Analysis of Canadian Digital Service Startup Approach to Government IT

This report analyzes a CBC News article about the Canadian Digital Service (CDS), a startup initiative led by Jason White aimed at improving the Canadian federal government's online services. The report evaluates the article's media pitch, highlighting the mission-driven nature of CDS and its potential impact on society. It further examines another article focusing on transforming restaurants into temporary office spaces and suggests a related business idea centered on interior design for these spaces. The analysis emphasizes the growing trend of nomadic workers and the economic benefits of integrating technology into government services, showcasing innovative approaches to address contemporary challenges.

Running head: NEWS REPORT
News Report
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1NEWS REPORT
Part A
The news report titled “Canadian Digital Service takes startup approach to building better
IT for government” by Julie Ireton was covered by CBC News on December 14th, 2017. The
story describes how the Canadian Digital Service (CDS) has been started by 39-year-old data
programmer Jason White. This initiative rises as a startup for helping the federal government and
serving the nation by creating better online connections to citizens of Canada (1).
In my opinion, the article was written as a story pitched to the media. Though CDS is less
than six months old, it has the aim of growing with a fast rate. The work done by Whites is
fundamentally mission-driven. The story aims to bring into the limelight the honorable and noble
initiative CDS has taken up so that the same can get the worthy recognition.
The story under scrutiny highlights more than one news criteria, making it a suitable one
for media coverage. The story highlights the White’s plan to leave behind his alluring job at
Shopify to work with the federal government, giving a background to the mission outlined. It
further moves on to point out the organizational functioning of CDS as it operates in a non-
descript federal government building. A detailed discussed is being put up regarding the
recruitment being done to expand its system, drawing interest of those wishing to work with the
company. The story further highlights that CDS is following a government model, that aims to
address the issues existing in the previous IT models. Moving into the potential CDS holds, it has
been mentioned that CDS is focusing on small projects that are easier to be implemented and
make appreciable. Rules are being followed regarding privacy legislation and how business data
are being handled.

2NEWS REPORT
The article reflects the positive aspects related to the business and brings to light the good
impact on the society. The story is a motivating one that can encourage more professionals from
the field of IT to come forward and play a role in integrating technology into government
services. Such approaches would be beneficial in making the federal government’s services more
advanced and efficient.
Part B
The article titled “Local startup transforms trendy restaurants into temporary office
spaces” focuses on how world-class restaurants are being transformed into temporary office
spaces that can be profitable for both the restaurants and entrepreneurs with flexible working
schedules (2). This particular business idea forms the basis for another business idea of interior
designing that can help in transforming restaurants into temporary office spaces. Since the
innovative idea outlined in the article entails highly detailed interior decoration and furnishing, a
business that looks into catering to the need of the restaurants would be highly beneficial. A
startup initiative can be started that identifies the need for the restaurants and provide necessary
amenities. The article points out that the freelance, independent entrepreneurs and startup world
is expanding speedily. It is expected that the number of nomadic workers would form a third of
the workforce in the next two years. Considering this, the proposed business plan would bring in
economic benefits.

3NEWS REPORT
References
1. Ireton J. Canadian Digital Service takes startup approach to building better IT for government
[Internet]. CBC News. 2017 [cited 19 February 2018]. Available from:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canadian-digital-service-recruiting-it-brains-prevent-
phoenix-1.4445010
2. Local startup transforms trendy restaurants into temporary office spaces [Internet]. CBC
News. 2017 [cited 19 February 2018]. Available from:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/flexday-restaurant-office-space-1.4507588