SHARE YOUR BRAIN POWER!!
To members of Jamaica Impact
Jamaica Impact January 4 at 5:47pm
JAMPACT's mission is built on COLLECTIVE efforts and our goals Volunteer for JAMPACT's Think Tank!One of JAMPACT's goals is to contribute to the ongoing public debate on critical issues facing Jamaica. The Think Tank Committee facilitates this debate by researching various topics that are prevalent at any one time, and organizing various forums for discussing these issues. The committee may also produce or procure position/policy papers related to topics of interest, and submit them to the relevant authorities in Jamaica. JAMPACT is committed to creating dialogue that will focus on ways to achieve solutions to the many problems now facing Jamaica.Current volunteer opportunities with JAMPACT's Think Tank include: ** JAMPACT Interns - Think Tank Committee** JAMPACT Research Assistants - Think Tank Committee** Research Collection and DatabaseFor more details about these opportunities, please click the following link:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26606213237#/note.php?note_id=260290338452&id=1347022018&ref=mfOr email thinktank@jampact.org.
Showing posts with label Solution communicate coordinate cooperate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solution communicate coordinate cooperate. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Managing in times of recession: success through partnership and collaboration
Managing in times of recession: success through partnership and collaboration
Published: Tuesday September 1, 2009
Ibrahim Ajagunna, Director, Academic Studies, Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI)and Fritz Pinnock,Executive Director (CMI), Contributors
The impact of the recent recession has had a tremendous effect on the shipping industry and Maritime Education in Jamaica.
Both are now downsizing in all aspects of their operations simply because of recession. It is important to recognise that the roots of a recession and its true starting point rest in several quarters of positive but slowing growth before the actual recession.
While this is so, it is also important to recognise other economic change variables such as national unemployment rates or consumer confidence and spending levels, which are all a part of the economic system and which must be taken into consideration when considering a recession.
In an economic environment where inflation is prevalent, people tend to cut out things like leisure spending and spend less on things they usually indulge in.
People will attempt to save more money than they usually do and sometimes they do so through wrong investments that yield super profit in a short time period. As a result of this people and businesses start finding ways to cut costs and avoid unneeded expenditures which will eventually lead to decline in the Gross Domestic Product.
As experienced recently in the shipping industry and other businesses in Jamaica, unemployment rates continue to rise because these companies start to lay off workers to cut more costs.
This however occurs because consumers are not spending like they use to do. These combined factors according to experts help to drive an economy into a state of recession. Economists also believe that this set of circumstances, coupled with the ability of people to get access to greater amounts of loan money, creates a cycle of unsustainable economic activity which may eventually grind an economy to a near halt existence.
Rough tide
These views are not different from experiences in Jamaica over the last few years.
The Hellenic Shipping News recently revealed the rough tide for shipping lines globally for which there has been sharp reduction in cargo volumes worldwide. The last six months for example have seen a huge amount of capacity changes in the container industry, including the lay up of vessels.
According to Hellenic Shipping News, many shipping lines have responded to this tide with job cuts, and increases in freight rates have sharply plummeted in the last few months since the meltdown started.
The chief executive officer of Maersk Line, Eivind Kolding, in an interview with Hellenic Shipping News said that more job losses are likely at Maersk Line in 2010. Also, as part of the economic recession fallout, the AP Moller-Maersk subsidiary has indicated it will charge $300 more per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on its Far East to Mediterranean and Northern Europe lanes with effect from 1 July 2009.
There is no doubt that this will extend to the Caribbean making the cost of goods to the consumer skyrocket. The question is, could this be an opportunity for shipping lines to cut costs and increase their revenue using the recession as a yardstick? Can partnership and collaboration help resolve the present bottleneck? The answer to the last question may probably be yes based on the following.
Partnerships and collaborative arrangements amongst all stakeholders in the shipping industry is one effective way of achieving success in the industry. Partnership and collaboration is a process of joint decision making among autonomous and key stakeholders of an inter-organisational domain to resolve problems of the domain and/or to manage issues related to the domain. It occurs when a group of autonomous stakeholders of a problem domain engage in an interactive process, using shared rules, norms, and structures, to act or decide on issues related to that domain.
Future challenges
It can lead to better decisions that are more likely to be implemented and, at the same time, better prepare agencies and communities for future challenges. Partnerships and collaborative ventures can help to unite the multiplicity of interests throughout all sectors of the diverse shipping industry.
To realise the growth potential of the industry, it is important to develop a high-quality, profitable and sustainable activity, through a partnership of industry, government and other stakeholders. Such a common arrangement will allow the private sector to work in conjunction with the public sector on a wide range of issues, for example, policy formulation, infrastructure development and provision, the development of maritime facilities and amenities, marketing and promotion and the development of skilled personnel for the industry.
