April 2016

Your Business. Your Community.

Volume 6, No. 8, April 2016

HENRY DRYFHOUT

A family with a passion for paint Cover story: Page 3

Inside: • Golf in Elgin County Pages 20 to 23

• It’s the smile Joe Preston Page 17

• Elgin Reel Fest Katherine Thompson Page 8

• Aylmer & Area Chamber Pages 18 and 19

Debbie Hamilton receives Community Achievement Award for outstanding community involvement Debbie Hamilton of St. Thomas has received The Co-operators Community Achievement Award for her outstanding community involvement. The award was created to honour Cooperators financial advisors who demonstrate outstanding support for the community in which they work, both through financial aid and volunteerism.

Debbie Hamilton, The Co-operators financial advisor in St. Thomas, was named the Community Achievement Award winner for the Central Ontario region. With a history of volunteerism decades long, Debbie’s passion of helping people feel empowered is one that she has instilled in her staff.

Debbie and her team are involved in local women’s issues, anti-poverty initiatives including sitting on the coalition for Bridges out of Poverty, employment services, anti-bullying programs and helping the local food bank.

“I am fascinated by people, hearing their stories, and finding out what makes them tick,” said Hamilton.

“Stress, worry, and anxiety can keep people stuck. I try to use my business contacts to help people obtain employment and to understand their lives can be different. I help them, cut them a bit of slack, as they try to get back on their feet.”

Putting her words into action, Debbie purchased a house in 2014 which is used to provide affordable accommodations to people in need in her community. And, she recently introduced Pay It Forward yoga where instead of charging for classes, participants are asked to contribute to a local charity. Debbie also makes her yoga classes available to young and troubled teens struggling with addiction and anxiety.

Debbie was one of the creators and leaders of Kindness…Run With It, an event that raises awareness of bullying prevention and promotes kindness. She is a member of the Safe Communities Coalition and serves on the EAT 2 LEARN partnership committee. Community members describe Debbie as compassionate, open-minded, energetic, passionate, and with an enthusiasm that is contagious.

As a co-op, The Co-operators adheres to the seven international co-operative principles, one of which is “concern for community.” The organization’s 500 financial advisors are instrumental in converting this principle into action in communities across Canada. Hamilton’s genuine concern for the well-being of her community, as evidenced by her record of involvement and support for local causes, embodies this principle.

About The Co-operators: The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $40 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights’ Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean’s magazine.

For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

2015

community achievement

award

Winner

VISION STATEMENT Success is not measured by the amount of money in the bank, but by the number of lives that are changed.

Debbie Hamilton & Associates Ltd. 555 Talbot St. Unit 1-17 King St. St. Thomas, On Aylmer, ON 519-633-3600 519-765-3636 April, 2016

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 2

The sky’s the limit for painting business

by Terry Carroll

If two minds are better than one, imagine what three can accomplish.

At H.D. Painting, a father and two sons have built a flourishing business that reaches across southwestern Ontario, and is positioning itself to go national.

Not bad for an operation that began 26 years ago when Henry Dryfhout stopped working for a paint company and struck out on his own as a painter from his Wallacetown home. In the early years, with a couple of other people on staff, Henry focused on residential painting with some commercial, primarily in west Elgin. The company got serious about painting new homes about 15 years ago. But the most dramatic expansion began seven years ago with a shift to large commercial projects, while keeping some residential.

Today, Henry and his sons Jon and Josh work from their Spackman Blvd. headquarters in St. Thomas with a steady base of 20 employees and as many as 35 to 40 people in season. One painting contract they’re currently fulfilling, for example, is a 650,000 sq. ft. student residence at Waterloo University, consisting of a C-shaped building with two 26-storey towers at each end. It’s being completed in stages, and the job is large enough that H.D. has rented houses for some its painters to live in.

To accommodate the move into large commercial work, they put business systems in place, including estimating software which Henry wrote himself.

That software is “so detailed that sometimes we don’t get the job,” Henry says, by which he means that the accuracy of their estimates tells them exactly what they have to charge, whereas others may ballpark and find themselves in trouble later. For example, H.D. Painting picked up a project after another contractor was dropping the ball in Fergus. It was a huge warehouse, with acres of ceiling that H.D. was able to finish in four weeks. “It would have taken anybody else about six months,” Henry says. “We have the training, the people and the proper management to get things done. That’s what builds relationships.”

Jon Dryfhout (foreground) with his dad Henry (middle) and brother Josh, enjoying work at the St. Thomas head offices of H. D. Painting.

And relationships have built H.D. Painting, including maintenance contracts for clients like county homes and municipal buildings in St. Thomas and London as well as area colleges, arenas and malls.

In bringing his sons into the business, Henry was careful to give them designated roles and also freedom to grow. “The greatest thing I’ve achieved is to install the love of the industry in Jon and Josh while not controlling them to the point where they can’t experiment,” he says.

Jon focuses on sales and ensuring company processes are fulfilled. Josh works directly with the largest commercial projects and new homes, making sure jobs are completed on time and to specifications.

“I always said there is no way we could be where we are today without the three of us. Henry is an incredible visionary and risk taker who understands trends and where we need to keep going,” Jon says. Josh adds that one major impact he and Jon have had on the company is understanding “how to get a job done, to professional standards, as quickly as possible.”

One of H.D. Paintings marketing devices is a paint can that carries the slogan: Dedicated to Vision, Inspiration and Excellence. With all three Dryfhouts, a passion for painting shines through.

Henry waxes ecstatic about the technicalities of “highly sophisticated coatings that take a ton of skill to apply” or about the beauty of transforming rusted metal into beautiful steel. Jon talks about the opportunity he’s had, “almost like the American dream, to shape my own place within the business world. The sky’s the limit and not that many human beings get to experience that.” Josh speaks of how much he loves the business and the experience of always being in a different place, with the opportunity to “go wherever you want to go.”

H.D. Painting has been recognized locally for paying a living wage. In 2015, YWCA of St. Thomas – Elgin published a Pathways to Prosperity study that showed the threshold for a living

wage for a family with two people working and two young children was $16.47 an hour. Five years ago, H.D. made the commitment to pay wages at that level and above. With the transition to large commercial projects, they didn’t want employees scratching to get by. As Jon puts it, “No matter how much you love something, you’ve got to be able to make a living.”

Some people start with H.D. right out of high school, when they may not know what they want to do, and six years later find they love it, are making a good living and may be managing projects.

Sometimes, formerly independent painters find they can make more money with fewer hassles by working with H.D. For all their employees, the Dryfhout family emphasize the importance of excellent training.

H.D. Painting participates locally with the Chamber of Commerce, in London with the London Construction Association, and internationally with the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association of America where Jon is currently the Canadian director of the commercial forum. H.D. is also active in the Paint It Forward program, doing work for non-profits. The Dryfhout family donated the painting of the railway station that is now the St. Thomas tourism location downtown, the exterior doors for the railway museum and other projects. Josh personally participated in the Easter Seals Drop Zone, rappelling from the top of One London Place.

Clearly, this family business understands that good business encompasses good community work.

Elgin This Month Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley Freelance Editor Terry Carroll Sales Supervisor Geoff Rae

Advertising Consultant Greg Minnema Layout Janine Taylor Production Metroland Media Group

Cover photo by Mark Spowart.

Elgin This Month is a monthly magazine focusing on business and lifestyle issues and includes Business Beat, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

The publication is available for pickup at no charge at news stands and other locations around Elgin County, as well as distribution to businesses and selected households.

Published monthly by Metroland Media Group Ltd., 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm April, 2016

ELGIN THIS MONTH

3

INNES As I See It

Challenges of navigating uncertain seas

by Jim Innes It seems the only thing that people want to guarantee is that there are no guarantees in life. And all kidding aside, I find that the desire to commit to anything, for any length of time, is less commonplace than I remember as a child.

This phenomenon plays itself out in every aspect of life from party politics to relationships; from the work place to the bedroom; from emotional and physical health concerns to a culture of selfprotection and faithless disconnection.

Where can we go these days to play by the rules, work hard, stay dedicated, remain healthy and count on the outcome?

Allegiances are less commonplace, loyalty less a virtue then it once was. And this negatively impacts our ability to count on anything.

This is scary to an old dog like me, and many others who desire stability and some semblance of unwavering fidelity.

Change is an unceasing reality. The once-solid ground, on top of which we planted and invested much, will most likely shift.

As a parish priest, I join my parishioners in riding this wave of ‘evolution’ every day. We seem to anxiously await the next piece of our history to get swallowed by ‘progress’ undercutting the solid permanency we worked to build.

And though we understand that times are changing, emotional acceptance is slow coming.

We want so desperately to create an impenetrable paradise investment • insurance • retirement and tax planning … an indestructible certitude in which we incorrectly presume we have perfect control, and all will be well.

My own Anglican / Episcopal tradition is currently struggling with those, who in the face of rational opposition, have stubbornly and fearfully fixated upon dogmatic moral

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principles and traditional ways of doing things.

Too often, in a desperate clinging to the safety of what has been known, we turn a blind eye to common sense. It feels dangerously unpredictable to entertain the uncertainty of the unknown. And there is an undesirable grief when letting go of what was.

It is becoming undeniable that life offers few (if any) guarantees, no matter how much we work to make it so (or how awkwardly we cling to the false notions of days long gone).

Many of my parishioners and clients know this all too well. The word ‘change’ is fast becoming tainted with bitterness … because too much of it triggers weariness and disillusionment.

It seems to me that the most called-upon life skill is resiliency – the ability to stand confidently unnerved in the winds of change, the ability to effectively rebound after loss, and the ability to rest assured upon a theology or philosophy that offers safe sailing even in the roughest waves (which is to remain hopeful).

And our community does realize this, although perhaps not consciously. As an example, our dislike of the term ‘religious’ as cross-referenced with our increasing interest in matters ‘spiritual’ (as sociologists suggest), says a lot about the cause and the cure of the decreasing certainties in daily life. The cause being an unrealistic and irrational clinging to what was once a successful way of life.

The cure being a need to understand ourselves as connected to things outside our sensibilities … a more universal sense of self.

As I see it, this universal sense of self, connected to things beyond our sensibilities, is an outlook that ought to underlie all our institutional goals (including the church’s): each in their unique manner and from their unique perspective.

Perhaps then we can at least offer one guarantee … that we will care for each other to the best of our abilities.

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Jim Innes is a clinically trained therapist and a priest at St. John’s Anglican Church in St. Thomas.

