Position Should be Reserved for Bajan

In 2015 when Canadian electric power house Emera huffed the Barbados Light & Power the blogmaster and others in the BU intelligentsia supported the view it was a short-sighted decision. The National Insurance Board under then chairmanship Tony Marshall decided to grab the 30 pieces of silver to bolster sagging international reserves. 

It was an incorrect decision because by any rationale used the Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) should have been labelled a strategic asset and ring fenced on behalf of future generations of Barbadians. BL&P is the sole electricity provider in Barbados therefore guaranteed profitability as a natural monopoly. Why would we sell a company responsible for the generation and distribution of energy which is a key input to the cost of living?

Since the sale to Emera Caribbean Barbadians have been experiencing a deteriorating level of service. Last month the ‘local’ power company applied to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) for a 11.9% increase in rate, citing rise in the cost that included the construction of the renewable energy plant in St. Lucy. To be fair to the ‘local’ power company the rate request comes after a 11 year interval. That said, it comes at the worse of times given prevailing economic conditions in the country. This is the main reason the sole electricity company should not have been handed controlling interest to Emera where creating a ROI is an intractable edict. As we transform from fossil generated energy to a mixed model to include renewables there is an opportunity to ensure Barbadians regain control of a guaranteed revenue flow. We will see if this is a case of locals learning from past missteps.

November 1, 2021 the Barbados government appointed Jens Thraenhard – a foreigner – as CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI). Before the blogmaster is accused of being xenophobic or jingoistic in outlook, try to understand the perspective. 

Tourism is the main driver of the majority of economies in the Caribbean, some like Barbados more dependent on the sector than recommended. Notwithstanding the risk of managing a ‘one leg’ economy, it is a business we should know well, or so the blogmaster thought. 

The newly appointed CEO of the BTMI from all reports is qualified for the job whatever that means – why not recruit him as another consultant? In the same way there is merit to having a local person in the role as head of state for the imagery it will project to locals and how it should positively translate to the psyche of Barbadians, is the same not true for the head of key tourism agencies? We do not have to follow established positions that Barbadians are employed overseas or the best man or woman must be recruited for the job and all the other rote positions. As a sovereign nation we have the autonomy to designate key jobs in Barbados as strategic positions to be done by locals only.

Billions sunk in education since 1966 and a fit and proper local cannot be found for the job of CEO of the BTMI with the acumen to assemble a qualified team to market Barbados as one of the iconic destinations on the planet? Why boast of our level of education if it cannot create a competitive advantage how we manage our affairs. Do we have to follow the script all the time?

92 thoughts on “Position Should be Reserved for Bajan


  1. “Billions sunk in education since 1966 and a fit and proper local cannot be found for the job of CEO of the BTMI with the acumen to assemble a qualified team to market Barbados …”

    With the above in mind, will the Chief Immigration Officer ever be able with clear conscience, to decline an application by any hotel or other foreign based corporation that seeks to acquire work permits for “suitably qualified” high level personnel to fill key positions?


  2. A bad state of affairs and a slap in the face of every Barbadian as well in the many faces of the Caribbean region when govt have reach far and wide to find a CEO for a local industry that speaks to its own culture and taste
    A German of all people what does he knows of the linkage of culture and its people that drives the tourist need to come to BIm
    What are his qualifications again
    But then again we have a PM who shouts and scolds thebpeople for seeking jobs in far off lands but have no qualms for delivering a hand made foreigner on a platter to speak Bajanisim on the people’s behalf


  3. In my heart, I agree with you, David. I am big on signals being sent to Barbadians. Ms. Mottley spoke of the value of his network. I have not a clue about how much that is worth.

    A consultant would have meant paying a Bajan as CEO and an extra large amount in consultancy fees.

    That would have caused another uproar.

    I guess I will have to wait and see.


    • The issue you raised could have been addressed by making a couple political operatives redundant. That would call for a statesman like approach to problem solving.


  4. RE The issue you raised could have been addressed by making a couple political operatives redundant. That would call for a statesman like approach to problem solving.

    IN PSYCHIATRY THIS IS CALLED DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR


  5. The problems at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. are much deeper than the inability to find a local candidate to lead the organization. Your suggestion that an expert like Jens Thraenhart should have been engaged as a consultant rather than as CEO has great merit, after all he also runs Chameleon Strategies, a highly regarded consulting practice. However, his fees for such an engagement are likely to be considerably higher than what we pay him as CEO on an annual basis.


