Howard McIntosh *jamaica-gleaner.com

Mr. Howard McIntosh FIFA Regional Development Officer will be visiting St. Lucia from the 19 -21 September 2013.

During his visit, Mr. McIntosh will visit the following sites:

The Goal Project
Special Projects

While here on island Mr. Mc Intosh will be seeking an update on:

Grassroots Com-Unity Seminar
Discussions and plans for the PERFORMANCE Program and specifically dates for the leadership Retreat and Business Seminar Women’s Development Program.

The Saint Lucia Football Association is thankful for Mr. McIntosh visit. This visit gives the SLFA the opportunity to display its efforts, initiatives and plans for the continued development of football in St. Lucia.

BlackBerry Q5 from LIME comes in a range of exciting colours!

LIME and BlackBerry® (BB) (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB) today announced the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone is now available in Saint Lucia.

The Q5 features a QWERTY keyboard in a stunning youthful design and comes pre-loaded with the new BlackBerry 10.1 software.

Every feature, every part of the BlackBerry Q5 has been built to provide a fast, effortless experience that flows and moves with you to help you explore, create, and share while on the go.

As part of the BlackBerry 10 experience, the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone offers a powerful and unique mobile computing experience that continuously adapts to your needs.

Features and apps work seamlessly together, allowing your every move to flow into the next. Highlights of the BlackBerry Q5 include the BlackBerry® Hub which lets you stay close to what’s important to you without stopping what you’re working on.

BlackBerry Time Shift helps you create the perfect short every time and with BBM Video with Screen Share, you can instantly switch your BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger) chat to a BBM Video conversation and catch up face-to-face. Visit the BlackBerry® World™ storefront and discover the more than 120,000 apps available to you. The all-new BlackBerry Q5 gives you the best of everything.

The latest handset from BlackBerry works best on the LIME 4G network, the fastest mobile data network in Saint Lucia. LIME, the Caribbean’s leading communications provider, was the first to launch 4G mobile data in Saint Lucia in July of this year, and the company’s customers will be able to enjoy all the capabilities of the Q5.

Pricing and Availability

The new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone is available online and LIME retail stores for an introductory price of $1099. For more information on LIME products and services, visit lime.com.

Digicel today announced the new BlackBerry® Q5 smartphone is now available in the Caribbean and Panama.

The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone features a QWERTY keyboard in a stunning youthful design and comes pre-loaded with the new BlackBerry® 10 OS version 10.1 software.

Every feature, every part of the BlackBerry Q5 smartphone has been built to provide a fast, effortless experience that flows and moves with you to help you explore, create, and share while on the move go.

Digicel Group Commercial Director, Brian Finn, said, “Digicel is all about delivering style and value to its customers across the region and with the introduction of the BlackBerry Q5, we’re doing just that. The stylish handset boasts many of the great features of the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 smartphones at a very affordable price from Digicel.”

As part of the BlackBerry 10 experience, the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone offers a powerful and unique mobile computing experience that continuously adapts to your needs.

Features and apps work seamlessly together, allowing your every move to flow into the next. Highlights of the BlackBerry Q5 include the BlackBerry® Hub, which lets you stay close to what’s important to you without stopping what you’re working on.

The camera Time Shift mode helps you create the perfect shot every time, and with BBM™ Video with Screen Share, you can instantly switch your BBM chat to a BBM Video conversation and catch up face-to-face. Visit the BlackBerry® World™ storefront and discover the more than 120,000 apps available to you.

Pricing and Availability
The new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone is available online and in Digicel stores in the Caribbean.

The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone will also be available in Digicel El Salvador stores from mid-October. For more information on Digicel products and services, visit www.digicelgroup.com

For more information on BlackBerry 10, please visit www.blackberry.com/blackberry10

LUCELEC Volunteers at Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre

St Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) Generation Department is partnering with the Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre.

The collaboration was initiated by LUCELEC Employee Graham King following a sign language course he took at the school.

While there, King recognized the needs of the Ciceron based school – from infrastructure to maintenance and convinced his fellow staffers in the Department to join him in assisting them.

