New Year resolution for good men/women of business

The Wise Old Owl wishes the good men and women of business all success, good luck, good health and contentment throughout 2007 and hopes that their achievements in 2007 will usher in peace, growth and prosperity to this nation and its citizens.

This wish comes with a plea, to begin the year with an environmental scan, an assessment of the likely political, economic, and the social and environment scenario in the medium term.

Having reviewed the above objectively may the good men/women resolve what action, paradigm changes and change management initiatives they need to adopt individually and collectively. May they have the capability, courage, motivation, influence and support to implement the change initiatives individually and collectively.

If the scenario as assessed is extremely pessimistic, as set out below and dark clouds appear in the medium term horizon, a New Year resolution practiced with commitment will be necessary for “It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today, that the weight is more than a man can bear."—Gordon MacDonald”.

Despite the bells rung for peace, all party conference and a MOU with the Opposition to collectively chart a course to resolve the ethnic issue, a full scale war with destruction of human lives and the national infrastructure, amidst chaos in the south and travel advisories is likely.

The cruellest impact of the escalated war is on innocent civilians, whose human rights and civil liberties are bashed by both sets of protagonists. The UN and the international community will decry the humanitarian crisis, whilst the leaders and their stooges will attempt to blame everybody else and even challenge the UN and the international community. The development partners despite a meeting in January will remain at a distance withholding support until “Visible and committed action on peace, conflict and human rights appear as a pre condition”.

Despite the exponentially ever increasing religious statues at every street corner, the law, order and internal security will so far deteriorate to shame even those nations who are internationally showcased. The media will remain gagged and/or silent and will give pride of place to temple ceremonies and talkshops that have no impact on the mayhem and deplorable breakdown of our value system. Law enforcement structure and justice system will be so badly bent and dented by the leaders and thus unable to provide required protective strength to the civil society.

The macro economy and fiscal management will be negatively impacted by external shocks of high oil prices, increased interest rates, slow down in international consumer spending. High budget deficits due to the cost of war, subsidies, ever expanding public service, and pensions, will lead to high inflation and low national savings. A high level of foreign commercial debt on short term, low direct foreign investments and a depreciating rupee will lead business into a tail spin. To top it all war and chaos in the Middle East will have our valuable nationally contributing sisters coming home abruptly.

With 2007 being the warmest year in a decade, lack of rains and other environmental disasters with associated power cuts and crop failures in agriculture and plantations will expand the crisis.

Industrial unrest, agitations and wild cat strikes originated by the extremist political parties will paralyse the national infrastructure of port, transport, power and water supplies.

To cap it all essential reforms in education and human capital development will be shelved and transparency, meritocracy, anti corruption and other good governance principles and checks and balances expected under the 17th amendment will be ignored.
If such were to be the environment of Sri Lanka what can and should the good men and women of business do today to assure that Sri Lanka will not be formally classed a failed state the day after tomorrow?

They should today sincerely and solemnly pledge that in the New Year, they commit and resolve;

* to abide by a value system that places the nation first, the private sector second, sectoral interests third and their businesses last

* engage in business within the principles of good governance, transparency, integrity and ethics a being accountable to all stakeholders, whilst discharging responsibility to society and the environment

* share knowledge, capabilities and develop skills of others in society

* avoid taking any extreme nationalistic, ethnic, religious or cultural positions

* avoid all corrupt, illegal and immoral practices

* openly and without fear speak their mind on national issues, calling a spade a spade (irrespective of the power structure backing the spades) and protest when the long term national interests and human rights are negatively impacted

* always leverage the sphere of influence to positively impact on the nation and society and promote Sri Lanka Inc.

* never ignore nor turn a blind eye to any act against the nation and its people, irrespective of who is behind such despicable acts

* engage their colleagues, neighbours, workers, and civil society in open debate on national issues, human rights violations, failure to uphold the law and dispense justice, failure of good governance principles, lack of accountability, nepotism and corruption, etc

* develop coalitions and network alliances with persons committed to similar principles to apply collective pressure on those who negate national economic and social value

* support public interest litigation and other measures that assure good governance benefiting all in society

* consistently practice measures that socially exclude those who use their power and influence in society negatively and adversely impact on the nation and its people, irrespective of the positions of power they hold.