Post-Convention Seminar 6

Managing at the Interface: with Feet in the Muddy Water

In 2003 Alistair Mant wrote an acclaimed article for presentation at a forum at the Australian Company Director’s annual conference. Entitled The private/public boundary: Muddying the water? this paper explored the idea of public/private "partnerships" and examined some of the difficulties this model has created.

Four years on much has happened but the water is not yet clear. For example, we have seen the government ‘back flip’ over the sale of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme and Telstra continue its roller coaster ride.

What of the people who manage and lead in this muddy water? What are the special skills and competencies required? Are there models particularly suited to managers caught between the realities of government and commerce? How do you manage in a partially privatised entity or at the interface in quasi-autonomous government and not for profit organisations?

Using case studies, and calling upon his own considerable experience in the study of system function and dysfunction, in this seminar Alistair Mant will attempt to provide some answers to your questions.