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PREVIOUS MONTHS: June 2009

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPERATIVE – why can’t we change the world?: 23rd June 2009

There is an old Japanese saying which states "he who made the greatest mistake was he who done nothing because he thought he could only do a little".

Keep this in mind.

In these days of momentous global events and even more harsh environmental predictions, we might all be forgiven for thinking there are just so many insurmountable barriers. If even a portion of the climate change predictions are true then for sure we have such a vast task ahead of us.

Therefore in the face of such dire predictions against which whole nations are struggling, what can the individual do to make a difference? What’s the point of doing anything if the impact would be so low?

We can all only do a little.

Indeed, the environmental task ahead of us is great. Climate change is about to impact the entire world. This may well be one of the greatest series of difficulties ever to face mankind. The changes arguably about to take place throughout the world will affect all countries, all organisations, all people. No one will be immune from the effects and the consequences. The scale of the changes about to take place will mean it is not simply someone else’s problem across the other side of the world.

Where there is change there will always be uncertainty. Where there is uncontrolled and massive change there will be upheaval. And as pollutants continue to increase in the atmosphere, the intensity of this upheaval increases as the environment attempts to rebalance. The consequences will be immense. This won’t just happen to someone else. The key is to decrease the flow of pollutants into the atmosphere. The key is for countries, for companies, for individuals to work together to decrease the environmental impact of their activities.

And so … as we approach this time of fundamental environmental change, the worlds governments have woken up to the fact that the possible solution isn’t the sole responsibility of one region or one group of people. It is the responsibility of all governments. It is the responsibility of all people. It is up to everyone who can only do a little, to do what they can.

Why is this important?

It is important because by doing that little bit, we can learn to combine all the small pieces into something greater – something irresistible, something that has a major beneficial impact. Why? Because we are all in this together. It isn’t someone else’s problem. We are all in the same world.

Think of the surface of an ocean on which a multitude of ripples compete and crash into one another. Through our activities we are all ripples on the surface of the ocean. We – the makers, the forgers, the dredgers, the shapers of our society. We create those ripples.

A single ripple struggles to make any headway against the movement of all others.

And so … think what happens when the ripples start to combine, start to focus their activities, start to move. The ripples become a wave – a wave of its own making, joined in by countless other ripples all wanting to make an impact, all wanting to create a better future. And when this wave has enough voice, has enough energy and direction, it will be large enough to wash over any previously insurmountable barrier – for we, the makers, the forgers, the dredgers, the shapers of our society to make such an impact that the world will notice and inspire others to do likewise.

Who says we can’t change the world? The world is full of opportunity. This is our window.

All over the world governments are creating legislation to cut carbon emissions in the hope of reducing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and reducing the impact of climate change. Governments, as always, can only do so much. The remainder of the responsibility is with business and other organisations, as well as with each and every individual.

We are all in the same world.

This responsibility needs to be realised. It needs to be focused. It needs to be effective. This is the type of responsibility that indeed changes the world – an environmental responsibility to halt what is likely to be the extreme effects of climate change. It is our responsibility. Together we can make a difference.

By working together we will be stronger. We will make a greater impact … for the benefit of everyone. This will be a focusing of all our energies, all our activities, all our hopes for a better future … for the benefit of everyone.

Who says we can’t change the world? We can and we will.

And as we know most of you who are reading this take your individual responsibility seriously, we know we will be working with some to create global environmental strategies. As part of the global process about to take place we will need your passion and commitment as the basis of these responsible environmental strategies. We will certainly need your input. And why not? These are your organisations. This is your livelihood. The wider society outside is your society. The wider world outside is your world. We are all in the same world.

What we do now – each of us – will have an impact on that wider world as well as the survivability of our organisations - and their profitability.

The world is full of opportunity. This is our opportunity to rise to the obvious challenges of those insurmountable barriers, to rise as a single wave of energy and activity and … and change what some say cannot be changed.

Together we will make a difference.

If we don’t do it, who will? The future depends on what we do. Do we sit idly by and shake our heads at what are likely to be the disastrous consequences of climate change? Or do we – at this moment – make a stand and join together to create the world we want to have?

As always it is your choice. But I know what I choose to do. We who choose to make a stand need your support. We stand together. The future demands a sense of responsibility – today. This is the moment we start to make a sustainable difference.

Work with us to make this a reality. We can show how your business can take the lead.

Regards

JS

 

 

IRANIAN ELECTIONS: 13th June 2009

You could be forgiven for not noticing the moment that has just passed. Not a moment in time but more of a proverbial "moment".

This moment slipped by with many in the world not even noticing, slipped by and ... disappeared. Yet this was an important moment. It was one of those moments that change the world - the entire world. This was why it was important. The shocking thing is not that it has gone and many in the world did not notice. No. The shocking thing is what happened in this moment ... and indeed, how the world WILL notice in the coming days, the coming weeks, the coming months and years. The shocking thing is how that one past moment will change the world forever.

How will it change?

The world is about to be changed into a much darker place than it has been ... and no one noticed. The world is about to become far more unstable ... and no one noticed. And if this happens (which there is no stopping it now) then the worlds economies and all the pain that has been endured over the past year will suffer even more.

So ... what happened in this moment that not many in the world noticed? Why so profound? Why so dangerous?

This is the moment that the Iranian elections returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the continuing President of Iran. Amid claims of massive fraud and election manipulation, Iran, which did have a democracy, had a brief moment of hope - a spark of light amid disastrously failed domestic policies, internal oppression and external extremism. Now that has gone.

