This is a presentation describing three City of West Des Moines programs utilized to motivate employees and encourage innovation for better services.

1. The First “T”: Taking Care of Your Talent Quality Initiative, Leadership Development, and Reading Circles in the City of West Des Moines Iowa Municipal Management Institute Practitioner’s Panel March 23, 2006

3. WDM Quality Initiative Process Action Teams (PATs): A small group of employees that research and recommend solutions to processes. Each team member is a stakeholder in the process being evaluated because the issue relates to their work.

5. Leadership Development Purpose: To identify and educate those employees who are interested in pursuing future leadership opportunities and growing with the organization.

7. Reading Circles When Generations Collide : Who They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work by Lynne C. Lancaster & David Stillman The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies - And How to Overcome Them by Robert Herbold The Ten Faces of Innovation : IDEO's Strategies for Defeating the Devil's Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization by Thomas Kelley, Jonathan Littman

8. Reading Circles Recommendations: Form a Citywide Welcoming Committee Enhance the Recruitment Process Consider Flexible Options for Employees Near Retirement Take a Closer Look at the Exit Interview Retain and Support Young Employees Promote Leadership