The JMMB Group SME Resource Center recently formalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Center for Technological Innovation (ICT) at Jamaica University of Technology, in a signing ceremony held at the group’s head office.
This five-year agreement will allow micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which are part of the JMMB SME Resource Center (JMMBSMERC) accelerator program, to benefit from the capacity building programs offered. by ICT, thus strengthening their expertise and the construction of their network, with the aim of helping these companies to develop and develop.
As part of this MOU, these MSMEs will have access to training and support services, as well as an initial Growth Wheel Assessment to review and further understand the strengths and areas for improvement of their businesses, so that a clear roadmap can be created to nurture, evolve and develop these businesses throughout their lifecycle.
Describing the partnership as a win-win partnership for MSMEs, Shani Duncan Falconer, Senior Business Director, JMMB Group SME Resource Center, said, “We are proud of this decision to sign a memorandum of understanding. agreement with the university, because it is in line with our commitment to build up a solid pool of business leaders endowed with principles and experts, who will be able to contribute positively to the recovery and growth of local and regional economies, while by building the communities in which they operate. Adding: “This is a meeting of the two worlds – academia and practice – to bode well for entrepreneurs, in their transition from fledgling businesses to familiar names.”
Leadership skills
Through this partnership, MSMEs will have the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and capacity building, through training sessions on a range of topics including: accounting and taxation, financial management, marketing, business planning, project management, operations management, human resource management. , copyright and legal issues, ethics, trade negotiation and export planning.
Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, University of Technology, Jamaica, noted that this latest agreement with the JMMB Group is a testament to the indelible mark the Technology Innovation Center (TIC) continues to leave on the Jamaican economy by supporting small and medium enterprises. in their quest for growth. Established in 2002, the Technology Innovation Center (TIC) is a specialized unit of the Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), at the College of Business and Management, University of Technology of Jamaica. TIC is a full-service business incubator that supports the growth and development of start-up, tech-focused and technology-focused businesses in the residential program, as well as businesses in other industries, in its associated programs. and virtual.
Professor Gyles added that “UTech, Jamaica, is pleased to partner with the JMMB group on another initiative designed to create and support entrepreneurship and economic development in Jamaica, demonstrating the commitment of both institutions to strengthen MSMEs. Aligned with the university’s mandate, this agreement will enable collaborative research projects, technology initiatives, resource sharing and public education, which will benefit aspiring entrepreneurs and will undoubtedly help improve skills and competencies. competences of the current MSME framework. business owners. “
