OCT - NOV 2016 - ISSUE 31
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Managing Editors Garth Walker & Leighton Davis
The Editor’s Survey
Editor in Chief Ashleigh-Ann Mowatt
Sales Executives
H
arvard Business School professor and author, Clayton Christensen once said, “breakthrough innovations come when the tension is greatest and the resources are most limited. That’s when people are actually a lot more open to rethinking the fundamental way they do business.” This is true for many Jamaican businesses which are being forced to migrate to the virtual world to remain in the industry. In some cases, the tension of hard, economic ties drives constant innovation. In this double cover issue of Wealth Magazine, we share the inspiring stories of two accomplished businessmen– President of Ready TV, Chris Dehring, and CEO of King Alarm Systems Limited, John Azar. Both corporate
moguls outline how business prudence, thirst for success and flexibility with the ever-changing technology have positively impacted their businesses. Many thanks to our contributors who offer needed advice to corporate professionals on ways to engage modern technologies to effect positive changes in their daily operations. We hope this edition of Wealth Magazine will help you to reflect and possibly rethink the way you complete weekly duties so as to maximise on the most efficient work models.
Gregg Smith, Tresha-Gaye Miller
Graphic Designer Dandre Foster
Printed in Jamaica by: The Herald Printers
Special thanks to Our writers, advertisers, readers, partners, family and friends at the CME Team.
Ashleigh-Ann Mowatt Editor in Chief
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Wealth Magazine Issue 31 All Rights Reserved For further information on Wealth Magazine, contact Creative Media and Events, 80 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica. W.I. Tel: 876.648-6420, 876.754-2076 Fax: 876.754.2070
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Wealth Magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission from the publishers.
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Contributors Ashleigh-Ann Mowatt is the editor for Wealth Magazine. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism (First Class Honours) attained at the University of the West Indies. Her previous work involved the management of two weekly radio programmes on ROOTS FM, and the training of community radio broadcasters in participatory content development processes. Ashleigh-Ann also maintains a column on Jamaicans.com titled, ‘Our Stories’. Kara-Sue Sweeney is a Certified Personal Trainer and Women’s Fitness Specialist certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in the United States. She is also the former Group Operations Manager of Express Fitness 24/7. She recently authored the eBook, ‘I Decide: 21 Decisions Every Woman Should Make to Achieve Her Weight Loss Breakthrough’, available now on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Apple iBooks and wherever eBooks are sold. Sancia Campbell is a Marketing Specialist and Blogger. She has over 15 years of experience spanning the areas of Public Relations, Communications, Branding, Sponsorship Management and Events Planning. You may check out her blog at http://sanciacampbell. blogspot.com/ Daniel Edwards is a financial advisor with over 10 years of experience in the sale of insurance and financial products. He is also the owner and founder of T-180 Image Consulting – a transformative business initiative geared exclusively towards the upwardly mobile or aspirational male professional and professional-to-be.
Sheri-Kae McLeod is a communications student at the University of the West Indies. She writes and edits for various business and lifestyle publications. Beverley Thompson is a 2015 Stevie Awardee, business strategist and consultant, partnering with companies to help them win in their respective industries. She is a sales expert who works with organisations to implement or retrofit their sales infrastructure. She provides public and customised consumer sales/account management workshops that are steeped in the foundation of value and relationship management. She can be contacted at bwellthompson@gmail.com Yaneek Page is the founder and managing director of Future Services International Limited (FSIL), a pioneering company in legal funding in Jamaica. A certified trainer in entrepreneurship, she is the creator and executive producer of The Innovators business TV series which promotes entrepreneurship development and aims to transform small businesses. Nicole DaCosta is a serial entrepreneur. She’s the CEO of Kingston Cesspool Emptier Limited, Deputy CEO of Coates Logistics Limited and the Deputy CEO of CSC Receivables and Risk Management. She has a BSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management and an MBA in Management Studies from The University of Technology Jamaica. She’s a writing enthusiast who believes her writing is to empower others. Laura Tanna is the author of the books, Baugh: Jamaica’s Master Potter and Folk Tales and Oral Histories with DVD and CD versions as well as the CD Maroon Storyteller. She does interviews and writes on art, culture and travel for various publications.
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Publisher’s Note
W
e’re nearing the last quarter of the year with optimism as the Wealth Magazine brand continues to grow in content and quality. While it may sound premature, 2016 is faring out to be a good year for Jamaica’s business sector especially in the area of technological advancements. And in a broader sense, this year we have seen how Jamaica has wholeheartedly embraced the latest digital technology tools in all sectors of public and private life; even our politicians are making adequate use of the technology to foster deeper relationships with their constituents. Therefore, in this edition of the magazine, we bring to your awareness some critical pointers to bear in mind as we engage with new technological devices. Importantly, digital technology has paved the way for the renewal of several business models, however we must gauge our dependence on virtual tools so that we are not left dumbfounded and lost during inevitable episodes of technical glitch.
This time around we decided to do things a little different. We introduce a double cover design to celebrate two astute, business stalwarts in Jamaica- John Azar and Christopher Dehring. John and Chris, like most of us, have witnessed the highs and lows of Jamaica’s commercial industry; however, staying steadfast to their pursuits of excellence, these businessmen prove to us why they continue to be the influencers in their respective industries. We hope you will draw some inspiration from their stories. Until our next edition, all the best! Garth Walker Managing Editor
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Content Page Innovation 10 - 11
The PokĂŠmon Go Phenomenon
Technology Digital Tools and their Impact on Sales Enablement and Effectiveness 3 Ways Technology can Drive Your Marketing Campaign Are you an Apple or an Android Person? Full Review: Huawei Mate 8
12 - 13 14 - 15 18 - 19 20 - 22
Cover Story A Talk with Chris Dehring
24 - 27
Fashion 28 - 31
The Power of the Suit
Feature Let’s Talk About Coal
32 - 33
Health and Wellness ABCs of Personal Growth 39 - 41 Time Crunch Exercise 43 - 45
Cover Story
King of Security 47 - 49
Career 5 Things to Consider Before Starting a Business 51 - 52 Behind the Desk: Judith Denton 53 - 54 Legal Profession 57 - 58
Lifestyle Glyndebourne: A Fairly Lunatic Concept 59 - 61 Do you Know Your Relationship Status? 63 - 65 A Slice of Italy 66 - 67 Budget-Friendly Vacations 69 - 10 10 Places that will deliver lunch on workdays 71 - 72
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Premier Lady Simone Hull-Lloyd Marketing Manager, Scotia Wealth Scotiabank Jamaica
us about your current 1Tell position.
M
2
y current role as marketing manager of Scotia Wealth sees my managing the brands of Scotia Investments, Scotia Insurance and Scotia Private Client Group. I plan corporate and promotional events, manage the creation of all client communication material including annual reports, sales brochures, brand merchandising and regulatory documents as well as oversee the development and implementation of advertising campaigns.
What motivated you to choose this field? …I got a summer internship at Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation and fell in love with the advertising, promotions and communications world. So while at university I decided to pursue a degree in media and communications. I have a personal love for style and coordinating so event planning is a natural knack for me.
social media play an 3 Does important role in your job? Social media is a very crucial element in any marketing mix for 2016 and beyond. For me it's an important tool to use daily as you keep your constituents in the know, engage them more and give that ever important
personal touch to a corporate face. I position my companies brand locally and internationally on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by showcasing our activities, promoting our executive team and sharing our key messages and initiatives with the world.
us something about you that 4 Tell not a lot of people would know.
I am a mom to three beautiful and bright kids who are all unique and I love them dearly.
5 Use 5 adjectives to describe yourself. Straight-forward, resilient, jovial, focused and persistent
do you see yourself in the next 5 6 Where years? Next five years I see myself at an even more senior role in my field where I can direct the marketing communications activities of the company I work for while getting ready to expand my own business ventures.
your advice for young business 7 What's professionals?
• Be creative and always think big and international... don't be confined by your local borders. • Be professional and manage your reputation. • Always strive towards being your own boss...and create a comfortable future for yourself with options.
INNOVATION
The Pokémon Go Phenomenon Sheri-Kae McLeod
I
s it safe to say that Jamaicans are obsessed with the newest game craze – Pokémon Go? It seems as if everyone is playing the game. And there are a few people that might ask, “What’s the big deal?” Well, here’s why Pokémon Go is absolutely a big deal. Pokémon Go is a mobile game that involves augmented reality to deliver a real-life Pokémon experience. This app is the perfect mix of gaming and reality, allowing people to capture their favourite Pokémon in the real world. Here’s how it works. Pokémon Go uses a similar technology to Google Maps, to digitally represent the players’ actual surroundings. It is then up to the players to capture Pokémon in their real environment, and raise its level so that it can become stronger.
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Another big part of gameplay is capturing gyms and keeping those under the team's reign as long as possible before they are captured by someone else. This game is unique because physical activity is involved. When have you ever seen a video game get players off the couch, exercising and socialising with other players, to advance to the next level?
Interestingly, Pokémon Go has already racked up its share of controversy. There have been reports of car accidents and dangerous incidents involving Pokémon Go players. In one strange incident, a 19-year-old girl from Wyoming was on the hunt for a water Pokémon near the Wind River, she jumped the fence to get closer to the Pokémon, only to find a dead body floating in the water.
Another reason for its popularity, Pokémon Go does not cost a dime. The game is 100 per cent free-to-play on iOS and Android. Of course, there are in-app purchases available, like most gaming apps, such as Pokéball and Pokécoins (a number of players have been spending up to US$100 on in-app purchases). This virtual game is dominating the real world. Pokémon Go was released on July 6 and within a week, the app made US$14 million across all mobile platforms, despite some users complaining about crashes and server problems. Already, analysts are estimating that the game will turnover US$1.6 million in revenue per day on Apple devices alone, with at least 7.5 million total downloads in the United States. Analysts also estimate that the game has 5 million to 25 million players in the US alone. And for major stakeholders like Nintendo, that’s not the only way they’re making money. Nintendo’s stock price has grown 51 per cent in the week Pokémon Go released, increasing from US $17.50 on July 5 to US $26.45 on July 13. In the space of a month, the Pokémon Go game trumped the number of daily users on social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook. That’s not all – the daily user count increased when the game made its official launch in other markets across the world. Some players have shared that the game brings a nostalgic feeling because they use to play Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version with the Nintendo Game Boy in the '90s and early 2000s. They were also fans of the Pokémon anime television show. So Pokémon enthusiasts from the '90s are certainly thrilled that an important aspect of their childhood has returned to the gaming industry.
On a positive note, Pokémon Go has been good for the business sector in the United States. Some business owners have turned their establishments into Pokéstop – a place that offers eggs and Pokéballs that players need to increase their chances of catching the virtual creatures. In this way, the businesses benefit from a large influx of potential customers. Some bars and restaurants have introduced game-inspired food and beverage deals such as the Pokémangoritas to attract Pokémon players. In Jamaica, players have requested that major telecommunications providers, Flow and Digicel change their data packages to facilitate the Pokémon app as this game uses a large amount of data. Players have also been buzzing about the large number of Pokémon findings in some commercial areas, including the Sovereign Centre and the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre. Some business places have hung ‘Pokémon Inside’ signs at the entrance of the establishments to attract ‘Poké-crazed’ customers inside. After all, it isn’t a bad idea for Jamaican business owners to tweak their existing marketing strategies to benefit from the Pokémon hype.
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TECHNOLOGY
Digital Tools
& their Impact on Sales Enablement & Effectiveness Beverley Thompson
T
echnologyhas caused a seismic shift in the sales and customer experience universe in the last five years. Furthermore, advances in technology have changed the way buyers and sellers communicate and engage. The Internet enables sellers to find and connect with target markets faster and more efficiently than ever before.
I will share two perspectives on how the sales organisation has evolved because of technology.
Prospecting and Lead Generation
In the past, companies would rely solely on sales executives or front line staff to ask customers for contact information and enter these details into a database or a stand-alone CRM system. The customer is much more mature and Sales promotion teams would often enters the sales cycle with more knowluse paper forms and spreadsheets to edge about what they want. The buyer capture customer information. These conducts the online research, compares approaches may still have a place and be and contrasts, evaluates and will probably appropriate, but for the most part things shortlist the providers they would like to have changed drastically with technology. pursue before making a final decision. Gone are the days when buyers relied on sales people to share a brochure to provide information about a product or had to visit a store to ask questions. In the Business 2 Business (B2B) context, Sales people no longer need to visit the office to be effective in their job, and organizations do not need to incur significant costs in order to improve the capability of sales team members.
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Today, mobile-enabled websites are built with multiple features backed by smart algorithms and plug-ins to provide details on who visits your website, how often they visit, capture contact details and utilise smart ways to keep them coming back. Well-designed social media channels and websites integrate an effective lead capture
system, enabling follow-up engagement of what is referred to as warm leads. The lead is considered warm because the visitor to the website expressed an interest by completing a form. Sales people can follow up with the contact offline using direct communications such as a phone call, email or personal visit. This labour intensive approach to prospecting is on the decline because technology now makes lead generation easier and offers a more efficient and effective alternative to cold calling. Buyers are leaving digital footprints when they visit a business’ online portal, so organisations need to leverage these tools to advance the sales process. Lead Capture Apps are stand-alone tools used to capture data at live events such as conferences, exhibitions, and other brand and sales activations. It is then easy to integrate the new data into a database. Using a lead capture app removes the need to complete paper work and manual data entry.