  6. To give some perspective on the way that the BTMI has been accustomed to using consultants before the new CEO arrived, consider that the BTMI, Barbados’s most expensive marketing agency, advertised to find an external consultant who knows enough about marketing to help the marketing agency market the BTMI. The BTMI has a permanent marketing staff of about a dozen well paid people.

    https://corporate.visitbarbados.org/rfp2021/

    You really should go read this BTMI RFP before the new CEO has it removed and revoked…

    I couldn’t possibly make this stuff up. Imagine, if you will, thinking that the role of a PR agency funded with public money is to “Elevate BTMI executives as global tourism thought leaders.”

    There is some thought leadership for you… how to become a thought leader without actually having to have any thoughts.

    SMH


    • Forgot to mention Peter the caller dubbed the Trinidad Lady gave your Welcome Stamp a plug yesterday by favourably mentioning your name and rebuking the government for not doing same.


  7. On some matters such as this one the comments of PTL should be accepted and respected.

    It goes without saying, on others ….


  8. @ SARGEANT

    RE Just looked at the cover of the RFP and think that maybe I am not as familiar with Bim as I thought.

    YOU DONT KNOW NUH PHARMACOLOGY OR MICROBIOLGY EITHER……..BUT DAT DID NOT STOP YOU FROM POSTING RUBBISH ABOUT THINGS ABOUT WHICH YOU KNOW NAUGHT AND THINGS THAT CAN NOT COMPREHEND……..SO WHAT IS NEW


  9. The blogmaster usually gives us three or four articles on a Sunday.

    I consider myself as a critic, but I have found that when the dreadful Ezra Alleyne is missing’ then I suffer withdrawal pains. Perhaps, the fault is within me.

    @David
    Keep up the good work👍🏿


  10. @ David November 6, 2021 11:02 AM

    She also gave our treasured “PLT”- who ‘thinks outside the box’- an ego massage by referring to him as the “young man” from social media on more than one occasion.

    PLT does have a youthful outlook on life and an abiding faith in a successful future for the Bajan tourism product.

    If PLT can be considered a “young man” what would she say about his alumni contemporary John the Diviner our own ‘Water’ guru who has the cure for the Covid and Co?


  11. @David November 6, 2021 10:20 AM
    Could you do the job? Could you recommend a local for the job, diaspora included?
    +++++++++++++++
    I would not want the job because in order to do it I would likely have to fire people (and I hate firing people). Furthermore I would be eliminated from any short list because I have never run a destination management organization and I have no appetite for running a destination management organization… indeed I had never run any tourism organization until I founded Remote Work (Barbados) Inc.

    I do not know of any candidates in the diaspora that I could recommend.

    I could provide value to the BTMI as a consultant in the specific arts where I have very valuable experience and expertise, but the problems that the BTMI has developed over the past decade run so deep that they prefer to engage consultants to help them polish their resumés by generating propaganda that they are “thought leaders” rather that consultants who have proven that they can add hundreds of millions of dollars to tourism earnings for Barbados.


  12. @ peterlawrencethompson November 6, 2021 12:14 PM

    “I would not want the job because in order to do it I would likely have to fire people”

    An important note. Our island is simply very small. We are one big family. Everyone is somehow related or known to each other. No one wants to hurt the other.

    Our Supreme Leader has picked a foreigner because our local managers always fraternise with the workers and thus sloppiness and laziness take root. I have heard similar things from the hotel industry before. Foreigners are not related to our indigenous workers and, unlike our conflict-averse locals, they are not afraid to take necessary, albeit harsh, action. That is why foreign managers are so popular in small-scale Europe.

    We need a ruffian and wrecker for this post who will finally make the staff work for once. Not someone who continues to employ staff members at taxpayers’ expense who either do not want to work or cannot at all.


  13. “Our Supreme Leader has picked a foreigner…” isn’t that the likely truth. Does the CEO of the BMTI report to the PM or one of the Ministries which she is Minister for?


  14. @Frank November 6, 2021 12:46 PM
    “Does the CEO of the BMTI report to the PM or one of the Ministries which she is Minister for?”
    +++++++++++++++
    The CEO of the BTMI reports to the Board of Directors of the BTMI. The Board is appointed by the Minister of Tourism and International Transport with the approval of Cabinet.


