649Business by 649 Business

[/ PUBLISHER 649Business

WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS Heather Bernard Owen Barnes Patrica Williams Joleen Grant Roland Meikle

PHOTOGRAPHY Ileana Ravasio, Attimi Photography Justine Wolfe Front Cover Ileana Ravasio Production Mark Watson

DESIGN Art Editor Joleen Grant

DESIGNERS Joleen Grant Susan Bhoorasingh

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Patrica Williams

FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to 649Business! This issue marks 649Business Magazine’s 1st edition. With each issue, we aim to provide cutting edge articles on investment, finance, technology, tourism and many more interesting areas. The primary objective of our magazine is to be a beneficial tool to the business members of the Turks and Caicos Islands community, as well as provide an inside look at the economy and industries of The Islands. What better way to encourage investors than to showcase successful businesses and the successful people behind it? That is why profiles of companies and individuals are a significant part of our content. We have rolled out the red carpet and allowed you to take a peek into the lives of a few ambitious people who have made an impressive impact on the Turks and Caicos Islands landscapes. In this jam-packed issue of business talk, successful entrepreneurs and women in business are

highlighted. We also provide articles filled with great hints and tips in becoming successful, too. 649Business would like to thank all the persons, named and unnamed, who have contributed significantly towards this magazine from its infancy to its birth - a printed copy in hand. It was no minute task, it required numerous hours of work, commitment and dedication. A colossal thank you to those who have invested time, submitted articles and photographs. Because of you, we have a rich and diverse content. To our advertisers, who believed in us and took a chance on something new and unknown – thank you. Without all your combined efforts 649Business would not have been possible. We would like to encourage you, to join us on this journey as we grow together. Remember whatever your goals and ambitions are for your business or everyday life, be confident, be assertive and believe in yourself 100%.

WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS! If you want to comment on an article, to contribute to the magazine or desire to be featured in an issue or advertise with us, send us an email at sales@649business.com

April 2013 • 649Business • 5

CONTENTS

/FEATURE GOING GREEN WITH RAMEZ HAKOURA 22

How Hakoura transformed the waste disposal industry in the Turks and Caios to facilitate recycling on and off The Islands.

ONTHECOVER 13

NO VAT, NOW WHAT? What’s in the future for the tax landscape of the TCI?

NIAHM BLAKE, CEO OF ISLANDCOM WIRELESS The Women in Business spotlight falls on this soft-spoken, yet determined Irish native.

SMARTPHONE FACE OFF Apple’s iPhone 5 vs Samsung’s Galaxy S4

6 • 649Business • April 2013

DINING GUIDE

Which restaurants are casual, fine dining and children friendly? Find out here. Price guide included.

DESTINATION WEDDING

What kind of bride (and groom) are you? Are you more suited for a sun and sea wedding or a hometown wedding?

5 STARS FOR SEVEN STARS

Comfort and luxury combined at one of The Islands top resorts

INVESTING IN PARADISE

It’s not all about the beaches. There are so many reasons why the Turks and Caicos Islands are fertile grounds for investment.

/What’s inside

30 MASTERING BOTH WORLDS

INTERVIEWS

Women in Business features Tendra Musgrove, single mother and General Manager of Villa Del Mar and her advice to the women of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

RISING STAR

649SPOTLIGHT

Local girl Chandra Craigg, returns to the TCI and makes her mark on the telecommunications and marketing scene.

Elanor Finfin Krzanowski, Public Relations Manager Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa tells us why she believes the reach of women is limitless.

April 2013 • 649Business • 7

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

Investing in

e s i d ara

AT A CURSORY glance, The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), with its white, sandy beaches; it’s startlingly turquoise waters, gloriously displayed underneath a warm, golden sun, creates a worthy snapshot for a postcard of an untouched paradise. It is hard to imagine, but beyond the sand, sea and sun, there is so much more to The Islands that would appeal to a potential investor.

Made up of over 40 beautiful islands and cays, The Turks and Caicos Islands are located approximately 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. The main islands consist of two groups separated by the Columbus passage: The Turks group, which includes Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and the Caicos group, which includes, Providenciales (Provo), North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, East Caicos and West Caicos. Natural, white sandy beaches run along 230 miles of the main islands’ coastlines; the land area of the main islands total 193 square miles; and there are two private islands in addition Pine Cay and Parrot Cay. Opportunities abound for those who create it

8 • 649Business • April 2013

or seize it. There are a number of advantages to investing in the TCI. Tax wary investors will breathe a sigh of relief, upon learning that by far, the most glaring benefit of all, is that there is no income, estate or real estate tax, so they can expect excellent returns on the dollar. That dollar in question also happens to be the United States dollar; which is the currency of The Islands.

This, coupled with the fact that The Islands are primarily English-speaking with a smattering of French and Spanish cultures makes it a modern metropolitan of sorts, and add some variety to The Island. The TCI is also extremely close proximity to the United States- just 575 miles southeast of Miami, and there are direct flights to and from United States, Canada and Europe. Most developments take place on the island of Providenciales, home to a 12-mile stretch of beach, referred to by Conde Nest Magazine as “perhaps the best beach in the world”. This stretch, located in Grace Bay, is lined with luxury condominiums and resorts including Beaches Turks and Caicos and Club Med Turquoise.

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

To facilitate investment in the TCI, the government established Turks and Caicos Islands Investment Agency (TCInvest) with a mandate to “encourage, promote, facilitate and undertake the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands”. With the exception of those parcels of land that are national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries or are of historic value; the Government allocates crown land to foreign investors on long lease terms. To stimulate development in the other islands, the Government allocates land on more favourable terms than on the island of Providenciales. Besides crown land allocation, fiscal incentives in the form of import duty exemptions or reductions and other tax allowances are available to the investor.

“

Opportunities abound for those who create it or seize it.

”

Investment in Turks and Caicos in the past was, primarily focused on real estate. Condos and resorts, high-end developments sprang up all around the islands, especially along the beaches, and in particular, Grace bay in Providenciales. Currently, the TCI offers several sectors of investment opportunities making this small island territory one of the fastest growing economies in the Caribbean. In contrast to most of the Western Hemisphere, namely, the Caribbean, the TCI has a modern European style financial and investment infrastructure to overlook its economics and financial activities. These activities and investment opportunities include: Banking, insurance, trusts, mutual funds, investment dealing, companies and partnerships. Most offshore tax havens countries in the Caribbean region offer professional offshore services which include the incorporation of offshore companies or international business companies, offshore banking, the formation of offshore (exempt) trusts, the formation of limited liability companies (LLCs), exempt insurance and reinsurance. These offshore services are all backed by modern and progressive legislation, each possessing distinct characteristics based on the country of origin; and can be established in the Turks and Caicos Islands. More recently TCI has opened up its investment doors and legislation to allow for mutual funds investments.

-CONTRIBUTED

April 2013 • 649Business • 9

FINANCEandINDUSTRIES

[

MAKING DIRTY MONEY CLEAN VAT IN THE CARIBBEAN

12 • 649Business • April 2013

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

AT VVHAT?

now

It appears that the contentious Value Added Tax (VAT) will not be implemented in the Turks and Caicos Islands after all, after the British government unexpectedly announced a change of heart about setting it in motion on April 1, 2013. -CONTRIBUTED

April 2013 • 649Business • 13

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES EVEN TO SOME of the tax’s most vehement opponents, the announcement from Overseas Territories Minister Mark Simmons, came as a bit of a shock, bearing in mind that the British were adamant that VAT could have been the decider between whether the Government sank or floated, claiming that more money would have been allocated to capital projects.

hauled to court and forced to pay-up during the reign of the Interim Administration. Some were compelled to close shop by the Interim Government after failing to pay taxes and deductions by a specified time. In anticipation of the tax, a VAT Unit was set-up, to ensure compliance. With the VAT Unit now idle, Government’s intention is to interlace it with its original tax collection team, which it hopes will bolster its revenue collection. But given the history of revenue collection in the Turks & Caicos Islands, it is still being argued that the compliance team would be hard-pressed to meet its mandate.

The tax was also considered on the basis that the United Kingdom government had taken out a $260 million guaranteed loan on behalf of the Turks & Caicos Islands, which should be payable by 2016. VAT was pitched by its proponents as the panacea to providing a steady revenue stream for the economy and was relentlessly advocated by the British representatives to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a seemingly casual disregard for its clamouring opponents. It was argued that the tax would be broader and fairer, since it would have included those who do not pay taxes under the current system. It is no wonder that, for some, the sudden ‘hot-potato’ like reversal of direction, holds sinister undertones. The ten million dollar question presently up in the air is, ‘now that VAT is off the table, what’s next?’ The Rufus Ewing led, Progressive National Party (PNP) administration, maintained throughout the tax discourse that it had alternative means of raising even more revenue that what VAT would yield.

“

According to UK projections, VAT would have raked in an additional $10 million, but the PNP Government was confident that it would be able to collect up to $15 million with its alternative revenue stream.

”

While the TCI Government has not spelled out entirely its procedure on how it intends to improve revenue generation, we know this much - an announcement has been made that accommodation tax would be increased by one percentage point to 12 percent, a cruise passenger head tax increase is being considered and a proposal exists to pull villas into the tax net. According to UK projections, VAT would have raked in an additional $10 million, but the PNP Government was confident that it would be able to collect up to $15 million with its alternative revenue stream. The problem the Government faces is compliance something that has not proven attainable in even the recent past. In the past three years numerous businesses have been 14 • 649Business • April 2013

Perhaps nobody else knows about this reality than Premier Ewing and his Finance Minister Washington Misick. At a news conference held February 2013, both insisted, that never before in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands, has revenue collection been more paramount. They reminded businesses that they were the ones who, from the very beginning, seized the initiative to publicly oppose VAT because they believed it was bad for business. And to that end, the Government urged delinquent enterprise owners to play their part in making sure that their taxes and charges are not only paid, but disbursed to the government coffers on time.

The Turks & Caicos Independent Business Council, headed by attorney and businessman Clive Stanbrook, is pleased that VAT has been shelved. It has urged the Government to devise the relevant measures so that enough collection can be made. That, it said, would keep VAT from lurking in the shadows, a blanket of dark clouds ominously hovering the TCI pregnant with flood rains. One should remember that VAT is not entirely off the table. Simmons has instructed Governor Ric Todd to not assent to repealing of the tax, which the House of Assembly voted down in early February. In his letter addressed to the Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing, he writes: “the Governor will not give his assent to the Private Member’s Bill to repeal VAT, but I will instruct the Governor not to sign the Commencement Notice which would have brought VAT on 1 April 2013. As the signing of this notice is what would have been required to introduce VAT, there is no need for further legislative action.”

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES With the eye of England fixed firmly on The TCI, and the financial situation being monitored closely, it is clear that Britain’s shelving on the tax is heavily dependent on the country’s ability to maintain a surplus and satisfy its financial obligations, so there is no “reversal of the progress that has been made by the Interim Government”. It is now a wait-and-see approach as to how the Turks & Caicos Islands, led by Premier Ewing, maneuvers the country away from VAT ever returning to our shores. For the people, it is now as a good a time as any to making sure that we all play our part in ensuring that we give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, so Rome can function effectively. Businesses and residents alike will have to to Caesar what is due to Caesar, so Rome can function effectively.

