In today’s digital era, national reputation is not built only on geography or resources — it’s also about how well a country positions itself as a digital nation. Governments across the world are branding themselves as innovative, tech-enabled, and citizen-centred. Two stand-out examples are Estonia and Singapore, which have turned their digital transformation programmes into powerful nation brands. Estonia calls itself a digital nation, known globally for its e-Estonia co

Estonia has become one of the world’s most admired examples of a digital nation. Over the past two decades, this small Baltic country has turned digital transformation into both a national identity and a global marketing success. Through innovation, creativity, and collaboration, Estonia has built an image of a nation where technology, government, and citizens work seamlessly together. Rather than rely on slogans, Estonia’s digital brand has grown from real achievements —

In our interconnected world, a country’s image matters more than ever. A strong national brand is not just a slogan on a flag or a campaign poster — it’s a living reputation built from what a nation does, not just what it says. When a government aligns its actions with messages of trust, innovation and inclusion, it can unlock a powerful asset: credibility on the world stage. This article explores how to develop a compelling country-level national brand. We will draw lesso

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, live, and learn—fast. But not all cities will feel these changes the same way. Some places will boom as AI-powered industries grow and new high-skill jobs appear. Other cities may face big challenges as automation replaces routine and service-based roles. This article unpacks which cities will be most impacted by AI, why some regions are more vulnerable, and what people and governments can do to prepare. We will explore glob

Every generation gives its children advice about work. When I was growing up, the message was simple: get a qualification, work hard, and you’ll be safe. That formula doesn’t work anymore. Artificial intelligence has rewritten the rules. I’ve started telling my kids something very different — “pick a job that AI can’t easily do.” The rise of AI and jobs automation is no longer science fiction. It’s reshaping companies, rewriting job descriptions, and wiping out roles

Public finance management (PFM) sits at the core of effective governance. It determines how governments plan, allocate, and monitor resources — and how they deliver results for citizens. Yet, across many administrations, financial decisions are still based on partial or delayed information. As governments move towards digital transformation, the smarter use of data in public finance management has become essential. When properly collected and applied, data allows governmen

New Public Management (NPM) has dominated public sector reform for decades. Though stressed, challenged, and often criticised, it remains a prevailing model in many governments. Why does NPM continue to hold on, despite rising calls for more collaborative, networked, and trust-based forms of governance? This paper explores the reasons behind NPM’s persistence, examines the reform tools pushing for more horizontal and vertical collaboration in public sectors, and proposes

In today’s fast-moving world, organisations must adapt or risk falling behind. But change—even when necessary—can be messy, disruptive and resisted. That’s where change management frameworks come in. These structured approaches act as a roadmap, guiding leaders and teams through the stages of change: from recognising the need, to implementing solutions, to embedding new practices. In this article, we explore what makes a change management framework “best” for your context,

Key Principles for Change Management in Government: How to Lead Successful Public Sector Transformation

With increasing pressure on public organisations to deliver more for less, public sector mergers have emerged as a strategic tool to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery. Unlike private sector mergers driven by profit and shareholder value, public mergers must navigate complex political, legal and stakeholder environments. The ultimate goal? To serve the public better, more efficiently and more transparently. Whether you're in central government,

This article explores the key characteristics of Principles-Based Regulation, compares it to rules-based approaches, and examines its benefits, risks, and the critical success factors needed to make it work.

Procurement has long been seen as a back-office function, focused mainly on cost control and compliance. But today, both governments and businesses are rethinking procurement as a strategic driver of value, innovation, and resilience. The OECD’s Digital Transformation of Public Procurement Good Practice Report shows how governments can shift to smarter, more transparent systems. At the same time, leading private sector organisations are using data, automation, and new supp

Procurement is one of the largest areas of government spending, shaping how public funds are used and how services are delivered. Modernising procurement is no longer just about efficiency—it is about building trust, ensuring transparency, and driving public value. The OECD’s Digital Transformation of Public Procurement Good Practice Report highlights how governments can use digital tools to make procurement more efficient, resilient, and user-centred. Combined with modern

The OECD Digital Transformation of Public Procurement Good Practice Report is an essential guide for governments, agencies, and organisations aiming to modernise their procurement systems. Public procurement is not just about buying goods and services—it shapes how governments spend money, deliver services, and build trust with citizens. This OECD report provides good practices, case studies, and recommendations for countries and organisations at different stages of digita

In today’s world, governments face growing pressure to manage public money more effectively, provide accurate financial reports, and ensure resources are used in ways that benefit citizens. One of the most practical tools for meeting these demands is the Common Chart of Accounts (CCOA). A CCOA is more than just an accounting system—it is a way of organising financial information so that it can be used for better decision-making, clearer reporting, and stronger accountabili

The impact of AI on the Philippines call centre industry is one of the biggest shifts facing the country’s economy today. Since overtaking India in 2010 as the world’s leading call centre capital, the Philippines has relied heavily on its thriving business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. With 1.3 to 1.8 million people employed and contributing over US$30 billion a year, call centres have become a lifeline for Filipino workers and a cornerstone of national growth. However

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the world, but its impact on India’s services industry will be especially significant. For decades, India’s IT giants thrived on a business model built around scale, skilled human labour, and cost efficiency. Today, however, that model is under strain as automation and AI-driven platforms rapidly change how technology services are delivered. For India’s $263 billion IT services sector (FY25 estimate, excluding

Why Policy Development Matters More Than Ever Policy development is one of the most important processes in modern governance. It shapes how governments respond to social challenges, economic pressures, and environmental risks. In theory, policy development should be a well-structured, evidence-driven, and inclusive process that produces effective solutions. In practice, however, the reality often looks very different. Too often, policy development is reactive, rushed, a

A New Era of Innovation Leadership South Korea has transformed from a war-torn, resource-poor country into one of the most advanced and innovative economies in the world. Its global leadership in sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and consumer electronics is no accident. It's the result of strategic planning, targeted investment in research and development (R&D), and a growing ecosystem of startups and global collaborations. This article e

Building for the Future Starts with a Clear Plan Strong, sustainable infrastructure doesn't happen by accident. It starts with smart planning, reliable forecasting, and well-structured investment pathways. One of the most powerful tools governments and industries can use for this is the infrastructure pipeline. Infrastructure pipelines provide a long-term view of upcoming projects, helping governments, investors, and industry to plan ahead, allocate resources effectively,