Your Money eZine by eMedia Interactive Group Limited

CONTENTS

6 9 EDITOR’S NOTE Growing Jamaica p.4 DO GOOD Running for life p.6 TECH NOW Slash Roots: Open data platform for regional development p.7

BUSINESS LOUNGE iVu tv to push media boundaries p.9 eMedia Interactive: A Jamaican growth story p.11 Summer release for ‘50 Years of Entrepreneurship’ documentary p.14 Digicel: Jamaica is ready for business p.15 START UPS Island Cycle p.22

Y-FOLLOW @SAHSMuseum p.25

editor’s note

GROWING JAMAICA

s Jamaica moves further into 2012, we at Your Money eZine feel it is important to examine the growth in local business ventures and opportunities, and to provide a snapshot of how these may contribute to our economy, coming at such an important milestone: 50 years of Independence. This theme of growth is personal to us at eMedia Interactive having secured investment to continue our growth and diversify within the emerging field of new media. In this issue you can read more about our plans for iVu, our Caribbean online TV network, which will launch on February 15. It is also important to reflect on the lessons learned from the past as we move towards increased growth for the future. eMedia is currently producing a documentary project – in eZine and video format – called 50 years in En-

trepreneurship, which will highlight the resilience, hard work and achievements of 15 of Jamaica’s most notable and inspirational entrepreneurs. Growth comes in different shapes and forms as evidenced by Digicel’s recent unveiling of plans to unleash a 4G telecommunications network, which offers an increased capacity for growth in the telecommunications industry. Speaking recently at the Jamaica Stock Exchange Investment and Capital Markets Conference on January 25, the company’s CEO, Mark Linehan, encouraged foreign companies to follow the example of Digicel which grew from its launch in 2001 to a situation today where it operates in 31 countries worldwide. The recently concluded Slash Roots developers conference and competition suggested even further growth in the burgeoning Caribbean ICT sector. Held simultaneously in three locations

across the region, it sought to promote growth in regional software by encouraging developers to create web-based applications that can be used to access open data in the fields of tourism, agriculture and regional trade. Young entrepreneurs Leanne Talbot and Xavier Bedasee are contributing to national growth in a unique way. They started Island Cycle, a business seeking to grow the adoption of recycling in Jamaica. Turning to corporate philanthropy, PanCaribbean Financial Services will be seeking to raise even more from this year’s Sigma Corporate Run. Runners and walkers on Saturday, February 19 will be raising funds for Chain of Hope Jamaica, which provides cardiac surgeries at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Tracey-Ann Wisdom

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do Good

scenes from last year’s sigma Corporate run.

RUNNING FOR LIFE By Tracey-Ann Wisdom

hen the first PanCaribbean Sigma Corporate Run was held in downtown Kingston 14 years ago, the aim was to raise $500,000. This might have been an ambitious sum back in 1999, but in 2012, it’s a mere drop in the bucket when one considers the myriad pressing needs of each year’s beneficiary. The proceeds from this year’s event will go to Chain of Hope Jamaica, an organisation that works with the Bustamante Hospital for Children to carry out cardiac surgeries. Under the theme ‘Play Your Part, Save A Heart’, PanCaribbean is aiming to raise $50 million, a figure that might seem unattainable given Jamaica’s current financial crunch, but don’t tell that to the organisers. “When you have an audacious patron like Dr Usain Bolt, a beautiful patron like Lady Allen and a very successful patron like Dr Danny Williams, it inspired us to be bold, because we want to help these vulnerable kids and, in doing so, help Jamaica,” President and CEO of PanCaribbean, Donovan Perkins, said at the official launch of the event.

