Many employees and managers are not trained and not told what is expected of them. Many managers are not hands on managers and many do not understand human interaction. Bad apples in many companies have been allowed to remain there for many years and nothing has been done to remove them. There is an underlying fear of employees by management.

Many employees who see the weaknesses in their bosses will exploit it. Many managers are prevented from practicing their skills and many times undermined by their bosses who feel that they will look bad if the new manager appears successful.

There is too much lip service about TEAM work. Many companies/managers are afraid to think outside the box . Anyone who attempts such is quickly pulled into the fold to conform or silenced.

We need brave men and women to become shakers and movers. Some/ many, companies continue to use archaic management practices that will continue to produce little or no results. Many companies continue to emphasize that they have training for employees , yet very little positive changes can be observed.

The recruitment process is conducted poorly, poor presentation and interviewing skills. Many do not understand that putting potential employee at ease will reveal more about that person. Interpersonal skills are scarce.

It is amazing how employees who leave Barbados quickly conform to the work ethic of their adopted country, yet their work ethic at home is piss poor.

If people would stop trying to keep their jobs and do their jobs perhaps productivity will increase.

I am curious, what is an entrepreneurial skill set and why is it key to the issue of management?

I proffer the view that this style of management has been a significant factor in contributing towards the low production levels we constantly complain about in the workplace
***********************
The above may be true but didn’t I read somewhere that Barbados has one of the highest rates of absenteeism in the Caribbean? Workers call in sick but can be found at the National stadium cheering on their charges or at cricket or the latest jump up at Farley Hill.

Try the above if you are looking other reasons for low productivity

David

Do you know how many books on management/managing have been written?

I don’t have an answer but I know there are thousands and each author has their own theories or variation on a theme.

Speaking as someone who has had to attend literally dozens of management seminars/ or training modules, I had one simple philosophy when it came to managing employees in my area of responsibility.

Treat them like adults. You’ll be surprised how well that works

an FOURF- resis d Barbadian temptation to always ‘write a book’! i know it in easy cos ur a Barbadin but try hard, hard. quality over quantity Judy, quality over quantity. and thus sayeth TMWN! 🙂

Many expect that a manager can transform a group of people who do not care one iota about the company they work for to become model workers. If workers know that their jobs depend on their performance you would see a drastic change from the top down. Yes I agree that a more open approach is needed and that an understanding that they need each other should be emphasized. Can one change the mindset from enemy to frenemy overnight? Many feel that they can’t be fired. The lack of respect attitude for people in many business is a huge problem. Look at the Barbados work ethic. We need to improve that first. We need to start in the schools to develop a healthy work ethic. Look at the quality of the employment pool that is out there. We have persons who can barely read and write. Many cannot understand basic English and this leads to communication problems at work. Interpretation skills are poor. Much of it reflects badly on the Education system. Absenteeism thrives because there are no consequences. If an employee knows they can get away with it they will continue to do so. Talking alone won’t solve the problem. Many employees feel that they are doing you a favour by coming to work. There is a notion that the customers are not important and that the paycheck grows on a money tree. Employers must let their employees know customers are an important part of the business and without each other there will be no jobs and no businesses.

Many people believe they can manage from behind a desk. This so evident in Barbados, ask to see the manager and most times he is in his OFFICE. Many haven’t a clue what is happening on the floor. The owner of Marks and Spencers boasts of being a walk about manager. He spotted problems and corrected them on the spot. He observed and interacted with customers and employees. He found out what was needed to get the job done.

@BAFBFP

Your position is coloured by what you perceive to be a flawed Bajan model. The reality is that while you are correct we need to transform our productive sectors the efficiency of the country must be safe-guarded by efficiently managing all sectors. Our policymakers poked by advocacy by the people must frame the vision and enable the environment, our managers must then step up and properly manage the resources to get the job done. Most private entities in Barbados have performance management systems in place which must* be managed by managers. Can’t say the same for the public sector.

BARBADOS Management philosophy is generally established by the government and it’s civil service, remember they employee at least 25% of the population and are paid 36% of the entire countries revenue. If the government and it’s civil service FAILS to lead by example what can you expect. Philosophy is to protect workers jobs at all cost, I’m beginning to think the Barbados Government is just another Trade Union.

@ David

What is the point of protecting jobs when they are not productive. It seems we are trying to squeeze blood out of stones.

@BU.David: “Do you disagree with the government protecting jobs in the prevailing economic climate?

I know this question was directed to Willie, but if I may please speak to it also…

There is a saying in the software development / engineering disciplines: “That doesn’t scale.” Meaning, while it may work in the short term / on the small scale, it doesn’t work over the long term / as things get larger.

At the end of the day government must pay its expenses by way of taxation. Borrowing is often used to bridge.

Thus, if government employs so many people, it must tax heavily its own employees, plus those of the private sector, plus any companies which operate within its domain in order to pay them.

And/or borrow against future taxation…

Some countries are blessed with coveted natural resources which can be leveraged.

