Fresh Magazine - Xmas 2017

The Fresh-MSME Alliance Special Christmas News Magazine issuu.com/fresh-mag-ja

Dec 2017 — Jan 2018

24 Pages

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: For thousands of Jamaicans, attending the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown, Kingston, is one of the highlights of the Christmas season.

This event is hosted by the Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation at the St. William Grant Park.

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It’s that time of year again…..time to do something special for your loved ones and friends…...time for some random acts of kindness that will not only make someone’s day, but put you in touch with your better self. It’s Christmas! Let us help you save time and money with these great, inexpensive gift ideas you can buy or make for friends and loved ones. It will cut down on the time you spend just browsing or window-shopping as you wait for inspiration. We’ve done all that for you. Enjoy!

Can’t go wrong with books, CDs, DVDs, board games, video games and other forms of personal entertainment

Set the Christmas mood with scented candles in every room

If it’s the only gift you purchase for your household this Christmas, make it “Poinsettias Red, Blood Red, in warm December” (Claude McKay)

Flame Heart

Stocking Stuffers For Kids and Teens: Money...DVDs…Games…

Curios…Food……Personal Care Products..Clothes…

Gadgets…..Phone Credit….are just some of the many things teens want.

So go ahead, give them “the gifts that matter.”

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. . . Is YOUR

Many years ago, the late Monsignor Richard Albert related the story of ‘Miss Lena,’ a poor senior citizen living in substandard conditions in the inner city, but from whom he learnt a signal lesson about the ‘Real Meaning of Christmas’.

According to Father Albert, as he took his leave of Miss Lena after his visit with her, he said she

assured him that she would be praying for him and “all the poor.”

Then she gave him a small, crumpled piece of old newspaper and when he opened it, saw that it contained six $2 bills and a note which said: “Please buy a gift for someone.” Even after reminding myself of this story every year at this time of year for over 20 years,

I still marvel at its simmagazine of Fresh Ideas! ple, yet profound message. And again Find what you I choke up. need to: Even during his  Get great value final Christmas for your money among the living, Father Albert still re Create new income streams membered Miss Lena and reiterated that: Improve your life “Her gesture reminded me that Christmas Achieve your is all about giving. goals “It does not matSucceed in ter what or how much your endeavors. we give but The Email your comGreat Message of ments, questions, Christmas is that what ideas and suggesis important in life, is tions to: that we give to each <marketfresh.magaz other.” ine@gmail.com> Best wishes to you and yours for a Safe & Happy ChristEditor: - Carmen Richards mas.

Email feedback to: The Editor: <marketfresh.magazine@gmail.com>

Reach over 50,000 Jamaicans in the Diaspora!

Email us at: marketfresh.magazine@gmail.com

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One, 10 and 25 Cent Coins Demonetized

One Cent

Ten Cent

Citing decreasing demand and high production costs as the principal reasons for its decision, the Bank of Jamaica has demonetized the one, 10 and 25 cent coins, effective February 15, 2018.

This means that as of this date, these units will no longer be legal tenders, thereby making the $1 the lowest denominated coin in circulation.

In a Guidance Statement, published November 2017, the BOJ said although the Specified Coins will no longer be legal tender, they will continue to be redeemed at the BOJ indefinitely.

Further, the BOJ said the demonetization of the Specified Coins will only affect cash payments and will only apply to the total amount of the bill or transaction.

Twenty-five Cent Cash transactions ending in 0.01 to 0.49 should be rounded down to the nearest dollar. For example, a transaction for $40.49 should be rounded down to $40.

Cash transactions ending in 0.50 to 0.99 should be rounded up to the next dollar. For example, a transaction for $40.50 should be rounded up to $41.

Meanwhile, in welcoming the move, President of the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA). Mr. Nigel Holness, said: “There is a substantial amount of coins out there in the public’s hands which I believe can come to good use,” such as, he noted, collecting and giving them to charitable organizations.

Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), the flagship company of the JN Group Limited, became the first, wholly-owned Jamaican bank to be incorporated in the 21st Century and the third largest bank in Jamaica, when it was converted to JN Bank on February 1, 2017. In addition to the conversion of JNBS to a commercial bank, the JN Group has been restructured, in keeping with the Banking Services Act 2014. The re-organization of the JN Group included the establishment of the JN Financial Group Limited, which owns JN Bank; as well as six other financial services entities.

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MSME President reports on stewardship When I assumed the leadership of the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Alliance in 2013, my mandate was to grow the organization and increase awareness, both within the membership as well as in the general public; to build the brand; to maintain the relevance of the Organization; and ensure the organization is represented within the SME sector and related spheres.

Membership Over the period, we have grown our membership, particularly Affiliate members. This has occurred mainly through the MSME Group Health Plan which came on stream in 2016 and remains a viable source of revenue, while providing much needed group health insurance for MSMEs. Partnerships We developed some very important partnerships with several local and overseas organizations for mutually beneficial arrangements, as follows:National Development Foundation of Jamaica (NDFJ): through which we offer business training courses for our members. Of particular note is NDFJ’s capacity to offer proposal writing services which we need in order to apply for funding from multi-nationals as well as locally, which are available. Very tangible results can arise from this partnership.

Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ): we continue to receive tremendous support from the Development Bank of Jamaica. Their Voucher programme, where MSMEs can apply for grants to help build their business capacity, is an excellent resource. The grants are not paid directly to the applicant but to the service provider accredited by the DBJ to offer accounting and other capacity-building services.