VAT in the

Caribbean ON FEBRUARY 25th 2013, The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), breathed a collective sigh of relief as the news ran rampant that the United Kingdom (UK) had an astonishing change of heart and was no longer hell-bent on introducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on April 1st, 2013. In fact, there was to be no VAT. Mobile phones, emails and social media were abuzz with the soon confirmed rumour that British Overseas Territories Minister Mark Simmonds, had addressed a letter to the Premier, Dr. Rufus Ewing, to inform him that his latest attempt to vanquish VAT had been successful. Buyers and sellers both rejoiced as a determined campaign to stop the tax measure paid off. In the letter, Simmonds maintained that the VAT was still the way to go, contending that the tax would provide a “fairer, broader and more stable revenue stream”. In truth, his confidence may have stemmed from the apparent success of the tax’s implementation in other Caribbean countries. Value Added Tax (VAT) is a form of consumption tax. From the perspective of the buyer, it is a tax on the purchase price. The amount of VAT that the user pays is the cost of the product, less any of the costs of materials used in the product that have already been taxed. From that of the seller, it is a tax only on the value added to a product, material, or

service. For example, when a television is built by a company the manufacturer is charged a value-added tax on all of the supplies they purchase for producing the television. Once the television reaches the shelf, the consumer who purchases it must pay the VAT that applies to him or her. Small, open economies such as the Caribbean, are faced with great fiscal challenges and diminishing revenue has long been a critical concern of these governments since it threatens to dampen the level and growth of public sector investment programs. As a result, these countries have had to search for alternative sources of revenue and the ongoing process of international, hemispheric, bilateral and regional trade liberalization have lowered tariff levels thus gradually eroding a vital source of government revenue.

see CARIBBEAN on 16

April 2013 • 649Business • 15

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

CARRIBBEAN Faced with external pressure to lower tariffs, Caribbean countries searched for alternative sources of revenue. For many, the solution was VAT – it raced throughout the Caribbean islands like wildfire, quickly moving from one island to the next. Today VAT is functional, in more than 120 countries worldwide including Caribbean countries such as Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia and Guyana to name a few.

medications and some exports are exempt from VAT. Today, however, stands at 17.5 percent after a 2.5 percent increase effective December 1, 2010. While other Caribbean countries grapple with internal conflicts over whether or not to implement VAT, the Barbados government reaped almost a billion Barbados dollars in VAT receipts last year.

ST. LUCIA With the introduction of VAT on October 2012 - one month later than originally scheduled, St Lucia becomes the last independent territory in the Caribbean community to introduce such a levy. The VAT Bill provides for the imposition and collection of value added tax on the supply and importation of goods and services in St. Lucia.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO In Trinidad and Tobago the Value Added Tax Act was implemented in 1989 and it commenced on January 1, 1990. The tax applies to all sales of goods and to all services, except as otherwise stated. Exclusions include the sale of land and buildings, although the rental of business property is taxable. Commodities specifically excluded from application of the tax are zero rated. Therefore the tax does not apply to sales of these, and the sellers receive input tax credit for tax paid on inputs to produce them.

GUYANA Guyana introduced VAT on January 1, 2007, together with an Excise Tax (ET) on motor vehicles, petroleum, tobacco products and alcohol, and was introduced as part of the Government’s plan to modernise and streamline the taxation system. Together, VAT and ET has replaced six previously existing taxes. Thus far, VAT has been good news for Guyana. There are many features that have made it an attractive revenueraising option for the government as it has brought benefits for the business community and consumers alike.

“

Some small islands like The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, Anguilla and The Virgin Islands are still considered ‘tax havens’, and they might just stay that way, but no one can say with any surety, for how long.

BARBADOS VAT continues to be a big earner for Barbados government, in the 1990s, Barbados entered a recession. As a result, in 1997 the Barbadian government introduced the concept of VAT. The main benefit of VAT was the creation of a more transparent tax system and was used to create a single tax for goods or services. Percentages began at 15 percent on all but on accommodations, which has a rate of 7.5 percent. Certain goods, such as food, 16 • 649Business • April 2013

With a headline rate of 15 percent, St Lucia’s VAT regime will be comparatively less punitive than in other CARICOM territories. Presently only Haiti and Belize have lower headline rates at 10 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively. The government of St. Lucia earlier agreed to a concessionary rate of 8 percent for the hotel industry. The levy replaces the island’s consumption tax, environmental protection levy, motor vehicle rental fee, mobile cellular telephone tax, and hotel accommodation tax. Studies in many countries have demonstrated that there are measurement and administrative difficulties in applying a VAT to financial and insurance services, have concluded that it is wiser not to attempt it since the concept of value added is not clearly definable in these fields.

Some small islands like The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, Anguilla and The Virgin Islands, are still considered ‘tax havens’, and they might just stay that way, but no one can say with any surety, for how long. This all depends on the governing body and their economies.

”

And now that there’s a screeching halt in the furious and clumsy hurdling of the UK towards VAT implementation, the Turks and Caicos Islands have effectively dodged a bullet – for the time being at least - and must now find creative and financially sound ways to meet its fiscal responsibilities.

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

MAKING

Dirty Money

HEATHER BERNARD CONTRIBUTOR

CLEAN

A close look at Money Laundering Criminals old and new have always sought ways to disguise the gains of their illegal enterprises as legitimately earned capital. Originally, Laundromats were used to mask these activities as they were relatively simple to operate; required minimal capital investment and produced cash based revenue streams. This activity is said to have given birth to the well-known term, ‘money laundering’, a term perfectly describing what takes place when making illegitimate income legitimate. 18 • 649Business • April 2013

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

“

It isn’t difficult for criminals to obtain currency. However, until the currency is deposited into the financial system, their ability to utilise it is restricted.

MONEY LAUNDERING can be defined into two broad terms: 1. The introduction and integration of illegally obtained funds into the financial system with a view to legitimising those funds. 2. The use of the financial system to illegally hide funds that were lawfully obtained. Illegal (or "dirty") money is put through a cycle of transactions (or "washed"), so that it comes out the other end as legal (or "clean") money. It isn’t difficult for criminals to obtain currency. However, until the currency is deposited into the financial system, their ability to utilise it is restricted. When financial institutions knowingly accept the deposits of criminals, they legitimise (or launder) the proceeds. Accordingly, criminals attempt to do business with financial institutions and these companies must be diligent in detecting and reporting suspicious activity. Criminals today still face the same issue of how to make their "dirty.' money "clean". The main difference today is that criminals have access to, and can utilise, complex international financial systems which often involve various banks and layering their transactions in an attempt to hide and disguise their tracks. However, simple transactions may be no less effective in allowing these criminals to "wash" their hands if institutions are not alert to the risks involved. Money laundering is an issue that has become an increasingly important item on the international community's agenda over the past decade. Islands like the Turks & Caicos, Cayman, Anguilla and Bermuda are small, yet popular offshore tax

”

havens and are great targets for money launderers. Financial institutions have to be on guard at all times, and be ever on the lookout for suspicious activities such as:

UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS Where a transaction is inconsistent in amount, origin, destination, or type with a customer's known, legitimate business or personal activities, the transaction must be considered unusual. Unusual transactions are not necessarily illegal, but they should give rise to further enquiry and analysis. In this regard, financial institutions should examine, to the extent possible, the background and purpose of transactions that appear to have no apparent economic or visible lawful purpose, irrespective of where they originate.

COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS These transactions may have entirely legitimate purposes. However, financial institutions should pay special attention to all complex, unusually large transactions and all unusual patterns of transactions which have no apparent economic or visible lawful purpose. The background and purpose of such transactions should, as far as possible, be examined and documented by the financial institution. Findings regarding enquiries about complex, unusually large transactions and unusual patterns of transactions should be kept by the financial institution and be available to help supervisory authorities and auditors for at least six years.

see DIRTY MONEY on 20 April 2013 • 649Business • 19

FINANCE AND INDUSTRIES

DIRTY MONEY SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS These are financial transactions that give rise to reasonable grounds to suspect that they are related to the commission of a money laundering or terrorism offence. These transactions may be complex, unusual or large or may represent an unusual pattern. This includes: • significant transactions relative to the relationship, • transactions that exceed prescribed limits or • a very high account turnover that is inconsistent with the expected pattern of transactions. The enhanced regulations require banks and other regulated financial institutions to go through a process of identifying what money laundering risks their businesses face and to put in place procedures and controls to mitigate those risks. Over the years, the different banking sectors have been turning up the heat on regulated institutions, and actively supervises compliance. Although there is a tendency to focus on new business relationships and transactions, institutions must be alert to the implications of the financial flows and transaction patterns of existing customers, particularly where there is a significant, unexpected and unexplained change in the behavior of an account. Institutions must develop procedures to assist in the identification of unusual or suspicious activity in all types of business transactions, products and services offered, but particularly for transactions with high risk customers and using high risk services (for example wire transfers, credit/debit cards and ATM transactions, lending, trust services and private banking). The enhanced anti-money laundering regulations also significantly increased the types and severity of fines, penalties and criminal actions that can impose on non-compliant institutions or non-compliant individuals. To facilitate the detection of suspicious transactions, the Institution should: • Require customers to declare the source and/or purpose of fund for business transactions in excess of threshold limits, or such lower amount (i.e. wire transfers) to ascertain the legitimacy of the funds. The form should be signed by the customer; • Develop written policies, procedures and processes to provide guidance on the reporting chain and the procedures to follow when identifying and researching unusual transactions and reporting suspicious activities; As a result of all the above activities, the public in these small islands, including The Turks & Caicos Islands, will have noticed their banks and other regulated institutions (such as insurance, administrator, trust and investment advisor entities) 20 • 649Business • April 2013

are requesting more identity information when they open accounts and they should not be surprised to receive a request for updates to identity information held by regulated institutions. This is a change that is expected to continue. The Turks and Caicos Islands takes the practice of money laundering seriously and under various institutions and ordinances, policies and guidelines are clearly set for financial institutions all in an effort to protect the reputation of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a financial services centre. The Turks and Caicos Financial Services Commission is the independent statuary body that regulaties the financial sector. It was established under the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2001 and continued by the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007 to regulate the financial services industry. Its core functions are to administer the financial services Ordinances and to monitor financial services business carried on and its development, in or from the Islands. The Proceeds of Crime Ordinance of 2007, criminalises money laundering and provides for the confiscation of the proceeds of crime, permits civil forfeiture, enhances the powers of the Money Laundering Reporting Authority (MRLA), requires financial institutions to report suspicious activity to the MLRA, and gives the Supreme Court the power to make a number of orders to assist the police in money laundering investigations. Persons convicted under this act are liable to be sentenced for up to 14 years and/or an indefinite fine. Individuals or companies who fail to disclose knowledge or suspicions of money laundering face up to 5 years imprisonment and and/or an unlimited fine. The Anti-Money Laundering Regulations 2007 were designed to specifically help protect the Islands from and combat illegal financial activity. The regulations are principally concerned with the establishment of systems and mechanisms for the prevention and detection of money laundering. In its efforts to identify and combat money laundering practices, the Islands is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) which is itself an observer member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The CFATF is a regional body with similar form and function to the FATF. The TCI is a member of Egmont via the operational unit, Financial Crime Unit (FCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and is an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and maintains an Interpol sub-bureau. Ultimately, the enhanced regulations place an increased administrative burden on both financial institutions and the public, and are part of a global effort to bring to justice both local and international criminals.

