Your source for business and chamber news in the Greater Kingston Area January 20, 2014
Vol. 3 NO. 1
Local artist successfully uses social media to grow business By Hollie Pratt-Campbell hpratt-campbell@perfprint.ca
If you’ve been around the Kingston area for a while, you’re probably familiar with the work of artist Norm Pengelly. His editorial cartoons have appeared in a number of local newspapers over the years, including the Kingston Heritage, and more recently a number of Pengelly’s cartoons and drawings have gone viral on social media. Yet art was always more of a side project from Pengelly, who also works full time as a real estate agent. “I wasn’t doing it for the money, it was more to be noticed and get feedback from it,” he says of his early days as an editorial cartoonist, noting that the papers only paid him about $10 per cartoon. “I’d be doing it regardless just on a piece of paper in front of me.” Then last year, Pengelly discovered social media, and found it to be an excellent tool for expanding the reach of his art, allowing him to not only reach a large audience, but also see an immediate reaction to his work. He created a new brand for his business and called it Pengellyink, named after the signature he uses in the bottom right hand corner of his cartoons. By sharing his art on the Pengellyink Facebook and Twitter pages, he has produced a number of viral cartoons and drawings on a variety of subjects from NHL hockey to Toronto mayor Rob Ford. Last week, a cartoon about Leafs goalie James Reimer earned Pengelly over 250 new followers in 24 hours, and received nearly 400 re-tweets. “For me, I want to see instant gratification,” he says. “I want to see somebody liking what I’ve done or commenting back or sharing. And with [social media] I get it immediately. I can look at my Facebook page and I can see that something has been liked 2,000 times and shared 1,000 times.” So what does it take to create a suc-
cessful cartoon? It actually has more to do with concepts than artistic ability, Pengelly says. In fact, one of his most successful cartoons yet in terms of shares and views featured a photograph of the infamous meth cooking Winnebago from the television show Breaking Bad and a cartoon Mayor Rob Ford knocking on the door to get his fix. “You can be a great illustrator and if you’re not funny it doesn’t matter. It’s not going to happen. You can be incredibly funny and not be the greatest drawer and get further because people are more drawn to the humour than they are the actual artwork.” Catering cartoons to specific audiences, such as NHL hockey fans, is also key to ensuring as many people as possible see it. As a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, many of Pengelly’s cartoons feature the team. “I send them to the Toronto Maple Leafs fan site and there’s a guy who posts almost everything I send him. I can get 80,000 Facebook views by sending a Toronto Maple Leaf cartoon. So you realize how easy it is to go outside [Kingston] if you’re specific to a topic, as long as you get on the right topic and send it to the right person.” Local artist and author, Norm Pengelly has And all the fame has affected the bot- successfully used the power of social media tom line as well. By growing likes and fol- to expand his illustration business. lowers through this exposure, Pengelly has been able to generate business from drawing commissioned cartoons of families, as soother; and Poppa Sam, a heartwarming well as still-life portraits of people’s loved tale that assists young children in dealing ones – both humans and pets. Clients have with the death of a loved one. With such a wide variety of styles and come from all over the country and even the subjects, Pengelly hopes to further grow from the U.S. Pengelly hopes that the increased expo- Pengellyink as a lucrative side project; he sure will also assist in getting his writing also hopes that his art will speak to as many noticed, so he can expand his business in people as possible. “It all depends on how you reach people that direction as well. So far, he has written three children’s books: Don’t Forget I guess,” he notes. For more information, visit Pengellyink About Me, about when a second child is introduced to a family; Princess Mia and the on Facebook, follow @pengellyink on ZaZa Fairy, about a little girl giving up her Twitter, or visit www.pengellyink.com
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Kingston Pen’s future: world class sailing facility or Alcatraz North? By Hiba Kesebi
George Hood hopes to transform Kingston Penitentiary – once Canada’s most notorious prison – into a world class sailing facility. The transformation, he says, would fundamentally change Kingston’s economy in a very positive way. Hood envisions a residential and commercial facility on the prison’s waterfront property - “a destination point for the public,” he explains. “It will have a profound difference on downtown Kingston and offer a much different economic focal point for the community.” Since the penitentiary closed its doors in September there has been numerous speculations about its future. Some envision it becoming an attraction similar to that of San Fransicso’s Alcatraz. Throughout its 178 years, the penitentiary has locked up some of Canada’s most dangerous criminals and for that reason the concept of a Kingston Alcatraz is a good idea – at least that’s what Christopher Jacques thinks. Jacques, a Toronto native, was eager to visit the facility when it opened its doors to the public back in October and November. “It’s always been a mystery to me,” he explains. “I visited Kingston a few years ago and remember looking at the barbed wire and stone wall. It’s amazing to have the chance to go inside. It’s definitely not a place you want to end up in, that’s for sure,” he says. But Hood, a former vice-president of advancement at Queen’s University, doesn’t see an Alcatraz. He says the vision doesn’t offer anything new. “There’s no Alcatraz there,” he ar-
gues. “It’s just an old pen. That’s all.” Hood is pushing for his vision and he says there would be no place more perfect to have a renowned sailing facility than in Kingston. Situated right on Lake Ontario, the penitentiary’s location is a perfect fit. Hood’s vision came to him a year ago at the end of his driveway, while having a conversation with Dr. Michael de la Roche, an emergency physician and 1976 Olympic sailor. Hood began brainstorming ideas for the facility and brought on John Curtis, who is a member of Canada’s 2004 Olympic sailing team, and George Jackson, a yachtsman. “We basically said we are going to start the International Centre for Sailing Excellence in Kingston.” The group is trying to put their vision into motion, and they’re not wasting any time. They’ve sent more than a dozen proposals to government officials, including Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Peter MacKay. “We want to go, and we want to go now,” explains Hood. If approved, Hood hopes to have the facility up and running by next year. “We need a future that we can all invest in. It’s more than just stores on Princess Street and that’s why the Centre for Sailing Excellence enters into this. “We are Kingstonians trying to do the best for our community. This is not us getting rich, this is just something that should be done. All it takes is just a little bit of imagination and we need to believe in ourselves,” he adds.
