The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012 B1
BusinessTRACK Mission Chamber of Commerce connect • influence • prosper
Mission manufacturers, IT get together By Allan Main
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uilding clusters of businesses with similar interests and markets is a strategy used in many communities to help strengthen local economies. Bringing together related businesses creates a peer support structure where businesses can share experience and wisdom. The innovation encouraged in sector focused groups can help participating companies improve performance with far less risk than if companies are left to grow their business in isolation. Initiating a cluster strategy starts with the simple process of bringing all local players together, and letting them define their needs. In Mission this is the motivation behind the formation of a small group, originally starting as the Mission Manufacturers Association, but now evolving to include manufacturers, technology professionals, IT companies, and other value creators — companies located in the Mission area but selling to markets beyond local consumers. This group held its first meeting in October, and has scheduled the next meeting for Nov. 15. The group is a work in progress, and the November meeting will give partici-
It's important for businesses to sit down and develop a marketing plan.
pants the opportunity to set priorities and define the key challenges to their business. The expanded umbrella of companies invited to join the group will attract more participants, for more ideas, and more shared knowledge. Membership to the group is open to any Mission company that is a technology or manufacturing business, and is free. The group will set its own priorities to im-
prove the business environment, but one of the key benefits of a group like this is peer mentoring, with companies sharing their positive and negative experiences. At the first meeting, areas identified as challenging included human resources, finding local contractors and support services, and a general sense of isolation working in a small community at the fringe of the regional business core. On
the positive side Mission has affordable industrial land, and good access to transportation. The first meeting also brought out a few stories of how effective peer support can be — by simply asking the question to other local businesses, answers can come from unexpected sources. The key to growth for many of the companies in this sector is not just more sales — it is also innovation and how to improve products and
processes. The technology and manufacturing sector is a vital part of the local community, but it is a sector that has only shown modest growth in Mission over the last 10 years. The growth of manufacturing and technology sectors and the related technical and support services is important for the growth and health of our community. Not only do these companies create good jobs, they
sell products to outside markets, which brings money into the local economy. Strengthening this sector is good business for everybody. The Nov. 15 meeting is from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Mission Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 34033 Lougheed Hwy. This meeting is intended to build some structure and refine the group’s mandate using a roundtable format to encourage participation. Come out and see what this group can do for you. Eventually the group hopes to develop a website as a central point for shared information, including local career opportunities, and the organization may look at building alliances with other similar business associations throughout the Upper Fraser Valley area to provide greater connections, and expand the cluster strategy to similar businesses in other neighbouring communities. For more information, or to attend this next meeting, contact Allan Main at the Community Futures office, 604-8266252, or e-mail info@ northfraser.org. If you are unable to attend the November meeting be sure to get on the email list for future events. Allen Main is the executive director for Community Futures North Fraser.
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B2 The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012
2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BusinessTRACK
President's message
T
Cal Crawford
PAST PRESIDENT
Sean Melia
VICE PRESIDENT
Trevor Girard
DIRECTOR 2012
Attila Davalovsky
Tony LaPointe TREASURER
Pam Alexis
DIRECTOR 2012
Vicki Gould
DIRECTOR 2011
DIRECTOR 2012
Satti Grewal
Ann Harper
DIRECTOR 2012
Jane Marshall
LIAISON, MDBA
DIRECTOR 2011
Allan Main
LIAISON, C.F.N.F.
