VOLUME 27, NUMBER 9, 0834-2012
SEPTEMBER, 2012
IN THIS ISSUE:
•History of human resources •Meet your Ambassadors •International recruitment
There’s a very good reason why it’s called 351 Water.
Sure, it seems obvious at first. After all, it’s situated on Water Street, on the waterfront, in the very heart of downtown. But the name runs deeper than the mailing address. ThreeFiftyOne is the first and only office tower in Newfoundland to be heated and cooled by sea water, incorporating our innovative technology to capture the thermal energy of tides in the St. John’s harbour. It’s an inspiring and creative LEED®registered workspace that literally runs on innovation. And if that doesn’t spark the imagination, there’s always the view.
351 is only the beginning. Whatever your workspace needs, we can brainstorm a solution. After all, we’ve built millions of square feet of creative and adaptive workspaces over the past 30 years. 709.738.4100 www.eastportproperties.ca
Contents IN THIS ISSUE Business News is a monthly publication of the St. John’s Board of Trade. Reproduction of any material contained in Business News is permitted provided written approval from the St. John’s Board of Trade. Articles and criticisms are invited, but opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent those of the St. John’s Board of Trade. We encourage you to support the business leaders whose names and products you see advertised in this issue as well as throughout our entire membership. The Board reserves the right to edit submissions. Editor: Printed by: Layout:
Alisha Morrisey British Group of Companies Roxanne Abbott
Steve Power Denis Mahoney Sharon Horan Kim Keating Jo Mark Zurel Paul Janes
Chair Senior Vice-Chair First Vice-Chair Second Vice-Chair Immediate Past Chair Secretary-Treasurer
ST. JOHN’S BOARD OF TRADE EXECUTIVE
COVER STORY
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CHAIR’S MESSAGE FEATURES
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KEEPING CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dallas Mercer Andrea Brocklehurst Wayne Bruce Heather Bruce-Veitch Lynn Sullivan Karen McCarthy Dorothy Keating Des Whelan
STAFF Nancy Healey Jennifer Chaytor Lori Coleman Margie Davis Alisha Morrissey Shannon Lewis-Simpson Wanda Palmer Jackie Bryant-Cumby
Chief Executive Officer Manager of Finance and Compliance Business Affairs Manager Sales Manager Policy Research Analyst Manager of Policy and Communications Director of Sales and Member Fulfillment Member Relations Administrator
St. John’s Board of Trade 34 Harvey Road P.O. Box 5127 St. John’s, NL A1C 5V5 Canada Tel: (709) 726-2961 Fax: (709) 726-2003 E-mail: mail@bot.nf.ca Website: www.bot.nf.ca
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September 2012
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Cover Story sharing fire “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
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–William Butler Yeats
arla Fagan, P. Eng, PMP, Senior Project Engineer with KiewitKvaerner Contractors recently contacted Gardiner Centre for a friend to find out if there were any seats remaining in Gardiner Centre’s upcoming Masters Certificate in Project Management Program. According to Carla, completing her Masters Certificate in Project Management at Gardiner Centre and completing her PMP certification provided her with employment opportunities that most engineers would “kill for” and her friend would like the same. Carla’s story has a familiar outcome, heard frequently by Jackie Collins, Gardiner Centre Training Advisor. Jackie has worked at Gardiner Centre for over 15 years and has seen thousands of people enroll in programs that have changed their lives, whether it is that big promotion, a new career or just a newfound confidence in their abilities. The entire Gardiner Centre team personifies the statement we love what we do because we have a positive and lasting impact on those we do it for. People walk through Gardiner Centre’s doors because they want to learn, grow and advance. It is exciting to share the fire for personal and organizational growth and development, and it is heartwarming to see the results. “Gardiner Centre allows organizations to strengthen and retain their most important resource, their people”, says Gardiner Centre Director Brian Hurley. Brian believes that professional development and training are keys to succession planning and preparing employees with potential 2
to become future leaders. Neil Coombs, Director of Human Resources at Plato Consulting, gave an example of this when he shared his thoughts on Plato’s experience with Gardiner Centre. According to Neil, “The programs offered by Gardiner Centre have been an integral part of our company`s employee training and development strategies. The professional training and continued education options are well aligned with the competitive needs in the market, and flexible enough to ensure ease of training without interrupting both company and personal time for employees.”