I attended a large conference last year where the organisers used a paper form to capture contact details for persons who wanted copies of the presentation. When I enquired, I was advised that they would type up the contact information and send emails to each person. I suggested using an App and Slide Share to collect the data and distribute the content. Unfortunately, to date I have not received the promised presentation decks. It is likely that there has been a breakdown in the inefficient manual process, leading to that team not being able to deliver on their promise. Content Marketing is another very effective technique that shortens the sales cycle. Videos, podcasts and blog posts are some of the methods used by sellers to share content. There are many opportunities to write a blog and share content even if there is no website for the product or brand. Word Press, Weebly, YouTube and LinkedIn Pulse represent a few examples. While paid advertisement is still mainstream, content marketing is now acknowledged as the most effective way to share expert knowledge about the product or service that people will value, share with others and subscribe to. If done right, responses to the shared content provide a powerful database that can be used for email campaigns and/or taken offline for follow-up by the sales executives. According to Hubspot marketing statistics, ‘marketers who prioritise blogging are 13 times likely to enjoy a positive ROI’. This is critical since the ultimate objective is for marketing efforts to translate into sales.
Cloud Technology, Smart Devices and Apps Working in sales for most of my professional career has given me the opportunity to telecommute or work remotely from the office. In the early days, when my manager needed an urgent update on sales results I had to use a secure VPN connection to gain access to the company’s system so that I could upload sales numbers or process a contract. I would submit the hard copy of the signed contract the next day. Back then, a Wi-Fi connection was challenging to find and using mobile data was painful – slow and costly. Fast forward to 2016 and life is very different for the modern sales professional. Thanks to secure cloud technology, companies are able to explore new business models and leverage value-added capabilities without huge capex spend on hardware or software. Salesforce automation tools are available via the ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) model. Using business tools via the cloud supports increased collaboration, flexibility and efficiency. Employees no longer need to be physically present to be effective. Online video conferencing tools such as GoToMeeting and Skype have saved sales organisations and small entrepreneurs millions of dollars. Costs associated with travelling time are drastically reduced since sales professionals can be productive from anywhere, at any time.
Today, submitting sales reports is easy. I can click on an app on my smartphone, access the sales portal, input the numbers along with notes and change the status of the lead’s progress to reflect closed. Even if access to the portal is not enabled with an app for use on a smartphone, I can still use that device to create a personal Wi-Fi hot spot on a mobile data network and use a laptop to access the sales or CRM platform. When it is nearing the end of a reporting period and a sales manager is anxious about pulling in all the results and closing the quarter strong, the ability to share sales data in real time is priceless. Other examples of how technology is enabling the sales process are: • Document sharing - I can download a scanner app on my smartphone, scan the contract and upload it to the sales portal. • Product Information - Field sales representatives and B2B executives today use tablets to share product information instead of physical paper brochures or flyers. • Service Application Processing Customer data usually written on application forms is entered into an app on a smart device, and the information uploaded into the company’s order entry system for seamless processing. • Presentations - Webinars and online meeting tools are standard methods used by sales professionals to conduct presentations and product demonstrations. Technology has revolutionised the sales process, reducing the time to implement new technology-based tools, enhancing productivity, increasing efficiency, and ultimately changing the way that organisations engage with customers.
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TECHNOLOGY
3
ways technology
can drive your marketing campaign
Sancia Campbell
T
he emergence of technology has revolutionised the work of marketers and the world of marketing significantly over the past 20 years. The move to digital marketing characterises the most remarkable change in how marketers tap into customer’s wishes and desires. We have seen the advent of devices which make work easier and more importantly, data which provides definitive information on how and if marketing strategies are working for the companies that implement and fund them.
Big data is driven by volume, velocity and variety. The truth is that there is no set figure for the volume of data that is available. The numbers change daily and in big chunks, couple that with the number and variety of available data sources, which translate into a staggering amount of information available to marketers and companies that have a statement to make.
Another significant technological development is the marketing automation tools or software and apps available for streamlining both basic and complex marketing functions. These functions range from email marketing and campaign management to growing your traffic, A/B testing to conversion tracking, lead generation and, web and mobile personalisation.
Ponder for a minute the following data on Jamaicans on social media and Internet usage:
While devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops; and social media provide a platform for innovative marketing ideas, it is the data i.e. big data that is driving real action where marketing is concerned.
• According to www.siliconcaribe. com, there are 1 million Jamaicans on Facebook
By far, the most revolutionary development must be cloud technology. In its simplest terms, cloud computing as it is more commonly known, means storing and accessing data and programmes over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive.
Big data essentially means all data that is available; everywhere! This data is made available through your company’s customer relationship management system, web analytics, ad tracking as well as external data sources such as social media, government databases, third-party data resources and market research.
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• Over 1.5 million Jamaicans have access to the Internet (Source: 2015 US Census Bureau) • Jamaica has mobile penetration of 110% (Source: www.internetworldstats. com) Now this may not be staggering figures, but for a country of only 2.9 million people (US Census Bureau), this is certainly usable information for marketers seeking to tap into the ever-changing desires of an emerging market.
Why is this so significant for marketers? Well, cloud technology has the ability to radically change how marketers reach and engage their audience. One of the key effects of the cloud that will benefit digital marketing is that it has provided marketers with more venues from which to approach potential customers, while at the same time, allowing more individuals to become potential customers.
With the cloud, marketers no longer need to worry about hard drives or other local storages as their files can be accessed and shared over the Internet using any internet-capable device. The cloud is also extremely secure and of course, cost efficient. None of these technologies would work without a marketing team that is ahead of the curve where these advancements are concerned. Technology has brought
the marketing field a long way. With the constant changes in data-driven marketing and technology, the marketing strategy employed by your company could become outdated while in progress. This is why it is important to know what has changed and how those changes will affect how you reach your target market.
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䐀攀猀椀最渀猀 戀礀 䴀愀爀挀 䰀椀洀椀琀攀搀 䴀愀爀挀氀椀洀椀琀攀搀⸀挀漀洀
TECHNOLOGY
Are you an Apple or an Android person? Sheri-Kae McLeod
There has been ongoing debate in recent years over which is better – Apple or Android devices? And there really is no definite answer to this question. Actually, this argument could go on for years (as it has been). It’s all about preference. Some people prefer Apple and some prefer Android. If you’re not sure which you prefer, here are some tips that will help you decide if you are an Apple or an Android person.
Affordability
W
hen it comes to affordability, there is no doubt that android devices take the cake. Apple doesn’t make budget-friendly devices, that ’s a fact! The latest iPhone is always among the most expensive handsets on the market. The latest iPhone t y pic al l y cost US200 with a t wo-year contract and US650 without. Last year’s iPhone 6 comes in at US100 less. The two year-old iPhone 5S is the closest Apple gets to budget-friendly pricing since it is about US200 cheaper, than its predecessor.
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Android devices, however, have a larger range of phones and at cheaper prices. The truth is, there are a number of manufacturers developing Android operating systems therefore prices for handsets can run as low as US$50 up to US$600. The fact that Android also leads the field in free mobile applications makes it the natural choice for the budget-conscious. Chances are, if it ’s a smar t phone by H TC, S amsung, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, or LG, it ’s running an Android operating system.
User Interface Both Apple and Android platforms have gravitated towards a minimalist, flat, fast, colourful user interface. The big difference is that many Android manufacturers have added their own user interfaces on top of stock Android, and so your mileage will vary. On the other hand, Apple is a single manufacturer so the design is uniformed. Further, Android is easier to customize in comparison to Apple devices. It lets you do so much more with your phone than iOS does. The customisation that Android allows with third party launchers allows users to change the way their phones look to whatever style they want. And while Apple have few customising features, it’s operating system feels faster and more fluid to most users. Apple prioritises the user interface over just about everything else so no matter how slow a device runs you
rarely feel any lag. Apple also offers a modern design and easy-to-use experience for just about anyone.
Camera Functionality Android has a variety of phones from low to high-end and this range is reflected in the quality of the built-in camera; on Apple devices, the image quality is consistent. iPhone is just now allowing panoramic and slow-motion options, while these have been available to Android for a few years. Android offers lots of fun features within its camera app to help you customize the images you take on your device. However, iPhones have consistently produced sharper, clearer images and staying true to manufacturing standards, the camera app’s design is sleek and simple. There are a number of apps that can give you the customisation that you’d find on an Android device, with the image quality Apple promises. But this shouldn’t worry Android users as the new Galaxy S6, boasting a 20-megapixel camera and plenty of custom software choices is the most promising for an in-phone camera suite.
Apps Both platforms have amazing apps and app stores that can be downloaded to devices but the differences are clear.
Google doesn’t check for quality first, which poses both security and usability risk – to reduce the risk, only download from trusted sources like the Android Market, Google Play store, or Amazon App Store. Apple’s iOS has been a more lucrative platform for developers so there has been a tendency for new apps to appear there first, but that is changing as Android’s market share continues to grow. The Play Store for Android still has a higher percentage of free apps than the Apple’s App Store and Android also benefits from the latest and greatest versions of Google’s Apps. Overall, developers are improving both operating systems every day, so that users can sit back and watch the devices go head-to-head. Both platforms are amazing and have their pros and cons, it is up to the users to decide what is best suited for them. Android’s market share continues to grow. The Play Store for Android still has a higher percentage of free apps than the Apple’s App Store and Android also benefits from the latest and greatest versions of Google’s Apps. Overall, developers are improving both operating systems every day, so that users can sit back and watch the devices go head-to-head. Both platforms are amazing and have their pros and cons, it is up to the users to decide what is best suited for them.
Apple has full control over which apps are sold in The App Store and requires apps to undergo quality assurance and testing before they are available for download. Android, however, has a number of distribution channels from which you can download applications.
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TECHNOLOGY
FULL REVIEW:
HUAWEI MATE
8
C
hinese company Huawei has made significant strides in the world of technology, revolutionising the way we communicate. Now the largest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment in the world, Huawei is leaps and bounds ahead of where it started in 1987. The global entity which boasts 16 research and development centres around the world, attributes its success to the appealing equation of more for less: the company offers high-end hardware at affordable prices with a great user experience. The latest in its long list of devices on the market, is the sleek new Huawei Mate 8. It offers the top-end specs you would expect from a flagship phablet, but at a lower price than the competition, Samsung and Apple. It is set to be a favourite among customers with its long battery life, processing power and camera quality. These aspects of a smartphone are the defining factors that make a phone ‘a hit or a miss’ as they affect how well they can help us in our day-to-day lives. Let’s take a closer look to see how well the Huawei Mate 8 held up to the test:
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DESIGN It has a full aerospacial grade aluminium uni-body design that comes in gold, silver, grey or brown. The uni-body gives the Huawei Mate 8 an authentic premium look, the phone has a smooth back that looks like it could be slippery, but it feels wonderful in the hand and that's a surprise considering the size as well, it comes in at 157 x 80 x 7.9mm, so it's not a small phone, it’s what we would call a phablet. It has to fit in a 6-inch display, but with the bezel trimmed down so far the phone isn't that much larger than the screen itself. The slim bezels across the top and bottom of the display are useful for gripping the phone at the bottom, while the top one contains the front-facing camera and earpiece. The size of the
screen would lead you to believe that it is cumbersome, but it certainly is way more comfortable to hold than the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. The camera protrudes a little from the phone but not as noticeably as on the iPhone 6S, and you only notice it after really studying the back. Below the camera sits the fingerprint; it feels like a natural position for your finger when holding a larger phone, the sensor is just enough to be immediately identifiable with the tip of your finger. Aside from the beauty and solid construction of the Mate 8, the fact that Huawei was able to fit such wonderful specs and huge display and battery, is an accomplishment by itself.
· Lionel Messi, Huawei Brand Ambassador, shows off his Mate 8 device
Huawei doesn't skimp on specs with the Mate 8, you're getting here a similar set-up to even bigger names such as Samsung or Sony. The Mate 8 comes with a HiSilicon Kirin 950 system on a chip, made by Huawei, which features a quad-core processor closed at 2.3GHz and another quad-core processor at 1.8GHz. Performance was particularly impressive on the Mate 8. There were no app crashes while using the phone and gameplay was smooth even when playing a graphically intense game. The smooth processing speed could be attributed to the 3GB of RAM included on this version of the phone. You can also get 4GB of RAM on both the 64GB version of the phone.
BATTERY The Mate 8 certainly is prepared for the 6-inch screen demands as Huawei has packed in an impressive 4,000 mAh battery to keep it going. While putting
the Mate 8 through real life usage, this monster easily last more than a day of heavy use, no matter what you throw at it. In the most extreme of cases, we unplugged the Mate 8 at 8:00 a.m. and used it during the day for calls, instant messaging (Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and Hangouts), mail checking, web browsing. One of the reasons for the extended life is the smart apps feature within Emotion UI 4.0 that tells you which apps are using up the most of your battery. It reminds you to shut down apps you're not using, and acting on its advice immediately leads to extended battery life. The battery manager feature also came in useful. If you head into Settings and select battery, you'll find a big button called optimise that will look over everything the phone can do to prolong life. On a full charge, Ultra will give you two full days of use with a little bit of change leftover.
