Dazzle Magazine Barbados Issue 4

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Issue 4

Dale Trotman

Innovation through App Development

Different Types of Legal Structures in Business

Melissa Walcott-Pusey A Well Rounded Approach to Business

Dean Harper

Cutting Edge Customer Service

2015, Tips to Survive & Thrive

Arshad Mehter Creating Electric Relationships Try me!

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limi t ed

E: info@123digitallimited.com T: 758-452-0123 Int’l: 888-228-3312 W: www.123digitallimited.com Caribbean . UK . Canada . USA

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Arshad Mehter Creating Electric Relationships

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ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 246.234.8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information.

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from the publisher

W

ow, it’s a year already and what a ride it has been. I never thought starting a magazine would be so intense but the experiences I have gained are priceless. So how have we been doing since our first year? For starters we have had the pleasure of interviewing some amazing entrepreneurs, sitting in front each of them you can see the passion blazing in their eyes.

Our contributor team has expanded and I am so grateful for the insightful articles they have submitted. It’s wonderful to see how many supporters we have and the positive feedback we have been receiving. I have also had the pleasure of being invited to several spaces to speak about entrepreneurship and the role Dazzle is playing in Barbados to promote this sector.

We have another special issue in store for you and will be focusing on entrepreneurs who have been in business for more than ten years. Our special feature is an exclusive interview with Rosalind Jackson, Managing Director of Caribbean Catalyst, one of the leading HR consulting firms in the region. She shares with us what it takes to build the right company culture. We consider this an honour as she has been a mentor to many. On our cover Mr Arshad Mehter a man ahead of his time tells us about his journey from a bedroom office to growing a company into one of the biggest electrical firms in Barbados.

Melissa Walcott a physiotherapist who owns Total Therapy makes sure her bubbly attitude gets her through the day and impacts the patients she deals with. Dean Harper a barber for the past 20 years is an icon in his field and has come a long way to defeat the odds. Lastly, Mr Dale Trotman who recently received the social innovation award in Panama at the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas for his medical application really deserves mention in this edition. He was the only Barbadian to make it and even though his business is nowhere ten years, his application will be a game changer in the medical market.

We have some wonderful business articles that will surely get your attention and we took the time to highlight in one of them our journey in getting here. It will give you a better picture of the road the magazine is taking to impact Barbados in a meaningful way. Look out for some initiatives we have planned.

Let me express my sincere thanks to everyone who had a part to play in getting us to this point from our advertisers to the team who has stuck by my side. Happy Reading!

Ryan Wills Managing Editor

Dazzle Magazine Barbados is a new fresh Barbadian bi-monthly publication that provides much needed exposure to young professionals, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. It covers an array of topics and categories key to starting and running a business. It also offers practical advice on everyday living, tips for a healthy lifestyle and interviews with popular and up-and-coming personalities.

Dazzle Magazine Barbados is designed to appeal to a diverse range of readers but is especially targeted at working professionals and business owners between the ages of 21-50 years. We provide our advertising clients with value for money by offering them a powerful medium to market their products, offer deals and build their brand. Best of all, we give them the opportunity to be a part of a nationwide and online marketplace of actively engaged consumers who are ready to buy, all at an affordable price.

To advertise in The Dazzle Barbados Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 1(246) 234 8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information and terms and conditions.

table of

contents Features

14. Dean Harper - Cutting Edge Customer Service 22. Dale Trotman - Innovation through App Development 30. Melissa Walcott - Pusey - A Well Rounded Approach to Business 36. Ros Jackson - Building the Right Company Culture 42. Arshad Mehter - Creating Electric Relationships

The 411

12. Enriching Communities: Scotiabank’s Focus on Social Entrepreneurship 16. The Different Types of Legal Structures in Business 20. Our Journey 26. SMEs and ICT in Barbados 26. Massy United Insurance Ltd. - Inspiring Future Leaders

Professional Progress

28. 2015, Tips to Survive & Thrive 34. Entrepreneurship‌Ready, Set, Go 40. Sharpening the Saw - A Habit of Balance

Publisher 123 Digital Limited Managing Editor Ryan Wills Sales & Marketing Orinje Nation Art Director Aldrin Henry Contributors Rankin Morgan Sonia Hunte D.A. Franklin Janelle Chase-Mayers Richard Barrow Nigel Pierre N.L. Bowen Leslie Roberts Alana M.I. Morgan Photography Neil Springer Ryan Wills Accountants 123 Digital Limited

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Issue 4

Dale Trotman

Health & Fitness

09. The Amazing Health Benefits of Carambola 10. Like a Boss- Fitness Part 1

Innovation through App Development

Different Types of Legal Structures in Business

Eating In

Melissa Walcott-Pusey

Gadgets & Gizmos

HDMI Pocket Projector Mobile

47. Skinny Broccoli Salad

A Well Rounded Approach to Business

Dean Harper

Cutting Edge Customer Service

2015, Tips to Survive & Thrive

Arshad Mehter Creating Electric Relationships Try me!

dazzlebarbados.com

45. Brookstone HDMI Pocket Projector Mobile

Out and About

48. Out and About

Instagram

50. One Love

On the Cover: Arshad Mehter Photo By : Ryan Wills Makeup By: Beauty by Dee Blackett

contact us

For more information visit us at www.dazzlebarbados.com or call us at 1(246) 234 8140

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The Amazing Health Benefits of Carambola

By Alana M.I. Morgan

C

arambola or as it’s popularly known in St. Lucia, star fruit, is a star-shaped, tropical fruit which is sweet and sour in flavour. Carambola is native to the Malayan peninsula and cultivated in many parts of Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands and China. How interesting that it has made its way to our Caribbean shores and is very popular on our island.

colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer-causing chemicals.

A good Antioxidant Star fruit contains copious quantities of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant. 100 grams of fresh fruit provides 34.7 mg or 57% of daily-required levels of vitamin C. In general, consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the human body develop resistance against infectious agents and counteracts harmful, pro-inflammatory effects of free radicals in the body.

Loads of Vitamins

Low Calorie Content Star fruit is one of the very low-calorie, exotic fruits. A 100g fruit provides only 31 calories, which is much lower than any other popular tropical fruits.

Nonetheless, it has an impressive list of essential nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins required for well-being.

In addition, the fruit is a good source of B-complex vitamins such as folates, riboflavin and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). Together, these vitamins serve as coenzymes (substances that work along with enzymes in accelerating the inter-conversion of chemical compounds) and they facilitate the metabolic processes of the body.

Cancer Fighting The fruit along with its waxy peel provides a good amount of dietary fibre. Fibre helps prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut.

It also helps protect the mucous membrane of the

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DAZZLE 9

Being a Boss at Fitness - Part 1

By Janelle Chase-Mayers

Like a Boss, Machel talks about how he is a professional in his sport of feting, and like Machel we all aspire to be a boss, a leader, a motivator, bettering you in the field of your personal fitness journey.

Sure he has a great team around him, awesome musicians, back up dancers, sound engineers and adoring fans, but at the end of the day his talent and his prowess is MACHEL.

How are you the boss of your own fitness journey?

Recognising that we come from cultivated perceptions from the society we live in, the family of origin, the fitness professional and the medical professional. How are you the boss of your approach to health and wellness and it’s implication for a better lifestyle and greatly improved interpersonal relationships? Are we truly are our own CEOs of our bodies or are we employees of the fitness trade?

Let’s look at how we can become CEOs of our fitness journey in this article.

