When readers see the new edition of the Challenge to Change magazine they will notice something different.?? ??The publishers of the new magazine, the Office of Public Sector Reform (OPSR) have made a number of changes to improve the publication’s overall content and appearance.
In a recent interview, Communications Officer and Editor of the publication, Jennifer Best, pointed out that the publication had grown from a newsletter of some eight pages to a 20-plus page magazine.
"This new format, will allow us to delve deeper into issues that are of concern to public sector managers and public officers alike, and introduce issues and solutions that impact organisational change success, instead of merely reporting on events. However, the magazine will continue to report on reforms in the public service, and highlight government agencies that offer creative solutions to customer service excellence, and public officers whose work ethic stands tall amongst their peers," she explained.
The OPSR official noted that over the years of one the major hurdles to reform throughout the public service at all levels was attitudinal change. As a result, she said the magazine would give greater focus to ways of developing positive workplace attitudes. In addition, she pointed out it would seek to explore other factors that affect productivity in the workplace, such as building relationships, establishing trust, bridging the generational gap, and the need for rewards and incentives, to name a few.
The new publication has dedicated sections that include news on technology, health and wellness, the environment – or green section and an OPSR section, she added.
"This edition’s main article is entitled 2012: The Year to Make Productivity Personal. In addition, the issue features an article Dealing with Difficult People in the Workplace. ??Readers will also have a chance to win a $200 grocery voucher in our readers’ competition," Ms. Best outlined.
The magazine will include regular contributions from the Barbados Government Information Service, the Personnel Administration Division and other government agencies. The magazine currently has three editions a year and distributes some 16,000 copies annually throughout the Barbados public service and its regional counterparts.