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Saint Lucia Making Strides in Advancing Growth Agenda

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Government agrees to set up a single window for construction permit, pilot a cashless bus system, and strengthen its Technical/Vocational Education and Training program

CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, 12th January 2017 – The second phase of the Saint Lucia chapter of the Caribbean Growth Forum was launched on Thursday morning. Over two days the Government of Saint Lucia, joined by the private sector and civil society, discuss this week a new approach to track progress made in advancing reforms identified through the Caribbean Growth Forum (CGF) in the areas of investment climate, skills and productivity, and logistics and connectivity.

The CGF provides a platform for 12 Caribbean countries to help track the implementation of reforms needed to spur sustainable growth and opportunities for the people of the Caribbean and foster greater focus on results, transparency and accountability.

In presenting the keynote, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Honourable Allen M Chastanet said “Growth by itself is not the measurement for success; because you can have growth but if does not filter down to the citizens of this country, and the sustainability of this country, we have nothing. There are four words that are very, very important to me and I want us to be able to embrace those words and that everything that you do you should be able to reflect those four words…Capacity, Utilization, Productivity and Competitiveness.”

To date, over 20 reforms have been implemented in Saint Lucia, involving more than nine ministries and 60 representatives from the private sector and civil society. A key achievement has been the establishment of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC), an emerging regional best practice, which helps provide timely and effective advice to policy makers, the private sector and other stakeholders.

The first phase of the CGF focused on improvements in three thematic areas: investment climate, logistics and connectivity, and skills and productivity. While these areas remain relevant it has been agreed that they should include access to finance, entrepreneurship and investment in competitive sectors to unleash innovation and creativity. This phase is expected to not only accelerating reform implementation, but will also leverage knowledge generated, make it more readily available and engage a wider group of stakeholders.

“We are encouraged by the Government’s commitment to involving both civil society and the private sector in identifying and prioritizing the implementation of reforms most important to Saint Lucians. As the Civil Society Observatory we will do our part to ensure stakeholders are held accountable and progress is communicated broadly,” said Yvonne Agard, Executive Director of the Coalition of Services

The CGF has the potential to not only generate results for the Caribbean but also inform policy changes in other parts of the world. Juan Diego Alonso, Senior Country Manager for the OECS for the World Bank Group says, “Sharing progress and lessons learned through the CGF can inform reform processes in other countries and regions around the world. To revive growth and sustain it, the Caribbean needs to address its challenges together. The renewed commitment of Caribbean countries under this second phase of the CGF is a real catalyzer to support new growth models for the region. St. Lucia, in making continued progress in this process, can serve as a model for the other participating countries, demonstrating how the CGF platform can support and accelerate reform agendas through an inclusive approach linked to specific indicators to monitor progress. Because of its participatory approach, each citizen has an incentive to track and monitor the issues discussed to make sure that the reforms collectively identified are moving forward.”

The Saint Lucia chapter of the Caribbean Growth Forum will redouble efforts to find consensus and prioritize the growth enhancing reforms for the next 18 months. As an immediate step, the Saint Lucia government agreed to strengthen its planning and monitoring dashboard to track progress on its growth agenda, transforming it into a roadmap with clear actions, timelines and budget. In addition, the government is also focusing on how to deliver these reforms and stir private sector led growth. To this end, within the next 100 days the government is committed to take concrete actions to move forward on three priority reforms:

• The establishment of a single window for construction permits to reduce the time spent by small and medium enterprises and improve the business climate
• Pilot and scale up of a cashless bus system to improve the transport system in the capital of Castries.
• Improve the efficiency of the Technical/Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

The Caribbean Growth Forum seeks to achieve a more accountable, transparent and inclusive dialogue between governments, the private sector and citizens. The initiative is facilitated by the World Bank Group (WBG) in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and with support from the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAid), Global Affairs Canada, the Italian Development Cooperation, the European Union, InfoDev, the Competitive Industries and Innovation Program, Caribbean Export, CARICOM Secretariat and the University of the West Indies.

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Who is Don Wehby, Group CEO of GraceKennedy?

