06/05/2025

TUESDAY | MAY 6, 2025

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COMMENT by Alicia Philip

Harmonising effectiveness and efficiency I N the fast-paced and demanding world of business, a common question often arises: What is the key to achieving optimal output? Is it working effectively or working efficiently? achieve a goal but aims to do so in the most resource-conscious way, minimising unnecessary input while maintaining high-quality output. contributing to the organisation’s most pressing goals. Their efficiency is not leading to the right results, which can ultimately harm the business. optimise the process. Efficiency can be introduced once the correct actions are established, ensuring that the organisation can achieve its objectives in the least amount of time and with the fewest resources.

As Peter Drucker, one of the foremost management theorists, famously stated: “Effectiveness is doing the right things and efficiency is doing things right.” This quote encapsulates the relationship between the two concepts. Effectiveness focuses on ensuring that you are heading in the right direction, working on the right tasks and prioritising the most important objectives. However, efficiency ensures that you take the optimal route, using the fewest resources and the least time, to achieve those goals. Both effectiveness and efficiency are necessary to succeed in the workplace, and organisations that fail to recognise the distinction may struggle with either focusing on the wrong priorities or squandering valuable resources. The challenge for leaders, managers and employees alike is to find the right balance between the two. Prioritising one over the other can have significant implications for the success of projects and the long-term sustainability of the business. Essential to understand the difference Understanding the difference between effectiveness and efficiency is crucial for optimising performance in the workplace. For example, imagine an employee who is highly efficient at completing their tasks but is focusing on the wrong priorities. They may meet their deadlines, streamline their processes and use minimal resources but they are not

Conversely, an employee who is highly effective but lacks efficiency may focus on the right tasks but their work could be slow, resource-heavy or inconsistent. While they may achieve the desired results, they could take too long or use excessive resources, which could lead to missed opportunities, cost overruns or burnout. In a corporate setting, both effectiveness and efficiency must be embraced to create a sustainable environment of success. The key to high performance lies in the ability to identify what tasks should be prioritised and then executing them in the most efficient manner possible. Leaders and employees must consider not only the goals they are working towards but also the best methods for achieving those goals with minimal waste and maximum impact. The true challenge lies in balancing effectiveness and efficiency. In many cases, it is important to focus on being effective first. Without a clear sense of direction and a focus on achieving the right goals, any effort to work efficiently is futile. The most effective organisations are those that define their strategic goals and then seek ways to achieve them efficiently. Being efficient without first ensuring that you are working on the right tasks could lead to misguided efforts, where resources are optimised but to no avail. In an ideal workplace, effectiveness should be the starting point. Only once the right goals and priorities are identified should efforts be made to

The ultimate goal is to become “efficiently effective”. In this ideal scenario, organisations and employees can achieve the right results if they utilise minimal resources, avoid waste, leverage systems, rely on automation and best practices to maintain a high level of productivity without compromising quality. In today’s competitive business landscape, the ability to balance effectiveness and efficiency is crucial for success. Leaders, managers and employees must work not only to set the right objectives but also to pursue those objectives in the most efficient way possible. The ability to prioritise the right goals while minimising unnecessary resources is the secret to achieving optimal results and maintaining long term success. Organisations that foster a culture where effectiveness and efficiency are prioritised will find themselves better equipped to navigate challenges, innovate and drive sustainable growth. By understanding the distinctions between these two concepts and finding ways to harmonise them, businesses can unlock new levels of productivity, profitability and achieve overall success. Alicia Philip is a lecturer at the Languages and Communication Department, College of Continuing Education, Universiti Tenaga Nasional. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, yet they represent distinct concepts that are crucial to understanding how to enhance workplace performance. To maximise success, it is important to explore the nuances of effectiveness and efficiency, and understand the role each plays in achieving personal and organisational goals. Defining effectiveness and efficiency Effectiveness and efficiency, though related, are fundamentally different in their focus and impact. At its core, effectiveness is about achieving the desired result or goal. It is centred on producing a specific outcome, no matter the resources or time it takes. Effectiveness ensures that you are working toward the right objectives and making progress toward achieving them. In a business context, effectiveness means doing what is necessary to reach a target or fulfil a strategic goal, regardless of how much time, effort or resources are consumed along the way. In contrast, efficiency is concerned with the process by which a goal is achieved. It focuses on accomplishing the task with the least amount of resources, time and effort. Efficiency involves streamlining processes, eliminating waste and optimising resources to achieve the same result faster and more cost effectively. Efficiency does not just seek to AS tensions over how to manage the stray dog population in Negeri Sembilan reach a boiling point, we urge all state assemblymen to adopt a humane and compassionate approach to address the growing number of these innocent animals, which have reportedly become increasingly unmanageable in certain areas. More than 300 million dogs live on the streets across Asia, with most of them battling hunger, disease and the need for shelter. In the most distressing cases, authorities resort to culling stray dogs or confining them in overcrowded shelters with inadequate conditions. Such measures are inhumane, unethical and ultimately ineffective. We celebrate the success of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that struggled for years with street dog-related issues, including incidents of dog bites and rabies. In response, the government partnered with Humane Society International (HSI) to develop a humane, holistic and sustainable model for managing free-roaming dogs – one that prioritised animal welfare while promoting peaceful coexistence between dogs and people. Together with HSI, a pilot programme was launched, laying the foundation for lasting change. To date, over 153,000 dogs have been sterilised and vaccinated, resulting in nearly 100% coverage of the country’s street dog population. LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

“In today’s competitive business landscape, the ability to balance effectiveness and efficiency is crucial for success.

Solve stray dog issue with compassion, not cruelty

After a successful 14-year partnership, the government of Bhutan now runs the programme independently. The programme was launched in one city and within four months, more than 2,800 dogs had been sterilised and vaccinated. Meanwhile, HSI staff trained dozens of veterinarians, para-vets and volunteers. As the programme expanded to other regions across the country, with the support of over 11,000 volunteers, the National Dog Management and Rabies Control Programme became an overwhelming success. Led by six community-engagement officers, who travelled across the country and assisted in developing public awareness and messaging, as well as establishing communication centres for referrals and services, Bhutan established a positive, compassionate model for street dog management that can be implemented worldwide. Establishing a successful street dog management programme requires six basic components: 0 An accurate data assessment of the size of the street dog population; 0 Legislation, allocation of funds and the appointment of qualified animal care specialists to initiate and oversee the programme; 0 Public education, communication and access to resources; 0 Designing a comprehensive programme of locating, sterilising and vaccinating the street dog population; 0 Setting and implementing standards for animal care and welfare; and 0 Ensuring sustainability with safe sanctuaries

Killing stray dogs is inhumane, unethical and not a sustainable solution. – REUTERSPIC

humane alternatives. We can take inspiration from Bhutan’s model, where street dogs are spayed and neutered, then placed in sanctuaries under the care of animal welfare organisations, such as Furrykids Safehaven and other shelters. Malaysians are a caring and compassionate people, always ready to open their hearts to those in need. As responsible stewards of our country – its environment, flora and fauna – we surely care enough to extend compassion to the most vulnerable lives among us, providing a humane solution to their welfare. C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu Seremban

and a continuous monitoring process that includes public referrals and necessary re adjustments. There must also be a contingent plan for animal welfare. One possible solution is to designate public land in each state for a free roaming dog sanctuary, managed by a team of animal care specialists with support from local volunteers. This sanctuary could provide feeding and basic care for the dogs as well as a training and conditioning programme for those eligible to be adopted as family pets. Taxpayers must speak up now. Rounding up and killing stray dogs is not a solution. It is crucial that we work together with NGOs to explore