Thoughts on some basic business related and decision making issues.

Structure follows strategy? Cause and effect.? Accountability and responsibility?
 
In simplified terms, to succeed in business, or with any project, it is essential that you have a clearly defined plan or strategy, of where you want to go, and whatever it is you want to achieve, within certain time frames. Equally importantÊ is that you identify precisely the structure, the people and their requiredÊ skills, resources, finances, taxation, returns on capital employed, accommodation, transport, etc that will be necessary to sustain your plan or strategy. Of course milestones must be established to measure progress, or lack of performance.
 
Yes indeed, someone has to be accountable and responsible to monitor predetermined non negotiable milestones, to ensure that actual ÒcausesÓ of non achievement or deviations from the plan are immediately identified and can be readily addressed. Should this essential element be neglected, we often fall into the trap of trying to rectify the effects, which result from the problem, which are often perceived and can consequently often be misleading, rather than dealing with the Òactual causesÓ head on. (The reason that we often avoid this is that this can in many cases, be very messy).
 
Remedial action must be an integral element of this responsibility. If whatever it is, is not achieved by a specific date, the responsible person must be reprimanded and or disciplined. All of the above must be clearly documented and well advertised, and only then are you ready to proceed. This is also often referred to as transparency. I sincerely hope that that these parameters will be applied in our proposed ÒtrafficÓ remedial plans.
 
If we do not get the strategy and consequent structure right by addressing ÊÊtheÓ causeÓ of the problems we will continue, at great expense, and ongoing frustration to all, to have to live by trying to deal with the effects of the problems, well into the future, which to my mind are:

Insufficient parking for the current or the future increasing number of motor vehicles (visitors).

Illegally parked vehicles, which deprive pedestrians the right to access the pavements and consequently forcing them to walk in the roads. ÊThis is extremely dangerous and is borne out by the fact that recent surveys indicate the majority of the 18 000 people who lose their lives on our roads annually, are pedestrians.

The average South African motoristÕs total disregard for traffic laws and others road usersÕ safety or rights. 

Insufficient law enforcement.

Who knows how many traffic related call outs are requested and or answered by the police annually, to restore some sanity? We all know that the police could be far better employed addressing the real horrendous, escalating, dangerous and in many cases violent, horrific situations so many of us have had the misfortune to experience. Equally regrettably, with very few convictions, which must surely motivate the bad guys to pursue their nefarious activities
 
To my mind making South Beach Road a one way, ring roadÊ facility south of 2nd avenue andÊ exiting the area via Newsel Road, back north via South Beach Road and out at the circle, is the correct structure, that will alleviate Êmany of our problems. The reduced width of this road could be utilised to provide the necessary and very essential pedestrian facilities.
 
The structure of this proposal should include that vehicles will not be permitted or be in a position to park in this area.

This, with a clearly designated and legitimate secure parking facility at the entrance of Umdloti together with a reliable shuttle facility to various designated drop off points on both North and South Beach Roads must surely solve many of our problems, create a freer traffic flow and most importantly enhance safety.
 
There is no doubt in my mind that our city fathers will show due diligence in this complex result of a sad set of circumstances, to implement the correct remedial action in terms of the business procedures which I briefly mentioned above.Ê Hopefully other issues of which I am sure, I am unaware, will also emerge and benefit from this diligence for everyoneÕs long term mutual benefit.
 
The acid test of course, accountability and responsibility. If they donÕt get it right will they be prepared to publish their contact details, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, so that those who are inconvenienced, or adversely affected in any way, will have the opportunity of bringing the results of their incorrect decisions to them personally, or will they do the honourable thing by falling on their swords?
 
Incidentally, neither of which would be good ideas of course, because this would once again be addressing the ÒeffectÓ, rather than the actual ÒcauseÓ, of the real problem.
 
I wish all concerned long term success, in their endeavours.