The Finances As you enter into any business model, the thing that keeps you abreast or afloat is the concept of being financially prudent. So in fitness, we begin to look at what are the wise decisions for you to make in order to sustain your fitness journey. Many times people 10 DAZZLE

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often spend too much or spend too little in order to get the best results in their quest to be the fittest man or fittest woman, or even just to get “fit”. So what’s your business plan? How much are you spending on clothing, gym memberships, and personal trainers? Are these things beneficial to your overall goals? I know I ask a lot of questions. That’s because it’s important to start seeing the systemic value of this journey and connecting the dots that could inherently propel you to that status of truly being a boss.

If I decide to spend $2000 yearly membership and then $1000 for apparel and another $500 plus for personal training, am I getting value for money, or paying money for results?

The Human Relations So I alluded to the place to do your fitness earlier, maybe you don’t go to a gym and instead you attend a fitness studio, a CrossFit Box or have mobile fitness trainer or you train at home. Wherever you are at this moment, as CEO of your fitness empire, you need to search to see the people in your space are a great fit for your goals, your income, your profit,

themselves about what it is they are actually partaking in. In the true sense of CEO, this person knows what they want, and how to get it and if they are not sure, they tap into several resources to get their desired outcome. Let’s start doing the same for our fitness.

Expand our worlds a bit more and look at new and exciting ways to move and to get healthier. Question time again…. Am I confident that the person who I am using as my fitness resource is open to learning more? Is the training environment inspiring? Who else in my circle can benefit from my choices of fitness?

Whatever your answers are, it’s time to get more honest with how your human relations department can contribute to your wealth in your fitness journey.

Janelle Chase- Mayers is the owner of CrossFit 246 and also a family therapist at the Verdun House.

Email: janelle.chase@gmail.com

your empire. In my journey as a coach, I have come across many people who have just been following people’s perception of fitness rather than educating

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DAZZLE 11

Enriching Communities: Scotiabank’s Focus On Social Entrepreneurship

S

ocial Entrepreneurship is big news – and for good reason. Not only does it have an immediate positive effect on the entities it targets, but the phenomenon also promotes initiative, altruism and creativity in the individual – all excellent prospects for influencing and enriching our communities.

Recognising this, Scotiabank has consciously focused on fostering and rewarding the growth of social entrepreneurship. While the Bank has created its own philanthropic program for youth and entrepreneurship, Bright Future, it has sought out even wider means of promoting these efforts within our community.

To this end, Scotiabank has integrated exciting new incentives into external initiatives, strengthening 12 DAZZLE

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their offerings, raising the profile of social entrepreneurship – and, of course, helping efforts by which various community groups receive valuable aid and attention.

One such example is the creation of the new Scotiabank Social Entrepreneurship Award for Bank On Me, the popular local television program promoting local entrepreneurs. Finalist Michael Holder, who formed the company Blessed Rentals, was the inaugural winner, taking home a prize of $5,000. Blessed Rentals provides transportation to persons with disabilities, and the concept particularly impressed Scotiabank for its insight and compassion.

“We wanted to acknowledge Michael’s contribution in caring for a community of persons who genuinely need his service,” said Claire Jordan, Director of Retail Banking. “Not only is he giving them a degree

of freedom, but he places great emphasis on caring and empathy.”

Another recent addition to incentives for Social Entrepreneurship is Scotiabank’s involvement in the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation Columbus $20 Challenge. The Bank was greatly attracted to the initiative’s combined focus on entrepreneurship and youth, two causes central to the Bank’s own Bright Future program. Scotiabank both sponsored the Awards Ceremony and gave Social Entrepreneurship prizes of cheques for donation to charities of the winners’ choice.

This year’s Challenge winners were as diverse in their approaches and chosen charities as they were united by compassion and creativity. Sasha Hill and Mia Cothran of the Codrington School created Velas Verdes, a company that made eco-friendly, scented candles. 100% of their profits were donated to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Amber McKenzie founded Organic

Essentials and created an organic mosquito repellent, the complete profits for which she donated to Save Society, which aims to reopen the historic Society Primary School. Sabrina Smith and Morgan Mayers formed Peter Pan Shirts, selling souvenir shirts for the 2014 St. Winifred’s School pantomime to attending patrons. All profits were donated to the Thelma Vaughan Memorial Home.

Scotiabank’s Managing Director for Caribbean East, David Noel commended the winners. “With a start of $20 and in only six weeks, they were able to create companies that made meaningful contributions. They are a fantastic example for all Barbadians and we’re proud to be able to assist them in helping their charities.”

With such community minded, creative and motivated individuals, the future looks bright indeed.

Scotiabank is committed to promoting their efforts – and the robust growth of social entrepreneurship.

Claire Jordan, Scotiabank Director Retail Banking presenting Michael with his cheque www.dazzlebarbados.com

DAZZLE 13

Cutting Edge customer service

By Ryan Wills

M

eet Dean, a man who has cut every type of hair except an Eskimo’s. His metro style sets him apart from many in his trade. As I sat down in the barber chair I noticed the tattoos on his arms.

He could easily pass as an A-lister walking on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. He shares with me that he was one of the most arrogant persons around and how through a life changing moment he has looked at life and business differently and is now an appointment only barber.

D

ean grew up in Grazettes, St Michael and attended Ellerslie secondary and got his inspiration to cut hair from his older brother Mark and his mother in an odd way. At age 13, he was waiting on his brother to trim his hair, and realised he was taking long to get to him. Both ended up arguing and fighting and his mother intervened.

She bet him that if he could cut one of the guys’ hair who was waiting on his brother, she wouldn’t lash him. To “cut” a long story short, that’s how Dean’s career in barbering began as guys came back asking him to cut their hair.

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He later went on to attend the Samuel Jackman Polythenic and always considered himself an artist, all his family were. He was drawn to pursuing studies as a draftsman, however he ended up doing cabinet making as they were no courses at that time. He jokingly recounts that all this time while he was still barbering and used to cut the boys’ hair in one of the rooms at Polythenic. Dean was still not as serious about cutting hair as he was about being a draftsman but life has a funny way of sending you in another direction.

He highlighted how hard it was at the time to get a job especially after leaving school. Barbados was then going through the recession in the 90’s. His suave personality was probably one of the reasons he was meant to enter the customer attentive world of barbering. Dean always chatted up the girls in his neighborhood, one in particular Sandra, put him on the spot and told him that girls like her would never talk to men who just want to sit on the block, and he should try and go find a job. Not being the one to disappoint, Dean weighed his options and the first one presented itself. He started a job around age 19 at Christopher’s Barber shop which was located in Cavans Lane where the old Warehouse nightclub used to be.

Still not as passionate about his new job, he admitted that getting paid seventy-five dollars a week didn’t help motivate him. Still he was able to build a decent clientele and he met the guy who really shaped him, Ricky Howell. They both started working at a salon called Scrupples, this gig didn’t last long. Feeling the pressure of not fitting in with society he ended up going to Atlanta, Georgia to spend some time with his cousin who had a salon called Rare Essence. There, he was in for an eye-opening experience as he had the chance to work and see what it was really like to be a barber- from observing the latest cuts to using some

fun facts Dean can switch from being a barber to doing a texturizer or relaxer.

People always wonder if he is straight since he does women’s hair also.

He loves to see a woman in a nice pair of shoes that compliments her outfit.

of the best equipment in the industry, Dean felt like a professional. The job came with its perks; barbers were considered celebrities, getting paid more.