COMPANIESandPROFILES

PHOTO BY ILEANA RAVASIO, ATTIMI

[

GOING GREEN WITH TCI WASTE DISPOSAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS April 2013 • 649Business • 21

COMPANIES AND PROFILES

It’s a dirty job

GOING GREEN BUT SOMEONE’S GOTTA DO IT

JOLEEN GRANT 649BUSINESS WRITER 22 • 649Business • April 2013

COMPANIES AND PROFILES

It’s not pretty. At least not at the beginning. Whisky, wine and rum imbibed, glass bottles lay forlornly, broken and discarded. The excitement has faded, and their contents empty, cardboard boxes lay beside paper plates and cups, crushed soda cans and murky plastic bottles. Scraps of meat, bone and discarded dinners, lay together in an intimate embrace. They all have one thing in common – they’re trash. AND ALL will have to pass through the blue and green bins of TCI Waste Disposal and are sifted and sorted. Some are transported immediately to their final destination- the Blue Hills Dump. But, for others, their journey has not ended, and they are transformed into something new, the embodiment of the Green motto ‘renew, reuse, recycle’. Under the guidance of Ramez Hakoura, his six year old company, TCI Waste Disposal continues its mission to make the Turks and Caicos ‘green’. It means doing his part to preserve the TCI environment and live by his interpretation of the country’s slogan; ‘Beautiful by Nature’. Today, $1.5 million of equipment sits in a 6000 sq. ft. warehouse in Blue Hills, Providenciales, and though the company strongly advocates recycling and constantly searches for ways to increase the numbers and types of recyclable trash they process, the business did not begin as a recycling plant. Hakoura had been visiting the Islands since he was thirteen years old, and as an adult he flew in periodically to assist with the then family owned business - the popular IGA Supermarket. In 2006 became a shareholder in the supermarket and an investor in a development, Flamingo Park. He decided to migrate to the Islands in order to better manage his growing responsibilities and discovered there was no reliable provision made for waste disposal on the Island. “I was renting a studio on Venetian Road, and I asked my landlord ‘what do I do with my waste?’. He says ‘people don’t really come and pick it up, they come every now and then, sometimes they come, and sometimes they don’t’. We

agreed that I would give him my waste. He worked at a restaurant and he would take my waste with him to work and put it in a dumpster there. That’s when I said, ‘hold on a second, I’m going to look into the waste issue in the Turks and Caicos’”. And he did. In 2007 Ramez and his brother Samer Hakoura opened TCI Waste Disposal. It did not begin as it is today, instead with just two vehicles (a garbage and a pick-up truck), one employee and a small office in Caribbean Place, off the Leeward Highway, TCI Waste Disposal was born. Initially they had one client- The Comfort Suites Hotel. Lounging in his chair, legs crossed and a smile on his face, he remembers that first week. “[It] comprised of me being on the truck with one driver, heading to Comfort Suites, picking up the garbage and then going back and that was it. For that first week it was just me and my employee, sort of twiddling our thumbs and going ‘let’s wash the truck’”. Other challenges presented themselves. Operating for the first nine months out of the Caribbean Place location, they had no space to park their trucks. Instead they had to create a system where the vehicles were parked at the offices of friends or at times in an IGA space. 400 customers, six trucks, 15 employees, state of the art equipment and 6000 sq. ft. of warehouse and yard space later, parking concerns are a thing of the past.

April 2013 • 649Business • 23

COMPANIES AND PROFILES

At first glance it is easy to dismiss the facility as impressive only because of its size. Long fingers of cardboard stacks reach for the ceiling, industrial sized bins are filled with glass and plastic bottles. Trucks are parked here and there, a gang of dogs shyly seek friendship, and a once white sneaker lays contentedly on its side, sunning itself upon a row of blue and green bins. It’s dirty and it’s smelly. But, it is trash. Yes, at first glance, and maybe even the second, it isn’t pretty. What happens here though has a unique beauty of its own. For those stacks of cardboard and bins of cans are destined for distant shores, to be remade, perhaps into a renewed version of the thing it once was, or maybe to find new and interesting form. The glass bottles remain local. Crushed as finely as sand, or when a lighter hand is employed, broken into small pieces, sparking in the sunlightitself becoming a thing of beauty. For two years the company focused exclusively on garbage disposal. The process was simple. Pick up the trash, and truck it to the Blue Hills Dump. But in 2009, the company decided to add another component. Seeing the increase in the world’s consciousness about becoming environmentally friendly and protecting limited, natural resources, and coming from a culture themselves where separation of waste and recycling was the norm, TCI Wastes began offering a new service- the option to recycle. The move to recycling was not as simple as disposal. “It was one of the hardest things we had to do. We were pretty much starting something which previously did not exist in the country. It wasn’t an easy task at all.” Some customers simply couldn’t be bothered. “Some people were like, ‘hey, I like the easy way of throwing all my garbage in, without having to think of separating’”. Commercial clients such as hotels, seemed at first like easy converts. Managers, already accustomed to separating waste 24 • 649Business • April 2013

PHOTO BY ILEANA RAVASIO, ATTIMI Thousands of glass bottles lay at the warehouse, ready to be given new life.

in previous jobs or countries they lived in before, were quickly enthused about the idea, passing on directives to staff members to participate in the process by placing separated trash in compartmentalized industrial bins provided by TCI Wastes. This enthusiasm did not trickle down to the lower staff- the men and women who were physically going to do the separation. . Instead a sort of educational programme had to be fashioned. Hakoura visited the hotels and gave lectures and presentations on the need for recycling. In a short time, the hotels were truly on board - management and staff working in tandem with TCI Wastes to create a greener Turks and Caicos. Presently commercial customers have expanded from the one- Comfort Suites (now Ports of Call Resort) , to include additional hotels and several companies such as Amanyara, The Atrium, Seven Stars Resort, The Beach House, Miramar Resort, North West Point Resort, Ports of Call, Strata Plan # 75 (Nikki Beach), The Somerset Resort, The Regent Palms and Regent Grand, The Sands, Veranda, West Bay Club, Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, Grace Bay Club, and of course, IGA supermarkets. The residential side of things also faced its own set of challenges; speed bumps that slowed things down, but did not stop the journey. While there were some who quickly accepted the recycling mandate, there were some who felt it a bother. One customer flatly refused to recycle and went as far as calling to complain about the need to do so. Hakuora patiently explained the need, than pointedly thanked the client for her business, but informed her they would no longer be collecting her trash, if she did not acquiescence.

COMPANIES AND PROFILES To make matters easier for would be recyclers, the company provided each residential home with two bins - one green for non-recyclables, and the other blue for recyclables.

types and amounts of plastics recycled by the company to include all types of plastics. He also plans to continue educating persons throughout the islands on the importance of recycling, particularly by going into schools. This will ensure that recycling will become

“What we did at TCI Waste Disposal, is try to make it as simple as possible. For example, if you go to, let’s say Switzerland or somewhere in Europe, you’ll see as you walk down the streets, they have one garbage bin for cans, one for bottles and another for paper. And the people there, they are used to separating all these different recyclables and putting each one separate. What we’re doing here in Turks and Caicos, is to make it much easier. We’ve only got two separations. We’ve got one for everything that’s non-recyclable and one bin for everything that’s recyclable. So all the commingled recyclables go together - the glass, bottles and cans. And then we bring that back to our facility and we separate all that out,” says Hakoura.

Glass...when a lighter hand is employed, is broken into small pieces, sparking in the sunlightitself becoming a thing of beauty.

Currently, the plant recycles cardboards, glass, aluminum cans and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics; specifically PET1 plastics.

second nature to the next generation.

PET 1 plastics are clear plastics under 1 litre and can be easily identified by the number one marked inside the universal recycling symbol. It is commonly used to package soft drinks, water, juice, peanut butter, bakery goods, produce, frozen foods, salad dressings and oil, cosmetics and household cleaner and many other products. The cardboard, the plastics and aluminum cans are crushed and shipped first to Florida and on to recycling plants in China. Glass is processed on site; either shredded to a sand-like texture and used to create aggregate, or into larger, more crystalline fragments that are used in decoration. The sandlike glass, used in place of its natural counterpart, is mixed with concrete and used in the construction of pavements, roads and driveways. The crystalline glass is quite stunning and is popular in landscaping to create beautiful gardens. Hakoura is proud of the progress made thus far, both by the company and its clients- commercial and residential, and says though the country has come a long way from the zero recycling that was done just 4 short years ago, there is more that can and will be done. In fact, he plans to expand the

“

”

He stresses that the importance of recycling cannot be underestimated. Not only will it preserve the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, but it will also attract visitors and investors alike. Tourists, he says are accustomed to recycling in their home countries, and with the world becoming more environmentally friendly everyday day, they will be drawn to countries that demonstrate that they are indeed eco-friendly. Investors he says will only invest if they see the potential for increase. “One thing you have to understand is that when people are coming to invest here, sometimes they’re investing a lot of money- we’re talking, millions and millions of dollars. When someone is investing millions of dollars, they’re looking at the long term, they’re looking at the future. They might invest five million dollars in a development or land. This site isn’t going to make them their money back next week. If they see that there’s no form of environmental awareness and that in five to seven years’ time their land is going to look worse than it did when they purchased it, they’re not going to invest here. They want to know that in the future they’re investment now has more value- and it certainly won’t have more value if it’s in a worst and dirtier state.”

April 2013 • 649Business • 25

COMPANIES AND PROFILES

The Man Behind the Company

Ramez Hakoura Owner/Manager TCI WASTE DISPOSAL

34-YEAR-old Ramez Hakoura has his fingers in all sorts of pies. He is a shareholder in a successful supermarket chain- The IGA Supermarket and the IGA Gourmet; he is one of the main forces behind the development of Flamingo Park Luxury Townhomes, located in the heart of Providenciales; a shareholder in the $5500 to $12500 per day Eden Yacht Luxury charters; and last but not least, a cofounder and the face of TCI Waste Disposal- a 6000sq ft., 1.5 million dollar trash collection and recycling facility. A visitor to the islands for many years, Hakoura finally settled as a resident of The Turks and Caicos Islands (The TCI) in 2006 in order to better manage his growing business interests. It was after relocating to The TCI, and discovering that there were no real provisions for taking away trash, that Hakoura opened up TCI Waste Disposal.

“

If your business is doing well now, it’s going to do a lot better in 6 or 7 years.

”

He fairly crackles with restrained energy as he sits with 649Business for a quick interview about his company, TCI Waste Disposal. He speaks quickly, his British accent strong. “Hello”, he says, “Nicetomeetyou.” An obviously successful businessman, he explains the relative ease of entering into the disposal industry and the challenges faced when transitioning into the recycling phase. A small office, a single client, resistance from some residential and corporate clients when required to recycle, resilience and resourcefulness triumphed, and today, Hakoura stands at the head of the first and only such company in The TCI. A former resident of London, England, Hakoura maintains that his proudest moment as an entrepreneur is when he reflects on his impact on TCI and the fact that in the annals of its history, he will forever be recognised as a ‘first’. “We are the innovators and the market leaders in recycling.” And while his joy is great when he reflects on this accomplishment, and he is both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about recycling, he insists that his greatest 26 • 649Business • April 2013

PHOTO BY ATTIMI

COMPANIES AND PROFILES

5 Things You Didn’t Know About

1. If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Wolf

3. Cats or dogs? Dogs ... and tigers!

achievement to date, lies with his first venture- The IGA Supermarket and its Grace Bay counterpart- IGA Gourmet. “It is a well-run business. As a supermarket we supply the whole island, a lot of the hotels and a lot of the restaurants. It’s a very, very efficient business and that’s my best accomplishment professionally.” As a resident of the islands and a man with business and investment interests totaling millions over more than 10 years, Hakoura has this advice to offer potential investors: “I know this country has a lot of potential and it’s going to grow. If your business is doing well now, it’s going to do a lot better in 6 or 7 years. There’s no doubt about that. I’m very confident that if you invest money here (in the Turks and Caicos Islands), in land and or other property, it will go up. The reason I’m very confident about these things is that we’re still very, very young. Expect to have a lot of growth as a country itself and in tourism.” But he warns: “Don’t just fly here, throw money in and go, ‘I’m going to make my money back’. Look at what sort of laws are in place, look at what you need to have in order to invest here correctly. Take time to research Government legislations that may be in the air. Speak to persons already in the industry you are about to invest in. Get to know the people in the local community, consult with realtors here. They know a lot about what’s going on- about upcoming developments and so on.”

