November 2015 Inside this issue: GM’s Report Member Spotlight New Members Events Review Anniversaries Workforce Development Time for Social Media
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A Change that Canada Wanted
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n October 19, 2015 Canadians elected a new federal government. The election came on the heels of the Brandon Chamber’s delegation arriving home from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting hosted in Ottawa. While there, the delegation of voting members were informally polled during the meeting; over 300 business leaders across Canada predicted a Liberal minority. Even a large group of the smartest business people in the country weren’t able to predict the change that Canada wanted. The Canadian Chamber AGM was an invigorating event for the local Brandon Chamber executives to attend. Over a weekend, delegates from Chambers across the country met to discuss local and national issues, exchange ideas, debate, and most importantly adopt a policy agenda and advocacy strategy for the coming year. This event truly solidifies the notion that there is strength in the Chamber network; the passion that this group has for ensuring that Canadian’s have the keys to success is unmatched. The AGM saw formal and informal discussions ranging from politics, the upcoming election, innovation,
competitiveness and the role that the Chamber had to play in each of these issues. I’ll touch on each of these issues through the remainder of this article. Your local Chamber, along with Chambers across the Canadian Network worked from a strategic document entitled: “A Canada That Wins” throughout the federal election campaign. “A Canada That Wins” highlighted Access to Powerful Workforce, Access to Markets, Access to Capital and Access to Technology and Innovation as the necessary ingredients in the recipe for Canada’s competitive success.
“the passion that this group has for ensuring that Canadian’s have the keys to success is unmatched ” If you attended the Candidates Forum that the Brandon Chamber hosted on October 8th, you would have heard candidate responses to questions posed from each of the four pillars of the “A
Jordan Ludwig, Chamber President Canada That Wins” platform, which I’m hopeful it helped inform your vote. We’re in an interesting position here in Brandon now, with Conservative Member Larry Maguire now sitting in the official opposition. While I’m certain that Larry will agree with the Chamber network that we’re concerned about Liberal policy to return to budget deficits in the coming years, I would hope that Larry can use their commitment to invest in hard and social-infrastructure to Brandon-Souris’ advantage. Time and again, we’re reminded that competitiveness is the most important metric when measuring business and economic success. Competitiveness leads to innovation, and in turn to increased productivity, new products and processes. It’s not a secret that Canada has fallen behind in global (Continued on page 6)
FROM THE GM DESK
GM REPORT
Much to Celebrate
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elebrating and highlighting business success is one of the most pleasurable aspects of my job and at this time of year, we actively look to identify excellence in our business community. With our Best Boss Award that we present in early October in partnership with Prairie Mountain Health, we highlight a leader who goes above and beyond to create a work environment that promotes mental health in the workplace. In the fall, we also collect nomination applications for our Business Achievement Awards which we will present at our Annual Awards Gala in March. I am always impressed with the nominated businesses and stories of success that encompass all sectors, industries and business sizes. This year is no exception, and I certainly don’t envy our Award Selection committee.
our economy. As part of our local celebration, we recognize businesses that have celebrated milestone anniversaries – from those that overcome the start-up hurdles of navigating a new business, and others who celebrate a millennium of business perseverance and success. Yes, we have businesses in our community who having operating for over a hundred years!
We congratulate all our award recipients, nominees and anniversary milestones, as they truly represent business excellence. But there are so many more stories to tell. In our office, we have countless interactions with business people in all spectrums of business development and hear many great stories of success, innovation and overcoming struggle. I think its true to say, every day business owners need to be excellent - sometimes more than excellent - as they often have so many roles. They must be adaptable and resilient Every October we also celebrate Small to an ever-changing economic Business Week across Canada, this year environment, tackling everyday operations October 18th – 24th, in recognition of the while staying focused on their long term importance and impact of small business to vision.
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There is much to celebrate in our business community! Not just award recipients, but those that rise up to be leaders in our community, those that create opportunity for themselves, business owners who spend countless hours working to establish or grow their business and then donate more time in betterment of our community. We salute you for your passion and dedication! This Christmas season; remember the best way to recognize local business is to do business with them.
