It is difficult to find an instruction manual on running a country. Nobody has written one. For new Presidents, you have to rely on past presidents for guidance, that is, if they have done a good job and have not been assassinated. But I think the best guide is to model after people who have done it successfully. If you have seen a proven formula, stick to it and try not to re-invent the wheels. I have compiled a list based on my observations of the head of states that have done it very well. Here is a simple guide to running a country. You dont have to agree on everything I put up.

1. Get the best honest able people on your team. You need people who can assist you but who are corrupt free. Set up an anti-corrupt department to deal with all levels of corruption and punish wrong doers, both civil service and private enterprises. Your team has to be the finest cream of the population who are willing to serve the country. Relative and friends are alright only if they can prove their worth. Set up the different ministries but the most capable should be in finance, defense and education.

2. Provide the basic needs for the people first. Shelter, food and employment, the three basic human needs I feel has to be provided for. If the people cannot afford basic housing, then you as the country head should take the lead and provide subsidized housing. Borrow from the World Bank if there are insufficient funds. Create jobs so that your people can make their own living. Look at what your country can provide to the world economy in exchange for cash and services. If your country can grow coffee cheaply, then build up your coffee sector and start looking at other ways to bring in the foreign exchange.

3. If your country has no natural resources except labor, then invite foreign multi-nationals to set up factories to produce their goods cheaper than elsewhere. Give them tax breaks and incentives to set up in your country. Then at the same time, have them train your own people and impart skills to them. You need to provide employment to the people and give them skills to make a living, this is critical! If the people are hungry, you are going to have revolts and you may not hang on to power for very long.

4. Set up government agencies to build up major infrastructures such as public utilities, telecommunications, and public housing and commercial industrial parks. Do not leave it to the private enterprises to do it. You can let them run it after you have successfully set it up.

5. Educate the people. Education for the young is one of your top priorities. Make sure every child has basic education for at least 10 years, if not the children would be out on the streets creating more social problems. Every child with a skill can make a living for himself or herself, lesser problems for your welfare department in the future. Send top students to overseas on government scholarships to learn and network with overseas students. This talented group of people will help you run your country in the future.

6. Deduct a portion of the peoples monthly income to safeguard for their retirement. Make compulsory savings a way of life but explain why they need to have this discipline because most would not save on their own; they rather spend it now then to plan for their future. You can then help your people pay for their own housing through this savings and you can also invest for them. But more importantly, everyone has a backup fund when he or she stops working.

7. Go easy on the taxes first. When the businesses are doing well and the people are making a good living, and then you can raise taxes. If you want to attract people and businesses to your countries, you must give them a good reason to stay, and one key issue is taxes. Of course you need revenue to run your country but if you dont do it right, I can assure you the people are going to leave. That is why you have to balance your budget carefully and accurately. Dont overspend! Those nuclear weapons look good on CNN only.

8. Get help from the big brothers to give your country a good start. Be a good friend to all neighbors. Whether it is for defense or trade, you will be in an advantageous position if you are a good friend and willing to assist and be assisted.

9. Brand your country from day one. How you want the world to see your place? Do you want to be known as a place where businesses can be done efficiently without fear or do you prefer a touristier image for the country? Do you want people to see your products as good as those Made in Japan or do you want people to associate pirated goods with your country?

10. Work with the people; listen to the people for feedback. Sometimes your work as a President is so busy that you think you are always right. But sometimes you are going to be wrong. Send your ministers to public places once a month to gather feedback on what you are doing right or wrong. The feedback is like your report card; dont wait till the next election to hear them, because it might be too late then.

Ong Hui Woo
http://www.platimumbooks.com

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