Premier's Office Staff Participate in Planning Day Exercise

~~Adz:Right~~Thursday, December 4 – The staff of the Premier’s Office expects improved service delivery in 2009 as they are now more aware of the priority areas identified in the work plan for the coming year.

Yesterday, the entire staff gathered at the Marine Centre of the H. Lavity Stout Community College for an all-day planning session which allowed the administrative staff to provide input on the work plan and the methods to achieve the desired objectives.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams explained that “the planning day exercise was about building team spirit because this is not a one-man show; we all have to work together for the common good.”

Mrs. Adams added, “administrative staff play a critical role in the work of the ministry because they assist in the actual execution of the mandate of the management team.”

Commending the staff for their active participation in the exercise, the Permanent Secretary said this is just the beginning. “I think it was an excellent idea for us to come together; it was a very productive day but we have more work to do as we brainstorm further to finalise our plan for 2009 and beyond,” she said.

The role of teamwork was reinforced throughout the day as Assistant Secretary Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt- Igwe led the staff in various activities which necessitated a team effort.

Acting Deputy Secretary Mrs. Marva Titley-Smith identified several elements of teamwork including commitment, trust, communication, involvement, continuous improvement and cooperation.

In the session on strategic planning, Mrs. Smith underscored its importance saying “it helps to ensure that everybody is on the same page; it provides for continuity; it motivates staff when they know the direction of the organisation; and it promotes team work and transparency.”

Mrs. Smith noted that strategic planning should not be “regarded as an isolated event because it is linked to Government’s agenda as outlined in the manifesto.”

In her presentation on the role of communication in the public service, Director of Communications Ms. Sandra Ward said “communication is integral to everything, facilitating the flow of information within Government as well as informing and educating the people of the Territory on the policies and programmes of Government designed to benefit them.”

The planning day exercise carried out by the Premier’s Office forms part of strategic planning, one of the four distinct areas of public sector reform in which the Government is now actively engaged. The Premier’s Office is responsible for spearheading strategic planning reform which seeks to ensure that the budget process provides for the delivery of services and goods in keeping with the Government’s strategic objectives.

The public sector reform programme is designed to achieve an improvement in the implementation of Government policies; maximise efficiency in the use of public resources; increase public satisfaction with their general interaction with Government employees and agencies and ensure greater job satisfaction for public servants.