Learn more at jiminnes.ca.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 4

Business & Community OUR COMMUNITY

Down East answer to local media challenges?

by Serge Lavoie

In last month’s column I argued that losing local media makes it much harder to maintain and grow a community. I was referring to the demise of the 149-year-old Guelph Mercury.

Because my own career began as a journalist for daily and weekly newspapers, my views on the matter are clearly coloured by the nostalgia of an industry I was part of some 45 years ago. Those days are gone; we don’t read as much and we seem to have no interest in paying for traditional media sources that choose and shape news stories which they then deliver in increasingly oldfashioned vehicles like newspapers and scheduled TV shows.

An entire era of news gathering and delivery is dead or dying. No news media companies are making sufficient profits today; there are no exceptions to that rule.

Those less invested in the past than I am would argue that when one door closes, another opens.

The future of news reporting is already here, in the form of social media, blogs and online publications. Furthermore, it’s better, faster, cheaper and because it’s more diverse and less hierarchical, it is fundamentally more democratic.

Possibly. However it’s not a media sector driven by journalist ethics, professional standards or any formal processes of accountability. At the local level we get by with loose collections of unpaid “citizen journalists” who are short of the resources needed to find and check facts and more often resort to reporting personal opinion.

At the national or international level, we have paid writers who report on global stories but also produce an ocean of useless items with titles such as “10 Beautiful Women Politicians Who Broke the Internet”.

At the local level, Elgin-St. Thomas residents are faring reasonably well. We have the daily TimesJournal producing local news, albeit with very limited human resources. Every other aspect of the business has been outsourced to other units within the corporate ownership (which itself is experiencing severe financial difficulty).

We have weeklies based in St. Thomas, Aylmer and West Elgin and a bi-weekly based in Port Stanley, serving the Lake Erie communities. We

also have a local radio station with a good track record of local news coverage and community engagement. There is also a blog which aggregates information from a variety of sources and distributes it in a social media friendly format. And we have the publication you’re currently reading, published by Metroland Media, with a strong Chamber of Commerce commitment and distribution to the community as a service funded by advertising.

All in all, this is a pretty competitive media environment for a combined city-county population of under 90,000. I would hazard a guess that most if not all of them are financially stretched.

A key issue is that professional news gathering operations need revenues from both subscriptions and advertising. They need readers willing to pay for the content they read. That has proven more and more difficult for outlets large and small. The New York Times and The Globe and Mail have pay portals on their internet editions. The Toronto Star had a pay wall and then removed it. They plan to start again soon. La Presse of Montreal ceased weekday print editions altogether a few months ago and switched to an online app exclusively.

However, these are all large corporations with owners having deep pockets, willing to fund the transition to a new way of retailing its products. It’s doubtful the same could happen in smaller markets.

In Atlantic Canada, a new model has taken root. AllNova-Scotia (sic) is a web-based newspaper with a strict pay wall. Established in 2001, the publication has 9,400 subscribers COMMAND THE ROAD with the new paying $30 per month.

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Serge Lavoie has a 35 year career managing associations. He is currently president of On Track St. Thomas and Secretary-Treasurer of the United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas.

He lives in St. Thomas.

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cation solidly in the black, according to owner David Bentley. In February, Bentley launched AllNewfoundlandandLabrador. The hope is to attract 1,000 subscribers at $30 per month which will support an editorial staff of four. Modest, but realistic.

Perhaps this is the type of business model that will emerge as one door closes and another opens.

It relies on a relatively small number of people who recognize the value of paid, professional journalism to counter the sea of free, but mediocre, writing we are currently being offered.

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5

Healthy Living Self Discovery

Grounded leaders with mountain pose

by Anouschka Van den Bosch

During a recent Women’s Leadership course, one session stood out the most for me: grounded leadership. It resonated with me because it talks about leadership in a holistic way. Not just looking at being successful by reaching sales goals but recognizing that being a leader is so much more than that.

When I think of grounded leadership, I think of the yoga mountain pose. Feeling deeply rooted with your feet firmly on the ground and being able to have the awareness of what is going on inside of you as well.

Bob Roses is the author of “Grounded: How Leaders Stay Rooted in an Uncertain World”. Although I have not read the book, through our Bring Back the Local Songbirds! course, I certainly get You can help on Saturday, April 23rd the concept. It is really quite simple however ...by participating in an Adult Team Spelling Bee for only a few leaders have wetlands and environmental projects consistent with the Environmental Trust caught on to this new model of leadership.

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awareness about; however, how often do we think of social health? Being able to build strong personal connections with your team and those that work with your organization allows for transparency and creation of trust.

Intellectual health is being able to think not just in direct lines, but about the broader circumstances and being curious about them. Thus not just simply accepting what is but going beyond what is.

Vocational health is described by Roses as making it possible “for you to reach your highest potential, while also setting an example for others about the value of excellence and performance”.

It is both “who you’ve been and what you want to be”. It is about challenging yourself as a leader to constantly learn from others.

Lastly spiritual health. This one really struck home for me as it speaks to creating that environment where everyone is encouraged to be grounded. And what really made me love this concept is that it is about serving with a higher purpose, a purpose that is more than reaching sales goals as it is more about helping others cultivate their own leadership talents. To be socially and environmentally responsible.

So in a nutshell, grounded leaders are able to make more effective decisions and take the right actions. They lead by example and are willing and able to help others grow and develop in leadership roles.

As I look back on my own career and the leadership roles I have had the pleasure to work in, I know I have been able to become a more grounded leader only over the last few years as I have become aware of my own strengths and limitations.

And although I am not sure whether Roses speaks to this, I believe grounded leadership, like any leadership style, needs to start with your own self-awareness. And that takes me back to my mountain pose, feet firmly rooted into the ground, knowing what makes me feel grounded, knowing my own limitations and strengths and knowing I go to work every day with a higher purpose.

Anouschka Van den Bosch is a Human Resources Professional and Certified Life and Career Coach.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 6

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY Leadership

Become a better leader.

seemed essential. And so she wobbled off to begin her quest for freedom and self-awareness.

Whether you realize it or not, you have done the same. Since your first coos and cries, you have been storing your experiences.

You have stored memories of good times and of painful experiences. Multisensory memories, often raw and unexamined have been stuffed deep into your psyche. Old wounds and worn-out aspirations, deep fears, superstitions, and primitive beliefs have been placed in your emotional backpack.

You also carry anger and bitterness, stories, hope, and tenderness, and faint glimmers of what your ideal life could be. As Cheryl Strayed faced the reality of the trail, it soon became apparent that she would need to lighten her load. A friend of ours who walked the Camino de Santiago had a similar experience. Arriving in the Pyrenees with a full pack and fresh legs he realized by the end of the first day that he could not complete his pilgrimage carrying so much stuff.

Isn’t it time you took an honest look at that huge bag of psychic and emotional stuff that you are attempting to carry through life?

The journey to authenticity is from a small ‘s’ self to a big ‘S’ Self. It sounds simple, but the jour-

LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

by Doug Lester

How much excess baggage are you carrying in your heart and mind?

In her wonderfully personal and profound memoir of healing and Self-redemption, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed recounts her 1,100 mile backpack adventure hiking solo along the trail. Although she had gone to the REI to get a guidebook and the recommended equipment, Cheryl had never unpacked or assembled the items she had purchased. I giggled as I read about her packing process and then her attempts to lift her huge pack.

When everything was packed and the water bottle filled, Cheryl realized that she could not pick up the pack without wedging it against the wall and pushing hard with her legs. She considered removing some items but everything at that moment

ney from being self-centred to Self-aware is a demanding and enriching quest. As Cheryl travelled the Pacific Crest Trail she journeyed deep into her interior. Cheryl accepted reality and began to lighten her load. She began the process of forgiving Self and others. As she reviewed her life she found gifts of awareness, strength, courage, and deep inner satisfaction. Step by step she reclaimed her inner wholeness and let go of the pain, regret, confusion, and the inner conflict that had previously filled her life to the point where she was collapsing under the weight. With social media, work, family, health, relationships, and the basics of food, transportation, and housing it sometimes seems that the only way to survive is to keep stuffing feelings, hopes, anger, fears, and dreams into your emotional backpack.

As part of your spring decluttering this year, consider more than just the clutter on your desk and in your closet. Pause and consider how much emotional baggage you are carrying. When you start to lighten your load you’ll discover new ways to live and lead.

Cheryl Lester and Doug Lester—individually and together—making a difference through leadership coaching and development, writing, and speaking. Co-authors of 12 Steps of Self-Leadership. eagletreeleadership.ca.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 7

Business & Community Tourism

Elgin / St. Thomas celebrates National Canadian Film Day with film festival

by Katherine Thompson

Our great country is home to a plethora of high quality films, and on April 20, 2016, National Canadian Film Day will pay tribute to the cinematic stories that inspire us.

The event, in its third year, was created as a way to explore the unique stories told by Canadians, to celebrate and raise the profile of the country’s talented film industry, and to introduce Canadians to a diverse body of work made right here at home. In 2016, the event has grown to include over 170 locations across the country and consists of screenings, discussion panels, and events about Canadian film. Elgin – St. Thomas will mark the celebration with Reel Fest, a free four-day film festival running from April 20 -23 at various locations across Elgin and St. Thomas – why have just one day when you can have more?

The festival will kick off on

April 20, with an opening night celebration held at the Masonic Centre of Elgin on Sunset Drive. A screening of the film Tora, starring world renowned Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki will be followed by a discussion of the film.

Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. Tickets for this free event can be picked up at local libraries and at the St. Thomas YWCA. Locations screening films during the festival include the Northside Neighbourhood Hub, the Elgin County Museum, the St. Thomas – Elgin Public Art Centre, the St. Thomas – Elgin General Hospital, the Elgin County Railway Museum, the Port Stanley Library, the Straffordville Library, the Springfield Library, the St. Thomas Library, Railway City Brewing, the Talbot Teen Centre, the Canadian Mental Health As-

ses! s e n i s u al B ute c o L o t t Call Ouake the 20 minhallenge T -up C 22nd n a e l C Spring Friday, April on Mayor Heather Jackson is asking all businesses owners to allow their staff to take 20 minutes to clean-up the outdoor space around your place of business.

Register your group Pick up your clean-up kit Send us before and after photos and be entered for a chance to win a pizza lunch for your group!!