5. what’s the name of the last book you read? The Kite Runner

Ramez Hakoura

3. What superpower would you want? To fly

2. What is your favourite colour? Green

When he’s not working hard - he’s playing hard. A Type 1 diabetic for the past 28 years, Hakoura stays active to try to maintain a “fit, physical, healthy lifestyle”. “I’m quite fanatical about the gym. I go five times per week”, he says. But that is just one way he stays active. He also enjoys skiing, which he does every year, and for the last eight years he has been a practitioner of a martial art form, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu “I love it. It is a more realistic martial art. It focuses on fighting, but fighting on the ground, rather than fighting, in in a more orthodox style- standing up. However in a real life fight, people fall over and the fight goes onto the ground. So Gracie Jiu-Jitsu focuses on the ground fight.” “I’m a very hyper-active person. I love activities. I’m not very much for lying down and relaxing on the beach type of activities”. A lover of music, he has been playing the piano for 28 years, focusing mainly on contemporary classical. He is inordinately proud of his rendition of ‘Nothing Else Matters’, by the rock group Metallica. Surprisingly enough, Hakoura still finds time for more hobbies.

Advice he himself has often ignored: “Stay out of the spotlight!” he laughs. “Obviously I’m not following that now”.

“Now that I have Eden Yacht Charters, I do a lot of fishing. Its a very new hobby for me. I’m not good at it at all,” he laughs, “But I have a fantastic crew member who does everything for me. My aspect of it is when the fish is caught - he gives me the rod to reel it in.”

Soon though, the laugher fades and he is reflective. “The best advice I have received so far, that has served me well, is have a great accountant, and that is also advice I would like to share with readers.

When he’s not opening new businesses, managing old ones, playing the piano, practicing martial arts, going to the gym or doing his version of fishing, Hakoura takes some time to spend with tigers, “looking after them” he says.

April 2013 • 649Business • 27

COMPANIES AN PROFILES

Surviving THERE IS no doubt - it is the employers market, and it is time to get serious about keeping your job or finding a new one. 649Business offers some advice on how to do just that, and your options if you are one of the unlucky ones at the wrong end of a pink slip. Due to the lack of vacancies, applicants may be tempted to assign blame for their lack of success when seeking employment. This is always negative and counter-productive. The fact is that many employers are struggling to survive, so job seekers must present themselves in the most positive, constructive and productive way possible. Employers are looking for individuals who demonstrate that they can add value to a company, and it is your duty to present yourself as an asset.

YOUR RÉSUMÉ Whether you have lost your job or it's a possibility, there is nothing like an up-to-date résumé. Get professional help with your resume. You may consult with an employment firm, request a few moments from a Human Resource Manager in your targeted industry or contact a representative from the Labour Department for some helpful guidelines. A strong, well prepared résumé will get you interviews. When preparing a résumé and applying for a job within your field: • Keep it professional and pertinent. • Tell the truth. • Have your résumé typed. • Customise your résumé to suit the job you are applying for. • Include a cover letter. • Re-read and review. Check for grammar and spelling. • Apply as soon as you become aware of a position.

MORE FOR LESS Before the boss pulls you in or after the pink slip lands on 28 • 649Business • April 2013

your desk, get out there and augment your skills. The reality is employers have tightened the belt and raised the standard. They want advanced skill sets and work experience, high work ethics and ‘can do’ attitude. In short, more for possibly less pay. Almost any employer will look positively on an employee wishing to improve his/her skills and in fact will often encourage and assist the employee financially. Focus on gaining skills that are transferable. For instance, an office assistant who may be finding it difficult find employment should perhaps look into gaining skills in accounting. If you know you are on the hit list, start searching for a new job. The best ways to find a new job include: • Networking. This can be done by volunteering, for example. • Seek courses either online or at the community college • Viewing the calendar of events in the newspaper for beneficial activities that may increase network base or enhance your resume.

LIFE AFTER REDUNDANCY Should you receive the pink slip or believe it may come your way, it is time to sort out your finances and perhaps tighten your belt. Here are some ways you can do that: • List critical bills • Review your finances to ensure you have enough money for six months of living expenses • Save, save, save. Cut back on non-essentials (eating out, buying clothes, shoes etc.) • Sell what you don’t need Lastly, refer to your country’s employment guidelines regarding redundancy. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, be guided by the 2004 Employment Bill and get legal advice on whether your redundancy is lawful and if the package being offered is fair. Do not sign anything without first getting legal advice.

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

Luxury Included© Vacations

WINNER OF THE SAINT LUCIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD As a Caribbean family-owned company, we take pride in our people. We believe our friendliness and hospitality is at the heart of the Caribbean experience. This is why, as a major employer in the islands, we develop people, not employees. We work side-by-side with our staff providing opportunities for professional and personal development. Through the Sandals Corporate University, our team members have access to a wide range of training and educational programmes to help them build a better future. After all, when they excel, we all excel. When they grow, we all grow. So when our guests tell us they love our staff—we agree wholeheartedly. whol

OUR RESORTS CERTAINLY IMPRESS, BUT IT’S OUR PEOPLE THAT KEEP GUESTS COMING BACK !PRIL s "USINESS s 29

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

Mastering Both Worlds

Tendra Musgrove General Manager, VILLA DEL MAR BORN AND raised in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Tendra Musgrove is the epitome of a Local girl raised to great heights by virtue of hard work and a strong determination to succeed. She is a corporate professional and a single mother; two characteristics that for many seem exclusive of each other. 6KH VWDUWHG DV D SDUW WLPH )URQW 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH $JHQW at The Sands, and spent 12 years doggedly forging her path to the top. Today, Tendra is the General Manager of Villa Del Mar, a cozy 42 suite luxury condohotel set in lush, tropical landscaped grounds, a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw way from the award winning Grace Bay Beach. She joined the Villa Del Mar Team in 2010 as the Director of Hotel Operations after spending nine years in various managerial positions at The Sands Resort. Just three years later, she has risen to the greatest height of her career- General Manager. Dressed in a conservative black pants suit with bronze peep toed sandals, Tendra stands at D OLWWOH RYHU Ă&#x20AC;YH IHHW WDOO DQG LWÂˇV LV D ZRQGHU that so much energy is contained in such a petite frame. She is enthusiastic about the hotel industry and excited to be featured as a role model for women, who she believes can have it all. 4XLFN DV D VQDS RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;QJHUV VKH QDPHV Mr. Stan Hartling, CEO of the The Hartling Group, developers of The Sands on Grace Bay, The Regent Palms and The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, as the person who KDG WKH PRVW LQĂ XHQFH LQ KHU SURIHVVLRQDO OLIH since his words set her on her career path. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started working at his [Hartlingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s] company DV D SDUW WLPH IURQW RIĂ&#x20AC;FH DJHQW DQG , SUREDEO\ was around the age of 21 or 22 at that time. I was very young and very impressionable and he said something to me that really made me want to develop myself in this industry. He said that he

30 s "USINESS s !PRIL

wished that more young Turks Islanders would engage themselves in the hospitality industry, because that is going to be the driving force of the Turks and Caicos, and from those words, I decided that I wanted to put my all into hospitality and be as well aware of the industry as I possibly could.â&#x20AC;?

year old and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imyhavepridea seven and joy we go to the beach, we walk our dogs, and I spend time with family.

â&#x20AC;?

And she did just that. She enrolled in The University of Technology (UTECH) as a Finance Major and worked her way, position by position to the top. After nine years at The Sands, she accepted a position at Villa Del Mar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Becoming General Manager of Villa Del Mar is my greatest accomplishment to date. After being a part time front desk RIĂ&#x20AC;FHU WKHQ IXOO WLPH WKHQ DOVR Chief Concierge then Rooms Manager, the next level was to become a General Manager. Villa Del Mar is a small property, but knowing and having the JUDWLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ WKDW , FDQ UXQ D property this size and actually doing it successfully is really a great accomplishment for me.â&#x20AC;? Villa Del mar is a Condo-Hotel, and Tendra is kept busy with her duties as General Manager, ensuring the seamless day to day operations of the resort by coordinating with department heads, assisting guests when necessary, selling and renting rooms and everything in between.

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

Still, she makes time for family. When she is not at the RIĂ&#x20AC;FH VKH LV ZLWK KHU VHYHQ \HDU ROG VRQ 0DOLN RU VSHQGLQJ time with relatives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have a seven year old and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my pride and joy, we go to the beach, we walk our dogs, and I spend time with family. Being a businesswoman you have less time for that and you have to grab the opportunity when it comes.â&#x20AC;? She has accomplished what many women desire â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to have a personal and professional life, and to have them coexist happily. She lights up when she explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being a single mother and EHLQJ D SURIHVVLRQDO LV GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW EXW , PXVW VD\ WKDW , KDYH a very, very amazing mother who helps me with everything and is there for me at the drop of a hat. Whether it is to pick up my son from school, making sure I pay my bills on time, really helping with anything that I need to get done. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of my secretary for my personal lifeâ&#x20AC;?, she chuckles. She believes like herself, women can be competent and successful managers, and that the very thing that typecasts them can add value to a company, and would especially like to see Turks and Caicos females step into those roles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women are compassionate and open minded and this can be a great asset. Some people may believe being a female business manager or CEO you may have restrictions such as family ties or you may have restrictions because of emotional ties. But as single mother, I have never felt that my son restricted me, nor have emotions ever impaired me when it came to making sound business decisions.â&#x20AC;? Leaning forward in her chair, she continues earnestly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women need to make themselves more available. Women of the Turks and Caicos are less aggressive and more laid back. To make yourself more marketable you have to be aggressive, you have to put yourself out there, you have to have as much exposure as you can. [You have to] make the EXVLQHVV ZRUOG VHH WKDW \RX DUH DEOH WR Ă&#x20AC;W LQ WKDW UROH DQG compete with the men in the industry.â&#x20AC;? She feels and equal mix of nerves and anticipation when she considers the next step in her career - managing an additional 90 rooms that are already being marketed to potential buyers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Villa Del Mar is adding a second phase, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re adding 90 more unitsâ&#x20AC;?, she takes a deep breath, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so that will be a challenge for me so see how I will manage a 120 units laughs. Now we have 40, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big jump!â&#x20AC;?

