Page 4Message from Chairman of the Membership Commitee

Page 7Meet Jamaica at London 2012UK Consumers Given a Taste of Jamaica

Page 9Member FocusSunshine Auto Parts: Philanthropy in Action

Page 12News PSOJ President Returned For Third Term

Page 14Member FocusEvelyn Smith: Elected Second Female President of Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association

Page 15Member Focus JHTA Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Page 17Project FocusFamBiz: Empowering Local Family Businesses

Page 18Project FocusPrism Communications: A FamBiz Success Story

Page 21We Are Working For You

Page 22Past Happenings

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Table of ContentsEditorialThis issue of focuses on the PSOJ/IDB project “Improving the Competitiveness of Family Businesses through Corporate Governance or ‘FamBiz’. As the project runs its course un-der the leadership of Project Manager Sandra Shirley, the participants continue to come into a better understand-ing of the importance of succession planning in family businesses.

In our Member Focus feature, we are highlighting three members, two family businesses as well as one of our Association members. In our cover story, we look at Prism Communications, a long-standing member of The PSOJ, which is one of ten family businesses in the FamBiz project chosen for firm-specific technical assistance in the final phase of the project. They share with us some of the insights gained from their participation in the proj-ect and how they will proceed with this new knowledge. We also highlight Sunshine Auto Parts which is a family business headed by Errol Brennan and operated in part-nership with his wife and son. This feature looks at the philanthropic efforts of the company through the Errol Brennan Foundation. We share the significant milestone of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s ( JHTA) 50-year anniversary in 2011. The JHTA, under the lead-ership of new president Mrs. Evelyn Smith, shares with us some of the strides that the Association has made as well as some of their plans for the future.

Finally, as the London 2012 Olympic Games draw closer, the efforts of Meet Jamaica to build the awareness of Brand Jamaica intensify. In June, Londoners were treated to a Taste of Jamaica at Taste of London. Please see pic-torial highlights as well as a synopsis of the event inside.

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Peta-Gay Hodges Marketing Officer, Membership ServicesPSOJ

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he Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (The PSOJ) is proud to be executing the “Improving the Competitiveness of Family Businesses through Corporate Governance” project in Jamaica. Fam-ily Businesses are the predominant form of enter-

prise around the world, in Latin America and Jamaica so the success of the Jamaican economy is inextricably linked to the success of family owned and controlled firms. This project has special significance for me because my father also owned and operated a family business (FB) which did not survive him. His business was not among the mere 12% of FBs that are passed to the next generation.

We believe that we have made a real difference to the over 100 FBs that were in direct contact with the project and the hundreds of others that were indirectly sensitised. We must acknowledge the Inter-American Development Bank

and our sponsors ScotiaBank Jamaica, the Jamaica Develop-ment Bank and Pan Jamaica Investment Trust and my PSOJ team for helping us to make this difference. The FBs that benefitted from all four components of the project received tremendous support, through firm-specific technical assis-tance for a fraction of what it would have cost to take their firms to the next level. The value that was transferred to the firms far exceeded their expectations and the business owners have told us that they are very satisfied with the value received.

We will be sharing the lessons learned and the successes of the project through case studies which will be launched at the Inaugural Caribbean Family Business Conference, to be held in Montego Bay, scheduled for October 14 - 16, 2011. This conference will provide an opportunity for family businesses throughout the region to exchange ex-periences, network and discuss matters of concern. FBs comprise between 65 and 80 percent of all firms globally and are important constituents in affirming the principles of Corporate Governance and Ethics in Business for the future development of our Caribbean region.

Sandra A.C. Glasgow

Message From The Ceo

TSandra A.C. Glasgow

CEO The Private Sector Organisation of Jamiaca advertisment

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Message From The Chairman of Membership Committee

embership has its benefits” is how the say-ing goes for many member-based organisa-tions worldwide and The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is no excep-

tion. In addition to providing a running progress report on the effective advocacy work carried out by the organisation, The Private Eye eZine will seek to keep you our members informed about all the other activities and major projects in which The PSOJ is involved.