  15. @Frank November 6, 2021 12:46 PM

    Our Supreme Leader is legislator, government and judge all in one. No bill, personnel decision or judgment is made without the approval of our leader and Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.


  16. re Our Supreme Leader is legislator, government and judge all in one. No bill, personnel decision or judgment is made without the approval of our leader and Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.

    WHAT YOU SHOULD SAY IS THAT DE PM IS A DICTATOR, BUT A VERY POOR LEADER
    SHE CAN ONLY TALK AND BITE
    IT IS BLASPHEMY TO CALL HER SUPREME
    I AM SO GLAD I AM NOT LIVING IN BARBADOS


  17. @NO
    Sorry about that, I thought that they allowed a few “free” articles per month and November has just begun.
    Port St. Charles? Perhaps someone could educate me


  18. @ GP November 6, 2021 12:59 PM

    And I am very glad and proud to live under the leadership of Mia Mottley and her distinguished ministers.

    I hope that for Republic Day we will see a dome of light over the Parliament building, torchlight marches and soldiers in formation parading through the capital as our Supreme Leader greets the cheering masses and KK as National Youth Leader with his Mottley Youth from the window of the Senate.


  19. I thought that Billy Griffith and Ms. Roach had already proven that there are Barbadians who can do such work.
    Am I now to believe that they are the only two?


  20. @William Skinner November 6, 2021 3:36 PM
    “I thought that Billy Griffith and Ms. Roach had already proven that there are Barbadians who can do such work.”
    ++++++++++++++++
    I was away from Barbados during most of Billy Grifith’s tenure as CEO of BTMI. Petra Roach’s work as acting CEO was entirely unimpressive. She let the organization as Covid hit and her response was pathetically inadequate in my opinion.


  21. In March and April of 2020, with Petra Roach as acting CEO, the BTMI announced their “master plan” to ratchet up marketing of the island so there is a “seamless” transition after the pandemic. Their response was almost comical it was so pathetically inadequate.


  22. They were happy to accept the remittances into their respective countries over several decades; yet totally disinterested in assisting their citizens to access their pensions from the British government. Does that not concern you? The culture of low expectations from Caribbean leaders and their citizens is remarkable.


  23. re a “seamless” transition after the pandemic.
    really? when will that be?
    will there not be more PESTILENCES? OR VARIANTS OF THE CURRENT PESTILENCE
    is that not what is reported in Jesus’ predictions in Mathew 24:4-8 in the birth pang signs?
    yuh know BRAXTON-HICKS contractions once began continue until the baby is delivered
    this is one of very few things in the body or elsewhere that proceeds by FEED FORWARD CONTROL.
    ONCE STARTED THE PROCESS PROCEEDS UNTIL THE END POINT OR CULMINATION RESULTS
    AND AS FAR AS THE ESCHATON IS CONCERNED THE BIRTH PANG OR BRAXTION HICKS SIGNS HAVE BEGAN AND ARE WELL ON THE WAY
    ALSO ANOTHER VARIANT OF COVID IS ALREADY AROUND (HAS BEEN RELEASED) IN EUROPE


  24. “is that not what is reported in Jesus’ predictions in Mathew 24:4-8 in the birth pang signs?”

    I have not seen any horseman

    so you must be wrong again with your predictions


  25. What concerns me is your total determination to lay this British unfairness on the shoulders of Caribbean leaders. Would it not be the case that the increased pensions would most likely find their way into the same islands where the returnee now reside, just as the remittances did? Would it not benefit the same islands? Have the pensioners requested representation from their governments?

    Some shite wrong with you, doah!

    Caribbean people do not stop caring about their relatives simply because they live in other places.


  26. “is that not what is reported in Jesus’ predictions in Mathew 24:4-8 in the birth pang signs?”

    RE I have not seen any horseman
    NOR HAVE I…………….BUT THE NUMBER OF DEATHS ALL OVER THE WORLD CONTINUES TO CAUSE LOTS OF FEAR IN BARBADOS

    ALSO I CITED Mathew 24:4-8 NOT REVELATION 6

    RE so you must be wrong again with your predictions
    THE PEOPLE IN THE ANTEDELUVIAN ERA OF NOAH’S DAY SAID EXACTLY THE VERY SAME THING. UH LIE?


