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The Role of Contracting Professionals in Supply Chain Risk

Posted by on May 29, 2023 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Role of Contracting Professionals in Supply Chain Risk

In today’s interconnected world, supply chain risks, including cybersecurity threats, pose significant challenges for federal organizations. Contracting professionals are vital in overseeing and mitigating these risks throughout the procurement process. Thus, it is essential for contracting professionals to have the necessary skills, knowledge, and acquisition and contracting training to mitigate supply chain risk.

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75 Years of Excellence: ASMC Alamo City Symposium

Posted by on Feb 27, 2023 in Events, Workforce Management | 0 comments

75 Years of Excellence: ASMC Alamo City Symposium

Learn about Management Concepts experience at this Financial Management focused conference.

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Why New AC Professionals Need Career Gateway: Acquisition

Posted by on Jan 13, 2023 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Why New AC Professionals Need Career Gateway: Acquisition

Elevate your technical competency and essential professional skills while learning how to collaborate, innovate, and solve problems effectively. You will learn to analyze the situation, use critical thinking to dissect your options, and then identify the best solution for the situation at hand.

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Career Development as Your Family’s Intellectual Property

Posted by on Dec 9, 2022 in Culture, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Career Development as Your Family’s Intellectual Property

Employees grumble that their employer doesn’t take enough of an interest in their career development. Meanwhile, the organization is wishing that employees would take more responsibility for their careers. Both feel as though their points are valid. How can we meet in the middle?

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The Shift from Color Blindness to Racial Consciousness

Posted by on Nov 17, 2022 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Shift from Color Blindness to Racial Consciousness

Read leading expert, Alison Manswell’s, perspective on race in the workplace, as she addresses how we can begin to have open conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

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How We Help You Achieve: DEIA Executive Order 

Posted by on Nov 9, 2022 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

How We Help You Achieve: DEIA Executive Order 

We’ve developed a new course, Exploring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, that combines our existing DEIA training with new content that will help your organization adhere to the latest updates in DEIA policy. This course will provide an overview of diversity and inclusion principles while emphasizing their importance for fulfilling agency missions. The course is now open for registration on the website! 

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Navigating Tomorrow at the FAA Managers Association Convention

Posted by on Nov 8, 2022 in Events, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Navigating Tomorrow at the FAA Managers Association Convention

Management Concepts was pleased to return as a Bronze Sponsor to the Federal Aviation Administration Managers Association (FAAMA) 41st Annual FAAMA Convention and “Managing The Skies” Expo (FAAMA Convention). This year’s inspiring theme “Navigating Tomorrow – It Starts with Us!” was future-focused, stressing the need for leadership in action, and enabling Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managers to implement the policies that will enable the FAA workforce to meet the needs of a workforce facing hiring and development shortfalls in the face of looming retirements amongst senior staff.

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3 Questions to Answer for Your Employees

Posted by on Nov 2, 2022 in Coaching & Mentoring, Custom Learning Solutions, Workforce Management | 0 comments

3 Questions to Answer for Your Employees

It seems basic, but many employees don’t really know what their company or agency’s purpose is.  Creating a mission statement and posting it on the wall is a start but involving your team members in conversations and strategy sessions to create those statements, or implement action to help achieve those goals themselves adds a level of engagement most employees will welcome.    

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Conferences after COVID: Five Tips for Success

Posted by on Oct 25, 2022 in Professional Skills, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Conferences after COVID: Five Tips for Success

Attending your first conference after a few years of being apart, or in a new professional field—or even your first conference ever—can be daunting. Here are our five best tips to help make your conference experience a success:

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Back in 3 Dimensions Once Again: AAFEA Conference Highlights

Posted by on Oct 6, 2022 in Events, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Back in 3 Dimensions Once Again: AAFEA Conference Highlights

Management Concepts was proud to continue to partner with the African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) as a Platinum Sponsor, exhibitor, and workshop presenter at the annual Leadership Development Workshop (LDW), which took place September 19-21, 2022 in College Park, MD and online. For the first time since 2019, AAFEA members were able to network in person with leaders from across government and industry, while also having the option to attend virtually as well.

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Goal Based Retirement: A Reference Guide

Posted by on Sep 28, 2022 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Goal Based Retirement: A Reference Guide

If you know you’re ready to retire and have all your financial planning out of the way, you think you may be done. But do you know how you’re going to spend your time? Where you’ll put your energy?

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Three Things Every Learner Wants

Posted by on Sep 21, 2022 in Custom Learning Solutions, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Three Things Every Learner Wants

Do you know what your employees want out of their professional development journey? Maximize the benefits with these three tips.

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Providing World-Class Customer Service for Federal HR Professionals

Posted by on Jun 16, 2022 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Providing World-Class Customer Service for Federal HR Professionals

Consider these 6 questions to determine how you can ensure exceptional customer service from HR professionals at your federal agency.

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Imagine How a Custom Learning Portal Could Benefit Your Agency

Posted by on May 31, 2022 in Custom Learning Solutions, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Imagine How a Custom Learning Portal Could Benefit Your Agency

Learn how a custom learning portal can help your workforce maintain certifications, update skills, and prepare for your agency’s future.

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How to Maximize Agency Funds at Fiscal Year-End

Posted by on May 25, 2022 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

How to Maximize Agency Funds at Fiscal Year-End

Federal financial management professionals are stewards and fiduciaries of public trust and should always adhere to appropriations law.

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Ensuring the Success of your Presentation

Posted by on May 23, 2022 in Professional Skills, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ensuring the Success of your Presentation

Deliver impressive in-person or virtual presentations with guidelines for purpose, audience, thesis, scope, visuals, virtual setup, and engagement.

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6 Tips for Writing an Exemplary Statement of Work

Posted by on May 16, 2022 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 0 comments

6 Tips for Writing an Exemplary Statement of Work

Ensure a smooth proposal evaluation process by crafting an exemplary Statement of Work (SOW) that leaves nothing open to interpretation.

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Trust — The Supervisor’s Challenge in the World of Teleworking

Posted by on Aug 11, 2020 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Trust — The Supervisor’s Challenge in the World of Teleworking

Building trust is a two-way challenge. For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic has opened doors to the teleworking for the first time. Supervisors need to allow telecommuting relationships to evolve naturally.

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Get Ready for the GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract Consolidation

Posted by on Dec 5, 2019 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Get Ready for the GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract Consolidation

One of the cornerstone initiatives of the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Marketplace Strategy is a plan to modernize and simplify the buying and selling experience for customers, suppliers, and acquisition professionals. This initiative, known as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) Consolidation, seeks to modernize Federal acquisition by consolidating 24 Multiple Award Schedules into a single Schedule for products and services.

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Stomping Out Fraud in Government

Posted by on Nov 5, 2019 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Stomping Out Fraud in Government

When you consider that each fiscal year the Federal Government appropriates trillions for projects, programs, and operating budgets, it is easy to see that there might be opportunities for misuse of funds. According to the Government Accountability Office, (GAO), a person commits fraud when they attempt to obtain something of value through willful misrepresentation. But what does that look like in day-to-day operations? Let’s examine some recent earth-shattering to seemingly minor examples that should put fraud in perspective.

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What Does it Take to Be a Project Manager in Government?

Posted by on Oct 31, 2019 in Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

What Does it Take to Be a Project Manager in Government?

The Interpretive Guidance for Project Manager Positions published by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in May of 2019 lays out the responsibilities that are shared by a wide range of project managers. It also provides precise criteria to be used in the evaluation of current and future project managers in the Federal Government. The production of this guidance involved consideration by numerous government organizations that oversee human resources, financial management, procurement, and other related functions.

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Insights Gained from Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future

Posted by on Oct 24, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Insights Gained from Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future

This week, Management Concepts had the honor of co-sponsoring Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future, hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) where a panel of Federal workforce experts shared their experiences and insights on ways to recruit, engage, and retain talented people for public service. After the initial introductions, Debbie Eshelman, Managing Director of Management Concepts, facilitated the panel discussion. Highlights include:

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How Important are Soft Skills when Recruiting for Federal IT Positions?

Posted by on Oct 17, 2019 in Human Resources, IT, Workforce Management | 0 comments

How Important are Soft Skills when Recruiting for Federal IT Positions?

It might seem that every Federal agency is searching for potential IT candidates. Not only does the President’s Management Agenda call for modernizing IT and optimizing data utilization, but also raising standards for the government workforce. This combination creates a tall order for HR professionals who support Federal agencies. While each agency remains laser-focused on its mission, it must also find the time and financial resources to upskill, reskill, and recruit people who will be facilitating their IT modernization transformation.

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Getting it Right – Federal Grant Time and Effort Reporting

Posted by on Oct 15, 2019 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Getting it Right – Federal Grant Time and Effort Reporting

Five years after full implementation of Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Part 200: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200), time and effort reporting, or Compensation – personal services (2 CFR § 200.430) is still a compliance risk for non-Federal entities.

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Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part V: Measuring Success

Posted by on Oct 9, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part V: Measuring Success

In this five-part series, we talked about how you can help identify and assess leadership gaps within your organization and through introspection. We also covered how Federal Agencies can best avoid mission-critical leadership gaps through effective succession planning. In each discussion, we highlighted the importance of setting specific goals and emphasized that maintaining flexibility is crucial to achieving those goals. Now, in this final installment, we will discuss ways gap-closing success can be measured and potentially improved.

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Significant Changes Introduced by the 2018 Yellow Book

Posted by on Oct 3, 2019 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Significant Changes Introduced by the 2018 Yellow Book

In July of 2018, the long-anticipated revision of the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO’s) Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), commonly referred to as The Yellow Book, was released. It provides auditors with professional qualification guidelines and generally accepted government auditing standards for performing audits, including reporting and quality control.

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10 Tips to Perfect Your Presentation Skills

Posted by on Oct 1, 2019 in Analytics, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

10 Tips to Perfect Your Presentation Skills

Is giving presentations the part of your job that you dread? Not to worry, we have provided some practical tips that you can immediately put into action. With the amount of emphasis placed on sharing and utilizing data in the President’s Management Agenda, the demand for data analysis-focused presentations is likely to expand. Try applying these tips to perfect your presentation skills.

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Will a SOW, PWS, or SOO Work Best to Achieve Your Objective?

Posted by on Sep 25, 2019 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | Comments Off on Will a SOW, PWS, or SOO Work Best to Achieve Your Objective?

Will a SOW, PWS, or SOO Work Best to Achieve Your Objective?

Traditionally, a Statement of Work (SOW) would be drawn up to provide every possible detail of the objectives, process, and assessment of an acquisition.
Then, the idea of performance-based work arose. Why not simply tell the contractor what you want the result to be and give them the freedom to accomplish it in the best possible way with a Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

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The Many Ways the Federal Government Measures Quality

Posted by on Sep 24, 2019 in Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Many Ways the Federal Government Measures Quality

Since the introduction of Total Quality Management revolutionized the manufacturing industry, we have understood that quality is a key measure of project management success. No longer is completing a project on-time and within budget good enough. Processes must be efficient and produce an outcome that meets every specification and satisfies the customer’s need.
Although this philosophy began with manufacturing, it has spread throughout every aspect of our lives. We are consistently asked to provide, collect, and report on the quality of products, services, processes, and ideas. Let’s examine ways that this emphasis on quality is spreading throughout the Federal Government.

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Qualities of the Ideal Federal Leader

Posted by on Sep 18, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Qualities of the Ideal Federal Leader

One of the three key drivers of transformation named in the 2019 President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is realigning human capital to serve America’s priorities for the 21st century. While there is a significant focus on filling technology gaps, several authorities have defined ideal qualities for leaders in the Federal Government.

