Brand Jamaica to the World
Author : teriann’Anything foreign must be good.’ I remember hearing those words from various people all through my childhood. I must admit I never really gave them much thought. However, recent events now have me thinking about how we feel about our home. I know that our Jamaican products are just as good if not better than those imported so why do we still continue to believe the statement above?
We need to support our local businesses and I think that will go a long way to boost our brand. Of course, we need other countries to buy our products too. That’s where our image comes into play, as no one wants to do business in an uncertain environment. Let us continue to show our support to our Jamaican businesses! Visit the National Arena on June 17-20, 2010, where Expo Jamaica will showcase Jamaican products and services.
Teri Ann Renee Paisley (gleaner on-line writer)
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40 Responses to “Brand Jamaica to the World”
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Agree, Ja local products are at times better than the “Made in China” label.
I agree with ms paisley abouth the mith that jamaican think everything from foreign is good the worst of anything bad in jamaica came from foreign, think about the milk powder that was tainted with radio active particles they send to jamaica in the eighties,the big heavy guns that is killing thousand of jamaican,the white women who came in the eighties with aids then rent a dread to spread it in jamaica,,diportee,from america,deasease poppin up that never exixt in jamaica before, the new plants and bugs inported in the country killing native plant this a few of the relly bad thing whick come from foreign I think more jamaican should get sober and stop thinking like that
Dear Teri Ann,
Brand Jamaica is very powerful, but it requires a conserted and collective effort. Too many companies are competing with each other in the overseas markets. Whilst free market is encouraged, Jamaica has to become more organised and smaller companies need to work together.
We need to start tracking down companies that are using the Jamaican Brand name illegally.
Expo2010 can be powerful, but if the intention is not there then it is just another trade show and pr excercise.
regards
Eroll
Well let’s be positive Eroll there is always a chance that if enough people come together we can change how things are done.
great article . i totally agree
Definately, agree! For too long Jamaicans have sat back, folded their arms, and allowed every other country to ‘buy us out’. All our noble industries have weathered away — King Sugar, Banana, Cocoa, Coffee etc. while our people suffer hunger and unemployment! Arise mighty people of Jamaica, Let’s eat what we grow and grow what we eat, let’s support the industries of our Jamaican brethren- Jamaica To The World! One Love.
Let’s hope everyone responds to the call!
Powerful words from SweetVicky…”Arise Mighty People of Jamaica” EACH OF US HAVE A DUTY TO SELL JAMAICA TO THE WORLD. Lets do it by supporting Expo Ja in whatever way we can!
I live overseas and I can tell anyone I love my Jamaican product bath soap, fabric softener,Patties,clothes just to name a few.Whenever I come to Jamaica I take back as much as I can take back with me. No mek nobody fool oonu Jamaican product is the best.
TeriAnn,
I agree. Jamaica need to stop importing goods that is grown locally from other countries. Support the local farmers. Homegrown is much better and fresher than anything imported.
Iwas very suprised when i visited jamaica to see the amount of imported goods from china,goods of inferio quality on every street corner and in the shops.
Most of our people are very poor,and to buy thing of inferio quality only makes them poorer as they have to keep buying,which cost them a lot more over time.
our people are very talented and can do a lot better then importing rubish from china.
As one who has visited Jamaica over the past 37 years I agree that more should be done to promote all things Jamaican. I especially love the food and just finished up the brown stew chicken I made last monday. I grow callaloo, thyme and scotch bonnets so the recipes are as authentic as they can be in NY. I really love to eat Tasttee tinned cheese with fresh made coco bread. Jamaica also has a great history and the story should be promoted.
If we aim to supply our own needs first we could create many industries and employment opportunities for our own people, without needing imports. That’ll be a start. If we produce more than we need then that’s the time to look for external markets to trade with and that’ll be a bonus. But it seems to me we are trying to run before learning to walk. The competition is very strong among established markets with many sharks looking for ways to take away anything a young, green, unsuspecting newcomer emerges with. So be brave but take care.
I agree but we need to start somewhere so hopefully this is a first step in the right direction.