Kingston Penitentiary (above) closed since October 2013, is in the centre of a debate as to what to do with the historic site. Some would like it to become a tourist attraction following the successful tours in October and November, and another group is proposing to turn the former prison into a world class sailing centre.
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Business students get a taste for future careers with Queen’s University Investment Counsel By Hiba Kesebi
It’s not every day that commerce students have the opportunity to become investors, manage portfolios and contemplate stock options. Thanks to Queen’s University Investment Counsel (QUIC), select students from Queen’s University’s School of Business are able to do just that. The counsel, which was established in 2003, aims to educate students, outperform the market, and bridge Queen’s students with the finance industry. Anson Kwok, a second year commerce student, says the impact the counsel has had on his education has been profound. “It changed the way I look at my education. You learn about accounting and finance but it is very different when you get to actually manage your own portfolio and actually be engaged in capital markets when you are still in school,” says Kwok, who has been acting as an analyst with QUIC since March 2013. “I’m very lucky to have this experience.” Though Kwok has only been with the organization since March, he’s already had the opportunity to present in front of key industry names. His most memorable experience with the counsel to date is presenting in front of Holger
Kluge, chair of board of directors, Shoppers Drug Mart and Pavi Binning, President of George Weston. Loblaws is a subsidiary of George Weston. The presentation was part of the Analyst Deal Competition, an annual competition held by QUIC, to see who could best analyze a mergers and acquisitions deal. “That was an incredible opportunity,” recalls Kwok. “It’s very different presenting in front of students and to be able to actually go and talk to the president of Loblaws and Shoppers.” More recently, Ben Goharian, CEO of QUIC, made a presentation on the state of our financial markets at the Queen’s Business Forecast Lunch. Goharian and QUIC suggest looking for investments with high free cash flow, a strong cash position and intelligent capital allocation in 2014. “Be on the lookout for stocks that are growing because of their top line and have low valuations to support a possible equity market correction,” he explains. Goharian and QUIC favour investments in the telecommunications, media and technology sector of the Toronto Stock Exchange. “We favour these investments because they offer what we believe investors are looking for today. They offer strong free cash-flow,
strong capital allocation policies, and they continue to demonstrate growth in the top line,” he tells Kingston Business Today. QUIC currently manages a portfolio of $650,000 on behalf of the
Queen’s School of Business. There are 25 students working on the counsel. The counsel begins recruiting new members during its Annual General Meeting in March.
Applicants are asked to submit a resume, application, stock pitch and go through two rounds of interviews. For more information on QUIC visit: http://www.quiconline.com/
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Retirement is a goal for nearly every working adult. Long considered a time to enjoy the fruits of a life’s worth of labors, retirement has become something else entirely over the last several years, when the struggling economy has convinced many aging workers that their opportunity to safely retire may never present itself. But retirement does not have to feel like a wild goose chase with the end goal nowhere in sight. In fact, many men and women who develop a plan early on can retire early, reaping the rewards of their success at an age when many people are still wondering if they can retire at all, much less retire early. * Conduct an immediate audit of your finances. The road to early retirement begins, quite frankly, very early. If your retirement goal is to retire early, conduct an audit of your financial situation as soon as possible, even if you are a relative newcomer to the professional sector. Examine all of your debts and other liabilities, as well as your income and your potential earnings. It may be difficult to forecast potential earnings, but paint a realistic forecast with regard to your earning potential, and then use that to determine your standard of living and how much money you will need to maintain that standard upon retirement. This should give you an idea of how close or how far you are from early retirement and what you need to start doing now so early retirement can be a reality later on. * Don’t sell savings short. Men and women who retire at the traditional retirement age can count on certain benefits that early retirees aren’t eligible for. Senior discounts can decrease the cost of living for typical retirees, who can also access retirement accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA without paying a penalty. Younger retirees are not eligible for senior discounts, and accessing a retirement account before a certain age can result in a substantial penalty. So men and women whose goal is to retire early should not underestimate the value of a healthy savings account. Retiring early will require a more robust savings account than if you were to retire at
a more typical age, so calculate how much more you will need to save in order to retire early. Once you have calculated that figure, ask yourself if it’s realistic that you can save that money and what effect this increased emphasis on savings may have on your quality of life between now and the day you’ve targeted for early retirement? If you cannot realistically save enough money or if you have to sacrifice too much to make early retirement happen, then you might want to reconsider this goal. * Accept sacrifices. Making sacrifices with an end goal of early retirement may be easier for younger men and women who have yet to grow accustomed to a certain standard of living. Regardless of their age, however, those who hope to retire early will need to accept that they will have to make certain sacrifices to achieve their goals. These sacrifices can be considerable, such as downgrading to a smaller home, or relatively minor, such as cancelling a cable television subscription, but for the average worker they will be necessary to make early retirement happen. The earlier you can make these sacrifices the easier they will be, as it won’t be as hard to sacrifice something you’re not used to having. In addition, the earlier you make these sacrifices the quicker you will be on the road to early retirement. * Periodically reassess how it’s going. The road to early retirement will have its peaks and valleys, so periodically reassess how your plan is going and if you need to alter the plan in any way to make early retirement a reality. This reassessment should be conducted annually, and you must be completely honest with yourself. If the plan is going off course, determine the cause and if there’s anything you can do to catch up or if you need to change your targeted retirement date. Early retirement is a goal for many people. And despite the uneasiness many people feel with regard to retirement, early retirement can become a reality for diligent men and women who develop a plan and stick to that plan in the years to come.
