September 2016 Inside this issue: Ready, Set, GO! Member Spotlight Events Calendar Workforce Development Member Update 5 Minutes for Business
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Advancing Economic Development
O
n July 27th, both the Conference Board of Canada and The Western Investor, published articles on the economic strength of Brandon and surrounding area. They highlighted the strength in our manufacturing industry and non-residential construction as well as the stability of our employment and the potential for smart real estate investments.
Agriculture producers – Brandon’s economy sounds like it is in very good condition and it is! However, there are a few indicators that could impact our local economy including the price of oil, the value of the Canadian dollar, unemployment Terry Burgess, Chamber President and real estate development. So, we cannot slow down our activities to find other opportunities to with the potential to impact, through maintain our growth and collaboration, both the local and First economic strength. Nation’s economies.
“a few We also heard the exciting expansion indicators plans at the Our Provincial that could Shopper’s Mall with Government is working the new Sobeys hard at making business impact Extra Store and easier to do with our our local GoodLife Fitness in Provinces to the west and the existing ultimately throughout economy” structure combined Canada. Mayor Rick with 13,500 square Chrest understands the feet of new Restaurant space for importance of economic Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, East Side development and is working on a Mario’s and Fionn MacCool’s. Add to new vision – Team Brandon to help that, federated Co-operatives encourage more development within Limited’s new Fertilizer Terminal, a the City and surrounding area. In new joint initiative between addition, the City recently released Manitoba Hydro and Tundra Oil & some information on First Nation Gas and an average or above average Urban Development Areas (FNUDA’s) year of production for local as an emerging economic generator
From a Chamber perspective, we are continuing to look for opportunities to make Brandon an even more attractive place to do business. Following up on our Red Tape Policy, a new Industry Working Group has been setup with the City Planning under the leadership of Jacqueline East, GM of Development Services with CARM, the Chamber, City and Renaissance Brandon. The goals of this group would be to ultimately make development easier, with the goal of eliminating red tape while maintaining City standards. Representing the Chamber in these (Continued on page 6)
GM REPORT
Ready, Set, GO!
S
eptember marks another start of our busy season, as we return to a regular schedule of fall activities. While we did enjoy some R&R this past summer, we have been very active in laying the groundwork for another successful year; committee meetings resume, our advocacy work ramps up and we jump into another full events calendar.
your business. In addition, we will be showcasing the 26th Field Regiment as our event venue – be prepared for a different experience as this won’t be a typical Luncheon!
Planning for Annual Awards Gala, scheduled for mid Also mark your calendars this fall for March, also our Annual General Meeting with begins in September. Nominations are highlights of the past year, our Small now open and we encourage you to Business Week Luncheon featuring nominate a deserving business or presentations for milestone individual for the Business Achievement We kickoff our events season with our anniversaries and the Century Business Awards. With our simplified nomination Business Opportunities with CFB Shilo Recognition Awards, and our Champion process, essentially just tell us why you Luncheon, where we will hear about of Agriculture Luncheon with speaker think they deserve to win! We have so CFB Shilo’s impact on our local Colleen Dyck of GORP Energy Bars, a many great business success stories and economy and the opportunities for regional success story for business and examples of leadership to celebrate business to provide for their purchasing Ag. You also won’t want to miss our from our community, I am excited to needs. Last spring our Business second Westman HR Conference: see this year’s nominees! Development Committee, as part of our Solution Focused Human Resources. In Large Business Outreach Initiative, addition to breakout sessions on Add in a few Business After 5s, return of toured the Base to learn more about effective onboarding, effective our Chamber Friday Coffee, and various their opportunities and challenges and strategies for difficult conversations, stakeholder meetings, you can see that how the Chamber could be of support. building employee performance and we have a full events schedule for fall. With a focus on procurement needs, it common law mistakes, we will hear We hope to see you there! became clear that there were many keynote presentations from WestJet opportunities for our business and Argus Industries on creating a community from day to day positive corporate culture. (If you don’t requirements, service agreements, want to miss out on any of our Carolynn Cancade unique purchases and complex Luncheons and want to ensure seats for General Manager projects. We hope with this luncheon our special events, I recommend Contact Carolynn by phone at 204-571-5342 or by email you learn more on how to take purchasing Season Seats!) at gm@brandonchamber.ca advantage of this opportunity to grow If your business is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year, we want to know! We will recognize your achievement at the Small Business Week Luncheon and mention your company in the next edition of the Chamber at a Glance. Email: info@brandonchamber.ca
