You Are Reading
Small Business ASSOCIATION
Vol. 03 Issue. 4 April, 2015 Edition
Building Networks; Creating Wealth
OVER 1200 SIGN UP FOR THEIR SMART CARD! Scores of consumers have signed on to received their Smart Card during the first month of the re-launch of the Be SME Smart programme. The programme, having been first introduced in 2012/13 as a pilot project, has received overwhelming support from the general public owing the value proposition of the campaign – providing value to customers as their support small businesses.
exchange and improving the quality of goods and services available in the sector.
ness’ website, where additional information can be seen.
The Be SME Smart programme offers consumers two value-added features – the Smart Card and the online Marketplace. The Smart Card is available free of cost and allows the customer to access a range of discounts and special offers from participating firms. From 5% - 25% discount can be accessed by consumers who present their Smart Card to participating businesses at every purchase.
The SBA plans to further strengthen the programme in the future through additional features such as a loyalty component and an e-commerce facility. Consumers will be able to accumulate points with every purchase to be redeemed for further discounts and cash vouchers. In addition, electronic trade will allow customers to make their purchase in the online Marketplace and have their goods delivered and/or transact business in real-time with firms in the programme.
Additionally, consumers can visit the Be SME Smart online Marketplace to view the participating firms and the special packages being offered. This online feature of the programme presents the businesses in an attractive and reader-friendly manner to allow the consumer to view the products offered and in some cases access the direct link to the busi-
Be SME SMART Ambassador (left) assisting a consumer to sign up for his SMART Card.
The Small Business Association introduced the programme with the aim of sensitising the consuming public about the product offerings of the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. The programme facilitates key economic and social benefits including saving jobs, increasing revenue among MSMEs, reducing the use of foreign
Satisfied customer holding the Be SME SMART Discount Card.
Businesses and consumers alike are invited to sign up to be a part of the Be SME Smart programme by visiting the SBA as www.sba.bb. Screenshot of the Be SME SMART Marketplace
THE SBA CONTINUES TO GROW
Despite the prevailing economic conditions, new businesses continue to be established in Barbados. The Small Business Association was honoured in the last month to welcome thirteen of these start-up firms to its membership. Hosting the businesses in its monthly orientation meeting, CEO of the SBA, Ms. Lynette Holder, underscored the importance of joining members’ associations, particularly in the early growth stage of the business. Such networking and knowledge transfer opportunities were vital, particularly in the challenging first years of the business life cycle.
sectoral group meetings and other activities. Business owners and the self-employed are encouraged to visit the SBA’s website – www.sba.bb, view the section on ‘Become a Member’ and sign up to be a part of this vibrant business network.
The inductees were not only introduced to the organisation, its history, strategic plans and its several member programmes, but the business owners were reminded of the value in contributing to the development of their association through the various feedback mechanisms in place. Ms. Holder also emphasised that the programmes developed and offered by the assoCEO of the Small Business Association, Ms. Lynette Holder (right) standing with ciation were as a result of input received from the membership new members at their recent orientation. and as such it was important that they participated in surveys, IMPORTANT DATES 2015 FEATURE ACTIVITY FEATURE ACTIVITY REACH THE SBA May 18: Training and Development: Quickbooks Basic, Intermediate & Advanced.
HEAD OFFICE 1 Pelican Industrial Park, Bridgetown, Barbados
May 28: Members’ Meeting Theme: Disaster Preparedness “A Stitch In Time Saves Nine” Visit www.sba.bb for more infromation
Phone: (246) 228-0162 Fax: (246) 228-0613 Email: theoffice@sba.bb Website: www.sba.bb
www.smallbusinessapproved.bb
Photography, Animation and Scripting.
