November 2012 Inside this issue: GM’s Report Business Anniversaries Events Report Best Boss Award
CHAMBER at a glance
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Calendar of Events 7
a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The Skills Crisis I recently had the pleasure of attending the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in Hamilton at the end of September. The beauty of these sorts of events is the ability to network and learn what other Chambers are doing across Canada. There were ideas on marketing, membership retention and growth, policy framework, advocacy and many others. All of these presented some great insight and ideas. It definitely had my brain firing on all cylinders thinking of ways to improve our value for members. It's interesting that Chambers across Canada, although very different, have so many common obstacles. Communities have common ground regarding Canada's infrastructure woes and we also share the same challenges around skilled labor shortages. In my inauguration speech in June and the first Chamber @ a Glance article, I had briefly touched on this point. It is the focus of this months article.
nicknamed "the baby boomers," are now beginning to enjoy the fruits of their labor and to varying degrees are looking to pass the torch to a new generation. To see this of course is tremendous. On the down side it leaves with it vast experience and a wealth of knowledge that have been nurtured over decades of hard work and learning by doing. It leaves us searching for what seems like an impossible replacement and in some cases it is. We have also seen for years now that our younger generations were destined to head west to bigger and better things. On occasion we see them trickle back, but have likely lost a good number of them forever.
Nate Andrews, Chamber President
23,000,000 workers in 2030. Pretty startling numbers. So the question is how do we bridge this potential 6,000,000 person gap? Even as I write this article some of the immediate nation wide skills shortages are noted as follows: Agriculture already needs an estimated additional 90,000 workers next year, the Construction Sector Council forecasts to have 219,000 What I learned quickly at the Canadian retirees in the next 8 years, the Chamber AGM is that the entire country Electricity Sector Council notes it may is seeing this massive wave of change need 45,000 new skilled workers by 2016 and we, not only a as city or province, (this is almost half the existing but a nation are faced with solving this workforce) and the Canadian Trucking reality. A recent study from RBC Human Resources Council notes from Economics research forecasts that by the 2012-2017 it's projected workforce Stepping back and observing our year 2030, under medium economic growth will be 199,000. The list of community it is plain to see that my growth, Canada will require in the resources go on and on and the numbers father’s generation are in the potential neighbourhood of 29,000,000 workers to are staggering. perpetuation years of their business meet our future labor demands. The lives. Some have done it, some are doing problem is, based on current So where do we go from here? We have it and others are getting ready to do it. immigration and emigration, birthrate learned that our entire country is in These businessmen and women, and death we are targeted to have about desperate need of skilled labor. What
FROM THE DESK OF...
GM’S REPORT
Shop Local, Shop Chamber As the voice of business, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting local business. We regularly encourage citizens to shop locally to boost our local economy and to show support for the businesses in our community. Supporting local business is vital to a community’s overall prosperity. A strong local economy is a strong community.
supporters to our local community whether The idea is it is of their time, energy, and/or money. that if consumers The Chamber is a huge community just re-direct supporter and one way we promote local shopping is by promoting our members. In $50 to each of their fact, several times each day, we refer favourite Carolynn Cancade, consumers that have called or stopped by three local General Manager looking for goods or services to member businesses businesses. Our membership directory, each month, the financial impact would be Shopping locally keeps money circulating in accessible on line and in print, is a great significant. our local economy. For every $100 spend resource to connect consumers to business. locally as much as $68 returns to the Through social media, our website, and our All of these initiatives have the same community. When that money is spent printed and electronic newsletters we purpose, to help promote local business. outside our community, nothing comes regularly profile our members. Our ‘Rising We too will be looking for ways to further here. When citizens purchase these good in Above the Flood’ campaign was another promote local business and in particular our other communities, that money is going to example of a targeted shop local campaign. chamber members. Local business is that community, to support their services. integral to the overall community In our efforts to continue to look for more As such, every time a customer chooses to opportunities to support ‘buy local’ and our development and economic prosperity. By shop locally, they are contributing and supporting local businesses, consumers are member businesses I researched some giving back to their community. supporting their own community. ‘shop local’ campaigns being done in other Local businesses have a vested interest in communities and discovered some So, as we enter holiday season and their communities as they tend to live, interesting ideas. everyone gears up to buy for the holiday work, and play in their community. They season, be sure to look local and support ‘Chamber bucks’ or gift certificates that are employ local workers, pay local taxes, sold and redeemable at local businesses are fellow Chamber members to fill out your support local charities and community list. a popular avenue and we have dabbled organizations and strengthen the local with this on occasion. The Cash mob is a All the best, economy. By supporting local businesses, new movement aimed at supporting local businesses are able give back to their businesses by organizing ‘mobbers’ to community. In the same way, choosing to patronize a local business at a particular support fellow chamber members time and spend money with the location strengthens your own chamber network. remaining secret until the last minute. CAROLYNN CANCADE Member businesses support the chamber Another interesting program is the and they recognize the value of chamber 350project.net. The concept of this project General Manager membership and the chamber network. is to encourage consumers to choose three Carolynn can be reached by email at These businesses also tend to big of their favourite local stores to support. gm@brandonchamber.ca
Recommended Reading... Like A Virgin: Secrets They Wont Teach You at Business School By: Richard Branson | Portfolio Trade; 1 Original edition (Sept 25, 2012) Its’s business school the Brandon way… Whether you’re interested in starting your own business, improving your leadership skills, or simply looking for inspiration from one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, Richard Branson has the answers. Like A Virgin brings together some of his best advice, distilling the experiences and insights that have made him one of the world’s most recognized and respected business leaders.