It has now been three years. During that time, thirteen (13) other members of the LUCELEC Generation Department have joined the movement.

To date that core team has repaired and installed software on computers in the school’s Computer Lab, raised funds to replace a short circuited voltage regulator and worked with Courts to give the school a brand new stove.

The company volunteers have also undertaken maintenance jobs, pressure washing walls and stairs, painting, and with the assistance of other volunteers upgraded the playing field.

School Administrator Mrs Linda Preville says the work undertaken by the LUCELEC staff gives staff and students a much needed fresh start to the school year.

“It sets for the tone for the academic year because it always feels like after you have finished one school year, there’s so much that has taken place and you would like to come into a fresh environment. The work in a sense replaces all the negative from the previous year with hope for the year ahead,” says Mrs Preville.

LUCELEC Senior Shift Operation Supervisor Mr Nathanial Deterville says the partnership with the Lady Gordon School puts the company’s core values into practice.

“One of our core values at LUCELEC is caring. What we have done is extend that goodwill to the public. We use our off days, volunteer our time – it also contributes to team building in the Generation Department where the 13 core guys involved in the project work,” says Mr Deterville.

The volunteer group has a number of future plans including a Big Brother programme that will be launched on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Members will be assigned to a male student at the school in the hopes of giving them guidance and having a positive impact on their life. They are expected to assist in academic and social development, helping with homework while also initiating social activities like going to a movie.

Mrs Preville says this program is critical “because a lot of our boys really lack positive male role models in their lives.”

In addition, a fund raising drive is underway to raise at least $4,000.00 for the school. Mr Deterville says the funds, which will be donated in December, will go towards a Christmas party for the students. He says the annual event has not been held in recent years due to the unavailability of funds – a fact the LUCELEC Volunteer crew want to remedy.

Employees of the Second Quarter *lucelec.com

Ignatius Mathurin and Malika Alphonse have been named the St Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) Employees of the Second Quarter.

The two employees were recognized for the period April 1 to June 30, 2013.

Ignatius Mathurin is a Cleaner/Mechanic Helper in the Generation Department. He joined the company in 2011 on a short term contract and was appointed to his present position in February 2013.

He says he wanted to work at LUCELEC because of his desire to have a long career at a reputable local firm. A former Pest Control Operator, Mathurin switched careers after 15 years in his old position.

“I was so excited; happy. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it so soon. I was motivated by the staff, my supervisors because almost every day they complement me on my work. I don’t wait for my supervisor to tell me what needs to be done, and that is my advice to others, if you see something that needs to be done then go for it,” says Mr Mathurin.

Malika Alphonse, a General Clerk in the Transmission & Distribution Department South also joined the company in 2011 on a short term contract. She was appointed to her present position on March 1, 2013.

Ms Alphonse says being recognized was not a win as much as it was an achievement.

“I would rather use the term achieve. Being awarded was a shock, because I was not aware that I was nominated. I felt very much appreciated knowing that my contribution is recognized,” she says.

The two LUCELEC employees were presented with their awards at a brief ceremony on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 by Managing Director Mr Trevor Louisy. It was also attended by their respective supervisors, Department Heads, and the Acting Human Resources Manager Miss Miguelle Warner.

The Employee of the Quarter award is one of the ways LUCELEC recognises and rewards its Grade 1 employees for excellent work. The others include the Employee of the Year Award which is presented during the annual Staff Appreciation Awards.

Courtney “Curty” Louis

Saint Lucian record label Stratosphere Muzic has signed a worldwide agreement with music distribution company, Believe Digital.

Courtney “Curty” Louis, the Owner and CEO of Stratosphere Muzic signed the deal with the global brand that has offices in all key markets throughout the world including the UK, France, the United States, Thailand and Japan in July 2013.

Described as the “leading music digital distribution company for independent labels and artistes,” Believe Digital is also “the largest fully independent digital distributor” in the world.

It is home to two thousand music and creative channels, is ranked in the top five of YouTube partners, has created 50 thematic channels in music and entertainment and has partners that generate over 1 billion views a month.

