Editor's note: This is the second in a series of commentaries by Roger, a former corporate employee responsible for their company's sales to the federal government. (Click here to read Roger's first post).
Some may call me naive, but good government is possible. All of us have seen the awards for good government, we've met government employees who love their jobs, we've watched with wonder as Astronauts take space walks, and the majority of us got educated in public schools and universities. But, just like in the private sector, we know that any organization that goes unchecked or whose employees don't share in a common goal is going to create its own.
Many of you may not remember the Northridge earthquake out in California. The California Transportation Department and its contractors got the Los Angeles area freeways up and running ahead of schedule and up to code. How did it happen?
The California economy was getting hit hard with major arteries closed, lost dollars for business, and lost tax revenues for state and local government. It was in California's best interest to get those highways open fast. The contractors are there to make a profit. The state offered their contractors bonuses based on getting the job done ahead of schedule and disincentives for work finished late (this might sound familiar to all the parents out there trying to get their kids to do their homework).
The earlier the freeways were completed, the more money the contractors made and the faster life and the economy got back to normal. The state was on-hand working long hours themselves reviewing plans and making sure the work was still done to code and that the workplace was safe.
The bottom line was everyone had reason to be working towards the same goal--government agencies and contractors alike.
We can see in an emergency getting extra help fast from contractors was key for the government's success. In the earthquake example we can see how common goals and incentives can have a positive outcome. But, how do you do that long term?
Government contractors are responsible to their shareholders, but the government is here for the benefit of us all. Is there a way for both to work to a common goal?
-- Roger
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