CHIEF executive officer of the GEON Group of Companies, Reynold Scott, told students at the University of Technology (UTech) that he has written down his goals for the year, as part of his formula for success for each of the last 30 years.

The real estate developer, who is constantly reinventing himself, continues to learn and keeps himself healthy in order to remain successful, he told the students at the university last Thursday.

“You need vision, not dreams. Plan with imagination. Write down your goals. For over 30 years, I have written down my goals each year – of what I am going to do for the entire year,” said Scott, who was speaking at the eighth annual awards ceremony of UTech’s Faculty of the Built Environment.

A devout Christian, Scott’s written plan states what he intends to do for God, his family and for his company. He also urged students to keep healthy, believe in themselves and challenge themselves to complete difficult tasks on a regular basis.

“Motivate yourself to turn out better work than others. Learn to accept failure early because most entrepreneurs fail more than once before their successful venture,” he said.

In addition, Scott – also president of the Jamaica Developers’ Association – challenged the students to continue their education.

“Life is life-long learning. Even a graduation is a stepping stone to another graduation. Read as much as you can, because that is the only way you will keep ahead of the competition constantly nipping at your heels,” he noted. “Finally, give back to your school and your community.”

The developer called on more young people to develop their entrepreurial capabilities. “There are too many persons dabbling in get-rich-quick schemes. That is not it,” he warned.

Explaining the concept of his company, GEON, Scott said he was able to bring together in a single entity the various professionals needed for projects to be successful. He said because he was able to partner with industry professionals, such as engineers, land surveyors and quantity surveyors, as well as property owners and purchasers, he was able to reduce his dependence on bank financing.

“Since I am using other people’s money, I can reduce the demand on the bank borrowing and share that with the various partners,” he said.

A former nominee for the Jamaica Observer’s Business Leader of the Year Award, Scott told the gathering that as an entrepreneur, he is driven by his Christian values.

“It seems that I have always been ready to support the less privileged… GEON isn’t driven by money, it’s driven by its values,” he said.

UTech president Professor Errol Morrison – in a message delivered in his absence by Sandra Glasgow, senior vice-president for corporate services – said he was pleased that the faculty was focusing on entrepreneurship as a catalyst for wealth creation and economic development in Jamaica. The UTech president also noted that there was an urgent imperative for the university to broaden its revenue-base.

“This faculty is well poised to make a significant contribution to diversifying the university’s revenue stream, through the use of the considerable human capital available,” he said in the message .

Glasgow commented, as head of a division that includes facilities management, that she was urging the faculty to work closely with her division to develop the university to create opportunities for lecturers and students to generate revenue.

“We are spending money outside, when we could be spending it right here,” she said.

George Blankson, meanwhile, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Faculty for more than 25 years, while Carmin Kirkland was presented with a long service award.

Lydia Nelson was presented with the E Nadine Isaacs Architecture Award for the Caribbean School of Architecture Student of the Year, while Daveia Angus received the Gentech Award for the School of Building and Land Management Student of the Year.