OCTOBER 2021
Chamber at a
Glance
In This Issue
Small Business Week
We're Back! Chamber Events in Review Business Anniversaries Member Expert Articles
Mark Your Calendars 10.19.21 Small Business Workshop #1 10.21.21 Small Biz Week Luncheon 11.05.21 First Friday Coffee
SMALL BUSINESS MAKES A
BIG DIFFERENCE Industry Canada's definition of “small business” is firms that have fewer than 100 employees. Check out these stats on how big an impact small business makes on our country.
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
5 Ways You Can Celebrate Small Business Week Small
Business
entrepreneurs
Week to
is
a
great
time
network, and share their own stories about
presented over the last several months. Are
building business resiliency, and think about
there any opportunities to improve on ways
what’s possible for the years ahead. Here are
of
several
business
can
take
to
Take time to reflect Think about the challenges that have been
you
together
for
learn,
ways
come
part
in
and
working?
How
can
continuity
you
for
better
future
What new skills will your business need in the
future?
Thank those who support you
development
It’s important to thank customers and other
inefficiencies can you reduce or eliminate?
SME
Are
owners
that
may
have
supported
you
are of
there
you
your
any
potential
and your business in the past. Send a thank-
opportunities available?
you
note
with
purchase
of
a
product
or
supporting workforce?
Shop and support local
long way and can help to build brand loyalty.
There are many ways to show support other
than
Mentor an entrepreneur
example,
Do
you
have
lessons
share
physical
locations.
items
online
greater business resiliency or advice to help
Tell a friend about a local small business you
peers
overcome
believe in!
things
you
you
knew
Or
about
are
there
running
a
Take
advantage
of
the
power
of
and a small business will thank you. Commit
were just starting up? Consider sharing your
to
knowledge
owners’
with
an
up-and-coming
a
friend
great
about
customer
a
small
service,
entrepreneur, or one that may be struggling.
local product, or reputable service.
Chances
are
someone
else
could
benefit
from your knowledge.
"Small
business continues to
create most new private sector
jobs, provide strong community support and live where they work. Their adaptability, vision and courage has helped them remain a major contributor in our business community."
BARRY COOPER CHAMBER PRESIDENT
Attend a celebration
Small
Acknowledge
the
97.6 97.9
attending
a
a
unique
contributions
Week of
69.7
business
we
celebrate
our
members
celebrating milestone anniversaries.
million
businesses
38.4
percent of our national GDP which is
How ever you are able to help celebrate the important
percent or 8.3
for small
week
Small Business Week luncheon October 21, where
businesses in
Canadians work
your
celebration. The Brandon Chamber hosts a
2021,
percent of small
business
Business
small
businesses in
Canada (2021)
employees, and your local small businesses by
percent of small
Manitoba (2021)
referrals
business during difficult times back when you
telling
businesses
For and
selecting a delivery or a safe pickup option.
adversity?
on
in
purchasing
building
wish
to
shopping
represent small
the
service. A message of appreciation will go a
Brandon
membership who
What
partnership
percent of the
Chamber
support
disruption?
celebrate Small Business Week:
How
98.9
work
that
our
Small
community does, we salute you!
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021
Business
contributed by SMEs *Stats sourced from www.ig.gc.ca
02
MEMBER MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES Congrats to all of these legendary businesses! 5 YEARS
CW2 Construction and Design Ltd Evolution Bookeeping Guardian Fencing Ltd. Mulligan's Electric Ltd.
10 YEARS Daughter on Call
15 YEARS Blinds by Anita
50 YEARS
Cardinal Signs Ltd.
20 YEARS
Career Connections Inc.
Apex Facility Services
Jenkins The Flooring People
Fountain Tire Brandon Ltd.
Lyons Transmission Centre
Manitoba Public Insurance
25 YEARS
Shoppers Mall
Crocus Dental Centre Corporation
K.K. Penner Tire Centers (Westman) Inc.
55 YEARS
Minute Muffler & Brake
Brandon Wheat Kings
West-Can Human Resource Solutions Inc.
Pfizer
30 YEARS
60 YEARS
Brandon Business Interiors
Assiniboine Community College
The Women's Resource Centre
Brandon Clinic Medical Corporation
35 YEARS
65 YEARS
Hometown Auto Glass
J&G Homes
Taylor Jackson Sunlife Financial
Maple Leaf Aviation Ltd.
Trend Collection & Bailiff Services Ltd.
75 YEARS
40 YEARS
Western Manitoba Regional Library
Crane Steel Structures Ltd.
