August 2011 Issue

Volume 1, No. 12 August 2011 FREE

Your business:

Running a small business Your health:

What is arthritis?

Your home:

Think pink!

Three cool businesses at the Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE)

Incorporating St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce

Cover story: page 3

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER The bad habits of highly unsuccessful people

by Terry Carroll ..............................page 4

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY Managing Money Want to run a business with your spouse?

by Stephanie Farrow ........................page 5

Your Business Management 101 – Part 2

by John Regan ................................page 6

RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS Strategy Thinking and growing your business

by Brian Dempsey ........................page 18

Customers Finding the crucial piece of the puzzle

by Shayne Wyler ............................page 19

Managing The many hats of managing a small business

by Jesse Terpstra ............................page 20

Insurance

Technology

Insurance tips for entrepreneurs ....page 21

Creativity unleashed

by Peter Atkinson ............................page 7

HOMESTYLE Decorating

Economics Rebuilding the Great Lakes powerhouse

by Serge Lavoie ................................page 8

Leadership Think and act like a CEO

by Bryan Vine ................................page 17

Think pink!

by Renée Carpenter ......................page 22

That’s Life Living in harmony with nature

by Elizabeth VanHooren ................page 23

BUSINESS BEAT The Front Page

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT The Play’s the Thing

Chamber launches new map project ........................................................page 9

The Grapes of Wrath and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Ric Wellwood ..................page 24

Member News

Savour Elgin

Success for Great Lakes International Airshow ........................................page 10

What a to do!

by Kate Burns ................................page 25

Chamber News

Wine & Food

Candidate functions coming ..........page 11

Legal Business

An ode to Chardonnay

by Jamie Quai ................................page 26

The cost of doing battle

by Monty Fordham ........................page 12

HEALTHY LIVING Personal Health

Member News

Put communication on your back-to-school list

by Jessica Austin and Jacky Allan ..page 27

New police program ......................page 13

Pro Text Protecting your identity

by Dan Reith ................................page 14

Everyday Health

Positive Exposure

What is arthritis?

by Dr. Greg Johnston ....................page 28

Misery is a communicable disease!

by Allan Weatherall ........................page 15

LIFESTYLES Self Development

Viewpoint How to be a St. Thomasian… ......................................................page 16

Who inspires you?

by Sharon Lechner ........................page 29

Time On My Hands The ancient art of finding beauty in imperfection

by Duncan Watterworth ................page 30

Cover Story

Three cool entrepreneurs Taking their businesses to the next level at the Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE)

by Dorothy Gebert

The Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE) in St. Thomas opened in June and four clients are already in place. According to Delia Reiche, ICE business development manager, more applications are pending. “A client waiting list is foreseeable by year end.”

The first three clients accepted into Elgin County’s first mixed-use business incubator are excited about being part of a facility that nurtures entrepreneurial companies.

Mike Wood, North America sales director for Rampa Tec Inc., a fastener manufacturer, says he came on board because he was inspired by the people and programs ICE had to offer, including access to resources and information. “By quickly getting the answers and contacts we require, it allows me to focus on what matters…our customers and growing our business.”

Darren Connolly, president of Allsource Depot, which specializes in home health supplies, says he didn’t have all the knowledge required to wear the many hats he needed as a business owner. “I saw ICE as a way to educate myself and the business.” He says networking prospects abound and he is being connected to other business owners throughout Elgin County.

Jim Semple, president of Saverity, a market research company, came from Ottawa to take advantage of the opportunities ICE was offering in his hometown. “Mentorship from the staff across all business disciplines has been amazing so far!” he says. “I don’t know any other place where you get a one-stop shop for services and teamwork.”

To eligible companies, ICE offers coaching, mentoring, business development, venture assistance, administrative support and more. Delia says that with these services in place, ICE can help accelerate the possibilities for entrepreneurial companies to succeed.

“This allows them to grow and prosper, and create more jobs in the community.”

Jim Semple of Saverity Corp., Darren Connolly of All-Source Depot and Mike Wood of Rampa Tec Inc. (Photo by Philip Bell, Shutter Studios)

Carroll Publishing President Terry Carroll Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Kelly Carroll

Elgin This Month Publisher Terry Carroll Editor Dorothy Gebert Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley

Graphic Design / Production Jim McHarg Sales Representative Greg Minnema Office Manager Laura Bart

Published monthly by Carroll Publishing, 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm August, 2011

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519-633-1640

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Publisher’s Letter

The bad habits of highly unsuccessful people Learning to run a business the hard way

by Terry Carroll

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ness, which is the theme of this month’s feature in Elgin This Month.

One is that while it’s great to give it everything you’ve got, working too many hours is counter-productive.

Very few people can keep up the practice, like all-night layouts, for any length of time. Working too much can be almost as bad as working too little.

Another is embedded in Ralph Hancock’s question. Who is your target audience? Once you know that, you don’t have to care so much about what the competition is doing, because you know what you’re doing.

A third is that it’s not greedy capitalism to think that the owners have to make a buck. If they don’t, nothing will last.

Also, somebody (good or bad, tall or short, skinny or fat, male or female) has to be in charge.

And just because you love to do something (writing stories, taking photographs, making widgets, whatever), that alone does not guarantee success. You’ve got to get up every day and sell those stories, photographs, widgets, whatever.

Eyeball to eyeball, belly to belly, you have to get out among ’em, as Jack Gieg, a later newspaper mentor of mine, liked to say.

“

At The Peterborough Common Press, the second newspaper I worked on and the first one I was involved in as a business, we started writing late stories and laying out the newspaper about 10am Sunday morning, and we finished sometime between 5am and 8am Monday morning. The Common Press was an offshoot of the first newspaper most of us Common Pressers had worked on, the Trent University student paper called Arthur. Masters of procrastination, we trained at Arthur in the art of allnight layout.

Even when she was pregnant with our first daughter, my wife Nancy was part of the all-night layout team.

When we finished the marathon in the wee hours, somebody (and I was often that somebody for the first year, since my wife Nancy and I had a Volkswagen Beetle) drove the newspaper to the presses in Tweed. We hauled them back that afternoon in the Beetle, some people did the mailing and store deliveries and some of us went to the bar Monday night.

We didn’t get much done on Tuesday, other than finish deliveries, clean up and sleep.

It was one gigantic adventure. Except for the receptionist, everyone was an aspiring writer, photographer or editor. Nobody really wanted to sell advertising. So we tried to hire a sales representative on commission.

The Common Press was a paid circulation newspaper with a left-leaning slant, and we sold circa 2,000 copies; perhaps not the top of most people’s advertising buy list.

During the second summer of our operation, Ralph Hancock stopped by. He was the editor of Reader’s Digest, he had a cottage in the

working too many hours is counter-productive

Kawarthas, and he had seen the paper. I remember him asking us (a collection of, well, hippy journalists) who our target audience was. An embarrassing silence ensued, and then we gave him some kind of answer about people buying our paper. But, really, we didn’t understand the question.

Over time, we evolved from a co-

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operative model of management to having an editor, and I sometimes assumed the role of the business guy.

After 14 months of all-night layouts, in debt and with a daughter to feed, Nancy and I decided that we had to move on. I got a regular job.

There are some key learnings from the experience, things that now seem obvious about running a small busi-

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Terry Carroll is the publisher of the St. Thomas /Elgin Weekly News and Elgin This Month.

August, 2011

BUSINESS / COMMUNITY MANAGING MONEY

Want to run a business with your spouse?

Build yourself a safety net to help manage the financial risks My husband is my business partner. We are among the few people who find their spouse to be a partner in marriage, parenting and yes, business.

Running a business with your spouse has challenges and benefits.

Just like any other business owner, you put blood, sweat and tears into your businesses and work crazy hours. You can benefit from having a partner whose passion is well matched to your own, and understands the family sacrifices needed (often at a moment’s notice) to deal with the unexpected.

Before you open shop, there are some other questions to consider. Do your skill sets complement each other? Are you and your spouse well matched for business? Will you drive each other crazy? We completed a business and teamwork profile before taking the leap. It can be pricey, but a profile can cost you less in the long run than finding out the hard way that you aren’t a good business fit.

One of the greatest challenges is a financial one. Your family’s financial picture is dependent on the success of one business. You have put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak, and that carries with it some additional risks. The average double income family can generally depend on drawing from two sources of income.

In this case, if something happens to

one source of income, you always have the other to rely on. Not so with the family run business. It’s all or nothing.

To help manage this risk, there are some things you can do to build yourself a safety net as you start your business endeavour. While you may not be able to use all of these, you may wish to consider some variation of them and how they could fit with your plan.

“

You have put all your eggs in one basket

“

by Stephanie Farrow

1. Have a solid business plan. Link it to your business financial plan.

Link that to your personal financial plan. These three plans should work in concert with one another.

2. Don’t jump in with all four feet.

If you are able to, have one spouse work full time in the business to get it off the ground and have the other keep a salary job and work on the business after hours for a while. This will allow your family the safety net you need to pay the bills.

3. During this time frame, if you are able, try to work your family budget around the income from the spouse still bringing in a salary. This will allow any profit from your business to stay in your business to continue to grow your operation and/or build equity. Retaining earnings in

your business is a good way to prepare yourself for the time when the second spouse drops the salary and joins the business. Personally, we did this for five years to create more financial stability, but you can tailor your timeframe to suit your specific needs. It will be challenging, but stay focused on meeting the milestones to your end date.

4. Consider any benefits the salaried spouse may have, like a pension plan, group RRSP, medical and dental to be sure this is truly a good move for your business and family.

Get a good start to safeguarding your family’s financial security as you embark on your business venture, and you will need to consider many other things along the way. Maybe

there should be a handbook on “How to run a business and still stay married” – ah, but that’s an entirely separate topic altogether.

If you are both entrepreneurial by nature, then you won’t be intimidated by the risk or the hard work, and the payoff can make it all worthwhile.

Stephanie Farrow, B.A., CFP, is a Certified Financial Planner and co-owner of Farrow Financial Services Inc. in Belmont.

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY YOUR BUSINESS

Management 101 - Part 2 Your management style can make all the difference in how your team performs

by John Regan

Are you a lion, lamb or vulture when it comes to management? Do you micro-manage or do you empower your staff? Are you consistent?

Whatever management type you are, being consistent is probably the most important trait you could have, because good or bad, at least your staff knows what to expect.