  27. why bother predicting the predictions like an asshole and repeating them over and over about 20 times a day
    if Jesus’ was your pupil he would have cut you up to shreds with you bible babble nonsense quick fast


  28. @TLSN November 6, 2021 12:18 PM “Caribbean governments are a strange breed. How is this possible?”

    My reading of the Guardian article leads me to THINK, THINK, not feel that it is the British government which is a strange breed. To treat former BRITISH WORKERS in such a disparate fashion is entirely unjust. However please note that it seems as though the Barbados government negotiated a more JUST treatment for its citizens who LABORED for years or decades in the United Kingdom as the Guardian article states “those who move back to Jamaica or Barbados are not penalised.”

    You as a Windrusher, ormthe child or grandchild of a Windrusher ought to get busy lobbying YOUR GOVERNMENT for justice for ALL British people regardless of where they were born or where they now live. For the British government to claim that it is too expensive to treat their own elderly JUSTLY is just a piss poor excuse


  29. RE why bother predicting the predictions and repeating them over and over about 20 times a day
    BECAUSE IT ANNOYS YOU
    THE WORD OF GOD OFFENDS YOU AND PRICKS YOU UNGODLY HEART


  30. But ain’t this the same blasted TLSN who whines about our cutting of the apron strings?

    We should look to them for insurance, after the Windrush scandal that brought tears to my eyes and blood pounding in my head? We should remain tied when former workers receive pension increases not based on work done but on nationality?

    It is up to US to make England do the obviously right and just thing?

    Wunnuh real mix up, doah!


  31. @Donna November 6, 2021 5:29 PM “Caribbean people do not stop caring about their relatives simply because they live in other places.”

    I agree with this.

    Sometimes I wonder if some, NOT ALL of the BU overseas Bajans were raised in dysfunctional families and if they have come to believe that all families are as dysfunctional as theirs.

    I love my family, those who live here and those who live elsewhere. I am always happy to see them, and they are always happy to see me. This year alone IN SPITE OF COVID we have had 5 visits from family who live abroad and one of us have gone abroad on a visit. I myself should have gone on a visit, but truthfully I have had to travel so much for so many years for my job that I have become old, lazy and indifferent to travel. So instead of visiting, without being asked, I throw in money to permit family to visit, and when they are here II welcome them to my home, and we enjoy outings and who can pay, pays, and who can’t pay come along and enjoy the fun anyhow. I don’t believe that I am exceptionally since I am only an ordinary ZR catching at-home, Silly Woman, Cuhdear Bajan.


  32. @David November 6, 2021 4:27 PM
    “One island’s loss is another island’s gain.
    #grenada”
    +++++++++++++++++
    The first thing Petra Roach did on becoming CEO in Grenada was to imitate the Welcome Stamp program (without any deep understanding or attribution of course). It’s simply slightly cheaper ($1,500 USD rather than $2,000 USD) and requires that the applicant wears only $37,000 USD/year rather than $50,000 USD/year. They have gotten very little traction so far, but I wish them lots of luck.

    Of course if they had bothered to ask me I could easily have guided them toward a much more high impact visa by offering it to startup tech companies: $5k USD for up to a dozen employees as a package deal. That would have made quite a splash in the market. It’s not even my own idea; someone either within the Barbados Ministry of Tourism or Invest Barbados thought it up many months ago (I have not managed to track down who it was) but this quite excellent idea got rejected by people higher up in our dysfunctional bureaucracy.


  33. We will check their papers for fraud and buy back our company, We need to end outsiders coming to make a killing from Bajan hard-working people, A lot of crooks from Canada in Barbados!


  34. “BECAUSE IT ANNOYS YOU
    THE WORD OF GOD OFFENDS YOU AND PRICKS YOU UNGODLY HEART”

    Your word of God offends God you Bible fool
    the jester has predicting the end of the world
    for 10+ years on the Barbados Underground


  35. The people in Noah’s time knew what was coming, they just didn’t believe it would happen. They laughedD at Noah. They found out they were wrong when the flood came though. In the Second Coming, people know they need to repent. But they do not belief in the word of God. They will be shocked when Christ comes

    Noah would take time away from the ark building project to preach. In the background, you could see Noah’s sons. I wonder if it took 120 years because they had no hired workers. After all, nobody but Noah’s family believed him.

