The MBA Forum — LEADERSHIP (Part 2)

Dr Kenroy WEDDERBURN

Sunday, February 01, 2015    

I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers — Ralph Nader

AS indicated in the previous article, MBA programmes typically have a course on Leadership, which provides knowledge about leadership theories, styles, behaviours and characteristics. Given the critical role played by the leadership in any organisation, much attention should also be placed on leadership development. The MBA student should not just be satisfied with ingesting some knowledge about leadership, perform well enough to get an “A”, then forget the course content and move on.

Having said that, I know the constraints, and so when I lecture on Leadership — after covering the theoretical aspects, I try to zoom in on a few key leadership development areas for the students to work on individually after the course, and then – with repeated emphasis — ask them to consistently improve themselves even incrementally, by applying the concepts. Reviewing several case studies also highlights leadership areas that one can target for improvement.

As Marshall Goldsmith indicated in his article “Are Leaders Acting on their Training?” you need to apply the learnings, and seek to measure the changes. For emphasis, Goldsmith quoted Arnold Schwarzeneggar as saying, “Nobody ever got muscles by watching me lift weights!”

Let me therefore touch on a few key leadership development areas for you to focus on — and try to consistently improve on.

Leadership Development — “The Basics”

We cannot be effective leaders if we ignore what I call “the Basics”. I also think that these are the items that determine whether a leader can execute — or get things done. My experience in Jamaica is that we have very bright people, wonderful planners, and fantastic speakers. Yet we find it hard to get things done! We have many meetings simply to have meetings — and the Action Items List remains untouched. So “the basics”: time management, meeting deadlines (read Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), honouring your word (if I say I will call you back tomorrow, — I call you back tomorrow!), being organised, being able to work efficiently and effectively, conducting effective meetings, etc.

OK — so we live in Jamaica and we use “Jamaica time”. Have you ever considered (and converted to dollars) how much productive time is wasted waiting on people who are late? Similarly, I am constantly amazed at the reaction when I tell a customer with an issue that I will call them back by, say, Wednesday, and when I do call them they always say that they really never expected me to call! I believe “the basics” is the substratum (learnt that from a lawyer recently – means “foundation”), of the skill set of a leader who can execute.

Emotional Intelligence

Jack Welch, the famous CEO of General Electric from 1981 to 2001, wrote in his autobiography Jack Straight from the Gut, that his problem with business schools was that the graduates they sent to him were only trained in the technical skills, but not in the soft skills (which are much more difficult to learn). So, how important are the soft skills for a leader? Critical! The higher up the organisation structure one goes is the more emotional intelligence and other soft skills are required and the less technical skills.

In 1995, Daniel Goleman wrote about emotional intelligence in his book which became an international bestseller. Emotional Intelligence can be simply defined as the ability to manage one’s own emotions as well as the emotions of others — not a simple feat!

There are five emotional intelligence competences: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. I consider the first one — self-awareness — the biggest hurdle of them all. Are you able to recognise your own emotions in a situation, as well as their effect? Many times you will see someone being overly defensive in a meeting, unnecessarily angry, or obviously biased. The sad thing is that often they are oblivious of their actions.

I started becoming aware of my own emotions years ago when I read a booklet entitled, “Be careful, your reactions are showing!” One way I find that is great at becoming more self-aware is to ask for the help of a spouse, a sibling or a trusted friend. These persons will be blatantly honest in providing accurate feedback!

After self-awareness comes another hard one — self-regulation. This involves self-control — being able to keep potentially disruptive emotions in check. You know, that “below the belt” semi-sotto voce remark in the meeting that ends up creating another enemy. Guys, remember, you are on the same team!

Coaching

As an MBA student/graduate, you also need to understand that after going through the leadership training, it is good to submit to coaching, especially in the work environment. Some organisations have official coaching programmes and these can be good. However some are geared narrowly at achieving certain specific goals or targets. The MBA student may then have to seek out a mentor with good leadership qualities, and is willing to assist you to develop your leadership skills. Many executives are really very willing to help — but nobody asked them. Try it — you may be surprised.

Active Observation

Unfortunately, you may not be able to formally enter a coaching programme or be able to find a suitable or willing mentor. In the interim, therefore, I would suggest what I term “active observation”.

This includes studying good leaders, as well as reading leadership books and biographies of good leaders. Having covered the theory in leadership, you may be able to observe a particular style or trait from one leader, another from the next leader etc.

For example, a good leader has to be able to clearly articulate a vision. So it helps for you to improve your public speaking skills.

Start by listening to great speakers. If you are still doing your MBA and will be doing a group presentation, let the group video the practice presentation and then critique it. You will be amazed at the improvement the next time round!

Dr Kenroy Wedderburn, JP, is a part-time lecturer on the MBA programme at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Send your e-mails to drkwedderburn@gmail.com.

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The MBA Forum — LEADERSHIP (Part 2)

Clueless — Windies suffer humiliating nine-wicket defeat in 3rd ODI

EAST LONDON, South Africa (AFP) — On a pitch which captain Jason Holder admitted held no terrors, the West Indies collapsed to 122 all out and suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat in the third One-Day International against South Africa at Buffalo Park yesterday.

Marlon Samuels made 26, but no other West Indian batsmen reached 20 in a dismal performance on a good pitch.

Man of the Match South Africa’s Vernon Philander took two wickets inside the first two overs and finished with three for 27, while leg-spinner Imran Tahir claimed a career-best four for 28.

South Africa needed just 24.4 overs to complete a series-clinching win. Hashim Amla took his tally for the series to 280 runs with an unbeaten 61 not out, while Faf du Plessis made 51 not out.

It was another crushing defeat for the West Indies following a one-sided encounter in the second match in Johannesburg last Sunday, when South Africa made 439 for two on the way to winning by 148 runs.

“We batted poorly,” said Holder.