545 Talbot St., St. Thomas

519-631-1680

www.stthomas.ca April, 2016

Let’s All Chip In and Do Our Part!

sociation, the St. Thomas – Elgin Local Immigration Partnership, and Foodworks.

A detailed schedule, list of locations, and films to be screened over the course of the festival, can be found at www.reelfest.ca.

Katherine Thompson is Marketing & Communications Coordinator with The County of Elgin

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 8

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• APRIL 2016 •

Darren Reith (left) and his son, Alexander, Brian Helmer and Dan Reith with St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson and Reith & Associates’ 2015 Free Enterprise Master Award.

BA5 golf winner

Michelle Durbridge (left), Food & Beverage Supervisor with the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club – March Business After 5 hosts – presents Chris Smith from the local Alzheimer Society with a gift certificate for golf for four, with the help of Chamber Member Services Committee Vice-Chair Chris Patriquin.

Date: Wednesday April 13, 2016 Time:

Doors Open at 5:00 p.m.

Sponsor remarks and prize draws at 6:15 p.m.

Sponsors:

Co-sponsored this month by St. Thomas Ford Lincoln and the Columbus Club

Site:

Columbus Club of St. Thomas, 265 Wellington Street Free Admission to all personnel from any organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.

Oscars of enterprise on May 11 Former St. Thomas Mayor & MPP Steve Peters once told us “I love history because it tells us so much. If we don’t know where we’ve been, we can’t know where we’re going.”

We think he’s right, and we think the same value can be found in something we call recognition. And in something else we call attitude.

The second Wednesday in May is a very special day for the Chamber and for a lengthy list of businesses, organizations and individuals we have recognized through presentation of the Free Enterprise Awards.

This year, on Wednesday May 11, we invite you to join us for the 42nd Free Enterprise Awards presentations.

The Free Enterprise Awards Reception will be held at St. Anne’s Centre. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. with a social mixer until 6:15. At that time we will begin to present the awards that have become known as the “Oscars” of local enterprise. The story of each winner, and often the story behind the story, will be told in pictures and words in an impressive audio/visual display. Tickets for the event are $30 per person and available by advance sale from the Chamber office.

Up to 7 awards may be given to celebrate local shortterm and long-term entrepreneurial successes that go beyond business to improve the cultural and social fabric of

our area. Each winner must be more than an economic success and be proven to make meaningful contributions to the social and cultural fabric of our community.

Short-term or recent achievements over the previous 24 months are celebrated with the Free Enterprise Award of Merit. There is no limit to the number of Merit Awards that an organization or individual might earn, and no more than 3 winners may be named each year.

The Free Enterprise Master Awards are our heavy hardware. Intended to celebrate longterm and/or lifetime success, no more than 3 winners may be named in this category in any year.

Our remaining Award category is for an optional presentation. At the discretion of the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the Chair’s Award may be given when circumstances warrant to an individual or organization for exemplary service that betters the Chamber and the services and programs we offer.

We will conclude our presentation agenda with recognition to recent retirees from the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Volunteers serving the Chamber on our Board are limited to service that cannot extend beyond a maximum of two consecutive terms. At December 31 last year, three Board members reached their limit and we choose to say “thanks” in a visible way at this event.

Business Beat Table of Contents Page 10......... Become likeable Page 11.................. A new gift Page 12.............. Find a broker Page 13...... China & MP/MPP Page 14........... Zombies part 2 Page 15............. WHMIS 2015 Page 16............New Members April, 2016

(ext. 222)

May Edition Advertising Deadline is April 20th

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 9

Viewpoint

Four tips to make your business more likeable

by Christina R. Green

People buy from people they know, like, and trust. While you might be in the right place at the right time when someone is up against it, and they may buy from you once without knowing, liking, or trusting you, for them to return, you’ll need more than luck.

Know and trust generally come along when you establish yourself as a likeable business with a human behind it. It’s difficult for people to like you if they don’t trust you, unless you’re a villain and then being untrustworthy is your business.

For most of us, that is not the case. You can’t like someone you don’t remember, so let’s get to work on establishing the like part of the sales equation.

Share your reason Think of how filmmakers or storytellers get us to like the main character. One of the ways is that they place him on a quest, or up against a challenge, that we want him to succeed in. Often it’s one we identify with. Share your reason for doing

what you do. There’s probably someone in your audience or potential audience who can identify with your convictions and story. Passion is contagious.

Find commonalities In order to find commonalities, you need to share things about yourself outside of your business and how it came to be. Share your likes, be positive. Share what you love about your community or your love for bacon. Be genuine and people who see your social media posts or read your content, will begin to identify with what you’re sharing. They’ll jump in and say “me too” and you’re one step closer to getting them to like you.

Ask questions When people are in your office, shop or store, ask them their opinion on something and really listen to their answer. On social media ask what they think or what their preferences are. Involve them in your rebranding by crowdsourcing some of your marketing decisions. People like being involved and if you really listen to, and then act on, their advice, they’ll remember it and like you more because they see you as someone who values what they think.

That’s all a lot of us are looking for.

Anticipate your customers’ needs As a business you are in a position to help, whether it’s helping someone look better, feel better, be entertained, or whatever it is you do for your customers. But you are also in a position

to solve problems or answer questions. Use your content and social media to help customers with problems they face in their lives. If you run a boutique, you can create posts about unique gifts for the women in your life. If you are a CPA create helpful checklists of things people should track throughout the year for effortless taxes. Be helpful. Anticipate what your customers need and then give it to them. If they know they can count on you, they will return again and again.

In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s hard for your product alone to set you apart. Often it’s the things behind your product that will help you make a name for yourself. It’s the service, personality, and assistance you provide. These are the things that make people like you and they are also what keeps people coming back.

This article has been submitted to the Chamber and Business Beat by Christina R. Green. She teaches small businesses, chambers and associations how to connect through content. Her articles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives’ Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and Socialfish. She is a regular blogger at Frankjkenny. com and the Event Manager’s Blog. She’s a bookish writer on a quest to bring great storytelling to organizations everywhere.

Business Beat Published by Metroland Media Group Ltd., and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin Country For complete information on the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, reach us at: 115-300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 4L1 Telephone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 E-Mail: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca Website: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca President & CEO Bob Hammersley Accounting Coordinator Susan Munday Member Services Christy Hunking

247-450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON 519-637-0181 x204 1-888-877-2119 www.arcbenefitsplanning.com

April, 2016

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St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce 2016 Board of Directors Chair: Dan Kelly, CPA, CGA Dowler-Karn Ltd. Vice-Chair: Robert Furneaux Gorman-Rupp of Canada Ltd. Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CPA, CA Lassam & Co. Past Chair: Ross Fair Fanshawe College Director: Ray Bosveld HollisWealth Director: Kathy Cook World Financial Group Director: Sean Dyke St. Thomas Economic Development Corp.

Director: Brian Helmer Reith & Associates Insurance & Financial Director: Kevin Jackson Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Phil Mauer Phil Mauer & Associates Inc. Director: Ginette Minor Alexelle Slipcovers & Décor Director: Joe Preston Wendy’s Restaurant Director: Bob Ward The Auto Guys

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 10

Chamber News

A Gift for our Members A Gift for our Community

It’s time to show you something 2012. Our site analytics prove that new at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca as many as 100,000 unique users For the past six months, the Cham- come to our website each year. That ber has been quietly working on a translates to averages of 230 – 250 major initiative that had led to the per day, and there are peak days that launch of an ensee double and tirely new webtriple that level of site and, more traffic. Some usimportantly, a ers or visitors are “our new website total revamp of us once but launched on March 30” with the CMS (Conabout 78% retact Management turn for multiple Software) inside the site that stores visits and view multiple items. and presents data.

From the daily weather forecast to The most popular feature on the a detailed socio-economic CommuChamber website has been our busi- nity Profile, a lot of people come to ness directory. Used by people seek- the Chamber for a lot of informaing a product, a service, a job, or tion. personnel and location information Now they can get even more. for the businesses registered with Our re-designed website is comthe Chamber, our business directory pletely mobile-friendly and all conprocesses approximately a quarter tent can be viewed just as easily on a of a million searches each year. Our tablet or smartphone as it can be on all-time high saw us deliver results desktop or notebook computer. on more than 291,000 searches in Our main page offers new photo

and feature options, too.

Fr o n t - a n d centre we feature a series of community images. We can showcase and promote the beauty of anything from Pinafore Park to Port Stanley just as easily as we can take a slot to promote an event or activity or, when asked by government, police or emergency services, post information on any and every type of urgent community situation. And we can manage the content very quickly and easily.

News and event listings have taken a new shape and form, too. Both are featured on rotating scrolls showing

title or headline. Just mouse over a choice and you’ll see the full script.

Our new website launched on March 30. It is still, very much, a construction project.

Have a look and give us your feedback. Additions, edits and changes can and will take place every day as we strive to maintain our reputation as a top provider of business and community information.

Friday June 17th

Canada Ontario Job Grant Consortium for local businesses The St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of a Business Development Consortium to support local businesses in St. Thomas and across Elgin County.

The consortium, established in collaboration with Newport Training Group Inc., will provide workforce development and company growth solutions to member businesses. Newport will also assist local employers with employee skills upgrading that bolster their growth goals.

Delivering value will be accomplished by the Consortium linking local businesses to the Canada-Ontario Job Grant. Funded on a per-employee basis, the Canada-Ontario Job Grant qualifies each company employee for up to $15,000 in non-repayable grants. Employers contribute a third of the contribution ($5,000 of the $15,000).

“This is a multi-faceted approach where skills improvement dollars are available for any level of an organization,” explained Bob Hammersley, President & CEO of the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce.

All workforce development including essential, technical, business interpersonal and operational skills can be part of an application for the grant.

Newport’s local operation in St. Thomas is led by Leith Coghlin who will integrate participating area businesses into the Consortium.

“We are pleased to be working with businesses in St. Thomas and the surrounding area,” said Coghlin. “Newport’s 26 years of success with clients are as a result of our personalized approach and understanding business owners’ focus on growing their company’s valuation, delivery of their products and services efficiently, and expanding their client base.”

For more information on the consortium or participation contact Leith Coghlin, Newport’s St. Thomas-based Project Manager. Leith can be reached by phone at 226-210-0029 or via email at stthomas@newportgroup.ca Newport’s website has information, too: www.newportgroup.ca/ stthomas April, 2016

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 11

Pro Text

Why you should use a mortgage broker

by David daCamara

If you’re like most Canadian homeowners, chances are you didn’t buy the first house you saw.

