News

Teamwork key to PSOJ workplace wellness success

Published

7 years ago

December 29, 2016

Kingston, Jamaica, December 26, 2016 – Members of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica’s (PSOJ) team, who participated in the 2016 staging of the National Health Fund’s (NHF) ‘Work it Out’ Challenge, proved that teamwork is pivotal to the success of any group activity. The five members lost a combined 125 pounds in the workplace weight-loss competition to place second overall.

The group comprised team captain, Kisha-Kay Walker, who lost 40 pounds; Michelle Scarlett – 31 pounds; Sheryl Barnes – 23 pounds; Jason Nelson – 20 pounds; and Prudence Gentles –11 pounds. Two of the members also received individual honours. Mr. Nelson, the sole male, placed second in the male individual category, while Ms. Walker finished third in the female equivalent.

Ms. Walker tells JIS News that a collective approach was taken by the team, with each member conforming to the agreed strategies. “The key to our success was that we did not look at it as an individual effort; there was no ‘I’ nor ‘you’ in this. So if we were going on a particular diet for a week, it was the team that would do it. Similarly, if we were going to the gym or to dance, it was always about the team,” she explains, adding that wardrobe synchronization also enhanced the cohesion.

“We were wearing the same colours to train in every day. We decided on the colours and every day of the week we were similarly decked out. Then it got contagious. Other members of the organization were interested in doing exercises with us and they became our motivators,” the team captain further states.

Ms. Walker says that after experimenting with several dietary combinations on their own, the members realized they needed additional professional help. “We needed someone to come in and motivate us and we turned to Stokely Rose of TrainFit Club, who we found through the kind assistance of nutritionist, Frances Mahfood,” she informs.

Mr. Rose tells JIS News that the interaction emphasized, among other things, the need for self-motivation by team members. “I just came in and helped with guiding them to a place where they wanted to be. When I met them, they indicated that they wanted to do (the NHF challenge)..;(and) we tried to build team cohesion,” he explains. Mr. Rose said the importance of members doing all of their activities together was strongly emphasized.

In support of this, a communication channel utilizing social media was also established for the group to enable members to keep in touch with each other. Mr. Rose also ensured that they got wider motivational support from TrainFit, noting that the members were included in the entity’s social media activities, including morning inspiration. “We also got them to come into our space to work out among other persons which, I think, helped greatly. We went for versatility…they didn’t just do one thing or one set of activities,” he adds

Mr. Rose tells JIS News that he successfully co-opted the input of another trainer, attached to In-Motion Gym, in preparing his charges, and expresses gratitude to the management of that entity for also allowing them to use their facilities. The activities at In-Motion Gym incorporated exercise sessions as well as boot camps.

Mr. Rose believes that the PSOJ team’s collective effort paid off and that in Ms. Walker, they had a strong motivational leader. He also had particularly high praise Mr. Nelson’s effort in the endeavor. “I know that for a male, it is easier to lose weight; but that is not necessarily what men want to do. Males are not very receptive to losing weight. They always want to gain weight and muscle and look a certain way; so kudos to him for having accepted the challenge. Because the competition is geared towards encouraging men’s health, it was necessary for a man to be involved,” he says.

Mr. Rose also pointed out that Ms. Walker was “on his case” daily, emphasizing the need to lose weight. He says Mr. Nelson’s response “told me something…about him being a team player…because, as a trainer, I know the challenge with getting young men involved (in this kind of activity).”

Mr. Rose said Mr. Nelson displayed none of the “overwhelming insecurities” towards weight loss that, on average, characterize some men. “I think it was the motivation from the team and attention to self that made him want to lose the weight; and he lost 20 pounds which is very inspiring…I am very proud of him,” Mr. Rose adds.

Mr. Nelson tells JIS News that he feels gratified. He said the challenge was initially difficult, but is grateful to the team members for motivating him. “I feel very proud. Before I lost weight, I used to sweat a lot, especially in the morning when coming to work. Now I don’t sweat that much anymore and I feel much lighter on my feet. I feel revived and more energized,” he declares.

Ms. Walker says consequent on her newly sculpted svelte figure, she has had to adjust her wardrobe extensively to ensure her clothes are the perfect fit. She points out that many of her associates, colleagues and friends are amazed by the outcome of the challenge on her. Ms. Walker says persons who “finally figure out that it’s me”, after not recognizing her initially, have queried the secret to her success. “I have introduced friends to (the challenge) and now they have formed teams (that are preparing) for next year’s (renewal),” she adds.

Ms. Barnes tells JIS News that the challenge’s outcome has piqued the interest of the PSOJ’s wider staff, noting that several of them have been initiating their own engagements, similar to what obtains with the NHF challenge. “Everybody would come into my office, where the scale is kept, to weigh each week. So different groups (have set) their targets… and we (have) shared the different (formulas) that we got,” she adds.

The NHF ‘Work it Out’ Challenge emphasizes diet and physical activity as healthy ways to lose weight. Improving dietary habits and increasing physical activity help in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases and can significantly improve control of these conditions. The NHF is deeply involved in health promotion in several areas, including the workplace. Workplace wellness is emphasized, given the challenges of desk-bound jobs and growth in chronic illnesses from inactivity and improper diets.

photo credit: JIS

Bahamas News

Freeport Business Expo to connect Grand Bahama businesses and entrepreneurs to expert resources

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited

April 29, 2024 – Freeport, The Bahamas – In line with its mission to create a stronger, more connected Freeport economy, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is pleased to share details of the upcoming Freeport Business Expo: Tourism Edition, taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Grand Lucayan Convention Center in Grand Bahama.

