Book Review

The Business of Nation Building

The Business of Nation Building The Business of Nation Building

In the corporate world the name Douglas Orane is a pretty big deal. It is synonymous with dependability and business savvy, which is what he brought to the table as the former CEO of the Grace Kennedy Group. So it is little wonder that when he consented to compile excerpts of some of his most memorable speeches over the years, that people were going to sit up and pay attention.

His publication, The Business of Nation Building, speaks to his journey as a businessman, as well as what he has unearthed about leadership and several other things pertaining to development and nation building. These gems he has applied as the head of one of Jamaica’s biggest and most beloved companies – GraceKennedy – and has stayed the course over the years, never leaving its roots downtown when, at times, it was not exactly popular to be situated among the debris of what was once considered the heartbeat of our capital.

The book is like a manual for every young entrepreneur and patriotic Jamaican, as the speeches chronicled are akin to a blueprint for what needs to be done in order for us to move forward both as individuals and as a nation. His pristine vision of what Jamaica needs and where Jamaica needs to be are insightful and poignant, which is exactly why he held key posts not only as an independent senator in Parliament, but was also president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.

The Business of Nation Building shares his views on punctuality, the nature and role of leadership, international competition, consumer-centricity, traits leading to success, powerful women, leadership in the whirlwind of change, 2020 vision, and the relaunch of the Grace brand. Though not discounting that a lot needs to improve in order for us to see meaningful growth, The Business of Nation Building is a literary gold mine which resonated loudly with what Governor General Sir Patrick Allen so aptly stated, that anything wrong with Jamaica can be fixed by what is right with Jamaica. Orane’s collection is a living testimony to that philosophy.