If there's one genus of the human species I pity it's the economist. I can't think of them as a profession because there must be something in the DNA that leads inevitably to this line of work. Why else would someone choose to miss out on fun?
Take the research
out this week from Trade and Enterprise purporting to show why we're trailing the world for high-growth businesses. Despite being super-smart at inventing and creating stuff - our renowned "No8 wire mentality" which puts us at second-most entrepreneurial country after Thailand - we're just too laidback when it comes to competitiveness.
We really don't want to be uber-rich. We'd rather knock off at 6pm and enjoy a drink with our mates, play a game of beach cricket with the kids, or finish that deck we've been promising the wife for years.
This is not good, say the bean-counters, who call it New Zealand's "bach, boat and BMW" mentality, and "we settle for the good life rather than grow our businesses to their full potential".
Have these mandarins at Trade and Enterprise ever run a business? Have they ever experienced the potential nightmares of staff problems, employment grievances, sick days, endless form-filling to satisfy the IRD, Statistics NZ and every other bureaucrat who must justify his job?
Wealth comes in many forms, not just financial, but economists don't consider human behaviour. That's why I feel sorry for them. They can't stop to smell the roses.
When I look at diamonds I see sparkle and romance. I picture someone being loved very much; adored.
When economists look at diamonds, they see carats and dollars.
When I look at a champion thoroughbred I see 600kg of beauty which lets pint-sized jockeys climb on its back and run like the wind to victory.
An economist sees (at best) tax write-offs, but (more likely) too much elation when Melbourne Cups are won.
As I write this I look out my window at our 11.5ha of pinot noir, pinot gris, viognier and syrah. In several months' time ripe grapes will be picked but next year's pinot noir won't be sold until 2013 at the earliest. I can't explain it in high falutin' language, but our red wine is at its loveliest after ageing several years. So I look at those vines and see future years of laughter, sharing the luscious result of hard work. If we make a buck or two in the process, well, cheers.
An economist sees little return on investment and says turn it into rocket fuel. To be fair, Trade and Enterprise's research could not have come at a worse time. The weather is warming up. We feel like cranking up the barbecue and heading for the beach. Who wants to take on the world when Christmas is around the corner?
And there is truth in some of research leader Tony Smale's words, when he said we don't have to compromise our lifestyles to make more money. What is important is to be aware of what makes us different as New Zealanders. It's too easy to assume, for example, that because we all speak English, we're the same as Australians, when we are not. The Aussies take no prisoners when it comes to doing business, and that's why so many New Zealand companies cross the Tasman, lay all their cards on the table, then have nothing left with which to negotiate.
So we're not motivated by money, we avoid conflict, and we lack confidence in ourselves. I'd put a different spin on that. I'd say we have a generosity of spirit, we're peacemakers, and we don't brag.
And don't worry economists, some New Zealand entrepreneur will soon invent a cure for your cursed affliction.
Opinion by
If there's one genus of the human species I pity it's the economist. I can't think of them as a profession because there must be something in the DNA that leads inevitably to this line of work. Why else would someone choose to miss out on fun?
Take the research
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