When someone attends training at Gardiner Centre they are treated to an exceptional learning experience. At Gardiner Centre’s home on the 4th floor of the Business Administration Building, participants enjoy a professional yet relaxed atmosphere where they can learn from their facilitator and interact and network with other participants. Staff pride themselves on offering top notch service so that participants need not be worried or distracted by the little things. Healthy snacks, meals, parking and materials are all taken care of. With small class sizes, break out discussion rooms, a lounge area and dining room, Gardiner Centre provides a comfortable learning environment where participants can immerse themselves for their education and development. September 2012
Each year Gardiner Centre develops and delivers non-credit programs that advance business and leadership knowledge and skills for over 2000 individuals and more than 300 organizations, resulting in excess of 6200 person-days of contact each year. Gardiner Centre connects participants with the expertise and experience of Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration instructors and other business leaders, educators and partners from our province and beyond. These subject-matter experts, supported by Gardiner Centre’s dedicated staff of eight, provide a wide range of programming. Open enrollment seminars are offered each semester in areas such as communications, human resources, leadership, marketing and more. Custom training for groups with specific training needs can be delivered at Gardiner Centre facility or at a location of the client’s choice. Custom programs are flexible and can be scheduled and delivered to organizations to meet their exact needs. Gardiner Centre also offers a number of certificate programs that have been developed internally or in partnership with industry, government and other universities. In efforts to offer more opportunities and stay current with professional development Gardiner Centre is continually developing new programs. Fall 2012 will see the launch of new certificates of achievement in the areas of business communications and leadership. Gardiner Centre strives to be the premier resource in Newfoundland and Labrador for individuals seeking to develop successful organizations and careers. As organizations grow and face challenges, Gardiner Centre is here to help meet the challenges… and to share the fire of personal and organizational development. For more information on Gardiner Centre programs visit www.mun.ca/gardinercentre or contact Jackie Collins at 709-864-2131 or jcollins@mun.ca .
Business News
Chair’s Message legacies
Chair, Steve Power
As I am writing this column, the Olympics have just finished. Everyone is pleased that the “happy and glorious” Games were incident and mostly drug free.
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ur athletes went for the gold. Not all of them won medals, but they certainly left a legacy of sportsmanship, fair play, drive and determination. The performance and willpower of our women’s soccer team inspired a new generation of young players across the country, including the girls that I have coached in the past. During the opening and closing ceremonies, we also had an opportunity to witness what it is that makes Great Britain great. The ceremonies were engaging in their eccentricities, connecting all of us through the music and movies we all enjoy, and a monarch who is not afraid to have a little fun while maintaining her dignity as a true leader. Who doesn’t know the Beatles, or the Who, or the Sex Pistols, or James Bond? What also connected us all to the ceremonies were the many British inventions and innovations that were not
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We need to keep our kids in school, give so subtly showcased and from which we them reasons to stay there, and give them all benefit. The seed drill, the Black Cab, pride in our province and themselves. stainless steel, the power loom, polyester, School should be a place where you learn the National Health Service, tennis, anything is possible, if you work hard and boxing, ping pong, soccer—all British have a bit of luck, and where you learn inventions. The Industrial Revolution the skills to make ideas become reality. started in Britain and, without iron Our school system needs to become an forging and steel, the stadium itself could incubator of ideas. Our economy needs to never have been built on its previously capitalize on those ideas. brownfield and reclaimed site. As business owners and employers, it The World Wide Web was invented is our duty to help students succeed after in 1989 by an Englishman, Sir Tim they leave school. We must commit to Berners-Lee, who Tweeted during the hiring new graduates and welcome their opening itself “This is for everyone.” This act highlighted the many technological and enthusiasm and newly-learned skill sets into our businesses. Gone are the days communications inventions from Britain, when employees should require