MESDAMES FLAVIA CHERRY AND PAULA CALDERON –
September 10, 2009
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
MESDAMES FLAVIA CHERRY AND PAULA CALDERON –
LEADING LADIES!!!
On August 2, 2009, the membership of the St. Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association (SLISBA) elected Ms. Flavia Cherry as President. Just over a month later on September 8, Mrs. Paula Calderon was elected to head the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association. Today, we have two females heading two important private sector Associations that are vital to the survival of the nation, especially in the areas of employment and skills training.
Both ladies were engaged in the affairs of their respective Association and are quite knowledgeable of the issues before them. A major challenge is to bring business persons together. Over the years business persons have drifted apart, thinking that they can go it alone. The ideas of bulb buying and joint shipping, though necessary were never materialized. In the process many have fallen by the wayside while others are constantly in decline. The task is to get business persons to share experiences and opportunities. Seek out opportunities for collaboration. In times of scarce resources vehicles such as partnerships, joint ventures, public companies and cooperatives must be put into motion. There is urgent need to sensitise local Entrepreneurs about taking their companies public. Too many opportunities have been lost by companies failing to take this route.
Another major thrust should be exposing their membership to new ideas. Visits to Trade Fairs to observe new products/services and Business Missions to other Caricom States and internationally should be encouraged. This is one sure way of sourcing new business ideas and forming alliances.
While the need for business persons opening up and sharing ideas cannot be over emphasized, leadership is yet to come from the Associations themselves. What is keeping back the full establishment of a Private Sector Council? Mr. Lawson Calderon spent many months putting a Private Sector Council together and after a few meetings, it could now be considered non existent. It is almost two years since the last meeting was held. It was at the request of President Patrick Joseph of SLISBA. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to convene a meeting since. Maybe, it will take the leading ladies to inject some life into the organization as this Council could be the driver for a dynamic private sector.
The recession is biting now and the real impact will be felt by December. The FOR SALE signs are springing up all around. However, it is encouraging to note that a few agencies in our midst are doing their best to keep hope alive. There is talk that the upcoming tourist season will be better than the last. This gives the business places in the North some hope as the present situation is of concern to many of the operators. Since the cruise season starts early, maybe it would be interesting to promote tours to Rodney Bay Village and the Town of Gros Islet. Put a local flavour into the offerings – Craft and Culture.
Home Coming 2010 is a great start to bring to life the interest of the Diaspora in what is happening in their homeland. Congratulations to the Organising Committee!
GUYEXPO 2009 scheduled for October 1-6 will take place in Georgetown, Guyana. A Business Mission from St. Lucia is expected to participate. Registration is available to Entrepreneurs and Individuals. Contact Ed Harris – Mobile 485-1456 for further details.
Hereunder is my selected motivational piece of the week.
APPLY PERSISTENCE TO YOUR POSSIBILITIES.
Your success is not a matter of idle chance, it’s a matter of making
the right choices.
Success is not something you wait for, but rather something you’ll
achieve with effort.
In other words, things won’t turn up in this world until you turn them up.
Success is neither magical nor mysterious.
The people that truly succeed in the world are the people who look
for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them,
they make them.
Don’t sit on the sidelines, get in the game.
Your access to success has no real limits.
The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now.
Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity for you.
There are grand opportunities all around you.
Open your eyes, and you will find one.
If you have the desire, you have the power to be successful.
Taking continuous action is all that is required.
© Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Keep the Faith; remember always God is in Charge, Dream Big and Expect Daily
Miracles!!!
Edward A. Harris
Freelance Journalist, Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS)
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
Websites: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com http://www.brainstorminggroup.webs.com http://www.americasrealty.com (St. Lucia)
http://www.cariblist.com (ECREDMC)
https://7072558.enzacta.com