You browsed some listings, you walked around some neighborhoods, or drove around looking for the best areas. Then you probably hit a few open houses, and you walked through several. Maybe even dozens. Buying a house is a big decision. You want to make the right choice. So when it comes to making one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make – your mortgage – you might want to give it some serious consideration, too. So what will it be? Bank or broker?

For many Canadians, mortgage payments are their single biggest expense. Yet most don’t comparison shop to ensure they’re getting the best mortgage rate and terms available, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars over their mortgage years.

Here are 10 reasons why you need a mortgage broker working for you: 1. Choice: A wide range of lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and other national, regional and private lenders will instantly become accessible to you, ensuring that your specific needs are matched to the right mortgage.

2. Great rates: Mortgage brokerages negotiate discounted rates with lenders, and have access to

rate promotions and unpublished rate specials. In fact, your mortgage broker may be able to get you a better rate from your own bank.

3. A focused expert: A mortgage is a very significant financial event. That’s why you want someone who is highly specialized in the mortgage marketplace and focused solely on your needs.

You’ll get advice that will make a significant difference in your financial life.

4. Independence & objectivity: Mortgage brokers work for you, not the lender. If there is a better mortgage for you in the marketplace, your mortgage broker can find it.

5. Solutions when you need them: They can provide funding for bank turndowns, the selfemployed, past credit problems, etc. There are mortgages for almost any situation and mortgage brokers know them all.

6. Save time: Everything relating to your mortgage can be managed around your busy schedule.

Many brokers can meet and complete paperwork after regular office hours, at your home even, unlike banks.

7. Service: They will be with you every step of the way, to answer all your questions, outline your best options, and efficiently guide you through the process.

8. Ongoing support: Services don’t stop after the mortgage closes. Mortgage brokers will stay with

you for the life of your mortgage with advice and opportunities. At renewal, your broker will go to bat for you again – to make sure you have the best product and rate.

9. No cost: The winning lender pays compensation for the services and solution provided, which means no fees for you in the vast majority of cases.

10. Your satisfaction: A broker’s goal is to ensure that you are so completely satisfied with your mortgage experience that you will be happy to refer your friends, family and colleagues to them.

Time to buy a home or renew your mortgage?

You better shop around and see a mortgage professional for advice, choice and tailored solutions that work for you and your family.

This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted by David daCamara, Mortgage Advisor, with Reith & Associates Advisory Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Questions and comDavid daCamara ments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via e-mail: info@reithandassociates.com. Reith & Associates Advisory Services Limited is a member of the Reith & Associates group of companies.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 12

Chamber News Save the date – Tuesday June 28

China trip info session April 14 Interest in our October 5 – 15 adventure to China this year is the strongest ever so we’re hosting a second Information Session on Thursday April 14.

It’s free to attend, and open to everyone. It will be held at the St. Thomas Golf & Country Club in Union at 42325 Sparta Line on April 14 between 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Complimentary snacks and refreshments will be offered. To attend, just call Elgin Travel and pre-register at 519-633-6300.

Ineke Palmer, our Group Specialist from Elgin Travel & Cruises will be on-hand with complete trip information and booking details. Chamber President & CEO Bob Hammersley will make a presentation with pictures and information based on his past travel experiences to China.

Our 2016 trip is the fourth tour to China presented by the St. Thomas & District Chamber. For business or personal experience, our itinerary provides an exceptional value at $2499 (CDN) per person. Our price includes all flights from Toronto to Beijing, Beijing to Shanghai, and Shanghai to Xi’an; plus all meals, all accommodation in 4 & 5-star hotels, taxes, and admission fees to several attractions and exhibits.

Visit the Chamber website “Events” section for more details on our information session and to view or download our tour itinerary.

Commitment to Excellence

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce will host our Elgin-Middlesex-London Member of Parliament and Member of Provincial Parliament in a luncheon meeting on Tuesday June 28 at St. Anne’s Centre.

This annual event gives Chamber Members a direct opportunity to hear from our federal and provincial elected representatives, and to engage them in a question-and-answer session.

Tickets are $32 per person and available now, advance sale only, from the Chamber office. To order, connect via phone or email, or visit our office. Email mail@stthomaschamber. on.ca or call us 24/7 at 519-631-1981. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to reach us in-person or stop by, but messages can be left anytime, day or night.

Is there are issue you would like to raise? A question to ask?

Everyone attending our event will have the opportunity to take the mic and speak to our MP & MPP, or we can present questions in writing via our event emcee. We also welcome questions in advance of the event via email to mail@ stthomaschamber.on.ca MP Karen Vecchio and MPP Jeff Yurek

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 13

Legal Business

The zombies of home buying (Part 2) zombie can eat your life savings.

I don’t need to say it, but I will anyLast month we talked about ZOMBIES! Spe- way. The purchase of your home is ofcifically those old, hidden, and often long forgot- ten the largest single investment of your ten materials which, if not discovered before you life. Get a home inspection done by an close your home purchase, will sometimes spring experienced, qualified home inspector to life later on, usually when you are trying to sell and ensure that a satisfactory inspection the home. And, while Urea Formaldehyde insula- is a condition in your offer to purchase. tion, asbestos and vermiculite may hinder a sale, A thorough home inspection should wake those zombies usually can be dispatched without up any of those other less scary zombies, and, great expense, and, in fact, if dealt with properly, along with outside inquiries, determine whether there is any evidence of a former grow-op. need not get in the way much at all.

But isn’t there an obligation on the seller of However, there is another, much scarier zombie out there. He is a member of that group of a home to disclose information as important as zombies known as STIGMATIZED PROPER- this? Well, somewhat strangely, the answer is both TY! Now, we can all think of various ways a home yes and no. In Ontario, sellers are not generally may be stigmatized. One example would be a required to disclose information which would home in which a murder, suicide or violent crime characterize the home as a stigmatized property. took place. Another might involve a former illegal However, licensed real estate agents do have an use of the home. Maybe the home has a reputa- obligation to disclose information impacting on tion for being haunted. Most of these zombies di- the value of the property, if such information is in minish in stature over time. But the biggest, bad- their possession. However, the rules are different dest house zombie you could possibly imagine is a concerning former grow-ops.

Sellers of homes in Ontario must disclose if former marijuana grow operation (grow-op). That the property was formerly used as a growop in the following circumstances: Where there is a material latent defect (e.g. mold, moisture, electrical tampering) which the Credit Card seller knows or ought Processing to Help to know about; where Drive Business the buyer specifically Success asks whether the property has been used as a grow-op; where the Full Suite of Products Preferred Chamber Pricing agreement provides a • Ecommerce representation or war• Wired & Wireless ranty that the property has not been used as a Terminals grow-op; and, if there • First Data Mobile legal requirement PayTM % ¢ % isto adisclose this infor• Gift Cards Solutions mation. on Visa credit on Interac Direct on Mastercard credit • TeleCheck® Electronic receipts with Payment receipts with receipts with Toward the last electronic deposits electronic deposits electronic deposits Cheque Acceptanc point, a piece of legThe Canadian Chamber of Commerce and First Data, a leader in the islation known as the electronic payment processing industry, have partnered to bring you Grow-Ops Disclosure exclusive benefits to help grow your business.Together we are ready to help you with preferred pricing and products tailored to suit your needs.

Act, 2007 has been stumbling, rather zombie-like in the Ontario Legislature since, well, 2007. It received first reading at the end of that year, and, although it hasn’t died on the For complete details, contact the Chamber order table, it has not been given the invigo115 - 300 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas Phone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 ration of Royal AsEmail: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca www.stthomaschamber.on.ca

by Monty Fordham

Chamber Merchant Services

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sent. The proposed legislation may be perceived by some as placing too onerous an obligation on sellers. For now disclosure law regarding grow-ops is rather vague.

Another tool available to buyers and their representatives to determine if a property has been a grow-op is access through the internet to lists compiled by local Police Services of properties which have been the subject of prosecution and conviction of production of marijuana. St. Thomas Police Service as well as London maintain these lists. Of course, only those properties which have been “busted” are on the lists. But it’s a start.

If a home has been a grow-op, the presence of mold, the possibility of altered wiring, excess moisture in attics and elsewhere all may affect the health and safety of the ultimate home owner. As well, if a home has been a grow-op, unless it is fully remediated, sometimes at considerable expense, most conventional mortgage lenders won’t lend against it. Moreover, many insurance companies won’t insure such properties. Selling it will be a nightmare.

And, even if the property is completely remediated, there lingers that elusive zombie known as STIGMA! So let’s all make sure the zombies in our lives stay on the T.V. and movie screens... where they belong...I think.

Editor’s note: If you missed Part 1 of Monty’s Zombie article, you can find it online at the Chamber’s website: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares this monthly column for the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and our Members. Questions, comments and suggestions for future columns are welcomed Monty Fordham by Monty at his office: Fordham & Brightling Associates – Lawyers, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 14

Viewpoint

WHMIS 2015: 4 top training questions from employers Canada’s Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) changed on February 11, 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This new WHMIS is called “WHMIS 2015” and the original version is now referred to as “WHMIS 1988.”

1. When does WHMIS 2015 start for workplaces?

In Ontario, the transition to WHMIS 2015 will take place in three phases. The first phase began on February 11, 2015 when the amended federal Hazardous Products Act and new Hazardous Products Regulations came into force. The final phase will end on December 1, 2018. During this period, WHMIS 1988 will be slowly phased out.

Phase 1 began on February 11, 2015 and will end on May 31, 2017. During Phase 1: suppliers who are chemical manufacturers or importers may sell hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones; employers may receive and use hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones.

As of June 1, 2017, chemical manufacturers and importers must sell hazardous products with labels and safety data sheets that comply with only the new WHMIS 2015 requirements.

Phase 2 begins on June 1, 2017 and ends on May 31, 2018. During Phase 2:

suppliers who are chemical distributors may continue to sell hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones; and, employers may continue to receive and use hazardous products with either the old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets or the new ones.

As of June 1, 2018, distributors must sell hazardous products that comply with WHMIS 2015 requirements only.

During Phase 3, which begins on June 1, 2018 and ends on November 30, 2018, employers must bring their existing inventories of hazardous products into compliance with WHMIS 2015. By December 1, 2018, there should be no hazardous products in the workplace with old WHMIS labels and safety data sheets.