The Caribbean Enterprises Network, United Kingdom (CENUK): the objective of CENUK is to match entrepreneurs within the MSME with investors and other opportunity-seekers in the Caribbean and the UK for mutually beneficial outcomes, including export opportunities and investment opportunities.

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FundSME: their objective is to help SMEs identify the right funding, investors and funding arrangements for their businesses.

Business Access TV/Wealth Magazine: with this partnership, we have produced our cobranded smallbusiness lifestyle magazine: The MSME Business Insider. The inau-

Donovan Wignal President, The MSME Alliance

gural edition was published earlier this year and the next issue, which is scheduled for publication in the first quarter of 2018, will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Alliance. Plan your participation now, by contacting the MSME Alliance Secretariat.

Engagements As you are aware, there have been much development in the MSME sector as a direct result of Government policy. Consequently, I have been called on frequently by the media as well as asked to speak at various events, to discuss issues affecting the sector. I have represented the MSME Alliance and the MSME Sector on programmes in the print, electronic and digital media. These appearances and participation in public debates on issues affecting the sector have helped to promote our brand as the premier resource of the small business sector.

Thank You Our immediate task, going forward, is to renew and revive our membership and strengthen our capacity to grow our Organization as well as grow our member-organizations and individual member-businesses. I wish to extend my heartfelt “thank you” to the members of the Executive Committee, the Board, and individual members for your patience and continued support.

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MSME Alliance small-biz magazine ‘speaks language of entrepreneurs’ The MSME Business Insider magazine is the brainchild of the President of the MSME Alliance, Mr. Donovan Wignal.

This product is co-branded with the renowned Wealth Magazine, through a partnership between the MSME Alliance and BATV, owners and publishers of Wealth magazine.

The MSME Business Insider is designed to serve the needs and interests of entrepreneurs and business owners who want to start and grow their businesses, achieve their goals, improve their lives and succeed in their endeavors.

It comprises a cornucopia of ideas, tools and resources, guides and information sourced from a wide cross-section of MSME interests, individuals, institutions and organizations.

The Jamaica National Small Business Loans Limited, (JNSBL) under the stewardship of its General Manager, Mrs. Gillian Hyde, was the first corporate entities to partner with the MSME Business Insider and is the magazine’s first Cover Story.

To a significant extent, the inaugural edition provides a crucial framing of the small business sector at this point in Jamaica’s economic history. Several articles in the magazine raise the issue of the global and perennial difficulties that face small-business owners regarding financing and sustainability, even as other articles examine the progress that has been made in this area, as a direct result of Government policy and the availability of non-traditional sources of funding for small businesses and hence, the opportunity for greater success in the sector.

The MSME Business Insider is Jamaican and Caribbean-centric. It speaks the language and promotes the interests of entrepreneurs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, about the information, access and alliances they need to succeed in their endeavours.

After

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If you keep only one resolution this New Year, let it be a commitment to yourself to eat healthier foods that can potentially lower cancer risks. This is your opportunity to launch: My Personal New Year Nutrition Challenge.

As you know, eating the right foods and staying at a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of cancer and other lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases. However, maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult. Hence the need for a plan and a commitment to follow it faithfully.

Resolve to: eat more fruits and vegetables

Focus on small diet changes Make small diet changes by completing one nutrition challenge each month.

Challenges include: 1. Eat breakfast daily 2. Eat every 5-6 hours while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re awake 3. Eat more whole grains 4. Limit red meat consumption

Resolve to: eat more plant-based protein, such as Ital Stew

5. Drink less alcohol 6. Avoid processed meat 7. Dine out less 8. Eat more fruits and veggies 9. Eat less salt 10. Drink more water

Resolve to: drink more water Fresh Magazine

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Bedroom Dining Room Fresh Magazine

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Front Door

Kitchen Kitchen Fresh Magazine

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A 24-Hour Family-Business Everett Fenton’s Garage is one of the most well-known wrecker service providers in the country, and that is only one of the many automotiverelated services it offers.

Having made some strategic alliances with both business, corporate and government entities, the company has a solid base of customers, in addition to individual motorists - all of

which result in typical 18-20-hour days for the hard-working eponymous owner.

But the business remains open up to 24 hours per, based on customers’ needs.

Fenton will be the first to deny that he could do it all by himself, however.

“One of the wonderful things about working with your wife is that you don’t have to wait until you go home to see her. You just look up and she is sitting right across from you,” Fenton said, by way of explanation for his long,

guilt-free working hours.

Camille Fenton, coowner of the business puts in as many hours as her husband. And now that their two daughters are approaching adulthood, they too are expected to play their part in the family-business.

Personalized Service

Everett Fenton’s Garage offers a full range of automotive services and parts for all motor vehicles.

Its professionally trained workers are capable of undertaking

ing any task, from a simple auto-detailing to major overhauls of engine or gearbox, as well as computer diagnostics.

Body repairs and re-spraying are also a specialty, as the business boasts two modern enclosed spray booth. Customers of Fenton’s are used to receiving personalized treatment, as well as executive pick -up and delivery of vehicles or personnel.

As expected, security is very tight and the company has solid community support.

RADIATOR

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Decorate the Dining Room for Christmas Day Christmas is the perfect time to indulge your creative side in your decorating ideas, especially for the living and dining rooms where the socializing and entertaining will be focused during the holiday. Shades of red, gold, green and white will create drama and delight. Sleek statement lights add an element of sophistication to a dining room that will last all year round, but will look great teamed with a festive table setting and dining room centrepiece.

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Individual Sale: $200/Wholesale: $100 (minimum 10 cards) Fresh Magazine

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