five years including the pencil, the newspaper, the of experience to apply for a position. That’s radio, the first computer, the MP3 player, the reason why youth unemployment in SMS messaging, the railway, the first Newfoundland and Labrador is peaking at traffic lights, and the “audience pixels:” a 20.2 per cent – the highest in the country. screen extending around the stadium made We frankly do not have enough people of 70,799 small panels mounted between to have the luxury of demanding years the seats, all controlled by one computer of work experience. Neither should via 317 kilometres of fibre optic cable. work experience be a necessity as many A great feat, which tells us Great Britain graduates have years of volunteer and is still Great, despite its current financial work-term experience that can bring new troubles. perspectives to the workplace. We need So, now that the Games are over, and to help new graduates the athletes succeed because they are can relax a little bit, our “Employers must become our business succession plan. Employers must students are networkers and enablers become networkers and returning to enablers to make our school, and to make our province province Great and create a now we need Great and create a legacy for the future. to cheer them At our firm, we have on. We need legacy for the future.” had over 600 work term to encourage placements where students our children have been given the chance to learn, to to go for the gold in math class, in phys. ed., in social studies, in geography, and teach us, and to gain relevant experience while they completed their degrees. The while they complete their volunteer credits vast majority of these students have gone for graduation. We need to encourage on to work in the firm full time. them to become Great, to succeed. But in I challenge each and every member to order to succeed, they must stay in school. hire a new graduate this year, to grow your Twenty-seven per cent of our population business and to encourage the best and aged 15 and older has not yet completed brightest minds to stay in Newfoundland high school. This number is far too high, especially considering the national average and Labrador. For, I guarantee you, if we are not willing to take these risks and hire is 19.5 per cent. Our adult literacy rates and train our young minds, there are plenty are the lowest in the country. Our postof people in Alberta or Manitoba who are secondary completion rates are below the willing to do so. national average. September 2012
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Feature giving back to the community One young newcomer’s story of giving back to the community
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ivetesh (Jivy) Chhatwal says he always knew that one day he and his family would leave northern India. But it wasn’t until he was 11-years-old that his parents, both practicing medical doctors, applied to immigrate to Canada. Four years later, in April 2010, the Chhatwal family landed in St. John’s. “From the start I decided I would take advantage of every opportunity to learn and give back to the community,” says now-17 year old Jivy. “We all need to get out of our comfort zones and explore what makes us different and what makes us the same. Communication is key.” Soon after enrolling at Prince of Wales Collegiate High School, Jivy jumped right in. He began volunteering with Association for New Canadians, Eastern Health, the City of St. John’s Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Youth, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sikh Society. He says all these opportunities helped to feel more ‘at home’ in the community. The same year, Jivy says he got involved in Junior Achievement’s “Company Program” – an after-school program designed to teach high school students how to operate a business. The following year, Jivy became
president of Swollip (“pillows” spelled backwards), a youthdriven company that produced high-quality, eco-friendly pillows. “I’m proud that our company’s sales were driven even higher because of our strong relationship with the community,” says Jivy. Under the company’s mandate, for every three pillows sold, company members donated an hour of volunteer time to a community organization and a “swollip” to the Janeway Children’s Hospital. By the spring of 2012, Jivy’s commitment to the community began receiving major recognition. To acknowledge his commitment to newcomer youth, the Association for New Canadians nominated Jivy for the “2012 City of St. John’s Youth of the Year.” To no one’s surprise, except perhaps Jivy’s, he won. Swollip was also entered into the Junior Achievement’s provincial competition for “Company of the Year,” and won. Shortly after, Swollip was entered into the “2012 Canadian Chamber of Commerce Company of the Year,” and won,