With the Mate 8 you won’t be looking at a 15 per cent battery and have your phone suddenly turning off without warning; it will go through every digit and turn off at 2 per cent with a 30 second warning for you to plug it in.
CAMERA The camera on the Mate 8 is particularly impressive; it has a 16MP back camera and an 8MP front camera. Shooting with the Mate 8 is reasonably simple. Right out of the box you can turn it on and get a great image without having to fiddle around in the settings. The sensor is a Sony Type 1/2.8″ IMX298 and incorporates phase detection autofocus. It has a 4:3 native aspect ratio and it can output images up to 4,608 x 3,456 pixels in resolution.
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Other specs include: · f/2.0 lens · Optical image stabilization · Dual LED flash (that is also a dual-tone setup allowing it to adapt to the existing light sources in the surroundings) The Mate 8 has various shooting modes which allow you to select HDR, Watermark (also available post-shot from the image editor), Document readjustment (for scanning paper documents), Panorama and Professional, among others. The Professional mode gives you control over metering, ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, focusing mode and white balance, including manual color temperature setting – basically, everything.
· Kevin Ho (right) President, Handset Business, Huawei Consumer BG presents a Mate 8 device to famed footballed Lionel Messi during the Connecting Greatness Seminar.
The front camera is an 8MP that shoots images at 3,264 x 2,448 pixels. It’s paired with a f/2.4 lens. It also has a beautification feature, which masks skin blemishes.
the things that can be offloaded from the application processor as part of the “Sensor Hub.” Toss in a Cat. 6 LTE modem, a Mali T880MP4 graphics processor, and more for imaging and voice processing, and you’ve got yourself one powerful chip to run the system.
In the video recording department, the Huawei Mate 8 supports 1080p 60fps and a slow motion mode recorded at 120fps and 720p. The 1080p 60fps videos come out with a bit rate of 48Mbps while the 30fps ones are exactly half that. In either case, audio is recorded in stereo at 96kbps.
Because of the Kirin 950 and the 4,000 mAh battery, this is the ideal phone for the always connected businessman or the Snapchatting, Facebook using, Instagram addicted millennial that can’t miss a single notification from the moment he/she wakes up until 2:00 a.m.
The Huawei Mate 8’s camera is fast, responsive and does an excellent job in capturing everyday images.
DISPLAY
PROCESSOR The Mate 8 is being powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 950 and with a model with 32 gigabytes of storage, we’ve got 3 gigabytes of RAM available. The Kirin 950 is made up of four low-power ARM Cortex A53 processors running at 1.8 GHz, and four high-power A72 processors at up to 2.3 GHz. That’s paired with another coprocessor referred to as “i5” for all
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With an impressive 85 per cent screen to body ration, the Mate 8 manages to fit a 6-inch FHD display which makes it ideal to watch movies, read, edit work documents like PPTs, Word and Excel (with the included software), browse the Internet and social media while allowing a comfortable grip that doesn’t sacrifice screen size. The Huawei Mate 8 uses an IPS-NEO LCD panel by JDI, which delivers deeper blacks, provide excellent visibility under direct sunlight and, at a 368ppi density, it’s comfortably above what Apple coined as Retina resolution.
CALLS Customers are spending more time texting or messaging than calling, but this does not mean calls and call quality are not important, they are! The Mate 8 handles voice calls very well and the sound quality is consistently good on both ends of the call. You can even choose to only pick up sounds from a 120-degree arc around the primary microphone when on speakerphone, which is useful in loud environments. For conference calling, you’ll be happy to know that the Mate 8 incorporates what Huawei calls ‘Super Hands Free 3.0’ that allows you to answer calls with your voice while driving or doing chores around the house, to capture 360 sound up to 3 metres away from the phone’s microphone. The speaker gets the job done and is remarkably clear. With all these amazing features, reliability and price point, we were totally impressed. So would this phone meet your everyday lifestyle? It did for us; Huawei Mate 8 is a sure winner in our book.
COVER STORY
A TALK WITH CHRIS DEHRING Chris Dehring, one of the most prominent businessmen in Jamaica, is the president and CEO of Ready Communications Ltd. He was born in Mona, Saint Andrew, and played football and cricket in his spare time. His father was a hard-working engineer and his mother insisted on good academic performance. He has two brothers and an older sister who was particularly influential in his life because of her outstanding scholastic achievements.
What was it like growing up?
I
never grew up under the illusion of male superiority because my sister was both smarter and faster than me. We were middle class, we did not have money for extravagances, but all our basic needs were taken care of. That upbringing really helped to form who I am today.
What is a major event that changed the trajectory of your life? One major event took place in prep school. I attended St. Theresa Prep. When I started Kindergarten B, a nun came for me and took me over to the big school and put me in the second grade. Half way through the term a teacher called my parents in and explained that even though I was keeping up with the schoolwork, I was getting tired during the days and falling asleep often. They were also worried that I was malnourished because I was small for a seven-year-old, that’s when my mother informed them that I was only four.
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They had made a clerical error when they put me in the 2nd grade, but because my parents helped me with my schoolwork, I was keeping up with the classes, but physically I was getting tired. By that time, they could not put me back in kindergarten, but they made certain changes for me and allowed me to have nap time. Although I was younger, I was well ahead of my peers, but when I finished prep school, I was too young to sit the common entrance because you had to be 11 years old. I finished top of the class in the 6th grade and could not sit it so they had to find something for me to do. In those days there was a private high school by the name of Campion College that was not a part of the other secondary school system.
What was it like attending Campion College? Campion was a school that was attended by the wealthiest Jamaicans so I was exposed to a level of wealth that I could not have dreamed of. People were being dropped off at school in some of the nicest cars I had ever seen and I was one of the few people at the school who had to take the bus. It introduced me to a whole new part of Jamaica. There were not a lot of people around that looked like me so when I first started grade 7, I sat next to the only person who sort of looked like me and that person was Peter Bunting. In the end, I made lifelong friends who are now top of the business world.
Did your love for sports continue? Absolutely, in fact, high school for me was a blur of sports. I played every sport and I knew that when I grew up, I would play either professional football or cricket for the West Indies. I started off on the cricket side and ended up playing for the Under 19 team with guys like Courtney Walsh and Patrick Patterson. It was a very strong team. Once, we went to a tournament in Trinidad where we faced a side called ‘Little Leeward Islands’. I was batting number 3 for Jamaica so I felt good about that. However, the number 3 for Leeward Islands was a really great batsman, he was just smashing our team. I thought to myself, ‘I can’t bat like that, he is awesome’. That guy turned out to be Richie Richardson, who later on ended up being the captain of the West Indies team. Eventually I started to get a lot of pressure from my parents because they felt that sports was not the way forward for me. I was getting offers for football scholarships abroad, but I kept turning them down because I wanted to remain in Jamaica. My father gave me an ultimatum, either I could take up a football scholarship or he would send me to military school. I ended up choosing the scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan College.
What happened when you returned to Jamaica after college? When I returned to Jamaica I thought I had it made because I got a degree in marketing so I thought I could get a good job and start my corporate career. I was in for a rude awakening because success in Jamaica, like most places in the world, depended on who you know and the contacts you have. I ended up writing over 100 letters and applications. I did not get a single interview. It was a very depressing summer to just sit there and read rejection letters.
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Sports came to my rescue. I was playing cricket and the coach at the time was Peter Moses who was also at Citibank. Peter noticed I was able to come to practice early every day because I wasn’t working. He created a little post inside Citibank for me, against the advice of his HR Manager at the time. The post was called an ‘intern’ and involved me coming in, getting a little stipend and understudying one of the main managers by helping to manage corporate accounts. As it turned out, the young lady I was understudying got into a very serious car accident so I had to take over and manage her portfolio. I wasn’t a full-time employee, but Peter manoeuvred me into taking over the portfolio, I started to do it and I did quite well so I was given an offer of full time employment.
How did you get back in touch with Peter Bunting? I reunited with Peter Bunting there at Citibank. Soon after, he went off and became the CEO of a small merchant bank called Manufacturers’ Merchant. Around the same time, I became the CEO of a bank called Corporate Merchant. There was a young lawyer, who was not a full-time attorney yet because he was still studying at Oxford. He was also a past student of Campion College who we use to play cricket called Mark Golding. Mark was so bright that Peter and I used him to structure complex transactions. Even though he was a student, he was extremely competent.
How did ‘Dehring, Bunting and Golding’ come about? Peter and I had lunch one evening and discussed the fact that we should have gone into the financial sector on our own. This little conversation stuck with me on a trip to Negril with friends that same weekend. One morning, after returning from the Negril outing, I called Peter and told him I had just
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resigned from corporate and wanted to start the new business. I asked him if he was in or out. Of course he was shocked and asked what I was talking about. I told him that based on our conversation, I had decided to resign. He finally complied and we started ‘Dehring, Bunting and Golding’ in the living room of the townhouse that I was renting. We launched ‘DB&G’ with capital from the market. We raised capital and listed it on the stock exchange. It was controversial, three young men just launching their own company like that. It had never been done in Jamaica before and articles were written in the paper about it. It was an amazing moment. One evening after launching, Mark, Peter and I were driving in Mark’s old fiat to Peppers to meet all our friends who had gathered there to celebrate. However, as luck would have it, on Knutsford Boulevard, Mark’s car broke down so all of us ended up pushing his car all the way up Knutsford Boulevard to a gas station at the top of the road. It was funny because although we had raised all this money we had to be pushing a car up Knutsford Boulevard but it kept us grounded.
Were you still involved in sports? Yes, but in an even greater capacity. While working with DB&G the West Indies Cricket Board came calling. I am a sports fanatic so I was happy when that happened. They wanted me to help to set up their commercial operations. It was an offer that was too good to be true and in fact I thought they were asking me to do it for free; I did not know it would have been as a paid consultant. This introduced me to the business of sports. I ended up going to the West Indies Cricket Board and setting up their commercial operations. For years I negotiated the broadcast rights agreement in places like the UK, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia and the United States.
· Chris Dehring CEO Ready TV addresses the gathering at the recently held Ready TV Investor's Briefing.
That introduced me to a whole new world because I had to negotiate with companies like ESPN, Sky Sports and so on.
How did your company SportsMax come about? One day, in 1999, I was sitting in the Sky Box at a Chelsea match, I am an Arsenal fan, but I was actually invited to the match by executives at Sky. I was watching the match and talking about football with someone beside me. The person realised how knowledgeable I was about the game and asked if Barclays Premiership was very popular in the Caribbean. I admitted that it was, but indicated to him that we do not get to see it live. It turns out that he was the commercial director of the Barclays Premiership. I tried to encourage him to sell the rights of the Premiership in the Caribbean, but he said it would be too much hassle because the Caribbean is so small.
At half time, during dinner, he asked if I knew Courtney Walsh. I said yes and that he was one of my best friends. Courtney was playing for an English team at the time. He then said that his son is a young fast bowler who was obsessed with Courtney Walsh. He also said that his son’s 15th birthday was coming up and expounded that if I could get him an autographed picture of Courtney, he would see what he could do about getting the Caribbean rights to the game. I called Courtney right away. He took the gentleman and his son out to lunch and had a training session with the child. That was actually the genesis of SportsMax. He carved out the Caribbean Barclays Premiership rights for me and I bought it at a steal. I took it to the two stations in Jamaica and a couple stations in Trinidad but nobody was interested. I then decided to use the rights myself and started the sports channel in 2001.
How did your tenure as Chairman and Chief Operating Officer at LIME come about? Cable and Wireless had fallen on really hard times and they were being decimated by the competition. I think that is what attracted me the most to them. I was already familiar with the industry through the sports rights. The first thing I decided to do was to turn around the market and the brand for them.
Tell us about Ready TV Ready TV is the first product of what we are anticipating to be a range of telecommunications-related products. It is a pay TV service that we will implement in Jamaica by the first quarter of 2017. We want to be the affordable choice for Jamaicans and the Broadcasting Commission just awarded us a 12-year license. A very significant part of Jamaica only gets free channels and our goal is to totally change that.
For us to have such a large part of the population not being exposed to all the information on TV really holds us back. It is basically the starter pack for broadband. I thought we should first get basic proper television into everybody’s home. I think people are going to be very surprised and very pleased because of the convenience and the affordability. Our tagline is ‘TV when you are ready’. It is not possible to compete in anything unless you back yourself. You have to back yourself against your strongest and weakest competitors. I see so many people coming out of the University of the West Indies, the vast majority of which are women but for some reason society has almost trained them to not back themselves. They are the ones who need to be taking entrepreneurial risks because they have the foundation and they have far more ability to compete, they just don’t realise it, although more and more women are realising that. Generally, as male or females they need to have confidence in their abilities.
