“Let your light so shine before men.” — Matthew 5:16 Last week, we examined how to manage the financial system to keep a business financially sound. This week, we turn to the third row of the ManOBiz Matrix: Managing the Marketing System. No market, no business. You can have the best product, sound financing, efficient …
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks.” — Proverbs 27:23 In my decades of consulting with enterprises across the Caribbean, I have seen brilliant ideas fail — not because of a lack of market demand, but because of poor money management. Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is reality. Too …
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost?” — Luke 14:28 The first row of the ManOBiz Matrix is the Value Proposition System – the foundation of any business. It answers one tough question: Why should a customer buy from you rather than someone else? Many …
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” — Hosea 4:6 Many small businesses fail not because their owners lack ambition or a strong work ethic, but because they lack effective systems. The owner does everything, yet little is systematized. For a business to become sustainable, it needs five interlocking systems working together. 1. Value …
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost?” — Luke 14:28 In business, many people work hard but struggle to turn their efforts into consistent results. Often, what is missing is a disciplined approach to the five basic functions of management. Building on principles developed by …
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 Over the years, I have observed two recurring weaknesses that contribute to small business failure: a limited understanding of management and an incomplete grasp of business systems. To address these weaknesses, I created the Management of Business Systems Matrix …
“Come now, and let us reason together.” — Isaiah 1:18 Government needs more scientific thinking — and more people trained to solve complex problems. What is the range of skills represented among our elected parliamentarians? It is a question worth asking, not only in Barbados but across the wider Caribbean. Consider the Barbados Cabinet appointed …
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40 When I lived in England as a student in the 1960s, I was fortunate to have my parents there at the same time. In fact, we lived under the same roof. I remember my father cautioning me, with the quiet authority that …
“His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22-23 A friend recently responded to something I had written: “Great. Never thought of it that way. A beautiful bridge from reflection to renewal.” The phrase that prompted his response was simple: “Today’s sunset inspires tomorrow’s sunrise.” The sunset photograph …
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10 A friend wrote after my column two weeks ago on “The personal trainer and the entrepreneurial shepherd”: “You have to be sure about the return on …
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” — Amos 5:24 Many of my ideas are tested in conversations with my younger son, Bevan. As a journalist and public relations professional, he reviews my columns each week before they are released. Many years ago, during one of those discussions with …
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1 I was recently advised to access the services of a personal trainer to complement my health care regime. After the first home session, I couldn’t help but recognize the striking similarity between a personal trainer and an entrepreneurial shepherd. At first glance, they …
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1 The passing of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers at the age of 89 has inspired captivating tributes from around the world. For us Barbadians, it has been a period of …
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.” — James 1:19 One of the greatest lessons of a long life is that communication is not a luxury. It is the lifeline that keeps family, friendship and purpose alive. What began as a discipline, …
“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 Last week’s column recalled that, in 1968, I returned to the Caribbean to establish a Biometrics Unit to accelerate agricultural development. In 2026, I am arguing for a Shepherding Unit …
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” — James 1:22 In 1968, I returned to the Caribbean, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. My first job at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, was to establish a Biometrics Unit to support research and development in crop and livestock …
“Command the rich to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” – 1 Timothy 6:18-19 My …
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23 For most of my life, a haircut has never been just a haircut. Barbershops in Barbados have traditionally been places where men went to trim their hair. But they were always much more …
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” – Ecclesiastes 11:6: As I look back on eight and a half decades of living, what stands out is not one …
“Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His doing.” — Proverbs 16:11 Every Barbadian benefits from the work of the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) every day, even though most will never step inside the institution. Yet how many people ever read its annual report? With BiMPay …
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:4 Former Trinidadian Central Bank Governor Ainsworth Harewood, Professor Baldwin Mootoo and I were members of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Senior …
SOE Governance: Learning From Singapore’s Two-Track Model A column by Basil Springer — June 19, 2026
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 In my May 15 column, “Govt’s First: Strengthen Barbados SOEs,” I wrote: “In Singapore, ministers select CEOs for their professional competence, and CEOs, in turn, choose board chairs …
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17 One of Barbados’ oldest problems still swings from our trees. The green monkey arrived from West Africa some 350 years ago. Today, it is both mascot and menace. Tourists smile for selfies. Farmers and households count their losses. On an island of just …
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10 In 1976, E.F. Schumacher delivered the inaugural Sir Winston Scott Memorial Lecture at the Central Bank of Barbados. His topic was Independence and Economic Development. Three years earlier, he had published his influential book Small Is Beautiful: …
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 The first pay cheque or the launch of a new business marks the beginning of financial planning. Almost immediately, questions arise: What are …
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” — Deuteronomy 8:18 Small states keep hearing the same refrain: “Our economies need to grow faster.” What we hear far less often …
