Editor’s DeskBy Jane L. BromeIthink by now we’re all familiar withthe drill: Competition’s up, costsare increasing, profits are down <strong>and</strong>everything you’re doing is changing. Underthe current circumstances, most of us arereeling — out of breath, out of time, <strong>and</strong>probably out of what’s left of our minds given the new thrust inthe direction of thinking outside the box. Since the financial crisishas laid waste to business as usual, it’s time to do somethingdifferent. But what? And more specifically, how?Well we can’t tell you what to do <strong>and</strong> we certainly can’t tell youhow either. But the way I see it, the world is brimming withpotential. The economic future will be populated by the movers<strong>and</strong> shakers willing to put their creative imagination to work,willing to take a risk <strong>and</strong> daring to st<strong>and</strong> out in the crowd.To be counted among this elite grouping however dem<strong>and</strong>s alittle more than simply a willingness to do something different.This edition, with the theme, Forget Resolutions, ThinkRevolutions is really intended to kick start revolutionarythinking.Trade Shows, Expos <strong>and</strong> Conferences<strong>Export</strong> Workshop, June 8 th , 2011The <strong>Export</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>and</strong> Promotion Division of the <strong>Barbados</strong> <strong>Investment</strong>& <strong>Development</strong> Corporation will be hosting a workshop targeted at exportersunder its Market <strong>Development</strong> Programme as well as potential exportersinterested in exporting to the UK. It will be facilitated by the BIDC’s UKMarket Access Representative, Mr. Peter Martin <strong>and</strong> major UK importer,Mr. Alex<strong>and</strong>er Douglas of Dees Caribbean Imports. Some of the topics tobe covered are: Product Suitability, Market Dem<strong>and</strong>, <strong>Marketing</strong>/Promotionof Products, Timely <strong>and</strong> Consistent Supply of Products, Pricing, Ingredients/Allergens, Packaging, Long Term Business Planning for <strong>Export</strong> <strong>and</strong> NewProduct <strong>Development</strong>.CONTACT: dlawrence@bidc.orgBMEX 2011, June 10 th -13 th , 2011<strong>Barbados</strong>’ largest manufacturers’ exhibition, BMEX 2011 comes off this yearat the Lloyd Erskine S<strong>and</strong>iford Centre under the theme ‘Innovation throughInspiration’. Hosted by the <strong>Barbados</strong> Manufacturers’ Association (BMA)it allows participants to showcase products <strong>and</strong>/or services to a diverseinternational audience.CONTACT: www.bmex.bbThere is a saying that “If you always do what you’ve always done,you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” So beyond just sayingyou’re going to make a change, we want to encourage you tolook at new approaches to businesses in 2011. Timed to coincidewith the start of fiscal year for most businesses, as opposed tothe calendar year, this edition focuses on revolutionizing keyprocesses <strong>and</strong> functions to achieve new targets <strong>and</strong> results.It includes coverage of new market penetration, changingapproaches to export marketing, <strong>and</strong> strategies to improve thebusiness climate. It includes also executive coaching advice onnew year revolutions <strong>and</strong> goal setting.It’s ironic that most of us go through life studying what successfulpeople did <strong>and</strong> trying to emulate that success by doing the samething. The irony is that most of the time, when the successfulones did it, they were doing something different. By the time weget around to copying them, it’s no longer unique.You simply have to find a way to be different <strong>and</strong> to do thingsdifferently if you want to succeed.Caribbean Fashion Week, June 14 th - 20 th , 2011The Caribbean’s largest fashion event takes place at the Nation Indoor SportsCentre, Jamaica.CONTACT: www.caribbeanfashionweek.comTaste of the Caribbean, June 22 th - 27 th , 2011Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel <strong>and</strong> Tourism Association, this year’s edition ofTaste of the Caribbean is expected to be a much improved <strong>and</strong> larger eventwith more teams, a consumer oriented food fair, greater destination marketingopportunities.CONTACT: www.caribbeanhotelassociation.comDesign Caribbean, September 1 st - 4 th , 2011Caribbean’s artisans have another important opportunity to show off theirproducts to regional, international <strong>and</strong> diaspora buyers. The region’s foremosttrade show, Design Caribbean, is scheduled for, Santo Domingo, DominicanRepublic <strong>and</strong> will attract buyers from North America, Europe <strong>and</strong> theCaribbean. All artisans engaged in design in the region can participate in theDesign Caribbean trade show.CONTACT: info@designcaribbean.com orvisit www.designcaribbean.com<strong>Barbados</strong> Business Catalyst • January - March 20115