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Why Join the BVICCHA As a BVICCHA member, you are a connected to a growing
network of like-minded business owners from various in-
dustries that share similar interests when it comes to busi-
ness and economic growth in the Virgin Islands. You are an
essential part of the collective voice that advocates for a
business-friendly environment for any size business to grow and suc-
ceed.
Visit our site (www.bviccha.org) and click JOIN on the
main menu!
cided to face what was
in front of them with-
out overanalysing it.
They simply put their
head down and went
to search for their
cheese.
Hem and Haw repeat-
edly went back to the
same place to check if
the cheese returned as
they could not imag-
ine ever having to go
somewhere else to get
cheese.
(cont on page 6)
Whether you are a
large company with
hundreds of employ-
ees or a sole proprie-
tor, you cannot say
that the COVID-19
pandemic has not af-
fected you in some
form or fashion.
In a few short weeks,
business as we know it
turned upside. The
strategic priorities of
2019 and 2020 are a
distant memory
against the current
backdrop.
Dr. Spencer Johnson
wrote a book called
Who Moved My
Cheese where four
characters (Sniff, Scur-
ry, Hem and Haw)
live in a maze and take
different approaches
to their chesses being
moved.
Sniff and Scurry de-
A New Business Reality for the Virgin Islands
J a n - M a r 2 0 2 0 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1
The Voice of Business
When you see
this icon, it
indicates that
more information
can be found on our
website.
Mission BVICCHA mission
is to empower,
educate and equip
businesses.
Values • Proactive
Lobby
• Economic
Empowerment
• Business
Legacy
Vision BVICCHA is the
confident and
proactive voice for
the business sector
and a driving force
for your business
success and national
socioeconomic
growth.
Advocacy
From the Chairman’s Desk:
Your Business is Our Business
At the beginning of this year when we looked out
hopefully at the dawning of a new decade in the 21st
Century, no one could have seen the dual crises we now
face. We at the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel
Association (BVICCHA) just want to encourage you that
we are here to support you in these tough times. We
stand behind our commitment to be your proactive voice
of business and continue to advocate the relevant
stakeholders and communicate to you the pertinent
information you need. Your Business Is Our Business!
We Got You! I want to remind us, from the self-
employed to large businesses, to lead from a new
paradigm as business leaders who understand that we
too are on the frontline of an economic crisis. We must
understand that the decisions we make will affect not
just our businesses but the society in which we live
because we are the backbone of the economy and are still
being called upon to efficiently and effectively provide
goods, services, employment and tax revenue because
our community needs us now more than ever.
I know it is unbelievable for all of us that just two years
ago we were going into recovery mode from a
tumultuous hurricane season. Before we could catch our
breaths, we find ourselves in the midst of a global health
-economic “hurricane” and are required again to shift
2019-2020 Board of Directors
CHAIRMAN
Shaina M. Smith Smith and Associates
PRESIDENT OF HOSPITALITY
Chaunci Cline Incline Business Group
V. PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS
Dr. Jerry Smith Therapy Group International Limited
V. PRESIDENT OF HOSPITALITY
Lorna Christopher Maria’s by the Sea
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Louis Potter Louis Potter and Associates
GENERAL DIRECTORS
Sinclair Flemming P3, Paper Plastic Products
Rochelle Lawrence HR Solutions
John Klein White Bay Villas
Robert Knock Road Town Wholesale and Riteway Food
Markets
Frank Mahoney FAM Worldwide
Janet Oliver BVI Charter Yacht Society
Kenneth Scarlett Lanx Lancis BVI
Nona Vanterpool Vanterpool Enterprises Ltd
Official Publication
LEADING IN THE
NEW NORMAL
• Open your next meeting or
one-on-one with a
personal question rather
than a question about
work. Start every
conversation with simple,
direct questions, like, “How
are you?” “How is your
family?” “Any
developments since
yesterday?” Before we
begin to talk about
business, we need to open
the door to these
conversations in authentic,
compassionate ways, and
keep that door open.
