Key Performance Indicators

There is such a thing in employment as a purported measure of an employee’s performance. It is called a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). There are usually a number of them and like most “new” things in this area they are unwieldy and the product of discredited American theories and bored New Zealand human resource departments. But there is one KPI that does have some merit and it has woken me with a shuddering thought. John Key has completed his much-vaunted 100 days in office and Fryday is yet to find anything for which to criticise him. This is despite our criticism of his election night speech and our consequent misgivings. However, this doesn’t mean he gets 10 out of 10. He still portrays the wide-eyed wonderment and hint of panic of a boy in his first brothel. That doesn’t inspire confidence. Hor are his speeches particularly inspiring, either in content or delivery, and we are yet to see him tested by an Opposition still to rally its fractured confidence. But Key is not boring; I cannot even accuse him of that. He has set a cracking pace completing all his promises and pledges for the first 100 days in office. When ruthlessness was required, such as forcing the repeal of the Electoral Finance Act, he has displayed it. He has even experienced that leading, and uniquely New Zealand, barometer of a strong leader—being jostled at Waitangi; Barack Obama should be so lucky. No, one has to give it to Key. He is yet to do anything wrong and has done much as that is right. If Fryday were to display anything other than guarded respect for him we would rightly condemn it as the indecorous chronicles of a curmudgeon. I wouldn’t want that. We’ll give Key and his KPIs another 100 days and hope for some better news then.

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