Within a year he was on a flight back home to Barbados after learning both the good and bad of the business. Ricky again approached him and propose they open a shop and Barber Zone was launched which laid the foundation for him. He professes that having the right circle of people influenced him a lot. He also attests that “when people people give you the right food to eat, take it”.

From there he made the decision to go on his own and start BorderLine Hair Studio in 2008 with the help of another Barber, Ryan Reid of Options Salon. One of the biggest attributes Dean took with him from all these experiences was how to treat customers. At 42, he believes that he has learnt all the secrets to get repeat business and gain new clients. He shares with us what are some of his do’s and dont’s.

• • • • • • •

• •

Be always on time.

Dress in a mannerly fashion and have good hygiene.

Listen attentively to what the customer wants.

Make sure all tools are well kept, up to date and sterilized properly.

Try your best not to gossip around customers.

Remember health over wealth always take a break to sit and eat (Dean suffered a mild stroke in 2013).

Don’t wait for the customer to come then eat; set a lunch time, if they show up which they will do they will already know it’s your break.

Don’t take random off days, have a standard off day unless you’re sick which you can’t control.

Don’t or try not to leave a client in chair to chat on phone.

What’s in Dean’s future is to continue his trade. He admits that for young barbers, stepping up to the plate is not easy. “These guys thinks it’s quick money”, he said, “it’s best you start in your teens and work your way up”. Speaking to Dean, you can see that he has learnt a lot of lessons and focuses more on balancing his life. Staying humble is one of the key factors to achieving this balance and he knows life has a way of bringing you down to teach you things.

Dean does not see an end to his career anytime soon but he sure will try his best to encourage younger people to walk a meaningful path and not make the same mistakes that he made.

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DAZZLE 15

Different Types of Legal Structures in Business

By Leslie Roberts

“I want to own my own company.”

S

o you want to be an entrepreneur; chances are that owning your own company is one of your biggest motivations. There is admittedly a sense of status and power attached to being the head honcho of your own INC, LTD or CORP. However, owning a company isn’t the same as running a business. In reality, you could have no business at all and start your own company by next week for the base price of $780.00, the cost of a name reservation and incorporation at Corporate Affairs.

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A company is just a legal structure to facilitate a particular way of doing business, one of the many legal structures out there. Whether you’re now starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, it pays to know the different structures available and to think about which one is best for your business right now.

Here’s a short list of the most common types of businesses (for the purposes of this article, we’re focusing on for-profit entities only): a) Sole proprietorship (sole trader) b) Partnership c) Limited company

A sole proprietorship isn’t as lonely as it sounds, although it may start out that way. Let’s say you have an idea for a product or a service. You’re passionate about it (who isn’t!), so you come up with a business name, drum up some cash to fund your business and start calling your friends and family straight away, hoping to turn them into customers. Congratulations: you’re a sole trader.

and skills they have to offer. Many businesses also start out as partnerships, with friends simply sharing ideas and deciding to work on them cooperatively.

The minimum number of persons required to start a partnership is 2, but there’s no upper limit (although you will rarely find any partnership with more than 10 partners).

This is how most get started and it is the most legally demanding structure. You are personally responsible for the business’ finances, including raising capital, paying debts, expenses and taxes and God forbid you catch a lawsuit. If the business runs out of money and there are still people to be paid, your personal assets are on the line.

That’s a lot of responsibility. The advantages? You can get started right away, as there are no formal requirements (however, if you want to protect your business from fraudsters and copycats, it’s a good idea to register it with Corporate Affairs; it only costs $104.00).

As a sole trader, you have complete control over how your business is run. The only taxes you pay are VAT on your sales and Income Tax on your profits (we all hate taxes, but this is as good as it gets)...and speaking of profits? They’re all yours and no one else’s.

However, there’s only so much you can do on your own...

Forming a partnership often constitutes the next step for sole traders who want to grow their business, but are already at their limit in terms of the money, time

The structure of a partnership depends entirely on what the partners agree and can be as complex or as simple as desired. As a general rule, though your partnership may start out informally, you’ll want to take the time to put certain things down in writing.

Some of the more important aspects are: • • • •

Financial contribution Roles and responsibilities Shares of ownership Authority to make decisions and enter legally binding agreements • Compensation • Dispute resolution Why choose a partnership? You don’t have to foot the bill by yourself and you can call on someone with a different skill set and way of thinking. You don’t get to pocket all the profits, but ideally the business can increase productivity through division of work, so that there’s more for everyone.

In a partnership, however, you are still personally responsible for the business liabilities, although that responsibility is in direct proportion to your share in the business. The best (and only) way to draw the line between your personal assets and your business’ assets is to create a limited company.

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In business, a company can do pretty much anything a person can do. It can sue and be sued, it can own assets, take out loans and enter into agreements.

Of course, a company doesn’t literally do any of these things – its directors do. But while directors may be responsible to the company for the decisions they make, directors have no responsibility to satisfy any liabilities that the company may incur.

Because of this distinction, there is also greater room for scalability when running a company. While directors may act on the company’s behalf, the company’s brand and operations are separate and distinct; if any or all of the directors pass away, the company can still continue to exist and grow indefinitely.

However, because companies are their own distinct entities, they also pay their own taxes, separate and apart from any taxes you may have to pay as a paid director of the company.

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Additionally, as a director of a company, unless you are the sole shareholder and sole employee – in which case you might as well be a sole trader – you can’t run a company as you would a sole proprietorship; you owe a duty to act honestly and in the best interests of the company, not yourself.

The above considerations represent just a fraction of the factors you’ll have to consider when choosing the most appropriate legal structure for your business. But if you’re not too sure at this point which to choose, don’t worry too much. The most important thing is to know your options, learn as much as you can on your own and seek advice from those who know more, as with any other aspect of business.

Leslie is a lawyer and entrepreneur with a passion for entertainment and marketing.

Email- les.chris.rob@gmail.com

Our Journey

By Ryan Wills

T

his issue marks a year that Dazzle Barbados has been in operation. I wanted to share with you our journey to getting here.

Dazzle Magazine was first launched in St. Lucia in 2010 by my business partner 123 Digital Limited for the young, innovative and knowledge-seeking entrepreneurs; the ones that don’t have a voice. To appeal to the person that always had a dream of starting their own business, or understood what it took to be successful. One who constantly aims for the stars and performs above-average; in short one who never gives up.

We became frustrated that both local and regional entrepreneurs weren’t featured in a way that made them appear just as important as a politician or a doctor. We wanted to help mold the next big “success” through the magazine and let them know they too are a brand. So in many ways Dazzle is a reflection of our own thoughts and discoveries as entrepreneurs.

Starting Dazzle Barbados in 2014 has by no means been easy, but knowing that a creative medium like this exists to attractively highlight local entrepreneurs is my fuel to keep pushing forward.

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Every day I ask myself the same questions: How do I get more advertisers? How do I scale my business?

Will this work? To be honest I have no background in publishing or writing but do have a fair share of experience in branding and marketing. I believe this makes Dazzle a very unique publication as it’s one for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs.

When I started Dazzle Barbados my intentions were simple: To attractively brand local entrepreneurship within the next 2-3 years.

Just like the quote above I am going to do my best to achieve this. The road of creating this goal will not be a straight one but I believe that through this medium you and every Barbadian can make an impact. We have always found ways as entrepreneurs to succeed even in the midst of uncertainty. My team and I are dedicated to bring you an awesome publication and make Dazzle the “go-to” magazine for everything entrepreneurial.

I hope you continue to join us on this journey and thank you for feedback and kind words!

ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone 246.234.8140 or email info@dazzlebarbados.com for more information.

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Innovation through App Development

by D.J Simmons

U

sually when one dives into the adventure of owning their own enterprise, they tend to be developing a hobby, or pursuing a source of passion. For Dale Trotman, the mind behind the electronic registry application MedRegis, the passion he is currently pursuing is that of entrepreneurship.

While not boasting from neither a technical nor medical background this young man has embarked on a journey creating an award winning product which strives to advance technology in the various aspects of the medical field. So how does a man with little training go about spearheading an app which improves efficiency to patient record information ranging from the front desk of the doctor’s office to the pharmacy?

Picture yourself as Dale, a young ambitious mind at the Caribbean Innovation Challenge back in 2012 hosted by the Young American Business Trust based in Washington. Focused on that word innovation in the email from the YABT, Dale researched various sectors regionally in need of modernization in which he could tap into, to feed the desire he held from a young boy to become an entrepreneur. This dream of truly making a difference and becoming an asset to his country 22 DAZZLE

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Barbados. The sector studied which won his attention was health care, more specifically out patient care. Although not having the technical background to build the application in his vision, Dale had the knowledge of how to ensure its efficiency. Outsourcing talent and accepting critical mentorship from Timothy Cook, an American Healthcare IT Expert, built the foundation at the early stages. During analysis and networking whilst taking part in the Caribbean Innovation Challenge, Dale knew he was onto something big, and even though he did not win his section of the competition, MedRegis had generated a momentum of interest.

the determined young man still found his way to Panama. On this bigger stage Dale was introduced to fellow entrepreneurs encompassing the entire western hemisphere, observing their drive and encouraging him to maintain MedRegis at a high caliber. The strength of networking was evident once more as Dale made contact at TIC Americas with the CEO of a technology accelerator based in Silicon Valley and he saw the potential in MedRegis, and came on board to assist in development. Yes the experience at TIC Americas was truly fruitful and Dale emerged as the winner of the Social Innovation Award earlier this year!

As you follow our articles in Dazzle you would learn one may not necessarily receive the desired results from the beginning, but determination plays a big role to realise the bigger picture. And determination is a trait deeply embedded in Dale. Another such trait is the humility he possesses and the ability to accept

MedRegis target is to roll out in the near future nationally and regionally with recognised establishments like Coverley Medical Centre and Sandy Crest Medical agreeing to be pilot sites for the app.

Market research has allowed Dale to tailor his product ideally for transactions in Caribbean and Latin American territories while possessing the ability to seamlessly fit internationally as well. However Dale is dedicated to helping home first. Opportunities are greater in the region also due to many health care processes being in an infancy state and the introduction of an electronic system for patient records can also lend to the chance for related health care apps being developed by like minded entrepreneurs in the industry.

fun facts His still prefers Blackberry over Android and iPhone.

When it comes to business attire his main go to brand is Tommy Hilfiger.

Forbes and Inc. are his two main entrepreneurial resources.

critical feedback from others more experienced. Mr Trotman told Dazzle some young entrepreneurs find this hard to accept, but it is essential to the continued development of themselves and their business. He gave an example of how the nursing app of MedRegis was almost completely revamped due to the input by an actual nurse in the field and has improved the overall product in multiple positive ways.

Though not winning at the Caribbean Innovation Challenge, Dale Trotman and the MedRegis app made their way to the finals of the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas (TIC Americas), a platform for business start ups, a truly inspirational trip. While there were some challenges acquiring resources through sponsorship from local companies,

The mind of Dale Trotman is always full of ideas and working to fulfill them. As we know not every idea can blossom but the young man does not consider this failure but an opportunity to learn and improve.

He is proud to represent the country in a positive light whether it is in grand scale at an international conference or networking event to work flow in a local doctor’s office. Opportunities continue to fly his way with an interview with BlackBerry on the agenda in the near future about his use of their solutions in his professional life and MedRegis. Imagine with more support from local businesses, the impact that it could have on not just developing a young man’s dream of being a successful entrepreneur, but also increasing the efficiency of healing this nation. As MedRegis strives to provide a strong network for health care, Dale Trotman definitely has Dazzle’s support!

www.dazzlebarbados.com

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A well rounded approach to business pg. 30

SMEs and ICT in Barbados

By Nigel Pierre

I

t was once said by CEO J.T. O’Donnell Influencer CEO, CAREEREALISM Media & CareerHMO, that Entrepreneurs don’t fail, they experiment. In a economy of uncertainty, it is a time for entrepreneurs to look at what they are doing and no better time than with so many ICT options available.

ICT stands for Internet Communication and Technology and covers the convergence of the Internet and Communications technology. In an ever shrinking world where competitiveness is vital, focus should be on how to make communication and technology advances a pillar of the company. So what does ICT do for the small to medium entrepreneur?

Proper use of technology can result in lower cost and lower prices, leading to increased sales and revenue.

In the initial days of Amazon, relying on technology, they were able to compete head to head with the likes of Borders and Barnes and Noble and created an uproar in the business world. A company that exists solely in cyberspace may appear expensive but is by

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far cheaper than the typical building with its maintenance costs. By being an online entity, Amazon was able to offer 24 hour service at a reduced cost, showing that through the proper use of ICT, businesses can be as efficient as possible. The Internet and its associated technologies also allows for the entrepreneur to check competitor’s prices and be competitive by offering more for the same price or lowering the commodity’s price. Use of Electronic Point of Sale systems, PayPal, EDI (Electronic Data Exchange) and Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale, provides more options over the traditional methods for payments, increasing accessibility to your products/services to the customer and therefore, should be seriously looked into.

Inventory management systems that would allow for more accurate tracking of stock, as well as both ordering and maintenance should be a high priority.

There are off the shelf products, for instance, Windward System Five, TradeGecko and Visco

to name a few. If your company relies on a lot of distribution, tools like GPS, make tracking by company and customer easier. This is especially important if the company has grown to a regional or international level. With the use of automatic stock reordering features and instant access to stock and sales information, doing business is easier.

Most of us know how to use the Internet but it can be a powerful tool for researching product viability along with public opinion on the product desired to be offered. Companies can improve their responsiveness to new developments in that the information from analytics, inventory controls, customer feedback can be used to tailor products betters or see gaps where products can be developed to fill them increasing business. The Internet has helped open new markets, every where they are examples of small bakeries using the Internet to reach wider customers, stores resorting to the Internet to increase their customer base and business opportunities. One only has to look at the proliferation of online only deals to see that companies have woken up to the Internet as one of the main ways to do business.

Communication should be enhanced with the use of Magic Jack on the cellphone, Skype, and so many free online phone systems allowing for international and sometimes free communication. Video is another key area, allowing more personalised communication not only with customers but also the suppliers.

The use of Email for fostering communication with customers especially those overseas as well as suppliers, while old, should never be overlooked.

Instant Messaging should never be overlooked as well.

We all prefer this method of communication and businesses can benefit from this as well. Customers can get much needed information without having to wait and employees productivity will increase as well as response times to customer issues. Email is still one of the most effective communication mediums there is especially when used right, for instance, sending customer invoices, advertising banners and product/ service information via mailing lists. Correspondence should be professionally tailored. Many sites employ customer support but instead of being limited to call in numbers, entrepreneurs now have the ability to do online chat help as is done at Dell and Amazon. This allows the support person to chat with the customer

without the overhead of costs and give the customer a transcript of the interaction. Some even allow talking by integrating Skype-like technologies.

