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Located on the beautiful Shuswap Business Scoop - Community Futures Shuswap
By Paul Abra
So much happened in 2020 to change just about every and any business. Not every business has been a loser in the current pandemic lottery, some such as courier services and online retailers saw their businesses grow significantly. Others, unfortunately, were greatly affected by social distancing restrictions and virtual lockdowns in some cases. It’s safe to say, however, that for almost all of us in business, the world shifted and the environment within which we operate is vastly different from what it was 12-months ago.
As we enter 2021, therefore, it may be a good time to stand back and take stock of our company’s mission, its goals, and its objectives. If you were going to start your business today what would your business plan look like? More importantly, what would your sales and marketing strategy contain? What would your product or services line up consist of?
Try to carve out a half-day over the next week or so and look at your business from 30,000 feet; the big picture view will be very different from the in-the-trenches view you have while trying to survive. Go back to basics and revisit your vision for your company. Don’t underestimate the power that a good understanding of your overarching vision for your business has on your big picture thinking. It translates into every action you take in your day-today business. As we enter the new year, therefore, it’s important to reposition yourself and your business firmly in the new reality.
To begin, award yourself an imaginary magic wand, wave it, and conjure up a vision of what your business will look like in five years’ time. Your vision can be a stretch, but it needs to be grounded in reality. If you have a team working with you, then treat it much like a brainstorming session.
Once you have clarified your vision for the future then you will want to drill down to see how you might achieve it by creating a plan for the future. Here’s a shortlist of questions, or discussion points, to get you started. • Going forward, what products and services will be sustainable and which will we discontinue? • What new products and services should we introduce to better reflect the new reality? • How can we more effectively reach and service our customer base? • Given that we are likely to see some form of restrictions continue until the fall of 2021, what changes do we need to make to our sales, marketing, and distribution? • How can we create new goals and objectives to take advantage of the current situation, or at the very least limit the damage they inflict?
Remember, visioning is not simply a skill. It is an attitude and an act of faith. Rob Marshall is the Executive Director of Community Futures
Shuswap. For more small business tips and resources, visit beyourfuture.ca
Shuswap Trail Allianc
Welcome to the annual Shuswap Trail Alliance Party and Auction. While it’s not quite the party of the year we’ve come to look forward to, it is going to be a month of supporting all of our trails throughout the Shuswap AND supporting our local businesses. And hey, you can party along at home on your own.
The on-line auction went live on Friday, Feb 5, and will run until the 28th. There are some awesome auction items, a 50/50 draw that if sold out could have a prize value of $10,000, and of course a chance to support some local businesses too! Check out the Shuswap Trail
Alliance’s Deep Winter Lockdown Silent Auction here: https://trellis.org/ shuswaptrails2021fundraiser
Thank you for all you do to make our trail, we wouldn’t be able to do it without your support!
By Barbra Fairclough the community and accessible at the
Sunnybrae Seniors are doing Seniors Hall. President Alice Hidber a membership campaign until says when details are confirmed February 14th. When you purchase they will have more information for a membership, you will receive a members. Stay tuned… beautiful Valentine cookie. They are also in the planning stage
These large colorful cookies are for a community garden to be located lovingly at the hall. Tickets are being sold made by for a draw to raise funds to pay for volunteers installation and ongoing expenses for and have a the hall. unique ‘one Prizes include an original oil of a kind’ painting generously donated by local design. To artist Terry Goodrick valued at $700, a show their gift basket complete with a handmade love for your quilted placemat set donated by long support, term expert quilter Maddie Welch and these a selection of spring bulbs. If you are beautiful a chocolate fan, the basket of Easter cookies chocolate may pique your interest. will be Available until March 31st you can
Cookies for new members offered until purchase three tickets for $10 with
Photo credit: Alice Hidber Valentine’s only 600 being sold. Draw is on March Day. By becoming a member, you support the Sunnybrae Seniors and the work they do. Even though the hall is not open as much as they would like, volunteers are working hard on new projects and they look forward to when the hal will be open again. Ever since going digital with their annual BC Registry reporting a few years ago, they have had an eye to support seniors in this digital age. This year is their first virtual AGM. Steps are currently being taken to bring computer literacy support into 31 at 1pm and results will be posted on Facebook. If you would like to sell tickets, call Maddie Welch 250 803 8890 or message Sunnybrae Seniors Hall Facebook Group. Membership is $15 for ages 49 and older. When the hall is open again, regular programs will be up and running for crafters and painters as well as games day and other popular gatherings. Membership means you receive frequent updates on what’s up at the hall. Join by emailing your interest to Sunnybrae.srs@gmail.com or message them on the Sunnybrae Seniors Hall FB Group.
Handmade quilted placemat by Maddie Welch - Donation for Commutiy Garden Fundrasier Picture Credit: Facebook Oil Painting by Terry Goodrick Donation for Community Garden Fundraiser Picture Credit: Facebook
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February 2021 Want Government to Succeed to Beat Virus & Secure Future
Mel Arnold MP, North-Okanagan-Shuswap
When Health Canada reported Canada’s first case of COVID-19 on January 25, 2020, there was little we knew about the virus other than the fact that it was spreading very quickly across borders and oceans and had arrived in Canada. The effects of the pandemic came quickly, and we have all experienced profound changes. The pandemic has permanently changed life for many of us, especially Canadians who have suffered the permanent loss of friends or family.
COVID-19 has pushed our public healthcare system to its limits, and we owe a great debt of gratitude to all those working in health services whose courage and commitment have sustained healthcare in Canada.
Gratitude is also in order for all the Canadian women and men who have left the safety of their homes to do their jobs in providing essential services for the rest of us. Over the past year, our public safety and wellbeing has been sustained by our fellow Canadians who we depend on for law enforcement, groceries, medicine, transportation and other essential needs.
The persisting need to isolate has affected all of us, especially our Seniors. Other restrictions have forced many businesses to close their doors and some will not be able to re-open. The effects of the pandemic surround us as so much of our lives, communities and economies remain in limbo.
Today, it is clear that COVID-19 vaccines can get us closer to recovering from the pandemic; vaccines will allow us to reconnect with family and friends and allow millions to get back to work. Vaccination is a personal choice and I believe enough Canadians will choose vaccination to stop the spread and get us on the road to recovery.
However, Canada is facing a serious vaccine shortfall, rapid tests are not being widely used, and Canadians are still sitting in lockdown. Meanwhile, Canadians still have too many unanswered questions.
As your elected federal representative, I continue to press the federal government for the policies and resources to beat this virus and initiate recovery. We need to be using all of the tools available to fight COVID-19. Canadians need vaccines, rapid tests, and information to secure our future and to rebuild our economy.
My Conservative colleagues and I want to see the federal government succeed in securing these tools for Canadians – especially vaccines. We welcome the news that Canada will finally be moving forward on making vaccines domestically, something we called for months ago.
However, Canadian vaccine production is but one tool that we need. Canadians need to know what the federal government’s plan is for securing and distributing all the essential tools we need; we deserve certainty and a plan. Canadians should know when things are going to get better and when restrictions can be eased.
My Conservative colleagues and I want the vaccine rollout to succeed and we will continue to push hard for answers and decisions that will secure the safety and health of Canadians.