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The Secrets of Successful Workforce Planning

Posted by on Sep 3, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Secrets of Successful Workforce Planning

A significant segment of our workforce is becoming eligible for retirement as birth rates are at an all-time low. Add to that a wave of uncertain budget and economic conditions in our future. This combination presents a very real challenge for public and private industry. Let’s explore the ways we can ensure our success through workforce planning:

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What’s Really at Risk?

Posted by on Sep 3, 2019 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

What’s Really at Risk?

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) publishes Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (also known as the Green Book), which defines, among other things, four principles of risk assessment. In short, they are:
1. Define objectives and risk tolerances
2. Identify, analyze, and respond to risks
3. Assess fraud risk
4. Identify, analyze, and respond to change

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What is the Origin of Labor Day?

Posted by on Aug 29, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Workforce Management | 2 comments

What is the Origin of Labor Day?

September 2, 2019, marks the 125th anniversary of Labor Day as a national holiday. This celebration originated with acknowledging the contributions and achievements of American workers associated with labor unions. Today, many people view Labor Day as a day off, time for barbeque picnics, and a parade. For most of us, it marks the end of summer when the swimming pools close, kids go back to school, and let’s not forget the Labor Day sales!

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Ten Acquisition Communication Lessons from the OMB Myth-Busting Memos

Posted by on Aug 27, 2019 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ten Acquisition Communication Lessons from the OMB Myth-Busting Memos

From the start of solicitation development through debrief, effective communication is essential for the success of any government acquisition. Over the past decade, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued four “myth-busting memos” that dispelled widespread misconceptions that have gotten in the way of success. As Michael Wooten assumes his position as Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), there is talk of making use of this creative communication method to further enhance engagement. Here is a quick summary of most of the issues that have been addressed in prior myth-busting memos:

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Mentoring is Essential for Career Growth

Posted by on Aug 22, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Mentoring is Essential for  Career Growth

Over the past ten years, I have facilitated more than 50 speed mentor pairing sessions for government and nonprofit organizations. I’m always amazed at the way these short interactions often lead to lasting connections that contribute to tremendous growth opportunities for participating mentors and mentees.

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Data Visualization 101

Posted by on Aug 22, 2019 in Analytics, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Data  Visualization 101

One sure-fire way to lose your audience is to give a bland presentation about numbers. While the rise and fall of digits matter to all of us – GDP, interest rates, profit margins – something about it transports our minds to thoughts of sandy beaches in faraway places.

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The Need-to-Know Facts about PMIAA

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Need-to-Know Facts about PMIAA

The changes prescribed by the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act (PMIAA) will impact Federal Civilian project and program management professionals across the entire workforce. How much do you know about PMIAA? Here are some basic answers to the most common questions.

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41st Blacks In Government National Training Institute Conference Recap 2019

Posted by on Aug 13, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

41st Blacks In Government National Training Institute Conference Recap 2019

At the 41st Annual Blacks In Government National Training Institute (BIG NTI), approximately 2,000 attendees filled the exhibit hall and ballrooms at the Sheraton in downtown Dallas, TX from August 5th through the 8th. Management Concepts was a proud Gold Sponsor, furthering this year’s theme, “BIG NTI: Your Benchmark for Achieving Excellence in the Workplace.”

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Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part III: Within Your Organization

Posted by on Aug 9, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part III: Within Your Organization

Although leaders may be quite effective in their current roles, they may not be well equipped to handle changes that occur due to new requirements. As each Administration introduces initiatives, there is a need to identify and address gaps between current skills and knowledge and future leadership requirements. In the first part of this series on leadership gaps, we discussed the process of identifying and assessing leadership gaps. In the second part, we dove into the process of identifying and addressing your leadership gaps. Now, in part three, we will explore ways to close leadership gaps within your organization.

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Paying for Federal IT Modernization

Posted by on Aug 7, 2019 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Paying for Federal IT Modernization

One of the themes in the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) focuses on eliminating the discrepancy between the American people’s experiences dealing with the private sector and their experiences interacting with the Federal Government. For many Federal Agencies, bridging this gap will require an overhaul of information technology (IT) assets and processes.

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Leading as a Courageous Follower

Posted by on Aug 1, 2019 in Coaching & Mentoring, Consulting, Human Resources, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Leading as a Courageous Follower

In The Courageous Follower, author Ira Chaleff proclaims that the days of all-powerful leaders and subservient followers are long gone, if they ever existed at all. He makes the case that neither leaders nor followers can reach optimum effectiveness without the other, especially in an environment where technology and information are constantly changing. The following is my interpretation of how Chaleff’s Dimensions of Courageous Followership can be embodied in the workplace by exhibiting the courage to:

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Data-Driven Decision Making at Federal Agencies

Posted by on Jul 31, 2019 in Analytics, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Data-Driven Decision Making at Federal Agencies

One of the chief Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) goals of the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is: “Leverage data as a strategic asset to grow the economy, increase the effectiveness of the Federal Government, facilitate oversight, and promote transparency.”

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CAP Goal 8 – The Grants Reform Saga Continues

Posted by on Jul 25, 2019 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 1 comment

CAP Goal 8 – The Grants Reform Saga Continues

Somehow, I let talking about the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) Goal 8: Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants, slip into my grant blog schedule. Let’s just call it CAP Goal 8 — everyone else does.

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5 Tips for Avoiding Prohibited Professional Practices

Posted by on Jul 18, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

5 Tips for Avoiding Prohibited Professional Practices

In the private sector, we see companies soar or plummet after a crucial management decision becomes known. Their mere survival is closely tied to the public perception of difficult choices. For the Federal Government, the stakes are even higher because American taxpayers finance their work. Each agency or organization has a specific purpose. If any of them fail to succeed, we all lose. Here are a few tips to help you avoid HR compliance missteps.

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10 Facts about PMP® Exam Changes Taking Effect December 16, 2019

Posted by on Jul 15, 2019 in Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

10 Facts about PMP® Exam Changes Taking Effect December 16, 2019

After incorporating changes from the Sixth Edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the Project Management Institute (PMI®) is taking a step into the future of Project Management best practices with a revision to the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Examination. Here is a breakdown of the exam, according to PMI:

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Seven Steps for Tackling the 2019 Single Audit Compliance Supplement

Posted by on Jul 10, 2019 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Seven Steps for Tackling the 2019 Single Audit Compliance Supplement

The Office of Management and Budget informed the grants community on June 28 that the 2019 Compliance Supplement (aka 2 CFR 200, Appendix XI) would be available on July 1. I’m sure that grants auditors and geeks like me took this as a sign to get ready for a not-so-relaxing read during the holiday week. I also took the additional step to review the recently released SF-SAC for fiscal periods ending in 2019, 2020, and 2021 in detail.

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Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part II: Introspection

Posted by on Jul 9, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part II: Introspection

In part I of this series, we talked about how to identify the skills required to fulfill your agency’s mission, determine to what extent these qualities exist among your leaders, and define the difference between the two in preparation for addressing leadership gaps. And most likely, as you reviewed the competencies that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) considers essential, you may have recognized that you, as a leader, or prospective leader, can improve in certain areas. In this part, we will look at ways to identify and address your own strengths and weaknesses related to leadership.

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Becoming an Extraordinary Informal Leader

Posted by on Jul 2, 2019 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Becoming an Extraordinary Informal Leader

What is an informal leader? Whether you think leaders are born or made, we all are leaders and can develop leadership skills throughout our career lifecycles. Being in a position of authority has nothing to do with being a leader. I was an informal leader and in fact, only held a management position for 1-1/2 years of my 27-year Federal Government career.

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Getting the ‘Gears of Government’ Moving in the Right Direction

Posted by on Jun 25, 2019 in Leadership, Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Getting the ‘Gears of Government’ Moving in the Right Direction

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a new playbook and distributed it through a memo to agency heads and C-level directors to help agencies accelerate the cross-agency priority goal of the President’s Management Agenda of modernizing the Federal workforce. The Executive Playbook for Workforce Reshaping: Accelerating the Gears of Transformation, offers four plays for government leaders and employees and anyone with an appetite for change.

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3 Challenges to Modernizing Federal Government IT

Posted by on Jun 18, 2019 in Coaching & Mentoring, Consulting, Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

3 Challenges to Modernizing Federal Government IT

Unlocking untapped potential within Federal data will help grow the economy, increase efficiency in government, and better address complex problems using data-driving approaches. To stay competitive globally, it is imperative that we make data more usable and accessible.” Suzette Kent, Federal chief information officer.

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Congratulations to AFFIRM Leadership Award Winner Sam Shellenberger of DOL VETS

Posted by on Jun 13, 2019 in Consulting, Leadership, Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Congratulations to AFFIRM Leadership Award Winner Sam Shellenberger of DOL VETS

Management Concepts manages and operates the National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI) on behalf of DOL VETS to further develop and enhance the professional skills of veterans’ employment and training service providers throughout the United States.

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5 Strategies for Effective Prioritization from Eric Papp

Posted by on Jun 4, 2019 in Consulting, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

5 Strategies for Effective Prioritization from Eric Papp

Last week, many Management Concepts colleagues and Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Managers attended the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) Professional Development Institute (PDI) 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. There was a wealth of information presented through workshops, educational sessions, and mini-courses. There were numerous speakers from DoD and industry who presented useful information, however, one speaker’s message caught our attention – that of Productivity Strategist, Eric Papp.

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Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part I: Identify and Assess

Posted by on May 30, 2019 in Human Capital, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Eliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part I: Identify and Assess

Nothing is constant but change. While the qualities and skill-levels of your organization’s leaders may have been top-rate when they were appointed, constant innovation and evolving priorities can transform a well-equipped leadership team into one that struggles to meet basic requirements. On which end of the spectrum does your agency’s leadership reside? Let’s explore the process of identification and assessment.

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Federal Government Procurement & Contracting News: Essential Facts about the Transition from DUNS to SAMMI

Posted by on May 23, 2019 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Government Procurement & Contracting News:  Essential Facts about the Transition from DUNS to SAMMI

The Federal contracting times are changing and the transition from DUNS to SAMMI has begun. Here are a few nuggets of information for the acquisition communities pursuing Federal Government Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) training and certification.

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Earning a Certificate Can Help You Win Federal Grants

Posted by on May 21, 2019 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Earning a Certificate Can Help You Win Federal Grants

Each stage of the grants lifecycle has countless details that an applicant must understand in order to navigate Federal grants funding. One of the best ways to ensure your organization gets the most funding possible and manages that funding appropriately is to have certified grants specialists working on your team. Here are some ways earning a Grants certificate could help you and your organization through each step of the grants lifecycle.

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Four Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Leader

Posted by on May 16, 2019 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 4 comments

Four Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Leader

The value of Emotional Intelligence (EI), or “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others,” is increasingly being used as a cognitive leadership tool to enhance the effectiveness of communication in the public and private sectors. In our recent webinar, Emotional Intelligence, The Use of Emotional Intelligence for Effective Relationships, we defined EI and described ways it impacts our daily lives. Let’s take a closer look at four of the characteristics that are common among emotionally intelligent leaders and explore steps we can take to improve our own EI as leaders:

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How to Make the Most of the New OPM Federal IT Hiring Authorities

Posted by on May 14, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

How to Make the Most of the New OPM Federal IT Hiring Authorities

Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a new final rule giving Federal Government agencies guidance for delegating the authority to hire new talent for high-demand and critical-shortage positions in IT and cyber talent quicker and faster through a new Direct Hire Authority (DHA).

