Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss is calling on entrepreneurs and builders to never stop learning and improving their skills.

He threw out this challenge yesterday while delivering the keynote address at the Rayside Construction Limited Small Builders Forum, at Lower Estate, St. George.

Mr. Inniss said that too often building contractors in this island took the view that they should not engage in continuous learning, or attend a seminar; or even attend a trade show or conference where they could learn a new skill and see the latest in technology, building techniques and building materials.

???If you wish to stay ahead of the game you have to continuously educate yourself and educate your staff. Learning never ceases. The day that you feel that learning must stop is the day you should get out of this business,??? he charged.

Mr. Inniss reminded his audience, which included a number of contractors, that they were providing a service and therefore, it was imperative that they behaved in the appropriate manner.

???At the end of the day, your customer is key and you have to be able to communicate effectively???Don???t take a like it or lump it attitude. Too many building contractors that I have encountered along the way are rude to their customers and this is an industry where you can have some of the most difficult customers to deal with??? but even if they are a bit rude and obnoxious, at the end of the day they are your customers and how you communicate with them, the information you share with them is extremely important in building and sustaining that relationship,??? the Minister advised.

Meanwhile, in his feature address Structural Engineer, Grenville Phillips, called for better regulation that allows ???fair competition??? as a viable solution as opposed to what was the norm.

theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest