- From Good to Great
By Gillian Boyes (Senior Communications Advisor, DTP)
New head of the future consolidated logistics organisation, Commander Logistics, AIRCDRE Peter Guy is finding his feet after starting in the role in early October.
DTP members at work
His task, over time, is to set up an organisation that will act as a springboard to transform logistics support.
“But”, says AIRCDRE Guy, “come mid next year when we start to stand this up, the majority of air-men and women, sailors and soldiers working in logistics will see very little immediate change. You’re already doing what we need you to do and we need you to keep doing that.”
AIRCDRE Guy says that he gets people at all levels talking to him about ideas that could generate dramatic improvements in how we deliver logistics better.
“But in our current structure, when you’re up to your neck in business as usual work with legacy systems, it’s incredibly hard to implement them.
“The consolidated logistics organisation will open up logistics potentially to world-class level. We’ll be aiming to build an environment of creativity and boldness that will bring a refreshing and invigorating edge to NZDF logistics. We’re going to take ourselves from good to great.”
Perhaps that sounds a little grand, but AIRCDRE Guy is no novice to the process and benefits of changing organisations by consolidating shared activities.
An Engineer by trade, he managed the design and development of the RNZAF’s Ground Training Wing complex in 1994, bringing together all the ground training schools to Woodbourne.
He later developed the first logistics wing in the RNZAF, integrating engineering and supply functions, then implementing the logistics concept RNZAF-wide.
His focus on the people affected by the changes helped make them a success.
“Yes we are a command-led organisation, but I know that if you don’t get your people on side, these changes won’t work or won’t be as successful.
“By taking the time to do that you develop an organisation where good ideas from people at all levels can be fostered.”
As a former Director of RNZAF Logistics and Technical Airworthiness, AIRCDRE Guy is also acutely aware of how important logistics is in ensuring that forces are able to deploy and be sustained effectively and safely.
“We are building an NZDF wide military organisation that will serve all three Services. I know if I were a Service Chief, I’d want to know that my people had been closely involved so we preserve the things that work, and that we do best. So that’s a key focus for me and my team.”
DTP Update
Building a new logistics organisation is one of the key outcomes from the Defence Transformation Programme (DTP). DTP is also working on new Human Resource and Training and Education organisations and working to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and simplify structures within NZDF Headquarters. NZDF personnel can follow progress by clicking on the DTP link on the Air Force intranet home page.