The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Partner of V5 Solutions Ltd and FV Global Consult, Dr Victor Abbey says strategic leadership positioning is key to attracting investments in the current global economic crisis.
Speaking on the topic: ‘Strategic Leadership Positioning – Building a Learning Organisation to Attract Future Global Investments’ at the just-ended Africa-Dubai Investment Summit held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) city of Dubai, he said leadership positioning through the creation of learning organisations or institutions in attracting global investments is critical in addressing the current economic challenges.
“In this current world of economic volatilities, and uncertainties, we cannot do the same thing over and over and expect to achieve different results”. Dr Abbey therefore called for a paradigm shift in the way leaders lead.
He highlighted the need for business leaders to be conscious of today’s generational dexterity, technology and cyber security, succession planning, strategic collaborations, effective change management and human capacity building in their business leadership efforts at promoting a learning environment within their organisations to be well positioned to attract future global investments.
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Dr Abbey who is also the author of the book, ‘VUCA World and the Future of Corporate Strategy & Leadership’, noted that the different generations at the workplace and within businesses are vital for their growth, if the available capabilities are well harnessed.
While touching on the generational differences at the workplace, he called for a continued capacity building programme for those who are lagging.
On strategic collaborations, Dr Abbey urged business leaders in Africa and other parts of the world to collaborate more to expand their businesses.
On ESG which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, he appealed to the business leaders to apply these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities.
In his words: “We must be concerned about the environment, climate change and diversity as we strive to make profits from our business operations.
Dr Abbey also raised issues regarding corporate governance in and outside organisations, and urged all leaders to embrace corporate governance issues to attract global investments.
For succession planning, he observed that most successful global businesses put in place succession plans right from the inception, while the majority of family-owned businesses in Africa especially collapse because of the lack of proper succession plans.
Dr Abbey did not mince words when he advised the business leaders gathered at the Africa-Dubai Investment Summit to invest in scientific research, emphasising: “Business investment decisions must be underpinned by scientific research outcomes, and not feelings or emotions”.
“Scientific research must be conducted to prove that indeed the feasibility and profitability of that business or product and service is high”, he stated.
Dr Abbey concluded that strategic leadership positioning should not only be within corporate entities but at the political and diplomatic level as well.
To this end, he urged African leaders to look within their countries and find solutions to their problems and desist from solely relying on others for solutions.
