Inheriting the Future

Observations on the evolving role of middle management within the Australian gaming industry; a paper co-authored by Michael Ferris and Andrew MacDonald.
By Andrew MacDonald, Senior Executive Casino Operations
and Michael Ferris
Adelaide Casino, 1995

Introduction and Terminology | Pit Boss – Caretaker or Policeman | Mental Models | “If It Isn’t Broken – Don’t Fix It” | Pioneers Versus Settlers | The Challenge of Change | Bridging the Gulf between the Theoretical and the Practical | From Personal Realm to Professional Sphere | Means of Selection for Promotion | The Formation of Particular Management Structures | The Impact of Promotion upon Candidates Themselves | The Criteria for Selection | Unified Professional Ethic | Pit Boss Job Description | Code Of Ethics (Noblesse Oblige) | The Company Mission Statement | Empowerment of Staff | Implementing Change | The Human Consequences of Change | Walking Backwards into the Future | Bibliography |

In an article of this length, it is necessary to skate across a broad range of issues and ideas. This conceptual overview must suffice and indeed the goal of any such paper is to stimulate discussion and debate on these matters and to raise levels of general awareness. How do we actually achieve change?

One common criticism levelled at consultants for instance is that they simply take your watch and tell you the time. They offer a grab-bag of axiomatic truths, but provide few real suggestions as to how to practically implement these goals. I now wish to proceed from conceptual groundwork to the concrete steps we have taken in Adelaide, including the hurdles that we have encountered and the remedies we have employed.