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www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members Brandon Folk Music & Art Society Box 22091 Brandon, MB R7A 6Y6 P: 204-3928 E: info@brandonfolkfestival.com www.brandonfolkfestival.com
Wheat City Electric 725 4th Street Brandon, MB R7A 3H6 P: 204-761-5131 F: 204-571-0154 E: marty@wheatcityelectric.com
Strategic Spark Communications 11 Brookwood Drive Brandon, MB R7B 4E8 P: 204-726-0437 E: kim@strategicspark.ca www.strategicspark.ca
RBC Dominion Securities— Ryan Nestibo Suite 200, Second Floor 740 Rosser Avenue Brandon, MB R7A 0K9 P: 204-726-3626 F: 204-982-2649 E: ryan.nestibo@rbc.com www.ryannestibo.com
Congratulations on reaching a milestone anniversary!
Blinds by Anita Remington’s Seafood & Steakhouse Colleen & Co. Hair Studio Days Inn InfoMetrics Incorporated Hardy Electric Ltd. J & M Window and Door Company Fowler Hyundai New Beginnings Intimate Apparel People’s Market Place CKLQ Radio AAA Alarm Systems Ltd. Pik—A– Dilly RV Centre Thunderbird Bowl & Huggy’s Restaurant & Sports Bar Crocus Credit Union United Way of Brandon & District Kullberg’s Furniture Store Leech Printing Ltd. YWCA of Brandon Brandon Chamber of Commerce Reesor’s Jewellery (1978) Ltd.
5 years 10 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 25 years 25 years 30 years 30 years 30 years 35 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 60 years 75 years 80 years 85 years 105 years 130 years 130 years
Proactive Pest Solutions 33 Elmdale Blvd. Brandon, MB R7A 1B5 P: 204-761-9992 proactivepest.mb@gmail.com www.proactivepest.ca
Created 4u 88 Durum Drive Brandon, MB R7B 3T2 P: 204-726-3200 terry@created4u.ca www.created4u.ca
Telus 201 Portage Avenue, Suite 810 Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 P: 204-333-1369 F: 204-985-9470 E: david.jackson@telus.com www.telus.com
www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP REFERRAL PROGRAM Membership Matters… Get Others Involved! The Membership Referral Program is a continuous campaign to grow the Chamber and provide rewards and recognition opportunities to members who forward prospects that result in membership.
Earn credit towards Chamber advertising and/or sponsorship Get recognition at a Chamber Luncheon Quarterly draws for great prizes donated by other members Grow your Chamber & grow your business
If you know a business that would benefit from Chamber membership we’d like to know. Visit our website for more information www.brandonchamber.ca or call 204-571-5344.
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EVENTS Colin Craig Luncheon September 12, 2012 Colin Craig, Prairie Director (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation addressed a crowd of over 200 people at our September Luncheon. Colin discussed taxpayer-related issues the federation is currently working on as well as the need for citizens to take action and hold politicians accountable. Congratulations to door prize winner Doug Sullivan of Leech Printing. Thank you to our luncheon sponsor Sunrise Credit Union as well as the Victoria Inn for the excellent meal and service.