What is the strangest rumour that you have ever heard about yourself? A lot of people think I am a snob which I find strange. I am terrified of flying, for example, and my friends know that the night before I fly, I find it difficult to sleep because there is something in my brain that cannot comprehend how they are keeping this huge thing in the air for so long. Whenever I get on the plane I would look back and see all those people and it would scare me. There would be people on the plane who know me and would try to catch my eye and me not turning around may be where the idea about my snobbishness originates. Also, it’s almost impossible to be a snob if you play football. Football is played in the ghettoes of Jamaica and those are the people I grew up with, those are my friends.
What is one thing that a lot of people do not know about you? I garden every day, early in the morning before I go to work and at night before I go to bed. I am a kleptomaniac when it comes to plants. I go to people’s houses and break off pieces of their plants, I love them. Just watering the garden helps me to relax.
Tell us about your family I have a fantastic family. I have a beautiful wife and a 4-year-old daughter who keeps me very energised. I also have a 22 -year-old son who gives me nothing but trouble, who occupies my time, but I enjoy him and I enjoy my family. My wife is Brazilian. The funny thing is football is my favourite sport so I have been to every World Cup since 1990. I have always pretended to be Brazilian, except in 1998 when Jamaica went, but I really admire the way they play and celebrate the game. Going to a Brazil football World Cup game is a party. It starts at 6 am and ends at 6 am the next morning. It is fantastic to be a part of all that. I will put on my shirt and go to all the matches as a Brazilian, therefore, when I met this really beautiful Brazilian girl, who happened to be working for Cable and Wireless in Miami, fate brought us together.
What does Wealth mean to you? Wealth is being able to live your life. It does not mean that you have a lot of money, it means that you are satisfied with what you have. It is about ensuring that you have a good quality of life for you and your family. I certainly feel wealthy because I have incredible friends and family. We are able to put food on the table and put people through college. I feel wealthy because of those things.
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FASHION
The Power of the Suit Daniel Edwards
I
n 2012, I had a spiritual awakening and decided that my standard dress code of six years which had contributed to much success in my sales career was no longer necessary. I told myself, ‘I don’t need these stupid suits! The clients are buying my personality, charisma and my exciting product.’
Boy was I wrong. Down and down my sales figures went and so did my mojo. There were other factors that contributed to the decline of my performance, but in hindsight it began with the loss of the powerful feeling that wearing a suit gave me. Fast forward to 2014 and I was forced to buy a nice sports coat for my girlfriend’s graduation ceremony. Even today, when we discuss the moment I put it on for the first time, she says, “I saw something different in your eyes the second you tried it on.” I started wearing the jacket to work occasionally, whenever I didn’t think I was “too cool for school”. I got compliments consistently from women and even men; on those days I felt like a champ again. Suddenly, people called me “Sir” everywhere I went. Women held the door for me… yes- WOMEN!!! I wondered if I was in the matrix.
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I was strutting with my chest out again and feeling unstoppable. Sales began to pick up and I was becoming “luckier and luckier”. I came to my senses and stepped up my suit game and haven’t been seen suit-less or broke on the job ever since. This social experiment blew my mind. What happened? Wasn’t I the same Daniel? What made me so special all of a sudden? Well to be truthful, there were a number of contributing factors. But the catalyst, the spark that ignited that new flame was a sharply tailored suit and his co-stars, the well-cut spread collar shirt, slim tie and monk-strap loafers.
My co-conspirators set the tone for my rise from the ashes. I felt invincible with my new found sartorial arsenal, more professional, more optimistic, more confident and…my behaviour followed suit…get it? Now that I’ve shared my layman experience, let’s look at what science has to say about the psychological phenomena associated with the way others perceive us based on our appearance. The Confirmation Bias is a mental shortcut used by humans wherein we look at someone and quickly form an impression then look for evidence in their behaviour to confirm our assumptions. For example, you met someone and thought he appeared dishonest and he happened to not make eye contact with you while speaking,
you might say, ‘ah hah I knew it…he can’t be trusted,’ when in fact the person might have just been distracted. The problem is that these impressions are often erroneous, but still used to frame the receiver for years to come. The Stereotype is another mental shortcut used to quickly classify and categorise individuals. People will project preconceived beliefs about the groups you are a member of and judge you accordingly. An example is ‘all politicians are corrupt’. The Primacy Effect states that the initial impression that someone forms upon meeting you will be maintained forever (or a very long time), barring some extreme changes in the receiver’s behaviour. This would explain why you’re 45 years old and your mother still treats you as if you’re 10.
Lastly, the Halo Effect is the tendency to assume that if a person has one strong positive trait then other things are positive about him/her. For example, ‘He has a nice car, he must have a nice house’. The truth is that people judge us based on our appearance and they are numerous studies that corroborate this. The beauty of understanding these psychological phenomena is that you can tip the scales of impression formation/management in your favour. All you have to do is to ensure that you fall within groups that are perceived and stereotyped in a positive light. Success is something you attract by the person you’ve become but you also become successful based on the person you appear to be. So by dressing well you are setting a self-fulfilling prophecy in motion.
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Let’s look at the relationship: 1. You aren’t successful, but you dress for it anyway > People observe you and assume you are or have potential to be successful > They treat you accordingly > You adjust your behaviour as a result > You manifest the success. To be clear here, I am in no way stating that merely dressing well trumps the core fundamentals of success such as tenacity, dedication, hard work, consistency etc. But it does create a powerful spark! Let’s get into the fundamentals of a power wardrobe
The Jacket. There are three types of jackets: blazer, sports coat and suit jacket. The blazer is typically a solid colour and often with metal buttons and is the quintessential entry level business wardrobe item. The navy blue blazer is as flexible as it gets; it can be worn with any colour pants and shoes. You can dress it up with slacks and a tie or dress it down with jeans. The sports coat is multi-coloured or patterned. It comes in different weights and is an excellent way to add some flair, variety and flexibility to your wardrobe. The secret to success with the sports coat is to be bold, but never loud; always pair it with a snazzy pocket square. The suit jacket comes with matching pants of the same material and of course is the Real McKoy. I recommend the two button single breasted jacket as the safe standard choice and the modern six button double breast as an edgy fashion forward statement maker. The double breast suit has been M.I.A since the early nineties, but is finally back en vogue with a deeper cut closely to the body creating a strong athletic silhouette.
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Stick to the four primary colours of business suits for starters: charcoal, navy blue, medium grey and light grey. You may be wondering why I left out black. Well for starters, I believe black suits should be reserved for funerals, formal functions, member of a security detail, an assassin or Bounty Killa. If that’s all you have at the moment, then ensure that it’s sharply tailored and wear a strong shirt/tie combination to give that much needed ‘pop’. As you incrementally improve your wardrobe you can incorporate some patterns into the mix such as a narrow or medium pinstripe (no wide, bold pinstripes unless you are a 1920s Mafia don), windowpane check, gingham and plaid (no loud plaid unless you’re channeling Oral Tracey). Ensure that the suit is made of natural fibres such as wool, cotton, mohair, linen (not too soft or thin unless you are channeling a ‘90s dancehall artiste). These fabrics breathe well and drape your body perfectly giving you a stately profile. Never buy synthetic fabrics such as polyester, rayon, viscose etc.
from good fabric and tailored perfectly will decimate any designer suit with the wrong fit. Dressing for your body type is another crucial factor. For skinny to athletic built men the fit of choice is slim fit. For stocky, heavy set build I would opt for regular fit up to portly fit depending on the person’s size. If the suits are off the rack, still have them tailored post-purchase for that glove-like fit. Ill-fitting pants are another deal breaker. A pant leg should break at the one-inch mark. Baggy pants or high waters are a definite no-no. Also ensure that the crotch and seat sit well. The pants width should be slim except for the heavy-set.
The next key ingredient in the suit soup is the dress shirt. Ideally cotton should be the fabric of choice. Cotton/ spandex/lyrca blends are fine too as long as the ratio is no less that 70:30 in cotton’s favour. Go for an edgier approach with a spread, penny or cutaway collar and if you get your hands on a French cuff shirt with cool cufflinks you will be really rolling with the big boys The only thing more crucial than the now. People rarely wear cufflinks anymore fabric is how the suit fits. Many have and it’s a sure-fire way to distance fallen short of the glory because of an ill-fitting suit. An inexpensive suit made yourself from the pack.
The icing on the cake is the Necktie.
Tie Rules – • The width of the tie should match the lapel.
Now let’s put it all together with
T-180 Image Consulting © 11 Style commandments.
• The tip must rest just above or on your belt.
1. Dress for the job you want, not the
• Choose ONLY silk, wool, cotton or linen. No shiny satin ties please: You aren’t Donald Trump.
2. Never appear as if you made
• No super skinny ties (too trendy for business). • No super wide ties: you aren’t in the seventies.
one you have.
too much effort in putting an outfit together.
3. Be bold but never loud. 4. If the suit doesn’t fit, you ain’t legit. 5. It hurts if you don’t wear the right shirt.
If your suit is the ship, then the shoes are the anchor. Make sure your shoes are 100 per cent genuine leather and can take a shine. A man with a shine on his shoes is a man serious about his business. Remember only black shoes can be worn with black suits.
6. You lose if you snooze on the shoes. 7. Leave some for later. 8. Make ONE clothing item the star of the show.
9. When in doubt choose “classic” over “trendy”.
10. Never mix more than two patterns at once.
11. Find and befriend a good tailor.
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FEATURE
Coal
Let’s Talk About
Economics vs. Environmental Impact Ashleigh-Ann Mowatt
J
inquan Iron and Steel Company ( JISCO) hopes to resuscitate operations at Alpart bauxite/alumina refinery by introducing modern mining technologies to include a 1000MW coal-fired power plant for bauxite-smeltering. The new Chinese owner of Jamaica’s largest alumina refinery, JISCO, was officially recognised on July 19 when the Chinese company’s top brass signed the sales agreement with the plant’s former owner Russian firm, UC Rusal at an elaborate ceremony in Beijing, China. And while the sale is not expected to be finalized until November 2016, JISCO has already laid down its plans to modify, upgrade and expand industrial work processes at Alpart. Its multi-million-dollar expansion project includes the establishment of a modern industrial zone comprising bauxite mines, an alumina refinery, a coal-fired power plant, a local electricity network, rolling wire mills, among other subsidiary industrial projects. But of all the elements of Alpart’s expansion, environmentalists in the island are displeased with the anticipated 1000MW coal-fired power plant.
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The green advocates are describing this project as a blatant attempt by the government and its Chinese business partners to impose on the island’s current environmental protection policies by using one of the most hazardous fossil fuels to facilitate the redevelopment of large-scale bauxite mining in the island.
Let’s Talk About Coal According to executive director of the Jamaica Environmental Trust ( JET), Diana McCaulay a coal-fired plant would
“lock us (Jamaicans) into an unsustainable and harmful source of energy for at least 50 years,” given the significant risks its pollutants pose to public health. McCaulay explains, in a press release, that one such pollutant is sulphur dioxide which is a trigger for asthma attacks. Further to that, when sulphur dioxide combines with water vapour it produces acid rain which can be a serious threat to soil and crops grown in St. Elizabeth.
Her position on the matter is strongly supported by CEO of Change Communication Indi McLymont- Lafayette who questions the Government’s decision to endorse a project that may potentially burden the island’s water resources. “Is the Government really looking long term and keeping in mind the climate change considerations? Why do we want to add something else that we know is going to be a heavy strain on our water resources?” Mrs. McLymont- Lafayette asks as she reflects on Jamaica’s extended drought period since 2010. However, when former chairman of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and Co-Chair of the Energy Monitoring Committee, Dr. Carlton Davis considers the likely options- liquefied natural gas and oil, he maintains that coal is the best option for generating the “enormous amount of energy” required for bauxite smeltering. “A 5000-tonne aluminium smelter takes nearly 700 or more megawatts of electricity more than our peak consumption in Jamaica…the project has to overcome two viability tests – economic and environmental,” Davis says.
Energy Consultant, Dr. Audley Darmand further posits that a 1000MW coal-based power plant is an “unseen good”. “Jamaica has about 800-plus megawatts installed in plants across the island, we’ve never used more than 650 megawatts (in the summer); you are bringing on three times your base load, a Government that does that must have an economic strategy in place to put people to work…” Darmand explains. Darmand suggests that the excess energy being generated from the plant should drive the transformation of the island’s commercial and productive sector. “Whilst most of it will be used for smeltering bauxite, we had better start let the commercial and productive sector know that you don’t turn off the light at 6’o clock…you really need to ramp up your productivity and move to three shifts.”
And the new Chinese owner of the island’s alumina refinery seems to share this economic growth vision since it has announced that 3000 jobs will be made available at Alpart by 2020.
Striking the Balance However, a thick smog of contention between economics and environmental impact still lingers. Can the planned 1000MW coal-based electricity project efficiently manage its impact on the environment while sustaining the resurgence and expansion of large-scale alumina production at Alpart? Coal supporters are quite confident of this likelihood since the fossil-based electricity plant will utilise “clean coal” technology. Energy Engineer Wayne Grant explains that operators of these advanced electricity generation facilities invest “in more efficient supercritical and ultra-supercritical boiler technologies which emits less carbon dioxide,” in comparison to conventional coal-fired boilers.