• Tell your direct reports
how you’re taking care of
yourself. If you step away
from your computer each
afternoon for a walk or to
FaceTime with your family,
sharing this will normalize
these important breaks and
open the conversation for
them to share how they’re
doing.
• Help your direct reports
prioritize by making a “do
not do” list. It’s anything
but business-as-usual right
now, and it’s very easy for
people to just keep doing
what they’ve always done
without asking what is
critical in this moment. By
creating a list of what isn’t
a priority right now, you’ll
empower your team to
focus their energy on the
projects and priorities that
matter most.
From Thrive Global
the way we think about and do business to survive and
eventually thrive again. When you have moments of
discouragement, because we all will, let us remember the words
of Dr. Steve Maraboli, “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we
get stronger and more resilient.” We as Virgin Islanders have
durability in our DNA, and we will be ‘first past the post’ because
we did as the sailors of old did; we knew when to tack our sails
when the winds changed direction. I urge us all to stand firm as
we safeguard lives and livelihoods in partnership with our
Government for the long haul ahead of us.
Our priority right now is the cross-industry advocacy task force
of business owners. We are currently planning how we can work
together to get more accomplished. It is important to advance
our socioeconomic recovery by developing solutions for local
economic diversification, enhancing our regulatory framework
for ease of doing business, identifying regional trading
partnerships, diversifying our supply chain, and building
disaster reduction resilience systems. We will also be providing
webinars on various topics to equip you and your team with
needed skillsets in this season such as remote working. To stay
connected, join or sign up for our mailing list on our website at
www.bviccha.org to get updates and you can also email us your
ideas and concerns at [email protected]. Be safe and be well.
Interim Chairman,
BVICCHA
We Are Open! Adequate safety and health measures can help stop or slow the spread of the virus and contribute to more resilient businesses and workers’ wellbeing.
• Make sure that staff know he symptoms of COVID-19 and how to prevent infection.
• P r o m o t e p h y s i c a l distancing and good hygiene at your workplace, or telework if possible.
• P r o v i d e p r o t e c t i v e equipment like gloves and masks to workers who are more at risk and involve staff in the decisions that affect their safety.
• If staff are teleworking, put in place measures to combat isolation and think of how to help balance work, family, and personal life.
Even during a crisis, employers have a duty to ensure safe and healthy working conditions, while staff have a duty to cooperate with employers and adopt healthy behaviours.
Finally, with every change continually assess the risks and manage them.
The wellbeing of all depends on everyone working together.
Adapted from ILO
Prevention and Mitigation of
COVID-19 at Work—Action List
The International Labour Organization (ILO), who sets labour
standards, develop policies and devise programmes
promoting decent work for all women and men, has created a
checklist and management tool that can be used to implement
practical actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19
pandemic at the workplace. The successful implementation of
the tool is dependent on the cooperation between employers,
supervisors and workers to make positive changes in the
workplace to improve response to and preparedness for
COVID-19. Employers should involve workplace safety and
health committees or safety delegates in the process.
Download the checklist: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/
groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/
publication/wcms_740941.pdf
WHO and public health authorities around the world are
taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However,
long term success cannot be taken for granted. All sections of
our society – including businesses and
employers – must play a role if we are to stop
the spread of this disease.
Visit our website for more information.
—www.bviccha.org
now!
3. Leave A Review: Not all stimulation has to
be with money. You can show support by
leaving a review on their website or social
media pages. Let people know our business-
es are well loved and worth visiting or call-
ing.
4. Promote Social Media: Visit
a local’s businesses page and
LIKE, LIKE, LIKE, SHARE,
SHARE, SHARE, and
COMMENT, COMMENT,
COMMENT. This will help
increase their post rankings
and engagements. When
the business is able to
open and promote,
more people will be
able to see the posts be-
cause you did your part by
engaging the page.
