PSR unit hosts ‘Effective Communication and Productivity’ workshop

A number of officers drawn from throughout this country’s Public Service yesterday attended a workshop on “Effective Communication and Productivity” at the Ministry of Telecommunications conference room, second floor of the CLICO Building, Kingstown.{{more}}

The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) in the Ministry of National Reconciliation, the Public Service, Labour, Information and Ecclesiastical Affairs hosted the workshop, which was facilitated by Dr Minelva Glasgow, deputy chief executive officer of the National Insurance Services.

Director of the PSRU, Clarence Harry said that the workshop aimed to highlight and re-enforce the importance of effective communication, to highlight the relevance and impact of effective communication on productivity as well as the role of public officers in effective communication.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Reconciliation Dr Audrey Gittens-Gilkes advised the participants to take the message they receive and convert it into action at their place of work in

an effort to improve productivity. Dr Gilkes said that productivity is critical in determining cost efficiency in the Public Service. The main enabler of productivity in the Public Service, the PS pointed out, is communication.

“This requires clearly defined mission and vision statements, goals and objectives. These are the blueprints of organizational success. It is therefore imperative that they are communicated in a manner which will engender a sense of ownership and pride and a desire to increase productivity,” Dr Gilkes said at the opening of the workshop.

And Minister of the Public Service Maxwell Charles commended the PSRU for organizing the workshop in their efforts to narrow the gaps in the public service. Minister Charles encouraged the participants to see the need for change. “There must be a reorientation of thoughts and a remodeling of the way we are accustomed to work in order to meet the demands of the future,” Minster Charles said. The Public Service Minister added that continuing to operate in the same modus operandi is a recipe for the failure of the public service.

In order for effective communication to take place, Minister Charles told participants of the workshop that the “sender of the message must communicate in a business-like manner. They must keep abreast of current trends in their individual practices and their attitude must be one that is desired by those with whom they work.”