RisingStar 649

Chandra Craigg

Marketing & Procurement Specialist,

ISLANDCOM WIRELESS I MOVED fr from the Turks and Caicos Islands when whe I was a child, around eight and comple completed middle, high and college. I achieved my Bachelor of Advertising Communication at and Marketing M Temple University. I graduated Tem from fro college in 2006 and came ca home for a vacation and a worked as a summer employee at Radio Turks and e Caicos. I decided to return home when I saw a position advertised at Islandcom, a applied and was successful. a

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS C ,PP ,PPHGLDWHO\ DIWHU Ă&#x20AC;QLVKLQJ college I was offered a job coll here (on Island) at Radio Turks and Caicos. It was fun but I wanted to do something more challenging. I joined Islandcom Wireless in 2007, before they actually opened up, and I've been here ever since. I began as a Marketing Associate and gradually more responsibilities have been added, so now I am a Marketing and Procurement Specialist, so I do the inventory ordering as well as the marketing side.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE I see myself as a part of the future success of the company. I see it being bigger than the other telecommunications company one day, because we have a lot of the infrastructure and we're more forward thinking with regards to technology - and we will always push for that. It is our goal to always be on the cutting edge of technology. I also plan to have my own personal success on the side. I believe I have a lot more to accomplish, and every day I strive to be better than I was yesterday.

ADVICE FOR PERSONS ENTERING THE FIELD Marketing and advertising is different depending on your industry. For example telecommunications marketing is different from tourism marketing, but the biggest thing you have to posses is background knowledge - you have to be NQRZOHGJHDEOH DERXW \RXU Ă&#x20AC;HOG $OZD\V EH FXUUHQW

!PRIL s "USINESS s 31

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

649Spotlight Women

in Business

Elanor FinďŹ n Krzanowski

ELANOR FINFIN Kranowski is presently Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa Public Relations Manager and has been there for over two years. She is a successful woman whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s managed to balance a career and a personal life, Elanor took a moment to answer a few pointed questions about the role of women in the workplace.

1. WHY DO YOU THINK COMPANIES ARE AFRAID TO HIRE WOMEN MANAGERS AND CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S? Most companies are either founded or spearheaded by men and although businesses have come a long way in recognizing gender equality in the work place, the fear of having a female manager or CEO still lies within the core lining of menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s psyche. [Some] men think women are too emotional, too compassionate and are unable to differentiate logic from reasonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; they believe that these vulnerability are signs of weakness that will inevitably affect the overall presence and LQĂ XHQFH RI D FRPSDQ\

2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS WOMEN BRING TO THE TABLE? Women bring feminine intelligence, gender balance, fresh ideas, organization, GLYHUVLW\ SRZHU LQĂ XHQFH DQG most of all a different style of leadership to the work place. Women are changing the culture of businesses around the world.

3. DO YOU THINK ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A MYTH OR FACT THAT WOMEN MAKE POOR LEADERS? ,W LV GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ D P\WK 7KHUH DUH so many examples of historical and contemporary female leaders whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made their imprint and VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW FRQWULEXWLRQ WR JURZWK DQG technological advancement. Some examples include Cleopatra VII - great ruler of ancient Egypt; Indira Gandhi - as the leader of India, she became an

32 s "USINESS s !PRIL

LQĂ XHQWLDO Ă&#x20AC;JXUH IRU ,QGLDQ ZRPHQ DV ZHOO DV IRU RWKHUV around the world; Grace Hopper - computing trailblazer, VKH LQYHQWHG RQH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW HDV\ WR XVH FRPSXWHU ODQJXDJHV ZKLFK ZDV VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW DGYDQFHPHQW LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG of computer programming. Others include Shirley Jackson - a former head of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 6KH UHDIĂ&#x20AC;UPHG WKH DJHQF\ÂˇV FRPPLWPHQW WR SXEOLF KHDOWK DQG VDIHW\ DQG ZDV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW IHPDOH $IULFDQ $PHULFDQ WR receive a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of 7HFKQRORJ\ 'U 6DOO\ 5LGH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW $PHULFDQ ZRPDQ LQ space, was also the youngest American astronaut ever to orbit Earth; Margaret Thatcher -this politician was WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW ZRPDQ LQ (XURSHDQ KLVWRU\ WR EH HOHFWHG prime minister; Hillary Clinton - former First lady 6HFUHWDU\ RI 6WDWH WKH RQO\ $PHULFDQ Ă&#x20AC;UVW ODG\ WR KROG QDWLRQDO RIĂ&#x20AC;FH DQG 6KHU\O 6DQGEHUJ )DFHERRN &KLHI 2SHUDWLQJ 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU

4. HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND YOUR HOME LIFE? As a married, working executive, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty simple to balance my home life and my professional commitment to my employer. My husband Dwyane and I have a very modern arrangement. We both work the normal work week but take turns completing various chores. Dwyane takes care of most of the cooking and the kitchen chores, while I take care of the general household and laundry duties. So far, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been working out great for us.

5. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO WOMAN TO MAKE THEMSELVES MORE MARKETABLE AND LESS PRONE TO STEREOTYPES? Education and training is the key to breaking the glass ceiling in the work place and pivotal in making women more marketable. There has been a percentage increase in women leaders, women presidents, and women graduating from law schools, women in congress and women in the military.

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

Quietly making her way to the top NIAMH Burns, ISLANDCOM WIRELESS CEO

TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, Islandcom Wireless, may be the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;new kid on the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but under the leadership RI &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU 1LDPK %XUQV WKH\ KDYH already received accolades as the leader in technological innovation and in just four short years, they have increased WKHLU FXVWRPHU EDVH Ă&#x20AC;YH IROG An impressive student, Blake completed her degree in Mathematics, Statistics and Computing and in 1999, just D IHZ PRQWKV DIWHU HDUQLQJ D Ă&#x20AC;UVW WLPH SDVV LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO admitting exam at the Institute of Charted accountants, Blake entered the workforce. Since then she has steadily climbed the professional ladder and from a chartered accountant, to senior auditor, WR Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO FRQWUROOHU WR 'LUHFWRU RI 2SHUDWLRQV DQG Finance; Blakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career took her on a short exploration RI WKH &DULEEHDQ $IWHU \HDUV RQH DFFRXQWLQJ Ă&#x20AC;UP DQG three telecommunication companies later, she has reached the greatest heights and today stands at the top as Chief ([HFXWLYH 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU %RUQ LQ %HOIDVW ,UHODQG VKH VSHQW Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV LQ %HUPXGD DV an accountant with Cellular One and two years as Financial Controller at Digicel Turks and Caicos and British Virgin Islands.

When her mentor, CEO of Bermuda One, Kate Eve recommended the position at Islandcom Wireless in 2009, Blake agreed. Despite being a start-up, she was not worried. She had watched Cellular One, under the guidance of her mentor, CEO, Kate Eve, grow from a small start up to becoming a household name in Bermuda and knew growth was possible. She accepted the position- Director of Operations and Finance, and did such a great job that in WKUHH \HDUV VKH ZDV DSSRLQWHG &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU She is forever grateful for the intervention of Eve, and FUHGLWV KHU DV WKH LQGLYLGXDO ZLWK WKH JUHDWHVW LQĂ XHQFH RQ her professional growth, because she â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;believed in me and gave me a chance.â&#x20AC;? Today, she leads a team of 20 men and women and embraces her role as CEO, something she readily admits made her apprehensive initially. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making a transition from an accountant to CEO, was challenging in learning some key new areas. I thought I needed a Sales and Marketing Manager and I asked my boss, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;can I hire someone to overlook all of sales and marketingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but he said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pick it up in no timeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure at the time and now I love it!â&#x20AC;?

!PRIL s "USINESS s 33

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES Displaying enormous courage and strength of will, Niamh stepped out of her comfort zone and pushed forward, embracing her new role and was ready to tackle the next challenge. Today she revels in her position, secure in her knowledge that she plays a vital role in creating the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing strategies; pleased with her success at overcoming the hurdle of being the newest company competing in a market previously dominated by telecommunications giants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I absolutely love the marketing side, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most interesting part of the business. I have that typical â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;accountant personalityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but I love developing the strategy behind it [marketing], and really enjoy pushing that side of it. That move to broader management was very exciting.â&#x20AC;? To secure a foothold in the industry, she promotes what she calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;below the lineâ&#x20AC;? marketing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody does the newspaper once a week, everyone does radio and tv, and you sort of have to do that because everyone else does that, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very expensive as well and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re limited when you can only advertise once a week. So what we did is try to segment the population and then WDUJHW HDFK RQH LQGLYLGXDOO\ ÂŤ VR LWV Ă \HUV VSRQVRULQJ event, and going out and actually supporting the events, putting a tent up, doing special offers, those types of things to target and support different markets.â&#x20AC;? She explains for example, that they targeted the Dominican PDUNHW E\ Ă&#x20AC;UVWO\ HQVXULQJ WKDW ,VODQGFRP KDG WKH EHVW UDWHV WR WKH '5 DQG DOVR YLVLWLQJ HYHQWV FUHDWLQJ Ă \HUV DQG adverts in Spanish, visiting popular Dominican spots such as salons to directly market the Islandcom product, cheekily adding that they have had such wonderful results that the company has gained an imitator or two. And Islandcom has grown in the three years since its LQFHSWLRQ DQG KDV PDQ\ ÂśĂ&#x20AC;UVWVÂˇ XQGHU LWV EHOW ,W ZDV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WR LQWURGXFH * WR WKH ,VODQGV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW * QHWZRUN DQG WRGD\ WKH\ SURPLVH WR EH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WR RIIHU WKH QH[W generation of wireless technology, Long Term Evolution (LTE). It is not always been an easy road, and there are lessons she has learned by experience and those that have been handed down by others. One she has learned the hard way, is

34 s "USINESS s !PRIL

never to send an email in anger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re angry, and I wish Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d learnt it earlierâ&#x20AC;?, she laughs, â&#x20AC;&#x153;when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re angry, sit on an email, just park it. Save it as a draft, think about it then go in the next day and look at it. You might just go, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;oh well, I guess it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that importantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, realise itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the end of the world and move RQ <RX GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ QHHG WR PDNH \RXU SRLQW LI WKHUH LV D VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW issue, but screaming and shouting doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really do anybody any good and it creates an unpleasant atmosphere for everyone working with you.â&#x20AC;? Sage advice she has received from her CEO, Kate Bonner: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inspect what you expect. If you give people tasks but you never really check on them, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the point?â&#x20AC;? She believes she is a success as a manager because she is not afraid to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;be humanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have a personality and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be unapproachable. Let your staff know that they can always come to you. Value the people in your team. One thing that is really important to me is that I have a happy work environment. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to jobs where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve hated it. You wake up in the morning and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dreading going to work, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never want that for any of our team.â&#x20AC;? She implores women who want to climb the ladder to never be afraid to ask for help and never to feel they are at a disadvantage simply because they are women. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women are capable of doing anything they set their minds to, [just] make sure and educate yourself that is the key.â&#x20AC;? In her spare time she plays poker, â&#x20AC;&#x153;not for the actual gambling but just for the challenge,â&#x20AC;? she says and since she cannot swim, laments thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limited when it comes to recreational activities, so she listens to music, reads books and enjoys traveling. She is proud of her role in making Islandcom the leader LQ WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV WHFKQRORJ\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WR KDYH * and soon the newest generation, LTE, especially because compared to the others, â&#x20AC;&#x153;everybody knows we are smallerâ&#x20AC;?, VKH SDXVHV Â´ÂŤ IRU QRZ Âľ VKH DGGV GHĂ&#x20AC;DQWO\ She has plans to make Islandcom the number one telecommunications company in the TCI and leaves us with RQH Ă&#x20AC;QDO JHP Â´,I \RX ZDQW WR H[FHHG H[SHFWDWLRQV \RX have to put in the ground work. Stick with it until you get it done. Working overtime pays off.â&#x20AC;?

RealESTATE

[

/ FIVE STARS FOR SEVEN STARS April 2013 • 649Business • 35

Luxury and convenience combined........

