WILLIAMS: If we can overcome the fear of crime and the challenges it creates, I will be satisfied and comfortable that I'm not missing out on anything anywhere else in the world.- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHERThe following is a continuation of an interview with businessman Christopher Williams, head of NCB Capital Markets Limited. The first part was carried in yesterday's Gleaner. The interview was conducted by Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer.
BE: Why are more people now getting the financial and business intelligence and wealth creation savvy, is it a legacy of the 1990s banking sector meltdown?
CW: Two things. One, the macroeconomic stability over the last 18 to 24 months as it relates to the key variables of inflation, inflation and interest rates; those have been trending in the right direction and giving investors the confidence to look outside the
status quo.
Two, through the development of the money management industry, we have seen significant competition and a number of institutions are vying for individuals to invest in them.
That scenario creates an awareness of this new word 'wealth' in Jamaicans through advertisements. Competitive pressures have come to bear and a number of previously passive institutions have become aggressive and stepped out to take advantage rather than lose business.
WEALTH CREATION PRODUCT
NCB Capital Markets began as Edward Gayle and Company in 1969. The board took a decision, it was re-branded into capital markets and we have injected new blood which now see us getting at least three calls from institutions that have individuals who want us to talk to them about wealth creation. People are coming in to sample the products.
We could add a third reason: we have also seen a reduction in interest rates on the traditional products and because individuals have seen this they are now looking to wealth creation product range.
Our philosophy as outlined by our chairman is to assist in building a better Jamaica and we will do this one investor at a time.
BE: Let's talk about your career road map. When you started, did you set out be at the management level. Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
CW: This is my industry. I love the relationship-building aspects. I love the investment industry and do not see myself outside the industry. I love its competitive nature and interaction with people from all walks of life, but if I follow my own advice, I will be retired in 20 years.
BE: What's your typical day like and how does that synchronise with family time?
CW: On a typical day, I begin at 8:30 a.m. when action starts. Our days can be long because individuals want to speak to me at their convenience at homes or elsewhere. They unwind and speak about their future.
I operate two shifts, but I make time to play with my son who energises and keeps me grounded. I enjoy the job, keep things real, go to the gym and then get back to seeing clients.
Although I organise my day in two shifts, I aim to maintain a balance and work for eight rather than 12 to 16 hours. There are other aspects to my life and I love my work, but I am not a workaholic.
BE: How would you advise others in your position who need advice on maintaining success, reality and balance?
CW: I would tell them not to take themselves too seriously; recognise that everything in life that we put emphasis on is transitory; many years from now most of us won't even be remembered. Enjoy it, do your best and be happy with what you do.
BE: Many employers complain that they have problems with applicants who come in with an emphasis on their qualification and how much compensation they expect, but they have no common sense, cannot use initiative, are inflexible and are clock watchers. How do you stay on top of the game in this area and how do you cope?
CW: I have a great team and the group gets many top quality people wanting to work for us. What we are not doing in Jamaica is developing enough entrepreneurial minds.
I approach my day as if I'm the entrepreneur behind NCB Capital Markets. That's what's lacking. We don't get enough people wanting to go beyond the call of duty. You have to do a business plan, whether you are a businessman or building a career you have to do a business plan.
So as a career person, your business is the development of yourself. You must do a business plan for your career.
How do I approach my day? Approach it in an entrepreneurial way; do I need to invest in my skill, set projected income ... consider what I need to invest in as Chris Williams Limited?
It's not just development from high school and university and then you start to cash in; that's just the foundation to start. It begins when you go into the work environment, you build it by treating customers (employers) right.
There must be total satisfaction on the part of your superiors. Do further training, check posture and grooming, through health and responsible behaviour; no excesses, remain focused and exercise.
You can achieve if you have a passion to be the best at what you do. Go through the education process, but you have to have the drive to succeed.
BE: As someone whose desire is to be here, raise your children here, what is your wish for Jamaica?
CW: To get a handle on aggression and crime. We can be poor, but let us be poor and safe. It might be wishful thinking, but if we can overcome the fear of crime and the challenges it creates, I will be satisfied and comfortable that I'm not missing out on anything anywhere else in the world.
We can live with the fact that we may not compare in terms of per capita income with first world economies, but we cannot live with our neighbours being held up, kidnapped, raped or killed.
Once you start to show signs, we become targets and that should not be so, upward mobility should be encouraged. So that is my wish for my country, we get back to the core values we learnt as youngsters so we don't have to start thinking of the opportunities for our children elsewhere rather than here.
Once we start doing that, the longevity of our country is jeopardised. If our best minds have to look outside, that is not good.
STRONG LEADERSHIP
My hope is that through the evolution of wealth management, educational opportunities, industries, health care, construction, we will start to create opportunities for people, that will distract them from crime.
The government can't take it all on through a national guard, it must create an environment where entrepreneurs can do business because that will drive the nation's success.
My wish for Jamaica is also that we have good and strong leadership that has the courage to step forward and make decisions, guide us and are proactive and visionary. The kind of leaders who take responsibility if their decisions, even if these decisions turn out to be incorrect, and have the courage to step down from office and be accountable when they do wrong.