“The pitch was a little slow but there was nothing wrong with it.”

Holder said the senior players in the side had not yet performed as they should have done.

“We need to show pride in the last two games now,” he said.

It was no surprise that the West Indies batted first on a dry pitch which was expected to get slower and lower in the second half of the match, especially after the punishment their bowlers took when South Africa were sent in to bat in Johannesburg.

But the tourists were in trouble almost immediately and were unable to mount any substantial partnerships.

Philander had opening batsmen Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle caught behind inside the first four overs, and fast bowler Dale Steyn followed up with the wickets of Narsingh Deonarine and Denesh Ramdin as the West Indies stumbled to 43 for four.

Samuels looked the one batsman capable of playing a major innings before he was caught on the long-off boundary off Tahir.

The South Africans were batting before the scheduled supper break and needed just an hour afterwards to secure the win.

Amla cruised to his 61 off 63 balls with nine fours, while Du Plessis profited from two dropped catches in making his runs off 71 balls.

South Africa fielded the same side for the third match in a row and captain AB de Villiers said it was an important win ahead of the World Cup next month.

“We’ve said that in the knockout stages of the World Cup you need to win three matches in a row and we’ve done that,” said de Villiers, who scored the fastest ever century in one day international cricket in the win last Sunday.

With the series secured, De Villiers said the remaining members of the World Cup squad would get an opportunity to play in the two remaining matches.

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Clueless — Windies suffer humiliating nine-wicket defeat in 3rd ODI

Nomination motivates me to work harder — Russell

BY SHERDON COWAN

Sunday, January 04, 2015    

KNOWN for his penetrative fast bowling, powerful batting and electric out-fielding, Andre Russell has now mastered the art of being a match winner.

Despite making his debut in Test cricket against Sri Lanka in November 2010, his only cap at that level, Russell’s strengths have been better suited to the shorter format of the game.

During that season, Russell played at Barnards Green Cricket Club, Worcestershire, England, helping them secure promotion to the Birmingham League cricket. He took 39 wickets at an average of 10.15, and also led with his batting, hitting 799 runs in 11 innings at an average of 99.88.

Following his impressive display with the ball on his One Day International (ODI) debut at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Russell’s all-round prowess caught the eye of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Delhi Daredevils who bought him for a sum of US$450,000.

The 26-year-old came in for even more admiration in 2012, when he became the first bowler in Twenty20 to take four wickets in four successive deliveries.

But his most memorable performance to date came in last year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) when he led the Jamaica Tallawahs to a six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Sabina Park.

With the Tallawahs requiring 10 runs from two balls, the aggressive batsman slammed a four and a ferocious last ball six on his way to an unbeaten 58 off 24 balls, which included three fours and six sixes.

That performance has placed the right-hander amongst six of the top performances nominated for the RJR Sports Foundation People’s Choice of the Year Award.

The Jamaica and West Indies fast bowling all-rounder has attributed the positive sequence of events over the past year to hard work, which has propelled him into maintaining a high level of consistency.

“It’s a very good feeling to be a part of the People’s Choice Award nominee again; I was a part of it last year and I didn’t win. But at the same time I feel good to know that I am doing well to get nominated again,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“Once I am getting nominated for whichever award, I know that I am doing a good job in my area. So that motivates me to just continue to work hard and do well every year,” he added.

Russell is up against boxer Nicholas Walters, Jaheel Hyde (athletics), Kemar Lawrence (football), Andrew Gutzmore (football) and swimmer Alia Atkinson, who is the only female nominee for the People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award.

“Being a nominee means a lot to me and it’s not just winning. Win or lose I am still appreciative of all I have accomplished and of all the support I have received.

“So I give God thanks to be a part of it another year, and thanks to everyone who is going to vote for me. I also express gratitude to those who have chosen me as a nominee and I am really grateful,” the 6ft 1in athlete said.

Russell, more popularly called ‘Rusty’ by his peers, further exclaimed his versatility when he began a second career as a recording artist under the name ‘Dre Russ’. He released two singles late last year, one of which is a collaboration with Beenie Man.

Russell has also exploited his talent as a member of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, and Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash. He is also a member of the touring West Indies team that is currently in South Africa.

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Nomination motivates me to work harder — Russell

Some Rio track and field finals set for morning sessions — IAAF

THERE will be at least one final in all of the morning sessions during the track and field programme at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, the IAAF announced yesterday.

After earlier announcing a return to the format that was last used at the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea, it was confirmed yesterday with the publishing of the track and field schedule for the Games that will be held August 12-21 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

“All five road events — the two marathons and the three race walk events — will be held in the morning sessions, although both 20km race walks will be in the early afternoon,” the release from the IAAF said.

“Other morning finals include the women’s 10,000m, men’s and women’s 3000m steeplechase, men’s 400m hurdles, men’s triple jump, men’s and women’s discus, and the women’s hammer.”

The rationale for the change was “having finals in the morning will also ensure that we receive maximum visibility for athletics at the Olympic Games across all time zones”, IAAF competitions director Paul Hardy was quoted as saying.

“Staging finals in the morning was done at the request of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the Olympic Broadcasting Service, supported by the International Olympic Committee,” Hardy’s quote went on.

– Paul Reid

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Some Rio track and field finals set for morning sessions — IAAF

Sliding dollar affecting Christmas shopping — G2K

Monday, December 15, 2014 | 7:33 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Generation 2000 (G2K) has again expressed concern about the effects of the sliding Jamaican dollar on the poor and most vulnerable, this time during the current Christmas season.

G2K, the young professional affiliate of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), in a release today noted that since December 1 the dollar has lost over 60 cents in value against its US counterpart, moving from $113.58 cents to $114.12 cents at the start of trading Monday morning.

“On Friday the dollar traded as high as $118 dollars against the US dollar,” G2K pointed out.

