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The murky waters of government employment and political neutrality
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
The Government of Canada has a generally well-written Values and Ethics Code , which public servants must abide by.
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
Misinformation vs. Disinformation vs. Mal-information
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
Quite a bit of my consulting work lately has focused on helping clients counter false information spreading online.
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How smart speakers and voice assistants are changing the game
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JUNE 4, 2018
It’s been six months now since I equipped my home with three Google Home Mini devices (one on each floor).
Basic Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) Tools To Help Fight Disinformation
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
FEBRUARY 25, 2019
Over the past year, I’ve had a significant increase in the number of client requests for custom consulting and/or training help relating to combating the spread of disinformation. I thought I’d share some recent slides (edited to remove any client sensitive information of course), where I provide some useful tools for any newbies to the field of OSINT / SOCMINT. But first, what the heck am I talking about? Disinformation is false information spread deliberately to deceive.
Why the Canadian Digital Service is a major milestone for Canada.
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
Over the course of the past two decades there have been numerous initiatives / movements relating to the Government of Canada and the digital space. I can see why it’s hard for people to get excited about yet another one.
How to Get That “Verified” Check Mark on Your Facebook Page
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 14, 2015
If you’re an organization that has had a Facebook Page up and running for a while now, you can probably attest to the fact that it’s not easy to keep up with the frequency of Facebook user interface changes.
Global internet statistics for 2018
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
FEBRUARY 20, 2018
It’s that time of year again when digital stats aggregators update their numbers and various annual summary reports come out based on research conducted in the previous calendar year. Here are a few general highlights I put together recently after going through various reports.
Fraudulent CRA Collections Office Call Confusion
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JULY 21, 2015
Last week I had a brief scare that my wife and I had become the latest victims of identity theft, and worse, that it was my own fault. Luckily it was a false alarm, however determining so with full confidence proved to be quite the challenge.
Integrating Social Data into Decision Making (5 Free Tools)
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
APRIL 8, 2015
Having worked on numerous digital/social organizational strategies for the better part of the last decade, I find that I still occasionally run into organizational leaders that haven’t yet integrated social data into their decision making.
Blocking Access to Social Media is now “Against Policy”
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 8, 2014
To the Canadian federal “govies” out there that may have missed the memo, a crucial policy instrument called PANDU took effect exactly one year ago (excluding section 6.1.3 , which kicked-in 7 months later). What is PANDU? PANDU stands for Policy on Acceptable Network and Device Use.
Social Media Vigilantism – Have We Gone Too Far?
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MAY 19, 2015
Over the course of the last few weeks there has been significant discussion about the very disturbing, derogatory and blatantly sexist #FHRITP trend. Let me point out from the get-go that I personally believe there is nothing about this trend that is excusable. It is wrong, period.
30 Tools and Tips to Speed Up Your Digital Workflow as a Government Communicator in 2018
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 25, 2018
Last week I delivered a presentation at the Conference Board of Canada’s Public Sector Social Media event in Ottawa where I deviated from my usual focus on overarching digital trends and strategy.
One week, two excellent events: #CbocSocial and #FWD50
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
NOVEMBER 13, 2017
This post features my key takeaways and notes from two events I attended earlier this month here in Ottawa. 1- Public Sector Social Media (#cbocsocial) – “ Where Canada’s social media leaders gather to discuss the most effective strategies for the most powerful media.”
When your employees go too far on social media…
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MARCH 29, 2014
I recently did some work for a client that involved looking into recent Canadian legal cases dealing with employees that have been either fired or reprimanded for their conduct on social media platforms.
Downsides to the global democratization and sharing of content
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
NOVEMBER 20, 2014
I remember delivering a speech in 2008 during the early days of Twitter in which I mentioned to the audience that this platform may soon be the world’s largest sample of live human thought (good and evil) and also the world’s largest real-time conversation database.
Time to stop pointing fingers at Facebook and take some responsibility ourselves.
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MAY 23, 2018
As a consultant involved in the digital space for quite some time now, I have carefully observed the evolution of Facebook since its first year of operation. Since that time Mark Zuckerberg has taken the heat on numerous occasions for a variety of privacy-related issues.
New Facebook Features and Why They Matter
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
APRIL 27, 2017
Last week, Facebook held its annual F8 conference where Mark Zuckerberg and team typically set the direction for global digital technology. I mean that last part literally. What Facebook invests time and resources in tends to set the course for the entire digital ecosystem.
International Government Communication Forum 2019 – Sharjah, UAE
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
APRIL 9, 2019
A few weeks ago I was invited to speak at the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in Sharhaj, UAE, where this year’s theme was “behaviour change” One of the conference highlights for me was participating on a panel with Dr Abdullah Al-Maghlouth , Director- General of the Centre for Government Communication in Saudi Arabia; and Sir Craig Oliver , Director of Politics and Communications for the former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
The bots are coming! Are you ready?
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JUNE 6, 2017
Last week we held our MARCOM Annual Conference (more on that in a future post) where I moderated a roundtable discussion on bots. I thought I ‘d share a few notes from my handout. Working Definitions (sometimes used interchangeably).
Two Free Twitter Network Visualization Tools
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
AUGUST 13, 2014
Lately, my associates and I have been doing quite a bit of social network visualization research for clients, typically using raw social data and comprehensive, fee-based custom tools.
