“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1 The Barbados Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals 2008 was presented on Monday, July 7 by the late Hon. David Thompson, then Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (pp 103,106). Under the heading “Innovation”, the Minister of Finance …
“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.” – Luke 2:40 The first week of May, may be referred to as the Springer grandchildren birthday celebration week. The world wide web facilitated, albeit virtually, participation in the celebrations. In each case there was the observation “Oh how much they have grown”. In the business …
“As a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” – Isaiah 61:11 On Saturday, April 25, the world received the news of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal. Amidst all the headlines and news stories informing …
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” – Matthew 5:9 One has merely to tune into local media outlets to be greeted by negative international, regional or national news. There are political and …
“And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 This weekly column is published in a series entitled “Serious Business”. However, one verbal comment recently at a casual meeting of a friend was “keep sending me those inspirational columns; I do …
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate”. – Mark 10:9 The opening paragraph of a February 2007 article by Sharon White entitled: “The Shrinking Global Village” reads as follows: “In the early 1960s, Canadian theorist Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “global village” to describe how television brought information, entertainment and culture …
“It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.” – Psalm 18:28 The first and last paragraphs from the Abstract of a 2013 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) study follow: “This survey posits that improving global prospects especially in the United States and Europe will …
“Who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” – Romans 8:24-25 I do not usually focus on political commentary in this column, but I thought I should rise in support of the editorial of the online media organisation “Barbados Today” on …
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:2 What is the purpose of life? How often do we pause to consider this question? I believe that at many different points in life, we find ourselves reflecting on an answer. Then we drift along and, depending on what course life …
“If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.” – Luke 11:36 The student feedback at the two guest lectures which I was invited to give to MBA and MSc. Finance …
“Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.” – Romans 12:11 We are all spiritual beings mastering the human experience. We expect that our spiritual awareness, while we are enjoying this earthly experience, will continually expand leading to greater abundance. More than a year ago, I attended a seminar organized …
“Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” – Psalm 16:1 My son Bevan was asked by a colleague in the US to introduce her to a firm or individual in Barbados who could advise on the anticipated growth in renewable energy. I endorsed Bevan’s response to suggest entrepreneur James Husbands and his …
“For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” – Psalm 36:9 Sir Kyffin Simpson is a Barbadian entrepreneur well known for his stellar contribution to the development of the retail and commercial distribution of energy and energy-related products in the Caribbean and beyond. Last September, he very kindly sent …
“May your friends be like the sun as it rises in its might.” – Judges 5:31 A few days ago, I received a Skype text message from a young colleague of mine with whom I had worked closely for several years in a mentor/mentee relationship. Even though we do not see each often these days, …
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17 Mises Institute describes itself as an organization promoting Austrian economics, freedom and peace. The Mises Daily is a publication which presents relevant short articles from the perspective of an unfettered free market and Austrian …
“See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” – Isaiah 42:9 My last column on “Innovation and Economic Growth” stimulated some interesting thoughts which resulted in many responses. I shall share them with you in this week’s column. (1) “Good …
“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11 In my everyday activity, primarily shepherding start-ups (with the DNA of an Elephant), as they embark on a journey to fulfill their ambitions of sustainable success in the global marketplace, I meet and interact …
“So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of His grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them.” – Acts 14:3 The population in the Caribbean is estimated to be English Heritage (6 million), French Heritage (11.2 million), Dutch Heritage (0.8 million) and …
“Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1 Many international news monitors over the last week have discussed the impact of falling oil prices on the economies of the world. Oil prices have plunged from more than US$100 per barrel in July …
“You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips.” – Psalm 21:2 As I reflect on the positives of the past year and take action now on a life renewal process for 2015, I am reminded of the following quote from the famous “I Have a Dream” speech …
“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 The British Poet, William Cowper (1731-1800), is quoted as follows: “Variety is the very Spice of life that gives it all its flavour.” …
“Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see.” – Matthew 13:17 I met a contemporary of mine at a funeral last Saturday and he said to me “how are your children, Basil? I am occasionally in touch with Kevin, by phone, but how are the others? I like interacting with the youth …
“Those … attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:20 On Sunday November 16, I was perusing the online edition of the Sunday Sun newspaper and came upon an anniversary special supplement on Eric Hassell & Son Ltd (EHS) – www.facebook.com/shipwithehs. There was a photograph …
“Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” – Psalm 33:22 The experience that I have gained in Trinidad, shepherding Entrepreneurs in the Making, Start-Ups and Existing Businesses has been very gratifying. I have interacted with businesses at BizBooster, which is the business incubator at the Arthur Lok …
“Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”” – Psalm 87:7 The renowned management guru Peter F. Drucker, writing in the Harvard Business Review in 1998, had this to say about The Discipline of Innovation: “Despite much discussion these days of the ‘entrepreneurial personality’ few of the entrepreneurs with whom I have …
“So that they may have all the riches of assured understanding … all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:2-3 Global Entrepreneurship week was celebrated last week. The activities which were part of the Barbados contribution may be found at http://bb.gew.co. Entrepreneurship is the process of setting up a business the construct of …