The selection of this information distribution medium demonstrates the forward-thinking culture of The PSOJ team led by President Joseph M. Matalon and CEO Sandra Glasgow. eZines or electronic magazines can be read on your computer or your Tablet device anytime, any place. In the current business atmosphere where environment and energy costs are big concerns, eZines like The Private Eye are now the medium of choice for membership organisa-

tions like The PSOJ. The entire production process - from the thought to the completed document, all happen elec-tronically without printing anything, hence saving a few trees and eliminating waste.

This Organisation will continue to create products, services and programmes that help us to realize the vision of The PSOJ - “We are the unifying voice of the private sector working in partnership with the public sector and civil soci-ety to achieve the 2030 Vision for Jamaica:”

If you are reading this and you are not yet a member of the PSOJ, we invite you to join us and be a part of this dynamic organisation; join us to make a meaningful contribution to nation building; join us so that you can play a part in achiev-ing the 2030 vision for Jamaica to be the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.

Christopher Reckord

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“M

Christopher ReckordChairman: Membership Committee

of The PSOJ

ondon’s Regent’s Park recently played host to a plethora of culinary delights through the world’s leading restaurant, food and drink festival, Taste of London. Jamaica delighted

the rain-drenched crowds by adding a touch of Caribbean hos-pitality and flavour to the show’s established roll-call of Lon-don’s best fine dining restaurants.

Taste of London is considered the social event of the year and is designed for aspirant ‘foodies’ and socialites keen to combine a great day out with tasting and learning about food and drink. Visitors experience 40 of London’s top restaurants while meet-ing an array of exciting culinary talent.

Jamaica’s participation in the event was coordinated under the “Meet Jamaica” initiative, a partnership between The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and JAMPRO, aimed at raising the profile of local goods in the UK through strategic activities and special events in the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympics. Brands involved in the show included Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee, Old Jamaica Ginger Beer (OJGB), Ting, Grace Tropical Rhythms and Marley Mellow Moods.

Sandra Glasgow, CEO of The PSOJ, commented: “This was a major food festival that attracted over 50,000 people, all with a direct interest in food from both a consumer and trade perspec-tive. Therefore, it was an obvious choice when thinking about the sort of UK-based event that Jamaica’s local producers and exporters should have a presence at.” This was Jamaica’s first time participating in the event, but the 500 sq.ft display space made the island the largest exhibitor at the show. Consumers were delighted with the exciting local dishes and beverages on offer, but more importantly, a greater interest in Brand Jamaica was stimulated.

Jamaica’s presentation comprised of the Jamaica Tourist Board ( JTB), two restaurants, one bar, a demonstration stage and a stage for cultural presentations, plus nine booth spaces for ex-porters of food products. The chefs charged with working their culinary magic in the two restaurants were UK-based Jamaican Collin Brown and Anthony Matthews of the Spanish Court Ho-tel in Kingston. Joining them on Sunday for Father’s Day was UK celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, whose stepfather is Jamaican.

Meet JAMAICA At LonDon 2012

UK Consumers Given a Taste of Jamaican Cuisine at Leading

Food & Drink Festival

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A section of the crowd in the Taste of Jamaica booth at Taste of London being treated to a display of the skills of Jamaican chefs.

A section of the Taste of Jamaica display area at Taste of London 2011.

orporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) is a catchphrase on the lips of just about every person in business to-day. Although many people loosely define the term as

‘charity work’, it is far more complex, involving human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, con-sumer issues and, of course, community involvement. Unfortu-nately, some businesses only talk about CSR or make half-heart-ed attempts at practising it. Then there are those, like Sunshine Auto Parts Limited, that make it a priority.

Errol Brennan, the loquacious, passionate Founder and Manag-ing Director of the company, has ensured that Sunshine Auto Parts mirrors his own views on giving back. Over the course of his life and career, he has made it his duty to reach out to those who need a helping hand. It was no surprise then that in Novem-ber 2010, upon reading the heartbreaking story of Selvyn Coke, an elderly retired security guard who was living in a lean-to in Red Hills, St. Elizabeth, Brennan was quick to respond.

“I felt very bad to see – here is a man, he’s been around, he’s over 60 years old and this is where he lives. When I saw what he had to do to get into the house, I was touched,” he recalled. The Sunshine family was also involved in this project as Brennan cut

back on the company’s expenses plus his personal spending and partnered with the National Commercial Bank in Black River, to build a habitable structure Coke is now proud to call home. Following this project, he started the Errol Brennan International Foundation in January 2011. The official launch is being planned for later in 2011.