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Suffering from #NGMA2019 and OMB Overload?

Posted by on May 9, 2019 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Suffering from #NGMA2019 and OMB Overload?

It has taken me a bit to write my #NGMA2019 post. To be fair, I camped out for the first time in 30 years the weekend after and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued not one, but two memos the same week. More on that in a minute…

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The Future of Federal Workforce: Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices Part III: Federal Workforce Culture

Posted by on May 7, 2019 in Culture, Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Future of Federal Workforce: Reskilling,  Automation, & Hiring Practices  Part III: Federal Workforce Culture

As we discussed in Part I and Part II, the onslaught of technological advances we have experienced in recent years has forever changed the way we live and work. In this final part of our series, we will examine how panel experts have addressed workplace culture issues that directly impact the Federal workforce.

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Celebrate Public Service Recognition Week May 5-11, 2019

Posted by on May 2, 2019 in Culture, Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Celebrate Public Service Recognition Week  May 5-11, 2019

An estimated 7.11 million Americans have chosen public service careers. How does their work impact our lives, our communities, and the entire nation? Public Service Recognition Week, May 5-11, is dedicated to providing recognition for public servants, whose hard work and valiant efforts enhance our quality of life.

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Emotional Intelligence Webinar May 8, 2019:
Whether You’re in the Executive Suite or Not — This Session is for You

Posted by on Apr 30, 2019 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Emotional Intelligence Webinar May 8, 2019:   Whether You’re in the Executive Suite or Not — This Session is for You

If you are like me, you realize maintaining effective relationships is not easy. Think back to your ineffective relationships: what role did emotions play? In our professional lives, unhealthy relationships affect team chemistry, advancement, and even engagement. In fact, Gallup estimates employee disengagement cost U.S. companies $450-$550 billion a year — not exactly pocket change. Therefore, how does being emotionally-mindful set effective relationships apart from ineffective ones?

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The Leader’s Role in Workforce Agility Part II: How to Shape an Agile Workforce in the Federal Government

Posted by on Apr 25, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

The Leader’s Role in Workforce Agility  Part II: How to Shape an Agile Workforce in the Federal Government

In my last blog post Building Your Muscle for Change, I discussed how you need to develop and model resiliency, strategy, and communication skills before implementing an organizational workforce agility initiative, if you’re to be a successful Federal leader. By being more adept in your own managerial and leadership practices, you will be better prepared to shape an agile workforce.
After you’ve built your muscle for change, it’s time to put those new muscles to work!

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HR in the Federal Government: A Changing Landscape Part II: Is Technology the Answer? (Hint: YES!)

Posted by on Apr 23, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

HR in the Federal Government: A Changing Landscape Part II:  Is Technology the Answer? (Hint: YES!)

The President’s Management Agenda (PMA), released to the public in March 2018, runs the gamut in terms of requirements and recommendations for agencies and departments within the Federal Government. A recurring theme in the document? Technology must be leveraged to modernize, create efficiencies, and get the job done better, faster, and smarter, including managing and improving quality customer service in agencies and HR departments.

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Eight Ways to Manage Up in the Federal Government

Posted by on Apr 17, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Eight Ways to Manage Up in the Federal Government

Simply stated, “managing up” refers to doing whatever you can to make your boss’ job easier by essentially managing your manager. Managing up means navigating the complexities of both you and your supervisor’s personality to ultimately achieve the goals of the organization. Perhaps most importantly, managing up is a way for you to get a leg up on the competition.

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The Importance of Being a Good Writer: Federal Employee Essentials Edition

Posted by on Apr 12, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

The Importance of Being a Good Writer: Federal Employee Essentials Edition

As a Federal employee, much of your internal and external communication comes in the form of writing (emails, memos, reports, executive summaries, and announcements) so, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that improving your writing and communications skills is a great way to advance your career within the Federal Government.

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Management & Leadership Coaching in the Federal Government

Posted by on Apr 4, 2019 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Management & Leadership Coaching in the Federal Government

When you hear the word “coach,” what’s the first image that pops into your head? For many, it’s a throwback to high school sports, where a coach doesn’t just help you win games — a coach helps you grow as an athlete. For others, it could be someone else, like a professor in college, a musical director, a military officer, a boss, even a family member. A coach is anyone who provides guidance, fosters your growth, and helps you to succeed in your role.

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The Leader’s Role in Workforce Agility Part I: Building Your Muscle for Change

Posted by on Apr 2, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Leader’s Role in Workforce Agility Part I: Building Your Muscle for Change

An agile workforce considers people as the differentiator, not technology. When you hear a term like “agile” tossed around so often, it starts to become an abstract concept that is hard to wrap your brain around. In our quest to define terms like agile, we overcomplicate the essence of what it really means. I like to make the complicated, simple. Agile means to be able to adapt and change. How’s that for simplicity? Okay, so maybe workforce agility is a little more complex than just adapting and changing.

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HR in the Federal Government: A Changing Landscape Part I: Challenges and Solutions to HR’s Changing Priorities

Posted by on Mar 29, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

HR in the Federal Government: A Changing Landscape Part I: Challenges and Solutions to HR’s Changing Priorities

Human resources (HR) are—simply put—the people who make up an organization and carry out the work that achieves the objectives of that organization’s mission. An HR department is tasked with managing those resources, ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations, and overseeing benefits and often recruitment.

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Federal Workforce 101 Series (Part I) – Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal Impacts on Federal Workforce Engagement

Posted by on Mar 26, 2019 in Financial Management, Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Federal Workforce 101 Series (Part I) – Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal Impacts  on Federal Workforce Engagement

Coming off the heels of the longest Federal Government shutdown in history last month, news of the President’s fiscal year 2020 budget proposal and the many proposed changes to Federal pay and benefits might feel a bit hard to swallow for many Federal workers. On top of an all-too-familiar proposal to freeze Federal pay, President Trump’s budget also called for significant funding cuts and reorganization of many Federal agencies or elimination of some programs, altogether.

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Community of Change: Shaping and Shifting Culture

Posted by on Mar 22, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Community of Change: Shaping and Shifting Culture

On behalf of, Management Concepts we invite you to join
our practice LinkedIn Group, Community of Change: Shaping and Shifting Culture. The goal of this practice is to: Raise awareness around the value of addressing the behavioral norms that enable or inhibit an organization’s ability to deliver on mission-driven priorities, and provide best practices and tools that enable you to integrate culture change to enable individuals, teams, and organizations to deliver high-quality citizen services.

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3 Key Themes Dominate the 2019 ASMC Regional Professional Development Institute Event

Posted by on Mar 21, 2019 in Financial Management, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

3 Key Themes Dominate the 2019 ASMC Regional Professional Development Institute Event

This year’s theme, “Who Dares Wins”, is the motto that originated with the British Special Air Service. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer (DCFO) of the Department of Defense (DoD), Mr. Mark Easton, was the keynote speaker – addressing this theme in a very thought-provoking and informative way. He conveyed that it’s a great time to be an FMer, and that while there are many challenges now and on the horizon, FMers are “Daring to Win” each day. Additionally, he provided a macro-level view of a few key financial management (FM) initiatives, including the undertaking of the largest audit ever, the impending roll-out of the FY20 budget, technological advances within the DoD, and more. It was great to hear about the progress being made by each of the Armed Services on their respective audits. They’re digging in, addressing findings, implementing corrective action plans, and establishing best practices.

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A Case for Enterprise Learning Solutions

Posted by on Mar 14, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

A Case for Enterprise Learning Solutions

Among the challenges that agencies face in meeting the reskilling and upskilling needs of the Federal workforce is the disconnect between the need for learning and development solutions and how learning is typically procured in the Federal marketplace to address those needs.

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3 Tips for Newcomers to the Federal Workforce

Posted by on Mar 12, 2019 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

3 Tips for Newcomers to the Federal Workforce

Between the paperwork, acronyms, and levels of bureaucracy, the Federal workforce is a daunting field for newcomers. There are many “listicles” and websites that provide information on what to expect on your first day, year, or at any time during your tenure as a Federal employee. With that in mind, here are three tips to ease your transition.

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TGIF and HAPPY #IGPD 2019!

Posted by on Mar 8, 2019 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

TGIF and HAPPY #IGPD 2019!

I was harried as I wrote this. I don’t know about you, but I feel like the post-shutdown, winter-to-spring activities, hay fever spigot has been turned on. Wait…Make that fire hydrant.

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The Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part II

Posted by on Mar 5, 2019 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part II

The Federal Government often falls behind the curve on new technology and workplace practices. Administrative and budgetary constraints can curb innovation, while politics dictate the pace and volatility of these changes.

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The Role of Program Management in the Federal Government

Posted by on Feb 28, 2019 in Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Role of Program Management in the Federal Government

The Project Management Institute® defines program management as a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them as individual projects. A program manager is the person authorized by the performing organization to lead the team or teams responsible for achieving program objectives.

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Hit the Training Bullseye: Making the Shift from LPTA

Posted by on Feb 25, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Hit the Training Bullseye: Making the Shift from LPTA

All too often, training is acquired via the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation process, not based on best value. LPTA is essentially a “good enough” evaluation—ideal for buying toner or office supplies, but inappropriate for more complex and critical purchases like learning solutions.

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ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: How to Be a Change Agent in the Workplace

Posted by on Feb 20, 2019 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR:  How to Be a Change Agent in the Workplace

It is critical to manage change by creating and implementing a strategy that defines an approach consistent with the unique needs of the organization. The strategy serves as the guiding framework, providing direction and shaping decision making throughout the change process.

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Supporting U.S. Veterans Return to the Workforce: National Veterans’ Training Institute and Management Concepts Partnership

Posted by on Feb 12, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 2 comments

Supporting U.S. Veterans Return to the Workforce: National Veterans’ Training Institute and  Management Concepts Partnership

Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that veteran unemployment continues to trend downward. The veteran unemployment rate in December 2018 was 3.2 percent, down from 3.8 percent in December 2017, which puts their unemployment levels below that of the general U.S. population, which stands at 4 percent. It’s a bright moment amidst many dark clouds in current events see an uptick for this deserving segment of our population.

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2019 PMA Fast Fact

Posted by on Feb 1, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

2019 PMA Fast Fact

Modernize your skillsets today to help reach your 2019 professional goals! Visit Management Concepts

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Rockin’ Your Resiliency During Tumultuous Times: Government Shutdown Tips for Heading Back to Work

Posted by on Jan 28, 2019 in Culture, Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Rockin’ Your Resiliency During Tumultuous Times: Government Shutdown Tips for Heading Back to Work

If there’s one thing I know about Federal employees, it’s that they’re resilient. With twenty years of public service under my belt and working alongside the Federal workforce within six different branches of government including during and after 9/11 – I have seen first-hand the dedication and drive fellow Federal employees have for overcoming the toughest challenges our nation faces.

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The Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part I

Posted by on Jan 3, 2019 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part I

Reskilling and upskilling is a practice that involves training employees to complete their job to the best of their ability. It can take many shapes and forms. In the manufacturing workplace, it could be training staff to use new computers to improve manufacturing efficiency and standards. In an office setting, it could be sending employees to conferences and classes to learn new skills.

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What Does the Federal Shutdown Mean for Grants?

Posted by on Dec 26, 2018 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

What Does the Federal Shutdown Mean for Grants?

