full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2762/

Summary: My two days at the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship were amazing. No, scratch that, my two days in Montego Bay were amazing. It’s one thing to spend an hour or two talking to a fellow entrepreneur, but spending 2 full days in a room with 19 other high-spirited, ambitious, self-motivated people is surreal. It’s easy to forget that there are other people out there working hard to make Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world a better place.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2638/

Summary: Very interesting chart. Note how long student debt follows people throughout their lives. Also, mortgage debt for people in retirement age can't be a good thing.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2590/

Summary: Members of the developer community are often keen for a challenge – a truly worthwhile software/programming project… At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are specialists who understand the problems facing the various industries/sectors. Can some of those problems benefit from a tech solution? What ideas could be generated if these two groups work together?

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2591/

Summary: A few years back, Silver, then a manager of a bank call center, had used up her quota of preferential loans associated with her job and started filling out the credit card offers that were coming into her mailbox almost daily. She said she used the cards initially to buy "frivolous stuff," like consumer goods and accessories. But as the debt stacked up, and introductory offers expired, she became locked in a vicious cycle; more cards and loans were needed - and available - to pay off other debt.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2575/

Summary: The Jamaican Prime Minister was one of the first recipients in the region courtesy of LIME to receive an Apple IPhone 4S on January 11 which is to launch in the in Jamaica on January 12 and to the Rest of Lime Caribbean operations on January 13. We did did a review of the mobile device back in October, Presenting The IPhone 4S.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2570/

Summary: Too bad: but that’s what happens when the competition is government funded – and governments stand in your way to protect their own businesses.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2476/

Summary: I registered my company’s trademark with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office ( JIPO) about six months ago. I thought the process would have been complicated, but it was fairly easy. Although their website was a bit daunting, the staff was really helpful.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2464/

Summary: Life and Debt explores the effect of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) policies on developing countries through Jamaica's experience with the organization. Jamaica, having gained its independence from Britain in 1962, found itself struggling as a result of the oil embargo the following year. In order to receive loans from the IMF, the country entered into a tricky agreement with its lenders. The terms of the loan stipulated that Jamaica had to agree to reduce trade barriers by withdrawing its local import restrictions, and thus enter the world market. The local economy became flooded with foreign goods, which were cheaper than those produced locally, resulting in a loss of jobs and economic self-reliance. Interviews with Stanley Fisher, Deputy Director of the IMF, reveal that the IMF's mission is to alleviate short-term deficits, not assuage long-term economic hardship.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2446/

Summary: The Jamaica Manufacturers' Association Limited (JMA) is the only private sector organisation that represents Jamaican manufacturers exclusively. This trade portal is the comprehensive guide and tool for doing manufacturing business in Jamaica; accessing key information, communicating with customers and suppliers, and unearthing new business opportunities.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2405/

Summary: The world economy may still be in the doldrums, but global wealth continues to grow, hitting an all-time high this year of $231 trillion, according to a new global wealth report from Credit Suisse. And more than ever, that figure is concentrated at the top of the pile. A mere 0.5% of the world's population owns an eye-popping 38.5% of its total wealth.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2408/

Summary: PING Nation is the umbrella company for Rory-Leif McPherson & Twane Smith. If you live in Kingston Jamaica you MUST have heard of them! But do you REALLY know their stories? Find out here! The two Young Black Entrepreneurs (YBEs) are the Creative Directors & CEO of PING! - an everything Blackberry Accessories and Maintenance brand; and Spank - an Adult Medium to spice up the love life with tips & products. On this episode, they share their thoughts on entrepreneurship, business ventures with friends, & what it takes to grow a successful brand with AMBITION & a $100.00US start-up capital. My hope for everyone watching is to highlight that it is OKAY to pursue your PASSION, and LIVE in your dreams. With proper planning, implementation, and hard work, your DREAMS CAN BECOME REALITY! But be VERY mindful that there is MORE to Entrepreneurship than FREE TIME and being your OWN BOSS!

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2385/

Summary: This second episode of Young Black Entrepreneurs (YBEs), James Black, Creative Director & CEO of Yahdie Conscious & GLAMHead, shares her thoughts on entrepreneurship & what it takes. My hope for everyone watching is to highlight that it is OKAY to pursue your PASSIONS, and LIVE in your dreams. With proper planning, implementation, and hard work, your DREAMS CAN BECOME REALITY! But be VERY mindful that there is MORE to Entrepreneurship than FREE TIME.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2364/

Summary: I recently noted how conventional cost accounting inexorably focuses executives’ attention on increasing short-term profits by cutting costs. The same thing happens in economics.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2348/

Summary: "We're not good at everything, we're not good by ourselves," says Simon Sinek at the 99% Conference. Our ability to build trust and relationships is the key to our survival as a race, and to thriving as ideamakers.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2268/

Summary: RCR Wireless explores a day in the life of a mobile app developer--from day to day activities, to the benefits and downsides. August 2011.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2190/

Summary: click link to learn more

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/2148/

Summary: click link to learn more

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1931/

Summary: Kevin talks about iphone development and knives. click link to learn more

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1947/

Summary: click link to learn more

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1930/

Summary: How far does one company need to go in order to provide its customer with ultimate value? Apparently not “far enough” says Claro and the nation’s fastest 3G network has successfully found another way to effectively satisfy its audience.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1876/

Summary: by Dmitri Dawkins

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1850/

Summary: Discusses why starting a software company, or any kind of technology or software startup, is hard. Also explains why not to build Facebook apps or other hot consumer websites.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1845/

Summary: In 1996 Jamaica had 66 supervised banks (commercial and merchant) and building societies. In 2009 there were 14. The financial sector collapse in 1997 wreaked havoc on our economy and we are still paying the price.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1820/

Summary: I made this flowchart for my future students but I think it’s useful for pretty much any creative, myself included. Prints to come! Click the link above to see it at full size or open the picture below in a new window.

full story: http://owensoft.net/news/link/1760/

Summary: click link to learn more