“It appears as if the Minister of Finance just does not understand, or is clearly insensitive to the effect that that the rapid devaluation is having on the pockets of Jamaican,” the G2K release said.

“We are all quite aware that there is a direct relationship between the devaluation of the Jamaican dollar and the rise in basic food prices. Therefore, if urgent steps aren’t taken to stem this slide, we are all looking at basic food items which have increased by more than 30 percent since December 2011 are going to see another significant rise during this Christmas.”

“The Minister continues to fail to realize that his job description requires him to do far more than just meet IMF targets. His response cannot be to simply curtail Government capital expenditure to meet the primary surplus demand. The minister is slowly stifling our economy and the hopes and dreams of every Jamaican,” G2K stated.

It said that enough is not being done to compliment IMF policies, with reforms that would soften the effects of austerity measures and growth of small businesses. And that, contrary to the concept of creating incentives to start and develop businesses, new taxes have been forced upon businesses across the board.

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Sliding dollar affecting Christmas shopping — G2K

Portia Simpson Miller — The 40th anniversary interview

History, it can be argued, never makes a mistake in appointing human beings to their special places in life.

Why, for example, was Portia Lucretia Simpson chosen to become Jamaica’s first woman prime minister? She was not to the manor born, nor was she the most educated Jamaican woman.

She did not have the powers of articulation attributed to her predecessors Norman Manley, Michael Manley and P J Patterson. But Portia Simpson Miller became prime minister for the right reason. She was the overwhelming choice of the hungry masses, the poor and indigent, the voiceless and forgotten, the far descendants of beaten slaves whose only power was to elect themselves a political saviour and rest in her their impatient hope for even temporary relief. History, indeed, does not err.

For Desmond Allen’s compelling interview with the prime minister, read this Wednesday’s (February 5) edition of the Jamaica Observer, marking the 40th anniversary of her entry into representational politics.

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Portia Simpson Miller — The 40th anniversary interview

I finished early — A delicate flower gone at 39

Alicia Sutherland

Sunday, January 26, 2014    

AT only 39 years old, illness took aesthetician Sheryl Althea Whyte away from her family.

While the pain of her loss was evident and tears flowed freely at the service of thanksgiving for her life on Saturday, January 11, her family has come to terms with the realisation that her untimely passing does not quite mean that her life was cut short.

“I finished early, I did it my way, and then God had his way,” said Roxanna Harriott as she read the eulogy for her cousin affectionately known as Tracey.

Born August 9, 1974 Harriott told the gathering Whyte received her education at the Christiana Moravian Primary school, Edwin Allen Comprehensive High and a number of other institutions that supported her interests.

She is remembered as free-spirited with a love for her family, her only child John-Ross Greaves, and a passion for fashion.

In a tribute done by Yanique Hall-Harriott, on behalf of family members overseas, Whyte is described as a delicate flower.

“Externally she personified immense strength. However, her life’s anthem was built on songs of tenderness. She was blessed with physical beauty, equally impressive were the elements of her character,” she said.

“Tracey will give her everything,” said Linnette Campbell of the House of Styles clothing store where the deceased spent a period of her working life.

Whyte’s aunt, Gladys Harriott, said that she was at her 75th birthday party in December and she did not know that she would have attended Whyte’s father’s funeral, her mother’s funeral and now her funeral.

Family members and friends believe that one of the most significant achievements for her was accepting the lord and symbolising it through baptism at the Refuge Temple Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic Faith in George Reid, Manchester, before she passed on.

“Death doesn’t look at the colour of your skin; it doesn’t look at how pretty you are or how handsome you look…. Don’t wait on your friends to come (to the Lord), let your friends follow you,” one church member told the congregation.

General secretary of the Jamaica Council of Churches and Whyte’s cousin Reverend Gary Harriott prayed for the family.

Among the loved ones she left behind are her siblings Jamaica Observer photographer Gregory Bennett, Joy Whyte and Oneil Whyte.

Whyte was interred at the Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

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I finished early — A delicate flower gone at 39

Caribbean region looking to adopt Jamaica"s telecoms model — Paulwell

Friday, January 24, 2014 | 4:07 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell, says countries in CARICOM are looking to adopt Jamaica’s successful telecoms model, including the financing of the Universal Service Fund (USF).

Speaking at the official opening of the Michael Black Business Resource Centre in Rose Town, St Andrew on Wednesday Paulwell said that at a meeting of CARICOM Technology Ministers in Grenada last week, an examination of the model developed by Jamaican was discussed.

He said that “major” talks are expected to take place at the CARICOM Inter-Sessional meeting slated for February 24 and 25 in St Vincent, as the countries move forward in adopting Jamaica’s model.

“For the first time… at the meeting in February, ICT (Information Communication Technology) will be a major item for the CARICOM Heads of Government to deal with. Throughout the discussion last week, people were commenting on the Jamaican model, not only how we were able to liberalise and open up the sector, but also how we were able to creatively fund the Universal Service (Fund). It is going to become a model for the rest of the Caribbean,” said Paulwell.

He added that the Technology Ministers forum “tried to create a space for the Caribbean, because, apart from being the great enabler for everything, including healthcare and education, ICT is an industry in itself to create jobs, and this is one area where you can make money.”

The USF, an initiative of the Jamaican government, collect funds from incoming telephone calls, to be used for developing the nation’s broadband services islandwide and enable more Jamaicans to access ICT, through the establishment of community access points (CAPS) at schools, libraries, post offices and other facilities.

Approximately J$10 billion have come into the fund’s coffers to date and 163 CAPS have been set up, Paulwell said.

