SERIOUS BUSINESS: What have we learnt? How can we change?

“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

ON October 16, 2017, I penned a column entitled “Time for change now”
– https://nothingbeatsbusiness.com/2017/10/time-for-change-now-basil-springer-column-october-16-2017/.

More than two years hence, we have an even greater challenge in search
of a sustainable economic path.

Over the last two to three months, the COVID intervention has forcibly
induced a new modus operandi where the majority of the population has
been under a “stay-at-home” public order and our borders closed in an
attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. The economy has
predictably declined.

For me, this period included quiet reflection as to how we should
manage the new norm when the public order is grad-ually lifted, and
the borders reopened. I would like to share with you some food for
thought in relation to two compelling questions: “What have we learnt
in the process?” and “How can we use this information to effect
change?”

We need to attract abundance into our business, finance,
human/intellectual/emotional, natural/physical/social/cultural, and
spiritual health.

Business fuels economic growth. We have learnt that business success
is driven by revenue and retains its buoyancy by cleverly controlling
costs and boosting productivity. We can use this information to
aggressively promote entrepreneurship, leveraging the shepherding
model where (1) entrepreneurs virtually pitch their innovative ideas
with potential to create exports or displace imports; (2) experienced
shepherds share their business experience with entrepreneurs and get
paid out of future profits (just like a financial investor) while
mitigating the risk of business failure and securing the financial
investment; and (3) the local private sector and the Diaspora, with
government incentives, invest in an expertly managed
seed/equity/working capital entrepreneurship fund, which further
invests in the individual businesses.

Financial security brings peace of mind to you and your family. We
have learnt that business profitability is the lynchpin for financial
security. We can use this information to stimulate innovative thoughts
of mounting a startup business with your savings from home. Of course,
you will need injections of passion, perseverance and patience as you
optimize your business and reinvest your profits in the business on
your way to success.

The human resource is the most important resource, we must develop it
to the fullest. We have learnt that certification that is not tied to
employment is a workforce development waste. We can use this
information to adopt a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts,
and mathematics) approach. STEAM uses project-based teaching to
holistically foster students’ skills in creativity, design thinking,
technical literacy, collaboration, and problem solving.

A healthy mind in a healthy body. We have learnt that however sharp
the mind is, it is eventually of no use to mankind unless it is housed
in a healthy body. We can use this information to revise our mix of
nutrition, sleep, exercise, peace of mind and touch strategies to
maintain physical fitness in the new dispensation.

On earth, we are spiritual beings attempting to master a human
experience. We have learnt that whatever our physical constraints, the
spiritual energy of our being is unaffected.

In this midst of despair, let us use this information to embrace love,
peace, prayer, family and togetherness in our search for happiness.