Sunshine Auto Parts Limited was founded by Brennan and his wife Paulette in April 1982 as an expansion of Sunshine Trans-port. The couple realised that there was an untapped market for Isuzu and other parts and invested their savings into establish-ing the new business. Since those early days, the company has grown to become one of the leaders in the auto parts industry. However, Sunshine Auto Parts is not all business. Brennan and his staff also participate in a number of community development activities, including The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s (PSOJ’s) annual Reading Day, where they read and interact with students at the Maxfield Park Primary School. They have also formed a Mentorship Programme at the school.

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“I felt very bad to see – here is a man, he’s been around, he’s over 60 years old and this is where he lives. When I saw what he had to do to get into the house, I was touched.”

MeMber foCusSunshine Auto Parts:

Philanthropy in Action

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MeMber foCusSunshine Auto Parts:

Philanthropy in Action

Brennan also ensures that his obligations to the development of his team are met. Staff members participate in weekly training sessions in order to maintain the company’s strong customer service record. The company also hosts an annual Customer Appreciation Day in May of each year.

Sunshine Auto Parts was the first business in the industry to become a member of the Jamaica Business Council on HIV and AIDS ( JaBCHA), a private sector initiative established to get businesses involved in combating the disease. The company has its own HIV and AIDS workplace policy and members of the management team are trained to handle cases should they arise.

Brennan is a son of Cheltenham, St. Elizabeth, so he is deeply in-vested in the development of his parish. He is a member of the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation, an organisation commit-ted to mobilising present and former residents of the parish to aid in its economic, social, environmental and cultural develop-ment. He has played an active role in this regard, engaging in various projects as well as pioneering his own initiatives, such as a health fair for the communities of Cheltenham, Content, Happy Grove, Springvale and Bloomsbury.

Although he is passionate about developing St. Elizabeth, Bren-nan also offers his services in Kingston and St. Andrew, where he resides and his company is headquartered. His work includes assisting widows and orphans, offering the women assistance with car maintenance, home repairs and financial guidance, and mentoring children in need. Brennan is also actively involved in the Church of St. Margaret, where he serves on the Rector’s Warden Building Committee. He has been a Justice of the Peace and Lay Magistrate for 12 years and is also a patron of the Bish-op Gibson Home for the Aged, the Walker’s Place of Safety and Maxfield Park Children’s Home.

Despite the economic difficulties, Sunshine Auto Parts is also ex-panding its reach across Jamaica with its new Mandeville branch and another to be opened in Montego Bay shortly. It is also

making headway in the region, increasing exports to Antigua, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

Belying his vibrant personality, Brennan was reluctant to men-tion any accolades he or his company has received for dedi-cated service to the country. He was presented with a plaque “for services above and beyond the call of duty rendered to the community” at the Health Fair in St. Elizabeth and the Parish Council has been approached to name a road after him. Sun-shine Auto Parts has also received its share of certificates for the contributions it has made to various groups and organisations. “I never loved the receiving part,” he stated. “I’m a shy man when it comes to that. But I love to give.”

(From Left) Mr. Brennan with Senior Secretary Collette Barrett.

Selvin Coke (right) opens the door to his new home courtesy of Sun-shine Auto Parts and the National Commercial Bank, Black River.

Selvin Coke (left) stands beside his dilapidated old home.

Before

After

r. Joseph M. Matalon, CD, Chairman of the ICD Group, was unanimously elected to a third term in office as President of The Private Sector Organisa-tion of Jamaica (PSOJ) at the Organisation’s Council

meeting held on June 23 at the Hope Road offices of The PSOJ. In keeping with the Organisation’s Articles of Association, the PSOJ Officers were duly elected at the first scheduled meeting of the Council following the Annual General Meeting which was held on June 3 at the Knutsford Court Hotel

President Matalon received a strong vote of confidence from his private sector colleagues. They expressed their appreciation for his effective leadership of the Organisation over the past two years, as well as the significant impact that The PSOJ has had on matters of national interest. They also commended him for his unwavering dedication to the Organisation despite the challenges. In response, Mr. Matalon acknowledged with gratitude the overwhelming support that he had received from PSOJ Council members as well as from the wider membership of the Organ-isation. He noted that, as happened in the previous years, he expected his third term at the helm of the PSOJ to be hectic, challenging and demanding and was confident that the Organ-isation’s leadership team was equal to the task. The President urged Council members to be diligent in carrying out their du-ties, as their active participation at Council meetings and in the affairs of the Organisation would contribute significantly to the success of the PSOJ’s various endeavours. This would include the Organisation’s advocacy efforts, projects and programmes.Also re-elected at that Council meeting was the full slate of Of-ficers who had served prior to the meeting:

Vice Presidents

Mr. Nicholas Scott (Group Project Manager, Facey Commodity Co. Ltd.)