Citing model examples in Germany, Poland and Denmark, coal advocates argue that there will be less carbon pollution than what environmentalists are predicting, because the advanced machinery would burn less coal. However, environmentalists argue that clean coal technology could put Jamaica out of pocket considering its exorbitant operational cost. A 2010 report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), describes carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology as “challenging quoting $26 billion committed in the previous two years to CCS projects”. In July 2016, the New York Times reported that a modern, coal-fired power plant in Mississippi – not yet operational – has racked up more than US$4 billion in expenses, far beyond its initial budget of US$2.4 billion. Further to that, there is an assertion that customers in the southern state’s Kemper County will see a 13 percent increase in their electricity bills when the utility company attempts to salvage its regrettable financial position. Considering these facts, Jamaicans continue to question whether or not the proposed redevelopment of Alpart can truly contribute to the growth of the island’s economy.
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Publisher’s Note
A
s I sit here writing this publisher’s note I am in a coffee shop that is a true testament of entrepreneurship in our island of Jamaica. Cannon Ball Café provides a place for me to sit away from the hustle and bustle of the Wealth Magazine office and gather my thoughts and think of my next move or catch up on some emails to clients, all while enjoying a cup of coffee and a great sandwich.
We also cover the coal energy solution that has been brought forward to Jamaicans by the Government that we are told will save us money in the long run, but how will it impact the environment and ultimately our health is a serious question we are trying to answer.
But the thing I appreciate about this café is the fact that this was once just an idea that has exploded into a market that had a need for this service through hard work, strategy and dedication by its owners. This takes me into the cover articles we have this month; Christopher Dehring and John Azar have both built brands that have made major impact, not only in Jamaica, but across the Caribbean. Their stories, although different, teach us that we can achieve our dreams if we apply ourselves and work hard for our dreams.
I love hearing from you so please email me at info@cmeja.com with any questions, queries or suggestions to help us improve.
We also hope you love the additions of our fitness articles and in-depth travel pieces from our roaming writer, Laura Tanna, who has opened doors to countries that many of us have not visited.
Until the Christmas edition, cheers.
Leighton Davis Managing Editor
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
ABCs
of Personal Growth Kara-Sue Sweeney, MBA, NASM-CPT
A - Appreciation
I
t’s been said that if you have clothes on your back, food in your cupboards and a roof over your head, then you are wealthier than 80% of the world’s population. Sometimes it can be hard to be appreciative of the things we are already blessed with because our focus tends to be on the problems we are trying to solve or the needs we have unmet. But sometimes all we need is a little change in perspective to help propel us towards living a more enriched, fulfilling life. According to Businessinsider.com successful entrepreneurs and innovators like Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson and John Paul DeJoria consciously
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practice gratitude on a daily basis. They do so to achieve more, to be happy and to make a difference. Even so, it tends to be a virtue that very few people practice on a pro-active basis. In fact, it is more often stirred up in us only when loss or even the potential of loss looms overhead. If we suddenly become ill or our health is threatened, we begin to appreciate the things that illness would prevent: vitality, strength, use of our limbs or faculties. If we lose a loved one or even an acquaintance, we begin to speak about all the things we will miss or the things we admired about them. But gratitude is something that should be practiced on a daily basis, not something that is done in retrospect. There is an interesting phenomenon that says what you focus on magnifies. So focus on the things you want more
of and soon you will see more of that in your life. Author Robert Brault reminds us, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things.” An effective way to help develop appreciation for the little things is by keeping a Gratitude Journal. This is a journal in which you record all the things you are grateful for in your life. In order to make it a practice, each day you should record in it the things you are appreciative of or grateful for that day. You can set a specific number for each entry, five things, three things, or even just one thing. But whatever number you choose, try to be consistent and record that many things each day, at minimum. The purpose of the journal is to cultivate a habit of gratitude and so repetition is key. At first you may be able to think of many things, but
the day may come when you struggle to find even one. In that moment, start to really think about the things that you may take for granted: friendships, employment, electricity, indoor plumbing, no traffic on the way home, etc. The list can be endless. But if you ever get stuck, think about this. What if you woke up tomorrow only with the things you gave thanks for today? With this perspective, certainly you will be able to ramble off the
to the blessings in your life, you will begin to notice that there are more and more things to be grateful for. The truth is many of those things have always been there. You are now just expanding your perspective so you can truly begin to appreciate them. When your mind is in this receptive, abundant state, your level of creativity, wisdom and understanding is also increased. You will find that this also allows you to approach your challenges and obstacles with a widened perspective, thereby resulting in more creative ideas and solutions. The second step of appreciation is action. It is one thing to keep a journal and consciously record the things that you are grateful for, but you ramp it up to another level when you start taking action on your gratitude by expressing it to others. If the things you are grateful for
plethora of things in your life that you are grateful for. Once you begin this habit of gratitude, your brain will start being on the look-out for things that happen during the day that you can be thankful for. You will begin opening up your consciousness to alert you to things that you formerly would have overlooked. Soon you will stop focusing on what you don’t have or what you think you
are the result of someone else’s actions, then show them your appreciation. Let them know it. So many times we assume that people should know how we feel, just because. But we are not mind-readers. If your wife helped you think through a problem you were having with a colleague at work, let her know how much it helped. If it’s something she does on a continual basis, maybe take her to dinner or buy her flowers just because. If your child did all their homework and cleaned up their room without being asked, express your appreciation for not having to yell or argue that day. Yes, our children should be doing this anyway, but the best way to assure a repeat in good behaviour is by acknowledging and even rewarding it. The same is true at work. Commend your employees when you see them being pro-active or taking initiative. Public recognition for good behaviour is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways that you can promote loyalty and job satisfaction in your staff.
need and you will start to realize that you already have more than enough. It doesn’t mean you become complacent and stop pursuing your goals. It just means you allow yourself to enjoy the journey more. This is the first step of practicing gratitude and appreciation. By increasing your awareness
Now what if the source of your gratitude is not from someone in particular? This is no excuse for not taking action. You can still express your gratitude for the things you have in your life by doing something good for someone else. If you are grateful for lunch in the afternoon, perhaps you can offer to buy someone else’s lunch. If you are grateful for a car to drive to and from work each day, maybe offer to give someone a ride who doesn’t own a car. If you are grateful for more than enough clothes in your closet, this weekend you could donate some clothes that you no longer use to those less fortunate. The goal here is to do something. When you express your gratitude to someone else, whether or not they are the source of it, you not only increase your own levels of appreciation, you also stir up the “gratitude bug” in the other person. And then the cycle continues, to which end you may never know. But it won’t be long before you become the recipient of someone else’s gratitude.
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Because as the life principle states, we will always reap what we sow. So what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present. Start practicing appreciation and gratitude. Record your gratitude in a journal every day. Express your appreciation to others in actionable ways. Take time to appreciate the little things as much as the big things in life. Don’t let the moment pass when you can do something or say something to live out your gratitude. Live your life on purpose and in gratitude, for there is no other way to truly live.
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When you express your gratitude to someone else, whether or not they are the source of it, you not only increase your own levels of appreciation, you also stir up the “gratitude bug” in the other person.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Time Crunch Exercise Kara-Sue Sweeney, NASM-CPT
W
e all know the importance of taking care of ourselves, eating right and exercising, but we struggle with finding the time to fit it into our already jammedpacked schedules. This is when we must stop and take stock of our priorities. We must make a conscious effort to analyze or do an audit if you will of our calendars, to ensure that we are not neglecting important things just because they are not seemingly as important as others.
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There are two main reasons why exercise and healthy eating do not fall very high on most people’s priority list. The first is that the consequence of not doing it is not immediate. We know we should exercise 3-5 times per week, even if we do not need to lose any weight. We know that cardiovascular activity has proven associations with longevity, vitality, stress reduction and so much more. And we further know that the lack of exercise can have serious health repercussions.
But the problem is, those adverse consequences are not immediate. In fact, they may or may not happen and even if they do, they probably won’t for a few decades. But what would happen, I wonder, if you skipped a workout today and then tomorrow you woke up with a chronic ulcer? Or what would happen if you ate half a pizza today and then tomorrow you were 20 pounds heavier? These examples are a little far-fetched I know, but if the lack of prioritizing our health on a daily or
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even weekly basis were to impact us this readily, I would venture to say that our gyms would be overflowing, fast food restaurants would clean up their menus and health food stores would be opening at a rapid rate.
Meaning, we satisfy that immediate gratification itch so that we enjoy ourselves today, all the while risking our own future health and happiness. Ok, so what if we decided that today we will choose differently? Today we will do something to prioritize our future selves. Even a small step in the right direction can yield tremendous results. Once you consciously make the decision that you will start being more active and you will start making healthier food choices, you will find that more and more opportunities will present themselves to aid you in your endeavours. But until that happens, let’s take a look at a few ways that you can sneak in more activity in your schedule.
The second reason we don’t prioritize exercise and healthy eating is because it hurts and it’s no fun. According to famed personal achievement expert Tony Robbins, our natural tendency as humans is to move either towards pleasure or away from pain. When we skip the workout it is because we are trying to avoid pain and when we opt for the junk food we are seeking pleasure. Unfortunately, when we make decisions like these, we are looking only at the short term at the expense of long term.
Walk more. It is recommended that we take 800010,000 steps per day to experience health benefits. Unfortunately, the average that most people walk is closer to about 5000-6000 steps per day. This is because we drive everywhere we go and use our phones and email to have conversations instead of face to face, even within our homes and offices. Instead of having your lunch delivered to the office, perhaps engage a friend and go for walk to the restaurant. Or whenever you park your car, whether at work, supermarket, church or wherever, try to find the furthest parking spot away from the front door. This will force you to walk a further distance, both going and coming. Stop always trying to find the quickest most convenient way to go somewhere or get something. Instead, start thinking about how each activity can be used as an opportunity to get more steps in. If you own a smart phone you can download a pedometer app for free, which will help keep you on track toward a goal of 8000-10000 steps per day.
“Walking is the easiest and cheapest form of exercise. There really is no excuse.”
If you can walk, you should walk more.
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2
Forego the elevator and take the stairs. This may be a challenge if you work in a high-rise building, but just start somewhere. Maybe take the stairs for the first two flights and then the elevator for the rest. Then each day, or every other day challenge yourself to go a bit further, until you can forego the elevator altogether. It is not a race. Take your time and pace yourself. When you climb stairs you are increasing your cardiovascular endurance while building muscle in your legs and buttocks, both of which are extremely beneficial to your overall health. Muscle is metabolically active. What this means is that the more muscle on your body, the more calories you will burn, even when you are at rest. And don’t worry ladies, more muscle won’t make you look big and bulky. That bulky look happens when muscle is built underneath layers of fat. But when you are increasing your cardiovascular endurance, you will also be burning fat, so the result is a lean, svelte look instead. You can even increase the intensity by skipping one step when climbing stairs. While climbing the stairs, clench your glutes (i.e. squeeze
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the butt) of the leading leg on each step up, thereby working the muscle even harder. After the first couple days of doing this, you may feel some pain in your buttocks and thighs. This is normal! In fact, this is a very good sign that your muscles are growing, so don’t stop because it hurts a little. It’s a little pain now, for future joy later. You should aim to climb the stairs at least 2-3 times throughout the day. Once in the morning, again at lunch and possibly once more in the late afternoon. It is actually very productive, both physically and mentally, to take a 5-10-minute break for a little exercise, especially in the late afternoon.
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Finally, when you are alone in your office or at your desk, take a few minutes and do seated squats. Push your chair back from your desk and from seated position stand up without using your hands to assist you. Then return to seated position slowly, again without using your hands for assistance and without dropping back into the chair. This movement works your core muscles (abs and lower back) as well as
your quads (front of thighs) and your buttocks. If at first it is too difficult to do without assistance, start by using just one hand or even just a finger or two to help you balance and then work your way up to doing it unassisted. Do ten repetitions three times throughout the day, perhaps once when you first arrive to work (after climbing your stairs) then again at lunch and once more before leaving for the day. So perhaps you don’t have an hour every day to spend at the gym, but do you have ten minutes in the morning to go for a walk around your neighbourhood? Do you have 15 minutes in the evening before dinner where you can do a few sets of exercise? I challenge you to take back your schedule, take back your time. When you make the decision, when you choose to prioritize your health, suddenly the time appears. And even with limited time, you can start by incorporating these activities throughout your day. Before you know it, your health will be improving, the pounds will start dropping and you will be well on your way to living a healthy lifestyle.
