Adopting Better Management Practices

Operational competence improvement and customer servicing also requires to be addressed at several levels in the organization. Successful management services revolve around

i   Tariff management;

ii   Meter management;

iii   Credit and collection management;

iv   Payables and receivables;

v   Business functionality and regular technology refresh;

vi   Improving the bottom line in customer care;

vii   Possessing competitive agility;

viii   Invoking right operations; and

ix   Monitoring quantitative and qualitative benefits.

Maintaining performance standards should be given because of attention. An effective Management Information System (MIS) could be used to

-   Ensure effective and timely flow of accurate information to facilitate quick decision-making at various levels of organization; and

-   Improve operation and management of the distribution system.

MIS should be able to take care of various requirements at several levels. Otherwise huge data generated from MIS will not be of any important use. The structure of MIS should be SEB specific since of the difference in their organizational structures and responsibilities at several levels across the organization. You will study in detail about the management of power distribution utilities in the course on Management of Power Distribution.

In case of privatization of distribution, safeguards required to be put in place. Private participation should be subject to definite, time bound goals of improving reliability and quality of supply.  The government should provide support such as control of theft and provision of subsidy during the transition phase.