With the agreement, Believe Digital will distribute music and videos released by the label that currently represents a number of artistes including 2013 Groovy and Power Monarch as well as Road March King Ricky T, Mongstar, Marie-Anne and Scady Dot P.

The Saint Lucian produced material will be distributed through a global network that includes a wide range of digital music services such as iTunes, Amazon, Deezer and Spotify in addition to video streaming services such as YouTube and Dailymotion and mobile services like Vodafone and Orange.

The distribution deal also pertains to the existing catalogue of songs Louis has produced at Dutch Productions; his company where artistes like Trinidadian Shurwayne Winchester as well as Jamaicans Bad Gyal Ce’Cile, Christopher Martin along with Saint Lucians Superman HD have recorded. Under the agreement, Believe Digital will also distribute all new songs released by the production house.

Through the use of a label, channel and content manager as well as market based trade and marketing teams, Believe Digital will use its direct agreements with digital music services to guarantee higher revenues and quick and efficient digital distribution of the Saint Lucian branded music.

The Stratosphere Muzic CEO says the agreement will expose Saint Lucian music to a worldwide audience.

“The world market is ripe for a soca takeover with Trinidad artistes like KMC signing an international record deal with Universal Records and others like Machel Montano getting a distribution deal with Universal France. To have my label get signed with Believe Digital means Saint Lucia music will get an equal opportunity for exposure in a world wide market, generating bookings and revenue for our artistes,” says Louis.

Believe Digital uses innovative digital distribution and promotion technology integrated with several hundred digital music stores worldwide. It was established in 2004.

Pizza Pizza is well known for creating an atmosphere where kids can have fun while enjoying great food.

If you passed by the food outlet on the weekend of September seventh and eighth, you would notice that the atmosphere was even more bubbly and charged than normal.

Melodic echoes of merry making could be heard from a distance, as kids enjoyed the bouncing castles, trampolines, swings, face painting, clowns, ventriloquists and life size cartoon characters. A similar activity followed at the Vieux Fort Primary School on Saturday September 14, with equal excitement as the kids squealed with delight as they met some of their favorite cartoon characters and enjoyed the bouncy castles while being treated to delicious treats and snacks galore.

This was the atmosphere and enjoyment which Super J IGA had promised as it launched it’s Back to School Summer Fun Party in July, and from all indications the company achieved its objective.

The Super J IGA Kids Summer Fun Party (part one of supermarket chain’s 2013 Back to School Promotion) was organized to celebrate the over one hundred and sixty five customers who won the promotion.  There was no shortage of fun or laughter at the thrill of the events at the various party locations. As one parent put it, “the promotion captured the spirit of summer in its fleeting glory.”

“I am happy to see the children having this much fun, there is a warm feel about this promotion. I know that everyone is truly appreciative as many people don’t get to experience the feeling of being a winner and this celebrity treatment,” said Genelle Fontelle.

Though the Kids Summer Fun parties catered to the children, in no way were the parents forgotten in the midst of it all. Each parent walked away with a hamper filled with some of their favorite products and treats. This promotion was one with a difference as scores of customers enjoyed great value and celebrated with Super J IGA in a truly memorable way.

The second component of the Back to School Promotion ended on September 18th. The draw is set for next week and one lucky customer from each Super J IGA store and Ti J’s location will get a chance to win a Lenovo Netbook.  Members of the public can also win a Lenovo Notebook via the company’s facebook page by writing in to indicate why they should win the gadget. The write up with the most likes by Super J Facebook fans will win the prize.

The St Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) will on Saturday September 21, 2013 host a day long study skills workshop for its twenty-one scholarship holders.

It will be held under the theme, “Laying the Foundation for Success – Improve Study Skills, your roadmap to success.”

Teaching the workshop will be the Managing Director of the Celestial Self Development Centre, Thecla Deterville.

The workshop is organized by the LUCELEC Scholarship Committee. Ms Garaline Tate, the Committee’s Secretary says students will be taught various study techniques to improve their academic performance.

