THE YEAR 2008 WILL BE SPECTACULAR IN EVERY WAY – ARE YOU READY???

DECEMBER 27, 2007

EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE

THE YEAR 2008 WILL BE SPECTACULAR IN EVERY WAY – ARE YOU READY???

It has been a year of mixed fortunes. As 2007 draws to a close, we have lots to be thankful for. There have been successes and failures on every side but through it all we are victorious to the point where as we count our blessings and lessons learned, we can look confidently to the future. I came upon this quote a few days ago “If you want to double your Success, quadruple your Failure & Learn” (Daily Motivation).

“Thank You” to my readers who faithfully look forward to my articles, especially those who take the time off to write to me and others who congratulate me when they meet me on the streets or at social gatherings. I truly appreciate that. Recently, some persons have been sharing ideas with me and even caution me on some points I made from time to time.

I wish to say so much in this article but it is not possible to deal with all the issues and other exciting developments that are on the table. However, there are some very interesting statements and recommendations recorded in the past few days. A World Bank Expert recommended that the region be a an importer of food and as if that was not enough the axe came down on the Banana industry as it was reported that one of its chief advocates stated that he would not invest in the industry. That statement hits at the very core of confidence in the industry and by extension the agricultural sector. It leaves me to wonder if the two pronouncements are linked in any way. However, I am happy to note from a circular email, that our professionals have totally debunked that idea. I am very concerned about the latter statement as this comes from someone who must know what he is talking about. My take is that FOOD SECURITY must be at the heart of every Government’s agenda. It was very much the same in tourism until someone woke up to the reality that people of the region are also potential tourists. It is the same story with Bananas where we are now waking up to the reality the there is a market in the region for Plantains and Bananas. People who discourage activities in the agricultural sector must not be allowed change our mind set about the relevance of agriculture in our country.

Then as the deadline approached on the EU-Cariforum Economic Partnership Agreement, our Governments have signed on. In the final analysis there had to be compromise on both sides. In the negotiations, we had the blade of the knife while the Europeans had the handle. Congratulations to Minister Guy Mayers and his team. What are we to do now? I believe that while the negotiations were taking place, parallel discussions if not workshops should have been convened on a regular basis to look at implementing the EPA in an attempt to get the most out of the programmes. Implementation is set for April 19, 2008. In the meantime, the governments of the region are expected to put the necessary legislative framework in place. Check out the Press release at http://www.stlucia.gov.lc

This is the time of year when we look back at the things we have done right or wrong during the year, the successes and failures, and those things we could have done differently. Some of us even look back at our over all Balance Sheet of Life and then resolve to get things right in the New Year. Transformation is not always a slow process, it can be immediate. Life is a gift that presents an opportunity to live again. Every year on the 31st December, I take a few hours to sit back and reflect on my blessings and my short comings and make a list of the things I wish to achieve in the New Year. I then convert my wish list into my list of AFFIRMATIONS (positive statements). If you need to achieve it, write it down, then do self talking. It may sound crazy but it works. Read your Bible and pray daily. Apart from the Jabez Prayer, I have a written prayer.

I promised to share with you in this final article for 2007 a few ideas that can change your life and if you were a passive by-stander up to this moment, you can rise to your true potentials and become involved in the development of your country as a whole, beginning with your community.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Knowledge is Power and Information is Key. Commit yourself to reading a book a month. Subscribe to newspapers, listen to news on the Radio and Television. You will experience an improvement in the quality of your conversations.
2. Develop yourself spiritually and seek to be motivated. Here are two sources for your daily inspiration. Subscribe to their mailing lists: Visit http://www.arcamax.com for daily Bible Verses and http://www.yourdailymotivation.com for your daily motivational quote.
3. Make full use of the computer. Discover the wonders of the Internet and experience the power of timely information. If you do not own a computer strive to acquire one as a priority. In the meantime, you should make scheduled visits to an Internet Café. In this fast pace world, the Internet is an indispensable tool. Register for an email address and inform your associates about it. I like G-mail. It is easy to navigate. My email address is eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
4. Seek out opportunities for Multiple Sources of Income, subscribe to magazines and search the internet.
5. Join Associations. Persons seeking to or are already involved in the private sector should become members of the representative organizations and get involved in the programmes being offered. Associations are not only for persons directly involved but persons contemplating a move to enter into business can become associate members.
6. Look out for training opportunities to better understand the business you are seeking to enter into or already involved with. Training opportunities are now readily availablen with the establishment of branches of universities on island and the numerous local training institutions.
7. Join service clubs as means of giving back to your community and widen your circle of friends and business associates.
8. Seize every opportunity to Network. Stay engaged, be proactive.
9. The effective use of Business Cards is a neglected area in increasing the visibility of most businesses. Let your business card say what you do. How about placing your photograph on your Business Card so that you can be remembered for a long time?
10. Be distinguishable in your dress.
11. Visit as many trade fairs as possible to seek out opportunities. Select your industry and begin to attend their specialized fairs.