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Caribbean region looking to adopt Jamaica"s telecoms model — Paulwell

This Day in History — December 31

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

1997: Hong Kong authorities finish up the slaughter of 1.3 million chickens and other fowls to prevent an outbreak of a deadly strain of bird flu in humans.OTHER EVENTS1494: Forces of France’s King Charles VIII enter Rome.1799: The Dutch East India Company’s territories in Indonesia are taken over by the Dutch Administration in Batavia, now Jakarta.1810: Russia’s Czar Alexander introduces new tariffs aimed at French goods.1851: Austrian Constitution is abolished.1857: Britain’s Queen Victoria decides to make Ottawa the capital of Canada.1879: US inventor Thomas A Edison gives first demonstration of his electric incandescent light at Menlo Park, New Jersey.1919: Britain, Japan and United States sign an agreement on East Siberia.1956: President Sukarno proclaims a state of siege in Sumatra, Indonesia.1961: Lebanon’s army prevents coup attempt in Beirut by Syrian Popular Party; the US Marshall Plan expires after distributing more than $12 billion in foreign aid.1963: Central African Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved.1964: Indonesia’s President Sukarno threatens to quit the United Nations if Malaysia is given a seat on the UN Security Council.1978: Taiwanese diplomats strike their colours for the final time from the embassy flagpole in Washington, marking the end of diplomatic relations with the US.1986: A fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, kills 97 and injures 140 people.1987: Violent protests erupt in Jerusalem’s West Bank as Palestinians prepare to observe the January 1 anniversary of the PLO’s main guerrilla group.1988: India and Pakistan agree not to attack each others’ nuclear facilities.1991: Representatives of North Korea and South Korea agree not to use nuclear weapons.1993: The teenage granddaughter of Cuban leader Fidel Castro arrives in the United States for a reunion with her mother, who defected from Cuba the previous week.1994: A New Year’s Eve assault by Russian forces on Grozny, Chechnya, produces one of the bloodiest days of the war. Both sides claim success.1996: For the first time in Peru’s two-week hostage crisis, Tupac Amaru guerrillas allow journalists inside the Japanese ambassador’s residence.1998: Eleven European nations usher in the New Year and the euro.1999: Russian President Boris Yeltsin announces his resignation.2003: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that an outbreak of influenza reached epidemic levels in 45 states and has already killed at least 42 children.2004: Locked doors at a nightclub in Buenos Aires, Brazil, block or slow the exit of many concert-goers fighting to escape a fire that kills 186 people and injures hundreds.2005: British subway workers walk out in a 24-hour strike, disrupting the London Underground as tens of thousands of revelers throng in the capital to celebrate the new year.2007: Parliamentary elections in Pakistan are set to be postponed by several weeks a day after Benazir Bhutto’s 19-year-old son, Bilawal Zardari, is chosen to succeed her as chairman of her opposition party and despite opposition demands elections go ahead as planned on January 8.2008: The alleged ringleaders of a Chinese counterfeiting gang that sold at least $2 billion worth of bogus Microsoft Corp software are sentenced to prison terms of up to 6 1/2 years, in what is believed to be the harshest penalties yet under China’s tightened piracy laws.2010: A top ally of Ivory Coast’s internationally recognised leader says that the country is already in a “civil war situation”, while the incumbent leader who refuses to step down after the disputed election accuses world leaders of launching a coup to oust him.2012: Pakistan releases eight members of the Afghan Taliban from prison, including the former justice minister under the Taliban, in a bid to boost the peace process in neighboring Afghanistan.British Actor Sir Ben Kingsley, whose career has included films such as Gandhi (1982) and Schindler’s List (1993), celebrates his 70th birthday today.

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This Day in History — December 31

"I want to make Jamaica proud," — Tuffy

PANAMA CITY, Panama — There is no stopping Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson, it seems.

He was the footballer who Jamaican fans staged multiple protests at different points across the island, as they tried to force the hand of then head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore to select him for the ongoing CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign.Despite the pressure, Whitmore, a hero of Jamaica’s football, did not budge even as the Reggae Boyz campaign spiralled down.In Whitmore’s eyes, ‘Tuffy’ was just not his man despite the latter holding the honour of being the top striker in the land.But Anderson was determined to play for his country again after being snubbed following his participation in the Caribbean Cup in Antigua and Barbuda, last December.With the arrival of a new coach Winfried Schafer after Whitmore quit, things started to look up for the Waterhouse frontman and crowd favourite.“That’s how life goes, maybe that coach (Whitmore) just didn’t feel he wanted me in his team, but this coach comes and sees something in me and he has given me some good vibes so far… and I have been working hard in training, and not because I am 34, I give my best and I have been running hard. Right now I just want to go out there and just do my best and make Jamaica proud of me,” Anderson told the Jamaica Observer during an interview aboard a charter that took the Boyz here for their World Cup qualifier against hosts Panama.Anderson, who has been in and out of the Jamaica set-up but still waiting for that moment to make his mark, says he is eager to make the best of this chance at redemption.“I have always wanted to do good things for my country, as country comes first, so really and truly I want to be out there. It’s not so much that people were crying for me, it’s more that those people saw what ‘Tuffy’ can do for the country.“But now that I get another look in with the team, I am just going to be focused and do my best for my country, whether I get five minutes or 10 minutes on the field,” said the irrepressible Montego Bay native.He spoke of Jamaica’s do-or-die matchup against Panama tonight in a manner and tone as if he expects to get a chance to play. But that’s ‘Tuffy’, always eager to have a go for either club or country.“This game against Panama is going to be a hard fight for Jamaica. And in training today (yesterday), I would really like to talk to the players because so far I have been getting a nice vibe and we now need this Jamaican team to go out there and give 110 per cent… but we are Jamaicans and we know what we can do and we have to just go out there and fight,” he said.Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson heads towards the team bus ater exiting the arrival terminal in Panama City, Panama, yesterday.Members of the Reggae Boyz team arrive at their hotel in Panama City, Panama, yesterday. (PHOTOS: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)

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"I want to make Jamaica proud," — Tuffy

