St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

What is the difference between loan investment and benevolent venture capital equity investment? The jargon is different. No loans, just equity. No hard collateral, just Shepherding. No interest, just dividends. No monthly payments, just an exit strategy in the form of a buy-back clause in the equity agreement to give a fair return to the institution and allow the enterprise to own 100% of its shares when the cash flows are strong enough. Venture capital addresses all the needs of the enterprise. What is needed is the belief by financial institutions that “Shepherding as collateral mitigates the risk of business failure”.

I have attempted to make a contribution by being a conduit through which the gospel of “Shepherding” is being spread. It has been a roller coaster ride with detractors who impede the path of progress for whatever reason. However as disappointing as it was I have realized that God intended it for good and we are now witnessing a growing number of supporters for the Model and the attractive Shepherding tool the ManOBiz Matrixâ„¢.

Albert Einstein once said: “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” I interpret this to mean that we have to be creative and innovative; we have to think outside of the box we have to be open to Divine ideas. The major “spiritual” inhibiting factor to sustainable development in the Caribbean is the paying of lip service to spiritual awareness.

May 1, 2013 A FINAL WORD ON MULTI LEVEL MARKETING (MLM) Over the past five weeks, I tried to present my best case to my readers to impress upon them that MLM is legitimate business. Too many persons without even knowing about the industry are ready to spread negative propaganda calling the companies involved pyramids, […]

I am first to accept that some of the worst scammers pass through the MLM industry, many are presently behind bars. This happens all because the business is very lucrative and the urge of unethical greed. Greed is good. Who can be against wanting more but not at the expense/hurt of others?

There have been many moments of distress regarding the acceptance and implementation of the model but I continue to be superb. There have been many defining moments in the last two weeks which have actually given me the feeling of profound and enduring comfort, namely: (1) introducing, on a number of occasions with tremendously flattering results, the ManOBiz Matrixâ„¢ as a Shepherding (action planning, gap analysis and monitoring) tool for enterprises; (2) the prospect of an engagement to train potential shepherds in Trinidad and Tobago in the rudiments of the shepherding process which mitigates the risk of business failure; (3) achieving recognition of the model in a Caribbean audience as having potential for solving problems not only in the Caribbean but beyond; (4) the opportunity to present the model to a Commonwealth audience later in the year; (5) getting the ear of a cabinet minister to convince him that the model can be a catalyst for diversified economic development in Barbados.

It is my sincere opinion that if there is ever an industry that can bring Caribbean people together, it is MLM! It is time for a Conference on MLM in St. Lucia. Welcome to the industry with a genuine level playing field. The success stories are not only limited to the well connected but from the little guys as well.
I will like to invite persons who have been involved in Multi Level Marketing and those who are currently building their businesses to share their experiences in no more than 300 words with me. I will be pleased to give credit to individuals for their contribution. MLM is good for everyone whether seeking out quality products or services and it is time those who know at first hand that it is a legitimate business – take a stand.

As an example of partnerships between social partners, in the early 1990s, a tripartite Barbados Social Partnership (government, trade unions and the private sector) was formally established to deal with the consequences of the economic crisis and to implement the Structural Adjustment Programme with the IMF without need for currency devaluation. The first Protocol agreed upon and focused on wage and price policy as well as fiscal adjustment but also established the National Productivity Board. On May 2, 2011, the Social Partnership signed its sixth protocol for a period of two years.

The Caribbean Centre for Organizational Excellence (CCOE) presented their inaugural conference in Barbados on March 12, 2013. This year’s conference, hosted under the theme “Achieving Excellence in Caribbean Organizations”, examined how organisational excellence contributes to organisational performance, the economy, trade and brand development. The rounds of discussions in the four working sessions of the conference were designed to go beyond examination to specific recommendations and actions.

You would have never imagined that those financially successful persons were once Elite Producers in the MLM industry. Many High Ranking Professionals, Hoteliers, Realtors,
Manufacturers, etc. were involved in Multi Level Marketing/Network Marketing and a new group is currently establishing themselves. So it is fair to say that MLM is not only for the little guys, many big guys have had their day in the industry. However, today, many due to lack of knowledge feel that the industry is only for the underdogs.