St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture

16/11/2021

Accountants week 2021- Return forms to: [email protected] by Thursday 18th November, 2021

11/11/2021

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Global Entrepreneurship Week - Unleashing the Power of Publicity in Your Business. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Are you ready to UNLEASH the POWER of Publicity in Your Business?

Join us this morning as Carla Williams Johnson of Carli Communications out of Trinidad and Tobago shares about finding and winning publicity for your business.

She will also provide tips on how to use the press received to build credibility, authority and income.

You also get the opportunity to engage Carla following her presentation!

Don't Miss Out! 10:00AM via Zoom

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscO2qpzgiG9OnZ-7gpa-7qO7Dnqpywd3h

30min presentation on how to find and win publicity for your business. Plus, tips on how to use the press received to build credibility, authority and income.

08/11/2021

https://www.firstcitizenstt.com/about/corporate-social-responsibility/Women-First-2021.html

08/11/2021

For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of most sectors, survival of business models as we know them today is at stake, as direct and indirect impacts of climate change will gradually materialize. Surge of insurance premiums for all, droughts, loss of coral reefs and biodiversity… are only some of the visible parts of the climate change iceberg in the Caribbean.

In this regard, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce and PIRAC have the pleasure to invite you to join other business proprietors to an interactive webinar on Disaster Risk Diagnosis on Wednesday 10th November 2021.

Some of the areas for consideration and discussion include:

What practical preventive practices can be implemented to mitigate the likely impacts of climate change on your business?

Can each individual business make a difference in mitigating impacts of climate change for an entire country?

Is adapting to climate change affordable for a micro or a small business in the Caribbean?

How can a more inclusive value chain approach be deployed to adapt quicker and make your business and our economies more resilient ?

To register for this session, kindly use the link below.

https://stluciachamber.wildapricot.org/event-4553429

08/11/2021

Global Entrepreneurship Week Launch (Nov. 8, 2021)

In case you missed it!

Here's Access to the Official Launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week St. Lucia 2021 which aired live on Government of Saint Lucia at 10:00am this Morning!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2njkO3dFPGI

Global Entrepreneurship Week Launch (Nov. 8, 2021)

08/11/2021

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Global Entrepreneurship Week 2021 - Speed Consulting Forum. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Be sure to register for the Entrepreneurs' Speed Consulting Forum on Monday 8th November 2021 as part of the observance of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2021!

Use the link below to register in advance for this virtual session!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqd-urqDwoHdBMIavXplBeCOlRXW0_O2SA

This is your opportunity to gain insightful tips and gain some free consulting from qualified Business Professionals!

20/10/2021

14/10/2021

You could be the winner- Best Creole Commercial House 2021!

06/10/2021

SURVEY SHOWS MAJORITY OF MEMBERS SUPPORT A VACCINATED WORKPLACE POLICY FOR THEIR BUSINESS

The September 2021 St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture “Workplace Vaccination Survey” was conducted among a wide cross section of private firms in St. Lucia. A total of 117 responses were analyzed. Respondents included both members (66.7%) and future members of the Chamber (33.3%).

Firms classified as large, that is employing more than 50 workers had the largest percentage of respondents (29%), while those generally classified as small i.e. those that employ between one and nine were the second largest group of respondents (23%). Firms that employ between 10 and nineteen workers the third largest group of respondents (22%).

Firms from all major economic sectors responded to the Survey, the Retail & Distribution Sector having the highest number of respondents, (26%) followed by Professional Services (13%), Tourism (12%), Manufacturing (12%) and Financial Services (11%).

65% of Chamber Members who responded to the Survey support a Vaccinated Workplace Policy, with 35% not supporting. The September 2021, Workplace Vaccination Survey also reveals that only 31% of Chamber Members offer incentives to staff to encourage them to take the Vaccine. Like the rest of the country, the rate of vaccination among staff of Chamber Members is low. 38% of Respondents indicated that vaccination rate among their staff is lower than 10%, while 25% report having rates of between 11% and 30%.

74% of respondents report having staff treated for Covid-19, while 96% of responding firms have had to cease operations 1-5 times due to Covid-19. The primary source of information on Covid-19 Vaccination, has been identified as the Ministry of Health (50%) and Doctors (17%).

Overall, the Survey suggests that Chamber Members (65%) are more supportive of a Vaccinated Workplace Policy than non-Chamber Members (26%). Chamber Members (31%) have utilized incentives to encourage staff to be vaccinated while only (15%) of Non- Members have done so. Of note is that only 36% of Chamber Members are considering requiring a proof of vaccination for customers to enter the premises, while an even lower (8%) of non-members are considering this policy.

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture will be seeking to dialogue with all relevant stakeholders on this most sensitive matter as its’ fundamental interest in the Covid-19 Pandemic is the control, minimization and ultimately elimination of the spread of the Covid-19 Virus that has led to a high number of deaths on our island and a larger number of persons with severe cases of this virus.

The Chamber remains convinced that Vaccination is a critical and key component of the strategy to achieve economic and social viability, by securing employment of St. Lucians. The Chamber strongly believes that vaccination provides a heightened level of protection to citizens and all attempts must be made to encourage and have as many citizens vaccinated as possible.

30/06/2021

ACCESSS INCENTIVES AND CONCESSIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESSES- July 8th 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

The Chamber will be hosting an E-Seminar “Available Concessions, Incentives and Support Programs for Businesses”.

REGISTER TODAY
https://stluciachamber.wildapricot.org/event-4375606

07/06/2021

Improving Business Operations and Productivity - Promo

IMPROVE YOUR OPERATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY

Improving Business Operations and Productivity - Promo
https://youtu.be/Osn7xupvp_E

This is a workshop being offered by the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce on June 8 & 9, 2021. The workshop is being facilitated by Dr. Harvi Millar of Manage...

