Nirvana

Thoughts at the mid point

2010-02-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Clearly I dont Blog enough. My last post was in April 2009.

Today is my birthday. I am 38 and I am thinking that if I multiply that by 2 you get 76. That may well be a good life expectancy for a man in Trinidad given the fact that there is also a strong probability that I could be murdered or killed on the road by one of our lawless drivers.

This month's Time Magazine (Feb 2010) has a story on ageing. According to Time if people live longer, and that is what is expected, the implications could be that health care cost could skyrocket by the hundreds of billions. At the same time scientist believe that people will soon live to 150 and that the person to do that was born in 2000. You can also read the book "Blue Zones" which studies those societies in the world that have the longest life expectancy. That would be Okinawa in Japan, the sheep hearding wine drinking Sardinians of Italy and the Seventh Day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California. That reminds me- on my way to Trinidad from Miami I met a Japanese girl who told me that the magic of Okinawa is fading and life expectancy is falling. That was confirmed in the book "Blue Zones". Why? Okinawa has a large US Naval base and with that comes - KFC, McDonalds and other flag bearers of the un-sustainable/ un-healthy American lifestyle.

There is another school of thought that the more one's brain is active the long one would live. We have all heard of "old professors". Winston Churchill was a heavy smoker who lived into his 90's. Churchill had one of the most active minds in history. Apart from the little issue of being an architect of the victory of the free world against Nazi tyranny, Sir Winston was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature. If brian activity is a proxy for longevity, we can expect that most Trinidadians to be dead soon as thinking and reading are all but extinct in Trinidad.

The country with the lowest life expectancy in the world is Angola - an oil rich / economically poor African nation. Oil companies that operate there (like BP) should not be proud of the fact that they do business in a country where on average a person lives into their mid-30's. It is hoped that enlightened Corporate Social Responsibility policy and enlightened Governance (something of a rarity in Africa) would converge to invest in better health care and AIDS prevention / education for Angolan's. The irony of this of course is that Japan, which has no significant oil reserves, has the second highest life expectancy in the world. Talk about "resource curse thesis"!

So what else is there? There is "purpose". If we have purpose we have a reason to live and that counts for a lot. In business there is what is called "strategic purpose". If you read Jim Collins' book "Good to Great" - he explains that great companies have a purpose that is higher than satisfying their shareholders desire for a return on their investment (ROI). So Disney exist primarily to make people happy even if that means squeezing every penny out of them at the Disney Resorts ( ok I still love Disney). Collins uses the example of the State of Israel to teach "purpose". Israel, according to Collins, exist to provide a safe place for Jews in the world. That may be why they have been so successful in defending themselves since 1948.

Age is, according to Trinidad's greatest calyposnian Sparrow, just a number. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India is 78, Clint Eastwood is 79 and still making great movies, the Dalai Lama is 74 and Pope Benedict (Joseph Ratzinger) is 82. So if I do live as long as Joseph Ratzinger I want to be as active and as sharp minded as he is.

So folks, I will continue reading and when I am out of space for books there's Amazon Kindle or Barnes and Noble's Nook. I will drink my Red Wine, I will take my Fish Oil and Asprin and lets not forget the Reservatrol as recommened by Dr. Oz.

If I were to say that the last 38 years were a blast, I would be lying and being overly positive. Life in a small third world country isnt always easy. Everything here seems to be hard to do. Try to do anything in Trinidad and the invisible hand of third world incompetence intervenes immediately yanking you back and battering you into submission. That creates stress and stress erodes life expectancy. Try driving from point A to point B in Trinidad and you will see what I mean.

I am however a perpetual optmist and being a perpetuel optimist, I look forward the next 38 years and beyond that should be fun too. Here's to the year 2048 and no regrets.

Survival and the Firm

2009-04-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Its been almost a year since I posted something on this blog. That is an indication of how busy I have been in the past year.

Survival and the Firm

I just thought I would share this thought with readers. The though has to do with survival. What is the purpose of the organization? That was a question that I was asked once by a Lecturer. The purpose of the organization is to survive. That was an interesting thought. The most succesful companies in the world have one thing in common- they survive. Take Siemens for example. The fabled German tech company has survived its factories being bombed in WW II. Many of the units of Standard Oil are still around today - Exxon Mobil, Chevron. BP is over 100 years old. It was previously Anglo-Iranian Oil and before that Anglo-Persian Oil. It survives to this day.

In the past year we have seen the goats and the sheep seperated on Wall Street. The goats are Bear Stearns and Merril Lynch and a good example of a sheep would be Goldman Sachs. What separates them? The answer is the quality of decisions they made. Who makes decisions? People make decisions and they are supposed to do so in the context of systems. Senge notes that there are no bad people only bad systems.

