As demands on clerks continue to evolve, innovative problem solving has become an essential skill to successfully navigate today’s dynamic municipal environment. Why Innovative Problem Solving Matters for Clerks Municipal clerks often serve as the bridge between elected officials, government staff, and the public. Their ability to solve problems creatively and efficiently directly impacts transparency, [...]
From managing board appointments to keeping up with certifications and training, the work of a municipal clerk is important-but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re stuck in a cycle of paperwork and manual processes. That’s where automation comes in, and it’s changing the game for clerks everywhere. Why Automation Matters for Clerks Automation [...]
Anne Morriss’ TED Talk, “5 Steps to Fix Any Problem at Work,” draws directly from her influential book, Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader’s Guide to Solving Hard Problems, co-authored with Frances Frei. The book—and the talk—challenge the idea that speed and quality are mutually exclusive, especially in environments where trust and accountability [...]
Ah, spring! The days are getting longer, the birds are singing, and suddenly, your focus is scattered like dandelion seeds in the wind! As municipal clerks, we know that staying sharp is crucial, even when the sunshine is calling to us. Research shows that seasonal transitions can impact productivity, but we've got some tips to [...]
This weekend we'll roll the clocks back an hour as Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends. The biannual time change has been a contentious issue for years, with proponents and critics on both sides. Recent legislative efforts on the state and federal level have aimed to make DST permanent, but the debate continues. The Bright [...]
As a municipal clerk, you're the backbone of local government operations, juggling multiple responsibilities and facing constant demands on your time. Finding a productivity method that suits your work style is crucial for managing your diverse tasks efficiently. Let's explore some approaches that can help you boost your productivity and streamline your workday. Time Blocking: [...]
The classic "eat the frog first" method, popularized by Brian Tracy, encourages tackling your most challenging task first thing in the morning. While this strategy holds merit, it doesn't always translate perfectly to the dynamic and often unpredictable world of a municipal clerk. A more nuanced approach For municipal clerks, juggling citizen inquiries, managing agendas, [...]
School is back in full swing, Labor Day has passed, and it's time to dig back into work. Few of us will take another vacation before the holidays, and many of us took advantage of the last days of summer to take a little time off. Coming back to work is hard. Other than just [...]
"Retired. Gone fishing." We received that exact auto-response to a recent email. Back in January, we talked about MarketWatch's article, the "Great Resignation," and how it was impacting local governments. We've certainly seen an uptick in retirements among our own local government friends and contacts. Recently, the International City Managers' Association (ICMA) followed up with [...]