In This Week’s Issue:

• Can Small Businesses Benefit From ITC?
• Calendar of Events
• Two Publicity Tips To Help You Promote Your Small Business More Effectively
• How To Keep Good Employees In Your Small Business
• Five Tips On Communicating To Different Demographic Groups
• How To Submit Your News To The Blog Enterprise

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CAN SMALL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM ITC?

Technology – especially communication and IT technology, if used prudently, can further the competitiveness of a company while reducing their cost structure. This scenario is definitely applicable amongst companies with a limited use of such technologies and whose market appeal (i.e. addressable market) is broad. This typically encompasses most small businesses today. Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), as it is usually referred, can now provide unprecedented advantages without the attendant costs.

Now, it is understood that sometime in September, the Office of the Prime Minister will be submitting a draft ICT Policy to Cabinet in September. According to a news release from the Office of the Prime Minister, the policy will include a recommendation to establish a Single Regulator for the converged ICT sector, which will be empowered to treat with select competition issues that are specific to the industry.  Separate treatment for content regulation is also indicated in the document.

The move reflects Government’s recognition that national development imperatives are linked to a robust ICT infrastructure that will facilitate the delivery of emerging ICT-based services relevant to government, business and the society in general.

So what does ICT typically entail; while the definition is broad and academic, it simply refers to all those technologies that enable communication and information processing and presentation. To simplify this in more common terms, it encompasses capabilities like voice/phone, email, web, fax, printing, storage (of data/information) and security (of information) etc, which are delivered over hardware and software products (often from several different vendors).

However, it is believed that this draft will address a wide range of matters inclusive of creating a modern, cohesive and responsive legal and administrative framework; efficient spectrum planning, allocation and assignment; facilitating the accelerated deployment of affordable and accessible high capacity networks island wide; in addition to building the human capacity to support investments in and continued growth of ICT.  Focus is also given to the objective of having an ICT environment in which consumers enjoy efficient and reliable communications services that conform to international Quality of Service standards.

The benefits of ICT to a business are vastly outside the scope of this short article, but it is important to stress that it enables even the smallest of businesses to extend its reach and be more effective, while making it more efficient i.e. reduce the cost and time) to do so.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Friday, September 4, 2009
Seminar “Strategies to Cope with Global Uncertainty – Choices for Caribbean Business & Finance,” Caribbean Centre for Money & Finance (CCMF), University of the West Indies & Bank of Jamaica, Jamaica Conference Centre, Kingston. Speakers include Professor Avinash Persaud, a member of the UN Secretary General’s special committee on the global financial crisis, and Mr Michael Horgan, Executive Director for Canada and several Caribbean countries at the IMF. Details and registration: http://www.ccmf-uwi.org and http://www.boj.org.jm

Thursday, September 10, 2009
Panel Discussion: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) – What Does It Mean For You? Organized by the Jamaica Fulbright-Humphrey Alumni Association (JFHAA), at 5:30 p.m., the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Auditorium and it is open to the public. For further information, please contact Dennis Hickey, PR Officer, JFHAA at 754-1986 direct; 754-1980-3; 999-4439 (cell).

Sunday, September 13, 2009
Caribbean Wellness Fair, Kingston & St. Andrew Action Forum & the Ministry of Health, at Half-Way Tree Square at 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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TWO PUBLICITY TIPS TO HELP YOU PROMOTE
YOUR SMALL BUSINESS MORE EFFECTIVELY

You know how hard it is to develop a service or product.

It may be a labour of love, but it’s still a labour.  And while you’re not out there cracking rocks with a sledgehammer, some might even call it hard labour.  That’s okay.  Nothing good comes easy.  And there’s no question that you’re wonderfully suited for this kind of labour, right? But the challenge comes shortly after you finish labouring on your masterpiece.

What do I mean?  You’ve got to jump into the promotional trenches and fight, tooth and nail.  Consumers need to know that your product or service is out there and national media exposure is the best way for you tell them.
Call it the double whammy of product or service development — as hard as it is to develop a terrific product or service, it can be even harder to promote it.  Which has, sadly enough, turned out to be the death sentence for far too many “could-have-been” best-selling products or services.  After all, how many companies have been great at the first “whammy” only to throw their hands up at the second (and then, tragically, and out of sheer frustration, given up altogether)?

