Did you know? Our key asset is regional thinking.

For all the talk about hard and tough economic times, I still don't think we've learnt to think things through. Never mind our population has a high percentage of literacy, what are we doing to capture it? If I look at the answer, absolutely nothing.

I remember the days when we were students, our lecturers gave us projects which when we did the research and provided answers, we would never really see our projects again. It was those days when the lecturers were smart. We would get a grade and they would get paid, since the projects we received were real world.

Universities now have loads of computers and smart devices that can easily access the internet via the various hotspots on the campuses. Why aren't our economic challenges given as projects and the grades given are for solutions to real world problems. It would be a perfect match since students rather than just bragging of the level at which they got their various certifications can also speak about projects they actually did and their outcomes. Employers would then be happy to know they are hiring the best minds.

Emphasis would change from whether a candidate has the experience or not, to what their participation was in various solutions to challenges that society faces. Here are some examples of results from such exercises.

• The Caribbean enjoys the highest arrival of tourists due to their innovative programs for wooing customers to its shores. Our research shows we know what they want and how we can deliver it to them customized to their needs.
• The Barbadian [place your country here] were able to avert massive layoffs due to workplace innovations that the students researched and institutes
• The labour force expands not via the provision of jobs, but through the creation of needed businesses our future has evolved into a new era. 
• Local business examined and implemented cross border entry strategies that facilitated expansion of various categories of start up enterprises just over eighteen (18) months old. 
• Richard Branson recognizes the Caribbean as the worlds leading source of entrepreneurial enterprises. 
• Caribbean small businesses use OM to tighten their costs and revenue structures. 
• Customer service is not lip service in the Caribbean, they have taken practical steps to hone their skills as the worlds leaders in customer service excellence. 
• The Caribbean has solved airlift challenges; reducing inter islands travel costs and enhanced profitability for the carriers

Are you beginning to get the idea? Case studies can be real. Instead of a grade, be paid with tangible workable recognition that enhances your post student opportunities. 

Social Perils of the internet

There are times in this modern age that while you may be serious about business and trying to earn a living you encounter some nuisances. Here are a few:

• Hackers - can cause a major interruption into your day. Their attempts are not necessarily threatening to life, but the impede on your valuable time. 
• Spammers - peddling all kinds of goods and services that really do not advance your business. Don't they look to see what type of operations they are sending information out to?
• Love sick idiots - they have never met you, don't know anything about you, and want to keep sending sickening email about their affections towards you based on photos etc. Keep your thoughts to yourselves and don't even let the rest of us know you exist. 
• Dreamer schemers - they come up with some impossible schemes and are always telling you about how much millions of dollars from some dead person they want to transfer to your banking account. Having never met them, and looking at their illegal schemes, they want you to trust them with your banking information and contact details. Some are loony enough to fall into this trap. 

Let's make a concerted effort to be more responsible with regards to our use of the internet. In real life terms it is like, the graffiti artists who feel compelled to do their art on people's wall. I figure if you want to display this type of art then you should invest in your own wall on your own property. 

These are some of the social perils of cyberspace. 

No More Pity Parties...It's all a matter of Perspective

Have you ever thought that you were having a really bad day? When you thought that no one else in the world can be experiencing what you are going through. The world has a way of being unusually tough on you with grief and pain that no one else would understand until they have experienced it. I have had those days. 

Some days I would get aches in my body that surely they are isolated to me. Other days there were experiences that left one wondering how we survived. Recently, a taxi driver asked another man as they got out their vehicles in the parking lot, "How's it going today?" to which the other said, "My feet are hurting like crazy, but just now I saw a man with no feet, so I'm pretty good despite the pain." Over hearing the conversation, I thought "Wow, what a change in perspective..." 

Growing up, I always heard, "With God all things are possible". Admittedly, you never get the meaning of what that truly means until that time in life when you get an "AHA" revelation. I mean sometimes we don't understand any of these...

