The Hindu Business Line : Lessons from a miracle in Chile

ORGANISATIONAL FEAT

Different people take different lessons from the event. An opinion column in The Wall Street Journal crowed recently that this successful rescue was a vote in favour of capitalism, since private companies' innovation had helped in the rescue. The writer conveniently forgot that the same capitalism had resulted in the mine owner operating a mine while violating safety requirements, putting the miners in danger in the first place. Apparently, after an explosion in 2007, this mine was slated to be closed.

One managerial lesson we can take away from this episode is on how effective organisation that included good leadership, relevant political support, and cooperation between the public and private sectors, led to success. Yet, with all the planning, organising, and monitoring, there was still an element of luck.

As a topographer involved in the operation to locate the miners said, “It was 75 per cent engineering and 25 per cent miracle.” But the skilful managing showed in the fact that all the men were rescued, and earlier than initially estimated.

You can be sure that Hollywood movie producers, ghost writers of books, and others are already knocking on several doors in Chile. The miners apparently have refused individual interviews and are working on a collective book deal.

Meanwhile, mine accidents continue to happen, and in an ongoing episode in China, the Chinese are hoping their government will display a concern for human lives, just like the Chilean government did.

To know more read the article''Lessons from a miracle in Chile"




The Hindu Business Line : Lessons from a miracle in Chile