Columns

This week I am honored to accept a contribution for my weekly column from a good friend and supporter, Mr. Ashton N. Bradley. Mr. Bradley has also been a loyal advisor as well as a former Chairman of the Anguilla Democratic Party that I had the privilege to lead. Mr. Bradley had a distinguished career in finance and particularly revenue systems in Canada before returning to Anguilla some eleven years ago.

We are now in the Advent season, a time in the church’s year when we prepare spiritually for celebrating the birthday of Jesus. This calls us to a time of change, a time to examine ourselves, to look inward and discover those things in our lives that we need to change. This means adding things to our lives to improve ourselves and ridding our lives of things which prevent us from being more like Jesus in our relationships.

In his first budget speech after coming to Office on February 16, 2010, the Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Hubert Hughes, used as his central theme the title: “Operation Recovery”. He claimed that this theme was in keeping with his “much plagiarized” campaign document: “Blueprint for Anguilla’s Recovery and Development”.

Are you looking for fun ways to celebrate the Christmas season aside from the hustle and bustle of shopping, food preparation and the giving of gifts? Well, no need to look any more. Here are some fun ways to celebrate that reflect the true meaning of Christmas:

I have been listening with interest to the various discussions on our financial and economic situation especially at this time when Government of Anguilla is preparing to present its annual budget for 2011. As the immediate past Minister of Finance, I can empathize with the stress that the present Minister and his colleagues are going through --- even though they have not been particularly kind to me during the past twelve months.

A husband and wife travel agents team, Peter and Lella Ciechi, was in Anguilla for the first time and was generally impressed with the beauty of the island and its accommodation facilities.

It is that time of the year when much focus is placed on being thankful. Giving thanks helps us to realize our dependence upon Almighty God and not on ourselves. Being thankful for what you have - big or small - is an important part of receiving new blessings. However, with the downturn in the economy, perhaps you may be saying, “What is there to be thankful for when you are out of a job, the bank is reclaiming your possessions or you cannot meet your financial commitments?”

A few weeks ago the Honourable Chief Minister, Hubert B. Hughes, in his continuing saga with the Governor and the British Government mentioned that he would be studying the new constitutional status that St. Maarten entered into on October 10, 2010. He was referring of course to the fact that the Kingdom of the Netherlands underwent a process of constitutional reform that basically dissolved the Netherlands Antilles (which comprised the Dutch Caribbean territories) to bring into being a new constitutional structure that would grant Curacao and St. Maarten the status of countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The last of these discussions focuses on the “E” in the acronym ANGUILLA PRIDE. It stands for Excellent Endings that include offers of additional assistance, next steps, invitations to return, friendly smiles, and fond farewells; short for “may you fare well”. First and foremost, the conclusion of any purchase, service fully rendered, or guest departure must be as affectionate and helpful as every Greeting.

What do you usually do when faced with challenges? Oftentimes there is the tendency to fret and complain. We tend to think of challenges as big mountains that stand between us and our goals. That might seem like a bad thing at first glance, but do you realize that it is possible to feel grateful for the challenges you face on a daily basis?

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Honorable Leroy Rogers for his appointment as Second Nominated Member in the Anguilla House of Assembly. I am sure that you will agree with me that he stands out among the excellent choices that could have been made by the Governor through the consultative process. His eleven years as Speaker of the House of Assembly should serve him well in a role that traditionally includes being appointed as Deputy Speaker.

The “D” in the acronym ANGUILLA PRIDE is for Diction and clear communication, so every customer understands every word, and every word contributes toward exceptional service. Our Diction helps shape the language of loyalty by choosing our words carefully and cordially with every interaction. Throughout the standards, we are advised to eschew expressions that erode elegance and in turn, our future prosperity, by ceding customers to competitors. We have examples from Respect and Courtesy to substitute “have to” with “need to” when Leading a process; replacing “What” with “May I ask” and by requesting reiteration with “Pardon me”; smiling with Greetings that include “Welcome”; and using Names and titles, to name a few; but to always include the words that characterise civility in our discourse.

O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever (Psalms 136:1).

It is fitting at this juncture to pause, reflect and give thanks to God for the ten years that the radio programme 'Positive Living' has been in existence. It was on November 13th, 2000 that the first programme was aired on Radio Anguilla, 95.5 FM.
The main aim of the programme at that time was to try and combat the growing incidences of violence among the youth at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School where I (the producer) worked for some eight years as a Counsellor.

I must thank all those persons who, on Monday November 8, 2010, took the time in so many ways and via all sorts of media to extend birthday greetings to me. It was not expected; it was not necessary; it was not sought after but it was extremely gratifying to know that there were still quite a number of people who thought enough of me to want make that day seem special. I was especially pleased to receive a call that evening from the Hon. Evan Gumbs, my elected representative, also expressing his best wishes.

Fellow Anguillians, I deem it time for me to add my little to what is happening to the Rock. One can only, to put it bluntly, be embarrassed to listen to the constant BLAME GAME on the part of the Government, the Opposition and allegedly the British Government’s Representative.

The second “I” in the acronym ANGUILLA PRIDE stands for Introductions which are essential whenever guiding customers to colleagues with particular responsibilities or greater expertise needed to provide the best support. From answering calls and transferring them or bringing associates to the phone; to office assistants escorting clients, patients, or customers to meet with lawyers, doctors, or business managers; to employees with one set of duties introducing co-workers with different capabilities, a professional Introduction creates an opportunity to build prosperity by ensuring unsurpassed service for every need, every time. By blending Listening, Respect and Courtesy, Leadership, and Names, Introductions seamlessly provide access to “specialists” or a “higher level” individuals while making customers feel important and appreciated. This standard is also often indispensable in order to fully recover a customer who may be angry when his or her expectations were not met initially by another member of staff.

Amidst the stress and anxiety that is taking place during these difficult economic times, coupled with the balancing of work and family, it behooves you to take special care of yourself. The stresses of life can easily wear you down if you don’t tend to your own needs. You must first take care of yourself in order to properly take care of others. This will give you the stamina, patience and perspective needed to care for the needs of others over the long haul.

Let me take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of Barbados on the passing of their distinguished Prime Minister, the Right Honourable David Thompson. I must also wish them all well --- as they strive to recover from the ravages of Hurricane Tomas, an experience that I shared since I happened to be in Barbados at that time. I have been told that the Honourable Chief Minister was also in Barbados, however, unlike him it took me several days to get back to Anguilla as a result of the many flight cancellations and delays.

This discussion focuses on the “R” in the acronym ANGUILLA PRIDE for building prosperity through Respect and Courtesy. In fact, at the heart of all successful enterprises are individuals who respect themselves and others, no matter what. These organisations quickly correct, or eventually dismiss, employees who forget their manners, seem unable to show concern for others, or treat customers with indifference or condescension, instead of the reason they have a job. Ultimately, we create a welcoming business atmosphere for both customers and colleagues only by respectfully giving the courtesy we would have others give us and interacting with kindness toward all.

One of the most destructive vices that we need to guard against is Envy. You may be wondering why is that? What is it about? What are its roots? Why is it so destructive? How is it manifested? How does it differ from jealousy?