Positive Thoughts

Strip yourself of the negative thoughts and think positively and act positively. When life deals you an unfair hand of cards, it is easiest to huddle in a corner and brood and become emotionally dead. It is important to remember that no matter how awful the situation is, how we respond to it will affect the outcome. Being upset and dwelling on the negative will only result in pushing you deeper in the mire. Only positive thoughts will elevate your state of being.

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Let’s Look Back…A Diary About Nevis and Nevisians

Although a year has passed, the content of “Let’s Look Back…A Diary About Nevis and Nevisians” can still be appreciated today.

Since its launch in September 2008, “Let’s Look Back…A Diary About Nevis and Nevisians,” has made remarkable stride. The book, written by daughter of the soil, Jean Caines, provides an insight into Nevisian History and Culture.

From a humble intro, where she seeks the indulgence of her readers to the 13 chapters which cover such topics as Culture and Culturama, Education, Sports and Tourism; Caines’ choice of words can be appreciated by the entire community.

Caines is well known in the Nevisian community, whether it be for her involvement in the annual Culturama celebrations or her work with the Charlestown Primary and Secondary schools.

Although a year has passed, the content of “Let’s Look Back…A Diary About Nevis and Nevisians” can still be appreciated today.
Caines credits much of the work for her book to fellow Nevisians – Father Ernest Flemming, Lawyer Jeffrey Nisbett, past and present Head teachers and Education officials, Hon. Marjorie Morton, Matron Aldris Pemberton-Dias, Myrthlyn Moore-Parry, Alstead Pemberton, Averil Walters, The Festivals Secretariat, Sharon Walters and Arthur Evelyn.

The book is featured on the website www.nevisianaccomplishments.net and can be purchased in St. Kitts-Nevis from Jean Caines at lovespongej@yahoo.com or 869-663-1202 or in the Virgin Islands by contacting Jáedee Caines at sweetjaed@hotmail.com.

Choosing A Major – What’s Right for you?

Although one can suggest that you be altruistic and choose a major that can help change the face of the globe or one that will make others happy ultimately your major means your choice. Based on your motivations you would be better able to decide what is best. It is a matter of balancing practicality, with potential earning power and MOST IMPORTANTLY love for what you intend to study.

Choosing a major can be a very intimidating process.  There is a great deal of pressure placed on students as they ponder what would seem like a terrifying Read more

Work it Girl

Ladies, it is time that we introduce ourselves to ourselves and embrace the fact that we are powerful, strong, beautiful, unique and wise. Let us strip ourselves of the unrealistic ideals, the phony makeup and masks, the pretense, the crippling ideologies, the naïve mindsets, the conventional myths, the lies we’ve been fed, the negativity we’ve been digesting and the unproductive lifestyles we’ve been producing and clothe ourselves with respect, dignity, beauty, power and love. This is your life, time and story. This is your truth; our truth- The naked Truth.

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Self Evaluation

There is no one on earth or the other eight planets that would love your business like you so be sure to understand how every component of your business functions to ensure that your business survives in the long term.

One of the most important things any of my business mentors said to me was that “It’s great if you love what you do, but that’s not what business is about. When you decide to label it a business, it has to ultimately be profitable.” That is the reality of things.

As an entrepreneur, you need not know only your craft but you need to also know how to be a leader, a forward thinker and even if you do not intend to manage the day to day aspects of your business, you need to know how to identify a good decision when the manager you hire suggests it to you. NOTE: There is no one on earth or the other eight planets that would love your business like you so be sure to understand how every component of your business functions to ensure that your business survives in the long term.

Some key areas you should understand are:

Financial Management, which refers to an understanding of cash flow planning, revenue management and maintaining good credit. In the United States in particular, a good credit history is everything.

Planning and Development – Planning is at the core of any business. Entrepreneurs must have a vision since even monopolized markets do not remain monopolized forever. That said, you would have to find new ways to engage customers and ensure that they remain with your company. To do this, you will have to have a clear understanding of who your customers are, what they need and also an understanding of your competition and how they compare with you (this will be examined in later posts).

Personnel Management – Entrepreneurs are leaders so needless to say that people skills and people management skills are necessary. This includes recruitment, conflict resolution, motivation and training. Small businesses usually do not have a large staff if staffed at all, but once your business grows and you employ others you will need to understand that your business is as strong as the weakest link. Explain the importance of the above to the people you employ and in the long and short term, your business will benefit.

Business to Business Relationships – In the real world, the idea of isolating yourself will get you nowhere fast. In business, it’s no different. The most useful thing a business, especially a small or startup business can do is to create sound business relationships with other businesses that it may rely on. Building sound relationships with these businesses will increase efficiency since from time to time you may receive preferential treatment, you may receive assistance when you are in a tight situation (perhaps you need a faster turnaround time for a particular service than the company tends to offer but they will do it on your behalf), and of course there is the ability for a small business to barter products and services. In this way neither company spends its limited funds directly, but gets exactly what it needs from the other.

Sales and Marketing – The last but certainly not least important area to assess yourself on is sales. Don’t get sales confused with marketing. Though equally important, marketing refers to targeted activities and material that engage potential customers. Sales refers to the actions necessary to secure a sale. Without sales your business cannot survive and grow. You need to be able to identify potential customers and their individual needs, explain your goods and services effectively to them and convert these potential customers and leads into clients.

In coming posts we will explore the importance of a business plan and a marketing plan. We won’t go too in depth here but understand the importance of assessing your company’s viability in relation to the market. Where the business plan is involved you must see your position relative to your competitors and where your marketing plan is concerned see where your marketing dollar will be best spent to ensure effective usage of limited funds.

ervinWelsh – CEO, Beyond Timeless