Mr. Don Wehby (Chief Executive Officer, GraceKennedy Ltd.)

Mrs. Lisa Soares-Lewis (Human Resource Director –North LAC, Dia-geo)

Honorary Treasurer

Mrs. Jacqueline Sharp (Chief Financial Officer, The Bank of Nova Scotia Ja. Ltd.)

Honorary Secretary

Mr. Earl Jarrett, CD (General Manager, Jamaica National Building

Society)

Chief Executive Officer

Mrs. Sandra Glasgow

newsPresident Returned for

Third Term

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Joseph M. Matalon, CDPresident

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamiaca

he Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association ( JHTA) recently marked a significant milestone in its 50-year history with the election of Evelyn Smith as President. Smith, the General Manager of Ten-Sing Pen Resort in Negril, is the second woman to head

the Association after the late Lucille Lue, who served from 1991-1993.

Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post. A major focus of her presidency will be improving and developing the small accommodations sector. “The in-dustry has grown considerably over the past five decades,” she said. “We have several large properties added to our inventory, but it is imperative that we give the support and assistance required to the small accommodation sec-tor, which has been the backbone of the industry, virtually from inception.” This sector represents 30 per cent of the island’s room inventory, but barely averages 27 per cent occupancy annually.

“Tourism Education is another critical area for us as we are convinced that a nation which fully understands the value of tourism in national development will appreciate and pro-tect its heritage and natural resources,” Smith shared.

These efforts are to ensure that Jamaica maintains its posi-tion as the top tourist destination in the region. “The hos-pitality and tourism industry is arguably one of the most dynamic in the global marketplace. For us in Jamaica, it is the main earner of valuable foreign exchange and provides a great portion of the resources required to sustain and develop many other sectors,” Smith said. To this end, the JHTA Council and members will be working to strengthen cross-sector linkages with culture and entertainment, edu-cation, manufacturing and agriculture.

“Very few countries have a tourism product as varied or distinct as ours and if tourism is to continue to be the key to growth, we must have the resources to help foster that growth and the enabling environment for the industry to thrive,” Smith stated.

Member focusEvelyn Smith: Elected Second Female President

of Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association

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Back row: JHTA Executive Director, Camille Needham, (left); President, Evelyn Smith (2nd right) and Heather Rowe (right), Manager Economic De-velopment, JPS, which provided cash awards to poster competition winners, pose with winners in the essay, poster and jingle competitions: (l-r) Rosheika Grant, Glenmuir High School; Chanell Pusey, Rollington Town Primary and

Andru-Lee Cassanova of Hydel Preparatory School.

Evelyn Smith President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA)

Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association President, Evelyn Smith (left) and Executive Director, Camille Needham (right) with Sheila Benjamin McNeil of Guardsman Group at CHTA Caribbean Marketplace January 2011, in Montego Bay.

ourism is often described as the backbone of Jamaica’s economy. One organisation that has been working hard to ensure that the country continues to benefit from this industry is the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Associa-tion ( JHTA). The organisation turns 50 on November

1, 2011, but the golden anniversary celebration has been in full swing since the start of the year.

To begin the year, the JHTA teamed up with the Jamaica Tourist Board ( JTB) to host the 29th annual Caribbean Hotel and Tour-ism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Marketplace from January 18-21 at the new Montego Bay Convention Centre. The Mar-ketplace hosted over 1,500 delegates from 23 countries as well as 32 tourist boards and associations. The JHTA also hosted its annual church service in April at the St. Andrew Parish Church and its Annual General Meeting on the 28th of May at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel.

