Problems of RTAs especially in South Asia

India is the main hub of RTA activities in South Asia . In spite of a 1995 South Asian Preferential Trade Arrangement (SAPTA) with its SAARC neighbours ( Pakistan , Bangladesh , Nepal , Bhutan , the Maldives and Sri Lanka ), the transition to a South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was an arduous decade in the making, and two decades from the establishment of SAARC.

After the initial reluctance, a number of agreements are emerging. The Indo-Sri Lanka FTA (signed in 1998, operational from 2000), a Framework Agreement under BIMSTEC ( Bangladesh , India , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Thailand Economic Cooperation), Indo-ASEAN and Indo-Thailand Framework Agreements, the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Singapore , and partial scope agreements with MERCOSUR are some of the arrangements involving South Asian countries.

The problems in South Asia are rather complex. While the economic aspect is crucial, it remains secondary to the overarching political complications that crop up between countries. There is the perception, quite palpable at times, of India being not just a ‘big brother' but, equally, a ‘big bully'. There are examples of countries where conflicts both military and those resulting from shared natural resources have been minimised with the formation of RTAs. But this does not seem to be the experience yet of countries in the region. Another problem, economic in nature, is that the volume of intra-regional trade is still not significant.

In trade terms, the Indo-Sri Lanka FTA is not quite a success story. There are many instances of Indian goods flooding and swamping Sri Lankan markets, limited access being given to the latter's goods, and no end to the long list of non-tariff barriers that confront these goods! There are also numerous instances of trade facilitation-related problems that add to the transaction costs of imports and exports -- the additional costs resulting in a negation of the cost benefit under the FTA.

The general perception is that if India 's position as a regional superpower is to continue, then the support of its immediate neighbours is very important. Having good trade relations that are not merely one-way in nature will put the relationship on a firmer footing.

The ways of Identifying, Defining, and Specifying the Business problems

First identify business problems with poor leadership, weak strategy selection, superficial planning, business management issues and lack of organisation to solve them.

Identifying these as problems may not be as easy as first thought because the problems may be masked by events or external factors or most insidiously “this is how it has always been”. These problems have nothing to do with personality and everything to do with judgment and execution. The final arbiter should be results.

Some of the factors which indicates the business plan failure and is a great problem in todays business are:-

• Gather insufficient external and internal information for strategy and planning
• Wrong people involved in setting strategies and direction
• Lack of depth of thinking to generate good strategies and plan.

Defining business problem

Rephrase the Problem.

When an executive asked employees to brainstorm “ways to increase their productivity”, all he got back were blank stares. When he rephrased his request as “ways to make their jobs easier”, he could barely keep up with the amount of suggestions. Words carry strong implicit meaning and, as such, play a major role in how we perceive a problem. In the example above, ‘be productive’ might seem like a sacrifice you’re doing for the company, while ‘make your job easier’ may be more like something you’re doing for your own benefit, but from which the company also benefits. In the end, the problem is still the same, but the feelings — and the points of view — associated with each of them are vastly different.

Expose and Challenge Assumptions.

Every problem — no matter how apparently simple it may be — comes with a long list of assumptions attached. Many of these assumptions may be inaccurate and could make your problem statement inadequate or even misguided.

Chunk Up.

Each problem is a small piece of a greater problem. In the same way that you can explore a problem laterally — such as by playing with words or challenging assumptions — you can also explore it at different “altitudes”.

Find Multiple Perspectives.

Before rushing to solve a problem, always make sure you look at it from different perspectives. Looking at it with different eyes is a great way to have instant insight on new, overlooked directions.

Use Effective Language Constructs.

 There isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula for properly crafting the perfect problem statement, but there are some language constructs that always help making it more effective:

Make It Engaging.

In addition to using effective language constructs, it’s important to come up with a problem statement that truly excites you so you’re in the best frame of mind for creatively tackling the problem. If the problem looks too dull for you, invest the time adding vigor to it while still keeping it genuine. Make it enticing. Your brain will thank (and reward) you later.

Reverse the Problem.

 One trick that usually helps when you’re stuck with a problem is turning it on its head. If you want to win, find out what would make you lose. If you are struggling finding ways to ‘increase sales’, find ways to decrease them instead. Then, all you need to do is reverse your answers.

Gather Facts.

 Investigate causes and circumstances of the problem. Probe details about it — such as its origins and causes. Especially if you have a problem that’s too vague, investigating facts is usually more productive than trying to solve it right away.

Organisation - Policies

Business must comply with all applicable laws including company, health and safety, employment, taxation and have appropriate company policies. Key problems are likely to be no policies and/or contracts for:

• Balance score card
• Strategy Maps with balance score cards
• Swot analysis
• Customers
• Suppliers
• Staff, contractors or temporary staff

Other Reasons for Business Problems

The reasons for business problems are not simply restricted to the above list of internal items but also extend to external factors such as:

• Natural disaster
• Significant economic downturn
• Bigger, better or faster competitors
• New business entrant changing the rules of the game
• Products or services becoming obsolete

Strategic Myopia.. (Check and Avoid)

Management’s failure to recognize the importance of changing external conditions because they are blinded by their shared strongly held beliefs this can be termed as Strategic myopia. There are various ways by which we can prevent myopia in your personal life and in the corporate life. There are some of the few ways that have been explained below.

·         Ensure costs are understood and under control

Nothing can be achieved unless one understands the cost base so this has to be number one. Once it is analyzed the costs and dealt with any discrepancies, it is important to keep them under control. Also maintain reliable information on projected vs. actual costs and the benefits of any investments.

