Development of Agribusiness Enterprises - Asian Productivity ...

5. Falling in Love with Technology
It is natural for people, especially those with a technical background, to fall in love
with new technologies that they come across. But looking back, we must learn from all the
white elephant projects that are wasting away in our respective junkyards. Apart from
guarding ourselves against getting carried away with the glitter of state-of-the-art
technologies, we must also become more open-minded, creative and resourceful in
maximizing indigenous and homegrown technology (e.g., locally fabricated equipment such
as hatcheries, hammer mills and tractors).
6. Pilot Program versus Full Implementation
There is also a need to determine to what extent changes or interventions will be made.
Although risks are inherent in any undertaking, being prudent and conservative are also
important virtues. Caution must always be exercised, especially when taking radical steps
or when the stakes for the company are high (don’t put all your eggs in one basket).
Resorting to pilot programs or trial runs is a good practice that minimizes the risks and
uncertainty. This helps validate performance expectations and reveal kinks that may arise.
Adaptations and adjustments can then be made before extensive implementation is done (e.g.,
incentive schemes or self-directed team policies).
Step 3: Implement the Treatment/Intervention
Top Management Commitment
In order to be effective, leaders and people in authority must be seen as role models of
what they are teaching. Often, Q&P programs fizzle out because of the lack of visibility,
involvement or perceived support from top management. Often, they are seen as only giving
lip service, limited to giving speeches when launching programs. Some are seen as pushing
for cost-cutting measures while they themselves continue to spend lavishly on luxury items.
They talk about time discipline when they report late for work or take extended lunch breaks.
There is a difference between being “involved” and being “committed” – the hen is
“involved” in contributing eggs to the breakfast table, but the pig is “committed” to supplying
the ham.
Step 4: Keep Stable and Healthy
1. Institutionalize
People and organizations have an inherent tendency to revert to the old ways or to
backslide. To ensure continuity and consistency in implementation, systems and programs
must be institutionalized. This can be in the form of policies, procedure manuals, company
values, integration in people’s duties and responsibilities, or setting up a unit to oversee the
institutionalization.
2. Continuous Improvement
Caution must also be taken to ensure that institutionalization does not become
bureaucratic to the point where it chokes the agility and flexibility of the enterprise.
Recognizing the need for changes, and addressing that need accordingly, must likewise be
part of the maintenance mechanism when institutionalizing (e.g., ISO). Establishing a
feedback mechanism completes the loop that reverts to Step 1. This is essential to achieving
progress in all undertakings.
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