“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, un-learn and re-learn”. - Alvin Toffler
In today’s world, too much is changing for anyone to be complacent (Peters, 1987). The fundamental paradigm in the twentieth century was a belief in equilibrium, that things could stay stable and efficient. But the twenty–first century paradigm is based on far from equilibrium thinking (Daft, 1997). The phrase “far from equilibrium” relates to today’s chaotic world where every new day springs with surprises and challenges such that it has become increasingly impossible for many managers to return their organizations to their former (twentieth century) “utopian” state of equilibrium.
Rather the new paradigm thinking is to get management as well as the entire organization comfortable with change. Organizations must find ways of embracing the twenty-first century paradox of keeping everything running while at the same time changing everything (Huey, 1993). For organizations to thrive in today’s highly globalised, dynamic and competitive world, they must become learning organizations. That is, they must create the capacity for continuous change, learning and improvement.
The implication for the young Nigerian Management Consultant therefore is that he must be open minded, have keen foresight and be adept at taking constructive advantage of the opportunity for change and be able to use these abilities to define a culture of Management Consulting in harmony with the environment and times. Nigeria is currently experiencing a renewed sense of patriotism and a unique opportunity has been presented to us to re-define ourselves and our approach to development in the twenty-first century.
In other words in these times, the young Nigerian Professional must be unafraid to “step out of the box” and explore (new?) indigenous approaches to the practice of Management Consulting especially in view of the enormous growth opportunities that have been created by the New Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) coupled with the wider Economic Reforms initiated by the current administration. One of the key strategies of the NEEDS policy is “Value Re-orientation” and in line with this, it is time for the young Nigerian Professional to innovate and re-create a uniquely Nigerian system of Management Consulting that skillfully and successfully balances the attainment of set goals/objectives with the preservation of human dignity. Numerous studies have shown that an increased sense of personal well being greatly improves productivity.
We must take the bull by the horn and originate our own model of Management Consulting, setting standards of Best Practice for the world to follow rather than vice-versa. In other words, we must define our own culture of Management and Management Consulting. Indeed there is no management without culture. The Japanese, Americans and more recently, the Chinese evolved management systems that were influenced by their indigenous cultures and this is what makes them unique. Where the nation benefits from such innovation, then clearly, I have benefited as well. Thank You.