Goose & the Golden Egg

2008-08-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

The Goose and the Golden Egg

The stresses of the modern work life and the imbalanced lifestyle of many of the young professionals in T&T will take its toll in next decade. Author Stephen R. Covey has used the fable of the Goose and the Golden egg to illustrate this imbalance between short term results and long term sustainability. In the case of the young professionals their output can be equated to the “Golden Egg”. From a business perspective Golden Eggs are obviously good things. Golden eggs mean increasing value and profit. These Golden Eggs are not only a function of the Goose which is one’s intellect, skills base and health (mental and physical) and general overall well being.

A person who is not happy at home will also obviously bring that negative emotional energy to work. The central question here is are companies interested in the short term output from employees or are they interested in the long term? Many companies have a policy that seeks to kill the Goose. Others fatten the Goose to later kill it. Some Goose in an attempt to satisfy their personal vanity and inflated ego are committing suicide and don’t even know it. The story of the Goose in Trinidad is indeed a sad one. I have lived long enough to see people whose careers got off to a blistering start in their 20’s end up being the number one customers of bars and rum shops in the mid-thirties. Burn out is also a reality that many will have to deal with in the coming years.

When we hire a person is it our vision that they stay with the company for 3 years, 7 years or 20 years. Companies with a long term outlook would obviously be interested in recruiting the best people and retaining their services in the long term. High employee churn is never a good thing. The third “R” in the human resource triumvirate is “reward”. What does “reward” mean? Does it only mean monetary and non-monetary compensation but should it be viewed in a broader “in-tangible” sense and how is that linked to motivation? Abraham Maslow’s work on human motivation cites “self actualization” as the highest of human needs. Self-actualization is the need to be the best that you can be or achieving one’s full potential.

Leadership- Not the Property of the CEO alone

2008-08-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Leadership - Not the Property of the CEO alone

As organizations gain increasingly equal access to information, knowledge and skills the leadership will become critical to competitive advantage. History and for that matter the history of business is replete with examples of leadership making the difference between a truly great company and those that flounder and fail. The same can be said of countries. Consider the case of Singapore under Lee Quan Yew and ask whether that country could have achieved its success without his vision and leadership.

Too many times however one gets the impression that employees view leadership as the property and domain of the CEO, Chairman and senior management. In like manner citizens in a country often believe that leadership is the property of the Government and the Prime Minister. That represents a narrow view of leadership and one that is fundamentally flawed.

All employees are leaders and as such should demonstrate leadership. Bringing out these leadership traits in all employees should be considered strategic to achieving the company’s objectives.

India 2008

2008-05-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Taj Mahal - a Tear Drop on the Cheek of Time.

English Country Side

2008-04-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Wiston House, West Sussex is about 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport. That's my shadow on the road.

Visiting JR and paying respects to JFK

2007-11-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

Its been a while since my last post.

J.R. Ewing and John F. Kennedy

I was in Dallas last week (November 5th to November 12th 2007) . That’s right the same place that boast the famous 1980’s television series “Dallas” that starred Larry Hagman as the ruthless Texan oilman, JR Ewing. Dallas has also earned its place in history for the November 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Being a natural cultural explorer I couldn’t visit this American city and not visit Southfork Ranch, where Dallas the TV show was shot and Dealey Plaza where JFK was assassinated. JFK was well liked American President who was murdered under suspicious circumstances in the prime of his life.

Robert Groden

It was with great respect that I visited Dealey Plaza and paid my respects to the late US President. I have seeen Oliver Stone's movie JFK and I have seen a number of documentaries on the assassination. Walking in Dealey Plaza was therefore like walking through history. I met Robert Groden who served as a consultant to Oliver Stone on the 1991 movie "JFK" and was able to converse with him on some his theories. Groden has also written a number of books on the subject of the controversial assassination of JFK.

A Note on JFK

John F. Kennedy was the first United States President to be born in the 21st century. His Presidency is described in pop culture as "Camelot". He represented the coming of age of a new generation of American's. As an Irish Catholic - he was a break with the traditional protestant President's. His family "the Kenndy's" are considerd to be an American political institution. I liken him to Bill Clinton who in 1992 became the first "baby boomer" to be elected President.

The Music of the Night

2007-05-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Bravo!!

If you have never heard of the Phantom of the Opera you are probably a typical Trinidadian or under a rock. Last Wednesday I saw the famed musical at the Majestic on 44th Street Manhattan. The 2005 movie with Gerald Butler does not come close to matching up to the real thing. According to the information provided, the Phantom of the Opera has, since its London debut in 1986, grossed some 3.2 billion dollars. This means that the Phantom has grossed more money than the number one money earning movie of all time, the Titanic. On the same street (44th Street) there is the Minskof theatre which was showing the Lion King. I was also made to understand that Evita ( another Lloyd Webber production) was not showing in New York.