I’m amazed that J’cans don’t miss Jamaica until they live abroad and realize that the things they had free access to, are either no where to be found or costs an arm and a leg! Then suddenly everybody starts buying up all the J’can products…can’t get enough of JA abroad! Yet, you have people in JA lining up around the block to buy Burger King and McDonald’s meanwhile the J’can restaurants are empty because nobody wants their own native foods. Never mind all the containers bringing in the fruits that have been rejected overseas, but J’cans can’t get enough of the spoiled fruits that not even the small green grocers overseas want…hey, just send it to JA mon! And you wonder why so many of our people are dying of diseases that were practically nonexistent twenty years ago! SweetVicky you said it: Eat what we grow and grow what we eat, support our industries! With all the hormones that they inject into the products overseas it’s no wonder we’re all dying slowly…we’d be lucky if our bodies ever get the chance to decompose, we’re so cured already! Tek back yuh country…Tek back Jamaica!! Just do it!!
I am an American and whole-heartedly agree with all the Pro-JA product lovers above! Your products are of substance and quality! I purchase what I can when I am there, but rely on on-line shopping to get what we can’t get here! I notice there are very few on-line stores and what there are sell basically the same stuff. Music, foods and clothing seem to be well represented, but what about your beautiful art! On-line sales are global! Would love to see the JA Govenment procure a fund/grant type system that would assist buisness owners in the purchase, set-up, training of E-commerce. It would only benefit them in the long-run! JA government needs to invest in the JA people’s business and futures! Especially that of the children!
Respect!
Errol comment is positve, he is stating the fact
Its true you never seem to appreciate what you have until its gone!
Teriann, how about starting with a change in the banking system such that SME’s will get the backing and support needed to grow from small to large enterprises.
We are encumbered with a banking system set up to make rich people even richer on the backs of the very poorest. Ive heard the Greeks want Goldman Sachs out of their country – the way to go.
Instead what we should be embracing is the credit union system of banking and local business cooperatives. As you say we must start somewhere. I believe small to grow big and pooling of our individual strengths.
Hello! Keep up the good work. That was a interesting article. I am interested in hear more about this fascinating line of information. Bye. Greetings from The Entrance.
Dig it, Plant it,Eat it. Up you mighty race! China and the IMF(mainly America)are lending Jamaica money to buy their products because they know the Jamaican mentality. Let us free ourselves from mental slavery. Shalom.
I think I heard Michael Manley say the same thing many years ago and he was immediately branded “communist” and many flights left Jamaica with loads of people afraid of communism. Shame it took such a long time for so many to realize that foreign isn’t always better. Bigger shame is that some people still believe that to be true.
Grow what you eat; eat what you grow! Jamaican fruits and vegetables are still the best!
HEY PLEASE LOVE RESPECT AND APPRECIATE WHAT EVER JAMAICA HAS BECAUSE ITS THE BEST,WHEN IT COMES TO THE FOOD YOU CANT GET THE FRESH NICE ONES HERE LIKE JAMAICA YOU GO TO THE MARKET AND GET EVERY THING FRESH FRUITS VEGETABLES YOU NAME IT.HERE IN AMERICA FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE NOT FULL BEFORE THEY CUT OR PICK THEM THEY ARE NOT SWEET OR ENJOYABLE LIKE THE ONES BACK HOME.PLANTAINS HERE VERY RARE WHEN YOU FIND GREEN PLANTAINS THAT ARE FIT AND FULL,SOMETIMES THEY ARE ALL SKIN .REMEMBER THE BEST THINGS ARE BACK HOME IN JAMAICA.
CERTAIN FOODS I ONLY ENJOY WHEN I GO BACK TO JAMAICA ,BUT YOU CANT EVEN BRING BACK ENOUGH SO I BRING ENOUGH AS POSSIBLE WE NEED TO SUPPORT JA EXPO IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE .
LETS BRING BACK THE OLD JAMAICA EAT WHAT YOU HAVE STOP IMPORTING VEGETABLES,FRUITS AND MOST OF THOSE FOREIGN FOODS IN JAMAICA.
I usually don’t write comments on posts, but your post urged me to commend your writings. Thanks for writing this, I will surely favorite your site and come back once in awhile. Happy blogging.
Funny enough. I’ve travelled to a few countries, and things I see in stores branded MADE IN JAMAICA never have I seen some of them in our local stores. Most times mi cyaa afford dem atall, as they are high priced, guess its because of the quality, as our products brands are some of the best.
Jamaica brands to the World. We need to start supporting local products and the local products need to stay in Jamaican stores in vast quantity.
Great, this is exactly what my wife and I needed to learn
This site is a walk-through for all the information you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Look here, and you’ll definitely find it.