    God shut the door after Noah and his family went in. So Noah could not open it even if he tried. A whole week after all the animals had boarded, the ark stood with its door open. Nobody accepted the invitation.

    The ark pictures Jesus Christ. His blood provides atonement. The pitch used to seal the ark is the word kophar, meaning “covering” or “atonement”.


  36. holding back the tears never ending his bending peoples ears a bible idiot spoke his folly on Bu for 10 years
    when will he strike again with the pain in the brain

    whither thou goest.

    ECC 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

    ECC 9:12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

    ECC 9:13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:


  37. The CEO of BTMI is a lucky man comes to.a poor small island country and before licking a stick gets perks galore
    Meanwhile the working stiff whose taxes would pay his remittances cant get govt /PM to open the treasury bread basket and offer them a dime



  38. “at least 365,563 enslaved people disembarked in British North America and what would become the United States of America”

    I think that is the number who were on slave ships flying American flag only

    there were many transported by British etc


  39. http://usslave.blogspot.com/

    United States Slave Trade
    1501-1866 The USA transported 305,326 Africans to the Americas.

    Portugal Slave Trade
    1501-1866 Portugal transported 5,848,265 people from Africa to the Americas.

    French Slave Trade
    1501-1866 France transported 1,381,404 Africans to America.

    Great Britain Slave Trade
    1501-1866 The British transported 3,259,440 Africans to the Americas.

    Spain Slave Trade
    1501-1866 Spain transported 1,061,524 Africans to the Americas

    Denmark Slave Trade
    1501-1866 Denmark transported 111,041 people from Africa.

    Netherlands Slave Trade
    1501-1866 The Netherlands transported 554,336 Africans.


  40. The contract is signed. It is a done deal. All that can now be done is to watch and await the results.

    We shall see, shan’t we, before 2023?


  41. ‘For Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen.’ Matthew 22:14

    BAJAN is not a Job Qualification nor is it skills and experience in a relevant field in itself

    Graduating Students in various subjects may be many and may be qualified but have no work experience of merit and need job training working for the best

    Are You Experienced
    If you can just get your mind together Then come on across to me We’ll hold hands an’ then we’ll watch the sun rise from the bottom of the sea But first Are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Well, I have I know, I know You’ll probably scream n’ cry That your little world won’t let you go But who in your measly little world are trying to prove that You’re made out of gold and -a can’t be sold So-er, are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Well, I have Ah, let me prove it to you Trumpets and violins, I can hear in the distance I think they’re calling our names Maybe now you can’t hear them, but you will If you just take hold of my hand Ah! But are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Not necessarily stoned, but beautiful…

    GP studies the Bible fables and preaches babbling all day long
    but where is the spirituality?
    where is the essence of a presence?
    where is the love?
    where is God?

    Breathe In
    Breathe Out
    look within for your soul
    and you will find God
    dancing in the space in between your breath

    Are You A Special Soul | Transformational session


  42. The Gov’t has adopted the same policy as many of the hoteliers in Bim, the only difference is that it doesn’t have to place a notice in the newspapers etc. “ We have been unable to find a suitable person to fill the position” or something similar.


  43. The story in yesterday’s Guardian newspaper should act as a warning to the natives. For the vast majority of you, irrespective of your education and experience, Barbados remains your only beacon. You have no other options. For you it is Barbados or bust.

    For years, I have come on BU with the same message. Yet, you collectively play Devil’s advocate, unaware that you have allowed Barbados to become a play ground for every Tom, Dick and Harry whilst you impotently remain above the fray watching the country sink.

    There is no place for you and your family in an economy that is controlled by the IMF. They have the finances and will dictate to your government the where and how they will spend it and what their expectations are. Your priorities as a people is of no interest to these merchants of doom.

