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).

24 Jun 1984

To:

My dear Nakhate

(Union Joint Secretary)

PRODUCTIVITY IN P-PACK

I attended 3 shop level meetings along with you/your Gen. Secretary/Managers.

2 days back, I once again checked to find out if there is any improvement since our last meeting and I was told there is hardly any improvement!

I now get a feeling that my motivation is not working with the Shop Representatives!

But I still have hope and faith that your motivation will work !

Yours is a mass-production shop, where speed of the machine is controlling the OUTPUT - only if we can keep the machines running and feed them with raw-materials.

That is, do not let the machines STOP!

Keep them running

Keep them running

Keep them running.

Of all the departments in Powai your P-PACK is almost the only one where you have every possibility to raise the productivity by 25% (even much more) and show to the rest of Powai that when the workmen and the Joint Secretary of a department accept a challenge they can easily prove their capability.

I am sure you will accept this challenge and prove your leadership to all 7000 people at Powai.

You will have my support.

H.C. PAREKH