“As the GBPA continues its work to attract investors to Freeport, we offer this showcase of local and international businesses offering services and opportunities to potential and existing licensees,” stated Ian Rolle, GBPA President. “This Expo will not only connect unique international service providers with Bahamian entrepreneurs aiming to introduce new tourist attractions, but also bring together financing institutions to support Bahamian-owned start-ups and existing businesses in the industry.”

The emphasis on tourism at the 2024 Expo ensures that those in tourism-focused businesses are certain to benefit. The event will offer opportunities to meet potential business partners, gain insight on financial opportunities, engage with leaders in workshops and one-on-one sessions, and get answers on starting a Freeport business and obtaining a GBPA license.

“We regularly host community business expos,” said Glendia Sweeting, Manager of Quality Assurance and Special Projects. “But we recognize the significant benefit of an expo focused on enhancing tourism business offerings through connecting international service providers and Bahamian entrepreneurs. We have more than thirty local and national exhibitors taking part on May 2^nd, along with several international service providers.”

Multiple investment projects currently in progress and planned in the city of Freeport is creating anticipation for existing and potential entrepreneurs and this expo is geared towards preparing them for these opportunities. “Grand Bahama is going to experience a significant growth spurt in the next one to three years. I would strongly encourage everybody who wants to get involved in business to look at Grand Bahama as one of the top choices, especially over the next three years,” said Mr. Rolle.

The Expo opens on Wednesday, May 1^st with a welcome reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A full day of learning and networking opportunities follows on Thursday, May 2^nd. GBPA’s partners in the Freeport Business Expo include:

Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board
Ministry for Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce
Ministry of Tourism
Bahamas Immigration
Bahamas Customs
Five Star Shipping Company
Viva Wyndham Fortuna
Bahamas Air
Grand Lucayan Hotel

Registration for access to the Expo’s exhibitors is free, and all-access passes are available for purchase. Event details and registration information may be found at freeportbusinessexpo.com.

Bahamas News

Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement Signed between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas — A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province.

The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama represented The Bahamas at the signing.

His Excellency Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Yang Peiran, Interpreter represented the People’s Republic of China.

Minister Moxey explained that in February 2022, she and the former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dai Qingli began discussion on the establishment of a province-island relationship between Hunan Province and Grand Bahama Island because of their “immense synergy”.

“Hunan has a vibrant creative industry and its capital city, Changsha is known as the entertainment capital of China, whilst Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of entertainment in ‘Our Bluepoint for Change’.”

She said Hunan Province boasts 11 industrial sectors and Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of The Bahamas. Further, innovation driven development has been a new driving force for Hunan, while Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of innovation for The Bahamas.

Minister Moxey said she is confident that an exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture will happen between the residents of Hunan Province and Grand Bahama.

“There is potential for robust trade in various sectors, opportunities for tourism promotion and intercultural appreciation, exchanges to support performing arts programs on our island, foster growth within the Orange Economy, and tap into China’s innovation, technology and vast expertise.”

She said that the formal signing aligns with the mission of Sister Cities International, which is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one community at a time.

The Minister said, “Through collaborative programs and initiatives, this connection will support the government’s vision to diversity Grand Bahama’s economy to become the Home of Maritime and Logistics, Home of Events and Entertainment and Home of Innovation.”

She noted that in addition to signing the agreement, she looks forward to Grand Bahama residents benefitting from the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Central South University and University of The Bahamas (UB), which will expand educational and technical cooperation between the two universities. The northern campus of UB is located in Grand Bahama.

His Excellency Mao Weiming said although geographically far apart, China and The Bahamas are friends with mutual respect and understanding as well as sincerity.

He explained that 27 years ago, both countries established diplomatic relations and China and The Bahamas have deepened their cooperation, strengthened their friendship and carried out many activities in the field of economy, trade and people-to-people exchange.

His Excellency recalled that in August 2022, he and Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis had a video conference where they both reached a consensus to cooperate in order to usher a new chapter in the relationship between Hunan and The Bahamas.

“Today, we are here to sign a sister-to-sister relationship between Hunan and Grand Bahama. It is [a] concrete move to implement our consensus reached before and also to embark on a new journey of friendly exchanges.”

He added, “By establishing the relationship of sister cities, I believe the two sides will develop further in terms of economic and trade cooperation, people to people exchange, as well as friendship, and we will embrace new opportunities and deliver concrete benefits for the two peoples.”

He explained that Hunan, which is the home town of Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, has developed very advanced industries of manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture as well as tourism.

His Excellency said he believes that Hunan and Grand Bahama enjoy very broad room for cooperation.

He said, “More efforts should be made to conduct cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, culture, education and the film industry so as to realize a connectivity between our two sides in terms of logistics and the platform cooperation; so as to deliver concrete benefits for the people and to make our due contribution to the bilateral relationship between China and The Bahamas.”

PHOTO CAPTION

A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province. The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Shown from left: Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Peiran, Interpreter H.E. Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)

Bahamas News

Nassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim to increase food security for The Bahamas.

The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,

Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.

“I had the privilege to listen to the presentations and review presentations that touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors that we have each year,” he said.

“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”

Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate. Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,” she said.

“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors when this amazing renovation is done.”

Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.

“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.