Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Worried about the global economy? Why not look for opportunities instead?


I saw a banner headline on the TV news this morning about the IMF saying that the global economy could be entering a ‘dangerous new phase’. According to the organization’s website there’s a critical need for governments to reduce their debt and deficits while creating an environment for economic growth. This has been the mantra of central banks, politicians and others for the last few years – nothing new here – and while I’m sure there is validity in what the pundits are saying, maybe those of us in business should just get on with the job of taking our respective and each other’s enterprises and nations forward.

Last year, I was asked by a key client to create a workshop on ‘sales prospecting in challenging times’. It proved extremely successful with participants, judging by their feedback and subsequent follow-ups.

*Basically the course covered:
  • ·      The fact that more money is made in slumps than in boom times – and the fact that we’re all experiencing a major global economic downturn that looks like it’s going to be around for a lot longer than anyone expected;
  • ·      In times like these, individuals and organizations are looking for ways to increase productivity and reduce costs, and asked the philosophical question, “What do you offer that would fulfill such needs/wants/objectives?” and…
  • ·      The need to take a medium-to-long-term view on forging relationships to build sales that will increase as times improve – if you’re there for a client in tough times, imagine how that might affect their loyalty towards you when things get better.

In my own business life, I’ve been amazed at the number of current and prospective clients who are actively trying to find ways of utilizing my training/consulting services and currently we’re working through this together. These organizations share my belief that there are plenty of opportunities to grow business, both locally and internationally, and they need to be acted upon sooner rather than later.

Many of those within my network, both clientele and colleagues, see the current crisis as being transformational, with the center of economic power fast moving eastward, most notably towards China and India – expect the former’s currency to evolve into one used in international trade sometime in the future. While this might seem frightening to some, there are a number of us who also see opportunities in this challenging new environment.

I believe that economic growth can be achieved if we, frankly, just get on with the job at hand and let everyone else worry about getting their so-called economic fundamentals right. The world continues to progress and will survive, no matter what the state of the global economy today or a week from now.

As the old Arab proverb says: The dog barks, but the caravan passes on…

Salaam/Shalom/Peace

*There’s a lot more covered in this course, but I wanted to avoid this piece turning into an advertorial!

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Palestinians try a different route on the roadmap for peace…


Mohammed Shtayyeh, from Fatah’s Central Committee, recently announced that the Palestinian Authority would seek a UN Security Council mandate to recognize full statehood for Palestine sometime next week. This could be a major turning point in a conflict that has remained unresolved for decades, and while it is already anticipated that the US will veto the proposal, I believe it could be a major game-changer in the Middle East.

By having official UN recognition of statehood, Palestine would have an alternative route to resolving its relationship with Israel. It is important, however, that the Palestinians also understand and accept the responsibilities that go with accession:
  • ·    Israel’s right to exist will remain a cornerstone to the peace process;
  • ·      Hamas will need to officially recognize its neighbor and bring its followers under control – the group hasn’t won the war against the Israelis, but now has an opportunity to win the peace. While currently is an unpalatable request to make to Hamas, it’s an imperative if progress is to be made;
  • ·      Accept that all of Palestine’s objectives may not be met immediately, especially the return of East Jerusalem as its eventual capital;
  • ·      Be prepared to be responsible for any attacks on Israel by their own people, and like any country, accept its neighbour’s right to retaliate, either diplomatically or, at worst, militarily. This would include the will to put Palestinians on trial within Palestine for crimes committed elsewhere;
  • ·      It saying that, Palestine also needs to be recognized as having the right to defend itself against outside aggressors, albeit within internationally acceptable limits;
  • ·      Work out how to effectively govern two geographically and (currently) politically separated areas, i.e. Gaza and the West Bank. It is doubtful that Israel will cede any of its territory to connect the two, at least not in the foreseeable future;
  • ·      Figure out where the heck they will put the Palestinian diaspora if a large number of those living overseas decide to return. Israel has the same issues with its own population growth and there’s only so much land to go around, with neither side willing to give up any to their opposite number;
  • ·      Seek a long-term, diplomatic solution to the question of possible compensation for land taken by the Israelis since the time of the establishment of the country in 1948.

Not surprisingly, Israel has also been vocal in its opposition to the Palestinian’s UN plans, which is understandable. By Palistine being formally recognized it could potentially wrest control of the Roadmap to Peace away from Netanyahu and the Knesset, meaning that they might be put under pressure to make more concessions – and at a significantly faster rate – than they would have done otherwise, if at all. Both the questions of illegal settlements in the West Bank and the future of East Jerusalem will be forefront of any negotiations and will ultimately need to be addressed.

I look forward to seeing what President Abbas has to say on Friday, when he is supposed to detail what the UN request will include.

The Palestinian/Israeli conflict is complex – read the last century’s history of the region to learn more – and there are no simple solutions. However, it’s time for a solution to be found and next week’s action by the Palestinian Authority at the UN might be a positive step.

I have a number of Palestinian friends (and other Arab colleagues across the Middle East) who would like to see a fair and just peace between Palestine and the Israelis, and who are very keen to see both sides working together towards a common future. I sincerely hope this becomes a reality – sooner rather than later.

Salaam/Shalom/Peace

Monday, September 12, 2011

10 years on from 9/11 Islam's fundamentalists have lost the war

Ten years after a group of Muslim fundamentalists’ dramatic attack on the US, it appears they have lost their war. This is not a triumph of Western ideology over a rather perverse interpretation of Islam, but a sea change in the Muslim world itself. Add to that the level of interest generated in understanding the faith outside of Islam and perhaps readers can understand how I could make such a bold claim.

Let’s look at the facts: Everywhere the so-called Arab Spring has taken hold, not one of the protest groups has called for a fundamentalist Islamic state, based on the Iranian or any other model, to be created. On the contrary, the drive in places like Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria and Libya is for a more open, secular society. Many commentators, including Yours Truly, have noted the young people taking to the streets in protest at the corruption and injustices imposed by their existing governments are also openly questioning the role Islam should play in a modern society. This is diametrically the opposite view of those who want to impose a rather medieval view of their faith.

In addition, the 9/11 attacks motivated a lot in the West to learn more about Islam to try to understand the motivation behind what would traditionally be seen as murder by a religion that strongly states that innocent lives should not be taken. What the fundamentalists have achieved is opened others’ eyes to the Muslim faith beyond what might be purported by mainstream Western media.

The most dangerous thing for these madmen in their war against the Developed World is if their supposed enemy has a thorough understanding and appreciation of Islam and overtly demonstrates respect and tolerance towards it, something the Muslim Prophet (p.bu.h.) advised his followers to do, especially with regards to Judaism and Christianity.

All this means is that these fundamentalists’ message of hatred towards the ‘Infidel’ will, ultimately, increasingly fall on deaf ears – it’s hard to have an enemy who shows kindness towards you.

As for the West, it needs to respect the young Arabs’ desire for self-determination and give them support and guidance when asked for it. Let them create their own version of democracy that fits their culture, traditions and aspirations.

A decade on from that tragic day, I remain optimistic that, given the chance, a new dawn of what I would call “the real traditional Islam”, one based on tolerance of others’ beliefs and a desire for the common good, grounded in the positive messages from Muslim holy books and one’s local traditions, but with an interpretation that’s relevant to a globalized, 21st Century world.

I’d strongly suggest that those who oppose such a view, in the name of Islam, may want to reconsider their position, as the tide of change is definitely going in the opposite direction!

Salaam/Shalom/Peace