Creating a high performance culture A Pacific perspective

Creating a high performance culture A Pacific perspective AMS Hanoi 2011 1

The plan • The Pacific mediascape • PACMAS • Technology Explosion • Capacity & Content • Measuring Impact • Retaining talent • Donor harmonisation AMS Hanoi 2011 2

The PACIFIC region AMS Hanoi 2011 3

• 15 independent and mostly small island developing states scattered through the vast South Pacific Ocean. • Geographically the region covers a total area of 8. 5 m square kilometres. • The population estimate (2008) was 32 million growing at a rate of between 4 -6 percent per annum. • The region’s combined GDP is about US$930 billion. AMS Hanoi 2011 4

Pacific Media challenges • constrained by the limitations of the laws, regulation and national policies • lack of citizen engagement with the media; • struggle to be financially viable; • Government media units and NGOs struggle to effectively use the media; • Distribution systems are, in the main, of poor quality and limit the capacity of the media • Content sharing systems are poorly developed although there is some cooperation covering the broadly defined governance and public policy issues; AMS Hanoi 2011 5

• In most cases journalism training is underdeveloped or non-existent. • The paucity of journalism codes of ethics and industry complaints processes leaves the media vulnerable to government criticism; • Media associations (national and regional) are, in the main, small and under-resourced. In some countries they do not exist or are not operational; • Pacific communities gain most of their information from the media where stereotypical gender representations prevail. AMS Hanoi 2011 6

• The Pacific media sector has become fragmented with animosity between rival regional media organisations; • new Pacific-wide media networks are emerging; • the media in some countries are coming under increased scrutiny, constraint and censorship; • Significant INGO & NGO and bilateral activity continues to occur, though this tends to be on an ad hoc basis and with little coordination or harmonisation; • Technology explosion makes the role of teleco regulation more significant in driving forward media convergence and access to new digital media content AMS Hanoi 2011 7

Media market conditions Citizen interaction with the media Media support organisation s Media organisations Media laws, regulation and policy Media content Professional standards Distribution system AMS Hanoi 2011 8

PACMAS • Pacific Media Assistance Scheme • This is a ten year commitment by Aus. AID to contribute to the ongoing development of the media in the Pacific. • Managed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s International Projects • Based on communication for development (C 4 D) • Four components - Capacity Building; Policy and Legislation; Media Distribution Systems; and Media Content. AMS Hanoi 2011 9

Technology Explosion • Pacific not insulated from the tech changes • Some successfully embraced technology while others struggle • Danger of rushing into technology for the sake of “buying in” and not based on needs • Serious shortage of technical skills in some Pis • Regional engineering network being set up under PACMAS AMS Hanoi 2011 10

AMS Hanoi 2011 11

Capacity & Content • Still a lot of concentration on journalism training & other areas neglected • infrastructure and content initiatives that are commonplace in most of your countries, largely nonexistent in many PIs • Broadcasters charge for public service announcements (malaria, HIV-AIDS, etc) • Talkback radio popular and in Vanuatu soon to be simulcast on national TV • Provincial radio network in Vanuatu AMS Hanoi 2011 12

• Growing number of joint productions with foreign broadcasters (CCTV, ABC, France, NZ, National Geographic) • New children’s talkshow and related program hosted by children to be introduced in Vanuatu • Program Bank concept introduced AMS Hanoi 2011 13

The IMPACT • Over the past two decades, there have been a multitude of studies and audience surveys on the Pacific media • These studies all focused on media usage or the state of the media in the Pacific. • But little or no work on the IMPACT our programs are having on our audiences • Will be one of the first activities under PACMAS • Will help us all know how we can be more affective AMS Hanoi 2011 14

TALENT RETENTION • Facing shortage of skills in key areas (finance, HR, technical and archives) • Our challenge can be narrowed down to two major reasons – an organisation’s inability to afford higher wage bills; and the stark absence of a “people development plan”. • Times have changed with employees now more demanding • Always on prowl for better paid jobs putting into question their loyalty & committment AMS Hanoi 2011 15

• Approach by many PIs is to keep as many people as possible in paid employment – little $$$$$ left for people & capital development • Trend seems to be changing as governments priorities shift • Media forced to reorganise and improve efficiency • Some broadcasters have been innovative & accepted the need to change AMS Hanoi 2011 16

• Profit sharing arrangements with the option to convert the cash into shares in the company • Paying out sick leave bonuses • A performance pay system rewarding excellence • Upgrading the workplace to make it more comfortable for staff • Providing uniforms • Offering non cash rewards for excellent performance (family holidays, gift vouchers, etc) AMS Hanoi 2011 17

• Internal excellence awards • An interest free soft loan scheme for education • Staff medical and life insurance schemes • Providing staff with time payment plans to buy recorders, laptops, cameras and technical tools • Monthly staff socials • Promise of overseas training opportunities if they achieved results AMS Hanoi 2011 18

• evidence that more PI broadcasters are beginning to develop organisational objectives and strategies. • Job plans clearly setting out expectations are fast becoming the norm. • • Career development plans are being actively promoted. Mentoring is encouraged and management styles are also changing (though very slowly) in favour of a more inclusive approach where employees are made to feel they have ownership of decisions. AMS Hanoi 2011 19

• Internal communication channels are improving • There are greater internal consultations as opposed to a top down approach. • Mediation is being promoted as the first step in industrial disputes. • So it is evident that organisations are working towards creating a happier workplace AMS Hanoi 2011 20

• probably the single most effective shift in mindset has been the growing number of organisations that base their incentive schemes and merit salary increases on INNOVATION rather than merely productivity AMS Hanoi 2011 21

Donor HARMONISATION • Oceania receives quite a bit of attention from the more developed and affluent countries • Most of these Pacific Islands are quite dependant on aid • Need for a roundtable of the Pacific media and development partners to discuss and agree on more effective use of aid. AMS Hanoi 2011 22

THANK YOU AMS Hanoi 2011 23