Dear Editor,

Jamaicans are crying out for jobs and in response the state has been encouraging entrepreneurship which I believe is very important. Indeed, in order to create new jobs, some new businesses have to be formed. However, there are some problems that face some Jamaican-owned businesses that must be dealt with in order for us to be better entrepreneurs. Chief among these problems are poor customer service skills and lack of respect for time.

I have had many personal experiences where the level of customer service I received leaves a lot to be desired. So many of our customer service representatives who are sometimes business owners carry out their task with what I will refer to as a "take it or leave it attitude". This leaves one to question whether or not they are aware that one dissatisfied customer could easily result in 100 lost customers.

With regard to timing, so often you visit a business place with a sign that says "Open at 9 am". Yet, up to 9:30 am or even 10:00 am the business is still closed. Should you linger, you are likely to witness the operator(s) strolling in with no sense of urgency. Again, you have to ask: "Are they aware that time is money in the business world?"

I believe that these and other such issues happen because not many Jamaicans take the time to learn good business practices before becoming a business operator, or even afterwards. Therefore, I wish to suggest that compulsory training in this regard should be a necessity for licensing a business.

Starting a business is good, but maintaining such and being viable will make the difference.

Patricia Clarke

Claremont, St Ann

nardia.dixon@yahoo.com