Micro-managers shouldn’t be managing at all. If you micro-manage your staff, you’re showing that you have no faith in them whatsoever. Do you really want to spend all your time checking on staff to ensure they’re doing their job right? Do you not have anything to do yourself or do you just like telling others what they’re doing is incorrect? Maybe you like keeping a close eye on staff because they fail. If this is the case, try training them so they can perform to your expectations.

Vulture managers are similar to

micro-managers. The vulture allows staff to work independently, then without warning, swoops in at the eleventh hour to announce that everything is wrong and to do it again.

Sometimes they even take the project on themselves or re-delegate it. This type of manager does not know how to build a good working team, and instead, picks through his staff to leave them feeling insecure in their positions, questioning their accomplishments.

Lamb managers, quite simply, are lead, but they are not leaders. Maybe they’ve moved up the ladder because of seniority, and now, without proper training, they’re just putting in time.

This type of manager doesn’t want to take on new projects or pursue new initiatives, and they are quite happy maintaining the status quo.

Since today’s business world moves at the speed of light, who do you think is the most effective? Let’s introduce the lion! The lion is the go-getter

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and easily eats the lamb and vulture.

He sneaks up on the micro-manager (don’t forget – micro-managers are too busy managing staff’s details) and eats him too to become the team leader, taking care of the entire pride.

The lion is strategic; understanding there’s time for play and time to hunt, and that every member of the pride has a job to do. The lion manager possesses a solid plan to use competent members of the pride to meet the organization’s expectations and demands.

So how are you managing? Not managing well means high staff turnover, expectations not met, and discord. My advice is to take courses, get a good mentor and ask for help!

Take inventory of what you think good managerial characteristics and skills are, and question whether or not you have them. Let’s face it, we can all improve how we manage and it does take time, communications and lifelong learning.

Now, if you’re being mismanaged – dodging vultures, avoiding lambs and

being scrutinized by a micro-manager – write down your concerns, approach your manager and provide some non-confrontational suggestions on productivity.

I believe exceptional managers are successful because these lions take the lead and see value in the human capital they manage. These managers work around staff weaknesses. None of us are perfect and we all have faults; but a good manager recognizes the strengths of staff as well as the weaknesses, and works to balance and fill gaps with other staff to present a unified working team – an effective, hunting pride.

John Regan Ec.D. (F) is the general manager of the Elgin Business Resource Centre.

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

Creativity unleashed

Websites can help writers, artists, musicians and other creative people get their work out there

by Peter Atkinson

How can the Internet help creative people in Elgin County take their creations to another level?

For most writers, the writing isn’t the hard part, it’s how to get a finished product. I talked about e-books last month, but for physical books, both Lulu and Blurb offer a print-ondemand (POD) service. With POD, there is no pre-ordering; once you’ve uploaded your book to their website and set the selling price, these companies take a portion of the selling price to process the orders you send them or sell through their online bookstores, printing and shipping ship books only as they’re ordered.

And if you’ve always wanted to have your own magazine, Issuu and Pressjack will make that dream come true.

For writers looking for some reassurance, Unbound.co.uk lets you pitch your book idea to readers and even collect pre-production orders.

Of course, you’ll need a cover.

There are design services you can pay for, but you can also invest some time and learn how to use very powerful online tools for making art or editing photos. Sumopaint and Aviary are both free but just as powerful as software costing $600 or more.

Artists and photographers will love these same products. And they also have plenty of choice for what to do with the finished product.

You can take advantage of POD or use Zazzle or Cafe Press to create an online store to sell your designs on tshirts, coffee mugs, greeting cards,

August, 2011

calendars and more. These companies also just take a cut of the sales price and handle production and shipping. Or you could use Spoonflower to turn your artwork into fabric.

For artisans and craftspeople, Etsy and Ponoko also let you create an online store to sell your handmade items.

And for musicians! Tunecore isn’t free but will get your music into iTunes, Amazon and eMusic among others for a very reasonable fee.

Bandcamp asks you to do a bit more work (“it’s so easy even your drummer could...well, perhaps not that easy”), but doesn’t have any up-front fees and gives you immense control over how and what you share as you build your global audience.

For the performing arts, there’s just no real substitute for a live performance. But the Internet can still come to your aid with Kickstarter. This website hosts pitches for everything

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try Quirky. Like Kickstarter, you can get pre-production commitments but if your idea is selected, the folks at Quirky don’t stop there. Their inhouse industrial design team will help refine your idea, and then produce it and help you take it to market.

Of course, there’s no shame using your talents to create for other people; Elance and Guru both help you find work as a freelancer, with a free option to let you see if the process works for you.

Whatever you’re interested in, there’s probably a website to help you share it with the world. Of course, you still have to find your audience.

But for now, get creating.

from comics, toys and product ideas to, yes, plays and films. If your idea is good enough, you’ll find investors in no time. Most projects are under $10,000 but an idea for a watch generated almost $1 million.

If you’re an inventor with an idea,

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Peter Atkinson is E-Services Consultant at the St. Thomas Public Library.

491 Talbot Street, St.Thomas, On N5P 1C3

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY ECONOMICS

Rebuilding the Great Lakes powerhouse Challenges and opportunities discussed at Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region Summit

by Serge Lavoie

“

the beginning of a movement

transportation and infrastructure; water stewardship; trade and border issues; agriculture; innovation, R&D and emerging clusters; manufacturing; clean energy; the ‘blue’ economy (water); and tourism.

Session after session detailed existing and potential innovative solutions to both the challenges and opportunities. What became clear, however, was the perceived lack of political will and leadership to embrace these initiatives in a sustained way. This was underlined by numerous references to a proposed new Windsor-Detroit bridge crossing which is once again in danger of being rejected by the Michigan legislature, even though consensus on the need is strong and Canada has

“

The Great Lakes region, comprising two Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states, is the fourth largest economy in the world and needs better recognition as such.

This was the key message delivered to some 250 delegates at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region Summit held late June in Windsor. The conference was jointly organized by the Mowat Centre on Policy Innovation at the University of Toronto and the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, Washington D.C. At 105 million, the region has the 12th largest population in the world and with a GDP of $4.6 trillion (2009) it ranks just behind the United States, Japan and China. Yet, with this scale, it has remarkably little economic or policy coordination and a weak brand recognition compared to other regions around the world or in North America.

Once an economic powerhouse built around cheap and easy marine transportation, the region is now famous for rapid de-industrialization and massive efforts to transform its economy. Fragmented politics and a common border that has become thicker and more difficult to maneuver since 9-11 have hampered efforts to create a seamless regional economy that could be globally competitive.

In addition to plenary sessions setting out the scope of the issues, delegates participated in 10 breakout workshops, or Idea Labs, that looked at the range of challenges and opportunities. These included human capital and post-secondary education;

committed to it financially.

Of interest to Southwestern Ontario was the clear focus on the big city agendas, not surprising given the event’s sponsors. While our region embraces its unique mix of rural and small to medium size urban, this conference focused on the need to link together a series of strong ‘city regions’ such as Chicago/Milwaukee, D e t r o i t / To l e d o / O h i o , Toronto/Hamilton/Waterloo and Montreal/Ottawa.

This model works well when justifying the economics of high-speed rail, for instance. A MontrealToronto-Chicago line is far more viable economically than a Quebec City-Windsor line. But the focus on big urban meant that the conference

paid very little attention to the economic role of agriculture and agribusiness in the region, a curious omission.

Is any of this important to our part of Southwestern Ontario? It should be. St. Thomas and Elgin County have prospered because the region around us prospered. There would never have been a Michigan Central Railway if we hadn’t been a strategic link between the industrial powerhouses of Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo. Our unique geography clearly played an important role in our past growth and research suggests that it will continue to do so.

What may come out of this summit is unclear. More than one presenter described the event as “the beginning of a movement.” Given that most of the 250 delegates were senior level and influential from both sides of the border, there is a real possibility of some sort of positive outcome. At the very least, important grass roots connections were made and strengthened. This will no doubt lead to further small cross border initiatives. In the absence of top level political leadership, it may not be enough to achieve the vision, but it’s a move in the right direction.

Serge Lavoie is president of the Southwest Economic Alliance.

The views expressed are his own.

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How successful was the Airshow? Read about it on page 10.

Business Beat Table of Contents Success for Great Lakes International Airshow .......... ................................page 10 Visible inspection reports? ................................page 11 The cost of doing battle ................................page 12 New police program ................................page 13 Protecting your identity ................................page 14 Misery is a communicable disease! ....................page 15 How to be a St. Thomasian ..........page 16

Business After 5 Wednesday August 17, 2011 Grand Central Place Commercial Plaza Atrium Lower Level 300 Talbot Street St. Thomas Sponsored by myFM 94.1 St. Thomas Doors open at 5pm. Sponsor remarks and prize draws start at 6:15pm. Free admission for anyone from a business organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber launches new map project The time has come for the Chamber to produce a new edition of one of our most popular printed products – the St. Thomas & District ‘Discovery Guide and Street Map.’ The next edition will be produced in association with Impressions Printing.

John White, Regional Sales Representative with Impressions, will be contacting all Members who supported our last project by advertising on it. In the event that spaces open for possible use by other Members, placements will be on a firstcome/first-served basis.

The administrative part of this project, including all ad sales, billings and collections, will be handled on our behalf by Impressions, as will printing and assembly of the finished product. The Chamber staff will assist with design and content.

Over 50,000 copies of the new edition will be created and distributed through the Chamber office. Our staff will ensure placement of the maps in high-traffic visitor and business locations and with key agencies we work with such as City Hall.

As in the previous issues, street maps for all communities within our St. Thomas / Central Elgin / Southwold service area will be included, along with promotional and descrip-

tive copy that makes the finished project useful by local businesses and residents, as well as in support of promotion and economic development work beyond the local boundaries. We update our area maps every two years

“

“

519-631-4110

Over 50,000 copies of the new edition will be created and distributed through the Chamber office.

and remain proud of the popularity of our product. Any Member wishing to know more about advertising opportunities should contact John White at Impressions directly. He can be reached by at 519-6331580, ext.

24 or john.white@impressionsprinting.com A limited number of copies of the current ‘Discovery Guide & Street Map’ remain available to any Member. If your business could benefit by placing copies on the counter, or if you’re in one of those spots where folks routinely stop and ask for directions, just let us know and we will be happy to see copies delivered to you. There is no charge to any Member to have maps placed at your location.

John White; Impressions Printing

What about you?

