And here comes the Spin Doctor!
Being an eye-witness of most of the events related to the ongoing political turmoil in Madagascar, has made me think that there must be some guys who are pretty good in communication behind the scene. I know that in all great events, decision makers are used to hire the services of a “super consultant” named SPIN DOCTOR
According to some web sites that I have recently visited, the term spin doctor became familiar to everyday language in the 1980s. Its exact origin is uncertain, but spin doctor is often used to describe ”public relations experts” as well as political or corporate representatives whose job is to put a “positive spin” on events or situations. The verb “to spin doctor” is also commonly used to describe the work of a spin doctor.
If we control the spin, or direction, of an object, we are showing sides of it we want to show while not shedding light on the rest. A spin doctor uses spin control to emphasize or exaggerate the most positive aspect of something. For example, cigarette companies sell products known to be harmful, which can make them look bad. However, if they also provide funding for charitable events, or build community playgrounds, this can make them look good. Such examples of “corporate social responsibility” give corporate spin doctors positive aspects of the cigarette company to promote to the public through the media.
Some public relations firms list spin doctoring outright as one of the services they offer, while others use terms such as “transformation strategy” or “image transformation.” This is comparable to the “rebranding” that is done with products that are not selling well in order to sell them. Companies and political organizations also need a spin doctor to ‘sell’ their mission and ideas to the public. For example, when the US Department of Homeland Security, which was created after the events of 11 September 2001, was not receiving as much positive public reaction as originally hoped, the GW Bush’s administration has decided to hire corporate branders to revamp the department.
A spin doctor must keep track of all publicity, such as newspaper articles, of the organization he or she is representing. Information about public trends and perceptions is helpful to a spin doctor in assessing potential public reaction to an event. Time management is absolutely crucial to a spin doctor as an event must be publicized in a positive way before someone else can get to it first and report any information that the public could consider negative.
Do you think that Malagasy politicians, the Malagasy state, as well as local companies hire the services of “local made” spin doctors?
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Minosy
ICE Club
haingo
Havana
Tahina
Business Information for Foreigners!?
One of the frustrations we’re dealing with at the moment, to organise a move to Madagascar is the lack of information that is available or contacts in the government, that will actually reply to a question, on foreigners moving to and setting up a business in your country. The huge companies like Rio Tinto have no problem its the smaller ones that can’t get any help. If Madagascar is the same as Australia its the small businesses that employ the majority of workers.
Questions such as:
Can we buy a house? is there a waiting or residency period?
Do we have to have a local partner? many countries require this.
Can we open a bank account?
Car buying, registration, licences, taxes, employing locals, salaries, and the list goes on.
There is an opportunity for someone with the right communication skills and knowledge to start a business in this area. My husband started his business here, in Australia, with the accountant doing all the paperwork and he just paid the government fees and their fee. For non french/malagasy speakers it would be a blessing.
Maybe there is a business already out there, if there is we can’t find it, or maybe there is a niche waiting to be filled. English is after all the language of international business so why not put that language proficiency to use.
I am also looking forward to our move and look forward to being able to help anyone needing help with english. We also have a large library of books, my husband is a Sci Fi fan, that we could make available including some audio material.
Sandra Jeavons MBA
Hi Sandra,
Business and administrative procedures in English language is scarce here since we’re a french speaking cournty. We started to officially use English language 2-3 years ago. What we can propose to you is to visit the EDBM’s website at http://www.edbm.gov.mg/ unless you’ve already done it.
Hi Sandra,
Concerning the house: you can buy a house, but you can not buy land. Bear in mind that, according to the Malagasy law, the one who owns the land, owns everything which is on it.
Concerning the waiting or residency period: Please, clarify your question.
Concerning the local partner: No, having a local partner in your future business is not mandatory.
Concerning the bank account: Yes, you can open bank account.
Your business in Madagascar:
What will be its activities? What will be the legal form of the company (public limited company, limited liability company, …)? What will be the name of the company? What will be the registered capital (share capital) of the company? How many shareholders will own the company?
Thanks we found the EDBM website very useful, but its a pity no one has replied, to any of our emails, to date.
Andry – In a lot of countries you can take up a residency visa which gives you the same rights as a national, but you have to be in the country a number of months/years before applying. I did find that on the above website but it doesn’t state a waiting period. That will fix the house buying problem as I don’t think I’d like to buy a house but not the land its on.
The above site explained all the legal forms of businesses, so I suppose we will leave that until we arrive.
Thanks again
Sandra