Hurricane Ernesto (or is it a Tropical Storm?)

Well as South Florida braces for Hurricane Ernesto, everyone (small, medium and large businesses as well as individuals) is doing what is deemed necessary to prepare for it. Business owners have twice the headache given that they will have to take precautions for their residences as well as their businesses. Not only are the physical, tangible assets in need of protection but also the intangibles such as business contacts and relationships. Deals get put on hold until after the hurricane passes as everyone takes steps to stay safe.

This also affects the budding Caribbean Business Digest magazine. Two important meetings got put on hold as a result of Ernesto and one advertising deal got put on hold. The advertising deal itself should go through while both business owners that I was scheduled to meet with agreed to reschedule. The problem here is that we all have no idea of the severity of the hurricane so the consensus is that we should take steps to stay safe and then once things return to normal then we can reschedule. So it is a wait and see approach. This will no doubt translate in a delay of the upcoming issue and how much of a delay is uncertain at this time.

Interestingly, the Caribbean Business Digest’s first issue had an article about Hurricane Preparedness. Hopefully, the article proved beneficial and those steps are being followed with Ernesto on our doorsteps. Let’s continue to pray that the damage if any is minimal and normalcy resumes forthwith!

To obtain a copy of the Caribbean Business Digest featuring Hurricane Preparedness, send an email to mmaxwell.cbdigest@gmail.com

GCACC Let's Talk Forum Part 2

The next issue will contain some discussion about the GCACC Let’s Talk forum. Pick up a copy to read more about the issues that arose.

But I will mention one thing that came up at the meeting. Apparently, there is a lack of support from the business community for the Caribbean owned newspapers. This means that the businesses are choosing to spend their advertising dollars in other areas. Members of the audience said one reason for this is that the Caribbean owned newspapers are unreliable and late in delivery and does not have the same reach as the larger newspapers do. So the question was posed: can there be some collaboration among the various Caribbean newspapers so that there can be an alternative to the larger newspapers? There was general snickering and laughter in some areas of the audience at the question. The consensus is that each newspaper is unique and each has different strengths and so a combination would not be ideal

Here is my take on this: In today’s business environment alliances and mergers are not uncommon. There is an emphasis on looking for new ways to do business to create win-win situations for all parties involved. Should two or more Caribbean newspapers combine, there could be some value in that.

That would result in two things that would prove beneficial to the Caribbean community. First, there would be an alternative newspaper that will provide reach across the tri-county area that business owners can spend their advertising dollars with. Second, if advertising dollars are being spent elsewhere, then the Sun-Sentinels and Miami Heralds will have to take notice. Then they will have to pay more attention to the Caribbean community and dedicate more column inches to the community. And of course that is one of the complaints that we have with the larger newspapers.

The reluctance to work together by the Caribbean newspapers therefore is not in my opinion, business related. It could be a question of culture. As a community we have to trust each other which is the aim of organizations such as the GCACC. Events such as the Let’s Talk forum do go a long way to work across these cultural biases. Hopefully, with time we can get to a point these newspapers (and other businesses) would collaborate and join forces to give us a stronger voice and a concentrated economic power.

Making the rounds....... GCACC Let's Talk

As I continue to make the rounds to establish the magazine, I attended the annual event put on by the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce Let’s Talk forum. This is an event where the chamber invites members of the media to speak to various issues that face the Caribbean community. This is done in a panel format. The media was well represented as there were representatives of The Sun-Sentinel and The Miami Herald as well as HOT 105 who represented the bigger media entities. And of course the Caribbean media was also out in full force with the Caribbean Community, Caribbean Contact, WTPS 1080 among others represented. And of course the Caribbean Business Digest!!

There was a point where a question was posed to the panel about the coverage of businesses (after all GCACC is a business chamber). This was my opportunity to mention my magazine and of course I raised my hand and when given the chance to speak, informed the group that I have started a businesses magazine where I hope to bring Caribbean owned businesses and individuals into the spot light. After my short sermon, there was a round of applause and I will take the position the audience was pleased with the idea and promptly demonstrated this!!

I think that the idea behind this event is excellent. I am scheduled to have a sit-down with Tanya Ragbeer, the chamber’s president this week and hope to talk with her more about the chamber’s work. So make sure to pick up a copy of the next issue available at month end to learn more about the chamber and its activities.

In closing, there is one suggestion I will make to her. I think that once a year is too seldom for a forum such as this. This event should be held at a minimum twice a year or even better once a quarter. In this way, the issues are kept in the fore front. Progress can be noted and weak areas can be addressed. Just before the meeting ended, a gentleman asked what will be the outcome of all this dialogue. My fear is that the next annual event will just rehash the things we spoke about last Wednesday night. More frequent meetings could force the media represented to present action plans whose effectiveness could be evaluated.

Developing personal relationships and ............ classified ads

I received a phone call yesterday from someone who wanted to place a classified ad in the upcoming issue. The individual inquired about the nature of the magazine, the cost and deadline for submitting the ad information. Though I was little bit taken aback by the phone call I provided the required information. I did not think that there would be much business from classifieds (the person indicated that she was seeking employment and needed to reach businesses) but it was a welcomed call. As my wife Nicole Ann pointed out, it means that the magazine is getting circulation.

While at the barbershop in Palm Beach last week, my barber remarked that I was the first person to wait specifically for him to get a haircut. Now I call him each time to make an appointment for my haircut. I made a mental note on my way home to tell him the next time I go there that he give each new client a card so that he can build his own clientele. After all that is what most small business owners aim to do. Whether it is catering, legal or accounting services, it is all about developing personal relationships.

In executing the idea behind the Caribbean Business Digest, that is what I aim to do. In speaking with various business owners, I aim to develop a personal relationship with each as I aim to tell each story that is unique. That will be quite a challenge. Stay tuned.

Cover design finalized

The design for the cover of the August issue has been settled on.

Initially I had contacted two free lance designers that I had met at the last monthly meeting of the Greater Caribbean Chamber of Commerce. I got a quote from the first one which was a little bit out of my range. The second submitted a couple samples of what the cover could look like. I liked what he submitted and submitted a few ideas to improve upon the samples. However, while wanted for him to submit the change I came across a third person who free lances and after explaining the magazine to her, she agreed to submit a sample cover design.

Upon receiving it, I immediately knew that I found the right design. She also agreed to work with me on the magazine layout. With the magazine design and layout in good hands I can continue focusing on marketing the magazine.

I will continue to maintain contacts with the two designers I met at the Chamber meeting. After all, it is important to maintain relationships and I am sure I could use their services in the future.

A quick look at the upcoming issue

Before posting today's blog, I thought it necessary to put my picture up and add the photo to my profile....

The second issue is in production and already some exciting changes are taking place. Among the delightful articles will be a piece on Marlon Hill Esq. as he talks about the development of delancyhill, PA, the law firm he founded with his partner and high school friend Michele Delancy. Hill was recently been named as a representative of the Jamaican Diaspora and he has also debuted his radio show Caribbean Crossroads. This promises to be a real interesting article with some real thought-provoking insights from someone who is very committed to the Caribbean community in South Florida.

The second issue will also feature a more enticing and attractive cover and colorful graphics. As the magazine takes shape, it is essential to develop a colorful theme that is characteristic of the people that it is intended to appeal to. So a lot of work is currently being done to make this a reality.

A major aspect of any venture is sound financial planning and discipline. So everything becomes a cost benefit analysis. With limited resources (as every firm will attest to) it is imperative that the magazine obtains advertising dollars to support it. So the phone calls to various businesses will continue to try and get credibility and advertising dollars from potential advertisers. At this point the going is slow but promising.