2. Which WHMIS system should I train on now?

Workers need to be educated and trained before they use a hazardous product with a WHMIS 2015 label and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

But as long as there are products with WHMIS 1988 labels and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)s in your workplace, workers will need training on both systems.

3. What are the requirements for WHMIS education and training?

The legislation does not prescribe a specific course to be taken. Employers can provide the

education and training in-house or hire a consultant. Unfortunately, we have heard from Members receiving aggressive or pushy sales pitches from private, and often pricey, trainers. The Chamber suggests making contact with WSPS (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services). Their website at www.wsps.ca has a WHMIS Resource Page with guidance.

Continued on page 16

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135 South Edgeware Rd, St Thomas 519-631-7117 www.stthomasautoguys.com E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 15

Member News

New Members The Back Alley Bar & Grill 18 Princess Avenue St. Thomas, ON N5R 3V2 Phone: 519-207-3555 Email: N/A Website: N/A Contact: Rod Calder, Owner / Shawn Calder, Manager Buyers Guide Categories: Restaurants / Bars, Lounges & Taverns / Banquet, Event, Meeting Spaces & Halls Products & Services: The Back Alley Bar & Grill features 3 great bars in one location. The Pub is open 7 days a week with an innovative menu selection and daily specials. Reservations are always welcomed. The Loft is a dance bar every Saturday night 10:30 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. and available for private rentals. The Venue – Main Bar is where the fun happens 6 nights a week. Sing your heart out with Karaoke Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, dancing to a DJ playing tunes on one of the best sound systems in the area every Thursday and Friday night, and a different live band every Saturday.

The Back Alley Bar & Grill is on Facebook where you can check for all the latest menu specials in The Pub, and the live entertainment featured each week in The Venue – Main Bar.

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomes the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. Those listed below were accepted as registered Members to March 15, 2016.

Once an organization registers with the Chamber, all personnel (owners/managers/staff) within the organization have full access to all Chamber programs, projects, events and services.

Dr. Edward A. Busvek 127 Curtis Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1J4 Phone: 519-631-1946 Email: eabusvek@gmail.com Web: N/A Contact: Dr. Edward Busvek, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Dentists and Dental Services Products & Services: Dr. Busvek has been treating patients for over 25 years. The dental office is conveniently located in the heart of St. Thomas, and Dr. Busvek and his staff look forward to ensuring your teeth are happy and healthy. New patients are welcome.

Eastbury & Company 29 Hickory Lane St. Thomas, ON N5R 6K9 Phone: 519-631-8680 Email: eastbury@bell.net Web: N/A Contact: George Eastbury Buyers Guide Category: Paint, Wallcoverings Products & Services: Eastbury & Company provides expert advice on all types of paint and wallcoverings.

Newport Group Inc., Newport Training Group, 1 – 300 South Edgeware Road St. Thomas, ON N5P 4L1 Phone: 226-210-0029 Email: stthomas@newportgroup.ca Web: www.newportgroup.ca Contact: Leith Coghlin, Project Manager Buyers Guide Categories: Education & Training Services; Business Advisory Services Products & Services: For over 26 years, Newport Group has been working with communities, businesses and organizations using a personalized approach to helping owners and operators of local enterprise to enhance their company’s valuation, expand and improve product and service delivery, and grow their client list. Their new St. Thomas location will work with the Chamber on a Canada Ontario Job Grant Consortium that can provide financial support to upgrade employee skills.

Continued from page 15 4. What else do I need to do for WHMIS 2015?

Suppliers have the option of converting their products to WHMIS 2015 at the product level (i.e., one product at a time). Suppliers who are manufacturers or importers have until May 31, 2017 to convert to WHMIS 2015. Distributors have until May 31, 2018.

For a smooth transition: • Update your inventory of hazardous products and safely dispose of those you no longer need.

• Keep track of those products complying with WHMIS 1988 and those converted to WHMIS 2015.

• Review the new WHMIS 2015 SDSs, educate and train your employees on the new hazards; review / update your hazard control and emergency response procedures • Use up or phase out products that comply with WHMIS 1988 before November 30, 2018.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 16

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY Customer Service

First you hire a

by Joe Preston

smile!

“Hire a smile” sounds simplistic and it is. But starting with this basic step is crucial to a successful customer relationship plan.

If you are trying to build your business beyond yourself, great staff are terribly important.

As an interviewer, you are sitting across from the potential best thing you will ever do for the growth of your business, one who also has the potential to become the worst thing you will ever do!

I like to start with some ice-breaking conversation, some questions about the applicant and his or her background. It’s usually during this light conversation that I make my decision.

It’s about the smile!

If my interviewee doesn’t soar to the top of the personality package, the rest of the resume is just words on paper. Your business needs that smile through the difficult times as well as the fun times ahead. So look for it right from the start. It is a win for both of you if it is there.

As a business you would not purchase equipment that does not fully meet your needs so don’t do it with employees. You would likely not purchase a building that needs extensive renovations, so don’t hire an employee that needs the same.

Look for that during the start of the interview. Look for that smile. Look for that eye contact. Look for that understanding of your questions. Look for that complete interest in what you are asking.

You can teach everything else. But you will not to be able to train a smile. It’s difficult to train eye contact, hard to develop attentiveness. Customer service will not be delivered by somebody without them.

The Secord name on the storefront extends Okay, I think you get it. Hire a smile! This is just the to three generations: Howard Secord, start. An important start, but just the start. his son Steve and his grandson Jason.

New employees come with their own skills. Orientation Howard started in the business in the Beaver Lumber and training introduce the skills they will need in your days, with stores in Woodstock, London, Stratford, workplace. The detail in the teaching of skills will show the Brantford, Burford, Aylmer and Leamington. He came new hire what is expected. A thorough orientation to the back to Aylmer in 1980 when the opportunity came workplace and detailed training time give the employee up to move from manager to franchise owner, and the best chance to perform well in your environment. Set the family has been happy to serve their customers from Aylmer and area ever since. the standards. Explain what excellence in the job looks like and how it will be measured, e.g., sales, customer satisfac“Aylmer and Malahide are the main drawing areas,” tion etc.

Howard says, with a good mix of residential clients After displaying and discussing with the employee what and contractors who have come to rely on the lumber the job looks like, the next step is to allow him or her to yard on John Street N. in Aylmer for honest dealings and good customer service. perform all that has been taught, including interacting with customers. This interaction not only gives the new Secord Home Building Centre is primarily a lumber employee practice in the skills taught but also an opporyard, with some hardware in areas like plumbing, tunity for personal skills adaptation, thereby making the electrical, paint, sinks and bathtubs. job theirs. Allow the employee the freedom to accomplish.

Howard says two important principles are important This self-esteem building time is very important in providto the way this family business deals with clients. ing job ownership to the employee.

“We try to look after our customers, and we try to All employees need feedback and review of their perserve them the best we can. And we try to stock the formance. During the orientation and training phase you products local customers are looking for.” have shared what a “good” job looks like and have set the His son, Steve, is co-owner in the store with his dad standards that must be met. Measure the employee against and is gradually taking over the business. Steve the standards you have set. It must be an easily understood reinforces the idea that customer service is big at the measurement. Not necessarily a measurement against othcentre. “We do our best to satisfy everybody. And it’s er staff, but a measurement against excellence. Find someimportant to keep a small-town attitude.” thing good in every performance, and ask for more where That attitude is reflected in all three generations, needed. including Jason who is in his thirties. He works behind Good luck, although I must confess that from my experithe counter in customer service and does vendor ence, the steps above greatly reduce our reliance on luck.

At Secord Home Building Centre, family and community involvement are second nature.

Joe Preston is an entrepreneur. For him, customer service is a way of life.

April, 2016

From left to right: Steve Secord, Howard Secord and Jason Secord

invoicing. His grandfather explains in simple terms what makes this multi-generation family business a success: “We do our best to work well together.”

In terms of Aylmer and area, the Secord family has been very supportive of the community in a variety of ways, including sports. Howard coached baseball for almost 20 years. And the Secord Home Building Centre has been a proud sponsor of hockey and baseball teams over the years.

Howard sums up the family’s relationship with the community this way, “We enjoy our customers and the people of Aylmer and Malahide, and beyond.”

The family at Secord Home Building Centre is happy to serve you from their location at 187 John Street N. in Aylmer. 519-773-8487.

187 John street North, Aylmer (519) 773-8487 E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 17

Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Tips for creating a realistic budget

by Karyn Silliker

Budgeting isn’t a dirty word, yet for many people the process of creating and living on a budget is seen as confusing, restrictive and scary.

“Creating a budget is actually a very straightforward process,” says Karyn Silliker, Aylmer Branch Manager, at Meridian, Ontario’s largest credit union. “Budgets aren’t difficult but they require organization and discipline in order to be successful.”

Meridian offers the following tips to help you create a realistic and successful household budget: 1. TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOUR INCOME In order to find out how much you can spend, you first need to calculate how much money you have coming in. Start by listing all your sources of monthly income including your paycheques, government tax credits, assistance or grants. Be sure to calculate your net income as opposed to your gross income.

2. MONITOR YOUR MONTHLY SPENDING

Create a listing of all your expenditures throughout the month.

File all your spending under two categories, fixed or variable. Fixed expenses are expenses that must be paid on a regular basis and the cost stays relatively the same each month. Examples of fixed expenses include your mortgage/rent, childcare and utilities. Variable expenses tend to fluctuate each month such as groceries, clothing and gas.

Tally your monthly expenses and subtract from your income. If you’re not balancing or ending with a surplus you either have to cut back on your spending or make more money to make up the difference.

3. YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO AT IT ALONE Whether you hate math or are confused by financial jargon, when it comes to budgeting you don’t have to go at it alone. From userfriendly computer budgeting programs to free online budget worksheets, anyone can find an easy to follow budgeting system that works for them.

You can even work with a finan-

cial professional to create a solid budget. Meridian offers its Members free budget counselling to show them how to properly create a realistic budget that factors everyday costs and expenses while encouraging ways to save up for that unexpected rainy day.

4. BE REALISTIC “The top reason why budgets fail is because people are too unrealistic,” says Ms. Silliker. “In my experience, I find people become too rigid with their budgets and in the end they give up on it completely.”

When trying to trim down on your expenses, be mindful of what you’re really willing to sacrifice and compromise on. For example, if you’re spending a lot of money eating out, then consider scaling back by making dinner at home and packing a brown bag lunch to work. Remember, you don’t have to deprive yourself completely but instead make small, consistent changes to your spending habits and that will make a big difference.