Fortunately, good product promotion doesn’t have to be as mysterious as the pyramids — you can put some little-known (but wonderfully effective) publicity “tricks” to work for you starting this very day.  For example…

Is This YOUR Month?

Ever notice how every month comes with “awareness themes?”

Take September, for example.  Among its other awareness themes, September is Menopause Awareness Month, National Chicken Month, National Humour in Business Month, National Piano Month, National Sewing Month, Pleasure Your Mate Month, and Update Your Resume Month.

And that’s just September. Every month has its own theme list.  And you can bet many of those months have themes aimed at your product.

So what’s the strategy here?  Pretty simple, really: Tie the message of your product or service to a month’s theme.  Do a good job of that, put your news release right in front of the media’s “nose,” and you could just land several high-profile interviews.

That’s one nice way of cracking into the formerly impenetrable “media fortress.” Here’s another.

Tie Into Today’s News

You’ve got to be a bit more agile for this.

Whenever there’s a news story that relates to the message of your product, cook up a strong news release and shoot it right over to talk radio producers, TV news producers and newspaper editors.  These people are ALWAYS looking for credible guests with great slants on today’s news.

How long do these kinds of news windows stay open?  Not long at all.  That’s why, as I said, you’ve got to be quicker and more agile than the lightening fast Usain Bolt.

Either that… or you’ve got to enlist the help of a PR professional who is quicker and more agile than Usain Bolt or you’d ever care to be.

I hope this information was helpful!  Is there a topic that you would like me to write about?  Please send me your recommendations!

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HOW TO KEEP GOOD EMPLOYEES IN YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

This has to be one of the oldest quandaries in the history of business. But, I think it’s the wrong question to ask. The question I would ask is, “How can I create a work environment that employees will never want to leave?”

The reason employees are hard to keep is because they have their own personal goals and I’m sorry to say that those goals are not to make you, the business owner, rich.

And, I’m also sorry to say, that as long as you put your business goals ahead of your employees personal goals you are going to have turnover and lots of it. How can a business create a work environment that helps the business owner and the employee both reach their goals?

Read more here: http://bit.ly/10xRyl

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FIVE TIPS ON COMMUNICATING TO DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP

Diversity not only has grown in the work place, but in the customer base of almost every business and industry.

Small business owners need to acknowledge the important role culture and gender plays in today’s businesses.

Take a look at your own business.

How do your employees interact with customers from different cultures?

Here are 5 tips on communicating to different demographic groups.

1. Do not assume anything about a particular demographic. If you’re giving a speech, prepare, but don’t use cultural or gender generalizations.
2. If you are trying to win over women in your speech or presentation, be conscious of how you speak. Don’t always use the word “he” when telling a story. Be respectful and treat everyone the same. Don’t make common mistakes like telling sport jokes or mentioning the results of last night’s game. While women are very much into sports and will probably get the joke, you don’t want to seem like you’re disregarding them as part of the audience.
3. Listen to what your audience has to say. They will tell you whether or not your product or service is going to work. Feedback is essential.
4. By simply making people comfortable and validated, you will be taking the first step in winning their loyalty.
5. If you have a web site, think about what group you want it to appeal to. If it’s the attention of women you’re trying to capture, then you’ll want a completely different web design than if you were looking to capture the attention of Generation-X, the 26 to 46 audience. Unless, of course, it’s Generation-X women…but that’s a whole other demographic. As you can see, there are demographics within demographics. That’s why you need an intense study before you start.

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SUBMISSIONS

The Blog Enterprise!  Promoting You, Promoting Your Business!

The Blog Enterprise (http://whytehallcommunications.wordpress.com) is an online publication that publishes the latest Jamaican small business news, information, profiles, and industry trends. It is published every Monday by multi-award-winning Caribbean journalist, copywriter and blogger, Delroy A. Whyte-Hall, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief.

You are invited to send your submissions (notices, news releases, profiles, or any other small business related information) to: enterpriseblog@aol.com.

In this Issue:

• Small Business Association of  Jamaica Needs Waking Up!
• Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) Has A New President!
• The Buy Jamaican Campaign: Supporting Local Industry
• International Finance Corporation Opens Jamaica Office
• Government Recasting The 2009/10 Budget
• Jamaican Athletes Have Confirmed… We’re Destined for Greatness… says PM Golding
• BUSINESS PROFILE:  Q&A with SILBURN CLARKE!
• Jamaican To Participate In U.S. Programme On Pandemic Disease
• Technology Week Professional Development Series, September 7 to 10, 2009
• Notices of Annual General Meetings
• Calendar of Events
• All You Need T Know About Starting a Manufacturing In Jamaica!
• How to Make Your Submissions To The Blog Enterprise

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Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) Needs Waking Up!