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are more cost effective than pay raise By Richard Dobing
As business owners, we understand paying employee salaries comes with additional payroll expenses. These can include contributions for Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance and Workers Safety Insurance. These additional expenses can increase employers’ expenses by 10 -20%. Let’s assume an employee is working for XYZ Home Building Company and earns approximately $48,600 annually. The salary you pay this employee would generate the following payroll expenses (1): Canada Pension Plan fees for 2014 are estimated to be 4.6% of gross income, up to an annual maximum of $2,425.50. Employment Insurance fees for 2014 are estimated to be 2.65% of gross income, up to an annual maximum of $913.68. Workers Safety Insurance rate in 2013, for home builders, is set at 9.1% of gross income. To pay an employee $1,869 bi-weekly ($48,600 annually), it would cost the business $2,174.58. That is an additional $305.58 (16.35%) in payroll expense, representing an increase cost to the business. If you compare this to premiums a company would pay for group benefits, the only taxes the insurance premiums attract is Provincial Sales Tax at 8.0%. For the employee who earns $1869 bi-weekly, they would take home approximately 72.5% of their gross income. The employee contributes 4.6% for C.P.P., 1.88% for E.I. and then approximately 21.0% for both provincial and federal income tax. In theory, for every dollar the employee receives, they take home approximately $ 0.725. Now, let’s compare the costs of impact on both the employer and employee with $1,000 in salary compared to $1,000 in group benefits.
This represents a savings of 7.2% to the employer.
This represents an increased benefit of 38.0% for the employee. In the above example, the employer saves 7.2% and the employee earns a 38% increase in their benefit. This puts more money in the pockets of both the employer and the employee. It truly becomes a win-win for all parties. Based on Canada Revenue website and Workers Safety Insurance Board website.
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Learn how to manage SEO IS after Google Hummingbird YOUR By FreshDesignza
Thomas Young, an early 19th century scientist and scholar, is often referred to as the last man to have known everything there was to know. Today, knowing everything is impossible. It is plausible that he knew so much only because the amount of knowledge available to people 200 years ago was so small compared to the information available in the early 21st century. To master even a single field such as science or mathematics it would take at least a lifetime of dedicated study. Google makes the world go around We organize the vast amount of available knowledge and make it usable by creating databases to store and organize data. Information on these databases are accessible to searchers through algorithms, which are essentially tools for organizing data. Without algorithms there would be no food on grocery store shelves, planes would fall from the sky, and Google would not work. Not surprisingly, Google’s Knowledge Graph is among the world’s largest databases. Because the information base of the world is increasing at such an unprecedented rate, the highest estimates putting it at about 5 years in a given field, Google is constantly working to improve the algorithms which make searching the web possible. The latest development, called Hummingbird, is perhaps the most drastic change since Google was founded 15 years ago. Unlike previous updates, the new algorithm is a complete overhaul Think of Google as a computer which has had the internal components improved but was kept in the same case and connected to the same monitor, mouse, and keyboard interface. It might look the same but it works much differently under the hood, taking its name from the tiny bird because of the increase of speed and precision associated with the tiny bird. The change is not just in name but brings some exciting new features Google is trying to revolutionize the way people search, inviting them to avoid keywords and use natural language with the new Conversational Search feature. However, the feature is still in early stages and does not work as effectively as it could – the longer a search conversation lasts the more trouble Google has keeping track of the variables. Results become noticeably less accurate after just four or five questions. Questions which need more than plain facts for a concrete answer, “Why do people have eyebrows,” for example, still tend to give Google a hard time. When it does work, Conversational Search is impressive For example, if you were looking online for website development in Kingston, Ontario you might search a keyword string such as, “web design Kingston ON,” or something similar. Although it is effective on Google, using keyword communication offline or in conversational search will fail. Hummingbird represents the first step to changing the rules of searching and makes the keyword-string approach far less effective on Google. If the trend continues, the future of web searching will resemble natural human communication Instead of typing you will have a conversation with Google to find the information you need, just as you would speak with an attendant at a tourist information booth. Returning to the web design example, you might ask your computer, “OK Google, where can I get a website made?” and Google will tell you, “There are several website development companies in your area,” spitting out a list of available options for you to choose from. Although the Google Team is working
out the details, the trigger phrase for conversational searches will be, “OK Google,” and it will likely only work when on the Google Homepage or a search results page. Although the conversational technology has been implemented on desktop computers it may turn out to be better suited for use on mobile devices where the input interface is limited. Voice recognition is not a new technology but it is being used like never before Hummingbird’s conversational search depends on something called, “semantic search,” which is just a fancy way of saying that Google will look at words in context with one another instead of plucking each one’s meaning individually and then combining those values. Conversational Search is an enormous engineering challenge because of the complexity of spoken language. Natural language processing is extraordinarily advanced, although all of the magic happens behind the scenes and we hardly notice it in day-to-day communication. Everyday speech would be impossible if humans processed information like computers. If you were to ask a question like, “Who is George Bush,” got an answer, and wanted to follow it up with, “how old is he,” a computer would require that you restate the subject, not understanding what the pronoun, “he,” means. However, Google Conversational Search would keep in mind the context of your conversation and connect the word, “George Bush,” with, “He,” to deliver relevant results. While the new features which Hummingbird brings are cool, what do they mean for webmasters? SEO is certainly not dead, but the process of increasing page rank and managing web presence has undergone a few subtle changes, the most important of which is the reemergence of long-tailed keywords. An example of a long-tailed keyword compared with an ordinary keyword is: “flannel button up collared shirt,” vs. just “shirt.” However, don’t take the Hummingbird update to mean that previously published content must be optimized for long-tailed keywords and conversational search. Instead of worrying about the past, move forward into the future Reworking articles and rephrasing text to sound conversational with the hope that Google will pick it up is a waste of resources, considering how much time it would take to make edits to material which has likely already been indexed by Google’s Spider Bots. Never try to take advantage of the update by engaging in black hat tactics such as link spamming or titling all of your content with natural language questions such as, “How do I...” or, “What does...” One new SEO approach which is effective and encouraged by Google is creating authorship for content on your website. You can improve old content by claiming authorship of it with the “REL=Author” tag, linking the content to a Google+ account. By linking the content from a blog or website to Google+ you are giving yourself a big SEO boost, since Google wants to promote its social media platform as much as possible and will reward you for helping. With the release of Hummingbird, unique and engaging content is more important than ever Content is still king. As time goes on, people will become increasingly willing to ask specific, niche questions and Google is better equipped than ever before to answer those questions. In the near future the best type of content is going to be about topics which have not been mentioned by others and contain exclusive information or opinions.
