My Mother's Phonebook. In our house it rivaled something of a “How To” guide for family maintenance. An oversized, brown three-ring binder with all the important papers and numbers – direct lines to pediatricians, immunization records and the complete Christmas List. Unfortunately my Mother’s phonebook also followed it’s own (or her own) logic. Friend’s numbers were on the respective child’s pages, neighbors all filed under “N” instead of last names and the most important documents stuffed in front (as if their placement suggested extreme significance). One thing my Mother’s phonebook didn’t have was uniform logic or data entry that another person could easily pick up and continue. We joked that this was Mom’s form of solidifying her job security, but in an organization or campaign this can be an all too scary reality!

Technologies that serve politics traditionally have lagged behind more advanced systems developed for major commercial enterprises. In recent years the gap has closed as firms like Aristotle have introduced new methods and tools to the business of campaign management and the processes of democracy. Changes in efficiency and ease of use for campaigns are aspects of technological progress where this has been apparent.