The response of Southeastern New England’s business community to the horrific events of September 11 has been heartwarming. The stories of deep compassion and goodwill coming out of Rhode Island and its neighboring communities were many. Donations of blood, goods and services — and time — have been abundant since that fateful day.
It would be a disservice to single out individuals or particular companies, but rest assured, in addition to the many stories you have heard, countless other businesses have extended a hand.
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As a community, we now have a responsibility to recognize that September 11 changed everything. It was an event of such magnitude that it will literally change the way we live – and the way we conduct business.
Weeks, months, and years from now, the business community will have to continue to accept that it now operates in an altered landscape. And maybe it is not so much this week, but next week and the week after, when the realities of this altered landscape will truly test the resolve of the business community. The rules as we have known them have changed.
The convenience of airline travel to which we have become so accustomed is a thing of the past. And so businesses will have to adjust. That could mean finding new ways to ship goods – or simply accepting that what once took one day may take longer. Business people must accept longer lines at the airport terminal.
Our nation has called its military reserve units into action. It is a strategy likely to be measured more by months and years than weeks. That could very well mean losing key employees for long stretches, and again, businesses will have to adjust.
The impact of these awful events on our economy could bring us into to a recession. That means the business community needs to work harder – and much more efficiently.
We have every right now to demand more of those who protect us. But we also have a responsibility to do our part. It will not be easy. It will take sacrifice. And there is no other choice.
President Bush has made it clear that we are now a nation at war. And that changes everything.