Are you interested in community service working with the Chamber? Our Nomination Committee is now inviting applications from Members interested in serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors or participating on one of our Standing Committees.

The Chamber’s Board includes 12 Directors, each serving 3-year terms. Terms are offset so that no more than four retire in any one year. Directors are eligible to serve up to two consecutive terms. Terms start each year on January 1 but are confirmed each year in advance of that date at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting in November.

Preparation to build a slate of nominees for the 2012 Chamber Board are now underway and are the responsibility of our current Board Chair, Linda Sawyer. Both Linda and Chamber President/CEO Bob Hammersley welcome questions and expressions of interest from any eligible Member. Bob can be reached any weekday at the Chamber office at 519631-1981, ext. 24 or you can contact Linda at her BMO office, 519-631-6920.

September Edition Advertising Deadline is August 15 Coming in September...Our First Anniversary Edition: Who’s Who In Business.

To take advantage of this excellent advertising opportunity, give me a call at

519-633-1640 (ext. 22) or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca

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August, 2011

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BUSINESS BEAT

MEMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

Success for Great Lakes International Airshow The Chamber extends sincere thanks to Philip Bell of Shutter Studios for sharing two very impressive shots of a Canadian Forces CF-18 in action at the Great Lakes International Airshow (GLIAS). The photos are just a tiny sample of the highspeed action and incredible aviation displayed to a crowd estimated at over 50,000 during the shows held at St. Thomas Municipal Airport June 24-26.

Hugh Shields, Executive Director of the GLIAS, explained to the Chamber that final results, in terms of attendance and earnings, won’t be released until September. At press time for this article, month-end invoices had yet to arrive and final calculations were yet to be made but Shields confirmed he expects the show to be “handsomely profitable.”

Net proceeds from the show are to be given to the community through organizations including the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation, the major beneficiary of the show.

Given the large contingent of vol-

unteers responsible for the success of the GLIAS, Shields says it’s important that the final results be announced at an event designed to thank the volunteers. He told us “Our intention is to have a volunteer appreciation party in early September (summer is too busy) and make our formal announcements and cheque presentations then. We are so heavily volunteer-based it was my thought to actually have them present when the fruits of their labour are doled out.”

The photos shown here are of Canadian Forces Captain Erick O'Connor.

The take-off shot shows his CF-18 leaping off the ground into a near straight-up take-off, afterburners fully lit. And that’s not smoke

1.59% 6.9¢ 1.64%

streaming off the sides near the cockpit; it’s air vapour condensing into a cloud, a condition brought-on by the rapid acceleration of the jet into humid air.

A Canadian Forces pilot since 1991, Captain O’Connor was signed to the CF-18 Demonstration team last October.

Each CF-18 Hornet is valued at $35 million. The aircraft flies at a maximum speed of mach 1.8 (1,127 miles per hour or 1,814 kilometers per hour), can reach a ceiling of 50,000 feet and can climb to that altitude in just one minute. Empty weight of each plane is 23,049 lbs. or 10,455 kg.

Published by Carroll Publishing Inc. and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin County For complete information on the St.Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, reach us at: 555 Talbot Street, St.Thomas, ON N5P 1C5 Telephone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 E-Mail: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca Website: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca

President & CEO

Bob Hammersley

Member Services Coordinator

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Mike Vecchio

Accounting Coordinator

Susan Munday

Project Marketing

Sue McKittrick

Member Services

Wes Bailey

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Photos courtesy of Shutter Studios

Acting Chair: Linda Sawyer Vice-Chair: Jason White Treasurer: Paul Smith Director: Pete Charlton Director: Monty Fordham Director: Frances Kennedy Director: Jeff Kohler Director: Mark Lassam

BMO Bank of Montreal Steelway Building Systems P.J. Smith & Associates Charlton’s Quality Meats Monty Fordham Law Office P3 Strategies Presstran Industries Kee, Perry & Lassam Chartered Accountants Director: Debra Mountenay Workforce Planning & Development Board Director: John Regan Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Darren Reith Reith and Associates Insurance & Financial Director: Allan Weatherall St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation Director: Laura Woermke St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre

August, 2011

BUSINESS BEAT

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

Candidate functions coming

The Chamber’s Public Sector Liaison Committee will be arranging a unique new information event for our Members and the entire community prior to the upcoming Ontario election.

Tuesday, September 27 we will join with Rogers Television and myFM 94.1 radio to broadcast an all-candidates program. The show will be aired live on the Rogers cable system and the audio portion simulcast live by St. Thomas’ new myFM radio station. This format represents a first for us, made possible thanks to the willingness of local media to work together with the Chamber for community benefit. The program will include a question period with representatives of all local media newsrooms invited to join in a panel.

Start time, duration and other program specifics were still being negotiated as this issue of Business Beat went to press. Members should watch the Chamber’s weekly Green Mail and next month’s Business Beat for further information.

We’re also aware that another local St. Thomas all-candidates event is being planned for Wednesday, September 21, hosted by the St. Thomas/Elgin Weekly News at Fellowship Christian Reform Church on Elm Street in St. Thomas.

Got a good book?

Distribution of the Chamber’s latest business directory, the 2011 Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide, was completed to over 700 local Member-business locations in July by our colleagues at Aylmer Express and the Chamber staff. If your business could use additional copies of our new 268 page directory, just let us know. Contact Member Services Coordinator Mike Vecchio at 519-631-1981, ext. 23 during business hours or send him a note at mike@stthomaschamber.on.ca The Chamber’s annual business directory is a partner product to our online directory on the Chamber website and is the most comprehensive source for business contact information in our region.

Visible inspection reports?

Elgin St. Thomas Public Health is asking for feedback on what type of information should be made public about health inspections on local restaurants and inspected food-service / hospitality businesses.

Over 50 local businesses that, together, employ over 2,000 people are Chamber Members that could be affected by action taken.

Currently, inspection reports are only available upon request. The City of London and the Middlesex London Health Unit recently adopted a colourcoded system indicating the type of rating a restaurant or food-service operation is given. Ratings appear on pages that are posted at restaurant entrances and can also be viewed online.

Before deciding local policy, Public Health is asking for feedback in a survey on their website. Input from the general public as well as those in local food-service / hospitality businesses is welcome. You can take part by visiting www.elginhealth.on.ca. The survey is open now to Friday September 2.

Tourism – what’s it worth?

Ontario tourism business data has recently been reorganized to provide comprehensive info on inbound and outbound traffic, spending and employment.

Have a look at this web site: www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/research/historicalstats/historical_statistics_tables.shtml

Sample Show set The Chamber’s Member Services Committee has confirmed plans to again host our popular Business Sample Show during National Business Week.

The 2011 event will take place Wednesday, October 19 at St. Anne’s Centre and can accommodate displays and exhibits by up to 70 Members. As the name implies, we focus this event on samples or anything from food to products and services. Exhibitors are asked to include take-away items in the displays or, for those that can’t provide hundreds of free samples, we ask a contribution to our door prizes.

Space sells out quickly on this event. For details, contact Mike Vecchio or Wes Bailey at the Chamber office at 519-631-1981 or events@stthomaschamber.on.ca

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11

BUSINESS BEAT

LEGAL BUSINESS Legal News and Issues for Business

The cost of doing battle In a decision of the Superior Court of Ontario released on May 30, an Ottawa lawyer has been ordered by the judge to personally pay $72,000 in costs to the Township of Russell, the successful defendant in the main court case. The case involved the constitutional challenge by two individuals, Jean-Serge Brisson and Howard Galganov, of a local bylaw that required that all commercial signs be in both English and French.

It could be said that the case was complex, as are all cases involving arguments under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. After finding against the plaintiffs on all Charter grounds, it seems that the judge hearing the case felt that the lawyer acting for the plaintiffs had unnecessarily protracted the litigation, thereby putting all parties to additional inconvenience and expense. It also appears, however, that the lawyer at all times had the confidence and continued engagement of his clients.

The issue of costs in litigation sometimes takes on more importance than the substance of the case itself. In other words, the expense of the action is far more than it is worth to either party, win, lose or draw. It would be nice to be able to determine this at the outset of the case,

but, as any litigation lawyer will tell you, cases often seem to take on a life of their own.

Costs are generally awarded to the successful party in a lawsuit and are payable by the unsuccessful party.

Ontario law recognizes three levels of costs: partial indemnity, substantial indemnity and full indemnity. In many cases, however, the judge hear-

“

by Monty Fordham

“

costs in litigation sometimes takes on more importance than the substance of the case

ing the case will award costs in a fixed amount. Sometimes the judge will order no costs payable where circumstances warrant.

The Rules of Practice of the Superior Court allow a judge to order that costs of the successful party be paid personally by the lawyer acting for the unsuccessful party, where he has “caused costs to be incurred without reasonable cause or to be wasted by undue delay, negligence or other default.” The key words would seem to be “reasonable,” “undue” and “other default.” These are words law professors often refer to as weasel words; they sound clear enough until you try to apply them to individual cases.

Case law has generally held that in order for a lawyer acting in a case to have costs awarded against him there must be “serious misconduct.” Again the words are not entirely definitive.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in the case of Young v. Young, had this to say: “Courts must be extremely cautious in awarding costs personally against a lawyer, given the duties upon a lawyer to general confidentiality of instructions and to bring forward with courage even unpopular causes. A lawyer should not be placed in a situation where his or her fear of an adverse order of costs may conflict with these fundamental duties of his or her calling.” (Emphasis mine)

In the Galganov and Brisson case the judge awarded costs to Russell Township in the amount of $180,000. The lawyer was ordered to pay 40 percent, so it is not as if Galganov and Brisson got out unscathed. As well, they would have to pay their lawyer in accordance with his retainer. Moreover, Russell Township, which asked the judge for $300,000, would be obligated to its lawyer as well.

It seems the judge in the case grew weary of the tactics of the plaintiffs’ lawyer and seems to have drawn the conclusion that, while she found the matter an important one, there was no public interest served by the litigation. The problem raised, however, by her award of costs, is that lawyers may feel compelled to second guess their clients, and, while it is always a lawyer’s duty to point out the weaknesses and likelihood of success in a client’s case, he or she should not be driven off the case by the risk of an adverse costs award.

In all likelihood the costs order will be appealed; the decision will be important, and not only to lawyers.

Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares this monthly column for the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and our Members. Monty is also a volunteer serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Questions, comments and suggestions for future columns are welcomed by Monty at his Law Office, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca

Summer networking Bryan Vine of The Growth Coach, Suzanne Edwards and Ginette Minor of Genuine Stitches and Paul Corriveau of the Railway City Brewing Company chat at the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 event held July 14 on the patio at ME & Suzie’s Restaurant in Port Stanley.

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August, 2011

BUSINESS BEAT

MEMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

New police program The St. Thomas Police Service (STPS) is part of a new program called the Youth in Policing Initiative (YiPI). The initiative is designed to provide summer employment opportunities for youth to work with Police Services to help mentor them and develop relevant work-related skills.

In order to be chosen for the program, youths applying must be residents/students who demonstrate interest in making a better life for themselves and working to improve our community. Staff Sergeant Chris Herridge from the STPS Support Services Unit told the Chamber, “We have the opportunity to mentor and influence these youth in a way that very well may help determine their future direction in life.”

Braden Hellems is a Grade 11 student at Parkside Collegiate. He recently signed with the St. Thomas Stars Jr. B hockey team and is an avid sportsman (hunting) and referee. He has been hired by STPS for eight weeks.

Now through August 26, Braden will be involved with Support Services and assigned a variety of duties that include taking an abbreviated Cadet Orientation Course, observing various functions and Units within the Police Service, attending and assisting at Community events, and learning about all aspects of the Police Service.

The Chamber and police have enjoyed a positive working relationship in the past and will work together

again to provide some meaningful experiences for Braden. Graffiti clean-up is one initiative that could be a way for Braden to interact with our Members and help the way our community looks. The Chamber can arrange special pricing on paint and supplies and Member Services Coordinator Mike Vecchio will be pleased to co-ordinate contact and scheduling with STPS. Call Mike at 519-631-1981, ext. 23.

YiPI (Youth in Policing Initiative) student Braden Hellems (right) is shown with St. Thomas Police Const. Brian Kempster as the pair identify one of the downtown St. Thomas graffiti targets to be cleaned and removed.

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August, 2011

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13

BUSINESS BEAT

PRO TEXT Business Management News & Issues

Protecting your identity

by Dan Reith

Sometime ago I wrote about the issue of identity theft. Since that time the issue has become ever greater as technology has evolved to better aid hackers and our society is drawn evermore into social networking and therefore the global publication of our personal information.

There is a certain irony in all this.

Government legislation exists to protect our personal and private details yet there are those who think nothing about sharing aspects of it with the world through Internet time.

More than 21,000 victims were reported in Canada in 2009. It is a serious issue. Advancements in technology, all of which are intended to bring us closer and make our lives easier have opened the door to a whole new world for those of the less than honest and reputable ilk to profit from the theft of personal information. This includes, but is not limited to, driver’s license numbers, credit card information, social insur-

ance numbers and other private personal data. This column will not serve to recommend and advise all the ways one can preserve and protect from identity theft. That shall be left to our local law enforcement and common sense. What this column will serve to provide is a solution to those who may fall victim to the crime of identity theft. Do not wait until you discover you suddenly owe for credit cards, car loans and mortgages before you do something. It is best to be proactive rather than reactive.

Apart from taking the prescribed steps to protect your person, your name, your credit and your identity, look no further than your house insurance policy. For those who rent or have a condo, identity theft insurance can be added to these policies as well. Quite simply, identity theft insurance provides protection in the event that you are a victim. Such insurance will reimburse for basic expenses related to identify theft and fraud: time off work, legal costs etc.

The basic expenses are however lim-

ited to set dollar amounts and time periods. As far as what it costs, they vary but a quick survey tells us some insurers are tossing it in for nothing, at present, while others are charging as much as $50. This price is annual and simply added to your policy.

Some insurers have even gone so far as to require, as a condition of your policy, that you register all household credit cards with them.

Those who have taken advantage of the Chamber of Commerce group house insurance program through Novex can purchase this coverage for $30 per year. It is free if you have been insured with Novex for more than 5 years. The twist with this in-

surer’s program is that they include a host of legal and other services to help policyholders repair the damage to their credit rating, deal with potential lawsuits, prevent harassment by creditors and restore their good name.

If you have embraced technology or even toss out old bills and personal documents without shredding, you may want to consider the realities of personal identity theft. Speak with local law enforcement on ways to protect yourself and then speak to your insurance provider to learn what you can do even if you are a victim. While personal identity theft insurance does serve to assist in picking up the pieces, it is not a cure-all for a lack of good judgment or carelessness; it is intended only to protect against the unexpected.

This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted

by Dan Reith, BA(Hons) CAIB, Principal Broker, Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via email: info@reithandassociates.com

2011 KOHLER CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT

September 10/2011 9:00am shotgun start $90 per person Includes: • 18 holes of golf @ Kettle Creek Golf & Country Club • Golf Cart/per two people • Lunch to follow tournament • Fantastic prize for each player • Only 144 spaces available-register early! .

Over the last 12 years, we have Sponsorship Opportunities: hosted the Kohler Classic Golf Tournament to raise money for various charities throughout our city. We have raised more than $100,000, which we were able to donate back to St. Thomas. This year’s proceeds will be donated to the St. Thomas and Elgin General Hospital Campaign, the Talbot Teen Centre and the Elgin Theatre Guild.

Gold - $2500 : includes 1 foursome, four hole signs and company logo on dinner placemats.

Silver - $600 : includes four hole signs.

Bronze - $300 : includes two hole signs.

Community Sponsor - $200: includes one hole sign

Contact: jkohler67@live.com or 519-631-6401 14

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August, 2011

BUSINESS BEAT

POSITIVE EXPOSURE Doing Public Relations Right

Misery is a communicable disease!

I believe that effective communication is 20 percent what you know and 80 percent how you feel about what you know. In other words, attitude is everything.

If you’re miserable, and others around you sense it, there is a tendency to drag them down with you.

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?

One man I would have loved to meet was Sir Winston Churchill who once said “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Another man who would have been special to meet was legendary NFL Coach Vince Lombardi who stated “If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”

I have lived in a big city, Ottawa; a small community, Huntsville (population 18,000 year ‘round) and, since 2005, here in St. Thomas. I can truly say that people are people everywhere. No matter where you are, you can find those with such positive attitudes that you wonder where they get their energy. Then you have those who tend to drag everyone down.

People who say things that are not true, bend the truth, or misrepresent things to fit circumstances. I even had an experience with one man in Ottawa who would change his version of a story from one person to another to see what reaction he would get. And this was a person who was in a senior administrative position! I had little respect for him.

It’s unfortunate but, of course, we have all met these types of people.

I love to keep up with what is happening in news from around the world or maybe just across the street.

Therefore, I have read many newspapers and watched many, many TV

programs in my life.

Communication through the media can be one of the biggest challenges faced by businesses and organizations. Getting the story you tell to be the story that’s told isn’t as easy as it appears. Over the years, through good rapport with journalists in newspapers and radio and television outlets, I have had varying degrees of success with having a story run the way I hoped or wished it might. It was fun to deal with some media, yet others left me wondering where they

“

Attitudes are contagious

got their information. Their reported stories didn’t attain my content expectations and some even bent the truth out of all proportions.

One of my recent and favourite examples of media communication has been the generally positive coverage on the activities of Prince William and Kate as they visited just a couple of weeks ago. Imagine being in front of 300,000 people on Parliament Hill – as Prince William was – while having the wrong attitude. It would have been a disaster for sure. With over 1,400 journalists from far ranging countries present and focused on every moving detail, the potential for attitude and behaviour to mix was strong. Whether it was something new, something different or even a humorous incident, the attitude of the media showed they were ready for anything that came along.

My best advice is to remember that the only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.

We all discover, sooner or later, that one of life’s greatest discoveries is the

“

by Allan Weatherall

ability to alter one’s life by altering attitude.

Wernher von Braun, who was instrumental in putting a man on the moon, said “I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest caution.” Again, his attitude made him pursue what was deemed – at the time – technologically impossible.

Positive anything is better than negative thinking, so I hope you have the right attitude. Look for the answers before you form a final opinion and move forward with enthusiasm once you know all the facts.

The only thing we can do is change our attitude! I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how I react to it. Or did I say 20 percent and 80 percent at the beginning of the article? You may have to read this whole thing again. Now that’s the attitude!

This article has been prepared for the Chamber and our Members by Allan Weatherall, B.A., CFRE, APR Director of Development at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation. He received accreditation (APR) from the Canadian Public Relations Society in 1993 and a CFRE (certified fundraising executive) in 2000. He welcomes your comments via email to: aweather@stegh.on.ca or telephone 519-631-2030 extension 2247

Welcome Todd Wait The Team at Disbrowe Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac is pleased to welcome TODD WAIT, Sales Consultant. A resident of St. Thomas for 23 years, Todd brings 1.5 years of General Motors Sales experience.

Todd invites all his past customers, his former Sterling colleagues, family and friends to contact him to experience the Disbrowe Difference.

116 Edward Edward St. St. St. St. Thomas Thomas www.disbrowe.com www.disbrowe.com 519-631-7960 519-631-7960 116 toddwait@disbrowe.com

August, 2011

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Ext. 235

15

BUSINESS BEAT

VIEWPOINT Events and News of Interest to our Members

How to be a St.Thomasian...

Stats Can says 12 percent of St. Thomas and area residents move in an average year. Some upsize homes, some downsize. Some move across town, and others move from rural to urban or urban to rural. And about one third of all address-changers come from places out of the province or out of the country. Over even a short period, say five years, that means a whole crop of folks have arrived who really have minimum knowledge of our area and the businesses and places within.

Because local names of people and places in the St. Thomas area baffle both newcomers and permanent residents alike we have built a quick guide to making it easy.

First, some history that sets the rules. The early settlers here were mostly English and Irish. We can thank the English for lots of unnecessarily long and peculiar spellings (yes, the same folks who gave us ‘draught’ when a simple ‘draft’ would do it), and we can thank the Irish for some odd ways to pronounce words and emphasizing last syllables instead the customary first ones.

Say these with ease and you’ll be an official St. Thomasian. Yes, that’s correct – not a St. Thomasite!

Aylmer – Elmer and/or Almer is a common local mistake, but it’s properly said Ale-mer, with a long ‘a.’

Think beer. Think ale. Say Ale-mer.