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Kingston Hydro challenges you to Long distance relationships: take the ‘energy diet’ this year Dave Hallett on working remotely We’re a few weeks into 2014 – are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions? Here’s one worth considering: an energy diet! Why not commit to using less energy at your home and business this year? Using less electricity will save you money, help protect the environment, and best of all, Utilities Kingston conservation experts are here to help! The first step is to figure out how much energy you’re using today. Utilities Kingston residential and small business customers can track energy usage right to the hour at my.utilitieskingston.com. To get started, all you need is your account number and last payment amount. One of the most effective ways to save electricity is to replace frequently used equipment in your house with energy efficient equivalents. A good place to start is lighting. You can no longer buy 100 watt incandescent light bulbs, and 60 and 40 watt bulbs will soon be phased out. Now is the time to start replacing incandescent bulbs with CFL or LED technology. Are you already doing everything you can to reduce your electricity use? Then save money by shifting your usage to off-peak times when it costs less. Use the MyUtilities Price Comparison Tool to see how much money you can save by doing this. While you’re online, check out nearly a hundred tips to help you save water, energy and money at www.utilitieskingston.com/con-
servationtips Contact us to learn and save more The Utilities Kingston conservation team can help you identify electricity consumption patterns and provide personalized assistance to save energy and money. Large commercial customer can view detailed reports about their electricity consumption using the Utilismart sytem. Contact us to set up an account. Commercial and small business customers can also take advantage of the Kingston Hydro RETROFIT program, which provides incentives to upgrade equipment and save electricity. Speak with a Utilities Kingston conservation expert today; call 613-546-0000 and say “Conservation”.
On LinkedIn Dave Hallett describes himself as an IT management consultant who works in the cloud, lives at the lake and serves clients around the world. Through his business, Hallett IT Solutions, Hallett has, indeed, worked with clients from as far away as Australia, and best of all he’s done it from the comfort of his own home in Kingston. “My business is consulting on software projects and I work anywhere there’s any business and with anybody who is willing to work with me remotely,” he explains. After working with Queen’s University as Director of Information Systems for 11 years, Hallett left the his nine-to-five job at the university and shortly after founded Hallett IT Solutions. The difference between the two jobs is profound he says. At Queen’s University he didn’t have to think much outside of the university to find work to do. “But when I left, one of the biggest things I realized is that even though we did really great work at Queen’s,
there’s so much happening in the world that Queen’s was not partaking in. I almost felt that, as an IT professional, I was being left behind,” he adds. Today, Hallett’s job requires him to be more forward thinking and dynamic. “When you want to work in Kingston, live in Kingston, and get clients from all around the world, you have to be pretty dynamic about the way of doing things. You have to be willing to partner with people and show customers work value as opposed to time value,” he says. “You have to be more creative, aggressive and a little more customer-centred so they don’t mind dealing with you when you are 200, 300 or 500 kilometres away.” Technology has helped bridge the distance gap and made it easier to connect with clients, notes Hallett adding that smartphones and tablets have made it easier to provide prompt customer service by email and instant messaging. Though Hallett has landed jobs all over Canada and the globe, he says landing those jobs did not come easily. The
hardest thing to do when “exporting your service based industry” is landing the contract, he explains. Hallett suggests meeting prospective clients by joining referral networks that meet occasionally, like once a month or once a quarter. “You have to hop in your car and travel, but you will make 25 connections. You need to develop a network wherever the business is. There is not much business in a place like Kingston for me so I am constantly looking around Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal for new business,” he explains. Hallett also believes the initial meeting with a prospective client should be made in person to establish a relationship. Ultimately, the success of doing consulting work remotely relies heavily on the ability to find clients and build relationships. “Whether you make software, do graphic design, practice law - it doesn’t matter what it is you do, you are already good at that. And now what you need to go do is get good at the relationship building and the networking,” he says.
Business prof recommends more innovation, focus for 2014
Save money and help protect our environment by conserving electricity.
