All organizations need a discipline that makes them face up to reality.
All organizations need to know that virtually no program or activity will perform effectively for a long time without modification and redesign. Eventually every activity becomes obsolete. Among organizations that ignore this fact, the worst offender is government. Indeed, the inability to stop doing anything is the central disease of government and a major reason why government today is sick. Hospitals and universities are only a little better than government in getting rid of yesterday.
Businessmen are just as sentimental about yesterday as bureaucrats. They are just as likely to respond to the failure of a product or program by doubling the efforts invested in it. But they are, fortunately, unable to indulge freely in their predilections. They stand under an objective discipline of the market. They have an objective outside measurement, profitability. And so they are forced to slough off the unsuccessful and unproductive sooner than later. In other organizations - government, hospitals, the military and so on - economics is only a restraint.
All organizations must be capable of change. We need concepts and measurements that give to the other kinds of organizations what the market test and profitability yardstick give to business. Those tests and yardsticks will be quite different.
ACTION POINT: Make sure your nonprofit organization has rigorous tests and yardsticks to measure performance.
Quoted from The Daily Drucker, Page 6
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
The Daily Drucker: January 3 - Management is Indispensable
"Whoever makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before deserves better of mankind than any speculative philosopher or metaphysical system builder."
Management will remain a basic and dominant institution perhaps as long as Western civilization itself survives. For management is not only grounded in the nature of the modern industrial system and in the needs of modern business enterprise, to which an industrial system must entrust its productive resources, both human and material. Management also expresses the basic beliefs of modern Western society. It expresses the belief in the possibility of controlling man's livelihood through the systematic organization of economic resources. It expresses the belief that economic change can be made in the most powerful engine for the human betterment and social justice - that, as Jonathan Swift first overstated it three hundred years ago, whoever makes tow blades of grass grow where only one grew before deserves better of man kind than any speculative philosopher or metaphysical system builder.
Management - which is the organic of society specifically charged with making resources productive, that is, with the responsibility for organized economic advance - therefore reflects the basic spirit of the modern age. It is, in fact, indispensable, and this explains why, once begotten it grew so fast and with so little opposition.
ACTION POINT: Come up with a few examples of why management, its competence, its integrity, and its performance, is so decisive to the free world.
Quoted from The Daily Drucker, January 3 , Page 5
Management will remain a basic and dominant institution perhaps as long as Western civilization itself survives. For management is not only grounded in the nature of the modern industrial system and in the needs of modern business enterprise, to which an industrial system must entrust its productive resources, both human and material. Management also expresses the basic beliefs of modern Western society. It expresses the belief in the possibility of controlling man's livelihood through the systematic organization of economic resources. It expresses the belief that economic change can be made in the most powerful engine for the human betterment and social justice - that, as Jonathan Swift first overstated it three hundred years ago, whoever makes tow blades of grass grow where only one grew before deserves better of man kind than any speculative philosopher or metaphysical system builder.
Management - which is the organic of society specifically charged with making resources productive, that is, with the responsibility for organized economic advance - therefore reflects the basic spirit of the modern age. It is, in fact, indispensable, and this explains why, once begotten it grew so fast and with so little opposition.
ACTION POINT: Come up with a few examples of why management, its competence, its integrity, and its performance, is so decisive to the free world.
Quoted from The Daily Drucker, January 3 , Page 5
Thursday, January 2, 2014
The Daily Drucker: January 2 - Identifying the Future
January 2 - Identifying the Future
The important thing is to identify the "future that has already happened."
Futurists always measure their batting average by counting how many things they have predicted that have come true. They never count how many important things come true that they did not predict. everything a forecaster predicts may come to pass. Yet, he may not have seen the most meaningful of the emergent realities or, worse still, may not have paid attention to them. There is no way to avoid the irrelevancy in forecasting, for the important and distinctive are always the result of change in values, perception and goals, that is, in things that one can divine but not forecast.
But the most important work of the executive is to identify the changes that have already happened. The important challenge in society, economics, politics is to exploit the changes that have already occurred and to use them as opportunities. The important thing is to identify the "future that has already happened" - and to develop a methodology for perceiving and analyzing these changes. A good deal of this methodology is incorporated in my 1985 book Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which shows how one systematically looks to the changes in society, in demographics, in meaning, in science and technology, as opportunities to make the future.
