Virtual Roundtable — Chamber of Commerce, Businesses & Trade Experts

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OVERVIEW

Visible minority businesses and visible majority businesses and the industries they serve have been plunged into crisis as a result of SARS-CoV-2.

While some industries and businesses are facing existential challenges, others are booming. Still there are old industries to be resurrected and new ways for bringing those under threat into new or expanded supply chains.

As the pandemic linger and continue to flip  economic and social norms practitioners and researchers in trade, business, research, policy and international development must engage and work more closely together for driving rapid adaption, understanding of trends and helping countries to leverage and seize diaspora capital and pathways to new markets.

Economic development clusters, producers of geographical indications (GIs) and creative industry service providers must meet to discuss and plan the way forward.

This session aims to translate high level briefings to actions, policy and strategy directions for Chambers of Commerce and their members ― both established and diaspora entities (various diasporas and chambers).

Participants will be able to share challenges and opportunities with experts; as well as learn from experts.  The Roundtable will explore and discuss novel solutions and best practices for keeping sustainable trade, and safe supplies flowing in addition to leveraging diasporas, home and cultural knowledge for diaspora and domestic market economic recovery and growth.

Practitioners in international trade, development and businesses will create their network map and agree novel ways of working together and harvesting best and emergent practices for business and driving international trade while building stronger resilient organizations.

Industry focus: Climate finance, agri-business and foods, high value manufacturing, crafts, fashion, fragrance, healthcare, the creative industries, development consulting, and education

On the agenda, participants will discuss:

Tour of Chamber Economic Impacts and recovery: The impact of COVID-19 on diaspora and established chambers of commerce and their members. What are some new and proposed business models for stronger businesses during and post the coronavirus crisis challenging period and develop robust post-crisis business models?

Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Adaption: It is clear that technology and its adaption saves human lives as well as businesses. But creating awareness on what and how for SMEs is often at a cost that widens the chasm of access and inequalities.  How can Chambers and development organizations work together to make facilitate awareness creation, reskilling and adaption?  What resources exist for reducing the barriers of access and cost of adaption?

Diaspora Capital, Economic Development Clusters & Sustainable Development: COVID-19 have left us little choice other than to build trust, collaborate and cooperate.   Finding local and global solutions requires that we meet, connect and risk it together for profit and growth.

How can industry clusters, chambers and development professionals  collaborate, facilitate capacity building and investment flow for driving innovation that contributes to long-term viability, sustainability and harmonious societies?

Dates and Times

Times are listed as EST [New York, Toronto, Jamaica] the Eastern Caribbean is now one hour ahead of North America and Jamaica

Monday November 16, 2020 – 2:00 – 3:35  PM EST

Tuesday, November 17, 2020  | 10:00 – 11:45  AM EST

Wednesday, November 18, 2020   –  1:00 PM EST – 2:45  PM EST

Friday, November 20, 2020   –  10:00 AM EST – 11:45  AM EST

Registration Form

(Click the words Registration Form above)

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Brought you by Magate Wildhorse Inc., New York in partnership with Magate Wildhorse Ltd, Toronto, The Community of Practice of Caribbean Immigrant Entrepreneurs (The CoP), Caribbean Diaspora Professional Business Association (CDPBA, and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce.

Copyright © 2020 by Meegan Scott, Magate Wildhorse Ltd .(Toronto), Magate Wildhorse Inc.,(New York). All rights reserved.

Blinkers Off MSME Day for BCAME Entrepreneurs

Day 2020 Flag MSME 2

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Magate Wildhorse Consulting and The Community of Practice for Caribbean Immigrant Entrepreneurs join the global community in celebrating MSME Day 2020.

On April 6, 2017  the UN General Assembly, designated  June 27 as  Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (UN Resolution A/RES/71/279).   The declaration and observation are intended to :

  • recognize the role of MSMEs in driving the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030);
  • create public awareness regarding the contribution of SMEs to the global economy;
  • rally support for small businesses; and
  • to encourage research, capacity building and other needed support for small businesses.

