Focussing on Productivity Gains

Focussing on Productivity GainsBy: Amit Bhushan Date: 9th July 2015 The focus on the government is to kick start new projects by increasing public spending. This leads to new road projects, new educational institutions and encouragement for initiatives like Digital Connectivity etc. It hopes that distribution of projects to contractors would lead to enough jobs and as a result of which they might be able to sail through in the upcoming elections. This is while the projects are just about laying foundation stones and their completion is like to take years. The parading of global politicians for the show; seems to have already failed, and so are numerous 'talking forums'. One would have assumed that in such a scenario they might have concentrated on something which is completed and can be shown as a delivery; however things seem to be veering around more talks. There might be some procedure streamlining taking place in some corners, however their impact to yield something of value to the ordinary seems to be quite far.What probably may have worked better is 'short' gestation projects which may have veered around some 'do it yourself' kind of websites in local language, for areas which may have high demand or curiosity. Why are government contractors required to build 'toilets' in rural areas; I mean give people the subsidy to do it themselves via direct benefit transfer basis some defined milestones and criteria. Further support can be in the form of a 'do it yourself' website which details out procedure to register and qualify for such projects and then to build a toilet and claim subsidy milestone payments. This will improve people's satisfaction and actually have workable toilets in rural areas. The same thing might be true for Panchayats and MNREGA works as well. This would not only 'push' productivity up, but also help people select their own projects while it also pushes Digital India, in a way like never before and allowing people the incentive to connect with the government. The scenario changes from a contractor led to self led and avoids quality dissatisfaction or similar issues. In terms of on ground achievement, this is likely to result in much better output that crony contractors might be able to show.However, to change to such a scenario, it might require a few 'real' leaders, who can motivate and drive productivity in order to deliver results. This calls for 'real' ability to involve people amongst leaders, rather than playing along with contract agents to build a façade of leadership, and for India, this might need a few leaders rather than just one or two 'faces' touting themselves as credible faces; because of the diversity and size of the country. The current political match is about countering a 'façade' with another bigger 'façade' rather than taking any real risks. This leads to making motions of delivery rather than actual delivery since this is because actual delivery gets questioned a bit too critically than the motion of delivery. The politicians want to avoid such engagements which are fraught with risk and interested to develop and maintain a 'doer' image, rather that actual delivery. This then results into going for a few new projects making 'motions of delivery' than about some 'real fixing' in the government which will lead to greater scrutiny and questioning and often requires 'leaders' who may be more prepared to handle objections from the bureaucrats, ready with data as well as experience and rule book. Again we also have people hoisting leaders some of whom get branded as 'experimental' by commercial news media, a tag that such leaders haven't contested just to maintain differentiation. Though actual delivery may still not be pursued vigorously. We also have powerful experimentation tools like 'direct benefit transfer' which has been tom-tomed by earlier regime as well as present however not being pursued with vigour. Many such areas which could have been experimented to initiate various micro projects in Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural areas like the ones mentioned in the first paragraph. This would have helped to gaze a real response and results amongst people exercising choices. It may be noted that some of the government did initiate some people involvement projects like Bhagidari, however it has been careful not to ruffle contractors or administrators. While on paper such projects remain, however because of no asset creation or subsidy gains, people involvement generally tumbles after sometime. And instead of blaming the 'plan', political leaders generally 'like' to attribute this to people apathy. Their forgetfulness about most of their peers or even themselves, generally not moving without incentives, might not be without political reasons about organization and ruler behaviour, though. However with public becoming more experimental, its time perhaps the Netas start to change a bit as well, especially those facing tough battles. This is because the yesterday's ragas do seem to be working well as of yet.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

