From the Archives - Move series - Oct-04

" From the Archives - MOVE Series - TQM a humane approach- Oct 04." Contd....

Today's Corporate world is full of buzzwords like TQM, TPM, Lean Management systems, what have you. Doubtless, without these, the very survival of this entity, is at stake, given the cut-throat competition that exists globally. Having said this, it cannot also be gainsaid that,
(a) these are concepts evolved from the developed world ( which in-turn are based on proven western capitalistic model, and have a high degree of social protection).
(b) India till recently followed the soviet based socialistic model which has failed and lacks the comfort of social security
(c) These apparently ignore the individual well being per-se, with disproportionate emphasis on performance.

Let me elaborate:

During the early days of my career, befor I joined MUSCO, I had worked in a company, which exemplified the typically Zamindari style of management - derogatively referred to in North Indian parlance, as a "lala co" . MUSCO, being a steel furnace unit, was a member of SFAI (steel furnace asocn) which had a large number of these "lala cos". This led to a phrase being coined to describe the style of management of these companies, namely, that instead of asking somebody by way of greeting "how are you" these cos., preferred the phrase "why are you" (sic). In a sense conveying that employees welfare was never an issue. Though at times this was merely referred to as a joke, slowly as the time passed by, the realization dawned that this carried a profound message.

In our totally single minded pursuit of TQM today, if one were to look dispassionately, one would find that every prescribed practice/procedure albeit inadvertantly, satisfies the "why are you" category only. The practices such as writing one's Role profile, DRM etc, the early morning informal "free for all" meetings where any issue can be debated by anyone, the large number of meetings to solve/ plan and strategise for the future, etc, every one of these is seemingly designed solely to justify one's existence. Can anyone imagine a meeting where any and every one's personal problems could find a free expression? The mere unburdening of one's problem alone has an enormous potential of boosting one's morale/confidence. This can also lead to a positive spin-off, in terms of higher degress of participation.

The question is, whether, is it so difficult to dovetail a "how are you" element in the TQM path? Though there are some practices such as wishing one, on his B'day etc, with such a heavy dose of procedures, which are more a means to reaffirm one's importance day-in and day-out, I strongly feel, these may not be quite adequate.

Agreeably, it's nobody's case that there should be a daily routine meeting where one can pour out all his woes. But surely an attempt can be made, to address this aspect more seriously. If we can do that, the TQM path, I have no doubt will truly become a very enjoyable one....

Any takers? "

PS dt 6th Oct 09. This surprisingly is still relevant methinks after 5 yrs of it's being written. The Providence's perceived ineqitable dispensation, is also unfortunately akin to this modern TQM procedures, and the "nirvana" quest is the eternal "why am I ", and not "how am I" paradigm. If only once a while, He condescends to ask "how are you", the angst, the frustrations, the fulminations, et al will just vanish....... Don't you think? Mull it over folks.......

Love Vichu