It is known that small businesses, both formal and informal make up over 90% of all firms and account, on average, for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP globally (International Council for Small Business (ICSB).

However, there is an urgent need to improve the development of small businesses and their contribution to capital formation, innovation, decent work, sustainability, and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Women lead only one third (1/3) of businesses in the formal economy—therein lies implications for attaining SDG 5: Gender Equality.

The figures related to employment and contribution to GDP do not always hold true across all economies and countries.  For low middle income to low income countries the contribution to GDP by SMEs (MSMEs) range from 29% – 23%.  The contribution can be even less in some countries, groups of countries and among socio-economic groups within developed countries. SMEs were first responders and innovators rising to the challenge to find solutions to problems associated with the COVID 19 pandemic. But this was not true for all groups. Let us look at entrepreneurs who contribute to job creation through self-employment or within the informal economy for instance. The Black, Caribbean, Asian and Other Minority Ethnic Groups (BCAME) were  over-represented in that category, many of whom faced closure or had to pause their operations.

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The suffering brought on by lack of social protection and the implication for SDG #: 1 No Poverty was stalk.  More than 50% of BCAME entities reported they might not be able to survive the pandemic. To make matters worse a substantial number of such businesses did not qualify to receive stimulus packages. Significant portions of entrepreneurs and individuals who are economically active members of BAME or BCAME in home and host countries are without social protection.

But with effective planning, risk intelligence, and systems thinking many impacted entrepreneurs might find a second chance in penned up demand triggered by COVID 19.

Goal # 8 : Decent Work and Economic Growth, what and how will the BCAME SME community do in order to increase their contribution to capital formation and investment?  The preceding are two key actions and indicators of what we must do in order to  increase income per capita within the community and beyond.  How and in what areas will we focus our efforts to increase production and intellectual property assets?

Recently in our Outride: COVID 19 Business Threat Seminars issues related to increasing the portfolio of owners of Geographical Indicators (GIs) and the equitable transfer of related wealth to communities was discussed by Massimo Vittori, Managing Director of oriGIn.

More recently Simon Anholt, founder and publisher of The Good Country Index spoke about the need to better leverage brand Jamaica by developing more high value products.  He proposed the example and opportunity of producing a Jamaican made running shoe. The challenge is for Jamaicans at home as well as in the diaspora. Diasporans should see themselves as key  collaborators, partners, investors and even the triggers  for driving related high value product development and sales.  While products with GI indicators must be produced in the home country in order to retain their economic value, diasporans looking to boost their business or personal economic recovery might be wise to invest in businesses in their home countries in addition to their going concerns in host countries. The Jamaica Junior Stock Exchange presents an easy opportunity to act for change as shared by Mrs. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of Jamaica Stock Exchange in yet another episode of Outride COVID 19.

In 2016 the Global Sex Slavery Index reported that approximately 17,000 people were living in modern day slavery or are victims of human trafficking in Canada.  Trinidad and Tobago  is said to have the highest demand for trafficked individuals in the Caribbean. In May 2020, seventy-nine (79) individuals including 25 minors destined for criminal gangs in Trinidad were rescued by the Venezuelan Navy (Trinidad Guardian). How will Caribbean diaspora entrepreneurs, Canadian and US SMEs address these issues?

As it relates to SDGs: 13 Climate Action, 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production,  9 Industry,  Innovation and Infrastructure what actions will we take?  Responding to SDG 9 requires positioning and capacity to participate rather than to fund unless through investment.

The Goals just mentioned should be included in both our PESTLE and SWOT analysis as well as our value chain assessments. We need to look at how we can reduce or eliminate negative impacts and drive the increase in positive impact for delivering the goals as well as business viability.  As we look at profit and purpose we must also consider the existential threat to the Caribbean posed by Climate Change.  What role will you play in growing or supplying the market for climate finance solutions in the Caribbean?