13˚ North Productions Inc. is a media production company specialising in Video Productions, Production Facilitation,
Their mission is to produce quality original and/or commissioned content and to provide exceptional production facilitation services to a number of visual projects including TV shows, music videos, films and photo shoots. With a team of well-versed production professionals, who have worked on projects both within and outside of the Caribbean’s region, they are not only equipped to handle your production needs but are sure to maintain international standards in every project they are a part of. At 13° North Productions Inc. they handle from high to low budget productions, guaranteeing something for everyone. Please visit their website at www.13degreesnorthpro.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/13DegreesNorthProductions Twitter: @13degreesnow. 13˚ North Productions Inc. is also part of the Be SME SMART Discount Programme and will be offering $1000 off any commercial valued at $4500 and over. Certain conditions apply. Contact 13˚ North Productions Inc. for details on this offer.
CraftWorx Designs specialises in the design and manufacture of many wooden items made of indigenous woods of Barbados. It’s signature product line is hand-turned pens which are available as ball-point, rollerball and fountain. The company takes pride in selecting many different types of indigenous woods for their pieces. These woods include Barbados mahogany, dunk, river tamarind, tamarind, casuarina, neem, pittosporum, almond, ackee, guava and mango, to name a few. The beautiful wood of each pen is set against exquisite fittings of 22kt & titanium, 24kt gold, rhodium, and Swarovski crystals among others. The pens have drawn considerable attention in Barbados and wider afield, with them being offered as corporate and personal gifts to many dignitaries, corporate clients, family and friends. The appreciation for the use of indigenous woods has led CraftWorx Designs to expand into other wood items including salt and pepper mills, wine bottle stoppers and several types of kitchen and serving ware. The company’s intent is to demonstrate the versatility and unique character of the various woods found in Barbados. Contact them at info@craftworxdesigns.com or (246) 243-1601 www.craftworxdesigns.com
Chop Chop started as a private catering company providing signature food experiences. They are now making the bold move to build a brand within Bridgetown as a retail outlet. Three fundamentals are synonymous with the Chop Chop Brand: LOCAL INGREDIENTS. Their aim is to utilize the lush abundance of sun ripened produce available on the island. Plus, locally sourced just tastes Better! FRESHLY PREPARED. Food is an everyday thing, and you are what you eat. So they have made it their mission to give you the very best right out of their kitchen, daily. DELICIOUS. The expectation is ‘This better be good’; and they aim to deliver just that. Wherever you see the Chop Chop logo, know something delicious is about to happen. Chop Chop Delicatessen features the comforts of home and a zing of flavors from around the world in affordable meal options. Their slogan says it all ‘Simply Delicious’. Chop Chop’s location in Carlisle House offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of Bridgetown, and provides a vibrant scenery without having to leave the city. This is ideal for city dwellers, tourists and shoppers alike. Scrumptious menu themes change daily, and ranges from Breakfast to Lunch options, Finger Foods, Pastries and Desserts. Their Rush-hour Lunch Delivery (10:00am-3:00pm) brings Chop Chop’s entire menu directly to any address in Bridgetown. Carilsle House, Hincks Streets, Bridgetown. Barbados. Telephone: 246-830-5970 and 246-237-8795 Email: wechopchop@outlook.com Opening Hours: 7:00am – 4:00pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays Launch Date: May, 2015. With your SMART Card, you will receive 1 free dessert with purchases $15.00 and over or 5% discount on purchases $10 and over. SBA Outlook Newsletter
April 2015
SBA TRAINING BENEFITS ENTREPRENEURS “Achieving Self-Development through Education” was the theme of the Small Business Association’s Entrepreneurial Training Series’ Graduation Ceremony held recently.
cation remarked Lynette Holder, CEO of the SBA. As such the organisation’s entrepreneurship training series is delivered to both entrepreneurs and potential self-employed persons who wish to develop their creativity and entrepreneurial talents. Ms. Holder added, “this is a mandate we take very seriously and as such, will ensure that the organisation can strengthen the programme in the future.
President of the SBA, Mr. Dalton Medford (right) presenting Ms. Denise Mongerie-Rogers of Rodjmon Holdings Inc. with her certificate for Quickbooks Intermediate.
