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Making government work better through collaboration

One of the goals of Microsoft Envision was to spark conversations with folks already using digital transformation to shake up traditional business models. That’s why we sat down with Beth Noveck, founder of the Governance Lab. Poised at the intersection between public and private sectors, this “think-and-do tank” is paving the road toward new levels of corporate and governmental collaboration.

[inlinequote]“I think the future is going to be about the sharing of corporate data, mixed together with government data—that’s gonna allow us to gain real insight.” – Noveck [/inlinequote]

Basically the concept goes like this: government entities looking for a place to share their data with the public online can partner with like-minded private companies. Cyber security departments, for instance might partner with tech companies, while environmental protection agencies might search out solar energy producers. These businesses not only profit from the government contract but gain the opportunity to add their own data to the mix, deepening findings and allowing for the discovery of new solutions.

[inlinequote]“It’s not [only] about the tech and the platforms, and not just about the people, but it’s actually about that culture shift… a culture shift to working more openly, working in a more innovative way, it’s being open to being more agile and collaborative.” –Noveck [/inlinequote]

Along with the sharing of data, Noveck sees the next wave of government and private sector solutions being driven by unprecedented levels of collaboration and experimentation. Problems first voiced by public officials could find their solutions through either private sector partnerships or an open dialogue created on social networks.

You can learn more about how governments and businesses can solve their problems together by listening to our full interview with Beth Noveck, straight from the floor of Microsoft Envision 2016.