ACTION POINT: Identify the major trends in your market that have already appeared. Write a page on their likely longevity and the impact on your life and organization.
Quoted from The Daily Drucker, January 2 , Page 4
The important thing is to identify the "future that has already happened."
Futurists always measure their batting average by counting how many things they have predicted that have come true. They never count how many important things come true that they did not predict. everything a forecaster predicts may come to pass. Yet, he may not have seen the most meaningful of the emergent realities or, worse still, may not have paid attention to them. There is no way to avoid the irrelevancy in forecasting, for the important and distinctive are always the result of change in values, perception and goals, that is, in things that one can divine but not forecast.
But the most important work of the executive is to identify the changes that have already happened. The important challenge in society, economics, politics is to exploit the changes that have already occurred and to use them as opportunities. The important thing is to identify the "future that has already happened" - and to develop a methodology for perceiving and analyzing these changes. A good deal of this methodology is incorporated in my 1985 book Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which shows how one systematically looks to the changes in society, in demographics, in meaning, in science and technology, as opportunities to make the future.
ACTION POINT: Identify the major trends in your market that have already appeared. Write a page on their likely longevity and the impact on your life and organization.
Quoted from The Daily Drucker, January 2 , Page 4
The Daily Drucker: January 1 - "Integrity in Leadership"
January 1 - Integrity in Leadership
"The spirit of an organization is created from the top"
The proof of the sincerity and seriousness of a management is uncompromising emphasis on integrity of character. This, above all, has to be symbolized in the management's "people" decisions. For it is the character through which leadership is exercised; it is the character that sets the example and is imitated. Character is not something one can fool people about. The people with whom a person works, and especially subordinates, know in a few weeks whether he or she has integrity or not. They may forgive a person for a great deal: incompetence, ignorance, insecurity. or bad manners. But they will not forgive a lack of integrity in that person. Nor will they forgive higher management for choosing him.
This is particularly true of the people at the head of an enterprise. For the spirit of the organization is created from the top. If an organization is great of spirit, it is because the spirit of its top people are great. If it decays, it does so because the top rots; as the proverb has it. "Trees die from the top."
No one should ever be appointed to a senior position unless top management is willing to have his or her character serve as the model for subordinates.
ACTION POINT: Evaluate the character of the CEO and top management when considering a job offer. Align yourself with people who have integrity.
- Quoted from The Daily Drucker, January , Page 3
"The spirit of an organization is created from the top"
The proof of the sincerity and seriousness of a management is uncompromising emphasis on integrity of character. This, above all, has to be symbolized in the management's "people" decisions. For it is the character through which leadership is exercised; it is the character that sets the example and is imitated. Character is not something one can fool people about. The people with whom a person works, and especially subordinates, know in a few weeks whether he or she has integrity or not. They may forgive a person for a great deal: incompetence, ignorance, insecurity. or bad manners. But they will not forgive a lack of integrity in that person. Nor will they forgive higher management for choosing him.
This is particularly true of the people at the head of an enterprise. For the spirit of the organization is created from the top. If an organization is great of spirit, it is because the spirit of its top people are great. If it decays, it does so because the top rots; as the proverb has it. "Trees die from the top."
No one should ever be appointed to a senior position unless top management is willing to have his or her character serve as the model for subordinates.
ACTION POINT: Evaluate the character of the CEO and top management when considering a job offer. Align yourself with people who have integrity.
- Quoted from The Daily Drucker, January , Page 3
Welkam 2014: "The Daily Drucker"
Welkam 2014.
We have talked about it for long enough and now finally it is here. Past years have been great practice to get all those ambitions and resolutions in place and we all know our own ratio of success in self management, indeed no need to point fingers...love thyself.
For the past 15 years, I have enjoyed a creative business indulgence in seeking to manifest "some positive & sustainable structural change for farmers in the agribusiness sector", that would lead to a "measurable improvement in the livelihood of farmers and growers" in their respective economy.
In this, it was indeed a pleasure in 2013, to work with all my colleagues launching the world first "agri-superannuation accounts for smallholder growers and farmers" in Vanuatu. Although still in the pilot phase for 100 coconut farmers it represents an exciting potential for change benefiting growers, private sector and government in Vanuatu and I am very grateful to be part of this initiative.
I have also learnt that good structure can serve a creative mind well, especially in management. In 2012, The Daily Drucker served just this purpose. Every morning my business mentor and myself discussed "366 Days of Insight and Motivation for Getting the Right Things Done" and we continue to refer back to these insights regularly as we build our "farm-gate services portfolio for growers" in Vanuatu.