By Hiba Kesebi
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6 Kingston Business Today - Monday, January 20, 2014
By Hiba Kesebi
When it comes to managing business, “2014 will be the year of actively doing differently with less,” explains Douglas Reid, a business professor at Queen’s University. Reid, who specializes in exit strategies during recessions, says the post-recession normal is here and to thrive in today’s markets, companies need not do more with less, but rather do differently with less. “All CEOs will have to start thinking like small business owners,” he says, noting a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada, which finds the coming years will require keeping a close eye on operations, a frugal adaptation focus, and emphasis on growth. This means companies should stop follow a customer predatory business model, where they attract customers and then exploit their relationship. “Customary predatory business models are for companies that really are running out of ideas and any small business model would tell you, you cannot survive like that,” he says, noting that this type of business-client relationship is best exemplified with phone companies’ roaming charges and some airlines’ baggage fees. Instead of exploiting their relationships with clients, companies should be searching for innovative ways to strengthen that relationship,
argues Reid. According to Reid, managers should also strive to be more innovative. A 2009 report published by the Conference Board of Canada, found that Canada owns 1.36 per cent of patents filed worldwide, compared to 30 per cent for the United States. In fact, the report gave Canada a letter grade of D when it comes to innovation. Reid agrees with the report’s findings. “We don’t generate new innovative processes. Sad truth is that we are losing big time on that score,” he says. According to Reid, who is also an advisor to companies in Canada and the US, in order to be innovative and be different, managers should reevaluate the purpose of their business and what it is that they are attempting to achieve. “Ask yourself what is the problem that your service is hired to solve? Is it relevant to customer problems,” he explains. Businesses should also focus on and pay attention to the tasks that are required of them, encourages Reid. He advises managers to keep their business model simple, and to focus on a few things and do them well in order to stand out. “The buzzword for 2014 is focus. It’s not about getting more time on the job, but rather paying more attention to what’s in front of you,” says Reid.
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Sustainable Kingston Welcomes the Business Section to our Community! Kingston is a city that is a vital, dynamic and sustainable economic centre where research, innovation, investment, and business enterprises thrive together and where a variety of people want to visit, live, work, and do business. Developing a sustainable economy depends on building many relationships and partnerships with businesses, industry leaders, educational institutions, notfor-profit organizations, and the community at large. Our economy relies upon, and is built upon, a strong cultural, social, and environmental foundation.
Visit the Sustainable Kingston office at 184 Sydenham Street in Kingston or online at www.sustainablekingston.ca
Sustainable Kingston wants residents to recognize the need for more sustainable action Sustainable Kingston is a non-profit organization built for the community by the community! Our mission is to facilitate, connect, and educate in order to drive sustainable initiatives in Kingston. We strive to support those who integrate the values of the four pillars of sustainability - social equity, cultural vitality, economic health and environmental responsibility. To date, we have hosted several events such as our Community Forum, Speaker Series, and Monthly Lunch & Learns to bring our community together and to inspire citizens to take action. Sustainable Kingston is currently leading the charge with the City of Kingston to develop a Climate Action Plan for the city. Once released, the Climate Change Action Plan will be the compass that directs our actions. It will help us achieve the goals outlined in the Sustainable Kingston Plan which indicate Kingston’s desires to reduce energy consumption, generate renewable energy, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Recently, the municipality of Kingston, with Sustainable Kingston as the lead, has been chosen to join the CoLab provincial network of communities in piloting Regional Carbon Initiatives (RCI) to reduce municipal carbon footprints. Sustainable Kingston’s affiliation with Sustainability CoLab will be instrumental to the successful implementation of Kingston’s Climate Action Plan which is set to be released on Earth Day, April 22. Citizens in Kingston will have the opportunity to provide their input on Kingston’s Climate Action Plan on February 6th at a Community Collaboration, as well as online beginning on January 28th. This will be an excellent opportunity for citizens to develop the plan. At Sustainable Kingston, we hope that Kingstonians will recognize the need for more sustainable action, and will take charge in being active and responsible citizens. Everyone is welcome to join the Sustainable Kingston network, as either a business or individual, or both! For more information, please visit www. sustainablekingston.ca .
The Economic Pillar is focused on the attraction of new businesses and people to Kingston. This is critical to the city’s growth and sustainability and assists us in building a strong and vibrant local community. The retention of talented people in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in Kingston are fundamental to achieving this. Existing businesses and the jobs they create, are critical components of a strong, sustainable economy. The intention of Sustainable Kingston is to educate, motivate and support partner organizations and citizens in establishing, implementing and achieving their sustainability goals in support of community sustainability in Kingston. Together we can achieve and be the difference that makes the difference.
Improve your bottom line by building Sustainability into your business plan! Find out how to become a Community Partner by visiting our website www.sustainablekingston.ca Kingston Business Today - Monday, January 20, 2014 7
From the chair
January is the time to make resolutions for the coming year. For businesses this means working on budgets and plans: new sales goals, improved operational efficiencies, and lower costs. As a Chamber member, you should consider leveraging your Chamber membership to help you reach your targets for 2014. To grow your sales, attend Connect in September -- the largest B2B networking event in the region. Or maybe be an event sponsor for the Chamber Classic golf tournament where you can reach Kingston’s business people. There are advertising opportunities in this publication as well as on our website. Improving your operational efficiencies can be realized by having your team attend one of the many workshops and seminars. Our new website is designed from the ground up to be search engine optimized for our member listings -- make sure your listing is updated to take full advantage of the changes. Many members reduce their costs by participating in our benefits program, the fleet gas program or one of the many member-to-member discounts. Reduce the cost of your sales efforts, have your sales team attend Connect or a mixer to meet a lot of prospects in a short time. Whatever your business resolutions for 2014, be sure to include the Chamber and make 2014 your best year yet.
Kingston chamber member information New Members:
Ace Nutrition & Diet Consulting Ace Nutrition & Diet Consulting specializes in Tailor-made diets for healthy weight, healthy heart, diabetes education, glutenintolerance, GERD/Reflux/IBS; bariatric and cancer patients. Website: www.acenutrition.ca BOTC Consulting Ltd. BOTC Consulting provides business owners and managers with more than 25 years of financial and business skills to address projects and problem solving that are outside the capabilities or capacity of their full-time staff. Frontenac Property Management Full service property management company committed to continually improving the rental experience for the investment property owner as well as the tenant. Website: www.frontenacproperty.com
Bill Hughes Kingston Chamber of Commerce Chair
HIre A reCenT GrAduATe!