The 2100s is not that far away; so, what will we do to support Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal #7?   Goal 7 and Goal 2, Zero Hunger are major priorities for the Caribbean. Undernutrition is a big challenge, health and well-being and high mortality rates highlighted the resilience gap in the BCAME Community.

So, what will we do about Goal # 3 Health and Well-being?

Drug abuse and drug related deaths— are there opportunities for you to make a difference in your host and home country?

What will your business or non-profit do to advance progress related Goal # 4: Quality Education?  Specifically, what will we do to facilitate the growth of high value in-demand professionals and tradesmen with  21st  Century employability skills in our communities?

With a global ocean-based economy of USD 3-6 trillion per year, what can you do to grow your business while protecting the ocean environment? Perhaps SDG 14 is the missing piece in your economic recovery, environmental scan and value creation puzzle.

As it relates to Goal # 10: Reduced inequalities, are there gaps in the capacity of the public sector to serve BCAME that your business or non-profit could fill?  Are there issues you must champion through advocacy?

Crime is a problem for more Caribbean countries than meet the eyes, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic and Honduras may feature prominently in the reports, but serious issues exists in other countries who are experiencing significant growth in criminal activities. How can you profit for good and drive the results for Goal 16?  We cannot do it alone.  With whom will we partner for delivering the goals and Goal 17?  What will you do for ensuring “no one is left behind”? When all is said and done we must plan, monitor, evaluate, learn, adjust, and improve. Evaluation is said to have the highest multiplier effect in delivering the Goals.

While we join organizational leads, the International Trade Centre, UNIDO, the ILO and the World Bank in celebrating MSME Day 2020 we want to encourage BCAME to celebrate with no blinkers on.  Know your numbers and context, plan, and act to be truly part of SME communities that are transforming our societies for improving “people, planet and prosperity”.  Review the seventeen (17) Goals and 169 indicators and identify where you can make a difference for your business and in delivering the Goals.

Neither “power” nor “potential of small” can be “unlocked” without knowing our context.

Join 1 web siteWe commit to helping organizations with market systems development, climate and environment, entrepreneur capacity building as well as planning and evaluation for delivering the Goals.

We salute all entrepreneurs!  We celebrate and salute entrepreneurs in the BCAME community!

Thank you Argentina for giving us MSME Day!

Happy MSME Day.

Be with us at 10 AM EST on June 27, 2020 when host a conversation around resilience skills and behaviours for entrepreneurs on Facebook.

Benefit from our Outride COVID 19: Business Threat Seminar Series register at the following link : https://forms.gle/PtpZAT8czWYExWpZ7

Meegan Scott (for)                                                                                                              Magate Wildhorse and The Community of Practice for Caribbean Immigrant    Entrepreneurs.

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Outride COVID 19: Trade, Finance & Investment

 

Trade Finance Investment Outride

Outride: COVID 19 Business Threat Seminar

“Embracing risk for driving vision and growth”

The series is grounded in risk intelligence (RI). RI is that process of embracing risks and putting it to work for ensuring your business can survive or thrive during a crisis and beyond. It is also about value creation and protection. About delivering you vision and mission in the face of crisis as well as during the “normal”.

You are invited to join us for series six in the Outride: COVID 19 Business Threat Seminar.

Edition title: Outride COVID 19: Trade, Finance & Investment

We are now in the action planning and execution phase of this Caribbean diaspora entrepreneurs business continuity initiative which also caters to and welcomes Caribbeans at home, other members of the BAME community as well as mainstream entrepreneurs, development and community service organizations worldwide.

When: May 21, 2020  |  Time: 2:00 PM EST | Toronto & New York

Where: Online  | Registration detail below

Cost: Free

Featured Sessions include:

Banks, Trade Finance, SMEs & COVID 19, presented by  Dr. Mythili Kolluru.

