“One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.” Romans 14:5 Satisfying our needs as human beings and achieving harmony living in the same space on Earth is a complex affair. We compete for resources to satisfy our physiological survival needs, …
“Love your neighbour as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39 This third article about our love and belonging needs comes after physiological and safety and security needs. Our basic premise is that disharmony in the minds among our 7.9 billion fellow humans is the scourge of modern society. After satisfying our basic needs, our hypothesis is that …
“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 23:4 Six weeks ago, we focused on the first of Abraham Maslow’s five hierarchical needs of the human being – our physiological needs. We …
“I am leaving you with a gift— peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27 Future BARBADOS is an impressive youth organization which is a long-term public inspiration and innovation engine to fast-track Barbados’ transformation into the …
“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 focus of my PhD dissertation, nearly 54 years ago, was a specific theoretical computer simulation solution of an optimization problem. The mathematics …
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” – Proverbs 23:7 Two Sunday nights ago I was invited to participate on Irwine Clare’s IRIE JAM RADIO show in New York. Irwine, an award-winning community leader and communicator in the Caribbean Diaspora, shared that he was impressed by the leadership and communication skills of …
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” – Psalm 46:1-3 The …
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10 Many of us were brought up …
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 Disharmony in the minds among our 7.9 billion fellow humans is the scourge of modern society. We need help in stabilizing these minds in the interest of the earth’s sustainability. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was …
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 Three weeks ago in this column, I shared a story about how we as vaccinated elders managed the outward journey (Trinidad to Barbados) of our first COVID-19 pandemic travel experience. We transitioned painlessly, arrived safely, and prayed for a …
“With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. – Psalm 78:72 Over the last three years Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s vision, intellect and wisdom has projected her on the local, regional, international scene as an individual who is well-equipped to lead the indigenous Caribbean in implementing solutions which will …
“Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.” – 2 John 1:8 My maternal grandfather, circa 1900, entered the job market as a teenager. He got married and started a family in his late 20s and soon after fulfilled his passion and became the …
“Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble.” – Proverbs 3:23 We, as elders in retirement mode, had grown quite accustomed to annual visits from or to our combined grandchildren, who are scattered far and wide. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a change in lifestyle from …
“Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.’” – Habakkuk 2:2 Sustainable economic growth in a country depends on the economic success of its network of business enterprises over many sectors. The micro, small, medium, large enterprises within each …
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21 Let me paint a picture of the essential pillars of entrepreneurial success – plan, path, passion, persistence, and patience. All responsible parents should have an educational plan for their children’s future whether they become entrepreneurs or employees. The processes available …
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16 When my son Bevan suggested to me last weekend: “Maybe a column on walking,” I paused and replied “Oh, OK.” The indelible memory of my last friendly cricket match 40 years …
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” – Proverbs 14:23 The cultivation of an unswerving positive mindset is an asset as a problem solver. This was originally inspired by the book “The Power of Positive Thinking” by the Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, which I read as …
“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23 All persons alive and well have a gift of time from God of 24 hours per day and the free will to make the best use of it. If today’s airline seat or hotel room is not sold, …
START YOUR BUSINESS WITH A BOARD MEETING – BASIL SPRINGER COLUMN (AUG 16, 2021) “Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.” – 1 Timothy 4:15 About eight years ago I accepted an invitation to give a guest presentation on The Shepherding Model (guidance and access to …
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 Post-COVID-19 Growth – Role of startups The role of startups is to present creative ideas …
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major global paradigm shift in the business world. My series of columns has been based on Peter Drucker’s revolutionary teachings: “Management is doing things right (efficiency); leadership is doing the right things (effectiveness).” In …
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11 The human resource is our most precious resource, and we must develop it to the fullest. The implication is that if a nation …
“Come now you who say – today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” – James 4:13 Skip Weitzen’s business operations principle, “Start Small; Do it Right; Make a Profit; Then Expand”, is the environment in which …
”Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8 Most people, after completing their basic education, seek jobs to earn a living and provide …
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5 Today’s topic will address (1) establishing a quick response seed/equity/working capital growth Fund; (2) seeking the shepherd’s quick response investment guidance; (3) sourcing seed money to launch the business; (4) introducing an equity rather than a …