Aim to create a company site to serve as a place to interact with customers, advertise products, offer interactive support, and online shopping and wish list. These should be done with a secure login, the ability to leave messages and track purchases as a plus, increasing customer appeal. There are numerous hosting sites, for instance, WordPress, that offer a professional web site setup and at a cost determined by the amount of bandwidth and features, such as the mentioned shopping cart, wish list, 24/7 availability and the ability to manage the site yourself. Key here is finding a web hosting company where the solution offers a lot of features, robust infrastructure, 24 hour support, accessibility and low cost. Check for the least amount of downtime.

New forms of advertising comes in the form of social media, example, Facebook. Ads can be placed on popular sites such as news sites, gaming sites, and even the site the company site. Marketing can include video, animation, and be interactive as used

by Travelocity and Expedia. The later uses games ads to attract customers. Using analytics provided, the entrepreneur can see how well the product/service is attracting customers. Facebook can be used to see feedback in the comments as well, but note, that negative comments can hurt significantly so this approach needs to be carefully thought out.

Now that high speed broadband is being rolled out not only in Barbados, it will be easier to reach more customers and offer a more interactive experience, these should be key to the entrepreneur. As the business grows though, seek more robust solutions.

Combining some or all of these will result in lower costs, increased competitiveness but most importantly, give the entrepreneur an advantage.

Nigel is an IT Architect, Artist/Designer, innovator, an avid tennis player and world’s biggest “The Walking Dead� series fan LinkedIN - www.linkedin.com/pub/nigelpierre/13/385/ 4a0/en vbdog@hotmail.com

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2015,Tips to Survive & Thrive

By Sonia Hunte

M

edium, small and micro enterprises (MSME) make a significant contribution to the economy of Barbados. According to a SALISES report (2009) they contribute 32,000 jobs or 24.8 percent of the workforce. They earned a total of Bds$139 million in wholesale, retail and professional services. To continue the strong performance or to improve performance compared to 2014 here are some tips:

Review, learn and place closure to 2014 Perform a detailed review of 2014, its ups and downs, the good and the bad. Make a list of major milestones that were forecast and note whether or not they were achieved. Equally important is to say why or why not. Where they were mistakes, failures, and or disappointments seek to find a lesson from each of these situations. Where necessary, forgive yourself and be open to new possibilities in 2015.

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Focus on marketing One of the expenses that one should not cut in challenging times is marketing. Marketing can and should lead to customers, which in turn creates revenue. Focus on increasing income through current clients, but it is also important to gain new clients and new revenue streams.

Alex Goldfayn of the Evangelist Marketing simplifies marketing by stating it is just reaching potential clients that have not yet heard of your product or service.

In Evangelist Marketing Minute, two of the points he suggests that we affirm for 2015 are: “Be disciplined - each day I will communicate my value to at least one customer or prospect who can

buy from me -- in person, on the phone, or least preferably, via a personal email.”

Think big - “I will grow my company’s list of customers and prospects, because if my list isn’t growing, my revenue likely isn’t either.” The lesson; make a resolution to market daily.

Monitor Key Performance Indicators Medical professionals are always advising us to know our numbers because they determine the state of our health and the same is required to determine the financial health of our businesses.

Know your key performance indicators and monitor them at least monthly. These are not only financial but can cover customer satisfaction, marketing, human resources, operational performance and social responsibility.

The financial statements represent the dash board that shows how all of these areas come together.

Revenue growth, net profit, working capital ratio, return on equity are the key financial indicators.

Engage a chartered accountant to assist you with your KPI’s.

Focus on Cash management I knew a business which wrote cheques and kept them in a desk draw. As suppliers called the cheques were issued. This is the heart of cash flow, because one has to collect revenue as soon as possible and pay bills as late as possible. I am in not recommending that bills be paid after the due date, because late payments may incur charges, and, or result in a bad credit rating.

Also consider asking clients to make down payments for jobs over set amounts e.g. a percentage before you commence the work, part as the project progresses and the final amount on delivery.

Where this is not done, consider reducing the time it takes for your clients to pay and or become the squeaky wheel. This is based on the adage that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, so being in contact with your client and reminding them of the outstanding balance can assist with payment.

Discount and price wars have been known to put some competitors out of business leaving the stronger one to recapture the market and thereby raise prices.

Avoid deep discounting unless you are aware that you are covering your cost and treating this sale as a lost leader to gain market share. When this is not done, deep discounting with rising cost, usually results in lower margins, higher payroll cost, higher overdraft, increased debt i.e. cash flow problems , which can all lead to failure.

Stay close to Bankers and suppliers During difficult times, entrepreneurs tend to shut down and one of the first persons they may stop communicating with is their banker. Your banker should be one of your most trusted confidantes as they need to know more about your business than anyone else. Bankers prefer to be aware of what is on-going rather than have surprises. This relationship creates strong integrity, which lends itself to higher chance of approval for financing to assist with projected shortfall. Outside of lending a banker can act as a strong network partner to refer clients, suppliers and employees.

The banker can also inform you how your business is doing compared to other business in your industry.

The same can be said for suppliers and supplier relationship management that can lead to improved customer service through areas such as timely delivery of goods.

In everything, remember to persevere. Calvin Coolidge 30th president of the United States said “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan ‘press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Sonia assists emerging business in building capacity and in managing financial resources for inter generational growth.

Email sonia@sdhconsultinginc.com

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What is it about physiotherapy that you enjoy the most?

A well rounded approach to business

By Tracy Highland

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t is amazing how a singular event can change the trajectory of someone’s life. A chance encounter or unexpected experience has the power to provide direction, or in some cases redirection. For Melissa Walcott Pusey, physiotherapist and owner of Total Therapy Inc., it was a dance injury that cemented her career path at an early age. Dazzle got the chance to sit down with this remarkable 41 year old to talk about her life, work and successful rehabilitation clinic.

Your mom was in insurance. Your dad was in shipping. No one in your family was in the field. What led you to become a physiotherapist?

I wanted to be a physiotherapist from the time I was ten. I injured my knee dancing; I did a turn and my knee cap slipped out. I was referred to a physiotherapist who rocked! I thought she was the coolest person ever, so knowledgeable and everything she said was so interesting. I came away thinking this is what I wanted to do.

How did your family feel when you announced at ten that you had found your calling in what was at the time a fairly uncommon field?

Everybody was like, are you sure? My great aunt took me to all the physio places and made me spend time there because she was concerned that I was biting off more than I could chew. But I was sure it was what I wanted to do. All through school at Foundation, St. Michael’s and Barbados Community College, I was very focused on sciences. I knew what I needed to do. I went on to School of Physical Therapy at U.W.I. Mona, did a 3 year program and the rest is history.

Physiotherapy is not for the faint hearted. It is not an easy programme. We would have school from 8am to 6pm almost every day. The medical students would actually be laughing at us. The first year was very tedious and difficult; but then you get a chance to spend time with patients and that changes everything. I liked interacting with people, especially children; helping them to recover after an injury and assisting them in coping emotionally and mentally as well. The more positive your attitude the more successful you are with therapy. I get inspired by patients all the time.

You did an internship after studying in Jamaica and went on to practice successfully as a therapist there, taking a position at Bustamante Children’s Hospital and eventually becoming Senior Physiotherapist at Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester, Jamaica.

What made you give up that senior position to move back to Barbados and start your own business?

I made the decision in 2003. I was married and just had my son, Marlon Jr. My husband and I had financial goals, things we wanted to achieve, that were taking a little longer than we anticipated. So we moved to Barbados. I spent four or five months working with a therapist here and then I branched out on my own doing home care therapy.

