Politics: The new term: time for strategic policy
(December 2011)
John Key took office three years ago amid global financial and economic mayhem. Then came earthquakes in Christchurch, a mine disaster and a ship grounding causing widespread environmental damage. Another such concatenation of disasters is unlikely in the next three years – though financial and economic mayhem cannot be ruled out (whether the Greek crisis had really been resolved was unclear when this was written).
Economics: Mind the gap
(December 2011)
A political spat was triggered earlier this year over the wage gap between New Zealand and Australia: was it shrinking or growing? Before the 2008 general election, it was recalled at that time, National leader John Key had promised to close the gap. But maybe there was economic advantage in not closing the gap, because Finance Minister Bill English had talked of the competitive edge offered by cheaper wages. Key, meanwhile, insisted the gap was being closed on the strength of increases in after-tax average wages on his watch.
Leadership: Leading by relinquishing
(December 2011)
Some interesting leadership research by global business consultancy Hay Group crossed my desk recently. It underpins what seems glaringly obvious but which is not gaining rapid traction – specifically, leaders must acquire a host of new skills and competencies to lead successfully in our fast changing world. Leaders must become adept “conceptual and strategic thinkers”, says the research.
Politics: Serving up big changes in the public sector
(November 2011)
Public sector managers can expect faster and more far-reaching change if National gets a second term on November 26. This could be the biggest reshaping since the radical 1980s’ reforms. One big driver is fiscal consolidation which requires the state to occupy a smaller share of the economy. Another is political instinct: three of the governing parties want a smaller state sector anyway. But the public service is large and it votes (especially if made redundant). So when Bill English first pushed for deep change, he was in a cabinet minority. This year his colleagues have been coming onside.
Economics: A peek in the CPI basket
(November 2011)
Economic and political commentators paid plenty of attention to the credit rating downgrades announced by Fitch and Standard and Poor’s late in September. The implications for interest rates and New Zealand’s ability to borrow were among their obvious concerns and politicians of all stripes argued about who should cop the blame. Prime Minister John Key put his credibility rating to the test, too, with claims about what Standard and Poor’s thought of Labour’s economic policies.
Leadership: Vote for trust
(November 2011)
It’s election month. Politicians beckon. But before spending your precious decision-making time on any individual or ideological consideration, ask yourself one question: who do you trust and why? Trust, you see, is both the most critical and, sadly, most often neglected, component of effective leadership. A trustworthy politician or political party might seem, as it so often is, like an oxymoron, but we are in desperate need of leaders we can trust or who might at least make an honest attempt to honour the spirit of the word. Trust is, as it so often has been, in short global supply.
Managing Sustainably: Share our vision for the future
(November 2011)
It’s great to be part of something. It’s even better to be involved with a group of likeminded people discussing the state of the world in 40 years’ time, looking at how we as individuals can make a difference, and developing a plan for practical action. The Vision 2050 future leaders’ project has provided the platform to do just that. As two of the 30 future leaders sharing the same vision of a sustainable future for our country and its diverse nation of people, what does this really mean to us? It’s about collaboration, shared values and a desire to succeed in achieving this common vision.
Managers Abroad: Strength in the NZ voice
(October 2011)
Deb Boswell, a member of Kea North America, is general manager of Icebreaker’s Run Specialty Channel.
Politics: The Maori party’s hard choices
(October 2011)
When the Maori party won four seats in the 2005 election its president, Whata Winiata, said the Treaty partner had come to Parliament. In 2008, with five seats, it partnered with National in government. Its problem: those partnerships are unequal. Its annual general meeting in late October will reflect that. Far from aspiring to seven seats on November 26, it will be defending the four it has left. This turnaround reflects the brutal majority-rules truth about Maori influence on politics since 1860: hard choices, which have always divided them.