Doubles on a Sunday

2007-04-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

Ok on a lighter side. This picture is a scene most common in Trinidad on a Sunday morning. Can you guess where this is and what the people are doing. Its doubles in El Socorro. Doubles on a Sunday morning. Its a time honoured low cost, high calorie, artery clogging Trini breakfast. Ok, I admit I had three. It was most tasty!

100 years of Oil

2007-04-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

Commercial oil production in Trinidad started in November 1907 according to Higgins' a History of Trinidad Oil.

2007 marks the 100th anniversary of an event that is the foundation of our economic history. But alas, being a non-intellectual society....not a whimper from anyone.

Can we expect more from a "jump and wine" society? It seems that we are destined for regression into the bush.

Progress or Failure: 50 years of Party Politics in Trinidad and Tobago

2006-11-19T03:46:00.000-08:00

On Thursday 16th November the Caribbean Institute of Public Policy (CIPP) held a round table discussion on the topic " Progress or Failure: 50 Years of Party Politics in Trinidad and Tobago". The event was hosted at the Xtra Foods Conference Room in Chaguanas.

The feature speakers included: Balgobin Ramdeen a former Member of Parliament 1961-1966, author and at Attorney at Law; Clive Nunez a veteran trade unionist and columnist with the Probe Newspaper and Louis B. Homer a veteran Journalist and Historian. The presentations of the three speakers were followed by a lively discussion on the current state of Trinidad and Tobago politics and a display of photographs, books and letters.

The next planned event of the CIPP is a pannel discussion on the 70th Anniversary of the 1937 Labour Riots in Trinidad and Tobago.

New York City Imagine That!

2006-10-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hey girl what's it like to be in New York?
New York City, imagine that!
Tell me, what's it like to be a skateboard punk rocker?
Leroy says, "Send a picture"
Leroy says, "Hello!" Leroy says, "Aw, keep on rocking girl" Yeah, keep on rocking.

Lyrics from the song Anchorage by Michelle Shocked. I loved this song and I still want to see Anchorage, Alaska!

The center of civilization..New York City.

Emotional Intelligence

2006-08-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

The quote below from Aristotle is the very essence of Emotional Intelligene. E.I. has been imported from academia into pop culture by Daniel Goleman. Does emotional intelligence vary from one group to another? Is it a function of religious upbringing? Is control over emotions a sign of evolution? Some people cry at the drop of a hat. Other get angry quickly. Some have no emotions. Is there a link between Emotional Intelligence and criminal behaviour? Is there a link between Emotional Intelligence and the development of civilization?

Anyone can become angry—that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way—this is not easy."

Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics

Rienzi, Butler and Sinanan and the oilfield riots of 1937.

2006-06-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Next year is 70 years since the 1937 Labour Riots or the Butler Riots.

The year was 1937 and the man was Tubal Uriah "Buzz" Butler. While Gandhi was shaking the British Emprie on one end of the planet in the Caribbean Butler was doing his part. The oil industry in Trinidad and Tobago was in a state of infancy. Oil had been commercially produced since 1908 and in the first World War oil from Trinidad was integral to the British war effort. Side by side with Butler was a young Indian lawyer named Adrian Cola Rienzi. His named was originally Krishna Deonarine and he was from Palmyra in San Fernando. Together with Butler, Rienzi shook Trinidad. The result was Butler being charged with sedition a charge for which there was no bail. No lawyer in Trinidad would dare defend Butler for fear of loosing their precious "brief's from the Colonial Office". One young lawyer stood tall and took up Butler's case. His name was Mitra Sinanan.

The result of the riots was the appointment of the Moyne Commission in 1938 headed by Lord Moyne. However, in 1939 Hitler and Nazi Germany invaded Poland and plunged the word into the Second World War (1939-1945). After the war was over, the British published Lord Moyne's report. The report supported Universal Adult Suffarage. In 1946 the first election under universal adult auffarage was held in Trinidad. This event was seen as the first step towards Independence which was achieved in 1962.

Universal Studio's Hard Rock Cafe- The Largest in the World

2006-05-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Beatles Room- dedicated to the greatest ever Rock Band

Ok folks, its official, the largest Hard Rock Cafe Restaurant in the world is in Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. I visited the shrine to Rock and Roll on my visit to Orlando last week ( May 15th 2006). There is a room dedicated to the Beatles and one to Elvis. A piano donated by Elton John sits at the entrance. I had been to the one in Toronto before but the Orlando Hard Rock is huge and has much more character. Great service and great staff.

We urgently need a Hard Rock Cafe in Trinidad to give TGI and Trotters a run for their money!