I hear the question loud and clear. What business should I get involved with or where can I turn to for an additional source of income? I am very much like you and just maybe we can get together on this one. I think I have a good take on businesses that are likely to be successful.
1. If you are looking to do what everyone else is already doing you can forget it. The exception is if you are looking at gaining knowledge of the real estate industry and get attached to a Realtor. This is a no investment opportunity with good earning potential. Become a Referral Agent.
2. Look around the retail trade and select a few high demand products and get into the mobile distribution business. Establish stations where you will visit on specific days. You can decide whether you import container loads and wholesale or cut out the middle man and go direct. This is not happening as yet in a structured manner but has potentials. In today’s market, PRICE IS KING!
3. Let your knowledge work for you. Become a Consultant. Don’t be selfish. It is the age of closing ranks. There is need for individual Consultants to come together and offer comprehensive range of related services.
4. Manufacturers who have gained special skills in their businesses and have unique products/systems should shift their emphasis from exports to establishing joint venture businesses offshore.
5. Local businesses established for three years and over and still grappling with cash flow problems but have serious potentials to become viable, should go public to get the financial help necessary and gain customer loyalty.
6. Importers/Distributors of outstanding products and services should seek Caribbean distribution rights and establish representation in the other Caricom States.
7. The Right of Establishment under the CSME has given Entrepreneurs the opportunity
to establish businesses in any Caricom State. However, I still favour joint
venture as a means of entering a new market. It is about sharing the risk.

You can be guided on your approach to a lot of the ideas by searching the Internet. Let me tell you where I am headed in 2008. I believe that the Internet holds the future. I believe that strong internet based businesses will be the answer to many young people and adults in realizing their pot of gold. This is one area of activity where the young and the old can collaborate harmoniously. I have waited and watched at Search Big Daddy for almost a year and finally something is about to happen. It didn’t happen in 2007 but my recent trip to Chandler, Arizona, USA gave me an opportunity to meet with the President and members of his team and we have nailed down a launch time table for January 2008. Stay tuned. In the meantime, you can join for free and enjoy the pleasures of Search Big Daddy. Register at http://www.bigdaddypays.com/edharas It is a truth that unity is strength. The Internet is a bottomless pit, it is like mining for gold. It needs massive injection of time. Let us get together in 2008 and find success by utilizing the vast resource of information on the internet. Join me in my quest for success on the world wide web.
Here is my selected motivational quote for the week.
YOU’LL FIND TRUE JOY USING YOUR POTENTIAL
Your greatest success and happiness in life
will be found when you use your natural abilities
to their fullest extent.

Happiness is not in having or being, it’s in the doing
The essence of true wisdom is to know that rest is rust,
and that real life is activity, laughter and love.

You were created to conquer your environment,
to solve problems and to achieve goals.
You’ll find no real satisfaction or happiness in life
without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve.

Yes, there is true happiness.
It’s found in doing a job well done, in achieving a worthy goal,
in putting your child to sleep and in writing the last line of your poem.

Your personal growth itself contains the seed of happiness.
Copyright 2007 www.yourdailymotivation.com

Here’s wishing my readers the very best in the New Year and may all your desires be realized. Make 2008 your best year ever!

Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Dream Big and Expect Miracles all the time!!!

Edward Harris
Biblicist, Freelance Journalist, Author, Business & PR Consultant, Realtor, Sales & Marketing Specialist, Networker, Private Sector Advocate, Motivational Speaker
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
Websites: http://www.Edwardharris.ws http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com http://www.stluciarealtors.com

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