The 2008-09 GAC group did their Business 2 presentations on Sat. Despite severe rainfall all the students were on time and dressed as business executives.
Shoghi Mantri was first with his business proposal for an internet based business called –Business Networking Systems. He was going to set up an internet directory and sell advertising space. He hoped to attract customers with low prices and a free basic listing. Next Nicole Tjon Kie Sim who was voted the best dressed of the group told us about Tjon’s Souvenirs – a proposal to create a new and unique souvenir business in the center of Paramaribo. Her business competitive edge was her staff training and specially created local items. The third presentation was done by Marciano Proeve. He described in great detail a plan to set up an entirely new business in Suriname – an eco –friendly suite of services that included food, spa treatment, an exercise facility and a store with organic products. His entity was called, Cloud Nine and its slogan was simply ‘Treat Yourself”. The audience felt that this business plan was not only well presented but carefully developed after much research.
Seon Gomes presented his plan for a new kind of restaurant for Suriname called Cajun Cuisine. He hoped that Suriname’s love for spicy foods would lead them to his restaurant. His competitive edge was an emphasis on seafood. Most of his potential competitors focus on meat based recipes. David Chen gave a spirited and well documented presentation on Sentient Arts Studio—his music school. He was going to hire teachers on contract and his business was going to be a nonprofit foundation.
Vijoya Taylor’s plan was to set up a new coffee shop in the main street in Paramaribo quite near to two current coffee shops. Her company –Tea, Coffee and Company would attract customers with exotic teas and coffees from the best locations worldwide. Her competitive edge would be the ambience she would create in her shop. Her logo was regarded as one of the more eye catching of the group. She, too, showed that she had done both literature and direct research for her project.
Three students from the business and accounting group also presented business plans. Jess Ligeon and Gabrielle Goedhart chose businesses appealing to sports fans. Jess had a tight knit proposal to launch "Pro Tennis "--which would target all tennis players in Suriname. His business would have low start up costs and would maximise his tennis playing and tennis raquet stringing skills.Pro Tennis had no competitors as there is not yet a dedicated tennis business in Suriname.
Gabrielle aimed to compete head on with other sports stores presently operating by focusing on sports gear that was authentic and of high quality. Her aim was to enlist both government and legal support to see that copyright laws relating to sports material was enforced. She would drive traffic to her store-"Gabinho"- not only with quality service but with innovative store design. She would also develop women's football and use women's events to drive traffic to her unique store.
Jason Nelom's idea was to create a leisure area called " JJ's Haven". His target market was the young and adventurous. He would comptete directly with two main competitors by offering lower cost for services and by having a really different riverside business.
Ms. Hortense Taylor, the Business 2 Facilitator, praised the group for their research and their presentations while noting some of the usual short comings. One feature of the event was the stringent and focused questions asked by the audience. It was quite clear that they had grasped several of the key business concepts that were taught in this course. All the students in the group dealt with audience questions in a competent, businesslike fashion. All the presentations were filmed.