100 YEARS
45 YEARS
BDO Canada LLP
Brandon Bearing Ag & Industrial Supply The Rotary Club of Brandon #1344 Ltd.
Mint Orthodontics
110 YEARS
Rainbow Eavestroughing
Quintex Services Ltd.
50 YEARS
140 YEARS
Cardinal Signs Ltd.
Christies Office Plus
Career Connections Inc.
Meighen Haddad LLP
Jenkins The Flooring People
Lyons Transmission Centre
Manitoba Public Insurance Shoppers Mall
“Legacy” is a powerful word and aspiration. Building a business for a long-term impact is a different type of building entirely. Here are some ideas on how to work towards legacy and leave a mark on the world through your business:
1. Be The Best At What You Do Becoming the best is about never being satisfied with what you've done. It's about continually improving who you are. Embrace the idea of evolving.
2. Give Back And Gain Clients Consumers feel that when they use a product or service of a socially responsible company, they are a part of giving back to our community.
3. Tell Your Story “Be a person, not an organization”. Storytelling and sharing your company story and its people who make it unique, provides powerful connection for your consumers.
4. Make An Impact “Who are we, if not measured on the impact of others”. Truly taking the time to care about your consumers, listening and giving back will deeply resonate and naturally make you a legend in the business community.
DYK? These are two of Brandon's first established businesses!
*Should you be on this list? Let us know ASAP 204 571 5340
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021
03
Review
Our in-person events are back!
Speaker
Jay
Grewal,
CEO
of
Manitoba
Hydro spoke about the future of energy in
From casual mixers to elegant award
our Province and reflected on her lessons
celebrations, in-person and virtually, there’s
in
always something going on. Our event
leadership
while
navigating
major
change. It was a great day!
season runs from September to June. Stay
tuned with Chamber communications to
see what we have coming up!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
We are doing everything we can to keep you safe this year, questions? Call us 204 571 5340 or visit brandonchamber.ca
40+ member joined the 2020-2021 virtual Annual General Meeting. The
board and
staff
milestones
recounted
the
many
financials from the 2020-2021 Chamber
2021 WESTMAN HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE OCTOBER 13, 2021
year were given.
Partnering
which
were
challenging message,
achieved year.
report
during The
from
the
past
President’s
the
GM,
and
with The
Chamber
Westman
managers,
professionals Conference. Health
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
new
reconnecting some
faces.
with
familiar
These
our
employees the
Sessions
the
After
over and
annual
included
Workplace, Workplace the
Development
invited
membership.
faces
and
"mini-events"
some are
a
great way for Chamber Members to meet somebody they may not normally meet in their day to day business life, which can lead to new & exciting opportunities for them and their business.
November
Coffee
spoke
Pandemic.
on
how
mental
health
Moving Keynote
must
pandemic world of work.
SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON WITH MB HYRDRO CEO: JAY GREWAL SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 Over 170 members signed up and attended our first in-person luncheon of the year at the
Keystone and
Centre.
comfortable
We
maintained
environment
a
while
will
feature
a
of networking before sitting down to enjoy a warm lunch.
Mental
be
a
part of your HR efforts moving into our post
safe
special guest - stay tuned for details!
HR HR
Psychosocial and
guests were treated to an extra half hour Our
50
Jamie Hall, COO of SAFE Work Manitoba
great to be back, laughing, sharing stories
saw
to
the
in
Forward
Friday Coffee in over 18 months. It was
We
in
Factors
We were thrilled to host out first in-person
and
Economic
Brandon,
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021
04
CHAMBER EVENT LINEUPMark Your Calendars FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE - VIRTUALLY 9:00am - 10:00am | November 5, 2021
Join us as we meet up again virtually! Share some coffee and reconnect with the Chamber network at our legendary networking event. Coffees are an excellent opportunity for you and your business to meet with new and existing clients. Sponsored by: Tim Hortons Westman
ZOOM | FREE | Registration Required
SMALL BUSINESS SKILLS WORKSHOPS 12:00pm - 1:00pm | November 16, 2021
This is the second part of the Small Business Skills Workshop Series is on: Effective Meetings. Join ACC instructor Heather Ewasiuk in covering essential topics such as meeting formats, decision-making processes, roles, and conflict at meetings
Zoom | $15/per person (+tax) | Registration Required
BUSINESS AFTER 5: BRANDON RIVERBANK DISCOVERY CENTRE 5:00pm - 6:00pm | November 18, 2021
Buisiness After 5 is BACK! Join us as we jump back into evening networking with our featured business, The Riverbank Discovery Centre. Learn about what the centre is up to, while noshing and sharing a drink with new and old colleagues.
