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- Three quick reads for a better 2025
Three quick reads for a better 2025
This trifecta of insights were our most-clicked stories this year. Haven’t read them? Take 15 minutes this holiday break to get ready for the year ahead.
Welcome to the late-December issue of the Button Insight Newsletter!
The Big Story
Three quick reads for a better 2025
This trifecta of insights were our most-clicked stories this year. Haven’t read them? Take 15 minutes this holiday break to get ready for the year ahead.
1. Lessons from the CrowdStrike debacle for your business (July 2024)
The much-publicized CrowdStrike software failure highlighted the importance of business processes over just technical solutions. Our reaction included key takeaways and the importance of practicing recovery plans, using deployment rings to limit damage, and enforcing compliance with secure tools. The story is a good reminder that businesses and teams should prepare for risks, limit impacts, and ensure effective change management to prevent large-scale failures. Read now.
2. How to spring-clean your public-sector digital strategy (February 2024)
This reminder to organize and prioritize may have been in the spirit of spring-cleaning, it definitely is worth a read over the holiday break as you prepare for 2025. Check out the tips on public-sector digital strategy and how to focus on four resolutions: 1) Prioritize design sprints to scope and test projects before investing. 2) Reevaluate legacy systems, identifying what to keep or modernize. 3) Reconnect with users through feedback. 4) Network within your ecosystem for fresh insights and continuous learning. Start your digital spring-cleaning early.
3. The very busy person’s guide to putting your creativity and career first (November 2024)
During an incredibly busy time of year, we reminded everyone to prioritize your creativity and career. The story outlined five key strategies to try: 1) Explore online learning platforms like Coursera to gain new skills. 2) Attend local meetups to network and stay informed. 3) Participate in conferences and workshops for industry insights. 4) Start personal projects to apply and grow your skills. 5) Seek mentorship for guidance and community engagement. Now that you have a bit of downtime, see if you can implement any over the next week.
Community Engagement
On Dec. 3, the Button team had an incredible learning experience at the Public Sector Innovation Show BC 2024, which took place at the Victoria Conference Centre in the provincial capital.
Our team took the opportunity to dive into fresh ideas and inspiration from thought leaders across the province. A key highlight was the push toward modernizing service delivery with multi-cloud platforms, transitioning from hybrid systems to SaaS models that reduce backend complexity and let teams focus on what really matters: the user experience.
We were also intrigued by Agentic AI, which moves beyond basic automation to create systems that can reason, act, and adapt autonomously—though it’s clear that scaling this innovation will require careful planning around privacy, oversight, and alignment with client goals.
Human-centric design was a major theme, with an emphasis on engaging underserved communities, making services culturally and linguistically accessible, and eliminating barriers to program access.
Sustainability also took the spotlight, with discussions on integrating carbon reduction into building codes and funding green technologies while keeping them affordable. Public-private partnerships were positioned as the bridge to close funding and innovation gaps.
From Mobility Wallets in transportation to hybrid healthcare models that blend virtual and in-person care, we were reminded of the importance of collaboration across stakeholders, communities, and sectors.
For us Buttoners, this was a powerful validation of the work we do—bridging gaps between people, policies, and technology to design smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready solutions.
We’re excited to take these learnings back to our projects and explore how we can bring even greater value to our clients. Get in touch to chat about your plans in 2025 and how Button can help!
Meet the Buttoners
Meet Francesca, Button’s new software developer
Hi, I’m Francesca!
I started my career as a Software Engineer, working with Human Capital Management systems. I had the unique opportunity to dive into a proprietary programming language, which taught me to problem-solve and adapt quickly to new challenges. Over the years, I’ve also taken on roles as a Business Analyst, Quality Assurance Analyst, and Software Developer, giving me a well-rounded perspective on software development and teamwork.
Outside of work, I’m all about learning and exploring! Whether I’m experimenting with new recipes, snapping photos of random (but interesting) things, playing games, or starting projects to try out the latest tech, I’m always up for a fun challenge.
Joining Button feels like the perfect next chapter; I’m excited to channel my technical expertise and enthusiasm into designing human-centred services that make a real impact
Upcoming Events
User-centric design as a key driver in bridging disconnected care
DATE: Jan. 8, 2025
PLACE: Virtual, for Digital Health Canada members
TIME: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET
Disconnected care remains a major challenge in healthcare, limiting seamless communication and collaboration among providers, patients, and community resources. Bridging this gap requires innovative solutions rooted in interoperability and a user-centric approach to product design and development. By focusing on the needs of patients, providers, and administrators, we can create solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also intuitive and impactful.
Calian’s digital health experts will highlight the importance of user-centred design principles and their role in driving connected care, underpinned by actionable takeaways for stakeholders in healthcare innovation.
Find out more!
Victoria AI Tech Meetup: Exploring AI's Impact on Business & Innovation
DATE: Jan. 9, 2025
TIME: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT
PLACE: Fort Tectoria - Shaw Conference Room (777 Fort St., Victoria, B.C.)
Join us as thought leaders & innovators gather to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and its practical applications.
Monthly Friendly Fridays - January Edition
DATE: Jan. 10, 2025
TIME: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. MT
PLACE: Advanced Technology Centre, Edmonton Research Park (9650 20 Ave. NW. Edmonton, AB)
Friendly Fridays is a monthly gathering co-hosted by Technology Alberta and the Edmonton Research Park. It's your chance to connect with fellow members of the Alberta Technology Community in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, champion, or simply curious about the Alberta Ecosystem, Friendly Fridays is the perfect opportunity to network, share ideas, and collaborate on exciting projects. Each session features casual discussions, networking opportunities, and insights from community members.
Design Thinking with Dan Buchner (January CEO Breakfast Roundtable)
DATE: Jan. 10, 2025
TIME: 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. PT
PLACE: Victoria, B.C. (contact organizers for location)
Design thinking is a human-centric approach to innovation. It is a problem-solving mindset that allows you to look at things through your customers' eyes while figuring out meaningful solutions for your business. During the Roundtable Dan Buchner will help us explore the value of adopting Design Thinking approaches for building your business.
Worth Your Attention
What We’re Reading: The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma, by Mustafa Suleyman
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century's Greatest Dilemma by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar offers a critical analysis of how emerging technologies are reshaping power dynamics globally. The book explores the intersection of AI, surveillance, cybersecurity, and geopolitics, providing essential insights for public sector leaders.
It urges governments to adapt to rapid technological advancements while addressing ethical, security, and societal challenges. With practical examples and a forward-looking perspective, it’s a must-read for senior officials aiming to understand how technology will transform governance, influence global power structures, and redefine policy priorities in the coming decades. Highly recommended.
Further Reading
Stay on top of vital digital services news and tips by checking out insights from our previous newsletters!
BE MORE EMPATHETIC: A tale of technology and transformation in public services.
HOW TO EMPOWER YOUR TEAM TO EMBRACE CHANGE: Button’s four key considerations when tackling the human side of digital projects within your organization.
AGILE SCALE SCRUM AND USER TESTING YOUR PRODUCT: How to emphasize working in cross-functional teams for clear communication, iterative development and flexible adaptation.
AI IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: We break down AI’s potential to revolutionize public services—as well as the serious pitfalls to acknowledge when handling public information and public trust.
🔥 THE NEWEST HOT BUTTON REPORT: Learn how to rebuild trust with your stakeholders. Download the full, free report now.
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