TELSTRA & AUSTRALIA POST IN A DIGITAL ECONOMYOliver RomanesEmail: oromanes@icloud.com

TODAY’S PRESENTATION

What works in business? Nohria 4 + 2 Drucker: The theory of business

Telstra and Australia Post in a digital economy Winning or losing… and why?

What’s in it for libraries?

A DIGITAL ECONOMY

Underpinned by: rapid change, rapid access

$10.2bn

Discount Department Stores

$18bn

Online Shopping

$79bn

Integrated Logistics

DIGITAL EVOLUTION

BUSINESS 200 well established

management practices 10 years (1986-1996) 160 companies (private industry)

What really works?

Nohria et al. (2003)Harvard Business

Review No causal relationships with

management practice and business success

Imperative: business basics (90% success rate)

Findings

4 (PRIMARY PRACTICES) + 2

EXECUTION

Develop and maintain flawless operational

execution

STRATEGY

Devise and maintain a clearly

stated, focused strategy

CULTUREDevelop and maintain a

performance-oriented culture

STRUCTURE

Build and maintain a fast, flexible, flat

organisation

4 + 2 (SECONDARY PRACTICES)

LEADERSHIP

Choosing great Chief Executives can raise performance

significantly

TALENTHold onto talented

employees and develop more

INNOVATION

Agility = innovativeproducts and services

MERGERS & PARTNERSHI

PSSeek growth through

mergers and partnerships (complimentary)

DRUCKER The Theory of Business (1994)

Harvard Business Review3 parts:

1. Organisation has assessed and made assumptions about the market & the environment; customers & competitors, technology and its dynamics, strength & weaknesses.

2. Organisation has defined its mission. 3. Organisation has matched core competencies to it mission

Assumptions must fit reality Theory has to be tested constantly

- preventative care, assessed non- customers

TELSTRA 1901 – domestic telephone, telegraph and postal

services

1992 – began expanding internationally

2006 – fully privatised

TELSTRA: REVENUE

TELSTRA: THE FUTURE

Strategic Directions

Telecommunications Technology

• improve customer advocacy• drive value and growth from the core• build new growth businesses

AUSTRALIA POSTOldest continuing organisation in Australia (1809)

Private company (1989)Single shareholder – Australian Government

Community service obligations (regulations)

AUSTRALIA POST

AUSTRALIA POST: THE FUTURE

Vision

Postal Service eCommerce

Delivering eCommerce:• Everyone• Everywhere• Everyday

LIBRARIES OF THE FUTURE?

SUMMARYAre libraries: businesses? community service organisations? a combination of both?

Managers and Executives:What’s your 4 + 2?What’s your theory of business? Does it fit reality?

Staff:Do you know your organisation’s core business and message?What’s your role in your 4 + 2?

TELSTRA & AUSTRALIA POST IN A DIGITAL ECONOMYOliver RomanesEmail: oromanes@icloud.com