Western Bureau:
CAMP ROAD IN Kingston is probably best known for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters it is named after, as well as the Gun Court.
However, there is an organisation on that same road which is more inclined to development than defence, where people want to go to, not get out of.
It is the aptly named Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC), with offices at 14 Camp Road.
The JBDC states it objective clearly and concisely, that it aims to provide "practical assistance for micro, small and medium income generating enterprises". They cover both rural and urban-based businesses, their brochure stating that their Business Service is currently in touch with more than 2,000 enterprises.
Importantly, the JBDC does not provide funding, but can help identify sources of funding as well as help devise strategies to access the money. PERHAPS EVEN MORE importantly, the services of the centre's business advisers are free. These advisers help the person running the business understand the legal framework within which they must operate. Within its business services portfolio, the JBDC covers a broad range of business issues, as well as specific training geared towards certain businesses.
Some of the questions which normally arise as a business is starting up are:
How do I start up a business on my own?
What help can I get from Government or local agencies to start or expand my business?
How do I set about borrowing money to expand my business?
Where do I sell my product?
How do I train my employees?
All these can be addressed by the persons at 14 Camp Road in Kingston.
JBDC also offers advice on essentials such as the selection of equipment to the preparation of a sales and marketing plan, even going as far as to help screen secondhand equipment.
The marketing and production aspects are also taken care of, the production management covering essential details such as advice on factory layout, production planning and control of production recruitment of staff, purchasing and controlling stock, use of computers, training and supervision.
The production management services focus on fashion/sewn products, furniture, food processing and craft, as well as related services.
And it is not only a matter of managing the production process, but also giving assistance to the more innovative among us with the development of prototypes as well as the resulting product.
And, when the end product has come out of all this innovation, advice and management, the business person is not left on their own. The Jamaica Business Development Centre Sales Promotion Unit's job is to create sales opportunities for the persons who have invested their time and money in the process.
To this end, group stands at trade fairs and exhibitions across the country are arranged, these costing much less per person than an individual booth would. There are regular marketing seminars across the island, while press, public relations and information specialists help to get the word out to the wider public.