The Small Business Association of Jamaica mission statement reads: “To support the economic and social advancement of the membership through the provision of technical advice, training, consultancy and trade services, and the promotion of the principles of private enterprise and initiative.”

But as entrepreneurs, small business owners, and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can you honestly say you have had the benefit or support of the SBAJ, especially in this turbulent economic crisis?

I think not.

The SBAJ has lost its relevance.

Never before in the history of Jamaica have we experienced the level of job loss which has taken place over the past eight months. As a result, many of of those who lost their jobs were forced to start their own business without the guidance or support of the SBAJ, who rather take a “light under the bushel” approach to doing things. As a result, most people don’t even know that they exist, despite they have been around for many years.

It’s no wonder most people who are starting a business don’t even know where to go for information or advice. For example, I have been trying over the past two months to reach then President of the SBAJ, Edward Chin-Mook. I phoned the Trafalgar Road/Lady Musgrave Road office, and someone there told me that he was not in.

“How, then can I reached Mr. Chin-Mook?” I asked.

“Try his eMail address…” said the female voice on the other end of the phone line. She then gave me his eMail address.

I also gave the person my name and phone number and asked that the information be passed on to Mr. Chin-Mook when returns office. I don’t know whether the information was passed. Neither do I know whether Mr. Chin-Mook had received my eMail, because to this very day, I haven’t yet got a call or response to my eMail. I guess he was too busy with demiting office to care whether the public reach him or not.

To date, neither phone call nor eMail response have I received from the SBAJ’s president or office.

So, when you go on the SBAJ website and you see glowing write up about how the “association will also represent the views of the membership to the wider public, encourage the spirit of collaboration and cooperation and build positive examples of enthusiasm, dedication, consultancy and leadership,” one gets the feeling that words and action do not synchronise.

My belief is that the SBAJ has been around too long to be not to be pussy footing about, and needs to revisit what it set out as its core objectives, which are:

Fostering the growth and development of businesses and professional groups and to represent the entire micro and small business sector in Jamaica

Fostering, encouraging and developing small businesses throughout the island thus contributing to national and international development

Uniting the efforts of small businesses in the areas of purchasing and marketing as well as any other areas, which by pooling efforts, will bring about total benefits?

If there is a time that we need the SBAJ, it is now. We have a lot more entrepreneurs and to small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) than ever before… everyone seems to be groping in the dark. The government don’t really business whether we survive or die as long as they get it gets its taxes. The various captains of the big ships – like the PSOJ, The Chambers of Commerce, JMA, JEA, etc. don’t care a damn either, so if the SBAJ doesn’t take charge of its own business, then who is going to do it for us?

Wake up Mr. Chin-Mook. You are no longer president, but you occupy the second most powerful set in the SBAJ as vice-president. However, I hope you will see things differently from a more lowely perspective. And I hope the newly elected president and board will make a difference where you have fallen short.

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Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) Has A New President!

Damla James new president of the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ). He succeeded outgoing president, Edward Chin-Mook.

James is a chartered accountant with his own practice, Dalma James & Associates, which operates out of Ivy Crescent in Kingston. He has been with the SBAJ for over five years – the latter two of which he served as treasurer.

The SBAJ elected a new 12-member board for 2009/2010 term at its annual general meeting, which in turn selected James last month as the new leader.

The board includes past president Chin Mook, first vice-president Dr Meredith Derby, second VP Hensley Barr, secretary Bridgette Steele, assistant secretary Dollis Campbell, treasurer Charmaine Gravesandy, and assistant treasurer Hugh Johnson. The other members are Dawn Grant, Gale Peart, Howard Johnson Jr., Kevin Frith, Hugh Thompson and Oswald Smith.

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The Buy Jamaican Campaign: Supporting Local Industry

In an effort to boost the manufacturing sector, the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) launched its ‘Buy Jamaican… Build Jamaica’ Campaign in partnership with the National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) in February 2004.

The goal of this Campaign is to encourage support of high quality local products and to instill pride in producers and customers as it relates to brand Jamaica.

It is also geared towards exposing customers to inter-linkages within the economy and how these can be advanced through their support of local products.