Carolynn Cancade General Manager Contact Carolynn by phone at 204-571-5342 or by email at gm@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP ZONE
member
SPOT LIGHT The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Element Physiotherapy Can you provide a description of your business services? We offer a unique Female Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy service, as well as Orthopedics (pains/sprains/strains/ fractures, sports/work/vehicle injuries) and Pre-Natal/Post-Partum assessment and therapy. We are currently offering PreNatal and Ladies Fitness Classes. How long have you been in business? 1 yr What are your business goals? Our goal is to grow and expand like any new business. We have 3 physiotherapists currently and hope to become a multiprofessional facility to incorporate a variety of health care services to clients, all in a single location. Do you have a motto? Take care of your body; it’s the only one you have to live in.
Where are you located? 339 Princess Ave. in the basement of the Brandon Medical Arts Building. What about your logo? It is integral that our time with clients’ is complete, more of a “mind, body, soul” approach to health care - thus the 3 dots!
Contact Element at 204-728-4466 or www.elementphysio.ca November 2015
Courtney's Cake Creations
Manitoba Trade and Investment
1122 Unit D 1 18th street Brandon, MB R7A 5C3 204-727-2656 Cjacobson@hotmail.ca www.courtneycakecreations.com
1100 -259 Portage Avenue Winnipeg (Soon to be Brandon) 204-483-2526 mbtrade@gov.mb.ca www.manitoba-canada.com
Family Visions Inc.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Brandon
2705 Victoria Ave Brandon, MB R7B 0N1 204-726-5602 executive.director@familyvisions.ca www.familyvisions.ca
29 Campbells Trailer Court Brandon, MB R7A 5Y5 204-727-8778 ron.penziwol@mail.mrrooter.com www.mrrooter.ca/brandon
FischBooks
Steppin' Time Dance Studio
46 Viscount Cres. Brandon, MB R7B 2W6 204-573-1615 admin@fischbooks.ca www.fischbooks.ca
132-9th street Brandon, MB R7A 4A5 204-725-0745 dance@steppintime.com www.steppintime.com
H&CO Academy
Westman Courier
603 Princess Ave Brandon, MB R7A 0P2 204-724-3063 hcoacademy@hotmail.com www.hcoacademy.com
3B 389 Park Ave East 204-726-9646 Brandon, MB R7A 7A5 bruce@westmancourier.com
TAKE THE SUPPORT LOCAL PLEDGE TODAY AT WWW.BRANDONCHAMBER.CA
What are your business hours? Mon & Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tue & Thu 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wed: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
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EVENTS
Chamber Annual General Meeting September 10, 2015
2015 Westman HR Conference September 23, 2015
Keeping with the Business After 5 format, the Annual General Meeting saw President Jordan Ludwig giving his review of the past Chamber year in all aspects of advocacy, committees, events and more. The 2014-2015 financials were reviewed and approved. Copies of the report are available online. Sponsored by:
It was a successful, sold out event to more than 100 leaders from various sized businesses. Put on by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Brandon and Entrepreneurship Manitoba to provide tools to Westman business to succeed in our area. When faced with a limited labour force, focus on retention becomes critical. Presenters from Legacy Bowes Group and CAA Manitoba provided insight on Motivating and engaging employees.
Luncheon Series: Blue Bombers September 17, 2015 CEO & Brandon Chamber member, Wade Miller of the Bombers spoke to the crowd about the Manitoba team becoming more visible in the community, the opportunities that have been brought to the world-class stadium, keeping connected with ticket holders as well as the upcoming Grey Cup festivities. Thank you to luncheon sponsor:
BA5: Sunrise Credit Union September 17, 2015 Guests were treated to 7 points of interest and catered food stations spread over their new corporate office space and branch located on Victoria avenue. Special presentations were made by their CEO, a VP from Credit Union Central of Manitoba and Mayor Crest during the ribbon cutting. Thank you Sunrise for sharing your grand opening with us!
