As I scrolled though the NyTimes, this morning, this story just grabbed my eyes balls.
Kingston: Trading Beach Chairs for Bar Stools
By BAZ DREISINGER
IT was a steamy Saturday night in Kingston, Jamaica, and the Sky Bar was jammed with its usual weekend crowd: professionals in their 20s and 30s, by all appearances fit for the next flight to South Beach. Ladies in strappy stilettos and sundresses mixed with men in jeans and crisp blazers while the R & B-heavy soundtrack veered from Stevie Wonder to Ne-Yo and Kanye West.
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I’d positioned myself on a red barstool beside the mosaic-tiled infinity pool. At the table beside me, two South American business travelers, ties loosened, were tearing into a plate of jerk chicken and drinking Red Stripes. It seemed almost quaint. I ordered a more trendy combination: one dirty martini and one sushi roll made with smoked marlin and ackee, Jamaica’s butter-textured national fruit. I chatted with the locals about business and politics, drank in the dramatic vista of the Blue Mountains and relished a muted symphony of car horns, reggae snippets and animated chitchat emerging from the sweeping boulevard below.
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If this scene seems to defy the prevailing image of Kingston, it isn’t the only one. These days Kingston is filled with stereotype-busting options for travelers looking for a new, more authentic Jamaican experience. At Pure — a new, gleaming white lounge with chiffon draperies and V.I.P. skyboxes — techno music trumps reggae. At the newly opened 107-room Spanish Court Hotel, home of the Sky Bar, the lobby makes one wonder if SoHo has been transported to the Caribbean. Exit wicker and florals; enter bean-shaped white leather sofas, animal-print accents and jatobá-wood floors.
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For most travelers, of course, Kingston stereotypes are irrelevant. They would no sooner consider vacationing there than they would in, say, the Gaza Strip. Gang-related violence has plagued Kingston’s so-called garrison communities since the 1970s, and the country’s high murder rate, though it almost never affects tourists, is a potent deterrent. So is the very urban-ness of the place, which stubbornly refuses to allow for beach chairs, umbrella drinks or “Jamaica, Mon” T-shirts..
Here we are on September 23, 2009, 100 days from the 2009 finish line.
We might have set lofty goals for the year , but time and circumstance might have derailed our plans.
Is there a means of getting back on track?
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Why is December 31, 2009 Important right now?
One of the most valuable lessons to be learned, in terms of achieving goals, is to begin at the end. When working towards any goal, most people begin at the logical beginning . The problem with starting at the beginning is most of us are focused on where we are right now. It is natural to begin from where our current strengths and weaknesses are. Then what we normally do is put one foot forward based on those things.
So What’s wrong with that?
We may spend valuable time chasing things that don’t matter and ignoring the things that do matter either because of ignorance or unwillingness to commit to finding a better way. Those that have the greatest chances of finding the solutions to their problems or challenges are the people who seek first to discover what it is that they do not know. To have the right answers, you need to possess the right questions.
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Are these your questions?
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. What specific results have you achieved so far this year?
2. Are you healthier, wealthier, and wiser?
3. Are you winning, losing or just holding ground?
4. What results are you committed to achieve
by the end of the year?
5. How have you grown and what have you
learned this year?
6. Is there any unfinished business that needs
to be tended to in your life?
7. Are you actively pursuing what’s most
important on a daily basis?
8. What habits do you need to change to
ensure better results?
9. What is the key issue that inhibits your
ability to perform at your best?
10. Want to do something to positively change your situation?
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Here is what I will be doing.
1) Listen to a free online seminar to get me focused on my initiative to finish 2009 strong. If you want to join me, go to:
The recognition of the spectacular performance of our athletes in Berlin began last week.
Our global star is being honored with a lofty title and and a highway being renamed in his honor.
Usain Bolt & Prime Minister Golding
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Both these honors certainly affirm Bolt’s standing in the local community. However, Bolt is clearly the driving engine behind the global brand. The current posture does not allow much leverage except for social proofing.
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There is another means of exercising additional leverage. Here goes:
Make Hon. Usain Leo Bolt an ambassador at large with specific portfolio to China.
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Ambassador-at-Large is a Diplomat of the Highest rank and/ or a Minister who is accredited to represent his country. But unlike the Resident Ambassador (who is usually limited to a country)and/or embassy, the Ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in a Region or sometimes a seat of international organizations like the United Nations . In some cases an Ambassador at Large may even be specifically assigned a role to Advise and Assist the Government in particular issues. Historically, Prime Ministers have designated special diplomatic envoys for specific assignments, primarily overseas but sometimes also within the country as Ambassadors-at-Large.
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Why China?
Jamaica needs to develop an Asian presence given the diminishing tourism dollar from the west.
Bolt already has star power in China following his Olympic historic performance.