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A Legacy of Leadership at GraceKennedy
Don Wehby has been a transformative leader at GraceKennedy, one of Jamaica’s largest and most diversified conglomerates. Since becoming Group CEO in 2011, he has driven the company’s growth through a clear strategic focus on international expansion and innovation. Under his stewardship, GraceKennedy has expanded significantly in the global food and financial services sectors, achieving a balance of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Wehby first joined GraceKennedy in 1995 as Group Finance Manager. His leadership has been pivotal in major milestones, including the acquisition of Catherine’s Peak, La Fe Foods in the U.S., and Consumer Brands Limited. Notably, his efforts helped grow revenues and solidify GraceKennedy’s footprint in key international markets such as North America and the United Kingdom​

Visionary Management and Style
Wehby is recognized for his focus on creating a dynamic management team and cultivating Caribbean talent. Drawing inspiration from leaders like Jack Welch, Wehby emphasizes mentorship and succession planning. He actively recruits and develops high-potential executives, fostering a leadership pipeline that positions the company for sustained success. He is also known for his decisive yet collaborative approach, empowering his team to take ownership of key initiatives​

Challenges and Triumphs
Navigating Jamaica’s challenging economic landscape, Wehby has championed GraceKennedy’s resilience. From navigating geopolitical complexities to modernizing operations, he has consistently delivered strong results. His strategic decisions to relocate GraceKennedy’s headquarters to downtown Kingston and focus on foreign markets reflect his bold vision for the company’s future​

Beyond Business
Wehby has made significant contributions outside the corporate world. As a senator and honorary consul for New Zealand, he has advocated for economic reform and strengthened Jamaica’s global ties. His passion for sports is evident in GraceKennedy’s sponsorship of events like the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, reinforcing the company’s commitment to community development​

Looking Ahead
As GraceKennedy continues its ambitious growth trajectory, Don Wehby remains a cornerstone of its strategy to become a global powerhouse. His focus on leveraging international markets while fostering local talent ensures the company is well-positioned for future success. With his leadership legacy firmly established, the company looks forward to realizing its global ambitions while staying true to its Jamaican roots.

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Guardsman Metaverse Elevating Security with AI Solutions

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Guardsman Metaverse, in collaboration with Jamaican artificial intelligence company Crimsontide AI, is revolutionizing security across Jamaica with cutting-edge, customizable solutions. This partnership brings together Guardsman’s expertise in virtual security and Crimsontide’s advanced AI technology, delivering a suite of intelligent security offerings tailored to meet the unique needs of Jamaican businesses and institutions.

Through this strategic collaboration, Guardsman Metaverse is positioned at the forefront of the country’s security landscape, offering systems that leverage both immersive digital technology and sophisticated artificial intelligence.

The partnership underscores the importance of local innovation in addressing the security challenges faced by Jamaica today, providing clients with tailor-made solutions that ensure effective protection.

Guardsman Metaverse is committed to offering security solutions that go beyond traditional models, emphasizing customization and flexibility to meet the specific requirements of each client. From large commercial operations to smaller enterprises, the platform delivers a personalized approach that ensures maximum efficiency and peace of mind.

This flexibility is what sets Guardsman Metaverse apart—adapting to each environment’s unique security demands and offering a more responsive, intelligent way to safeguard people and assets.

With AI-driven features that allow for real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection, Guardsman Metaverse empowers businesses and institutions to stay ahead of potential security breaches. Each system can be fully customized to fit the environment it protects, delivering advanced functionality across a wide range of settings.

Advanced Features for Comprehensive Protection

  • Facial Recognition: Guardsman Metaverse enhances access control through secure, real-time identification of authorized personnel, ensuring that only those with clearance can enter critical areas.
  • License Plate Detection: For commercial properties, this feature allows for real-time monitoring of vehicle activity, helping to identify unauthorized or suspicious vehicles and notify security personnel immediately.
  • Personnel Counting and Crowd Management: Especially important for businesses, this feature tracks occupancy and manages crowd flow, helping to ensure safety, meet regulatory requirements, and optimize operational efficiency.
  • Firearm Detection: Using AI-powered analysis, Guardsman Metaverse detects the presence of firearms, providing instant alerts to security teams to ensure a rapid and effective response to any threat.
  • Customizable Behavioural AI: Tailored to each client’s specific needs, Guardsman Metaverse’s behavioural AI can be trained to detect and respond to specific actions or patterns that are unique to the environment it monitors.
  • Infrared Drone Surveillance: Equipped with infrared technology, Guardsman Metaverse drones provide round-the-clock aerial surveillance, ideal for large properties, high-security areas, and search-and-rescue missions, offering comprehensive monitoring that goes beyond traditional methods.