recognizing Swollip as the best managed Junior Achievement company Canadawide. Finally, in July 2012, Jivy was awarded one of the forty prestigious inaugural Canadian Schulich Leader Scholarships. Valued at $60,000, the scholarship will be disbursed in annual payments of $15,000 during each year of his four-year undergraduate degree program. And while Jivy says he’s proud of his recent accomplishments, he says he’s still keen to pave the way for other newcomers who want to make a home in Newfoundland and Labrador. “I’m determined to involve myself deeper in the community with continued volunteer work. I’ve made attempts to raise awareness of my culture and religion, and I’m still working on it,” says Jivy, a practicing Sikh, who proudly wears his turban. “I really want to contribute to an inclusive society for everyone. This is close to my heart.” Meanwhile Jivy says his long term goal is to do post graduate work in medicine and to one day become a radiologist. —By Robin Grant
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Feature filling labour shortages Canadian companies look to UK and Ireland to fill labour shortages
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allow employers to meet these skilled workers face to face, allowing clear communication without the unreliability of Skype internet connections. There are additional opportunities for employers to commence the recruitment process immediately as they can arrange interviews at the expo.
possessed energy, mining, engineering and construction industry experience, closely followed by health, trades and I.T. and telecoms – all recognized as skill gaps in Canada. Recent Canadian employers have commented favourably about their expo experience. Klohn Crippen Berger says, “We’re looking for those golden, hard-to-find engineers that have probably sevenplus years experience. We came away with a number of candidates that we’re following up on and as of yesterday and today we feel really confident about who we’ve seen here … we figure we got about 100 resumes. We’ve met some really terrific senior people that would be a great fit. I would do it again. It’s been really valuable for us so I would say [organizations not attending] are missing an opportunity by not being here. It’s been a really good experience.”
abour shortages in Canada have dominated the news throughout 2012 as employers struggle to recruit the necessary skilled labour. On a national level, The Globe and Mail revealed that between now and 2021, it’s estimated that a million jobs will go unfilled across Canada. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has vocalised how employers, including those from Newfoundland and Labrador, say that shortages are Source http://www.workingin-events.com/about/photo-gallery/#.UCu__qllQkconstraining their ability to grow, To find out how Working In can work for A popular choice of expos for innovate and compete; leading it to label you, contact Brendan McGerty: +1 347 Canadian employers are the Working the shortage of highly skilled labour as the 329 4640; +55 71 9294 3267; Brendan. In Opportunities Overseas Expos and top barrier for Canadian businesses. mcgerty@workingin.com The Working In the Energy, Mining and Engineering In the wake of these difficulties, it’s expos launch their next UK and Ireland International Jobs Expo – an expo natural that Canadian businesses are tour in November. Further information can dedicated exclusively to the growing broadening their talent search overseas. be found via their website www.workinginenergy, mining and engineering industries With a plethora of highly educated events.com. that are highly impacted by the skilled and skilled professionals, yet facing a labour shortage. deepening recession, the UK and Ireland Canadian employers that have used these has plenty to offer. expos to recruit represent a wide range The benefits of immigration are clear: an of industries and roles. Since November injection of a skilled, educated workforce; 2011, the following Canadian employers a boost to Canadian economy; and involved include: Maple Reinders Group, increased cultural diversity are just some of North American Construction, Flynn the acknowledged positives. Canada (all construction); Genivar, However, connecting to this UK and Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd and Hatch Irish market can be difficult as overseas (all engineering); Canadian Natural employers try to identify a route to access Resources (oil and gas); Cameco and SGS these potential skilled migrants. (mining); Venture Kamloops (economic One way Canadian employers have development); Physician Recruitment started exploring their employment options Agency of Saskatchewan (recruitment overseas are through international expos. specialists); and the Government of BC. The advantages are obvious. Expos are Statistics from the Leeds and London an excellent way for employers to meet expos in July 2012 show that the majority skilled workers who have been specifically of approximately 5,000 attendees targeted for a range of industries. Expos
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Feature an untapped resource Looking back and looking forward the employment history of Newfoundland and Labrador has been somewhat shaky.
