Business View Caribbean l Feb 2023

119 120 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 wants to take on the world with a united front. Retention rates at P3 Paper Plastic Products are around 75%, and this high percentage is attributed to the use of technological tools such as automated tasks and quotas with reminders which helps to cut down on micromanaging, while increasing overall staff productivity. While most of North America is experiencing a staff shortage, seeing retention rates as high as 75% would make any business owner very pleased. But that being said, finding new staff members to fill new roles at the company has been tricky. “P3, Paper Plastic Products is expanding into a new country (our neighboring island), but it’s a challenge as we need staff drive and focus and the talent pool in our country is small” says Flemming. Operating any business requires building robust and reliable partners. One such partnership is Continental & Global Services Inc. in Miami, which assist with cross selling and logistics. One of the early supporters of the company was Puerto Rican bank Banco Popular, which was willing to invest in the potential of P3 from the start. Another bank that helped Flemming achieve his dream is the Development Bank of the British Virgin Islands. Clients matter to P3, Paper Plastic Products, and Flemming has a few to name: “Alison and Randy of Captain Mulligans have been fantastic to us. Another notable person to mention is Judith Gumbs from the international marine company, Moorings. There are many boating companies on the island, P3 Paper Plastic Products inventory includes eight segments, namely: Food service Take away Packaging, General household, Dispensers and Facilities equipment, office supplies, personal care, medical supplies, and Restaurant Equipment offerings. This selection of products has grown over the years and evolved to meet every client’s needs. Each of these segments has also had to evolve with their customers’ needs. Within the food services segment, the company has had to expand its operation to accommodate more than they were initially selling, and it now encompasses Mobile Food Trucks and refrigeration items. The need to assist clients has meant that the company has evolved a lot. But this being said, P3 still stays within its lane of selling disposable paper and plastic items while exploring new avenues. COVID-19 restrictions were tough on business, but the company was able to stay afloat and retain all of its employees due to decisions made three years before the pandemic. “Three years before COVID-19, P3 Paper Plastic Products was able to secure manufacturing deals and produce our own products/SKUs. This allowed us to stabilize the price and minimize any supply chain issues - which meant growth within the company,” says Flemming. Flemming outlines employee approach ensures that its staff morale is high, and employee culture matters to its senior management. He points out that staff is the most important resource the company has access to. Without them, the company could not operate, and P3 knows everyone must have access to the tools they need to complete their job. Culturally, the company is a safe and loving environment where employees think of each other as family. If there are disputes between staff members (as all families have) , these are resolved quickly and in open dialogue, as the company PAPER PLAST I C PRODUCTS