These advanced security features are fully customizable, ensuring that businesses receive a solution designed specifically for their needs. Whether it’s safeguarding large commercial complexes, healthcare facilities or educational institutions, Guardsman Metaverse offers tailored protection that provides complete peace of mind.

The partnership with Crimsontide AI, a rapidly emerging Jamaican company specializing in state-of-the-art patent-pending artificial intelligence software, ensures that Guardsman Metaverse’s solutions are not only technologically advanced but also locally relevant.

Crimsontide AI Limited is at the forefront of technological innovation, and its expertise allows the system to be fine-tuned to the specific security challenges that businesses in Jamaica face.

Through this collaboration, a diverse offering of services is available to various customers and industries, including theft detection at banks, supermarkets, and retail stores, intruder detection and breach prevention at hotels and resorts, as well as risk mitigation and compliance solutions.

Crimsontide’s AI technology also enables businesses to recognize trends in data, detect outliers, and summarize data sets, all aimed at informing better business decisions.

This partnership ensures that Jamaicans are at the forefront of solving their own security issues, with solutions designed by Jamaicans, for Jamaicans. At Crimsontide AI, the commitment to rebuilding a safer Jamaica is at the heart of every innovation, working toward a future where local technology empowers local security.

However, beyond responding to security threats as they happen, Guardsman Metaverse is designed to predict and prevent potential issues before they escalate. By leveraging AI to analyse behaviours and patterns, the system can foresee risks, giving clients the ability to take proactive steps. This predictive approach ensures that businesses and homeowners are always ahead of security challenges, helping to mitigate risks before they become serious threats.

With Guardsman Metaverse, clients are empowered to protect their environments not just reactively but pre-emptively. This next-level security capability, combined with fully customizable features, ensures a comprehensive approach that adapts to the ever-evolving nature of security threats in today’s society.

 

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Beyond Repeated Failure: Defining a Strategy Triad

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Studies consistently show that most strategic plans fall short.

The reasons are varied, but a common mistake stands out: teams often assume they understand “strategic” planning, only to end up misguided, compromising their organizations’ success. Often, what they call a “strategic plan” lacks real strategic thought.

How Missteps Occur

If you’ve ever reviewed a company’s strategic plan, you’ve likely seen a list of ambitious goals. They may be grouped in catchy ways, but as you read through, doubts surface. Why?

You sense the organization may lack the resources or focus to achieve all these objectives simultaneously. The longer the list, the more you suspect it may be abandoned when daily issues arise, with lofty goals slipping out of view.

Redefining “Strategic”

One way to prevent this common pitfall is to rethink how we use the term “strategic.” Today, the label “strategic” is often used casually to signal importance, so much so that it’s lost its impact, and audiences tune it out.

This isn’t just a communication issue. When teams invest time in a strategic retreat, they expect the final plan to be truly strategic, yet often that’s not the case.

Typical brainstorming sessions encourage a mix of ideas and positive intentions without much structure. The result is often an extensive report of hopeful outcomes, which can look similar to other plans within the industry—ultimately, another reason for failure.

Enter the Strategy Triad

Peter Compo’s book *The Emergent Strategy* introduces a helpful redefinition of “strategic” by proposing a triad approach:

1. Aspiration: A meaningful, challenging goal that requires effort and won’t happen automatically.

2. Bottleneck: The main obstacle preventing the organization from achieving its aspiration(s).

3. Guiding Principle: A decision-making rule to help navigate actions that address the bottleneck.

Consider a store aiming to increase profits. If the biggest bottleneck is low brand recognition, the guiding principle could be to improve brand awareness through multiple channels—online, in-store, and through partnerships.

Applying the Strategy Triad

At a recent strategic planning retreat, a leadership team was challenged to apply the triad. Initially, it was difficult; identifying bottlenecks from new perspectives required collaboration and creativity, especially without cross-functional data, which led them to rely on firsthand experiences. Yet, they successfully defined bottlenecks and guiding principles that empowered employees to align their daily choices with the strategic plan. This alignment is what leaders want but is often rare.

Why Alignment is Rare

Leadership teams often avoid the challenging, healthy conflict required to build a robust strategy triad. They may take the easier path, creating lists of goals rather than diving into critical strategic planning. Alternatively, when discussions become too heated, leaders may intervene prematurely, cutting off debate and limiting essential buy-in.