 

Mythili Pic6 BookShelf

 

Dr. Mythili Kolluru is an Assistant Professor in the Professional Studies and Undergraduate department of the College of Banking and Financial Studies, Oman.        She has worked in corporate and higher educational institutions in India, the USA, and the Middle East. She engages in strategy consulting for select corporations across the globe. Mythili is also Senior Member of International Economics Development and Research Center; and Academic Editor for The Noësis: MWildhorse Strategy and Performance Magazine (Magate Wildhorse Consulting)

The Joy Spot Motivation Talk with Theo Chambers.

Theo Chambers

Theo Chambers, Motivational Speaker and Business Coach Consultant, at CaribAcademy and Co-founder of Positive Tourism News (Jamaica).

The Marathoner

  • Trade, Finance & Investment Insights for Outriding COVID 19
  • Deep Dive into Core Periphery Governance Network w Market Mode

Both sessions will be presented by Meegan Scott, Pincipal at Magate Wildhorse Consulting. For almost two decades Meegan has helped organizational leaders across industries and geographical borders to get better results from their strategy development, planning, and execution processes.  She is the founder and owner of Magate Wildhorse Ltd. Her most recent in Caribbean engagements includes Climate Finance Strategy Planning, The First Ever Outsource to the Caribbean Conference (2017), business incubation, and  corporate strategy planner to the National Environment and Planning Agency of Jamaica.

Event features: Joy Spot activity, Mouth and Mind discussion, COVID 19 business community experiences (open mic―diaspora, in Caribbean, other representatives of BAME or mainstream peers), Elevator pitches & network, pipeline management & action planning.

Rudi Pagen ― CEO, Making Connections Work & Co-Founder, SHEAMOIST Haircare System, London will serve as Segment Harvester (Voice).

Philip Bedward, Chairman and Managing Director of Pathways, New York, will serve as Session Guardian.

Programme and Speakers (Click to view)

Registration Options

New to the series

To receive your access link to the seminar please register at the link below.

https://forms.gle/PtpZAT8czWYExWpZ7

Returning attendees

Email us at magate.wildhorse (at)gmail.com  or click here.                                                Copy and paste the following in the subject line and body of your Email                          “Register me for Outride COVID 19: Trade, Finance & Investment ”  please include your name.

All attendee must click the join meeting link provided before the start of the meeting to receive your unique log in credentials.

Procurement officers and buyers in search of COVID 19 and other supplies are welcome to participate.

Outride: COVID 19 Business Threat Seminar is a global disapora entrepreneurs affair!                                                                                                                            Leaders of mainstream businesses with an interest in doing business with diaspora entrepreneurs are welcome to register for the match making and networking sessions.

Please note that this event is not just for small and micro-businesses, big businesses and big nonprofits can benefit also.

COVID 19 Searching for the Next

Brought to you by Magate Wildhorse Consulting, and The Community of Practise for Caribbean Immigrant Entrepreneurs (Home of BIDEM Conference & Trade Show)

Advance or maintain the progress.

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Press Release ― Magate Wildhorse Consulting Announces US Operations

Magate Wildhorse New York Office Launch

Phone: 1 (647) 854-5323

Email: magate.wildhorse@gmail.com

 

For Immediate Release

 

Magate Wildhorse  Consulting Announces US Operations

Canadian Strategy and International Development Consultancy expands to the U.S. with its top-notch organizational effectiveness solutions

Toronto, Canada―Known for relevant and collaborative consulting and execution solutions, the Strategy and International Development Practice announces the launch of its first U.S. operations.

The company brings its top-notch, affordable solutions across the border to New York― its US-based home. Magate Wildhorse offers a full menu of strategy and improvement solutions. Included in its service offer are corporate strategy, *performance (PMM), marketing, trade, private sector development and environment-related solutions.

