of the US Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service.*

The Federal Management Playbook coaches the importance of always keeping four key concepts in mind when planning for success: goals, stakeholders, resources, and time frames. The book packages activities around three strategic phases: create your offense, execute effectively, and play a smart defense. Its chapters address how to effectively motivate government employees, pick the right technologies, communicate and negotiate with powerful stakeholders, manage risks, get value from contractors, foster innovation, and more. Additional tips describe how career civil servants and political appointees can get the most from one another, advise consultants on providing value to government, and help everyone better manage ever-present oversight.*

The Federal Management Playbook is a must-read for anyone working in the government realm and for students who aspire to work in public service.*

*Deloitte

Ira Goldstein is a founder and former director of Deloitte’s US Federal Practice, providing consulting and advisory services to large federal agencies and departments. He previously held the position in the federal government of the US Assistant Comptroller General and Chief Operating Officer of the US Government Accountability Office.**

**Georgetown University Press

20160927 – Don Kettl – Escaping Jurassic Government – booktalk

Escaping Jurassic Government, a booktalk with author Dr. Donald Kettl

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 • 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Learn why big government is not the problem from Professor Kettl and hear strategies to move away from the gridlock fights over government size and scope.

“The Progressive government movement, founded on support from Republicans and Democrats alike, reined in corporate trusts and improved the lives of sweatshop workers. It created modern government, from the Federal Reserve to the nation’s budgetary and civil service policies, and most of the programs on which we depend.

Ask Americans today and they will tell you that our government has hit a wall of low performance and high distrust, with huge implications for governance in the country. Instead of a focus on government effectiveness, the movement that spawned the idea of government for the people has become known for creating a big government disconnected from citizens. Donald F. Kettl finds that both political parties have contributed to the decline of the Progressive ideal of a commitment to competence. They have both fed gridlock and created a government that does not work the way citizens expect and deserve.

Kettl argues for a rebirth of the original Progressive spirit, not in pursuit of bigger government but with a bipartisan dedication to better government, one that works on behalf of all citizens and that delivers services effectively. He outlines the problems in today’s government, including political pressures, proxy tools, and managerial failures. Escaping Jurassic Government details the strategies, evidence, and people that can strengthen governmental effectiveness and shut down gridlock.”*

*Brookings

Dr. Donald Kettl is a professor and former dean of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. He is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.  As an authority on the management of public organizations, he is the author and editor of twelve books, a regular columnist in Governing, appeared on national television shows, and frequently testifies for Congress.  He advised the White House for both Republican and Democrat administrations and consulted for numerous federal agencies.  Dr. Kettl has earned many awards, including recognition for outstanding contributions to research, teaching, outreach, and scholarship within public administration and political science.