SAGICOR

4

Work & Wealth

W ith each succeeding age come

dynamic changes, challenges

and opportunities in the world of

business, from all perspectives.

For the entrepreneur/business owner,

staying on top of developments and wherever

possible, guiding market forces are key.

Essentially, building and growing wealth

tends to be the primary focus. After all that’s

the reason for being in business.

On the part of the worker, the focus is

much the same, though perhaps not for all the

same reasons.

Most aspire to live a happy and fulfi lling

life, with all the trappings of success.

Work & Wealth, the newest of the Nation

Publishing Co. Limited’s publications, is

designed to highlight, celebrate, inspire and

inform career-minded individuals.

In this magazine we will share inspiring

success stories, celebrate the achievements

of those at the top of their game and inform

on the many issues of concern to today’s

professionals.

Mindful of the prevailing concerns in

Barbados today, our fi rst issue examines topics

such as investment options, the intelligent

use of debt and the impact of infl ation on

investment.

You will also fi nd suggestions on

maintaining job security by upgrading your

skill sets. We also share tips for those preparing

for work after retirement.

Success is the reward of hard work. Rod

Weatherhead can attest to this. Read how

from an early age he learnt this lesson and

more, working his way from the bottom up

in the family’s businesses, while stressing the

importance of balance in enjoying a fulfi lling

career and social life.

Are you one of those who can’t imagine

survival, far less building a new and successful

business after job loss? Well prepare to be

inspired by the story of a young man who

started the journey and hasn’t looked back.

Also, share in the experience of a creative

entrepreneur who combined her talent and

acumen to build a fl edgling enterprise.

All this and more in your Work & Wealth

magazine.

We would love to hear from you, so feel

free to drop us a line or call to share your views

and thoughts on what you would like to see in

future editions. Enjoy.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Publisher: Vivian-Anne GittensEditor: Lyle JonesAdvertising Manager: Paulette JonesWriters: Cheryl Harewood, Lyle Jones, Anmarie BaileyPhotography: Kenmore Bynoe, Rawle Culbard, Morissa LinsdayDesign/Layout: Paul Bailey – Imageworx

Advertising Executives:Kelly Johnally – Tel: (246)430-5519Email: kellyjohnally@nationnews.comRohnelle Primus – Tel: (246) 430-5579Email: rohnelleprimus@nationnews.com

Printers:Printweb Caribbean Ltd (246) 434-6719

Work & Wealth is produced by The Nation Publishing Co. Limited; a subsidiary of The Nation Corporation, which is a member of the One Caribbean Media Limited (OCM) group of companies. For general info email: work&wealth@nationnews.com. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this magazine is accurate, however, The Nation Publishing Co. Limited cannot be held responsible for any consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions. This publication cannot be copied in whole or part without the explicit permission of the publisher.

Lay-Off Proves Fruitful6

Charting Your Growth Path8

Spreading Risk The Best Investment Option10

Investing & Infl ation An Unhappy Couple12

14The Intelligent Use Of Debt

Success Earned

Rod Weatherhead’s Climb To The Top

16Cover Story

Dream Works With Shells 20

Dressing Right Says It All22

Coff ee Anyone?24

Healthy Eating Helps At Work25

Words Of Inspiration26

Working On Your Retirement27

28

30

Business Flying The Smart Way

‘A Simpler Life’… Seriously?

CO N T E N T S

Lyle JonesEDITOR

6

Work & Wealth

It is true to say that when Moore

entered the business world in 1993

as a part-time employee at Sandy

Lane Hotel, and before later working as

a sales representative and a business

development coordinator for a leading

wholesale and retail company, this

former Alleyne School and Barbados

Community College student had no

plans whatsoever of becoming a grower

of fruits and vegetables. But the saying

that necessity is the mother of invention

proved to be true for Moore, who studied

At the age of 25 Ronald Moore purchased three acres of land because he wanted to provide a place for his future

family – playground and all. Today, that land has become his means of survival – pulling in substantial income and

helping him to establish himself as a successful, self-employed businessman and an astute farmer.

By Cheryl Harewood

by Cheryl Harewood

building and civil engineering along with

human resources.

Almost as though he could see into

the future, Moore had started to irrigate

his land two months before he got the

news on April 31, 2010, that he was

being laid off from his offi ce job. Long

before in 2003, he had started to put the

necessary structures in place without

foreseeing that someday, farming would

become his full-time job.

On the morning of May 1, 2010, at

exactly 6:30 a.m., exchanged his slick

Lay-offfruitful

proves

offi ce attire, though not one to wear ties

as they felt restrictive, for a pair of jeans

and a T-shirt to enter the farming arena.

He has since reaped more than he

bargained for.

His company Eternity Inc. has

become a fl ourishing business,

employing one full-time employee and

expanding as the months pass. This St

Michael entrepreneur readily admits that

entering farming was like a prophesy

come true but not one he fi rst heeded.

He recalled: “A guy came to do

Ronald Moore enjoys the fruits of his labour.

April 2013

Work & WealthFINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

7

carpentry at my home one day and told

me my land was good for farming.

He said it was enclosed, there was a

good water supply and I was already in

sales.”

Thirty-eight-year-old Moore added:

“A friend of his knew the ins and outs

of farming and suggested I put in a fi rst

crop of tomatoes.

“On my fi rst day as a farmer, we

were picking our fi rst set of tomatoes.

They were selling green for $2.00 per

pound at the time. When I saw the

potential of a farming business, I said I

would give it a try.

“It was easy as this friend knew

persons who would buy and resell.

Soon after, I branched out into

supermarkets and other places.”

With his wife abroad studying to

become an attorney and two young

daughters to take care of, Moore’s

whole life and schedules have now

changed. Between getting his girls

off to school and picking them back

up on evenings, he juggles his time

with farming and supplying produce to

supermarkets and other outlets.

Spending time with his girls is

precious to him. That’s why when he

made the decision not to return to an

offi ce environment or for that matter an

employee, he had the best interest of

his family at heart.

