Argggggh!  I am officially annoyed by Government’s use of Twitter these days.  Has no one heard the adage “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should’? 

To be fair, departmental Twitter accounts such as PHAC (@PHAC_GC), DFAIT (@eyesabroad), NRCan (@NR_RNbulletin), etc, do a good job of tweeting out relevant information. The problem seems to lie at the individual level.  Why do members of the public sector believe that there is an audience for inane commentary (on Twitter or elsewhere)?  Does the Canadian public really care if there is traffic on the 417 today?  Do they care that so-and-so had sushi with so-and-so?  Do they really need a play-by-play account of who said what at a conference (unless it has wide- reaching implications for Canadians)?  No.  What seems to have been forgotten in all the Web 2.0 enthusiasm is that Twitter is simply another communication channel, and like any communication channel, thought has to be given to what is communicated, based on whom you are communicating with.   The following is a consolidated overview of WebDrive’s Government Roadmap to Twitter.

• Who are you talking to (or hoping to talk to) via Twitter? – And please don’t answer this with “all Canadians”.  No outreach strategy is intelligently devised without sub-categorization.

• What information are they counting on you for? – If a department can’t answer this question with significant detail, they are doomed to fail.

• Have you reached out to this audience effectively?  – Departments and agencies should audit their Twitter audience base regularly to ensure they are reaching their intended audience. Nothing is more embarrassing to a department than a Twitter audience-base made up primarily of Americans (or any other group other than Canadian citizens).

• How frequently does your audience expect to hear from you? – Some departments need to communicate several times a day, some only once a week or month. Your mandate and the audience needs will drive frequency, but ensure that you are communicating regularly.

• How can you contribute beyond your Departmental account? – Many Twitter feeds are subject specific (tax reform, human rights, financial literacy, etc.). Departmental official must remember that Web 2.0 is about being part of a “conversation”.  As such, they should search out other Twitter feeds that they can contribute to.

Job Description:

Web Designer / Developer

WebDrive Canada is looking for a web designer / web developer to work on the production process of dynamic and visually engaging websites.

Job Tasks and Responsibility’s:

-           Create, implement and maintain the WebDrive Canada website.

-           Spearhead the development process by leading projects from design concept through to completion.

-           Strong design skills.

-           Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or equivalent programs.

-           Liaising closely with the client at the design stage to answer questions.

-           Work hands-on in the development of web applications, Ex: ActionScript, Flash, XML, CSS, XHTML, HTML5.

-           Supporting WebDrive social media strategy.

-           Design and distribute newsletters and other documents relating to WebDrive.

-           Testing the web sites for functionality in different browsers and at different resolutions.

-           Balanced ability to perform analytically and creatively.

-           Knowledge and Experience with SEO is a plus.

-           Knowledge and Experience with mobile apps is a plus.

-           Demonstration of good design principles and attention to detail.

-           Dedicated team and individual work ethic.

Job Qualifications:

-           Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in web design, web development or related program.

-           2 – 5 years of experience developing and designing rich media websites.

-           Good knowledge of major social, and web based services.

-           Good Knowledge of API’s (Facebook, GoogleMaps, YouTube)

-           Knowledge of CMS (Drupal, Wordpress,) is a plus.

-           Be detail oriented, and have a strong desire to succeed, and to finish projects within deadlines.

-           Must be in possession of a strong and diverse verifiable website development and design work portfolio.

-           Must be results driven, proactive, self-motivated, and a team player.

-           Strong organizational skills and time management required.

-           Must demonstrate a high level of integrity.

Compensation range:

-           Between 35k – 45k

About WebDrive Canada Inc.

WebDrive Canada Inc. has been helping government departments design, execute, evaluate and refine government-grade web solutions since 1999.   Our team has become known for its comprehensive approach to web design and Web 2.0 projects.  We have had the opportunity to work on hundreds of projects in both the public and private sectors, giving us the opportunity to test, tweak and ultimately perfect varying web strategies to our clients’ benefit.  Our strength resides in our focus on understanding web site users, and executing web strategies that meet users’ needs.  We provide a full range of Internet services and are the official sponsors of the Gov2.0 wiki, found at www.gov20.ca.

Benefits of Working for WebDrive:

-           Fun work environment and great team dynamic

-           Opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of projects, sectors and technologies

-           High end projects

-           Well known company in growth stage.

-           Stable client base

-           Flexible work environment

For more information, or to apply for the position please email jobs@webdrive.ca

http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/12/government-20-five-predictions.html

The new website provides front-page links to the State Department’s official YouTube channel, Twitter feed, Facebook page and Flickr photo account. The State Department said in a statement that the revamped State.gov incorporates improved “functionality and an updated design” and aims to “present the Department of State more transparently.” It is intended to “engage audiences in an ongoing dialogue with Secretary Clinton and others in the department on the foreign policy issues facing the country,” it said.”

http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/us-state-department-revamps-website-in-web-20-push — US State Department revamps website in Web 2.0 push

http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/why-cabinet-shake-up-isnt-bad-news-for-it-industry/139797-pg1

1. Government employees are being asked to work with one half of their brain behind their back (due to their lack of access to social media sites)

2. The resistance of the DG level because they are concerned about giving power to the “people”

There is also a reference to our favourite Government of Canada site GCPedia  (Please insert applause here….) ;-]

http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/why-canada-should-open-source-government/139761

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/14/cashmore.haiti.earthquake.relief.technology/index.html

“In 2009, the Brazilian transit authority starting using Twitterto update São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro’s motorists and pedestrians of any traffic incidents or transport news. The feed broadcasts tweets from the authority itself, as well as allowing users to share their own experiences of the city’s traffic and transport.”

“Citizens: GovLuv connects you instantly with your government representatives through the magical power of Twitter. Based on your address, you can see who your representatives are, what they’re saying, and what people are saying to them! Sign in with Twitter.”

For government officials, the site suggests…

“Government: You’re probably already in here! Sign in with Twitterto take control of your account. If your account isn’t there, tweet @govluv and we’ll get it fixed ASAP.”

What an innovative way of incouraging better communication between governments and their citizens.

http://govluv.org/offices/547-barack-obama

http://www.nyc.gov/cpr