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Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Monday, 16 November 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
Sri Lanka could transform itself from a developing nation to a developed nation if we could harness the potential of our people and make use of Sri Lanka’s strategic location, Mackwoods Group of Companies Chairman, Dr. Chris Nonis said.
He went on to say that being a small country Sri Lanka did not have the economies of scale of global giants, but Sri Lanka can achieve global heights by embracing change in a knowledge led economy.
Dr. Nonis made these observations when delivering the keynote address at the CIMA Management Accountants’ Conference 2015, entitled ‘Global Altitude through Local Aptitude’ held last week.
“Knowledge is power, and if used in a proper manner there is no turning back. The key is how you assimilate data and how you distil it in a coherent manner,” he added.
He said that technology had played a significant role in helping many countries to progress economically. Likewise, there are many opportunities that Sri Lanka should be looking to embrace especially in ICT, bio technology, nano technology, smart technology and smart energy areas.
Noting that it is important to harness and monitor big data he said “Many people are afraid of technologies that disrupt the traditional business models, but we need to embrace such data. This will help Sri Lanka to progress from a developing country to a developed one.”
Clarifying his point further Dr. Nonis said that technological entrepreneurs who had achieved global heights had done so due to their aptitude to understand and to embrace change.
“With windows Bill Gates made computers accessible to the majority of the world’s population, Google made the simplest search engine accessible to the largest number of people. All they have done is made things as simple as possible for the greatest number of people,” he explained.
He also noted that in achieving the global altitude one cannot rely on its strong balance sheet, but be able to take risks when opportunities arose.
Citing an example he said: “Google acquired Android and YouTube fairly earlier on its development. They didn’t rest on their laurels and healthy balance sheets. Facebook acquired whatsapp again they didn’t rest on their laurels. If a company was to progress they will not just be satisfied with a strong and healthy balance sheet, but they need to take risks as well.”
Dr. Nonis pointed out that a country like Sri Lanka which is in a transitory process to become a developed country needs to realize that if it is to make progress then it needs to embrace knowledge and change. But it needs to embrace it at an ever increasing pace.
Speaking on three prominent leaders Nelson Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew and Dr. Mahathir Mohamed that inspired him Dr. Nonis said that these personalities possessed characteristics and key attributes that Sri Lanka needs to develop if it is to use its domestic aptitude to reach global altitude.
He said that all three leaders showcased an education beyond degrees, never compromised on their principles, and showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity and never demonstrated failure or fear.
“It is not about getting wonderful applauds, it is about how you are able to stand tall during hardships and that is a sign of true leadership,” he said.