The Association’s major undertakings for the year have been three island-wide competitions for primary and secondary school students. In the first competition, primary school stu-dents participated in poster and jingle competitions under the theme ‘Tourism: Opening Doors to our Future’. Secondary school students participated in an essay competition under the theme ‘Tourism: The Way to Jamaica’s Economic Develop-ment, Social Stability and Environmental Sustainability’. A total of J$150,000 in prize money was awarded to the regional and overall national winners, as well as weekend and four-day hotel vacations. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, JHTA Presi-dent, Evelyn Smith addressed the importance of tourism to Ja-maica and stressed that this should be taught in schools.

“It is important to get young people to understand what tourism is and what it means to the country and to them as individuals,” said Camille Needham, Executive Director of the JHTA. “The theme ‘Tourism: Opening Doors To Our Future’ was about ca-reer opportunities. Students tend to think they have to be hotel managers, chefs or work at an attraction, but there are jobs for landscape architects, plumbers and IT specialists as well,” she explained.

The JHTA has already had preliminary discussions with Ministry of Education officials to work out the best way to incorporate tourism education in the primary and secondary curricula, in-cluding the Caribbean Examinations Council syllabi. “It’s early days yet, but we would love to see as many facets of the industry included as possible,” Needham said.

Another important JHTA project is the Jamaica Intimate Small Hotels Network, which was started in 2007 with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This project aims to improve the competitiveness of small properties in the indus-try by forming a network, defining a set of standards and grad-ing each hotel according to these specifications. The properties were also branded with assistance from a consultant and the JTB will assist with marketing efforts. The network is gearing up for the launch of its new website in August.

Following that, the Association will turn its focus on its premier annual event, the Jamaica Product Exchange ( JAPEX), to be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from September 18th-20th. “We usually have two of these events per year, but be-cause we hosted the Marketplace in January, we have merged the two,” Needham said.

The JHTA will wrap up its golden celebrations with an elegant black tie dinner on October 29th in Montego Bay, where special tribute will be paid to several individuals, and organisations will be honoured for their contribution to the JHTA’s success over the past five decades.

Member focusJHTA Celebrates

50 Years of Service

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Exhibitors and Buyers do business at CHTA Caribbean Marketplace in Montego Bay, January 2011.

here’s no denying the significant contributions of family-owned businesses – large and small – to Jamaica’s econ-omy, offering important goods and services and providing employment for many persons.

Recognising their significant impact, The Private Sector Organ-isation of Jamaica (PSOJ) developed the ‘Project Improving the Competitiveness of Family Businesses through Corporate Gov-ernance’, or ‘FamBiz’. The project, which began in May 2009, seeks to identify and assist local Small and Medium-sized Enter-prises (SMEs) that want to improve their competitiveness. “The objective was to sensitise 100 family businesses and, from that cohort, identify at least 30 family businesses to assimilate the corporate governance principles and family business protocol,” shared Sandra Shirley, project manager.

To participate, businesses had to be family-owned and operated by no more than three family members in the business; must be in operation for at least two years; their annual revenue should not be more than US$3 million; there should be no more than 100 employees and they must have the depth of management that would allow them to participate successfully.

The field was narrowed to 10 companies that accessed techni-cal assistance through the introduction of corporate governance systems and the development of strategic and operational plans. These companies were selected based on criteria including con-tributing 20 per cent of the cost of the technical assistance, sign-ing a document affirming their commitment to the project and other requirements based on a needs assessment conducted by International Family Business Consultant, Dr. Robert Blunden from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

“It was beneficial for them because we were providing firm-spe-cific technical assistance and the project was paying 80 per cent of the cost. We wanted to ensure that we had a cross section of firms from different sectors, of different sizes and from different parts of Jamaica… and that these firms could positively impact the area in which they were located,” Shirley noted.

The FamBiz project identified key areas that needed to be ad-dressed and helped provide the required assistance. “What we saw as two of the big constraints for family businesses were the whole matter of succession to the next generation, and the lim-ited managerial and financing resources that they had to assist them to expand, diversify and of course, to modernise the busi-ness,” Shirley said.

Quoting statistics from the Mona School of Business (MSB) which show that over 73 per cent of family businesses were

started by their present owners but only 12 per cent inherited from the family, Shirley said the project was strategically placed to address this problem: “We recognised that there was a gap here and it was important to assist family businesses to fill the gap so that there could be longevity. In fact, this was a project that had already been tried in Latin America with success.”

