MBR_Issue_27 -January 2017 low res

Malta Business Review
06 COVER STORY
PEOPLE, CREDIBILITY & TECHNOLOGY
Shield Consultants Managing Director, John
Schembri talks about risks
10 SPECIAL REPORT
WORLD EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL OUTLOOK
ILO special report on the drivers of the global
growth slowdown
12 TALKING POINT
YNET: “2017: AN OPTIMISTIC PREDICTION
A unique and optimistic prediction for 2017 by famed thinker Michael Laitman
36
your perfect atmosphere
Our Golden Partners
Continental Cars Ltd.
44
12
06
CONTENTS
January 2017
16 ANALYSIS & DEBATE
VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN SERIES: FASTEN
SEATBELTS AND MAKE SURE IT’S REALLY TIGHT
Werner E Jung returns with a compelling view of
events taking shape around us
20 EU PRESIDENCY
VISIT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN
UNION AND THE COLLEGE OF COMMISSIONERS
Jean Claude Juncker talks of an EU where dignity,
peace and wellbeing are central
22 YACHTING
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PURCHASING A YACHT
Eqiuom’s VAT Director Ayuk Ntuiabane discusses
key areas to consider when purchasing a yacht
16
32 DAVOS 2017
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING
An exclusive guide of the most salient newsmakers in DAVOS
courtesy of Florian Eder and Brian Heath of POLTICO
36 FOCUS
WHY RUSSIA IS USING THE INTERNET TO UNDERMINE
WESTERN ECONOMIES
Irish writer Maria Farrell analyses the recent hacking
controversies and cautions on the threats and risks
40 BUSINESS TURNING POINT SERIES
8 BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPROVING YOUR WORK-LIFE
BALANCE
Paul Petroni reasons out why work-life balance is the Yeti of the
professional world
44 LESSONS ALL ENTREPRENEURS CAN LEARN FROM
BUSINESS PIVOTS
There are important lessons to be learnt from transformation,
tells us Nathalie Clarkson
46 THE NEW RULES OF MARKETING
Let’s find out why it is time to supercharge our marketing
according to Peter Fisk
52 COMPANY PROFILE
A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE
David Demicoli, Managing Director, Casasoft Ltd showcases the
reasons of his company’s growth
PUBLISHER
MBR Publications Limited
OFFICES
Highland Apartment - Level 1,
Naxxar Road,
Birkirkara, BKR 9042
+356 2149 7814
EDITOR
Martin Vella
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Marcelle D’Argy Smith
SALES DIRECTOR
Margaret Brincat
DESIGN
Jacqueline Muscat, Adam Munton
ADVERTISING
Call: 9940 6743 or 9926 0163/4/6;
Email: margaret@mbrpublications.net
or admin@mbrpublications.net
CONTRIBUTORS
David Abela; Jean Paul Abela; Jackey Backman;
George Carol; Nathalie Clarkson; Jean Paul
Demajo; David Demicoli; Maria Farell; Peter Fisk;
Rob, Boston; Werner E Jung; Thomas Mahoney;
Michael Laitman; Ayuk Ntuiabane; Paul Petrone;
Brian Scudamore; James Vella Clark
SPECIAL THANKS
BOV; Demajo Dental; DOI; Eqiuom; FIMBank;
International Labour Organisation; LinkedIN;
Ministry for Finance; Ministry for Tourism; OPR;
POLITICO Brussels Playbook & Davos Playbook;
PRINT PRODUCTION
Printit
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
After living with their dysfunctional behaviour for so
many years (a sunk cost if ever there was one), people
become invested in defending their dysfunctions rather
than changing them.
Marshall Goldsmith Moj
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Malta Business Review are those of the authors or contributors, and
are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.
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EDITORIAL
Malta Business Review
The editorial board of the MALTA BUSINESS REVIEW and the
Publications Management Committee of MBR Publications
Limited have been involved in ongoing efforts to improve the
value of our publications to our readers. A number of changes
in our current policies have recently been made and are initiated
in this issue. The most noticeable of these is the new cover and
content pages. In designing this cover, we have attempted to
illustrate to the MALTA BUSINESS REVIEW readers that we our
true to our spirit of innovation, value creation and change.
Over the years our Publications Management has discussed
changes in the way that references are cited in same of the new
content design and presentation. Many of our authors like the
current format of an author and biography presentations. This
format has given a direct indication of both who was involved in the research and profiling cited,
and how current the data should be. As printing costs are always increasing, an alteration in print is
also in the offing.
Finally, two broader issues, electronic submission and open access to the published literature are
under consideration. The editorial board is working with the Publications Management toward
enhancing and electronic submission and updating web/online and set out an improved social
media pronounced presence. We trust that these changes, keeping in sync with modern times, will
be welcomed positively and anyone who wishes to recommend any valid suggestions is welcome to
write to us.
At MBR Publications Limited, preserving our strong culture is a top priority. We must continue to
embed the values of integrity, fairness and accountability in all that we do. Doing the right thing
forms the foundation for how we do business, and our Code of Conduct represents our shared
commitment to operate with the highest level of ethical conduct. The quality of the goods or
services that government procures is obviously a very important consideration in deciding which
supplier should be awarded a particular public contract. It follows that in the regulation of public
procurement, particular attention should be given to the role of quality (also called functionality)
in the adjudication of public tenders and the final award decision. Apparently, there are times
when vested interests are concerned that the distinction between responsiveness and qualification
seems to break down, with the result that the distinction between qualification and award criteria
becomes, or rather is intentionally, blurred.
It is in this regard that our company has filed a judicial protest against Yachting Malta. As long as I
remain at the helm of the company, I shall not tolerate anyone trying to use and abuse our good
intentions, and take us for a ride. We shall speak up if we have concerns or suspect violations,
and shall always safeguard our interests, according to local laws and regulations and wherever we
operate, or endeavour to operate correctly, protecting confidential information and intellectual
property— trust is essential to our business success
We stand to fight to ensure best ethical business practices, and that we are always dealt fairly and
in good faith, and shall never allow anyone to take unfair advantage of our sound practices, ideas,
information and written submissions through manipulation, concealment or abuse of privileged
information. Personal investment activities should never conflict with public and business, or client
interests, and we shall never offer, give, solicit or receive anything of value if it is intended to be
used, abused or exploited. We shall stand up to anyone who gives, or appears to give, an improper
business advantage or benefit through manipulation or prejudice.
No amount of intimidation and threats will deter us from pursuing our righteous path, and no
twisting of truth shall discredit and smear our sound reputation.. Only those who have committed
wrongdoing need be afraid. The ones who are on the right side of the coin do not have anything to
fear.
Remember, we are in charge of our own decisions. No one, at any level, has the authority to tell us to
do something unethical or illegal, or intimidate or blackmail us. And in this quest, we are determined
to take whatever action is vital to safeguard our and defend our interests, and protect our noble
reputation.
Malta Business Review’s editorial opinions are decided by its Editor, and besides reflecting the Editor’s
opinion, are written to represent a fair and impartial representation of facts, events and provide a
correct analysis of local and international news.
Agents for:
Martin Vella
Editor in Chief
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