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The starting point is to transform the quality of personal and collective leadership of these key corporate governance players.The leader’s spirit and quality provide the light that motivates others – mere talk will not make a difference.
By Lynn McGregor
The reason for this question is that the majority of SOCs are failing or bankrupt. Why are they failing? Does it matter? If it does matter, can something be done about it?
We all depend on vital infrastructure services – such as electricity, telecommunications, refuse collection, housing, transport and the news – both for the quality of our lives and to grow the economy. Most of these services are provided by State Owned Companies (SOCs), and the very fabric of our lives depends on how successfully they are governed.
African countries are among emerging markets driven to compete for trade and investment in a highly competitive, volatile world economy. Unless they have healthy and reliable infrastructures, they will be left behind.
The problem is that time is running out.
What is the state of SOCs?
I ran a series of colloquia for business leaders about corporate governance – organised for the Centre of Corporate Governance in Africa at the University of Stellenbosch. The two main issues proved to be similar: lack of competent people to govern and run companies, and the impact of growing corruption.
With Nozizwe Madlala Routledge, a former Deputy Minister in South Africa, and I modified a ratings matrix to apply to State Owned Entities. Key SOEs were then rated according to publicly available information, but we discovered that there was not enough information to understand what was really happening. Even some of the companies that scored highly were facing charges for bribery, corruption and inaccurate figures. We also realised that to understand the corporate governance of SOEs and SOCs, we needed to have a better grasp of the relationship between Government and the organisations.
SOCs are different from the private sector because their main shareholder is Government, which has a semi- hands-on relationship with companies in terms of funding, auditing and selection of board members and CEO. SOCs often have an additional political mandate to contribute to the social development of the country. Boards of SOCs have slightly different roles, as they are not as autonomous but still expected to contribute strategic direction, ensure conformance with regulatory requirements and make sure that the CEO runs the SOC well and delivers financial and other targets on time.
Since these projects, I have run workshops where I met a number of Chairpeople, CEOs and directors from other African countries and found that the patterns are similar: successful companies are in the minority, and failing companies are in the majority.
Some of the common indicators of successful SOCs are:
– eg. services/products, financial results etc
Their boards often lack the sound business judgement or regulatory expertise to monitor them,
or to know when to intervene. All this can go hand in hand with endemic corruption.
• A company in good legal and economic standing, with a sound basis for the future
• Happy stakeholders, and customers with few complaints
• Board, executive and company are well run, well trained and have good reputations
• Clean audits
• External investors prepared to pay up to 30% premium.
Some of the common indicators of failing SOCs are:
• Failure to deliver targets. Often bankrupt. Inaccurate or dishonest reports
• Crisis management. Unpleasant surprises. Short-termism
• Unhappy public. Signs of social unrest
• Scandals, court cases. Company, board or executives guilty of corruption
• Constant turnover of board members and directors. No continuity
• Lack of external funders, or investors withdrawing, because of lack of confidence
Why are so many SOCs failing?
The same two key reasons continue to be cited: growing corruption and too few people sufficiently competent to govern or run companies. And, because neither of the above have been resolved in the last couple of years, it is reasonable to assume that: many in power do not really care; and that those on the ground have become accustomed to, and expect, sub- optimal standards.
For those who do care, it might be useful to reflect on the main problems before exploring possible solutions.
Sound corporate governance ensures that all the checks and balances are in place for a company to produce cost-effective services in accordance with the law, to maintain a good strategic future, and to remain financially healthy. Government departments need to be capable of signing off on sound financial plans and feasible budgets, and able to monitor financial performance. They must achieve all this on schedule, so companies can rely on the right funding to go forward.
This sounds obvious, but it only happens with efficient government where the departments work well together. Government committees are expected to nominate board members who can govern, and CEOs who can deliver. They need enough business and technical knowledge to select the right people, or they will foster inadequate boards that cannot make informed, independent and balanced decisions on time.
The degree to which many government officials or boards of companies actually understand the value and practice of corporate governance is, however, questionable. Too many CEOs are not properly monitored or supported to avoid such mistakes as: unreasonable and unpopular price hikes; confusion between bail-outs and profits: and misjudged financial and company reports. Even while failing to deliver, they continue to receive huge salaries and bonuses. Their boards often lack the sound business judgement or regulatory expertise to monitor them, or to know when to intervene. All this can go hand in hand with endemic corruption.
As Kofi Annan warned us, “we are in danger of leaving a terrible legacy to future generations”.
Lack of moral norms breeds corruption
More than $148bn (£93bn) is lost to corruption in Africa every year, according to the African Union: much of it through public of cials employed by ‘democratically’ elected governments. This was endorsed by Mr Nombembe, former South African Auditor General, who in 2013 said that over ZAR 32 billion were “lost, wasted on unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure...Due to the lack of public outcry and activism, the government was not dealing decisively with guilty parties...We should not have a situation whereby there is no knowledge of where money was spent by any government entity or departments."