COVER STORY
King of Security W
idely accepted as a trusted electronic security service provider in Jamaica, King Alarm Systems continues to supply cutting-edge security solutions to a diverse pool of customers spanning across the entire Caribbean region. The company, which began operations in June 2000, currently monitors in excess of 11,500 locations, with over 10,500 locations presently benefitting from its 24-hour central station monitoring & armed response services. In a sit-down interview with Wealth Magazine, Managing Director John Azar said the dominant market position his 17-year-old digital security company presently enjoys in the Caribbean is a fulfilment of his childhood dream – to serve and protect others in the truest sense. “I do recall vividly my mother's account of how she and my sister had been held up and robbed when I was a young boy. Perhaps subconsciously that got me thinking about the importance of serving and protecting others,” Azar said. The astute Jamaican businessman, native of Kingston and the youngest in his family, went on to study Criminology at the Florida State University in the United States. Following graduation, he was employed as Customer Relations Manager at an electronic security firm in Jamaica. Four years after, in 1999, Azar established his own electronic security firm- King Alarm Systems Limited.
Fulfilling the Vision Electronic security was fairly new to Jamaicans in the late 1990s therefore King Alarm initially specialised in the installation and servicing of electronic security products for residential and commercials properties. “About five years ago we ventured out into the static side of security in terms of security guards and thank God that side of the business has grown tremendously so we
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have fulfilled our mandate…in being a complete security entity; anything a client wants security-related we can provide it,” Azar said. Within eight years of operation, King Alarm became the largest electronic security systems provider in the Caribbean, which the managing director describes as a “tremendous achievement for the company.” King Alarm Systems offers a wide range of products customised to meet the specific and unique needs of its diverse pool of customers. Its wide array of security products includes CCTV surveillance systems which allow customers to view their assets wherever they are in the world, Access Control Systems which utilise the latest Biometric Technology, and two distinct vehicle tracking systems – a personal panic-button response for recovering stolen vehicles; and a commercial, fleet management system designed to help serial entrepreneurs keep track of their assets.
“I pride myself in saying that any electronic security product available on the first world market is available in Jamaica through King Alarm” Azar added. He said that King Alarm is the first security company in Jamaica to utilise night vision equipment for its mobile response team. Regionally, the digital security giant offers support services for private security companies in other Caribbean countries to include Trinidad & Tobago, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Antigua & Barbuda. All service areas of the business are monitored by an uninterrupted, 24-hour central station manned by eight digital security specialists. And the company looks to expand its service offering soon.
General Manager Andrew Graham told Wealth Magazine that by the end of 2016, King Alarm Systems will roll out its marine patrol service which will protect the island’s coastlines where its hotel clients are situated.
Security Services for All Jamaicans Many people would assume that digital security services are solely within the reach of a select crop of wealthy Jamaicans, however the company’s chief executive said that affordability is most critical to King Alarm’s mandate. The leading security provider has maintained a competitive pricing structure to ensure that the majority of its services offered can be accessed by customers of different economic standings across the region. “We have different target markets, but our ‘bread and butta’ product which is the alarm service backed by our monitor and response service is probably the most affordable in the (Caribbean) region and I think that has a lot to do with our business model… serving a wider cross section of Jamaicans as it relates to protecting their lives,” Azar shared.
company’s premier Alarm systems; and JM2000 as the starting price for its vehicle tracking service. “What we’ve attempted to do… is to keep our services as cost-effective as possible to try allow consumers to continue to fit us in their budget. We want to make security (services) not just for the chosen few but available to as wide a cross-section of Jamaicans as possible,” Azar added. While the chief stakeholders of the security company were not willing to share trade secrets, they explained that King Alarm “keeps its pulse” on developments in the industry so that it remains ahead of the curve in service delivery and product quality. ” The criminal elements are not sitting back on their laurels either so we need to constantly be one step ahead of the game,” Azar commented. The company’s chief executives attend most of the major electronic security conferences held each year in first-world countries as they constantly seek to modify their products and services to meet international standards.
John Azar proudly quoted US50 per month as the starting cost for the
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Staff Training Strengthens Service Delivery King Alarm Systems conducts thorough background investigations before an applicant is considered for employment. The company justifies this military-style screening of applicants with a firm belief that it will translate into staff members who exhibit high standard of professionalism, synonymous with its corporate image. Incidentally, a significant portion of its resources is invested in a robust, on-thejob training programme for its staff, with priority focus given to members of its armed response unit.
“We live by the belief that having an untrained man with a gun protecting you probably puts you at greater risk than if you had no security….” Azar said.
The leading security provider currently employs 1,500 Jamaicans, and approximately 1,300 are assigned to the mobile security response unit as either response team leaders, armed response officers or security officers. The armed guards are assessed and trained at least once, each quarter of the year, as the company seeks to fulfil its mandate of consistently delivering optimal electronic security solutions. “What we succeed in doing is providing a different level of security officer, not just the traditional guard, but a highly trained security professional who is capable of fulfilling our clients’ needs,” Azar added. King Alarm Systems prides itself on offering the best compensation packages for security professionals in Jamaica, outside of the industry’s norm in Jamaica. Graham outlined that staff motivation, in the form of attractive compensation and a favourable working environment, is vital to the company’s daily accomplishments.
“It is proven that a happy, contented staff provides a higher level of service so my aim everyday is to ensure that my staff is contented as possible as they carry out their duties,” Graham said. However, Azar noted that his company is not spared of customer service challenges which plague most Jamaican businesses. “Our struggle, because our standards are so high is to constantly reiterate to our staff that in many ways we are not competing with only our competitors; we are competing with ourselves to continually raise the bar and to ensure that the best possible services and products are available to the Jamaican consumer,” Azar said. The chief executive leads by example by ensuring that at least five managers are on duty to swiftly address eventualities where service delivery falls below the expected standard. John Azar’s constant thrust to improve service delivery and staff performance at King Alarm has made it the security company of choice for a number of commercial enterprises in Jamaica, including the chain of hotels on the North Coast. According to Graham, the company’s superior electronic security solutions are also admired by Jamaica’s diplomatic partners as “the vast majority of (foreign) embassies in Jamaica are protected by King Alarm.”
· John Azar, managing director (left) and Andrew Graham, general manager.
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CAREER
5
Things to Consider Before Starting a Business Sheri-Kae McLeod
M
any entrepreneurs will tell you there’s something fulfilling about starting your own business. Seeing your idea come to fruition and attaining success is much like watching a baby spend months crawling on the floor then one day takes its first step. And many innovators would love to enjoy the perks of owning their own business…think about it! You’re enjoying the profit, being your own boss, and mesmerising on the fact that this is my business. But the truth is, starting a business can be challenging and not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. There are many things that you should consider before venturing into the entrepreneurship world. Here are a few:
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1
Your niche market. Your niche market is the specific market that you are targeting with your product or service. It’s important to know who your niche market is; only then will you know exactly how to market your business. Whether it be a specific age group, a specific area or a specific gender, marketing your product or service is easier when you know your audience.
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How Much Money Do You Have? Capital is important in all businesses. Some entrepreneurs foolishly believe that they just need money to keep them for a short time – till the business is up and running. But that’s not true! It’s easier to self fund start-up for small businesses in comparison to start-up for medium to large sized businesses. So if you’re thinking about starting a small business, ask yourself, ‘How much money do I have?’ Remember that businesses usually get off to a slow start so start-up cash should be adequate to maintain the business for a few months. As for medium to large-sized businesses, entrepreneurs may have to inject funds into the start-up account because financial institutions may not provide all the capital you need. Now this may sound risky, but investing some of your own savings in the business is actually a good idea when you consider the possibility that your business can see a triple-fold turnover in a few years.
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How Much Money Can You Borrow? In the case of medium to large-sized businesses, a large sum of money is usually needed for start-up capital. This is where borrowing comes into play. There are many things to consider when seeking a business loan from a financial institution. These institutions normally evaluate: collateral, credit, the risk in issuing a loan, and most definitely the business plan in order to choose the best candidates for business loans. It is up to the entrepreneurs to research and choose the best institutions to shop for business loans. If you are unable to get all the necessary capital needed for a start-up, other means of making money should be considered, for example: a fund-raiser or a cookout.
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Are You Willing to Bare the Losses? Some people think being an entrepreneur is glamourous – nobody to answer to – and it’s just you and your profit. But business start-ups are sometimes unsuccessful. The reality is that starting a business is a risk and managing that business is hard work. When all is said and done, there is a chance that it might fail. Consider investing all your time and energy into the business, to see it fail. If that is to happen, could you handle it? Are you able to watch something that you built, fail? This is an important question all budding entrepreneurs should think about before starting a business.
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How Much Time are You Able to Invest? Running a business is time consuming; especially if you are the only one doing it. Evaluating how much time you can invest is necessary before starting a business because it might come as a surprise when you realise just how overwhelming it can be. From promoting to dealing with customers, to product management and financial responsibilities, it will surely take up most – if not all – of an entrepreneur’s time.
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CAREER
Behind the Desk Judith Denton Sales and Marketing Manager, Kingston Industrial Garage 1. What are some of your main responsibilities as Sales and Marketing Manager? Overseeing a team of 12, across logistics, vehicle predelivery, sales, and graphic design while ensuring that our vehicle brands – Ford, Subaru, Jeep, and Yamaha motorcycles get the exposure and recognition they deserve, are among the primary responsibilities. Staying aware and sharing new knowledge of market conditions, industry innovations and updates as well as ensuring that the training process is ongoing - and being a quick-response point person for our vehicle manufacturers and franchise holders is key..
2. What is a typical day like “Behind the Desk”? Being both the sales manager and the marketing manager for four international brands is both exciting and challenging. There is a definite upside in holding both posts, in that my finger is on the pulse when it comes to product features and specifications, what has been ordered, and what is in stock at any given moment - so the marketing of each model is timely and relevant. A typical day behind the
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desk for sales means working with sales administration and the sales team on all aspects related to the roles, which will include reviewing and approving new quotations, customer engagements, and vehicle logistics - ensuring customer satisfaction at every step of the sales process is the ultimate goal! In the meantime - forecasts, budgets, market surveys, and vehicle orders for one or more of our manufacturers are on the agenda at all times. Marketing activities are equally dynamic, so creating ad briefs, planning and executing campaigns, shows and events, reviewing sponsorship and partnership requests are par for the course.
3. What are 5 things you must find on the desk of a Sales and Marketing Manager? 1. The daily newspaper/s 2. Vehicle stock sheets 3. A calculator 4. A phone 5. A notebook
4. How are you fulfilling a career goal through your current position? I have worked for many years in positions where I formed part of the opening team of new entities in Jamaica (and across the region), moving on to other projects once each was up and running. It has been some time since I stayed to contribute to the long-term growth and development of one division or company – my current goal, and I am happy to bring my natural and acquired abilities, as well as a strong customer service bent to my current position.
5. Tell us one thing about your job that many people would not know. We do all our event coordination, social media, articles and creative, in-house. This is handled by a very small team, without any agency or execution team involvement. I write our ad copy, direct the graphic design, script, produce and voice our ads for radio, for example.
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CAREER
Legal Profession:
A Race to the Bottom Yaneek Page
W
hen you have a country that persistently struggles with high rates of youth unemployment and youth apathy in civic affairs, you would think that every effort would be made at the individual, organisational and national level to ensure effective career planning, right? And, that young people would be more educated and empowered than ever before to choose courses of study and career paths that are not only high paying, but in high demand. Unfortunately, though this may seem like the most logical approach, many young people are flocking to careers with challenging prospects for employment, wealth creation and future opportunities.
Case in point, law.
Demand
If you analyse some of the key indicators of supply and demand for legal services in conjunction with anticipated changes in costs and consumption related to technological advancements, it becomes crystal clear that the legal profession may be a race to the bottom for those entering in droves.
• Over 70 per cent of Jamaicans have no certification or vocational skills which has direct implications for their earning and employment potential. In other words, most people can't fetch high wages so the majority of citizens have meagre pockets.
Let’s examine a few of those key indicators when it comes to demand for and supply of legal services:
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• Jamaica's GDP per capita is just over US$5,000 per annum. A fraction of the approximately US$18,000 for Trinidad or US$14,000 in Barbados. In short, we aren't producing enough, which again limits our personal purchasing power.
“It would cost a minimum wage earner making about US$50 per week, at least 75% of his/her ANNUAL salary to be able to bring a legal case to the Supreme Court.” Poor people can barely afford to tell a lawyer 'good morning' much less pay for advice or a retainer. • Jamaica has one of the highest levels of income inequality in this hemisphere. Wealthy clients are very few, and
typically choose well established, high-end firms. The vast majority of lawyers going into traditional practices will need to vie for a slice of the poorer classes.
“Most Jamaicans cannot afford to pay the present average rate
of between $5,000 -$20,000 for legal advice.”
• Most Jamaicans cannot afford to pay upfront for legal services - they will need contingency fee arrangements which are risky and strain cash flows because of how long cases take to be settled/adjudicated. • Jamaicans aren't educated about legal rights in school, which perpetuates ignorance of the law and its protection for us. The effect on demand? If you don't know your rights you won't consider hiring a lawyer to enforce or protect them. • Jamaicans are frustrated and turned off by our slow and 'dysfunctional' justice system, to borrow a term from the US Report on Human Rights Practices (2015) which chastised the country for the poor state of the justice system.