5. NOTHING IS WRITTEN IN STONE

When it comes to budgeting, nothing is written in stone. Ms. Silliker recommends that personal and household budgets be revisited and reassessed every other month. “Life changes and so should your budget.

I can’t stress enough that budgets are not about deprivation, but instead about make your money work as hard and smart as you do.”

To learn more about financial planning visit www.meridiancu.ca or come and visit us at Meridian’s Aylmer branch located at 36 Talbot Street West.

Karyn Silliker is Meridian’s Aylmer Branch Manager.

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Top 10 tips to improve your wireless signal

by Catherine Barr

Is your wireless signal causing you grief and lagging its get up and go?

Here are a few tips that may help.

1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.

2. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).

3. Replace your computer’s wireless network adapter.

4. Add a wireless repeater which can amplify the signals.

5. Change your wireless channel.

6. Reduce wireless interference. For example: wireless phones can interfere.

7. Update your firmware on the wireless devices.

8. Keep your computer drivers up to date.

9. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g or 802.11n.

10. ALWAYS create a secured wireless connection with a password and turn off any guest accounts on your router.

Don’t know how to do this stuff?

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Catherine Barr, Blue Sky IT Strategies

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19

Golf in Elgin County Adjusting golf swing gets easier

It’s time for you to

JOIN

ONE OF THE HIGHEST RANKED golf courses in the country.

Golfers rejoice! Those dreaded slices or hooks could become a thing of the distant past thanks to adjustable clubs and drivers. In addition to helping improve accuracy, adjustable clubs also lighten the load in your golf bag.

With a few twists of a wrench or even turning the shaft of the driver itself, golfers can adjust the face angle, loft and lie angle of the driver to hit the ball farther and straighter.

Golfers can make small adjustments to create the right loft and improve distance without having to purchase a new club or visit a club fitter.

Many club manufacturers now offer adjustable drivers and other clubs. According to an informal poll on Golf. com, 34 percent of the 2,337 respondents owned an adjustable driver by the end of 2011. The ability to upgrade shafts has also become popular as golfers respond to what the pros are doing.

Adjustable golf clubs enable golfers to walk out onto the course with one driver and a few different shafts. With a couple of clicks from a wrench, a person can have an entirely new driver. That cuts down on the equipment that needs to be carried and can fine tune a golfer’s accuracy.

These high-tech clubs are corresponding to changes being made to golf balls. Engineers have reduced the spin on golf balls to help the balls travel farther. To do so, golf experts advise that the ball needs to be hit higher into the air. Adjustable drivers can give players the edge they need to produce the right height and trajectory.

According to data from golf club manufacturer TaylorMade, 70 percent of consumers who use the company’s adjustable drivers adjust their club at least once to get the desired shot. Afterward, 10 to 15 percent of adjustable driver users report further adjustments as they become comfortable with the features.

Although golfers can now put adjustments into their own hands, it is still advisable to get a professional fitting regardless of which clubs are chosen. A certified club fitter can help a person sort through the myriad options available and make recommendations based on various factors, including the golf ball used. Those who are not fans of adjustable drivers say that the adjustment mechanisms add weight to the drivers, which can compromise efficiency.

However, that isn’t stopping larger numbers of golf fans from taking adjustable drivers for a trial run in an effort to improve their game.

Grounds for mixing business and pleasure St Thomas Golf and Country Club Union, Ontario One of the country’s finest golf courses is in Union, Ontario.

Top course conditions, great food, renovated locker rooms, practice facilities and fun member events and leagues.

• Juniors - 18 yrs.and under - $350-$530

• Principal - $3073

• Students - full time post-secondary $530

• Women’s Promotion – first year principal membership - $895

• Young Adult - 19-30 yrs. - $1172

• Ranked 36th in Canada by Scoregolf

• Initiation - $1,500

• Fabulous food selections from Chef Terrance Tew team Robert Rose andand team.

• Intermediate - 31-36 yrs. - $1999 • Principal Restricted – Thirty 18 hole rounds - $2300

• Fun, friendly atmosphere

Visit www.stthomasgolf.com - 519-631-4800 ext. 21 or email Vicki Asher at vicki@stthomasgolf.com or GM Rob Mason at rob@stthomasgolf.com Certain restrictions may apply. Contact the Club for details.

April, 2016

ELGIN THIS MONTH

Golf is a great game for building friendships, socializing, and forming business relationships. The greens are not just an ideal place to meet people who share the same passion; by golfing you can widen your circle of contacts and build trusting relationships with clients and business partners.

Whether you’re a manager of a large enterprise or just a salesperson starting your career, there’s no hierarchy on a golf course. The chairman of the board and the new office employee might very well share the same golf cart, discuss many different subjects, and become loyal golf partners.

A few golf games with potential clients could lead to interesting business opportunities in the short or long term. There’s no telling how many deals have been discussed between the first and eighteenth holes and then sealed over drinks at the club house.

Of course golf can have disadvantages for some of us, especially beginners. It can be a great sport but also a very frustrating one, so it’s always important to control your emotions. It is often said that the behaviour of golfers on the course is a reflection of their true personality. So, you’d better make a good impression!

20

Golf in Elgin County

8

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME Warmer weather sends scores of golfers to their favorite courses each and every day. Golf is a challenging pastime, but a few pointers can help golfers hone their short games, long games and everything in between.

1. Choose the right clubs. There is more to selecting clubs than pulling any old iron out of your golf bag and whacking away. Wind, hazards and obstructions in landing areas should influence your decision of which club to use. Novice golfers may want to rely on their caddies to make club recommendations, and as they become more confident in their abilities they can start to make their own choices.

2. Anchor your feet. Anchor your foot behind the ball to drive the ball further. Right-handed players will keep the right foot anchored, and lefties will do the opposite.

Do not lift your foot prematurely; otherwise, you can lose power and distance.

3. Identify your weaknesses. As with any hobby, identifying those areas that need the most work can help you become a better golfer. Keep track of each shot you take, and then look at the results to see which areas of your game need the most work.

4. Fix your alignment. Align your shots by assessing the target from behind the ball. Then set the clubface behind the golf ball and align it with the target before you enter your stance.

5. Use your torso for power. The torso is essential to a solid swing. Practice rotating from your core to control your backswing and then maintain the same spine angle and posture on the downswing.

6. Use the wind. Not every golf game will be played in perfect weather. A good player knows how to make adjustments for the wind depending on the shot. Use the wind to your advantage when you can, and adjust your swing when hitting into the wind.

7. Become a better chipper. Many players put so much emphasis on their backswings and putt shots that they fail to devote any practice to chips. All shots are important for golfers trying to shed strokes off of their scores.

8. Keep fit. Maintaining or improving your physical strength and overall health can help your golf game. Exercise and eat right, and you will have more endurance on the links.

April, 2016

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 21

Golf in Elgin County Expect an exciting 2016 as golf returns to the Olympics

medal, only to find the golf portion of the Games was cancelled.

For more than a century it stayed that way. But It was 112 years ago that Canada last tasted at the Rio games this summer, golf will return.

Olympic gold in golf.

That’s when Toronto’s George S. Lyon took the That is one of the main reasons 2016 is likely to be individual gold medal in the sport. Four years the most exciting year for golf in recent memory.

No, Tiger Woods won’t be there — he’ll likely later he went to London, England, to defend the still be recovering from back surgery — but you will see the best in the world in Rio. Defending Masters champ Jordan Spieth will lead moNdays tuesdays WedNesdays an American team that Junior Day Ladies Day Men’s Day will likely include bighitting Dustin John9 Holes for $14 9 Holes for $14 18 Holes for $20 son, while Rory McIlFor Juniors under 17 yrs. old For Ladies For Men roy and Jason Day will head up the Irish and call the clubhouse for more dail daily specials!!

Australian teams respectively.

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Hanse, a terrific American architect. Since Brazil didn’t really have a course that could hold the tournament, it was determined that a new one would need to be built, and Hanse created what appears to be a fascinating layout, taking elements of courses in Australia and great British links as his inspiration. You’ll see a course that promotes running shots, punctuated by devilish bunkers, and with greens that could well decide who takes home the gold. In fact, the Olympic Course has a lot in common with Tarandowah, not surprising considering they have the same influences.

What about Canada? We’ll likely have two golfers on the team, with the competition currently between British Columbians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin, who are battling with Ontario’s David Hearn and Saskatchewan’s Graham DeLaet. All are fine players who will represent our country well.

Can they defend the gold medal Lyon won more than a 100 years ago? It’ll surely be a challenge, but it will undoubtedly be fascinating to watch.

ELGIN THIS MONTH

28411 Thomson Line, Dutton N0L 1J0

519-762-3435 www.duttonmeadows.com 22

6th 8th Annual Crime Stoppers

Golf Tournament

At the St Thomas Golf & Country Club, located in Union

On Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 11am

Have a fun day of golf and support your local Crime Stoppers at the same time.

The cost is $130 per player. ($140 after April 15th)

includes: • 18 holes of golf (cart included) • Tournament gift bag • Lunch and driving range privileges • Steak Dinner • 2 for 1 golf certificate for a future visit to St. Thomas Golf and Country Club

For additional information please call or email: Heather White 519-631-1224 Ext.153 crimestoppers@golden.net

1-800-222-TIPS (8477) www.stthomascrimestoppers.ca

We Couldn’t do it without the support of the Community Proud Supporter of Crime Stoppers

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lynhurst eSSo & variety • Diesel • Propane • Speed Pass • Convenience Store • Party size bags of ice • Official flags

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519-633-1640 ext. 222 E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 23

Homestyle Decorating

Creating a best first impression in your home

by Renée Carpenter

Whether you have a foyer, entryway or vestibule, this space is where you first greet your guests and is their first impression of your home. Some are grand with stairways and hallways that lead off into various directions. Others are small and just large enough to get inside and still be able to shut the door without stepping off the welcome mat. In either case, they both relay a message to your guests when the front door opens and they step inside your home.

What is your entryway saying? Maybe it’s time to set your foyer apart with a stylish makeover!

The purpose of a foyer is to allow your guests to prepare themselves to enter your home by removing a coat, shoes, hat, check their hair or lipstick in a mirror. Proper accommodation of these needs is fundamental, and then to be greeted by someone who can accommodate is crucial.

