In Search of a New Mentality
To achieve a breakthrough Slovenia needs a new mentality, new values and innovation, as prosperity will not be achieved without competitiveness, a panel organised by the Manager Association was told.
This is a new time with new questions that requires new answers, Iztok Seljak, the boss of industrial conglomerate Hidria, told a panel dedicated to the managers' commitment to take Slovenia to the top 15 in the EU at per capita GDP by 2020.
Slovenia needs innovation, new business models, new forms of cooperation and trust. This requires commitment not just by the managers but also by politicians and trade unions, he said.
A similar point was raised by Peter Kraljič, a former partner of the McKinsey consultancy. But he argued taking Slovenia to the top 15 in the EU was not ambitious enough: the goal should be the top 15 in the world.
Sonja Gole, the chief executive of caravan maker Adria Mobil, called for cooperation. She said success required a mix of experienced management, leveraging people's skills and motivating employees with appropriate remuneration.
Dušan Semolič, the head of the powerful ZSSS trade union association, meanwhile cautioned against the uncritical adoption of decisions taking by Germany and France, noting that there are differences between European countries.
Director of car parts supplier Hella Saturnus Christopher Droste, who was named manager of the year in 2011, stressed that Slovenia needed a strong government with a vision and a strong parliament.
Boštjan Vasle, the head of the government's macroeconomic think-tank IMAD, said that Slovenia needs to tackle structural problems and sort out its public finances. But he noted that a lot would also depend on what happens in its key trading partners.
Comments
Alan hit the nail on the head. How then can trust be created: by first creating an independent, open, and fearless judiciary to sentence wrongdoers to deserved jail terms. Following which people will develop trust for their politicians and associates, knowing there is the law above which no one lives. Slovenia knows all this, but I am afraid the country will not get there until a new generation of leaders take over. Its current leaders aren't of that needed material; and who can dispute the old, truthful saying that "a right-hander should never be expected to become a left-hander at old age"?
How about the government keeps its nose out of people’s lives
How about reduced the ridiculous self-employment fees (over €250 a month)
How about either repairing the roads or reducing road tax and/or vinjeta
How about encouraging foreign investment get some foreign companies here (i.e. supermarkets, hotels etc.)
How about ending enforced membership of trade unions
How about creating some jobs and looking at peoples work experience rather than what degree they have
How members of parliament working for the people instead of working to increase they own personal wealth
etc. etc.
I think what s needed most now, is less talking and more actions. I think most know what s needed, but now we wanna see some efforts too..
Slovenia is a gem. A country of extraordinary beauty with a core of a cultured, innovative, fearless society. What's missing? Trust. Trust of our leaders, trust between ourselves and trust in the decision-making of our institutions and leaders. Slovenia's only limitation is in its imagination. First and highest priority...a strategy to rebuild trust. Trust is the lubricant for a vibrant society.
READ ALSO
- The Future is International
- Hella Ready to Invest Additional EUR 60m
- Interview: Mario Ingo Soos, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Going Strong
- Double Dip Recession is the ‘Official’ Reality
- Family Evicted over Unpaid Bill
- 938 Millions for Greece
- And the Guest Stars for 2011 are...
- 600 Millions for the New Greek Bailout
- Postojna Cave: Where Time Stops
- It is interesting though that by Slovenian law...
- It is sad to see small countries like Slovenia...
- let s hope they wake up quickly...
- "Afghanistan"
- Answer to Charles; Yes, I think they have...
Good ideas, but we have a clusterfuck of personal interests in our parliament. The welfare is not distributed thourhg laws, but through networks of people. It's a small country. Everoyone is related. Plus our balkan mentality. Protestantism (in terms of self-responsibility) also didn't hold, catholics made a cruel comeback 400 yrs ago. It's all about moaning and looking for excuses and who to blame.