Nation needs inspired managers

ONE OF the things that nations and companies need in this era is innovative and inspired managers to turn things around. They are needed because of the global challenges being faced today.

Innovative and inspired managers must have a God-inspired vision for the nation, cut to fit, not one that is copied - Habakkuk 2 - and the vision has to be birthed by faith and prayer for success.

The problem that nations are encountering is 'short-sightedness'. There is need for a vision that is coming from the heart, and such visionaries have to look at long-term results. For too long, the nation has been selling our birthright. That is, we have been ignoring spiritual things, forsaking future wealth for temporary need.

For example, the Jamaica Public Service was divested and look at the results. If they were looking at the long-term results, they would not have this problem.

Air Jamaica is another such matter. It is just a matter of time before we feel the effects of the divestment. Not everything was bad with Air Jamaica. They had an excellent track record in vessel maintenance and safety.

If we have to divest our capital assets each time a problem arises, what are we saying? That Jamaicans are no longer capable of managing the assets of the country! It means, then, that we are in trouble!

As far as I am aware, Jamaica has some of the brightest, most capable minds in the world, and even when the powers that be seek to bypass these capable persons, they still have to come back to them seeking their help and expertise.

Bright individuals

The private sector has bright individuals who possess the potential and capabilities to manage, but they lack balance of compassion, and they are profit-oriented, and look at the numbers rather than the people.

Some political leaders oftentimes have the compassion, but lack the will or the skill to make tough decisions to turn the economy and deal with certain issues. Most of them are caught up with their political party and getting power. If they had harnessed all the zeal in that area and channelled it into proper decision-making, then the country would have already changed and the nation would be in a better stead.

There is great excitement about 2012, and about the different activities that will take place. For example, Olympics and the nation's 50th Independence anniversary. However, on an interesting note, '50' means 'setting the captives free; freedom, liberty and jubilee.' Further to this, '12' means 'government, divine order, joint/united.'

Therefore, it's not going to be business as usual for anyone. It's going to take everyone - the private sector, the Church, Government, Opposition and NGOs - to bring change and create jobs.

We need to utilise university graduates' theses and projects and implement them. That will allow us to reduce some of the consultancy fees being paid for little or no work done at all.

Hence, there is need for innovative and inspired managers in the Scientific Research Council, JAMPRO, Caribbean Maritime Institute to develop and create jobs locally. We cannot look overseas; jobs have to be created from within.

We also need to look at Sabina Park and the National Stadium. We need inspired and innovative ways to develop our sports at all levels, while reducing rental for events. We need, therefore, to plan more international events and capitalise on our climate. Don't tell me we are going to divest these assets too, while they sit underutilised.

For next year's celebration, we need to re-dedicate our flag to God, to be done by the head of state, so that the glory of God returns, and that there is new beginning, prosperity and light.

We also need to give incentives to local investors at all levels to stay. When a local investor closes it should be an indictment on all - unless we no longer care about the building of the nation. If we don't support the building up of our own people nobody else will.

If we can produce the fastest runner in the world, what else can we produce?

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.