Hiring Scripts Hiring Scripts specializes in developing tailor-made interview questions for businesses. Website: www.hiringscripts.com
Information Technology: Our mature grads not only obtain a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities approved Diploma, but industry certifications like A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, Server+. They are ready to get the job done! Healthcare: Our Medical Office Administration graduates are well prepared, exiting the program with strong MS Office Skills, efficient typing speeds, competent Medical Language abilities and proficient customer service capacity. Business: Our Business programs have been developed to provide graduates with powerful skills that are current and relevant, from accounting and marketing to human resources and business law our graduates are prepared to take care of business.
Patenaude Martial Arts Martial Arts classes are a fun and safe way to get in shape, relieve stress and learn self defense. They offer family martial arts and transported after school martial arts (they pick up the children). Website: www.fangshendo.com Renttheprinter.com Renttheprinter.com offers businesses an allinclusive printing solution. Rent a laser or inkjet printer for one low monthly price. Rental includes all toner/ink supplies & any servicing required. Website: www.renttheprinter.com Riveredge Resort and Conference Centre Full service resort Hotel and Conference Center offers true water country in a spectacular setting, overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River and the magnificent Boldt Castle. Website: www.riveredge.com
No Cost, save thousands in recruiting fees! Students graduating year round so you have options!
Looking to train staff?
Academy of Learning College offers over 100 Professional upgrading, certificate courses available year round!
Tangent MTW Inc. Tangent MTW is a full scale creative agency offering business development, marketing communications and custom software application services. Website: www.tangentmtw.com Renewing Members:
1469 PrInCeSS ST. kInGSTon on k7m 3e9 www.aolkingston.com
8 Kingston Business Today - Monday, January 20, 2014
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1000 Islands Region Workforce Development Board 14 Theories Inc. Acadian Computer Services Advantage Wealth Planning Alex McCoy Plumbing & Heating Ltd. All Hair Alternatives Allstate Insurance Amey’s Greenwood Taxi Limited Analytic - OR B.D. Auto Sales & Service Bayshore Home Health Bob’s Butcher Shop Ltd. Braebury Homes Corporation Bread & Butter Bakery and Fine Pastries Canadian Internet Technology Inc. Capital Movers & Storage Carlson Wagonlit Travel Certified General Accountants Association
of Ontario, Kingston Chapter Cirrus Management Training & Sailing Inc. Cochrane’s Grocery D P D Auto Centre Inc. Days on Front Donald Gordon Conference Centre Drugsmart Pharmacy DTZ Eastern Ontario Ltd. Duess Geological Services Ltd. Easier to Read Telephone Directory Easter Seals Ontario Edible Arrangements Edward Jones Investments ENDETEC-Global Sensor Platform Ernestown Windpark LP Giant Tiger GibsonTurnerMoore LLP Golder Associates Heart to Heart Seniors’ Services Homecraft Brew & Wine Supplies Inc. Infinity Post Hole Inspec-Sol Inc. Jessup Food & Heritage Limited Kawartha Credit Union Ltd. (775 Strand Blvd.) Kelsey’s Restaurant Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries & Historic Site, Inc. Kingston Eye Institute Kingston Hyundai Kingston Keg Steakhouse & Bar Kingston Police Chief’s Office Kingston Self Storage Systems Kingston Student Housing Co-operative Kingston West Family Chiropractic K-TOWN Physiotherapy Launch Lab Limestone Financial Linguacom Lister Beaupre Lawyers Lowe’s Home Improvement M. James Martin MacLellan Water Technology Ltd. Marlin Travel Service Guaranteed McCoy Bus Service & Tours Meta Wellness Morgan Upholstery Mortgage Professionals (The) Novel Idea Bookstore Phase 1 Electric Ltd. Picture This Photography Prime Impressions Progress Fitness & Aquatic Centre Progress Physiotherapy Q’Pit Reliance Home Comfort Richards, J.L. & Associates Limited Rogers Authorized Dealer Rogers Authorized Dealer Royal LePage Pro Alliance Realty S. Barkley & K. Coyles Seeds & Company Professional Corporation Sensient Colors Canada Ltd. Server Cloud Canada Sir John A Macdonald Bicentennial Commission Strategic Benefits & Insurance Services Ltd. Surgenor Truck Centre Sutton Group - Masters Realty Inc., Brokerage Kim Donaldson Taylor Studios Tercentenary Management Travel Broker & Cruise Centre (The) Urban Paws Pet Foods WordWorx Wright Wealth Strategies Writing By Design YorTax Inc. Your Home Team Mortgage & Borrowing Solutions
Solace Spa: The recipe to success Stacia Power, the founder and heart of Solace Spa, is an entrepreneurial success story. When she and her team celebrated the business’s 10th anniversary last fall, they were celebrating a more specific milestone as well: in May, the spa moved to a new home at 637 Norris Court in the city’s west end. “The space is unique because it has a loft, which allows us to have both personal treatment rooms, and a larger room for group parties as well,” she says. “Typically, spas offer either-or: multiple small rooms, or one large space. This allows us to cater to both individuals and large groups such as bridal parties.” Power started on the esthetics career path while still in high school, completing her training at night and on weekends, and gained enough experience and clientele to open her own business by her early 20s. A self-confessed “detail person” who is passionate about what she does, she has carefully grown her venture by focusing on customer service, team training and retention, continuous improvements in techniques and service offerings, rigorous hygiene and safety standards, and by building a reputation for reliability. That attention to detail has paid off, with an extremely loyal clientele. “It’s all about the people,” she says. “You have to be available, you have to be detail-oriented, you have to excel.” The esthetics business is highly competitive because its relatively low startup costs mean lower barriers to market entry. At the same time, service costs are higher than in complementary sectors such as hairstyling or massage therapy. It’s a continuously challenging environment, Power says. But as she enters her second decade of business, Power is also facing the challenge that comes from success: how to evolve the business while maintaining its momentum? That question brought her to KEDCO’s door. “Looking back, it’s so easy to think that you know your business inside out,” she says. “I learned the hard way that just because you know how to do your job, it
