MRSC Insight Blog

Posts by Bob Jean

September 18, 2017 by Bob Jean
Category: Public Participation

Just as in our personal relations, communications are essential for fostering good community relations. Council/Commission Advisor Bob Jean looks at the role of the message, messenger, and media in local government communications efforts.

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Are You Communicating Your Goals?

February 10, 2017 by Bob Jean
Category: Governance , Council-Commission Advisor

Are you communicating your goals effectively? How do you cut through all the noise and clutter to reach the people you need to reach? This post gives you a Road Map to help.

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Time for a Change in Your Local Government Organization?

March 29, 2016 by Bob Jean
Category: Legislative Body , Council-Commission Advisor

Changes to the form or organization of a city presents both a leadership challenge and opportunity for the city council. Make sure to handle the transition properly.

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Municipal Management Model: Leading an Action Agenda

November 24, 2015 by Bob Jean
Category: Management , Council-Commission Advisor

Are you frustrated by the seemingly endless studies and discussion, yet no action? Have you ever heard, “How can government run like a business and get things done?” Well government is different and while it should run in a businesslike manner, we are not in business to make a profit. Cities don’t build things; we build community. So, how can we better put our plans into an Ac...

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Communication, Communication, Communication

April 2, 2015 by Bob Jean
Category: Management , Council-Commission Advisor

In real estate or economic development discussions we hear it’s all about location, location, location. When it comes to good governance, whether in Council-Manager or Mayor-Council-Administrator forms of local government, it’s all about communication, communication, communication.

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Who's Your CEO - “Chief ENGAGEMENT Officer”?

October 12, 2014 by Bob Jean
Category: Public Participation , Council-Commission Advisor

Coming out of the “Great Recession” these past 4 years, what percentage of all money measures submitted to voters by local governments nationwide (cities, counties, schools, etc) do you think passed? 30%? 40%? More? Less? According to research by the International City County Management Association (ICMA), from 2010-2013 over 70% of local money referendums were approved by voters! And those initiated by direct community engagement passed by 90%!

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Happy but Looking??? Staff Retention, Training and Development

May 1, 2014 by Bob Jean
Category: Administration and Management

According to an article in a recent International City/County Management Association newsletter, 83% of employees are happy BUT looking for another job. Even though satisfied with their current jobs, employees are looking for:

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