Mathews Chikaonda

Group chief executive officer of Press Corporation Limited (PCL), I would not close 20 of People’s Trading Centre (PTC) shops on the basis that it was negatively impacting on the company’s profitability.

If I were Professor Chikaonda, one of the country’s revered business executives, I would appreciate that yes, while the country is battling a severe economic squeeze, other supermarkets are not closing and instead, they are growing in the same economy.

Oh yes, if I were bwana Chikaonda, I would consider addressing the challenges that are impacting on the performance of the shops such as service delivery, employee motivation and general cleanliness that are, somehow contributing towards poor sales.

Perhaps, I would admit that to a certain extent, not much has been done to sensitise Malawians that PTC is a wholly-owned Malawian company, and therefore, the need to encourage them to support it.

I would also encourage employees under PCL, in particular top bosses, to support ‘home industry’ by patronising their own shops.

If only I were the big shot that is Chikaonda, I would look within the institution and not outside because problems are internal not external.

That is if I were bwana Chikaonda. Unfortunately, dull as I am, I can never be him!