There have been updates, announcements, new grant requirements, and changes to current grant requirements every month throughout 2018, leading to anticipated reforms in 2019 and beyond.

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Strengthening Federal Evaluation: Meet in the Middle?

Posted by on Jul 20, 2018 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Strengthening Federal Evaluation: Meet in the Middle?

The middle is hard because policy making is an emotional and often reactive process. And grants, which are policy tools, are often the instruments evaluated to inform policy, effectiveness, and compliance.

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The Reform Proposal’s Potential Impact on Federal Grant Making

Posted by on Jul 16, 2018 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Reform Proposal’s Potential Impact on Federal Grant Making

Any significant adjustments to an organization, be it mergers or eliminations, have a significant impact on the people affected. Sitting on a client site in 2004 during years one and two of the Department of Homeland Security taught me that change management and culture considerations are as important, if not more, to the success of the change as the gained efficiencies.

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Federal Spotlight Interview: Nathaniel H. Benjamin

Posted by on Jun 21, 2018 in Coaching & Mentoring, Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Federal Spotlight Interview: Nathaniel H. Benjamin

I’ve been in Federal Service excluding military time for about 15 years and my main responsibility is managing the Human Capital Office for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under that responsibility, I’m responsible for talent acquisition for general schedule employees.

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The President’s Management Agenda Series: Transforming through Innovation

Posted by on May 18, 2018 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The President’s Management Agenda Series: Transforming through Innovation

The President’s Management Agenda refers to the concept of innovation frequently, and it is depicted as playing a critical role in achieving the outlined goals.

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What makes audit findings so Special?

Posted by on May 15, 2018 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 0 comments

What makes audit findings so Special?

“The specific requirements for Special Tests and Provisions are unique to each Federal program and are found in the laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements pertaining to the program. For programs listed in this Supplement, the compliance requirements, audit objectives, and suggested audit procedures for Special Tests and Provisions are in Part 4 – Agency Program Requirements or Part 5 – Clusters of Programs.”

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Managing Your Training Dollars in the Era of Continuing Appropriations Resolutions

Posted by on May 9, 2018 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Managing Your Training Dollars in the Era of Continuing Appropriations Resolutions

Now is the time to start thinking about filling the hurry up and wait days of the first and second quarters of FY19 with training for acquisition professionals.

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Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week 2018

Posted by on May 9, 2018 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week 2018

This week (May 6-12, 2018) is Public Service Recognition Week and Management Concepts is excited to show our appreciation for our government leaders and public servants!

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Federal Spotlight Interview: Adrianne M. Callahan

Posted by on Mar 28, 2018 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 2 comments

Federal Spotlight Interview: Adrianne M. Callahan

One of my biggest achievements is winning the Federal Employee of the Year – Outstanding Specialist Category. Competition for the Federal Employee of the Year is extremely high, my nomination was reviewed and ranked the winner out of 18 nominations from various agencies within the Chicago Federal Agency area and it truly was a humbling surprise.

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5 Ways The President’s Management Agenda Misses The Mark On Federal Workforce Engagement

Posted by on Mar 22, 2018 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

5 Ways The President’s Management Agenda Misses The Mark On Federal Workforce Engagement

Many of the presenting symptoms of malaise in the federal workforce are the result of deep seated behavioral norms that won’t be changed by focusing on surface level measures like engagement. The PMA was a prime opportunity to introduce new methods and measures that can help federal agencies begin to achieve meaningful shifts in their culture leading to improved engagement, improved mission performance, and higher quality citizen services.

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Federal Spotlight: Pamela Thompson

Posted by on Mar 6, 2018 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

Federal Spotlight: Pamela Thompson

MC: How long have you been in Federal service and what is your main responsibility in your role today?

PT: I started my Federal service when I joined the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in February 2014. Prior to joining CFPB, I worked for The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit company that operates multiple Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). However, I spent the majority of my career working for Federal government contractors as a Human Resources executive. In addition, I have worked as an independent contractor for NASA, DHS, VA, OPM, and U.S. Postal Service, providing executive coaching, training, and other human resources services.

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Ready, Set, Go: Time to Finalize FY 2019-2023 Strategic Plans

Posted by on Feb 22, 2018 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Ready, Set, Go: Time to Finalize FY 2019-2023 Strategic Plans

After months of waiting, Performance.gov is finally back online. While it’s only an interim resource and a brand-new site is forthcoming from The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and General Services Administration (GSA), leaders across the Federal government are thrilled to have something easily accessible to support continued updates to draft strategic plans submitted last summer.

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Finding Time for Strategic Thinking

Posted by on Feb 1, 2018 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Finding Time for Strategic Thinking

In our fast-paced work environments, there is a natural inclination to keep our heads down and accomplish only the tasks directly in front of us at any given time. From the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, we are bombarded with emails and social media alerts that require our immediate attention. Indeed, we are often rewarded on the job for our ability to navigate daily emergencies and constantly be available.

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Mentoring: A Win-Win Situation

Posted by on Jan 26, 2018 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Mentoring: A Win-Win Situation

As National Mentoring Month comes to an end, let’s reflect on the importance of mentorship and its impact on an individual’s professional development. The support and guidance from well-respected and seasoned executives is instrumental as individuals strive to achieve career ambitions. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Good mentors are more than just successful business people – they offer their time, network, and willingness to help others because they genuinely want to see someone else succeed.

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Federal HR Skills Tested in 2017

Posted by on Jan 24, 2018 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal HR Skills Tested in 2017

The Year 2017, is now in our rear-view mirror and for Federal Human Resource practitioners, it was a year of highs and lows. At the end of 2017 HR practitioners were still trying to create innovative ways to deal with leadership turnover, technology upgrades, the streamlining administrative systems, labor and management concerns, and employee demographics shifts, employee retention/engagement, to highlight a few.

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Year In Review: Our Most Read Blogs of 2017

Posted by on Jan 12, 2018 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Year In Review:  Our Most Read Blogs of 2017

And that’s a wrap for 2017! Just in case you missed some of our most read blogs of the year, we wanted to make sure to call them out… again. With topics ranging from human resources, OMB Releasing the 2016 Compliance Supplement to how culture can make a significant impact in an organization – there’s something we all can relate to.

We strive to produce content that is not only relevant, but that also can provide insight and value while initiating new ideas to our subscribers. As an early 2017 Forbes article put it “Blogs offer an avenue for delivering that value to a global audience. They provide a hub for tutorials and walk-throughs, and an avenue for crafting and constructing resources that help individuals that are looking for useful information.” And on that note, enjoy reading our top 10 most read blogs from 2017.

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Three Initiatives to Help Improve the Acquisition Workforce

Posted by on Jan 10, 2018 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Three Initiatives to Help Improve the Acquisition Workforce

As a new year begins, agencies are also making their resolutions. High on their list are ways to keep employees engaged, energized, and focused on meeting mission goals. These are the top three initiatives we’ve seen when helping our clients identify ways to improve the acquisition workforce.

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My Predictions of Workforce Trends In 2018

Posted by on Dec 28, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

My Predictions of Workforce Trends In 2018

As we wind down 2017 and begin looking forward to a new year, I’ve been thinking about the issues, trends, and themes that are likely to shape the experience of the Federal workforce in the second year of the Trump Administration. Read more about the top 4 predictions workforce trends of 2018.

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Reforming A Federal Agency: My Top 10 Thoughts to Unify Organizations

Posted by on Dec 13, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Reforming A Federal Agency: My Top 10 Thoughts to Unify Organizations

Ever since the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published OMB Memo 17-22 in April, a lot of attention has been paid to reform in Federal agencies. Agencies across the Federal government have begun the process of figuring out how to improve performance, reduce costs, and streamline operations of their organizations and, for many, meaningful changes are emerging. The history of radical change is long and storied, often driven by challenging outmoded thinking, developing new technology, and/or changing cultural sensibilities. Shaping any change starts with creating a vision of the desired end-state and explicitly identifying the barriers for achieving the desired vision. While the vision will undoubtedly vary by agency, I believe there are some universal barriers that need to be addressed to achieve the desired end state.

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Federal Spotlight: Amy Rogers

Posted by on Nov 28, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Amy Rogers

Amy Rogers serves as Director, Treasury Executive Institute, U.S. Department of Treasury. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview:

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Resilience: Millennials on the Rise

Posted by on Oct 30, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Resilience: Millennials on the Rise

On October 19, 2017, Management Concepts participated in a professional development series with the Young Government Leaders (YGL) and Blacks In Government NOW Generation (BIG-NOW). We have been joining forces to create educational networking events to increase the participation and engagement of underrepresented groups within public service. This breakfast event was held in Washington DC and included a dynamic keynote speaker followed by panelists who told compelling personal stories about how they have succeeded in their careers while sharing thoughtful career advice to those in attendance.

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Strategies to Build a Meaningful Career

Posted by on Oct 12, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Strategies to Build a Meaningful Career

Every one of us has a certain number of years to invest in working and making a living. Having a job is fine, but creating a meaningful career will maximize your opportunities for success. To have a successful, fulfilling career requires that you continually plan, execute and review your career management strategies. You may be like many people in the workforce who only think about your current role or your next desired promotion. However, given today’s changes and uncertainties in the Federal workplace, you need to broaden your short term thinking and how you manage and grow your career.

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Building an Organization’s Performance Culture

Posted by on Sep 22, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Building an Organization’s Performance Culture

For leaders tasked with developing a performance culture in response to the Human Capital Framework (HCF) released by The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in April, I suspect agencies are seeking answers to the questions like: Where do we start and how do we interpret the framework? If you are uncertain with where to start, how to make it relevant to your agency, or how to execute let’s explore possible immediate steps to support your existing performance culture or begin to shift your existing culture to one of performance.

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How Human-Centered Thinking Drives Higher Performance

Posted by on Sep 21, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

How Human-Centered Thinking Drives Higher Performance

Over the past few weeks I’ve been reading the recent studies from Gallup, SHRM, and the Rand Corporation that describe the current experience of employees in the American workplace. The results from these studies present an interesting and contrasting, portrait of work in the U.S. today.

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Time to Thrive: Empowering Millennials in the Workforce

Posted by on Sep 15, 2017 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Time to Thrive: Empowering Millennials in the Workforce

Every day there are countless articles and studies casting aspersions on millennials. This cohort of young adults has been blamed for the declining viability of chain restaurants, gyms, diamonds, and even the National Football League.

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Federal Spotlight: Chad Sheridan

Posted by on Sep 14, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Chad Sheridan

Chad Sheridan serves as Chief Information Officer for the Risk Management Agency (RMA) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.

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Growing as a Coach – Tips from a Seasoned Expert

Posted by on Sep 11, 2017 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Growing as a Coach – Tips from a Seasoned Expert

Whether you’re new to your coaching role or have logged countless hours coaching many kinds of professionals, there’s always room to hone your skills. The better you are, the better you can be.

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Federal Spotlight: Kimberly Steide

Posted by on Sep 4, 2017 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 2 comments

Federal Spotlight: Kimberly Steide

Kimberly Steide serves as Human Capital Planning and HR Stat Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Treasury. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…

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Coaches Succeed When They Have the Right Mindset

Posted by on Aug 18, 2017 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Coaches Succeed When They Have the Right Mindset

Command and control isn’t the only way to relate to employees, nor is it the best approach when you want to engender staff who are more creative or empowered. Coaching skills also help managers demonstrate their interest in their employees, a key factor for retaining and engaging employees.