When society colludes with corruption, there is less money to invest in infrastructure and SOCs become cash-cows to line the pockets of the few.
Cronyism, fraud, illegal deals, bribery, blackmail and cover-ups – even death threats – lead to an atmosphere of elitism, distrust, secrecy and fear. Plots are hatched to get rid of directors who insist on honesty and the rule of law, and they are replaced by incompetent puppet directors serving those in power. Former Nigerian President Obasanjo warned that: “when the guard becomes the thief, nothing is safe, secure or protected.”
The symptoms of corruption in SOCs are clear: scandals and court cases outweigh good news; service delivery is poor and unreliable, for an insecure and angry population; corporations are fined for bullying and anti-competitive practices; morale is low with little hope for the future. Eventually services run dry and, in some cases, whole regions become destitute.
Over fifty years after decolonisation started in Africa, the situation is much better for millions, but not for all. Democratic government, social development programmes and better education mean that more enjoy the opportunity to thrive. However, the lack of moral sense that permits widespread corruption is still a serious cause for concern. Hopefully, the plea of our Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa for public servants who are not corrupt will not fall on deaf ears.
Boards that act as a powerful, cohesive whole can resolve corporate governance issues through rigorous discussion and collective decision- making.
How much hope is there?
There is much scope for pessimism, but also some for cautious optimism, and I still believe it is possible to create successful SOCs. Though less newsworthy, there are a significant number of competent individuals who really do care and are responsible for good progress in their countries and across Africa.
There are at least three main reasons for such optimism:
In terms of government, some African countries have improved their corporate governance, company legislation and codes of conduct. Some government departments have become more efficient and enjoy constructive working relationships with boards. Better board appointments are improving board and executive performance. As major shareholders, some government departments have developed successful working models that encourage these improved results.
In terms of greater competence: the more experienced Chairs, CEOs and directors play a mentoring role. Boards that act as a powerful, cohesive whole can resolve corporate governance issues through rigorous discussion and collective decision-making. They are better equipped to inform government before policy or strategic decisions are made. Fewer CEOs are making excuses for poor performance and talking more about improving results.
In addition, there is a growing number of experts and institutions that can provide corporate governance knowledge and skills training to upgrade performance. Some have spent many years developing effective methodologies to improve thinking and effectiveness at board and executive levels.
As some African countries prepare to move to the next stage of development, we should ask: what are the lessons of a post liberation government? How can African companies compete more successfully in a global context? How can accumulated knowledge be best utilised?
As members of the AU are aware, there is now a considerable body of experience, expertise and learning to answer such questions – and a growing population of competent Ministers, DGs, Chairpersons and CEOs of SOCs, capable of leading the changes needed to accelerate competencies and to create an inspiring and motivating culture of integrity.
Inspired and competent leaders can move mountains
To quote Kofi Annan again, “Crucially, we have to have the confidence to expand much more rapidly in terms of what we have seen and know works.”
Improving the collective and individual quality of leadership is key to providing more successful SOCs. I suggest the first leadership group should comprise:
• The Minister of the Government
Department responsible for the SOC
The starting point is to transform the quality of personal and collective leadership of these key corporate governance players. The leader’s spirit and quality provide the light that motivates others – mere talk will not make a difference. Significantly better results require inspirational and competent leaders, able to give and receive of their best.
It is indeed possible to upgrade leadership by giving it priority and setting aside time and money to develop the basic qualities and skills necessary for effective 21st century leadership.
The secret is to work in a safe, reflective environment as far removed as possible from the bureaucracies of day-to-day business. Best results come from standing back in order to gain perspective, simplicity, clarity, mutual understanding, intelligence, wisdom, creativity and genuine commitment.
Yes, it takes time to learn how to save time.
Collective leadership means much more than boring meetings
This article began with the question: “Are State Owned Companies a lost cause?” The answer is that it is possible to turn underperforming companies around as long as people truly have the will to do it, and are prepared to take the lead to make it happen.
Collective leadership can be so powerful – for good or for evil – that the ground must be prepared, seeds planted and young growth carefully nurtured to ensure real, sustainable success. To make a positive difference in difficult circumstances, it is not enough just to do more of the same.
Only when the questions posed below have been asked and answered, is the group really ready to move forward – calling on the help of high
level, inspirational facilitators to make sure that the process stays right on target.
1.Common understanding of the
value and nature of corporate governance
• What is the group’s corporate
governance role?
• Does everyone understand the
value and nature of corporate governance and how the parts work together?
• Why are key corporate governance principles important? • What is needed for everyone to
commit to them in practice?
2. Tap into deepest desires of what the
group really wants to achieve
In May 2002 Nelson Mandela said: "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." The impossible can only be achieved through stretching the realm of possibilities.
• What is our most inspiring vision of corporate governance at its very best?
3. Focus on what most needs to be done to make the biggest difference • What is really important?
• What takes up a lot of time but achieves very little?
4. Learn from successes and failures and celebrate successes
• Celebrate just how much has already been achieved – and build on it!
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