Third quarter growth of 0.5% to 1.5% expected — PIOJ

Latest News

Wednesday, August 28, 2013 | 4:57 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican economy is expected to record growth ranging between 0.5 and 1.5 per cent over the July to September quarter according to Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Colin Bullock. He was addressing the PIOJ’s quarterly media briefing on Tuesday August 27 at the institute’s office in Kingston.Bullock said the growth should be spurred by a number of factors, including the continued rollout of several capital projects approved in the 2013/14 budget. He said that the gradual restoration of investor confidence, contingent on Jamaica passing of the first quarterly International Monetary Fund (IMF) performance review, and continued global economic recovery, will also drive economic activity.Bullock also pointed to the anticipated return to positive performance for most industries reflecting resurgence in output following the impact of Hurricane Sandy. Meanwhile, mining and quarrying, and construction were the key performers during the April to June quarter, where the economy contracted by 0.4 per cent.Mining and quarrying recorded growth of five per cent, while the building component of the construction sector grew by 1.5 per cent.Bullock said the figure for mining and quarrying reflected increased production of alumina, “as crude bauxite production declined.”“Alumina production increased by 8.6 per cent, reflecting an increase of 1.1 percentage points in the alumina capacity utilisation rate, reflecting higher output from a major producer,” he explained.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Third quarter growth of 0.5% to 1.5% expected — PIOJ

No decision on Goat Island development — Hylton

Latest News

Wednesday, August 28, 2013 | 7:13 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister (MIIC) Anthony Hylton says that no decision has been made by Cabinet with regard to Chinese investors’ proposal to develop a port facility and logistics and industrial park in the vicinity of Goat Island.Government is in the process of striking a deal with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct a trans-shipment port in the Portland Bight/Goat Island area.Hylton, in a release Wednesday evening said that while his ministry continued to lead the Logistic Hub initiative, the MIIC team works closely with other government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the Ministries of Transport, Works and Housing; and Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.He said that the Goat Island investment would only be one component of the government’s priority Logistics Hub Initiative, which includes other ports, airports and special economic zones.Environmentalists earlier this week vowed to take the government to court over the proposed development.They argued that the Portland Bight area, because of its coral reefs and mangroves, has been declared a protected area under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act (NRCA), and two fish sanctuaries have been declared under the Fisheries Industry Act to protect the fish nursery there.Thousands of fishers would be deprived of their livelihoods, and the eco-tourism potential of the area, unique in Jamaica because of its biodiversity, would be wiped out if the port is allowed, the environmentalists said.They also contend that government has not demonstrated any exercise of due diligence or consultation with the public and has not shown any consideration of alternatives.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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No decision on Goat Island development — Hylton

Digicel — the tonic for downtown Kingston"s revival

Less than six months after moving downtown, ignoring the advice of the average Jamaican, Digicel is thumbing its nose at its detractors.

