Not So Random Thoughts...

If you have not heard, AOL is now covering the government at http://gov.aol.com:

AOL Government is designed to bring government leaders a new blend of analysis, discussion and debate about the innovative ideas at work in the public sector today. Through a combination of original reports, insightful commentary from a wide range of experts, and access to the central hub of this community, AOL Government delivers fresh insights on the changing business practices and profession – not the politics – of the Federal Government, America’s largest employer and services provider.

The stories cover a range of topics including Management, Workforce, Citizen Services and Technology. They have taken it social as well by launching a new LinkedIn group dedicated to extending the conversation about the articles and content posted on the site.  Be sure to join in on the conversation by joining the AOL Government LinkedIn group and/or keep up-to-date on all the latest by subscribing to their daily newsletter.

Brand awareness is no longer limited to just products, services, or companies/agencies.  Through social media and the use of mobile and cloud-based technologies individuals have become “brand aware” and continue to reinvent themselves, routinely (as all good brands should).  This is putting enormous pressure on organizations, in both the private and public sectors, to meet the needs of this new breed of customer, client, employee, engaged citizen, etc.

Entire “terminologies” and strategies have been created to address this mounting pressure; Web 2.0, Gov 2.0, Enterprise 2.0, etc.  Yet, most organizations are not meeting the needs of these individuals and their own brand loyalty, both internally and externally, are being eroded.  The cause and effect of this phenomena has not truly been realized.  The need for organizations to become more agile, holistically, has never been more necessary.  They must learn to adapt or be passed by.  This will not be an easy transformation for building a culture that can transform itself, virtually overnight, is no easy task.  Organizations must learn to leverage the technologies that individuals have embraced so they too can reinvent themselves not only as necessary, but more importantly, when necessary.