The Campaign was not only aimed at the adult populace, but also targeted youths, who the JMA wanted to internalize the message that buying Jamaican products contribute to national development.

The JMA also wanted them to be cognizant of the quality of goods produced in Jamaica from an early age, so that this information would be passed on from generation to generation. This need to sensitize the youths heralded the Buy Jamaican Essay Competition in schools.

In its ongoing thrust to educate the Jamaican consumers, in particular the youths, the JMA in collaboration with NCB subsequently launched the second phase of the ‘Buy Jamaican… Build Jamaica’ Campaign, with its newest initiative being the Nicola Gordon-Rowe’s Schools’ Entrepreneurship Competition in April 2008.

Other activities under the second phase of the Campaign have included the mounting of billboards and island-wide Road Shows.

The response to the ‘Buy Jamaican…Build Jamaica’ Campaign has been overwhelming and is a testimony to the belief that high quality Jamaican manufactured goods can hold their own within a fierce competitive market.

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International Finance Corporation Opens Jamaica Office

Executives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC,) a private company of the World Bank, yesterday (Aug 20) paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Bruce Golding, a few days after opening their office for business.

Vice President for Europe, Central Asia, Latin American and the Caribbean and Global Finance, Jyrkri Koskelo said that the IFC is increasing its staff as the Caribbean is an area of focus and commitment. He noted that countries needed to find ways to keep development moving through public/private projects and that their team will be concentrating on that area.

He said Jamaica had exemplary achievements in infrastructure projects that involve joint investment by State and private sector interests and that this is a platform on which future projects can be built.

The Prime Minister welcomed the team and noted education as an area of great interest for future public/private enterprises.

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Government Recasting The 2009/10 Budget

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says government is at an advanced stage in recasting the 2009/2010 budget; and that there are going to be significant expenditure cuts.

The Prime Minister explained that he has made it very clear to the permanent secretaries, the extent to which the cuts can be made. On the recurrent side of the budget, which is where the bulk of the expenditure is, $125billion dollars

must be set aside for public sector wages including current wages and retroactive payments, Mr. Golding said.

‘We have to pay this and we have tried to convey to public sector workers the calamity that would result if they insist on additional increases for this year. We have tried to impress upon them that the country will not be in any shape to embark upon negotiations towards any increases for the period beginning April next year…. There is a compromise that has to be reached. We are not going to cut public sector jobs but to hold the jobs as they are. I have appealed to public sector workers to be reasonable as it will be impossible for government to find additional resources to make any increases available,” said Mr. Golding, who was speaking at the opening of Scotiabank Group financial centre on Constant Spring Road in Kingston recently.

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Jamaican Athletes Have Confirmed… We’re Destined for Greatness… says PM Golding

“The performance of our athletes at the Berlin games and the victories they have brought to our country almost on a daily basis, confirm that this country is destined for greatness. We are blessed, our people are blessed and we now need to translate this energy, this determination, discipline and drive, into all spheres of our lives,” that was the message that Prime Minister Bruce Golding sent to Jamaica’s athletes, in response to their brilliant and exceptional performance at the Berlin Games in Germany.

In his congratulatory message to Jamaica’s gold medalists in the 4 x 100m   men and women relay teams, Mr. Golding said the athletes have outdone themselves, bringing with them a nation that is bursting with pride and joy, beyond words.  The entire Caribbean is brimming with joy today and the rest of the world is celebrating Jamaica’s victories, he said.

Mr. Golding paid a special tribute to Asafa Powell for his outstanding performance despite his injuries. ‘This demonstrates his selflessness and love for country. What more could anyone ask.  We are indebted to you Asafa, as we are to the entire team representing this country in Berlin at this time. We anxiously await the return of all members because without a doubt,  despite the challenges we are going through at this time, this grateful  nation will have to find tangible ways to express its thanks to all members of the Berlin team’,  Mr. Golding added.

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BUSINESS PROFILE:  Q&A with SILBURN CLARKE!
Name: Silburn Clarke
Age: 54
Company: Spatial Innovision Limited
Position: Founder, Owner, President and CEO
Website: http://www.spatialvision.com

What do you do to relax?
I like to jog or walk.  It affords time to be reflective and to explore.  Some of my best ideas have emerged during my walks.   I have just been introduced to team paintballing which is proving a lot of fun.

What is your greatest indulgence?
I like to collect art pieces particularly paintings.

