Nothing is perfect in this world except the primordial energy, or the Almighty, as we call him. Each improvement over imperfection leads to a new invention. It may be a concept or conditioning, discovery or development but nothing is perfect. Man has abundant capacity to achieve excellence in any field. Excellence does not have an end.. The area of management is no exception to this perception. Excellence in management adapts itself to suit the situations, circumstances, environment, targets, culture etc. It may mean many things, to many people but the underlying theme is always the same – quest towards perfection.

The word “management” has become modern and .relevant like the mobile phones of today, and with globalization of trade and economic liberalization, the word “management” has altogether acquired a new significance. The Oxford dictionary describes management as “the professional administration of business concerns”, and “excellence” as ‘surpassing merit or quality’. The theme “Quest for Excellence in Management” has enough scope to discuss both these aspects – “‘search for surpassing merit” and “enhancing the quality ofprofessional administration of business concerns”. Business concerns must not only grow but also help in the growth of all those whom it touches. It must not only nurture itself but also promote and improve the environment in which it operates so that the world is left a better place for posterity reap the benefits.

Journey to excellence starts from observation of activities; dividing the activities into components, studying and acquiring knowledge about each component; improving each one to its optimum; level so that over all excellence is achieved. It includes management of the shop floor, optimize the use of vital inputs like power, water, raw materials, revenue, marketing of the finished products. Management of social, cultural and political environments have to be also taken care off. Management is, therefore, an all encompassing activity, like having several chestnuts in the fire at the same time and ensuring that all of them are roasted to perfection!!

What do we do to achieve excellence in managing all the diverse activities? To begin with, we first manage the people who form the backbone of any organization. Motivation, Total Participation and Involvement in their work, Team Work, Incentives, are some of the tools that are traditionally used to fully utilize the Human Resource Assets. Besides these, the following techniques also help in the better participation of the work force.

1. Introduction of Automation to replace Human Drudgery
2. Amendment of Labour Laws
3. Participation of Workers in Management
4. Quality Circles
5. I.S.0
6. T.Q.M
7. 6 – Sigma Concepts and many more

The Industrial Revolution heralded the introduction of machines and along with it came the huge work force to run these machines. The quantity of work force was the thrust area but as the world sped towards more and more sophistication in the machines used, the key word was the quality of the workforce rather than quantity. Never the less, the aspect of properly managing the work force became even more cmcial as the skills of the workers improved.

Labour laws were enacted to harmonise the relations between the management and workers with an additional purpose of removing the exploitation of labour. However, the Laws did not have the desired effect. Then a new concept of participation of labour in management was introduced. Even though it initially yielded some positive results, but due to lack of common vision, this concept failed to establish itself as the panacea for solving the management – labour problems.

Next came the concept “Quality Circles”, where the workers were motivated to form interactive groups to suggest methods of improving production and productivity with improving the safety standards. Concepts such as ISO, TQM and 6 sigma came later mainly focusing on monitoring of process, procedures, records to take care of each activity in a business or manufacturing setup. Amazing results were achieved with the introduction of such concepts in many enterprises, primarily due to the active participation and support of top management and all the workers as well.

After all what have we been doing ? Where have we been failing and why? How to deal with the situation ? We have been failing probably because of the complex nature of human nature. We are all different. We are all born with our own set of strengths and weaknesses, and no single magic formula works wonders for all of us. Until we recognize this uniqueness of human nature, we can’t understand why people exposed to similar training/ instruction and environment respond / react differently.
Preachings result in different degree of success. Each one of us is born with a unique temperament trait. Circumstances, IQ level, economics, environments, family traditions, parental influences moulds ones personality. Immediate and future needs, circumstances and people around govern perceptions and behaviour of a person.

Over and above all this, human nature is such that it acts in its own interest. Unless until it sees its immediate or future interest is it is reluctant to act. Whatever we may do but unless and until one achieves self control, it becomes difficult to function towards a common vision/goal. Precisely, this is the human trait which has to be conquered in order to achieve excellence in management.

True solution lies not only controlling the external environment but also ones own basic traits. If an environment is created where each individual introspects and understands as to what he is, what are his strengths and weaknesses and acknowledges them accordingly, he will not be able to understand as to what is good or bad for him to lead a life with prosperity and contentment. He has to under- stand that self interest is not different than that of society, as his living in peace is linked with peace and harmony in society. This conviction is most important and no one else except he himself can develop such a concept.

Development of such perception makes things easy. A person is self motivated to work towards his own progress without hindering progress of the society. This is automatic. Nothing should be imposed from out side. Initiation is from within. If this can be achieved, then real excellence in management can be achieved. Awareness of (inherent self motivation has to be realized and V every body must be helped to bring out the inherent inner motivation to perform. Following techniques will be very handy and effective to bring out such results.

a) Introspection
b) Contemplation
c) Yogic Exercises
d) Breathing Techniques
e) MeditationTechniques

How do these techniques help? ‘As the mind, so the man’. ‘As the thoughts, so the mind’. Usual, routine, habitual, physical mind under influence and inclination of sensual pleasures, ego centric pleasures (name, fame, recognition, status, power, one upmanship) keeps on directing the man to perform his activities. Unless there is a shift in such mode of working of mind, man can’t transcend his pleasures, desires and greed oriented activities. It is just like expecting a volcano to empt ice instead of molten material. Unless human mind is harmonized and kept at peace, the thought process associated will always be like a volcanic eruptions in the form of lust, greed, egoistic comforts and pleasures indicating intense selfishness. With such a frame of mind. Labour Participation in Management, Quality Circles, ISO, TQM, 6 sigma will only bring partial success even though these are the best tools & techniques. The nature of human element is ignored and not integrated with these techniques.

Introspection and contemplation can help a man to know what his mind is , how it is behaving, with what quality of thoughts. It can also make him aware of whether he is the master of his mind or the mind is the master.

Yogic exercises and breathing techniques induce flexibility and health at physical and mental planes.
These techniques will also help in reducing the initial overspeed and excessive thought of mind. Sharp curves can be only negotiated if the speed of the vehicle is appropriate or else a ghastly accident is the only alternative. Similar is the case of the activity of the mind. which should be at a comfortable speed to overcome and negotiate the shocks, changed situations in a day to day life situations. Breathing techniques help the mind to work at optimum speeds for internal harmony. It is a primary step towards meditation..

The definition of meditation is “a state of absence of thoughts”. When a room is empty we can put our luggage and arrange the luggage or furniture to suit our taste. If the room is full of dust, litter and luggage it is impossible to make yourself comfortable with additional luggage. So is the case with mind. If the thoughts are already impulsive, aggressive, lust oriented, selfish, high speed, enormous in number, it is difficult to direct to any usual activity but to become a slave of it. Controlling the mind initially to reduce its speed of thought, will helpany one to re – organize the mind with useful, thoughts for better harmony leading to a better personality.

In any enterprise we have to understand that owners are not the only stake holders in the business organizations but along with them are customers, employees, suppliers and the society at large. Business organizations must come forward to arrange for exposing their employees to self reformative techniques available today to make them good individuals so that excellence in management is automatically achieved. Self reformative or supportive techniques will initially aim at keeping the body and mind complex in perfect harmony enabling one to accord priority to the society rather than to self as an individual.