Tag Archives: Jamaica

Developing Youth Entrepreneurship

Income Creation, , , , , , ,

At a recent economic forum hosted by the Bethel Baptist Church in Kingston, a young man came forward to ask the panel of financial experts for tips on how he could be successful in his new business venture. As he made his passionate plea for guidance, I recalled the challenges of my first entrepreneurial effort at 23 years of age.

With the adventurous spirit and eternal optimism of youth, I enthusiastically pursued my business idea, but after a couple of years, I realised that having an innovative concept was not enough to attain business growth. I didn’t know enough about marketing, sales, product development and strategising; and I remember feeling confused and frustrated as I searched in vain for answers on how to build a sustainable business.

Today, with the lack of employment opportunities in Jamaica, many young people are forced to try to make an income for themselves. However, despite the emergence of several organisations designed to assist business development, thousands of young entrepreneurs still struggle to turn their inspirations into profitable ventures, and a large percentage of them will not be successful in their endeavours. Continue reading Developing Youth Entrepreneurship →

More Money Lessons I Wish I Had Learnt In School

Kids & Money, , , , , , , , , , ,

In nine years of experience in providing personal financial advice, I have trained thousands of persons from all walks of life about the principles of money; I have coached highly paid doctors and lawyers and counselled lower-income workers.

There is one factor that unites the majority of persons who seek my assistance – they are facing financial distress because they are unaware of the basic steps that they should take to successfully manage, multiply and maintain their money.

I can recall the frustration of a professional who earns more money in one month than most Jamaicans will see in a year, as he painstakingly tried to organise his finances to get out of debt. “I can’t believe that I don’t know how to budget,” he sighed, “why didn’t they teach us about this money stuff when we were in school?” Continue reading More Money Lessons I Wish I Had Learnt In School →

Money Lessons I Wish I Had Learnt In School

Kids & Money, , , , ,

Recently, while planning for a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, I realised that I had forgotten all the lessons I had learnt in high school about this foreign language. Although I had passed the subject in external examinations many years ago, I had no recollection of even the basic concepts.

Unfortunately this problem is replicated with many of the subjects that I studied in school from primary up to tertiary levels. Although I may have excelled at them in class, the reality is that I did not practise their principles outside of school, so their content became distant memories.

I know my situation is not an isolated case of ‘school-subject Alzheimer’s’. I have often wondered why our education system focuses on teaching children so many obscure topics, while ignoring some practical areas that are crucial to the development of our students. I believe that more attention needs to be paid to imparting important life skills to help them to cope in the real world. Continue reading Money Lessons I Wish I Had Learnt In School →

The IMF and You

Debt, , , , ,

When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finally confirmed in February that a US$1.27-billion loan for Jamaica had been approved, it put to rest several months of speculation about the agency’s return to our country. Although there have been several debates in the media about the impact that the IMF agreement may have on our economy, many people are still not very clear about what these policies will mean to them.

Recently, the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) hosted a public forum in St Ann, where topical financial issues were discussed. Denise Garfield, JCCUL’s corporate planner, delivered an insightful presentation outlining the role of the IMF and what the agreement will signify for Jamaica.

What is the IMF?

Garfield demystified the IMF by explaining that it was an organisation made up of 186 member countries, which have the ability to borrow from the fund when necessary. The purpose of the IMF, Garfield noted, was to foster global growth and economic stability by providing policy advice and financing to members facing financial difficulties. Continue reading The IMF and You →

Should Children Be Allowed To Earn Money?

Kids & Money, , , , , ,

Upon mention of the words ‘child labour’ many people might envision a harrowing scene straight from a Charles Dickens’ novel; with malnourished children slaving away on an assembly line, producing goods for cruel, predatory adults. The concept of kids working for money has somehow been associated with a denial of childhood rights and forced employment.

Unfortunately in Jamaica, poverty and ignorance has driven too many parents to curtail their children’s education at an early age, turning them out onto the fields, markets and streets to contribute an income to the family home. We have all seen young children in uniform plying their wares, explaining that they needed to collect enough money to go to school the next day.

The question about children working for an income came to the forefront a few months ago around a television commercial featuring youth, obviously not yet in their teens, singing for a cellular telephone company.