“Being able to outfit the hospital with equipment needed to facilitate heart surgeries is a worthy move in the right direction.” More than 400 children are born each year with a congenital heart defect and many others suffer from various conditions. The Bustamante Hospital for Children, the only specialist paediatric facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, also serves children from other countries in the region. Chain of Hope Jamaica was launched in 2007 to support the establishment of a self-sustained paediatric cardiac programme at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. The initial aim was to enable the team of local surgeons to operate in between visits from overseas doctors. Chain of Hope, together with other cardiac partner organisations such as Chain of Hope UK, the Congenital Heart Institute of Florida, Gift of Life International and the Caribbean

Heart Menders Association, trains and mentors the medical staff and has so far sponsored the training of a paediatric cardiologist and a paediatric cardiac anaesthetist. “Being able to outfit the hospital with equipment needed to facilitate heart surgeries is a worthy move in the right direction, especially when heart surgeries would cost families in the region of US$10,000. Without $50 million, children in dire need of these vital surgeries may lose their lives,” said race organiser, Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis of the Jamdammer’s Running Club. Last year, approximately 15,000 members of corporate Jamaica, schools, clubs and other organisations participated in the 5.6 kilometre (3.5 miles) event, which raised $15 million for the Victoria Jubilee Hospital’s Neonatal Care Unit. The organisers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. Those not able to participate in the race can still play a part by making donations directly to any PanCaribbean office island-wide. Digicel customers can contribute by sending a blank message to 444-2498. money ezine

teCh now

SLASHROOTS: Open data platform for regional development By Tracey-Ann Wisdom

list of ideas. A set of rules. Free access to relevant data. Twenty-four hours. These were the tools available to the software developers who competed in the recent Caribbean Open Data Conference code sprint to create web-based applications to allow access to open data in the fields of agriculture, tourism and regional trade. The focus of the competition and the conference overall was on increasing the development of information technology applications in the region and promote open data in the spheres of business and government. Open data is the idea that certain data, such as that related to government, should be freely accessible to the public at any time. At the end of the day, first place went to IT-Farm, second went to HarvesTyme and third went to Higgler, created by Rohan Smith. The winning application allows comparative price search for farmers, consumers and wholesalers. It is location sensitive and also adjusts prices based on supply and demand via trend analysis. The event, held simultaneously across Jamaica, Trinidad and the Dominican Republic, highlighted many of the com-

(L-r) Presenters Mike rosenberg of the University College of the Caribbean; Michele Maurius, senior Consulting officer in Knowledge services at JAMPro and hugo daley, co-founder and Ceo of transcel Limited.

Open data is the idea that certain data, such as that related to government, should be freely accessible to the public at any time. mon problems faced in the region and how they can be solved or alleviated using ICT. Having an open data platform enables more transparency in the public, private and civil sectors, boosting development and aiding private and public innovation, said Dmitri Dawkins, of SlashRoots, organisers of the conference.

Innovision, Gordon-Mcgrath Law, MC Systems, Digicel Business, IBM, Trafalgar Travel and LIME. The regional competition, with the top three apps from each country will be scored tomorrow. For a complete list of apps developed across the region, visit: developingcaribbean.org

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Locally, several agencies have open data platforms, including the Bank of Jamaica, National Land Agency and the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), from which data for the code sprint was sourced. Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, also spoke of a database of macro-economic indicators that he will soon release on an open data platform. This will be an invaluable tool to local business interests. The conference was facilitated by the Mona School of Business and sponsored by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Spatial money ezine

Business Lounge real Business. real talk.

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Welcome to the future.

iVU TV TO PUSH MEDIA BOUNDARIES By Jermaine Evans

Photos by Warren Buckle

BUsiness LoUnGe

Media personality Empress

aunching on February 15 is the latest local and regional media revolution, iVu TV. Operating under the umbrella of eMedia Interactive Ltd, iVu intends to take regional content to a whole new level, both in quality and worldwide reach. iVu takes a similar business model to Hulu.com, which offers on-demand online TV in the United States market. While Hulu is a paid-for subscriptiononly service, iVu will be free to subscribers in the first year. As Hulu has now begun doing, iVu will also produce its own original content via iVu Studios. In year two, a premium service will allow subscribers access to more content and mobile applications on the iPad, iPhone, Android and BlackBerry platforms. It will also stream to TVs via Roku set top boxes. Content producers are signing up with iVu to stream past and current content ahead of the launch. Mark Kenny, president of MJK Television Productions, producers of shows such as The Contender, Digicel Rising Stars and Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall, was one of several content producers to welcome iVu at an introductory event held at JAMPRO last month. “I think its the first time that we have actually seen something in Jamaica that has taken a really market-led approach in terms of getting Caribbean-produced content unto a platform that has the right access to market and distribution capabilities,” said Kenny.