“You also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” – Ephesians 2:22 Today’s column is an amalgam of some of last week’s events and my experiences, cricket, food, equity and death, which have induced a feeling of humility and harmony within me. The four significant pieces of cricket news as we seek …
“The rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth.” – Isaiah 55:10 The Daily word reminds us that “rain falls onto the earth, is heated by the sun, and rises as steam to form clouds. When the clouds get heavy, they break open and …
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 31:24 The immediate international response from last week’s column from West Indians and non-West Indians alike, who receive the column electronically, was overwhelming. It is indicative of the importance of the West Indies cricket brand globally. Here is …
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord.” – Zechariah 4:6 Caribbean cricket supporters woke up to the news recently that the players representing the West Indies ODI cricket squad withdrew their services in the middle of the tour of India ostensibly because the poor internal communication regarding the handling …
“Put away your former way of life, your old self … clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God.” – Ephesians 4:22-24 In my 74th year on earth as a spiritual being attempting to master the human experience, as I reflect chronologically on the decades of my existence, the image …
“Out of the north comes golden splendour; around God is awesome majesty.” – Job 37:22 Fred L. Cozier On January 26, 2013, I penned: “I was in the throes of writing my weekly column on Saturday grappling with a Strictly Business topic, around the issue of ‘Innovation Policy as a driver for Sustainable Business Growth’, …
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” – Luke 6:38 This year “Eat Bajan Day” will be celebrated on Friday, October 10 to sensitise us about the …
“For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” – Proverbs 2:10 Last week we introduced the concept of Godpreneurship and concluded: “Let us now fully embrace Divine instruction and make a contribution to our region’s future.” This was in the context of designing a sustainable strategy to increase …
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 The one thing that is constant in life is change. Many of us are familiar with the book by Dr. Spencer D. Johnson entitled “Who Moved My Cheese?” If you …
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 Last week, I recommended a 12-point afresh programme for the implementation of government-sponsored enterprise development initiatives. At the conclusion of the column I advised: “Let all governments be better prepared and ready to meet the needs of entrepreneurs”. …
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” – Psalm 25:4 As I have shepherded Caribbean entrepreneurs and enterprises and traversed the corridors of power over the years, I have become convinced that most Caribbean governments do not have the right model of corporate governance to foster sustainable economic growth through …
“Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!’” – Luke 10:23 Travel allows us access directly or indirectly to the global supply and demand markets. There is an aura of excitement about travel. It may be business travel where we are either buying raw materials or finished goods or …
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it.” – Psalm 65:9 All businesses start small. Those businesses which are destined to remain small, because of their “DNA”, sell their products/services to individuals or other businesses. Some businesses which start small, may grow into big businesses themselves, primarily because they respect the principle …
“Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” – I Corinthians 3:16. While on a business consultant strategic visioning circuit many years ago, one of my colleagues alluded to the fact that practice does not make perfect, as we may have been taught as …
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment’.” – Exodus 6:6 The sugar cane plant was the …
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Last week we discussed the topic “Camaraderie fuels Teamwork” and I received many written and verbal complimentary comments. One of my readers, who operates in a regional public sector setting, commented: …
“All of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” – 1 Peter 3:8 Teamwork Dynamics, Inc. is an example of an entity which promotes “Ten Critical Success Factors of Teamwork”. The following six critical success factors must be in place before any group begins to …
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.” – Romans 8:15 Fear is an unproductive emotion. We must release our fear and activate our faith. Twenty two years ago, the West Indies Commission led by Sir Shridath Ramphal published a 592-page …
“For by grace have ye been saved … it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8 The grace of God has prepared for me a way of life that is altogether very fulfilling. The learning experience ranged from Montessori, primary and secondary schooling. Then at the tertiary level I engaged in a further range …
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17 I must begin by thanking all those who exercised their free will, in the face of competing events, and attended my seminar on the occasion of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association’s 15th Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) on Friday. More …
“Indeed, you are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness.” – 2 Samuel 22:29″ In Trinidad this week, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) mounts its 15th Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) – www.tic-tt.com. The TIC mandate is simple: to foster intra and extra regional trade for regional businesses. But they go …
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 My column, dated April 21, 2014, was captioned “Media houses must wake up”. This was a sequel to a couple of other columns …
“He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:2-3 In an article by Andrew Yang of Venture for America entitled: “To restore the culture of achievement”, he pointed out that he and his colleagues drafted a mission statement with the following goals: To revitalize American cities and communities through entrepreneurship; To …
“He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:2-3 Recently I have been engaged in several discussions at the individual, institutional and country levels, with the recurring theme of chaos. This intuitively suggested the need to shift gears from chaos and despair to harmony and hope. As I began composing this …
“They spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” – Acts 2:46, 47 The more I experience the journey through life, the more I recognise the importance of togetherness. As I reflect …
“By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” – Hebrews 11:3 The 28th day of May each year has been a significant date for me and my sister for all of our lives. In recent years, …