Need for change

Bahrain-based business consultant and trainer Dr Joe Dunn - with over 25 years experience in the region - has proposed that the way in which companies build their management structures needs to be fundamentally changed.

At the second meeting of the Bahrain British Business Forum's 'organisational effectiveness group' held at the Capital Club, he shared his insights about the changing nature of the work environment and how change within organisations can improve the productivity and morale of those involved.

"I believe that the time is right to consider these structures in terms of 'bare necessities', looking at which functions are essential to the profitability of the business," said Dr Dunn.

"Many functions can be re-engineered to allow them to provide support to the workforce without the tendency towards central 'dictatorship' that people sometimes experience."

Dr Dunn, an agricultural engineer by qualification, has been involved with organisational development, business consultancy and soft skill training in the Arabian Peninsula for over 25 years while based in Bahrain. He has been a member of the BBBF since its formation.

He outlined approaches taken by organisations such as Google and Ikea which have successfully flattened their organisational structures.

He also highlighted work he recently undertook with an international oil company in Yemen where this new approach has improved profitability and brought about considerable cost savings as well as improving staff morale.

"This special interest group is focused on how to improve organisations and to make them better places to work including how to make them more productive and profitable and we welcome anyone to attend who has an interest in learning from others or who has ideas to share," said Jill Boggiss, BBBF organisational effectiveness group head.

The BBBF was formed in 1995 to promote trade and investment between Bahrain and Britain in a non-discriminatory, non-political and non-profit making manner.

The BBBF is widely recognised in Bahrain and the UK as a leading impartial business sector group, and aims to create and sustain a favourable business environment, as well as assisting and introducing new trade and investments to both countries that can benefit and enhance the common economic interests of its member companies.