Bevan Springer

As I pointed out, some of our nations are indeed refocusing and changing their priorities but others only change their lexicon, and serve new lyrics about the importance of the Black and Caribbean Diaspora to Caribbean prosperity, while doing little or nothing about it.

On a positive note, I learnt that the Barbados Tourism Authority had recently hired a highly competent African American firm headed by the San Francisco-based Michael Deflorimonte to perform research on the African American market.

According to a senior tourism executive, "Barbados has identified the African American market as a specific niche and we are seeking to develop a more strategic approach to the market."

This is a step in the right direction, mirroring moves that the Islands of the Bahamas and Jamaica, not to mention the cruise lines, have long made and which continue to bear fruit for them.

How do we find the resources to do more of this kind of research and marketing? It's simple, just cut costs.

Last week, I argued that our governments are spending too much money renting costly real estate in Manhattan and ought to pool their resources and even send some of their staff home – to work from home that is.

Why must developing countries, some which are seriously cash-strapped, maintain luxurious New York City digs at the expense of the Caribbean tax-payer? With the appreciating value of real estate, perhaps there is a serious business opportunity to channel these monthly rental contributions into a mortgage payment, which could be a serious and remunerative demonstration of the Caribbean unity we keep hearing about.. And what about the careless and fraudulent disbursements of per diem to executives which have long financed many personal luxuries?

It is not necessarily being a cheapskate, it is more, following in the contrails of some of the industry's leaders. I recently called Virgin Atlantic Airways for a relative who was securing a reservation from London to Barbados. The reservations consultant was pleasant and professional and let me know that she was in North Carolina. I inquired further and was told that her office was based in her home!

Folks, this is the new paradigm. Companies are finding new ways to cut costs in an increasingly competitive business environment.

And so should we. Our organizations need urgent re-tooling so that as time marches on, we see new and improved results in today's constantly evolving business culture.