“Students will learn time management, scheduling and a number of study skills methods aimed at helping them discover what may work best for them. There will also be a component on reviewing and listening skills,” says Ms Tate.

This workshop will be the first for the current academic year and because of its subject matter, parents have been invited to attend the last half hour of the session. During that time, in addition to a review of the day’s course, parents will be exposed to study skills they can use to aid their children’s success.

Previous workshops have been very well attended and received by the LUCELEC Scholarship holders. Ms Tate says recently, one of the students who is currently enrolled at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College spoke about the positive impact they had on her studies.

“The student told me the notes she kept from previous workshops had been very helpful, so much so in fact that she had shared them with her other siblings,” she says.

The study skills workshop will be held from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the company’s Cul-de-Sac compound.

A new publication highlighting the Ti Kay, a disappearing part of Saint Lucian architecture launches in the US on September 29, 2013.

Written by Elma Felix, Ti Kay Nou will walk the reader through small wooden houses which are a disappearing part of the local Saint Lucian landscape. All eleven districts on the island are represented, making Ti Kay Nou the first publication to specifically focus on traditional vernacular architecture within Saint Lucia.

Notable contributors include Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Eric Milton Branford, and the famous Jah Lamb, who all share special stories about the Ti Kay, the role it plays within our society and the benefits of preserving our built heritage. Excerpts from The Antilles, Nobel Laureate speech of the Honorable Derek Walcott, introduces the reader to the concept of our vanishing history.

A launch for Ti Kay Nou will take place on September 29  2013 at the St. Lucia House in Brooklyn, New York. This launch is held in association with the Saint Lucia Mission and the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in New York Books and special edition prints will be on sale.

LIAT is seeking to strengthen its position as a robust interline partner following talks with travel industry and airline partners at the World Travel Market industry exposition in the United Kingdom.

Director of Commercial and Customer Experience Leesa Parris-Rudder and Deryck Clarke, offline sales manager at LIAT, reported a busy trade show which positioned LIAT positively in the global marketplace.

“We are very encouraged with the response to LIAT,” said Parris-Rudder, who noted that destination partners, tour operators and airlines were impressed by LIAT’s fleet modernisation plans.

“Waive your expenses and ride into the New Year with joy” is one of the taglines being used by Brydens for the 2013 Christmas promotion for its Huggies, Kleenex, Kotex, Viva and Scott line of products.

To participate, after every purchase of Huggies Wipes, Snug & Dry, Active Sec, Kleenex Wipes Kotex Pads, Liners & Tampons, or Viva & Scott paper towels purchased at every major supermarket and retail outlet in St. Lucia, customers will receive a coupon. This coupon will guarantee them a chance of winning the grand prize of monthly payments of all major bills for six months.

In addition, Brydens is throwing in EC$500 of groceries from Super J Supermarkets or GL Foods for six months as well as part of this amazing “six flags” Christmas promotion.

According to brand manager at Brydens, Timothy Fevrier, the company felt that this was a fitting way to reward customers this year.

“With the cost of living the way it is we felt that we would ease the burden for one lucky winner by taking care of the things that we all worry about from month to month and that is our grocery and our utility bills,” Fevrier says.

Over the next few weeks the company will be staging a major media blitz as part of the promotion and customers can also look out for the in-store posters and signage marking this great Christmas offer.

Top up with $10 or more, become part of the Digicel family or pay your postpaid bill with Digicel to brighten your life.

During this festive time of the year, Digicel will share and give even more to its valued customers.

This Christmas, Digicel will be on a quest to change lives and make memories that will transcend joy, fun and delight with its “Brighten Someone’s Christmas” promotion. Giving customers a chance to win a share in $100,000 worth of cash prizes, Digicel will realise many winners and make a difference in many communities.

Digicel would like to offer a Brighter Christmas to many, giving more people the opportunity to have their life changed. For the next 10 weeks, Digicel will reward one lucky customer each week in each community with cash valued at $5,000. In addition, all eligible customers will automatically qualify to be one of two to win a fantastic shopping spree totalling $20,000 cash in the new year.

