ASSET MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE SERVICE DELIVERY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “We need a new way forward and a healthier narrative. We have been so focused on the right information that we are not cultivating the right conditions,” stated Christina Benty, former Mayor of the Town of Golden, in an article written for the Winter 2021 issue of the Asset Management BC Newsletter
What is REALLY important for Asset Management?
“I do not need to espouse the benefits of asset management to you (the reader). We all know that it makes good business sense, and no reasonable person would disagree. This is so obvious that it is boring,” wrote Christina Benty, former Mayor of Golden and a champion of asset management for sustainable service delivery, in an article published by Asset Management BC in its Winter 2021 Newsletter.
“But let me ask you this, are you as mystified as I am about the lack of real traction in the asset management movement? Have you noticed that it has garnered lots of attention but not enough real tangible action? Like me, maybe you cannot help but ask:
- What could possibly get in the way of evidence-based decision making?
- Why do we ignore the things we should not ignore?
- Why do we not attend to the things we should attend to?”
“The obvious, and dare I say lazy, answer is people. But what exactly is it about people? What keeps people from making logical, rational decisions in their best interest?”
The Path Forward
“We need a new way forward and a healthier narrative. We have been so focused on the right information that we are not cultivating the right conditions. We must create environments where the brain can make rational, logical, evidence-based decisions. Here is what I believe to be true. Investing in psychological safety will do more for asset management than any data, software, policy, plan or roadmap. This is no longer an ideological argument; this is an economic one.”
“If you want your asset management efforts to be successful, consider investing in creating the right conditions. Your organizational brain of the future will thank you,” concluded Christina Benty.
To Learn More:
To read the complete article by Christina Benty, download a copy of the Winter 2021 issue of the Asset Management BC Newsletter
