To: Members & Subscribers From: National Office Date: February 2, 1998 Subject: RELEASE OF THINKING, GETTING & STAYING COMPETITIVE: A PUBLIC SECTOR HANDBOOK Reference: MU 98-3 The AMSA National Office is pleased to provide you with a copy of the Association's newest publication, Thinking, Getting & Staying Competitive: A Public Sector Handbook. The handbook was produced jointly with the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) as a practical tool for evaluating the operations of public utilities and considering changes to increase efficiency. The handbook covers more than just reengineering -- traditional changes to operations/maintenance including automation, contracting out discreet services and cross training staff. It identifies common traps that lead public utilities into non-competitiveness; steps for improving competitiveness; keys to staying competitive; a model process for competitive change; and, an analysis of financial opportunities for generating and using savings. Additionally, four case studies highlight lessons learned by public agencies through the process of becoming more competitive.
Much appreciation is extended members of AMSA's Competitiveness Workgroup, chaired by Alan B. Ispass, Director, Orange County Utilities, Florida, for the meetings and hours of hard work put into reviewing and commenting on drafts of the handbook. Special thanks is also extended to the staff of the Orange County Utilities, Florida; Fort Wayne City Utilities, Indiana; Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado.; Houston Public Utilities Group, Texas, for their parts in drafting the case studies profiled in this handbook. We hope you will agree that this is an excellent publication.
Additional copies of the handbook are available through the National Office for $40 (plus 7% shipping and handling). An AMSA publication order form is included with this mailing. Thinking, Getting & Staying Competitive: A Public Sector Handbook can also be ordered online through AMSA's website, Clean Water on the Web
Spring, Summer, Fall Workshops Will Instruct on Handbook Topics
AMSA and AMWA will be sponsoring eight workshops during the spring, summer and fall of 1998 to introduce the topics of the handbook and train participants in the processes of thinking, getting and staying competitive. The workshops will feature formal presentation of the handbook topics, tutorial sessions and presentations of local case studies. A flyer providing detailed information on AMSA and AMWA's Workshops for the Evolving Public Utility will be arriving on your desk in two to three days! For information today, please refer to AMSA's website Clean Water on the Web
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