To achieve meaningful alignment, it’s important to work through differing viewpoints until agreement is reached. Though challenging, this process builds the intellectual and emotional commitment needed for successful execution. By persevering through difficult conversations, leaders can significantly improve their strategic plans’ success and longevity.

Found this topic interesting? You may want to delve into my long-form content in my JumpLeap Strategic Planning Newsletter/Podcast.

Francis Wade
JumpLeap NewsletterPodcast

Framework Consulting
http://blog.fwconsulting.com : http://fwconsulting.com

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Businessuite News24

Elevate Underperforming Boards: Prioritizing Board Self-Examination

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Imagine you’ve joined a board, only to discover it’s deeply mediocre. This is your third meeting, and it’s becoming clear that the issues you sensed in the first two weren’t incidental—they’re ongoing. How do you address this underperformance?

Luckily, you aren’t the only one who’s noticed. Some members recognize that long-standing issues have held the board back for years, and while they’ve tried initiating change, nothing has stuck. These are complex, systemic challenges that won’t be resolved by casual discussions, pep talks, or a thoughtful email. Swift, strategic action is needed. But how?

I recently encountered insights from consultant A. Cecile Watson that shed light on why boards need their own strategic approach. Her perspective inspires these key reasons for why your board must implement a self-care plan.

Why Boards Should Prioritize Self-Examination

Boards are often envisioned as serving the organization’s needs. If all members align with this vision, things should function smoothly. Small differences can be ironed out, much like in the “Form-Storm-Norm-Perform” teamwork model, which illustrates the stages groups move through to achieve high performance.

However, boards today face a high-pressure environment, dealing with complex VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) issues from the outset. While they might receive briefings, individual and group development often gets overlooked in the rush to deliver.

This traditional expectation—that boards serve swiftly, even if under-informed—faces scrutiny in Watson’s latest article. She argues that boards must practice self-reflection and strategy if they’re to excel. Smart people on a board don’t guarantee a high group IQ or EQ; in fact, group performance can suffer if proactive measures aren’t in place.

What does your board need? A new level of self-care. Watson suggests that boards operate as a kind of strategic unit, managing their performance preemptively. Failing to do so only perpetuates mediocrity.

The Case for Board Self-Strategy

Typically, boards focus on “strategic planning” for their organization’s future. Watson’s approach takes this one step further: boards must also strategize for themselves. As a unit, they need the space to address their own evolution.

This doesn’t mean ignoring corporate planning. In fact, I’ve previously recommended that board members actively engage in their organization’s strategic retreats, where they contribute to shaping long-term goals.

Yet, once these retreats end, some boards must adapt as well. For instance, one board I worked with chose to refresh its membership, reducing both the average age and tenure of its members to bring new perspectives aligned with the strategic plan.

In another case, a board had grown complacent. Members showed up sporadically, often unprepared. This lack of accountability permeated the organization, undermining its standards and culture.

Unfortunately, board evaluations alone rarely spark transformation. Instead, Watson advocates for a written Board Strategy, a guiding document that steers the board’s actions.

Creating a Strategy for the Board

Watson advises boards to define a vision for themselves and set measurable milestones to ensure the plan stays on course. While this may sound overwhelming for already busy board members, it’s ultimately about cultivating the right mindset, not rigidly following a checklist.

Adopting these principles can help your board become resilient, better equipped to navigate future challenges, and able to avoid the slow slide into mediocrity that affects many corporate teams.

Enjoyed these ideas? Consider checking out the JumpLeap Newsletter and Podcast with my best longform content.

 

Francis Wade
JumpLeap NewsletterPodcast

Framework Consulting
http://blog.fwconsulting.com : http://fwconsulting.com

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Businessuite News24

Corporate Movements – November 2024

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Productive Business Solutions Limited (“PBS”) wishes to advise of the resignation of Mr. Andres Ibanes as Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective November 1, 2024. Mr. Jose Misrahi, current Director of PBS and Chief Financial Officer of Facey Group Limited, has been appointed interim Chief Financial Officer of PBS.

