Reference Articles

Displaying Items 601-615 (of 720)

The Counterculture of Conversation: Why Human Voices Still Matter in a Tech Driven World

Leadership Focus

July 5, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

As much as I love social networking and value it as a way to connect, I still value more the dying art of conversation. No key stroke can convey as much emotion, passion or conviction as a simple look in the eye or the sound of a human voice.

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7 Reasons City Employees Should Not Use Unapproved Software

CitySmart by VC3

June 28, 2017

John Miller, Senior Consultant

In the news, we’ve seen plenty of times when government employees get into a lot of trouble by using software that’s not approved by government entities. From private email servers to encrypted messaging apps, big problems occur when government employees download software outside of IT policy.

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The Art of Grassroots Engagement: How to do it Best and Why it’s So Important

Leadership Focus

June 12, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

Whether it's in business, politics or any other field, the result of losing touch with the man (or woman) on the street usually leads to blind spots in the decision making process, with leaders often caught off guard by the consequences of, as well as the reactions to, the decisions they make.

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3 Ways Cities Can Avoid a WannaCry-like Ransomware Attack

CitySmart by VC3

May 25, 2017

Nathan Eisner, COO

If ransomware hasn’t gotten your attention yet, then the WannaCry ransomware cryptoworm that ravaged the world for a week in mid-May should make you sit up. The attacks were so devastating to many organizations—from major hospitals to important financial institutions—that ransomware is now mainstream news and the talk of federal and state legislators.

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IT Security Challenges

May 24, 2017

On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, cyber security expert Iven Connary of vSector Security Technologies provided webinar participants with an overview of both the challenges and potential solutions for enhancing IT security. This recording of this webinar, presented within this article, is beneficial generally for city staff and elected officials.

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The Art of Shaping Public Opinion: How To Do It and Why it Matters

Leadership Focus

May 15, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In leadership positions, public opinion matters and shaping it is more of an art form than it is a tried and true science. Relying on the latest poll numbers on your product line, your latest policy or your approval rating, has led more than one leader to make the wrong decision at the wrong time.

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Whistlestop Shops

May 12, 2017

Alex Mitchem, Community Development Director, Auburn

Downtown revitalization can be a daunting enterprise, unless you start small—literally.
 

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Make Your Website ADA-Compliant: Best Practices for Cities

CitySmart by VC3

April 25, 2017

Victoria Boyko, Software Development Consultant

Despite the perceived importance of ADA-compliant websites, many city websites do not comply with best practices that help disabled people access content. While ADA, W3C, and other organizations provide detailed guidelines and best practices, very few enforceable laws exist to keep cities accountable. Plus, even if a website designer follows all ADA best practices, a city employee may upload content to the city's website that doesn’t meet these requirements.

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The Art of Being a Changemaker: How to do it and Why it Matters

Leadership Focus

April 13, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

Whether it's in business, government or any other sector, changemakers are simply a necessity that society can’t do without. If no one tries to change things, things simply are never going to change.

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IT Lessons from a City That Lost $3.6 Million in Preventable Fraud

CitySmart by VC3

March 29, 2017

Ryan Warrick, Network Infrastructure Consultant

Are you sure that fraudsters aren’t currently stealing money from you? Is your technology modernized in such a way that you aren’t headed for a major disaster like permanent data loss?

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The Art of Leadership: Learning to Trust Your Instincts and Lead from the Heart

Leadership Focus

March 13, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

A focus on decisions made through time tested good instincts and on behalf of the greater good will undoubtedly lead to your becoming a more trusted and respected leader. It will also lead to your leadership role having a lasting impact which will serve your organization long after your season of leadership is over.

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10 Technology Warning Signs That You're Headed for a Disaster (Part 2)

CitySmart by VC3

February 27, 2017

John Miller, Senior Consultant

Last time we talked about warning signs such as lack of data backup, aging hardware, and non-technical staff handling IT issues. In Part Two, we discuss five more warning signs that may lead your city toward a disaster.

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GMA Model ROW Agreement Webinar

February 16, 2017

Many cities have worked with telecommunications companies seeking to place equipment on water tank towers and cell towers on public rights of way. As these companies increasingly compete for better wireless coverage, they have begun to rely more on specialty companies that approach cities about placing “small cells” in the public right of way.

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Media and Government: A Crisis of Confidence and Our Nation's Need for Trusted Voices

Leadership Focus

February 15, 2017

Deke Copenhaver

In a democracy in which a free press and an open government should be the pillars upholding the underpinnings of our nation, what happens when neither of the two institutions are trusted? In a time of uncertainty, trusted voices are now more important than ever and the best place to start developing them is at the local level. 

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10 Technology Warning Signs That You're Headed for a Disaster (Part 1)

CitySmart by VC3

January 26, 2017

John Miller, Senior Consultant

Too many times, cities only take action when a disruption or disaster hits. That’s way, way too late. Let’s look at some scenarios that might strike a chord with your city. If any of these scenarios speak to you, then you need to act. Now.

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Displaying Items 601-615 (of 720)