    So much for the forthcoming Republic……


  44. Maybe I can cover up my error with some funk power for deflection

    Talkin’ Loud And Sayin’ Nothing (Complete Version)

    Like a dull knife
    Just ain’t cutting
    Just talking loud
    Then saying nothing

    Just saying nothing
    Just saying nothing
    You can’t tell me
    How to run my life down
    You can’t tell me
    How to keep my business sound

    You can’t tell me
    What I’m doing wrong
    When you keep driving and
    Singing that same old money song

    You can’t tell me
    Which way to go
    Cause three times seven
    And then some more
    You can’t tell me, hey

    You’re like a dull knife
    Just ain’t cutting
    You’re just talking loud
    And saying nothing

    Just saying nothing
    Just saying nothing

    Don’t tell me
    How to do my thing
    When you can’t, can’t
    Can’t do your own

    Don’t tell me how to be a boy
    When, when you know I’m grown

    Can’t use me like a woman
    Woman throws away her dress
    And you can’t tell me, hey
    How to use my mess

    You’re like a dull knife
    Jack, you just ain’t cutting
    You’re just talking loud
    Then saying nothing

    Just saying nothing
    And saying nothing

    Shape up your bag
    Don’t worry bout mine
    My thing together
    And a doing fine

    Good luck to you
    Just allow you’re wrong
    Then keep on singing that
    Same old money song

    Then keep on singing that
    Same old money song
    Just keep on singing that
    Same old money song

    Just keep on singing that
    Same old money song
    Just keep on singing that
    Same old money, oww

    I got to, I want yo
    I musta, I got to
    Ashes ashes and a dust to dust
    I musta, jump on back
    I’m doing a, my hands

    I say I will, the point
    Is too dark to fill
    You say I can’t
    You’re phony, you’re phony
    I said, I said, you’re phony…


  45. For the record
    I’m still going to do the exercise video that david removed
    and then the one above
    and then have some breakfast / lunch / brunch


  46. “One of the key assets in Jamaica’s success has been its large and growing diaspora. It is estimated that the diaspora numbers close to three million – as many as the current population of the island – and contributes over US$1 billion per annum in remittances to Jamaica,” he said.

    “We need to implement more opportunities for Jamaicans to fill jobs in our growing Digital Global Services Sector, fill executive posts in the tourism sector,

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/11/07/jamaican-diaspora-helping-island-economy-recover/


  47. “I love my family, those who live here and those who live elsewhere.”

    immigrants abroad don’t have family networks and family legacies that others appreciate and are starting from scratch

    going back to the on and off topic of slavery, family links were broken when they were stolen from Africa


  48. going back to the on and off topic of slavery..
    Putting on an old grubby McIntosh like Detective Colombo smoking to stimulate his powers of concentration like meditating one question that sticks in my mind that needs solving by humanity is still lingering
    could someone guesstimate total numbers of slaves over 20 generations if numbers above show the first generation and slaves were bred to have up to 15 children from womanhood at 14
    (however numbers of shipped human cargo were spread over a 2 or 3 centuries)
    (more accurate details would need to study shipping voyages database with dates)


  49. Some love that, would try to justify and attempt to convince everyone to accept that utter reduction in quality of life…..but that’s on them…not everyone will be satisfied to live in perpetual social and financial bondage when there are other options….but the HARDCORE Slaves who are now missing for some reason, won’t mind..

    “There is no place for you and your family in an economy that is controlled by the IMF. They have the finances and will dictate to your government the where and how they will spend it and what their expectations are. Your priorities as a people is of no interest to these merchants of doom.”


  50. I recently saw an article on town planning in Barbados from a recently retired native town planner. I believed it implied that the IMF WILL have an influence on town planning within Barbados in the immediate future.

    This is how I interpreted it Sadly, I was unable to retrieve the article.

    One day the penny will drop.


  51. Why do you think I have said repeatedly that young people need to get educated, get skills and then get out?

    There is little future for bright and enthusiastic youngsters in Barbados.

    With top jobs in both private and public sectors going to mostly foreigners, even while fully capable Bajans or Bajan diaspora people are available for these positions, the solution is obvious.

    Leave and seek opportunities elsewhere.

    Get a degree or skills training, save money and if necessary get a loan and go do a masters overseas, use that masters to stay overseas working.

    Unfortunately that is the way for those with ambition, who do not have political ties or family businesses to turn to.


  52. Seriously.

    Why would an exceptionally well qualified Internationally well known expert take the job of CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI). ?


  53. @Hants November 7, 2021 3:00 PM
    “Why would an exceptionally well qualified Internationally well known expert take the job of CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI). ?”
    +++++++++++++++++++
    Because he made his reputation leading a much less well known destination marketing agency, so Barbados is a move towards the big leagues for him. If he does a good job here he is in good shape to be CEO of Destination Canada and then retire,


  54. @Hants, also he about doubled his old salary, and if he makes the move to Destination Canada in 5 years he will double it again.