5. Subscribe: Visit their website and social me-
dia pages. Subscribe. Be notified when they
have new information or postings. Stay in
the know and share with your friends, fami-
ly, and colleagues. This will help grow their
following.
We have to shop local and invest in our local
business community if we want to build a vi-
brant Virgin Islands. In spite of economic and
social concerns, the only way for us to ‘get back
up’ is to support the growth of our locally
owned businesses. We must do it. It’s not gov-
ernments job. Government governs; businesses
do business.
Let’s go shopping (locally)!
By Keiyia J. George, Executive Director
As the business community prepares to open
their businesses, we must be stay ahead in our
preparations to prevent new cases of COVID-19.
Social distances isn’t a norm for us and it often
has a negative impact on the economy. We all
know that public health is the main priority for
us, it doesn't change the fact that foot traffic and
social gatherings are a major part
of our society and helps
generate revenue to sustain
operations and make payroll.
In our new norm, businesses
must find new ways to serve
their customers.
At the time of this writing, several restaurant
and service based businesses have shifted
their thinking and offerings by offering
either curbside pick up or delivery and over
the phone payments. Support businesses as
they begin to open. Call your favorite retailer,
restaurant, or service provider to inquire about
their options.
See this list to see what can be done from the
comfort of your home.
1. Buy A Gift Card: You can purchase the ser-
vice you will need or will give by getting
gift card or certificate now and cashing it in
later! This is one sure way to keep doors
open and the backbone of our economy
flourishing. It can also help keep some peo-
ple employed during these time.
2. Shop Online or Over the Phone: Nowa-
days, local shops are offering their goods on
Facebook or Instagram. Reach out to that
business and make an order. Visit their web-
site or call in an order. Your favorite restau-
rant will be open. Why not call them and see
what new dishes they have. Maybe they will
offer curbside pick up or home/office deliv-
ery. New conveniences are the new norm
Volume 1, Issue
Newsletter Date
B u s i n e s s N a m e
January
Sniff and Scurry adapted to their new reality. Our new reality
today is many businesses have been given little choice but to
close. Whether it is for a short period or permanently, these
closures have a domino effect on our local economy. But now
is not the time to let fear creep in. Rather, embrace the change
and let opportunity flow!
Take this time to learn how to survive. There are many touting
that you have to learn a new skill now or you are deemed a
failure, but your successes are YOUR successes and if learning
to survive is what you were able to do at this point, then SUR-
VIVE! Surviving isn’t doing what Hem and Haw did. Instead,
do what Sniff and Scurry did and adjust. You may find that
you want things to go back to normal, but normal has been re-
defined. Don’t take your time looking for your ‘cheese’ in the
same places but evolve and recognize that to truly survive,
you’ve got to take a step in a different direction at some point.
This is where the BVICCHA comes in. With our Business Sup-
port Services for members and non-members (there are perks
to being a member), we are with you every step of the way to
not only survive, but to WIN!!!! You can consider this program
to be a mentor program when needed, a support system when
called upon, or simply a springboard to bounce ideas on. We
are here for you!
For the Sniff and Scurry business owners, we are creating new
content and programs to support your new ventures. For in-
stance, remote working is a new concept for some. How will
this affect your business model? Will your staff be as produc-
tive? What does the new bottom-line look like for you? Will
your revenue decrease or increase with this model? BVICCHA
is currently working to provide workshops and trainings to
cope with the newness of the environment we have been
thrust into.
No matter where you are, creeping or crawling, the Chamber
has your back. Email us today at [email protected] and allow
us to help you navigate the new waters we are in. And never
forget, WE GOT YOU!
By Keiyia J. George, Executive Director
Come by the office to pick up your
copy of the latest edition of Visit BVI,
the Chamber’s magazine.