The project also educated local consultants to assist with train-ing. Consultations are still ongoing with the selected companies, which have given permission for their experiences to be used in case studies. The PSOJ is presently developing seven case stud-ies that can be used for training in the university setting or so that other family businesses can experience the lessons learned and evaluate the successes of the intervention.

These studies will be presented at the inaugural Caribbean Fami-ly Business Conference to be held in Montego Bay after October 2011. The PSOJ hopes to have these conferences every other year for the continued benefit of family businessess.

FamBiz has influenced a significant number of family businesses since it started. “I would say that directly we would have had about 200 firms exposed and certainly hundreds indirectly,” she highlighted.

The project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has expressed its approval of the execution of the project. “They believe that the project which was developed by The PSOJ’s CEO Sandra Glasgow, has been well-managed and that it will achieve its objectives.” Shirley stated.

ProJeCt foCusThe FamBiz Project:

Empowering Local Family Businesses

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Sandra Shirley Project Manager, FamBiz

nnovative. Creative. Pioneering. Three words that aptly encapsulate the nature of the work of Prism Communica-tions, one of Jamaica’s leading advertising firms. The com-pany’s top status in the industry is certainly not by accident.

Its three partners have a combined 100 years experience in the advertising field, allowing Prism to successfully carve out a niche in the industry.

“We’re in the business of ideas: we’re an ideas company, we produce ideas. Some companies produce products, some com-panies produce services and we’re in the business of producing ideas,” explained Mike Hirst, Executive Creative Director and one third of the partnership.

It is this proclivity to transform ideas into successful ad cam-paigns that sees Prism doing so well in the field. What also helps to define the company is the fact that it is a family business and has been operating as such since it was established by Hirst, his wife Beverly - the Managing Director, and Tony Scott, the Direc-tor of Client Services. The combined creative expertise of the three partners, along with their 32-member staff, helps to guar-antee that their clients have a competitive edge.

“There are no glass ceilings here. It’s a family business. It is my wife and I and a friend, a very good friend since we were teen-agers, so it’s the three of us… Our daughters are not in it but our sons in law are,” Hirst noted. Prism also has two directors, Julian Templer, Managing Director of National Safety Limited and Gordon Arnold, who is the consultant to Globe Insurance Company.

“Prism Communications is a full service advertising agency, local-ly-owned, financed out of capital and is 10 years old at the end of this year,” said Hirst, also speaking proudly of the company’s debt-free status, transparency and record of paying bills on time. “We deal in all the archetypal services that advertising agencies provide. That is to say we can design and create and produce an advertisement for you for press, radio, television, outdoor, web, and we can also place it for you in the media. ”

The company specialises in advertising, publishing, broadcast and brand identity and represents some of the world’s largest corporations. Clients include Caribbean Producers, J. Wray & Nephew, Kingston Bookshop, Caribbean Cement Company, Diageo and Flow. “We have a non-equity affiliation with Mc-Cann-Erickson Worldwide [a global advertising agency net-work], so we represent their clients in Jamaica, such as Nestle and American Airlines. Where they do not have a presence, the advertising for their global clients goes through us,” Hirst said.

Prism also brings an international perspective to clients’ prod-ucts, taking them from conceptualisation to a world-class cam-paign. “The McCann-Erickson and Worldwide Partners connec-tions allow us to tap into ideas that are being created all over the planet,” Hirst highlighted. Prism is also the Jamaican shareholder in Worldwide Partners, Inc. “It’s an upside-down holding com-pany and we own the holding company. It does not own us, so together with 100 other advertising agencies around the world, we own Worldwide Partners.”

PrIsM CoMMunICAtIons A FamBiz Success Story

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(From left) Tony Scott - the Director of Client Services , Beverly Hirst - the Managing Director and Mike Hirst - Executive Creative Director.

A longstanding member of The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Prism Communications is also involved in the FamBiz Project which was established by The PSOJ to assist family-owned Small and Medium En-terprises (SME’s) to increase their competitiveness. “This firm is a fiercely loyal member of The PSOJ because it embodies all of the principles of why we’re in business,” said Hirst, who has been a member for 30 years. “All of my advocacy is private sector advocacy. I’m a believer in small government, a balanced budget and that the absolute engine for growth of any economy has to be found in the private sector. The PSOJ was a great fit for me and continues to be.”