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Thank you to our sponsors: Legacy Bowes Group Human Resources Association of Manitoba Career Connections Westman Employment Services HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting 1Life Safety CAA Manitoba Royal Oak Inn
Friday Coffee: Special Guests September 25 - October 2 & October 23 These complimentary weekly mini events allowed members the opportunity to meet face to face with three of the four federal election candidates, as well as meeting the new Base Commander at CFB Shilo, LCol. Cochrane Sponsored by:
Luncheon Series: Election Forum October 8, 2015 To ensure business issues were heard by federal election candidates, the Chamber added another Luncheon for members to become educated before heading to the polls. Workforce, access to capital, innovation, and free trade discussions were brought up by the panel. Luncheon sponsor:
Business Information Series: E-Mail Marketing October 15, 2015 Gathered around the Chamber boardroom, members learned about the features of utilizing Constant Contact’s marketing tools. The presentation included a hands-on demonstration, marketing tips, best practices, things to avoid, as well as the Chamber Affinity discount of up to 25% to Chamber members. Thank you to our sponsor:
www.brandonchamber.ca
AWARDS
Congratulations! The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize over 800 years of business to the following organizations:
RBC Royal Bank Brandon Heating & Plumbing Brockie Donovan Ltd. MNP LLP Zeke's Quality Jewellers Ltd. Brandon Area Community Foundation Brandon Friendship Centre Landmark Cinemas Stiles Masonry Ltd. FYidoctors Pizza Hut Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. Kelleher Ford Lincoln Sales Shilo Military Family Resource Centre Inc. West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic CMS Services Inc. Shades Above
110 years 105 years 100 years 70 years 55 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 40 years 35 years 30 years 25 years 25 years 25 years 25 years 20 years 20 years
Luncheon Series: Innovation Alley October 21, 2015 Michael Legary, Co-Founder of AssentWorks and Kerry Stevenson, Director for Startup Winnipeg came to explain the many facets and features of the innovation space and programs available to businesses in the province. Innovation Alley is one of the largest spaces of it’s kind in the world! Thank you to luncheon sponsor:
BA5: Daughter On Call October 22, 2015 Members had fun socializing, using the selfie photo frames, and learning about the start-up and future goals of this successful local company. It was fitting the event took place during small business week, although this is the businesses third location from out growing the first two! Thank you Daughter On Call for opening your doors to us!
November 2015
Upcoming Events, updates, workshops, and business info sessions will be communicated in the Chamber Insider. Are you getting your Chamber email?
@BdnChamber
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President’s Message (Cont’d from page 1)
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN HEALTH Congratulations to Dr. Jay Winburn, owner of Winburn Orthodontics, who was named the Best Boss of 2015. The 18th annual award recognizes his efforts in promoting mental health in the workplace. He was surprised with a coffee break and treats sponsored by Coffee Culture Café & Eatery. The Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Mental Health Services Brandon would like to thank everyone who sent in their nominations. Everyone wins by promoting mental health in the workplace!
economic competitiveness, now ranked 15th by the World Economic Forum in their Global Competitiveness report. Our region’s future economic growth and ability to be competitive will depend on the ability of employers to access and retain workers with the necessary skills to strengthen the workforce. We think that done with a plan, and done strategically, BrandonSouris can lobby for investments in postsecondary education at BU and ACC to reinvigorate our workforce. We need new, market specific programming at our institutions that trains our future workforce for the jobs we have available here in our community in addition to a real solution to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that our agriculture industry relies on. Strategic investments in key infrastructure are going to be needed to remain viable in Brandon. With the impending ratification of the TPP, and the implication that there will be increased global demand for the local products that we grow here in southwest Manitoba, it’s imperative that we invest in our roads, rails, and transportation networks so we can make sure that the ag businesses upon which we rely so heavily, can get their goods to market quickly and competitively. As we continue to pursue customers in markets inter-provincially and internationally, planning and investment in trade-enabling infrastructure becomes all the more critical. With that said, small-business is the backbone of our local economy. While smaller in scope, but equally important, the Shop Local Committee is excited to be out in the community encouraging businesses to sign a Support Local pledge, recognizing the importance of businesses supporting their own counterparts in the community. Please keep an eye out for the Shop Local team; and I’d urge you to consider taking the Support Local Pledge.
