CT p20 Holyrood Dec08.qxp 21/11/2008 14:40 Page 20
UIforwardHolyrood LobbyUIback
The power of
positive thinking
Well, I wonder what Jefferson would have thought apprentices when there is work to be done right
about our current ‘credit crunch’? NOW. What we read and hear in the media is
When it comes down to it, we have a problem overly pessimistic because this year saw a record
only because we think it is a problem. The whole number of Modern Apprentices in our industry!
banking system is founded on confidence. If we While this doesn’t necessarily mean that that
think times are good, they are. If we think the there are not tougher times ahead, it
world is collapsing, it will. demonstrates that the industry is mostly optimistic
Thomas Jefferson expressed his disdain for the about the future at present.
control banks exert over us for artificial reasons This is supported by anecdotal feedback from
David Wright when he said “The system of banking (is) …a blot . our Member companies and by a recent SELECT
head of external which… is sweeping away in its progress the survey that showed 10% of Members worried
affairs, SELECT fortunes and morals of our citizens.” (letter to John about the future, 62%, however, reported that
Taylor 1816). trading conditions were either as good as ever, or
The thing is that whatever the banks think, they better!
are not as powerfully important as the opinions of This is a time to create our own future – and the
businesses and of the people. Scottish Government has a key part to play.
C W Longenecker summed it up in his verse “If There are three key actions that can be taken.
you Think You Can” (published on this page) “But 1.The first can have immediate economic impact –
soon or late, the man who wins is the man who Public Sector projects should be brought forward
thinks he can” immediately. Let’s just do it. NOW.
Scotland’s electrical contracting industry has 2.The second has a medium term effect – the
never had the reputation of taking on apprentices Scottish Government must ensure that all Public
for better times in the future. Instead, firms start Sector clients protect the supply chain by no
longer abdicating responsibility for security of
payment when the main contract is awarded.
If You Think You Can!
Project Bank Accounts would help this process.
3.The third action involves standing our public
If you think you are beaten, you are,
sector procurement approach on its head by
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
actively employing procurement as a tool for
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
stimulating the Scottish Economy.
It is almost certain you won’t.
Will this make the procurement process more
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
costly? Well, yes, it almost certainly will – but
For out in the world we find,
consider the benefits. The Procurement
Success begins with a fellow’s will.
Directorate is so hung up on maximizing the
It’s all in the state of mind. efficiency of the process, it is incurring Opportunity
If you think you are outclassed, you are, Cost penalties. The public sector spend in
You’ve got to think high to rise, Scotland is so big that we’d be crazy not to use it
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
for the advantage of the economy.
You can ever win a prize.
We should heed the wisdom of management
Life’s battles don’t always go
scientist Stafford Beer when he said “the man who
To the stronger or faster man.
prides himself on making no losses on one
“If we think the
But soon or late the man who wins,
account is almost certainly incurring unnecessary
world is
Is the man who thinks he can.
losses on another account”.
collapsing, it Let’s take the advice of Keynes also and put the
~
C. W. Longenecker
will.”
~
weight of public sector procurement behind
Scotland’s SMEs.
20UIbackUIforwardCABLEtalk • December 2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48