Jamaica I wish…

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By Koko Boocro

      That academic achievers receive the same financing and glory as athletes and sports personalities.

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            That during the next election, there is no more national amnesia.

·         That Government gives support to local produces to drive economic independence.

·         That Jamaican patois, in all its amusing and colorful variations get more local acceptance.

·         That more farmers would undertake growing local fruits on a larger scale.

·         That more Jamaicans can appreciate and afford the luxury of a Jamaican vacation.

·         That single parents need not be magicians with a minimum wage

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·         That the highest political positions will eventually have academic requirements.

·         That the historic attractions in Hanover are no longer an open secret.

·         That the international impact of Jamaican music will be beneficial not only to its singers but also musicians.

·         That the knowledge of the types and uses of local medicinal plants passes on for generations to come.

·         That the media houses stop copycatting and create more original content.

·         That there was free access to more of our coastline and beaches.

·         That we value as much as others do, all that we have to offer.

·         That what is indigenous and cultural is more sought and valued than fake imports.

Blessed Love – Ria

Above is a list of things I sincerely wish for Jamaica and Jamaicans. Not in any particular order. I have many more wishes but will only share the shortlist.

Please support Marcus Garvey by sharing the link below:

https://www.change.org/p/all-who-care-about-marcus-garvey-grant-marcus-mosiah-garvey-a-presidential-pardon-of-his-wrongful-1923-conviction?utm_source=embedded_petition_view

Start Ups

Entrepreneurs are the engine of human ingenuity. For today’s technical world, here are some free must have for any start up to the enable, empower and quip for your success.

·         www.evernote.com

·         www.hootsuite.com

·         www.dashlane.com

·         www.surveymonkey.com

Would you like to start a business for under $500? Here is something to consider: www.Andresnotaryschool.com

Finding your niche market

What do entrepreneurs to in order to provide a product or service? They find a niche market. Koreans don’t have afro textured hair; nevertheless, they control 95% of the Black hair care market. What are you doing to find and service a niche market? Here are seven steps to make it happen:

1.      Know who your target audience is. i.e Jamaicans in the diaspora have different socio economic experience that yardies on the island. What does each group need?

2.      What is your passion? The end product will be reflective of the journey. i.e. would you like to open a salon? Where will it be located and how will the interior look to appeal to your client.

3.      Don’t be a Jack of all trades and a master of none. You will become discouraged if your plate is too full. Do baby steps, walk then run.

4.      Create something that is unique to you. We are all snowflakes; therefore, be an individual not a group. Stand out from the crowd. If what you are offering satisfies a political or an economic need, people will pay attention to you and they can’t notice you of you are like everyone else.

5.      Build trust through integrity. Follow through and don’t say one thing and do another. Create a trust factor with your audience.

6.      Invest in yourself: read, upgrade, care and time. Need I say more?

7.      Be a global thinker. Where are larger markets for your product or service?  i.e. Jamaicans are all over the world and reggae music is played on every continent.

                                                                                              

7 Ways to spread the word about to product or service

1.    Upload a videos on line

2.    Make a social media presence i.e. Facebook and twitter

3.    Join an association or affiliate concerning your business

4.    Attend events and conferences. If you attend like minds events, you will get inspired. Also, if you attend other conferences you will get to see something from a different perspective

5.    Host an online event to get a feedback about your product i.e. google hang out  or twitter chat

6.    Host a face to face event

7.    Advertise online i.e. google Ads or Facebook Ads

Caribbean Union Creation - CU

Cheers went up when it was reported that Haiti would be allowed to join the African Union. However, a few weeks went by when The African Union (AU) stated that Haiti will be denied associate member status on May 17^th. According to article 29.1 of their AU constitution, only African countries can have membership. These African countries will Buk dance for their former colonial masters and coon for the Chinese but deny the 1^st Black county, who threw off the shackles of slavery, recognition and membership.

Is the African Union (AU) the White man’s #1 pet and fetch boy? The African way, according the African Union, is that Europeans and the Chinese everywhere are welcome to join. However Black people especially Haiti need not apply. Haiti, don’t allow anyone to disrespect you!

This is an example on why Caribbean countries should form the Caribbean Union – CU.  Federations with various islands were formed in the past and did not last. However, they are many more things that bind Caribbean than divides the islands. Multinational corporations do not care where they set up sweat shops or call centers. By uniting, the exploitation and marginalization can be minimized.