“One of my fi rst priorities is being a

father or rather a daddy because there

is a diff erence. I was quick to recognize

that by working from home, I would be

more accessible to my family. My wife

was studying and the girls were getting

bigger. They needed more attention

and I made the decision not to return to

the corporate world. I put my ego and

career aside.”

Moore believes there is no middle

ground when it comes to farming.

“You are either in or out. No person

can be successful in farming and be half

way in. It’s not possible. There are too

many variables and many things can

happen. The water can go off , the land

not prepared on time, pests become

a worry, seedlings can be aff ected by

fungus, too much or too little rain or sun

and if you do get a good crop there is

the possibility that when you reach the

market the price may not correspond

with the investment and labour you’ve

put in.

“Some farmers also have to deal

with praedial larceny,” Moore contended.

He also sees farmers as resilient people.

“Farmers who have stuck with the

industry year in and year out are resilient.

In fact, a friend once said farming

produces two types of people: those who

are aggressive or those who are humble.

“My friend advised me to remain

humble and I have taken his advice.

I came into farming a total novice

and not quite three years later, I have

continuously harvested, though not all

at the same time, beans, sweet and hot

peppers, beets, cucumbers, squash,

tomatoes and a few other crops.”

Moore said being an entrepreneur

calls for working long, hard hours, but “at

the end of the day, you are doing it for

yourself”.

Does he miss the offi ce setting?

“I do not miss it. I’m happy doing

what I do and what I am doing is more

fi nancially benefi cial. I have a unique

opportunity to create my own legacy

from the road less travelled. What I

previously made as my net salary I now

pay as bank loans, but you have to put in

the work. It does not drop out of the sky,”

he disclosed.

“It’s not easy. There are the good

days and the not so good days. What

makes you stand out is your desire to

achieve an attitude of excellence.

“Each day I come out into a serene,

relaxing environment some people

would pay big bucks to have. Those who

knew me at school or otherwise never

thought I would enter this vocation, but I

perform for an audience of one –

that’s God.

“At the end of the day when your

eulogy is read, it hardly speaks about the

type of work you did.

“It’s true that like everybody else I

love the good life: and I can enjoy a good

bottle of wine and steak in the comfort

of my home without having to live life

extravagantly.”

“ I have a unique opportunity to create my own legacy from the road less travelled. What I previously made as my net salary I now pay as bank loans, but you have to put in the work. It does not drop out of the sky.”

Believing there is no middle ground when it comes to farming, Ronald Moore has dug into

his new career.

8

growth path Charting your

Work & Wealth

Some employees demand salary

increases from their bosses.

Others upgrade their skills and in

the process not only receive raises, but

promotions as well.

Undoubtedly, we live in a fast-

changing world, and there are many

careers which off er opportunities for

skills improvement and promotion.

These, however, are often based on the

structure and size of the company.

While some employees are fortunate

to jump from one job to another within

the same organization, others may never

be promoted.

Why? It may be that you are valued

as the ideal person for your role and,

since you perform it at such high

effi ciency, no one else in the organization

can fi t into your shoes. Although this

may seem of some merit, it is still wise to

improve on your knowledge and skills.

You may open doors to bigger and better

things in the process.

Yet, improving one’s skills, either

in your current fi eld or branching into

another, is an extremely wise thing to do

in this competitive age. After all, what

is current today may be obsolete three

years from now. For that reason alone,

it is important to know how to improve

yourself. You must dare to make yourself

obsolete and move on to greater things.

According to one writer: “I once

read that when a Sony team on one

fl oor launched a product, another team

at another fl oor was already working on

a new version of the product. And yet

another team was working on an even

newer version of it.

That’s a company that works hard to

make itself obsolete.”

Imagine, if in this world of new

technology, we were still using the

typewriter instead of the computer, the

rotary telephone instead of a touch-

screen phone, igniting the oven to warm

our food instead of using the microwave

and waiting to correspond via sent

cables.

These examples, although a bit

extreme, illustrate the importance of

upgrading your skills. Failure to upgrade

could result in your being left behind by

those who do.

Living in the Internet age is a great

blessing because there are abundant

sources of information available.

Therefore, in addition to attending an

in-offi ce or classroom seminar or course

to upgrade your skills, you must fi rst

possess the desire to learn.

With resources being so readily

available, the eagerness to learn makes

the biggest diff erence between those

who thrive and those who don’t.

If you don’t constantly upgrade

yourself, you may fi nd that the world has

moved beyond you.

Another important thing to consider

is that you shouldn’t just upgrade your

current skills. Instead, explore new areas

to learn. What if your area of expertise

became irrelevant, is there a skill that

could be in high demand a few years

from now? Don’t just be a specialist, be

versatile.

Upgrading your mindset is another

important key to success, but could be

very diffi cult for many. That’s because

people tend to see the world the way

they are accustomed to.

For example, instead of looking at

yourself as an employee, see yourself as

an employer or as a company.

Envision yourself branching off into a

diff erent fi eld and equip yourself with the

necessary skills to make this possible.

Remember that your progress is your

responsibility and that to upgrade your

mindset, you fi rst need to admit that the

world changes. The world in which you

live today did not work the same way as

it did ten years ago. Likewise, you should

not expect that the world ten years from

now will work the same way as it does

today. Admitting this will make it easier

for you to see the need to improve your

skills which have become obsolete and

slow you down.

To improve yourself will mean

constantly moving beyond your comfort

zone. It may be challenging but you can

do it.

Improving your knowledge and skills may open doors to bigger and better things, such as promotion in your current job, or employment opportunities elsewhere. (Picture compliments the Cave Hill School Of Business)

10

Work & Wealth

Two ways money can work are

having money earn money and

buying something that increases

in value.

In the fi rst instance someone pays you

to use your money for a period of time,

yielding your money invested plus

interest. Stocks in a company can pay

dividends to shareholders, meaning

the company pays you a portion of its

earnings on a regular basis, thus money

is making an income.

The second way money can work

is when investors become the owner of

something hoped to increase in value

over time.

In Barbados, there are three basic

investment options available: stocks or

the best investment optionby Anmarie Bailey

Spreading riskFor most, saving and smart investing are the only ways to attain fi nancial security; investing simply means, making your money work for you.

shares, bonds/fi xed income securities

and mutual funds.

