What's wrong with Western governments?
Despite mounting economic problems, Western governments seem curiously disinterested in exploring ways to improve their own performance. So how can public sector institutions break out of their complacency and become High Performance Organisations?
UK businesses shun public sector staff
A new survey of small business owners in the UK has found that the overwhelming majority view former-public sector staff as almost unemployable in the private sector.
Spending cuts threaten a million UK jobs
Almost a million jobs, half of them in the private sector, could be lost in the UK as a result of public-sector spending cuts, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Telling it like it is
If you fancy working five hours a week for a salary of 36,000 euros ($52,700) a year, it seems that what you need is a job in the French public sector.
Ad for 'reliable' workers deemed discriminatory
A government-run jobcentre in the UK refused to display an advert for a 'reliable worker' because the phrase discriminated against unreliable applicants. No, you really couldn't make it up.
Doing the unthinkable
The Singapore government has done the unthinkable and cut the pay of its senior civil servants and politicians by up to 19 perent in response to the global recession.
Improving public sector productivity
Let's hear three cheers for New Zealand's minster of labor, Trevor Mallard, for his recent speech on improving public sector productivity.
Business management and purpose
The context in which people work is of vital importance. That means articulating a concise and relevant purpose which defines the shared tasks of all staff.
Common Voice: Howard Gardner
Des Dearlove talks to psychologist Howard Gardner about the qualities of thinking that will allow people to survive and prosper in the 21st century, both in work and life generally.
Mark H. Moore on public value
Professor Mark H. Moore talks to Des Dearlove about public value and citizenship and poses some challenging questions about the way we view public services
Debunking public sector stereotypes
Public sector managers, sit up and take note, because here's what your subordinates really think of you.
Public sector pensions liability hits new heights
Britain's public sector pensions liability has risen to and astonishing £1,025 billion – the equivalent to 80 per cent of gross domestic product and than double the size of the country's national debt.
Few signs of improvement in public sector absence levels
The amount of time British workers are taking off sick may be declining, but public sector absence rates remain stubbornly high and – in some cases - are actually increasing.
Public sector workers can be better off in private sector
Private companies that have taken over the delivery of public services in Britain are among some of the country's best employers, a report by the Confederation of British Industry has claimed.
You couldn't make it up....
The National Health Service in England spent an estimated £1 billion last year on management consultants - a figure that dwarfs the funding deficit in the health service.
Latest book podcasts
Vish Alluri: The Enlightened Manager
Vish Alluri, co-author of ‘The Enlightened Manager', discusses a thoughtful approach to management which draws on the teachings of the philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Steve Cockram: the Voice-Driven Leader
Steve Cockram, co-founder of Giant Worldwide, talks about his latest book, 'The Voice-Driven Leader' and explains how to create environments in which every voice gets heard.
What is Relationship Currency?
Keynote speaker and transformational coach, Ravi Rajani, talks about his new book, 'Relationship currency: five communication habits for limitless influence and business success'.
Hone - how purposeful leaders defy drift
We dive into the new book from Deloitte's Geoff Tuff and Steven Goldbach, 'Hone - how purposeful leaders defy drift'.
