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Bernadette Barrow Assistant General Manager, SME National Commercial Bank
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elcome to the first issue of clickSME eZine for 2013. We hope you have been adhering to the new year resolutions you have made for both your personal and business endeavours.
The National Commercial Bank remains committed to the development of small businesses in Jamaica and this year, we will demonstrate our support in a number of ways. Firstly, we have undertaken a series of training sessions, in partnership with the HEART Trust/NTA, to provide our SME clients with the necessary tools to enhance productivity and while identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in their businesses. We have also partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on a Technical Cooperation Agreement designed to provide even more training opportunities and other support needed to create and sustain thriving enterprises. 2
We are excited about these projects and look forward to the positive changes that they will bring about in Jamaica’s business environment. NCB is also proud of the achievements of our featured client, Kingsley Palmer Farms. Mr Palmer continually demonstrates a knack for innovation in his farming practises and has received numerous commendations for his work. Naturally, he was the recipient of the Nation Builder Award for Innovation. We hope his story will inspire you to continue to develop your businesses. If you have any comments or questions, email me at barrowbd@jncb.com or call me at 935-2065. I look forward to hearing from you!
News
NCB SMEs receive productivity training boost
Attendees at the SME Productivity Workshop with guest presenter Akira Tonouchi, Production Consultant from Japan International Cooperation Agency (4th from right) and members of the NCB team.
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eadership is key for the creation of systems, procedures and structures that gear businesses for greater efficiency,” noted Tamar Nelson, Senior Director and Head of the Technical Assistance Services Unit at the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC), during her address to business owners at the recent SME Productivity Workshop hosted by the National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB), in partnership with the HEART Trust/NTA in Mandeville. Through the NCB Nation Builder Awards programme, SMEs from across the island were invited by their bankers to participate in the two-day training course aimed at providing businesses with tools to enhance productivity, while reviewing their current practices to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in their operations. “The idea is to continue using these training programmes as a platform to encourage sustainable business development among Jamaica’s SMEs, including but not
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limited to our customers, especially those who are past NCB Nation Builder Awards winners,” noted Bernadette Barrow, Assistant General Manager, NCB. “We recognize the value of our SMEs’ contribution to economic growth and as we continue to experience economic flux both locally and internationally, businesses have to rethink their processes in order to remain viable going forward.” The workshop was led by senior specialists from the JPC and included modules presented by Akira Tonouchi, Production Consultant from Japan International Cooperation Agency. From the combined workshop, the attendees also underwent business assessments and simulation training relevant to and representative of their own businesses and industries, which allowed them to benefit from the local and international expertise. According to Simone Spence Johnson, owner of Blue Ember Concepts, the workshop was “very timely and informative. The idea of
bringing together business owners to share and evaluate their processes is especially necessary in this economic climate.” The partnership between NCB and HEART Trust/NTA is part of a series of training programmes under the NCB Nation Builder Awards programme. This broadens the opportunity for both institutions to focus on increasing productivity amongst small and medium enterprises to aid in their profitability. From this workshop, select participating companies will benefit from additional operations oversight courtesy of a collaborative team from the JPC. This will include in-house operations visits and systems analysis. A second training workshop will be held in Kingston on March 12 and 13 at HEART Vocational Training Development Institute, Gordon Town in St Andrew.
News
NCB/DBJ Mobile Money for Microfinance Project changes the game for SMEs from one person to another and carry out commercial activities such as person-to-business transactions and payments for goods and services. The findings of the project will contribute to the development of policies covering the operation of all aspects of mobile commerce in Jamaica. The pilot project will have three main purposes. “We expect that the project will allow the use of mobile money as an entry point for the ‘unbanked and under-banked’ to formal financial services, reduce the cost of micro transactions and give microfinance institutions and their customers more flexibility in their lending and payment options,” explained Yvonne Lewars, DBJ’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening and Project Management.
Sheree Martin, General Manager, Group Customer Experience and Innovation.