As there is no one-size-fi ts-all

solution, a balanced investment portfolio

is essential and should include a

combination of options.

Several factors dictate a portfolio:

the individual’s available time frame for

investing, income needs, and the size of

the investment. Investing can be done

with the assistance of a fi nancial advisor

who is equipped to assess the investor’s

needs, the impacting factors and to

provide the guidance necessary to build

an appropriate investment portfolio.

Stocks are one option. Stocks or

shares give stock owners “a piece

of a company”. The value of stock

rises or falls depending on the profi ts

and losses of that company. Stock

owners can benefi t either by receiving

dividends from the company or by capital

appreciation, which is an increase in the

company’s share price.

Stocks are good long-term

investment options and can yield

earnings to the stock owner that exceed

11April 2013

FINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

out of a fund with little hindrances

on redemption.

While attractive, mutual funds incur

costs that may lessen their appeal. Some

mutual funds have a sales fee, which

is typically a percentage of the amount

invested, while some have redemption

fees which are typically a percentage

of the amount redeemed. All mutual

funds have investment management and

administration fees and investors are

advised to carefully review all information

on fees and expenses when selecting

a mutual fund.

The experts recommend: “Save more

than you spend; invest some of your

savings and watch them grow; pay down

debt; set aside emergency funds just in

case you experience any of life’s major

challenges; diversify your income stream,

if possible, by seeking additional sources

of income.”

Information provided by experts from

Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust

(Barbados) Ltd.

The main benefi t of a mutual fund is that investors get the opportunity to invest in a diversifi ed pool of assets with even a relatively small investment.

the initial investment, these increase in

stock prices may be due to: expected

profi tability, projected cash fl ows and

economic conditions.

The downside is that companies

do not always make a profi t and are not

obligated to pay dividends, therefore,

investors cannot rely on a predictable

cash distribution and any negative

changes could result in a drop in the

price of a stock and a loss to the investor.

In Barbados, one factor must be

considered: due to the limited number of

investors, it is often diffi cult to sell stocks

when an investor wishes to cash in and

investors often have to sharply reduce

the price to attract buyers.

Bonds/fi xed income securities

are another option and are generally

perceived to be less risky than stocks.

Bonds produce a steady stream of

income to an investor over a specifi c

period of time and the full amount

invested is repaid on the maturity date.

They can be described as an IOU that

a company (or a government) gives to

investors in return for the money they

lend it.

These securities have a specifi c

maturity date and pay a stated interest

rate, sometimes fi xed and sometimes

variable, linked to another benchmark

such as the prime interest rate. The

entity promises to repay the principal

amount at maturity as well as the interest

payments over the entire period.

This is a popular investment option

for retirees as they yield a regular

income that can be counted on.

This type of investing is predictable

and the generally higher demand from

investors makes it easier to sell, should

an investor need cash.

If the bond carries an attractive

interest rate, it is possible that the

investor may be able to sell at

a premium, earning more than

initially invested.

However, despite these clear

benefi ts, bond investing is not without

risk. Companies and governments can

default on their bonds, as the regional

and international examples of Jamaica,

St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, and Greece

have demonstrated.

In addition, bond investing is

subject to infl ation, for example, if an

investor purchases a 20-year bond

with a fi xed four per cent coupon and

infl ation is running at two per cent, the

net purchasing power of the money they

receive from the bond is two per cent.

However, if infl ation rises to fi ve per

cent over the 20-year holding period, the

purchasing power of that same payment

drops to negative one per cent, meaning

you actually lose ground with a fi xed

income investment when infl ation rises.

The fi nal option available in

Barbados is mutual funds. This is where

investors’ money is pooled with the

purpose of investing in stocks, bonds

or other securities to attain an overall

investment objective. Investors can

typically choose whether they want to

invest in a stock or bond, mutual fund

or a balanced fund which includes both

stocks and bonds.

The main benefi t of a mutual fund

is that investors get the opportunity to

invest in a diversifi ed pool of assets

with even a relatively small investment.

Assets are generally managed by a team

of professionals and the aim of a well-

run fund is to “ensure as much upside …

mitigating as much risk as possible”.

Mutual funds are also attractive as

they allow investors to quickly get in or

Work & Wealth

12

Work & Wealth

• Infl ation is a sustained increase in the general level of prices for goods and services

• When infl ation goes up, there is a decline in the purchasing power of money

• Variations on infl ation include defl ation, hyperinfl ation and stagfl ation.

• Two theories as to the cause of infl ation are demand-pull infl ation and cost-push infl ation.

• When there is unanticipated infl ation, creditors lose, people on a fi xed-income lose, costs go up, uncertainty reduces

spending and exporters are not as competitive.

• In the long term, stocks are good protection against infl ation.

• Infl ation is a serious problem for fi xed income investors. It is important to understand the diff erence between nominal

interest rates and real interest rates.

• Infl ation-indexed securities off er protection against infl ation but off er low returns.

When it comes to infl ation, the question

on many investors’ minds is: How will it aff ect my

investments? This is an especially important issue for

people living on a fi xed income, such as retirees.

The impact of infl ation on your portfolio depends on the

type of securities you hold. If you invest only in stocks, worrying

about infl ation shouldn’t keep you up at night. Over the long

run, a company’s revenue and earnings should increase at the

same pace as infl ation.

The exception to this is stagfl ation. The combination of a

bad economy with an increase in costs is bad for stocks. Also,

a company is in the same situation as a consumer – the more

cash it carries, the more its purchasing power decreases with

increases in infl ation.

The main problem with stocks and infl ation is that a

company’s returns tend to be overstated. In times of high

infl ation a company may look like it’s prospering when, really,

infl ation is the reason behind the growth. When analyzing

fi nancial statements, it’s also important to remember that

infl ation can wreak havoc on earnings depending on what

technique the company is using to value inventory.

Fixed-income investors are the hardest hit by infl ation.

Suppose that a year ago you invested $1 000 in a treasury bill

with a ten per cent yield. Now that you are about to collect the

$1 100 owed to you, is your $100 (ten per cent) return real?

