LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VARGRAVE A. RICHARDS IMPLEMENTS STRATEGIC BENCHMARKS
FOR THE DIVISIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
Since assuming the position of Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands,
Vargrave Richards has spent the past 100 days of his tenure formulating
stringent measures to hold his Division Directors and policy level positions
more accountable.
Richards states that he wants the general public to witness marked
improvement in the way the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the
Divisions under his stewardship function. The Divisions of Banking and
Insurance, Cadastral, Corporations and Trademarks, Medicare, Recorder
of Deeds and the Tax Assessor have developed strategic benchmarks and
qualitative goals to drive greater efficiency and to be more responsive
to public needs.
"It is my internal effort to hold all Divisions of the Office
of the Lieutenant Governor accountable. After gaining a better understanding
of staff concerns by way of staff meetings and a formal assessment survey,
as well as hearing recommendations from staff and Directors, we have
implemented 'Targeted Goals and Strategic Benchmarks' for the next four
years," Lieutenant Governor Richards shared.
Further, Richards added, "We have adopted the use of a 'Scorecard'
approach to measuring progress for each stated goal and initiative set
forth by each Division Director. Each Division Director has been directed
to set realistic and achievable goals that can be reviewed at each monthly
Division Director's meeting so that progress will be tracked and for
which they will be held accountable. This will also enable them to function
in a more efficient and effective manner."
Richards states that benchmarks aim to enhance revenue generation,
and to improve staff morale and productivity through sound progressive
policies and targeted goals that are clearly defined and that at the
end of each Fiscal Year will show measurable gains for the Office of
the Lieutenant Governor.
Richards believes: "The Office of the Lieutenant Governor can
set an example for greater accountability. Each Division under my jurisdiction
generates sizable amounts of revenues for deposit into the General Fund
of the Territory. The Divisions have accepted the challenge to seek
ways to expand and improve revenue generation. One such way is to show
that we can achieve greater internal accountability. It has always been
my philosophy that staff must be held accountable for the work they
are 'contracted' to do. "Thus the model of 'Strategic Benchmarks
and Scorecards,' allows us (the Divisions and all staff) to put our
heads together to work more aggressively and qualitatively to improve
the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. This effort encourages team-work
and demonstrates that each individual in each division has a part to
play, and that improvement will come about if everyone contributes."
Also, Richards states: "Requiring greater accountability at each
level will also highlight the flaws within the system and will enable
me to weed out the elements hampering progress."
Richards added: "I take my charge as Lieutenant Governor seriously
and aim to move each of my Divisions on a steady path forward. This
means driving increased revenues, setting progressive goals and even
holding my entire staff accountable - accountable to my standards and
accountable to the public.
"In my Inaugural speech I also highlighted the necessity for improving
customer relations. It is my intention to begin a series of workshops
to train staff in understanding 'customer driven' improvements. I believe
that improving 'customer relations' is key to improving effectiveness
as well."
In conclusion, Richards states that Directors and staff have been positive
in his approach to internal improvements and are ready to do what is
necessary to realize progressive changes in the Office of the Lieutenant
Governor. "We will move forward as a team, we will work on obtaining
the resources and technology necessary to make the improvements necessary.
We will demonstrate that progress can be achieved. It is vital during
these fiscally challenging times that accountability becomes the order
of the day!"
