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Kr. Valdemara str. 33
Office 11 (entrance from courtyard)
Phone: +371 67218043
Fax: +371 67218045
info@bccl.lv |
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| November 27 |
| Anita Kalçja at the BCCL Monthly Dinner at Radisson SAS Hotel |
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Dear members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Latvia,
Dear guests,
I have decided to give my Chairman’s speech after, not before tonight’s guest for a number of reasons. First, I believe that Mr. Stiprais, Head of the Chancery of the President, and no one else is best suited to explain the reasons for the President’s abscence. Secondly, I also think that we as members of the BCCL have a lot to worry about in the current situation. There is a sense that Latvia is on the verge of turbulent times that might affect everyone. Hence, I would like to share with you my thoughts about the role of our organization.
I would like to start with a few reflections about trust. Lately, this topic has been dominant in the public space. Newspapers don’t shy away from quite dramatic exclamations, such as “Latvia is facing the crisis of trust!”, “The country demands trustworthy and predictable politics!”. I find that there is some truth in this. We, members of the BCCL, both as business people and individuals that are loyal to Latvia (some of us here are Latvian citizens), cannot take lightly the situation when it is not difficult to get people in the streets expresssing their disappointment about the way in which this country is governed. To put it bluntly, it affects the quality of our lives, and it affects our businesses.
Trust, this word does not signify a particular object, but it means a lot. If I look around, I see many friends in this room whom I trust. What does it mean? We have a common history together - many good things have been done both in business, as well as in the BCCL. I know, because of our past, that I can take a risk in revealing to you private or business information, I can take a risk in extending to you my services or giving you my advice. For this risk is justified. I know that you will reciprocate in the same manner. When I think of your future actions, I rely on my judgments on my knowledge about the way in which you make up your mind on various topics. I can rely on you because I know the traits of your personality. All things considered, I conclude that I trust someone if I am willing and ready to take a reasonable risk, knowing that my actions will not be used against me. I trust someone if I know that I am trusted. Quite simply, we trust those who trust us. And finally, I trust someone if I can predict the way in which decisions are taken. To sum it up, trust means three things - risk, reciprocity and transparency.
If I look further, the same applies to organizations. It is the same ability to accept risks, to seek out reciprocity and to acquire a reasonable sense about the decision-making. All of them are the elements of trust.
What can we make of these observations? Well, I think that trust is a gift that we can either give to someone or we can choose to withhold. And in this time of uncertainty, I will be very concerned about the question - to whom should I extend my gift of trust? I suggest that we as an organization, and individually should be very cautious. I know that I will be.
But I know something else as well. I know that here I am amongst friends. And we as a chamber have to work hard to protect ourselves from members that might abuse our trust. Moreover, we have to become more actively engaged in order to communicate our trustworthiness. But, and what is most important, we should make demands about the trustworthiness of our partners. I am certain that with this in mind, the chamber will be able to thrive even in these turbulent times. We shall do our utmost to remain an island of integrity to our members.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my gift of trust to our guest speaker, as well as to the President who is unfortunately absent. There is not much else that can be done. The President has been given an important task in running this country. And he has accepted it. Please be so kind as not to abuse the power that has been entrusted to you, the office of the President of Latvia!
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