Elite Diagnostic Limited (“Elite”) today announced that Mr. Harvey Levers has resigned from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 30, 2024. Mrs. Marjorie Miller, who has served as the General Manager, since October 1, 2014, will assume leadership of Elite until the company appoints a successor. Mrs. Miller will attend and benefit from the on- going collaboration with the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited (Sagicor) announced today that Mark Thompson, CEO of Advantage General Insurance Company (AGIC) has resigned, effective October 31, 2024. Mr. Thompson has also stepped down from all Sagicor affiliated boards. In the interim, AGIC’s Deputy CEO Dave Morrison will assume the role of Acting CEO, managing day-to-day operations. Mr. Morrison, who is a chartered accountant with more than twenty years’ experience, rejoined the AGIC team in 2019 and was appointed Deputy CEO at AGIC in September 2023. He has spent more than ten years combined at AGIC.

Mr. Hiram Murillo has been appointed as a Director of the Board of Carreras Limited effective Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Paramount Trading (Jamaica) Limited (“Paramount”) pleased to advise the Jamaica Stock Exchange (“JSE”) that Mr. Everton Younger has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) effective Janaury 9, 2024. Mr. Younger is an accomplished Supply Chain & Operations Management professional, with well over twenty (20) years of experience in the manufacturing industry. He has held various senior leadership positions at GraceKennedy, Diageo (Red Stripe), Rotoflex Jamaica Limited, Seprod & Liberty Latin America (FLOW) during which time he has overseen the successful implementation of many mission critical initiatives in these entities. He has a strong belief in the abilities and potential of the Jamaican people once they are adequately equipped with the requisite tools, inspired leadership and an empowering work environment. He also shares the view that “there is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed by what is right with Jamaica.” He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc.) in Pure & Applied Chemistry, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Food Science & Technology from the University of the West Indies. In addition to his technical qualifications, he has served as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the West Indies for the past ten (10) years.

Berger Paints Jamaica Limited (BRG) wishes to advise that at the Board Meeting held on 13th November 2024, the following appointments were made:

Christian Llanos was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board. Mr. Llanos is the Sector Head for the Construction Sector of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies and has been a director of BRG since August 2023. Mr. Llanos is a seasoned professional with over three decades experience in management, finance and supply chain, having spent almost twenty years working for a large, multinational corporation before joining the ANSA McAL Group in 2018.

Nicholas Camacho was appointed to the Board as a Director and to the Audit Committee of the Board. Mr. Camacho is the Chief Financial Officer for the Construction Sector of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies. He brings a wealth of financial expertise to the Board. Prior to joining the ANSA McAL Group in 2021, Mr. Camacho built his technical capability in the financial arena at one of the world’s leading accounting firms where he served in senior and management roles for over a decade. Mr. Camacho has also been appointed to serve as member of the Audit Committee.

Nicholas Mac Lean was appointed to the Board as a Director. Mr. Mac Lean is the Managing Director of the Coatings business of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies and oversees the operations of Berger Paints Jamaica Limited, Berger Paints Barbados Limited, ANSA Coatings Limited in Trinidad and Tobago and ANSA Coatings Grenada Limited. He built his extensive experience working for multinational corporations, largely based in the United Kingdom, before joining the ANSA McAL Group in 2017.

Radio Jamaica Limited (RJR), the holding company for RJRGLEANER Communications Group, hereby announce that Mrs. Karla Stephens-Hall assumed duties as Chief Financial Officer of the Group, effective Friday, November 1, 2024.

The Board of Directors One on One Educational Services Ltd advise you of the resignation of Ms. Nicole Foga as Company Secretary of the Board, effective August 31, 2024. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Mrs. Donnisha Brooks has been appointed as the new Company Secretary effective August 31, 2024.

TransJamaican Highway Limited announces the appointment of Directors John Bell and Steven Gooden to the Corporate Governance Committee, effective November 7, 2024.

Carreras Limited (CAR) wishes to advise of the resignation of Mr. Raoul Glynn from the Board of Carreras Limited effective Friday, November 1, 2024.

We wish to formally notify you of the resignation of Mr. Chadwick Bennett as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of iCreate Limited, effective September 30, 2024. During his time with us, Mr. Bennett played a pivotal role in helping the business navigate through some of its toughest times. His dedication and expertise were invaluable, and we are beyond grateful for his support. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrew Wildish as the new CFO of iCreate Limited, soon to be Kintyre Holdings (JA) Limited, effective October 2, 2024. Mr. Wildish brings a wealth of experience in corporate finance, accounting, commercial banking, and investment management, having worked across the United States, Panama, and Jamaica.

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