Recognizing limitations that needed to be addressed, Hirst says they ap-plied to become a part of the FamBiz project in order to get an outside perspective which would help to secure the future of the company. Prism Communications was one of 10 selected from a pool of 32 to receive tech-nical assistance. “The issue is that the three partners who own this place at some stage have to let it go… There is no succession because none of the partners’ children are involved,” Hirst stated. “The benefit of the FamBiz project has been that two consultants came in here and we got an outside perspective.”

One such consultant is Dr. Robert Blunden, Associate Professor of Stra-tegic Management and Family Enterprise at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Consultations are still ongoing and Prism Communications is now on the verge of implementing the suggested recommendations. “Clearly… to bring those guys here and give us a perspective based on the fact that they’ve done this with 200 other family businesses around the world is really helpful,” Hirst concluded.

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PrIsM CoMMunICAtIons A FamBiz Success Story

A sample of the artwork created by the Prism team.

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UPCOMiNG PSOJ EVENTS

PSOJ NEWS

OTHER NEWS

• RemembeR to adveRtIse In the made In JamaIca catalogue gold themed specIal edItIon WhIch WIll featuRe :

- Icons of art, books, fashion, film, music and sports like Miss Lou, Bob Marley and Usain Bolt; - 50 Years of Business in Jamaica, including a special piece promoting EXPO; - 1962, the year of Independence, - Olympic Greats and Greatness- a pictorial of a ”Made in Jamaica House” with Jamaican furniture, fashion and art,- a special “Eat Jamaican, Buy Jamaican” section

Made in Jamaica Catalogue is available free of charge to readers and our targeted distribution will be:- Direct to all Gleaner subscribers, - To all buyers at EXPO 2012, - Embassies, - Overseas Missions, - Endorsing organisations ( JMA, JEA, JAMPRO, PSOJ and JBDC), - The VIP Airport Lounges: Club Mobay and Club Kingston- The public

Attached is our ad you may have seen in the Jamaica Gleaner. The media kit and rates are available right on the front page of http://www.jamaicacatalogue.com- just click the 2012 Special Edition tab. Or at http://www.jamaicacata-logue.com/advertise__2012_edition.

Contact :Deika MorrisonMade in Jamaica Catalogue3 Ardenne Road, Kingston 10T: 876.927.3167 I F: 876.946.0266 I E: deika@jamaicacatalogue.comWebsite : www.jamaicacatalogue.com Facebook : www.facebook.com/jamaicacatalogue Twitter : www.twitter.com/jamaicacatalog

• upcomIng semInaRs - Debt Collection and loan Restructuring: August 25. - Advanced Exodus Forum: August 31. Contact, Lloyd Eubank Green & Associates26A East Great House Circle, Kingston 19 \ Tel: 925-0945

• the acca (assocIatIon of chaRteRed ceRtIfIed accountants) In collaboRatIon WIth the Ja-maIca employeRs’ fedeRatIon pResent an InfoR-matIve WoRkshop on payRoll and taXatIon.

Date : Friday, 26 August , 2011 Time : 8:00am - 1:00pm (includes liquid and coffee break) Venue : Success Room, Jamaica Employers’ Federation (2A Ruthven Road, Kingston 10) Cost: ACCA / JEF members: $4,700 incl. GCTNon - members: $5,875 incl. GCT

• the JamaIca employeRs’ fedeRatIon pResents “leadeRshIp and change: flIp sIdes of the same coIn”, a WoRkshop foR leadeRs Who need to dRIve change In theIR teams.

