Ready. Set. Lead

Dear Tomorrow’s Success Story,

How badly do you want it?

Jean Parker is a professional Executive Coach (ACC credential), experienced CFO, and an accomplished educator.
In Jean’s Accelerator Group, you will learn how to communicate, collaborate, influence, make decisions, and expand your emotional & creative intelligences through mini lessons, shared insights, coaching conversations, and by taking action.

Starts June 17. $30/session.
Max 8 people per group. Don’t miss out – sign up today at: https://levellingup.ca/sages/jean-parker/

LevellingUp’s unique approach to skills development bridges the gap between knowing HOW TO do something, and EXPERTLY PERFORMING that skill. At least 40% of Fortune 500 CEOs have an executive coach – why not you?
Receive feedback from a proven expert as you put knowledge into practice. Rapidly grow your skills, gain experience & confidence. Discover your true potential.

The experts you want. The skills you need. No one standing in your way.
www.LevellingUp.ca
@Jean Parker
#LevellingUp #PeopleHelpingPeople #LevelUp #Leadership #Goals

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Overcoming Speech Anxiety & Barriers to Effective Communication

Vicki Goodfellow Duke is a professional public speaking coach, and has been teaching Public Speaking, and Rhetoric at Mount Royal University since 1991. She was a National Examiner for Speech and Drama for The Royal Conservatory of Toronto from 1996 to 2001.

In Vicki’s Accelerator Group, you will learn and practice: how to overcome speech anxiety, how to overcome barriers to effective communication, how to design a successful presentation, and how to use PowerPoint effectively.

Starts June 4. $37.75/session.  Please note the time below is MDT

Max 8 people per group. Don’t miss out – sign up today at: https://levellingup.ca/sages/vicki-goodfellow-duke/

LevellingUp’s unique approach to skills development bridges the gap between knowing HOW TO do something, and EXPERTLY PERFORMING that skill. At least 40% of Fortune 500 CEOs have an executive coach – why not you?
Receive feedback from a proven expert as you put knowledge into practice. Rapidly grow your skills, gain experience & confidence. Discover your true potential.

The experts you want. The skills you need. No one standing in your way.

Learn More & Register
www.LevellingUp.ca
@Vicki Goodfellow-Duke
#LevellingUp #PeopleHelpingPeople #LevelUp #Leadership #Goals

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A reverse what….?

As a steward of taxpayer dollars, municipal buyers face tremendous pressure to get the best price for your organization. This keeps the tax burden low amid always tight budgets. The mantra often heard is “do more with less”.  Often the “best price” isn’t always the “lowest price.” You need the most qualified vendors to give you their lowest possible price, and you need to settle on those prices quickly.

You are already relying on your purchasing staff and group organizations, to ensure the vendors you select are qualified. Are you aware that you can now take savings to a whole new level with Electronic Reverse Auctions? A “reverse what?” you say….  

The term “Electronic Reverse Auction” or “ERA” may not be known to you now but it is a tool that every municipality in Canada will be hearing more of as it becomes a standard part of the municipal procurement tool kit.

The traditional procurement tool kit in Canada consists of tenders and RFPs that function under the notion that bidders get one chance to give you a price which is sealed in an envelope and opened later by the purchasing staff. Once the envelopes are opened, changes cannot be made to the price and the lowest price bidder is duly rewarded, either with the contract outright or by being assigned the most points for that criteria if there are other criteria to consider. What is generally believed is that we received the best possible price…..only we do not have any way of knowing if bidders collectively would have bid lower, had they been given the opportunity to make further reductions in price. We may have gotten the best value that was offered but buyers are left to wonder if we received true market value. Many in the municipal sector are familiar with the terms “municipal premium” or “public sector premium”, usually spoken of in whispers and behind closed doors. We often think that it would have been much less expensive if we were buying the same thing for a private sector organization. A buyer in the private sector likely would have been able to, or even encouraged to, negotiate a better deal.

What if municipal buyers did not have to take the first and only offers presented? What if they could negotiate with the qualified suppliers in a fast, fair and honest way? Could suppliers be allowed to reduce their bid, if they felt it was in their best interest, in order to secure the public contract.       

Until recently, this type of scenario was not realistic in Canada in the public sector, but that has now changed. In 2017 the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement both came into effect. These trade agreements, for the first time, explicitly recognize electronic reverse auctions as a legitimate public procurement method in Canada and include provisions to govern their use in public sector procurement.   

While this is a new development in Canada, reverse auctions have been recognized internationally for many years in leading standards like the United Nations Model Law on Public Procurement as well as the European Union Procurement Directive. Countries around the world, including the US, UK, and Australia, have successfully used reverse auction in municipal procurement for the past two decades with significant savings in a variety of categories of spend.    