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Workforce Planning Turns Uncertainty into Stability and Mission Success

Posted by on Aug 16, 2017 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Workforce Planning Turns Uncertainty into Stability and Mission Success

How can HR professionals impact positive change with hiring restrictions and budget cuts on the horizon? The fact of the matter is: now’s a better time than ever for Federal HR in each agency to find (or create) opportunities to re-engage and re-focus the workforce for mission success.

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Same Data, Different Conclusions: It’s a Good Thing

Posted by on Aug 15, 2017 in Analytics, Workforce Management | 2 comments

Same Data, Different Conclusions: It’s a Good Thing

When I was deciding where to go with my husband, I experienced a bit of work-related déjà vu. Every option I considered was very different from the next, but all were possibilities chosen based on the same exact set of data (number of vacation days available, budget, etc.). I felt like I was back at the office working with a team, arguing about what decision to make, even though we were all reviewing the same data.

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Federal Spotlight: Jonathan Alboum

Posted by on Aug 9, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Jonathan Alboum

Jonathan Alboum serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…

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Federal Spotlight: Ali Pourghassemi

Posted by on Jul 31, 2017 in Workforce Management | 3 comments

Federal Spotlight: Ali Pourghassemi

Ali Pourghassemi serves as a Human Capital Manager for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview

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Keep a Proactive HR Approach in the Face of Reform

Posted by on Jul 22, 2017 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Keep a Proactive HR Approach in the Face of Reform

Regardless of what guidance comes from OMB this fall, agencies stand to benefit from taking a refreshed, proactive approach to workforce planning. With workforce reductions (aka reduction in workforce, or RIF) on the way, it becomes even more critical to retain and develop talented employees, and developing personnel from within ensures strategic initiatives are kept on track.

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FEW NTP 2017: Empowering Women in the Federal Workforce

Posted by on Jul 21, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

FEW NTP 2017: Empowering Women in the Federal Workforce

Management Concepts was a proud sponsor for the third year in a row for the 48th Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) National Training Program (NTP) held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from July 17-20, 2017. This year’s conference theme was “Investing in Our Future.”

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Experts and Leaders Convene: How the Federal Workforce Can Thrive in an Uncertain Future

Posted by on Jul 13, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Experts and Leaders Convene: How the Federal Workforce Can Thrive in an Uncertain Future

On June 29 in Washington, D.C., the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) hosted an event—Stabilizing the Workforce in an Uncertain Future—featuring experts in Federal workforce development from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Defense and Treasury departments, and Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs. Management Concepts sponsored the event, also featuring our top experts and leaders in People & Performance Consulting.

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Communicating Change: The Key to Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes

Posted by on Jun 30, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Communicating Change: The Key to Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes

There’s been much debate about the Reform Plans that OMB is evaluating from every agency. Between now and when OMB reports back, how seriously will agencies take those plans? Will Congress pass a budget that supports making the changes outlined in the plans? One thing that’s hard to debate, however, is that there will be change.

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Your Words Matter: Have Conversations that Make Things Happen

Posted by on Jun 26, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Your Words Matter: Have Conversations that Make Things Happen

All day long, we hastily grab a coworker for a quick chat, zip off emails to get or give important information, and (if you are like me) often multitask while commuting home by catching up on missed phone calls from the day. How often do you pause to consider what you want to achieve through conversation before you start talking or typing?

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Federal Spotlight: Melinda Burks

Posted by on Jun 18, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Melinda Burks

Melinda Burks serves as a Senior Program Officer for the U.S. Department of State. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…

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Learning Cultures Close Skill Gaps

Posted by on Jun 5, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Learning Cultures Close Skill Gaps

So, how does an organization build capacity to respond to skill gaps? Begin by creating a culture of learning. Most workforce planning and human resource professionals understand that learning is vital to the health of the organization. However, few link learning to mission critical execution. If the workforce does not have the right skills, employees will be unable to effectively carry out the tasks required to meet the goal.

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DATA Act Compliance Has Arrived

Posted by on May 31, 2017 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 2 comments

DATA Act Compliance Has Arrived

Three years of planning the implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) came to fruition on May 9, 2017 as Federal agencies were required to begin reporting spending by using governmentwide, standardized data elements.

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A Perfect Match: Data Analysts Pair Technical Skills with Soft Skills

Posted by on May 30, 2017 in Analytics, Workforce Management | 4 comments

A Perfect Match: Data Analysts Pair Technical Skills with Soft Skills

I’m going to discuss a very important relationship in every data analyst’s life: the marriage of technical skills to their soft-skill counterparts. Just like every relationship, this one requires understanding and balancing complementary aspects to be successful. Let’s look at how the skill for knowing how your sphere of influence—i.e. awareness of what you can do yourself, and how you can influence others—works hand-in-hand with your skill for driving data-based decisions.

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Federal Spotlight: Suzi Inman

Posted by on May 11, 2017 in Acquisition, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Suzi Inman

Suzi Inman serves as Acquisition Management Specialist/Contracting Officer’s Representative at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division, in Crane, Indiana. She is also Vice President for Membership and Chapter Organization for Federally Employed Women (FEW). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.

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Federal Spotlight: Bill Sutherland

Posted by on May 9, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Bill Sutherland

Bill Sutherland retired recently from his role as Director of Aviation Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He currently works in support of National Guard forces, and also works as Managing Director of UASOPS, LLC. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.

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TOC 2017 Recap: Talent Development – How Sweet It Is!

Posted by on May 4, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

TOC 2017 Recap: Talent Development – How Sweet It Is!

The Training Officers Consortium (TOC) 2017 Annual Institute was held in Hershey, PA from April 30 – May 3, 2017, and Management Concepts was honored to be a silver sponsor. More than 150 attendees, a few of our own in-house experts, and our President, Steve Maier, showed up for the inspired learning and knowledge-sharing the institute is known for. The theme this year was “Talent Development – How Sweet It Is!”

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Now that I’m the Leader, How Will My Team Change?

Posted by on Apr 24, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Now that I’m the Leader, How Will My Team Change?

Many new leaders think they should walk in with all the answers; great leaders walk in with the right questions. Then, they lead their teams to a co-crafted solution.

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So I’m Officially a Leader… Now What?

Posted by on Apr 10, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

So I’m Officially a Leader… Now What?

Well, you did it. After all your hard work, your contributions, and your tenacity, you got it. That promotion. That next step. Then, a week passes. You’re headed home, and it hits you. “What’ve I gotten myself into now? I think I’ve got ‘what it takes,’ but what if I don’t?”

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The Presidential Budget and Federal Grants

Posted by on Apr 5, 2017 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 1 comment

The Presidential Budget and Federal Grants

OMB has only released a budget blueprint, which provides a high-level statement of policy goals. OMB expects to release the full budget later this spring. Even without the line-by-line budget requests detailed in the full budget, the budget blueprint does provide significant guidance for the grants community.

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Federal Spotlight: Soraya Correa

Posted by on Mar 30, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 6 comments

Federal Spotlight: Soraya Correa

Soraya Correa serves as Chief Procurement Officer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.

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Agency Experts and Leaders Convene to Address Challenges Facing Federal Workforce Management

Posted by on Mar 29, 2017 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Agency Experts and Leaders Convene to Address Challenges Facing Federal Workforce Management

Speakers and panelists from Federal agencies included experts in workforce planning and organizational development from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), FBI, Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They joined for a panel on closing critical skills gaps in Federal organizations, including a fire side chat on community-building and leadership development in the Senior Executive Service (SES).

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Federal Spotlight: Georgia A. Thomas

Posted by on Mar 20, 2017 in Coaching & Mentoring, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Georgia A. Thomas

Georgia A. Thomas serves at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as the organization’s Southeast and Southwest Area Manager, Communication and Stakeholder Outreach (CSO), Field Operations. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.

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Put Your Data Visuals on a Diet: No More Pie Charts!

Posted by on Mar 13, 2017 in Analytics, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Put Your Data Visuals on a Diet: No More Pie Charts!

Happy Pi Day! To celebrate, I will be discussing one of the most widely-used (but not widely useful!) data visualizations: the Pie Chart. While charts and graphs are invaluable tools for easily and quickly communicating a complex message to an audience, if they aren’t wisely designed, they can also be misinterpreted, misleading, or even deterrents to action. And pie charts—despite their deceptively simple style and popularity—often lead viewers astray, or lead nowhere at all.

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Federal Spotlight: Doris Sartor

Posted by on Mar 6, 2017 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

Federal Spotlight: Doris Sartor

Dr. Doris Sartor serves as Course Director for the Air Force Civilian Associate Degree Program at Maxwell Air Force Base, and is national president of Blacks In Government (BIG). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview.

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Hiring Freeze? Time to Thaw the Organization’s Human Capital Plan

Posted by on Feb 24, 2017 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Hiring Freeze? Time to Thaw the Organization’s Human Capital Plan

HR staff and leadership at all levels can benefit from viewing this freeze as an opportunity to take an internal assessment of the programs that present the greatest human capital need. This will further prepare organizations to manage through the workforce reduction plan requested by the January 23 Presidential Memorandum (which, according to the PM, is due from OMB within 90 days of January 23).

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Finding Stability and Opportunity through Uncertainty

Posted by on Feb 14, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Finding Stability and Opportunity through Uncertainty

Perhaps your organization or team feels like it is in the middle of a crisis with an uncertain future and shifting leadership, and is caught in the mire of the Federal hiring freeze. If so, here are a few things you can do to help take advantage of the “crisis” and use a planned approach to organizational change to bring stability to your work environment.

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To Overcome Anxiety in the First 100 Days, Coaching Is Clutch

Posted by on Feb 8, 2017 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 2 comments

To Overcome Anxiety in the First 100 Days, Coaching Is Clutch

As someone’s boss, you likely influence the psychological safety a person experiences, even if you cannot change the objective uncertainty of the present moment. How you demonstrate transparency, trust, and yes, even care, for your employees can influence how they experience a sense of security at work.

Your role is even more critical in steadying your team while they work through fears, anxiety, confusion, apprehension, and other negative emotions that can be brought on by significant transitions in the workplace.

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How Your Career Moves Forward in Chaotic Times

Posted by on Feb 6, 2017 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

How Your Career Moves Forward in Chaotic Times

What actions can you take to further your career in this chaotic, uncertain environment? We have several ideas about what helps and hinders talent development in the public sector in our latest research report—Unleveraged Talent: Exploring Gaps in Federal Workforce Management—but we’ll focus here on just a few of our tips.

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The New Administration Signals Potential Changes for Grants Management

Posted by on Feb 1, 2017 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 4 comments

The New Administration Signals Potential Changes for Grants Management

Since the inauguration, the Trump administration has taken significant action, through executive orders and memorandums, which may affect Federal grants. The extent to which grants management will be impacted is still unclear; however, it is important for Federal awarding agencies and grant recipients to keep themselves informed.

Here’s our rundown of what’s happened, what’s happening, and what’s on the horizon.

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Organizational Culture Clears the Way for Successful Change

Posted by on Jan 29, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Organizational Culture Clears the Way for Successful Change

Change is happening across the Federal government at all levels, and a constructive workplace culture is needed for employees to meaningfully buy into the change effort. If people don’t buy in, then change becomes little more than a disruptive, disengaging force for everyone affected.

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Improve the Hiring Process, Offer Realistic Job Previews

Posted by on Jan 24, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Improve the Hiring Process, Offer Realistic Job Previews

Wouldn’t it be great if a job applicant could somehow try out a potential job before actually committing?

Well, short of actually performing the job duties before being hired, there is something that employers can do: provide applicants with a true sense of what a job entails and what the environment is like. It’s called a Realistic Job Preview.