BA5: Murray Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC Brandon September 27, 2012 Colin Craig speaking at the September Luncheon
Approximately 75 attendees came to enjoy the Business After 5 celebration at the new Murray Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC. Guest were given tours of their new facility and demonstrations of new products while enjoying snacks and drinks. Congratulations to all the following winners of the door prizes that Murrays generously donated. Diana Waterman: One Complete Vehicle Detail Nonny Cancade: Complimentary Regularly Scheduled Maintenance for One Year Coleen Gabrielle: Complimentary Regularly Scheduled Maintenance for One Year.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013 Interested in sponsorship? Help us in making this year’s Annual Dinner another great success! Contact the Chamber for more information. (204)571-5340 or external@brandonchamber.ca
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www.brandonchamber.ca
EVENTS Small Business Week Kick-Off Luncheon October 15, 2012 On October 15, 2012, local business was celebrated at the annual Small Business Week Kick Off Luncheon. Several businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries were recognized for their years in business (see page 3 for a complete list of member business anniversaries). Local business leaders, in particular, were recognized for their contributions and successes by being presented awards for Business Builder of the Year and Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year.
Congratulations to Gord Peters of Cando Contracting and Marc Watt & Darren Brick of Elite Safety Services! Gord Peters of Cando Contracting Ltd was the recipient of this year’s Business Builder of the Year award. The Business Builder award was designed to Chamber Past President Cam recognize an individual that has contributed to Clark with Diane Peters Brandon success through a lifetime commitment to business and community service. Unfortunately Gord was away on business, so the award was gratefully accepted by Diane Peters, Gord’s wife. Elite Safety Services was the recipient of this years Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year award. Directors Marc Watt and Darren Brick accepted the award, attributing their success to dedicated employees and the quick recognition of the need for safety training services within workplaces primarily in industrial and energy sectors.
Chamber Past President Cam Clark with Marc Watt & Darren Brick of Elite Safety Services
www.brandonchamber.ca
Thank you to our luncheon sponsor Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training & Trade.
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Working for you... will separate us? What will put Brandon on people's radar and what kind of initiatives can we utilize to keep our own people working in our own backyard? Again one of the great things about being Canadian is we are a proud nation and willing to help each other. Chambers from all across the country are sharing their ideas even though we may be potential competitors for these workers. What will separate us is our ability to put our ideas to action? Ideas are ideas but the ability to find the right ones and make them come to life is our challenge. We need to do a better job of partnering with our schools. This includes high schools and post-secondary schools. Our local schools, community colleges and universities need to be educated on the needs of our business communities and we need to match those needs with educational opportunities. We should be getting our business community in front of students and showing them potential opportunities and why they need to be educated in various areas. Do these kids know why they need math, English or science? Do these kids know what possibilities there are out there for them? In many cases they probably don't so why aren't we showing them?
Amy Noto from Rideau Park Personal Care Home. Amy’s employees voted her the BEST BOSS in Brandon.
nominee program has been one of the most successful programs for linking immigrant labor to business needs and getting these immigrants settled to stay. What we don't want is the Federal government to restrict the allowable amount of foreign workers if they are filling the void in our communities. We must continue to have the government work on the timeliness of and efficiency of having foreign workers placed. Right now, the system can be cumbersome, drawn out and not to conductive to the immediate needs of employers. We We need to upskill our existing workforce should also get our businesses in front of as well as do a better job of employing immigrant students who study here. under utilized groups. There is still an These students have obviously shown an enormous segment of workers who lack interest in Canada by coming here in the appropriate literacy, numeracy and first place. By the time they graduate they communication skills. These needs have will have gained many of the language to be addressed if we hope to move our skills required to function here at a high businesses forward. As businesses we level. If we don't show interest in them must continue to educate and train our other countries will and we will be wishing employees. One businessman put it like we had acted when we had their this, "we fight over the same worker when attention. in reality we should be doing a better job growing more workers." Untapped Aboriginal workforce possibilities surround us but more needs Immigration will continue to play a major to be done strategically to get them ready role in filling our needs. The biggest for the workforce. Much of this challenge we face is the timeliness of population is well positioned to help in the getting foreign workers. The recent resource sector and we need to continue moves by the Federal government should to look at ways to make that a win-win be applauded, but we must watch this opportunity. Currently, as an example, transition closely. Manitoba's provincial Manitoba Hydro is working with the
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Carolynn Cancade (Chamber), Amy Noto (Rideau Park Personal Care Home) & Cara Miller (Brandon Regional health Authority) College of the North to enhance local education and get the locals the skills they need to join Hydro. What can others do to emulate this type of action? This article is just a sampling of some of the ideas we heard from some of the best minds in Canada. New ideas will emerge and we will learn from them. However we must strive to be innovators of new ideas as well and we encourage all our members to send us ideas or successes you have been having. The Brandon Chamber has identified some areas already where we look to make progress and will work with our members as new opportunities arise. We can and will work on our own ideas through our executive and committees. We will continue to learn from others as well but if you have ideas we may be able to bridge the gap to providing solutions. As a business community lets move the needle on this and make Brandon a first choice for people to live, work and play now and for our future. Yours in business,
NATE ANDREWS Chamber President Nate can be reached by email at president@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Brandon Chamber of Commerce
Brandon Chamber of Commerce
Calendar of Events
Business Achievement Awards Business Excellence Award (15 employees or under) OR
Business Excellence Award (over 15 employees)
Honours a business that demonstrates continual excellence through positive business growth, exemplifies superior customer services and embraces an outstanding commitment to quality.
