Text of remarks by Governor Sonny Perdue.
“Team Georgia. Ready to Serve.” – DVD, July 2006.

Over the years, many of you have heard me say that I want to change the culture of state government to be principle-centered, results-driven and customer-focused.

I set this goal three and a half years ago, and I’ve asked everyone in state government to help me reach it.
You have responded excellently to that challenge. We have planned, launched and accelerated a transformation of how we do business in Georgia.

Together, we’re overhauling the engine of government. That’s especially an impressive job when you consider we are doing it while the engine is still running.

Changing old ways of doing business is a big challenge.

But you, especially the frontline employees – those who answer the phones and serve people of Georgia – are getting the job done.

We have a unique relationship with the citizens we serve. As the true shareholders, the citizens are the real owners of this state.

We all report to them.

Citizens tell us they want their interactions with the state to be Fast, Friendly and Easy.

So, guess what? That’s what we’re going to do.

I’ve asked agency leadership to look at their business from the customer’s point of view. But your leadership can’t do it without you. We need your commitment and your ideas.

Right now, 42 state agencies are launching new Customer Service Improvement Plans to make Georgia's service to citizens faster, friendlier and easier.

In order to keep us all inspired, we’ll be measuring the results to let us know how we are doing. As Coach Vince Lombardi once said, “If you’re not keeping score, you’re just practicing.”

Thank you for joining me to make Georgia the most helpful and customer friendly state in the nation.