So in 2014 I am setting a combined goal, to get closer to making this blog a "Daily" and to share with you the remarkable insights of Peter F Drucker. Not much is available on the net on his daily insights and so I hope it will serve others as well. My minimum practice will be to write out the page for the day, a study technique that serve me well in the past.
I am already a step behind, but the Insight for January 1 is the best and most crucial part for me to start: "Integrity in Leadership" - The spirit of an organization is created from the top"
If you are into management theory and practice...enjoy...if you are into Drucker...my pleasure..."as every human interaction is a management outcome"... Looking forward to see x/366 for 2014
Bon chance...
Kindest
abl
We have talked about it for long enough and now finally it is here. Past years have been great practice to get all those ambitions and resolutions in place and we all know our own ratio of success in self management, indeed no need to point fingers...love thyself.
For the past 15 years, I have enjoyed a creative business indulgence in seeking to manifest "some positive & sustainable structural change for farmers in the agribusiness sector", that would lead to a "measurable improvement in the livelihood of farmers and growers" in their respective economy.
In this, it was indeed a pleasure in 2013, to work with all my colleagues launching the world first "agri-superannuation accounts for smallholder growers and farmers" in Vanuatu. Although still in the pilot phase for 100 coconut farmers it represents an exciting potential for change benefiting growers, private sector and government in Vanuatu and I am very grateful to be part of this initiative.
I have also learnt that good structure can serve a creative mind well, especially in management. In 2012, The Daily Drucker served just this purpose. Every morning my business mentor and myself discussed "366 Days of Insight and Motivation for Getting the Right Things Done" and we continue to refer back to these insights regularly as we build our "farm-gate services portfolio for growers" in Vanuatu.
So in 2014 I am setting a combined goal, to get closer to making this blog a "Daily" and to share with you the remarkable insights of Peter F Drucker. Not much is available on the net on his daily insights and so I hope it will serve others as well. My minimum practice will be to write out the page for the day, a study technique that serve me well in the past.
I am already a step behind, but the Insight for January 1 is the best and most crucial part for me to start: "Integrity in Leadership" - The spirit of an organization is created from the top"
If you are into management theory and practice...enjoy...if you are into Drucker...my pleasure..."as every human interaction is a management outcome"... Looking forward to see x/366 for 2014
Bon chance...
Kindest
abl
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Vanuatu’s First Organic Copra Meal Export
MEDIA RELEASE
12 September 2013 – For immediate release
Vanuatu’s First Organic Copra Meal Export
Vanuatu producers have
achieved another milestone with the first ever export of certified organic
copra meal to Australia taking place in August.
Coconut Oil Production Santo
Ltd (COPSL) sourced the organic copra from the South Santo SANMA Community Coconuts
smallholder growers group and from the PRV plantations on Malekula.
Samuel Tiwok, Export Manager
for COPSL says ‘Wahoo we are the best Organic Copra meal Producer in the
Pacific, “GO COPSL GO”’.
Organic copra meal is a much
sought-after product in Australia, a valued feed supplement for organic beef
farmers who are currently experiencing drought conditions and as a high-protein
additive for organic poultry and pig feed rations.
Andrew Youngberry of organic
animal feed company Country Heritage Feeds, Queensland Australia, says
‘Procurement of the first of Vanuatu’s organic copra meal has allowed a wider
product offering to their client base particularly with USDA certified dry
season supplements’.
Andrew has recently been in
Vanuatu to visit COPSL’s production facilities and meet with some of the
coconut growers from South Santo. Andrew said that it was an incredible
pleasure to meet with those involved in the project and his company has an
ongoing commitment to exporting the certified organic copra meal and he
fundamentally supports the agriculturally based community project.
World Vision (supported by
the New Zealand Aid program) have been assisting the South Santo communities to
achieve organic certification and coordinate collective selling as part of the
SANMA Community Economic Development (SCED) project, which has the goal of
increasing agriculture-based community income by 20% by 2016.
Mackenzie Vagaha, Project
Coordinator for World Vision says ‘The farmers of South Santo are inspired by
their product being a valuable source of food for Australian cattle
farmers. The future is bright for SANMA Community Coconuts value added
export products’.