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www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP ZONE
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Beaudin & Beaudin Counselling Services Unit 5 #37-11th Street Brandon, M.B. R7A 4J2 (204) 570-3223 beaudins@beaudincounselling.ca http://www.beaudincounselling.ca Contour Massage Therapy 658 10th street Unit C Brandon, M.B. R7A 4G5 (204) 727-4422 bjudd24@hotmail.com
GEM Services Box 20084 Brandon, M.B. R7A 6Y8 (204) 720-1488 gmcconnell@wcgwave.ca Trident Music Inc. 314 B, Princess Ave East Brandon, M.B. R7A 1S6 (204) 573-2678 rhoni@tridentmusic.ca http://tridentmusic.ca
Wellnessnews - Choices for Healthy Living® 221-3336 Portage Ave Winnipeg, M.B. R3K 2H9 1-800-840-4309 markt@wellnessnews.ca http://www.wellnessnews.ca Wheat City Retreat 546 McDiarmid Ave Brandon, M.B. R7B 2H4 (204) 573-7593 reservations@wheatcityretreat.com http://www.wheatcityretreat.com
member
SPOT LIGHT The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Escape The Final Countdown to our membership! Can you provide a description of your business services? Escape The Final Countdown is a live action escape game where your team is 'trapped' in a scenario room and have 60 minutes to work together to solve puzzles and clues to beat the game and 'escape'! Cash-4-Clues supports Samaritan House food bank by revealing clues for $5 donations. What are your business goals? To provide a fun and challenging entertainment and team building option for friends, families and businesses. How long have you been in business? August 2016
Join a Committee
Government Relations Events Membership Business Development Workforce Development Support Local
Do you have a motto? Collaboration, Communication, Cooperation What are your business hours? Alternate times may be accommodated. Tue-Thu 5:00 - 10:00pm, Fri 5:00-12:00am, Sat 1:00-12:00am, Sun 1:00-10:00pm.
161-8th Street, off Town Centre Parkade 204-727-2203 www.thefinalcountdown.ca
September 2016
Make your membership investment a rewarding one by practicing your teambuilding and leadership skills, networking with new people, and build on your résumé.
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EVENTS
2016-2017 Chamber Events* SEPTEMBER September 22nd Luncheon: Business Opportunities with CFB Shilo Brandon Armoury Sponsor: Sunrise Credit Union
September 29th Chamber Annual General Meeting 5:00 - 6:30 pm ECHO Restaurant & Bar
Victoria Inn Organizers: Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Brandon, Entrepreneurship Manitoba Sponsor: Human Resources Management Association of Manitoba
October 17th Luncheon: Small Business Week Local Success Story: Joe Beeverz Royal Oak Inn & Suites Sponsor: Entrepreneurship Manitoba
*Dates are tentative and are subject to change. Visit our website for current information
October 20th Information Session: Chamber 101 1:00 - 2:00 pm Chamber Office
NOVEMBER November 17th Luncheon Champion of Agriculture Royal Oak Inn & Suites Sponsor: Assiniboine Community College
October 20th
DECEMBER December 8th
2016 Westman Human Resources Conference: Solution Focused HR
BA5: Brandon Business Interiors 5:00 - 7:00 pm 1525 Pacific Avenue
Christmas Luncheon Victoria Inn, Grand Salon Sponsor: Westoba Credit Union
JANUARY January 19th
MAY May 18th
Luncheon Royal Oak Inn & Suites Sponsor: myITsource
Business-to-Business Conference and Luncheon Sponsor: Brandon University
FEBRUARY February 8th
June June 8th
Information Session: Chamber 101 1:00 - 2:00 pm Chamber Office
Luncheon: Changeover Ceremony Sponsor: Crocus Credit Union
OCTOBER October 5th
June 14th February 16th
Chamber Golf Tournament
Luncheon: CN & Our Community Victoria Inn, Imperial Ballroom Sponsor: CENTUM Mortgage Choice
July July 20th
MARCH March 9th
Information Session: Chamber 101 1:00 - 2:00 pm Chamber Office
Luncheon: State of the City Address Keystone Centre, UCT Pavilion Sponsor: Brandon First
March 16th Annual Awards Gala Dinner
APRIL April 20th Luncheon: State of the Province Address Keystone Centre, UCT Pavilion Sponsor: Westman Communications Group
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Note that event updates, workshops, and Lunch & Learn sessions will be communicated electronically in the Chamber Insider. Subscribe your staff 204-571-5343
SEASON SEATING Chamber Luncheons provide opportunities for business networking and provide information that benefits business decisions. Convenient to register once &
never forget a Luncheon again! Enjoy priority seating at each Luncheon Receive recognition for your support on our website Gain exclusive access to event tickets before they go on sale Benefit from early-bird table discounts Transferable
Contact Tanya at 204-571-5340 or info@brandonchamber.ca to order yours today!