Focusing on productivity gains is a critical strategy for businesses looking to remain competitive in today's fast-paced and ever-evolving market. By enhancing productivity, companies can achieve more with the same or fewer resources, leading to cost savings, improved efficiency, and increased output. One of the key ways to drive productivity is through the adoption of advanced technology. Tools like automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning can streamline processes, reduce manual errors, and allow employees to focus on more strategic and value-added tasks. Additionally, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation can encourage staff to seek out and implement new methods that optimize workflows and enhance performance. Employee training and development programs are also essential, as they ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills to leverage these technologies effectively. Furthermore, creating a supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance and well-being can lead to higher employee satisfaction and engagement, which are crucial for maintaining high levels of productivity over the long term. By prioritizing these areas, organizations can not only boost their current operations but also position themselves for sustained growth and success in the future.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Focussing on Productivity GainsBy: Amit Bhushan Date: 9th July 2015 The focus on the government is to kick start new projects by increasing public spending. This leads to new road projects, new educational institutions and encouragement for initiatives like Digital Connectivity etc. It hopes that distribution of projects to contractors would lead to enough jobs and as a result of which they might be able to sail through in the upcoming elections. This is while the projects are just about laying foundation stones and their completion is like to take years. The parading of global politicians for the show; seems to have already failed, and so are numerous 'talking forums'. One would have assumed that in such a scenario they might have concentrated on something which is completed and can be shown as a delivery; however things seem to be veering around more talks. There might be some procedure streamlining taking place in some corners, however their impact to yield something of value to the ordinary seems to be quite far.What probably may have worked better is 'short' gestation projects which may have veered around some 'do it yourself' kind of websites in local language, for areas which may have high demand or curiosity. Why are government contractors required to build 'toilets' in rural areas; I mean give people the subsidy to do it themselves via direct benefit transfer basis some defined milestones and criteria. Further support can be in the form of a 'do it yourself' website which details out procedure to register and qualify for such projects and then to build a toilet and claim subsidy milestone payments. This will improve people's satisfaction and actually have workable toilets in rural areas. The same thing might be true for Panchayats and MNREGA works as well. This would not only 'push' productivity up, but also help people select their own projects while it also pushes Digital India, in a way like never before and allowing people the incentive to connect with the government. The scenario changes from a contractor led to self led and avoids quality dissatisfaction or similar issues. In terms of on ground achievement, this is likely to result in much better output that crony contractors might be able to show.However, to change to such a scenario, it might require a few 'real' leaders, who can motivate and drive productivity in order to deliver results. This calls for 'real' ability to involve people amongst leaders, rather than playing along with contract agents to build a façade of leadership, and for India, this might need a few leaders rather than just one or two 'faces' touting themselves as credible faces; because of the diversity and size of the country. The current political match is about countering a 'façade' with another bigger 'façade' rather than taking any real risks. This leads to making motions of delivery rather than actual delivery since this is because actual delivery gets questioned a bit too critically than the motion of delivery. The politicians want to avoid such engagements which are fraught with risk and interested to develop and maintain a 'doer' image, rather that actual delivery. This then results into going for a few new projects making 'motions of delivery' than about some 'real fixing' in the government which will lead to greater scrutiny and questioning and often requires 'leaders' who may be more prepared to handle objections from the bureaucrats, ready with data as well as experience and rule book. Again we also have people hoisting leaders some of whom get branded as 'experimental' by commercial news media, a tag that such leaders haven't contested just to maintain differentiation. Though actual delivery may still not be pursued vigorously. We also have powerful experimentation tools like 'direct benefit transfer' which has been tom-tomed by earlier regime as well as present however not being pursued with vigour. Many such areas which could have been experimented to initiate various micro projects in Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural areas like the ones mentioned in the first paragraph. This would have helped to gaze a real response and results amongst people exercising choices. It may be noted that some of the government did initiate some people involvement projects like Bhagidari, however it has been careful not to ruffle contractors or administrators. While on paper such projects remain, however because of no asset creation or subsidy gains, people involvement generally tumbles after sometime. And instead of blaming the 'plan', political leaders generally 'like' to attribute this to people apathy. Their forgetfulness about most of their peers or even themselves, generally not moving without incentives, might not be without political reasons about organization and ruler behaviour, though. However with public becoming more experimental, its time perhaps the Netas start to change a bit as well, especially those facing tough battles. This is because the yesterday's ragas do seem to be working well as of yet.

This political article offers a truly insightful and illuminating examination of its subject. The writer's writing style is both sophisticated and direct, demonstrating a deep understanding of political dynamics while ensuring accessibility for a broad audience. Their ability to distill intricate political concepts into understandable prose is a significant strength, showcasing a rare blend of academic rigor and communicative flair. The structure is thoughtfully organized, dissecting the political issue into digestible components and presenting them in a logical sequence that enhances the reader's comprehension of cause and effect. This systematic approach allows for a nuanced exploration of the topic. Furthermore, the outstanding clarity of the analysis is a hallmark of this piece. The arguments are presented with such precision, and the implications so plainly laid out, that the article becomes an indispensable resource for understanding the complexities of the political arena.