What was it like in the infancy stages of your business?

It was just me for two years. Everything practically lived in my vehicle. It was lovely, no overheads! You have control of everything. I had a lot of freedom

fun facts Her favourite pastime is people watching.

The last book she read was Food: A Love Story, by Jim Gaffigan.

My core group of friends are all entrepreneurs. It really helps when you can hang out and talk with people who are facing the same struggles as you.

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and flexibility and it worked out well because my son was very young at the time. Seven years ago the opportunity came for me to set up the business here in Maxwell, Christ Church. The building, which is the family property, became available and at that point there were no physiotherapists in the area. I thought I’d try it for three years and see how it goes. It took a little getting used to. You go from your biggest overhead being the gas you put in your car to having to maintain an office space and having to pay staff, so it changes the game.

What are you most proud of with regards to your business?

What was your biggest challenge?

What advice would you give to anyone looking to enter the field?

I took on a partner and we opened a Pulmonary Function Testing Lab in Belleville with the assistance of a loan from Fund Access. From there we did things slowly. I have a very strong family unit, not a large family but we are very close and they pitched in and helped as well. The biggest challenge was actually getting used to the overheads, trying to figure out how much revenue we need to generate to cover them. When you train as a physio, you train to heal people, you don’t really think of the business aspect.

It’s not my favourite part if the business but it has to be done if you are to have sustainability. It was difficult at first but you get to learn the patterns as the years go by. You know when to expect slow periods and how to plan so that you get through them. You have to be able to streamline the needs and the wants of the business. Just because you think you need to have something doesn’t mean you can afford it. You have to really look at your budget and make decisions accordingly.

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It is not one big thing that I see as a victory. I am happy about the little things we have accomplished over the years; being able to balance our books, gaining the trust and respect of doctors so that they feel comfortable sending us their patients. Those are the things that tell me we are on the right track.

We’re constantly seeking to improve our skill level and maintain standards, and with this in mind I completed my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011.

Really spend time volunteering and learning about something before you decide to get into it. Things may seem glamorous on the outside but you need to know about all of the aspects of it so you can make an informed decision. From a business perspective I would say you have to be flexible. The plan you start with is not necessarily going to be the plan that will work for subsequent years. Have an idea, be focused, but also be able to look back and identify things that are not working. Remember you are in business to make money, not just to have a pretty sign on the front door. You have to make decisions that will allow you to be financially viable. We’re building Total Therapy not only as a brand that is associated with quality rehabilitative care but so that we have a legacy for our kids.

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Entrepreneurship…

Ready, Set, Go?

By D.A. Franklin

Y

ou did it! Your baby is born. Months, even years in the making, your business has entered the world; you are officially an ENTREPRENEUR. Business plan…check!

Financing…Check! Location…Check! Staff…Check!

Self Analysis...Check? Have you stopped to consider whether you are actually cut out to run a business and if your character and personality are actually suited for this journey?

If there is one thing I have learnt in years of working with counseling, observing entrepreneurs and unsuccessfully trying entrepreneurship myself, is that long-term success is very much tied to who the owner/operator is at their very core. This element is not often considered, but careful review of many successful businesses can be traced to the basic character/personality of its owner. Not everyone is cut out for this, but for some…they were born to do it!

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THE BASICS Business ideas are as varied as individuals, but whether a service, retail or manufacturing entity there are certain basic traits that are commonly needed for all:

Patience - There are those rare occasions when everything goes smoothly from the get go but in the vast majority of cases, it takes a while for you to establish the specific needs of your clients/customers, effectively train employees and meander through your learning curve. You need Patience.

Tenacity - There will be days or situations that you encounter which require you to dig your teeth in and press on regardless. If you are one to give up at the first sign of resistance from customers/clients, competitors or society, this may not be path for you.

You need Tenacity.

Energy and Drive As with a newborn child, the physical demands at the start can be trying. There may be long hours and physical labour demands as you get established. You need Energy.

Passion

Most significantly, it is your passion for your business that will keep you going when you encounter resistance. It is your passion for your idea that will enable you to sell it with the utmost confidence and convince others that you are offering the best thing since sliced bread. You need Passion.

THE SPECIFICS Apart from these basics, you need to determine if you are the right fit for your specific concept. For example if your business is labour intensive, leadership traits will help. If your business involves direct sales and you are not good at interacting with people and can’t sell a snowcone in a dessert, that may not be the venture for you. If you are NOT detailed-oriented and your business requires lots of spreadsheets and accounting, this is an issue. If you are EXTREMELY passionate about your concept but don’t possess a managerial bone in your body, this a problem! Figure these things out.

If you have done your Self-Analysis and discovered that maybe your personality and character are not aligned to run your business, all is NOT lost; as we Bajans would say “the hardest ting is to know”.

1. Don’t be afraid to work on yourself; don’t let intimidation stop you from developing those aspects of your character that need some work. If you really are determined about your idea, it may be well worth your time and dedication to invest in some Personal Development! It’s never too late to become a better you, especially if your livelihood depends on it.

2. We were created for relationships and some of life’s journeys need human help, so seek out those partners, advisors and mentors that possess the traits that you don’t have. There are many who have to be ‘the chief cook and bottle washer’ of their business, but for those of you who can afford to do so, surround yourself with those who bring the other personality puzzle pieces to your business.

This brings me to another important point.

As you evaluate yourself, PLEASE do this with the others involved. Not everyone is meant to work together, so be careful who you yoke yourself to.

Your business partners or top managers may have 5 business degrees and have worked at the top establishments in the island, but if their value system is not aligned to yours, there may be trouble on the horizon; or if you are a big picture sanguine person and your partner is a meticulous perfectionist, you need a plan to work together.

There is PLENTY to consider on ‘Entrepreneur Drive’ but there are some of us that simply have to do this. There are some that are born to conceptualize, develop and run one or multiple businesses. For those of you that know without hesitation that this journey is who you are, I encourage you to carefully evaluate everything and give it your all.

My advice is simple… Know your Business, Know your Associates and Know Yourself!!

Dawn is a Personal Coach and Workshop Facilitator, who is passionate about Personal Development, the pursuit of ‘Life Purpose’ and all things creative.

WEBSITE: d31.weebly.com Twitter: D31Tweets D. A. Franklin

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I

t is hard to position your company as top of the line and unique if your employees don’t believe it is. That is especially true if they are the ones interacting with customers and clients. For an entrepreneur it might be natural to adopt a do it yourself attitude. You are vested in the company and its success. You know what it takes to get there. You know the image you want to project. Your customers love YOU and you thrive on the excellent relationship you have with them.

For most entrepreneurs the reality is you cannot sustain this all-encompassing approach as your company grows. As this happens, your employees’ skills, knowledge and attitudes become more and more important. We spoke to Managing Director of Caribbean Catalyst Inc. and Human Resources guru Ros Jackson, about what it takes to recruit star employees and build a company culture that makes them want to stay.

Ros knows all about entrepreneurship. She’s lived it.

Her father, a Portuguese shop keeper, died when she was two years old, leaving her mother and seven children to run the shop next to their home. She understood business from an early age. When she joined Ernst and Young as a corporate administrator, after a stint as a mathematics teacher at her alma mater, The Ursuline Convent, she left her mark; having started up both their Internal Human Resources function and their HR consulting service.

