FINANCIAL EXPRESS

Synopsis: Communication For Productivity Letters written to some 7500 Workers / Managers / Union Leaders, following a period of strike / Go slow / Murders (1979 - 1987), at Mumbai factory of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. This direct / open / honest communication led to a remarkable atmosphere of trust between Workers and Management, which, in turn, increased productivity at 3% per year (ave).

27 Oct 1980

To:

Dear Mr.

I enclose an article that appeared in Financial Express on 24th instant,

·              written by Dr. Pennathur

·              about his visit to Powai Works on 5th September 1980.

Dr. Pennathur has glorified our joint efforts at improving productivity thro' "Worker Participation in Management".

May be this is the way we appear to him when he compares us with what he has observed elsewhere.

But, we know that we are far from the 'ideal' picture painted by him. In the words of poet, Robert Frost, "...... and I have miles and miles to go".

Could we ever become an 'example' to the rest of the country? The thought is not only challenging, it is frightening!

Frightening because of the 'responsibility' it would cast upon us.

We would be, in that case, setting up ourselves on a pedestal for the rest of the country to watch. Can we live up to their expectations? Can we live up to our own image?

May be not - but, because of that, shall we give up a challenge?

H.C. PAREKH

WHAT MAKES A COUNTRY "WORK"?

Synopsis: Communication For Productivity Letters written to some 7500 Workers / Managers / Union Leaders, following a period of strike / Go slow / Murders (1979 - 1987), at Mumbai factory of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. This direct / open / honest communication led to a remarkable atmosphere of trust between Workers and Management, which, in turn, increased productivity at 3% per year (ave).

1 Oct 1980

To:

Dear Readers

What makes a country "work"?  - or,  for that  matter, what makes a Company or any other Institution "work"?

At the  cost of  "over-simplifying", I would  say, it  is the "Character" of the people and the "Ideals" they uphold.

"Britain Works  O.K."  is a  book about  the British  working class (Managers  included!) and their struggle for  a "better tomorrow".    This  "drama   in  real   life"  has   powerful characters  (both from Union and  Management) who semm  to be locked in a grim  battle of apparently conflicting "ideals" -until some one turns around and asks in each scene -

'What is right?'   

rather than

'Who is right?'

As soon as both the parties  made a sincere attempt to answer the   question  truthfully   and  honestly,   the  "apparent" conflict   gave  way  to   an  unifying  understanding   -  a commonness of purpose.

The deep  impression the  book made  on me  had to  be shared with all of you.   So, we got it  translated in Marathi.  One or two  chapters will  appear at a  time - since  there is so much to absorb !

Those who wish to  share their views/offer their comments  on what they have absorbed, are welcome to write to me.

H.C. PAREKH