Don't Rely on "The Government"
A study of any natural disaster (earthquake, tsunami, floods, landslides, hurricanes, pandemics, for example) shows that governments are necessarily slow to respond, even if they have the resources available to do so. Why is this?
The fact is that governments are made up of human beings and we know that we can’t predict every single disaster likely to occur. The best they can do is look at seasonal factors (i.e. rainfall, snow, hurricane season, earthquake areas) and start from there. Equally, they can stockpile equipment to deal with such disasters if they do occur.
When disaster strikes, the first thing that is needed is information:
- Where did it happen?
- How did it happen?
- What communications (if any) do we have with authorities (police, etc) in the area concerned?
- How many casualties are there?
- What supply routes are open (road, rail, airfields)?
- What supplies are needed urgently?
- Where are they warehoused at this moment?
- Is that warehouse accessible?
- How soon can we get them there?
- Who can distribute them?
- When will the next resupply be needed?
- How soon before we can get things “back to normal”?
There are countless other questions that need answers, so is it surprising that government responses are slow? We know what we need, but how can we get this information to the powers that be and how soon can they help, given that there may be others whose needs are more urgent than ours?
The one critical lesson from most disasters is that communication is critical. If “the authorities” don’t know what’s happened, where it happened, what supplies are needed, what supply routes are available and where supplies can be delivered, their response will necessarily be “patchy”. Added to this, if the necessary supplies or personnel aren’t immediately available (let’s say they have to be mobilised from other parts of the country or, indeed, overseas) delays are inevitable and people will suffer.
Now we look at our situation. If our homes and/or business are suddenly subject to a disaster of some sort (let’s take the happy scenario that things are in short supply), how long can we last? How long do we think it will be before “the government” can get things back to normal?
More to the point, what can we do to help ourselves “get by” until we see a response? This is what good management planning is all about.
I have spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With more than 20 years in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management. I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website provides a full picture of my portfolio of services. For strategic questions that you should be asking yourself, follow me at @wkm610.
Labels: Crisis Management, Leadership, Strategy
posted by William Martin @ 12:11
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