Dayne PattersonHi-Pro Business Development Manager

Share with us your earliest memory of Kingston.

All my early memories include my family, especially during Christmas dinners, which are a production. We are a big fun bunch, always celebrating something.

What have your parents taught you about marriage?

Let me just declare: I love my parents. Those two have been happily married for 39 years. They have taught me the importance of partnership, having someone to rely on and raising a family with the right ethics. Being on the same page with morals and values in raising a child is critical. Out of that, you get a Dayne Patterson.

What’s your middle name?

Alexander.

How would you describe today’s business development manager?

Eyes always looking around, ears always to the ground, and a strong dose of intestinal fortitude to see and go after opportunities where others see nothing. A key skill is the building of partnerships with win/win opportunities. When I think of Denbigh Agricultural Show, for instance, I see a partnership between Jamaica Agricultural Society and Hi-Pro which through visioning and reshaping has been able to maintain its position on the calendar after 66 years! Once just a farm show, now a must-do family event where “Kingston people” have something to do for the Independence, attracting Jamaicans from all over the world and at which investment opportunities are born.

Why are you suited for this job?

My passion is such that I believe that sleeping is for when you are dead. I am always alert and ready for the next opportunity to grow our business at Hi-Pro; our customers are at the centre of everything that we do. It also helps that I get an opportunity to work with the most amazing team of professionals at an organisation that has at its core “an attitude of service and a commitment to truth, fairness and the building of goodwill”.

How, for example, does the pitch to a millennial differ from one to someone in their 40s?

As brand content is now available to all persons across various platforms and devices, both millennials and over 40s easily access information. Millennials require shorter, easily digestible content whereas over 40s will tend to get deep into a topic. What I have found is that the millennial needs to see what is in it for them now. Over 40s realise that you have to stay the course.

What’s your favourite part of a chicken?

The Best Dressed Chicken part!

Where’s your preferred chill spot?

East Japanese, Marketplace

Share with us the title of the last book you read.

Most of my reading is business or work-related and consumed online. What I really enjoy are TED talks. I particularly enjoyed one recently by Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action; it starts with Why.

Were you able to fix one thing about Jamaica what would it be?

Our reliance on imports of agricultural produce. We must #growJamaica! Jamaicans have an opportunity to replace our exorbitant import food bill through local production. To successfully achieve this, Government, the private sector and entrepreneurs (farmers) must all align their interests to create sustainable, local sources of these imported food items. We are already 100% self-sufficient in Jamaica in the production of chicken meat and eggs.

8:00 am or 10:00 pm?

5:00 am. It’s already 10:00 am in London, so I’m up and ready for the next opportunity for business.

Which cologne are you currently splashing?

Givenchy ONLY.

Train, boat or plane?

Planes for business. Trains for pleasure.

Black-tie or jeans and T-shirt?

Jeans and T-shirt

A night out or in?

In.

Which five influencers (local or global) would you choose for your brand and why?

The face of agriculture has changed over the years and it is now properly recognised as a main driver for growth. At core we have some very hard-working small farmers who are mainly women; they represent grit and determination. However, the image of the influencer is changing and now; on the one hand what we are seeing are many well-educated women in business and agricultural science who are leading farmers and taking agriculture to another level. On the other hand, we are seeing the visionary young entrepreneur who is willing to use technology, seek investors and treat agriculture with the same level of sophistication as marketing high-end cars, technology and fashion. In other words, it’s not just water boots anymore.

Finally, what’s your personal credo?

Vision. Decision. Action. Desire… with God at the centre.