Presenter: Steven Burch, MA, BSc, MCIPD, IoD. Venue: The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Talk of the TownDate: September 14 and 15, 2011, Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pmRegistration begins at 8:30 am,Cost: $20,000.00 inclusive of GCT, Coffee-Break & Lunch included Contact: The Jamaica Employers’ FederationTel: 926-6762, 906-8370, Fax: 968-4576Email: vgrant@jamaicaemployers.cominfo@jamaicaemployers.com, nwint@jamaicaemployers.com

chaIRman’s club foRum – September 27, 2011 - Jamaica Pegasus Hotel

psoJ/pRIme asset management pensIons semInaR – September 29, 2011 - Jamaica Pegasus Hotel

fambIz confeRence - October 14-16, 2011 - Montego Bay

psoJ hall of fame banquet - October 27, 2011 - Wyndham Kingston Hotel

the folloWIng membeRs WeRe elected to the psoJ councIl at the agm on June 3, 2011Companies1. Red Stripe2. The Gleaner Company Limited3. Pan Jamaican Investment Trust Limited4. National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited5. LIME6. Digicel7. Jamaica Broilers Group Limited8. J Wray & Nephew Group Limited

9. ICD Group Limited10. Jamaica National Building Society Limited

Associations1. Inbond Merchants Association2. Institute of Internal Auditors3. Insurance Association of Jamaica4. Jamaica Bankers Association5. Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League6. Jamaica Employers’ Federation7. Jamaica Exporter’s Association8. Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association

9. Jamaica Securities Dealers Association10. Jamaica Used Car Dealers Association11. Realtors Association of Jamaica12. Shipping Association of Jamaica13. Small Business Association of Jamaica14. Spirits Pool Association Limitedindividuals1. Charles Ross2. Elon Beckford3. Maureen Webber

Past HAPPenIngs

22

Eaton Haughton, Consultant on the EU/Pro€invest project being Carib-bean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) addressing an Envi-ronmental workshop. Looking on are (from left) Omar Chedda, PSOJ’s Trade and Environment Manager; Curtis Deenah, Technical Information Officer – Scientific Research Council and David Barrett, a member of the

Environmental Auditing Team.

Lynval Freeman of the Auditing Firm Ernst and Young giving the Auditors Report at the PSOJ AGM on June 3, 2011. Listening attentively are PSOJ Officers: Earl Jarrett (partly hidden)– Honorary Secretary, Jackie Sharpe – Honorary Treasurer, Don Wehby – Vice President , Joseph Matalon – President , Sandra Glasgow (partly hidden)- CEO , William McConnell – Honorary Member, PSOJ Executive Committee, Nicholas Scott

– Vice President and Lisa Soares-Lewis Vice President.

Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker Commissioner makes a point during Dialogue Two ‘Do Tax Incentives Enable Growth ?’ at the PSOJ/JMMB Annual Economic Forum on June 28, 2011 at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel. Mr. Walker was one of the panelists for the dialogue. Also participating were (from left) the other panelist Dr. Damien King, Executive Director of The Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) and Moderator

for the discussion Ms. Imani Duncan, Group Marketing Manager at JMMB.

The PSOJ secured funding from the EU, under the Proinvest facility, to undertake a regional energy and environmental man-agement project in collaboration with private sector partners in Trinidad and Tobago. This involved energy and environmental audits for selected firms, training workshops, a learning and in-vestment mission to the EU, and a regional conference in Trini-dad in July 2011.

Many businesses face increasing challenges from environmental degradation which threaten their sustainability. Trade agree-ments increasingly require improved environmental practices in response to global climate change and achieving international competitiveness for export success is critically impacted by en-ergy consumption.

The PSOJ led project utilised a private sector collaborative ap-proach to create opportunities for regional inter-company part-nerships in developing solutions to the energy problems facing the region.

On Tuesday June 28, 2011 the PSOJ/JMMB Annual Economic Forum was held at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel under the theme Dialogue for Growth – Enquiring. Listening. Solutions. Two Dialogues were held. The first was entitled ‘Does the Monopoly Within the Electricity Industry Keep Energy Costs High ?’ and the second was entitled ‘Do Tax Incen-tives Enable Growth ?’ These dialogues were followed by round table discussions on Energy and Taxes.

The PSOJ held its 23rd Annual General Meet-ing at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Friday June 3, 2011. Three individuals, fourteen as-sociations and ten companies (listed on page 21) were elected to the PSOJ Council.

Maureen Webber of the YUTE Project Man-agement Office – Development Options gave an update on the YUTE programme and members were introduced to Lascelles Page a YUTE intern who has been assigned to work at the PSOJ during his two-year internship pe-riod.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)

The Carlton Alexander Building39 Hope Road,

Kingston 10, Jamaica, W.I.

Tel: (876) 927 6238 Fax (876) 927 5137Email: info@psoj.org

www.psoj.org

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237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6