Jordan Ludwig President
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www.brandonchamber.ca
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Workplace Needs Assessment Have you ever said to yourself: This employee is such a great worker but I wish they could connect to our customers better? Or, I would like to hire this person but I don’t know if they have the skills they need to be successful in my workplace? Or even, I would promote this person within my business if they only had stronger managerial skills? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM) may be able to help. For 24 years, Workplace Education Manitoba has been delivering workplace-
specific training focused on the skills employees need to be successful in the workplace. Training development areas such as Customer Service, Communication, Workplace Cultural Awareness, and Problem Solving. This training is focused on the identified needs shown within the workplace.
training can reduce workplace errors and waste while increasing workplace performance and efficiency. The Chamber Workforce Development Committee is striving to meet the evolving workforce needs of the business community by bringing awareness of employment programs and supports to the membership.
Through a Workplace Needs Assessment, the employee performance outcomes your business is looking to achieve is identified, which translates into workplace specific training. Visit www.wem.ca, or call Robyne Frederiksen at 204-573-9570 for more detailed information about how this
Recommended Reading… You Want Me To Do WHAT? By Richard Brodeur / Wade Miller While there are endless books and seminars on employee productivity and personal success, most are “light” on REAL information on helping employees understand behaviours that are expected of them in the workplace. In their new book, “You Want me to do What?”, acclaimed business leaders, Richard Brodeur and Wade Miller, take a straight talk approach to workplace expectations, helping you capture the best from your employees with things you never thought you’d need to teach, but everyone needs to know.
November 2015
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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
MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Congratulations got mats? who won the 2015 MBiz Award for Outstanding Small Business.
info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca
EDITING & DESIGN Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRINTING
Join us for Friday Coffee! 10:00am 10:00am--11:00am | Chamber Office
Leech Printing Ltd.
2014-2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jordan Ludwig—President
How to Find Time for Social Media
Brandon Business Interiors
Terry Burgess—Vice President RBC Royal Bank
Tami Rae Clements—Secretary/Treasurer NetSet Communications & I-Netlink Wireless Todd Birkhan—Past President BDO Canada LLP
Frank Arndt myITsource/MTS Connect - Corral Centre
Terry Carlisle Cando Rail Services Ltd.
Greg Crisanti Tim Hortons
Karla Dane Meighen Haddad LLP
Jeff Hood MNP LLP
Karen MacDonald
Social media and content marketing is about becoming an engaging resource for your customers. We know people buy from people they know, like, and trust and that’s why it’s important to invest time in building connections and affections. Finding that time is easier said than done... Keep Content Handy Not all content will be applicable for sharing the moment you come across it. It’s better to deal out your posts at multiple times than all at once. Select a system in which you can easily access your content gems in the future and build a cache of it.
Assiniboine Community College
Bonnie Nay-Draper Entrepreneurship Manitoba
Jordan Trotter C & C Rentals
Jason Thorpe Thorpe Construction Ltd.
Rosa Villamizar Behlen Industries LP
CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade
Find a Scheduler You Like Scheduling is important because you can’t spend your whole day posting, nor do you want to bombard others with a lot of content once a day. Many systems give you the ability to post several days out. Multi-task There are moments where we’re waiting: before dr.’s appointments, in between meetings, on the phone, etc. Use this time to
be productive by finding content, scheduling it, or responding to people on social media. Interacting cannot be scheduled, so use this “extra” time to reach out and connect with people. Look for Content Everywhere Content ideas are abundant – airplane magazines, overheard conversations, commercials, popular TV shows, and in social media. Use the messages that reach you to find items you’d like to share. Take Pictures Take pictures of everything that moves you and some ordinary things that don’t. Pictures you take can be used without concern over cost or copyright. Encourage staff to do the same and build a library. You don’t need huge chunks of time to make connections on social media. Schedule good content and steal time for interacting. Then watch your relationships grow as people share your resources with others.
Christina R. Green is a writer and teacher to small businesses, chambers and associations how to connect through content.
General Manager
Becky Farguson Office Coordinator
Katie McMillan Membership & Marketing Coordinator
Allison Reville Events & Communications Coordinator
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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