Meritocracy Only one factor in Management Decision Making
October 11th, 2005 by 
Administrator
I was just reading the news that Prince William will join the HSBC bank as part of his post-university work experience. He will spend three weeks shadowing staff, mostly in the charity services division. According to the press, this is to enable the prince to experience a range of activities inside a successful bank.
It started off me thinking — could anybody of Prince William’s qualifications be able to get such a work experience, — that means was he able to get this ‘chance’ of gaining experience because he could do a good job for it, or was this just an accommodation by HSBC because he is a prince. And it set me off thinking…
When I started managing a business, I vowed that I would manage the business professionally, using impeccable logic. It would be solely based on meritocracy — that means the best qualified people would get the job, and be promoted.
However, the last few years, it has not necessarily been that way. At the end, the subjective concerns may win over objective evaluations. Especially in Asia, you create relationships, and people expect you to fulfill certain obligations on that relationship. This is the so-called ‘guanxi’ as popularized in doing business in China. For instance, what would you do if your business friend ask you to take in his son for an apprenticeship? What would you do if a politician writes you and ask you to hire one of his protege? What happens if your friend expects you to buy your supplies from him even if other providers are better in quality or price? In various countries, these are favors that are expected to be seriously considered.
At the end, doing business is still about relationships, and not solely a black and white decisions. We are after all, not robots, but humans, and facts matter, but emotions matter as well.
So, in more ways than one, I have ( and as I believe, many as well) make decisions not always based on objective evaluations alone. Sometimes, we hire those that we are closest, and those that needs the job most, rather than those most qualified to give the best results. And many decisions obviously are made with the ‘ human ‘ factor a serious consideration.
Maybe that is why they say management will never be a science, but more of an art. It is still a very subjective matter.
What are the ‘results’ of such decisions? Sometimes, accomodating friends have given great results , sometimes, sub-optimal results. What is your experience?
del.icio.us Digg it reddit StumbleUpon
Posted in on Business | 
October 11th, 2005 at 11:57 pm
It does seem that the old ways are always there. Remember the guy everyone liked having the Vp slot? The old handshake deal? Maybe the old ways are not just old? Business is more like family than we think sometimes.
October 12th, 2005 at 6:37 am
thanks Bubba.
I have always looked at management as a game to be mastered. Later on, I have discovered that business is part of life, and that is not only where you win battles, but also where you make friends and create relationships.
Yes, it is not a logic game, but actually an endeavor that also should bring meaning to life.
April 18th, 2006 at 4:09 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Debt elimination
April 18th, 2006 at 6:27 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Congrats on your engagement baskets gifts
April 18th, 2006 at 6:36 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Zion y lennox ringtones for cingular
April 18th, 2006 at 7:27 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Casino online
April 18th, 2006 at 8:23 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Homeowners insurance
April 18th, 2006 at 11:30 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Aussie pension payday nocredit checks loans
April 18th, 2006 at 11:49 am
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Car finance new rate
April 18th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Free online bingo
April 18th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Loans with bad credit
April 18th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
This web-site is the coolest! Now I dont have to feel so intimated by science! Youre a genius! I think Ill visit this site often.This is a cool site! Auto leases with very poor credit