Same goes for the place in Quebec and when reading those canned goods labels. The local mis-speak as Elmer or Almer seems unique to Elgin. If you’re from Embrun, Russell, Manotick or anywhere in the Ottawa area, no problem. They say Aylmer as it should be.

Aldborough – Many locals somehow think this has something to do with actor Alan Alda. Not so. It’s not Alda-boro... Just simple Ald-boro. If you head to the west end of Elgin, be

prepared for people who can’t say the letter ‘d.’ All-boro is their way of slurring, er, saying it.

Alma – We have Alma Street and used to have Alma College. It’s Al, like a guy’s name, not oll like doll.

Say Al-muh.

CASO – It’s not really a word, it’s an abbreviation for ‘Canada Southern.’ One of St. Thomas’ best historic sites is the CASO Railway Station.

Say Kay-so.

Cowan – Cowan Park is a nice place. No cows there, except in how you say it.

Currah – Easy, just like it looks.

Don’t growl, but remember Curr rhymes with the sound an angry dog makes: grrrr.

Daugharty – English overspelling again. It’s door-tee, not dogerty. Emphasis on the door.

Detroit – Being so close, we often use this place to cross on the bridge or the tunnel to the US, we can watch their TV stations, and like their baseball, hockey, football and basketball teams. It’s Dee-troyt, not Dee-troy-it. Detroit was founded in 1701 by a French explorer named Cadillac. Detroit (say Deee-trwaa in French) translates to mean “strait” in English and was named by Cadillac for its position along the Detroit River.

Elgin – This one’s a great word to

start a fight with a US citizen. Start with gin, as in the drink. The Americans go with El(drink)gin in places like Elgin, Illinois or when talking about a brand of wristwatch. History, we think, is on our side. We say it with a hard ‘g.’ Apparently, Lord Elgin of Bruce (UK royalty that goes way back) does, too. And so do our friends in the military known as The Elgins. If a US citizen disagrees too much, just remind them that our Elgins have guns and they know how to use them.

Emslie – Say Emms-lee, not Elmslee. Bob Emslie was a pro and semipro baseball player and umpire who retired to St. Thomas in the 1890s.

He was named to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. He died here in 1943 and the ballpark at Pinafore Park has been named in his honour as Emslie Field.

Elysian – ell-eee-zhun Ermatinger – Erma could have been a winger, but somehow was a tinger. Erma – tinger with emphasis on the Erma.

Fingal – Think gall, as in gall bladder. Say Fin-gall, with slight emphasis on the gall. It’s Irish.

Formet – Don’t say format or formit. Formet Industries is a Magna International factory, and one of our region’s largest employers. The name on the door is Magna’s self-styled ab-

breviation for what the factory does.

It forms metal. Equal emphasis on both syllables makes Formet sound as they intended it.

Idsardi – Ever see the Wizard of Id cartoons? Id-sar-dee. Short ‘I’ to start.

Kopic – No cops here. Long ‘o,’ as in co-operate.

Lake Margaret – No challenge here, but a lot of people wonder who Margaret was. The area Lake M is in used to be a large gravel pit. Margaret was one of the owner’s daughters.

But they used to call her Peggy. We’re betting Lake Peggy just didn’t make the cut.

Mondamin – Say Mon-DAY-min.

Soft ‘o,’ long ‘a.’ It’s a street name based on the Ojibwa word for ‘corn.’

New Sarum – It’s a village dating to the 1800s, east of St. Thomas.

And, yes, there was an Old Sarum.

The old one was Neolithic, dating back to around 3000 BC in England.

One catastrophe after another led to a rebuild in the 1200s that the English then called New Sarum. Sarum is pronounced like the name Sarah with an um instead of an ah.

Owaissa – O-wassa, not O-way-sa.

Rapelje – Named for a local settler.

Think Jay, as in Blue Jay. Rap-ell-jay with emphasis on the rap.

Redan – It’s ruh-DAN. Push the DAN and don’t say red.

St. Thomasian – Just to be clear, the last part is said same as Asian (person from Asia). Please do not label yourself or others as a Saint Tom-ass-ee-an.

Thames – It’s a river around here and in England. And lots of us live in the Thames Valley, go to Thames Valley District schools or get scooped up by Thames EMS ambulances. Too bad the English just didn’t make it tems, because that’s how you say it.

Vanier – The influence from French Quebec spills over. Sometimes, like the CBC, we try to speak two languages at once. It’s Van-yay not Van-yer.

Yarmouth – There’s no mouth. Say Yar-mith and emphasize the Yar.

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M O N T H

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August, 2011

Business / Community LEADERSHIP

Think and act like a CEO Making the mental leap from employee to leader is the first step in becoming a strategic business owner

by Bryan Vine

“

Before you can fully re-engineer your business and your life, you must first re-engineer your mindset. You need to tame and calm your mind to free it from reactive, counterproductive habits. You must adopt a strategic mindset and focus.

To do this, use this simple change management formula – BE/DO/HAVE. In order to have, you must do, and in order to do effectively, you must be. For example, want to have a better golf handicap?

Then you must do certain things: take lessons, practice and play more, get better clubs, etc. However, all this doing won’t be optimally effective unless you first change your mindset – you must be a better golfer on the inside. You must start to see, feel, think and behave like a better golfer in order to be a better golfer.

Similarly, in order to have more freedom, joy and financial success as an owner, you must do new strategies (i.e. systematize your business, utilize marketing, etc.). In order to optimally do these strategies, you must

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stop being a detailoriented technician

first be a more effective business owner – mind, body and soul. Like an award-winning actor, do not just play the part, become the part. You must change from the inside out before your external realities change.

How do you escape the nauseating details and headaches of your business? How do you gain greater freedom? You must make the great mental leap from that of an em-

ployee to that of a business leader.

First, you must acknowledge your technical bias, your addiction to being busy, and your uneasiness with delegation. Next, you must adopt the ‘big picture’ mindset of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You must be a CEO in mind and spirit to get the results you seek. You must think, feel, see, taste, smell and hear like a CEO.

If you don’t start thinking like a CEO, it will be nearly impossible for you to start behaving like a strategic business owner and truly working on your business in a proactive, purposeful manner. For many owners, jumping this wide chasm from employee to owner is tough and terrifying. However, you will never escape a workaholic existence unless you stop being a detail-oriented technician masquerading as an owner. Stop focusing on the technical work of the business; focus on the entire business. The choice is yours. Step up and be a leader, not a micro-manager!

Bryan Vine is co-owner of The Growth Coach in St. Thomas.

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17

Running A Small Business STRATEGY

Thinking and growing your business Ideas to help your business thrive Improving economic conditions have many business owners thinking about growth. But given the cautious economic climate, what’s a good strategy?

Skilled management, a reliable workforce and a consistent approach to marketing are table stakes for growth. But what about those companies that are growing at triple the average – or better? What’s the difference between businesses that are surviving and those that are thriving?

First of all, thriving businesses are investing in Research and Development. R&D leads to innovation that can provide opportunities to differentiate your product or service from those of your competitors. Even a modest investment in R&D can increase sales opportunities and improve customer retention.

Secondly, thriving companies don’t focus on a single market or sales channel: having varying levels of investment in, and exposure to, different markets is one effective way to balance risk. And the Internet has created at least one alternate sales channel for many established businesses.

And finally, thriving companies leverage technology. One inarguable benefit of technology is that it can help improve efficiency – and improved efficiency always has positive impacts on the bottom line.

If you are contemplating expanding your operations in 2011 by investing in R&D or by entry into a new market, make sure you have a plan; without a plan you may have a

destination, but not the map of how to get there. Take the time to evaluate your business to ensure that you have the equipment, human capital and cash flow to support your ambitions. It’s one thing to build a better mousetrap but it’s another to successfully support its launch into the market.

To understand the risks, opportunities and best practices of exploring new channels or investing in R&D, many business owners have a network of trusted advisors that they test their ideas on.

While many entrepreneurs consider their lawyers and accountants subject matter experts, most don’t include their bankers as a key member of their advisory council.

This is ironic because a business banker’s job is to provide the advice, tools and – if necessary - funds to help businesses turn sustainability into profitability. So don’t forget to leverage the knowledge of a business banker to help you make the right financial decisions for your business.

Invite your banker over every six months to see what you do; this type of familiarity provides your banker with a better understanding of your business, which helps them recommend the most appropriate products and services. And remember, your banker lives and works in the same community you do, so the next time you are hosting a networking event or organizing a fundraiser, don’t forget to invite your banker; chances are they’re a supporter too.

Productive relationships are built

“

by Brian Dempsey

“

make sure you have a plan

on mutual respect, trust and understanding. And regular contact with your banker gives you the opportunity to educate them on your current needs and future plans. They might not have all the answers but, when it comes to financial management, cash flow or investing, an experienced business banker can certainly help you make decisions about what’s appropriate for your business.

Brian Dempsey is a Small Business Advisor at TD Canada Trust in St. Thomas.

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Each office is independently owned and operated

18

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August, 2011

Running A Small Business CUSTOMERS

Finding the crucial piece of the puzzle Knowing what your clients need is a big part of making your business successful sources. Take the time to develop the right systems and empower you and your business to make a difference in the lives of those you serve!

Clarifying your direction The question begs to be asked, “Are you going in the right direction?”

This is why all things start and end with knowing the needs of your clients. Without this vital piece of the puzzle, you could be climbing the wrong ladder, leaning against the wrong house.

Here is how to find the need your business is out to meet. Think about how your clients would fill in this blank. “If I just had ________, my life would be better.” (Money and/or your products and services are not the answers you are looking for here.) Think stability, love, compassion, direction, time, hope, etc.

These are the real needs of your clients. Pinpoint the one word need that you hear your clients sharing by filling in the statement above.

by Shayne Wyler

“

Why does your business exist? To meet the specific need of your clients, I hear you say. Let’s explore how knowing the needs of your clients brings effective, efficient and empowered management to any business.

Assessing the need Your clients come to you because of the difference you make in their lives. By knowing the need of your customers, you are empowered to structure your business around servicing their need, effectively and efficiently in all you do.

For example, counselors at the Elgin Business Resource Centre know that the businesses we work with have a need to prosper. In knowing this, we are able to focus our services to ensure that all we do empowers you, the small business owner, to prosper in your business, strengthening your community in the process. To have this anchor empowers us to empower you in what you do.

Developing the right systems By knowing the needs of your clients you are able to develop the right systems, bringing efficiency to all you do. With the right systems, you can hand over responsibility to others, freeing up time and re-

“

make a difference in the lives of those you serve

Shayne Wyler is a Business Counsellor at the Elgin Business Resource Centre.

