The Government are taking action as set out in the Queen’s speech on 3.12.08, with an announcement of thirteen bills, many following a theme of fairness, so ministers claimed. But I question whether they are going to shift the economy back to an even keel. Proposals include a £1 billion repossession rescue package for middle-income householders caught up in the economic situation, but also forcing the jobless into work, denying benefits to welfare cheats, curbing binge-drinking and giving the public a chance to decide community punishments. However, the banks haven’t yet signed up to this (so they said on 3.12.08) and the question is – aren’t these Cure solutions – rather Prevention?
We need a Tsunami made of Drops of Hope: to move forward, we need to take control – and responsibility.
To counter balance the ineptitude of Government, industry leaders and those who have in the past suggested they ‘know what’s best for us’, why don’t we, as individuals and businesses, take some solutions into our own hands?? If we could create a veritable Tsunami of beneficial actions we should help lift the economy out of this credit crunch sooner.
Recently I saw an article reporting UBS’s proposal to introduce Maluses as well as Bonuses, by putting the bonus money into a 3 year rolling escrow account. This would be topped up or deducted from – depending upon the longer term performance of their top 3% of Executives. This is a good example of lateral and creative thinking – which sends sound messages to staff and customers alike. Business leaders have to find ways to shift thinking from a depressed and fearful mindset to one of solutions. It is a classic for those who are familiar with the way we all respond to the need to change.
To do this, we all have to do our little bit, this is not something that can only be done by just a few, imaginative individuals.
Originally written 12.12.08