MY condolences go out to the family and friends of the late Hon Dudley Thompson. I also give thanks for his long and productive life. I will say no more as I had written about his accomplishments in Africa and the closeness he brought between our island and that continent, over a year ago. I am happy I did so in life. May his soul rest in peace.

It has been on the cards for some time now, but the reality of the possible demise of Eastman Kodak is finally in the front of the newscasts. The brand has been one of the top names in major world recognition, and certainly its relationship with movies and still photography has been dominant.

But even beyond the industry and the glitz of Hollywood stars captured on its definitive 35mm film, has been the recognition around the world that this was the standard quality by which film should be judged. Only the very brave, broke, or uninformed used any other brand in their cameras.

Such was the nature of the market from the simple Brownie camera that I bought in 1962, right through to the sophisticated images of sporting events, National Geographic and Life magazines, to the pictures of the moon from orbiting satellites. Where the output required the very best, the real choice would be Kodak.

But beyond the vibrant colours was a world of innovation that was backed by the brand quality that placed them in leadership in several less glamorous areas. The constant inventions and innovations of both cameras and film was a success for most of Kodak's 133-year history. The innovations of the box camera, rolled film, motion picture film, the pocket camera, x-ray imaging, digital imaging, digital cameras, represent only a few of these cutting-edge achievements over the years.

So many memories of loved ones in family albums, holiday sightseeing, visits to the zoo, and the record of our children as they grew, were happily captured on Kodak film in Kodak cameras. Printing, graphics, copying, digital imaging can be attributed to this world-renowned iconic and generous company. So its demise needs careful analysis, as there are lessons to be learned for every private or public enterprise.

Apart from simple photographic interests on my part, I was fortunate to sell their medical imaging diagnostic products as part of the portfolio of then Medi-Grace. We represented them for many years, and I came to understand the meaning of clarity and quality. Many physicians when confronted by diagnostics done on other brands would require that clearer images be sought on Kodak products before deciding on final diagnoses. I learned that even when we lost government tenders, many medical personnel would not risk patients' lives on "sub-optimal" x-ray film and developers.

So all this in one brand known and revered worldwide, operating in possibly every country in the world, and now filing for bankruptcy! This is nearly as big as a potential demise of Coca-cola, or IBM.

In 1985 they employed over 145,000 persons according to their timeline history. Paul Simon sang a best seller called Kodak Chrome and said "Mama don't take my Kodak chrome away". Well, it may be going away now in its original ownership, but I do not believe that such a powerful brand will be allowed to die. It is much too valuable. But there are reasons surrounding why a company with over 1,100 patents could fail.

So we must figure out the factors leading to the current demise, as we also have brands to protect. In a geographical sense we have Jamaica, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, Dunn's River, Trench Town, and Spanish Town, those being the foremost internationally known, but they are not collectively exhaustive. There are many internationally important historical sites, and places of interest with connections that cross the oceans.

In a creative sense we have Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Toots, Burning Spear, and countless other performers of one of our major assets, reggae music. Then we have Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Merlene Ottey, Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint, Donald Quarrie, Asafa Powell, Deon Hemmings, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Bertland Cameron, Dennis Johnson, and the list goes on. All in all we probably have over 30 such treasures of international repute over the decades.

Why have we failed to make these local gems become more than just barroom bragging rights, and transform them into real assets? In spite of our immense popularity we have not "invaded" Beijing, and France seems to be the reggae capital of the world.

Like Kodak, the answer seems to support the usual business school argument that invention is not necessarily innovation in the hands of the original conceptualiser. In many business organisations across the world there is an acceptance that the ideas person is not necessarily the best implementer. Those corporations do, however, recognise that both are important for continued success.

Here in Jamaica we need to expand the discussion as there seems to be no guarantee that holders of political power necessarily have either quality. They do have the quality of being empowered through ability to represent the people in their constituencies and do face the rewards or punishment administered by the electorate on their performance at regular intervals.

The rewards for political loyalty may not be the best means for managing important areas that require different skill sets than those previously attributed to elected representatives. This dialogue is urgent in the face of current challenges, future development, constitutional reform, republic status, and improved governance.

Jamaica is regrettably not a still photograph, but rather a motion picture that is nowhere near completion. Let us be sensible in our choices and quality of performances. The cameras are still rolling. Silence on the set. Take 50 years. Rolling! Action!

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