What is the best purchase you have ever made?
A David Langmead African piece back in 2006

What is your favourite piece of technology?
Currently, I am exploring the amazing capabilities of netbooks, built around the Ubuntu OS. I gave one to my 8-year-old for his end of year scholastic achievements recently, and he has been totally immersed in its capabilities; even more than his PSP.

What is the best book you’ve ever read?
I love Robert Greene’s “The 33 Strategies of War”. It’s a great book for understanding business strategy and it is done in an easy writing style. Geert Hofstede’s “Cultures Consequences” is a fantastic collection for students of culture.

What was your first job?
Trainee Survey Draughtsman in the Computing Division of the Survey Department in 1972.  I was part of a team of Computing Officers who did the comprehensive mathematical checks on Land Survey Plans and Diagrams

Do you remember your first boss?
Yes, H. H. Walker, who was in charge of the Survey Drawing Office.  He was a very knowledgeable and skilful boss who imparted a lot of early disciplines.

Have you ever been sacked?
Fortunately, I have never had that experience. That said, sacking has its positive side as it can embolden us to move into areas of our passion. Many successful entrepreneurs have emerged from the push they got from those job separations.

Who do you most admire?
Couple of folks:  Douglas Forrest at Kingston College (KC) for instilling a never-say-die, can-do confidence and attitude in all his charges, and Jack Dangermond at ESRI, the global leader in geographic information systems, who is a market and technology pioneer and whom I view as a mentor.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Jack Dangermond at the start-up of Spatial Innovision implored us to be very parsimonious in our financial posture and to eschew debt in our capital structure. I also like a couple of guiding principles picked up over the years including:  “Fortis cadere cedere non potest”  or  “The brave may fall but never yield” from KC, and  Margaret Mead’s “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”.

What do you love about your current job?
I like the opportunity to create better future outcomes in the various markets in which we operate by the positive impact which our technology solutions brings to our clients, and in turn, the broader economies.

What do you find difficult?
My major challenge is in prioritising within the limited resources which we have to work with. I would live to be able to do a lot more R&D than we do now.

What haven’t you done that you want to do?
I would like to be able to visit Ghana one day.

What has been the proudest moment in your career?

I must say that being adjudged a Country Winner for Jamaica in the inaugural Pioneers of Prosperity competition in the Caribbean was tremendously humbling and satisfying.

END NOTE: Spatial Innovision Limited founded in 1998, is the Caribbean’s leading GIS and GPS solutions centre. Spatial has been an advocate for the widespread implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) throughout the Caribbean region for government agencies, non-government organizations and private businesses.

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Jamaican To Participate In U.S. Programme On Pandemic Disease

Indi Mclymont-Lafayette, Regional Director of Media and Environment at the Panos Caribbean office in Jamaica, has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of State-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on “Public Safety: Preparing for Pandemic Disease,” to take place from August 24 to September 11 in the United States.

In her current position at Panos Caribbean Ms Mclymont-Lafayette covers the areas of health, gender, child rights and the environment in the region. She has received several national and regional awards for her work in those areas, including the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Merit Award for Excellence in Health Journalism in the Caribbean, the United Nations Population Fund 2003 Platinum Award for coverage of adolescent and reproductive health issues, and PAHO’s CARICOM award for best story on HIV/AIDS, written in collaboration with a local journalist.

During the multi-city program, Ms. Mclymont-Lafayette and 24 other participants will meet with key U.S. stakeholders responsible for identifying, containing, and responding to a potential influenza pandemic at the national, state, and local levels. They will also examine the latest medical research on the pandemic influenza and the progress in vaccine development.

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Technology Week Professional Development Series, September 7 to 10, 2009

In continuation of Zed Jamaica’s Technology Week Professional Development Series, Zed in association with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of the widely popular workshop Writing for the Web: Creating Web Content That Clicks! We have also included two brand new seminars; Managing Complex Websitesand Social Media 101.

Beginning September 7, 2009, Zed’s Technology Week Professional Development Series will span four days of exciting and informative discussions.

The acclaimed two-day workshop, Writing for the Web explores the relevance and significance of web content today. With the prevalence of social media and Web 2.0, getting your message across succinctly and creatively is more important than ever before. Find out why web copywriting is all about knowing your audience and honing your craft. Discover how getting back to the basics of creative writing can make for compelling copy that delivers your message clearly and consistently over the web

The web is no longer about providing static information, but about finding opportunity for dialogue. Social Media 101 is a half-day seminar that will provide participants with a high-level understanding of the tools that exist online today, how to get involved and what organizations can do to make sure they are part of the on-going conversation.