Producer Mark Kenny and Director Storm Saulter

Film Commissioner Kim-Marie Spence

“We need to work amongst ourselves to have our content reaching international markets and surpassing geographical boundaries, and that is what iVu TV is about.”

freedom and in the long term, to provide development support to help produce the shows rather than make the producer wait to be compensated when their work is sold and aired. He hopes that the network will encourage a greater flow of new content reaching the market.

Speaking at the event, Jamaica’s film commissioner, Kim Marie-Spence, added that she saw iVu as bolstering marketing efforts to promote local content on the world market.

iVu will also seek to encourage younger producers to enter the market via ‘iVu Lens Support’, an initiative slated for later this year that will offer $1 million and development support to produce a show to the winner of a trailer competition.

“This is the era that we’re in, a very Internet (and) social media-centric, digital era and it’s just the logical next step for us to move to an online TV network,” she said. “I know that the demand for content in other markets is there.” iVu will not seek to compete with analogue TV but will broaden the spectrum of Caribbean content available within the region and the Diaspora. “Gone are the days when we are looking to approach a foreign company to get our distribution. We need to work amongst ourselves to have our content reaching international markets and surpassing geographical boundaries, and that is what iVu TV is about,” Tyrone Wilson, eMedia Interactive President and CEO said at the introductory event. Wilson’s vision for iVu is for content producers to have greater creative

Partnership will be crucial to the success of the venture, stressed Ross Sheil, eMedia Vice-President for Content. “It’s very important that by working with you, the content providers, we can ensure that in two or three years time everyone knows about iVu across the world as the online TV network for Jamaica and the Caribbean,” said Sheil. Also present at the event, Better Mus Come director Storm Saulter added his perspective: “I hope that it keeps the bar high on the quality of content it allows. If it can do this, then it will be in a great position.” Local TV personality and producer Empress was also enthusiastic about the potential of iVu: “It might be today, it might be next year, but I guarantee I will have something on the station [iVu].” money ezine

BUsiness LoUnGe

eMEDIA INTERACTIVE: A JAMAICAN GROWTH STORY

it was almost like we were speaking a different language,” explained eMedia founder, Tyrone Wilson. “It resonates well because our advertising partners are looking for new ways of connecting with the target market. When you speak to some of them, there is frustration with the limited range of options. We are a breath of fresh air because we provide new ways for them to interact with their audience.” Wilson now serves as the President and CEO of a company that is chaired by Richard Byles, President and CEO of Sagicor Life Jamaica. eMedia is proud that established business leaders and entities such as Byles and PanCaribbean have invested their time and funding in us. But this has not been by accident.

(L-r) donovan Perkins, President and Ceo of PanCaribbean; tyrone wilson, President and Ceo of eMedia interactive and richard Byles, President and Ceo of sagicor Life Jamaica.

here are ways of measuring growth and then in a conservative investment culture such as Jamaica, there’s a company led by a 25-year-old raising US$350,000 from PanCaribbean to become a global media brand. Sounds like fiction? Well, the publication in which you’re reading this article is actually owned by that company, eMedia Interactive Limited, and we hope our very real example will inspire other young entrepreneurs. The vision of the company has always been to explore international technol-

ogy and trends and provide new alternatives to the local market. These began with producing editorial eZines (digital magazines) such as Your Money, to titles for corporate clients like PSOJ’s The Private Eye. And on February 15 we will take an even bigger leap with the launch of iVu TV, Jamaica and the Caribbean’s first online television network. “From day one, our entire approach was about being different. Our culture is built on coming with new ideas, things that have not been explored locally. When we came with eZines in 2008

