Donkeys led by Lions??
Interest in British industrial productivity and innovation has reached fever pitch
(but not in industrial circles) following Gordon Brown's recent summit.
It is good to know that the Chancellor's efforts are fully supported by Mr Digby
Jones of the CBI.
At a recent soiree addressed by Mr Jones, a questioner stood up in the audience
and remarked that he was a retired engineer, who had just attended a machinery
exhibition in Birmingham and was distressed to see not a single British machine
on show.
Mr Jones rose instantly to the defence of British industry, announcing that the
country was blessed by the powerhouse of the City, that car exports from Britain
had reached record levels, that the hi-tech wings for the Airbus were made in
Lancashire, etc, etc.
When another questioner pointed out that the City was dominated by US and German investment banks, that the British car industry was mainly owned by Japanese and US companies, that BAe Systems had been hawking itself around the US defence industry to find a 'merger' partner, and that R&D, capex and productivity of most British companies left much to be desired, he raised himself to his full height and announced that he was annoyed by those who knocked British top managers, who were 'world class'
There was a slight buzz in the hall that might have signified scepticism.
All right, conceded Mr Jones, whilst British top managers were brilliant, there might be a problem with middle management.
So there we have it; "Official, the British industrial malaise is Donkeys Led by Lions".