Of course not! Assuming infl ation was positive for the year, your

purchasing power has fallen and, therefore, so has your real

return. We have to take into account the chunk infl ation has

taken out of your return. If infl ation was four per cent then your

return is really six per cent.

This example highlights the diff erence between nominal

interest rates and real interest rates.

The nominal interest rate is the growth rate of your money,

while the real interest rate is the growth of your purchasing

power. In other words, the real rate of interest is the nominal

rate reduced by the rate of infl ation. In this example, the

nominal rate is ten per cent and the real rate is six per cent.

(ten per cent minus four per cent is six per cent).

As an investor, you must look at your real rate of return.

Unfortunately, investors often look only at the nominal return

and forget about their purchasing power altogether. There are

securities that off er investors the guarantee that returns will not

be eaten up by infl ation. These include treasury notes

or bonds.

Investingand

Inflationan unhappy couple

Here are some points to remember:

Article made available by Investopedia, a premiere resource for investing education, personal nance, market analysis and free trading simulators.

14

• ELIMINATE OR REDUCE BAD DEBT. If you are carrying high-interest debt, and have some money set aside in a low-interest savings vehicle, it makes sense to use some of those savings to pay down the debt.

• RESTRUCTURE DEBT / DEBT CONSOLIDATION. Consolidating your debt is another smart debt management strategy. Consider a line of credit to consolidate your outstanding debt at a lower overall rate. Not only will you save on interest charges but it will also be easier to keep tabs on your finances. If you have a mortgage, contact your mortgage company to see if you can refinance. Refinancing your mortgage should result in a lower monthly payment and increased cash flow. Transfer high interest balances on your credit cards to lower promotional rate cards and you can save on interest rates for the promotional period and pay off the debt faster.

After several years of economic recession, many

Barbadians are fi nding themselves deeper in debt

and are relying more on credit to fund their lifestyles.

Financing debt can quickly get consumers into diffi cult

situations, but there are instances where debt can be used

positively. More and more, we can distinguish between bad

debt and good debt.

“Debt is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there are

several circumstances where successful management of a loan

will actually put you in a better overall fi nancial position,” said

Jacqueline Ferdinand, branch manger at Scotiabank Warrens.

“The key to success is meticulous and strategic

management of fi nances with the help of a trusted

fi nancial advisor.”

Good debt vs Bad debtGood debt is debt that improves your fi nancial standing

and includes things you really need. It is never a good idea

to completely wipe out your fi nancial reserves to make a

purchase. Where debt makes sense, such as a mortgage, only

take a loan for which you can aff ord the monthly payments. If

your debt load will be greater than your monthly income then

you simply cannot aff ord the purchase.

Bad debt consists of debt you’ve taken out for items

you want but can’t aff ord (for example, the luxury cruise). It is

important to avoid debts that carry high interest rates. Instead,

save towards an item rather than running up a credit card.

Ultimately, it comes down to making decisions that give you

fl exibility while keeping you in good fi nancial standing.

Here are some steps that financial institutions offer to assist with debt management and start you on the road to a secure financial future.

• REDUCE UNNECESSARY EXPENSES. Simply tracking every expense for the next month will give you a precise picture of where your money goes. An analysis of each item will inform where you need to cut costs and where you can realize savings. Likewise, avoid impulse purchases or splurges that you can’t afford. Instead of incurring debt to go on a vacation or to make an expensive purchase, plan ahead by creating a fund and contributing to it each month. Getting ahead of a bad debt position requires a clear understanding of your economic status and meticulous management of daily spending. The first step on the road to financial freedom is to visit your banking institution to meet with an experienced financial advisor. A seasoned advisor can help you structure a plan that works best for you and offer solutions that you may not have otherwise considered. The type of plan you eventually develop depends on your level of debt, your level of discipline, and your plans for the future.

The Intelligent Use of Debt

Work & Wealth

Article provided with the compliments of Scotiabank.

http://www.bse.com.bb

by Cheryl Harewood

16

Work & Wealth

earned

“Be passionate and

love what you do.

Dream big and

chase your dreams.

Don’t worry about

falling down, it’s a

part of the process

of learning.”

At age 13 he started working

in one of his father’s multiple

businesses, but it was no desk

job for Rod Weatherhead. He washed

hired vehicles, pumped gas at the

service station, cleaned storerooms,

painted and worked at any of the family’s

companies.

So if individuals believe that as the

son of businessman and hotelier Bernie

Weatherhead, Rod grew up with a silver

spoon in his mouth, they are wrong.

“In the outside world people have

a diff erent impression about me,” a

shy-looking Rod said, while sitting in

his mother’s art gallery surrounded by

many of her paintings. “My father always

expects blood, sweat and tears from me

and my brother Alfredo. He expects more

from us because we are his family.”

Today, Rod is managing director of

Hotel Operations for the Sun Group –

a group of over 30 companies. For this

34-year-old, it means straddling the

operations of Sugar Cane Club Hotel,

Savannah Beach Hotel, Worthing Court

Apartment Hotel and Time-Out Hotel.

Rod wants the world to know that his

climb to success was not without lots

of sweat and sacrifi ces.

Surrounded by great staff and having

the support of his father, his mother

Marilda, Alfredo and extended family

members, Rod knows that challenges

along his path have always been

stepping stones to future successes.

Success

17April 2013

Work & WealthFINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

He remembers how his dad would give

him an allowance when he returned

home after his fi rst year at university

and advised him that when it was gone,

he must fi nd himself at work within one

of the companies. His allowance was

always gone within days.

“That was my development,”

he confessed.

“I worked at Sandridge Hotel,

Drive-A-Matic Car Rental and the Texaco

service station in Holetown – all of

which were owned by my dad. I even

conducted Island Safari tours at the

age of 16.

“Whatever needed to be done I did.

I would paint the hotel, work in the bar –

do anything! My brother and I had

to work and understand the value

of money.”

Educated at St Winifred’s

School, Mapp’s College and Florida

International University where he earned

his Bachelor’s degree in business

administration, Rod had no real goal

on completion of his studies other than

returning to one of the family-owned

companies.