A guest foyer must be squeaky clean and organized. Although we live in an environment where seasonal footwear is a given, I despise a darned black rubber tray piled high with shoes in a main foyer where everyone can see and smell them. Trust me, this is not appealing as a first impression! Find ways to camouflage this necessity if this is your family’s main entryway. If not, ditch the black ugly tray and assist your guests with their footwear by either removing the shoes to a back door where a black ugly tray is more appropriate, or place down a winter mat that can be cleaned.

So your space is small? The same basics apply to all foyers, large or small, allowing you to extend a big welcome. When the doorbell rings, make sure you have turned on a source of light inside the entry space. This can be a table lamp, chandelier or wall sconce, but just as long as it is dimmer than the light outside so that your guests do not feel as though they are standing in a spotlight. Soft, warm light casts a more flattering and warm glow, mak-

ing your guests feel much more at ease. Even a dimmer switch or low wattage bulbs can do the trick.

Hats, coats and shoes aren’t the only items that guests bring in with them. Wet umbrellas, ladies’ purses, gifts, hot dishes, flowers, etc., cause even the smallest of foyers to need some form of a console table or shelf close by. Finding hall tables narrow enough to accommodate small foyers can be difficult but they do exist. If the space is entirely too small for this, make sure there is a table close enough to the entryway to accommodate those needs.

A bench, chair, or ottoman is actually more of a necessity than most any other item in this room.

Ever had to balance on one leg while trying to pull off a boot, or lean against a wall for support? This can be impossible for some folks. Small vestibules may not allow for this but a seat can be made available just outside this space to help in both the removal and replacement of footwear. Sometimes a small bench can slide beneath a hall table if space is of the essence.

Console/hall tables can be a nice feature in a hallway in the way of accessorizing the space, as well as a function for holding purses, mail, keys, etc. A lamp with a beautiful arrangement, mirror or art can be the highlight of the space if done well and the space allots for it. Create cohesive sight lines between your entryway and neighbouring rooms by incorporating accessories that visually unite the space.

Mirrors are another asset in any entry and can be invaluable in a small one. They provide a place for guests to check their hair or lipstick when they

AH Design

arrive. They also help disperse light around the area and reflect space, which can ‘enlarge’ a small area and make it feel less cramped. But remember to never hang a mirror that reflects a closet door, bathroom or dead wall!

Foyers are ideal for adding eye candy to the walls of your home. Boldly patterned wallpaper or bright paint colours can create huge impact in a small space. If there is enough room to add wall art, this can finish the room. But be careful not to overfill a small foyer. It can, in turn, make if feel even more confined.

The last thing of importance is a rug underfoot to step onto once the shoes have been removed, preferably something soft and padded.

Bottom line, the area must be clean and clutterfree. And remember, this IS your home’s ‘first impression’ location!

Renée Carpenter owns Jennings Furniture & Design & Stage It With Jennings in St. Thomas.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 24

Five delicious wine choices for right now

by Jamie Quai

Dining & Entertainment Food & Wine cella is not a grape, but a style. There are three primary grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, that go into this entry level wine from the Veneto region in Italy. These grapes ripen ideally under the Venetian climate and are known for bright cherry flavours and moderate alcohol levels. Much like the Gewurztraminer selection earlier, Valpolicella is a go-to rainy weather wine for me. This selection may be based on my travel experiences, as much as wine tasting experiences. I spent a few days in Verona, one of the largest cities in the Veneto, several years ago. It rained the whole time, but the adventure of touring the city of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, was made all the more memorable with many bottles of Valpolicella.

Final selection this month is an unsung Ontario staple – Marechal Foch. Foch is known for decent alcohol levels, dark fruit flavours, and a really earthy finish. The wine much more reliable to produce than grapes like Merlot, or Pinot Noir. It makes it onto my list this month, because it works well with early season veggies, like asparagus, and leeks. It also works with those cellar-aged potatoes, and garlic. Cheers!

This month is going to be all about five wine recommendations that are wonderful companions to the spring season. When I think of the Jamie Quai is head best wines for spring, I’m looking for three things: winemaker at Quai du Medium body in a white wine, mellow acidity in Vin Estate Winery in a rosé, and overall riper red wines. Hope you enElgin County joy some of these selections as the seasons change.

My first selection is a Gewurtztraminer, in the white wine category. Gewurztraminer is a variety known for its medium body, aromas of fresh flowers, and smooth acidity. These kind of wines are my goto when the April showers are raining down. A warming glass of wine that conjures images of the May flowers almost can’t be beat. Gewurztraminer is a tremendously tough grape to grow. It needs a warm, and relatively dry, autumn to realize its fullest potential. Ontario wineries really find the best in this grape every few years. The pinnacle styles come from Germany, France, and I’ve had some interesting examples from Argentina in the past few years.

My second white wine selection is very close in taste and flavour profile to Gewurztraminer. The grape is called Torrontes. I actually choose this wine for all the same reasons as the previous selection, with one distinct difference – Good Torrontes has much more refreshing acidity. This is the wine style I am cravMarch 1 to April 30, 2016 ing after putting in some significant time around the house with spring cleaning (Or after a long day in the vineyards getting ready for another season). Torrontes is widely planted in Argentina, with smatterings across southwestern Europe.

A great bottle won’t set you back more than $14.

My springtime rosé selection is a Grenache- or Syrah-based wine. I am a huge advocate of rosé consumption, and have been so excited to see that rosé has really come into the wine mainstream in the past few years. The best rosé for summer tend to have naturally higher levels of acidity. It’s the acidity that gives the wine its refreshing qualities that work with the summertime sun. But in the spring, For a limited time if you purchase Mobil I still want a light and elegant rosé, but 1 5W-30 or 5W-20 in a 4.4L jug you will without the sharp crisp finish. Acidity receive one additional free litre.* generally decreases during ripeness in warmer climates. Springtime rosé comes * In branch special only. from regions like California, southern While supplies last.

Spain, and southern France.

St. Thomas • Tillsonburg • St. Marys • Chatham The first red wine selection for springtime enjoyment is Valpolicella. Unlike the other wines discussed so far, Valpoli-

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 25

HEALTHY LIVING Everyday Health

Signs of scoliosis? Test early and often

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

Scoliosis is a term used to describe abnormal lateral curvatures of the spinal column. Although usually only 10 percent of diagnosed curves actually require therapeutic intervention, the consequences of untreated curves that do progress can be quiet serious. Due to the potentially serious consequences, it is paramount that pre-adolescent children be screened for potential signs of developing scoliosis. This screening should continue throughout the adolescent period.

There are different categories of the condition but this article will be discussing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, present in about 2 to 4 percent of children between the ages of 10 to 16. It is defined as a lateral curve that is greater than 10 degrees and is accompanied by rotation of the vertebra. The greatest concern regarding scoliosis is that the curve may progress to a severe degree which can cause compromise of lung and heart function. Outside of serious lung and heart complications, scoliosis may also lead to serious deformity and postural alterations. Altered biomechanics of the spine may cause premature arthritic changes later in life.

The term “idiopathic” is a very important consideration when classifying the type of scoliosis being identified. This term indicates that there

April, 2016

is no known cause for the scoliosis. The other broad classification of scoliosis is termed “secondary”. Secondary indicates that there is an underlying pathological condition that is responsible for the spinal curvature. Examples of secondary causes include a long list of inherited genetic disorders, neurological conditions, spinal tumors as well as various musculoskeletal conditions. Due to the potentially serious nature of these secondary causes, the first step once a curve has been identified is to rule out a secondary cause. Severe pain, a left thoracic curve or an abnormal neurological exam are red flags that may indicate a secondary cause for the curvature.

The greatest time of risk for curve progression is during periods of growth. This is why it is very important to screen for spinal curvatures before the period of significant growth. Various guidelines exist with varying scientific evidence to support them, but a good general guideline is to begin screening around age 10 and continue at a regular interval (once or twice a year) until age 15 or 16. Some may question this frequency, but screening takes less than 5 minutes and requires no invasive or highly technical equipment.

It generally includes a postural analysis, inspection of the spinal column while standing and a simple orthope-

dic test referred to as the Adam’s forward bending test. With this test the patient is instructed to simply bend forward as if touching their toes. The spine and back are then observed for asymmetrical rib heights which are associated with spinal scoliosis.

If an abnormal spinal curvature is detected during the screening procedure, the next step is to determine the degree of risk of progression. Several factors need to be weighed to determine if a referral to an orthopedic specialist is required or if it may be appropriate for the family physician or family chiropractor to simply monitor the curve and watch for signs of progression that may then require the appropriate referral.

Treatment for scoliosis remains controversial.

Treatments such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, biofeedback and electrical stimulation have shown limited effect on the natural history of scoliosis but can be effective in keeping the spine more flexible, increasing function and relieving potential discomfort that may be associated with the condition. More invasive procedures such as bracing and spinal surgery have shown effectiveness at altering the progression of spinal curves.

These more invasive procedures must be weighed carefully between potential risks and benefits.

Look for signs of abnormal spinal curvature. If you think you see something unusual seek the advice of a health expert like a chiropractor, physiotherapist or family doctor.

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

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 26

Business & Community Financial Planning

Pay less, keep more, with after tax planning times in your life where you want to Who doesn’t want to pay less tax? But, how do make sure excess you do that? Do you know what tax strategies you tax doesn’t eat up should consider for your personal situation? your hard-earned Understanding Canada’s tax laws can go a long savings on the way way towards helping you minimize the taxes you out. pay. Learning more about the income tax act Most retirees makes sense in theory, but in reality, most of us draw from multifind the topic a bit of a bore. You may already be ple income sources dis-interested and planning to stop reading now. including, CPP, David Chilton was once quoted as saying, “The OAS, work penbiggest financial mistake people make is not tak- sion plans, and ing advantage of tax deductions that are available often multiple into them. Why? They do not know about them.” vestment accounts There is truth in his words as they pertain not only like RRSPs, TFto tax deductions and income tax returns but also SAs and sometax planning in general. times locked in acWhile you may think you need to be a wealthy counts like LIRAs. business owner or corporation to require tax plan- Deciding how to ning, this isn’t true. The average person saving and best draw this inplanning for retirement can benefit from tax plan- come in a tax efficient manner becomes critical ning more than you may realize. to establishing how far your nest egg will go in So what is after-tax planning anyway? Simply retirement. put, we want to create a plan where tax payable Just as we create registration strategies (use of is purposely taken into consideration, and the RRSPs and other registered vehicles to defer taxes) most tax efficient strategies are used so you keep to build savings, we also need to consider de-regas much of your hard earned money as possible. istration strategies (efficiently drawing on RRSPs We all need to pay taxes. That’s a given. Taxes and other registered accounts) as the money goes are key to our economy and it’s important that all out and taxes are due. The amount of tax payCanadians pay their share. able in different scenarios But are you paying more becomes very important than you should be? With when choosing which path “if the topic of taxes and careful planning you should to take. be able to structure your in- after-tax planning puts you to There are so many quescome and portfolio to pay tions for each personal situsleep you are not alone” the least amount of tax reation: quired. This will ensure you • How are capital gains pay your fair contribution without overpaying. income, dividend income and interest income At the stage of life when you are saving and in- taxed differently? How can I make the most of vesting, there are different tax strategies which can these differences in my portfolio? be used to make the most of your savings poten• Which savings strategies will give me the best tial. This involves taking into consideration mar- long term tax savings? Should I use a TFSA or ginal tax rates, tax preferred savings vehicles, and RRSP or both? tax rates on different types of investment income.