“People thought we were crazy,” said Digicels’ Head of Consumer Sales, Patrick King, who blamed the “ill-advised” success on chairman, Denis O’Brien’s appetite for challenges.“The mentality of our chairman is that he is not afraid of taking a great risk to do what he thinks is right,” King related the build-up to Digicel’s move from the more confortable business environment in New Kingston to the blighted coastal, downtown Kingston atmosphere.“When he heard about the plans for the redevelopment of downtown Kingston, he came here to visit and see for himself, because he is a hands-on person and he wanted to tour downtown Kingston to see exactly what we were talking about,” King recalled.“Once the decision was made, the plan to implement was immediately put into action,” he went on.King was explaining to a spellbound audience at the recent Leaders-to-Leaders business forum at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, how Digicel arrived at the decision to build its global office in the inner city.According to him, Digicel was panning on erecting its global corporate office closer to New Kingston, when O’Brien became aware of plans to redevelop downtown Kingston and took a liking to that.“Not only were we to put our offices downtown, but we were to invest in downtown, as well,” said King.With the city having lost to the more spacious and modern New Kingston commercial community most of its businesses and government offices, and the crowds they pull, Digicel had to search out limited commercial possibilities to find the most suitable location for building its global office, as well as projects which would help to promote it.The company confounded its critics by settling on investing approximately US$2 million (J$200 million) in the redevelopment of the city’s main produce market, the Coronation Market, less than a few metres away from the most volatile downtown communities. The market had been the scene of many deadly exchanges between criminal gunmen and the security forces – one of the main factors contributing to the decline in the fortunes of the area since the 1970s.The investment created a new floor housing with stalls for over 900 market vendors, with a new roof which collects rainfall for use in the sanitary conveniences during dry periods and new bathroom facilities.This was followed by an even more puzzling move by Digicel, which was to set up a retail store inside the market.“A lot of people questioned why we would do that,” King admitted.But obviously Digicel’s bold corporate spirit could not be tamed and, eventually, the company opened a fully electronic superstore on the ground floor of its new corporate building.King said that the company was considering putting this superstore uptown, between King’s and Tropical Plaza (Constant Spring Road), or opposite the KFC franchise in Montego Bay. Eventually, they decided to locate it inside the downtown Kingston building.“Every single handset inside that store is live, so you get the experience of what it is really like. Every handset has a tablet linked to it, so if you want to know the price, you press a button: If you want to compare it to other handsets, you press a button; and there is a short video, too,” King explained.“The store has the largest touch wall, not a touch screen, an entire wall where you can compare handsets: It’s a first world presentation of a sales model. You can even take a picture and e-mail it to a friend while you are there. So it’s a real fun experience that our customers have down there,” he said.“People thought we were crazy to put a store like that downtown, but in typical Digicel fashion, a challenge is nothing to us: We placed that store downtown and I can tell you that store has exceeded all our sales projections,” he added.With the success, Digicel has also been pumping back some of the profits into downtown Kingston, hoping to create an environment that will encourage investor confidence in the city; something neither the government, the local government authority, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) nor the downtown business community, which includes all country’s major banks, have failed to do over the past decade.Following a fire inside the city’s next largest produce market, Redemption Ground, the company invested US$500,000 in a new roof and the refurbishing of 130 stalls.“Our association with downtown can’t be just to plant our building down there. We want to participate. We want to energise. It is part of the DNA at Digicel to be dynamic and that is what we wanted to bring to downtown,” King stated.Another amazing Digicel project to energise downtown was the 5K Night Run/Walk in 2012, “Take Back the Night”, which staged during the night to show that there is still hope for downtown’s night life.The first such event to be staged in Jamaica, it raised funds to assist eight of the city’s best known charities, including Mustard Seeds Communities, the Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, the Jamaica Autism Support Association, the Jamaica Association for the Blind and the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.But King insists that Digicel’s contribution to the Kingston’s growth and development is not a one-way traffic, as Kingston has been paying back the company for its confidence by contributing immensely to its phenomenal growth.“The real important thing to note is that Digicel is in three areas- the Caribbean, Latin America and Oceana, but Digicel chose to build their global head office in Kingston, Jamaica,” King pointed out.”There was no Digicel before Digicel was launched in Jamaica 11 years ago, so Digicel is not in Jamaica, Digicel is with Jamaica. Jamaica’s ups are Digicel’s ups, and Jamaica’s challenges are Digicel’s challenges.”“The move downtown has been mutually beneficial. We had actually outgrown our accommodation in New Kingston, so there was a big advantage to move the entire employee base to more spacious and more aesthetically pleasing accommodation, under one roof,” King explained.The new corporate building overlooking the former Victoria Pier where ships once docked letting off lustful sailors into the passionate embrace of downtown’s nightlife, but which now accommodates mostly car parks that go to sleep at dusk, like the rest of the city, stands out like reminder of what Digicel means to downtown Kingston.The building comprises an 11-storey office block, separate food court building and ancillary building with commercial units and plant space. The complex is constructed over a basement podium housing car parking. The total floor area is 13,865sq m. The glazed office building is shaded from the sun by external louvres that cut out unwanted solar gain while allowing a view onto the surroundings.It is the most environmentally friendly major office building in the Caribbean, making use of solar power, wind power and geothermal cooling systems. The building features three wind turbines on the roof of the tower, 1,500sq m of solar panels and solar glass on the roofs of all three buildings. Meanwhile, the geothermal cooling system reduces power consumption and eliminates the use of both potable water and unsightly cooling towers.Situated on the waterfront in downtown Kingston, the Digicel development will span a total area of 211,500 square feet. Specifically, Digicel is developing a 154,700 square foot 11 storey, plus basement office building – as well as a 7,050 square foot food court and an 11,000 square foot two storey ancillary building over a basement car park.“The building has four wind turbines on the roof, which helps with alternative energy solutions,” King stated, and there are loopers on the mainly glass building, which lets in the light but deflects the heat.There are 15,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof, and all the lights in the building are LED and motion censor controlled: Once there is no movement, they automatically go off, and the temperature is controlled by computer.As the sun moves from East to West, so does the AC, which covers the parts of the building which needs it most and doesn’t waste energy. All the rain water which is collected is stored underground, to be used in the buildings sanitary facilities.Denis O’Brien’s insistence in taking on the challenge of reviving interest in downtown Kingston may have been one costly first step to its redevelopment. But the building which already seems to be setting a precedent for energy efficiency and aesthetic value in the city, plus the spirit in which Digicel has been promoting the development of the its cultural activities and the growing response from consumers, suggests that with this investment, Digicel may have offered the city its best chance for the renaissance that has been so elusive over the past two decades.O’BRIEN… was not afraid of taking a riskThe Digicel building in downtown Kingston.KING … people thought we were crazy

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Digicel — the tonic for downtown Kingston"s revival

Solar panels owners need authorization only if they are supplying electricity to the grid — OUR

Latest News

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 | 2:19 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says that if solar panel owners wish to supply electricity to the public grid a licence is required adding however that no authorization is required from the Office simply for the installation of such panels.The OUR was clarifying its role, with reference to a story in the Jamaica Observer of August 13, 2013 in which a representative of the Jamaica Licensed Electricians Association (JLEA) warned Jamaicans who plan to install solar panels on their premises that approval must first be granted by regulatory bodies including the OUR.The Electric Lighting Act requires people wishing to supply electricity to other people to obtain a licence to do so from the responsible Ministry, which is currently the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, the OUR said in a statement Tuesday.“The OUR is mandated under its Act to process all licence applications and submit a recommendation to the Minister. Persons wishing to supply electricity to the grid would also need to enter into contractual arrangements with the grid operator. Therefore customers who want to connect their solar panel systems in such a way as to supply energy to the national grid, will first need to apply to the OUR and the grid operator — the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) — before doing so,” the statement said.The OUR, after examining the application and supporting documentation and receiving comments from JPS, makes a recommendation to the Energy Minister as to whether or not a licence should be granted. The Minister issues the licence based on the recommendation of the OUR.“If persons do not intend to connect their solar panels to the national grid, no permission is required from the OUR to install. However, it is strongly recommended that such persons use the services of qualified professionals such as licenced electricians, electrical engineers and/or contact the Government Electrical Inspector (GEI) to ensure that installations are done properly and, safely and conform to standards,” the OUR added.Patrick FosterLike our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Solar panels owners need authorization only if they are supplying electricity to the grid — OUR

New iPhone coming in September — reports

News

Monday, August 12, 2013 | 3:59 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Apple is expected to present its redesigned iPhone in September, according to media reports out of the US.Technology blog AllThingsD blog cited unnamed sources as saying that Apple will unveil its next smart phone at a special event on September 10.It was reported in June that Apple is exploring launching iPhones with bigger screens, as well as cheaper models in a range of colours, over the next year.Wall Street analysts said that the launch date made sense and was in line with what they expected from the company, according to USA Today.“As the date gets closer, speculation is likely to mount as to the phone’s features and capabilities. Some have already suggested it could feature things like a fingerprint sensor that changes colour during the phone’s setup process,” the report said.

