The world has changed a lot since the 1950s, the last time a major reorganization of the federal government occurred. Our lives today are totally different from those of our grandparents and the era of black and white TV has given way to the information age – but while the times have changed, in many ways, our government hasn’t.

For example, following the 2000 Census, the Census Bureau decided to invest in developing handheld technologies to help workers do their counts. But after spending tens of millions of dollars, they ran into timing and development problems. So in 2010, in an era of smart phones and high-speed wireless, our census-takers were pounding the pavement with pens and paper. 

Starting with his earliest days in office, the President has called for us to modernize government and make sure we are rooting out waste and operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. Today I spoke at the Brookings Institution’s Alfred Taubman Forum on Improving Government Performance about the steps we have taken since the beginning of the Obama Administration to make the Federal government work better. We have made significant progress, from improving government technology and developing a plan to sell off excess real estate that has remained on the books for years, to finally cutting contracting costs after more than a decade of escalating costs on the backs of American taxpayers.

In his State of the Union address , the President said that we must go even further, and take a hard look at how the federal government is organized --  because in order to win the future, we must reform our government in a way that best serves the goal of a more competitive and innovative America. In the time since our last major reorganization, our global competitors, including South Korea, the United Kingdom and Germany, have taken aggressive efforts to reorganize and streamline their governments to better promote trade and exports.

Today, our government has more than 12 different government agencies involved in trade and exports, many of which are doing the same thing. Not surprisingly, many businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized businesses, are confused about where to go for export assistance. 

The President has set a goal of doubling exports by 2015. And we need to make sure that our government is doing everything possible to help our businesses meet that goal – to help them get their products to markets around the world so they can create jobs here at home.   He set a 90-day timeline for us to report back to him with recommendations.

As we work to develop recommendations for the President, we are gathering ideas, input, and advice from as many stakeholders as possible.  Because those on the frontlines often know best what’s really working and what isn’t, we are launching a website where government employees can share their advice and ideas. Similarly, we are asking businesses of all sizes about their experience with the government. We’re speaking with agency heads, former Cabinet Secretaries, unions and good government experts. And we’re starting to meet with Members of Congress and their staffs and will continue to do so going forward.

We have no illusions about how difficult any reorganization will be.  But we also know that we are at a critical moment and failing to act simply isn’t an option.  While we’re very much at the beginning stages of our work, and we don’t have any preconceived notions of what changes should be made, we know we can do better.  We know that it’s been far too long since we’ve taken a hard look at the structure and organization of our government.  We know we have a real opportunity here to better support our businesses, so we can create jobs and strengthen our economy.  And we know that other countries are moving forward, and if we don’t act, they may soon join us at the head of the pack.

Jeffrey Zients is the Federal Chief Performance Officer and the Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget.

On the second day of the Better Benefits, Better Health initiative, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the important benefits seniors can receive. If you're over sixty-five, you are eligible for important new benefits thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

People on Medicare are now eligible to obtain certain preventive services, like mammograms and colonoscopies for free. Click here to find a list of preventive services that will be covered. Seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare can also get an annual wellness exam from their participating physician or health professional for free.  Please speak with your doctor for more details.

Earlier this year, the White House launched the Startup America initiative to celebrate, inspire and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship around the country.  As part of the effort, senior Administration officials are travelling across the country this month to hear directly from entrepreneurs about what processes and regulations we need to change or improve in order to foster a more nurturing environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.

For those of you who don't live near one of the Startup America: Reducing Barriers Roundtable cities, we're holding an online panel here at the White House to take and respond to your questions and suggestions, too.  Submit your ideas for reducing burdens to entrepreneurship and innovation here at fastcompany.com or on twitter with the hashtag #startupamerica, and Fast Company editors will select as many as they can to pose to National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling and SBA Administrator Karen Mills on Wednesday at 12:00pm ET on whitehouse.gov/live.

So that means...

Now:
Submit your questions for Gene Sperling and Karen Mills here.

Wednesday:
Watch for the answers at 12 noon ET on whitehouse.gov/live, and add to conversation on facebook or on twitter with the hashtag #startupamerica.

