About:

The definition of reinvent is:

to replace with an entirely new version, to make over completely, to recast something familiar or old into a different form.

In my opinion we need to reinvent government, business and ourselves. Today’s world is about constant change driven by the power of new ideas.

For the past 17 years as an attorney, I have worked in government at the county, city, authority and school district level in the Buffalo, NY area. I have seen first hand the need for reinventing how government operates. For a period of four years, I served as Chief of Staff to the 9 member City of Buffalo Common Council. Government must engage the talents and skills of its citizens by becoming more collaborative and transparent in its decision-making and operations. Utilizing technology as a tool to engage citizens is something all governments need to explore.

I have great respect for entrepreneurs as they put their passion into a vision, which results in new products, new services and new jobs. Entrepreneurs are on the front lines of change. As an adjunct college instructor, I see how students and everyone for that matter must continually change and reinvent themselves to survive and be successful in today’s crazy world economy.

Some of my favorite change agent writers are Tom Peters, Seth Godin, Gary Hamel and Guy Kawasaki. I welcome the opportunity to meet new people, to further my own learning and to share ideas.

On a personal note I am 47 years old, my other half Cheryl is an attorney in private practice and together we have three children, Michael age 20 and Joseph age 14 and our newest shock of an addition Julia, born 11/2/11.

All Stories by pwolf

7 Signs Of A High Performance Local Government

7 Signs Of A High Performance Local Government

All organizations have their own unique culture. The culture in great organizations  is visible from how positive and engaged employees are between themselves and when interacting with customers. In a previous post I highlighted 7 signs of a dysfunctional organization. Steve Tobak of CBS News.com …

Tags: , ,

Patronage Questions Asked In 1883 Are Still Relevant Today

Patronage Questions Asked In 1883 Are Still Relevant Today

The New York State Civil Service Commission began with the enactment of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. The law was passed after the assassination of President James Garfield, who was shot by a disgruntled seeker of a government job. The theory behind …

Tags: , , ,

7 Signs Your Local Government Is Dysfunctional

7 Signs Your Local Government Is Dysfunctional

Leadership is about somehow getting people with different views to come together and execute on goals and plans they would never agree to on their own. Clearly, that’s not happening in many local governments. Polarizing leadership and divisive management are real and entirely common issues …

Tags: , ,

And The Most Corrupt Government Award Goes To…?

And The Most Corrupt Government Award Goes To…?

According to a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Chicago is the most corrupt city in the nation and New York State is the most corrupt state. Since 1976, 2,522 people have been convicted of federal public corruption …

Tags: , ,

Buffalo’s State Of The City Represents A Failed Approach

Buffalo’s State Of The City Represents A Failed Approach

Very few town board or city councils actually set goals or involve the community in goal setting and reviewing the accomplishment of goals. Bay City Michigan (population 35,000), does all of the above. As reported in the Bay City News , the City Commission invited the …

Tags: , , , , ,

Does Your Local Government Have “An Open Government Team”?

Does Your Local Government Have “An Open Government Team”?

The City of Reno Nevada (population 220,000) has created an Open Government Team, which on their web site is described below as: Open Government Team We are currently forming an internal Open Government Team led by our Web Services Manager. Team members will come from …

Tags: , , ,

Government Checkbook 2.0

Government Checkbook 2.0

The office of the New York City Comptroller has a great web site that provides a comprehensive look, updated daily, at nearly every check issued by the city. The current Comptroller web site is being updated to provide detailed information about the contracts related to each individual payment, …

Tags: , ,

How Denver Health Spectacularly Improved Their Operations

How Denver Health Spectacularly Improved Their Operations

Patricia A. Gabow, M.D., CEO of Denver Health and Hospital Authority, has spectacularly  improved Denver’s public hospital and busiest trauma center by asking the right questions and implementing Lean. In a blog post by Matthew Weinstock at Hospitals and Health Network Gabow says, “I was really becoming …

Tags: , ,

Medical Idol, Bartering Talent For Health Care

Medical Idol, Bartering Talent For Health Care

Affording health insurance is tough for many people. Lincoln Hospital located in Bronx, New York lets uninsured New York City artists exchange their art for medical services. Under the program, artists will earn “health credits” for every creative service they perform. In exchange they’ll be able to obtain …

Tags: , ,

Creating A Network Of Government Innovation Advisors

Creating A Network Of Government Innovation Advisors

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation was created by Congress to help transform the Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP programs to deliver better healthcare, better health and reduced costs through improvement. The Center has created an interesting Innovation Advisors Program with the goal of creating a …

Tags: , ,

Help Wanted: Government Efficiency Expert

Help Wanted: Government Efficiency Expert

The City of Philadelphia wants to hire an efficiency expert. The Nutter administration issued a request for proposals soliciting qualified firms to submit credentials to become an “Overhead Cost and Revenue Collection Consultant” to deal with multiple city agencies. Philly.com News reports: “On the cost …

Tags: , ,

Should Government Contractors Be Banned From Making Political Contributions?

Should Government Contractors Be Banned From Making Political Contributions?

Legislation banning government contractors from making political contributions to government officials often called “Pay to Play” exists in eleven states.  Three cities in New Jersey: Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken also have enacted legislation prohibiting Pay to Play. Companies and individuals that conduct business with …

Tags: ,

Page 1 of 6123456