New book on PoB for secondary schools

The book written by Mark Wilson together with Patrice Bowen and Anthony Rogers has ten chapters which cover the ten syllabus sections, with an appendix highlighting key points for the School-Based assessment on writing a business plan.

It attempts to show that business and entrepreneurship are for everyone, regardless of career choice and initial starting point.

Wilson who has worked since 1992 as a Caribbean researcher and writer, contributing to The Economist said there was a huge need for books like this as a lot of students are interested in business as a career.

“It is important for the material to be realistic, up to date and inviting to help teenagers understand business better,” he said.

It features case studies of more than 50 Caribbean businesses operating in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Belize and throughout the region.

They range from ANSA McAL and Trinidad Cement Limited to a roadside fruit vendor or 23- year-old electrician.

“Having the several case studies students can feel a sense of empowerment and think to themselves they can do the same things, the roads are there.

“It is no good saying a manager must do this, it is better to say that a manager did this and it worked or it didn’t. I tried wherever possible to give alternative views,” he said.

One notable case study is about 23-year-old electrician, Keston Price whose father died after being murdered a few years ago.

After his father’s death, he started to think more seriously about life and achieving his goals.

“I had my own tools already. I printed business cards and I now plan to print a advertising flier, to distribute around the community.

“I will target houses which have just been sold where they will be doing renovations. I am registering a business name-KJP Electrician...I have been working on my own for six months. I have the ability and skills,” he said.

The book also comes with a CD with more than 170 multiple-choice questions on the accompanying CD.

The CD also includes PowerPoint presentations covering the main teaching points from each chapter section as well as specimens of business documents, indicated by the reference within the text, self-marking multiple choice exercises, glossary, specimens of business documents relevant to syllabus and links to relevant business-related websites.

Wilson said it took him about a year to complete the book and he said he really enjoyed putting it together.

“I got the chance to visit Jamaica for a month so I had a chance to do interviews there and see Jamaica first hand and I also got the opportunity to visit Barbados as well,” he said.

He said he has gotten really good feedback from Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados and hopes in the next six months it would catch on in Trinidad and be in schools in September to assist those who would be writing exams in 2012 and 2013.

The book is available at Paper Based Normandie Hotel, St Ann’s, Charran’s Book Stores at San Juan, Trincity and Tunapuna and Mohammed’s Bookstore in Port-of-Spain, West Mall, High St, San Fernando.