Member Spotlight
Volume 1, Issue 1
Newsletter Date
B u s i n e s s N a m e
February
As we navigate through this challenging season, we all have
more questions, than answers. "Your voice of business"
answered a series of business questions during our Chamber
Talk - FB Live Edition that were submitted via email to
[email protected] or registered on our COVID-19 concern forms
(https://www.bviccha.org/form/view/19442). You can find
the discussion from our panel on our Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/BVICCHA/videos/1074145086301933/). Let’s not forget Our National
Culinary Team. Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the com-
petition they were preparing for
had to be postponed. The team
is looking to make the competi-
tion in Miami this fall or when
the Caribbean Hotel and Tour-
ism Association announces the
new date. Contact the Chamber
at [email protected] to offer your
support or submit your invest-
ment in the team. Thank you in
advance.
Member Spotlight
Chamber News
Volume 1, Issue 1
Newsletter Date
F e b r u a r y
JY Harbour View Marina
James Young, East End
1 (284) 496-0165
Restaurants & Specialty Dining
Khoy's Mailing and Delivery Service
PO Box 3252
Main Street
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 494-4539
Mail Services/Shipping
Maclyn Maintenance Services Ltd.
PO Box 4734
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 346-1995
Landscaping, Cleaning Services
2 Equipped Brokers
P.O.Box 3252 pmb1017
Road Town, BVI VG1110
1 (284) 441-2156
Government
AIM Consulting
PO Box 3521
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 443-9836
Consultants
BVI Springs
Purcell
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
Ferry Service
Creative Creations
PO BOX 2246
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 544-6078
Event Planning
Driftwood Spa
Freshwater Pond
West End, Tortola VG1130
1 (284) 540-1526
http://www.driftwoodspabvi.com
Beauty Salons/Spas
Evolution Hair and Nail Salon
Greenland, Tortola VG1120
1 (284) 346-8722
http://www.evolutionbeautybvi.com
Beauty Salons/Spas
Did you know that the BVICCHA and Royal BVI Yacht Club (RBVIYC) are Event Organizers of the BVI
Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival. The Spring Regatta company is managed by a board of Directors. The day-
to-day operations are ran by a Director.
At the end of March, we should have been finishing up our annual selling festival. You may have noticed a
red and white striped flag on the image above. That flag is the ‘postponement’ flag. It’s is normally used
when the race is not on schedule and has been postponed…which is what has happened. Don’t worry
though, the board and committee are watching and preparing for when they can set a new date for the event.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Newsletter Date
s
RKG Consulting Group
P.O. Box 4005
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 442-1942
http://rkgconsultinggroup.com
Consultants
Total Look Beauty Salon
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 441-7405
Beauty Salons/Spas
Top Priority Security Company
P.O. Box 146
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 494-4954
Security Services
ManJack Creamery
PO Box 3521
1st Floor, Cutlass Tower
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 496-8414
Food & Beverage/Catering
The Mariner Club Hotel Ltd
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 393-2331
Restaurants & Specialty Dining
MediaOne
PO Box 2900
East End, Tortola VG1120
1 (284) 499-1328
Marketing
Synergy HR VI
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 499-4999
http://www.hrsynergyvi.com
Human Resource Services
Paradize Water Sports
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 346-0469
Entertainment
Pussers British West Indies, Ltd
Lower Estate Road
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
1 (284) 494-2467
http://www.pusssers.com
Restaurants & Specialty Dining
Business Continuity and COVID-19 Business Townhall
Guadeloupe Business Cruise Mission Networking
Chamber News
Volume 1, Issue 1
Newsletter Date
B u s i n e s s N a m e
March
Member Spotlight
Newsletter Design:
RKG Consulting Group
www.rkgconultinggroup.com
Newsletter Editor:
Keiyia Jackson-George,
Executive Director, BVICCHA
British Virgin Islands Chamber of
Commerce and Hotel Association
Tropic Isle Building
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
284. 494.3514
www.bviccha.org
Let’s Connect:
Twitter: @BVICCHA
Facebook: @BVICCHA
Instagram: @BVIChamber
Your Voice of Business
Chamber News
