Q: How is TW different than past major initiatives to improve or change the culture here?
A: In some ways it may be similar, but this will be a fresh approach to improving our organization. We’ll keep some of the things that are working well but we’ll take a new look at areas where we can improve our service delivery and the way we do our jobs.

Q: Why is the City doing Transforming Wichita?
A: So that we can provide better services with the dollars that have been entrusted to us. Mayor Carlos Mayans, his fellow council members and City Manager George Kolb are committed to a more efficient, effective, responsive and transparent government. They want an organization that continues to be accountable.

Q: Who is leading this process internally?
A: The City Manager has designated three teams of staff members who represent various departments and employee groups; to lead the process internally with guidance and input from the City Council.

Leadership Team:

• George Kolb
• Terry Cassady
• Cathy Holdeman
• Scott Moore
• Kurt Schroeder
• Norman Williams
• David Warren
• John Schlegel
• Mary K. Vaughn
• Cyndi Berner-Harris
• Larry Henry
• Kelly Rundell
• Kelly Carpenter
• Van Williams

Projects Team:

• Terry Cassady
• Rob Raine
• Chris Atlee
• John Hale
• Jade Dundas
• Ryan Adkinson
• Susan Leiker
• Curtis Bowen
• Ron Aaron
• Joe Dessenberger

Communications Team:

• Van Williams
• Janet Johnson
• Jessica Johnson
• Mike Mayta
• Mike Greene
• Donte Martin

Q: Will the transformation initiative cause anyone to lose his or her job or pay?

A: The goal of transformation is to become more efficient. In past years, as funds decreased, jobs were cut. If we can successfully "transform" our organization, we may be able to avoid lay-offs as a result of creating efficiencies and identifying clear goals which we can achieve as an organization.

Q: Will my title and authority change at all?
A: It is unlikely that your title will change as a result of the transformation process. However as we involve more employees in decision-making processes, line staff could end up with more authority!

Q: Aren’t people nervous about this change?
A: Yes. Change can be difficult to handle, especially when it affects our work lives. But in this case, there is a lot to be excited and enthusiastic about, because the proposed changes will allow you to do your job smarter and better. The result will be increased productivity as you contribute your expertise to the overall goals of your division and department. We believe this will also increase your job satisfaction. We encourage you to turn your case of the nerves into curiosity and learn as much as you can about the transformation initiative. Channel 7, e-mails, newsletters, and supervisors are some places where you will be able to get information in the future.

Q: Has this happened anywhere else?
A: Yes, we are working with an organization called Public Strategies Group (PSG), which has worked with several other jurisdictions, including state government in Iowa and Washington, as well as the city of Spokane. The states of Iowa and Washington have recently received national recognition for the initiatives that PSG helped them implement. This includes Washington State’s "Priorities of Government" approach to budgeting (similar to Budgeting for Outcomes), see www.ofm.wa.gov/budget/pog/, and Iowa’s use of "Charter Agencies" whereby state agencies have been granted flexibilities from certain rules and regulations in exchange for achieving specific performance objectives (http://charter.iowa.gov/). For more information on these initiatives and others, you can read Banishing Bureaucracy, and The Price of Government, two books read by the Transforming Wichita leadership, projects and communications teams.

Q: Can you tell me more about PSG, the consultants hired to help us with the transformation initiative?
A: PSG, or Public Strategies Group, is a nationally known consulting firm based in St. Paul, Minn. PSG has experience working with government agencies at the federal, state and local levels as well as internationally. They are our partners in the Transforming Wichita initiative. They are known for creating solutions for public organizations seeking to serve customers with outstanding service at reasonable prices. To learn more about PSG, check them out at http://www.psg.us/.

Q: How can I get involved?
A: There will be specific ways employees will be asked to help but in the meantime you are encouraged to think of ways our organization can be improved. These ideas can be limited to your specific work area or another area you have observed from a distance. All ideas will be welcomed and encouraged. Specific details about employee involvement will be identified in the future – your supervisor will share these details as they become available.

Q: I hear a lot of talk about "stakeholders" and "customers." Who exactly are they?
A: They are the citizens of Wichita, visitors to Wichita, businesses in Wichita – and you! Everyone who receives a service (everything from water and sewer to police and fire protection), is a customer of government.

Q: Are we modeling ourselves after the private sector?
A: Our goal is to enhance the way government operates – to maximize our resources and deliver the highest quality services. We want to move swiftly, think creatively and operate efficiently, just as a successful private company does. Therefore we will model ourselves after private or public organizations that are successful in achieving these objectives.

Q: The term "high-performing organization" has been used a lot to describe this initiative. I consider myself to already be a "high-performing employee." How will employees like me be rewarded for great work?
A: There are a variety of ways employees will be recognized for successful transformation behaviors. In our research, recognition strategies have included profit sharing when employee groups have designed transformation practices that resulted in significant budget savings. In other cases, employees have received one-time bonuses for outstanding customer service achievements. But recognition does not have to be monetary. It can include time off, flexible work schedules, and other creative ways to say "thank you" for your efforts to share your creativity, initiative, teamwork and thinking outside the box.

The only way this initiative will achieve full success is if you become involved. You are strongly encouraged to share your ideas about how to make City government better. You, better than anyone else, know City government and its customers. Please, share your thoughts with your supervisors or any member of the Leadership Team, Project or Communications Team.

Q: Where can I get regular updates about the transformation initiative?
A: The Communications Team will provide regular updates through various communication tools including paycheck memos, intranet postings and visits by team members to work sites.

Q: Is there a way for me to comment on the process anonymously?
A: Yes, you will receive feedback handouts after the City Manager’s employee meetings as a first step. Other feedback channels will be developed in the near future.

Note: If you have a question that you'd like to see answered, please email TWquestions@wichita.gov

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