I think you have made some great points here. Not many people would actually think about this the way you just did. Im really impressed that theres so much about this great subject thats been uncovered and you did it so well. Good one, man! Really good stuff here.
Brilliant!i am sick and tired of comming home and buying american product from our super-market,knowing we have got the best top soil in jamaica. this is where our government comes in.
Thanks I hope to always present a fresh view on consumer related topics.
I believe in Jamaica. I doubt that I am the first Jamaican to utter those words. Yet, they seem to ring hollow especially given recent events. We begin to wonder if Jamaicans still believe in the magic of our country.
Jamaica is suffering real structural economic and social problems but it is also suffering from a huge image problem. Our Brand has taken a beating.
Jamaica needs a re-branding. The re-branding of Jamaica can become a very empowering and successful change, if done effectively. As a country we have shared and exported our greatness to the world, whether that has been with our music, athletes, our beautiful & talented people, our foods, our beaches, our dances or our unique language.
We speak about our trade surpluses and deficits. But, what about our Brand deficit? Maybe it is time for us to start managing our other exports more effectively.
Creating or redefining Jamaica as a brand will require us to ask ourselves some fundamental questions and then communicate those answers to the world and within our borders as well.
We need to ask ourselves: what makes us great and amazing? What do we do better than anyone else? what makes us unique in business, culture, entertainment, hospitality and most off all as a country?
What is the message that we are currently sending to the world and what message or brand statement would we like the world to embrace? What does Jamaica stand for or is willing to live by everyday?
We need to ask ourselves…..when Jamaica is mentioned, what is the first thought or image that comes to mind?
(You can ask yourself this even right now)
If Jamaica was contained in a box or package on the world shelf, why would you buy it? And why wouldn’t you?
I believe that a great brand offers a sincere promise. It is a promise to deliver all what has been communicated everyday without failure at any turn, as promised. (When we buy a can of Coca Cola, we expect to get Coca Cola when we open that tab because that is the promise, not to get milk or orange juice and certainly not Pepsi).
If we start with our core values and build from there, we could become amazing on the world stage and throughout every corner of the island.
Food for thought
M. Carter
I agree with you Micheal, let’s hope that enough people will take up the mantle of change.
I like your post.
Hello Guru, what entice you to post an article. This article was particularly fascinating, in particular since I was looking for opinion on this theme last Saturday.
Well, I agree with what you said, but not with all of it. Anyway, it’s all good reading. Well done!
Well this is very interesting indeed. Would love to read a little more of this. Great post. Thanks for the heads-up
to me its not that we so much believe in foreign things better than what we produce in Jamaica!.. but its because foreigners are very skilled on how to market their goods to others. included us!.. when one look at say for example carrots imports . which cost may 4 to 5 times less than our locally produce carrots!.. this is what is fooling our people!.. not because the product is better !..
We don’t have a strategy on how to produce goods with greater efficiency, so we can sell it cheaper so we can have more of our people buy what we produce locally!.. we tend to look at small produce for huge profit!.. and that’s what killing us to the competitions!…
we must start to look at long term growth and stretch out profits. not short term as we do now. where we are sinking ourselves with such thinking and actions!.. we badly need the UWI TO PRODUCE OR START TO PRODUCE SOME TOP MARKETING PEOPLE SO THEY CAN BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO MARKET BRAND JAMAICA MORE EFFICIENTLY. AND HAVE US BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!.. FOLLOWED BY NEW BLOOD IN POLITICS!. WHERE POLITICIANS ARE REALLY SERIOUS ON SEEING THE COUNTRY REALLY REBOUND TO ITS ONCE GLORY!…
If they cant find or produce leaders who are serious about the rebuilding of Jamaica!.. “Then I will have to come and rule like a dictator for the first 10 years . that’s what in my vision it will take to get every body to understand what we really are faced with and how we are going to get out of it and in such time frame every one will be ready to followed the rules and get our country back on its feet!.
there is a lot of baggage’s we have in our parliament now called politicians . we simply don’t need them!. they are of the slavish mentality!. so they only can see themselves staying in power and not seeing the country getting any better as long as they can draw a pay check!.
Excellent read. I observed your website from a google search, and was glad i did. The facts has helped me immensely.
I live in the USA. I always choose Jamaican product when buying goods, unless it’s a product not make in Ja that I like. I love to eat Jamaican. On another note, we should import goods that we can make in Jamaica. We should eat what we grow. Import less. This will increase our local market and employment. What are we importing from China that we cannot produce?.