Is Mirant To blame?

Ok guys I know I am going to catch alot of flack for this, but We have just had Meeting with the Cheif of Mirant Operations and New Chairman Of our board (ie JPS). After this meeting a number of things have become clearer, for me at least.

First of, Life can be a b*tch and as such we just have to learn how to role with the punches.

Bottom Line
Now I must remind everyone that Mirant is first and Formost, a profit making organization, and this is perfectly acceptable, as most organizations are profit making. As a result of this however, they will set up business processes that ensure that they do so, again I must say this is not a sin.

Now while JPS's business processes are not first class, as yet, there is still a need to make money. This being the case one might ask, why would the Govt sell out a public service Company to an Organization whos #1 priority is not the wellfare of the population, but rather to make a profit. Dont get me wrong JPS wants and needs a happy customer base, and is concerned, in there own way, about the welfare of costumers, remember the majority of the workers at JPS are customers as well, but the bottom line for Mirant is not re-election, but rather to please share holders.

Why Sell
That being sad, pryor to the 2001 sale of the Company, the island was suffering from rolling blakouts as the Generating capacity, as well as other factors, could not cope with the growth in the demand. the Govt then realized that in a few years the demand would outstrip supply. Off course the quickest solution was of course build a new Power plant. prob was power plants cost money. Now I am sure the Govt could have gotten a loan from the World bank, but for what ever reason the Govt decided to get sell.
Now looking at it, it made sense, I can say catagorically that the Jamaican Govt, is INCAPABLE of running any organization or project ifficiently. I will almost go as far as to say it is Flat out IMPOSSIBLE.

Why Sell
Not only was the Govt running JPS poorly, (through no reel fault of there own, I'll explain why in another blog) but, the govt at the time did not want to spend that kind of money (> 100Mil) on an expansion project, knowing full well that curruption would kill most of the budget. Privetization offered the perfect way out.
To be honest the difference in operations that I have been told about have been Significant, when I here of stories of the old days, I find it amazing the amount of foolishnes and the amount of money wasted by this Company, and the sad part is as much as we are more effiecient now, we have yet to reach first class organization status. I have to ask, what was the Govt Doin with the Company :S. It is really sad.

High Oil Prices
Off course as the PR camapin of late has been saying, the major cause for increases are of course the Oil Prices, JPS dont really benifit from this at all. U see, the economics of it is that, as light rates go up due to oil prices, people conserve more and that means less revenue and smaller profits.

Ivan Recovery
Now one of the biggest areas of contention is of course the z factor and the X factor ( if i have the names correctly). Now like it has been said before Transmition and Distribution Lines cannot be insured by third parties, as a result every power company has to Insure in themselves, this insurabnce cost, is usually passed on to the consumer (thats the international practice) on of the main Q's of course is why wasnt this fund there before. the Answer: because the Govt is clueless when it comes to running any Organization Ifficiently and correctly. Of course after Ivan the company, needing to make a profit asks to pass the cost to consumers, again I say, Mirant is a Profit making organization and as such it is well wsith there rights to do so, besides this is a standard intn'l practice and Mirant is after all an Intern'l organization.

As a result
I think we are goin through a transitional phase, while the Govt had the company things were fine, because the Govt was not concerned about profits primerly, however Mirant is and as such changes will be made. It will be difficult and it will advbersley affect our lives, but Mirant is doing nothing it did not say it would do, the reall blame must go to the Govt. who decided to sell the Company. At the same time whaty would have been the alternative :S.

Leadership

Finally here is a long over due post.
I have gotten Tiered of writing spelling Disclaimers, yet not tierd enought to use spell check, hush, u'll get over it.
:D

Now that the results are out and the Pan exec has been selected I feel at liberty to blog about my views on leadersip and me.
For quite some time I had decided that I would not run for captaincy of panoridim nor would I look for any extra position here at Work simply because I didnt think I was ready, I felt, and to an extent still do, I did not have the 'vision' a leader is required to have.
This is strange coming from a guy who wants to go into Management, preferabley project management.
In any case I couple weeks ago I had a talk with My father that made me change my approach.
I realized that I have been waiting for all these qualities I think a leader needs to just come to me. I now see, However, that is the wrong approach.
There are those who are born leaders, who inately have all that is required
and then there are those who must aquire what is needed. I am the latter.
What I have been missing however is the fact that allot of what one needs to 'aquire' can only be got through experience.