“Establishing a presence in the US has been on the table for sometime now”, said Meegan Scott, founder of Magate Wildhorse. “The team―including our board and partnering associates are fired-up by the opportunity to serve US-based clients in-market in addition to virtually”.

The company is focused on doing more work in international trade, trade finance, climate finance strategy planning, and related execution support. High on its list of interest are research, design and coaching of teams in network entities who are delivering climate finance strategy solutions.
Among the solutions that the company offers to government departments, international development partners, donors, executives, NGOs and businesses are:

  • market systems development
  • measurement and reporting on results for private sector development programmes
  •  entrepreneur capacity building
  • organizational assessments
  • evaluation
  •  post implementation reviews
  • research
  • training
  • one-on-one strategic execution coaching and consulting
  • program management support
  • and corporate strategy planning.

“Hidden gem services” include the organizational effectiveness and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) combo, designed to help governments to finance critical sectors and key development initiatives that lay stuck in the funnel because of inadequate funding. Near solutions are also available to private sector entities.

Governments looking to strengthen their investment strategy plans and to grow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will also find tailored-to-fit and affordable options.
The “creative director and design solutions” for packaging, events and toy making is among the exciting new decade of the ’20s solutions that have been rolled out by the company. That service desk is backed by an award winning, 10-year veteran with significant experience serving Asian markets.

Commodity traders, financial institutions and law firms involved in international trade finance, development strategy and policy will gain benefits and cost savings from utilizing available backstopping services.
While the company expects the bulk of its business in New York to come from government, NGOs and organizations involved in international development, it has developed a menu of solutions for Caribbean and African diaspora organizations and their leaders. Among them are non-profit corporate strategy planning, programme planning, evaluation and learning, behavior change marketing and organizational assessments.

Prospective clients can expect an adjunct team or individual expert to help them get to root cause and problem identification or both; help with finding solutions, alternatives or recommendations that they co-develop and own. Solutions come with strategic communication for ensuring shared understanding, commitment and action that drives change and strategy delivery.

“Now that we can sit across the table in the same location, US based clients can feel more confident in our local presence and commitment to serving them”, said Scott.

Like Magate Wildhorse Ltd in Toronto, Magate Wildhorse Inc., New York is synonymous with the key words “quality, affordability, relevance, evidence-based, and results-driven”.

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*Performance (PMM), organizational performance management and measurement

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Download release

Magate Wildhorse New York Release.v.1.1

About Magate Wildhorse
Established in Toronto in 2013, Magate Wildhorse is a merger of three former Caribbean-based entities and the Toronto operations. With more than two decades of experience, the company was among the earliest providers of strategy and development solutions through virtual or the blend of remote and on-site modes. It stands by its commitment― Helping organizations transcend expected levels of success, despite the constraint of size.

It is served by a global network of partnering associates and entities, and is known for quality, affordability, relevance, evidence-based, and results-driven solutions.

CONTACT:
magate.wildhorse@gmail.com | 1 (647) 854-5323

Magate all locations

Magate Wildhorse Inc. New York

Magate Wildhorse– now serving you from Toronto, and New York.

Find out what we’ve got in store for you in 2020.

Learn morn in the bite sized video below.

 

New York, here is your chance to experience our topnotch strategy and improvement solutions.

  • Try one of our solutions.
  • Get to meet us, find out how we can work together.

We are excited by the prospect of new partnerships, collaborations, and adventures.

What we offer?

Consulting, advisory and execution help.

Areas of expertise:

  • Strategy consulting,
  • international trade,
  • climate finance,
  • environment and climate change,
  • sustainable development,
  • international trade finance,
  • evaluation,
  • organizational assessment,
  • marketing,
  • research,
  • in country support,
  • adjunct support for commodity traders,
  • trade law,
  • banks and financial institutions,
  • balanced scorecard,
  • market systems development,
  • measure and results for private sector development,
  • entrepreneur support,
  • strategic executive consulting,
  • research,
  • coaching,
  • corporate strategy plans, program planning and design,
  • corporate strategy plans, program planning and design,
  • social network organizational coaching and design,
  • Caribbean and African diaspora organizational solutions,
  • performance reports,
  • post implementation reviews,

Our Markets: North America, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Caribbean, Africa. Onsite, virtual, remote, blended service delivery worldwide. Strategic Management Consulting. Of interest to International development partners in Virginia, Washington DC, Toronto, New York, Canada, Caribbean. Webinars and workshops available plus confidential support for new and seasoned executives.