Members Only| FREE | Registration Required
NOVEMBER LUNCHEON WITH CHRIS SICOTTE 11:00am - 1:00pm | November 25, 2021
Join us and speaker Chris Sicotte, Chair of the Kahkewistahaw Economic Management Corporation to dive into economic reconciliation.
Discover how your business can
become a champion for inclusion, and learn how we can work together in collaboration, partnership, and solidarity for a new way of being for a new economy.
Keystone Centre | $35/person (+tax) Early Bird | Registration Required *Proof of double immunization required at all in-person Chamber events. Please note that all dates, times, locations, formats, speakers and topics are subject to change or cancellation. Visit brandonchamber.ca or call 204 571 5340 to learn more.
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021
05
THE BEST PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED Building Your Mindset / October 6, 2021 / Author: Siere Business Advice Can Take A While To Understand
siere.ca
much
change
she
made
internally,
until
she got out there and started talking to people and selling, she would never know whether she had found the “secret sauce”.
It was in the conversation I believe I was finally able to unravel the advice given to me, so many years before.
A
lot
of
times,
our
focus
as
business
owners is about making sure everything is perfect. Afterall, we all take great pride in our
businesses…the
employees, our
our
systems.
building,
processes,
We
believe
our we
our
products, are
being
“graded” based on these and they are a reflection of who we are, so it only makes sense Not long ago, I was asked, “What is the
It was a little shocking to hear someone
best piece of business advice you have
who
ever received?”
successful
The funny thing about this, is the advice
someone else not to get into business. At
actually came to me, when I wasn’t yet
the
running
other advice even meant. My guess is my
a
business
and
probably
about
seemed,
time,
in
I
at
what
wasn’t
least he
somewhat
was
really
doing,
sure
what
tell
the
fifteen years before I even started one.
confusion in that moment is ultimately the
reason I remember it so clearly, even until
I
was
on
an
airplane,
sitting
beside
a
gentleman who owned a hot air balloon ride company. He was coming back from a
Over
huge
starting
show
in
the
states.
We
talked
through the flight, and he told me about
the
about
past
this
that
fourteen
business,
I
years, have
conversation
a
since
thought
number
of
the work they did and the operation he
times. In our first couple of years, it was
ran. After asking a lot of questions and
easy to get the whole, “it is a lot of work”
listening for quite a while, I finally revealed
thing because it was, but for a long time
to him that one day, I also hoped to own a
the
small business.
continued
I
second to
half
of
the
spin,
with
advice
nothing
just
coming
his
response,
as
if
it
was
yesterday. He said, “I wouldn’t advise it.
About five years ago, I was working with a client who was in the earlier years of
work; more than you will ever know. You
her
are likely better off where you are, right
changing things within the business and
now. But if you disregard that advice and
with some of the products she intended
decide
to offer. We had been discussing change
go
into
business
for
yourself,
an
ideal
these things, it is impossible to know how well we have done, until we talk to the market and see if they respond. In some ways building a business or developing a product or service, is like being an artist. things on
because
we a
we
put
together,
canvas. are
creation,
but
whether
it
the
the
It
engages
like
speaks
“voice”
true
is
to
us,
behind
the
test the
the
comes
in
viewer
or
customer. Is it something that speaks to them?
It
is easy to get caught in your head,
about
what
remember
Starting and running a business is a lot of
to
build
can
be
done
to
capture
customers and to generate revenue, but
clear. remember
and
But no matter how much focus we put on
paint
try
The
today.
to
combination.
business.
change,
She
for
a
was
focused
number
remember business doesn’t happen inside
after
your building. It happens outside it.”
when finally, I told her that no matter how
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021
of
on
happen,
that
you
business;
in
need
taking
customers,
order to to
seeking
for be
business outside
your their
to
your
potential feedback,
marketing and advertising what you do. No
one
will
ever
see
inside,
until
you
engage them from outside your business.
months
06
HOW DO YOU TURN VALUES INTO ACTIONS?
Member Expert Article/ October 8, 2021 / Author: Reta Saboroski, Co-Owner, ISA Arborist (PR-5451A) of BEE EZ TREE SERVICE The Value of Opening Up Dialogue In Your Business
"The quality of your life will be determined by the quality of the questions you are prepared to ask yourself" (Tony Robbins – Awaken the Giant Within) One of the things we are committed to as an organization is ongoing learning and the
stoking
of
curiosity.
That
would
be
considered one of our “core” values. What are your core values? Are they in a mission statement, languishing in a dusty binder on the shelf?
It
may
come
arboriculture This
year,
is
we
as truly
took
a an
on
surprise, expansive
an
but field.
environmental
studies practicum student to join our crew over
the
summer.
