Page 2 – Dwan & Associates

Management bouquets and brickbats post Christchurch earthquake

I've been heartened to hear of a number of businesses in Christchurch who have treated their employees admirably, post earthquake: the ANZ and National banks gave $500 to each of their employees; a small business gave bunches of flowers to their employees; one company arranged a trip out of Christchurch for a staff member who had done an amazing job keeping the business going in those early days; and the CE of another organisation phoned each employee at home to see if they were alright.

Management lessons in Christchurch earthquake

Five days in from the Christchurch earthquake and still reeling (quite literally) from the experience, I'm full of admiration for the calm, clear, consistent leadership shown by those in charge of the crisis – the Mayor, the Police, the Emergency Services. Key messages were relayed throughout the first day and subsequent days and the messages transmitted everything was under control, the emergency services were onto things, there was no need to panic, and further updates would come throughout the day.

Why is it so difficult to remain on task?

I've been reflecting on organisations and their structures and how so many organisations, despite endless policies, systems and layers of management and people, still end up with so many people-related problems, such as personnel, regardless of role, with difficulties identifying problems when they first appear and acting on them; having difficulties with remaining on task for the entire time they're at work (avoidance of the boring bits of their work or the difficult work stuff or the inherited problems that are truly ghastly) or having difficulties delivering what's required.