“First, it was a mutual attraction for the brands and our growth potential as a company that has made steps to be different but yet also have a substantial business plan. When PanCaribbean did their checks, they saw a company that is run by a young individual and a young team but still has strong corporate governance: there was an advisory board; financials were available and year-byyear growth was readily available,” said Wilson. For young entrepreneurs willing to follow such an example, he advises that they counterbalance passion for their business with a willingness to pay attention to and learn from best business practices. “I always speak passionately about the company and where we can take it and it always sparks a different level of interest when the CEO of a company is so passionate about the prospects. That and a willingness to learn and to listen and to take instructions, which is very important as a young entrepreneur – you have to listen because an investment bank will not give money to someone who is not willing to listen and take instructions from a board,” Wilson said. money ezine

BUsiness LoUnGe

(L-r): donovan Perkins, tyrone wilson and richard Byles, chairman of the board of directors for the company.

Now with nine employees working across a range of different products, eMedia aims to provide a different kind of employment opportunity, albeit predominantly to young people given that the company is focused on new media and related technologies. “As a company we are of course looking to attract the best but we take a lot of pride in developing the talent. We come in here to learn, to grow and to be better. When you look at our resource pool, we produce some worldclass products because we take the time to improve. For individuals who want to improve their skills and improve the perception of work from Jamaica, then this is the company to do so because we have a global reach.” Personal professional development is critical at a company like eMedia, which is looking to do business outside of Ja-

maica’s borders and to do so, must partner on equitable terms with leading technology providers, such as Brightcove, which provides the video hosting platform for iVu.

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With a strong team in place we are confident of continuing our growth towards an IPO in three to four years time when we plan to list on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The future is bright and we are thankful for everyone who has contributed and shared in this growth. The foundation has been strong from the beginning and special thanks must go to Sheree Martin of NCB and Chris Williams of Proven Investments. Both provided essential mentorship and backing, without which our company’s founding and growth would have been inevitably delayed. Here’s to growth in 2012! money ezine

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BUsiness LoUnGe

from around the world, I was always able to find information online about them. Being a student of entrepreneurship, I’ve always tried to find out about our entrepreneurs, how they started and the struggles they faced,” he said. Not feeling satisfied with the limited information he found, Wilson decided that a documentary would be the best avenue to bring light to their successes. Set to be a open and informative compilation of their journeys, the documentary aims to help archive a vital period of the island’s economic history and serve as a resource for students and young entrepreneurs who want to chart the successes of their favourite local entrepreneurs. As Jamaica celebrates 50 years of Independence this year, the documentary is very timely and will serve as a perfect reminder of not only where the country is coming from, but undoubtedly the steps it needs to take to move forward into a new era.

SUMMER RELEASE FOR ‘50 YEARS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP’ DOCUMENTARY By Keresa Arnold

In a documentary entitled 50 Years of Entrepreneurship, the company is hoping to document the outstanding, riveting and motivating stories of the men and women who worked to establish companies that have proven crucial to

According to Tyrone Wilson, eMedia Interactive President and CEO, the idea to create the documentary was planted a few years ago, but came to fruition when he noticed that many young entrepreneurs aren’t aware of the rich entrepreneurial history of the country.

“In order to make it in this economy, you have to have a good support system. We want to identify that person and give them the start that’s needed,” he said. “We see it fit to work with an entrepreneur who wants to be the next big thing coming out of Jamaica.” To be released this summer, the documentary will feature the likes of R Danny Williams who founded Life of Jamaica, now Sagicor Jamaica, and Maurice Facey, the founder of Pan-Jamaican Investment Trust and PanCaribbean Financial Services.

