Teri Takai, chief programs officer for the Center for Digital Government, and Todd Gustafson, head of U.S. public sector for HP, tackle the growing complexity of global supply chains and their impact on government IT procurement. They unpack how shifting tariff policies, particularly those affecting China and USMCA trade partners, are influencing decision-making for state and local government leaders. Gustafson emphasizes the importance of understanding product origins, asking the right questions of OEMs and staying flexible with platform choices to navigate ongoing volatility. The conversation encourages IT leaders to move from reactive to proactive strategies, stressing that awareness, engagement, and education are key to smart and resilient procurement.
SHOW NOTES
Here are the top-seven takeaways from this episode:
- The Return-to-Office Crossroads in Government
State and local governments are facing mounting pressure to define return-to-office policies that work for both leadership and staff. Hybrid models are emerging as a flexible solution, but the right balance varies across agencies and roles. - Younger Workforce Preferences and Cultural Shifts
Contrary to assumptions, many younger employees seek in-office engagement to build relationships and grow professionally. Agencies can attract and retain talent by offering intentional, purpose-driven in-person experiences. - Measuring Hybrid Productivity with Modern Tools
New tools allow IT leaders to assess device health, app usage and performance in real time. These insights support smarter decisions around productivity, user experience and workplace policy. - Rethinking IT Procurement: Good, Better, Best
Public agencies often overspend by defaulting to high-end devices and full software catalogs. By tracking actual usage, leaders can align purchases with real needs — cutting costs and improving operational fit. - The Power of Predictive Analytics in IT Operations
Predictive analytics enables agencies to identify issues before they impact users, enhancing uptime and reducing IT workloads. These tools support proactive support models that elevate the digital workplace. - Unlocking Software Efficiency Through Utilization Tracking
Telemetry data often shows that a large portion of software licenses go unused. Identifying and eliminating waste allows agencies to reinvest in innovation without new budget demands. - Elevating the Help Desk Experience with AI
More than half of users avoid the help desk due to poor past experiences. AI-driven support tools can improve resolution times, reduce user frustration and strengthen the agency’s IT credibility.
Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.
*Governing and Government Technology are divisions of e.Republic LLC.