doesn’t mean you know how to run a business.” She credits Rebecca Darling, Senior Business Advisor at the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) small business office, with helping her start the process of redefining her vision of the business. “It’s been so great to have Rebecca’s ear because she’s so well-rounded in terms of her direct experience in the beauty and spa industry – you don’t often come across someone with that experience in marketing and sales. I have someone to bounce ideas off, and to help analyze the business model, and to help me move ahead with specifics.” But in addition to that very specific focus, Power values KEDCO’s small business services for giving her a broader perspective beyond her own immediate concerns. “When you run your own business, it’s very absorbing. If you don’t make the time to network, you become isolated. You feel like no one understands your challenges.” Power was able to access advice and support for undertaking a financial review and SWOT analysis to identify where her strengths were and key areas to work on. As a result of her work with KEDCO, she was able to implement new communication vehicles including innovative newsletter software to develop and grow her database of contacts. A key element of KEDCO’s support was their ability to refer Power to other resources in the community to assist her business success. As an experienced business person, Power says it’s that nurturing of community, and of creating a share learning environment that’s crucial to business success. “It’s not just about having the money to start a business. Rebecca and KEDCO’s Mark Hanley have shown me how being part of a broader community helps. Meeting other people helps. Even when you’re not in the same business, you’re in the same boat. You learn to trust in other people. It’s a big change, and that’s when many businesses fail – when they have to let go a bit and pass on that ‘recipe’ for success.” For Power, so far that recipe has worked extremely well. “We’re
KEDCO success story, Solace Spa, celebrated 10 years in business by moving into their new location at 637 Norris Court very lucky. Our clients are fun, it’s fun to be with them. That’s the best part of our job. People come here to celebrate, but also for comfort and support—and that’s why we’re called Solace. It’s nice to be able to be that for people.” In her view, KEDCO serves a similar purpose. “Young entrepreneurs in Kingston today are lucky, she says. “KEDCO has so much support for them. Starting or growing your own business can be so overwhelming, and having an organization like KEDCO to work through it with you is awesome.” For more information on Solace Spa visit: www.solacetanningandesthetics.com <http://www. solacetanningandesthetics.com> For more information on the small business programs and services offered through KEDCO, please email: entrepreneurship@ kingstoncanada.com
Need Business Help?
R0012332375
By Mary Anne Beaudette
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP WITH THE ENTREPRENEUR CENTRE
If you are thinking about a new business venture or developing your existing business, KEDCO’s Entrepreneur Centre is here to help you. Our advisors can walk you through the planning process before you dive in to ensure your idea is sustainable, financially rewarding and successful.
All of our services are free and confidential.
We are here to assist you with: Ĵ Developing your Business Idea Ĵ Analyzing Financial Viability Ĵ Building Your Team Ĵ Sales & Marketing Planning Ĵ Finding a Location Ĵ Identifying Funding Sources
KINGSTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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Kingston Business Today - Monday, January 20, 2014 9
Social Media New Year Resolutions Economic Outlook for 2014-15 The end of one year and beginning of another instills a sense of urgency in individuals to make change and improve their lives. Many people make resolutions to get healthy, quit smoking and get out of debt. I propose a unique New Year’s resolution: clean and organize your social media. At least once per year companies should evaluate their social media presence to ensure they are putting their best foot forward. There’s no time like the New Year to undertake this simple inventory of your online presence and implement change where required. This article will address the nooks and crannies for popular social media platforms. On Facebook, ensure that your page’s profile photo and cover photo are up-to-date and relevant. Are the images not clear? Recreate the file and save as a .PNG file rather than a .GIF, or .JPEG. Next take a look at the “about” section to ensure all contact information (website, email, phone) is up-to-date. Lastly, check the “admins roles” tab to ensure only current employees or consultants have permission to publish content to your page. Remove anyone who has left your organization. LinkedIn now allows users to embed links and
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The global economic recovery is, once again, stuck in uncertainty. For every good news story, there seems to be a counterpunch from another part of the machine. Canada continues to recover from the recession better than other countries, although the pace of growth has stuttered. With household and business confidence in the “wait and see” mode, there are some positives on the horizon in 2014. Fortunately, the U.S. economy is expected to pick up strength moving into 2014, boding well for Kingston’s manufacturing sector. Manufacturing output growth is projected to come in at 0.5 per cent this year, before accelerating to 2.7 per cent next year ac-
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demand for new homes. Fortunately, non-residential investment growth is expected to be solid in 2014/15. Economic activity is expected to remain modest for 2014, as government spending restraint continues to act as a drag on noncommercial service growth. Kingston’s GDP is projected to expand by 1 percent in 2013, before climbing by almost 2 percent in 2014. Again, as the provincial government aims to balance the books by 2018, the reining in of spending will affect Kingston, given that the non-commercial services sector accounts for more than a fourth of the area’s total economic activity. That is nearly double that of the Ontario average.