Now the ruling authorities have allowed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to continue as President, the Iranian people can only wonder what will happen next. There will be many, many disenchanted people in Iran. Many of these people will all too clearly understand the power behind the President - and where it is leading them. Many more hardships will have to be endured - and it will be easy for the Iranian government to blame these hardships on someone else.

Iran is no longer a democracy.

And with respect to the rest of the world ... what we will now see will be a far more extremist and hard line approach by the Iranian government, with further funding to terrorist organisations, further instability throughout the Middle East, and of course a further resumption of their reach for nuclear weapons. The likelihood of such weapons reaching terrorists have now taken a step closer.

With its natural resources Iran should be a rich country. But it isn't. With its ingenuity Iran should be one of the leaders in global affairs. But it isn't. It desperately needed to change. But it now won't. Not for another four years at least and by then even greater damage will have been done.

With the unfortunate passing of the Iranian elections the world will never be the same. The extremist vision of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and those who hold the power behind him is about to be unleashed throughout the world. Iran deserves more than this. We all deserve more than this. What a sad day this is.

Yes, you could be forgiven for not noticing the moment that has passed. Yet for sure you will notice the moments about to be.

Regards

JS

 

HEALTHCARE EVOLUTION ... HEALTHCARE REVOLUTION: 10th June 2009

The healthcare vertical and healthcare in its entirety is on the verge of incredible change.

True, healthcare has always been in a state of flux. As medical science progresses, in spite of religious extremism in various guises, in spite of an inherent resistance to change within healthcare itself, there have been both distinct and gradual steps forward. And so the world progresses and in time the benefits spread throughout this world of ours. And yet now even within a state of flux there is about to be a lurch forward due to external circumstances ... and healthcare organisations will have to run to catch up and remain relevant.

Massively changing demographics are about to provide the impetus for this significant level of change. It is no secret that the increasing average age of a population will present specific challenges to every population. It is no secret that areas such as Chronic Disease Management, for, for example Type 2 Diabetes and COPD, will present organisational and budgetary challenges throughout the world. These points, and a series of others, are combining at the same time to threaten to overwhelm any unwary healthcare system ... which in reality means most of the world. Make no mistake, being in a developed world will not cushion anyone from the effects of this transformational shift.

And a message to anyone from any healthcare organisation anywhere in the world ... I know you know what's going to happen. There is absolutely no point burying your head in the sand and pretending it won't happen, or perhaps it is someone else's problem, or if you should loud enough then further state funding will be available.

It really is time to understand the inevitable - and to put in place actions that will harness the change. This isn't someone else's problem.

All too often there is plenty of evidence that some healthcare organisations see this inevitable transformation as a major barrier they have no idea how to cope with. This is a dangerous situation. And as time passes it is increasingly dangerous. The inability to accept and harness the transformational change will essentially mean the difference between life and death for many, many people. It will mean the difference between a good and a poor quality of life for many more.

So ... if you are reading this and you are somehow involved in healthcare, where ever you are in the world, what will this mean for you? What do you see as being the major drivers and what action plans are in place to make sure high levels of healthcare continues to be delivered sustainably?

Would you like to know more? Why re-invent the wheel? Gain in-depth knowledge and advice on how best to use it. There are effective things you can consider and do that will turn a difficult situation into a manageable situation.

Work with us.

Regards

JS

 

WITH GREAT POWER ... 1st June 2009

Those of you who know me on here know very well I have been frequent and vociferous with my congratulations to the Chinese government on its various initiatives, and how it has helped create the economic successes of China - thereby creating stability and benefit globally.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. True, some great powers in the recent past have been irresponsible and so have been condemned by the world. Will China go along the same route?

Chinese political influence is strong in certain regions of the world. In some regions of the world few major events can take place without the prior knowledge and say so of the Chinese government. And yet here we are - the world is being threatened with nuclear weapons by the ridiculous regime of North Korea.

China is about the only friend North Korea has. And so ... is China in control of this escalating situation? I would hazard a guess and say not. Therefore it should do something about the events unfolding before they completely destroy the green shoots of economic revival – and bring great disbenefit for everyone. Now, if China is in control of the situation then it can only be to gain influence over South Korea (as well as Taiwan) ... and this is a highly dangerous road to travel, especially with the type of regime in North Korea.

In these fragile times the world desperately needs stability. The last thing it needs is another war. The last thing it needs is yet more waste of finite resources, more extreme measures, more flag waving and flag burning.

But then again, Chinese influence could also halt the continuing genocide in the Sudan.

To the Chinese government ... be a great power. Great powers last longer when at the centre of stability and economic growth. They tend not to be so great when in the midst of destruction.

Are you a world power? Do you mean to grow stability or do you mean to go along a classical Sun Tzu strategy route of gaining influence and territory without outright conflict?

In these fragile times the world desperately needs stability. Take this responsibility seriously.

So ... the important series of questions are:

  • how will events unfold?

  • what is the long term strategy?

  • what will be the short and long term impacts on political geography?

  • what will be the short and long term impacts on the regional and global economies?

  • how will this affect the fragile financial sector and other sectors?

  • how will this affect you?

  • what are the opportunities and threats?

  • what are the likely mistakes?

Make no mistake, this will have an impact on you. In a dynamic world nothing ever stays the same. It would be a serious mistake to think these events will only impact someone else. We live in a global economy and serious forces are at work. Which may make you think ... is North Korea really such a ridiculous regime? Or is it being used by China to meet the political goals of the Chinese government?

Whatever the reason, whatever the questions, the world is about to be changed forever.

Regards

JS

 

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