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e have all watched as families moved to other areas of the country for steady employment and financial stability. Times have changed and we are now a “have” province and with that change comes many opportunities for our province. Growth is happening all around us, real estate is at an all-time high, young people do not have to relocate for work; businesses are booming and forecasts report that will be facing a skilled trades labour shortage. Just as the economic prosperity of our province has brought us to an openmindedness that things are moving forward, we also have to look at how the work-based culture is changing and how we are growing into a diverse culture. The question regarding the large projects that are developing in our province is, “Where we will get the labour force to fill all of the skilled trade positions?” The buzz talk is about recruiting from other provinces and temporary foreign workers,
but there is an untapped labour resource pool within our province that is not receiving a lot of exposure – WOMEN. This under-utilized labour resource is staring us in the face in many developing markets. Women are not fully participating in trade careers because of cultural barriers or blinders on the part of companies, when in actual fact, recruitment and retention of women will strengthen our province’s economic position by capitalizing on the full human resources potential. Increasing women’s participation in the construction trades is part of the solution for the skilled labour shortage in this province as it gives us access to a broader base talent and adds vitality to the province’s economy. The talk around this country is that Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the way in promoting a diversified workforce and this is evident by the involvement of government, unions and industry in creating offices that support women in the trades, unionized projects offering diversity scholarships, and the final piece of this puzzle is to actually hire these women and make them a vital resource for the looming skilled trades shortage. Women are trained and ready to work and it is time that we make the percentage of women working on these sites to a lot greater than the current three to five per cent.
Women have already invested in their careers and see the opportunities that are available to them, which is why they are choosing the skilled trades as a viable career. This is evident in the number of trained women registered in the Office to Advance Women Apprentices registry database. More than 600 female tradeswomen are registered including apprentices and journeypersons. This office has seen many small-and mediumsize companies hire women welders, electricians, carpenters, heavy equipment technicians, millwrights, etc. and those same companies returning to ask for more resumes to review. The diversity plans that have been put in place by the major stakeholders of the large projects are a great start to equalizing the workforce of our province, but the task still remains for the contractors to create all-inclusive workplace. Karen Walsh is the executive director of the Office to Advance Women Apprentices. Reach her at (709) 757-5434, ext 203 or at kwalsh@womenapprentices.ca
TAKE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! HIRE TALENT THAT STANDS OUT!
www.jumpcareers.ca 709.576.0980 6
September 2012
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EXPLORE CHINA with the St. John’s Board of Trade
April 17 – April 27, 2013
$3225.69
(Members Only)
per person based on double occupancy
Round-trip airfare from Toronto. For more information please contact Lori at lcoleman@bot.nf.ca or call 726-2961 ext. 6
TRAVEL TO
CHINA
April 17 – April 27, 2013
Round-trip airfare from Toronto to Beijing, transportation from Beijing airport, four & five star hotel stays, airport taxes throughout the trip, three full meals a day, English-speaking tour guides, intracity air & ground transportation, and admission to all tours & attractions. Discover China with members from the business community. This trip offers something unique for everyone. *Round-trip airfare from St. John’s to Toronto to be determined. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience!
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Day 1: Toronto / Beijing Check in at Toronto International Airport for an afternoon flight HU7976 by 5:20pm to Beijing. Your adventure begins as you fly trans-Pacific aboard a wide cabin jetliner. Cross the International Dateline.
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Day 6: Beijing / Shanghai / Suzhou (Glamor Hotel/4-Star, 6 Tongingbei Rd., Tel: 86-512-65338811) Morning China Hainan flight 11:10am/1:10pm to Shanghai, then take the tour bus trip to Suzhou. Afternoon sightseeing to the centuries old Lingering Garden.
