Private Sector Associations Should Play A Greater Role In Promoting Entrepreneurship!!!
Voice Newspaper
Saturday, January 14, 2006
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!!!!
Private Sector Associations Should Play
A Greater Role In Promoting Entrepreneurship!
It is said that Knowledge is Power. But real power is in the utilization of the knowledge you acquire. That gives real Power. In today’s world, the Internet is our gateway to information and ultimately knowledge. We live in the information age and it is available to everyone who will find a means of accessing it.
I repeat this statement every year to my readers that “ no household should be without a Bible and Computer which is connected to the Internet†Since I write for a diverse readership I am obliged to include the Holy Books of all religions. There are virtues to be gained from all religious supreme – Holy Books.
There are many principles and exhortations in the Holy Books that relate to businesspersons and leaders in Industry. In the Holy Books it is very clear that we own nothing, we are merely temporary custodians of God’s material Gifts. Those who are successful have chosen to use their talents wisely. When this simple fact is recognized it becomes mandatory by those who are successful to be caring and share with the less fortunate. It is amazing that sharing your knowledge, simply mentoring people in your community could be a blessing. In this New Year, I challenge our leaders to give back to their communities. Volunteerism must be the resolution for 2006.
A businessperson should be a seeker of information first, and then seek to gain knowledge in the area of interest that attracts their attention. Surf the Internet for emerging trends, read business magazines and self-improvement books. The challenge for businesspersons in these small island states is to take the business proposition to the market first in the region. Barbadians are doing that successfully. When you initiate a Distributorship or Representation you have an even greater advantage today with the implementation of the Caricom Single Market to negotiate for the entire region.
I wrote this article on an aircraft heading for Guyana from Trinidad where I stayed over night and made contact with my US Principal’s was making his third trip to the region. I would be heading back to Trinidad at the end of the week in which time I would have introduced an Energy Saving Solution to Guyanese and Trinidadian businesspersons and establish Sub Distributorship in those countries. This distributorship was secured on the Internet for the entire region. I am certain that many more such opportunities are currently being pursued at the moment by other businesspersons. It can be done. Just do it. Timing is everything. This is a perfect time to venture out and establish relationships that will be impacted by international successes.
This year I encourage my readers to visit Trade Fairs. Get ideas, take a first hand look at new products and services, arrange to represent companies that produce / market products that will appeal to consumers and get the distributorship for the entire region. Don’t be timid about requesting the entire region as your territory. The chances are the persons you would be dealing with don’t know what part of the world is the Caribbean and if they know about the Caribbean they know about the Western Caribbean. Very few times they will know about St. Lucia. So I decided a long time ago when I introduce Saint Lucia to my clients or write about my country, I say that it is in the Caribbean and give its location and nearby islands.
If they hesitate I draw their attention to the size of the country, its population and I seek to justify my request. The Caricom States now CSM have a population of six million. Go for all the countries if you still get a roadblock, at the least you should get the OECS. Negotiating the territory is vital and exciting. If you are not aware of the different States of Caricom check it out at www.caricom.org.
Looking at Trade Fairs, I sincerely hope that some of our businesspersons involved with technology visited the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show which was opened in Las Vegas on January 4, 2006. Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates gave the keynote address in which he presented his company’s plans for the next 12 months. This show should have been a must visit for business executives involved with technology. The latest Gadgets were on display.
It is all about taking your rightful place in the world of business. Associations must be more involved, for many years there has been talk about bulk buying of raw materials, consolidated shipments and most important the support services of incubators where fledging businesses would be provided with furnished office space, receptionist, accounting services and counseling. Attending trade shows could be undertaken by the Associations and provide the contacts to their membership in the related category on a bid basis or promote a programme with an entrance fee so that the Association could cover its expenses and earn some income.
Unless the relationship between Associations and their membership improves there would definitely be a need for a shift in representation. If Associations fail to step up to the table with innovative approaches the need for Advocates/Lobbyists would be the alternative. More contracts need to be given to Consultants by Associations to provide services in areas such as business opportunity surveys and trade show reports, just to name a few. The need for a change in approach if we are to secure a place in the Global Market is necessary. It is imperative that we do all that is necessary to ensure that members can see what is in it for them.
A unique development emerged a few months ago where the Immediate Past President of the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association and its current President emerged as President and 1st Vice President of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce. Thus for the first time in the history of the Private Sector in St. Lucia that Manufacturers and Distributors have a real opportunity to forge collaboration among the membership of the two Associations. The opportunity should not be missed. Joint initiatives should be undertaken by the two Associations and I dare say that the St. Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association (SLISBA) should not be left behind. SLISBA should be an active participant by invitation to collaborate in programmes. Then there is the Chamber of Agriculture and the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, and to support all the private sector associations in their memberships’ relations with employees is the St. Lucia Employers’ Federation. This Association’s role will be vital when the promised Labour Code is implemented.
The future is challenging, the solution is simple. Associations must expand their areas of co-operation among each other and their membership. We have a window for the long felt need for a St. Lucia Private Sector Council/ Organisation.
It is time for us to put our support behind the Private Sector Associations in our country make them strong and viable. Our dream should be to see all the Associations housed in one building. We have the structure for good things to happen. St. Lucia is the most organized Private Sector in the OECS sub region. Let us move it forward by being strong at home and linking it to regional and international private sector associations.
It is timely to request that the SLHTA begins a campaign with Town Hall Meetings to sensitize property owners and potential owners about involvement in the Industry showing the way to owners of large buildings to enter the bed and breakfast (B&B) segment of the industry and begin a series of training/sensitization programmes to bring small hotels and B&B properties up to speed if this is not already happening. There must be a way to give guidance to those who believe that there is money in the Industry so that their entry into the industry would not be based on a false premise. The offering of specialized services and information that will impact upon the decision making process of potential investors within the private sector cannot be over emphasized. I invite you to visit my archive at www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com and catch up on my writings especially my business articles.
Now I would like to deliver on my promise by sending you my Free E-Book. Just send an email to NoFreeMoney@gmail.com. You will be fascinated with the many ideas and as a Bonus, I did the last chapter giving a step-by-step explanation to realizing your dreams through AFFIRMATION.
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge!!!