Your organization’s website is a convenient means of providing information and services to site visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week …but does it really do that?

Planning and Managing Complex Websites: Laying the Foundations for Success! is a one day workshop that explores the relationship between website information and a
website’s success.

Created for those employees who find themselves on the front lines of content creation or planning and managing a website, this Technology week promises to deliver practical instruction, real world advice and hands-on experience!

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Notices of Annual General Meetings

AGM – Lascelles Employees Co-operative Credit Union Limited

The 42nd Annual General Meeting will be held at the Knutsford Court Hotel on August 28, 2009 at 5:00pm.

AGM – Trelawny Co-operative Credit Union Limited

The 33rd Annual General Meeting will be held at the William Knibb Memorial High School’s Auditorium on August 22, 2009 at 10:00am.

AGM – Jamaica Co-operative Automobile & Limousine (JCAL) Tours Ltd

The 14th Annual General Meeting will be held at the Seventh Day Adventist West Conference Centre, Mount Salem, Montego Bay, August 20, 2009 at 5:00pm.

AGM – Carreras Limited

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, September 8, 2009 at 2pm.

AGM – The Jamaica Government Pensioners Association

The 43rd Annual General Meeting will be held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, August 20, 2009 at 8:30am.

AGM – Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCO)

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Company’s HQ, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, August 31, 2009 at 11:30am.

AGM – Montego Freeport

The 41st Annual General Meeting will be held at the Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay, August 27, 2009 at 10:00am.

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Calendar of Events

Aug 27

AMCHAM/JMM: Economic Breakfast Forum

The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, 7:45 am.
Contact: 929-7866, amcham@cwjamaica.com

Montego Freeport: 41^st. Annual General Meeting

Wexford Hotel, Montego Bay, 10:00 am

Financial Education Forum

Financial Education Forum

John McDowell Conference Centre, Pineapple Place, Ocho Rios – 5:00 pm.

Aug 28

Segnant Technologies Search Engine Marketing Seminar

Jamaica Pegasus Hotel – 8:30 a.m.
Contact: (214) 441-1309

Scotiabank Jamaica Investor Briefing

Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston – 10:00 am

LECCUL’s 42^nd Annual General Meeting

The Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston – 5:00 pm

Aug 31

The Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPSCo) Annual General Meeting

Location: Company HQ, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston – 11:30 am

Sept 4

Strategies To Cope With Global Uncertainty

Seabed Conference Centre, Kingston – 9:00 am.
Contact: Seminar2009@boj.org.jm; 922-0750 ext. 4375

Oct 8

The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) Ltd. will be hosting its 41st Annual Awards Banquet, October 8, 2009, at the Hilton Kingston, commencing at 6:30 p.m. The event is held yearly to show recognition to manufacturing companies that have made a significant impact on industry and Jamaica, and have excelled in various areas.

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All You Need T Know About Starting a Manufacturing In Jamaica!

Learn vital information which will assist you in successfully setting up a manufacturing business in Jamaica. ‘Starting a Manufacturing Business: All You Must Know of the Regulatory Requirements in Jamaica’ is available for sale at the Association’s Secretariat. It covers general business requirements, industry specific requirements, trade incentives and licences, investment incentives and more.

To order, contact us at 922-8880-1/3; 922-8869 or email jma@cwjamaica.com

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Submissions

The Blog Enterprise!  Promoting You, Promoting Your Business!

The Blog Enterprise (http://whytehallcommunications.wordpress.com) is an online publication that publishes the latest Jamaican small business news, information, profiles, and industry trends. It is published every Monday by multi-award-winning Caribbean journalist, copywriter and blogger, Delroy A. Whyte-Hall, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief.

You are invited to send your submissions (notices, news releases, profiles, or any other small business related information) to: enterpriseblog@aol.com. Deadline for submission: Fridays.

In this week’s issue:

• Quotable Quote
• As A Small Business Owner Do You have what it takes to run 9.58 seconds over 100m?
• ‘Young Traders of the Future’ Forex Seminar Launched
• How To Secure A Scotiabank SME Development Loan
• What does the International Monetary Fund do?
• BUSINESS PROFILE: Q&A Violet Taylor
• 10 Ways to Motivate Your Team During a Recession

___________________________________________

Quotable Quote:
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
Norman Vincent Peale

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As A Small Business Owner Do You Have What It Takes To Run 9.58 Seconds Over 100 m?