A complaint was raised that the advertiser was unethical to use children to promote its product. Eventually, a warning from the Ministry of Labour and Welfare was issued reminding people that children of a certain age should not be employed. Continue reading Should Children Be Allowed To Earn Money? →

Is This The Right Time To Start A Business?

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“I’ve been thinking about starting my own business, but I’m nervous about the current economic climate. Is it advisable to begin a business in the middle of a recession? Are there any industries that might be less vulnerable at this time?”

It’s understandable for people to disbelieve the financial pundits who declare that crises can bring tremendous possibilities for new businesses. Prospective entrepreneurs might think, “Easier said than done,” as they are encouraged to look for business opportunities that have been created by the recession.

With consumers cutting back on spending, large corporations laying off workers and governments facing economic hardships, how can it be feasible for a small operation to navigate these turbulent times and create a solid foundation for success? Continue reading Is This The Right Time To Start A Business? →

Things To Consider Before Starting A Business

Business Success, , , , ,

Unlike her co-workers, Camille* had been ecstatic at the news of the closure of the company she had worked at for nearly 20 years. As she mentally calculated her expected redundancy package, she was delighted that her dream of starting her own catering business could finally become a reality.

As soon as she received her final pay cheque, Camille turned her attention to setting up an upscale eatery that rivalled the bistros found in South Beach, Florida. Awash with cash, she spared no expense in creating the right décor and an enviable menu. Excited at the prospects of her first business venture, Camille opened her doors with a flurry of promotions and pizzazz.

Fifteen months later, Camille is singing a different song. Gone is the optimistic fervour of the newbie entrepreneur; today Camille is burnt-out, broke and begging for someone to buy her out. What went wrong with her grand business idea? Continue reading Things To Consider Before Starting A Business →

Money Milestones

Money & Your Mind, , , ,

Recently, a client asked me if I thought that she had achieved all the appropriate financial targets for her age. Like a concerned parent eagerly checking for the age-specific developmental achievements of a child, she was trying to assess if she had attained the money milestones that would indicate that she was on the right track.

However, just like children who progress at their own pace, each person is unique when it comes to their personal financial development. Some people seem to be born with the right genes for money, getting an early start on wealth creation by being consistent savers and savvy investors. Others appear to be slow learners, remaining deficient with their money skills until their later years.

Despite the disparity in development, there are basic money milestones that can be used as a guide to people’s financial health and well-being. Let’s examine some of the signposts to look for as you move along your financial life journey: Continue reading Money Milestones →

The 3 Ms of Money Gone Caribbean!

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It’s been really exciting seeing the development of the personal finance industry in Jamaica over the last eight years. As I write my memoirs about my past money mistakes and the strategies I used to turn around my financial situation, I remember the days when I felt like a lone voice in the wilderness, talking to people about the importance of proper financial habits.

Ever since I learned that the key to money success was all about knowing, understanding and doing the right things with money, I have been committed to spreading the ‘3 Ms of Money’ message – how to manage, multiply and maintain money.

Today, there are more institutions passing on information about the right money habits for success, although there’s still a lot of work to be done. It’s also encouraging to see the focus on financial literacy education in agencies around the Caribbean. I am actively building my audience in the Caribbean, and I have recently been included as a feature writer on the regional website http://financialliteracycaribbean.com.

I’m looking forward to taking the ‘3 Ms of Money’ all around the Caribbean very soon!

Keep being Financially S.M.A.R.T.

Time is of the Essence!

Money & Your Mind, , , , , ,

One of the realities of our current economic climate is that we are now forced to do more with fewer resources at our disposal. While our income loses value every month, our expenses grow almost exponentially. Layoffs and job work-hour cuts are reducing the size of the workforce, yet employees are being asked to produce more in less time.

As we continue to grapple with the financial challenges that this year will bring, it becomes even more crucial to manage the precious resource of our time. I often comfort my clients by explaining that they can always recreate lost wealth; but I can’t give the same guarantee about time because it’s not a renewable resource.

Many of us approach time as if it were an hourglass that will replenish itself with sand once we turn the instrument upside down. The reality is that once we use up all the seconds, minutes and hours in a day, we will never see them again. Continue reading Time is of the Essence! →