Utopia or reality
The word solidarity circulates daily in the public, on the social media, from the state, in the economy. To show solidarity, to get out of the crisis. But what is the economic part of the story of solidarity and why is it so important to see it? This is the right time to talk about the economy of solidarity, and for the domestic companies to understand that they can save each other in the real market through this kind of solidarity.
Whether the entrepreneurs, business owners will show awareness to support, to show solidarity with each other, seems incredible for our region. But let us not forget that salvation lies in ourselves, to turn all around us, since now we are all here, at home, there is no place outside. So let us look for a way to reduce the damage here, between the companies and the consumers.
The responsibility is on everyone – collective.
The question is, will the consumers show awareness and buy domestic products? Everything is within us, as we will be on the road to save the domestic companies and the economy. Or, we will look for ways to bypass something, to avoid what is ours, following the famous one, “let it fail, it deserves it”. Why not lend a hand? Do we have another option? The campaign to save tourism is inspiring, “Home is at home”.
Time will tell when the borders will open, who will act how, who will go where, whether to our tourist places, lakes, mountains or new convoys will be made at the border crossings to the neighboring countries. But let us not forget, that way, we help them, and we are failing.
In parallel with this, the touristic one, it is needed to have a stronger campaign for the rest, for every product and service that comes from a company from the domestic economy, but continously, not only purposefully, during the crisis. Some countries in the region already have such campaigns, and usually the had them before the crisis, and our businessmen demanded the same. Solidarity is also needed in the other segment of the story of this kind of approach to the economy – perhaps the most sensitive to our economy – payment.
Solidarity should also be shown in debt-trust relations, to pay each other and provide an inflow of money. Because if you pay, they will pay you, and so on. When we understand that we will not be wiser if we delay the payment to the business partners, to the companies. On the contrary, we will not be in solidarity and will contribute to the deterioration of the situation in the company, the employees, their families, etc…
When will we find the virtue of helping each other as companies?
It seems that many more readings are needed for solidarity, in every sense, in this region. An economy of solidarity is what can pull the entrepreneurs and business owners out of the crisis. That is what many successful entrepreneurs in the region say. This crisis, much more than any previous theory, lesson or attitude has proved that we must turn to our national resources, companies, workers.
It is the greatest strength, to turn to everything that we can produce, make, place on the market, but also to buy from domestic manufacturers or service providers. Since, in such conditions, the global economy can not help and save a country from a crisis, it has been proven now. Therefore, to work on ourselves, to overcome personal obstacles, vanity, and to reach the level of becoming each other’s first, best and most desired business partners, clients and customers.
We are all under attack, so we need to learn quickly and act immediately, buy local products, use local services. In such circumstances, let us do our best to “turn” as much money as possible in the domestic market. Then we will say that we are showing solidarity, then we will establish an economy of solidarity and we will create mutual support, which will help us to emerge from this difficult situation. Perhaps the greatest gain for all will be that we will be able to find in ourselves what has been forgotten, to be together for better or for worse. To turn to the local community, in which we operate, live and work, to find our business partners, customers, buyers and to be united, in the process of overcoming this difficult crisis.
Now is the right time to restructure the company lines and reach a solution with mutual support. In this way, we will show that we have passed the collective exam of solidarity. Because, the past shows that our companies from many sectors have a problem when they need to unite and organize for mutual entry into foreign markets.
Cooperations fail, exports fail, chances fail, from which they lose, the export potential loses, the foreign exchange inflow loses, the Macedonian products lose. So, at this point, let’s make a change. Although, in these difficult times, businesses must find ways to maintain their survival, let them not forget that this matter with the solidarity is one of the ways that will help maintain the business. In particular, by restructuring its operations focused more on the local community, local consumers. Thus, the changes made at the collective level, and what can be done with their own capacities, together with what the state is doing, will increase the chances of overcoming the crisis.
The new organization of the economy, based on national resources and the capacity of the domestic companies, can be our new brighter tomorrow, which will bring greater results for all and, ultimately, will remind us that we have learned the lesson of solidarity. Unfortunately, it took a crisis for us to learn this forgotten lesson. But it is never too late, because anyone who wants to move forward learns a lifetime.
Check, at least out of curiosity. Indeed, the figure is worthy of respect!
Marija Georgievska, MA
Editor and host of the show for business and economics PROFIT
