St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

“You don’t have to get it right; you just have to get it going”. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, you will not only learn from them, you will become keener and smarter. Sometimes there will be that feeling that you are going around in circles while walking on a straight road. That is just the way things are sometimes. The important thing is for you to know the difference between the two. Which way are you headed, in circles or heading straight ahead? You must be confident. Confidence will make the difference

I read about the Contrarian Investor who advised that investors should do the opposite to what investment gurus recommend. I agree with that statement and I will like to suggest that you go in the opposite direction of popular beliefs. In business you hear a lot about thinking out of the box. What is really the case is that you are invited to take a different approach. Think and do things differently.

The Guyana Saint Lucia Association will be hosting its Southern Chapter meeting in Vieux Fort on Sunday, 29th January at 4.00pm. This will be the first meeting I will be attending in the South since my return and I look forward to attending many others. This meeting was planned by the executive long before my decision to move back to the South – the New Frontier. In the past, every opportunity I got to schedule a meeting for the South, I did everything to make it happen.

I pray for prosperity to return to our shores and that the spirit of cooperation will pervade in our midst. It is time to put all hands on deck, reject divisiveness and move forward in unity, as united we stand, divided we fall. Let us put country first and all other things will fall into place.

Predictions for year 2012 are quite scary even the possibility of the end of the world on December 21. However from my vantage point, I see 2012 as the most eventful year in recent history. There is no need to fear. Get out there and secure your share of the pie. There are opportunities all around, right here in St. Lucia. Many successful businesses in the developed countries are yet to be introduced in the region and there are some opportunities for St. Lucian Entrepreneurs to invest overseas.

The year 2012 has finally dawned. It’s hard to say it but it’s true. And to be perfectly honest, I’m pretty excited about it. Yes, finally 2011 is behind us. 2011 was a horrible year for far too many; 2011 was a great year for far too few. I hope you were part of the few. I hope I’m not the only one that can’t believe it’s over. What a year? But 2012 is going to be an amazing year, fasten your seat belts and get ready for the ride of your life. Opportunity is everywhere. It’s certainly overwhelming. You only have so much time, so what do you focus on to break free? Obviously the answer will be different for everyone.

I look forward to a new year of service. My involvement with young people seeking to advance a career in Entrepreneurship will be expanded and my TV Show – Let’s Talk Business on MBC Television, Channels 42 LIME and 52 Karibcable will be continued. My weekly column Harris at Large is gaining popularity and I am heartened by the responses I continue to receive. I will be updating my websites in the New Year and look forward to your participation. I am very happy to contribute my two cents to the process.

There is no better time to think about the poor in our midst. The poor is always with us but there must be a continuous effort to make their lives better. At this time of year, it is a time for caring and sharing. I hear Carols and Christmas songs and I get a good feeling – a state of abundance. Christians everywhere can claim their portion of abundance. Jesus came that his people may have life and have it more abundantly. It is on reflection and looking ahead that you can live your best life now. In closing, I wish above all things that health and prosperity will be yours always! Happy Holidays!

The present electoral system in Guyana allows for a minority party to assume the mantle of government and to administer the affairs of the nation. The party that gets the most seats in parliament forms the government. There is no provision for a COALITION Government in Guyana. Until December 28, 2011 the party with the most votes always received in excess of fifty percent of the ballots and it was easy to cruise along with a parliamentary majority. Unfortunately, the opposition parties had no voice as their contribution was not necessary. The government introduced motions and bills, and generally had their way.

We must attract Foreign Direct Investors, this is vital to our economic future. We must get the message out to the world that St. Lucia is a world class destination for doing business. In the meantime, we must get our Ease of Doing Business ranking to an acceptable level. In the interest of getting more for less, the efforts of all ministries and agencies seeking to attract foreign direct investments must be effectively coordinated, seeking joint representation and participation in events that will showcase what St. Lucia has to offer.