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Making Friends with Risk: How to Be a Champion for Your Program During the Administration Change

Posted by on Jan 10, 2017 in Workforce Management | 1 comment

Making Friends with Risk: How to Be a Champion for Your Program During the Administration Change

There is still a lot of uncertainty around what is going to happen under the Trump presidency, but one change I feel confident predicting is that the new administration is going to be laser-focused on government performance and results. And the general sentiment of the president elect and his cabinet will be that “government should start acting more like a business.”

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How to Review 2016 and Gain a New Leadership Perspective on Your Organization

Posted by on Jan 4, 2017 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

How to Review 2016 and Gain a New Leadership Perspective on Your Organization

As you plan for the new year at your organization, how do you know that you’ve truly understood the year that just happened? Learning from past experience is something that occurs whether we’re intentional or not, but formal self-reflection (and organizational reflection)—to the tune of New Year’s resolutions, which often have unique charms of timely inspiration, honesty, and introspection—can help you see things with even greater clarity. Aligning your organization to learn from mistakes, tackle new challenges and changes, and be resilient and adaptable will be crucial for 2017.

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The Test Your Organization Might Not Be Using, but Should

Posted by on Dec 21, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

For hands-on courses where participants learn a skill, the evaluation type should match the content of what participants learn. One effective approach is to use a situational judgment test (SJT). SJTs present test-takers with written or video-based scenarios, and ask them to respond in one of two ways: (1) choose how they would likely behave in a given situation, or (2) evaluate the effectiveness of possible responses to a given situation. In the first response type, test-takers can choose the best or worst response from a list of potential responses, rate how effective each potential response option is, or even rank the potential responses in order of effectiveness.

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Developing the Next Generation of Government Leaders: TOC Panel Leads the Way

Posted by on Dec 15, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Developing the Next Generation of Government Leaders: TOC Panel Leads the Way

On December 13 at the Ft. McNair Officers Club in Washington, DC, a panel of distinguished millennial government professionals shared a wealth of wisdom and perspective, as well as a roadmap for overcoming generational differences and preparing the next generation for bright futures in public service. The panel event, put together by Management Concepts and the Training Officers Consortium (TOC), was moderated by Tim Bowden (Executive Director of People and Performance Consulting at Management Concepts).

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Federal Spotlight: Alexis Bonnell

Posted by on Dec 14, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Alexis Bonnell

Alexis Bonnell serves as Division Chief: Applied Innovation and Acceleration for the U.S. Global Development Lab, United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview on her motivations, passions, and achievements in Federal Service. Plus, Ms. Bonnell shares a great list of tips for young professionals considering working for the government.

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The Lines are Blurring: How Leaders Can Respond to the Ever-Changing Work Environment

Posted by on Dec 7, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Lines are Blurring: How Leaders Can Respond to the Ever-Changing Work Environment

While examples of blurring lines offer some clues as to why organizational life is feeling so different, it leaves many organizational leaders with a big unanswered question: What do all these blurring lines mean for the future of organizations? Here are four highly recognized values of organizational change that will help you get to the heart of real organizational change.

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Well-Defined Roles Are the Basis for Long-term Talent Management

Posted by on Nov 22, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Well-Defined Roles Are the Basis for Long-term Talent Management

Every aspect of talent management is impacted by how we define our people’s jobs, specifically their job accountabilities, technical job competencies, and behavioral competencies. Without strong organizational structure (re: strong role and job family definition), organizational changes can take a heavy toll on the staff, responsibilities are muddled, accountability diminishes, and employees can be left feeling frustrated and confused about the integrity of their organization.

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Federal Spotlight: Christian Blackman

Posted by on Nov 21, 2016 in Workforce Management | 1 comment

Federal Spotlight: Christian Blackman

Christian Blackman serves as the Region 6 – Disaster Grants Branch Chief at the Department of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Management Agency. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Christian Blackman.

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Improve Your Workplace Culture: Visualize It

Posted by on Nov 21, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Improve Your Workplace Culture: Visualize It

We all visualize, whether we realize it or not. Most often, we visualize experiences that have already happened, using our senses, feelings, and emotions to help us understand them better. Visualization can be even more valuable when we use it to create a picture in our mind of something that has not happened—exactly as we want it to be—with the intent that it will actually happen.

This future-focused visualization is particularly valuable for organizational leaders who want to think in new ways about their organization to meet its evolving mission and include an often-missing piece—how to change and align their organization’s culture.

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Why We Need Agile Performance Management More than Ever

Posted by on Nov 18, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Why We Need Agile Performance Management More than Ever

While presenting on a panel about Agile Performance Management at yesterday’s NAPA Fall Meeting (National Academy of Public Administration), a member of the audience asked a question that I think gets at the core of why we chose the topic for the panel. Paraphrasing, the audience member said, “When you talk about Agile Performance Management, it sounds like old ideas with new lipstick. What’s so new about it when it comes to managing your workforce?”

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Like Wearing Seat Belts, SES Reform Is Not Just the Law, It’s a Good Idea

Posted by on Nov 17, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Like Wearing Seat Belts, SES Reform Is Not Just the Law, It’s a Good Idea

The recent election results and upcoming change in administration cast doubt on the ongoing commitment to execute several of President Obama’s Executive Orders (EO). One EO in particular, about which we have written previously, relates to improving the Senior Executive Service (SES).

We believe that the Executive Order was created to upgrade long-overdue Federal executive hiring and development practices to mirror common practices in the private sector. We encourage the new administration and its agencies to continue modernizing practices relating to SES hiring, onboarding, development, and succession planning.

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A Salute to Veterans

Posted by on Nov 10, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

A Salute to Veterans

On November 10 in Washington, DC, the Department of Labor hosted a Salute to Veterans ceremony in anticipation of Veterans Day. The event began with opening remarks from Mike Michaud, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), including a pair of video messages from Congressmen. Then, a panel of distinguished speakers shared their personal experiences, successes, and efforts as leaders, veterans, and supporters of veterans.

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Making the Mark for Millennials in Public Service

Posted by on Nov 9, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Making the Mark for Millennials in Public Service

On November 3, 2016, Management Concepts participated in the third part of a four-part professional development series with the Young Government Leaders (YGL) – Atlanta Chapter and Blacks In Government NOW Generation (BIG-NOW). We have joined forces to create these events in an effort to increase the participation and engagement of underrepresented groups within public service.

Over 80 participants joined us for our first event in Atlanta for breakfast and a lively discussion on how Millennials today are needed more than ever to fill the talent gap facing the government workforce.

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How to Fix Your Organizational Structure, One Role at a Time

Posted by on Oct 31, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

How to Fix Your Organizational Structure, One Role at a Time

A lack of a systematic approach to role definition and organizational structure design can create issues that reduce organizational effectiveness. To resolve a problematic organizational structure, one of the first things to do is to perform detailed discovery work to assess the current state of the organization and the elements that need the most improvement.

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Top Insights from the Ultimate Culture Conference: How to Nurture, Measure, and Shape Organizational Culture

Posted by on Oct 28, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Top Insights from the Ultimate Culture Conference: How to Nurture, Measure, and Shape Organizational Culture

I had the opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual Ultimate Culture Conference and the Schein Culture DNA Seminar last week in San Francisco. Many diverse viewpoints on culture and leadership were shared by an impressive lineup of innovative practitioners and thought leaders. I, like many others in the room, engaged throughout each day in spirited culture conversations and left with a variety of valuable insights on how to nurture, measure, and shape organizational culture as we look ahead.

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The Best of FedTalks 2016: Leading and Adapting in Government IT and Cybersecurity

Posted by on Oct 26, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Best of FedTalks 2016: Leading and Adapting in Government IT and Cybersecurity

Last week, leaders from the tech and government IT communities gathered in downtown Washington, DC for FedTalks 2016. This year’s conference boasted over 1,200 attendees, leaders from all over the tech and government landscape. In case you weren’t there, or you couldn’t stay for every speaker, here are some of the highlights.

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Federal Spotlight: Max Finberg

Posted by on Oct 24, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Max Finberg

Max Finberg serves as the Director of AmeriCorps VISTA at the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers the AmeriCorps program and leads national service and volunteer initiatives for the nation. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Max Finberg.

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Shifting Mindsets: How to Make Culture Change Real

Posted by on Oct 13, 2016 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

Shifting Mindsets: How to Make Culture Change Real

One of the new roads I drive every day to and from work had been only partially finished for almost a year. There was a good-sized bump in one place. It became a habit to slow down every time I came to the bump. The road is now finished and the bump is gone, but I catch myself applying the brakes even though there is no need to do it anymore. Why does this happen?

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Are you a #ChangeAgent: Be the Change You Want to See

Posted by on Oct 10, 2016 in Coaching & Mentoring, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Are you a #ChangeAgent: Be the Change You Want to See

On September 29, 2016 we sponsored an event with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) on the topic of “Positive #ChangeAgents Transforming Work Cultures By Delivering Results Differently and Better”.

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Federal Spotlight: Wanda Killingsworth

Posted by on Sep 28, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Wanda Killingsworth

Wanda Killingsworth serves as Senior Program Analyst with the IRS, and president of Federally Employed Women (FEW).

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Defining and Refining Organizational Structure to Improve Performance

Posted by on Sep 21, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Defining and Refining Organizational Structure to Improve Performance

At Management Concepts, we are often asked to help clients rationalize and reorganize their organizational and functional structures when they reach a level of …

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The Power of Shared Learning and Experience in the Workplace

Posted by on Sep 15, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Power of Shared Learning and Experience in the Workplace

I remember as a child my mother saying to me, “most often two heads are better than one.” This phrase still pops into my head when I am contemplating whom to involve in an upcoming work project or …

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Federal Spotlight: Rebecca Rose

Posted by on Sep 7, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Rebecca Rose

Rebecca Rose serves as the Assistant Director of Communications at the U.S. Department of Energy. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Rebecca Rose …

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BIG is Committed to Excellence: Think Big!

Posted by on Sep 1, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

BIG is Committed to Excellence: Think Big!