To qualify, prepaid customers must top up $10 or more and postpaid customers must pay their bills on time and in full.

Trendy handset brands are set to tease the interest of customers for Christmas gifts or for that long awaited Christmas android upgrade.

Digicel will make Christmas even more extraordinary, embarking on many initiatives. The annual food hamper distribution continues to make its mark amongst families, in homes and with organizations across St. Lucia. Digicel’s team members will continue efforts to feed the underprivileged.

Chris Williams

Christmas is coming early this year for dozens of the city’s less fortunate and vulnerable citizens.

LIME is partnering once again with Feed the Poor Ministries to provide over 100 persons with lunch comprising of three-course meals prepared by an acclaimed local chef. The luncheon will be held today at the Derek Walcott Square.

LIME Saint Lucia’s General Manager, Chris Williams and other members of the company’s senior management team will be on hand to welcome the guests and assist in serving the meals. They will also spend some time chatting and socialising with them.

Later this month, LIME teams will be visiting communities around the island offering Christmas hampers to more of Saint Lucia’s less fortunate citizens, including the elderly and shut-ins.

LIME customers and staff, and the general public are invited to assist by dropping off canned goods, books and toys at the company’s retail stores in specially marked boxes for distribution to the children’s homes and other charities.

“Every Christmas season we eagerly look forward to doing our bit to assist the less fortunate and vulnerable citizens among us,” said LIME Head of Marketing & Communications, Laurencia Cadette.

“We know what it means to an individual when the basic necessities of life are out of reach. We also know we can count on the overwhelming generosity of our customers and members of the public to help with Christmas donations this year.”

The National Workers Union (NWU) says it will not encourage or support the imposition of a decision that introduces or includes workers employed with LIAT under the scope of essential services.

“The NWU believes that there is no basis or justification for anyone to entertain such an anti-union intention,” the union said in a statement.

“LIAT and trade unions have had a good period of industrial relations. The intervention of politicians seems bent on eroding that trend. Any attempt to bring LIAT workers within the realm of an essential service would be dangerous and would plunge LIAT’s operation into industrial chaos.”

The union said some politicians forget that their insularity, displayed from time to time, has always driven them into making wrong decisions, “that are against the interest of LIAT.

“We must ask ourselves why LIAT has changed managerial personnel and industrial relations consultants ever so often”, the NWU said.

“There are numerous reports and relevant operation recommendations regarding LIAT. Some politicians are occupied in protecting their interests and election vote-catching machinery, rather than making bold decisions that could transform LIAT into a company with a high level of operational visibility. We say no to any essential service thought.”

Vincent Hippolyte *archive.stlucia.gov.lc

Former Managing Director of St. Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) Vincent Hippolyte is the new head of WASCO.

He has replaced John Joseph.

Dr James Fletcher, Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Science and Technology, said Hippolyte’s appointment is part of the evolution of WASCO.

Work will continue to remedy its debt situation, the minister said.

Among other accomplishments, Hippolyte is credited with assisting in developing the Dominica Seaports Authority, which merged with the Department of Civil Aviation at the recommendation of the IMF.

He has served as a director on the executive board of the Organisation of American States Committee on Ports; as Chief Executive Officer of the Anguilla Air and Seaports Authority; as chairman of the St Lucia Free Zone Management Authority, and the Antigua-based Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority. Hippolyte started at SLASPA as an economist.

Winall Joshua *htsstlucia.org

A new Vieux Fort South councillor and a mayor were inducted in a ceremony at the NSDC’s southern office Wednesday evening.

Diplomat Winall Joshua is now mayor of the municipality and Isaac Mathurin is councillor.

Joshua replaces former Mayor Cynthia Satney. Mathurin is filling a recently-vacated post. The new mayor vowed to raise the communal spirit of the office.

He said security will be a major priority of his administration.

One of the first WINNERS in the LIME Share The Cheer promotion!

This Yuletide season, LIME is pulling out all the stops, giving new and existing mobile data customers free data when they sign up or renew any plan.

Customers can win hundreds of amazing prizes.