• How come the healthy die young and the sickly live a long time? 
• How come christian relationships break up and the unbeliever seems to be married for ever?
• How come the reckless seems to get the breaks and the careful, methodical types remain stagnant?
• How come people who know exactly what to do with the money they would get seldom do and those who don't have a plan, are less educated, and all the other qualities that shouldn't count always seem to get the money?
• Why do those who live carefully get cancers and illnesses while those who seem to have a death wish seem to live?
• I'm sure they are many other similar scenarios, however you get the idea. 

I have found that God is always in control, learning that when I see things from my finite point of view that God has the total picture knowing exactly how everything will turn out. You know, it's the growing through that's painful though. I'm sure the bible has many scriptures that would speak to this blog, however you're going to have to look them up yourselves. It's about a personal relationship with God, so get to know him for yourselves. God has taken me through situations, that only He could navigate so I just let go and trust. 

For me, though it's easier said than done. No More Pity Parties - You never know what others are going through that's worse than yours. So next time you think you have it bad - prayer, praise, and declare. I do mine in the name of Jesus Christ, cause that's who I believe in. 

Until next time...

Richie B. 

This picture in this article takes away the excuses that most of us tend to have. Though I don't know the person in the image, he's an inspiration to live life to the fullest. 

Bad Service...

At some point in time, we have all had our share of bad service experiences. To mention that in my field I have to try to ignore some of the episodes if not I'd be on duty 24 is a mere understatement.

Quite recently, I had the opportunity to be a customer for a global entity that finally made its way to our shores. Not being an early adopter, I thought it best to allow the more eager customers who have a flavour for the faster served food have a go at it. The rave was that the lines were long, the don't accept credit nor debit cards so you must have your cash ready, and much other comments associated with the fanfare of a global entity in our small community.

Well bad service is not always a result of being ignored by the staff. Poor systems can compound and confound some of the best intentions. The royal treatment that I anticipated from the King of burgers was quickly dashed when I saw the following:

• It was not a rush hour peak time but the lines were backed up
• The new staff seemed awestruck as to what to do next, so much so that the attendant was "shouting" the order numbers rather than using the mic that was available for use
• The order system went awry with a broad spectrum from customer order numbers in their 40s through 80s still being processed all without the "team" knowing what was to become available when and to whom. A wider gap of numbers for a small window of time - relatively speaking
• The food and beverage left a lot to be desired. I felt that I actually wasted my money when I consumed the food. It lacked good taste! The array of ingredients seemed disconnected and did not compliment each other at all 
• In short form, I left feeling that this "international" provider failed dismally and would soon go the way of its predecessor "The Donald's of Mac Avenue" 

Here are 2 quick observations:

1. They fell apart at the seams from an operational standpoint. Demonstrating how uncomfortable they were with the systems. It reeked of something hurriedly put together without being tested for functionality.
2. The lack of customer service training showed. Why are businesses do unwilling to invest in their key asset - the human resources? 

From a point of interest, I will watch how long they will last in this market, especially given that the other local players seemed to have upped their approaches to the game. Should we have to wait for competition to be flowing with improvement? We will see. I will observe from the distance, for I surely won't be returning there again. Service providers are too often taken to task, and therefore make some of the most critical customers. 

Lick up...

Don't let the topic of the post distress you too much. It is mainly an expression in Bajan as to how I currently feel. You see the past couple weeks were grueling. Not only are they filled with projects which have to be done for various clients, but as a professional, there's a need to go through constant upgrading in order to be relevant to the needs of one's clients.

The constant receipt of documents that I am need to peruse and provide feedback, conference calls with people in various time zones, the constant presses and requests for one's time can and do take a toll on you physically and mentally.

Well, today's election day and the necessity of having to visit the polling stations early so as not to get caught in the long lines was a myth. Lines were long from the get go and now, I feel quite washed out and not very productive at all. Needless to say, the constant late nights and early mornings are really taking their toll.