Building the Right Company Culture with Ros Jackson

By Tracy Highland

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She went on to open Caribbean Catalyst in 2005 and in just 10 short years, the company, whose motto is “Achieving Through People,” has become one of the most trusted and successful HR consulting companies in the Caribbean.

How has she done it? She did something very unusual in the entrepreneurial landscape of the Caribbean. She started with openness.

“The first thing I did was be very open with everyone about what it was we were doing. What we have to do. How much money I can invest and the sorts of revenues we would have to generate to maintain the business,” she said. Everyone in her company knows what the targets are and what to do to reach them. She has monthly meetings to look at

Profit and Loss and quarterly meetings to look at the company’s financials.

“You cannot expect people to have the mindset of ownership if they don’t have information,” she explained. Her advice to entrepreneurs is to have very open, honest communication within their ranks.

Employees will not take ownership of something they don’t understand.

Ros believes that honest dialogue is the cornerstone of a strong company. In her own company she is committed to being absolutely honest about everything. She will not shy away from difficult conversations and robust dialogue. “When we gloss over issues we create an artificial harmony. Too often people ignore things which may be problematic because they don’t want to deal with them,” she stressed.

Of equal importance to Ros is hiring the right people.

It sets the tone for the culture of the company. But how do we know when we’ve found the right fit? Ros says it’s all in the attitude. She advises not just to look for who is readily available or who has the most qualifications.

“Yes, qualifications are important, but what is more important is the attitude and attributes the person brings to the culture,” she said. She looks for people who are team players and self-motivated. “This may mean the person may move on after a few years, but so what! That job for life mentality is through the window!” she explained. According to her, the days when people immediately toss a resume that shows a change of jobs every few years are coming to an end.

She encourages her clients to dig deeper to find out why. Each move could have been a progression. This employee could offer you a stellar performance for a few years which could contribute to the growth of your business. If they leave on good terms it helps you to build a strong alumni.

Ros also challenged business people to look for diversity of thought when hiring. “I don’t want everyone to look like me, think like me and feel like me. We have to have diversity of thought if we are to get collective wisdom,” she said. This may mean

a period of trial and error to see if the employee is committed to the fundamental attributes of the company but she assures it can be well worth it. “If you hire original thinkers who want to grow and develop themselves and also believe in what you are doing as a company then they will perform,” she assured.

So you have chosen well, you have great employees.

How do you get them to stay and thrive? Ros says it starts with leadership. Are you first and foremost a credible human being? She prides herself on being honest, competent and on having the ability to inspire. Add to that the ability to be forward thinking and you have the makings of a good leader.

“As a leader you have to establish your own credibility.

You have to set the tone for the culture. It’s not do what I say, but do what I do. When people aren’t living up to that honesty then you deal with it in a constructive way,” she advised.

That constructive approach is the other thing she pointed to as one of the markers of a successful company culture. The way Ros sees it, as employers you are not there to control and tear people down, you are there to facilitate personal growth and development. If you give employees an open, fair environment to pursue their professional goals then the job becomes far more rewarding, which is especially important in these tough economic times where additional financial reward may not always be possible.

“A lot of entrepreneurs think it’s my business and they keep all of the juicy projects and opportunities for themselves, but this is not the way to go if you want to build a strong sustainable business,” she advised. “If you don’t share with people, you can’t expect them to have the same level of commitment as you have,” she added.

“I make sure that all the members of my team get visibility,” she explained. “I make sure that my clients understand the depth and breadth of the team”. “You can’t grow your business if it revolves around you,” she stressed. “You’re not building a legacy; you’re just making a living.”

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Sharpening The Saw: A Habit of Balance

By Richard Barrow

S

tephen Covey in his seminal work, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People(R), promotes the principles of Balanced Self Renewal in his Seventh Habit: Sharpen the Saw.

Long before I knew of Covey, and his work and the principles that continue to shape the thought of generations that follow, I was guided by the wisdom of my mother and my grandmother who like many, probably for generations long past, repeated the age old wisdom expressed in the simple proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

all things to all people but may be better served strategically devising and incorporating these habits to drive effectiveness and efficiency. That is, to maintain a sharp cutting edge.

To illustrate, Covey describes the following scenario.

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree. “What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

Trending today is the concept of Work Life Balance and together with Covey - and Granny - reinforces the importance of maintaining proper proportions as it relates to ambition, leisure, family, self-development and your many other competing ‘self’.

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

The idea of maintaining a balance and of self-renewal, while important to all, is of particular importance to the entrepreneur who may need at times to be

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen the saw?” you inquire. I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

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“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

Sharpen the Saw considers the pursuit of all four dimensions of your nature, namely physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional in a consistent and balanced way.

Covey teaches that balance is important because the contribution made to sharpening the saw in one dimension positively impacts the results in each of the other dimensions, thus creating synergy in the self-renewal.

The possibilities for pursuit of balanced self-renewal across these four dimensions are endless and may include efforts to strengthen and condition your body through physical activities. In Issue 2 of Dazzle Magazine, Janelle Chase-Mayers shares the benefits of strength and conditioning through Cross Fit. Coach Janelle in explaining the links between everyday movements and the efficiency which physical fitness contributes to increased production, explains “it relates directly to real life”.

If attention to the physical dimension propels, having a strong spiritual centre provides the purpose to keep you grounded by committing to a clear value system and highlighting what is ultimately important in life.

This is not limited only to a religious connection, but could also encompass the importance placed on the connection to family.

Another of our entrepreneurs, Amanda Reifer, who was also featured in Issue 2 of Dazzle attributed her success in business to the strong support system and connection from her husband, family, close friends

and through the grace of God. The mental dimension may be positively influenced by pursuing additional education, training and retraining and engaging in other avenues of continuing professional development, not necessarily restricted to the areas of your business but on wide and varied topics.

A good way to develop the social and emotional dimension, since this relates to interaction and interdependence, is to be of service to others.

This may be achieved either on a personal level or through your business by contributing to causes in a meaningful way via corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The advice to the entrepreneur from Virgin Group founder, and the epitome of work life balance, Sir Richard Branson is sound. He admits that “It is easy to neglect your health and your family as you spend your time dealing with emergencies. Finding time for yourself or to think about the future of the business may seem just about impossible, but you won’t be able to keep going at 100 miles per hour if you are running on empty”.

To this he adds that “To be refreshed and ready for anything, you need to find time for play. You are far more likely to succeed if you are having fun, so play just as hard as you work, if not harder! Find time to laugh, whether it is catching up with friends, chatting to new people or sharing a joke on Twitter. Then when opportunity knocks, open the door and make every second count.”

However, if all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, to quote from the words of Maria Edgeworth, certainly “all play and no work makes Jack a mere toy”.

Remember, balance is key.

Richard Barrow is a qualified Chartered Secretary and Accredited Director with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (Canada), and is a Sports Administrator and Enthusiast. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsbarrow Email :richard.s.barrow@gmail.com

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By D.J Simmons

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or someone whose hobby growing up was disassembling various gadgets and electrical appliances Arshad Mehter has managed to craft a respectable cutting edge business through a foundation of discipline and love. Sitting in his office, one could feel the both the excitement and passion of the young entrepreneur, married with skill and experience. The product is the inspirational mind behind A.M Electrical Solutions Inc., home of quality engineering services and generator systems.

