Focus Areas

Language of Leadership

Overview

Leaders hear much these days about storytelling. In addition to all their other skills, they are expected to be master storytellers, pushing their agenda by reaching beyond fact-based argument to touch the emotions and captivate followers through narrative. But many are no doubt puzzled and therefore paralyzed. The 2007 PMA Conference focused on a powerful leadership concept that will help you motivate and inspire those you wish to influence.

Leading with Passion

Life is an attitude of our own making. Joan Palmateer successfully uses her passion to communicate, reach out to the community and inspire change. She helped change and entire community's view of having a new facility in their city. The story of her approach can be used by any leader to inspire change.

How You Can Survive -- and even Thrive -- in a Changing Media World

Bill Church, Executive Editor of the Statesman Journal shares "Lessons from the Newsroom" with public managers. Learning how to strategically tell your story using time tested techniques and the new media should be an essential part of any leaders toolkit.

The Secret Language of Leadership

Steven Denning, national speaker and author shares how stories are the perfect form of business communication working on many levels. They stimulate the imagination, but are also sequential, appealing to both sides of the brain. Stories are emotional as well as educational, thus connecting the head and the heart. Stories can be springboards that enable individuals to make a leap in understanding how an organization, a community, or a complex system can change. Learn more about how to use this skill will greatly enhance your ability to lead and influence. Additional information can be found at http://www.stevedenning.com

Oregon Performance Indicators

The most recent State of Oregon Economic Forecast

The Office of Economic Analysis publishes a quarterly forecast of the overall Oregon economy based on the most recent economic indicators. The press release, summary, entire forecast, slide presentation and previous forecasts are available here.

Most Recent State of Oregon Revenue Forecast

Prepared by the Office of Economic Analysis, the revenue forecast impacts the funding for state government as well as the Kicker tax refund. The press release, summary, entire forecast, slide presentation and previous forecasts are available here.

The Government Performance Project

A non-partisan, independent research program housed within the Pew Center on the States, the Government Performance Project evaluates how well state governments perform their basic management functions and explores how this research can be used by states to serve citizens better. The Government Performance Project gives state governments information and data they can use to improve management and achieve goals.

Oregon Benchmarks and Performance

State and County benchmark reports, agency perfomance measures, and highlights by the Oregon Progress Board.

Workforce Management

Overview

The 2005 Annual Conference focused on Workforce and succession planning challenges facing pulblic management over the next five years. Setting the stage was Sue Wilson's presentation that really outlined why we should be concerned. Presenters from Tektronics, Departments of Corrections, Human Services and Commerce and Business Services approach preparing for this looming challenge. Click on the links below to learn more.

Work Force Trends

Your workforce is aging and retiring, the available work pool will not be enough for future needs.

Workforce Strategy at Corrections

Shelli Honeywell goes over the challenges and strategy of workforce planning in the fastest growing state agency: Department of Corrections

Succession Planning at DCBS

Thomas Graham discusses DCBS's approach to successor planning.

A Private Industry Approach to Succession Planning

Rebecca Lynch-Wilmot discusses her company's approach to management succession planning in the private sector.

Succession Planning at the Federal Government

The Office of Public Management helps agencies to develop an effective workforce and succession planning strategy. This site provides information about nine important areas that should be addressed.

World Class Process Improvement with Lean

Overview

State and local governments have successfully adapted the process improvement techniques that the Toyota Corporation perfected. Government groups that apply the Lean tools typically are 70-80% more effiecent.