An open door at Johnson Stables

& Garage proved to be the right entrance

for young Rod.

“We had just bought Johnson Stables

& Garage in 2002 and the company

needed management. I was appointed

operations manager at the age of 23,

working under Allan Banfi eld, the chief

executive offi cer. We had to upgrade the

entire fl eet and make provision for new

vans, taxis and buses.

“It was an unfamiliar and challenging

environment for us but four years after

taking it over, Johnson Stables became

a profi table business,” Rod disclosed.

He vacated his post at Johnson

Stables in 2007, to manage Sandridge

Beach Hotel. At last, he believed, he had

found his niche.

“I enjoyed going into the hotel sector

even though it was a more demanding

fi eld for me. [At that time] Sandridge was

preparing to close its doors and I had the

task of shutting down the hotel, while

making plans to open Sugar Cane Club —

all in the same year.

A man of many talents, Rod Weatherhead counts

dirt biking among the many past times he enjoys.

18

Work & Wealth

“I had the benefi t of an exceptional

team, many of whom had worked for us

for more than 20-plus years.”

Describing the 45-room Sugar Cane

Club as the group’s pride and joy, Rod

admitted to feeling right at home there.

“I had already experienced working in

the hotel environment and felt right at

home dealing with the personnel and

guests, ” he said.

Taking over this property in 2008, in

the middle of a worldwide recession was

not easy, but Rod’s commitment, vision

and the support of a dedicated staff

paid off .

In fact, his relationship with staff has

always been unique, and he is quick

to say: “If you speak to any member

of staff I’ve employed, they would tell

you they feel I am a part of them. There

is nothing I would ask them to do that

I won’t do myself. I’ve had to do the

cooking, serving, cleaning and gardening

– anything really!”

After fi ve years at Sugar Cane Club,

Rod forsook that post in December 2012

to manage the Sun Group’s four hotels.

He admits that his new role

of envisioning the direction of four

distinctive hotels is demanding. His

business schedule now involves

attending weekly corporate meetings

and offi cial functions; working

on branding, marketing, developing the

internal structure of each property and

getting involved in the overall group

of companies at a higher level.

“I am now working more closely with

my dad to prepare for the future. Alfredo

has already worked closely with him,

while I have spent most time in the

hotel sector.

“We as a family have to give

directions concerning the future of the

companies, and so far we’ve learnt

everything we know from our dad.”

Work aside, Rod, who is an ardent

surfer, fi nds time each day for fun, frolic,

friends and exercise. Lots of quality time

is also spent with girlfriend Ariana.

“We enjoy spending time together

and with the people we love the most,

our friends and family.”

“In fact,” he quipped, “She

completes me and has been great

support in all areas of my life.”

Still relatively young and moving

further up in the business world, Rod

advises young entrepreneurs to create

a balance between business, personal

life and relationships.

“Be passionate and love what you

do. Dream big and chase your dreams.

Don’t worry about falling down, it’s a part

of the process of learning. The best part

is getting back up. Be fair, fi rm, honest

and committed and don’t be afraid to

do any job, too little or too big. Most

importantly, have fun doing it!”

There is always time for a little rough-housing with his two dogs.

Spending lots of quality time with

his girlfriend Ariana and the people they

love most rates highly with Rod.

Work & Wealth

Dream

Work & Wealth

20

works

by Cheryl Harewood

Not many people are given the

opportunity to have their cake and eat

it too. However, businesswoman, wife

and visual arts teacher Juliette Lindo is one of

the few who has.

A teacher by profession, Lindo is also

managing director of Dream Works Inc. – a

company which manufactures and wholesales

ceramic products and sea shells, specializes in

souvenir gift items and shell-made decorative

items for the home.

She started her entrepreneurship journey

in 1993 from her then modest home at Pilgrim

Place, Christ Church, later opening a shop at

Pelican Village, where she operated for four

years. However, the necessity to eliminate

overhead costs led her to close the Pelican

Village Craft Centre and set up business in

Haggatt Hall, St Michael.

It is from this location that the talented

and creative Lindo produces some of her most

exotic creations – muted-toned trinket boxes

Inspired by the beauty of sea shells, Juliette Lindo has used her creative talents to craft a successful business.

with shells

Pictures by Kenmore Bynoe.

21April 2013

Work & WealthFINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

with a sand-textured fi nish in a variety

of designs, a wide assortment of mirrors

beautifully decorated with sea shells,

souvenir gift items . . . and more.

From her teenage years at

secondary school, she cherished the

dream of being a visual arts teacher and

using her talent in and outside of the

classroom – a dream which has been

realized.

After completing her secondary

education, she entered the Barbados

Community College to complete A’ Level

studies, but later opted to pursue an

associate degree in art education and

later a Bachelor’s in fi ne arts.

In 1993, she started what would

become a 13-year teaching assignment

at the Grantley Adams Memorial School.

By 1994, still bitten by the business bug,

she set up her sea shell business and

assigned herself to working on evenings

and weekends.

With added support from family –

especially her parents Dan and Marva

Reid — Lindo has successfully turned her

fascination for sea shells into a profi table

business.

“I was always fascinated with the

diff erent facets of the sea shells. In

fact, I got started in the business by

experimenting with shells which I would

pick up from the beach, adding diff erent

items such as sand, leather, wire, fabrics

and glass,” she disclosed.

“I think my fascination with shells

came naturally because they have a

beauty of their own,” Lindo noted.

Today, she is known primarily for her

decorative mirrors, for cutting glass into

various shapes, her shell wall hangings,

choice lamps using conch shells, shell

souvenirs, palm tree souvenirs and

dolphins designs. These are sold at

varying retail shops across the island.

Diversity presented itself when the

opportunity came to extend her product

line by producing ceramics – primarily

vases and trinket boxes.

Lindo explained: “I got into ceramics

because I previously took stock from a

young lady for my shop at Pelican. When

she went into jewellery making instead,

I purchased the ceramic business

and added this to what I was already

producing.”