My time here at JPS has helped me to grow and develope the work ethic I have now.
One of the most important things my fist boss taught me was that people dont care about why not, they care about results. For this lesson I have to also thank DOMS and MSB.
The result of this lesson was that, If you are given a task to do and you dont know where to start, stop wining and find out how to do. (Quote From Sword Of Truth: Think about the solution and not the problem.). And that has basicall the way in which I opperate. What I had missed is that this approach should be applied to other areas of my life.

The funny thing in all this I realize that my father has been telling me this for years, and I never got it until now, all the stories he use to tell me about his work, where he often had resposibilities or got tasks he had no clue about. What Made him the "Go to" man for so many people was that his philosophy was that if he cant do it, get someone who can.

Chip off the Block:
This leads the other part of this blog.

I realize that I am very similar to my father, and I realize that like him, its not the actual Job that I do I love, but the feeling I get from accomplising something, to set out to get something done and seeing it through to completion.
Last week I spoke to him again and he was telling me about a function he went to and there was a problem with the procedings. I listened as he described with relesh how he just went up and Took matters into his own hands and made sure things started moving smoothley again. What was so amaziung about the conv. was that I was Riveted, I was caught myself making Mental Notes of what he did and discarding some of his approaches ands thinking where Mine would have been better. By the Time he hung up
I realized I was not really much Diff from him, I am not as Outspoken (I think) nor do have that "Take Charge Presence" that I he has, but I do enjoy, like he does being apart of something and helping, no matter where from, to get it done.
He is now apart of many Commitees and He does very little preaching, yet he is well know across Montego bay and Trelawny, If there is a function or Event, or evern a major church project (especially if it involves the Youths) My father is usually somehow involved, and if not, was not for a lack of people trying to get him.
Now My Q is how did he juggle having a Family and feed the love for his work, I have to have that talk with him. I still think it was a miracle.

WMR & Justified

Break ups are Hard


Signed: Seeking to strengthen conviction

Inspired By B's Blog

OK Guys I got the Sites from B's Blog and got carried away with doing them, I find it to be somewhat accurate, ya'll should Give it a shot, pretty intresting.

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

How Machiavellian Are You?

Your Brain's Pattern

You're a simple thinker, and this is actually a very good thing. You don't complicate matters when you don't have to. You look for the simplest explanation or solution, and you go with that. As a result, your mind is uncluttered and free of stress.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

How You Life Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You tend to avoid confrontation and stay away from sticky situations. You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many aquaintences. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

Your Power Color Is Lime Green

At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?"

What's Your Power Color?

You Are 27 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Wedding Playlist

Ok Guys This is the beginnings of what I consider to be a perfect playlist for a wedding.

I'd love to get your feedbak and suggestions.

Tribute To the Groom :- Carnival Is Over
Tribute To Bride :- Baby
Bridal Procession :- War March Of the Priest

To Be completed........

Conceited?

Am i conceited for thinking that I am the center of my universe?
Am I conceited for thinking that everything some how is related to me?
Am I conceited for enjoying hearing people talk about me?
Am I conceited for thinking that I am important, Desired and loved?
Am I conceited?

Sometimes I think I am.
Sometimes I think I am too self obsorbed.
Sometimes I think I am too concerned with my own well being.
Sometimes I think I think too much about how what i do will benifit me.
Sometimes I think I am putting myself on too high a pedasil.
Sometimes I think I do things for others to appease my concience.
because....
Sometimes I think I am too in love with me.

Yet i am happy.

Signed: Seeking Balance