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 Barbados has long relied on statutory corporations and state-owned enterprises, or SOEs, to deliver essential services — from water and transportation to health care, education support and national …
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done.” — Proverbs 19:17 Every Caribbean economy needs a reliable public transportation system. Citizens must get to work, school and hospital — on time, safely and affordably. Yet the economics are brutal: Peak-hour routes may be …
“My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” – Psalm 49:3 Enterprise builds the economy of a country. The Export Enterprise Builder concept must be adopted and scaled if the Caribbean is to generate foreign exchange, create jobs and strengthen resilience. We begin by generating ideas, attracting …
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1 Every economy runs on enterprise, but in Barbados our financial ecosystem is holding entrepreneurs to ransom. It is biased against startups, innovators and first-time entrepreneurs because …
“Write the vision and make it plain … that he may run whoever reads it.” – Habakkuk 2:2-3 Today, Barbados finds itself in a paradox of progress. With over 180,000 vehicles on our roads, mobility — once a symbol of freedom — has become a daily frustration. Congestion in key commercial corridors such as Warrens …
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2 Small island developing states like Barbados are highly exposed to global energy disruptions, even …
“When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof.” – Deuteronomy 22:8 A knife is among humanity’s oldest tools — capable of preparing a nourishing meal or inflicting grave harm. Its value has …
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Change is indeed the only constant in life and organizations must adapt to stay relevant. As I’ve often said, we have to continually renew …
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” – James 1:19-20 Barbados, our tiny gem of an island, is choking on its own success. Traffic congestions got us stuck, folks. But don’t despair, there are solutions. …
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” – Psalm 46:1 As the world grapples with geopolitical turmoil, Barbados must adapt and evolve to ensure its survival and prosperity. The island nation, born out of the vision of National Hero Errol Barrow, must now chart a new course, guided by the …
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12 Across our small island states, too many school leavers drift into uncertainty at the very moment they should be stepping confidently into adulthood. Those already …
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” – Romans 12:10 As a fledgling university student I recall discussing with my father Charles, a seasoned civil servant, the need for a Governor General and a Prime Minister in a small country such as Barbados. He calmly and profoundly said …
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1 Barbados has just witnessed a historic event – a third consecutive 30–0 Barbados Labour Party (BLP) victory since 2018, along with by-election wins in 2000 and 2025. The leader of the defeated Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has stepped down, …
“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” – 2 Corinthians 6:1 I was called away from academia to introduce the “Systems” business consulting brand in Barbados on September 15, 1977. The brand was first manifested through my company, Sincos Consultants Limited, with a focus on consulting in statistical, information …
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2 As I’ve travelled the world, I’ve learned that extending hospitality to strangers can be a powerful catalyst for building new relationships. There’s something special about welcoming someone into your space, …
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.” — Romans 13:1 In my journey of writing about entrepreneurship and development, I have often reflected on the role of government in driving economic growth. One area that consistently stands out is the governance and management of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). These entities play a vital role …
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3 If Singapore teaches us anything, it is that national development is not powered by policy documents alone, but by connectivity, openness, reliability and enterprise development (C.O.R.E.) that convert vision into value. In both Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, we …
“God meets all of our needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 The enduring lesson from Singapore is not that small states can succeed — we already know that — but how deliberately they must choose to do so. For both Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, the challenge now is to …
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12 CEO of UWI’s Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business Mariano Browne’s thoughtful examination of Singapore’s development journey …
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 Linking incentives to measurable outcomes is a time-tested approach to boosting performance — when structured correctly. For Cricket West Indies (CWI), there’s a clear opportunity to …
“Trials and daily life build spiritual maturity.” – James 1:2-4 My formal education is easy to list: degrees earned, institutions named, credentials framed and hung. Yet alongside that orderly procession runs another curriculum — unofficial, untitled and profoundly influential. It is my informal education, the one that sharpened my intelligence and expanded my capacity to …
“Then Peter began to speak. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” – Acts 10:34-35 As I pursue my memoir writing, I find frequent moments for introspection. One such memory takes me back to …
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3 There is a saying, “Only gravediggers start at the top.” It’s a reminder that anything meant to endure must begin at the bottom — carefully, patiently and deliberately. When building a house, no one starts with the …
“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” – Habakkuk 2:2 Since 2018, and despite challenges like the global pandemic, neighboring volcanic ash falls, and geopolitical uncertainties leading to potential oil price and exchange rate volatility, the Barbados macro economy …
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21 Life sometimes arranges the most remarkable coincidences — the kind that feel so perfectly orchestrated they deserve a place in one’s memoirs. One such moment unfolded during an invitation from my partner Judy’s daughter, Nicola, who …
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17 When I first stepped onto the grounds of Harrison College in Barbados in 1950 at the age of nine (there was no common entrance examination then), I could never have imagined how …