The evidence demonstrates that increasing the involvement of women has markedly beneficial effects on business, both short and long-term. Therefore you would think that Boards and senior management teams striving to do the best possible thing in the interests of the company and shareholders would be clamoring for much greater participation on Boards and in senior management for women.
Treat the symptom, NOW!
Whether it be medical science, veterinary science, business management or accounting, we regularly hear ‘fix the cause’. Yet an immediate intervention to treat the symptom is often helpful (perhaps even essential) before the cause can be effectively attended.
Island-Australia Anxiety in the 21st Century
In the 21st century we shouldn’t allow our Island-Australia Anxiety to cloud our thinking, our relationships with other countries, our business dealings and our lives. As we continue our path towards participation in the global community and in the next Asian century, we need to be wary about these deep-seated cultural ideas and the way that we express them.
Challenging the Unkind Cuts
Budget cuts, especially when they relate to labour cuts, have dramatically unkind impacts on the people in your organisation, their morale, the ability to get the work done. They result in long-term hardship to your people (or former people in the case of labour cuts) and their families, as well as having a broader impact on customers and communities. History tells us that budget cuts are often the beginning of the end for companies, leading to eventual closure, takeover or liquidation.
The Influence of Key Stakeholders
Over the last fifty years, the range of key stakeholders for most corporations has been expanding. Corporate responsibility expectations are changing as a result of the influence of key stakeholders, with the consequence of potentially limiting the ability of shareholders and managers to operate in their preferred environment. In the meantime, the more traditional key stakeholders, shareholders, clients, customers, suppliers and staff, are asking for more involvement in organisational operations.
Transactional Relationships – Is this still the Australian way in Asia?
It is important that as Australia creates its strategy for the Asian Century we realise we are well beyond the transactional relationships that apparently continue to occupy the minds of those in government, business and media. Australia needs to work hard to move from the little lot down the road to become part of Asia’s back yard.
Guess who’s coming to dinner – the Power of Dialogue
I would love to set up the modern equivalent of an ancient concept – a space for dialogues that allow us to challenge our own concepts, create and define our real values and philosophies, and better understand the power of diversity. I would love to set up a Google+ circle that allows a number of excellent business thinkers and leaders to ask each other questions and respectfully listen to each other over months and years as we take the voyage of exploration through this complex world
Vacuums
Vacuums are best used for dust, rather than as communication philosophies for virtual teams.
The Asian Century – Again
In the Asian century, business as usual is not enough. Because what we know clearly is there isn’t a single aspect of government policies and national planning that won’t be touched by the great changes to come. Food security and foreign investment, immigration and education, stock market structures and financial regulation, energy policy and environmental standards.
The scourge of Australia
What does the ‘Spirit of Australia’ mean to you? Mateship, Aussie-battlers, Courage, Honesty, Diversity and Innovation. In times of crisis, we’re told a values audit can help. Will an Aussie icon respond or simply fall prey to the same old 20th century economic growth model before sliding into the mire?
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