Back in April 2014, the Political Studies Association {PSA} released a thought-provoking document titled “Why is Britain badly governed? Policy blunders 1980-2010.” The author observes that: “The British public hold its governments and politicians in poor regard. Turnout in elections, membership of political parties and the readership and audience for the political news are all at historic lows... People increasingly think of government and the political process as part of the problem, not the solution.”
Unfortunately, this public view has, if anything, worsened in the intervening years!
The PSA continues: “We studied 12 blunders taken from a much longer list compiled from the suggestions of a large number of former ministers, senior officials and political commentators. What these blunders all share in common is that the Government failed in its objectives, spent and wasted large amounts of public money and/or wrecked the everyday lives of ordinary people. Not all the blunders were widely foreseen, but they were all foreseeable, if politicians and officials had had the capacity and willingness to do so.”
At this current time of serious economic problems and clear public discontent shown in consecutive opinion polls, it is vital that the authorities establish, prioritise and effectively communicate the critical aims and routes to success they have identified that will halt and reverse areas of national decline.
The logic of logistics
Logistics companies have to be clearly focused on the best means of delivering consignments from point of collection to point of end use. With international shipments, this activity can be made more complex by local issues and regulations. However, in general terms, the logistics industry can provide clear stage-by-stage templates to problem solving that other businesses and government authorities cold well find useful.
A post by Inbound Logistics shows how the logistics sector can rise to meet a multiplicity of challenges. For Instance: “Supply chain logistics, encompassing the entire flow from procurement to product delivery, is the backbone of many businesses. Streamlining all its aspects ensures a seamless and efficient transfer of goods and services.
“This involves optimizing each link in the supply chain, from suppliers and partners to transportation management. When supply chain logistics is streamlined, it can drastically reduce operational costs, improve supply chain visibility, and ensure timely delivery, greatly benefiting the logistics sector.
“However, poorly executed can lead to bottlenecks, delays, and missed opportunities, creating challenges for logistics companies aiming for a proactive supply chain network.”
And then again…
“Every logistical obstacle, from rising gasoline prices to inefficient human resource departments, represents a potential for growth and progress.
“To address these logistics management problems, logistics organizations must establish and operate a solid logistics process. This entails evaluating current corporate operations, finding inefficiencies, and implementing solutions to close these gaps.
“A well-defined procedure, backed by contemporary technology such as logistics software, may transform problems into stepping stones, allowing logistics companies to stay agile and responsive in a volatile environment.”
The business of government is, of course, highly complex, but a clear and efficient focus on aims can reap dividends, such as can be argued as reflected in the recent trade deal signed with India. The same clear sense of direction and purpose could well benefit other areas of national development and governance.
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