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ational Commercial Bank Limited (NCB) has signed on to partner with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) for the system integration testing of its non-commercial pilot project Mobile Money for Microfinance (M3) project. The M3 project was developed over the last two years and received the Bank of Jamaica’s approval for its implementation with NCB as its financial partner, providing the deposit account holding facility for the project. Sheree Martin, General Manager for Customer Experience and Innovation at NCB, shared the Bank’s perspective for partnering with the DBJ and software partner, Transcel Limited: “Facilitating non-
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cash payments via alternate channels falls within the interest of NCB and the wider financial sector to remove systemic risks, lower financial transaction costs and widen financial inclusion for the under-banked. This mobile payments pilot represents a collaborative step towards that goal and we are looking forward to seeing the results.” Mobile money, in the context of the project, includes all types of monetary transactions carried out via mobile phone when doing business with microfinance institutions (MFI). For the pilot, DBJ mobile money customers will be able to remotely access loans, check balances and make loan repayments; transfer funds
Members of the ‘unbanked and under banked’ segment of the population are those who have minimal contact with the formal banking system or operate outside of the established structure either out of a lack of trust of institutions or an inability to meet the standards stipulated by those institutions for membership. This includes small traders and higglers. In April 2009, the government approved the DBJ’s initiative to open a Microfinance Lending Window. The DBJ was also designated as the government’s lead agency for the coordination of all related interventions in the microfinance sector and mandated to attract and facilitate donor and commercial funding for the local microfinance industry. The institution was approached by Transcel Limited in January 2010.
News
NCB invests US$567,008 for Capacity Building of SMEs
NCB’s Group Managing Director, Patrick Hylton (2nd right) and Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Country Representative, Gerard Johnson at the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement partnership.
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amaica’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has received another boost with the recent signing of a Technical Cooperation Agreement between National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd (NCB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Specifically geared towards entrepreneurs in the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector, the partnership will go a long way towards providing training opportunities and other support needed to “propel them in their course towards nation building,” according to NCB Group Managing Director, Patrick Hylton. The objectives of the NCB/IDB partnership, entitled ‘Institutional Strengthening of NCB for the Expansion of Small Business Financing,’ are to increase financing to small enterprise segments that drive economic growth and strengthen NCB’s capacity to significantly increase lending and financial services to small enterprises. The agreement was signed on November 16, 2012.
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The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has been appointed as the Project Management Office for the supervision and execution of project activities as a condition of this Agreement. NCB will support the project through cash and in-kind contribution, totaling more than US$500,000 ($47.5 million), which represents 55 per cent of the overall project budget. NCB will also create a special pool of funds (approximately $500M) at an attractive interest rate for access by qualified participants in the programme. The duration of the project will be up to 36 months. A novel concept associated with this project is the use of a ‘Test Tube’ or ‘Shark Tank’ format to allow participants to solicit funding from a panel of financiers including bankers, angel investors and venture capitalists, after being exposed to some of the capacity building modules.
Project components • Development and deployment of a credit scoring system; • Capacity building of SMEs, including Family Businesses; • Technical assistance for Selected SME clients; and • Communication and knowledge management.
1-888-NCB-FIRST | www.jncb.com
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client feature
Kingsley Palmer: 21st century farmer
Kingsley Palmer examines the tomatoes growing inside his specialized greenhouse.
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ingsley Palmer is not your ordinary farmer. Since taking over the family farm handed down by his father Clinton, Palmer has incorporated several scientific and technologically sound innovations that have made Kingsley Palmer Farms one of the leading operations in the Jamaican agriculture industry. His name is not only recognized locally but packs a punch outside of Jamaica as well. A look at his farm in Munro District, St Elizabeth, would be enough to answer the question of why Palmer is so famous. Although he is faced with the same problems other farmers deal with across the island, Palmer’s innovations have ensured high productivity at all times.
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As part of the collective farmer’s voice in St Elizabeth, Palmer pleaded with the government for help to cope with the severe effects of drought. After these cries went unanswered and he had lost thousands of dollars on failed irrigation measures, he literally took matters into his own hands. Palmer constructed a tunnel house with a man-made pond that allows him to carry out drip irrigation using a computerized system that delivers a specific amount of water to each plant at designated times and volumes, ensuring none is wasted.