Some two hundred and fifty nine (259) entrepreneurs, self-employed persons and staff of small businesses received their certificates at the ceremony, having met the criteria for graduation. Education & training represents one of the four pillars of the association and is embraced as a key driver for economic and social development. “Empowering our citizens to realise their full potential and contribute to the development of the state can only be achieved through edu-
2015 to offer certified courses in various occupational areas. Ms. Holder noted this was a significant achievement for the SBA and a testimony to the value of the training product offered by the association.
Featured speaker, Rev. Stephen Gittens (right) presenting Ms. Toni Norville of Experience the Bajan Village with the Outstanding Student Award for Strategic Planning for Small Businesses.
A section of the audience paying rapt attention to the evening’s proceedings.
The SBA began its training series in 2009 and for the last five fiscal periods, has trained over 1140 persons, representing an average of 228 students per year. In 2015 the association has taken its training a step further and has been approved as a National/Caribbean Vocational Qualification Centre, a designation awarded by the TVET Council. The SBA will begin from
The courses offered by the SBA include computer-assisted accounts (QuickBooks), marketing, computer literacy, customer service, small business management, strategy and planning, among other areas. The association engages facilitators from within its membership who bring a theoretical and practical understanding to entrepreneurship, a value added component to the SBA’s training programme.
MANAGING YOUR CREDIT CARD SPENDING In a recent press conference about the new service, First Citizens CEO Glyne Harrison urged customers to take advantage of the new service, as the Bank continues to ensure that customers benefit from advances in the contemporary financial sector.
SMS Texting Service
Running a small business can lead to financial independence—but that freedom comes with great responsibility. This is especially important when it comes to money management in a small business environment. Increasing numbers of small business owners are using credit cards to pay and borrow in the day-to-day operations of their business. With billing times in sync with the accounts receivable cycle of businesses, and the flexibility of payment, credit cards are often seen as the most convenient option for a growing business in that more unpredictable start-up phase. In February, First Citizens introduced its First Citizens Credit Card SMS texting service, a product designed to enable customers to better manage their credit card use, and monitor spending habits. For small business owners especially, this could be a practical, cost-effective step in improving day-to-day money management and developing more transparent, efficient accounts records. The First Citizens Credit Card SMS texting service gives credit card users the ability to track the use of credit cards registered under their name, or the name of their company. Features of the new service include: the ability to receive text messages every time an amount of BDS $200 or more is charged to your First Citizen’s Credit Card, a text reminder of the credit card bill due date, and the benefit of using the service as a tool to efficiently manage local and international First Citizens credit card purchases.
“The new SMS Texting Feature is an exciting addition to our product offering. We’re giving our First Citizens primary card holders a convenient tool to manage the use of their credit cards, map their payment patterns and ultimately, make financial decisions that support their financial health,” stated CEO Glyne Harrison. “We remain committed to investing in new, innovative developments that can add value to our Barbadian customers’ service experience.” Amidst the reality of a slow-growth economy, the business and finance sector continues to invest in the research and development of corporate products that support the sustainable growth of businesses on the island. The SMS texting service is only one of many First Citizens products that complements the smaller, every-day realities that can make or break the operations of many small business owners. If you are currently a small business owner and looking for a financial partner to help you map your path to success, give us a call at 431-4500! One of our finance specialists will be happy to assist you. We look forward to working with you to support the strategic growth of your business!
Described as a “three-step process to improved spending habits” by their Senior Management Team, the SMS texting service is a valuable tool for small business owners who are seeking to enhance the accountability of their business. The service is also a trusted option for monitoring any fraudulent activity on one’s First Citizens Credit Card. The Small Business Association (SBA) is the island’s non-governmental, non-profit representative body for micro, small and medium enterprises. The SBA seeks to expand business opportunities for its members, provide educational and developmental services and lobby to ensure an enabling environment for the growth and sustainability of the SME sector. For more information on the work of the Small Business Association, please visit our website www.sba.bb SBA Outlook Newsletter
April 2015