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New iPhone coming in September — reports

New iPhone coming in September — reports

Latest News

Monday, August 12, 2013 | 3:59 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Apple is expected to present its redesigned iPhone in September, according to media reports out of the US.Technology blog AllThingsD blog cited unnamed sources as saying that Apple will unveil its next smart phone at a special event on September 10.It was reported in June that Apple is exploring launching iPhones with bigger screens, as well as cheaper models in a range of colours, over the next year.Wall Street analysts said that the launch date made sense and was in line with what they expected from the company, according to USA Today.“As the date gets closer, speculation is likely to mount as to the phone’s features and capabilities. Some have already suggested it could feature things like a fingerprint sensor that changes colour during the phone’s setup process,” the report said.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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New iPhone coming in September — reports

Montesso, Gama quit national programme — Burrell

DALLAS, Texas — Recently appointed technical director of Jamaica’s football Brazilian Alfredo Montesso has quit, the Jamaica Observer has learnt.

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell confirmed that he has received and accepted the Brazilians’ resignation.The other Brazilian in the programme, Under-20 head coach Luciano Gama, will also be making his way home, bringing an end to an era of Brazilian coaching domination at the national level in Jamaica.“I have received the resignations of the men and have accepted them and I expect that both gentlemen will be returning to their homeland at the shortest possible time.“I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution to Jamaica’s football and I wish them all the best as they move to the next chapter of their lives as coaches,” Burrell told the Observer here yesterday.The JFF boss said that Montesso had indicated even as he was appointed technical director that he was interested in a full coaching appointment, preferably with the senior national team.“He had shown an interest in the head coaching job, but there was no vacancy for that position. When (Theodore) Whitmore left the position, we knew straight away that we needed someone who had the experience of leading a national team and one with success behind his name,” said Burrell, who is in the USA for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.Just a week ago, Whitmore’s successor as head coach of the Reggae Boyz was unveiled in the form of German national Winfried Schafer, the former head tactician of Cameroon, the team he guided to the African Cup of Nations title in 2006.“The Brazilians came and they did their best to help Jamaica’s football, but now it’s time for us to move on as we look to strengthen our ranks as we get ready for the remaining matches of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying play-offs beginning with a game away to Panama on September 6,” Burrell noted.However, when contacted last evening, Montesso said he was forced into a corner with a possible clash of philosophy, and the fact that Schafer would not be reporting to him, as technical director.“Once you have a particular philosophy, like you have a technical director from Brazil and then… once the president takes a decision to have a German coach, of course it’s something we have to discuss and we have to see if this can match,” Montesso said.“The coach says he wants to do the senior team in his way. He will not be reporting to the technical director and I don’t agree with that, and of course I have to take a position if I don’t agree.“This is what the president said in an interview that he (Schafer) will be reporting directly to the president. I don’t think that is the way I want to work,” he added.The departure from the programme by Montesso and Gama follows the dismissals of their countrymen, technical director Walter Gama (Luciano’s father) and goalkeeper coach Armando Bracali following a shambolic performance of the Boyz in the Caribbean Cup in Antigua and Barbuda last December.The decision to dismiss the senior Gama and Bracali was said to have emerged from what was deemed a technical review process by the JFF Technical and Development Committee headed by Howard McIntosh.That review of the disaster in Antigua was ordered by Burrell.Jamaica failed to make it to the semi-finals of the Caribbean tournament, which effectively eliminated them from the ongoing CONCACAF Gold Cup.Montesso, who has had two prior stints with the national programme, first came to Jamaica as a trainer on the Rene Simoes-led technical team that guided the Boyz to their historic France 1998 World Cup qualification.The Brazilian’s latest sojourn was enabled after he was handpicked by Whitmore to assist with the senior Boyz in 2011.But after the resignation of Whitmore, following the team’s 0-2 loss to Honduras on June 11, in the World Cup qualifying play-offs that threw the Boyz’ campaign in a tailspin, the JFF moved to a new course of action.As the search continued for a new head coach of foreign import, Montesso was diverted to focus more on the development side of the programme.MONTESSO… the coach said he will not be reporting to the technical director and I don’t agree with that

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Montesso, Gama quit national programme — Burrell

Our schoolboys and girls must be tested — Dr Wright

Sport

Sunday, July 21, 2013

WELL-KNOWN sports medical doctor Dr Paul Wright is strongly advocating that schoolboys and girls, especially those participating in the annual Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, be subjected to obligatory drug testing.Dr Wright was responding to an editorial in the Jamaica Observer last week which opined that the authorities might now be forced to do drug testing of schoolboys and girls following the recent positive analytical findings involving two of the country’s top athletes, Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, as well and three of Jamaica’s promising junior athletes including Travis Smikle.“I have been advocating this position that our schoolboys and girls must be tested. They must be taught, in the early part of their careers, what drug testing is all about, what are the protocols and the way to proceed when confronted by these critical and testing issues,” Dr Wright said.The sports medicine specialist said, however, his pleas for drug testing of school-attending athletes have fallen on deaf ears thus far.“Despite trumpeting this move with others for a long time, over 15 years, the persons in authority have paid scant attention. I remember being told by an official from the schools’ governing body for sports, that they have enough problems, with birth certificates and such the like, to even think about drug testing at Champs or any of their endorsed meets, including at Manning and daCosta Cup matches,” Dr Wright said.Dr Wright says the school authorities have to act now in order to preserve the integrity of the country’s junior athletic programme, which has over the years produced so many world champions and earned for itself worldwide recognition. He also made mention of one of the major difficulties which might occur when testing schoolboys and schoolgirls.“Parental consent is required for drug testing to be done on minors, and most of the athletes running at Champs are minors, that is, under the age of 17. Parents or guardians have to nominate the persons they want as observers when the samples, either blood or urine, are being given. I am sure, however, that a protocol can be worked out by simply adding a section on the entry forms for parents or guardians to sign and to indicate who they want to be observers. If this is not done, the athlete should not be permitted to compete,” Dr Wright said.