“The award put the business more in the limelight and more persons will want to adopt the best practices for future development of their farms.”
The rainwater is channeled along a concrete pavement into a gutter system and caught in the pond, which has the capacity to hold 200,000 gallons. When the rain runs along the concrete, it picks up the calcium and helps the alkalinity of the water. When the water mixes with excreta of the freshwater fish in the pond, it is enriched with nitrogen, which reduces the use of inorganic fertiliser. “It is much more cost-effective than outdoor farming, less labour-intensive and water usage is about 50 per cent less than other irrigation methods using drip irrigation in the tunnel house,” he explained. Traditionally, farmers in St Elizabeth use grass mulch to keep moisture in the soils. However, Palmer uses both grass and plastic to cover the soil, ensuring that moisture is conserved at all times. Because of this innovation, he is able to produce high quality romaine lettuce, tomatoes, sweet peppers and other vegetables for his client list, which includes supermarkets and hotels. Palmer has won many awards for his inventions and tremendous contribution to the agricultural sector. He recently won the NCB Nation Builder Award for Innovation. “I was elated and I felt a great sense of accomplishment and recognition,” he said. “The award put the business more in the limelight and more persons will want to adopt the best practises for future development of their farms.” This is already evident in Palmer’s community as other farmers have warmed up to the technology and are keen on learning how to do it for themselves. “Some are adapting to the technology and others have gained employment and training from the enterprise. I have been able to employ four persons to help work on the farm,” he said.
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Five tips for getting the most out of your employees
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n any organization, the cohesiveness and effectiveness of a team are important to the success of the business. However, getting the optimal performance required from your employees takes some time and effort. Here are five tips that might help to get the best out of your team:
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UNDERSTANDING INDIVIDUALITY It is not only about learning the name of each employee, but understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Knowing where their passions lie is a good way to get them self-driven into completing a specific task. Give them the space to bring new ideas to the table and be resourceful with an assignment. This helps to stimulate their creative sensibility and keep them enthusiastic about their jobs. Weaknesses should be carefully addressed and suggestions for possible solutions to the problem given. CHANGING GEAR Although people have their individual strengths and areas where they function best, there are still some hidden talents yet to be discovered. People will not know where they work best until they have had a few trial-and-error moments. Getting employees out of their individual comfort zones is a good way to bring out the best some thought they never had. This can be done by encouraging cross-departmental projects from time to time.
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CLEAR COMMUNICATION In order to increase and maintain productivity, employees must be aware of their specific roles and responsibilities within the organisation. A clear outline of expected tasks is a great way to ensure that they are meeting the needs of the business. Also, the work environment must allow communication, not just from top
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to bottom, but from bottom to top. A more productive atmosphere is created when employees feel comfortable enough to ask questions and clarify information. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT We are never too skilled to learn something new. In this era of fast-evolving technology, employees need to be regularly trained in areas essential to the development of the business. Seminars and workshops are good ways to ensure constant development of the mind and skills of your workers. Investing in the training of your employees is a sure way to guarantee your returns.
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SWEETENING LABOUR While hard work and dedication are essential to development, employees need to know that their time and efforts are appreciated. Reward and let them know that they are highly valued by the company. Money is not the only source of encouragement. Presenting an employee of the month, throwing an annual Christmas party or even a quarterly luncheon are a few good motivators.
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Five books on innovation and leadership every boss should read 1
2 The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries Many startups fail due to this uncertainty, but Ries believes that can be prevented. The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs a way to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust by sharing the tools to shift directions as necessary.
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The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success by Carmine Gallo No matter their field of endeavor, just about every entrepreneur wants to get into the mind of the late, great Steve Jobs. Gallo shares the former Apple CEO’s most famous, radical and effective strategies for sparking true creativity.
4 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques: The Handbook of New Ideas for Business by James M Higgins Problem solving is a critical component of operating a business and Higgins awakens your own creativity while helping you to inspire your team with both personal and group techniques.
5 The Innovative Leader: How to Inspire Your Team and Drive Creativity by Paul Sloane This book shows you how to apply methods of innovation and creativity to the members of your team by articulating your vision clearly and constantly evaluating the process.