Five Stars for Seven Stars FRAMED BY white-sand beaches and the marine preserve of Princess Alexandra National Park, Seven Stars Resort embraces the natural environment and beauty of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Named for the seven stars of the storied Pleiades constellation, Seven Stars is an all-suite resort that sits on 22 acres of manicured grounds at the center of Grace Bay Beach – rated one of the best beaches in the world.

Seven Stars Resort’s luxuriously appointed junior, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites, are among the Island’s most spacious with private balconies and dramatic views. Offering

36 • 649Business • April 2013

luxurious comforts, accommodations feature stylish furnishings and gourmet kitchens complete with wine refrigerators and Nespresso machines. In addition to luxurious accommodations, Seven Stars offers guests a true island oasis. It is home to the Island’s largest heated salt water pool and additionally offers guests private pool deck cabanas for lounging, beach butler service, on-site spa and wellness services and guest-only private and group boat excursions on the resort’s new watercraft, Lady Tamara. Seven Stars Resort offers unique and diverse dining experiences. At Seven restaurant, guests will enjoy a varied

REAL ESTATE

Above: The newly enhanced restaurant - The Deck Left: Relax and soak up some rays by the poolside.

menu of breakfast offerings, and for dinner, an exotic and Caribbean-inspired menu with artfully prepared dishes. The poolside Sand Dollar, offers a casual, outdoor menu with sandwiches, salads and more for lunch. Beachside, the recently enhanced The Deck provides nightly live entertainment, an alfresco experience for lunch, as well as cocktails and tapas during the evening. The Spa at Seven Stars – rated by Conde Nast Traveler readers amongst the top five in the Caribbean – provides the utmost tranquility to relax and indulge by offering an extensive menu of services to soothe the mind, body and spirit. The resort features a fitness center, offering Yoga, Pilates and Body Toning; tennis courts; complimentary water sports including Hobie Cats, kayaks, surfboards, snorkeling equipment and pool floats; and a kid’s camp. Seven Stars Resort was recently named ‘Best All-Suite

Resort’ in Turks & Caicos by the World Travel Awards in addition to being named to the 2013 Conde Nast Gold List. The resort was also named among the top ‘10 Resorts in the Caribbean’ by U.S. News and World Report and by TripAdvisor in their Traveler’s Choice Awards. In addition to a bevy of other recent recognitions, Seven Stars was also awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for impressive overall customer satisfaction. Seven Stars Resort continuously exceeds guests’ expectations for its location, amenities, design, cuisine, and particularly for its service. The resort lives up to its recent accolades by offering guests’ top-notch service and well-appointed luxury suites that are among the Island’s most spacious. From gracious hospitality to unique amenities, Seven Stars Resort is the perfect place for families, couples, locals and groups to unwind and relax in the warm, tropical paradise of the Turks & Caicos.

April 2013 • 649Business • 37

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

38 s "USINESS s !PRIL

649TECH

[

FACE OFF- APPLE iPHONE 5 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 WHY EVERY COMPANY NEEDS A WEBSITE April 2013 • 649Business • 39

649TECH

A QUICK LOOK

DIMENSIONS: 4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 inches (123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm)

DIMENSIONS: 5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches (136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm)

DISPLAY 4.0 inches 640 x 1136 pixels

DISPLAY 5.0 inches 1080 x 1920 pixels

WEIGHT: 4.3 oz (123 g)

WEIGHT: 4.59 oz (130 g)

OPERATING SYSTEM IOS (6.1, 6)

OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.2.2 (Jellybean)

RAM 1GB

RAM 2GB

CAMERA Rear/Front: 8MP/.9MP

CAMERA Rear/Front: 13MP/2MP STORAGE Internal 16/32/64MB External- MicroSD

Samsung Galaxy 4

OWEN BARNES 649TECH EXPERT CURRENTLY, THE Samsung Galaxy and the Apple iPhone lines of smartphones are serious rivals. The Samsung Galaxy handsets dominate the cell phone market with a 29 percent market share and Apple’s iPhone has just received its ninth straight J.D. Power and Associates awards, ranking them highest in customer satisfaction and is hurrying up the ranks. 40 • 649Business • April 2013

STORAGE Internal 16/32/64MB External- none

Apple iPhone 5

Both are excellent products, but which is best? 649Tech has an obligation to provide advice to the reader in the market for a new smartphone and struggling with the Samsung/iPhone conundrum. In this issue, we will assess these two gadgets and you can decide which features suits you best. 649Tech has been assessing these two flagship phones against each other, as well as against their predecessors, and here is what we came up with:

649TECH

SPEED The Apple iPhone 5, with its new A6 processor, is superfast. 4G LTE, a new lightweight design, and a taller screen, makes it a more than welcomed upgrade from its predecessor – the iPhone 4S. While the Samsung Galaxy S4, with its 1.9 GHz quad-core or 1.6 octa-core processor, is almost twice as fast as the Galaxy S3. The S4 - a hair lighter with a thinner build made room for screen expansion (though the device is not physically bigger), and was also a welcomed upgrade. Following the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4, John Poole of Primate Labs analysed Geekbench 2 scores (a benchmark for checking the speed of mobile devices) for a number of smartphones. Poole’s analysis places the S4 at the very top. The Galaxy S4 is approximately twice as fast as the Galaxy S3 registering a Geekbench 2 score of 3163 compared to the 1717 of its predecessor. Apple’s iPhone 5 (2.5x increase in performance over the iPhone 4S) registered 1596, making the Galaxy S4 also twice as fast as the iPhone 5. Kudos to the Galaxy S4! Editor’s note: This analysis is based on phones currently on the market. However, I think the Galaxy S4 should be compared with the newer iPhone 5S, set to released sometime this coming summer.

DESIGN AND BUILD Apple’s iPhone 5, with its thin metal frame, looks and feels like a premium product. Samsung Galaxy S4 with its plastic backing, still looks and feels like a cheap knockoff. Personally, if I am paying premium price for a product then I strongly believe that this product should have a premium look-andfeel. Kudos to the iPhone 5! Both phones offer 4G LTE, so for the moment, let’s take a look at the displays. The 5-inch HD Super AMOLED (1920x1080 pixels, 441ppi) display of the Galaxy S4, compared to the 4-inch IPS LCD (1136x640, 326ppi) display of the iPhone 5, offers a larger screen and a greater resolution. At this point I am inclined to say “kudos to the Galaxy S4!”, however I am concerned that consumers who do not want a bigger phone, may think that a bigger screen equates to a bigger phone (making it a ‘phablet’ perhaps?). Nonetheless, kudos to the Galaxy S4 for a rich and crisp looking pixel density at full brightness. What I really love about this Samsung Galaxy S4 however, is its 13-megapixel, 1080p HD video rear camera and recorder, and a 2-magapixel front-facing camera. It packs new features like simultaneous shooting from dual cameras, along with smart scrolling and pausing that works by eyeball tracking. The iPhone 5 on the other hand, packs an 8-megapixel, 1080p HD video rear camera and recorder, and a 1.2 megapixel

front-facing camera. So kudos to the S4! Apple has not disclosed the battery capacity for its iPhone 5 so we cannot compare it to the 2,600 mAh of the Galaxy S4.

CAPACITY I can imagine most of you are eagerly anticipating the contents of this section, so wait no more! The Samsung Galaxy S4 has twice as much memory as Apple’s iPhone 5, which has only 1 GB RAM. Both phones however, have storage capacities of 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB; but the Galaxy S4 has expandable memory up to 64 GB. What can I say? Kudos to the Galaxy S4 once more! It has outshined the iPhone 5 in this arena. One might argue that expandable memory is not that important in an age where cloud computing is prevalent, but for those of us who require more local storage, then 64 GB is a more than welcome addition.

OS AND APPS – ANDROID VS iOS? At the time of this assessment, the Galaxy S4 runs the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (currently the most up-to-date Android version), whereas, the iPhone 5 runs iOS 6.1.3, also its most up-to-date version. We will explore and compare these systems in detail at a later date; however, it is important to note that both OSs are considered top notch, with a plethora of apps in their respective app stores. Currently, Google Play contains over a million Android apps while Apple’s App Store has approximately 700, 000.

CONCLUSION The Galaxy S4 is high-end, as is the iPhone 5. Although the S4 isn’t exceptionally beautiful, and the software is not as smooth and inspiring as its competition here, it has all the essential features and then some. As a business executive or just an average business person, you cannot go wrong with either handsets. However, if you are looking for something sleek and beautiful to enhance your look, then I suggest the iPhone 5. If on the other hand, you care about a larger screen (for reading and/or editing documents on the go) and the beauties of a handset is not an important factor, then the Galaxy S4 is for you. Editor’s note: We’ will continue to update you on these two awesome handsets as they go through their constant makeovers and upgrades.

April 2013 • 649Business • 41

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

Yellow Pages IN YOUR HAND!

WITH MOBILE devices playing an ever more important role in society, consumers want to remain connected regardless of where they are. Through mobile data networks it is possible to receive up to date information regardless of where you roam in Turks & Caicos Islands and consumers therefore expect the same ease of access to information on the go that they would experience at their desk. Global Directories, publisher of the Turks & Caicos Islands Yellow Pages, has launched the Turks & Caicos Islands Yellow Pages local search mobile application to provide consumers with an user-friendly tool to easily search and discover local businesses when using Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android devices including smartphones and tablets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consumers are increasingly looking for useful and relevant local business information or phone numbers from their mobile devices when they are on-the-go,â&#x20AC;? said Eileen Keens, Marketing Manager for Global Directories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our new Turks & Caicos Islands Yellow Pages mobile App puts the power of our network in the hands of every Android and Apple iPhone user and gives our advertisers DFFHVV WR D VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW QXPEHU RI SRWHQWLDO FXVWRPHUV Âľ she continued. The application puts the power of our directory in your hand as it makes accessing the Yellow Pages easy on the go. The mobile application, can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store (formerly Android Marketplace) or the Apple App Store. Through offering the App for both, iOS and Android devices, the company covers the

42 s "USINESS s !PRIL

biggest players in the smartphone and tablet market, from Apple to Motorola to Samsung. The opening screen presents users with an icon based interface with popular search items including auto parts, doctors, restaurants, etc. Search terms can also be entered using text or voice recognition for any business not covered by the initial icon categories. Results can also be sorted according to criteria including relevance, distance from the user, or just alphabetically. The results can also be shown in list form, allowing \RX WR Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH UHOHYDQW EXVLQHVVHV HDVLO\ Additional information includes business addresses, websites and email addresses. Once you have found the company you are looking for, the application also offers easy click to call dialing, so no need to scribble down the relevant number or try to memorise it. The Turks & Caicos Islands Yellow Pages application can be downloaded directly to an Android device by visiting the Android Marketplace at https:// play.google.com/store. Apple users can download by visiting the Mac App Store, online store. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will also be releasing a new mobile application exclusively for BlackBerry at a later GDWH ZKLFK ZLOO DOORZ RXU XVHUV WR Ă&#x20AC;QG LW IDVW LQ WKH 7XUNV & Caicos Islands Yellow Pages regardless of their mobile platform,â&#x20AC;? stated Ms Keens. For more information please contact Eileen Keens at 941-7757 or ekeens@globaldirectories.com

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES 649TECH

Why is having a website important for your business A WEBSITE LETS YOU BRAND YOUR BUSINESS LIKE NEVER BEFORE

A WEBSITE is important for your business because it is a marketing tool that can literally reach the entire world. With over 2.2 billion people online, the internet has revolutionized KRZ ZH ÀQG DQG VKDUH LQIRUPDWLRQ 7KH RQOLQH world is moving at a rapid pace and doesn’t show any signs of slowing. For businesses, a web presence has become a fundamental part of success.

many businesses now leverage a website. Business branding through the web will help you develop a stronger reputation to millions around the world. Potential customers will be able to UHVHDUFK \RXU EXVLQHVV DQG ÀQG JRRG UHYLHZV DERXW WKH SURGXFW RU VHUYLFH \RX SURYLGH 7KLQN of your website as an extension of your sales staff, helping you nurture and generate leads by educating people on your products or services.