Let’s get the conversation going.

Message us today!

SDGs ―How We Help at Work!

#1 No Poverty  SDG # 8 Decent work and economic growthSDG #10 Reduced Inequalities

It’s week two of September and we are fast approaching the last lap for delivering your results for 2019, and for positioning to deliver even greater impact in 2020.

It’s tough, after all you are trying to solve complex problems, in a rapidly changing environment, oftentimes with constraints related to capacity, information, budget, markets, trade, environment etc.

You know even more than us about the challenges you face.

And you know the change that you’d love to see, your vision, your intended destination.

We know how to help you with:

  • Adaptive Management
  • DCED Standards (Results Measurement)
  • Market Systems Development | Making Markets Work for the Poor
  • International Trade, Trade Finance, Trade Compliance
  • Results-based management including Balanced Scorecard
  • Program and Corporate Strategy Planning
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessments
  • Entrepreneur Capacity Development |Private Sector Development
  • Inclusive business
  • Behaviour Change Marketing
  • Environment and Climate Change & WASH

We are committed to helping you deliver results related to Agenda 2030, among them Sustainable Development Goals #1― No Poverty;  # 8― Decent work and economic growth; and #10―Reduced Inequalities.

You’ll find our lead consultant Meegan Scott, competent to help you with those topics―including components of those topics such as value chain analysis, market analysis, both structuring and evaluating your MSD Programme.  We have the capacity to support you with a consulting team or an individual consultant from our team.

We know that international trade is key to scaling up for many entities and market development programmes in the developing world. That is why we bring international trade and trade finance know-how to your MSD solutions when needed.

We’ve got your back for short, medium, and long-term solutions including critical friend evaluation support for your team.

Just in case you’re wondering what Market Systems Development is really about, we invite you to view the Market Facility Development Impact Logic for an MSD Programme below.

M4P , Making Markets Work for the Poor, Market Systems Development, Market Development Facility

Source: Results Measurement Manual: Market Facility Development

We serve clients in the developed world as well.  Perhaps your bank (or other financial institution); business networks such as chambers of commerce; export development agencies; government departments, non-profits, donor; or donor partner, or legal and consulting practice could use some help with related solutions.  Whether you are in Washington DC, Toronto, London, or elsewhere you’ll want to start a conversation today.

Know that you can count on us for top-notch solutions.

Ask about our face-to-face, blended (on-site and remote), as well as virtual or remote solutions.

Get help with planning, monitoring, measuring, and reporting on your initiatives for driving poverty reduction, decent work, and reducing inequalities!

Perhaps your focus is international trade and trade finance, we are here to help you too!

At Magate Wildhorse Ltd value for money, comes at a price you can afford!

Made possible by our business model that was designed with you in mind.

Email: magatewildhorse@gmail.com | Message us via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Let’s get the conversation going! Contact us today!

Available internationally!

Right-hand for your Business Process Analyst Biz

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Share your pain point! Click the contact us link today!

