Sujavna 2015 (8)

Sunday 22, February 2015 1630 hrs

It is with great interest that I follow R Goplakrishnan’s (Tata Sons) column Innoculum. Last week the column discussed the etymological history of the word Innovation; especially, on the colloquial equivalents as well as the evolutionary struggles between invention and innovation. And, what struck me about the commentary was the singular absence of any reference to a body of objective research on social innovations amongst indigenous communities, as also within mixed-ethnic communities. Perhaps the author could be forgiven for his focus on innovations across economics, politics and science! But I do believe that social innovations can really teach as much for business and scientific innovators, as much as they have been influenced by the latter.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, and hope that you will get lots of opportunities to practice lateral thinking and try out some innovations.

Sujavna 2015 (7)

Sunday 15, February 2015 1730 hrs

How does one innovate and change a government organization which has chronically suffered bad or dis-interested leadership to add real value to its core customer segments, and enthuse its very talented but smug staff to reinvent themselves continuously?

During the week that is celebrated by the Indian government as Productivity Week, I am struggling to find answers to these questions. Productivity is still being discussed within the cadre of specialists at National Productivity Council, as something that only needs training programs for awareness and capacity-building for managing quality, energy efficiency and environment by the manufacturing sector – this was also discussed thirty years ago, so does this mean that NPC’s efforts to improve the productivity of India’s economy (which certainly has vastly increased in the intervening years!) has remained inconsequential? Has NPC failed?

Fifteen years into the new millennium, the government’s cadre of productivity specialists seem to be clueless about how both manufacturing and services sector are already in the cusp of being impacted by technological and global value-chain opportunities, and any productivity advise to entrepreneurs, financiers and workforce will need to recognize and leverage these developments nimbly, else the recipient of such advise will be damaged more than will be facilitated.

On a different theme, last week saw the success of a fledgling party succeed with a brute majority in New Delhi’s elections. The party has made several promises related to statehood, anti-corruption, utilities supplies. It will need to be very innovative to meet all these promises and yet carry forward its ideologies to the rest of India. An interesting space to watch!

Have a great week ahead.

Sujavna 2015 (6)

Sunday 08, February 2015 1230 hrs

Can the tools that human resource development professionals employ to help team-members to overcome their differences and cohesively join up to understand and achieve “the bigger picture” be adapted to solving emotional challenges that siblings and other close family members may have in sustaining an building on the value-systems that defines the family in the first place?

If (and it looks like a big IF!) this adaptation is possible, what additional skillsets would be required for the mentoring entity to use this tool effectively?

I keep wondering if lateral thinking meets its ultimate test in situations that have a high emotional challenge environment as a core problem-definer.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this subject? Have a great week ahead.

Sujavna 2015 (5)

Sunday 01, February 2015 1330 hrs

I am a little perturbed when I think about the huge effort that is needed by Indian government’s economic planners to make that quantum leap of faith and innovate in the planning process. Check out the draft National Health Plan 2015 document that is now available for feedback, and you will realize why I am frustrated!

The stated goal of attainment of highest possible levels of health and well-being through preventive and promotive healthcare orientation in all development policies, and universal access to good quality healthcare services with minimal financial burden is compounded to a stated desire to ensure that the targeted investment of 2.5% of GDP I public health expenditure is facilitated. But then, what is the policy prescription offered? Sad but true that the government has not thought beyond taxation, a new health cess on the lines of education cess (the impact of which on efficiently delivering on education targets is highly debatable!) and increasing specific commodity taxes, such as those on cigarettes and alcohol. Perhaps as an afterthought, the document mentions that leveraging the CSR spends of corporates can be an additional source of investments. This despite the fact that there is already a huge debate about the whole taxation aspect of mandatory CSR spends and there are many other competing CSR areas for future spends.

Now consider this – the draft plan document mentions that 7 task forces will be constituted to map out a whole new framework for preventive and promotive healthcare, and yet the planners have arrived at a nominal expenditure outlay for the sector. A great example of putting the cart before the horse!

What innovations could have been attempted, then? For one, how about innovative financing models such as creation of a National Healthcare Investment Fund that has seed funding from the government, and is tasked with raising and deploying funds for specific objectives of the healthcare plan? Or, how about innovations in addressing the core skills availability challenges by incentivising school students to opt for a 1 year bridge term between their 10^th and 11^th grades, which will fetch them additional points if they were to opt for a medical, nursing or related program after their 12^th grades?

Hope you are having a great weekend.