The unprecedented offer is part of LIME’s ‘Share the Cheer’ Christmas campaign which officially got underway Friday.

According to LIME Saint Lucia’s General Manager, with the rollout of 4G, the free data offer is one that customers are sure to embrace.

Customers will also get chances to win prizes when they top up $15 or more, or pay their bills in full and on time.

Earny presenting at CAB

President of the Orange Media Group Earny St. Catherine this week addressed the largest gathering of regional bankers and non-traditional financial services providers, urging them to put their customers at the centre of everything they do.

St. Catherine was one of only two local presenters at the 40th AGM and Conference of the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB), the other being Dr. Reginald Darius, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.

His presentation focussed on ‘the importance of the sharing the brand experience to business success.’

He spoke of the gap between what’s important to people and what brands deliver. He told the gathering that “people reward brands that share, as sharing reflects strongly with actions that drive business value.”

According to St. Catherine, shared dialogue is the first step toward sharing a brand. He said on average 90 percent of persons want a brand to engage in more meaningful conversations with them.

“People want you to listen, show genuine interest, and most importantly, act on what you hear.”

St Catherine’s appeal comes at a time when indigenous banks in the OECS are challenged to change the way they do business in order to survive. They are also faced with the challenge of inevitably considering a deep colloboration and possible merger to remain competitive.

“At this time banks are faced with increased competition, regulations, contracting economies and record delinquent loans. It is therefore difficult for them to either lose customer focus or not revolutionise their process to make the customer the centre of their ecosystem. This will inevitably exacerbate their already stressed positions and lead to an even worse performance. The customer must be a critical part of the process”.

Orange Media Group Inc. has rebranded and repositioned itself to serve its clients better.

Orange Media has conceptualised and executed marketing and communications campaigns for high-profile clients in telecommunications, insurance, banking and retail. It distinguishes itself through innovation, bold, colourful and creative concepts which defy traditional approaches to marketing, advertising and corporate communications. Orange Media has a global network of consultants, guided by local knowledge and experience.

“Leadership is only relevant when maintained and when it has a real impact on your business and your clients,” President of Orange Media Group Earny St. Catherine said.

“This rebranding of Orange Media is almost ironic as we are in the business of rebranding companies. But it is testament to the importance of this exercise to be ahead of the changes that are taking place which if met unprepared can be detrimental to business.”

“Orange Media has established a solid reputation in mainstream media with audio visual productions, publications, marketing strategy, brand creation and management. The rebranding expands the company’s range of services into web, digital and social media. It’s part of a new thrust of diversifying the company’s product portfolio.”

Leslie Collymore

If you are rocking the social sphere, at some point you may have to present your work to some higher-ups.

No pressure. Just remember this: Your presentation could mean the difference between enterprise adoption of a great new social media strategy—or the relegation of social to the cubbyhole.

But fear not. Here are five tips that could help make your next presentation to the C-suite a real winner:

Be authentic, not just memorable. Being frank about what has worked so far in your social outreach and what hasn’t isn’t just useful to the bosses in the room; it’s relatable. It means you were once in their shoes—deciphering the best approach.

Remember: The best presentations are authentic performances. Prep, but don’t over perform; let your understanding speak for you, and permit yourself to be natural. A relaxed presenter relaxes listeners.

Don’t monologue it! Your passion for your topic should be palpable, and that can only happen when you’re not relying too heavily on a canned speech. Don’t over memorize or over practice!

Be quietly confident. Don’t position yourself as the voice from on high, or get too pushy.

Deliver each line with mastery. Identify the strengths of your content, the aspects of it that will most likely draw attention, and emphasize them at the right time. To do this well, it helps to know something about your audience; study past communications.

And one last tip from us: Listen to your audience. When Q&A time comes, don’t get defensive; listen to any concerns being raised, and address them thoughtfully. The execs may have seen a weak spot that you simply missed: Be ready to respond or return to the drawing board. Either way, keep the tone conversational, not combative.

The Lesson: Deep breath, and go. If you’re spearheading your company’s “social” movement, prepare to explain and defend your cause attractively and clearly to those not in the thick of things.