Passionate About Strategy

My passion for strategy runs deep, for I firmly believe that everything begins with a well-crafted strategy. It's about making choices, not just about what to pursue, but equally crucial, what to leave behind. The essence of great strategy lies in its simplicity — a strategy should be crystal clear and comprehensible to all within an organisation.

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In a thought-provoking Harvard Business Review article by David Collis and Michael Rukstad, they pose a question that resonates with me, "Can you say what your strategy is?" According to them, a strategy should be encapsulated within 35 words or less and understood by everyone across the company. Without this shared understanding, alignment becomes an elusive goal.

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Strategy is not a privilege reserved for the boardroom or senior management; it is a tool for everyone, from the board to the shop floor. It is not a voluminous document hidden away in boardroom files; it should be a concise one-pager that unites the entire organization and directs their collective efforts towards a common objective.

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I was reminded of the power of a shared understanding of strategy when I met the export manager of China's second-largest steel mill in 1984. At that time, China was rapidly expanding its steel production, and her response to my inquiry into how China was achieving such remarkable growth was enlightening: "because we are all climbing the same mountain together." This, to me, exemplifies the strength of a cohesive strategy.

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Passionate About People

My passion extends to people and the nurturing of a positive company culture. People are the heart of any organisation, and there's no one better equipped to improve a business than those working within it. I hold front-line supervisors in high regard because they are the ones who run the show day in and day out.

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To unlock their potential, it's essential to remove obstacles that hinder supervisors from leading their teams effectively. Management's role should be to listen actively, for we are bestowed with two ears and one mouth for a reason. Creating a safe and open work environment empowers individuals to share their thoughts and ideas openly. Empowerment is the key, allowing employees to drive the changes they deem necessary for success.

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Passionate About Scientific Method

My passion extends to scientific method—a powerful tool for continuous improvement. If people are at the core of success, then empowering them to enhance every aspect of their work is paramount. Scientific method should permeate every level of an organisation.

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In the industrial realm, we often refer to this as "standard work" and "continuous improvement." It's not mundane; rather, it represents the best-known way of doing something. Scientific method mandates that we thoroughly understand our current state, our "standard work," before we can hypothesize and implement improvements. It should become a habit, ingrained in our daily routines, ensuring consistency and efficacy in our operations.

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Passionate About Manufacturing in Australia

My fervent passion extends to manufacturing, with a special emphasis on Australia. Some may argue that Australia cannot be a manufacturing nation, but I firmly disagree. What we cannot afford is to manufacture subpar products; however, we can excel as successful manufacturers.

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I am dedicated to making Australian manufacturers profitable. It's not about settling for mediocrity; it's about harnessing our strengths, embracing innovation, and fostering excellence. Together, we can reshape the narrative of manufacturing in Australia, proving that we can not only compete but thrive on the global stage.