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Management Services Spring 2012


News


Chairman’s Column


which have been identifi ed as signifi cant growth areas in the economy.


The third – to improve communications and, in particular, the Institute’s use of the internet.


I also stated that it is my intention to ensure our strategic aims remain dynamic and fl exible, so that we can exploit the opportunities that will undoubtedly arise in the future.


In order to achieve that I


n the last edition of the journal, I outlined the three strategic initiatives that have been adopted by Council to take the Institute forward. The fi rst – to strengthen the links between the Institute and its existing approved


fl exibility and provide the best opportunity to drive the Institute’s strategy to a successful conclusion, I have initiated a review of the Institute’s management structure.


Currently there are eight members of Council and seven Sub-Committees/Panels.


As the UK Government continues to struggle with the economic downturn, organisations are working hard to improve their effi ciency and effectiveness to stay in business


education providers and to identify and develop new links and providers, particularly those overseas. The second – to raise the profi le and increase membership of the Institute in the retail and service sectors


In addition, there are fi ve Region Boards operating throughout the UK. The review will examine the structure in detail to consider if it is ‘fi t for purpose’ and the best confi guration for taking the Institute forward. I shall


advise you of the outcome in my next communiqué. In terms of the fi rst strategic initiative, I would make the following observation. As the UK Government continues to struggle with the economic downturn, organisations are working hard to improve their effi ciency and effectiveness to stay in business. Productivity improvements are critical to enable them to do so and professionally trained productivity practitioners essential to maximise those improvements.


I recently had a conversation with two of my colleagues, one a Director at Scottish Enterprise, the other a Senior Executive with the Chamber of Commerce. They advised me that fi rms are under such pressure in terms of cash and compliance – cash in respect of cash fl ow and accessing monies from banks and compliance in terms of complying with employment law, health and safety legislation etc – that any staff training be short, sharp and have an immediate impact on the bottom line. This, of course, has


signifi cant implications for those providing training. It is essential, therefore, that we remain sensitive to market requirements. Hence the reason for strengthening the links between the Institute and our approved education providers. There are two supplementary points I wish to mention. The fi rst relates to a short survey recently carried out on the


Institute’s website. The results have provided invaluable information on the views and perceptions of those using the site and will help inform the team involved in its development.


The second point relates to a communication received from an Institute member in India. A former UN staff member and UN consultant/adviser, he is currently involved in a number of national initiatives in that country; his particular passion is the national initiative ‘Investing in Young Minds’. He is keen to promote the Institute among those involved and wishes to work in partnership with us to achieve this. It will be interesting to see how this develops.


That generally completes the points I wish to mention, with one exception. You may have read in the winter journal that John Heap, who is a member of Council and a past Chairman of the Institute, was elected President of the European Association of National Productivity Centres (EANPC) at its General Assembly in Vienna in October 2012. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate John on his election and to say that it is just reward for all the hard work he has put into the Association over many years.


Good luck, John – have a successful and productive next two years.


Dr Andrew Muir


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