Young entrepreneurs try to forge ahead in Jamaica

Myself and a couple of my friends made presentations at the Mayberry Investor's Forum last year. See Observer highlights below:

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Although persons will say that starting a business in Jamaica is difficult, members of the Young Entrepreneurs (YEA) are trying to prove that they can make it in Jamaica.



From left: Samuel Coates, managing director of Coates Logistics Limited;
Aldain Reid, regional director-North Caribbean, Resource Development
International (RDI)with Erwin Angus, managing director at Mayberry
Investments Limited at the Mayberry Forum held at the Knutsford Court
Hotel, Kingston last Wednesday.

At the Mayberry Investor's Forum on Wednesday, three young entrepreneurs spoke about their business experience. Harnessing technology, each presenter has found a way to compete effectively in a very unforgiving marketplace.


Aldain Reid, head of RDI Jamaica, presented first. "RDI is in the business of enhancing the process of organisational development by a variety of flexible interventions. We have established partnerships with UK universities and professional bodies to market, recruit, and support distance education qualifications on behalf of our partners." RDI provides a wide range of educational programmes but it's the MBA programmes that are the most popular.

Although they use the Internet to provide contact with students and UK lecturers, Reid said that his firm does not offer online programmes but online support. "We provide tailored training solutions to individuals and organisations.

Additionally, we develop and manage educational projects." A typical MBA programme costs US$12,000 at RDI, but Reid has differentiated his company from the other educational institutions by offering interest-free payment options.
Next was Samuel Coates, a custom broker that uses technology to give his firm the cutting edge.

"Our vision is to be the premier provider of logistical services to our clients and stakeholders locally, regionally and internationally by fulfilling all their logistics needs professionally, efficiently and economically," Coates told the Mayberry audience.

Using the internet, Coates allows his customers to track their shipment free of cost." During his presentation, Coates highlighted a customer testimonial.

Rosie Daley Owner of Rose Court Enterprises testified that, "Ever since I engaged the services of Coates Logistics Ltd, the hassles, uncertainties and long delays previously associated with this aspect of my business, are now experiences of the past. They make me feel special due to their personal attention to all the details and I must say that they have been advantageous to my business. Coates Logistics Ltd has made my life so much easier with their remarkable total service and I cannot thank them enough."

Another technology-based business showcased was UCANTEL Communications. Stephen Spence spoke about how his company helps to reduce the cost of commumication. "We provide short Message Service (SMS) or text messaging as an effective communication medium in communicating with your employees, partners, and customers."

Spence continued, "With our mobile services, you are able to communicate with targeted persons via text messaging. It matters not what type of phone the person has or what network the person is connected to." Clients can use SMS to provide services such as collection alerts, advisories, acount information, renewal advices and alarm notification.

The YEA is an association of business persons under the age of 45. Membership information can be found at www.yeajamaica.com

See article at:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20070519T230000-0500_123249_OBS_YOUNG_ENTREPRENEURS_TRY_TO_FORGE_AHEAD_IN_JAMAICA_.asp