Economics: Elections help the economy
(October 2011)
Finance Minister Bill English some weeks ago said he saw signs the economy had turned a corner. It had grown in seven of the past eight quarters and this year was likely to grow faster than Australia. He and his National-led Government are keen to persuade voters the country will keep growing under their stewardship, bringing higher incomes and more jobs.
Leadership: In search of a true story
(October 2011)
The management world is suddenly awash with tales about just how effective storytelling is as a core leadership competency. The thinking goes something like this. Storytelling, like the opposable thumb, differentiates humans from the myriad of other species that inhabit the earth. That at least is an explanation Auckland’s robust advertising and ideas man, Mike Hutcheson, offers in his foreword to local author Wade Jackson’s recently released book Stories at Work.
Managing Sustainably: CEOs put Vision 2050 project under the microscope
(October 2011)
The NZBCSD Vision 2050 project is gaining momentum. On August 30, over 20 chief executives reviewed the work completed by the Future Leaders group in respect of the Vision “pathways”. From their critique we gained a significant amount in terms of expectation as to the project and its outcomes; how the project can extend the engagement with business in general; and the work performed to date and refinements needed. A key message coming from this session was some deeper thinking about what needs to happen to ensure our aspirational targets for each pathway are achievable.
Thought Leader: An unconventional approach to sustainability
(October 2011)
For most companies, the green agenda has been about assessing manufacturing and distribution processes and then finding ways to minimise their impacts on the environment. Instead, taking our inspiration from nature, our company has adopted a Cradle to Cradle philosophy that looks instead at the whole life-cycle of a product and, using technology and lateral thinking, is finding ways to recycle every component of that product back into productive life.
Politics: A radical departs the public service still sparking
(September 2011)
Peter Hughes moves on after 10 years at the top of the Ministry of Social Development at the end of September. He takes with him – to the academic School of Government and some other appointments – his pre-eminent reputation as a chief executive. And he’s still pushing change. The Maori party reckons whanau ora is a revolutionary social policy initiative. But Hughes already had established the base from which whanau ora’s aim of a wraparound service could be developed: Community Link centres. There will be 80 Community Link centres by end-2011 and 130 by end-2012.
Economics: Are the poor getting poorer?
(September 2011)
Two recent reports obviously were in Labour leader Phil Goff’s mind when he questioned Prime Minister John Key in Parliament about poverty and the rising cost of living. First, the NBR Rich List showed the assets of the country’s wealthiest 150 people had swelled by 20 percent last year. Second, the latest labour cost index showed wages had increased 1.3 percent in the year to 30 June, much less than the 5.3 percent rise in annual inflation (3.3 percent if you shake out the GST impact).
Leadership: Men leading badly
(September 2011)
There is a leadership issue out there which, while some may consider me less than qualified to address, is nevertheless dear to my heart. Women! There simply aren’t enough of them. Well, not on the boards of our major companies anyhow. The latest addition to a living library of literature and research on how few women get to draw up a chair at our biggest board tables simply confirms what most of us men know. We’re not giving up our leadership without a fight, or maybe a directive to do so.
Managing Sustainably: Taking a 40-year view
(September 2011)
This positive imagination of New Zealand’s cultural diversity in 2050 is one example of the outputs from a two-day Future Leaders session held recently in Auckland as part of the NZBCSD Vision 2050 project. The process was challenging but hugely productive. Draft pathways for New Zealand were developed for the period now to 2050 and we began to explore the business challenges and opportunities that might arise over this timeframe. To help the creative juices, the team was given an inspiring talk from David Houle – a renowned American futurist.
Thought Leader: Innovation needs bold execution
(September 2011)
We live in an era where discovery is the new currency and the success with which nations can foster the climate for innovation will determine their future prosperity. This is an exciting dynamic for a small but competitive nation, and much rests on our capacity to commercialise the ideas, schemes and dreams of our brightest and best. Ambition to succeed in forging an innovative economy is one thing, but the acid is now on to lift our ability to execute that goal. We cannot be content with the status quo.
