Top Ten Ways We can Improve Government Communications:
10) Develop a proactive strategic plan that everybody buys into that is truly a game plan that is focused on your end state.
9) Actively listen to your primary, secondary and special internal and external publics.
8) Conduct secondary and primary research to determine your campaign's starting point.
7) Implement an aggressive issues management program that does not just monitor issues. Ensure that you actually make recommendations to top management that deal with these issues.
6) Establish objectives which are measurable, attainable and realistic.
5) Deal with generational communication differences so you can motivate and challenge your employees.
4) Use the correct communication tools and tactics that have meaning to the receivers.
3) Keep your message simple and clear.
2) Be part of the senior management team.
1) Have direct access to the boss.

In the next few weeks I'm going to make recommendations on how we can improve Government communications in the next ten years. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions.
Thank you.
Cajun Joe

I love the line in Blazing Saddles when the outlaws shout, "Badges we don't need no stinking badges!" White House Spokesperson Tony Fratto said, after being questioned about President Bush's 29% approval rating, "We really don't pay much attention to polls. I know they're fun, self-generating news hooks, but we don't make policy decisions based on which way the wind is blowing."

While I agree with Tony about polls, I'm very concerned about truthful governmental communications. After four long years, thousands of brave Americans dying and being crippled for our freedom, I believe the American people deserve the truth! I believe in America and I always will, however I also believe in honest and open communication that is like glass that you can see through.

It's time to tell us the truth no matter how much it hurts us!

Radio GA-GA by Queen was one of my favorite Queen songs growing up in New Orleans in the 60-70's and it speaks volumes today just like it did in the 70s! We're constantly bombarded my Radio/TV/Blackberry/CellPhones, Billboards, website GA-GA and if those have no meaning to us we ignore them.

I just got back from a fantastic European vacation in Germany & Scotland (what a wonderful country) and I was flying back to the wonderful USA into my new home of Atlanta. (By the way, The Hamburg SeaDevils-my son was there Public Relations Director-won the final NFL Europa World Bowl.) After,I cleared passport and customs control and I had my bags in tow, I thought I would just exit the area. However, the airport employees started yelling at me to put my bags on another baggage belt without explaining what was going on! Very confusing and of course I asked them to explain what was going on and they only yelled louder. Why didn't they just communicate with me and tell what I needed to do? No, they just yelled and pointed. Of course, I did what they demanded.

Communication is such a simple act that we take for granted everyday. However, the US Government must understand that the three most critical parts of effective Public Affairs are: Command Information, Community Relations and Media Relations. Open, honest & constant communication that has meaning to the receivers is the key now and always!

Happy communicating,
Doc Joe

What an ugly word--censorship ! Yes the U.S. Army has ordered our soldiers not to post blogs or send personal e-mail without a superior's approval. What are they afraid of--the truth. I was always taught at The Defense Information School(DINFOS)that I graduated from in Oct. 1981, that Command Information must always be truthful and fully disclose everything we can release.

I agree with retired paratrooper Matthew Burden, editor of The Blog of War anthology that "This is the final nail in the coffin for military blogging" according to his Wired interview. "This is the best Public Relations the military has-its most honest voice out of the war zone. And it's being silenced." This is a sad commentary on our great military that our leaders are afraid of the truth being told by the brave men and women who put their on the line everyday so we can enjoy our freedoms.

Our Leaders must allow our country's blood and treasures to speak their minds because after all they know the truth now and always!

God Bless America,
Doc Joe

Communications is based on trust,truth & ethics. In the last few weeks our great country's leaders:US AG Alberto "I can't recall" Gonzales,Paul "My girlfriend should be hired" Wolfowitz and the former commanders of the late US Army Ranger & former NFL star Pat Tillman who told their troops"that they would get in trouble if they told the truth."
We have a tough job convincing our leaders to tell the truth everytime they speak. Think how much easier our lives would be if they just told the truth everytime they spoke.Only two things get better with age--women & wine--- not bad news. Truth is the only thing I know that can always be defended and I believe every American is owed that from our leaders. After all,most of us are willing to die for our country however that death must not be in vain it must be for a higher calling. How about truth!
Thank You.
Doc Joe

The 6 April 2007 USA Today Editorial cartoon provided by Dana Summers in,The Orlando Sentinel, sums up the government's need for credibility the best.Dana has AG Alberto Gonzales at a Lost & Found booth asking for his lost credibility. The nice person behind the booth answers,"No,sorry Mr. Gonzales nobody's turned in your credibility."
This is a sad commentary on the state of our government's credibility especially when we're fighting a war for our very existence. I was taught in 1981 at The Defense Information School (DINFOS) that our policy should always be Maximum disclosure with minimum delay--always! I was also taught by my Cajun & Italian parents that honesty is always the best policy! I
It's time that all government communicators stand up & fight for the truth and Maximum disclosure with minimum delay.I dearly love my country and like Commodore Stephen Decatur wrote."my country right or wrong is still my country!"however we deserve the truth always especially when we're asked to die for our great country.
Thank You.
Doc Joe