Corporate CEOs usually get blamed for the state of the economy.
But, finally, one seems to be doing something about it.
Bill Simon, CEO of the world's largest retailer, announced this week Walmart's ambitious plan to jumpstart the American economy.
And, as we all have learned, what's good for the U.S. economy is good for the Canadian economy, as well as the global economy.
The three-part plan includes hiring more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years, spending $50 billion to buy more American-made merchandise, and helping part-time workers move into full-time positions sooner.
How refreshing. If only more CEOs thought like this.
"We've developed a national paralysis that's driven by all of us waiting for someone else to do something," said Simon. "The beauty of the private sector is that we don't have to win an election, convince Congress or pass a bill to do what we think is right. We can simply move forward, doing what we know is right."
Well, we don't have to wait for someone to do something. We can do it ourselves.
Canadian companies could easily follow Simon's lead. Can you imagine the positive response if Canadian Tire, for example, were to announce it were increasing the amount of Canadian-made products on its shelves? Or The Bay, or SuperStore?
Even at the local level, we can support each other by choosing Okanagan-made products and locally owned businesses.
- Managing Editor
Jon Manchester