Planning

I think too often we tend to criticize our Government ministers when they do the wrong things but fail to congratulate them for doing something well.  With that in mind I would like to say well done to minister Tufton for a good presentation to cabinet on the state of agriculture in Jamaica.

For those of you who want to know how to prepare a plan, I suggest that you listen to the presentation again and watch out for the critical points outlined below:

1.    review the history of the product/organization, in order to move forward it is important to see what has been done in the past;
2.    identify the strengths and weaknesses of the processes used in the past;
3.    determine which of these processes may be applicable to the future and which may need to be changed to eliminate or at least reduce the weaknesses which exist in the system;
4.    identify what new products may be needed and what technology is needed to improve the standards of these products;
5.    implement the strategies that are needed and direct the market towards producing what is needed.  Don’t be afraid to use other people’s ideas, if something is working there is no harm in copying that approach as long as you don’t violate intellectual copyrights.
6.    ensure that your expectations are reasonable and achievable; planning for the impossible is not good planning.

For many long standing organizations this process can be difficult, too often they are blinded by the successes of the past that they fail to see that there are better ways to do things.  They do not want to change what has worked for them for so long.  In addition there is a great reluctance to upgrade their technology as it is an expensive process and would eat into their current profits.

However if a product/organisation is to survive one must recognize that we are living in a changing environment and one must change in order to meet new challenges and competition.  Gone are the days when organizations can do all of their own research and development.  If someone else has done the work then license their processes and get a better return for your organization.  The pie is certainly big enough for all to get a piece.

My challenge to other ministers is to follow the example of minister Tufton and put together comprehensive plans for your ministries.

Feedback Question:  Do you think that it is important for individuals to make plans?