We have bold ambitions and big dreams for the future of GK. Our 2030 vision sees GraceKennedy becoming the #1 Caribbean brand in the world with 70% of our revenues and profits earned outside of Jamaica.

In 2022 we continued pursuing our goal to list GK on an international stock exchange, as we expand the footprint of our food business internationally. We also continued expansion of our financial services business in the Caribbean. With a highly skilled and engaged team, and ESG principles infused into our core business strategy.

GK is well positioned to meet our targets.

On the heels of our centenary, we are growing and expanding our business in a sustainable way, for the benefit of all our stakeholders. GK has laid a solid foundation and we are committed to achieving our 2030 vision and improving the lives of everyone we interact with.

We remain eternally grateful for all the people who have made GK one of the most loved Caribbean brands in the world. As our story continues, I am excited for what the next chapter will bring for our Company. Notwithstanding any challenges we may face, with so many great people in our corner, I know that the future of GK is bright.

The best is yet to come.

Don Wehby, CD Group CEO

Extracted from the GraceKennedy 2022 Annual Report CEO’s
Message

“In addition to being new, marijuana is an inherently interesting market to watch. For one thing, the market has existed for years and years before formal legalization. It’s also still illegal at the federal level, meaning that each state has its own distinct structure, letting us compare and contrast different approaches to building this out. Some states require complete vertical integration (from farm to retail outlets), for instance. In some states, that’s broken up. Some states have different tax approaches. And they may have different requirements about who can open a dispensary, and how many you can own. Figuring out branding, marketing, payments, taxes, banking services, delivery, farming, and so on — it’s all something of a work in progress.”

Bloomberg’s Joe Weisenthal (Twitter @TheStalwart) and Tracy Alloway at (@tracyalloway).

Managing stress and avoiding burnout is a critical aspect of success in the corporate world. Women, in particular, often face unique challenges in balancing their work and personal lives, leading to higher rates of stress and burnout.

One of the most important strategies that I have used to manage my stress and to avoid burnout is finding my inner sanctum. This refers to a physical or mental space that is reserved solely for rest and relaxation, allowing individuals to recharge and decompress from the demands of work. For example, a physical sanctuary could be a quiet room in one’s home or a peaceful natural setting. A mental sanctuary could be a meditation practice or visualization technique that helps to calm the mind and reduce stress.

However to avoid burnout and manage stress, one must recognise and overcome workaholism. Workaholism is characterised by a compulsive need to work, often at the expense of personal relationships, hobbies, and other activities outside of work. While a strong work ethic can be beneficial, it can lead to negative consequences if taken too far.

To overcome workaholism, setting clear boundaries between work and personal time is crucial. This might include establishing specific work hours, avoiding checking emails or taking calls outside of work hours, and prioritising personal relationships and self-care activities.

It’s also essential to identify the underlying causes of workaholism, such as a fear of failure or a need for validation, and address them through therapy or other forms of support.

So, have you found your inner sanctum and what are the strategies that have worked for you to avoid burnout? Until next time.

Gail Abrahams is a Strategic marketer and communicator with top level experience across a wide range of industries.

Corporate politics involves formal power structures to informal networks, alliances, and rivalries. It can be a daunting and even frustrating aspect of working in the corporate world, but it’s essential to learn how to navigate these dynamics.

So, the 1st step is to know and understand the power structure within your organization? They are the key decision-makers, influencers, and stakeholders. It’s important to understand how decisions are made, who has the most influence, and how to build relationships with those in positions of power.

Take the time to observe and learn the corporate culture, and pay attention to how power is distributed within your organization. You can gain valuable insights by attending meetings, observing how people interact with one another, and taking note of who is included in decision-making processes.

Once you understand the power structure, you can begin to build strategic relationships with key decision-makers and influencers. Seek to build relationships with those in positions of power to help you gain visibility and advocate for yourself and your ideas.

However, it’s important to approach these relationships strategically and authentically.
Avoid coming across as overly aggressive or inauthentic, as this can damage your reputation and relationships.

Inevitably, there will be conflict and disagreements within any organization. Learning how to manage conflict is an important skill to develop as you navigate corporate politics.

It’s important to approach conflicts with a solution-oriented mind set and to be open to different perspectives. It’s also essential to communicate effectively and to maintain professional relationships, even in the midst of disagreement.

Perception plays a critical role in corporate politics. It’s important to understand how others perceive you and to actively manage your reputation. This means being mindful of your behaviour, communication style, and image. Dress professionally and appropriately for your workplace culture, and pay attention to non verbal cues such as body language and tone of voice. It’s also important to be mindful of your digital footprint.

Remember to navigate corporate politics you must pay keen attention to the power structure, build strategic relationships, learn strategies on how to manage conflict, develop a reputation for integrity, and be mindful of perception in managing your reputation. Until next week!!! Be safe.

Gail Abrahams is a Strategic marketer and communicator with top level experience across a wide range of industries.

“The Dominican Republic is firing, and now Trinidad is firing up. The Trinidad economy has been recovering very nicely and JMMB Bank T&T continues to grow at a faster rate than market. We are really confident that we have a good team in place to drive that growth. We continue to look at opportunities in Central America and the Caribbean; that’s a pipeline that we continue to actively work, and we are hoping for good things,”
JMMB Group CEO Keith Duncan

Proven Group Limited plans to avoid acquisitions this year due to global uncertainty, but will continue to develop real estate projects. It’s the second time since the onset of the pandemic that the firm has adopted a passive approach.

“We want to preserve capital. We operate throughout the Caribbean and there are varying levels of downturn. None has been significant as a percentage, nothing greater than three or four per cent, but there is definitely a slowdown right across the Caribbean, interest rate hikes, inflation and supply chain challenges. So we are not looking for any acquisitions as a result; we are just sitting tight and making the best of our existing portfolio.”
Proven CEO Christopher Williams