Supply • There has been a rapid increase in the number of persons entering the profession; over 400 per cent in recent years. In 2000, 62 persons were admitted to the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS), however by 2014 that number ballooned to 267. That's with stiff barriers to entry. In fact, without those barriers we could realistically expect to admit 700 lawyers to practice in a single year. • The legal profession does not have a retirement age and many lawyers practice until the end of their lives. Some by choice, others for mainly financial reasons. Jamaicans are also living longer. The result is that the rate of attrition in this profession is relatively low when compared to many others. • Jamaican lawyers already charge among the highest legal fees in the Caribbean (this really shocked the heck out of many lawyers who believe their work is undervalued). Litigants can expect to pay 35 per cent of the cost of a legal claim in legal fees alone, compared with approximately 15 per cent in Barbados, 30.4 per cent in Trinidad, which are both seeing a downward trend in legal rates.
• Not only are market rates for legal services at their peak, they are expected to fall as competition in the market increases and technology drives greater efficiencies, etc. • Strict limitations in the legal professional rules regarding advertising constrains effective marketing/promotion of legal services. This stymies how providers of legal services can educate the public and limit their ability to respond appropriately to their needs. • New business models and advancements in technology are expected to dramatically change access to legal services and how these services are consumed. The expected trend is that artificial intelligence will continue to minimise the need for lawyers. When you reflect on the factors and indicators outlined above, one can’t help but wonder how many of our youth are knowledgeable and forward-thinking enough to make good decisions about their career choices. Law is just one example of where there seems to be a mismatch of expectations versus reality or career prospects, however there are several others. There is no doubt that effective career planning is essential, not only for personal financial freedom and wealth creation, but also for national development and economic growth. Jamaica needs to carefully assess how to develop our most precious resource – which is our human capital. We need our creative talent and brightest minds focused on high growth potential areas and productive sectors which can expand competitive industry, create jobs, and vastly improve our social and economic outcomes. One love, Yaneek Page
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LIFESTYLE
Glyndebourne:
A Fairly Lunatic Concept Laura Tanna
I
f you’ve got wealth you’ve probably done any number of extravagant things in Britain beyond the normal tourist visits to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament and such. Perhaps you’ve gotten into the Royal Box for racing at Ascot, or front row seats to tennis at Wimbledon, but I bet there is one quintessentially English luxury venue that has evaded you, something the founder’s son called “a fairly lunatic
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concept”. Well what Sir George Christie actually said of his father’s venture was: “Starting an opera company from scratch without public subsidy is a fairly lunatic concept and needs passion.” And passion was something John Christie had in spades. He was quite eccentric as Sir George notes that his father’s Best Man was his butler’s child, also named as godfather to George, not the norm for English landed gentry in the early 1930s.
Before his death in 2014, Sir George, who succeeded his father as Chairman of Glyndebourne Productions in 1958, published A Slim Volume recounting Glyndebourne’s history, revealing: “My father was unconsciously following in the footsteps of a tradition prevalent in earlier centuries when the playground of opera was provided in the courts of European aristocrats.”
· Glyndebourne House and Gardens
attractive singers, acting the narrative with panache in sets and costumes of the most gorgeous detail. That tradition continues, with unobtrusive English translations high above the stage, though the opera house has changed and with the advent of guest producers the repertoire of operas has broadened.
· The Organ Room where it all started
When John Christie inherited the Glyndebourne estate in East Sussex, southwest of London, in 1920 he was still a bachelor at 32, having attended both Eton and Cambridge. As a diversion at the estate he had an organ installed where his friend Dr. Lloyd, the Eton organist, could play when visiting. Keen to promote opera in England, John’s amateur opera evenings in the Organ Room eventually led to his meeting Canadian soprano Audrey Mildmay and as they say, the rest is history, a history you can become part of with a little advance planning.
Though John Christie served in World War I, during World War II he helped the war effort by turning the house at Glyndebourne into a home for babies and children evacuated from East London. For 10 years opera lapsed, but by accepting outside funding for the first time, from British industrial enterprises, in 1950 opera at Glyndebourne was reborn. The Glyndebourne Festival Society created in 1951 initiated subscriptions supporting annual programmes while in 1954 Glyndebourne Arts Trust was formed to build an endowment fund. Despite growing to 537 seats, tickets always sold out. So popular is the event that in 1994 a new opera house seating 1,200 opened exactly 60 years to the date of when Mozart’s Le Nozzi di Figaro was first performed at the original house. It was my privilege to attend the same opera in July 2016 starring the hottest soprano now on the scene, South African Golda Schultz, whose soaring high
notes and warm, velvety vocal artistry made for a most memorable evening. Born in Cape Town with a journalism degree from Rhodes University and post graduate studies at the South African College of Music, she debuted in Germany in 2012 in the same role of Contessa Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. The English press noted her “exotic colouring” but whether she is what was once referred to as Cape Coloured or not, she considered it extraordinary to have been nominated for an Afrikaans award while performing an English character, all on account of her incredible talent. What makes this venue so attractive in addition to the productions is the 90-minute interval during which the audience, suitably attired in tuxedos or white dinner jackets, ladies in full-length gowns, enjoy picnicking on the lawns of the lovely gardens next to the sheep fields. Oh, did I fail to mention that grazing sheep next to formally attired audience members sipping champagne is what makes Glyndebourne positively a must-see at least once in your life? Of course standards of dress are changing with a more youthful crowd so that suits and cocktail dresses are also seen.
Set amidst beautiful gardens, beside a large pond with fields rolling off onto the horizon, once married the couple built a small opera house seating 300 which opened in May 1934. They were fortunate to find two non-Jewish refugees who couldn’t abide Adolf Hitler’s Germany. Fritz Busch became the conductor and Carl Ebert the director. They brought in Rudof Bing as general manager and as a team the opera lovers created amazing performances of the highest quality, concentrating on Mozart in the beginning, but always with · Scones and Champagne in the tea room
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LIFESTYLE The 2017 season opens May 20 through 27th August in the late afternoon. Be sure to arrive early enough to indulge in scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream along with your tea and champagne on the terrace restaurant in case you haven’t packed your own picnic basket. Those who prefer just strolling through the gardens and eating in one of the restaurants can choose from Over, Middle or Nether Wallop for which you’ll need reservations in advance. I wondered at the names, only to discover these are Hampshire villages from which the Earls of Portsmouth take their family name. It seems that John Christie’s mother was Lady Rosamond Wallop!
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Members of Glyndebourne (there’s a 25 year waiting list I’m told) and Associate Members get first crack at obtaining tickets for some of the 120 operas during the season but 30 per cent of the tickets are available to the general public and those go on sale 5th March 2017. Visit the website Glyndebourne. com for details. Trains depart Victoria Station connecting to free round-trip shuttle service from Lewes station to and from Glyndebourne. Driving can take two to three hours depending on traffic, though if you hire a car and driver you can start sipping your champagne before you even get there!
· Picnic by the sheep field
LIFESTYLE
Do You Know Your
Relationship Status Nicole T. DaCosta
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s professionals we often get so caught up in the activities (socialising, work, school, social media, etc) of our daily lives that we neglect our spouses. If you look on the word R-E-L-A-T-I-O-N-S-H-I-P you can identify the word RELATION which means an existing connection; a significant association between or among things (definition was obtained from www.dictionary.com).
“So ask yourself, how am I connected to my spouse?” Now, you might ask what does S-H-I-P mean? Well I’m not talking about the one we sail in. The term SHIP in this article refers to “the desire of two or more people, either real people or fictional
characters, to be in a relationship, romantic or otherwise (definition derived from W ikipedia). Therefore, a “RELATION-SHIP” between two persons must have a genuine, romantic or passionate attachment. If this is missing from your re lationship, then you probably should query your status. I conducted a survey on August 9, 2016 with 100 Jamaican professionals. They were asked if they knew their relationship status. An alarming 60 per cent describe their relationship status as “complicated”, “pending”, “open” and “ undecided ”. Isn’t this i nf o r mation shocking?
? Only 40 per cent thought their relationships were “stable”. This finding suggests that several Jamaican professionals do not know the true status of their romantic relationships. If you think you fall in this categor y, here are some ways to verify your status. One of the most effective ways to assess our romantic relationships is to have a one to one conversation with our partners; what some people call, “quality or me time”. Use the opportunity to ask your partner some very important questions: “Are you committed to this relationship?” “Are we exclusive?” “Do we have the same goals?” “ What are your plans for the future?” And these are just a few, allow your heart to guide the conversation.
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If, you and your partner are unable to be completely honest, then there lies a problem. It ’s never right to assume that you’re in a committed relationship if one party is unable to answer those questions truthfully. I implore upon you to ask the necessary questions and don’t make assumptions. Many times we overthink our relationship status with someone we just met. For some people, three months into dating a potential partner, they hastily assume that the relationship is exclusive. Try to avoid this trap! If you think it through logically, these persons have not given their romantic relationships adequate time to flourish and if things seem to be picking up artificial speed then have a candid conversation to find out what the other person expects/wants from the relationship. Premature relationships are usually the ones that end within months because each party has separate expectations of the relationship.
The mind is so powerful that a man or woman can leave a r e l a tionship mentally and emotionally, yet they are there physically. Close friends and/or family members would ask, “why not end the relationship the minute you are no longer in love?” But this is a tough decision for many of us who have invested the best years of our lives to our romantic relationships. We’d have to think about the separation of assets and the cost of filing a divorce which is a pretty hefty fee, and there’s a good chance the relationship has brought forward a child or two; so the emotional damage the child/ children may endure as a result of the separation, is too stressful for an already burdened professional to manage.
Here’s a situation we know too well: John* is a marketing manager for a multinational company. His profession allows him to travel worldwide. He’s married (five years) to Lisa* who is a lawyer and works for a prominent law firm. The couple has a 7-year-old child and both parents see each other every other week. Due to the fact that John has to travel so much, it has put a strain on the relationship and has caused Lisa to start distancing herself emotionally because John is so caught up with work. Lisa now feels neglected in the process and has stopped complaining to John about the concerns she’s having in the relationship. She has become silent about her feelings; basically existing in the relationship because they have a child together, they share assets and not to mention the social standing she enjoys as the wife of one Jamaica’s top business executive.
And as people who devote most of our time behind the desk, we should never devalue the time spent building our romantic rela tionships. Get creative, and make space in your weekly schedule for this. Never skip over the getting-toknow stage which is most critical to the true advancement of the partnership. In the getting-to-know stage, you find out whether or not you share common interests with this person, compatibility, etc… Now, here’s a ver y important question for you: Did you know that you could be married for 20 years, but you left the relationship five years ago? Of course it is possible!
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One way to resolve this situation: Lisa must speak to John about her concerns. If they are unable to resolve their issues, then the next step is to seek professional intervention. We won’t always know the signs or have all the answers to supernaturally fix our relationships. However, we can observe changes in our partner or even within us and maybe come to some conclusions on our own.
Here are 10 quick tips to help you decide your relationship status: 1. Does he/she shy away from answering critical and reasonable questions? (example: like the ones above) 2. Is he/she hiding to take a phone call or make a phone call? 3. Is he/she blatantly entertaining other persons that makes you uncomfortable?
8. Does he/she start hiding finances? 9. Is he/she easily irritated?
10. Are his/her comments/answers consistent? And the above should only be used as a guide. Now let’s recap: You might say that your relationship status is married, single, common law or widowed. In fact, we sometimes get so comfortable in our relationships that we often forget about the responsibilities we committed to.
4. Does he/she always spend time with friends and you’re not invited?
· Are you doing what you’re supposed to do as an excellent wife (vice versa)?
5. Does his/her family know of you?
· Don’t play the blame game and point fingers.
6. Is the sex the same as it was (better or worst)? 7. Does he/she start to complain about the trivial things?
· Review your relationship on a six-month basis and find out what can be improved and what is lacking. · Accept the signs and do not fool yourself thinking things will get better. And my final words: “To thine own self be true!” So as a business professional, one has to be honest to self, first. Have integrity in your romantic relationship just as how you treat your job and/or clients. Spend less time accusing your spouse. Make sure you have the evidence to support your claim.
· Spend less time accusing your spouse.
Review your relationship on a 6-month basis and find out what can be improved and what is lacking.
· Make sure you have the evidence to support your claim.
Accept the signs and do not fool yourself thinking things will get better. And my final words “to thy own self be true!” So as a business professional one has to be honest to self -first. Have integrity in your romantic relationship just as how you treat your job and/or clients.
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LIFESTYLE
a
S l ice
of Italy
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onveniently located at Shop #3 Village Plaza on Constant Spring Road, the new Italian-owned pizzeria is already winning the hearts of pizza lovers in Kingston. Pizza Please was officially opened on January 7, 2016 offering a Roman-style dining experience to its Jamaican customers. Wealth Magazine spoke with CEO and founder, Pietro Giuliani to find out why Pizza Please is swiftly becoming a popular food joint for Kingstonians.
1. You have been visiting Jamaica for more than a decade, why did you decide to settle and establish a business here? Congratulations for the research skills! It’s correct, I have been visiting Jamaica at least once per year since 2005, accompanied by friends from Italy, Jamaica and UK. During my trips I felt like there was some connection between this island and myself and started thinking of moving here one day. I eventually moved here in 2014, I left London (Brixton) where I had been based since 2009, and started nurturing the idea of becoming an entrepreneur.
