“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23 One of the international speakers at the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation’s first annual SUMMIT, held November 2010 at the Barbados Hilton, was Dr. Edmund S. Molloy, from the Republic of Ireland. Eddie was then and still is the Honorary …
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” – Matthew 7:25 At this time of year, the hurricane season is upon us and we are reminded of the mariner’s ditty: June – …
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6 Much water has flowed under the bridge since the abolition of slavery in the 19th century. Some of the fertile lands of the Caribbean are still available …
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 We all share the vision of Caribbean sustainable success. The success of the development sectors within a Caribbean country is facilitated by the efficient management of …
“For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Matthew 10:20 I have been officially retired from my mainstream business consulting activity for many years and I am thankful that my mental faculties, often stimulated by mingling with the …
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3 Last week, in this column, we revisited the Singapore model and alluded to that country’s successful strategy to diversify from the traditional tourism sector. Dr. Dillon Alleyne, deputy director of the Economic Commission for Latin …
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8 David Commissiong, Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, as guest columnist in the Barbados Today edition of Thursday, June 6, 2019, wrote an article entitled ”A vision for the economic …
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 The systems of a human body …
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness; For His name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3 Age has an effect on our eyes, just like it does on our joints and other parts of our bodies. When I reached my 40s, the natural internal lenses in my eyes became …
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”- Psalm 133:1 A Caribbean airline is vital to CARICOM development. The demand is created primarily by government, business, tourism, sports teams, education and trade. LIAT, at present, has 15 Caribbean destinations. Regional airline investment government policies are not …
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 At the beginning of 2019, Cricket West Indies (CWI) appointed an interim head coach, Richard Pybus, an Englishman with experience working …
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 In this series, we have addressed the issues of governance structure, financial security, marketing life and operational growth which are required to establish LIAT (2019) Limited, a new airline to replace …
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 At the beginning of this year, the Barbados Economic and Transformation Recovery Programme (BERT) was established and the first two main issues of (1) debt restructuring and (2) reduction of government expenditure were addressed. The third BERT …
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6 Today, we look at what is involved in ensuring profitability and growth from the technical and support operations of LIAT (2019) Limited. There are at least five thrusts that are mandatory. 1) Efficient …
“To answer before listening – that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13 There was instructive feedback to last week’s column on regional airline LIAT, which led me to a St. Lucia Times article by consultant David Jordan. Mr. Jordan also directed me to a comprehensive online conversation between media and PR executive …
LIAT (2019) LIMITED: INNOVATIVE INVESTMENT FINANCE – BASIL SPRINGER COLUMN MAY 20, 2019 “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” – Proverbs 15:22. In the last column, we addressed no-nonsense governance policies which must be an integral part of the foundation of LIAT (2019) Limited. Today, we explore …
“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” – Matthew 5:15 In the last column, the mood was that the existing LIAT operation be closed down and that the best price be sought for …
“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment … a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins … the wine will burst the skins.” – Mark 2:21-22 Last week we suggested that a solution-oriented leadership approach is a preventive maintenance and curative …
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 Many thanks to those readers who endorsed and augmented the content of recent columns in this series, out of which a comprehensive mix of concepts …
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1 The lyrics of the 2019 Trinidad & Tobago road march “Famalay”, though frenetic, harbour the message which we are sending today – ‘family’ unity is paramount to sustainable success. Successful growth and sustainability may be …
DISCIPLINE IS THE NEXUS BETWEEN TARGETS AND SUCCESS – BASIL SPRINGER COLUMN MONDAY ON APRIL 15, 2019
“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.” – Proverbs 29:17 Last week, the leader of a group asked each member to define the noun ‘discipline’ in the business context. My synthesis from the responses was that discipline is the nexus between setting targets …
“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.” – 1 Corinthians 14:31 Last week, a reader of this column commented as follows: “I am not sure that all stakeholders of CWI (Cricket West Indies) share the same vision and mission … there ARE MANY with …
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29 Just over a week ago, a democratic process was followed according to the constitution of Cricket West Indies …
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23: 1-3 The future of West Indies cricket is in the hands of the …
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4 The human body has a structure (skeleton and muscles). It is protected externally (skin, nails and hair) and internally (immune system). Independent human …
