This refers to Jitender Bhargava's article "In search of a leader for Air India" (February 10). Ministerial favouritism in selection, inequitable compensation and political interference in the working have been the bane of chairpersons of public sector undertakings (PSUs), including Air India.
One of the main reasons is that the work culture and systems in PSUs are different from those in the private sector. As such, the government may tap talent from other PSUs to head Air India. The Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) drafted V Krishnamurthy from BHEL as chairman in 1985. Krishnamurthy turned the company around in less than two years.
Finally, succession planning, in general, is a delicate and difficult job. At Apple, the intuitive Steve Jobs chose Tim Cook as his replacement despite misgivings about the latter's suitability. Cook, however, has taken Apple to greater heights. N R Narayana Murthy's carefully-taken decision about his successor for Infosys misfired, leading to key resignations and an unstable performance from the company.
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One of the main reasons is that the work culture and systems in PSUs are different from those in the private sector. As such, the government may tap talent from other PSUs to head Air India. The Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) drafted V Krishnamurthy from BHEL as chairman in 1985. Krishnamurthy turned the company around in less than two years.
Finally, succession planning, in general, is a delicate and difficult job. At Apple, the intuitive Steve Jobs chose Tim Cook as his replacement despite misgivings about the latter's suitability. Cook, however, has taken Apple to greater heights. N R Narayana Murthy's carefully-taken decision about his successor for Infosys misfired, leading to key resignations and an unstable performance from the company.
Y G Chouksey Pune
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number