By developing interpersonal and inter-organisational linkages, managers can be better informed and make choices about future directions that are more likely to solve the problems at hand. Collaborative decision-making and on-the-ground partnerships can enhance the capacity of agencies and communities to deal with problems in the future.
Published: Tuesday September 1, 2009
Ibrahim Ajagunna, Director, Academic Studies, Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI)and Fritz Pinnock,Executive Director (CMI), Contributors
The impact of the recent recession has had a tremendous effect on the shipping industry and Maritime Education in Jamaica.
Both are now downsizing in all aspects of their operations simply because of recession. It is important to recognise that the roots of a recession and its true starting point rest in several quarters of positive but slowing growth before the actual recession.
While this is so, it is also important to recognise other economic change variables such as national unemployment rates or consumer confidence and spending levels, which are all a part of the economic system and which must be taken into consideration when considering a recession.
In an economic environment where inflation is prevalent, people tend to cut out things like leisure spending and spend less on things they usually indulge in.
People will attempt to save more money than they usually do and sometimes they do so through wrong investments that yield super profit in a short time period. As a result of this people and businesses start finding ways to cut costs and avoid unneeded expenditures which will eventually lead to decline in the Gross Domestic Product.
As experienced recently in the shipping industry and other businesses in Jamaica, unemployment rates continue to rise because these companies start to lay off workers to cut more costs.
This however occurs because consumers are not spending like they use to do. These combined factors according to experts help to drive an economy into a state of recession. Economists also believe that this set of circumstances, coupled with the ability of people to get access to greater amounts of loan money, creates a cycle of unsustainable economic activity which may eventually grind an economy to a near halt existence.
Rough tide
These views are not different from experiences in Jamaica over the last few years.
The Hellenic Shipping News recently revealed the rough tide for shipping lines globally for which there has been sharp reduction in cargo volumes worldwide. The last six months for example have seen a huge amount of capacity changes in the container industry, including the lay up of vessels.
According to Hellenic Shipping News, many shipping lines have responded to this tide with job cuts, and increases in freight rates have sharply plummeted in the last few months since the meltdown started.
The chief executive officer of Maersk Line, Eivind Kolding, in an interview with Hellenic Shipping News said that more job losses are likely at Maersk Line in 2010. Also, as part of the economic recession fallout, the AP Moller-Maersk subsidiary has indicated it will charge $300 more per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on its Far East to Mediterranean and Northern Europe lanes with effect from 1 July 2009.
There is no doubt that this will extend to the Caribbean making the cost of goods to the consumer skyrocket. The question is, could this be an opportunity for shipping lines to cut costs and increase their revenue using the recession as a yardstick? Can partnership and collaboration help resolve the present bottleneck? The answer to the last question may probably be yes based on the following.
Partnerships and collaborative arrangements amongst all stakeholders in the shipping industry is one effective way of achieving success in the industry. Partnership and collaboration is a process of joint decision making among autonomous and key stakeholders of an inter-organisational domain to resolve problems of the domain and/or to manage issues related to the domain. It occurs when a group of autonomous stakeholders of a problem domain engage in an interactive process, using shared rules, norms, and structures, to act or decide on issues related to that domain.
Future challenges
It can lead to better decisions that are more likely to be implemented and, at the same time, better prepare agencies and communities for future challenges. Partnerships and collaborative ventures can help to unite the multiplicity of interests throughout all sectors of the diverse shipping industry.
To realise the growth potential of the industry, it is important to develop a high-quality, profitable and sustainable activity, through a partnership of industry, government and other stakeholders. Such a common arrangement will allow the private sector to work in conjunction with the public sector on a wide range of issues, for example, policy formulation, infrastructure development and provision, the development of maritime facilities and amenities, marketing and promotion and the development of skilled personnel for the industry.
By developing interpersonal and inter-organisational linkages, managers can be better informed and make choices about future directions that are more likely to solve the problems at hand. Collaborative decision-making and on-the-ground partnerships can enhance the capacity of agencies and communities to deal with problems in the future.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wellness Tour cares for the elderly and children
Jamaica Gleaner Online
Wellness Tour cares for the elderly and children
Published: Tuesday June 23, 2009
Elderly patients listen attentively during the launch of the Wellness Tour, held at Swallowfield Chapel June 2-6.
The elderly and children from the Swallowfield community between June 2 and 6 received health care during the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), Rotary and Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains (RCLP) 'Wellness Tour 2009' held at the Swallowfield Chapel.
A partnership between the SAJ, the Rotary and Rotaract clubs as well as Swallowfield Chapel, the four-day tour provided screening for vision, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, Pap smears and breast examinations as well as general medical check-ups. A team of seven doctors, including two ophthalmologists, nurses and personnel from the Diabetes Association of Jamaica provided medical care.
The first three days of the clinic were dedicated to the care of the elderly, who received free prescription medication, while Saturday was dedicated entirely to children of the community.
