As published in The Mandarin, 26 February 2024 by Kiah MD John Glenn The public and private sectors are different, and not everything translates well, but some things do if adapted. We know – we do a lot of work at the intersection of the two and many of us have worked inside both public…
As published in The Mandarin, 6 December 2023 by Kiah MD John Glenn Trust in consultants would seem to be at an all-time low, given the integrity breaches over inappropriate use of confidential information, conflicts of interest, and even the sharing of online assessments. Yet they remain among the most capable and trusted advisers across…
As published in The Mandarin November 7, 2023 by Kiah MD John Glenn I’m not against the ‘Big Four’ — they have things to offer. They just shouldn’t be offered everything. Setting aside the egregious behaviours of a few, the bigger problem is their extraordinary exclusionary access and influence. It has created an oligopoly across…
by Kiah MD John Glenn He was inspirational, a hero, in many so many ways. Clearly, I have an affinity, if only through the name. I was six years old when he was the first American to orbit the earth on Friendship 7, as part of the Mercury space program and the space race. I recall my…
As published in The Mandarin September 5, 2023 by Kiah MD John Glenn Enough with the noise about the ‘Big’ 4, and the parallel Defence MSPs. Few would disagree that ‘Big’ has a stranglehold on the professional services government spend. Even with a greater in-house capability in our public service they can’t and shouldn’t replace…
As published in The Mandarin August 7, 2023 by Kiah MD John Glenn. Do you want another PowerPoint pack with more methodologies, another answer to someone else’s problem being squeezed into your space? Perhaps a dozen more hard-working and enthusiastic grads who just lack experience, sprinkled with revolving door contractors? Experts at what you do…
As published in The Mandarin on February 20, 2023 by Kiah MD John Glenn I fear the Defence Strategic Review, now in the hands of the prime minister and defence minister, will be a fizzle — not a flash and a bang. There is no strategy without execution, and I am afraid the department does…
As published in The Australian February 13, 2023 by Kiah MD John Glenn The old saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but hoping for a different result is pretty apt when it comes to Australia’s defence. The latest Defence Strategic Review is due shortly, one of…
Negotiation is the process of trading something of value for something you value more. Deadlock is where there is no movement. It happens when creating a contract, during delivery, around change proposals. It happens within organisations – particularly where groups must work together but have different agendas or outcomes. Sometimes deadlock is real – there…
After decades as a military officer, followed by decades in industry, I have often pondered the incongruity of clearly physically brave individuals who always lean towards safe choices in business and bureaucracies, seemingly lacking the courage to make the tough decisions. Worthy of a read is “Cultivating Everyday Courage” (James R Detert, Harvard Business Review,…