Yellow yam could find a ready export market.
Mandarin patois would be funny as hell.
Seriously, the Chinese youth are looking for ways of busting out of their rules-based, regimented country. Jamaica’s expressive culture could provide an alternative to the suspected American culture.
The internet provides an inexpensive means of building bridges between both cultures.
This service would give Bolt a new platform to conquer and a more diverse global network.
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So do to think that is out of the box idea is for the bird. So what is your idea?
but if you are not concerned about where your next slice of bread is coming from, you may just have Norman Borlaug to thank. I honor this man , who may not be well known, but is the father of the green revolution.
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug
March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009
He received the nobel prize in 1970 for his work that reversed the food shortages in India and Pakistan in the 1960s.
Because of his genius, global food production has expanded faster than the human population growth, averting the mass starvation that was predicted.
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He sparked the green revolution by making a case for high-yield cereal crops, inorganic fertilizers, and a novel irrigation scheme. Let me share a sense of his effort.
In 1950, the world produced 0.69 Billion tons of grain on 1.7 billion acres.
In 1992, the world produced 1.9 Billion tons of grain on 1.73 billion acres.
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Sure he has his detractors, especially those who think that his approach wreacked havoc on the environment.
However, could it be a means of getting us to a place, where we can add the sustainability component?
I have not been to the local mall since last year. Before you acuse me of not supporting the effort, the FEDEX and UPS trucks know my address better than the postman, as I prefer the on-line experience. My youngest daughter cajoled me into experiencing a real mall experience as we made our way back to college, yes back to school shopping.
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The only other shopping season that surpass back to school is Christmas. I was in for a rude awakening at my real mall experience. Sure the anchor strore were still there, but severl store windows were darkened, or new enterprises occupied old store fronts. I find myself looking at the mall map to get around. I was witnessing the aftermath of our economic Katrina. A cautious mood at best is in the air.
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Ladies, you our chief purchasing agents have spoken. Take a look at the latest trends
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Although women have been affected less from an unemployment perspective , 73 % of women shared that this recession has changed the way they think about saving and spending.
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Given this, others are adopting to the new consumer reality. Here are a few tips shared by Marti Barletta, a leading thinker on marketing to women.
Price overshaows value - brand loyaly loses
Thrift counts more than convienence - time saving is taking a back seat.
Sustainables trump disposables - resuables are in
Essentials eclipse indulgences - upscale products are hosed.
Online shopping in in vogue- the internet offers more ways of finding savings
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One of the winners in all of this is Walmart. Their pricing and convienence continue to bring them consumer success even in this terrible recession. They also have another powerful weapon that needs to get more profiled because of its success. It is Walmart’s use of social media through their elevenmoms blogging program.
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Wal-Mart equipped eleven mommy bloggers known for their shopping smarts with a video cameras, makeovers, a photo shoot, and an opportunity to turn their frugal ways into short videos of money-saving tips.
Here is a hint! It is not in the heart of DC, but is a stone throw away around the Belt Way at Northern Virginia Community College.
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So you were not in Berlin to see Bolt, why miss an opportunity to meet Basil Dawkins, the Bolt of Jamaican theater?
Basil Dawkins, Award winning playwright
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He and his award winning team came to Northern Virginia and delivered a spectacular performance of their award winning play, which Way is out
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This play tackles some huge societal issues , bring the tension of the issue to its full consciousness, use humor as a powerful teaching vehicle, and delivers redemption of the human spirit as the curtain closes.
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Want to have some fun giving your non-patois friend a express lesson in listening skill, this play delivers.
Usain Bolt is not only rewriting records, he is overshadowing historical personalities such as Jesse Owen .
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And let me add, modifying nursery rhymes . Try this one on for size.
And bionic Bolt stands alone.
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Yes Usain Bolt owns the world stage.
No Phelps, no Woods, no Federer, no Williams sisters, no LeBron James, no Kobe, no Tom Brady!
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The Germans, who hosted this summer’s track and field top event, seized on the opportunity to erase the memory of Hitler at the 1936 Olympics by donating a 3 ton piece of the wall, the smashed wall .This symbol of division is now redeemed into a symbol of honoring the bionic Bolt, a means of immortalizing Bolt’s magnificent feats. They too appreciate the enormous scope of his achievement.
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The New York Times produced a powerful graphic to put Bolt’s achievement into historical perspective. Take a look.
In addition, sports medical science are trying to understand how a 6 ft. 5 inches guy can take 41.5 strides in his 100 meter dash.
Superbowl champion wide receiver Hines Ward muses about seeing Bolt in the American football game.
The minister of Tourism Bartlett wants to leverage Bolt’s flamboyant presence to bolster the tourism economy.
