HOW TO USE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN

HOW TO USE YOUR BUSINESS PLANIn this Webinar we will cover the importance of following the Business Plan and sharing your vision and proposals with others who may be in a position to assist you

1Step by Step

One year working plan with specific deadlines for completing activitiesEstablish a basic product offering that can generate some visitor interest and revenueidentify what you can do without having to spend or borrow a lot of money

Ask yourselfWHERE ARE MY RESOURCES ?

Cost of preparatory workHow and where will you find necessary resources 2The Product Offering

Basic infrastructureSurveyingCutting access roads and trailsIdentifying protected and indigenous flora and faunaRegulations re protected areasCommunity accessUsing natural materials for construction of railings, benches, huts, pavingMay have to purchase a 4WD vehicle, tents, mosquito netsMay have to refurbish existing buildings or put up temporary structuresUtilities Electricity, water, telephone and internet accessSafety and security

NeedsPossible SOURCES of AssistanceIdentifying trees, plants and bird speciesFloyd HomerCarl Fitz James, Brasso SecoAsa WrightSignageMinistry of Tourism or Tourism Authority, Ministry of Agriculture or Min. WorksLogo designIndustrial Development Corporation or Business Support organisationYouth Entrepreneurship programmesA family member or friend with talentRegistrations,IncentivesConcessionsMinistry of Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, National Corporate Affairs / Intellectual Property OfficesNetwork, Network, NetworkDefinition: Networking is about making friends before you need themHave your site on Facebook and Twitter and link to TripAdvisor and other such sitesBe close to feature writers in the daily news in your countryBe known by your Parliamentary Representative and also with the Opposition MP in your constituencyLet persons know what you are doing or planning and ask for help and advice

Work with the CommunityCan make or break you (especially if access to your place affects their environment or depends on their permission)Importance of good relationsHire locals from the surrounding community, document stories about key persons, know the community leaders, encourage community education and beautification programmes, adopt a school or a childrens homeLearn the history of your site from the elders and use the information for your branding - creating a sense of place and authenticityNetwork with AgenciesEmbassies: US Embassy and USAID, Canadian, British High Commission and DFID, Chinese Embassy, French EmbassyUN Agencies: FAO Telefoods Grants UNDP GEF Small Grants ProjectUN Women UNESCO (for heritage-based projects)IICAOASIDB

These Agencies can Help with:Writing proposals for projectsBringing your project to the attention of government ministries, funding institutions, investors and other development partnersSponsoring your participation in meetings where you can promote your products and servicesProviding technical assistance, information and training and advocacy

Recruiting and Training StaffStudent exchanges and interns (Canada, Germany, USA) VoluntourismHospitality schools (Barbados, Jamaica, Bahamas, Tobago)Internships with Chefs and other entrepreneurs in the regionTVET and CTOPommarineField training (Brasso Seco)

Promoting your Business IdeaUse available free internet and media resourcesGet interviewed on local television and radio programmesSend news articles to Caribbean news programmes in the USA and UKSend news to national and regional tourism websites (www.onecaribbean.org ), TravelMole, Positive Tourism News, www.letsdoitinthecaribbean.comAirline magazines (Caribbean Airlines, LIAT, COPA)Food magazines (Food and Wine, Gourmet, Conde Nast)Publications of various agencies and institutionsParticipate in national exhibitions and expositions (AgroFest, Barbados; Denbigh Show, Jamaica)Do Something DifferentHost an event on your siteFolk Fair, Jazz Festival, Reggae Fest, Celebrity Chef evening, Artist Day, Organic Farmers Market, Sunday market, conferences and workshopsOffer site as a Study tour for conferencesLink your site to major events Offer a wellness weekend after CarnivalSide event in a Jazz Festival (eg. Naniki=Piggy-Back on nearby attractionsExamples: Naniki, Holders Organic Sunday Market, Like what we did in Newcastle11Do Something DifferentHost an event on your siteInvite officials to tour your site and have a lunch (with a view to getting their assistance)Have specials for local visitors and for special groups (families, children, retired persons)Open on Sundays and holidays and let cruise visitors know Examples: Naniki, Holders Organic Sunday Market, Like what we did in Newcastle12Where to access financeStandard placesBanks Caribbean Development BankDevelopment BanksCommercial BanksCredit UnionsDevelopment Financing Agencies (IDB, World Bank)Other types of financing and revenue generationFamily and Friends (equity partners)Church Groups (diaspora in USA, UK)Meeting turn (turn han, sou-sou)Geotourism projectsCrowd FundingBenefactors (visitors, charitable organizations)Charging environmental taxes in entrance fees

Other Resources you might need Landscape artistsVisual artistsGraphic designersTraining in setting up and managing a gift shopFirst aid trainingDisaster management trainingTraining in foodservice management and food safetyHow to set up and manage a spa or wellness centre