In 1982 McKinsey consultants Tom Peters and Bob Waterman wrote “In Search Of Excellence”. Many regard it as one of the most influential business books of all time. It also launched Peters as one of the world’s pre-eminent business management “gurus”. He’s since written a number of books and made hundreds of speeches, preaching his no nonsense, return to basics brand of management thinking. Last week Tom Peters was at my old school, Auckland University, and I went along.

This week we have had the news that yet another civic authority is in financial strife after years of mismanagement, excessive borrowing and living above its means. Only this time, it’s not some far flung district hidden away in the depths of California, or an earthquake ravaged city in the South Island, or even a small district council an hour’s drive north of the city. This time it’s the city of Auckland, home of an amalgamation of local councils that were pulled together less than 5 years ago, with a view to the creation of a more effective organisation.

Before I start with a new client, I usually jot down a few notes outlining my first impressions, preconceived ideas and what I think I will find. I often refer back to those initial notes, as they sometimes help me to stay on task as the risk of distraction threatens to take over in the new and needy organisation.
I was privileged to be asked to conduct a review of the Central Christchurch Development Unit (CCDU) – the organisation within the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) responsible for leading the rebuild of the Christchurch CBD. The day before I started, I went for a walk around the dilapidated city. This is what I wrote that night.