We
realized
as
an
organization that there was a cooperative opportunity guide
this
in
how
student
we
were
through
the
going
to
world
of
arboriculture, and its many branches. We identified that there was potential for our seasoned staff as well to learn and teach through this process – opening a brand-
To
help
explore
this
revelation,
we
With
topics
ranging
history
chainsaws
Manitoba to the consequences of drought
during
being
weekly
presentations
staff
aside
meetings
conditions
on
different
species
of
trees
and proper cargo securement and trailer safety, everyone got time to dig into and
Along with Reta”. Both initiatives allowed
share
for
curious about and wanted to learn more
of
cross
second
enjoy
of
being,
sort
the
to
time
something we like to call “RAWR” or “Ride
a
and
setting
geomorphology
of
crew.
first
the
the
decided to start two initiatives with the The
and
from
pollination
between
crew members and management, through
about.
engagement and education.
The
parts
of
our
field
that
they
were
By the end of the summer of 2021, each of instructions
were
to
select
were a
simple.
topic
First,
associated
staff
our staff had presented three times. What
with
was the outcome? It naturally encouraged
arboriculture, research it and then were
all
given
noticing and sharing. It created dialogue
free
range
to
develop
how
they
our
staff
to
get
habit
around
also aesthetics (pruning). It deepened our
display
beautiful
pictures of invasive plants, and some used
lingua
the office chalkboard to sketch out the
references
mathematical
communicate quickly and efficiently.
formulas
associated
with
franca
–
(safety)
of
chose
to
concerns
the
were going to present on the topic. Some PowerPoint
important
into
developing
and
a
but
common
shorthand
to
pulleys.
The
One of our senior arborists, Brian, did a
and “RAWRs” on the schedule was easy.
rigging
Following
demonstration
in
the
shop
and
decision
difficult
walking
scheduling
tour
around
the
neighbourhood,
new line of dialogue.
put
these
through
when my turn came up, I decided on a
where I presented “Tree ID Hacks”.
to
as
storm
was work
conflicts,
presentations
occasionally
happened
but
we
and
followed
through as an organization. Small actions become habits. Habits for an organization form culture. Culture creates legacy!
The critical part is to figure out what your thing
is.
What
are
you
excited
about?
What is your deal?
Are you interested in being a Member Expert? Do you have a story to share? Contact Alix to learn more: 204 571 5344 or members@brandonchamber.ca
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021
07
Chamber at a Glance is published twelve 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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Barry Cooper | President Heritage Co-op
Tanya LaBuick | Vice-President CW2 Construction Guardian Fencing LaBuick & Co.
Jaime Pugh | Secretary-Treasurer MNP LLP.
Spencer Day | Past President Progressive Westman
Matt Berg Livingstone Outdoor
Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd.
Andrea Epp Epp Law Office
Chris Finley Mazergroup
Tilda Fortier Greenstone Building Products
Aida Harrison Aida's Catering
Ryan Jacobson Affordable Storage Brandon Forbidden Flavours Roastery
Meredyth Leech Leech Printing Ltd.
Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd.
Lois Ruston R&M Homes Ltd.
CHAMBER STAFF
Carolynn Cancade General Manager
Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations
Hillary Miller Events & Program Coordinator
WAGE SUBSIDY FOR EMPLOYERS
ASSISTING EMPLOYERS WITH THE COST OF ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING A means to offset the costs of hiring and training new employees A wage subsidy must be approved by Manitoba before the new employee is hired
What do Employers Need to Provide? On-the-job training that provides a direct work experience and develops job-specific skills that lead to ongoing full-time employment A minimum of 30 hours per week of employment A guarantee that no current employees are displaced by the new employee
Which Employers May be Eligible? Those that offer ongoing employment opportunities and are: Private sector employers Non-profit and community groups Crown corporations Public health and education institutions, municipalities, bands and tribal councils
Who Can an Employer Hire Through a Wage Subsidy? Individuals may be eligible if they fit into one of these categories: Have a current or previous Employment Insurance (EI) claim An individual who is unemployed or about to lose their job
What do Employers Need to Know? The length of support depends on individual skills development needs, the job requirements identified by the employer and local labour market considerations Subsidy levels and length of support may vary Overtime and vacation pay are not eligible costs
Want to Know More? Contact your local Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centre for detailed program related information. To find the Centre nearest you:
Call 204-726-6500 (in Brandon) or toll free 1-866-332-5077 Or visit Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres online at: www.gov.mb.ca/wd/ites/contact.html
Funding Provided By:
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, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.