Any project is change

Could there be any more appropriate subject for us to start our first issue of MKC Newsletter than that most crucial notion of our profession of Consultant, i.e. the notion of Project. A project is first and foremost a change. Its primary motive is an anticipation of the future. It is a clear vision of the objective to be achieved. It has to catalyse energies and stimulate imagination. It may be thought out as a grand edifice and built up in stages.

Besides, a project has to generate a burst of motivation. In view of the sum of its characteristics, the idea of project contrasts with that of structure. A project is by definition transitory, limited in time, and yet it is supposed to construct within a long term, lasting, perspective. On the other hand, a structure, which is evocative of permanence and longevity, is quite often curtailed in actual daily life by small objectives of a tactical nature.

Both project and structure are necessary for the enterprise, but the risk is to lose sight of alternation and to see structure taking over definitively the time and mind of decision makers. A project is often born of a re-evaluation, a questioning, a new ambition, while a structure runs the risk of considering but its own self, of forgetting its raison d'être, the ultimate objective from which it has sprung. A structure is, on the whole, not equipped with such self-adjustment mechanisms likely to possibly indicate that it has become of no use or that, insidiously enough, it continues to exist not so much to unceasingly innovate and meet new challenges but more to preserve that which has been achieved.

It is indeed for this reason that managing a strategic project for the enterprise has to necessarily mobilise internal forces holding a set of professional values and know how, together with external resources holding an acquaintance with methods and displaying objectivity. It is this combination that constitutes the strength of a successful project team.

Within a given project, the major key concept that a consultant needs to master is effecting change. Therein lies the foundation stone for any project. The reasons for change are multiple and affect the life of the enterprise at all levels (technological, legal, commercial factors, etc).

There is nothing lasting but change. Let's not wait to react; let's anticipate!

Seminar on 'Supply Chain Management' (SCM)

The Consultancy MKC organises on 30 October 2002 at Hotel Abou Nawas El Mechtel Tunis, in partnership with UTICA (Tunisian Industry, Trade and Handicrafts Union) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (FKA), a seminar on the Global Logistic Chain (or Supply Chain Management) and Inter-enterprise Networks.

We are all economic driving forces

Did you say crisis? What crisis? If ever there is crisis, it is that which we bear within ourselves, that which we breed by our pessimism, our fear, our anxiety, our nervousness. The world has gone upside down. It is not economy that makes man; it is man that makes economy. We have to remain master of our destiny, of our future, of the life force that is humanity's distinguishing feature.

Difficulty, what a great driving force! What a pleasure to be derived from knowing how to overcome difficulty, to bypass it! For so doing, all one needs is imagination, courage and will. It is everyman's duty to breathe some life in one's close circle: such is the consultant's daily work. Even when asked to propose a fairly technical appraisal and pragmatic recommendations, the consultant's true added value will be the inspiring of his illuminating insights, his enthusiasm and his conviction that the future will be brighter.

Of course a consultant does not know everything. He does not act as a panacea for all ills; however, thanks to his experience, he has seen enough situations as to be able to analyse in great detail whatever takes place around him and to turn a snag into a springboard. Besides, his independence further reinforces the relevance of his views. He will serve as a mirror to his client, unceasingly sending back to him his own picture, thus catalysing his deepest concerns and helping, at last, find an appropriate solution to a problem that is quite often found out to be much simpler than what it seemed at the beginning.

An outsider's look, an objective look, upon a situation removes at once all emotional entanglements, the burden of history, unvoiced comments, and mix-ups. In fine, the consultant galvanises decision-making.

Whether the subject matter involves hiring, coaching, operational, organisational or strategic consultancy, the consultant's major task is to help his client channel the efforts of all parties into the same direction, redefine his profession and get all the team to share the enterprise's objective. The latter is normally to produce and sell and produce (goods or services), which objective -though obvious enough-is more often than not overlooked!

Nurturing a sense of responsibility, infusing enthusiasm, making people proactive, and placing trust in them, such are the keys to success, that is the keys to growth, and hence to development, and therefore to economic redeployment. The consultant allows his client to consider issues in a climate of serenity and peace of mind in order to opt for a proper course of action in full cognisance of the rationale thereof and not to blindly rush headlong into often destructive erratic decisions.

Why haste? Let's take a pause and consider things!... Let's identify the best course of action and, together, erect the joint edifice of our success!

The programme of presentations includes the following topics :

• The Supply Chain Management (SCM) concept and the stakes related thereto
• The SCM approach and the logistic strategies of manufacturing and distribution firms
• Presentation of case studies
• SCM tools : NICTs

The presentations will be followed upon by a discussion workshop aimed at providing an overview of the situation of distribution in Tunisia, as well as to identifying the expectations of Tunisian enterprises.

For further information, please contact MKC either by

Tel. at 71 890 274
Fax at 71 891 180
Email at the following address mkc@topnet.tn
or via its website www.mkc-consulting.com

This seminar is intended for company managers and procurement, logistics, sales and marketing services directors.