Barbados is not such a country….

@BU.David: “The point should be added that the Bajan model of commerce is public sector led.

The model is broken.

@BU.David: “The private sector is heavily built on retail/distribution.

Mostly providing products to Bajan consumers…

It doesn’t have to be this way.

As an example, I consult for three different call centres who employ over 250 Bajans (aggregate). They all provide services to non-Bajan companies (one also provides services to Bajan companies).

Interestingly, all three are owned and managed by non-Bajans…

Bajans are smart. We can produce intellectual property products, and provide high-quality services, the world wants.

But don’t wait for the government to do it….

When I was working and in managerial position, I found a little book entitled ” The One Minute Manager,” this book was my little guideline to good management and it worked for me. It was simple, praise your employee when possible and correct or disciline the person when necessary. I used to call any of my employees at random, and have a casual talk with him/her, many times not even discussing work at all, therefore when I call that same individual in my office on a serious matter, they feel a bit more comfortable talking to me even when it means discilining the person. I also used to go among the workers and assist in their duties or even use my entertainment allowance to award my employees for a job well done. I find this method also worked well with my own children.

There will always be the employee who is not interesting in giving a day’s work for a dya’s pay and that employee will be dismissed after being given adequate time and assistance to improve. Many times the problem employee is castigated by his/ her own work colleagues for their behaviour. A manager’s job is made easy by the way he/she communicates with the employees.

LOL! Judy, i’ll do that! mind u, i in red d article yet but i will, jes fuh u! x

David @ BU

On the TOPIC* of “entrepreneurialism” – do you fancy some “baby-milk ice-cream” as a connoisseur treat for those ‘avid ‘ taste buds of yours, given your eclectic acquired taste?

But it’ll cost ya’ around BDS$$$45.00 a pop!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12569011

When we speak of Managers who cannot manage and leaders who cannot or do not lead, lets not,as share holders, forget our 30 “illustrious”employees in Palmetto Street.

Do you recall that back in the 60’s , the Captains of industry were also “Captains” in the Barbados Regiment. Just a few days ago the Government was demanding a ransom from the taxpayers, of some $49 Million to keep the Transport Boards head above the sewerage. Back in the 60’s ,Captain Colin Hugh Hill, General Manager of Transport Board, realised a $1 Million profit, something that has never been repeated. Even in the Public Service, men like Colonel Dowding, Major Leonard Banfield , Lionel Moe, and Major Daniel, the Chief Establisnment Officer gave this country some sterling service. Many of our managers and leaders need a bit of exposure to military discipline.

Nationalist

“.. Back in the 60′s ,Captain Colin Hugh Hill, General Manager of Transport Board, realised a $1 Million profit…”

You should add “Off the backs of exploited Barbadians …” Since when is it honorable to exploit Barbadians to the point of realizing a huge profit by providing as ESSENTIAL service ..? Nationalist my ass …

BAFBFP with great perceptiveness wrote on 24 Feb, “I am interested in only one thing … How Does Barbados Produce Something That The Rest Of The World Will Have A Need For … continuously …!” It reminds me of the sage words of American economics professor Walter Williams who wrote “People are poor because they cannot produce anything highly valued by others. (or) They can produce things highly valued by others but are hampered or prevented from doing so. Or, they volunteer to be poor.”

Oh dear David,

Why not just go along with the concept that EVERY once of energy, starting from the type of education that we offer, to the type of activities that we promote, to the types of successes that we acknowledge and reward, should be placed behind a productive continuum that focuses on Research, Design, Production and Selling effort. Everything else is a supporting gesture at best and hardly worth all of this discussion… it earns us nothing.

Judy I agree we have a punitive way of managing in businesses, government and education. It seems that it is the Bajan way of doing things. That is why it is clearly seen how children express themselves. Many are afraid to speak when asked a question. In training sessions I have attended many participants are afraid to ask questions or give an opinion. Some may say it is shyness, but I beg to differ. They are not used to participating in any decision making at their workplace, not used to exchanging ideas in a frank open atmosphere.

When firms are reluctant to train because they fear the employee leaving them, they are putting themselves at a disadvantage. As a former manager, I encouraged my staff to go ahead and better themselves and usually let them know that I expect them to go after better positions in the company if they are capable. If they leave because of better jobs, it is because someone else had seen something the company had missed. However there is nothing wrong in rehiring that individual at a later time. We have to cease believing that positions are permanent, and that we can effect change rather than being forced to change.

To be honest I agree with Scoutie , I would prefer to hire a person with a great attitude and train them than hire someone with a bad attitude with good skills. Usually the ones with great attitudes are eager to learn and this is where good training will benefit both the company and the employee.

@ BAFBFP , this is the first time that I am hearing of exploitation of Transport Board workers, back in the ’60, although I was an employee back then.
How history is easily twisted.

Nationalist

Welcome to the real world of the Capitalist machinery. Workers and consumers have been exploited for as long as mankind has been around. At least lesser animals eat each other… the suffering is no way near as drawn out …!