Mayor Ted Adlem DOM LIAISON
his issue gives you a glimpse at the manufacturing sector that is occurring in Mission. The innovations that many of these small companies are a part of, makes you realize the growing potential of Mission as an incubator of ideas. Their grassroots initiative to come together to share resources and ideas will provide added benefit to those looking to relocate their business to Mission and support those already in this sector. If you are a manufacturer or in IT, I encourage you to participate in the group outlined on page one. Through collaboration we will build a stronger community. This month I had the pleasure of meeting several provincial cabinet ministers and discussing issues that affect business. My meetings left me contemplating, what do we need to be a successful business in Mission? We have joined an initiative asking the question “What are you for?” I would like to ask you to consider this. What do we want for prosperity? We will be surveying our members over the next few months to better understand this. Let us know if you are interested in changing the discussion of what we don’t want, to what we do. Additionally, let us say thank you. Our Pay it Forward campaign begins Nov. 16. Each time you send us proof of a local purchase between Nov. 16 and Dec. 15, the Chamber will donate 10 cents to the Mission Christmas Bureau. When you shop local you help strengthen Mission’s economy. During the holiday season we thought this would be a great way to say thank you by paying it forward on your behalf. I look forward to seeing how much money we can raise together. Don’t forget the Candlelight Parade is on Friday, Dec. 7. See you there!
Elyssa Lockhart PRESIDENT
Learn Insightful Selling and grow your sales to new levels I nsightful Selling will change the way you sell. The 21st century customer has a heavy workload and considers most products to be similar, and therefore makes decisions based primarily on price. The S.A.L.E.S Formula™ differentiates the seller from the competition by creating opportunities and impacting the customer’s bottom-line. In this threehour workshop, you will become skilled at getting in the door and staying there. After this course, you will know who to target, how to target them, and how to be
Pay it Forward… Shop Local
Let us thank you for shopping in Mission during the holiday season. 10¢ donated to the Mission
Christmas Bureau for every receipt sent to the Mission Chamber showing a purchase made at a Mission business. Nov 16- Dec 15 www.missionchamber.bc.ca
efficient at speaking in the language of the 21st century customer. You will leave with a personal prospecting plan and template using the customer value model to ensure future success.
What will students learn? • The S.A.L.E.S Formula™ system; • why your product is irrelevant to customers; • why relationships no longer get the sale; • the two primary ways to create customer value; • how to get in the door faster than ever before;
• the secret language of every B2B customer; • Blue Fish Prospecting concept. What topics are covered? • The current mind set of today’s customer; • the five types of salespeople and which is best; • how to create customer value; • insightful prospecting – no more cold calls; • How to leverage LinkedIn; • How to create an insightful positioning statement; • how to engage with customers in real time.
Facilitator Adon Rigg’s philosophy is that no matter who you’re selling to, from the CEO to the entrylevel purchaser, all buyers are either directly or indirectly responsible for their company’s bottom line. He believes that the key to success is to learn how not to simply sell product, but to create value by impacting bottom-line results. He provides sales, training and public speaking services for Fortune 500 Organizations and most recently held this course for at the Vancouver Board of Trade.
MISSION COMMUNITY SERVICES
Christmas Bureau
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! WE NEED HELP: • Help-a-family • Hamper Construction • Wish Trees • Office Help • Special Events
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Helping People
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Christmas Bureau 32646 Logan Ave. 604.814.3333
Building Community
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The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012 B3
BusinessTRACK Chamber Luncheon Speaker: Adon Rigg Place: Chapel Room, Rockwell's Bar and Grill, 32281 Lougheed Hwy. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nov. 16
MP Chamber Breakfast Speaker: MP Randy Kamp Place: Rockwell's Chapel Room Time: 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Nov. 28
Insightful Selling seminar Place: Chamber of Commerce boardroom Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Dec. 7
Cory Padula inspects his copper-coated precision pieces.