07/06/2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osn7xupvp_E

18/05/2021

Catch us today on the Wave as we discuss our Small Member Support Program!

13/05/2021

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture - Improve Your Business Operations & Productivity

Chamber Improves Members Business Operations And Productivity Mid – Pandemic!

All organizations are in business to create value for customers, shareholders and stake holders. Whether the organization is for profit or non-profit, at the core of the existence of the business, is the idea or goal of creating value.

The Chamber of Commerce understands that, and in order for its member firms to provide value to customers they must produce quality and valuable products and services. This requires an effective and productive operations system. It is not uncommon for there to be misalignment between the operations system and the output levels that the organization desires. Thus the need for support in up skilling and training of staff to be bring about a better alignment between current levels and quality of operations and desired output levels.

On June 9th and 10th 2021, the Workshop. “Improving Business Operations and Productivity” will be conducted for businesses keen to provide and produce products and services which create value for customers in the most efficient manner. The tools, knowledge and skills to be discussed and shared in this workshop will expose participants to effective techniques for bringing about significant improvement in productivity and operational performance of their business.

The current economic environment of increased competition, tight financial and depressed economic realities, are forcing organizations to find and apply methods to innovate and be more effective. Thus, the tools that will be presented in the workshop will allow businesses to improve their operations and by extension their productivity and profitability.

Participants will learn how to examine their organisation’s processes; analyze areas where weaknesses exist, identify shortcomings and focus on improving them.

The Chamber is confident that participating organizations, will benefit from this system thinking approach to their business and give their firm the global advantage they seek at this time as competition in all its forms is international. The Chamber further wishes to point out that the tools to be presented are equally applicable and relevant across sectors, public or private.

Full details may be retrieved via https://stluciachamber.wildapricot.org/event-4277317 or call 452 3165 or email [email protected]

22/04/2021

For more information and registration https://stluciachamber.wildapricot.org/event-4223205

15/04/2021

Chamber Continues Up-Skilling and Systems Thinking With Members “

LABOUR ACT TRAINING- POST COVID 19 REALITIES”

Managing their critical human resource in a progressive and constructive way, remains the aim of Chamber Members and so it was no surprise how well attended the powerful and excellently prepared and delivered E-Training “The St. Lucia Labour Code Post Covid-19 Realities” turned out to be. Over 40 firms spent a half day fully engaged in this interactive E-Training hosted by the Chamber and facilitated by Cheryl Goddard Dorville.
The E-Training session took place on March 10th 2021 using the Chamber’s virtual platform and is part of the Chamber’s Business Development and Education Program that has been informed by the various training needs assessments conducted by the Chamber from time to time. The Chamber has partnered with the firm Goddard-Dorville Legal for the last 3 years to bring specialized knowledge and understanding of the St. Lucia Labour Act to the its members.

Ensuring that members adapt and remain efficient through strategic employee engagement and management remains an objective of the Chamber Business Development and Education agenda. Therefore the Chamber continues to help members manage emerging employment issues that the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought to the fore. Questions related to Employer obligations and implications for adjustments to existing contractual arrangements were discussed and approaches offered that were within the legal ambit of firms and respects the rights of workers. Managing remote work, work from home, dealing with COVID-19 Vaccinations and ensuring that productivity remains high, staff remain focused and motivated while balancing home and work issues that have emerged, were all discussed and approaches proffered.

These were some of the many areas discussed and clarity provided in relation to areas where the Labour Act was silent. Participants praised the Facilitator as being extremely clear, articulate knowledgeable enlightening and timely.

14/04/2021

Chamber Provides Members With Tools To Create Additional Value

Understanding and appreciating the extreme pressure and environment under which many of its members are operating, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce has ensured that its Business Development and Education agenda continues to provide members with the inside edge through relevant training in areas of greatest need. Thus “Improving Business Costs through Lean Enterprise and Innovation” was the program delivered March 31st and April 1st to sixteen members in a deeply interactive, eye opening and practical workshop.
Facilitated by Dr. Harvi Millar, St. Lucian-born President of Management Technologies, now Professor at St. Mary’s University in Canada, participants were provided with workable solution to issues identified by participants. Suggesting more innovative approaches that helped identify the ‘hidden’ waste negatively impacting operating costs. Participants learned ways to identify and strengthen innovative muscles, and creatively apply their new skills to real issues faced by their respective organizations, reinforcing the relevance and applicability of the Lean Management and cost cutting tools that were shared during the session.

Based on the need of organizations looking for opportunities to reduce operating costs, particularly when markets are not depressed, and the requirement to maintain profitability remains, it is clear that the intuitive actions and traditional quick fixes of laying off employees is not always the solution. Thus, the Lean Management approach to improving costs was designed to help Chamber members at this difficult time.

Attendees have applauded the timely an opportune workshop as it has equipped them with tools they can put into immediate effect. Participant pointed out the approach will enable them to carefully identify waste activities and approach within their individual establishments. Overall, participants indicated their increased confidence in “Minimizing Waste” within their workplace and “reducing the bleed” through comprehension application of Lean Management Techniques for reducing operating costs.

The Chamber remains convinced that helping business plan for the long-term impacts of COVID-19 through strengthening the capacity of corporate leaders through exposure to Lean Management approaches will help as enlightened firms place their teams at the center of their efforts. The Chamber will continue to provide critical business development and education initiatives to its member during the next quarter. More information on Chamber support programs and its smaller members support initiatives may be obtained by contacting the Secretariat at 758 452 3165 or email [email protected].
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