Applying the Balanced Scorecard to deliver value for a “public sector version” of “shareholder value”.   

RADICAL TRANSFORMATION  

In Kaplan and Norton’s book they discuss triggers of a transformational strategy. This is what Kaplan and Norton say about transformational strategy, in their latest book The Execution Premium. “The trigger of a transformational strategy can be negative, such as a burning platform of a failed strategy or the appointment of new leaders.  New leaders are frequently summoned to deal with burning platforms, but leadership changes have become the norm in all organisations, including the public sector, where new leaders are appointed after elections.”

So what now for the South African public sector after the 5^th democratic election? In President Zuma’s inauguration speech he has promised radical transformation. This is what he said. “we will move into industrialisation and strengthening the role of the state of the economy….the government would concentrate on better execution of land restitution and job employment, especially for the youth… to achieve this the performance of the state has to improve.. we have to eradicate corruption and inefficiencies in the public service…. And we are determined to succeed.”

This is what Dr Norton says

The change of administration is an ideal time to introduce a Balanced Scorecard (BSC). The new leadership has a new vision and new strategies.  However, research shows that directions are not enough to create results.  90% of organizations fail to execute their strategies.  The issue for a new administration is not only a new strategy.  It’s about executing that new strategy!

The BSC requires an organization to translate that strategy into a set of related objectives, measures, targets and initiatives.  The “strategy map” can then be cascaded to all departments and all levels of the organization.  It can be communicated to employees and citizens and can be used as a basis for budgeting and human capital development.

The change of administration is the best of times.  Citizens are excited about the new directions but are cynical about the likelihood for success.  The BSC provides a way to “put your money where your vision is by creating a Strategy Focused Organization that brings together the energies of the citizens on a set of shared objectives, measures and results?

THE BRAZILIAN CNI STRATEGIC VISION AND PLAN TO REVERSE DECADES OF POOR PERFORMANCE

What can we learn from Kaplan and Nortons’ Strategy Execution Model and Balanced Scorecard used by the Brazilian Confederation of National Industries to achieve their bold economic plans for growth.

The Confederation of Local Industries (CNI) is an association of private sector organisations seeking to improve the competitiveness of Brazilian Industry. A member of their board suggested that they use the Balanced Scorecard to push an agenda for growth. They wanted to reverse the continued poor performance of the Brazilian economy over the past decades.

What transpired was one of the most innovative and complex applications of theme-based strategy maps. CNI recognised that implementing the national strategy would require the co-operation of a broader audience. They quickly realised they would need to change their structure to deliver on the strategy map objective to build stronger coalitions with various stakeholders such as government ministers and entrepreneurs. What they also acknowledged was that their strategy map goals were beyond their own control, but were determined to do their best. Their assertion is that the strategy map process will certainly increase the probability of implementation with better social and economic outcomes.

ADDRESSING AN UNFAVOURABLE CLIMATE FOR DOING BUSINESS IN BRAZIL

From the outset CNI acknowledged that a key to generate sustained economic growth was to address the climate which was unfavourable to investments, discouraged business persons and created obstacles for generating jobs to finance social expenses and services for society. As recently as last week it is still reported that the Brazilian government continues to make it difficult for businesses to operate within the onerous constraints.

CNI’S VISION FOR A PUBLIC SECTOR VERSION OF “SHAREHOLDER VALUE”.

This was about 5 tangible results or high level objectives for the public sector version of shareholder value.

1. Economic growth reaching annual levels of 5,5% by 2010 and 7 % by 2015.
2. More jobs and income for the citizens.
3. An increase in the quality of life.
4. A decrease in social and regional inequalities.
5. Expansion of businesses that generate sustainable value.

How did they measure up….In 2010, the financial world fell in love with Brazil with 7,5% increase in output that year. Tens of millions of people were entering the middle class and in 2013, they raked in $ 65 billion US in direct foreign investment, 4^th highest in the world, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development. But behind this all was what CNI largely anticipated and that was the bureaucratic headache of doing business in Brazil, something they call custo Brazil  – a combination of the longer time and higher costs that come in doing business there. This is still a largely prevailing problem inhibiting growth. Despite all this foreign investors are seeing the value of doing business in Brazil and recognise they have to be there.

MEASURING KEY BUSINESS OUTCOMES TO ACHIEVE DESIRED RESULTS – PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTION

With their belief that the private sector was the key to sustained economic growth and for Brazil to achieve the desired results, their strategy map indicated a clear market positioning for Brazilian companies, measured against several business outcomes.

1. Competitive and quality products.
2. Innovative products and services.
3. Products and services with higher aggregate value.
4. Recognition of Brazilian brands.
5. Accelerated growth of industrial output.
6. Increased participation by Brazil growth in trade.

CNI DEFINED THE 5 DRIVERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR STRATEGY

1. Expansion of the industrial base.
2. International insertion.
3. Management & productivity.
4. Innovation,
5. Social & Environmental responsibility.

CNI ACNOWLEDGED THE SET OF ENABLERS TO LEVERAGE ECONOMIC GROWTH

1. Infrastructure
2. Resource availability
3. Entrepreneurial leadership
4. Institutional & regulatory environment
5. Education & health

NOW, THIS IS WHERE THE BALANCE COMES IN…

According to Dave Norton, this overall architecture by itself was not enough to achieve execution. What was required was another level of detail. This was a set of strategic objectives for each of their themes, in particular, a measure to see the cause and effect relations between them. This logic clearly defines the set of activities and their interrelationships required to execute the theme.

INNOVATION THEME – CAUSE & EFFECT CASE IN POINT

By example, The CNI Innovation theme was designed to create country- level results including, economic growth, more jobs and income and expansion of businesses to generate value with products and services with a higher aggregate value. These outcomes also need to be linked to the enablers including innovation programs and learning & development enablers.

This succinct description of their Economic Development Strategy enabled the leaders for the first time, to clearly communicate their desired direction for the country and the specific requirements to achieve results from their strategy execution process.

SOURCE | The Execution Premium – Robert S Kaplan and David P Norton 2008

In 2014, BRG & GIBS will present Dave Norton – Live and in Person: Executing Strategy: Balanced Scorecard Essentials. The 2014 programme includes the latest findings and experiences in strategy, measurement, leadership, human capital and cross functional priorities and solutions.

Dr Dave Norton has most recently been honoured by Thinkers 50 in their Hall of Fame sharing this acclaim with Tom Peters, Warren Bennis, Howard Gardner, Charles Handy, Philip Kotler, Henry Mintzberg, Kenichi Omae, Ikujiro Nonaka and his colleague Professor Kaplan, for their mammoth contribution to business management and leadership. Harvard Business Review recognised the Balanced Scorecard as one of the most influential management ideas in the past 75 years.