To be competitive one has to have marketable skills or your country will become irrelevant. Caribbean nations must understand that our location and character of each island is an asset, if marketed correctly.  It is time to reexamine a new Caribbean Federation and create The Caribbean Union. The Caribbean region is too small of an area to be so fragmented. I.e. Cuba has a stronger relationship with Russia than it does with its neighbors.

The Arab league, NATO, and even OPEC are examples of how powerful community of nations can be forged. One can only wonder if the AU would have responded in the same way or be effectively willing to shift position if a more prosperous nation, say Brazil, had demonstrated similar interest in joining the AU. Don’t go where you are not wanted. Leave with dignity and create your own union with other Caribbean nations.

JAMAICANS - DECIDE ON A "NEW APPROACH"

Written by Hansen von Shneir

www.Jamlink.com

You will recall my last letter to you entitled: “Jamaica’s New Approach”.First let me thank those of you who took the time to respond to the letter, and for your patience regarding a follow-up response to your comments and suggestions. My delayed response was deliberate, as I wanted to carefully consider the concerns shared in each of the numerous emails I received.Having done so, I am heartened by the commonality of pride and hope shared by my fellow Jamaicans for our beloved island. And though I am encouraged by this optimism about Jamaica’s future, I am also mindful of the prevailing conditions that currently plague Jamaica.

Reading your emails, I am also overwhelmed by the degree of frustrations, which assail our people. And while many of you expressed a strong desire for immediate solutions, I must ask your continued patience, and counsel against any illusion of a “quick-fix” proposition. Your consensus on the issues affecting Jamaica is far too critical to be treated lightly.

Among your many concerns, these three were paramount:

- The inability of the local authorities to control a spiraling crime rate;

- The lack of resolve of the government to re-vitalize the country with economic opportunities;

- An education system that does not support Jamaica’s core competencies;

I am left with the recognition that our problems are permanently engraved in our history, and compounded further by practice and culture. It is therefore incumbent upon us to consider a “New Approach” - one that has a clear focus on sustainability. And so, where do we go from here?

First, I believe it is important that we continue to engage in this form of civil dialogue. Too often have we stifled our progress with minor disagreements and internal rivalry.Secondly, collectively as Jamaicans, since we are aware of the circumstances on the ground, there are no reasons why we cannot agree on a common approach that serves the overall good. With a firm resolve, we can do this. And thirdly, we have to be cautious not to copy a model that has worked for other communities and then to apply it as a solution for Jamaica’s problems. 

This will not work. We must become cognizant that our nation’s unique situation demands its own solutions.

There is an abundance of resources on the island that could be harnessed to provide opportunities and wealth for our people, as evidenced by the number of multi-national corporations that are buying into Jamaica. Let’s become proactive in identifying these opportunities for ourselves.I confess that I am on the outside looking in. However, the observer’s role has enabled me with the insight and the capacity to provide for this type of discourse. I am aware of Jamaica’s social and economic perils, and even more aware of the positive impact of certain aspects of our culture on the world.

We need to make a commitment to have this type of impact on ourselves … our people … and our country.

Join me in this dialogue, so that we may explore the ways in which our collaborative efforts can change the reality on the ground. In the upcoming months, I shall make provisions for a website. This will allow for a more efficient form of communication among those committed to this purpose.In the meantime, I want to thank all of you in advance for your time, your suggestions, and your initiative, as the dialogue continues. 

10 things to minimize your job loss

Now that you have a job, don’t get too relaxed. The person who liked you and hired you has transferred. Your new supervisor does not like you and is looking for an out to fire you. Perhaps the political climate has changed and your services are no longer needed. i.e. Melissa Harris Perry was terminated from MSNBC.

When MSNBC sacked Melissa from her very lucrative job, she was blindsided. This was evident by Perry’s leaked email that was printed in the New York Times. Yes, she was very qualified; after all, she has a PHD from MIT. Melissa education credential did not save her, now did it? Keep that in mind. If you get a pink slip, what is your plan B?

1.       Have another talent or skill set.
2.       Always have a 2^nd revenue source.
3.       Maintain business network relationships.
4.       Keep a job coach in your rolodex.
5.       Pay your bills in advance.
6.       Have 6 months of income in reserve.
7.       Purchase your own lap top.  When you leave a company, they keep what they own.
8.       Your laptop is a source of revenue. You can become a virtual assistant worker or a customer service agent until you want to move on to another job.
9.       Maintain a current resume, so that you can email to an HR department when needed.
10.      Minimize daily expenses. You don’t have to go to the coffee shop every morning. Leave that trip for special occasions.