Deputy Director of OPM Addresses European Leaders

Washington, D.C. -- The Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Dan Blair, gave a keynote address to European leaders in Berlin in which he discussed a priority of President Bush to make our Government citizen-centered, results-oriented, and market-based. Stated Blair, "Let the debate be not just, 'What will the Federal Government spend?' but also 'What will the Federal Government achieve?' Achieving results is the focus of all our efforts.".

As Deputy Director of OPM, Blair advises OPM Director Kay Coles James on human resources issues for the nation's 1.8 million federal employees. Blair spoke to 120 government and business leaders at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/Germany High-level Symposium on "Governing for Performance in the Public Sector."

Much of Blair's speech focused on the five key initiatives of the President's Management Agenda: Strategic Management of Human Capital, Expanded Electronic Government, Competitive Sourcing, Improved Financial Performance, and Budget and Performance Integration. Blair explained how OPM has supported this agenda by developing an Executive Score Card which includes standards for success in each of these five initiatives. Blair pointed out several changes OPM has made to assist agencies in meeting the goals of the President's Management Agenda, including the Human Capital Scorecard. Blair said, "The Human Capital Scorecard is a tool that includes performance goals, specific measures, and operational applications of the measures. Agencies will be measured on how well they appraise, develop, and reward their employees, on how well their employees are focused on achieving results, and how well their leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce."

Blair concluded his speech by stating that the federal government "is dedicated to the idea that Americans deserve a high-quality, top-notch Government that can be efficient, effective, and focused on serving its citizens…In light of September 11th, we are determined to create a Government that American citizens can trust to get the job done, whatever it takes."

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.