·         Focus on the customer

 Don’t just consider the company requirements but those that reflect the needs of customer, otherwise the company can become internally focused and the vision can be restricted by the walls of the company.

·         Create and follow a plan

One need to create a plan for the department so can have a direction. Strategic business and plans must be grounded in explicit high priority customer needs and must be aligned.

·         Engage the business

 One needs to obtain and maintain business buy-in and ongoing support. The business should have been working with on the previous steps so there are no surprises. It should be made sure to get board approval, communicate directional changes/issues and keep the board informed and find supporters and nurture them.

·         Cultivate partners and suppliers

 A good supplier strategy can deliver a win-win for both parties. Suppliers can be an asset and a major weapon in the armory. Treat them with respect and make sure they understand the challenges in the industry.

·         Think team

 A motivated, knowledgeable team is a great step to success. Communicate so everybody knows what is happening and what is expected of them. One will be surprised how people react to being treated as responsible individuals.

·         Train the team

 Ensure the right level of skills available to make things happen. Develop a skills matrix based on functional needs and match team’s individual skill levels to the matrix. Use this to highlight deficiencies and determine your training program. Developing people will pay off.

·         Shout about your success

 Let other people in the company and industry knows what is being done. Make sure communication is regular and use every opportunity to talk about the achievements in terms of business benefit.

My Experience with Oneness University (9 breakthrus) Associated with Business

The program conducted by Oneness University was very fruitful. It empowered and made me able to understand my internal psychology and control myself and make quick rational decision. It made me able to understand who I am really and the purpose of my existence in the world. I was a concrete type of person, but after the program I came to know about the reprogramming that we can do to change our behavior patterns and change the style of  life and also control our psychology and live a healthier life.

The break thru was the most beneficial process which I can now apply In my life as well as relate it with organizational process also.

The nine breakthrough treasure I have known for my life and my organization through the Oneness program are as follows:

1.       Success formula (Intent + Effort + Grace= Success).

2.       Relationships with parents

3.       Inner Integrity

4.       Programs and Reprogramming

5.       Fear of lust

6.       Real problems and created problems

7.       Breakthrough technology

8.       Vision

9.       Ego

Relating BB&T with Oneness breakthrough

Neutralizing effort while setting goals and objectives

BB&T's values form the foundation of the way they do business. Their vision, mission, and statement of purpose help to articulate how those values guide our relationships with their clients.

BB&T Corporation is an American Bank that offers full-service commercial and retail banking services along with other services like insurance, investments, retail brokerage etc. It has a very clear and specific vision. The vision of the company is to create the best financial solutions and institution possible and become the top. It wishes to stand at the top institutions all over the world.

Relating with the breakthrough given by Oneness also taught us the same thing that we should have a clear vision and goals and have intend to reach the destiny applying all the efforts possible. It also taught us that we must always be hungry and strive to be the best in every steps and be like a child who always has eager to learn and know everything asking questions in mind and do focus on our goal like a warrior. The success formula given by the Oneness can be the best example in this scenario.

·         INTENT + EFFORT + GRACE = SUCCESS

The mission statement of BB&T Corporation states that it is established to help their clients to achieve economic success and financial security. The long term profitability is clearly mentioned in the statement and it wants to help its stakeholders by providing them sound  and safe environment that would never be with another company.

Likewise if we relate this with the breakthrough it tells us that we should always be fair in all our works and our internal judgments. We should always be fair in our intentions that should always be in right manner and the intensions should not contain any negative and harmful thoughts but should influence us and environment in a rational and positive manner. It tells us that if one is happy and good from inside then he will automatically react with the environment in good and positive manner.

·         YOUR EXTERNAL WORLD IS REFLECTION OF YOUR INTERNAL WORLD

The purpose of BB&T is to create a long term economic support to their stake holders. Because of their stakeholders the firm is able to do business and come into existence. They do not step backwards even with several failures and facing obstacles. They have the courage to take risk even business is unsuccessful. The shareholders that can only be accomplished by providing excellent services to their clients since their clients are their source of revenue. BB&T’s economic results are significantly impacted by the success of their Communities. The community's “quality of life" impacts its ability to attract industry for growth. Therefore it is necessary that they manage their business in a long-term context, as an integrated whole, with the ultimate objective of rewarding their Shareholders for their investment, while realizing that the cause of this result is quality client service. These results will lead to the growth and well-being of the communities that BB&T serves.

Relating with the breakthrough it tells that we must recognize and help and support other not for any sake or profit or as in turn of reward. The oneness program tells us that you have to have good relationship with your parents in order to have good relationship with the external variables. The ego plays a vital role in making people very dishearten and criticizer because everyone wants him as the superior. So we have to manage our Ego and don’t let our Ego hurt and take deep analysis about the problem and we must have courage to say that we are wrong if we really are wrong and try to avoid those wrong processes further.

We can relate this with the following points in the break through

·         RELATIONSHIPS  (relationship with stakeholders, government, environment, society)

·         FEAR OF LUST     (Have courage and able to take risk and think failures are the lessons towards success)

·         EGO                      (Strategic Myopia)

·         VISION                 (Clear vision and focused like a warrior)

We should be able to ask these common questions to our self and analyze it

1.      What should I do right now to get to my goal?

2.      How should I utilize the situation right now?

3.      What effort should I put to get to my goal?

4.      What are the short term pleasures I have to give up to enjoy long term pleasures?