  55. @ Donna,
    Should we write off Crusoe’s words as irrelevant, lies or half-truths? What is the real situation for the natives in a contemporary Barbados. Are they getting a fair deal? Would you advice your boy to quit your bosom and seek another life outside of Barbados?
    Just asking.


  56. @Donna,

    It is irrelevant what sone think.

    What is impirtant to me is that I am alerting those who do listen and who do want greater opportunities, rather than living on a modern day plantation, where your own money, the money that an individual earns, is captive.

    A bajan cannot take their own money and invest in the NY stock exchange.

    That is a captive, plantarion arrangement.

    So, I refer to those who want to escape the plantation and seek opportunity elsewhere.

    Some do not give a r.b., that is okay. This is not for them.

    There are many who agree too.

    All I am doing is telling the youngsters, do it while you are young. Do not wait, do not pass go. RUN!


  57. By the way, these big dollars that the fellow above and other consultants get, they can take that money and invest whereever.

    But a Bajan cannot take their 2 penny and do so.

    That this is a plantation model eludes many.


  58. Captive money that is spent on:

    1 excessive bank charges.
    2 nowhere to invest, as all profit earning companies are privately held or like BL&P, sold off to an overseas owner
    3 Excessive food prices, sucking money from people
    4 No interest on savings accounts, but the banks where that money is saved can invest overseas
    5 Population well indoctrinated to buy overpriced fast food crap and sugar drinks, to detriment of their health.

    Plantation.

    For it to be otherwise, a lot has to change.


  59. By the way…this electric licence thing. Any company should get a license for electricity generation.

    NO exclusive deals. None, nada zip.

    Like em or lump um.

    Local small companies can get investors and venture capital.

    With all the talk, talk, talk about environment, electricity should be generated at each house by panels etc, or by a neighbourhood small plant.


  60. @ William Skinner November 06/21 3:36 PM
    @ David
    I concur a qualified Bajan should be appointed as the new CEO, BTMI if one was available. As a former Manager, Canada, Barbados Board of Tourism and the experienced gained from my subsequent appointment as the Director of Tourism for Dominica, I respectfully
    suggest qualified Caribbean nationals, skilled in IT tourism marketing technology, be considered for these posts. It should also be pointed out the concept of commercializing tourism marketing activities is commendable but the idea is not necessarily new. As early as the late 60’s, due to major industry changes and the growth of tour operator programming, the BBOT Canadian office prepared and submitted to the BBOT administration of the day a proposal for monetizing tourism marketing activities with the establishment of a destination tour company and reservation booking facilities. Reasons for not implementing the recommendation are unknown .. However, with the digital transformation of the tourism industry, it is grateful to note some 50 years later that the monetization of tourism marketing activities is becoming an integral part of the new business model for generating tourism revenues.


  61. Crusoe,

    From the frying pan and into the fire! Thankfully some of us do well here and can peep into houses under construction without being lynched.


  62. Point being, allow people to pick their own poison, for there are snake pits of various kinds in every country.

    It would be nice if you could offer criticism of our system without your unnecessary crap.


  63. CRUSOE
    RE All I am doing is telling the youngsters, do it while you are young. Do not wait, do not pass go. RUN!
    I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU
    I RESISTED DOING SO AS A YOUTH, BUT REGRET THAT DECISION
    I WANTED TO BE HOME BECAUSE I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND WANTED TO SERVE IT
    I JUMPED AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OFTEN EVEN FOR NOTHING
    BUT I LEARNED THAT THE BIBLICAL DICTUM IS INDEED TRUE
    A PROPHET IS WITHOUT HONOUR SAVE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY

    I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU
    THE YOUNGSTERS WITH ABILITY AND AMBITION NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG


  64. This local versus overseas Bajan is much wider than I think.

    I remember getting some IT help from a Bajan who was born of Bajan parents who were in England when he was born.

    When I went back to my desk and the conversation went through my head, I had to apologize (for my ignorance) to him as I used the words ‘real Bajan’ during our conversation.

    In my own silly way, I had created a next layer .. born in Barbados versus being born outside of Barbados

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