It was Charles Kennedy, the former leader of the Lib Dems, who last week on BBC Radio 4 said, “the trouble with fixed term parliaments is the length of a 4 month General Election campaign which I (sic) and the voting public are in danger of becoming bored”
The prospect of a 4-month General Election campaign should be a real opportunity for competing parties and candidates to create a vision for what the future looks like for business in the UK. As a vision of “what good looks like” is the starting point for any business large or small. I was lucky enough to attend the Dubai Rugby 7s in December and it was my first visit to the Emirate state and on my return I was asked what is Dubai really like? I pondered for a moment and said, ”Well Dubai works, and it just works without drama or complications” What I meant, “it works” is that is that the infrastructure, organisation & associated networks all work to make really World class. Roads, Rail and Air are interlinked and transiting through and from is easy 3/4G and Wi-Fi is everywhere at superfast speed, stadia, public spaces are clean and safe, a blend of the old and new, preservation of traditional and new ways or life and the acceptance of cultural diversity. In essence everything worked. It gave the perception, and perception is everything that it is a great place to live, work and do business. It was clear that Dubai has a vision of what does good look, driven mainly from the top and from Dubai leadership’s, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Whilst in Dubai I investigated where his drive and vision came from. I quickly established that it came from a “best seller” written by the Sheikh no surprises there, called “My vision…Challenges in the race for Excellence” in that book his Highness presented a vision of the future and what the opportunities and challenges had in store for Dubai and the UAE. In essence a blueprint on how to move in the UAE and Dubai from their role as a regional economic, to play a role vital centre of a global economic, with a focus on the sectors of professional services, tourism and economy of thought and knowledge, and creative human energy. The book articulated a vision for Dubai, it explained the need for an Emirate that needed to have excellence if it were to compete in a global market and take advantage of it’s unique Global location close to the powerhouses of 21st Century and Growth, India, Asia, Middle East and or course China. So my challenge to our political leadership over the next 4 months is to give me a real opportunity to see a vision, aka Dubai style rather than sound bites, show me how the UK can create excellence and paint a picture of what good looks likes for business in the future and I and others may lend you my vote.
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Nigel Gooding MCMI is managing partner at Fifth Consultancy and a leading business transformation professional who lists the National Rail Enquiry Service, the new MPs Expenses Scheme amongst his impressive CV. Archives
August 2016
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