CLICK MEDIA WORKS
Mission's Cimtex turns ideas into parts and prototypes By Kathleen Rake
M
ission-based Cimtex Industries began in 1984 as a two-man shop. Since then, it has grown to consistently employ both hometown people and those from surrounding communities at its 10,000 sq. ft. facility. Cory Padula, president and hands-on owner at Cimtex, came to Mission in the early 1980s and has lived in the Fraser Valley since. “People talk to you here,” he said. Cimtex is a full-service engineering, machining and
assembly company. “We can machine a somewhat simple part in steel or take customers’ complex drawings to final specification using exotic metals or plastics,” explained Padula. “Plus we can make prototypes or complete units that require assembly and precision testing.” Cimtex is ISO certified and keeps a remarkably clean shop. “Cleanliness is part of the culture. It takes a lot to maintain ISO standards,” said Padula. “But we need to be certified in order to do
restricted work within hightech industries.” The aerospace, telecommunications, scientific and medical sectors call on Cimtex for specialty work. Padula maintains strong relationships with scientists and has built a strong track record and reputation for excellence that leads to work. “Mercedes is developing a fuel-cell car in Vancouver and we were one of the companies selected to be a top-tier supplier of fuel-cell components,” shared Padula. In addition to the Mercedes project, Cimtex is working on
a helium processing station for a first-of-its-kind airship from Aeros. “It looks more like a spaceship than anything we’re used to seeing in the sky,” said Padula. When it comes to starting a new business, Padula recommends people “investigate it well and if it’s your passion, go for it.” From his point of view, the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce is a great networking tool that lets individuals and organizations stay in touch with what’s happening in the business community.
29th Candlelight Parade Place: Lougheed Highway Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register your float!
Dec. 20
Chamber Christmas Luncheon Place: Rockwell's Chapel Room Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Scan this QR code with your smart phone to see details on our website
Randy HAWES, MLA Abbotsford - Mission Marc DALTON, MLA Maple Ridge - Mission
Our constituency office is here to assist you with: •GOVERNMENT RELATED ISSUES •INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS •CERTIFYING YOUR COPIES •ARRANGING CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES PHONE:
Randy Hawes MLA
Abbotsford - Mission
Marc Dalton MLA
Maple Ridge - Mission
EMAIL:
33058 First Avenue Mission, B.C. V2V 1G3 604-820-6203 TOLL FREE:1-866-370-6203 FAX: 604-820-6211
randy.hawes.mla@leg.bc.ca
EMAIL:
www.randyhawesmla.bc.ca
marc.dalton.mla@leg.bc.ca www.marcdaltonmla.bc.ca
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CHAMBER COMING EVENTS
Nov. 15
Chamber Snapshots: A close-up look at members that keep Mission humming
B4 The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012
Michelle Favero
Allison Jack
Manager
Administration
Clare Seeley Visitor Services
MEMBER_SERVICES@MISSIONCHAMBER.BC.CA
Info@MissionChamber.bc.ca
Admin@MissionChamber.bc.ca
manager@missionchamber .bc ca
2012 CHAMBER TEAM
BusinessTRACK
Athena Green Member Services
"Membership has its benefits!" Also, your centre for Mission & BC Tourist Information
Ensure you pay it forward and shop local this holiday season
A
s we go into the holiday season, the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce would like to thank you for shopping local by paying it forward on your behalf. For every receipt that you send us or drop in one of the marked boxes at local retailers, the Chamber will donate 10¢ to the Mission Christmas Bureau. When you shop at a locally owned retailer, $73 of every $100 spent stays in the community. Even if you shop at a large chain, $47 remains in the community through wages and additional purchasing. Those dollars then circulate in the community 75 times. The simple act of shopping in Mission provides continual community benefit that lasts throughout the year.
For more information on the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, go to www.missionchamber.bc.ca.
Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a 6 0 4 - 8 2 6 - 6 9 1 4 3 4 0 3 3 L o u g h e e d H w y, M i s s i o n B C V 2 V 5 X 8
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Loans for business start-ups or expansions 604-826-6252 info@northfraser.org www.northfraser.org
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During the holiday season, we encourage you to visit local retailers and pay it forward. Ask for a copy of your receipt or gift receipt, scan it or take a picture on your phone or at home and drop it on our website or Facebook page. Don’t have access to a computer? Drop your receipt, or copy into one of the many boxes around town or at the Chamber offices at 34033 Lougheed Hwy. Feel free to blank out the amounts. So support your community this holiday season by shopping local. Receipts from purchases made between Nov. 16 and Dec. 15 will be accepted. So drop them in the boxes, on Facebook, or through the Chamber website, just click the Pay It Forward icon on our home page.
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