Positivity in our country and the challenges we face as businesses, industries and citizens is a bold concept. I was fortunate to attend a communication course recently where one of the key questions we should ask in all situations is, “Do you want to contribute or contaminate?”

It is amazing what that question creates when you respond to emails, respond in meetings, chatting over dinner to your loved ones and conversations with colleagues, friends and family. When you want to contribute, the responses are positive, and you can drive the conversation to a more positive road. When we contaminate, more than half of the conversation will end up unhappy, disgruntled and disengaged. Look at what is happening in our politics, we have drifted so far from contribution that there is complete disengagement, and the people who are affected the most by this are the citizens of the country. Similarly, I urge us to contribute in our industry.

How do we work together? SAPMA has long urged members to submit statistics and data to be included in industry analysis. I know it is a laborious task, but we will all gain, if we all contribute. Buy local! Yes, margins are tight, and we are all watching our GPs – trust me, so am I, but if we support one another, we block disreputable businesses dumping below quality products in our country and for our hard earned money to leave our shores. Let’s keep our industry healthy and contribute to one another’s businesses to grow in 2020.

A key question to ask before responding: \\\”Do you want to contribute or contaminate\\\”.