Q. Government Efficiency Teams, Inc. is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that does what, exactly?

A. We've been around almost 20 years. The main purpose of the organization is to assist both state and county governments in finding positive changes and imaginative solutions. The organization began on the subject of a boot camp for young prisoners in the state of Hawai'i. The idea never got off the ground. But our approach since then is to assume a constructive role in the support of any changes to government operations. We are a nonprofit, but we're also non-political and non-special interest.

Q. You are sponsoring an upcoming forum on disaster preparedness on Wednesday at the state Capitol auditorium (from 8 a.m. to noon).

A. It's actually our second forum. Our first was in February when we had 11 speakers. This forum is more directed toward the public so they can learn what they should be doing to prepare.

Q. How does a forum on disaster preparedness fall under the umbrella of government efficiency?

A. We're trying to fill a void. We feel that government hasn't been doing enough to assist the people of Hawai'i in disaster preparedness and talking to the public about what they should be watching out for. For instance, if a tsunami hits Waikiki, you don't get into your car. You stay in your condo and a lot of people don't even know that.

Q. You spent more than 31 years working for General Motors Overseas Operations all over the world. What did you learn about management and leadership that government officials in Hawai'i could adopt?

A. One of the rules of thumb I always practiced was that I never tried to guess what the answer was.

Q. In dealing with government officials and sometimes entrenched bureaucracies, what approach do you take to try to bring about efficient changes?

A. I try not to be very vocal. The best approach is to be a darn good listener and to try to get the person that you're listening to to give the full story, the real issue.

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.