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2. What distinguishes Pizza Please from other pizza stores in Jamaica? Pizza Please’s concept consists of a casual dining experience where customers can purchase pizza by the slice, without need to order and just by choosing their favourite flavour from our counter, where pizzas are served throughout the day. This is not your traditional pizzeria, where you are seated at a table and order from a menu, this concept originated in Rome about 30 years ago and has recently become popular in major European and American cities. There was no ‘Roman’ pizzeria in Jamaica until Pizza Please opened, and we are still the only one.
Also, our food is prepared following traditional recipes and blending in Jamaican ingredients and flavours. This sets our offerings apart from any other pizza place in Jamaica, although we have already seen others trying to copy our combinations. Our dough and our crust, the selection of the ingredients, the choice of working with local producers and suppliers whenever possible, the high standards of our food, the unique combinations of Italian-Jamaican flavours, and our one price policy, affordable for everyone... all of this sets us apart. Let me just say we have brought something to Jamaica that simply wasn’t there.
3. When did your journey in the pizza-making industry begin? As a university student I had once a part-time waiter job in a pizzeria in Rome, I would have never imagined to run my own today. My previous experience was not obtained in the food industry though: I obtained two
exposure and is being associated with our quality food and unique experience. Opening more stores would be the natural way of growing, let’s see what the future brings.
7. How do you see Pizza Please expanding its operations in Jamaica?
·Pietro Giuliani, CEO of Pizza Please.
law degrees in Italy and a master’s in business management in the US, worked as a marketing and business analyst in London for a few years both in the hospitality and the online betting industries. The expertise to start a food business came from some friends involved; friends who are chefs and business owners in Rome and who helped me to create my business plan.
4. On a scale from 1-5, with 5 being extremely well, how would you rate your business’ performance? Pizza Please is bringing something new that wasn’t in Jamaica before; the challenges to make ourselves known and offer a great service to our customers require constant effort and commitment, and I also know there is room for much improvement. Having said this, we have been getting better at what we do and we are constantly working to improve our customers’ experience, so I’d give us a 3.5 or a 4. The key to a healthy business is never feeling satisfied.
5. I understand that you are Italian, how does Pizza Please help you to share your culture with Jamaicans?
Pizza Please can become the local pizza shop in different towns, some businessmen have been contacting me seeking business collaborations and partnerships to make the brand grow. I am open to partnering with others, the formulas are various, but (we will consider) the franchising model which best applies to our business. I have previous experience as a legal consultant in the same subject so I am one step closer to making Pizza Please an islandwide reality!
We represent a new concept, a Roman pizza shop where Jamaican food culture and tradition blend with the Italian one. One of the aims I had set for this project is to build a bridge between cultures and demonstrate that thousands of miles really don’t mean much when it comes to certain values. Jamaicans and Italians are similar people in many ways, those in Jamaica who have visited or lived in Italy know what I mean.
8. What are some challenges you face as a new business owner in Jamaica?
I often meet clients who stop by and start a conversation with me about their time in Italy or with Italians, it’s one of the best parts of running a retail business.
Not having a network to begin with can be a big obstacle if you aren’t motivated enough; also choosing the right persons to do business with can make or break your venture. It’s all part of an ongoing process, but I can say I am enjoying the journey.
6. Do you intend to open stores in other towns across the country? We have so far received customers from all over the island and some of them have asked us to open a branch in their hometown! Our model is made to be replicated and our brand is gaining
Being a foreigner I have to face some extra procedures related to immigration law, I also had to learn from scratch how to set up a business and make myself known to the different stakeholders that I get in contact with as I started this project.
Thank you Mr. Giuliani! Where are you ordering lunch today? Contact Pizza Please at 403-8776. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at Pizzapleaseja, or email pizzapleaseja@gmail.com.
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LIFESTYLE
Budget-friendly
Vacation Spots in Jamaica Sheri-Kae McLeod We all know how costly the perfect vacation can be. The popular vacation destinations are beautiful but the prices can sometimes leave a hole in your wallet. Luckily, Jamaicans have the option “to vacay” where they live. Here are 5 budget-friendly vacation spots in Jamaica.
Mayfair Hotel has nine room types to choose from, each at a different price. However, all rooms have Wi-Fi access, room service, a phone and a private bathroom. This hotel is also available for weddings and birthday party bookings or any event that requires a luxurious and relaxing setting. Room rates start at JM$8400 per night.
Mayfair Hotel
T
he Mayfair Hotel is a four-star hotel located in the middle of Kingston. This hotel is perfect for a relaxing vacation weekend; it is comfortable, affordable and central to some main attractions in Kingston, including the Bob Marley Museum and the Sovereign Centre which has a movie theatre and a food court. But if you choose not to venture beyond the hotel gates for food and fun, there are restaurants on the premises – a Japanese restaurant, an English pub & grill and the Secret Garden Restaurant. There is also an outdoor pool, and a gift shop.
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Serendipity Holistic Resort Serendipity Holistic Resort is an exclusive, holistic, eco-friendly resort nestled in the hills of the Blue Mountains. The resort is surrounded by rainforests and beautiful waterfalls along with a river that runs through the property.
There are three gardens on the property – a lush botanical garden, an organic garden and a healing garden that is perfect for relaxing and meditation. It has a petting zoo, an organic farm and a spa. Housed on the compound is the River Deck Bar and Restaurant where authentic Jamaican meals are prepared daily along with desserts, salads, pasta and sandwiches. Vegetarian and vegan meals are also available. An open-air dining area is located by the river and if guests wish not to dine, room service is available. The property has six different cabin room types to choose from starting at US $150 per night. All rooms have hammocks and a snack basket. The hotel experience includes a nature trail hike and tours of the property. Yoga is done by the river in the mornings and afternoons. Serendipity is also available for event bookings. The property is one hour away from the Norman Manley International Airport.
Great Huts Resort embraces local culture through the display of works by creatives in the island. Throughout the resort, you will find interesting art and craft works by Jamaican sculptors, clay potters and painters. Guests are also invited to their Saturday Night Cultural Show which includes local music. Transportation is provided to guests who want to tour the beautiful parish of Portland.
The dining reservations include The Palm Terrace, The Palm Room Gourmet Restaurant and the Terrace Bar. Shaw Park Hotel also caters to weddings and business events in its conference-style rooms.
Great Huts Resort Great Huts Resort is an oceanfront resort located in Port Antonio, Jamaica. This resort boasts a beach-jungle habitat along with its tree-house style rooms. It is an eco-friendly and serene facility. The owner of Great Huts Resort thinks it is important for Jamaicans to be in touch with their past and the cultural history of the island specifically their African roots. This is reflected in the resort’s decor while still keeping it modern, luxurious and charming. The Great Huts village has comfortable cabins with beautiful cliff-side views of the ocean. There is free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool and hammocks scattered across the property. The facility boasts a fine dining experience provided by the Safari Deck Restaurant, Royal Lounge and Rocks Café. Their menus include international and authentic Jamaican dishes available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a wide range of room styles, from African-styled huts to tree-house type rooms and the large, royalty rooms; starting at US83 per night. All rooms are outfitted with cable TV and a library. Guests are offered complimentary breakfast every morning during their stay.
Sunset Resort and Villas Shaw Park Beach Hotel Shaw Park Beach Hotel and Spa is the quintessential Caribbean retreat. It is located on a private stretch of beach on Cutlass Bay, just minutes away from Ocho Rios. Shaw Park’s property includes White River that runs through parts of the resort, a spa and Shaw Park Botanical Gardens. Its central location makes it easy for guests to experience Jamaica’s natural beauty. Guests can enjoy Dunn’s River Falls excursions, yacht cruises, catamaran cruise and other highlights in Ocho Rios. There are also tours to Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay and rafting on the White River. Guests can also enjoy under-water adventures like snorkelling and riding in a sub-sea viewer. The resort has 94 oceanfront guest rooms and each room has a private terrace with a breathtaking view. All rooms include air conditioning, cable tv, a phone and a private bathroom. Room rates start at US $184 per night.
“A little piece of heaven” is what this resort is known as, and certainly it is paradise. Located on Jamaica’s south coast in Treasure Beach, Sunset Resort and Villas offers an unforgettable experience. This is the perfect place to relax while enjoying traditional Jamaican dishes. This resort offers an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, a garden, a terrace and a bar. Sunset Resort and Villas is a 14-bedroom resort that sits on acres of beachfront property. Starting as low as US$125, all rooms at the resort include cable TV, air conditioning, a refrigerator and a private bathroom. You can enjoy a garden view from all rooms. There is also free Wi-Fi access on the property, and an amazing seafood restaurant. Sunset Resort and Villas also hosts weddings for guests who want to get married while vacationing on this beautiful island paradise.
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LIFESTYLE
on t gs n ch� n i u K l pla r ces in e v i l Super Spicy Doubles that de s If you want to try Indo-Caribbean y a or Trinidadian food for lunch, then on d k order from Super Spicy Doubles. It is wor a delivery-only restaurant offering roti
10 Sheri-Kae McLeod
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unch is an important part of any workday especially for the 9-5 shift. We look forward to lunch that will re-energize our body so that we can confidently complete the rest of our duties for the day. Some people carry lunch to work, but for the ones who don’t, going out for lunch is often tedious. If you fall in the latter category, here are a few restaurants that will deliver lunch right to your office.
wraps, chicken pelau, rice & bajhi, curried crab, bake and shark, among other authentic Trinidadian dishes starting at $250 for the chaloo (channa and aloo) pie. Telephone: 361-2243 Instagram: superspicydoubles Facebook: superspicydoubles
Two Eighteen Gourmet André Cooks is a popular chef throughout the social media world. His restaurant, Two Eighteen Gourmet on Mountain View Avenue, serves a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Among the favourites are his oxtail pasta alfredo, meatball marinara sub and the traditional fried chicken. Lunches start at $400. Telephone: 946-1878 Instagram: andre.cooks
Pita Grill Pita Grill is a relatively new restaurant located in Orchid Village Plaza, Liguanea. Pita Grill’s lunch menu includes a variety of wraps, sub sandwiches and sliders. The lunch menu starts as low as $815. They also have a breakfast menu available from 5 am- 10:30 am. Telephone: 970-4571 / 552-4571 Instagram: pitagrill Website: pitagrilljamaica.com
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Toss and Roll Salad Bar Toss and Roll Salad Bar caters to people who want fresh, healthy meals for lunch, from as low as $350 for Herb Roasted Potato. Located on Hope Road, the lunch menu also includes pastas, wraps, salads, smoothies and green juice. Toss and Roll also serves breakfast and dinner. Telephone: 879-3310 Instagram: tossandrollsaladbar Website: tossandroll.com
Veggie Campus
Wingking Wing King, as the name suggests, is the number one server of wings in the Corporate area. These are done in several ways to include fried, grilled and strawberry barbeque. But the menu is not just limited to wings. Wing King offers tossed salads, wedges and mac & cheese balls as side orders. They even have meals for children, starting at $455.
Veggie Campus is a vegan restaurant located in Parkington Plaza, Half-Way Tree. Their slogan ‘so good you won’t know it’s vegan’ could not be more accurate. This restaurant serves a variety of traditional Jamaican meals with an ital twist, starting at $500. Their menu includes ackee, plantains, ground provisions and vegetables. They also serve fruit smoothies and natural juices such as spirunch (spirulina). Telephone: 321-5298 Instagram: veggiecampusja
Telephone: 620-9464/620-9465 Instagram: wingkingja
Salads to Go trobin Avenue catering to healthy eaters. Try their build-it-yourself salads, pastas, wraps and soups. They also offer traditional jerk and sweet and sour chicken meals. Delivery is free on orders above $600 to specific locations. Salads to Go also has a breakfast menu. Telephone: 317-8861/283-6149 Instagram: saladstogoja Facebook: saladstogoja
Northside Kitchen Northside Kitchen is one of the best and most popular Chinese restaurants in Jamaica. Their extensive menu includes sushi, bento boxes, and wonton soup. Northside Kitchen is located in Liguanea and offers lunch box deals for $550. Telephone: 702-3164/702-3165 Instagram: northsidekitchenja Twitter: northsidek
Almond Tree Sports Bar & Grill Also called the Crayfish Restaurant, Almond Tree Sports Bar & Grill is a seafood restaurant that delivers lunch. On their impressive menu is fish, shrimp, crab and crayfish prepared in many ways. They also serve pastas, and their sides include vegetables, bammy, plantains and more. Meals start at $1,500. Telephone: 787-3598 Instagram: crayfishwendaze_n_satdaze Facebook: almondtreesportsbar
Peckish Peckish is a lunch delivery service that offers a different menu every day. On Mondays, they serve seafood. On Tuesdays, they have a ‘yaad style’ menu, consisting of traditional Jamaican meals. On Wednesdays, they serve wings with various sides. On Thursdays, they have a ‘go lite’ menu consisting of salads and other vegan-inspired meals. On Fridays, they serve pasta. They also have a range of treats and desserts available every day. Meals start at $600. Telephone: 948-8227/997-0407 Instagram: peckish876
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OCT - NOV 2016 - ISSUE 31
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