Great importance
Speaking at the launch, Diana Reynolds, human resource and development manager of the SAJ, noted that wellness was of great importance to the association. The desire to ensure the medical needs of individuals in our neighbouring Greenwich Town community led the SAJ to purchase this mobile clinic. The idea of the Wellness Tour, she noted, was the brainchild of the SAJ's general manager, Trevor Riley.
"We are proud to say that the clinic has grown beyond the Greenwich Town community and has spread its wings to communities across Jamaica, through its partnership with the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains and the churches and schools which host the tour," Reynolds said.
She pointed out that the SAJ's focus on wellness was also staff oriented, noting that the association recently launched a staff wellness programme to help employees create a healthier lifestyle.
"We implore you, in this challenging economic climate, to focus on the health and well-being of your staff members, so they can be in the best of health to perform their respective duties," Reynolds said.
Michael Bernard, president of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, said that the Wellness Tour assists the club in fulfilling its mandate of decreasing the child mortality rate. "It is a good fit that the Rotary Club would partner with the SAJ and the Swallowfield Chapel to extend health care and fellowship to the members of the community," Bernard said.
Pastor David Henry of the Swallowfield Chapel thanked the volunteers who came out to serve unselfishly. "As disciples of Christ, we at Swallowfield have been commissioned not only to spread the gospel but also to care for the sick and those in need," Henry said.
In its fourth year, the Wellness Tour has provided medical care to more than 3,000 children and adults in communities across the island. The aim of the tour is to provide medical screening facilities to individuals who face challenges accessing these services. Partners for the tour include the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Foundation for International Self-Help, SecuriPro, Atlas Security, Maritime and Transport Limited and Marine Haulage.
Diana Reynolds, human resource and development manager of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, in conversation with Pastor David Henry (centre) of Swallowfield Chapel and Michael Bernard, president of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, after the opening of the Wellness Tour at the chapel recently. Copyright Jamaica-Gleaner.com
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090623/shipping/shipping1.html
Wellness Tour cares for the elderly and children
Published: Tuesday June 23, 2009
Elderly patients listen attentively during the launch of the Wellness Tour, held at Swallowfield Chapel June 2-6.
The elderly and children from the Swallowfield community between June 2 and 6 received health care during the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), Rotary and Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains (RCLP) 'Wellness Tour 2009' held at the Swallowfield Chapel.
A partnership between the SAJ, the Rotary and Rotaract clubs as well as Swallowfield Chapel, the four-day tour provided screening for vision, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, Pap smears and breast examinations as well as general medical check-ups. A team of seven doctors, including two ophthalmologists, nurses and personnel from the Diabetes Association of Jamaica provided medical care.
The first three days of the clinic were dedicated to the care of the elderly, who received free prescription medication, while Saturday was dedicated entirely to children of the community.
Great importance
Speaking at the launch, Diana Reynolds, human resource and development manager of the SAJ, noted that wellness was of great importance to the association. The desire to ensure the medical needs of individuals in our neighbouring Greenwich Town community led the SAJ to purchase this mobile clinic. The idea of the Wellness Tour, she noted, was the brainchild of the SAJ's general manager, Trevor Riley.
"We are proud to say that the clinic has grown beyond the Greenwich Town community and has spread its wings to communities across Jamaica, through its partnership with the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains and the churches and schools which host the tour," Reynolds said.
She pointed out that the SAJ's focus on wellness was also staff oriented, noting that the association recently launched a staff wellness programme to help employees create a healthier lifestyle.
"We implore you, in this challenging economic climate, to focus on the health and well-being of your staff members, so they can be in the best of health to perform their respective duties," Reynolds said.
Michael Bernard, president of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, said that the Wellness Tour assists the club in fulfilling its mandate of decreasing the child mortality rate. "It is a good fit that the Rotary Club would partner with the SAJ and the Swallowfield Chapel to extend health care and fellowship to the members of the community," Bernard said.
Pastor David Henry of the Swallowfield Chapel thanked the volunteers who came out to serve unselfishly. "As disciples of Christ, we at Swallowfield have been commissioned not only to spread the gospel but also to care for the sick and those in need," Henry said.
In its fourth year, the Wellness Tour has provided medical care to more than 3,000 children and adults in communities across the island. The aim of the tour is to provide medical screening facilities to individuals who face challenges accessing these services. Partners for the tour include the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Foundation for International Self-Help, SecuriPro, Atlas Security, Maritime and Transport Limited and Marine Haulage.
Diana Reynolds, human resource and development manager of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, in conversation with Pastor David Henry (centre) of Swallowfield Chapel and Michael Bernard, president of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, after the opening of the Wellness Tour at the chapel recently. Copyright Jamaica-Gleaner.com
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090623/shipping/shipping1.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