“It came from a personal desire of mine. When I looked at entrepreneurs

The journeys of all 15 pioneers will also be available via individual eZines.

illustration by Warren Buckle

n recognition of the invaluable contribution of entrepreneurs to Jamaica’s development over the last 50 years, new media company eMedia Interactive, will highlight the journeys of 15 of Jamaica’s most notable entrepreneurs.

Consequently, in charting the journey of these entrepreneurs, Wilson is also using part of the proceeds from the sale of the DVDs to fund a young and upcoming entrepreneur who has an interest in developing a business, but might lack the resources.

the island’s economic development, while employing thousands of Jamaicans.

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BUsiness LoUnGe

DIGICEL: ‘JAMAICA IS READY FOR BUSINESS’

hen Digicel CEO Mark Linehan reminds that, “before Jamaica, there was no Digicel,” it not only warrants a glance back at the beginnings of the company, but might inspire others investors to take a closer look at a small island which could launch a successful telecommunications empire. This was precisely Linehan’s aim as he gave a teaser of the impending upgrade of Digicel’s mobile network to 4G, when speaking at the 7th annual Jamaica Stock Exchange Investment and Capital Markets Conference on January 25. The upgrade marks a further US$30 million investment on top of the company’s US$1 billion investment in Jamaica to date and its acquisition of the Claro network. Then there’s its US$60 million investment in a new state-ofthe-art group headquarters in downtown Kingston. All of this, said Linehan, is “testament to the climate that currently exists for investment in Jamaica.” Attractive destination Linehan highlighted the major factors that made Jamaica the birthplace of Digicel and an attractive destination for FDIs, which include its proximity to the United States, ideal for trading with the

(L-R) President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Mike Fennell, Mark Linehan, CEO of Digicel Jamaica and Marlene Street Forrest, General Manager of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

rest of the world; its English-speaking, highly skilled and well-educated work force; its modern and sophisticated infrastructure, with three international airports, a major shipping port and an extensive highway and road network. Overall, this makes for “a stable business climate, with an outward-oriented and progressive regulatory environment across all sectors,” he said. Linehan also touted the country’s “excellent telecoms infrastructure, with service providers offering 3G, 4G broadband, international roaming, and connectivity to the rest of the world” and the upcoming 4G mobile technology, with 80 per cent population coverage at launch, “will in itself drive further economic growth in Jamaica.” Poised for growth It perhaps causes a jolt of surprise to some that Jamaica has weathered the global recession whereas formerly more prosperous economies like Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain have all had to be bailed out several times by the European Union. At the height of the recession, several measures were implemented to help keep the country afloat, including the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX), which has also stabilised the local dollar.

This stability provides a platform for new investors to build on. “We saw GDP grow, albeit small, in 2011 and Jamaica is also forecast to show growth in 2012. Key areas of the economy like tourism and bauxite production both showed growth in 2011, and if the US economy avoids slipping back into a double-dip recession, then this bodes well for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean economy,” said Linehan. Additionally, Minister of Finance and Planning, Peter Phillips, has assured all business interests that the Government will not be pursuing a policy of high interest rates, which “bodes well for enhanced economic activity.” Key opportunities and incentives With the platform laid, the government is supporting investment opportunities in various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, entertainment and sports, energy and information and communication technology (ICT). Linehan remarked that the latter is “good news for Jamaica as there is a clear correlation between progress on developing technology infrastructure and strong economic growth.”

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BUsiness LoUnGe

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is expecting significant investments from a number of â&#x20AC;&#x153;large playersâ&#x20AC;? in the ICT industry that have expressed interest in setting up operations here. Already Convergys Corporation, one of the largest agent-assisted customer service companies in the world has committed to invest US$20 million ($1.7 billion) in setting up its Montego Bay call centre, which will employ 1,000 persons. Additionally, the government has introduced a range of targeted tax reliefs and incentives for overseas investors, which should help in ensuring that Jamaica remains competitive amongst Caribbean islands as companies decide where to base their businesses. Upcoming Jamaica Investment Forum To further bolster the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation as a top Caribbean investment destination, the government will seek to attract potential investors to the forum, slated for March 1-2 in Montego Bay. The team of speakers, led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, will present a raft of significant investment projects in the context of Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enabling business environment and its key growth sectors, specifically the priority areas of ICT, tourism, manufacturing and in major privatisation and development projects. The tourism session will showcase several new, exciting value-added investment

