Archive for the ‘mismanagement’ Category
Lead, don’t take the easy way out
Over the last few weeks, parliamentary proceedings in Australia have been dominated by debates (if one can call them that) on the price of petrol. In the process, the public has been treated to the unedifying spectacle of a government and an opposition squabbling over a GST cut on excise which, if passed, will reduce the price of petrol by the princely sum of 4 cents per litre. A cut that will sooner than later be swallowed by ever rising oil prices.
Rather, than lead – in this case by telling the truth about hard choices that face us – politicians continue to take the easy way out by looking after their own short-term interests (i.e. the next election). Hence the fixation on cutting petrol prices, even if by only an insignificant amount. The truth is we need to look at long-term solutions such as improving public transport and fuel efficiency while also looking at alternate energy sources. All hard yet necessary options which, if implemented, might well irritate the electorate. Incidentally, regarding the first point, anecdotal evidence suggests that soaring petrol prices have already pushed more people into public transport, thereby putting further strain on an already creaky system. Addressing that, for a start, would be more productive than arguing over a 4c price reduction.
In the words of Ross Gittins, a Sydney Morning Herald columnist – our pollies are too gutless to give us the bad oil . And there lies a lesson in how not to lead, because Gittins is absolutely right: our politicians aren’t leading, they’re taking the easy way out.
RE: A Corporate IT tragedy in five limericks
A manager’s response to A corporate IT tragedy in five limericks:
I see you have taken offence.
But axing your job made good sense.
You had to go
to save us some dough,
and that’s why you are in past tense.
It broke our hearts to do it,
but it’s because of the market.
Our bottom line
has to climb
a long way to make us a profit.
Let me say this just between us:
For savings, on me was the onus.
And it’s better to see
you gone, than me.
It may even earn me a bonus.
I know you will soon secure
another big fat sinecure.
Where you’ll do no work,
and continue to shirk,
while gaining promotions galore.
And so I bid you adieu;
and many good wishes to you.
See, writing bad verse
may feel good at first,
but later just may get sued.
A Corporate IT tragedy in five limericks
They tell me my job’s on the line
They say it’s for real this time.
The bosses, they say,
“It’s going away,
it’s heading for sunnier climes.”
This time they’ve gone really far.
I reckon they’ve been reading Carr.
Who tells us that IT,
is a mere utility.
Strategic it isn’t, oh darn!
Consequences of centralization –
servers in another nation.
Miles from here;
too far, we fear.
And what of the implications?
Every little bit and byte
traverses a long and thin pipe.
All the way to our users
who’ve become snoozers,
waiting for docs from last night.
Perhaps the circle will turn,
but not before users get burned
by rotten support –
they’ll see it’s a rort.
Then bring the whole darn thing back home.
Eight to Late 