Communication key to success: Expert

Strategy for growth has to be communicated thoroughly to all stakeholders for it to be implemented successfully.

"End of the day, a strategy has to be implemented by people other than the strategist himself, and this is exactly where the government departments and institutions are falling short. They are unable to inspire the people", said Ranjan Das, professor, strategic management, Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC) and president of The Strategy Academy (TSA).

Speaking at the seminar on Human Resources Development (HRD) as Growth Strategy organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce (MCC) Das said that while none of the tangible assets like plant and machinery could think, people could and that made all the difference to any business or initiative.

Adverse employee reactions happened in the face of inadequate information flowing down to them, Das said in the context of the recent strike by the Airport Authorities of India (AAI) employees' union.

HR as a growth strategy applied to the government sector as well, he mentioned.

Institutions should not think of HRD only at a systems level, but also at a micro-atomised level, explained Das.

Breaking any institution down to smaller triangles was essential, like a government seen as comprising the chief minister and his cabinet, a minister and his team of administrative officers, and so on.

This would help institutions rune more efficiently, Das added.

Strategy had different meanings in the market place depending on the area of focus, like sustainability, profitability and social and moral acceptability.

High risks today co-existed with high opportunities and institutions had to manage today's business and simultaneously build tomorrow's business.

HR professionals had to change themselves and start speaking in business terms on how HRD strategies influenced market share and return on investment.