From the President - December 2019

Executive Officer

After an extensive recruitment process, the Board is finalising the selection of an Executive Officer and is expecting to provide an announcement in the near future.

After the announcement we will include, in a pre-Christmas Newsletter, some more details of the successful applicant and the strategies we wish to pursue now that we have this important resource as part of our expanding Institute.

It is encouraging that, as a community, we have a range of services to help people who are suffering with mental issues such as anxiety and depression.

It is also essential that we create working environments that do not cause or add unduly to stress and if someone does get into difficulties.  Prevention, if possible, is better than cure.  Furthermore, a good working environment can give staff the confidence to address problems as they start to arise rather than hiding it until it explodes.

The FastCompany web site recently ran an article titled “Decency quotient  How this CEO frames inclusive capitalism for his company” It is about the CEO of Mastercard Ajay Banga who has developed the concept of a “Decency Quotient”.

He talks about how CEOs need to confront anxiety and mistrust among consumers and employees who feel disenfranchised by everything from automation to globalization to climate change.

In part the article says 

“A growing number of CEOs are searching for ways to show that they care about more than boosting profits and stock prices. In late August, the heads of the world’s biggest businesses signed a new statement of purpose, saying they would lead their companies to benefit customers, employees, suppliers, and community—a tacit acknowledgement that capitalism, in its current form, isn’t working well for anyone other than shareholders.

Banga is not against capitalism nor profitability. Mastercard’s stock price has increased more than 13-fold since he became CEO in July 2010.

We must recognise, however, that the immense time and cost pressures, presenting major conclusions on limited information, not having time to think broadly can all add to unacceptable situations that can reduce the value of your output and the value of your organisation.

We need to continually campaign for the best working environment.