Globalization and the wealth of nations- business with a human face

2006-02-17T16:23:00.000-08:00

I am a suporter of globalization (and that should come as no surprise). Globalization has resulted in record economic growth rates for China, India and Brazil and has lifted millions of people out of poverty. If you are an anti-globalization protester please tell us whether your prefer Chairman Mao's economics or maybe that of Stalin. The only thing that can derail globalization is global terror which always haunts the world.

There are forces in the world that simply cannot and will not share the vision that is a global village and a melting pot of human diversity. These forces are intolerant of other peoples religions, culture and beliefs. I simply call them the fundamentalist.

However, we must acknowlegde that capitalism must have a human face. In many instances business has been run without a soul. In Latin America, Che Guvera was enlightened when he saw the exploitation of workers by the Patrons. Sustainable development, environmental management and the rights of workers must be central to the expansion of capitalism.

Maracas Bay and Richard's Bake and Shark

2006-01-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

Maracas Bay is the premier beach in Trinidad. I had last been there in 2002. I must say that I was dissapointed that the facilities that were so well kept just 3 years earlier were now abandoned and derelict. Where is Tidco in all this eh? Where is Minister Chin Lee? Maracas is on the North Coast of Trinidad and is roughly 20 minutes from Santa Cruz which is where Brian Lara grew up. If you dont know who Brian Lara is its probably because youre American or have been living under a rock for the past 20 years.

Anyhow, I didnt go for the beach and certainly not the sun. I went for Richard's Bake and Shark. Excellent stuff! Going to Maracas for Bake and Shark sure beats having it outside club Zen.

If you live in Trinidad, I recommend that you go to Maracas once a month. It will certainly eliminate the need for Prozac, Xanax and Zoloft. If you visit as a tourist Trinidad I recommend Maracas Bay highly. Life is all about balance and sometimes even I need a break. As an MBA student with a full time job and a personal job things can get tight.

By the way, shark cartilage contains a natural product called Squalene which is one of the most powerful anti-cancer agents. My advice: eat bake and shark and for good measure drink lots of red wine.

England's second coming- Rooney, Beckham, Owen

2005-12-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

Only 7 countries have ever won the World Cup since its inception in 1930. These countries are:

Italy (34;38;81);
Brazil (58;62;70;94;02);
Germany (54;74;90);
Uraguay (30;50);
Argentina (78;86);
England (66); and
France (98).

Uraguay has not qualified for WC 2006. The World Cup is in Europe where a South American team has only won a World Cup once and that was Brazil winning in Sweden in 1962. Note that European teams have never been able to win the World Cup when it is held outside of Europe.

Based on this logic the winner will be a European team who has won the WC before. That leaves us with Germany, England, Italy and France. I beleive that 2006 is England's second coming...see Wayne Rooney. Diego Maradona agrees with me!

Paul Revere and John Harvard

2005-10-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

The legendry Paul Revere was from Boston. Dont know who he is? He was one of the men who started the American Revolution. Boston is also the home of the famous Boston Tea Party. If you want to get an idea of the man Paul Revere was I advise you read the amazing book Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Revere is what Gladwell calls a Connector and Maven.

Another notable Boston personality is John Harvard. What a last name! He was the man who financed the establishment of a University that today bears his name. Somewhere along the way they also decided that the town should be re-named Cambridge after that famous English university by the same name.

This photo was taken by Kevin Ramnarine on October 14th 2005 at Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.

At Harvard University

2005-10-23T20:01:00.000-07:00

Harvard University is everything they say it is and everything I thought it would be. It was a grey and rainly Autum day when I visited what is easily the most famous University in the world. The subway stop takes you directly to Harvard Square. A short walk and you reach the Information Center where you get Maps and directions for the entire University. There you meet John and company who I assume are Harvard students.

For those of you who know me, you would know that I headed directly for the world famous Harvard Business School ( the Capital of Capitalism) which is located accross the Charles River. I crossed the Charles River ( via the bridge of course) and there it was....the world's most famous business school. America is the most powerful nation in the world and Harvard its most powerful university and here was I in the middle of all this power. I was having a spiritual moment.

The Business School is a collection of regal red-brick buildings the center piece of which is the famed by the majestic Baker library. Once there we visited the office of doctoral studies ( Sherman Hall) and later had lunch in Spangler Hall. At the bottom of Spangler is the Coop which is the Harvard and MIT bookstore.

The picture is of me ( Kevin Ramnarine) checking out the Harvard grass in front of the Baker library. This picture was taken by Priya Rampersad on October 14th 2005. The name of this Blog is Trini global and I intend to live up to that name. If Trinidad and Tobago qualifies for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, I will do my very best to attend.