This now 41-year-old, who formerly

represented Barbados in competitive

chess and was president of the

Barbados Ladies Chess Association at

one time, is happy that she has followed

her dream and established her company,

while fashioning young minds to become

entrepreneurs.

“Teaching gives me the opportunity

to help children who are interested in

entrepreneurship. In light of not having

children of my own, I see those whom

I teach as my children especially those

preparing for CXCs,” the Alexandra

School teacher stressed.

While entrepreneurship

has had its challenges for Lindo, there

have also been added delights.

Having sought Government’s

permission in 1994 to operate a

business, Lindo received signifi cant

assistance from the Youth

Entrepreneurship Scheme, Barbados

Youth and Business Trust, Barbados

Investment Development Corporation,

Michael Callender of Fund Access

and the Barbados Manufacturers’

Association’s executive director

Bobbi McKay.

Lindo is currently looking forward to

creating her own brand and taking her

company regional and international.

Meanwhile, she continues to live by

the precept, if you can dream it, through

Christ you can attain it. She intends

to keep dreaming as she expands

her business.

“I was always fascinated with the diff erent facets of the sea shells. In fact, I got started in the business by experimenting with shells which I would pick up from the beach.”

A sampling of the products for which Juliette Lindo is known.

says it allHow much attention do you pay to how you dress for work?

Since your appearance can lend to credibility,

how you dress for your job will ultimately refl ect

how you feel about it.

We’ve always heard the saying, there is a time

and place for everything — and there is!

You wouldn’t go to a construction site in your

favourite four-inch stilettos, would you? You’ll

go in a hard hat because it’s appropriate for the

situation. Likewise, you wouldn’t want to turn

up for work in your Sunday best, or dress down

so much that it’s hard to tell if you’re going on a

shopping trip in The City, or taking out the trash.

Dressing for the offi ce has never been an easy

task for many people.

Following the tips should help keep you

on track:

right

22

Work & Wealth

Dressing

23April 2013

Work & WealthFINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

ALWAYS DRESS FOR THE TASK AT HANDIf you’re a civil engineer headed for a construction site, jeans, a cotton shirt

and work boots are fi ne, but such attire is hardly appropriate when making a formal

presentation to executives from whom you’re hoping to secure a new contract.

STICK TO THE DRESS CODEAlways stick to your company’s dress

code and try not to take extra liberties. For instance, if you have business casual as the offi ce dress code, don’t stretch the look too far by turning up for work in a T-shirt, faded jeans and running shoes. In fact, you should

only wear jeans when management says you can. Even then, they should be

in a good condition.

WATCH THE SCENTSSome individuals believe they should wear strong scents to

keep smelling nice all day.This is wrong! There is nothing more annoying than having to labour through the day within

range of a colleague whose perfume or cologne is too strong.

What is more annoying than wearing strong scents is not

using an underarm deodorant or antiperspirant. We all need to.

YOUR SHOES SAY A LOT ABOUT YOUYour shoes don’t have to be four-inch stilettos, they need to be offi ce appropriate and comfortable. Men usually do not have a problem in this area, but women sometimes choose style and fashion over comfort.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCKIf you are starting a new job,

remember you’re being sized up all the time. Little things count.

How you dress will tell the boss how you see yourself and how

you approach the job.Some people overlook this basic

point, fl ub it and wonder why a promising opportunity turned sour. You want to be noticed for the quality of your work, not the horrible miscalculation of what

you choose as offi ce attire.

TREAT YOUR HAIRWhether you are male or female, it is necessary to wear well groomed hair at the offi ce. Your hair is one of the fi rst things people notice about your appearance. There is a time and place for everything and turning up for work with blue and yellow hair will not impress the boss. Leave bright hair colours for the weekend.Men should also always make sure that their beard is well cropped.

NAILSWe’re living in the era of properly manicured nails, with both women and men are taking nail care seriously. Ladies, also bear in mind that chipped nail polish on the job shows a lack of professionalism. You do not have to wear long nails to impress, but at least keep them looking clean and attractive.

FOR THE GUYSFOR THE GIRLS

DRESS TO IMPRESS, NOT DISTRACT Avoid the plunging necklines, short and tight-fi tting clothes, headbands, too much jewellery and too much make-up.

24

Anyone?

Work & Wealth

Its dispensing machines are a feature many a business

house in Barbados these days, and if you’re seeking a cafe

whose raison d’être is serving this much desired brew, a

casual browse through the local yellow pages provides a range

of locations across the island specializing in serving the many

varieties of coff ee available.

Whether their preference is one of the exotic fl avours

or the pure stuff , employers and staff seem to know the

magical benefi t that comes from drinking coff ee. In addition,

countless people unashamedly admit they require a cup to get

themselves in a productive state of mind.

In fact, the communal coff ee pot plays an integral role in

workplaces in much the same way that coff ee machines do, in

some instances providing employees and members

of the public with their favourite fl avoured cup.

Undeniably, it is not unusual for employees to gather

around in the early hours of a workday with cups of hot, fresh

coff ee to put them in the productive mood, or grant then extra

energy for a long afternoon.

Surveys carried out in the United States indicate that about

100 million Americans drink at least one cup of coff ee a day,

with the average daily number of cups being three.

If the number of coff ee establishments operating in Barbados

is anything to go by, there’s no questioning its popularity here

as well.

Coff ee consumption in the offi ce has several benefi ts. The

caff eine in a single cup acts as a mild stimulant capable

of making workers feel more energetic, raising their mood and

reducing stress.

In addition to giving a boost of energy, coff ee is a good

source of vitamins and minerals which are needed for the body

to stay fi t and healthy. Coff ee is also said to be a good pain

reliever, with anti-infl ammatory properties which calms down

headaches and helps those having an asthma attack.

Drinking coff ee at the offi ce is often a social experience,

especially when employees take their breaks together and

enjoy conversations while fi lling up. In fact, some business

Coffee

owners are of the view that as long as coff ee is available in the

offi ce, productivity will be higher.

For those of you who from time to time feel a sudden bout

of depression, drinking coff ee can lift your mood and make you

feel happier.

Did you know that coff ee is also good at fi ghting cavities?

