On the other hand, as a management consultant, my job is to analyze problems and propose solutions in a lot less time than that. I also saw a few ways government can learn from business. Spend money to ensure the well-being of its citizens. Given these cross-purposes, there's no way government can operate like a business. Government serves many masters, operates at a deliberate pace and tries to minimize risk.
Business serves one master, the customer, and acts with dispatch.
Government actions are open. Business activities, except for delivery of the product or service, are generally closed to the public. Government serves the weakest and tries to make them stronger. In business, managing people means hire, fire and inspire. But in government, FTEs seemed to mean functionaries, not value-adders.