opportunities in health and wellness tourism, and also present the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy on timeshare. ICT will focus on business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT export services (ITES), while the session on manufacturing will highlight the many advantages of establishing nichemanufacturing operations in Jamaica. Continue to invest This pronounced thrust to attract new investors comes against the backdrop of a steep fall in FDIs over the past three years, from a high of US$1.4 billion in 2008 to US$541 in 2009 and US$201 million in 2010, according to the World Investment Report. Nonetheless, Linehan urged potential investors to use the Digicel story as an example of how investing in Jamaica can pay rich dividends. Since launching in Jamaica in April 2001, Digicel has expanded into 31 markets across the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People identify with Jamaica the world over. Brand Jamaica has never been stronger,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My advice to investors who are looking at Jamaica as an investment option is to go for it because the experience is a fantastic one, the people are great and the opportunities are considerable. Jamaica has huge potential and is a great place to do business.â&#x20AC;?

(L-R ) Donovan Perkins, President and CEO of PanCaribbean, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Mark Linehan.

Linehan cited the key sectors primed for growth through areas such as: t "MUFSOBUJWF BOE SFOFXBCMF FOFSHZ Energy plants for liquefied natural gas, waste, wind and solar power generation have been established and incentives are available for investors. t 5IF SFEFWFMPQNFOU PG EPXOUPXO Kingston, which has been designated a resort city to include a cruise ship pier, a casino, hotels, retail and commercial properties and mixed income housing. t 5IF $BZNBOBT FDPOPNJD GSFF [POF with 1,500 acres of prime real estate well placed to support ICT. t 5IF JOUFSOBUJPOBM mOBODJBM TFSWJDFT DFOtre: A recent study by Baker & McKenzie indicates that Jamaica is well suited to be a niche player in international financial services for international holding companies, trust services, corporate management services and professional management support services to other jurisdictions. money ezine

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o Teachers who receive money for extra lessons; o Government Doctors who also have a private practice; o Architects, surveyors, etc, employed by a firm, but who also provide independent services; o Lawyers employed in the public or private sector who also provide independent services;

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL TO FILE MY RETURN? An estimated assessment, which may also include a penalty, could be generated automatically and sent to you. Alternatively, a court summons could be issued for the outstanding return(s). The court may fine you an amount not exceeding $10,000 for each outstanding return, plus you would still owe any outstanding tax assessed.

o Employees who rent out all/part of their house(s); and o employees who do hairdressing, dress making, etc for a fee; The total income, including the employment income, is to be reported and a credit will be given for the tax paid under the PAYE system. WHAT AND WHEN SHOULD I FILE? All categories of persons must file an income tax final return for last year (2011) and must also file a tax return indicating estimated or projected income and the tax payable for the current year (2012) by March 15. The final income tax payment for 2011 should be made by March 15, while the estimated payment is to be made quarterly by March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. HOW SHOULD I FILE? Preferably filing should be done online at www.jamaicatax-online. gov.jm; or at one of Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 29 tax offices.