It is said to carry a compound with anti-adhesive properties

that protects your teeth. In addition, due to its antioxidant

properties, coff ee lowers the risk of certain diseases such

as diabetes and Alzheimer’s – especially when people drink

coff ee early in their lives.

While coff ee boosts our concentration and attention span,

we also need to know the downside of drinking coff ee. One

cup can keep you going for up to eight hours. This makes it

easy for you to put your body in overdrive without realizing it.

Excessive amounts can stain the teeth because of the

strong colouring coff ee produces.

Since consuming caff eine increases the risk of some

women developing cysts in their breasts, such people can

never truly enjoy the wonderful taste of coff ee. Sad, isn’t it?

Coff ee is a good source of vitamins and minerals, which are needed for the body to stay fi t and healthy. Coff ee is also said to be a good pain reliever, with anti-infl ammatory properties which calms down headaches and provide for those under asthma attack.

25April 2013

FINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

I’m sure your doctor has preached this to you time and time

again. How many of us, however, take heed?

Sleep is essential to our day-to-day productivity. If you’ve

just spent the entire night watching your favourite sport on

television or playing around with your computer when you

should be sleeping, you won’t do very well at work the

next day.

What you eat is even more important than how much sleep

you get – although, in some instances, the former can aff ect

the latter.

Most of us have a pretty good idea of what healthy eating

is: lots of fruits and vegetables and not too much fat and sugar.

However, when it comes to actually doing this, we may have

to admit that we don’t follow these health rules.

Buying the right foods in today’s climate – especially when

you’re on a tight budget can be quite challenging.

However, with proper planning and a little bit of creativity,

at workyou can maintain a healthy diet that is budget friendly and

good on the tummy.

There are steps you can take.

For instance, buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh

produce is much more aff ordable and healthier than the pre-cut

and canned varieties.

Sugar, salt and other preservatives are added to fruits

and vegetables that have been canned to improve taste and

prolong shelf life. Yes, you have to do more prep work if you

buy fresh produce, but it can save you money and you’ll be

able to get more nutrients.

Eating less meat is another choice. Most people eat more

meat than they need, which often results in obesity. Meats

are delicious but very pricey and not to mention loaded with

saturated fat. We need to eat protein every day, but we don’t

need to consume meat every day. There are other options for

protein intake than the standard meats you’re used to.

Healthy

helps

Get plenty of rest, eat well and exercise!

eating

Work & Wealth

26

Work & Wealth

“Be positive. Always look at and take

the positive out of every situation.”

Mark Estwick,

Financial Controller, Bougainvillea

and Sand Acres Resort

InspirationWordsof

“I’ve spent several years in the

travel and tourism industry. My

mantra is the same now

as it was then — to always

put God fi rst.

Whenever challenged, I was

encouraged to stay focused

on the matter at hand.

It always worked and still does.”

Marva Mayock,

Operations and Administration

Manager, Vuemont Barbados

“Make sure that whatever

decisions you make, you will be

comfortable enough to have a

clear conscience and be able

to put your head down on your

pillow and sleep at night. I was

given this advice by founder of

KPMG in Barbados, Ken Hewitt.”

Carol Nicholls,

Managing Partner and Partner,

Audit Advisory Services, KPMG

What is the best business advice a mentor has ever given you?

“I try to live by the following sayings

instilled in me by my parents:

Never start something you do not

intend to fi nish.

When the going gets tough,

keep going!

The secret to success is preparation,

hard work and learning from mistakes.”

Charlene Wilkin-Zephirin,

Manager Community Relations,

Paloma Charitable Trust

27April 2013

Work & WealthFINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

your retirement

HIGHLIGHT PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: When updating your resumé or interviewing for a job, think about your experience in terms of both work-related and life skills. Whether you have strong leadership skills or the wherewithal to weather a tough economy, use your age to your advantage and play up the strengths that come with having more years under your belt.

STAY CURRENT: Workers of all ages are going back to school to increase their marketability. Attending seminars and workshops or taking formal courses is a great way to keep your skills up-to-date. These can come in handy during an interview.

FIND NEW WAYS TO BENEFIT THE COMPANY: If you’re looking to stay with your current company beyond retirement, offer new ways to contribute to its programmes. For instance, perhaps you can offer to help train new employees.

USE YOUR NETWORK: Being in the workforce for an extended time gives you the advantage of a broad professional network. Whether online or offline, reach out to former colleagues, vendors, clients and so on, to see where opportunities may arise

CONSIDER PART-TIME OR FREELANCE WORK: Fifty-two per cent of workers age 60-plus say they’ll most likely work part-time once retired. If that’s you, check your options, using the Internet, employment agencies and other resources for part-time, freelance or temporary work

While retirement is something most people look forward to, there are those

who dread the thought of leaving the workforce.

Perhaps some who fall into this category have not successfully

planned for their retirement and fear they would not make it without a monthly salary.

There are also those who are so in love with the world of work, they fear

being separated from it.

For countless others, retirement paints another picture. They dream of

relaxing, immersing themselves in their hobbies, travelling, moving into smaller

homes and enjoying their days of leisure.

There is yet another group of people whose retirement plans may include

starting a brand new career, perhaps as their own boss, with another company or with

their former company.

With young people bombarding companies each day in search of jobs,

working pass your retirement could be a challenge.

However, if you’re one of those individuals hoping to put off your retirement,

you must put the necessary machinery in place well in advance by discussing career

plans with your employer.

5ways to maintain

value

Working onAmong the key areas in which a retiree can add value in the office is in the training and mentoring young employees.

28

THE SMART WAY

Suddenly you’ve been welcomed into the travelling club.

Not the frequent fl yers’ club, although that will soon

become a reality, but into the business travellers club,

which means air travel has become a part of your job.

Maybe you’ve already been on a few business trips and

concluded it’s not as thrilling as some said it would be.

There are busy airports, delayed fl ights, time constraints,

limited sleeping hours, visas to secure, immunization shots

to take, weather reports to follow, living out of suitcases,

separation from loved ones and you’ve realized that that

dinner you were looking forward to was nothing more than a

business meeting.