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 Any enthusiastic WINDIES supporter should read, absorb and save the ESPN Cricinfo report by Valkerie Baynes on the fifth ODI on Saturday March 2, 2019. …
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1 In the last Barbados general election on May 24, 2018, the voting public gave its government a comprehensive mandate to reverse the economic trend. Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, Governor General, in the throne speech …
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” – Proverbs 10:4 The passing of entrepreneur Sybil Carmen Joan Barrow on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at age 97, marks the end of an era of five Barrow/O’Neal siblings which leaves a rich legacy of examples in professionalism, statesmanship, politics, travel, …
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5 In this column, in our quest to identify potential industries for growth in the Caribbean, we have embarked on a review of business opportunities, some of which have been exploited, others partially explored and yet others whose …
“The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” – Proverbs 15:14 The Barbados Today editorial on February 4, 2019 was entitled “Wanted: A Marshall Plan for Barbados” in the context of growing the economy. The current Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation Programme (BERT) is built on the platform …
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8 In our quest to identify potential industries for growth in the Caribbean, we have embarked on …
“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.” – Proverbs 22:2 Two weeks ago, in this column entitled “Balance and synergy in economic growth sectors”, we gave some insight on the potential mix of business opportunities in the tourism, culture, energy, ICT and food sectors. In last week’s column entitled …
“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” – Proverbs 29:18 When I returned to the Caribbean in 1968, I was thrust in the “deep end” with a mandate to develop a biometrics unit in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of the West …
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 In the last two columns we have been on a new year roll about the importance of the concepts of balance and synergy. Firstly in the context of national sustainability …
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Last week, we deduced that, at the national level, as we make a valiant attempt to grow our economies in 2019, the concepts of balance and synergy are paramount. …
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Balance may be defined as a state of equilibrium in a partnership. If the wheels of business, economic growth and sustainability are to experience a smooth …
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” – Psalm 23: 6 In the last four columns we have given examples of how the innovative concept of the shepherding squad has been introduced, in turn, …
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” – Psalm 23: 5 We have recently shared some experiences on the effectiveness of a shepherding squad in addressing challenges in governance, investment finance and marketing. The role of …
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23: 3 In the last two columns we shared some experiences on the effectiveness of a shepherding squad in addressing …
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew …
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6 This is the first column of my 26th consecutive year as a weekly columnist. The month of July also heralds the start of another year for Rotary International (RI), a service club with the motto …
“Do not have two differing weights in your bag – one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house – one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” – Deuteronomy 25:13-15 …
“The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” – Psalm 24:1 In the quest towards national economic recovery and sustainable economic growth we have so far discussed smart solutions for (1) constitutional reform, (2) public-private partnerships, (3) the political process, (4) decentralized government, (5) …
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ” – Proverbs 22:6 In the quest towards national economic recovery and sustainable economic growth we have so far discussed smart solutions for (1) constitutional reform, (2) public-private partnerships, (3) the political process, …
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19 The Economist magazine stated last week “On May 24th the Barbados …
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5,6 Well the intelligence last week, just prior to the Barbados general election, that there was a mood in the air for political change, …
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17 In this series, we have so far suggested smart solutions for (1) constitutional reform, (2) public-private partnerships, (3) the political process and (4) decentralized government. Today we look at a sensible smart solution …
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ” – Romans 13:1 In this series, we have so far suggested smart solutions for (1) constitutional reform, (2) public-private partnerships and (3) the political process. Today, …
“And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” – Matthew 28:18 The Barbados parliament automatically dissolved as determined by the constitution on Monday, March 5 2018. The long awaited date for general elections is now Thursday, May 24 2018 when eligible persons will …
“Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people – The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” – Nehemiah 4:19-20. …
“For God makes all the decisions here. God is our king. God runs this place and he’ll keep us safe.” – Isaiah 33:22 If small states are to reverse their declining socio-economic fortunes and pursue a path leading to happiness for all, we must change. As the rich get richer, the poor must …
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3 Last week I was invited to be a guest lecturer to a cohort of 20 participants taking the postgraduate diploma in public sector management at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business at the University …