Arshad told Dazzle from a young man he was always interested in “picking down things”, understanding and enhancing various devices ranging from Walkie-Talkies to cellular phones. While still in Harrison College at the eager age of sixteen he began work at Plantrac Engineering Limited. While most boys that age would be frolicking carefree, Arshad was focused on his passion being raised under generations of strong structure within his family, religion and early school life. Arshad credits his parents, grandparents and education at Wesley Hall Primary school for the discipline that steered him along his journey to success through electrical engineering. This strong mentorship continued at Plantrac where he was influenced by his mature co-workers, which only helped to positively feed into his passion. One of the earliest factors influencing this young technician was in business, customer service often won over the competition.

Hence this is why at the core of A.M Electrical Solutions is ensuring the customer has unsurpassed service. After receiving years of experience in the field, Arshad was able to gauge firsthand customer expectations and each one is treated as though they are number one at A.M Electrical.

One needs more than just discipline and an engineering associate degree from the Barbados Community College to build their own successful business. As Arshad rose through the ranks at Plantrac and eventually left the company, he moved on to other organizations, picking up traits in Human Resources, Project Management and Generator Design, and also learning some valuable life lessons as this young man was now recently married and building a home as well as a career.

Everyone knows we need help along our journey in life and while working in a position at Regional Fire and Security, his boss at the time supported Arshad in starting his own company. Due to that impeccable

customer service he always provided, his clientele was built mostly on the close relationships with past clients in his days with Plantrac.

A.M Electrical was birthed officially in 2002 and built up from a bedroom to the beautiful office building it now calls home on Maxwell Main Road, Christ Church Barbados. Early days were a struggle as one can imagine. He often worked 80 hours a week hustling to make ends meet. Arshad dreaded the day a client would want to meet him in his (bedroom) office! Luckily, most business is handled in the field. The first big break for the young entrepreneur was a project The Sands (now known as One Sandy Lane). This class of project which was a technical one, was never attempted before in Barbados, but Arshad was up for the challenge. The publicity earned from its success raised awareness concerning A.M Electrical in the consultant and contractor circles. As the opportunities poured in Arshad would never turn any down, outsourcing talents where necessary to help build and maintain the business.

Inspired by the strong working and ethical character of his mother Sandra and father Abdul, Arshad was always inquisitive and plotting his future. Dazzle asked Mr. Mehter if he regrets not finishing his engineering degree at University in Trinidad and Arshad shook his head with a confident, “No”. He believes God guides you along a specific path on purpose and he may have been working in a stagnant career instead of the dynamic flow of entrepreneurship if he did not break from studies when he did. Arshad never forgets to remember his strong Islamic backing and strict parenting, always giving thanks for what he has been blessed with. You can easily see how important family still means to him and his company when you visit his Facebook page or website www.amesolutions.net, and see the images of his son Ziyad with the M- Tech generators (Arshad Mehter’s own brand of power sources). Through the Mehter Technologies brand (M-TECH POWER) A.M Electrical adds another element to their service providing an in house cost efficient and dependable option for clients. This has also helped to expand the brand to other islands in the region ensuring that the Mehter name lasts long in the industry.

A.M Electrical recognizes that although the industry is not completely ready for full regulation, energy saving is a growing market and have introduced efficient ways to power their service. www.dazzlebarbados.com DAZZLE 43

Another one of the major accomplishments for A.M Electrical is being recognized as the first and only authorized service agents for F G Wilson Generators in Barbados. This feat was six years in the making beginning from specific skills Arshad obtained during

his early days in engineering, developed through tedious research, consistent communication, certified training, calculated risks and inspired investments.

Basically, as you can see, it wasn’t easy! Arshad Mehter helped to prove to the world that Barbados engineering has the expertise to compete on an international level.

You know a business is particularly special when some of the owner’s past employers and colleagues are now among his employees! Among others his old boss at Plantrac, Mitchell Letren, is now the engineering director of A.M Electrical Solutions. Speaking about bosses, Arshad’s wife Tasha Mehter is also heavily involved with the company, handling its financial affairs. He also credits her for being the backbone of both his business and personal success. Over the years A.M Electrical has developed a loyal team of employees made up of a wealth of engineering expertise and Arshad treasures the value of all his personnel. In building a business and inciting a team to share his vision and passion, Arshad needed to develop key motivational skills to maintain a high moral for his staff members. He also believes in helping others build to their highest potential whether working for him or self-employed.

And his greatest challenge in entrepreneurship: initially opening the doors to the business, building from small jobs and wise decisions helping to provide a firm financial foundation. As the business grows (A.M Electrical Solutions is now a fourteen man twenty four hour operation!) both Arshad and his business continues to evolve taking advantage of all opportunities in power generation and building automation. Maintaining a high caliber reputation and attracting more clients, generating electric relationships through powerful service and skill!

fun facts One of Arshad’s early memories of Dazzle’s managing editor Ryan Wills is diving around as a chubby wicket keeper at primary school.

He loves to modify vehicles.

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He has been breeding parrots from a young boy. He also collects other birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, you name it!

HDMI Pocket Projector Mobile, 100-Lumen

By Ryan Wills

A

re you big on presentations but small on budget and size? Well my fellow entrepreneur, meet the compact Pocket Projector by Brookstone, one of the smallest on the market. Don’t let its size fool you, it can still wow your audience with its impressive brilliance.

It is classified as a pico projector, not a pocket projector. Nevertheless, while it is certainly portable, it is not a projector that you should leave in handbags or lying around the place.

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DAZZLE 45

According to Brookstone, The Pocket Projector’s mega-bright lamp projects up to 100 lumens for up to two hours on a single charge and lasts up to 20,000 hours! It comes with a powerful 3800mAh battery that recharges via USB and can even double as a

The Pocket Projector includes an HDMI® compatible cable, MHL cable, 5 to 11-pin adapter and AC adapter.

To connect to any device without an HDMI® compatible port, you will need an HDMI® compatible adapter or Apple Digital AV adapter. backup battery for your devices when fully charged.

A built-in focus wheel lets you adjust the display for optimum resolution, while the dual speakers with volume control let you accompany your video with audio - or add separate speakers using the 3.5mm audio-out jack.

This makes a perfect companion to help get across your sales pitches, growth strategy and artwork.

Clients will be impressed and it completes the whole package. Connecting it to your phone is even easier once you have the appropriate cables. Outside of business this projector is perfect for movies, video games and just watching tv shows.

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The Brookstone projector is a good choice for persons always on the go and who require a compact companion to help tell their story. How soon will you be adding this to your gadget box?

ingredients S K I N N Y

BROCCOLI S A L A D

Meat 3 slices Bacon, cooked Produce 5 cups Broccoli florets 1 cup Cranberries 1/2 cup Red onion Condiments 1 cup Mayonnaise Baking & Spices 1/4 tsp Black pepper, ground 1/2 cup Brown sugar 1/4 tsp Salt Oils & Vinegars 3 tbsp Rice wine vinegar Nuts & Seeds 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds, salted (optional)

method Cut broccoli into small pcs and blanche in boiling water for about 1 min Cut up bacon and fry in skillet

You will never look at broccoli the same way again; at the very least you will make this recipe your new favorite side dish. Plus, everyone needs a great go-to side salad recipe, and this one is just that. It’s a tried and true side-dish recipe and a favorite of many. This Broccoli Salad is full of flavor with crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, red onion, raisins, and sunflower seeds, all mixed together with a sweet and savory dressing. So perfect! We promise it will change your life.

Whisk together sugar, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper until smooth and sugar is dissolved.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together and toss until coated with sugar, mayonnaise and vinegar mixture.

Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.

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DAZZLE 47

see more pictures on www.dazzlebarbados.com & facebook.com/dazzlebarbados

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DAZZLE 49

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