“… and the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” – Habukkah 2:2 The reduction of the failure rate, which bedevils the global startup business sector, is a challenge for the leadership and management of many businesses. In recent columns …
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24 Job sustainability may be envisaged as a cyclical process. Jobs earn you money which …
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 Lee Quan Yew (1923 to 2015) co-founded the People’s Action Party (PAP) in 1954, won a seat in 1955, and became the Opposition Leader. In 1959, his party swept all 51 seats in the …
“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: 4. As we tackle the post-COVID-19 recovery and growth challenge, the quality of leadership coupled with an unwavering strategic focus will …
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26 No sooner than the leadership of each country brings the COVID-19 pandemic under control with successful vaccination programs, the same leadership will have to brainstorm and seek counsel for urgent action steps to restore the health of …
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26 The challenge of CARICOM economic growth was significant even before COVID-19. Now that this global pandemic has struck devastating blows in the terms of loss of life, physical and mental stress, loss of …
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 National economic growth takes place when natural resources (land, …
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10 In September 2021, it will be 61 years since …
“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26 CARICOM, a commendable resource base of 18 former British colonies, Haiti and Suriname with 18 million people over a collective land mass of 500,000 km2 , has evolved 60 years after the demise …
“The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.” – Luke 13:6-9 Last week, a regular reader of my column, in noting the relatively weak average 2019 GDP per capita CARICOM performance when compared with selected countries, passionately shared this observation: CARICOM is a large bureaucratic financial black hole lacking in a smart partnership philosophy and is …
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 The future of the CARICOM economy will be addressed in two successive columns. Part 1 gives a historical synopsis of the CARICOM environment, strategic economic comparisons …
“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” – Proverbs 10:4 The primary concern of each nation is economic development because, with good leadership, it can reduce wealth inequality and foster greater socioeconomic well-being. The collective thrust of successful businesses leads to economic growth, which drives …
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 COVID-19 has been devastating to both lives and livelihoods. It is expected that the vaccination program will give us a new lease on life and …
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 As in the two World Wars, the Spanish flu and other disasters in the 20th century, many lives were lost prematurely and some sources of income vanished, …
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 Sir Courtney Blackman was eight years my senior. We overlapped at Harrison College in Barbados, but never met at school. He graduated from the University of the …
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Leviticus 19:33-34 In the period after the emancipation of slavery, Caribbean people migrated to Panama …
“And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” – Exodus 35:31 “And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” – Exodus 35:31 …
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 A healthy dialogue resulted from my recent column entitled “HOW CAN THE USVI ENERGIZE CARICOM?” As a follow-up, I thought I would engage in lateral thinking and adopt a …
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5 The leadership charged with the authority to govern a country or organization (policy, actions, outcomes) is responsible for introducing best practices to achieve sustainable success. In the 21st century, leaders have the resources of people (body, mind, …
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” – Matthew 11:15 The Caribbean is a multicultural, multiethnic, multireligious, multilingual region. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM-1973) was initially a group of former British colonies. Today, CARICOM’s membership and associate membership includes Suriname, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The islands …
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 My parents were born in 1914 at the beginning of the first World War. My father sojourned to surpass three score and 21 years, and …
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” – Jeremiah 33:6 Medical tourism refers to travel to another country for medical care. The decision to seek medical care overseas may be because of (1) the lack of availability of …
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 The causes of depression may be bereavement, fear, isolation, loss of income, alcohol and drug abuse, physical health issues, insomnia, …
“Say to him: Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!” – 1 Samuel 25:6 In our routine day-to-day activities, physical well-being can be nurtured through a balanced mix of (1) good nutrition – engenders a healthy immune system; (2) appropriate exercise – builds …
“You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.” – Psalm 73:24 This is the 15th column in the series “Tourism is our key”. These columns summarize the Caribbean tourism opportunities which are available as we pivot to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and reinstate our livelihoods that have been severely affected …
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” – Psalm 96: 1-3 Mark Honigsbaum’s “The Pandemic Century – A History of Global Contagion from the Spanish Flu to COVID-19” has been heralded as a …
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” – Romans 12:16 The community-based tourism opportunity involves residents of the destination (often rural, poor and economically marginalized), who invite tourists to visit their communities. Locals provide overnight accommodations and meals, and …