St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

Today, this country celebrates “Errol Barrow” day in Barbados. It is the anniversary birth date of one of its most illustrious sons, National Hero the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow. It was reported, one year ago, in another section of the national press: “It is important that we recognize in these troubling days the sterling record of this great leader. He was never given to excess of any kind, and pragmatism was one of his most obvious qualities. His work as a leader and his visionary achievements are not the only reason we have succeeded in steering our ship of state successfully through troubled waters since 1966; but we owe a large part of our national success to the clear and pragmatic vision of this undoubted National Hero!”

We talk about the economic slowdown and wonder when the economy is going to recover. A major solution to the problem is entrepreneurship development. Much lip service is paid to it but not enough public and private sector action in terms of financial investment and shepherding.

Talking about a rocking chair, there is a comfort concept shared in the Daily Word (www.unity.org) which states: “When I settle into my favourite chair, I feel supported. The chair knows my body and has adjusted over time to fit my shape. I don’t have to do anything to receive the strength and comfort this piece of furniture affords me. I simply relax into its frame and allow myself to rest. God’s love, like my favourite chair, knows me and makes no demands on me. It is available whenever I choose to seek its solace. In prayer, I turn within and feel God’s love enfolding me”.

Traditionally, the 12 days of Christmas are the festive days beginning Christmas Day (December 25). This period is also known as Christmastide which is the season of the celebration of the birth of Christ; it is the season which feeds on the spirit of giving; and, as it encompasses the end of the calendar year, it is also the season when we reflect on the year that has just passed.

The new book “SUPER BRAIN – Unleashing the Explosive Power of Your Mind to Maximize Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Well-Being”, authored by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi, was recently reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893-1980). Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month, giving industry professionals a preview of books prior to their publication. Kirkus reviews more than 7,000 titles per year.

In order to address the interrelationships of Knowledge, Innovation, Quality Standards, Productivity and Competitiveness and Sustainable Economic Growth, the CCfC mounted its first Regional Competitiveness Forum last month at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain with a varied and exciting programme. The theme of the Forum was “A Solutions Agenda to Key Competitiveness Challenges”. The expectation of the Forum was that the glow of the flames of several candles that were lit would brighten the path on the journey to sustainable development.

Dr. Grenville Phillips has just published his book “Venture Capital and SME Financing in less developed Countries and Small Island States”. I have had the privilege of working with Grenville over the last 12 years in the field of Enterprise Development and indeed he devotes a chapter entitled “A public/private sector initiative” to the intricacies in structuring the Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust Inc. (CBET) an initiative with which I am intimately involved.

It was a wonderful week of bonding, amidst pockets of email management and many work assignments. I returned early on Sunday morning fully refreshed and energised to face the on-going task of business consulting. We reflected on and breathed into a state of all-encompassing gratitude. As long as we have breath, we have life. As long as we have life, we are grateful.

The Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation planted the seed at its first Entrepreneurship SUMMIT in November 2010 which was heralded by glitz and glamour as the BEF launched its fundamental and distinctive vision (its DNA) for Barbados to be “The #1 Entrepreneurial Hub In The World by 2020”.

Economic growth can only take place “one successful enterprise after another”. These enterprises may either be existing enterprises or start-up enterprises. The survival and growth of existing enterprises and the emergence and growth of start-up enterprises must embrace the transition from innovation, through productivity, standards of quality to competitiveness.