Today, President Obama is visiting Chile to meet with President Piñera to discuss how we can create even more jobs in America by deepening our economic relationship and expanding exports.  Beginning at 2:05 p.m. EDT (3:05 p.m. CT), President Obama and President Piñera will hold a joint press conference which will be streamed live below:

Following the joint press conference, stay tuned for President Obama's speech at the Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda in Santiago, Chile. Watch the speech live beginning at 3:20 p.m. EDT (4:20 p.m. CT) at WhiteHouse.gov/live. Check out the President's schedule for more information on the First Family's visit to Chile.

Ed. note: For President Obama's 2012 Nowruz message, click here.

President Obama sends an important message to those celebrating the holiday of Nowruz.  At a time of great regional change and renewal, the President this year speaks directly to the Iranian people, in particular the Iranian youth.  “...you – the young people of Iran – carry within you both the ancient greatness of Persian civilization, and the power to forge a country that is responsive to your aspirations. Your talent, your hopes, and your choices will shape the future of Iran, and help light the world. And though times may seem dark, I want you to know that I am with you,” he says.

Read the President's Message in: Arabic (pdf) | Persian (pdf). You can also watch the video with Arabic subtitles.

May all those who celebrate Nowruz around the world embrace the power of youth, and have a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Yesterday, President Obama delivered remarks on the United States' response to the situation in Libya, "authoriz[ing] the Armed Forces of the United States to begin a limited military action in Libya in support of an international effort to protect Libyan civilians." Read the full remarks below:

Good afternoon, everybody.  Today I authorized the Armed Forces of the United States to begin a limited military action in Libya in support of an international effort to protect Libyan civilians.  That action has now begun.

In this effort, the United States is acting with a broad coalition that is committed to enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which calls for the protection of the Libyan people.  That coalition met in Paris today to send a unified message, and it brings together many of our European and Arab partners.

This is not an outcome that the United States or any of our partners sought.  Even yesterday, the international community offered Muammar Qaddafi the opportunity to pursue an immediate cease-fire, one that stopped the violence against civilians and the advances of Qaddafi’s forces.  But despite the hollow words of his government, he has ignored that opportunity.  His attacks on his own people have continued.  His forces have been on the move.  And the danger faced by the people of Libya has grown.

A quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov:

Standing with the people of Japan: After the tragic earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, President Obama spoke on the United States' commitment to support our friend and ally. He also visited the Japanese embassy and signed a condolence book. Find out more about what you can do to help at USAID.gov.

Education: President Obama visited a middle school in Arlington, Virginia, where he spoke on the need to reform the No Child Left Behind legislation before the beginning of the coming school year.

Ed. Note: This post is part of a Sunshine Week series that highlights open government efforts from across the administration.

At the Department of Transportation, open government is not just a slogan we throw around. Instead, it’s something we practice every day. That’s because the public – the people we serve – has a right to know what we are doing and how we are doing it.

That is why I am so pleased to be able to report that at DOT, our team has accomplished so much in a very short time.  Our professionals are encouraged to promote transparency, increase citizen engagement, and collaborate with others across the government and outside the government to benefit all Americans.

I invite you to visit www.dot.gov/open.  Read my blog, Fast Lane, visit my Facebook page and check out my twitter feed.  Let us know what else you need from DOT so you can get the transportation information you need.

Here are just a few of the important steps we have taken over the last two years:

President Obama has set an ambitious goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015, supporting at least two million additional American jobs.  As the President departs for Latin America to promote U.S. exports and U.S. jobs, we at the Office of the United States Trade Representative are continuing to work on three pending free trade agreements – with Korea, Panama, and Colombia – that can support these National Export Initiative goals.

In December, President Obama announced that the United States and South Korea have finalized an historic trade deal that will increase U.S. exports to Korea by $11 billion annually while supporting 70,000 American jobs. The news has been met with high praise from a wide range of groups, including the United Auto Workers, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, the U.S. Chamber and the American Farm Bureau Federation, to name a few stakeholders. They know the positive impact this agreement will have on U.S. businesses and families, from auto workers to cattle ranchers to high-tech manufacturers and service providers.

The U.S.-Korea trade agreement would eliminate tariffs on more than 95 percent of industrial and consumer goods within five years, creating a more open and fair Korean market for U.S. auto companies and workers, and new opportunities for U.S. manufacturers, farmers and ranchers. In real terms, U.S. beef producers could expect to save $90 million annually with the progressive elimination of Korea’s existing tariff.