As a small business owner you are no different from a world record champion athlete – in this case, let’s name the athlete, Usain Bolt, who just recently clocked the fast times ever over 100 metres – 9.58 seconds. It was the biggest increase in the record since electronic time was introduced in 1968.

The occasion called for celebration, and according to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding, “this is another proud moment for Jamaica, another demonstration that we can succeed at whatever we put our hearts to. Usain Bolt is a testimony to what successes we can achieve through discipline and hard work.”

Not only are we proud of our athletes, but we should also be proud of our entrepreneurs and small business owners – without them, the engine of the economy would have halted to a grind.

For you to be a successful entrepreneur, you have got to prepare yourself just as a top class athlete prepares of an upcoming event. And sometimes the best tool an entrepreneur can have is to pull together the right team. Very few people are gifted in all areas of business, so it just makes sense to find individuals that are a compliment to your business objectives. In the athlete’s case, he has got to surround himself with the best support team possible so that, and in the words of Bolt after the race: “I make sure that I ran a good, perfect race, there was no worries.”

Most successful athletes like Usain Bolt know how to manage resources. Sometimes that means knowing when to call in reinforcements and not being embarrassed to acknowledge your areas of weakness.

Chances are good that you will learn something from your employees, just as the successful athlete learns from his support team, while you work together to capture your vision for business success.

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AFY Ministries Launches New Forex Trainng for ‘Young Traders of the Future’

AFY Ministries, a Jamaican non-profit organisation, has recently launched a training programme that it calls: “The Young Traders of the Future” which invites you to begin learning the basics of Forex Trading or take it to the next level. It’s provides high quality training and educational resources for foreign exchange (“Forex”) traders.

“The training contains information that will allow the novice to develop an understanding of basic trading techniques, risk control, and finally opening and managing a ‘Live’ trading account,” said Erroll Jones, President of AFY Ministries.

In a recent interview with Erroll, he explained that the Young Traders of The Future participants can successfully achieve with proper training and disciplined application of an effective trading strategy.  Young Traders of the Future has put together a training programme to guide you through this process.  The weekly training programme, which caters to beginners and advance participants, focuses on the following training module:

• Market Background - Review the basics of the foreign exchange market and what makes it work.
• Open a Demo Account – A free tool to practice strategies and order placement in a realistic environment.
• Making Trading Decisions – Develop your strategy for successful trading. Includes the fundamentals of technical trading and charting.
• Entering Trades – Learn how to place trades online, including strategy and order placement mechanics.
• Controlling Risk – Perhaps the most important aspect of trading longevity.  Learn about stop loss placement and overall risk reduction.
• Exiting Trades – Learn effective methods of taking profits and cutting losses.
• Open a Live Account – Open a live trading account to begin making actual money.
• Trading Resources – Tools and information to enhance your trading performance.

Some of the applicants who will be invited to attend these seminars will be attending free of cost, according to Erroll, who explains:

“AFY’s goal is to invest in the empowerment of people who are disadvantage, disable, destitute.  We want to encourage, energise, and organize youth in our society to work for change. Help them deal with the problems of youth unemployment – encouraging efforts to turn them in self-reliant, self-maintaining citizens.  We want them to achieve their fullest potential.”

To be a part of this exciting training programme, please contact call or eMail for further information: (876) 321-7895, eMail:youngtradersofthefuture@gmail.com; Twitter @youngtraders; eMail: afyministries@gmail.com; URL:http://http://www.linkedin.com/in/afyministries Twitter: @afyministries; IM: SKYPE: afyministries

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How To Secure A Scotiabank SME Development Loan

For an entrepreneur planning to open a new business, finding sources of small business financing is job number one. And for the small business owner, the most difficult task is finding the money to operate one’s business.

Fortunately there are a number of potential sources for financing a small business.

However, financing for a small business is most typically secured through traditional sources like banks, savings and loan companies or credit unions. These institutions will use different methods to determine whether or not you and your business are able to pay back the loan before lending you the money.

One such source we’ll look at this week is Scotiabank. So, if you are interested in securing a business loan at an attractive fixed interest rate, I recommend you check out Scotiabank’s suite of Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Development Programme loans.