How Caribbean Foods and Produce Exporters Sabotage Their Own Profits

One afternoon, while strolling between the aisles of Caribbean produce in a popular Toronto supermarket a man with a middle eastern accent walked up to me. He was holding a breadfruit in his hand, and he asked me if he could just wash, peel and eat the fruit. condimentsfrom how caribbeanI answered no, and explained that he would need to cook the fruit by roasting, baking or boiling before eating it.
The man’s curiosity regarding the fruit was obvious but, he returned it to the shelf because he was not sure how to prepare it. That incident represents just one of many occasions where Caribbean food exporters lost potential income as a result of their failure to educate consumers about their products.
For many the decision to export was driven by the need to increase both sales and income to proportions far exceeding the market size and capabilities of their local economies. The assumption that familiarity, national pride, and nostalgia make the national and Caribbean-wide Diaspora an easy and lucrative target market is only true to an extent. The approach of seeking to build a market in Canada through the ethnic niche is justified given Caribbean exporters could not possibly hope to dominate the market for foods and produce. But, applying those strategies and theories strictly within “that box”, may have contributed to costly complacency and a lack of creativity when it comes to the need for supporting exports with advertising and promotion.While the Diaspora is likely the largest consumer of Caribbean exports, its members are not likely to eat the same foods every day when there is much to explore and enjoy. Despite strong feelings of patriotism and love for things Caribbean the buyer’s decision will sometimes be swayed in favour of cost savings at a given point in time. In addition, many children of Caribbean emigrants are likely to consume more foods from the environment in which they grew up.
By focusing solely on the Diaspora and underestimating the culinary curiosity of the wider population of Canada and North America exporters miss out on the chance to increase sales and reach consumers with higher buying power. And in so doing they also forgo opportunities for growing and maintaining sustainable levels of sales on an ongoing basis.If you walk along the condiment aisle in any popular supermarket you are likely to find at least one customer of Non-Caribbean origin selecting and reading the labels of different Caribbean condiments. And if you appear to be of Caribbean origin he or she may then seek your advice on how to use it to create a dish they had. At times the item is returned to shelf because the potential customer does not have enough information to convince him or her that the product will produce the desired results or a recipe of how to use it effectively.
Scenarios such as the one described above reflects the failure on the part of exporters to capitalize on the appetite for Caribbean foods aroused by exposure at
• tradeshows supported by entities such as Caribbean Export Development,
• local festivals such as CARIBANA,
• the increasing presence of Caribbean restaurants on the culinary landscape and the ever-popular workplace potluck.

By investing a marginal portion of current earnings into activities such as recipe creation or repackaging and distribution, sampling in supermarkets, sponsoring quarterly or monthly live cook and taste in restaurants of the same national brand and contests, exporters could increase exposure to their products, produce and brands and in so doing leverage brand awareness to for building their equity.instorepromofromhowcaribbean
Publications such as the Metro, a daily newspaper which is read by more than [i]3 million readers weekly presents great opportunities for engaging and converting customers. The paper is available free of cost at every subway station and on every block in any public sphere throughout Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax and other cities in Canada, North America and Europe. There are also dozens of other local free publications which provides great opportunities for increasing brand recognition and influencing the attitude and purchase decision of millions of potential customers.

Although the vast majority of brands are still fairly new and unknown, Facebook, Twitter and the use of Blogs presents rich and largely unexploited opportunities for wining a share of the consumer’s mind and spend.
Apart from the traditionally well-established brands, many of the newer offerings lack distinctive marks and names which effectively distinguishes them beyond being Caribbean. This is also another missed opportunity for ensuring your product is recognizable and favoured by the customer at the critical moment of first or attempted repeat purchase in the aisle of a supermarket where he is surrounded by dozens of other similar products.
Any exporter who underestimates the role of sales promotion, the demand for nutritional and health related information as well as the opportunity to taste or benefit from a reward in influencing the purchase decision of the Canadian and north American customer will continue to sabotage his or her own efforts to grow sales, increase income, attract new customers and secure repeat purchases.
To contact Meegan Scott please click here.


Recommended Citation
Scott, M. “How Caribbean Foods and Produce Exporters Sabotage Their Own Profits”. Big Business Mind for Small Businesses. 2012, April 5. Reprinted in Magate Wildhorse by M. Scott. 2017. Web.

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