:KHQ FRQVXPHUV FDQ·W ÀQG D FRPSDQ\ RQOLQH LW UDLVHV D UHG ÁDJ 'RHV WKLV FRPSDQ\ UHDOO\ exist? Can I trust them? Are they trying to scam me? People are more skeptical than ever. Even when consumers don’t purchase online, they research and look online before they buy.

Word of mouth has and always will be the most trusted form of advertisement. However, with a website, you make it easy for consumers to share your business. With a simple link, they can instantly access all your business information.

When you have a good website, it gives people a peace of mind about your business. Whether you’re selling a product or service, or simply providing information, it’s important for your business to have a web presence in order to establish credibility.

$QG ZLWK VRFLDO PHGLD SODWIRUPV VXFK DV 7ZLWWHU and Facebook, it’s now even easier for people to share things they love or recommend. When you have a website, you give these recommendations a place to go. Websites serves as central place for potential customers to learn more about why your business is so great.

A website lets you brand your business like never before. Websites give you unlimited freedom to determine how your business looks WR \RXU FXVWRPHUV :HEVLWHV DUH ÁH[LEOH DQG can grow as yours business evolves, and they also allow your business to be available around the clock, even during off business hours. Add to this that websites are one of the most costeffective tools available and it’s obvious why so

A website is the foundation for a web presence, ZKLFK LV WKH ÀUVW VWHS WR PDNLQJ \RXU EXVLQHVV successful. Remember that your website is an extension of your business and must be constantly maintained and updated. Your website will not accomplish anything for you if its purpose was just to say my website can be found online. You and your website professional have to create an internet identity.

!PRIL s "USINESS s 43

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

44 s "USINESS s !PRIL

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES 649TECH

CHARGE

ANYWHEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOBILE PAYMENT PLATFORM M TO BE DEPLOYED IN TURKS & CAICOS AICOS CHARGE ANYWHERE LLC, a leading provider of awardwinning mobile platform services, featuring their proprietary mobile payment applications and ComsGateÂŽ payment gateway solutions, announced during the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, the signing of a 'LVWULEXWLRQ $JUHHPHQW ZLWK ,VODQGFRP :LUHOHVV D ZLUHOHVV carrier providing a range of mobile services throughout 7XUNV DQG &DLFRV In keeping with the spirit of providing their customers with every communication need, Islandcom has joined partnership with the mobile payment solution company, CHARGE Anywhere, to provide Corporate customers with enhanced usage of their devices. Â´7KURXJK &+$5*( $Q\ZKHUH FXVWRPHUV ZLOO EH DEOH to use their handsets within their business operations to complete credit card transactions by way of an application installed on their smartphone or tablet. Small business owners will be able to use the app for all POS transactions while providing in the moment payment

VHUYLFHV IRU WK VHUYLFHV IRU WKHLU FXVWRPHUV 7KLV DSSOLFDWLRQ completely connects the customer to their banking facilitator and replaces wired credit card WHUPLQDOV 7KLV SDUWQHUVKLS ZLOO increase productivity within the business community of the 7X 7XUNV DQG &DLFRV DQG FRQQHFW WKHP to the world,â&#x20AC;? said Chandra Craigg, Mar Marketing and Procurement Specialist at W Islandcom Wireless. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the Islandcom Wirelessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; infrastructure and &+$5*( $Q\ZKHUHÂˇV 0RELOH 3D\PHQW 7HFKQRORJ\ 3ODWIRUP WKH HQWLUH UHJLRQ RI 7XUNV DQG &DLFRV ZLOO KDYH access to a secure mobile payment network, revolutionizing the way business is conducted and payments are taken on the Island,â&#x20AC;? said Oscar Munoz, EVP and SVP, International %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW DW &+$5*( $Q\ZKHUH CHARGE Anywhereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile Payments Applications are compliant with the Payment Card Industry Payment $SSOLFDWLRQ 'DWD 6HFXULW\ 6WDQGDUG 3$ '66 DQG WKH &RPV*DWH 3D\PHQW *DWHZD\ KDV EHHQ /HYHO 3&, '66 FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG VLQFH 7R OHDUQ PRUH DERXW &+$5*( $Q\ZKHUHÂˇV 0RELOH 7HFKQRORJ\ 3ODWIRUP SOHDVH FRQWDFW 6DOHV %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW &RQWDFW 2VFDU 0XxR] (93 693 ,QWHUQDWLRQDO %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW omunoz@chargeanywhere.com 0DUNHWLQJ 3XEOLF 5HODWLRQV &RQWDFW .HOOH\ 0F'HUPRWW 0DUNHWLQJ 0DQDJHU kmcdermott@chargeanywhere.com

!PRIL s "USINESS s 45

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

46 s "USINESS s !PRIL

649SOCIAL

[

SOCIAL: TCHTA STAR AWARDS April 2013 • 649Business • 47

649SOCIAL The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) hosted the glamorous Star Awards on February 28th, 2013. Held at the Regent Palms Resort the event acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of members of the tourism industry - the Turks and Caicos' biggest earner. Below are snapshots.

48 â&#x20AC;˘ 649Business â&#x20AC;˘ April 2013

649SOCIAL

April 2013 • 649Business • 49

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES 649COMMUNITY Provo Primary JK Class visit the dental clinic

Mark Osmond Dental Clinic

MARK HAS EHHQ D SUDFWLFLQJ GHQWLVW IRU RYHU \HDUV KDYLQJ TXDOLÃ&#x20AC;HG IURP .LQJV &ROOHJH /RQGRQ LQ +H SUDFWLFHG IRU \HDUV LQ WKH 8. RZQLQJ DQG RSHUDWLQJ WZR VXFFHVVIXO PXOWL VXUJHU\ FOLQLFV LQ &DPEULGJH DQG /RQGRQ V :HVW (QG 0DUN WKHQ UHORFDWHG WR 3URYLGHQFLDOHV 7XUNV DQG &DLFRV ,VODQGV LQ ZKHUH KH KDV EHHQ ZRUNLQJ WR WKH SUHVHQW GD\ 0DUN 2VPRQG 'HQWDO &OLQLF RSHQHG LQ ZLWK WKH PLVVLRQ RI SURYLGLQJ ZRUOG FODVV GHQWLVWU\ DQG DHVWKHWLF VHUYLFHV LQ D IULHQGO\ DQG VWUHVV IUHH HQYLURQPHQW 0DUN LV TXDOLÃ&#x20AC;HG WR SHUIRUP DOO DVSHFWV RI JHQHUDO GHQWDO surgery and has a particular interest is complex cosmetic UHVWRUDWLRQ +H LV WKH RQO\ GHQWLVW RQ LVODQG DEOH WR SODFH DQG UHVWRUH GHQWDO LPSODQWV DQG RIIHU ,QYLVDOLJQ 2UWKRGRQWLFV 7KH FOLQLF DOVR RIIHUV DHVWKHWLF VHUYLFHV LQFOXGLQJ %RWR[ '\VSRUW DQG )DFLDO )LOOHUV &OLQLF RU &HOO GUPRVPRQG#JPDLO FRP )LQG XV RQ )DFHERRN

52 s "USINESS s !PRIL

COMPANIES AND 649COMMUNITY INDUSTRIES

BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS DEBUTS

t s e Key W AGE L L I V Y R U X LU

KEY WEST LUXURY VILLAGE SET TO OPEN ITS DOORS ON MAY 22, 2013 BEACHES RESORTS is thrilled to announce that the Key West Luxury Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort 9LOODJHV 6SD ZLOO RIÀFLDOO\ RSHQ RQ 0D\ &HOHEUDWLQJ WKH /X[XU\ ,QFOXGHG IDPLO\ EUDQG·V 6ZHHW DQQLYHUVDU\ WKLV SUHPLHU %HDFKHV 5HVRUW LV SURXG WR HQWHU D QHZ FKDSWHU ZLWK WKH ÀUVW PDMRU H[SDQVLRQ VLQFH WKH JUDQG RSHQLQJ RI WKH UHVRUW·V ,WDOLDQ 9LOODJH LQ 7KH .H\ :HVW /X[XU\ 9LOODJH ERDVWV PRUH WKDQ URRPV VXLWHV DQG YLOODV WKUHH DGGLWLRQDO JRXUPHW UHVWDXUDQWV SULYDWH SRROV DQG PRUH ,W ZLOO EH WKH IRXUWK YLOODJH DGGHG WR WKH UHVRUW FXUUHQWO\ %HDFKHV 7XUNV &DLFRV LV FRPSULVHG RI WKH &DULEEHDQ 9LOODJH )UHQFK 9LOODJH DQG ,WDOLDQ 9LOODJH

“We are pleased to introduce the stunning Key West /X[XU\ 9LOODJH ZKLFK ZLOO DOORZ HYHQ PRUH JXHVWV RI DOO DJHV WR HQMR\ WKH DZDUG ZLQQLQJ DPHQLWLHV DW WKLV /X[XU\ ,QFOXGHG UHVRUW µ VDLG *RUGRQ ¶%XWFK· 6WHZDUW &KDLUPDQ RI 6DQGDOV 5HVRUWV ,QWHUQDWLRQDO ´%HDFKHV 7XUNV &DLFRV has earned a reputation as an unsurpassed destination for IDPLO\ IXQ LQ WKH &DULEEHDQ DQG WKLV LQYHVWPHQW KHOSV XV meet the eager demand of our guests wanting to visit the EHDXWLIXO *UDFH %D\ %HDFK µ 0RUH GHWDLOV DERXW WKH .H\ :HVW /X[XU\ 9LOODJH ZLOO EH DQQRXQFHG VRRQ 7R VHH D SUHYLHZ RI WKH QHZHVW YLOODJH DW %HDFKHV 7XUNV &DLFRV YLVLW ZZZ EHDFKHV FRP PDLQ WF NH\ZHVW

!PRIL s "USINESS s 51

RELAXandUNWIND

[

DINING GUIDE- CASUAL AND FINE DINING GUIDE 5 FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE TCI April 2013 • 649Business • 53

vs. Destination Wedding

RELAX AND UNWIND

Hometown

AS A couple, deciding if a destination wedding is right for you is the first, and one of the most important decisions you will make in your wedding planning process. Almost every subsequent choice you make will be based on what you decide. So before you start planning every minute detail, here are some things to consider:

WHAT’S YOUR BUDGET? One of the biggest myths about destination weddings is they cost more. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Think about it. If you have a wedding at home, how large will your guest list be? 75, 100, 200 plus? A destination wedding is what we call, “the bouncer” for your guest list. The result of doing a destination wedding is your guest list is smaller; drastically reducing the amount you’ll pay for food and beverage, flowers, rentals, favors etc. Your food and beverage can be anywhere from 50-75% of your overall cost. You can still have a small wedding at home, but you may be faced with the issue of “if I don’t invite this person...” In the end, don’t feel pressured to invite people you’re not close to, regardless of what type of wedding you have!

