Irie Tools (Business & Technology)

Did you know that there was an organization made up of business associations in Jamaica, called the MSME Alliance? I had never heard of them until a week or so ago when I got an invitation to their member’s social. Anyway, I turned up at the social (which was today at the Scotiabank Sports Club) curious to find out what they were all about. I picked up a very informative brochure about the organzation and while reading this brochure I was reminded of how much goes on in Jamaica that you never hear about.

The following facts are borrowed from the MSME Alliance brochure.

• In 2003, several business associations representing the MSME (Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) sector were invited to participate in the ongoing dialogue about trade negotiations through the Jamaica Trade and Adjustment Team (JTAT).
• In January 2007, the MSME Alliance was formally registered as a company by representatives from the following associations: Hardware Merchants Association, Jamaica Wood Products & Furniture Association, Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association, National Association of Hairdressers & Cosmetologists, National Council of Taxi Associations.
• On October 25, 2007, a transition team of officers and directors were chosen to lead the MSME Alliance to its annual general meeting (AGM) in early 2008.

The main activity of the MSME Alliance is listed as:

Participate in the development of an Enterprise-Wide Risk Management & Financing Programme (ERMFP) in partnership with the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), UTech, and the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE) that seeks to:

1. Minimize and manage credit default and other risks and to facilitate the expanded use of credit (especially for working capital and fixed assets) to accelerate growth of MSMEs and
2. Minimize the risk of business failure through a range of strategic interventions, in particular training, that will enhance the capacity of MSMEs to compete and to achieve profitability and sustainable growth.

I will admit that I don’t really understand exactly what the ERMFP is all about, but it sounds interesting.

The contact information for the MSME Alliance is:

Secretariat:
Suite 55, Princeville Plaza,
95-97 Constant Spring Road,
Kingston 10, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 925-5276/(876)924-0715
Email: msmealliance@yahoo.com, msmealliance@gmail.com

I have just come across a very useful blog that I just had to share with you. The blog is called SmallFuel Marketing and is about marketing your small business. What makes this blog so remarkable and useful is that it is filled with short, easily understood articles on a wide range of marketing related topics. For example, here is a list of some of the articles:

• 5 Things People Want to See Before the Sale
• What Apple Can Teach You About Marketing
• Not Just Different: How to Be Outstanding in Business
• How To Distinguish Yourself from the Crowd
• 15 Effective Sales Letter Ideas That Just Work
• How To Write a Compelling Small Business Email

By the way, I am not connected to this blog in any way, and I do not receive anything for recommending them.

OK, now its your turn. Do you know of any other blogs or websites with useful information that you want to share?