Management Concepts was a proud gold sponsor of the Blacks in Government (BIG) 38th Annual National Training Institute (NTI) held in Atlantic City, New Jersey from…

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How Assumptions Impact Organizational Culture

Posted by on Aug 30, 2016 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

How Assumptions Impact Organizational Culture

We all make assumptions as we go about our daily life, with a good portion of them being made while at work. Many of these assumptions are made without knowing it …

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SES Reform Implementation Tips

Posted by on Aug 25, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

SES Reform Implementation Tips

You may recall a blog piece from a few weeks ago describing President Obama’s recent Executive Order directing the Federal government to improve the …

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Federal Spotlight: Manny Ramirez

Posted by on Aug 9, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez serves as the Diversity Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview…

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DATA Act Implementation Impact

Posted by on Aug 8, 2016 in Grants & Assistance, Workforce Management | 1 comment

DATA Act Implementation Impact

If you’ve already read the two DATA Act reports issued by the GAO since late July, you already know that the government watchdog has documented its concerns…

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NAPA Culture Event: Changing the Culture of Government

Posted by on Aug 4, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

NAPA Culture Event: Changing the Culture of Government

On July 28th Management Concepts sponsored a breakfast event with the National Academy for Public Administration (NAPA), the theme was “Changing the Culture of…

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The Key to Successful Change – Focus on Motivation

Posted by on Aug 2, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Key to Successful Change – Focus on Motivation

For complex organizations like Federal agencies, undergoing change can be very difficult. As the recent report by Management Concepts and Human Capital…

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Management Concepts FEW Recap

Posted by on Aug 1, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Management Concepts FEW Recap

Management Concepts was a proud Emerald Sponsor for the second year in a row for the 47th Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) National Training Program (NTP) held in…

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Strengthening the Senior Executive Service (SES)

Posted by on Jul 29, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Strengthening the Senior Executive Service (SES)

On December 15, 2015, President Obama issued an Executive Order designed to improve the performance and return on investment made in the Senior Executive…

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Five Reasons Your Organization Needs to Invest in Training

Posted by on Jul 27, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Five Reasons Your Organization Needs to Invest in Training

An organization’s workforce is its most valuable asset. It’s also the driving factor that shapes how an organization succeeds in the face of challenges or crises…

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Technology Modernization: A Good Test for Real Culture Change

Posted by on Jul 21, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Technology Modernization: A Good Test for Real Culture Change

Change in government doesn’t always happen at the fastest pace, especially when technology is involved. Each year millions of dollars are taken away from needed…

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IT’S CRUNCH TIME! Fiscal Year-End Spending

Posted by on Jul 15, 2016 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

IT’S CRUNCH TIME! Fiscal Year-End Spending

The end of the fiscal year is rapidly approaching…and you know what that means…Yep! We’ve got a lot of things to get obligated – things we need but either haven’t…

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Embedded Change Management contributes to Organizational Resiliency

Posted by on Jul 13, 2016 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

Embedded Change Management contributes to Organizational Resiliency

The Oxford Dictionary defines resilient as “able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.” Recognizable behaviors that make a person resilient…

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The Presidential Transition as a Change Driver

Posted by on Jul 8, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

The Presidential Transition as a Change Driver

In 196 days the next President of the United States will be inaugurated, marking a major milestone in what is one of the most significant and predictable cycles of…

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Federal Spotlight: Honorable Davita Vance-Cooks

Posted by on Jul 6, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Honorable Davita Vance-Cooks

Davita Vance-Cooks serves as the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO) and the 27th Public Printer of the United States. Here’s our Federal Spotlight…

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Technology, Risk and Change Management

Posted by on Jul 1, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Technology, Risk and Change Management

Sometimes it feels like technology can solve all of our organization’s problems. Organizations of all sizes regularly make major technology investments in an…

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Generational Shifts: A Change Lever to Align Culture

Posted by on Jun 23, 2016 in Workforce Management | 1 comment

Generational Shifts: A Change Lever to Align Culture

For as long as organizations have existed there has been a need for people from different age groups to be part of the workforce, with some entering, some advancing…

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Planning is Critical in Successful Organizational Change

Posted by on Jun 17, 2016 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

Planning is Critical in Successful Organizational Change

One of the contributing factors to project and program failures within public organizations is the lack of organizational change management planning. This is…

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ACQUIRE Conference Recap

Posted by on Jun 14, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

ACQUIRE Conference Recap

The first ever ACQUIRE Conference and Expo started with an excellent presentation by Joshua Cooper Ramo on his book The Seventh Sense: Power, Fortune and Survival…

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Culture: What’s Your Story?

Posted by on Jun 13, 2016 in Workforce Management | 2 comments

Culture: What’s Your Story?

Every organization creates stories. Whether intended or not, these stories reflect who you are. These stories tell the tale of your organizational culture and what others…

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Succession Planning as a Change Management Strategy

Posted by on Jun 8, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Succession Planning as a Change Management Strategy

Succession planning is becoming a valuable strategy for organizations to undertake when looking to minimize the impact of changes on its workforce. Although…

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Federal Spotlight: Karen Rainey

Posted by on Jun 7, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Karen Rainey

Karen Rainey serves as an Information Technology Specialist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Karen Rainey…

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What the Federal Government and Toyota Have in Common

Posted by on Jun 1, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

What the Federal Government and Toyota Have in Common

Budget crunches, recruitment challenges, and knowledge loss as experienced employees retire—these together can sound like a recipe for disaster, yet history shows…

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DATA Act – Federal Countdown to May 2017

Posted by on May 31, 2016 in Analytics, Workforce Management | 0 comments

DATA Act – Federal Countdown to May 2017

Last week my colleague Kim Coehlo brought us up-to-date on the data standards updated by Treasury last week. This hopefully will allow movement on DATA Act…

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Flipping the Engagement Curve

Posted by on May 24, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Flipping the Engagement Curve

There is an old saying that “what goes up must come down,” and when it comes to employee engagement in government organizations, the idiom is accurate…

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Federal Agencies: Still Do More with Less

Posted by on May 19, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Agencies: Still Do More with Less

Just last week I was doing some research for a project I’m working on when I came across this lead quote from a story in the Washington Post about the challenges…

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Changing Government Event with NAPA and Federal Change Agents

Posted by on May 10, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Changing Government Event with NAPA and Federal Change Agents

You may have seen or heard some of the buzz about our recent event on “Changing Government.” We celebrated Public Service Recognition Week by bringing together…

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AMA: Mentoring

Posted by on May 6, 2016 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 0 comments

AMA: Mentoring

Whether you’re a millennial, baby boomer, someone who wants a mentor, or thinking about mentoring yourself, this information can be useful throughout your career…

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Millennials in the Public Sector: We Want You!

Posted by on May 5, 2016 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Millennials in the Public Sector: We Want You!

If you Google “millennials and public service,” the search results paint an interesting picture. You will see clear references to a widening millennial talent…

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Federal Spotlight: Michelle A. Crockett

Posted by on May 4, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Michelle A. Crockett

Michelle A. Crockett, serves as the Acting Director of the Civil Rights Office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here’s our Federal Spotlight…

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Report: Successful Change Management Practices in the Public Sector

Posted by on May 3, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Report: Successful Change Management Practices in the Public Sector

The quest to improve management of change in public sector agencies is by no means a new one. In 2006, Frank Ostroff, writing in the Harvard Business Review…

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Public Service Recognition Week 2016

Posted by on May 2, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Public Service Recognition Week 2016

Thank you for your daily contribution to deliver on the promises of government. Without the dedication and commitment of the men and women who serve…

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TOC Recap: Sea Change – Ocean of Opportunities

Posted by on Apr 28, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

TOC Recap: Sea Change – Ocean of Opportunities

The Training Officers Consortium (TOC) 2016 Annual Institute was held in Ocean City, MD from April 17-20, 2016 And Management Concepts was honored to be a gold…

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Roles Young Professionals Play in Recruiting Diversity, Leading Cultural Transformation

Posted by on Apr 8, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Roles Young Professionals Play in Recruiting Diversity, Leading Cultural Transformation

Last month Management Concepts, Young Government Leaders, and Blacks In Government (BIG) NOW Generation partnered to host a panel focused on the impact…

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Federal Spotlight: Elaine Ho

Posted by on Apr 5, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Elaine Ho

Elaine Ho serves as a Fellow in the White House Leadership Development Program. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Elaine Ho. MC: How long have you been in Federal service…

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Leadership Presence: Harnessing Our Personal Power

Posted by on Mar 16, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Leadership Presence: Harnessing Our Personal Power

Notice your body posture right now as you’re reading this blog. Are you hunched over at your computer, shoulders turned in, head lowered close to the screen? Are…

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Federal Spotlight: Mary Davie

Posted by on Mar 8, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Mary Davie

Mary Davie serves as Assistant Commissioner, Office of Integrated Technology Services (ITS) at the General Services Administration (GSA). She was recently named a…

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Internet of Things – Web of Policies

Posted by on Mar 2, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Internet of Things – Web of Policies

I’m lucky. I’m embarking on the quintessential project management example of life: the house remodel. The options of what I could have connected to Wi-Fi blows…

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Want a Smarter Workplace? Focus on Diversity

Posted by on Feb 26, 2016 in Culture, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Want a Smarter Workplace? Focus on Diversity

Diversity efforts are often perceived as solely focusing on compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws or enforcing political correctness. Yet in…

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Unofficial Rules of Change

Posted by on Feb 17, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Unofficial Rules of Change

If you’ve ever been stuck waiting in the lobby of a dentist office or standing in line at the market, then you’ve no doubt had a chance to flip through pages of pop…

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Why Organizational Improvement Programs Don’t Work

Posted by on Feb 11, 2016 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Why Organizational Improvement Programs Don’t Work

Organizations are continually looking for ways to be more effective. Organizational improvement programs go by many different names—workforce improvement, productivity…

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Federal Spotlight: Darryl E. Peek II

Posted by on Feb 10, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Darryl E. Peek II

Darryl E. Peek II serves as a Senior IT Specialist in Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Office of…

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How Does the Strength of Culture Make a Difference?

Posted by on Feb 8, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

How Does the Strength of Culture Make a Difference?

A recent Nextgov blog highlighted that while some specific areas of satisfaction actually increased, the American Customer Satisfaction Index shows a continuing…

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Color Inside the Lines: It Helps Your Brain

Posted by on Feb 5, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Color Inside the Lines: It Helps Your Brain

Coloring books saved my life last week. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration but next time you are browsing on Amazon, do yourself a favor add one to your cart…

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Change of Administration: Leadership Transitional Year

Posted by on Feb 4, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Change of Administration: Leadership Transitional Year

With the presidential election and change of administration happening in less than a year, there will be a huge focus on political and career leadership transitions within…

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Employee Wellness

Posted by on Jan 25, 2016 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Employee Wellness

Last week I lost my house key. And then a replacement house key. And then my wallet. Yesterday I dashed out to do an errand and upon returning to my car realized I had…

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Federal Spotlight: Kevin Baker

Posted by on Jan 5, 2016 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker serves as the Associate Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Enterprise Planning and Performance at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Here’s our…

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Linking SES Performance and Organizational Performance

Posted by on Dec 22, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Linking SES Performance and Organizational Performance

Last week the White House published an executive order aimed at strengthening the senior executive service. The Obama administration has made a priority of…

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HCMG Recap: Are You Accountable, Adaptable, and Resilient?

Posted by on Dec 15, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

HCMG Recap: Are You Accountable, Adaptable, and Resilient?

Management Concepts was one of the three lead sponsors of The Human Capital Management for Government (HCMG) Training Series event, “The Next Generation of Federal & Defense Human Capital” held…

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Choosing the Right Consultant for the Right Results

Posted by on Dec 9, 2015 in Workforce Management | 1 comment

Choosing the Right Consultant for the Right Results

Every now and then, I encounter professionals that appear to have a love/hate relationship with contractors and/or consultants working with organizations in…

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Millennials: Are We Really Any Different?

Posted by on Dec 8, 2015 in Workforce Management | 3 comments

Millennials: Are We Really Any Different?

