INNOBLOG

One of the tenets of Innosight's thinking is that organizations need to select managers with the right backgrounds, not just "the right stuff." An organization should look for managers with the right "schools of experience" to deal with situations that may be unfamiliar to the organization as a whole.

Today's Wall Street Journal brings us a story that demonstrates an application of this idea. A nonprofit foundation called the Fritz Institute and companies like DHL are putting together team of experienced logistic professionals who can help solve the logistics problems that come with disaster relief efforts.

Bringing teams of experienced professionals, such as DHL's Airport Emergency Team, into disaster relief operations directly contributes to the ability of governments and NGOs to get supplies to where they are needed. The team has already helped in Iran, Sri Lanka, the post-Katrina American South, and Pakistan. The teams coordinate closely with the authorities responsible for the relief efforts and the organizations--both military and civilian--who do the work. These logistics professionals provide much needed expertise that government, NGO, and military managers do not have.

These teams are a great example of how industry can help provide solutions to public problems. In my personal experience with international relief operations (such as in Central Africa following the Rwanda genocide), I can certify that this kind of expertise is worth hundreds of tons of supplies.

Our hats are off to the companies and individuals doing this work, and to Mr. Lynn Fitz who set up his own foundation to provide this innovative solution.