Extreme Government Makeover
Overview: This book reveals the tips, strategies and hiding-in-plain-sight secrets for making government work better. The house of government is broken, and it needs a serious makeover from top to bottom. In his latest book, management expert Ken Miller discusses how the processes of state and local government became so complicated and inefficient – and how to start cleaning up the mess. With his typical irreverent and funny tone, Ken lays out the simple ways that public-sector leaders can tear down all the twisted, broken parts of government and rebuild it stronger, leaner and better equipped to help citizens. Full of clear, concise tips on increasing government’s capacity, Extreme Government Makeover is essential reading for everyone in government, from top-level executives to managers and employees on the front lines. What you’ll learn in Extreme Government Makeover • The one and only thing government needs to focus on to get out of this crisis • How government can perform its vital functions 80 percent faster, at less cost and with better quality • The DNA of government complexity and how we can genetically modify it • How to spot the “moldy” thinking that is making us all sick • How to get rid of 40 percent of your agency’s workload • How to find the hidden costs of government • What the next generation of customers and employees are going to do to your operations • Why technology isn’t the answer • Most importantly, you’ll learn a new way of seeing the work of government – and a better way to make that work great.
Pages: 214 Pages
Writer: Ken Miller
I was drawn to this book because of my involvement with various government organizations. People are always asking me how to improve efficiency, cut costs, and speed things up. This book offers a practical plan that actually makes sense. After reading it, I can now spot problem areas more easily, from handoffs to twisted pipes. The theme of simplifying processes is at the core of this book, and it has given me some great ideas that I can apply to all the different areas of government I work in, and even some outside of government.
For a self-help book, it’s surprisingly engaging. The author lays out his plan and then provides practical tips on how to put it into action. He uses real-life examples that we can all relate to, like the eternal struggle at the DMV. Seriously, last time I was there it took me longer to renew my license than it did to binge-watch a season of my favorite show.
While I appreciate the success stories, I do wish the author had spent more time on solutions and less time patting himself on the back. I mean, we get it, you’re a genius who has revolutionized the DMV in several states. But how about giving us more tips on how to make our own daily government activities simpler and faster? That’s what we really want to know.