Business Person of the Year To recognize a business person that exemplifies outstanding business practices and achievements, and one who also demonstrates leadership, vision and the creation of economic growth, while contributing to the community.
CFB Shilo Update Luncheon Thursday, November 15, 2012 Royal Oak Inn & Suites | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: Assiniboine Community College
BA5: RBC Royal Bank Tuesday, November 20, 2012 RBC Royal Bank, 18th Street | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Christmas Luncheon Thursday, December 6, 2012 Victoria Inn - Imperial Ball Room | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: Keywest Photo Image by Design Inc.
Local Business Climate Luncheon Thursday, January 17, 2013 Royal Oak Inn & Suites | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: Corral Communications
February Luncheon TBA Thursday, February 7, 2013 Victoria Inn - Imperial Ball Room | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: TBA
Champion of Agriculture Luncheon Thursday, March 7, 2013 Royal Oak Inn & Suites | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: TBA
State of the Province Luncheon For more information call the Chamber at 204-571-5340. Nomination forms are available online at www.brandonchamber.ca.
Achievement ~ Nominate ~ Celebrate
Thursday, April 18, 2013 Keystone Centre | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: Westman Communications Group
State of the City Luncheon Thursday, May 9, 2013 Keystone Centre | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sponsor: Brandon First
Presidents Luncheon & Changeover Ceremony Thursday, June 6, 2013 Victoria Inn - Grand Salon | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Sponsor: Crocus Credit Union For more information please visit our website at www.brandonchamber.ca
@BdnChamber www.brandonchamber.ca
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2012-2013
Board of Directors Nate Andrews, President Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. Craig Senchuk, Vice-President Atom-Jet Industries Todd Birkhan, Secretary/Treasurer BDO Canada LLP Cam Clark, Past-President CKLQ-StarFM Frank Arndt myITsource.ca/MTS Connect Corral Centre Denny Bouchard Mazergroup Daniel A. Burns Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd.
Congratulations The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Murray Automotive Group and Centre, as the winner of the Long-Term Achievement Business In Rural Manitoba Award as a part of the 2012 Manitoba Business Awards presented by the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce. In addition we are also proud to share Brandon Chamber members Smooth Freight as a finalist for the Long-Term Achievement Business In Rural Manitoba and Brandon Wheat Kings as a finalist for Chuck Elliott & Lyndsay Murray of Murray Outstanding Small Business. Automotive Group with Larry Wandowich of Manitoba Lotteries
For more information on the Manitoba Business Awards visit their website, www.mbchamber.mb.ca.
Terry Carlisle Cando Contracting Ltd. Karla Dane Meighen Haddad LLP Jordan Ludwig Brandon Business Interiors Carla Milne MNP LLP
Brandon Chamber of Commerce
Membership Roster Book Advertising Options Now Available Contact Dayna Oulion at DEL Communications Inc. Dayna@delcommunications.com or 1-866-424-6398 for details
Bonnie Nay-Draper Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training & Trade Sharon Shepherd West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Chad Wallin Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill
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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 www.brandonchamber.ca
STAFF:
EDITING & DESIGN: Ashleigh Salo PRINTING: Leech Printing Ltd.
Ashleigh Salo, External Relations Coordinator 204-571-5344 external@brandonchamber.ca
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.
Carolynn Cancade, General Manager 204-571-5342 gm@brandonchamber.ca
Stacie Bourgeois, Internal Relations Coordinator 204-571-5340 internal@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca 8