• Are there tax credits or deductions I should be Many years down the road, once you’ve grown considering that I’m not aware of, or currently usyour nest egg, you will need to draw on it in re- ing? tirement. This is arguably one of the most critical • Should I take CPP early or later? Should I draw

by Stepanie Farrow

Karen Vecchio,

on RRSP’s now or later? Which way will I pay the least amount of tax?

• How do I structure my retirement income to make sure I do not get clawed back on my OAS? • How can I best coordinate my RRIF income to keep me in a lower tax bracket?

Not interested in learning about the Income Tax Act in your spare time? I can’t blame you. If the topic of taxes and after-tax planning puts you to sleep you are not alone. There is no catch-all, quick checklist that can accurately capture everything you need to do to save on taxes. If there were, we wouldn’t require tax professionals. There are countless variables, and everyone’s personal situation is different.

Work with your accountant or tax consultant, and financial planner, who have made it their business to know the ins and outs of tax and financial strategies. They can help structure your financial plan with the best after-tax end result in mind.

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

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 27

LIFESTYLE That’s Life

Tales from a mom who swore she would never …

by Elizabeth VanHooren

Call it spring cleaning … a spiritual cleansing if you will, but this month I give you my confessions as a real mom.

1. I spy on my kids.

I’ve always told my boys, now eight and soon to be six, that I have eyes in the back of my head.

And in a way I do. I catch glimpses of their eye rolls and the occasional push and shove via conveniently placed mirrors and other glass surfaces around the house. Via the glare off the oven door, I can watch the boys throwing French fries at each other across the kitchen table.

At eight, my eldest is aware that I don’t really have eyes hidden in my hair. However, he knows that I am somehow all seeing – omnipotent if you will. This should serve me well when he is a teenager. My own parents used the adage, “Even

if we don’t see you do something bad – we live in a small town. Someone we know will see you and report back to us – so behave yourself.”

2. I speak in my mother tongue I don’t think you truly feel like a real mom until you find yourself using your mother’s language. I’m not referring to the moment when all the new-age parenting theories fail you and you fall back to the tried and true, “Just, wait till you father comes home” moment.

No. You won’t feel like a real mom until the day you place your hands on your hips (wings out as my husband would phrase it) and shrilly squawk like a mother hen scolding her brood in the same tone and inflection as your mother. It is frightening and satisfying at the same time. Frightening because you swore you would never act that way with your doe-eyed babies and satisfying because it actually gets your kids’ attention.

3. The word mom is a palindrome My kids have a habit of repeating the word mom frontward and backwards until I answer.

They have established a cadence that is particularly grating after a long day at work. “Mom? Can I watch TV mom? Mom? I can watch TV mom when I’m done my homework, right Mom? Mom? Right?”

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4. I snack behind my children’s backs In our house we have what is now known as the “40 box”. The “40 box” is actually a 408 g cardboard box that previously contained an assortment of 40 snack-size chocolate bars, a Halloween treat one year from their babysitter. Now whenever the boys receive candy (Santa Claus parade, Halloween, Valentines Day treats etc.) the leftovers get placed in the “40 box”. These are doled out as an after-supper treat or yes, bribery/reward for doing their homework without delay and whining.

Technically, it’s the boys’ candy – but my husband and I raid it on a fairly regular basis. Again, as the boys get older it’s getting harder to explain why there was an Aero bar in the box the night before – but not now.

I worry about my kids so I let them know I am always watching. I care about my kids so I correct misbehaviour. I love my kids so I take a break when needed and raid their chocolate stash.

True confessions of a real mom.

Elizabeth VanHooren is General Manager of Kettle Creek Conservation Authority

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 28

Business & Community YOUR TEAM

Your work – technician, manager and entrepreneur?

by Laura Pavilonis and Nancy Annett

Within each of us there is a technical expert, a manager and an entrepreneur. The book E-myth

by Michael Gerber discusses this phenomenon in relation to achieving small business success. He repeatedly positions the successful and fulfilled small business owner as one who must tap into all of these elements within you, rather than the place most of us start – the technical expert. The technical expert must be able to do specific tasks required to deliver an experience to a customer in a consistent way. The manager must develop and maintain systems to ensure that the technical experts have the information to perform their roles in a consistent way. The entrepreneur must view the business from the perspective of the customer, anticipating change and planning for the future as well as communicating the company’s vision and motivating employees to achieve it in order to give customers a special experience that can’t be found elsewhere.

But what about if you’re not a business owner and work for someone else? Can’t you just go into work and do your job? What if you are extremely skilled and knowledgeable at that job? What if you do that job better than anyone else in your place of employment? Isn’t that good enough?

The answer is a resounding... no. The need to be technician, manager and entrepreneur applies to employees at every level within any organization.

Why? Because, if you go into your work and treat it simply as a job, in the end you won’t be able to manage all the other things that are required of you.

And yet, it’s easy to resist this. There’s a temptation to just go to work and do the technical component of the job and then go home. However, it’s simply not the same world we lived in 30 years ago. Change is now happening at an exponential-

ly more rapid pace and what’s required of every day to help employee is more than what was required, not just you hone your 25 years ago, but more than what was required inner manlast week. In order for organizations to compete ager and enin this new world, everyone needs to play a role trepreneur and in helping it predict and respond to the changing many don’t environment. involve going So what does this mean to an employee just try- into a classing to do a job? It means that the job does not room. Conjust include doing a set of specific tasks. As an ex- sider building pert in a specific area, whether as a front line em- your skills not ployee or leader, you have an obligation to share only in your area of technical expertise, but in the your thoughts and ideas on how to continually other areas used by the inner manager and entreimprove your work and understand how those preneur such as communication skills, personality changes might impact the management of the inventory, conflict management, leadership, team work and the experience of the end customer. development, time management and organizaIn today’s world, you’re expected to bring your tional skills. inner manager and entrepreneur to the job, which Everyone has an inner manager and entrepreinvolves good communication skills, your creativ- neur. We just need to tap into them. ity, your ability to work with others in a respectful way and your adaptability, just to name a few Nancy Annett, MBA, CHRP things. Within each of these skills lies an entire and Laura Pavilonis, MBA set of subskills such as emotional intelligence, CHRP own Flashpoint appropriate tone and body language, empathy, Training and Development. inclusion, self-awareness, time management and organization. You need them all to succeed in this new world. And unfortunately, these are the areas where people fall down and in many cases, lose their jobs. Most people don’t lose their jobs because they don’t have the technical skills; it’s all the other stuff that causes problems.

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Lifestyle Time On My Hands

Sun, sand, and Satan

On the beach in the Bible Belt

By Duncan Watterworth

A beach vacation on the Florida Panhandle should be really simple. Shall we run on the beach today, or just walk? Shall we dine on seafood, or at the BBQ place?

But the Bible Belt is always a bit spooky for me.

Here, we also enter a supernatural world, an alternate universe that runs on a different set of rules.

When we drive across the county line, a billboard blares, “Wakulla loves you Jesus”, as if that county’s entire population expects the Second Coming to parade into sight at any moment. A church sign warns that the Devil is out and about.

And there are so many churches that if you close your eyes, spin around, and pull the trigger, you’ll hit one for sure.

Life here is a morality play where everything happens for a reason, and God and Satan are pulling the strings.

So I tread lightly. But this year I found out Satan has a sense of humour. One day the wacky guy plunked us down, to our total surprise, in a collection of atheists. On a Sunday morning, no less.

Good one, Satan!

Barb and I were having lunch on the deck of an out-of-the-way café in Tallahassee. The only other diners, a jovial group at a large table, consisted of an elderly white couple, a black college-aged couple, two men with bushy white beards, two thirty-somethings, and a lean young woman with bright lipstick and lots of bare midriff.

We couldn’t help but overhear their conversation. One of them was describing a discussion he’d had with a Christian who maintained that without God there could be no morality, no right or wrong. About then the grandfatherly man looked over to Barb and me and said, “I hope we aren’t bothering you. We’re the Tallahassee Atheist Club. You are welcome to join us.”

I stood up and said, “I don’t see how Christianity can be the basis of an ethical system. It’s based on punishment and reward, the carrot and the stick, Heaven and Hell.” I knew that was a tad unfair to Christian morality, but it worked as an icebreaker.

We joined their table.

A rambling, amiable conversation followed.

“We don’t always talk about religion,” said the grandfather. “Last week it was gravity waves.” He was a retired philosophy prof from Buffalo. His wife was a biology prof. The teacher said his job was to get his students to examine their beliefs, and logically support them. The college kid gave us a brief – but still too long – lecture on Deism versus Theism. Midriff’s comments were smart and very political. She had a feminist’s perspective on religion.

Over all, they seemed to be a collection of sin-

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cere and like-minded souls, seeking the warmth of tribe, as in any church.

It is understandable that Christians down here worry about the morality of the rest of us. In their minds, we are all born in sin, and inclined to evil thoughts, fornications, murders, deceit, and more. Mark 7:21,22. Psalm 51:5.

But those living in other philosophical worlds manage to conjure up ethical systems, although lacking supernatural foundations. The Tallahassee Atheists do sponsor a section of local highway, and keep the litter picked up.

So a beach vacation isn’t always simple. Not for me, anyway. Fortunately, Satan has since left us alone. And, as always down here, that is happening for a reason: he had to get back to the Donald Trump campaign.

Duncan Watterworth is a life-long resident of Elgin County and a retired lawyer. He can be reached at duncanetm@gmail.com.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 30

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