TD Canada Trust

Running a small business is hard enough. We can help.

We’d like to introduce Brian Dempsey as your Small Business Advisor.

Brian Dempsey Small Business Advisor 378 Talbot St. St. Thomas (519) 631-7070, ext. 231 Cell: (226) 268-1384 brian.dempsey@td.com

With over 10 years of banking experience and a local resident, Brian understands the pressures of owning and operating a business or farm in St. Thomas and is committed to helping you by providing services, products and advice tailored specifically to your needs.

Drop by the branch to talk to your Small Business Advisor and discover how we can make your business banking easier. We look forward to seeing you soon.

August, 2011

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19

Running A Small Business MANAGING

The many hats of managing a small business Preparation, planning and teamwork can help you be successful

by Jesse Terpstra

Starting and running a small business is no small feat. There are a lot of hats to wear and as manager you can be pulled in a lot of directions at once. Here are some tips for running a small business and getting the help you need to ensure it’s successful.

Be prepared Before you dive into your business, or launch a new product line, do your research. Investigate the industry, competition, and what will be required to get to the next step.

Industry Canada is a great place to start your research. The more knowledgeable you are, the better your chance for success.

Make a plan A successful business is the result of careful planning, not luck. Writing a business plan will take a lot of time and work, but will certainly be worth it in the end. Your business plan should include: • executive summary

• description of the business and its products or services • marketing strategy • operational plan • financial data and projections • management description • analysis of the market, the competition, and the risk involved Libro Financial Group has a downloadable business planner available online.

Build your team There’s no need to go through the stress of running a successful small business by yourself. You can’t do it all alone, so ensure you have a supportive team on board to help you run your business.

Your team can include supportive family members who understand all of the work you’re doing, and at the same time can help you relax. If you have employees be sure they’re contributing to your business and don’t be afraid to let someone go if they’re not pulling their weight.

Ensure you have a network of pro-

Over 100 years of serving businesses, organizations and individuals throughout Elgin County. Let us discuss your corporate needs or your next commercial or property transaction.

fessionals you can turn to for advice.

This includes an accountant, lawyer and financial coach.

Get a coach Your financial coach will help with day-to-day business banking, financing, and investing, with advice tailored to your business.

Jesse Terpstra is Branch Manager of the Libro Financial Group in St. Thomas.

RESOURCES • For business research, visit Industry Canada at www.ic.gc.ca • Access a downloadable business planner by Libro Financial Group at libro.ca/commercial/tools.html

“ Thorough Service, Effective Representation” Robert F. Cline A. John Sanders David V. Taylor 14 Southwick St.,St. Thomas • 519-633-0800 w w w. s a n d l a w y e r s . c a

The Home Based Business Association There are many benefits to joining

Business tax specialists who make house calls?

Accountants

• Provides networking opportunities for members.

• Encourages and assists members in their personal and professional growth.

FBC

We come to your place to get a better understanding of you and your business.

It helps uncover more ways to minimize your taxes and maximize your credits.

We are FBC. For 58 years we’ve been putting more money in the pockets of Canadian business owners. Can we put something in your pocket?

www.fbc.ca

The HBBA is open to all home based businesses.

For a free, no-obligation meeting at your place

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call 1 877 681 2356 20

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• Help educate the general public of the positive benefits home based businesses .

• Bi-monthly meetings at Elgin Mall’s Community Room; with Guest Speakers.

M O N T H

August, 2011

Running A Small Business INSURANCE

Insurance tips for entrepreneurs (NC) The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in many small business owners. And while most of the “i's” have been dotted and the “t's” have been crossed, many otherwise astute and detail-oriented company owners pay little mind to one of the most important aspects of a successful business: insurance.

"Having the correct insurance coverage for your company is critical to the operation of a sound business," says Shelley Toyota, Director, Commercial SME, RSA Canada. "By engaging the services of a broker that specializes in coverage for entrepreneurs, small and medium sized businesses will be able to operate with confidence knowing that they have protection in the event of an unfortunate occurrence."

Obtaining some insurance coverage may be obvious to most entrepreneurs, yet there are a number of options available for business owners who want to ensure they have the most comprehensive protection as possible. Coverage options that a small business owner may not consider include Business Interruption, which covers owners from losses related to a temporary shut-down, and Crime and Fidelity insurance, protecting organizations from loss of money, securities, or inventory resulting from various crimes such as forgery, robbery and computer fraud.

“Small to medium sized businesses have many things to consider in order to assure ongoing success,” says Toyota. “The right insurance policy can provide the piece of mind that most entrepreneurs seek.”

Here are a few tips that small businesses should consider when shopping for the right insurance: • Don't be casual about your property: Make sure your policy provides you with comprehensive Property Casualty coverage that protects you in the event of any damage to company property, including fire, smoke, storms, civil disobedience and vandalism.

• Ensure a safe getaway: Whether you have two vehicles or 20, having a policy that is customized to your fleet will assure that accidents will not result in damage to your bottom line.

• Equip your business successfully: In the event of equipment damage or August, 2011

breakdown, the right insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs or replacement parts, as well as the loss of business income. Be sure to ask your broker about your options.

Small to medium size business owners have a number of considerations when choosing their company insurance. Call your broker to review the best options for your business.

“

“

Making the most of your small business coverage

the right insurance policy can provide piece of mind

Jesse T Jesse Terpstra erpstra Branch Br anch Manager Jesse Jesse Brown Brown Account Ac count Manager E L G I N

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21

Think pink! “

vibrant and stimulating

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Homestyle DECORATING

Slip on those rose-coloured glasses and take a walk on the brighter side of life

by Renée Carpenter

You guessed it – pink is the hot colour trend for summer 2011. Actually it is honeysuckle, to be exact!

Imagine raspberry sherbet or a cross between coral and fuchsia and you’ll be close to home. I saw pink coming a few years ago while in England at a tradeshow where they paired greys with beautiful shades of pink. Absolutely gorgeous!

The pink concept moved across the globe, and even Pantone, the colour experts that set the standard for the world of fashion, picked up on it as mentioned in a 2011 press release: “Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become

part of everyday life. ” Although not a vibrant pink, but rather, a muddier reddish pink more muted than a hot pink, honeysuckle is still vibrant and stimulating. It is a pink that certainly reflects a cheerful character and raises the spirit when we see it.

Colour forecasters, such as Pantone, influence our choices in clothing, jewellery and home décor. In 2010, Pantone’s colour was turquoise, and yes, we saw it creep into our wardrobes and homes. Far more lively than turquoise, springtime brought pink pillows, bedspreads, glass accent pieces and more to home décor shops. Hot pink velvet chairs adorn our showroom floor, as do pillows in pink, accenting a lime green sofa.

Pink is no longer an ‘it’ colour, but rather a new staple. Last year, rose gold began to rise in popularity in

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And pink is not just for the ladies!

Shell pink, a sophisticated version, is one that both men and women can appreciate. It’s more subtle than pure pink, with coral undertones and a luminescent feel.

Versatile? Yes, because this particular pink hue has tones of red that make it a bold colour, yet the pink tone embraces this boldness with much needed grace. While the colour is sometimes considered easier to use in fashion design, I would pair it either dominantly or subtly with creams and undertones of gold, bluegreens with undertones of orange, or with neutrals like grey and brown. If

used with restraint, I see it as a successful colour trend choice in pillow fabric, glassware and decorative accessories. Add bright honeysuckle pink candles, vases, throws, drapes, or even just flowers to any room and watch the room come alive.

Renée Carpenter is the owner of Jennings Furniture and Design in St. Thomas.

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Homestyle THAT’S LIFE

Living in harmony with nature

“

Lessons my son has yet to learn about being a small part of the bigger picture

by Elizabeth VanHooren

“The corn field bit me,” my three year-old managed to blurt out amid the sobs and tears flowing down his freckled face. “It bit me on my back!”

Moments earlier I had watched him blow bubbles along the edge of our lawn just feet away from some wild flowers that border the field. One of those idyllic scenes from his childhood that I wish I could bottle up and uncork when he is a grumpy teenager. He blew bubbles and let them drift in the wind popping randomly as they floated down onto the grass. The odd one survived the fall only to be swatted by his one-yearold brother.

I turned my back for a second to water the flowers when the screaming started. He threw the bottle of bubbles down and ran toward me wideeyed until he fell to the ground in a fit of pain. “My back, my back,” was the only thing I could understand.

When I lifted his shirt I saw the white welt of a bee sting. I quickly

grabbed a water bottle and applied the cold drink hoping to calm him down. His screams continued and that’s when I noticed two more bites.

As a mother, my first instinct was to annihilate all bees. Armed with a couple of cans of Raid I would kill the insect that did this to my baby and anything else in my way. But as his wails gave way to whimpers I too calmed down and realized there was a much better lesson to be learned.

However heavenly I may think my baby boy is, the world – especially the natural world – does not centre on him. He is in fact just a small part of it.

That’s a difficult lesson for anyone to learn. Some adults still don’t respect the natural world. They build homes close to the forest only to complain about the deer, mice and fox that may venture up into their backyard.

No, the corn field did not bite my son. My son disturbed a bunch of bees busily collecting nectar for their own families. For a brief moment my

Customer Appreciation

“

the cornfield bit me

The two of them were kneeling over an ant hill poking a stick in the holes and marveling at the ants coming up.

“Look mom, that one’s name is Fred.”

I suddenly remembered that he only got pecked by the rooster once before he realized he shouldn’t put his hand through the wire mesh of the chicken pen. It may take a little more trial and error, and a few more insect bites, for him to realize how to peacefully live with and respect nature. As curious as he is, I’m sure he’ll get there.

son got in their way.

So how can I teach my sons to embrace and respect nature – bees and all?

I was still contemplating this question when I noticed that he was no longer crying. He had wandered off into the flower bed rambling to his brother how the corn field bit him.

Elizabeth VanHooren is general manager of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority.