The JianGate Twitter Universe Visualized
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 30, 2014
Ok I’ll admit it, while I’m usually very careful before jumping in with personal opinions during breaking news, I, like many others this week , let my emotions dictate what I typed regarding the Jian Ghomeshi fiasco. Very bad practice, I know, but human nonetheless. Sorry about that.
How to Measure the Performance of your Government Social Media Initiative
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
This post is based on a comment I left on the following OECD blog post the other week : Measuring government impact in a social media world.
Notes from the Digital Governance Forum (#DGF15)
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
Hey folks, so I got back from my 10-day Vipassana Meditation Retreat last week and must say i feel fully re-charged, super-positive and healthier than ever. Overall it was an absolutely life-changing experience.
Great “behind-the-scenes” progress in 2013, now let’s get creative!
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JANUARY 6, 2014
Typically at this time of year I tend to write a few thoughts surrounding my hopes and expectations for digital engagement in the public sector sphere here in Canada.
What the Web Renewal (canada.ca) Initiative is missing
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
APRIL 28, 2016
For those of you not familiar with what I am referring to, the Government of Canada (Goc) Web Renewal Initiative aims to streamline the GoC’s web presence through a single central website, Canada.ca . What exactly does that mean?
Can a mobile app save lives? Yes it can.
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MARCH 15, 2013
Over the last year I have had the privilege of working with a fair amount of health organizations wishing to enter the digital realm.
Text Messaging vs. Mobile Instant Messaging
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MAY 22, 2014
Over the course of the last year, I have noticed a rapidly rising organizational interest amongst my clients in using “text messaging” for communications purposes; specifically for opt-in notifications. The main reasons are quite obvious: 26.3%
Disruptive digital forces in Kazakhstan
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JUNE 6, 2017
A few weeks ago I was invited to Astana, Kazakhstan by the United Nations Development Program to deliver a workshop on the latest strategic digital / social media marketing and communications best practices being used by the public sector here in Canada and around the globe.
Gamification: Silly fad or important trend for marketers?
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 10, 2013
Almost two years ago now I wrote a blog post entitled “ Gamification can change behaviour. I have proof “ Since that time, I have become even more interested in this emerging trend and its potential applicability towards societal issues.
The shift to BYOD
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
BYOD: Bring your own device (BYOD) refers to the policy of permitting employees to bring personally owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets, and smart phones) to their workplace, and use those devices to access privileged company information and applications – Wikipedia, 2103.
Shame Cannot Survive Empathy
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
AUGUST 27, 2015
Over the years I have written many posts about the negative impact of online public shaming and cyber-bullying , as well as the major downsides to the global democratization and sharing of content. I’ve also read countless books (most recently Jon Ronson’s “ So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed “) and discussed this topic extensively with others.
A long overdue call to action on cyber-bullying
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 16, 2012
I watched Amanda Todd’s tragic video message today. Exactly one month and eight days after it was first posted and only five days after she committed suicide. Words can’t possibly express how it makes me feel. But that’s irrelevant anyway.
How the digital world is affecting the modern patient
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JULY 16, 2013
A few weeks ago I was asked to contribute a guest post for the Saint Elizabeth Health Care CEO Blog. I decided to focus on the topic of how the digital world is affecting the modern patient. Below is my full blog post.
What your Facebook “Likes” can reveal about you
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
FEBRUARY 1, 2017
I recently came across the work of Stanford psychologist and social data researcher Michal Kosinski , who has developed a method to analyze people in minute detail based on their Facebook activity. He is currently a leading expert in psychometrics, a data-driven sub-branch of psychology. Most people by now are familiar with the term “ big data “, therefore I won’t go on explaining it here.
Massive geographical and cultural differences in online sharing
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 30, 2013
I recently saw a fascinating presentation from KPCB entitled ”Internet Trends 2013 ” where I came across the above chart from Ipsos OTX.
Death to “we are experiencing higher than normal call volume”.
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
OCTOBER 6, 2016
Last week I finally found the time to dedicate an entire day to calling various home service providers and product brands with which I have been having issues with throughout the year. In most of the cases I had made a note to call as the issue arose, however other priorities kept creeping up. This was the day I was going to get it all done. I interacted with three companies and had three very different experiences.
Finally some 2012 Statistics for the African Mobile Phone Market
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MAY 30, 2012
Back in March of 2009 I wrote a post entitled “ Latest mobile phone statistics from Africa and what this means ” based on a report that had come out from Blycroft Publishing tracking 2008 African mobile phone market stats.
The internet of things
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
FEBRUARY 8, 2013
To some of you, the phrase “internet of things” may be outdated (it was first used by Kevin Ashton in 1999) , to others it may be brand new.
Sh*t Bureaucrats Say
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MARCH 26, 2012
I rarely just re-post a video on my blog these days, however this is a must-see for my government/public sector readers. I think I heard about 50% of those phrases and acronyms from my clients this week alone (lol). I hope this new SBS YouTube Channel fills up with more videos soon. Enjoy.
Information alone does not change behaviour
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
JULY 11, 2012
I recently came across this interesting anti-smoking advertisement (see video below) from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.
A list of mobile apps that I use regularly
Public Sector Marketing 2.0
MARCH 12, 2013
I received a few emails recently asking me about my favourite mobile apps. Rather than responding individually I have decided to create a public blog post out of my response in case others are interested as well.
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