The People's Mart, whose motto reads: "Be smart...choose the People's Mart...", walked away with the prestigious Portmore Community College (PCC) Business Practice crown, out-pointing six other enterprises inside the Portmore HEART Academy auditorium recently. The People's Mart tabulated 360.5 points.

Second went to Jamdung Eatings & Tings Limited with 353 points, specialising in local dishes, juices and fruits. First Choice MultiCentre placed third with 336 points. There was a special award for Caribbean Vybz for being the most creative business.

The winners were all given trophies and cash awards. However, this cash is re-invested into PCC.

The event dubbed 'Entrepeneurship and Business Practice' was coordinated by Jennifer Ferguson, acting head of the Department of Business and Professional Studies at PCC, and Marva Kerr, marketing officer and senior lecturer.

Clive Gossett, manager of Entrepeneurship at HEART, said many business persons will be making money in their different enterprises of choice, but he cautioned them about overspending. He said the reason many businesses fail is that the managers/owners rob the business.

For example, he said, a business might doing well and instead of purchasing a economical car, the entrepreneur buys a BMW, putting pressure on the business. He said there are many other factors that put companies out of business, pointing to poor management, lack of market, lack of financing and not adhering to good customer service.

Gossett said it is fundamental that entrepreneurs keep good records of the business, as this is the only way they would know if the business is making a profit.

Business practice is a requirement for the Associate Degree in Business Course offered by PCC. Different groups of students pool resources and capital and form a business, which runs for a complete semester. At the end of the semester, group members share the profits.