www.brandonchamber.ca
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Bringing Solution Focused HR Strategies to Westman Businesses
T
he Business Climate Survey revealed that business leaders identified labour shortages as the greatest challenge they face over the next year, a trend that has remained constant over the last decade, and will likely continue in the foreseeable future. This is a reflection of national labour market demographics including: retiring baby boomers, interprovincial migration and a host of other influences. The Chamber Workforce Development Committee was established to take a deeper look into workforce issues and solutions. Several industry round-tables
were held and revealed that we have a strong labour pool in our community, but gaps exist. Consistent feedback pointed to a need for additional focus on attraction and retention resources. Results of the Business Climate Survey and industry round tables indicate that businesses recognize a need to further develop their existing employees for success not only today but in the future. The first Westman HR Conference was held in 2015 to a sold out audience. The conference addressed motivating and engaging employees through HR strategies and coaching. Feedback from attendees was clear, they wanted more: “I found the
2016 WESTMAN CONFERENCE
real world situations used to describe general principles effective methodology for practical use. I look forward to more development opportunities like this in the Westman area.� The Chamber, along with partners Economic Development Brandon and Entrepreneurship Manitoba, continue to work together to support Westman Businesses by presenting the 2016 Westman Human Resources Conference. The second installment looks at solutionfocused strategies that managers and HR professionals can immediately take back to the workplace and put into practice. From onboarding - that helps new hires quickly become productive and contributing members of the organization, to nurturing effective employee performance, the solution focused conference provides a variety of sessions to address the needs of organizations filling employment in a timely fashion to transfer knowledge from the experienced workforce before retirement. Additional information on the 2016 Westman HR Conference can be found at www.brandonchamber.ca.
SOLUTION FOCUSED HUMAN RESOURCES The day will provide Managers and HR Professionals with practical, easily implementable strategies to enhance employee productivity and avoid common HR pitfalls. Conference Details: Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Victoria Inn Cost: $150
September 2016
REGISTER AT
brandonchamber.ca SESSIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Effective Onboarding Building Employee Performance Effective Strategies for Difficult Conversations Common Employment Law Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
PLUS
PRESENTATIONS ON WORKPLACE CULTURE BY WESTJET & ARGUS INDUSTRIES
Friday Coffee @ the Chamber resumes September 9th for casual networking and treats provided by
New time! 9:00 - 10:00 am
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President’s Message (Cont’d from page 1)
meetings are Jason Thorpe, Thorpe Construction; Jordan Trotter, C&C Rentals; Jordan Ludwig, Brandon Business Interiors; and Steve McMillan, VBJ Developments. Over the next few months, we also have plans to work with Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) on Agri-business opportunities, the Keystone Centre on revenue generating opportunities, understanding the FNUDA’s and a special Business/Student Project with Brandon University.
We are looking forward to seeing a number of the new businesses get started and in working with the new Chamber Board in advancing Business/ Economic Development in Brandon’s Urban Development Zone.
Terry Burgess President Terry can be reached at president@brandonchamber.ca
Recommended Reading… Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard By Chip Heath, Dan Heath
Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by 2 different systems (rational & emotional) that compete for control. The rational mind wants a beach body; the emotional mind wants an Oreo. The rational mind wants to change something at work; the emotional mind loves the comfort of the existing routine. This tension can doom a change effort. In Switch, the Heaths show how employees & managers have united both minds & as a result, achieved dramatic results.
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Nominate a deserving organization or person online at www.brandonchamber.ca The process is simple! Nomination Deadline: October 7th
www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBER UPDATE
Balance and Fairness in the Rates You Pay
F
ollowing a comprehensive review of our rate model, the Workers Compensation Board has begun phasing in changes to the way we calculate your premiums. Some of these changes have already been made while others will be phased in over the next four years.
