What Needs To Happen to Change Government's Image?
Over at GovLoop, Sandy Ressler, who has been a federal employee for 25 years, has kicked off a terrific debate (registration required) over how to stem the tide of negative opinion, and even violence, against federal employees. Among his commenters' suggestions:
-It's time for a modernized federal public relations system: "What did Toyota do when their image was destroyed by the recent recalls? They really amped up their PR/advertising campaign to focus on what they were doing right and proactively tried to address the concerns that their customers had. Historically speaking, the a government agency's public affairs function has been at best, understaffed, and at worst, non-existent. They're too often led by people without a public affairs/public relations background and they're among the first functions to get cut when there's a budget crunch. Should we really be surprised then that the public image of government has decreased over time? This isn't a question of open government or Gov 2.0 - it's a question of basic PR and marketing."
-Management support matters: "The best way to turn this around is to get the chain of command to support the employees. The employees don't make up the rules - they just enforce them. Management needs to be focused on the work place environment so the "worker bees" can get their jobs done. If management can be more receptive to employees training needs and sit in the offices collecting a pay check - then shame on them. Supervisor need to be out interacting with their employees to find out what is going on out on the floor. Supervisor need to set the example and be willing to pitch in when event on the ground become overwhelming and set the proper priorities."
It's a great, productive conversation. Definitely worth checking out.
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Government Executive Editor in Chief Tom Shoop, along with other editors and staff correspondents, take a fresh look at news affecting the management and operations of the federal bureaucracy.
What needs to happen to change the Government's image? Unelect the Elected!
m Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 10:09 AMGet everyone on the Hill OUT and put in Independents, Constitutionalists, etc. then start cleaning house throughout the U.S. - drop over paid or dead weight employees that do not work or earn their salary - change the image that you can't be fired in the Govt. Then secure our borders by adding more personnel - in fact, once the over paid and dead weight are fired, offer them a job at the border and monitor them. Send our criminals to war with the intent they will be free after serving many terms - stop funding the prison system unless you're going to help educate them. Or end this war now and bring our troops home. Stop same-sex marriage and the Health care Reform bill full of Pork. We don't need more diseases from same sex marriage to have to pay more in healthcare. We don't support abortion killing and yet the Govt. is demanding we pay for it. We don't need the Govt. running our healthcare, our transportation, our banks, and mortgages, etc. Get the Govt. out. Think about what is the Govt's job? Back to the basics - Constitution, bible, family values and morals, etc. Stop illegal immigrants and do not legalize them. Legalize your marijuana since America wants to "dumb down" and then you can tax it along with their alcohol and tobacco. Stop taxing the average middle class to death though. Stop spending! Support our military and fund them. Protect America. These ideas should help the Government's image.
The Government's public image problems are not caused by the wrokabees. This starts at the top. When our representatives, and their appointees, appear to get away with crimes the rest of us would go to jail for the negative opinion is magnified. Why do these people get away with- "I forgot to pay my taxes", "It wasn't me - it was my assistantns fault." I say it's time to drain the swamp. Sen. Mikulski wants to change the filibuster rule - they should first change the rules of employment (elected official or not) If someone is caught in a scandle, that sheds poor light on our Government, they should be out.
At the top Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 11:41 AMThe best way for feds to create a better image is to actually listen to your customers - the American Public. Do your jobs, don't act superior to the public, you are there because of us. Remember that.
Answer your phones - I don't think feds ever answer their phones or listen to their voice mail and return calls - why do they even have phones besides making personal phone calls?
We all know you are upset at the economy, no raises, rising costs of everything - well so are we. Don't take it out on us with your bad attitudes and ("I'll work really really slow to get back at 'them' for the low raise") You know what - you aren't hurting 'them' you are hurting the American Public (which you are paid to serve and claim to be loyal to) and your country, your agency, and yourself.
Stop acting like spoiled children who didn't get a toy or a candy from Mommy at the store.
Anonymous Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 12:12 PMThe taxpayers are upset with an unaccountable unresponsive fed workforce. The fix isn't PR but a total transformation of the CS system
dan ketter Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 1:07 PM. P4P for all CS
. Pay Freeze until CS wages come more in line with the private sector
. end to the jobs for life mentality
. ability to fire CS without years in the making
. the recent FAA issue where a controller and his boss was only suspended is a perfect case in point
"...Question of basic PR and marketing." Obviously this person has not a clue! In a time when increased attention is being fostered by political pundits clamoring for stiffer federal WFA constraints and downsizing federal salaries and civil servant numbers, this character displays just how far out of touch she/he is with federal practices and issues.
Comparing the enormous PR/marketing funding that a multi-billion dollar industry dumps into image and branding to the limited, if even existent budget federal agencies have for the same function is a fallacy. Not to mention policies prohibiting most federal employees from partaking in philanthropic activities, charging for our products and services, or lobbying special interest groups unless explicitly stated as a function of our duties.
Then, to display a complete lack of knowledge of how federal PR [really not PR but PA, which is not to be confused with advertising or marketing] functions and make a general, unfounded statement that federal PASs have no background or formal training in the profession is considerably offensive, unfounded and irresponsible!
It’s really a question of basic knowledge and understanding of the complexities of federal civil service!
FedUp Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 1:09 PMChange the image by changing the elected. Term limits and accountability are the answer. Elected and appointed officials should be held to a higher standard, not the No Standards currently in play. Outside of congress, anyone with a 15% approval rating would not be drawing another paycheck.
dennis4809 Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 2:19 PM