The Programme, which can be accessed through the Scotiabank branch network, lends from a pool of J$400 million and assists SMEs with the following financing options:

ScotiaRunning Start: A great loan designed for business start ups to help you get your business idea off to a running start.

ScotiaBusiness Builder: An affordable loan designed to help you boost your business and increase your productivity.

ScotiaMSME Alliance Fund: Designed for members of the MSME Alliance Fund, this business loan will help you expand your business operations.

Facilities granted for approved projects under this programme will attract fixed interest rates ranging from 8.625%to12.125% per annum.

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What does the International Monetary Fund do?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the world’s central organization for international monetary cooperation. It is an organization in which almost all countries in the world work together to promote the common good.

The IMF’s primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system—the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to buy goods and services from each other. This is essential for sustainable economic growth and rising living standards.

To maintain stability and prevent crises in the international monetary system, the IMF reviews national, regional, and global economic and financial developments.

It provides advice to its 184 member countries, including Jamaica, encouraging them to adopt policies that foster economic stability, reduce their vulnerability to economic and financial crises, and raise living standards, and serves as a forum where they can discuss the national, regional, and global consequences of their policies.

The IMF also makes financing temporarily available to member countries to help them address balance of payments problems – that is, when they find themselves short of foreign exchange because their payments to other countries exceed their foreign exchange earnings.

And finally, it provides technical assistance and training to help countries, like Jamaica, build the expertise and institutions they need for economic stability and growth.

Question: Do You Think the IMF Formula is a Prescription for Prosperity or Poverty?  http://digg.com/u1AUmU

Photo: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. (April 19, 1999)

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BUSINESS PROFILE: Q&A Violet Taylor
Name: Violet Taylor
Position: Managing Director
Company: Phoenix Architectural Woodwork Company

Q. What do you do to relax?
A. I love driving out to the country side to view nature in all its glory and splendor. I also enjoy listening to music… Jazz and classical are my favourites.

Q. What is your greatest indulgence?
A. My collection of music from different composers, collecting miniature liquors and liqueurs from around the world.

Q. What is the best purchase you have ever made?
A. My Home

Q. What is your favourite piece of technology?
A. My Computer, monitoring new technologies in the woodwork industry.

Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. “How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and The Power of the Subconscious Mind, By Joseph Murphy PhD.

Q. What was your first job?
A. My first job was as a book-keeper.

Q. Do you remember your first boss?
A. Yes, John Ludford. On seeing my potential, he gave me room to grow and supported me in my other business ventures.

Q. You ever been sacked?
A. No.

Q. Who do you most admire?
A. Fidel Castro. His implementation of disciple, and how he educated his people.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A.”Have a dream and work toward accomplish that dream.” This was true for me. I learnt to rise above the ashes. Hence the name of my company is Phoenix.

Q. What do you love about your current job?
A. Interacting with my customers and seeing their satisfaction.

Q. What do you find difficult?
A. Confrontation and aggression.

Q. What haven’t you done that you want to do?
A. Spending more time with my friends, taking them on a drive to the country.

Q. What has been the proudest moment in your career?
A. When I won the contract to manufacture the joinery and furniture for Jamaica’s House of Parliament, Gordon House.

END NOTE: Violet Taylor has been in the woodwork manufacturing business for over 20 year.  Phoenix Architecture company operates as a distributor for a number of overseas companies, for the supply of operable partitions such as glass partitions, accordion folding doors and portable walls, to name a few.

Ms. Taylor can be contacted at 876-9221042, 922-0192; taylor_violet@yahoo.com

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10 Ways to Motivate Your Team During a Recession

In the midst of layoffs, pay cuts, and tight budgets, your team’s morale and loyalty is stretched to its limits, while traditional incentives like bonuses and salary increases are unavailable. Here are some ideas on what can keep your employees loyal and motivated without increasing expenses.

Image source: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/motivating.asp

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Submissions

The Blog Enterprise!  Promoting You, Promoting Your Business!

The Blog Enterprise (http://whytehallcommunications.wordpress.com) is an online publication that publishes the latest Jamaican small business news, information, profiles, and industry trends. It is published every Monday by multi-award-winning Caribbean journalist, copywriter and blogger, Delroy A. Whyte-Hall, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief.

You are invited to send your submissions (notices, news releases, profiles, or any other small business related information) to: enterpriseblog@aol.com. Deadline for submission: Fridays.