Business Flying

1. STAY CONNECTEDWhether you Skype, tweet, text, blog or just rely on e-mail (most hotels off er free Wi-Fi), staying in touch is a top priority. Remaining

accessible to your colleagues is important to keeping them updated about business or personal issues related to your trip.

Keeping in touch with your spouse and other relatives is also important.

Work & Wealth

Oh yes! Business travel is not the icing on the cake, so no

one should envy you. It’s lots of responsibility, with just

a few added perks; like savouring mouth-watering cuisine and

visiting new cities, even if you never get a chance

to see the sights, swim in the hotel’s pool, or hang out

on some white-sand, exotic beach.

Those things aside, sometimes just getting away from

the everyday agenda at the offi ce is worth it all but business

is business.

So if you’re now entering the world of business travel,

don’t keep your head in the clouds. There are rules to follow

and we’ve listed nine for you:

by Cheryl Harewood

29April 2013

Work & Wealth

2. SYNCHRONIZE YOUR CALENDARYou’ll probably take calls and set appointments while away,

and the easiest way to keep track is to use the calendar on

your phone or even your laptop. You will avoid fi nding yourself

double-booked or absent from an important meeting.

3. PROTECT YOUR DATA Constantly being away from your offi ce places greater

emphasis on making sure important data is not lost or

compromised. Maintain a regular back-up of critical data on a

memory stick. As a security measure, you should also consider

resources such as Google Docs and renting Cloud space to

keep you running in double quick time if your laptop is stolen

or crashes.

4. TRAVEL LIGHT To avoid baggage checks or an additional charge at the airline

counter, travel light. Pack essentials in one carry-on bag about

the size of a backpack. This gives you the freedom to avoid

queues at baggage reclaim and reduces the amount of time

getting in and out of the airport.

5. HEALTHY EATINGA major challenge whilst travelling on business is maintaining

a healthy eating regime, especially with all the fast food options

available. Regular consumption of high calorie food that is low

in nutrients will take its toll on your health and mental agility.

To avoid this, stock up on fruits and nuts.

6. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTIONTake a rain check on your visit to the bar at the airport or hotel.

Alcohol consumption prior to or during a fl ight has an even

stronger eff ect at altitude. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

7. TRAVEL WARDROBE Minimize your time (before actual travel), by devoting a section

of your closet to travel-only clothes that are clean and ready to

go, probably a range of business suits in neutral shades. This

makes it easy to mix and match and eliminates the stress of last

minute packing.

8. REST AND RELAXATION Relax and rest, This is always challenging when away from the

comfort of your own bed and surroundings, but get as much

sleep as possible. You’ll be fresh and rested by morning for the

day’s meeting or travel.

9. TRACKING EXPENSES Entering the value of your receipts under business and

personal expenditure each day will allow you to quickly

produce any information required without having to trawl

through a pile of receipts at the end of a trip or when

submitting an expenses claim.

Think smart and travel smart. Bon voyage!

FINANCE BUSINESS CAREER

30

Work & Wealth

“A LIFE COMPANION FOR A SIMPLER LIFE.”That’s how J.K. Shin, president of Samsung’s Mobile

Communications Division, described the Galaxy S4 at its

unveiling in New York. According to Shin, the capabilities of the

new phone represent innovations “which literally helps people

live every day”.

And that’s no idle boast. I’ve had one professional

confess that her smartphone is part of her, going with her

everywhere. It provides entertainment, real-time connectivity

with friends whether via voice or messaging, facilitates her

online research, wakes her up, even reminds her of important

engagements.

Ever improving technologies and apps empower these

gadgets to perform such a range of tasks that today’s business

professional might even be tempted to ponder the value of

having a real life assistant. If only smart phones could make a

cup of coff ee.

For those of you not convinced here’s a sampling of what

these apps can do to make your life a lot easier.

seriously? ‘A simpler life’ …

PLANNING A TRIPMany of the popular travel websites such as tripadvisor.com

and hotels.com have free smartphone apps and mobile-

enabled websites that allow you to plan the perfect trip from

your mobile device. With the hotels .com app you can fi nd and

book your hotel, access reservations, you name it.

Airlines off er free apps that allow you to check in, access

a mobile boarding pass, keep track of your baggage and view

your mileage account.

STAYING IN TOUCHWant to take a bite out of high calling rates while overseas?

A web/WiFi app such as Skype or FaceTime can provide

the cheapest way to call home. Though Skype calls are only

free when you are contacting other Skype users, it’s relatively

inexpensive to call a non-Skype number. FaceTime is a good

choice for a family of Apple users.

ACCESS FUNDS FROM WHEREVER Banking is not a problem either. Many banks and credit card

companies have their own apps, so you can check your

balance, transfer funds and pay bills wherever in the world you

might be.

WATCHING THE KIDS? NO PROBLEMIf you’re a parent, you would probably be happy for the app

that allows you to see everything your children do on their

smartphones. The Android apps are called Protect Me if You

Can and Catch Me if You Can. You can also track your children’s

whereabouts with the GPS in the phones.

The app can even monitor phone calls, text messages

and photos taken.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

When you factor in the utility of applications such as Google

Maps, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pandora, Netfl ix, You Tube,

and the Kindle app for the iPhone and Android smartphones),

it’s hard to imagine getting lost, loosing connectivity, or

suff ering from lack of entertainment.

And if that’s not enough, there’s the Dropbox app which

handles your capacity worries by allowing you to easily store

and access your content through The Cloud. You can even set

the app to automatically upload new photos and videos taken

on your phone every time you open it. I guess you could say the

sky’s the limit.

“A life companion for a simpler life”? Maybe the

smartphone, aptly equipped, could be regarded as an enabling

“life companion”, but considering all the stuff these phones

enable you to do, you might become so consumed doing

everything the apps facilitate that the “simpler life” might very

well escape you.

Perhaps they’ll develop an app to give you back your life.

. . . “apps” empower these gadgets to perform such a range of tasks that today’s business professional might even be tempted to ponder the value of having a real life assistant.

by Lyle Jones

info@aubmed.orgwww.aubmed.org

http://www.barbados.scotiabank.com/checkup