Economic development - Leveraging skills from Private space

Introduction

World over, governments strive to accelerate economic growth thereby providing better quality of lives for their citizens. However, in their pursuit, they are constantly challenged by limited resources and evolving public expectations. The objective is to deliver better outcomes more efficiently; however, this would mean taking some unconventional measures.

So far, Indian government’s administrative set up has been well managed by the executive and bureaucracy. Nevertheless, to attain the transformation & effective development, the government need to draw intellectual capital (professionals) from the private sector and apply them in a way suited to the public sector. Renowned economist Ho Joon Chang says, “The foundation of economic development is the acquisition of more productive knowledge.”

The professionals, as facilitators of change, bring specialised knowledge in their respective areas, innovation and structured approach. They would complement the existing set up in enhancing productivity to boost economic growth and ensuring reach of welfare schemes to those in need, more effectively and efficiently. The State of today needs to be ‘Strategic’.

‘Strategic State’ & Capacity building

Morris Chang, CEO TSMC, says, “Without strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless.” Whether in private or public sector, proper strategic planning and its rigorous execution are critical and indispensable to each other – in bridging the gap between where we stand and where we want to be. The ‘Strategic State’ would ensure these elements with an objective of doing more with less. This might mean reviewing and cutting programmes that no longer deliver value, using new reward and recognition structures promoting change and results, and leveraging latest know-how, technology and adjusting policy reforms towards transformation and efficiency.

Large-scale government transformation programs are easy to talk about, but difficult to execute; one research tells only 40% of such efforts meet their objectives. For turning big ideas into big wins, the rules are different, the skill sets are different, the focus and the energy are completely different. Thus, developing economies like India should strongly emphasise on ‘capacity building’.

Significance of Professionals & Newer developments

Essential for ‘capacity building’ is recruiting, nurturing, rewarding and retaining professionals (specialists). This is even more important when government needs to be equipped with the know-how of how to do, what they want to do.

Following are few major areas where professionals can act as force multipliers:

·         Programme management

With an array of projects and schemes declared by the government, the specialised practice of programme management will ensure methodological, proactive, disciplined, effective and efficient implementation. In mission mode, this will lead to the desired outcomes (continued infrastructure development, attracting investment, reaching of benefits to various social segments). The learning can then be fed to the planning process.

·         Strategic Planning

Evidence based informed decision making and relevant policy formulation form the core. As statistician Edwards Deming says, “In God we trust; all others must bring data.” Measuring outcomes is imperative – whether for social programmes, health or educational expenditure – and basis these outcomes, government need to choose the impactful programmes. Professionals can drive through big data analytics, predictive modelling and other statistical learning techniques.

·         Communication

The government needs to implement initiatives, and make the citizens aware of these initiatives, for passing the benefits in entirety. In today’s digital age of agile social media (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Blog), specialised professionals drive instant and effective communication. This is also critical for feedback gathering, making public announcements, redressing grievances and highlighting government actions.

·         Research & Analysis

The government today needs to benchmark and learn not only from the region but also from rest of the world. Qualitative and quantitative research in areas of best practices, latest developments and innovation would act as catalyst to the development initiatives. Further, research aids in providing solutions and reengineering the current processes.

Professionals in the areas of risk management, financial analysis & management, data engineering, quality engineering, architectural engineering and IT would also boost the existing set up with their unique capabilities.  

Conclusion

In order to be productive, effective and efficient, the government set up must involve the specialised professionals in its policy making, programme implementation and overall functioning. These professionals with their depth of subject matter knowledge would facilitate the existing administrators towards meeting the State’s goals.

The challenge, however, lies in integrating these professionals to the complex public sector environment and its demands. Professionals’ alacrity to learn & facilitate and existing system’s willingness to evolve itself are critical for success. 

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.” – Paul Mayer

Be The Change !

Famous German Poet Bertold Brecht says, ‘Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.’ Change is the only constant. From Jurassic era to modern times, from imperialism to democracy, from barter system to stock exchanges, it is the timeless element of change that has shaped up our present and that determines our future.

To remain in the comfort zone of status quo might lead to momentary contentment, but, in the process freezes ourselves into a rock and preclude the growth and agility that wind possesses. When the choice is ours, Why not be the wind and bring liveliness around?

In our daily lives, we face numerous situations that demand to adapt accordingly. There are instances which we can influence, while at times we need to be influenced. Organizations today face a momentous issue of Culture. At workplace, ‘It happens that way only’, ‘Nothing is going to change, what’s the use?’, ‘Why shouldn’t they think about it earlier?’. ‘If people at the top don’t care, why should I be hitting my head hard?’ are some of the common sayings or rather excuses to remain in that status quo.

The irony that we confront is that while everyone says the same, why not each of them makes an effort to bring about the change. After all, the sum of many makes a great one. ‘I am looking for the right opportunity’, ‘I am just a mere number in the organization chart’, ‘There is no progress out here’; such quotes bring a clear message of dissatisfaction rather promulgation of pessimistic viewpoints. It is high time that each one of us introspects, and analyzes what acts or efforts of ours have added value to the organization? Could we create that confidence into our seniors and subordinates and above all into the organization that makes us more eligible for bigger roles?

One vital aspect is the sense of belongingness that needs to be fostered all across starting from ourselves. A company is a mere legal entity, only the people strengthens or weakens it. Our success collectively leads to the growth of the company, and vice versa. Why can’t we assert that the organization belongs to us, and it is we who will assure its success? Each act of ours, each moment that we invest needs to be directed towards organizational development, and, thus our growth. Culture is fostered by the attitude, activities, and aspirations we exhibit.

It is need of the hour when the organization develops leadership culture i.e. working along with the people. Attention should be on “people issues”, understanding and realizing their needs and building their capabilities for organizational success. Jim Owens former chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, says, in any great company it’s not about a great individual leader, it’s about a leadership culture within the company. In our pursuit for excellence, such culture can be culminated by the appropriate blend of teamwork, discipline, time management, positive attitude, and motivation.

The trinity of responsibility, authority, and accountability not only lays the foundation for a great organization, but also brings about job satisfaction and empowerment of individuals. Information sharing down the line creates valued and esteemed subordinates. In reciprocation, feedback escalation up the line enables cognizance of ground realities to make informed, corrective and progressive decisions.

The bottom line lies in the optimistic & progressive redirection and reformation of our thoughts, deeds and hence, results. If we really yearn to see the change, the onus lies on our shoulders to bring the change, to be the change!

+Danish