What’s the plan for pan? T&T Pan has new leaders. But I’m not discerning new leadership. In fact, they are playing the same tune.
The mess they have met appears to have shocked them into a state of paralysis. And who do they turn to to solve their problems? The usual suspect, Government, who has fiscal challenges of their own.
What’s the solution? Pan Trinbago needs to open their organisation to the world. Pan Trinbago needs transparency. It’s the only way they are going to be able to build trust with their various publics. They must articulate a clear plan of how they are going to get themselves out of the hole and by when. The closest example I can point them to is the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT). Their leader, Lindsay Gillette and his team have a five-point plan. The published number one priority is reducing ASATT’s over $900,000 debt, incurred by the previous administration when it hosted the 2017 Central American and Caribbean Aquatic Confederation (CCCAN)Championships. Gillette’s second goal is for ASATT to stage international open water and water polo events locally that will serve as fund-raising events. Pan People are swimming in a sea of red ink with a reported $60 million in debt.
The approaches adopted by the leaders of Pan Trinbago and the ASATT are at polar opposites.
So what’s the plan for pan?
I believe Pan Trinbago needs help. This is a crisis. They need professional financial advisers to guide them into the future. ASATT has an experienced business man at their helm, with the right skill sets and a much smaller mountain to climb. Pan Trinbago needs to get expert financial help on board by day before yesterday. It also needs to tell its most important constituents, pan players, that things are not going to be the same for a very long time to come.
The plan must include the following:
- An organizational chart that reflects a resource plan for running Pan Trinbago. A good baseman does not necessarily make a good treasurer
- Assessment and publication of the total debt and a time based plan for its relief
- A plan to hold to account the previous leadership team and the current one
- Assessment of any receivables and the likelihood of them being paid
- A short term plan to maximise revenue from Carnival 2019 and 2020
- A longer term plan to monetise pan including the creation of a website that positions T&T as its originator and vanguard. Revenue streams must be identified in the areas of merchandising, events, talent management, pan supplies and others
Pan Trinbago needs inspired and effective leadership. The party done.