An Electronic Reverse Auction (ERA) is an online, real-time purchasing technique which involves the presentation by suppliers of successively lowered bids during a scheduled period of time and the automatic evaluation of bids. A reverse auction can be configured in two ways that align with the traditional procurement process: 1) as the entire competition when price is the only criteria and the winner is the lowest bid at the end of the electronic auction; or 2) as the second stage in a two-stage competition when other quality-based criteria have already been evaluated, in which case the winner is the supplier judged to have the highest overall evaluated bid.

Respected Canadian public procurement lawyer, Paul Emanuelli, stated in his recent whitepaper, Electronic Reverse Auctions: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions, published in 2018:

“The question is no longer whether ERAs can or should be used…. The question is how much further can ERAs be expanded across all sectors, …., to achieve improved process efficiencies and cost savings.”[1]

Emanuelli goes on to recommend that “organizations interested in implementing ERAs should take the following seven steps:

1. Adopt legally vetted Negotiable RFP templates with ERA protocols

2. Update to ERA‐friendly policies and procedures

3. Develop an industry strategy to select the right projects

4. Create a rollout plan to control internal deployment

5. Ensure appropriate internal training and awareness

6. Get initial launch support from experienced advisors

7. Develop a plan for self‐sufficient long‐term use”

For Canadian municipalities, ERA’s represent an opportunity to reduce spending in a disciplined and strategic way. While not fool-proof and certainly not applicable to all purchasing categories, when ERA’s are strategically used, you can expect to generate savings of 8-20% depending on the category. What kind of impact would that level of savings have on your organization?       

Qualified vendors. Lowest prices. Best use of taxpayer dollars. That’s what you get from a reverse auction.

To learn more please contact Craig Milley at Wayfinder Consulting Inc. – Your Procurement & Supply Chain Guide

[email protected]    

250-882-4955   

https://www.wayfinderconsultinginc.com          

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Levelling Up Accelerator Group – Head to Heart Leadership

Head To Heart Leadership

Thursdays for 8 weeks – Starting May 9th

You will LEARN to apply leadership principles in pragmatic ways, in real-life situations and circumstances. We will take from the book; “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell.

You will ACHIEVE higher awareness of core leadership principles in your professional and personal lives by engaging the mind & the heart in ways to self-assess and improve your leadership.

Scott started my career without any idea that professional or personal development even existed until he was handed a book that set the tone for rest of my professional life, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.

Adding value and serving others was a foreign concept to a corporate newcomer who wanted to climb the corporate ladder quickly, but he committed myself to it.

With persistent focus on growth and valuing others, he received a call one day that changed my life forever – a call from leadership expert John C. Maxwell to grow his Leadership Certification Program…

Learn more and join this Accelerator Group Today!

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Levelling Up Accelerator Group – Growing the Leader’s Emotional Intelligence

Growing the Leader’s Emotional Intelligence​

Saturdays for 6 sessions – Starting May 4th

You will LEARN:

•how to grow the powerful EQ skills of empathy, how to diffuse conflicts and improve relationships; using practical neuroscience distinctions.

Research shows that 90% of top Performers have high EQ and 58% of job performance is EQ. Its the biggest predictor of career success. EQ will profoundly impact your choices by creating options otherwise not available. It will greatly influence your success!

Dietrich is the founder of Emotional Wealth Management Inc, a research based coaching style that integrates neuroscience into the world of Emotional Intelligence. He offers a very unique set of skills that produce long-term results in a short period of time. He has been working with people from all walks of life for over 40 years. He is a sought after speaker, published author, teacher and mentor. Dietrich has had the privilege to work with the airline industry, professional athletes, law enforcement, dental medical/ psychology practices, oil and gas, real estate, and top C-suite leaders.

Dietrich brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that brings real transformation. He currently resides in Calgary, Alberta with his wife Edith of 38 years of marriage.

Learn More and Join this Accelerator Group Today!

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Now available on demand: Ecofiscal Commission online course – Using Market-Based Tools for Municipal Sustainability

Municipalities are missing out on the full potential of market-based tools!

Municipal governments are facing multiple, growing, and overlapping challenges. Yet, there are tools available to address these challenges that are not being used to their full potential. Market-based policies such as well-designed user fees can help reduce traffic, cut water use, and improve solid waste management, while generating revenue that can be used to fill financial gaps.

These challenges include:

  • Municipal infrastructure is aging and faces a growing investment gap;
  • Municipalities have limited ability to raise revenues. Only so much can be raised from property taxes. They also often face constraints on debt financing; and
  • To attract people and investment, livability is key: cities must provide job and recreational opportunities, ensure affordability, make it easy to move people and products, and protect clean air and water.

It all sounds a little daunting. Yet an under-used policy option might lie at the intersection of these challenges. Municipalities can use market-based tools to fund critical infrastructure and create incentives for individuals and businesses to make choices that improve the livability and sustainability of our communities.

Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, with support from the McConnell Foundation, has developed a unique online course on municipal market-based tools for sustainable development that will help municipal employees, and those that work with municipalities, successfully design and implement these solutions.

Through five self-directed and on demand modules that include recordings of webinars led by experts and experienced practitioners and a series of online exercises, participants will learn how Canadian municipalities can practically use a variety of market-based tools. The five modules include:

 The course is guaranteed to provide unique insight and practical guidance on the selection, design and implementation of municipal market-based tools.

Who should attend?
The course is intended for municipal employees, as well as federal and provincial employees that work with municipalities on related issues. It is open to anyone, including students and private sector employees, that has an interest in topics such as municipal finance, asset management, infrastructure financing, environmental policy, urban planning, traffic management, water and wastewater management, and solid waste management.

The course is well suited to busy professionals. You can complete the modules at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Registration details:
You can purchase individual modules for $50, or sign up for all 5 modules for $200 (a $50 savings). Complete at least 3 modules, including course exercises, to receive a certificate! While modules can be mixed and matched, Module 1 is a pre-requisite for modules 2-5 as it is foundational. 

French option:
We’ve also made available a mini-course that summarizes the material for $70. Presented by Justin Leroux in French, this mini-course includes videos that cover the highlights of our traffic, water and wastewater, and municipal waste modules as listed above.

Go to courses.ecofiscal.ca for more information and to register. If you have any questions, contact [email protected]

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Meeting of the Minds Workshop

If you are intrigued by the idea of developing your personal and professional potential, as well as that of others, you will undoubtedly be interested in Emergenetics, a proven psychometric tool used around the world but new to the Canadian market. This program will give you a fuller understanding of your own thought and behavioural preferences, and help you to communicate more easily and effectively with others.

Using a well-developed questionnaire designed to explore your strengths, and through an intellectually engaging and socially stimulating training experience, you will discover that Emergenetics is both simple to understand and easy to use. The profile, which is based on a wide body of academic literature covering psychology and neuroscience, is introduced through experiential learning. You will be fascinated not only by the human dynamics but the resulting practical applications as well.

Through the workshop, you will:

• Receive a behavioral and thinking style profile that will reveal you innate strengths
• Increase self-awareness
• Discover others’ perceptions of you
• Communicate more effectively
• Make informed decisions
• Value your inherent talents
• Recognize core values

Who should attend:

• Individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and others
• Managers who aspire to build cohesive teams
• Consultants/trainers looking for neuro-scientific tools that resonate with individuals and organizations
• Coaches/mentors and psychologists who are interested in gaining additional
insight into their processes
• Educators who desire to enhance their effectiveness with students and staff

Enroll soon as space will be limited.

We look forward to meeting you at this exciting event on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 in Mississauga and to sharing a simpler, easier way to understand yourself and others with the neuro-science of Emergenetics!

Details:

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Location: Regus Toronto Airport Centre, 2425 Matheson Blvd East, 8th floor, Mississauga, ON Google Map
Time: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Cost of Workshop and Profile: $249 (Click below to enroll. After enrollment, instructions to take your Emergenetics   Profile will be sent within 24 hours)

muniSERV.ca is proud to partner with Emergenetics to provide a special members discount.  

**muniserv Members use 50OFF promo code

Register Today!

Unable to attend?  Watch for our upcoming online version in June 2019.

If you’d like more information, simply respond to this email or call 905.636.0797

[email protected]
EmergeneticsOntario.com

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The Benefits of Lean and Continuous Improvement for Municipalities

The Benefits of Lean and Continuous Improvement for Municipalities

By simplifying working practices and minimizing inefficiencies, continuous improvement (CI) techniques enable municipal organizations to save money and increase quality, without reducing the level of service offered to citizens. Leading Edge Group provide Lean training programs and improvement consultancy support, specifically designed for municipalities, empowering staff at all levels to apply Lean methodologies with immediate effect.

In our video, Lean for Municipalities expert, Callie Woodward, explores the relevance of Lean/continuous improvement for municipal organizations and the benefits that can be achieved through effective deployment.

We hope it helps with your continuous improvement planning and activities.

You can watch the video here.

Where in-depth support is required, a Lean for Municipalities expert can work with organizations to lead the effective deployment of continuous improvement strategy and tactics. Our consultancy services offer strategy, processes and tools to implement sustainable change and deliver measurable results.

We work with staff at all levels and functions of the organization, from City Managers to front-line staff. We’ve helped both large and small municipalities across Canada with their Continuous Improvement efforts.

Training options that are suitable for staff at all levels, across all functions of the municipality and training workshops for those who have a leading or strategic role to play in continuous improvement.

If you would like to discuss the benefits of Lean/CI and key success factors in more detail, please feel free to contact us using the details below.