Fearless Change: Patterns for Introducing New Ideas by Linda Rising and Mary Lynn Manns Rising and Manns offer guidance on the issue of change from several angles; how, when, where, why and what changes to introduce. This is definitely a must-read for the leader who thinks about the future.
NCB Business Banker Listing Annotto Bay Tolcia Small 469-0194 smalltp@jncb.com
Half Way Tree Joycelyn Rowe 470-8251 rowejb@jncb.com
Matilda’s Corner Nicola Knight 470-9882 knightna@jncb.com
Portmore Glenroy Morgan 877-5860 morganga@jncb.com
Black River Kelli-Ann Fray 469-0210 fraykm@jncb.com
Natalee HinesWedderburn 371-1423 hineswedderburnna@ jncb.com
May Pen Reeshmah Sunanon 469-0354 sunanonrc@jncb.com
Santa Cruz Dorothy Foote 469-0277 footed@jncb.com
Marlon Dacosta 371-1425 dacostamd@jncb.com
Savanna-la-Mar Kavan Walker 469-0197 walkerkn@jncb.com
Boulevard Super Centre Ernetteha Herah 469-0199 heraheg@jncb.com Brown’s Town Dyan Grey 469-0196 greyda@jncb.com
1-7 Knutsford Blvd. Damian Bogle 469-0193 bogleda@jncb.com
Chapelton Cherene Johnson 469-3452 johnsonca@jncb.com
Stevie Barnett 564-4685 barnettsl@jncb.com
Christiana Norvia Duffus 469-0188 duffusns@jncb.com
Linstead Rochelle Johnson 877-5852 johnsonrn@jncb.com
Cross Roads Clement Ellington 366-0063 ellingtonca@jncb.com
Lucea Toni Plinton-Wanliss 469-0195 plintonwanlisstc @jncb.com
Duke and Barry Glendown Dixon 469-0214 dixongd@jncb.com
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Junction Tracia Woodburn-Morris 469-0187 woodburnmorristn @jncb.com
Mandeville Plaza Linval Smith 469-0360 smithla@jncb.com
Falmouth Fitzroy Donaldson 469-0397 donaldsonfc@jncb.com
Shelly Allen 962-2083 allensa@jncb.com
Half Moon Nicolette Evans-Brown 579-6243 evansbrownnl@jncb.com
Manor Park Janice Stone-Brown 371-1447 stonebrownjr@jncb.com
Morant Bay Valrie Ferguson 877-5879 fergusonvm@jncb.com
Anesha Lackrage 429-2888 lackrageaa@jncb.com
Newport West Jodie Soutar 469-0198 soutarjm@jncb.com
St. Ann’s Bay Arlee Shaw 469-0394 shawas@jncb.com
Negril Craig Williams 469-0213 williamscro@jncb.com
St. James Street Juliet Williams 469-0395 williamsjl@jncb.com
Ocho Rios Bethune Garvey 469-9327 garveybp@jncb.com Old Harbour Sheryl Sawyers 469-0283 sawyerssn@jncb.com Oxford Place Rohan Ramsay 280-3590 ramsayrc@jncb.com Miguel Thompson 564-4246 thompsonmh@jncb.com Port Maria Bashevis Pryce 469-0186 pryceb@jncb.com
Andrea Scott 564-4419 scottaa@jncb.com St. Jago Shopping Ctr Joan Allen 469-0355 allenjj@jncb.com University Sheldon Smith 371-1428 josephssl@jncb.com Windward Road Nadine CampbellEbanks 469-0291 campbellebanksni @jncb.com
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Put Your Best Life
Forward. You want: • Convenience • Security • Flexibility Our eBanking solutions offer you greater access and optimized purchasing power with: •
Mobile Banking that allows you to use your smartphone to virtually take your bank with you anywhere you go!
•
Telephone Banking
•
Friendly and knowledgeable customer care agents eager to published by assist you
•
Access up to 170 ABMs island wide
•
The largest number of Point of Sale Machines in Jamaica featured at thousands of retailers island wide
Call or click today! Internet banking | ABM | POS | Telebanking
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