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stArt UPs

Island Cycle partners Leanne Talbot and Xavier Bedasee

ISLAND CYCLE By Keresa Arnold Photos by Warren Buckle

ecycling might not be very popular in Jamaica, but 24-year-old Leanne Talbot, 24, and Xavier Bedasee, 25, are hoping to change that reality. They’ve already started by turning their love for the environment into a recycling business. Island Cycle, which the enthusiastic business partners started last year, is aimed at decreasing the Caribbean’s carbon footprint while providing recyclable materials to organisation’s outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Offering competitive prices, these companies will be able to turn the materials into actual products. It’s a win-win for Island Cycle, especially in a country that doesn’t have a structured and sustained recycling system. “Our goal is to implement a recycling structure for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, collecting recyclable materials from households, schools, offices, hotels, gated communities, gullies, beaches, other public recreational areas, etc,”

“Our goal is to implement a recycling structure for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, collecting recyclable materials from households, schools, offices, hotels, gated communities, gullies, beaches, other public recreational areas, etc.” said Bedasee. “Island Cycle will make recycling easier for the average person by providing a gate collecting service in residential and commercial areas.” Bedasee and Talbot initially started collecting materials from friends, family and small business. However, plans are in place to expand to a larger customer base next month. Since the business began operations last year, Island Cycle has been positively received by individuals and businesses alike.

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1. In the initial stages of the company, they are currently focusing on the collection of plastic bottlesonly for recycling. 2. Recyclable materials will be collected on a scheduled basis from home/office gates and from strategically located public drop-off points. 3. Collected materials will either be shredded or baled and then shipped to manufacturers overseas and used to make products. 4. Individuals can partner with Island Cycle by assisting in clean-up projects and providing them with recyclable materials.

Photo by Warren Buckle

Island Cycle was one of the first 13 entrepreneurial ventures inducted into the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in Montego Bay. The experience, they say, has helped Island Cycle strengthen its business mode and entrepreneurial skills and gain access to a network of successful entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. For more information contact: talbot.leanne@gmail.com or xavierbedasee@gmail.com

“Island Cycle is looking for the support of corporate Jamaica to raise awareness about recycling and have it become the norm in the Caribbean. Island Cycle has various projects on which we are inviting organisations to partner with us,” said Talbot. Plans are in place to have a more largescale recycling process that would give individuals across the island the oppor-

tunity to participate in exciting ways to recycle. The two bring to the table a combination of experience and youthful exuberance. Bedasse has experience in his father’s company and from operating his own business at age 16, while Talbot is currently in final year at the University of the West Indies studying Management Studies with a focus on operations. There are

many plans in place for the business, and the partners are hoping to be the leading recycling company in Jamaica within the next five years. Understanding the importance of corporate social responsibility, Island Cycle has also started doing presentations at schools and expos in order to educate individuals about the importance of recycling and protecting the environment.

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@SAHSMUSEUM Having joined Twitter in April last year, St Andrew High School (SAHS) has been active on the platform via an account belonging to the school’s museum. Even though it was initially created to broadcast the happenings of the newly opened institution, it also uses Twitter to share the successes of its students, past and present. To its credit, it recently won the ‘Best Jamaican Video Blog Award’ at the Jamaica Blog Awards. Recognising the benefits of this platform, social media team leader Gale Peart, advises: “Ready or not, social media networking is the way of the future. When used smartly and creatively, social media networking tools can be a useful and exciting teaching aid. Do engage to stay relevant. The possibilities are endless.” Here are five benefits they’ve gained and lessons you can learn from their experience on Twitter. NETWORKING. Complementing the aims of the museum, Twitter allows SAHS the opportunity to not only reconnect and interact with past, present and future students, but to engage institutions with similar goals. PUBLIC RELATIONS/BRAND PROMOTION. It’s an easy and effective way to connect with the target audience without accruing huge costs. This is especially important for companies with limited or no public relations budget. ACCESSIBILITY. With a significant percentage of the world’s population actively engaged on Twitter, it is an effective way for persons here and abroad to ask the museum questions and interact with them in real time. THE ‘HYPE’ QUOTIENT. People will seek out your brand more when they feel like they can relate to what you’re offering. That’s the ‘hype’ factor for the museum. Being on Twitter elevates status of the museum among students who now think the institution is that little bit cooler. ADAPTABILITY. One important element of any successful business is the ability to adapt to changes. Communication technologies are ever changing; therefore, the museum accepts this fact and has made changes in order to reach out to a wider target audience. This is key to social media success.

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