By Dr. Christophe St. Luce
This statement may seem like an obvious one to make, but there are people who are afraid of technology and the change that is brought about by implementing technology, even though technological change is global. The microcosm of your organization may feel like the last safe place where change can be managed or, in some cases, stifled.
I have the benefit of coming from an information technology background, and I like embracing the change that is brought about through the implementation of technology. Think about the systems that your organization is using for handling building permits, parking citations, records management, project management, asset management, citizen engagement, agenda management and maps. When was the last time those systems and the processes around them were evaluated for effectiveness? Are any of the systems home-grown? Has supporting and updating them become laborious and scary? Did any of these questions ever cross your mind?
If you don’t visit with your technology staff on a regular basis, please start doing it. This is the team that is responsible for managing your organization’s technological resources and safeguarding those resources from theft and endangerment. Understand what role the team plays and what needs are still unmet. They have to abide by federal and state mandates as well.
The acceptance of change brought about by technology, can help your staff, residents, business owners and visitors in how you handle interactions, applications, requests and disseminate information. Get social! And by that, I’m not only referring to having meetings with staff. Use approved social media platforms to get out messages. Create online citizen surveys. Refresh your website if the last significant redesign has been four or more years ago.
Technology platforms exist that will help you and your team manage and justify capital budget requests. They will analyze the maintenance history of equipment, determine how you and your team can best market to visitors and prospective new hires in different parts of the world and help you and your team become even better champions of your organization and all that your jurisdiction has to offer.
I began working for the City of Bradenton in January 2022. The years 2022 and 2023 are banner ones for technological change with the City of Bradenton. In 16 months, we implemented in-building WiFi, a city-issued cell phone program, electronic meeting agendas, electronic project management, on-street digital marketing and a digital asset library. We added social media platforms, expanded our Zero Trust technology initiatives, began implementing an electronic permitting system and installed dark fiber. There were more technology projects performed in 16 months than had been in the last eight years. We had a lot of catching up to do, and the Information Technology team was eager to get started.
Meet with your technology team and ask how they are doing. I did, and we were able to become a more efficient and productive City.
