After one week on the island, Pete’s and Tony’s celebrity had cast a wide net of local fans. The number one priority of the trip was to secure new business. They won it in droves. At the weekly Rotary dinner, they were toasted for what they had given to the local community. Moreover local businessmen were keen to praise the CII team, led by the “likely lads”, was providing a first class transportation service with a personal touch they had never experienced before. Local importers just love our 24/7 accessibility and the can do spirit that follows. Since their return they discovered that they now have a tiger by the tail. All good stuff; but we still have so much to do and accomplish.

There are very few markets in the world in which it is still about relationships. Pete and Tony started with breakfast meetings, followed by lunch and dinner meetings for the whole seven days they were there. If it hadn’t been for Pete talking about his hobby to a couple of customers and then following up his promises with action our small company would have remained an unknown. Today hundreds of Samoan boys and men are benefiting from our commitment to be solid community members and follow up our words with actions. I cannot name another country in the world where there is such opportunity to be able to grow business, give a little back and then reap such huge rewards from spiritual and business point of view.

Most of the overseas aid promised to Haiti has not been received and it has been left to the good ol’ USA to restore some semblance of life to all affected Haitians. Today I was listening to a radio program on how the aid is still not getting to many of the victims still reeling from the disaster. Comments were made that while all the recognized and experienced aid agencies have huge teams spread around the country, many appeared totally inept at getting help to those most in need. There are hundreds of huge warehouses around the country brimming to the rafters with food, medicines and tents, yet orphanages’ larders are empty and children are starving.

At CII, we jumped in boots and all last year when American Samoa was all but wiped out by a Tsunami of mammoth proportions. Although Haiti’s earthquake hit after Samoa was swamped, we decided charity begins at home and for us Samoa is home and Haiti isn’t. My view also was China has plenty of money to spend and my thoughts were introducing Communism to Haiti through Chinese aid would be a good thing for both countries. Democracy has never worked there! For us, every day something good happens business-wise with Samoa and we now so truly also feel part of the community. Peter Lamy and Tony Feist are already en route to that South Pacific island paradise and I have been told the red carpet is already out in anticipation for their arrival. It has been a case of giving a little to receive back much. Fifty percent of their time will be mingling with the local communities sorting out projects we can help them with. Already another trip is planned for September and the boys promise me this time I will be invited!

Talofa!

Actually I shouldn’t really appear to be such a curmudgeon because in three short years, our business to Samoa has grown in leaps and bounds and much of it is due to their hard work at garnering such huge respect from the local business community. This has extended out into the community at large, because their last two visits have had such a positive impact. They have timed this visit to coincide with the ship’s arrival from L.A. of a container full of goodies for the first of three gyms to be completely outfitted. They want to be there to see the joy on the faces of locals as the equipment and gear is personally delivered. Yes, it is about giving a little something back.

Bon voyage Pete and Tony. We could not have two better ambassadors in the pair of you representing our company. I wish I could have made the trip, but maybe I will just have to wait until next time.