The shipment was facilitated
by African Pacific who, as part of the Vanuatu Sustainable Agri-Business
Initiative, have been working in partnership with all stakeholders to achieve
organic certification, secure markets, and boost growers’ livelihoods from one
of the country’s staple commodities.
Recently appointed board
members of the Vanuatu Commodities Marketing Board (VCMB) met with
representatives of the parties involved to discuss quality and pricing issues,
and expressed their support for the work being done to directly connect
producers with the customer.
The participants are grateful
for the support of all stakeholders – government, NGO and private sector – in
supporting farmer-focused initiatives to boost livelihoods of coconut producers
in Vanuatu, and look forward to many more exports in coming months.
Growers interested in organic
certification are encouraged to contact Norah Rihai at the Vanuatu Agriculture
College on 537 4853 for information and support.
PHOTOS:
Photo 1 - Vanuatu’s first export of organic copra meal
being unloaded from the container in Brisbane, Australia.
Photo 2 – Andrew Youngberry of Australia’s Country
Heritage Feeds meets Elder Marc from the Namoru community in South Santo, with
Emile Selmen and Jane Rutledge of World Vision Vanuatu.
Photo 3 – Ian Wilson, First Political Advisor to the Prime
Minister and Chairman of VCMB; Andreas Lombardozzi, African Pacific; Andrew
Youngberry, Country Heritage Feeds; Bernie Glaser, Chairman of COPSL; Jeffrey
Homal, COPSL; and Basil Hopkins, Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Vice
Chairman of VCMB met in Santo to discuss organic copra meal exports.
Media Contacts:
Vanuatu
Australia
//END
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Mission – Measureable improvements in the livelihoods of
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Thursday, April 18, 2013
Vanuatu: COPSL Announce Price Premium for Organic Copra
MEDIA RELEASE
16th April 2013 – For immediate release
Vanuatu: COPSL Announce Price Premium for Organic
Copra
Coconut Oil Production Santo Ltd (COPSL) has announced a
price premium of up to 5000 vatu per metric tonne of high-quality certified
organic copra.
This is the first time in Vanuatu’s long-standing history of
copra production that a price premium for organic product has been offered.
Pilot production of organic crude coconut oil and organic
copra meal will soon take place, destined for EU and Australian markets
respectively.
Current organic copra suppliers are David Russet’s PRV
Norsup and Bushman’s Bay plantations and the South Santo-based SANMA Community
Coconuts group, supported by World Vision Vanuatu.
David Russet says ‘This is another milestone for Vanuatu and
one of its oldest commodities; successive governments should promote the
re-plantation of coconut trees as this commodity will remain one of the major
ones for many years to come’.
Mackenzie Vagaha of World Vision, working with the SANMA
communities, says ‘Farmers continue to improve the output capacity and quality
of copra by reviewing processes to improve efficiency. Price
advantage for farmers in this difficult world market continues to reinforce the
organic message’.
As part of the Vanuatu Sustainable Agri-Business Initiative,
COPSL, PRV and the SANMA Communities applied for organic certification in 2012
and have recently received international organic status through Australian
Certified Organic.
The organic certification process has been strongly
supported by the Vanuatu Agriculture College, with staff providing training on
Internal Control Systems and organic procedures.
Organic copra supply is anticipated to be around 1250 mt in
2013, which could increase earnings to copra producers by as much as 6 250 000
vatu per annum.
Pilot exports to EU and Australia will give a good
indication of the future potential for organic coconut oil and copra
meal.
Bernie Glaser, Chairman of COPSL, says ‘Export earnings for
Vanuatu could potentially increase by up to 13 500 000 vatu through this
organic initiative’.
Success with the pilot could lead to a significant increase
in demand for organic copra and a subsequent expansion of organic certification
across the islands of Vanuatu.
Wayne Webb, Director of COPSL, says ‘we invite farmers from
all islands to become certified in order to meet this demand, and encourage
interested growers to contact VAC for support and information on
organics’.
Potential also exists for integrated organic coconut and
cattle production with prospective exports of organic beef to Australia, the
Middle East and Asia.
The project is grateful for the support of all stakeholders,
especially the current Prime Minister’s Office, in supporting farmer-focused
initiatives to boost livelihoods of coconut producers in Vanuatu.
Growers interested in organic certification are invited to
contact Norah Rihai at the Vanuatu Agriculture College on 775 8542 for
information and support.
Media Contacts:
Vanuatu
Australia
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