Contact Name: John Whelton, VP North American Operations

Telephone: +1 (416) 637 5074

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.leadingedgegroup.com/

Fax: +1 (647) 748 3722

Address: 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 805, Toronto, ON M4T 1N5

 

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Cyber Attacks & Municipalities: A Tale of Two Communities

“There are only two types of companies: Those that have been hacked, and those that will be.”, 

Robert Mueller, FBI Director, 2012

Executive Summary

In 2018, many municipalities in North America fell victim to cyber-attacks, and in particular ransomware. This study reviews two municipalities, Atlanta, Georgia, and Wasaga Beach, ON whom both were impacted as a result of a malicious attack on their networks.

Atlanta

Atlanta (pop. 486 000) was hit in March 2018 with a cyber-attack through ransomware. A ransom of $51 000USD was demanded but not paid. Over the next few days, critical systems and activities were taken offline as city staff struggled to regain access to systems. Impact included:

·       Public Wi-Fi disabled

·       30 mission critical applications disabled

·       8 000 employees were unable to access their email or networks for days

·       Citizens were unable to pay fines or parking tickets

·       Forms had to be completed by hand as systems restored

·       Many official documents were not recoverable

Final tally was close to $10 Million, including costs for additional contractors, system upgrades, new technology and computer replacement.

Wasaga Beach

Wasaga Beach (pop. 21 000) was hit in April 2018 with a similar type of ransomware attack. Initial demand for close to $150000 was reduced to  $35 000 and paid by the municipality. Despite this, the town was impacted for weeks even with recovery efforts. 

Impacts included:

  • Government data inaccessible for weeks
  • Systems had to be re-imaged and rebuilt
  • Payroll systems hampered

Final tally close to $252 000, including $50 000 for consulting,  $160 000 for lost productivity and overtime, system upgrades, new technology and computer replacement. Some costs carried into 2019 Budget Year.

How to be Prepared in Your Municipality

While Atlanta and Wasaga Beach are different sizes, they both suffered similar negative impacts due to a malicious attack, and having inadequate preparation for the type of attack that hit each separately.

Being prepared begins with a proper security risk assessment and review of the security practices and processes currently in place. Assessments should typically review such areas as:

  • Technology in place for security controls
  • Policies and standards related to Information Security
  • Training and awareness in place with staff
  • Incident Response plans
  • Disaster Recovery Plans 

Municipalities should also consider:

  • Training for IT staff on cybersecurity
  • Cyber Insurance
  • Testing and training of staff on cybersecurity issues
  • Use of third parties with cyber specialization to complement skillset of internal team.

Conclusion

Cyber Attacks can be indiscriminate and attack all levels of companies including municipalities large and small. However they can also target municipalities, due to limited IT budgets, strained technical resources and small if any dedicated security personnel.

Municipalities should take proactive measures to prepare for cyber-attacks and reduce the impact and likelihood of financial costs and loss of services.

“The effectiveness of one’s security program belongs to those who see the possibilities
before they become obvious.”, 
Michael Castro, 2018

RiskAware is a boutique Cybersecurity firm, specializing in Security Governance and Strategy, assisting organizations of all sizes with security and risk advisory services and security-on-demand capabilities.

RiskAware can be contacted at [email protected] or visited at www.riskaware.ca

 

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Hiring the Right Asset Coordinator for your Organization

Session Date:
April 25, 2019 | 1-2 pm EST
 
Asset Managers or Coordinators are suddenly in demand across North America’s local governments and other public sector organizations. Due to new regulatory or funding requirements, as well as the growing awareness surrounding infrastructure deficits, municipalities and utilities are increasingly opting to introduce a new dedicated position responsible for the coordination of asset management activities, strategy and performance. Hiring for a technical and multi-disciplinary role, like an Asset Manager, and ensuring that the chosen candidate is the right fit can be a significant challenge for an organization. 
 
In this webinar, attendees will gain insight on how best to hire asset management expertise to compliment their organization’s unique needs. This webinar will cover the following: 
  • How to determine the right skills and qualifications to include in a brand new posting (for many municipalities this will be the first time hiring an Asset Manager or Coordinator)
  • Where to post a technical job posting for maximum results  
  • How to interview and assess candidates to ensure the right person is hired for the job – asset management is a cross-disciplinary field involving finance, public works and often the CAO, so how do you make sure the candidate meets the needs of various stakeholders?
  • How to onboard a new hire successfully in a role that didn’t previously exist 

Additionally, attendees will learn about the Asset Management Competency Framework that CNAM, in collaboration with a collection of national partners, are developing. The Framework is to support organizational training and staff hiring. More information can be read here.

Panelists

  • Crystal Tan, Asset Management Coordinator, Town of Fort Frances
  • Iain Cranston, IC Infrastructure

muniSERV is a proud partner of PSD

Learn More & Register

Who should attend?

  Asset Managers 

  CAOs/City Managers

  HR

 

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