Success Lifestyle Magazine Issue 4 - April 2019 | Page 14

In that moment of being mind blown, I decided that I must tell someone! Established in 2001, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries. It was created to support the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sector (MSMEs) in the island and is a collaboration of government agencies, the private sector and academia. Their goal is to help businesses survive and prosper by providing business advice, consultancy and training of the highest professional standard. The entity prides itself on being able to provide business information to the micro, small and medium business community in Jamaica in a cost e�ective and user friendly manner. Entrepreneurs, and those dreaming of becoming entrepreneurs, can access services from one of four main branches. The services of the JBDC are o�ered and delivered under the Technical, Business Advisory, Marketing, Financial Support and Research and Project Management arms. TECHNICAL SERVICES Technical services are o�ered through the agency’s Incubator and Resource Centre where they provide services not limited to design counselling, product development, training and product development. This arm specializes in developing the global competitiveness of clients engaged in Agro-processing, Engineering, Fashion and Apparel, Gift and Craft, Food Services and Visual Communication. ISSUE:4 APRIL 2019 BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES This arm works with clients who have already realized the dream of starting a business to those who are in the process of trying to organize the bits and pieces of a long held entrepreneurial dream into a reality. Entrepreneurs already living the dream have access to advisory services that include information dissemination, general consultations, and operations audit and assessments. Dreamers can benefit from validity assessments, customized training and tutorials which are vital in laying the foundation to a successful venture. MARKETING SERVICES This arm works with clients who have already realized the dream of starting a business to those who are in the process of trying to organize the bits and pieces of a long held entrepreneurial dream into a reality. Entrepreneurs already living the dream have access to advisory services that include information dissemination, general consultations and operations audit and assessments. Dreamers can benefit from validity assessments, customized training and tutorials which are vital in laying the foundation to a successful venture. PROJECT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH Established in 2004, the project management and research arm strives to provide project management and research solutions backed by data integrity, process quality and e�ciency. Services provided here include research consultancy, research process outsourcing, market research, impact and needs assessments surveys. This department o�ers training in project management, proposal writing, and resource mobilization among other things. FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES The Financial Support Services unit is the newest arm of the JBDC and was established to prepare MSMEs to successfully traverse the existing financial market. Services provided here are done through training, research, providing access to financing and the disbursement of available grant funding to selected MSMEs. I haven’t even scratched the surface of the actual suite of products o�ered by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation. Entrepreneurs and hopefuls alike should have the JBDC on speed dial if you ask me! You don’t have to take my word for it though. Visit their website at https://www.jbdc.net and begin your journey towards entrepreneurial success. 14