Editor's Corner

Ideas, Philosophy & Action "Where's The Beef"

Don't get me wrong. I like ideas, I like dealing with abstract concepts...I will even confess to wanting to be a philosophy major before I smartened up! It seems to me, though, that it is possible to drown in slogans, vague but dandy sounding ideas, and management philosophies.

Over the last two years, I have read about, and heard speakers talk about "reinventing", "renewing", "storying around", "empowering", "service paradigms", "striving for excellence", and a host of other terms that are accompanied by pithy prescriptions for improvement.

They sound good, they sound great, but I am concerned that it is difficult to transform these ideas into success on a day-to-day basis. Having ideas is wonderful, but altering one's behaviour to be consistent with these ideas is a difficult challenge.

The bottom line in effective management is that you exert your effect on the world through your actions...what you do every day...the conversations you have, the decisions you make, the planning you do. Having good ideas, or a "politically correct" management philosophy does not guarantee that you will be an effective leader. Your behaviour determines your effectiveness.

This brings me to the role of the consultant. It's great for consultants to stimulate thinking, and help people alter their philosophy. But consultants have another role and that is to help you translate your ideas and goals into action, so that the ideas become reality, and the goals are achieved. Nothing less is acceptable.

Unfortunately, all the slogans and quotes from eminent experts don't help much. There is a point where managers need help on an ongoing basis to act in ways that will bring about the goals they want.

Bacal & Associates recognizes that the best way to help people is to work with them on the action end of things. We offer a number of organization improvement services that consist of, not only a "workshop", but also ongoing access to help and advice. If you have a question, you can pick up the phone to discuss it. Quickly and easily. No charge.

Our consulting pledge to you is that any ideas or vague philosophies you hear from us will be dealt with as a bridge to action and results. We want to stimulate your thinking, but we also want to help you develop real solutions to real problems, not abstract solutions to problems found in books.

This month we bring you some information about strategic planning. We present a model, a description of it's steps, and some notes on the reality of how the process really works. Due to space limitations, we haven't been able to get to the "nitty-gritty" of getting it done, but we would be happy to discuss your situation with you, and help you develop a process that will work for you. Give us a call.

This month we have included a subscription form for our publications. We know YOU won't need it, but you may know of other managers or supervisors that could beneift from reading The Public Sector Manager. Feel free to encourage others to subscribe.

Finally, our regular column, On The Line, does not appear this month. It will return as space is available.

Robert Bacal, Editor