54 • 649Business • April 2013

Guest expenses are a cost to consider however, if you choose a destination wedding. Guests will spend more to attend your wedding if it’s in another state or country vs. in the same town. This leads u to the following point:

DO YOUR GUESTS HAVE TO TRAVEL ANYWAY? Destination weddings make a lot of sense when your wedding guests are coming from many different areas and not many live in your hometown. It may be logistically easier if you choose a destination with good travel connections, ample accommodations and lots to do. Not to mention, your wedding will be talked about and reminisced over for years to come. If a plane ride will prevent one of your loved ones from attending and you cannot picture the event without them, then a compromise might be in order. Either you need to reconsider doing the destination altogether, or perhaps, find a closer place to hold your festivities. The pro with having a hometown wedding is there is a stronger probability of having a larger guest list and having everyone you know make the event.

CAN YOU HANDLE A LITTLE EXTRA OF THE UNEXPECTED? Weddings, by nature, seem to adhere to Murphy’s Law. An unexpected glitch here (the cake is the wrong color) and another there (the caterer brought goat cheese instead of Roquefort) just goes with the territory. But when you are doing a destination wedding, there may be added things which you have no control over. Inclement weather and travel delays are common obstacles a destination couple can deal with. It’s not a foregone conclusion that this may happen, but it’s something to keep in mind. If you’re laid back and can roll with the punches – maybe you even look at your wedding as a fun adventure vs. an endless list of things to control, then a destination wedding is a good choice for you. The beauty of a destination wedding is many things are out of your control, so most couples find themselves just going along for the journey, kind of a nice metaphor for marriage!

WHEN YOU ENVISION YOUR WEDDING, DO YOU SEE CRASHING WAVES AT YOUR BACK OR YOUR CHAPEL? The destination you choose may be something you’ve been dreaming of since childhood. If you’re extremely tied into a church at home or a special place you get sentimental over, a hometown wedding might be better suited for you. If you aren’t especially tied to anything, a destination wedding might be the perfect fit for you. The surf lapping at your toes, a 17th century castle as your reception venue or a ski-in, ski-out ceremony may be the ideal backdrop for your wedding event. Do you want to spend as much time with your closest loved ones as possible? One major perk of doing a destination wedding is that most couples and guests travel to the destination for a few days and even a full week. It offers an opportunity to bond as a group by doing fun excursions together and maximizing the quality time. With a hometown wedding, you can still have quality time by including everyone in the rehearsal dinner and or offering a farewell brunch so they can see you one more time before you jet off on your honeymoon. Although, destination weddings, by nature, allow for family and friends to experience an overdue vacation, romantic getaway or a reunion all rolled into one. A destination wedding allows you to combine all of these fun experiences into one. Whether you decide to travel to a destination away from home or right in your backyard, be sure to savor the experience and enjoy the process of planning. Congratulations! Now, let the planning begin!

RELAX AND UNWIND

Take home

the

SUN

YOU ARE in the final days of your visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands and it is your last chance to feel the golden sunshine on your back, the tiny grains of pristine white sand between your toes and to gently slip between the waves of the clear, uniquely turquoise waters. You’ve wined, dined, and enjoyed the unhurried pace of a Caribbean island.

Whether you were here for business or pleasure; or managed to successfully combine the two, a feat not too difficult when in a small, tropical paradise, you may feel the need to take just a little piece of TCI with you, as a fond reminder when you return to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You could scoop a handful of sand from the famed Grace Bay Beach, seal it tightly in a bottle and treasure it as a small reminder that “I was here”, or you could take back some of that island sunshine with you. Literally.

56 • 649Business • April 2013

Photos show metal work, crafted and painted by local artists.

RELAX AND UNWIND

Visitors to the island can pick up handmade, locally crafted pieces which act as mementos, and when displayed, create a wonderful conversation piece when they return home. Broadly smiling suns, brightly coloured geckos, large, small and somewhere in between; tropical fish, seahorses riding frothing waves, or a mermaid basking on a rock, are just a few craft pieces that are available from local shops. These finely detailed creations are the works of local craftsmen, who fashion classic island scenes from ordinary steel drums by cutting them open, flattening them into sheets, then painstakingly cutting out each design using a scissors and a hammer. “Oh, it’s a lotta work, a lotta work”, says Sister Rosita, a 12 year veteran of the crafts industry. “You have to do the design on cardboard first, you mark that on the steel drum, with a pen, you have to cut the drum first, and put it flat on the ground, and you mark it with the pencil and you goin’ cut that with scissors and hammer. Oh, that’s a lotta work.” Sister Rosita’s small shop is at the front of a huddle of huts, located just a ways down the road from the IGA Gourmet Supermarket. Colourful geckos with coiled tails crowd a display stand at the front. Frogs, tropical fishes, mermaids and the occasional piece of island folks traipsing gaily on the beach jostle for attention in a mish mash of vibrant blues, reds and yellows.

Sister Rosita explains that each piece is unique because it is made by hand, and insists that customers can expect three dimensional, textured pieces that are authentic. She emphasised that you can see and feel the painter’s brush stroke. “I put some designs, I paint some myself ”, she adds. If shoppers opt for a more sedate selection, the same designs are available sans colour, with an antique finish in silver or bronze. Like Sister Rosita’s shop, mementos are available for purchase throughout the island include hand crafted masks, jewelry boxes, straw hats, dolls garbed in traditional Caribbean wear, bracelets and necklaces of beads strung together, t-shirts, bags and of course watercolors of island scenes. Geckos retail at $20 up depending on the size, paintings start at $25; straw hats at $15, but Sister Rosita says not to worry about the price. “If some guests buy more stuff, you make some deal with them.” If you happen to visit the huddle of huts, expect a warm smile and a hearty greeting from Sister Rosita, “Hello guys, how are you? Welcome and feel free to look inside.”

Customers can expect three dimensional, textured pieces that are so authentic you can see the painter’s brush stroke. April 2013 • 649Business • 57

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

5 Fun things

to do while in TCI

EXPLORE THE BEACHES!

Grace Bay Beach is of course the most well-known and renowned beach in Providenciales (Provo) and it deserves to be! The water is amazingly clear and a vision to behold. Most resorts are located in Grace Bay, but even in high season it never feels crowded. If you are looking for something a little more private, there are some superb, out of the way beaches that you can explore all over Provo, or take a boat to another island or cay. Most beaches in the Turks and Caicos are so beautiful and tranquil, that you can just sit down in the white sand and looked out for miles on the horizon.

SNORKEL! SNUBA! SCUBA DIVE! There are many tour companies in the TCI, all designed to make your vacation unique. You can choose a half-day or full-day snorkeling cruise where all the equipment is supplied or you can snorkel right off the beach at Coral Gardens. If you have never been scuba diving, you might want to try snuba diving. Snuba bridges the gap between snorkeling and diving. The diving tank stays on a raft and you get to breathe underwater without all the heavy equipment. A great option for all family members!

58 s "USINESS s !PRIL

Of course, scuba diving is huge in Turks and Caicos! These Islands have been consistently mentioned as one of the top ten places to dive in the world. There are some great diving RXWĂ&#x20AC;WV WKDW ZLOO FDWHU WR \RXU GLYLQJ ZLVKHV <RX FDQ GLYH DW day or at night.

PARASAIL Parasailing is a favourite for all! From as high as 450 feet you can look out over the string of islands, or look down and catch glimpses of stingrays and turtles swimming through the crystal-clear ocean below.

SWIM WITH THE STINGRAY Explore an uninhabited island and have a close encounter with stingrays on this fun and unique experience. Swim with stingrays, while your tour guide and crew assists you in handling these beautiful sea creatures. Afterwards, sit on the beach and enjoy a drink- most tour companies offer a complimentary beverage.

ISLAND SCOOTER TOURS Discover all the beauty and charm of Provo, with the freedom, fun and excitement of a scooter. Whether you are looking for an exciting sightseeing adventure around the Island or want to slowly cruise along the highways, this is a perfect way to see the entire island.

CO COMPANIES OMPAN MP PAN NIE ES AN AND ND IINDUSTRIES NDUS ND DUS USTR STR T IE ES

!PRIL s "USINESS s !PR PRILIL s " "US " USIINNESS ESSS s 599

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

60 s "USINESS s !PRIL

RELAX AND UNWIND

dining guide

eat out: Casual BEFORE OR AFTER DINNER TAPAS BAR Vino Tiempo Wine Bar and Cigar Lounge Relaxed atmostphere, offers indoor/outdoor seating Dinner 3:00PM –12:00PM Conveniently located in the Grace Bay Area Adults only Bay Bistro Caicos Café DaConch Shack: live band on Thursday nights Hemingways Mango Reef Salt Mills Diner Somerset Pool Bar Somewhere on The Beach The Grill Rouge : Beach BBQ on Saturday’s Yoshi’s Sushi Bar

Infiniti Bar and Lounge Located at Grace Bay Club, expect an elegant atmosphere with outdoor seating. Open 1:00PM until Live music, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, conveniently located in the Grace Bay Area Ages 12 and older

Zen Garden at Somerset Elegant atmosphere with indoor/outdoor fine dining Open 6:00PM –12:00PM Live band on Friday’s, conveniently located in the Grace Bay Area Kid Friendly

April 2013 • 649Business • 61

RELAX AND UNWIND

dining guide

eat out: Fine Dining

DRESS CODE: Elegantly Chic (long pants, collared shirt, closed toe shoes for men) Anacaona Restaurant - $$$$ Elegant, open air, gourmet restaurant located directly on the ocean. Open for Dinner, promises the best ocean view dining Dress code: Casually Elegant Children: No children under 12. Location: Grace Bay Baci Ristorante - $$$ Fine Italian dining in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere indoor or outdoor. Lunch 12:00PM –2:30PM Dinner 6:00PM – 10:00PM, Pizza until 11:00PM Bar until late. Location: On the Waterfront, Turtle Cove Bella Luna Ristorante - $$$ Fine Italian dining in a peaceful atmosphere. Choose to dine indoors or outdoors under the stars. Dinner 6:00PM –10:00PM.

62 • 649Business • April 2013

Location: Grace Bay

special.

Coco Bistro - $$$ Continental Caribbean cuisine offered indoors or outdoors Dinner 7:00PM –10:00PM (closed on Mondays) Children: Yes Location: Grace Bay

Magnolia Wine Bar & Restaurant - $$$ International cuisine with a fabulous view overlooking Turtle Cove. Dinner only. Closed on Mondays. Location: The Miramar Resort (15 minutes from Grace Bay)

Coyaba - $$$ Elegantly appointed, gazebo style restaurant in a lush tropical garden offering fine eclectic contemporary Caribbean cuisine. Dinner only. Wednesday-Monday 6:00PM –10:00PM Children: Dine early

O’Soleil - $$$$$ Elegant atmosphere with indoor/outdoor fine dining. Dinner 7:00PM-10:00PM, Caribbean BBQ every Tuesdays on the Beach Children: Yes Location: Grace Bay

Lemon Cafe Specializing in creative Moroccan and Arabic style dining. Grace Bay Village Lunch 11:00AM –3:00PM Dinner 6:00PM – 10:00PM Every evening: Closed Sunday Signature Mint and cucumber flavor Style

Parallel 23 - $$$$ Located at The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos, a culinary sophistication that boasts a delectable fusion of flavours. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Children: Yes Location: Grace Bay

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

!PRIL s "USINESS s 63

COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

64 s "USINESS s !PRIL