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cording to the Conference Board of Canada. Furthermore, the local construction sector remains healthy. In particular, the sector will get a lift as work begins on the new 270-bed Providence Care Hospital. Construction is expected to cost more than $300 million, making it one of the largest projects in the city’s recent history. All in all, construction output growth is forecast to reach 1 per cent in 2013, before accelerating to 2.5 per cent in 2014. Housing starts have flattened out a bit this year, however they are forecast to edge up slightly to 550 units in 2014. Tighter mortgage rules, weaker resale activity, and slower population growth are softening
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images on their profile to specific work experience – a visual asset to any profile. Users should upload screenshots, images, and links relevant to that specific experience. In addition, LinkedIn users are encouraged to update their profile photo, especially if it is more than five years old. Finally, review and refresh your LinkedIn headline. Include key words and phrases that will boost the search of your profile. Finally, take a moment to review your presence on Twitter. Has your company taken advantage of the new header feature, released September 2012? The header adds a visual element for users accessing your company’s Twitter account using an app on a mobile device. Shifting gears, review all of your followers. Find spam or inappropriate accounts? Block and/or report them as spam to remove them from your followers list. These simple tips are sure to keep you on track as your company makes it a resolution to clean and organize your social media accounts. Jennifer offers social media training seminars, one-on-one personalized training, and corporate group training. Jennifer Baker Consulting is located in Kingston and is a proud member of the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce.
By Jennifer Baker
Thank you to our partners Chamber Breakfast: Members Only Political Breakfast Thursday, 14 January 2014, 07:15 AM – 09:00 AM
Chair at this event. Host: Kingston Banquet and Conference Centre, Days Inn Sponsor: Server Cloud Canada Inc.
Join us for a focused outline on the political landscape for 2014. Hear from Mayor, Mark Gerretsen, and federal MP, Ted Hsu, as they look ahead to Kingston’s economic highway and how they see their levels of government contributing to the development of the city. Bill Hughes of Weehooey Inc. will be sworn in as the 2014 Chamber
Chamber Lunch: Consumer Trend Update Wednesday, 22 January 2014, 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM
Host: Discovery Centre, Fort Henry Sponsor: BDC, Business Development Bank of Canada Chamber Open House Thursday, 23 January 2014, 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM Learn what the Chamber has to offer its member and why it makes sense to join your local Chamber. The event is open to new and existing Chamber members and non-members who would like to learn more about their Chamber.
Business Mixer: Famous February Business Mixer Thursday, 20 February 2014, 04:30 PM – 07:30 PM Be part of the 2nd largest business mixer of the year. Start the year right and showcase your business, make new business connections or just renew old ones. Exhibitor space is available. Host: Kingston Banquet and Conference Centre, Days Inn Sponsor: Empire Life
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Advances in technology, changing demographics, and the 2007-2008 global recession has fundamentally altered Canada’s commercial landscape and the way consumers make
purchasing decisions. Join Pierre Cleroux, BDC’s Vice President, Research and Chief Economist as he talks about BDC’s latest research findings which highlight the importance of changing consumer behaviors and their impact on entrepreneur’s business growth. It will also be an opportunity to hear about how businesses can capitalize on these strategic insights to better plan their road map to growth. Guest Speaker: Pierre Cleroux Vice President, Research and Chief Economist, Business Development Bank of Canada.
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Kingston Business Today - Monday, January 20, 2014 11
How to prepare for tax time receipts and other documentation, including canceled checks, with the other tax documents. These will come in handy should an audit ever be ordered. * Create a spreadsheet of important information. It is handy to have all financial information at the ready. Some accountants will lower their fees if people do some of the filing preparation work themselves. This can include creating a profit/loss statement on investments, or working up a tally of charitable donations. Make an itemized list of all pertinent information so it will be handy when tax-filing time arrives. * Decide on a filing option. Technology has made filing taxes much easier. Tax preparation software is available for those who choose to file their taxes themselves. There also are walk-in centers that will prepare tax-filing documents. Individuals also can visit a certified public accountant. Whatever method taxpayers choose, allow for ample time to gather information and get the taxes filed by the deadline. Leave some wiggle room in case one filing method doesn’t work out. * Start saving money. Although the goal is to get a refund each and every year, taxpayers sometimes owe money, which can be troublesome for men and women whose budgets are stretched thin already. Those who owed money in the past should begin saving money for tax expenses as early
as possible. * Develop a good filing system. Many financial professionals will advise people to keep financial records for 7 years. Any tax doc-
uments should be kept together should they need to be referenced or if an audit is ordered. Designate a filing cabinet or a box specifically for tax documents.
Tax filing season is right around the corner, and the dawn of a new year is a great time for men and women to start gathering documents and preparing their returns.
e: G: eGoerogrege m a N a mee: 44 Business Bureau orld is mumbling. NBetter w Aeg: 44 . e g h t in l f b o m t s u e r m e s h i t ld d A gWarning Sign: Is convincceed the rest of the wor in v n o c s I : n ig S g in Warn Do peopleissound like they mumble? BeingDo “accredited” an important and people sound like they mumble? easy way to grow your Business Does background noise make it difficult The BBB Serves Consumers, but Works for Business. Does noise make it difficult Check outbackground a Kingston area business at Ottawa.bbb.org to follow a conversation? follow If so, you may have ato hearing loss and a it isconversation? probably making you frustrated and even tired. ®
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Although some are ready to say their fond farewells to 2013, thought needs to be given to the 12 months that just passed as taxfiling season approaches. Tax season is almost here, but it’s never too soon to begin preparations for filing income taxes. Some people prefer to toast the new year and then arrange appointments with their accountants, while others use the new year as an opportunity to get organized and start compiling paperwork and tax questions. Preparing for tax time at the dawn of a new year can make the process go more smoothly in the months ahead. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the upcoming tax season. * Start a documents folder. Employers, charitable organizations, banks and other financial institutions begin mailing out tax forms from the previous year in early January. Individuals should keep their eyes open for any mail that appears to be tax-related. Store these documents in a folder that can protect any sensitive information. Such folders also make information more accessible as more and more documents arrive in the mail. * Begin collecting receipts and itemizing expenses. Many expenses are tax-deductible. These can include education costs, moving expenses, home improvements, medical expenses, charitable donations and childcare costs. Store