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Dining & Entertainment THE PLAY’S THE THING

The Grapes of Wrath Dark, disturbing play based on Steinbeck novel is compelling theatre at the Stratford Festival

“

by Ric Wellwood

24

“

challenging and enlightening

Evan Buliung as Tom Joad and Janet Wright as Ma in The Grapes of Wrath at the Stratford Festival. (Photo by David Hou)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tennessee Williams play at the Shaw Festival sizzles with inspiring performances

“

“

Every once in a while, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival will step away from classic and light entertainment and give us epic theatre. It can be heavy, dark and serious, but it is nonetheless, challenging and enlightening. General director, Antoni Cimolino, occasionally steps away from his administrative duties and gets back to directing plays. ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ is one such offering. Adapted by Frank Galati from John Steinbeck’s famous novel of the Okie migration to California, it is big, powerful and compelling.

The play is the story of the migration of the Joad family to a life of disappointment, deception and violence. Worse still is possible starvation. Along the way they bring along a disgraced preacher, played with skill and passion by Tom McCamus. He and Evan Builing as Tom Joad are well established early in the play because they meet on a sunny day. Much of the rest of the play is at dusk or in darkness.

Though they go early in the play, Chick Reid and Ian D. Clark give solid performances as the grandparents. The family is rounded out by the daughter, Rose of Sharon, played

by Chilina Kennedy in one of her best non-musical offerings. As her dreamer husband, Josh Young sets a good contrast to the undeniable work ethic of the Joad family. They don’t mind hard work, if only someone will give them a chance.

‘The Grapes of Wrath’ is huge in cast, in concept and in efforts to make the Stratford Shakespeare Festival even broader in its mandate.

This is not a bad thing.

dazzlingly brilliant

Corrine Koslo as Big Mama and Moya O’Connell as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Shaw Festival.

(Photo by Emily Cooper)

by Ric Wellwood

Whenever the Shaw Festival departs from the works of George Bernard Shaw, the results can be deadly dull or dazzlingly brilliant.

You can put its production of Tennessee Williams’ ‘Cat on a Hot Tin

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Roof ’ securely in the latter category.

Director Eda Homes leads a gifted cast into the dark recesses inhabited by the Pollitt Family of Mississippi.

Big Daddy Pollitt is dying of cancer and there is a competition to see who will inherit twelve million dollars and a plantation of huge dimensions with the richest soil “this side of the Nile Delta.”

As Big Daddy, Festival veteran Jim Mezon gives a performance that will resonate in your mind long after the standing ovation. He has never been shy about tackling unpopular characters, but he brings a sensitivity and vulnerability to Big Daddy that I have not seen before. As his grieving wife, Big Mama, Corrine Koslo gives some chilling histrionics and a surprising admission of love for a most unlovable man.

I have only seen four other produc-

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tions of this play, but this one takes the Tony Award. The cat on that hot tin roof is Maggie, the daughter-inlaw who is coping with the heavy drinking of her husband Brick, who is swimming in self-disgust. He doesn’t seem to want the inheritance, but Maggie is so desperate to escape from her childhood poverty that she decides to do the thinking for both of them.

This is theatre at its very best.

Ric Wellwood is communications advisor for the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority.

August, 2011

Dining & Entertainment SAVOUR ELGIN

What a to do!

The Mad Hatters Tea Room welcomes young and old to experience a bit of whimsy

by Kate Burns

Stepping into the Mad Hatters Tea Room is like walking into a fairytale.

Modelled after Lewis Carroll’s classic ‘Alice In Wonderland,’ the Tea Room features delicious treats served on themed china. You can enjoy your tea at the Mad Hatter’s table, on Alice’s couch, or, for those who prefer to dine al fresco, outside in the Queen of Hearts Garden. If you are lucky, the Mad Hatter himself might make an appearance – in full costume!

Owners Amanda and David Terry completed the fairytale feeling by creating a façade for the shop in English Tudor style, which includes bouillon glass shipped directly from England for an authentic look.

On the menu are teas, desserts and sandwiches prepared from old recipe books, both British and North American. Home baked scones, preserves and a selection of delightful miniature desserts including raspberry almond mini cakes and double chocolate brownies, are just a few of

The Mad Hatters Tea Room is a member of Savour Elgin. Savour Elgin is a program with a goal to promote and enhance culinary tourism in Elgin County and St. Thomas. The Savour Elgin trail is a route through Elgin County that visits some of the best restaurants, farms, wineries, and other culinary attractions that focus on food and drink that’s local and unique to Elgin County and St. Thomas. For full trail information visit www.savourelgin.ca.

[Above] Amanda Terry invites you to take a spot of tea. [Top] The Mad Hatters Tea Room is located at 47272 Talbot Line in Orwell between Aylmer and St. Thomas.

the items you can expect to savour.

Guests of the Tea Room can enjoy high tea by reservation, as well as a daily Devonshire Cream Tea. For visitors wanting to recreate the whimsy of the Tea Room at home, there are 20 different varieties of loose leaf tea for sale along with gifts and collectibles and framed prints of

the classic 19th century storybook.

After tea, a stroll through The Queen of Hearts Garden will lead guests to the outdoor market at the rear of Quaker Barrel Unique Antiques & General Store. This market features crafts made by local artisans, as well as plants and produce from local growers.

Kate Burns is the business development coordinator at the County of Elgin.

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Dining & Entertainment WINE & FOOD

“

C h a rd o n n a y i s t h e m o s t w i d e l y p l a n t e d g ra p e i n O n ta r i o Talking to wine lovers everyday, I get a sense of what people are drinking and what they love about their favourite wines. I also notice certain trends emerge. Over the last decade there has been a vocal trend against Chardonnay. There is actually an abbreviation for this trend: ABC (Anything But Chardonnay). I use the term ‘vocal trend’ because the statistics on acreage, fine wine production and sales don’t sync with the ABC movement. Considering that Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape in Ontario, the largest varietal sold in North America and the core grape in some of the most celebrated wines in the world, I felt I had to write an ode to Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is called the winemaker’s grape and for good reason.

The way it is handled in the cellar will determine its final taste profile.

Chardonnay can be grown almost everywhere. Ultimately the quality of the grapes and the growing season determine the final wine’s potential.

Stylistically, Chardonnay falls into one of four categories: Classic Burgundy, Ripe/Toasty, Bone-Dry Neutral and Champagne.

Classic Burgundy is the pinnacle.

This style is dry, rich, full-bodied and intense, with notes of oatmeal and nutty flavours. While not typically associated with fruit, Classic Burgundy is the only style that can truly showcase tropical fruit. Oak plays a central role in this wine and, of all

“

definitely worth stocking in your cellar

An ode to Chardonnay Considered the winemaker’s grape, this dry white wine has many good qualities worth reconsidering

the incarnations of Chardonnay, this one has the best ageability. Well worth the prices!

Ripe/Toasty Chardonnay is made in a similar vein to Classic Burgundy, but with a slightly less oak-

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driven influence. This is typical California to me. Flavours of apricot, peach, vanilla, butter, oak, toast and butterscotch are characteristic. This style is relatively easy to make but surprisingly difficult to make well.

There are too many Chardonnays on the shelves that use this category as a default in an attempt to please everyone. The best examples show remarkable balance, with not too much of one flavour over another, are dynamic in their pairing with food and are able to truly express their origin. A lot of Canadian producers excel in this category; look for more fresh fruit flavours relative to other New World producers. This style is definitely worth stocking in your cellar!

Bone-Dry Neutral Chardonnays are generally unoaked. They are exemplified in regions like Chablis or

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the Alto-Adige. The style tends to be associated with flavours of lemon, lime and mineral. Tastes are described as crisp, lean, green and refreshing. These wines tend to be aromatically reserved (hence the neutral characterisation). European consumers tend to prefer little to no aromatics, where Canadian consumers want expressions of fruit.

These are versatile food wines that are unmatched when it comes to seafood and are best drunk young.

Chardonnay is also an integral component of Champagne. The grape tends to contribute structure to a cuvée and is often associated with the bready, apple and yeasty characters in well-made sparklers.

Over the last 50 years, Chardonnay has been at the forefront of the global wine revolution. It was widely planted from England to China, from Canada to South Africa. And behind all of this acreage was one driving force – consumer tastes.

The simple truth is that a lot of people (myself included) love Chardonnay! My advice to those of you wanting to explore (or possibly rediscover) this variety in depth is to find well-made examples of the different styles and use those as a base for exploration. The more you explore the greater the chance you will find a hidden Chardonnay gem!

Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County.

August, 2011

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G PERSONAL HEALTH

Put communication on your back-toschool list Talking openly with your children is one of the best ways to build healthy relationships Jessica Austin and Jacky Allan, R.N.

Know that as a parent you matter!

Parents are the most powerful influence on their children and teens when it comes to drug use. Not friends. Not school. You! And it’s up to you to be proactive and use that influence early and often. It’s a conversation that needs to happen so that your children know where you stand on this critical issue.

A healthy relationship with your child starts with communication; children and teens have valuable things to say and, when a parent genuinely listens, it helps self-esteem and confidence. The most important thing to remember when it comes to talking about difficult subjects like drinking and drugs is that it's not a five-minute "talk" — it's about building an ongoing dialogue. As your children grow up, they will need more and more information, so start

may not be adults yet, but telling them that will not benefit either of you. Older children and teens want to make their own decisions, even with things they’re not quite ready to do (e.g. drinking and sex). Talking

with your children about risk-taking behaviours, such as substance use, in a constructive manner takes a lot of patience, understanding and respect, especially as they’re growing and changing, and their hormones, bodies and brains develop and strive to find individualism and balance.

No matter the age, children feel more secure when they have clear boundaries on issues like drugs and curfews. But don’t make them up on the fly. Before school starts each year, hammer out rules well ahead of time and remember to build in more and more freedom and responsibility as your child gets older. Just like when they were toddlers exploring their surroundings, let them make age-ap-

propriate decisions and mistakes. You want to teach your kids grown-up concepts, but in the end, they need to figure things out for themselves.

(Give them the wheel, but hold on the emergency brake). Let them practice responsibility to demonstrate and build on their skills, but be there to provide support, guidance and boundaries if things start to get out of control.

Jessica Austin is a Health Promoter at Elgin St. Thomas Public Health and coordinates the youth engagement initiative. Jacky Allan is a Public Health Nurse who works with schools.

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Children and teens strive to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. The drive for independence is a dominant force in their lives and as they grow their friends’ advice, thoughts and opinions rule. They August, 2011

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H E A LT H Y L I V I N G EVERYDAY HEALTH

by Dr. Greg Johnston, B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C.

Arthritis is a disease of the joints.

It is important to understand that the term arthritis refers to a wide variety of diseases. Many of these diseases are very different from each other. Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I will address these two forms over the next two months.

Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degenerative ‘wear and tear’ disease that results in the breakdown of articular cartilage and eventually involves the surrounding tissues, synovium and bone. As cartilage is damaged by excessive or abnormal stress or impaired nutrition, enzymes are released to dissolve damaged cells resulting in destruction of the joint.

The signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis rarely begin before age 40, usually insidiously, with little or no joint swelling. People with osteoarthritis begin to feel joint stiffness and pain with movement.

Often the pain is worse when movement is attempted early in the day or after a prolonged period of immobility. As the joints are moved and warmed up the stiffness and pain begin to subside and movement becomes easier.

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the large weight bearing joints such as the knees, hips and ankles as well as affecting the joints of the hand. If you have osteoarthritis in one joint it does not mean that you will also have it in another. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is very common.

Epidemiological studies predict that approximately 80 percent of individuals show some evidence of the disease.

Osteoarthritis is commonly blamed for chronic or recurring back

What is arthritis?

Part 1 - Osteoarthritis

pain. Often patients are left with the impression that because they have osteoarthritis in their spine they will “just have to live with the discomfort because there is nothing that can be done.” This is simply not true. Chiropractors successfully treat people with back pain that is caused by a variety of conditions including osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis in and of itself is not a contraindication to treatment and many people suffering from osteoarthritis in the spine experience great relief from chiropractic treatment.

Treatment of osteoarthritis The treatment for osteoarthritis includes a wide variety of options.

Some of the more traditional medical treatments include the use of medications such as NSAIDs (non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin or Ibuprofen, physiotherapy and advice to avoid stressing the affected joints. It is important to note that new research is indicating that the use of traditional drugs such as NSAIDs, while effective at managing symptoms on a short-term basis, may actually lead to an acceleration of cartilage damage thereby increasing joint destruction in the long run. Two natural alternatives to traditional medication include glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. These two substances provide the substrate from which articular cartilage is manufactured.

Research in the area indicates that supplementation of these substances in the diet can slow down the destruction of the joint and in some

cases actually repair the destruction that has taken place.

One of the most useful and effective forms of treatment for osteoarthritis has been found to be exercise. Both aerobic exercise as well as moderate resistance training with weights has been found to be extremely effective and safe. In particular, exercise has been found to increase strength, increase mobility, decrease stiffness and reduce pain.

Furthermore, moderate exercise does not appear to increase the risk of developing or aggravating osteoarthritis.

In relation to chiropractic, it is important to note that two of the most common causes of osteoarthritis include abnormal forces being placed on the joint as well as decreased nutrition to the joint. The chiropractic adjustment focuses specifically on correcting these problems at the joint. If a joint is fixated or not moving properly then it is not able to adequately deal with the forces that are normally placed on it. When the joint is adjusted and its natural motion is restored, it is again able to perform its duties as it was designed and it can adequately deal with the forces that are placed on it. Adjusting the joint also helps to ensure proper nutrient delivery to the joint as it stimulates the production of synovial fluid, which is the medium which delivers nutrients to the cells of the joint.

Next month we will discuss rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Greg Johnston is a chiropractor and partner in Family Health Options Treatment and Resources Centre in St. Thomas.

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631-3330 1-866-631-3330 August, 2011

Here’s my list of people who’ve had an effect on how I live my life

by Sharon Lechner

Just over a year ago, I did a motivational workshop on the day of my dad’s funeral. That might sound a little strange but my dad was one of the people who had a major influence on my life. He had a stroke when he was in his fifties and went on to live another 25 years, and I believe one of the secrets to his longevity was his unfailing positive attitude. He was never one to ask “why me?” and so I dedicate this column to my father, Jim McCann.

Alice Cooper was on a CBC talk show the other night and I was surprised to learn that Groucho Marx inspired him because he encouraged him to always be professional. Despite Alice’s struggles with alcohol and drugs, he reports that he was always sober during his shows, which he was never late for, and today he has been drug and alcohol free for

more than 30 years.

Napoleon Hill in his book ‘Think and Grow Rich’ writes about being inspired by people like Dale Carnegie, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. It’s interesting that we seem to be most inspired by people who faced tremendous obstacles and managed to go on to achieve great success.

I am very inspired by people like Wayne Dyer, Cheryl Richardson and Marianne Williamson and am going to hear them speak in Tampa in November. Last year I heard Mike Dooley from ‘The Secret’ speak in Toronto and I am still pumped about all of the great things he spoke about. He has a great website (www.tut.com) if you have a chance to check it out. TUT, by the way, stands for Totally Unique Thoughts.

I am inspired by lots of people I know locally. Earlier this year I had a conversation with Christine Noble whom I met through the Elgin Business Women’s Network. She told me that she decides what work she will do, how much money she will make, and exactly what she will do every

“

“

Who inspires you?

LIFESTYLES SELF DEVELOPMENT

My dad was a major influence on my life

tional English using games, stories and songs. At the moment she is working on an amazing set of guided meditation CDs and is having four children’s books illustrated and published. You can learn more about Christine at www.guidedbalance.ca.

Starting this September, I will be hosting a new show on Rogers Cable TV called ‘Empowering Women.’ I will be featuring many talented women from Elgin County and I hope they will inspire you. day. I must say I was very impressed so I asked to meet with her in private so we could chat more about her beliefs and values. It turns out that we are both strong believers in the Law of Attraction. As I got to know Christine more I learned that she is a Master Hypnotist and teaches meditation, relaxation techniques and hypno-birthing. She takes a couple of working vacations each year to Turkey where she teaches conversa-

Sharon Lechner is a certified life coach and owner of Reach for the Stars Empowerment in St. Thomas.

New dentist for St. Thomas Mallory Lynch (Bowsher) joins the Dr. Wakulich team Mallory Lynch has known since high school that she wanted to be in the health care field.

Becoming a Dentist and working with families to achieve and maintain dental health was the perfect career path for her. After graduating from Central Elgin, Mallory did her undergraduate work at McMaster University and went on to take her degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Mallory Lynch graduated this Dr. Candice Wakulich; Tammy Harris, CDA past June and is now practicing dentistry with II, CDTC; Dr. Mallory Lynch Dr. Candice Wakulich at 242 Wellington Street in St. Thomas. It’s a General Family Dental Practice treating patients of all ages.

The daughter of Stew and Sandy Bowsher and Sister of Alice and Lane, Mallory looks forward to being established in the business and professional community and getting involved in St. Thomas, a city with a small-town feel.

She regards Dr. Wakulich as a true mentor to her career.

Mallory is married to Kevin Lynch, also born and raised in the St.Thomas area. They enjoy hikes, with their dog, P. K., named after P. K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens. And they spend time with their nephew Will and their nieces Cole and Kaye whenever they can.

Congratulations Mallory on your Graduation and new position...

bowsher+bowsher L

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K. Stewart Bowsher B.A.,LL.B. Alice J. (Bowsher) Burgess B.A.,(Hon.) LL.B. Lane E. (Bowsher) Walker B.Sc.(Hon.)LL.B.

Dr. Lynch (she’s still getting used to the title) can be reached at Dr. Candice Wakulich’s office, 519-631-6010.

August, 2011

A

112 Centre Street, St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 2Z9 (519) 633-3301 Fax: (519) 633-5995

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LIFESTYLES TIME ON MY HANDS

The ancient art of finding beauty in imperfection The Japanese have a word for my creaky, crooked cottage

by Duncan Watterworth

Our culture reveres the technological, disposable and uniform. And, increasingly these days, so does Japan, to the extent that Koren fears the wabi-sabi aesthetic ideology is at risk of extinction there.

Wabi-sabi has some toe-hold in our culture, although we don’t call it that or see it as a comprehensive aes-

thetic. Our dens feature paintings of weathered fishing shanties and derelict barns. We may adore a beat up leather coat, the patina on old silver or a garden gone wild. We enjoy a flea market over Walmart.

At my cottage I preserve the old woodstove too smoky to use, the rusted crosscut saw hanging in the

shed, the collection of antique fishing lures.

I am sure wabi-sabi holds the least appeal to youth, in spite of their penchant for factory-torn and patched jeans. They are drawn to the new and shiny. But as the Utne article points out, wabi-sabi takes a mind quiet enough to appreciate muted beauty and the ability to slow down and appreciate things rather than trying always to change them.

Further, an appreciation for wabisabi involves understanding and embracing the simple truth that everything in this life is imperfect, unfinished and impermanent. This Zen Buddhist insight underlies wabi-sabi and comes more easily with age.

My wife has recently suggested, after all these years, that we give the cottage a name. She wants to call it ‘Wabi-Sabi.’ That’s certainly better than the ‘Dunc Inn’ I came up with.

I’m glad she has an appreciation for things wabi-sabi, things imperfect and unfinished. In fact, I’m damned lucky, because I’m getting a little wabi-sabi myself.

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My cottage was old when my parents bought it, fifty years ago. It hasn’t changed much since. The inside walls and ceiling are knotty pine boards, varnished, much darkened by age and smoke. The floor is hardwood, even darker, creaky and wobbly as a ship. The fireplace is mismatched fieldstones, the mantle forever crooked. A dusty deer’s head protrudes from the wall, haunting me since childhood with its dead-on stare.

I think the cottage is perfect. I don’t want to change a thing. It feels right, like slipping into my old leather moccasins.

In the last twenty years, new cottages have been built on both sides – houses, really – winterized, modern furnaces, even a paved driveway.

But my cottage has something priceless, something theirs can never have: wabi-sabi. Lots of it.

Wabi-sabi is the ideal of beauty in traditional Japanese culture. ‘Rustic’ is the closest English word for it, says Leonard Koren in his book, WabiSabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers. I read an Utne Reader article on wabi-sabi, immediately became a fan, and found Koren’s slim book.

The 16th century Japanese saw beauty in things made of natural materials, rough-textured, organic, unadorned. They saw beauty in the modest, humble and unpretentious.

They honoured the signs of aging, wear and weathering. Think of tea cups used in the traditional tea ceremony, which gain wabi-sabi stature as they stain, wear, and even chip and crack.

As the Utne article describes it, wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection, and profundity in earthiness and authenticity.

Wabi-sabi is the antithesis of our Western Modernist aesthetic, which favours things shiny, new, straight, steel, concrete and mass-produced.

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roughtextured, organic, unadorned

Duncan Watterworth is recently a retiree and emptynester in St.Thomas.

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