The other transition that began this year is reducing how quickly rates can rise and fall in any given year. Under the old model, the annual change could be quite large, which allowed rates to increase much more quickly than they could decrease. For 2016, we've The rate model changes respond to the removed the large 30, 40 and unique needs of different sized 50 per cent rate increases that employers, reduce rate volatility, provide were previously allowed. The increased protection through collective annual rate change is now liability, and balance the rate impact of capped at a maximum of 15 per preventing injuries with the impact of cent upwards or downwards in controlling claims after an injury has most instances. This will reduce occurred. volatility by regulating how much rates are allowed to go up or down One of the first adjustments that we've in one year. Further transitional changes will be made is the narrowing of risk category phased in over the coming years until the ranges. This restricts how much your "The new rate model is designed to be new assessment rate model is fully premium can move above or below the more responsive to the differences implemented by 2020. We'll continue to category average. For 2016, we've among small, medium and large provide you with ongoing updates on reduced the top of the boundary for all employers," says Borgesa. "Ultimately, these changes as they evolve. employers from 200 per cent of the risk the most effective ways for Manitoba category average rate to 120 per cent. employers to reduce their WCB costs is by For more information, visit wcb.mb.ca For small and medium employers, we've improving health and safety at their and click on Employers, or contact increased the lower boundary from 40 to workplaces, and strengthening their Assessment Services at 204-954-4505 or 30 per cent. In 2017, small and medium return to work programs." toll free at 1-855-954-4321, ext 4505. employers will see the lower boundary rise again - from 30 to 20 per cent. By raising the lower boundary, those who are at or near the bottom of the range will see slightly higher premiums. However, this will lead to greater protection through collective liability and will reduce rate volatility. "While increased protection costs slightly more for some small and medium employers, our strong financial stewardship has contributed to a healthy reserve surplus, which allows us to cushion the impact on those employers by lowering the average assessment rate," says Renzo Borgesa, Vice President, Assessments, Innovation and Technology.
September 2016
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Chamber at a Glance is published six times per year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce 1043 Rosser Avenue | Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 Phone: (204) 571-5340 | Fax: (204) 571-5347
info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca
EDITING & DESIGN Allison Reville
PRINTING Leech Printing Ltd.
2016-2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terry Burgess—President RBC Royal Bank
Tami Rae Clements—Vice President NetSet Communications & I-Netlink Wireless Jeff Hood —Secretary/Treasurer MNP LLP
Jordan Ludwig —Past President Brandon Business Interiors
Frank Arndt myITsource/MTS Connect - Corral Centre
Greg Crisanti Tim Hortons
Tayona Jonas Sunrise Credit Union
Karen MacDonald Assiniboine Community College
Steve McMillan VBJ Developments
Cathy Snelgrove Siere
Trent Sholdice Meighen Haddad LLP
Jason Thorpe Thorpe Construction Ltd.
Jordan Trotter C & C Rentals
Rosa Villamizar Behlen Industries LP
CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade General Manager
Allison Reville Events & Communications Coordinator
Twyla Adamchuk Membership & Marketing Coordinator
Tanya Lysack Office Administration Coordinator
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5 Minutes for Business
Building the Skills to Pay the Bills
W
hat’s the best way to improve the skills of the Canadian workforce? Consider that 65% of children now entering grade school will end up working in careers that haven’t even been invented yet and that a young person entering the workforce today will change jobs 15 times in her career. So what should they be studying?
learning and changing careers.
Canada has excellent colleges and universities, but none of us really know what skills are needed in the future. At the same time, we are hearing from businesses that their inability to access skilled workers is one of Canada’s biggest barriers to competitiveness. In fact, we’re currently facing a skills gap, which is costing us each year in lost GDP.
The best way to prepare people for a lifetime of learning and new ideas is by investing in digital skills and giving students the realworld experience to succeed. These investments in human capital will increase productivity growth, and income inequality will fall as more people are pulled into the higher paying jobs. That’s the key to building a healthy, growing economy with lots of great opportunities.
Research is showing us where to invest to get much better results. A new report points out how important digital talent is to the future of our economy—and not just for Canada’s $74-billion information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Every job will soon have critical technology components. Today, everyone from auto mechanics to accountants has to master complex software to solve problems. Even pizza delivery services often use complicated online apps. Just being an ordinary citizen in Canada, you have to navigate an online world for everything from banking and healthcare to shopping and government services. That’s why digital skills have to be a priority for students at all levels.
Getting more employer input into program curricula would be helpful but even more important is work-integrated learning, which provides experience in a real-world environment. We need better incentives for employers to create those co-op and intern jobs for post-secondary students.
Hendrik Brakel Sr. Director, Economic, Financial & Tax Policy Canadian Chamber of Commerce hbrakel@chamber.ca
The second priority is to build closer relationships between post-secondary institutions and employers. A survey by McKinsey found that 2/3 of Cnd employers felt that graduates weren’t prepared to join the workforce. Over half the graduates, said they weren’t ready for the job. The challenge is to prepare young people for a lifetime of Who we are: The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.
Our Mission: To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment favorable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.
www.brandonchamber.ca