In 1996, I accompanied a friend to A&E in Manchester. We waited nearly eight hours before they were seen for what turned out to be a minor injury. The experience left me wondering: why was the system so inefficient?
I began to think about the design of the system. Perhaps if doctors had designed it, it would have worked better for patients — but clearly, the government didn't trust them to handle it.
That day sparked an idea that has stayed with me ever since: what if everyone were taught business skills from a young age?
Imagine if the people designing and managing systems like the NHS had been trained not only in their technical professions, but also in skills like solving other people's problems in any domain, resource management, budgeting, negotiation, operational efficiency, strategic decision-making and organisational strategy. Wouldn't we have a system that is both patient-centred and run like a well-oiled machine?
Thought leaders like Sir Ken Robinson have long championed education reform to include entrepreneurial and practical skills. Finland already fosters problem-solving and collaborative projects in schools that mimic real-world challenges. Business figures like Richard Branson advocate for teaching business and financial literacy early, arguing that it unlocks innovation and empowers future generations.
Yet we don't do it.
If our school curriculum included business training early on, our children could grow into leaders capable of balancing compassion with efficiency. Public services might finally achieve what they've always struggled with: doing more with less while delivering quality outcomes.
And with all the talk about AI reshaping economies, wouldn't having more people with strong business acumen be a good thing?
First posted on LinkedIn, Fri 22 November 2024. · All Friday Thoughts