It's time to chillax! [taking a well needed break]

Today's not a day to get caught up in going to the beach nor anywhere else for that matter. It's a gorgeous day today and I think we should just enjoy it rather than endure it.

I am going to rest, cause I feel real lick up. Have a great day all!

Tropical professionalism

Yesterday was such a sweltering day that just about any water body had a welcoming effect. It didn't matter if it was the beach, the pool, or just water in a glass. It seemed that most just wanted to put on their swim suits and head somewhere cool.

Coconut water was the order of the day, especially if it was nice and cold. It was too hot to eat. We just had fish sandwiches - the fried dolphin (mahi mahi) tucked into a salt bread was just a delight for the taste buds.

 As you can imagine, in Barbados, we are on course to become a WiFi center within the Caribbean. So being limited to doing business in an office is no longer an option. It makes for a perfect blend of doing business in environments that we enjoy and truly experiencing what the island has to offer. Practically every one has some combination of smartphone, tablet, net-book, or laptop that ensures they have connectivity on the go. Decisions made in meetings can be acted upon in an instant.

Do your research from the library on the beach, slung out in a hammock or lounging on a beach chair. One thing is certain - The work has to be done and will be done. In the Caribbean, we are creating way too many experiences for others and not benefiting from them ourselves.

Today's another hot day. Perhaps I should engage in some of what I've just written about. Have a splendid day!

Entrepreneurial experiences - Great benefits, little costs

This last week went by so quickly it reminded me of a kite caught in the strong crop breezes that broke its cord and it just blown across the sky. The time and days flew rapidly by and if one was not careful, they would almost have very little to show for the time they spent.

Thankfully this was not the case for me. Being a person who notes everything so that I would have little difficulty remembering it my week was loaded with meetings, tasks, all contributing to the goals and objectives I had set myself. On this occasion, it was to showcase small entities that are needed and don't get the light of day since they don't have the resources to get their messages out. This seeming lack of resources results in them fizzling rather than sizzling.

I used quite a bit of the social media this week. Having been a follower for some time it was time to make a contribution. It initially started with https://www.facebook.com/prestigeaccountingbarbados the Caribbean regions only platinum accredited Association of Chartered Certified Accountants [ACCA] learning partner. They also have the introductory FIA  program for those seeking to get an introduction to accounts. This is especially useful for entrepreneurs who are seeking to get a firm financial grasp of their businesses. They also offer the teaching of Quickbooks which is rapidly becoming the program of choice for many small businesses.

Quickly on the heals of ACCA was https://www.facebook.com/MehtersRehydrationStations who are regional manufacturers of healthy soft drinks. They use the base ingredients of ginseng, acai, and guarana creating blends that are tasty without the loads of sugar found in other beverages. This group is particularly interesting since they are providing entrepreneurs with the opportunity to kick start their businesses under the branding of Mehter's Rehydration Stations. They have decided to offer attractive pricing to entrepreneurs so that they can start and grow their businesses.

While the activities and excitement were buzzing with the entrepreneurial exploits, there was another area of interest that captured my attention, it can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cystic-Fibrosis-Foundation-of-Barbados/371253569578282

Cystic Fibrosis is an illness that shortens the life of those who have it. Those who have it can have difficulty breathing and have to resort to taking medications that are very expensive. They also have to use special vest that shake the mucous from their lungs which will enable them to breathe better. More information is available via the aforementioned link. One of my friends has it. He was diagnosed with it when he was around 4 years old. This illness is often misdiagnosed and it can result in multiple surgeries and other treatments which are quite expensive for the families of those who have it. To put it mildly, to keep that bearer alive can cost more than the combined family incomes. Some families have more than one child with it. Some are often misdiagnosed as having a form of asthma.

These are all initiatives within the Caribbean and I am happy to have had the privilege to be associated with them during this past week alone. Here's hoping others would also share their interests. Going and get some breakfast. Have a great weekend everyone.