By Prof. Vincent Bagire
Today, organizations are constrained by many resources. We are used to the facial one of money and possibly human capital. The others like time and space are often not remembered till organizations are pressed hard. I have written about time management in the previous Issues of Leadership. Together with time, space is often neglected, yet it is at the disposal of every individual and enterprise. Today, I focus on it after an interaction with the editorial office on space needs for the article I wrote in the last issue on preparations for Martyrs day 2023.
My submission to the editor overflowed the available space. The managerial decision was quick; to edit the article. When I received the copy, I as quick to challenge the editorial team. The reply was quick. The space was inadequate! As a student of management, I understood and I appreciated their dilemma. I thus, decided to awaken your interest on this usually unsought resource, which we take for granted.
With the current global developments, we are running out of space for many things. Many organizers of functions will run out of space for guests. Today, many government schools have run short of space for learners. Kampala city has run out of space for the current traffic flow. We have known that Parliament ran out of space for legislators and so did prisons for inmates. Across the country, I see construction of new Churches. I suppose the key reason is to have more space for worshipers. Schools have resorted to quadra-deckers to use space optimally. The ministry of education is looking at options of lesson shifts to manage space. We can go on and on.
Fr. John Troy, the Editor of Leadership in 1990 wished to nurture young writers and attract the magazine to generations ahead. He provided space in every issue on youth apostolate, particularly the YCS (Young Christian Students) movement. That space has changed name with evolution of my aspirations.It was a YCS page, Students, Youth, Leadership; today it is a page on Management. It may become Elders page soon. I am suggesting to the editor to provide another space and we invite youths to emulate my footsteps. Space is a business. Managing space is a concurrent challenge to that of other critical production resources.
We therefore need planning to offset challenges of space. Technology has eased some aspects of space inadequacy. For instance, mobile money has eased space for carrying cash. Online teaching has released pressure on educational institutions. Leadership magazine may opt for on-line publication to take advantage of the digital era.
In management, we talk of optimization, scheduling and facility fitting. I implore Christian leaders to take keen interest in this strategic resource. It necessitates aligning and integrating with other key resources. Take a case where Laity council suggests having different Masses to share Church space but when the parish has one or too few priests.
We must now plan different days to Namugongo for various communities but equally focused on harnessing the fulfillment of the pilgrims. We have not paid attention to space upwards or underneath. Municipal authorities should plan underground roads. The talk of large spaced commuters has dried on lips. Estates developers must turn to parking floors on buildings. Christ the King Church in Kampala has utilized the un expandable space by redesigning the Church.
Pavillions at Namugongo may have to be redesigned to utilize space above. My conscious reminds me of the editorial space and will stop here.
Prof Vicent Bagire is a member of the Episcopal Commission for the Laity and Professor of Management at Makerere University Business School
Email:vbagire@mubs.ac.ug
