YOU ONLY GET BACK WHAT YOU GIVE AWAY
February 23, 2006
Harris at Large!
YOU ONLY GET BACK WHAT YOU GIVE AWAY
IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE!!!
I came across this quote earlier in the week and I thought that I would close my article with it but looking back over the past few days, I was forced to rethink my position. It all began last Saturday evening when I journeyed up to Vieux Fort to meet a very dear friend of mine who manages one of the top 5 businesses in Grenada, and for almost 20 years I have felt being a part of that corporation. It’s all about taking ownership. Every time he visits St. Lucia, we get together mostly in Castries where we wine and dine but this time it was different, in a different part of the island where he cooked a meal for me and members of his team. I looked around in awe as this man humbled himself to cook and serve me and his subordinate staff.
This extremely successful business executive remembers the initial negotiations I undertook to establish the company he runs when on the eighth day after the intervention or invasion depending on who you speak with, I arrived in Grenada to talk business while the country was yet being brought back to normalcy. Keeping relationships and remembering others for their contribution is vital for continued success in life and in business. Who says that sentiments should not be attached to business? You should love your business, love the people who assist you in the day to day operations to help achieve success, and love the people who support you as customers and well wishers. No one succeeds by their efforts alone. We are all interdependent upon one another.
I awoke on Sunday full of memory of the last evening and the lessons learned, especially that of humility. I looked forward to meeting a young man with whom I made an appointment since I would have been in the area. That meeting was based on deciding upon an initiative that would help other young persons in St. Lucia to follow a proven path of success for which training is freely available. It was interesting that the 30 year old gentleman took time off on his birthday to meet with me. I have learnt that great organizations are built with a dedicated leader inducting one person at a time and teach that person to duplicate the experience.
On Tuesday I was invited to attend a meeting convened for stakeholders called by the Ministry of Communication and Works where arrangements were outlined for Phase 1 of the Castries – Gros Islet Highway Improvements Project from Vigie to Choc. Financing for the project is in place provided by the Government of Kuwait and the contractor is CCC, Kuwait. Minister, Hon. Felix Finisterre gave the assurance that everything is in place and his Ministry has taken into consideration matters that plagued other major projects in the past. Unfortunate many of the bypasses that could have been considered as alternative routes will be closed for drainage and water distribution works. To ease the traffic congestion and confusion when frustration sets in, an experienced Traffic Manager was appointed and the police presence would be visible. I represented SLISBA at this meeting and I had an interest in looking out for the small businesses. During the question and answer period, I made a plea for those who have invested substantially in heavy duty equipment, trucks, block making, quarrying and sand mining. The employment of a few persons is not enough. We must ensure that the investments of our business class is not ignored. Unfortunately, the response was not very encouraging as I was informed that there could be no pressure brought on the contractors to do anything that they don’t want to do. In relation to the smaller trucks, they would not be feasible in such a large project. However, we see locally owned heavy duty trucks on our roads that can be used on the project. I feel that the contractors should make a conscience call and attempt to be considerate in the circumstance. I requested that a meeting be convened for small businesspersons as one will be for pedestrians as a result of a strong plea from the P.S. of Education who was concerned about school children using the road, since the meeting only discussed traffic
We were assured that everything would be done to limit the congestion during the road works. This is a case of sacrifice. It is said no pain, no gain. In the event the 1st phase of the road is not completed before the CWC2007, the work would be stopped and cleared up and recommence after the matches. The contingencies seem to be in place for whatever outcome and the stake holders seemed prepared to make the sacrifice.
I passed the 27th Anniversary of St. Lucia’s Independence quietly, reflecting on the opportunities I was afforded in this beautiful island and the contributions I was allowed to make, while feeling the pain of the situation which presents itself in the land of my birth – Guyana, where my brothers and sisters celebrated our 36th Anniversary as a Republic.
The real joy I experienced over the period of important Anniversaries was when I presented a gift of a refrigerator and a stove on behalf of the Guyana – Saint Lucia Association to the Principal of Donnatar School and Vocational Centre on the day of 36th Anniversary of Guyana as a Republican State 23/2/06.
The Bible says “cast your bread upon the water and it shall be returned to you many times over†You only get back what you give away. We should take some time off to assess the value of what we do. Sometimes in reaching out to one person, we touch the lives of several others. That is the hundred fold effect of giving. Businesspersons need to plan to do good that will bring joy to the less fortunate. Let us begin to sow seeds that will be rewarding to all of us. Keep the Faith, God is in chargeâ€
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com