Investment and Wealth Creation l – Summary Dec 2011
December 17, 2011
Investment Thoughts – Conference Review
February 18, 2012Business Plans and Shipwrecks c1850
“Scarce seemed a vision ; I would ne’er have striven…” - Ode to the West Wind
Business Plans and Shipwrecks c1850
We all know the basics of the structured Business Plan with the Vision, Mission or Purpose, Key Objectives and maybe even a values statement….. the rest is then to do with execution.
Kangaroo Island is a remarkable place that should be on all our bucket lists. It is the third largest island in Australia and with a permanent population of only 4000. First discovered by Matthew Flinders in 1802 the island was settled during the next few years with itinerant sailors and seal hunters. The more permanent settlers arrived in 1836 and set up the first official European base at Reeves Point. It took them little time to realize that Adelaide would be a more appropriate location for the capital of what became South Australia.
The island is now an outstanding and excellent tourist destination with its beaches, hills, cliff walks, arms, natural bird and sea life and of course, wonderful local food and wine.
To the Western end of the island there is a high promontory called Cape Borda . The tourist map describes the unusual square lighthouse, pictured below, with the comment that it was built in 1856 , sits 150m above sea level, and is in a “remote, desolate and stunningly beautiful location”.
There is more to this story in the small museum and in the adjacent cemetery…
There are more than 80 vessels that have been lost in the hazardous waters around Kangaroo Island. Many of these in the early days of settlement in Adelaide and with significant loss of life. There were few survivors and many reported tragedies.
In the early years of settlement of the city of Adelaide the ships would sail from England and pass close to Kangaroo Island on approach to the Spencer Gulf. In heavy weather this was a serious challenge to navigation and many ships were lost in the first few years even after making the long ocean passage safely and within sight of their destination.
The then government of the day commissioned Capt Woodward to go and build a lighthouse on Cape Borda. There was limited access and only from the sea. The nearest small cove was some miles from the Cape. Small boats would land the building supplies and other produce in small boats at the base of what was still a steep incline up which everything was then manhandled. There are old photos and reports of what must have been appalling conditions and a sobering insight into challenges in remote locations. There were many involved in the construction of the light house itself and then cottages to be built for the 3 families to be permanently based on site. It is the nature of the construction project that impressed this writer. A totally remote location, no local facilities or support, no ready access, no possible backup, scheduled supplies only after months on site… energy ?? building materials ?? food ?? the list goes on.
So what is this to do with Business Plans and our admiration of Capt Woodward who sadly lost his life soon after completion and is buried in the island cemetery..
Vision To save ships and the lives of their crews sailing across the Gulf …
Mission Provide a permanent, reliable and fixed warning light with sound signals from the cliff top with a range of 15 miles.
Objective Complete the construction of a light house within 18 months..
Wow.. and all done.
Go and see and contemplate how this could help inspire your business plan clarify your vision, give some focus to your mission, clarify you objectives and be aware of the need for efficient execution.
There may have been some issues on Values that we don’t address in this note..the 3 families didn’t get on and maybe that contributed to some of the stories of tragedy and sadness…
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