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Bolt is clearly a multiple generational phenomena. Jamaica is extremely blessed with Bolt being in our family. We need to take a larger strategic look on how we can multiply the positive impact of Bolt.
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The leverages to date has been focused on external implications. We look at his physical accomplishments , beat our chest, rerun the events, and through our national pride further the storyline.
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Let me suggest an additional component to make us reap even a richer blessing from his presence.
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Let’s face it. Our young men are in trouble. Strong role models are needed to provide a positive influence. Bolt is not only physically blessed, he has a mental toughness, and focus that are important ingredients in developing social intelligence. This is an enormous responsibility to place on his shoulder, but his promotion of clubs like Scouts, or other male-oriented institutions could provide a renaissance to these character building groups.
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How about a series of public service announcement with the Governor General promoting the ” I believe in Jamaica “ theme.
Would it be great to see Bolt and the entire track and field team promoting farming as a career choice for the young ?
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Well, I know you have your own thoughts. How can Bolt be used to transform the Jamaican community beyond his athletic prowess?
The much anticipated spud summit have occurred without much perceived movement in further human understanding.
Well, the only foreign influence planned was a tall mug of Red Stripe beer. Although advertised as such, the professor decided to go with Samuel Adams, from the local New England brewery instead. This just added to a tough week as the
Roaming Gnome is off to Hawaii instead of Jamaica for his travel adventure!.
Speaking like a true teetotaler (me no drink) , - bitters suds may actually reduce brain function. However, how can we turn these lemons into lemonade?
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Red Stripe beer presence could have broken the Whitehouse rule set in the sixties by President Lyndon Johnson of not allowing foreign beer.
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The marketing impulse in me could not resist thinking of the possibility. When you get so much free press, you need to capitalize.
I actually detest (yes that strong) the last Red Stripe commercial I saw on ESPN that emphasized the bottle. I thought it was all about the content,not the ugliness of the bottle.
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Is this a means of upgrading the commercial now that the world is aware of Red Stripe?
Red Stripe that close to the World Stage
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What are the other possible leverage points that are now possible because of this summit?
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Here are a few that gush from my fertile brain cells for what they are worth.
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Combine the clicking of the mugs with a Jamaica , No problem ad, with Bob Marley singing, “Let’s get together, and feel alright”.
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Send officer Crowley a six pack gift of Red Stripe and create a photo op as he receives this gift .
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Offer both Prof. Gates and officer Crowley a week-end trip to Jamaica to have a follow up dialog.
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Offer President Obama a get away trip where he can meet with key congressional leaders to hammer out a health care bill.
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License our “Out of Many, One People” motto to Cambridge to help promote a harmonious community.
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Create a free Iphone App for Red Stripe to promote Jamaica.
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What’s your idea on how we can leverage this meeting?
There is disappointment in the air for some as Red Stripe may not be allowed at the upcoming Brew Peace Summit. It is the beer of choice of Prof. Gates, however, foreign beers are not allowed at the Whitehouse.
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But there is great news!
The latest edition of JamaicanEats is out!
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You memba when? That’s the sense I got as I eagerly leaf through the wealth of nostalgia captured in the hot off the press.
Ok, let me slow down and savor the full course meal of soul nourishing culture.
The Jamaican national motto is ‘Out of Many One People’, based on the population’s multi-racial roots. The motto is represented on the Coat of Arms, showing a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing on either side of a shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. The crest shows a Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling.
The aspirational tone of this motto may have given us the false sense that we have arrived at the kum ba ya era of heaven-bound maturity. However, recent criticisms from a chorus of global voices have given me pause to reconsider how well we have practiced the call of this motto in an evolving and demanding 21 st. century global community.
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We have initially pushed back calling the criticism unfair, and un-warranted. However, is this a teachable moment that we are missing that could propel us into a future that gets us into fuller alignment with our motto?
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Let me raise some discussion regarding the two most prevalent concerns that I have heard. These are regarding:
Homophobia
Second class service of African-American clients
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We can deal with these perceptions in several ways.
We could vehemently deny them.
We can bury our heads in the sand, and install the code of silence.
We can muster the needed courage and address the issues square on.
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I am choosing the later, and invite you to do likewise. The timely addressing of the tarnishing of our brand will have implication on our moral development and economic future whether we like it or not.
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Our brand value is what others perceive you possess. It is also something you can develop, shape, and control. Branding is what makes you unique — and better than all your competition in the marketplace.
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So, who are the shapers of our brand that would create such a growing negative perception?
How do they get employed for such an important function?
Who preserves and defend the wealth of the culture ?
How do we create tools and mechanisms to transmit the best and discourage the worst in the culture within the constraints of the constitution?
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Dance hall musicians have been tagged the leading cultural pied pipers and they are clearly holding a heavy sway over the hearts and minds of our youngsters.