I’m a Millennial. There, I admitted it…but just barely. As most determine this generation to be born roughly after 1980 and brought up in the new millennium, I was…

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Federal Spotlight: Isaac E. Hernandez

Posted by on Dec 7, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Isaac E. Hernandez

Isaac Hernandez serves as Director of IT operations at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Isaac E. Hernandez…

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Getting to the Root of Federal Employee Engagement

Posted by on Dec 3, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Getting to the Root of Federal Employee Engagement

Each year when the Office of Personnel Management releases the results of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) agencies across the Federal government get…

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Inclusive Workplaces Care for Caregivers

Posted by on Dec 1, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Inclusive Workplaces Care for Caregivers

A recent flash poll conducted by the Government Business Council found that 51% of Federal employees surveyed have been, are currently, or plan to be a caregiver…

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Federal Spotlight: Rebecca Ayers

Posted by on Nov 19, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Rebecca Ayers

Rebecca Ayers serves as the Manager for Performance Management Solutions at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Here’s our interview with Rebecca Ayers…

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FEVS: Finding Your “One Thing”

Posted by on Nov 10, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

If you are like me and were a teenager in the early 1990’s there’s a good chance that you are also a fan of the movie City Slickers with Billy Crystal and the late…

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Federal Spotlight: Tony Scardino

Posted by on Nov 5, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Tony Scardino

Tony Scardino serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Tony Scardino…

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Building an Emotionally Intelligent Team

Posted by on Oct 26, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Building an Emotionally Intelligent Team

Why is emotional intelligence so important for teams? Quite frankly, organizations need teams to get the work done. Historically, the most consistent and effective…

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We Asked the CHCO

Posted by on Oct 22, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

We Asked the CHCO

For the past six months, Management Concepts sponsored the “Ask the CHCO” radio interview series, hosted by Lauren Larson of Federal News Radio. Every Wednesday…

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Federal Spotlight: Gary Washington

Posted by on Oct 8, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Federal Spotlight: Gary Washington

Gary Washington serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Here’s…

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Ask the CHCO: SBA’s Bridget Bean

Posted by on Sep 30, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: SBA’s Bridget Bean

When you hear the term “Main Street” it characteristically conjures up the image of a retail hub in a small town where residents shop and socialize about the day’s…

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Management Concepts: The Next Evolution

Posted by on Sep 28, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Management Concepts: The Next Evolution

Here are just a few of today’s challenges and priorities the Federal government is wrestling with as it strives to evolve its workforce: Knowledge sharing, Targeting…

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To Shutdown or Not

Posted by on Sep 23, 2015 in Financial Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

To Shutdown or Not

It’s seven days until a partial shutdown of the U.S. government could occur. If Congress does not pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) or 12 appropriation bills, or…

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BIG’s National Training Recap

Posted by on Sep 10, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

BIG’s National Training Recap

Last month, Management Concepts attended the Blacks in Government (BIG) 37th Annual National Training Institute (NTI) held in Orlando, Florida from August 24-27…

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Ask the CHCO: State’s Arnold Chacón

Posted by on Sep 9, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: State’s Arnold Chacón

In a recent “Ask the CHCO” Federal News Radio interview, The U.S. Department of State Director General, Ambassador Arnold Chacón, emphasized the ongoing…

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Ask the CHCO: SSA’s Dr. Reginald F. Wells

Posted by on Sep 2, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: SSA’s Dr. Reginald F. Wells

The latest “Ask the CHCO” interview with Dr. Reginald F. Wells, the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Human Resources of the Social Security Administration…

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Can You Be an Anytime Coach?

Posted by on Aug 19, 2015 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Can You Be an Anytime Coach?

We would all like to create a more encouraging and empowered workplace, and see better performance from our employees, colleagues and leaders. One way to do…

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Ask the CHCO: DoD’s Paige Hinkle-Bowles

Posted by on Aug 16, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: DoD’s Paige Hinkle-Bowles

In her interview with Federal News Radio for our Ask the CHCO series, Ms. Hinkle-Bowles shared some key areas of focus for the civilian workforce that support the…

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Building Resilience

Posted by on Aug 7, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Imagine you are in the water at the beach on a stormy day. The surf is high, and each time a wave comes it knocks you over. You stand back up, and another wave…

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Ask the CHCO: Intel’s Deborah Kircher

Posted by on Jul 31, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: Intel’s Deborah Kircher

In FY14, the Intelligence Community (IC) was ranked one of the best places to work in the Federal government and fourth overall among large agencies. Workforce…

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FEW’s National Training Recap

Posted by on Jul 29, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

FEW’s National Training Recap

Management Concepts was a proud Emerald Sponsor of this year’s Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) National Training Program (NTP) held in New Orleans, Louisiana…

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Ask the CHCO: DHS’ Catherine Emerson

Posted by on Jul 13, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO:  DHS’ Catherine Emerson

The Ask the CHCO interview with the Department of Homeland Security’s Catherine Emerson served as a reminder to me as how it was to work at DHS, because…

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Ask the CHCO: GSA’s Antonia Harris

Posted by on Jun 30, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: GSA’s Antonia Harris

Federal News Radio recently interviewed Antonia T. Harris, Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) for General Services Administration (GSA), as part of our Ask the CHCO…

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The New Meaning of Jobs and Careers

Posted by on Jun 23, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

The New Meaning of Jobs and Careers

I grew up in a small town in central Florida with an economy driven, in large part, by agriculture – cattle ranching, farming, and citrus growers were the economic…

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From QUIET to LOUD: Military Personnel Reform

Posted by on Jun 22, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

From QUIET to LOUD: Military Personnel Reform

A Military Times article published last month reported that the Pentagon is quietly pushing for military personnel reform. While this is an exciting development…

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Ask the CHCO: Interior’s Mary Pletcher

Posted by on Jun 15, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: Interior’s Mary Pletcher

In case you missed it, last week’s “Ask the CHCO” segment on Federal News Radio featured an interview with Mary Pletcher, the Department of Interior’s Acting Assistant…

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Diversity and Inclusion

Posted by on Jun 8, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 1 comment

Diversity and Inclusion

Government agencies serve the American public, and thus should not only be representative of the population they serve, but demonstrate the value of that diversity…

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Ask the CHCO: NSF’s Dr. Joanne Tornow

Posted by on Jun 2, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: NSF’s Dr. Joanne Tornow

The latest “Ask the CHCO” interview with Dr. Joanne Tornow from the National Science Foundation (NSF) reminded me of the essential need for subject matter expertise…

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Dispelling Training Evaluation Myths

Posted by on May 26, 2015 in Workforce Management | 1 comment

Dispelling Training Evaluation Myths

A few months ago, I attended a local professional group meeting where the topic of training evaluation was discussed. I learned a lot about what many people think…

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NAPA Forum Recap: The List

Posted by on May 20, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

We recently had the honor of sponsoring the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) monthly May program – The Government Accountability Office (GAO…

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Ask the CHCO: NASA’s Jeri Buchholz

Posted by on May 19, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: NASA’s Jeri Buchholz

During an interview on our sponsored, “Ask the CHCO” series on Federal News Radio last week, Jeri Buchholz of NASA highlighted the importance of leveraging the…

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TOC Recap: Connect, Learn, Lead

Posted by on May 13, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

TOC Recap: Connect, Learn, Lead

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Training Officers Consortium (TOC) 2015 Annual Institute held in Roanoke, VA from April 26-29, 2015. There…

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Recruiting the Next Generation of Feds

Posted by on May 12, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Recruiting the Next Generation of Feds

Over the past several weeks, we’ve heard from a number of Federal leaders through our sponsored “Ask the CHCO” series on Federal News Radio about the work going on…

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PSRW: Q&A with Dr. David A. Bray

Posted by on May 6, 2015 in Workforce Management | 1 comment

PSRW: Q&A with Dr. David A. Bray

David: While my official title is Chief Information Officer for the Federal Communications Commission, I’d describe my role as 80 percent “digital diplomat” encouraging…

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PSRW: Q&A with Mika Cross

Posted by on May 5, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

PSRW: Q&A with Mika Cross

Mika: I have been working as a civilian Federal employee since May 2004. Prior to that, I served with the United States Army – I combined my time served and now am…

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Our Dedication to Public Servants

Posted by on May 4, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Our Dedication to Public Servants

Nancy Potter spent 62 years at GSA and upon her retirement she noted, “I take satisfaction in knowing I was part of a team and organization dedicated to improving…

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Is Your Ecosystem Thriving or Collapsing?

Posted by on Apr 27, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Is Your Ecosystem Thriving or Collapsing?

Imagine a thriving ecosystem, and you may envision a lush landscape with great diversity, energy, and balance. Now imagine an ecosystem that is suffering and you probably see…

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Ask the CHCO: FLRA’s Vicki Barber

Posted by on Apr 20, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: FLRA’s Vicki Barber

On this week’s edition of Federal News Radio’s Ask the CHCO series, reporter Lauren Larson interviewed Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)’s Chief Human Resources Officer Vicki Barber. Ms. Barber took…

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The Future Generation Workplace

Posted by on Apr 17, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 1 comment

The Future Generation Workplace

Last Friday, I attended the session, The Future Generation Workplace, led by Mika Cross, Director of Work/Life and Flexible Workplace Strategy at the Consumer Financial…

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5 Steps to Take to Escape Old Employee Engagement Ideas

Posted by on Apr 15, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

5 Steps to Take to Escape Old Employee Engagement Ideas

Last week I was having a conversation with some colleagues about the renewed focus on employee engagement in the Federal government and how…

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Ask the CHCO: HHS’ John Gill

Posted by on Apr 7, 2015 in Workforce Management | 0 comments

Ask the CHCO: HHS’ John Gill

As part of the series “Ask the CHCO*,” Federal News Radio’s Lauren Larson interviewed Chief Human Capital Officer and Deputy Assistant Secretary John Gill. Currently, he…

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No More Generation Bashing

Posted by on Apr 1, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 2 comments

No More Generation Bashing

We’ve been hearing the same complaints about generational differences for, literally, millennia. The old lament the youth of today, while the young believe…

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Support Your Mentors

Posted by on Mar 31, 2015 in Coaching & Mentoring, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Support Your Mentors

Throughout my career, I have had the good fortune of having several excellent mentors. They naturally took me under their wing, took an interest in my development…

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Inside the Minds of Chief Learning Officers

Posted by on Mar 24, 2015 in Coaching & Mentoring, Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Inside the Minds of Chief Learning Officers

On March 10 Steve Maier, President of Management Concepts moderated a thought-provoking panel discussion at a recent Training Officers Consortium (TOC) luncheon…

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Individual Talent Acquisition Skills Key to Solving the Government’s Recruiting Woes

Posted by on Mar 11, 2015 in Human Resources, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Individual Talent Acquisition Skills Key to Solving the Government’s Recruiting Woes

On Monday, The Office of Personnel Management Director, Katherine Archuleta, revealed an ambitious, data-driven approach to “untie the knots” in Federal hiring and…

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Building Leadership Capability: A Roadmap for Improving Employee Engagement

Posted by on Feb 23, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Building Leadership Capability: A Roadmap for Improving Employee Engagement

Just a couple short months ago, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the results of the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS)…

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Telework: The “Just Right” Solution to New Types of Workspaces

Posted by on Feb 13, 2015 in Leadership, Workforce Management | 0 comments

Telework: The “Just Right” Solution to New Types of Workspaces

When it comes to office space these days, a lot of people are feeling like Goldilocks. For some moving to an open concept environment, all that space to collaborate…

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How Leaders Can Bridge the Gap Between Where They Are Now and Where They Want to Be – It’s All in the Mind

Posted by on Feb 11, 2015 in Leadership, Project Management, Workforce Management | 0 comments

In a previous post I presented a basic approach to goal setting that could be used to help leaders acquire new skills as they set goals to make the required behavior changes…

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Managing the Diverse Needs of Expecting and New Parents in the Workplace

Posted by on Feb 3, 2015 in Human Resources, Leadership, Workforce Management | 2 comments

Managing the Diverse Needs of Expecting and New Parents in the Workplace

A few weeks ago, the President issued a memorandum “Modernizing Federal Leave Policies for Childbirth, Adoption and Foster Care to Recruit and Retain Talent…

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