Dec 17, 2009
Some thoughts for the end of a decade:
It didn't really hit me until recently that we are wrapping up a decade in a few more weeks. I suppose all the hoopla about the 'new millenium' obscured the fact that we still tend to measure events in terms of 'what happened in the...' Be it the '60's, '70's, '80's or any other decade, we do tend to bracket events around that measure of time. That being said, what a remarkable decade the '00's have been. First, we were scared of the 'millenium bug' which turned out to be a virtual non-issue, but then we were faced with the horror of 9/11 and the resulting 'war on terror.' The new millenium quickly showed that it would be a tremendous challenge, even as many of us thought we were on the verge of great progress.
The ripple effect of 9/11 is still being felt world wide, not only with the ongoing war in Afghanistan, but also in the financial collapse of '08 which has it's roots in the fiscal response to 9/11. We have now experienced both the worst financial crisis since WWII but also faced a military scenario which very easily could have led to another world war. Frightening times indeed.
I think many of us are feeling a bit shell shocked over all that has happened, but are also wondering, 'where do we go from here?' I'd like to mention some of the positive things I have observed, and leave you with a message of hope for a better future:
- The increasing use of the internet has allowed communication to flow faster than ever before. While censorship still occurs in many countries, I feel the internet will become a huge influence in bringing more understanding of different countries and cultures. The effective use of the internet can also be a boon to business and the environment (think telecommuting and pdf documents instead of burning gas in traffic jams and cutting trees down to use as paper).
- New ideas and technologies are emerging at an amazing pace. The new decade will see electric cars hitting the roads in increasing numbers and could drastically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Infrastructure investments in light rail will also be of great benefit once they are completed.
- Solar technologies are rapidly improving and I believe that a coordinated push to roll this technology out will also have an incredible effect on decreasing our use of fossil fuels.
- Canada has proved itself to be one of the best fiscally managed countries in the world. Our financial institutions, including our Insurance Companies, have withstood the financial crisis virtually unscathed. While the beginning of the '10's will see a 'hardening' of the Insurance marketplace, it is likely to be mild relative to previous market cycles, and solvency does not appear to be an issue whatsoever. We are seeing tremendous innovation in the way we do business and in the long run, the consumer will benefit.
- Our leaders appear to finally be getting the message that the environment is important. This is significant given that previous recessions usually pushed the environment well down on the agenda. That isn't happening this time around and it bodes well for future generations that we are finally getting serious about it. A move to a 'green economy' will have many economic benefits which may not be readily apparent in the present, but will become abundantly clear in the future.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic customers who have stood with us as we made our way through this tumultuous decade, and the ones which came before. Over the past year I have talked to customers who have been with us as far back as 1965 and I am thrilled to see this sort of thing. Without you we wouln't be in business.
I wish everyone a very happy holiday and a very happy and prosperous new year and decade. Let's look forward to the positive changes, even as we rise to the challenges that also will present themselves.
Michael Stuart, BBA, FCIP, CRM, CAIB
Grant, Jones & Stuart Insurance Brokers
Phone: 905-470-2732 ext 225
Toll Free: 1-800-445-2270
Fax: 905-470-2762
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