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Our schoolboys and girls must be tested — Dr Wright

Englishman Constantine front-runner for coaching job — source

Sport

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer Senior Reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, July 16, 2013

ENGLISHMAN Stephen Constantine is said to be the front runners to succeed Theodore Whitmore as head coach of Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz as they look to go into battle against Panama in September.Constantine, 50, was recently in the island as a FIFA coaching instructor, and Jamaica Observer sources revealed he is very much interested in the job and is being seriously considered.“I can tell you that Captain (Horace Burrell) is looking for an overseas coach and he (Constantine) is being considered,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.Last month Constantine was the main lecturer in the Jamaica Football Federation/JMMB/UTech Advanced Level Two coaching course and comes with a wealth of experience, having coached a various levels across the globe.“He is really interested in the job and his resume is not bad,” said the JFF source.Constantine has managed the national sides of Nepal (1999-2001), India (2002-05), Malawi (2007-08) and Sudan in 2009. He has been first team coach of the English Championship side Millwall for the 2005-06 season.Most recently, he managed Nea Salamis in the Cypriot First Division, after guiding them to promotion from the Cypriot Second Division. He holds the UEFA pro licence, and, as a member of FIFA’s elite coaches’ panel, runs courses around the world for coaches and instructors.JFF president Burrell has been tight-lipped about Whitmore’s successor, saying only that he will name a head coach in time to lead the Boyz into battle against Panama.Jamaica has been without a head coach after Whitmore opted to resign following the Reggae Boyz 0-2 defeat to Honduras which left them with a slim chance of qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.If successful in his application, Constantine will have little time in rallying his troops for the World Cup qualifier against Panama away on September 6.Jamaica are currently at the bottom of the CONCACAF six-team group on two points from six games and with four matches remaining, but still have an outside chance of finishing in the top four.The USA lead the table with 13 points ahead of Costa Rica on 11 and the mighty Mexico with eight. Honduras are next with seven points with Panama one point adrift on six points.The top three teams will automatically qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth-placed team goes into a play-off with the Oceania’s champion for the final spot.Stephen Constantine (left), JFF General Secretary Raymond Grant (centre) and JFF President Captain Horace Burrell pose at the launch of the JMMB/UTech Advanced Level Two coaching course at the JFF headquarters recently.

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Englishman Constantine front-runner for coaching job — source

JLP serious about suspending relations with Caricom — Holness

OPPOSITION Leader Andrew Holness says that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) believes that Jamaica should consider suspending its relationship with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) until it sorts out current issues with the regional body.

“There could be a suspension until we get our house in order, so that we can participate on equal footing with everyone,” Holness told the Jamaica Observer at this week’s Monday Exchange.The Opposition leader, who was echoing the point made by his party’s spokesman on foreign affairs and foreign trade, Dr Christopher Tufton at a Kingston Lion’s Club meeting last week, said that it was an indication of the party’s consistency on the position.“We do not believe that Jamaica’s interests are necessarily being fully served by Caricom, and that’s not a statement from which we hide: We have made that statement before,” Holness said defiantly, as he spoke to the editors and reporters on his party’s 70th anniversary at the Observer’s Beechwood Avenue office in Kingston.“We believe that a weak Jamaica does not make a strong Caricom; so, for Caricom to be strong, Jamaica has to be strong, and if it is that Jamaica is not being served by the relationship, then we need to examine it,” Holness said.Senior spokesmen for the JLP have been promoting the idea of Jamaica temporarily pulling out of Caricom to rethink its relationship with the regional body, for several months now. The call was first made by the party’s spokesman on industry, commerce and energy, Gregory Mair; then its spokesman on transport and works, Karl Samuda; and more recently by Dr Tufton, who said that Jamaica’s best bet in dealing with Caricom trading issues would be a temporary withdrawal.“This period would also be sufficient for a comprehensive examination to be done, to determine if Jamaica should leave Caricom in its current form and, instead, seek functional collaboration on matters of strategic, regional and international importance,” Dr Tufton said.But, Holness went further on Monday, identifying the Common External Tariff (CET) as one of the land mines on the path to a more co-operative attitude towards the regional body.He said that the rush in the 1990s to create the tariff has not necessarily benefited Jamaica.“We have not been opposed to the creation of a common market, but we want to see a situation in which Jamaica benefits, and I have said that we are a Jamaica first party: Jamaica’s interests first, and that needs to be looked at,” the Opposition leader argued.Holness also suggested that a widened area of trade co-operation, including closer ties with Latin American countries like Colombia and Venezuela, was envisaged by his party.He noted that Jamaica already has strong economic links with Venezuela, primarily through the PetroCaribe oil agreement, while pointing out that Jamaica could benefit immensely from improving its trade with Colombia, as well as Panama.“We share an economic zone which can be mutually exploited, and Colombia is transforming itself in an amazing way. I think we need to strengthen these relationships,” he said, noting that Jamaica also has significant heritage ties with its Latin neighbours, including Colombia, Panama and Cuba.He said that the US embargo against Cuba cannot remain in perpetuity, and once the Cuba economy is released from those shackles there will significant investment shifts in the region.“We don’t want to appear anti-Caricom, but for Jamaica to advance, we have to look elsewhere. We have to be prepared not to become a consequence of this investment shift, but to be a beneficiary,” Holness said.HOLNESS… we believe that a weak Jamaica does not make a strong Caricom (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)

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JLP serious about suspending relations with Caricom — Holness