Day 2: Beijing (King Wing Hotel / 5-Star, 17 Dongsanhuan Rd. S., Tel: 86-10-67668866) Arrive in Beijing, the Capital of China at 6:50pm. You will be met by your local tour guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
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Day 3: Beijing Visit the Tian An Men Square, the largest square in the world. Sightseeing also includes the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, home of 24 emperors with a total space of 9,999 rooms, and the Summer Palace, known for many significance such as the Long Corridor with painted gallery, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, Seventeen- Arch Bridge and Marble Boat.
Day 4: Beijing Tour bus excursion to the Great Wall, the 4,000- mile long and 2,000 years old construction is said to be the only man-made structure visible by naked eye from the moon. Visit to the Ming Tombs, one of 13 Ming Emperors’ Tombs is fully excavated and open for exploration. Roasted Beijing Duck Dinner.
Day 5: Beijing Visit Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., where the emperors prayed to the heaven for a good harvest.
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Day 7: Suzhou Sightseeing include Tiger Hill and Hanshan Temple. Visit to the National Embroidery Institute to see silk embroidery, an important local craft with 1,000 years history. Evening Dinner Show of the traditional Chinese Music.
Day 8: Suzhou / Hangzhou (Regal Hotel/5-Star, 370 Gym Rd.,Tel: 86-571-56199999) Morning tour bus journey to Hangzhou. Visit to Economic Development Zone. Visit to the centuries old Lingyin Temple, with the main feature of the 64.3 ft-high camphor-wood carved Buddha.
Day 9: Hangzhou / Shanghai (Guangdong Hotel/5-Star, 328 Yixian Rd., Shanghai, Tel: 86-21-51171888) Morning boat cruise on West Lake with relaxing stopover at jewel-like pagodas and tea houses. Afternoon tour bus trip to Shanghai.
Day 10: Shanghai Sightseeing includes the Yu Garden, a maze of marvelous pavilions, ponds, rocky works and over arching trees. Visit to the Bund, a famous waterfront park. Business visit to the Pudong economic development zone.
Day 11: Shanghai / Toronto You may take the morning flight 8:45am / 10:45 am to transit at Beijing then HU7975 at 1:55 pm for Toronto where you will arrive at 3:10 pm on the same day.
Feature history of human resources It pays to put people first
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fter working in human resources for the past decade, my observation is that organizations that place a high value on their people are typically more successful than those that do not. Effective human resource practices are vital to ensuring customer satisfaction and retention over the long haul. Many smaller organizations struggle with a lack of HR capability in-house; and often do not have the budget to hire on a dedicated full-time HR employee. The solution, for these organizations, is to outsource their human resources work - a more cost effective strategy for small-tomedium sized organizations, which often do not require a full-time resource. It is also a better plan than delegating HR to an employee who is not an HR expert; or even worse, neglecting to perform HR work at all. Human Resources is no Longer Just “Personnel Management” The history of human resources is an interesting one; and reveals the large role HR plays in influencing an organization’s actions. Human resources began in the 1920s out of the labour movement. Originally known as “personnel management,” it began as a means to increase productivity of workers. Personnel programs evolved during this time to include medical aid and sick benefits, vaccinations, holidays, housing allowances, and other benefits. Around this time, unionized workers began to demand more be done to protect occupational health and safety; and improvements were made in this area. Elton Mayo, known as the father of human relations, conducted the Hawthorne Studies from 1924 to 1932. These were an important series of illumination experiments conducted at the AT&T’s Western Electric Plant near Chicago. The study began as an effort to quantify how the levels of lighting and other physical conditions would maximize employee productivity.
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However, Mayo and his researchers soon found a much greater link between employee productivity and the level of attention managers paid to employees and their behavior. Their conclusions were, in motivating workers, human factors are often more important than physical conditions. For the first time, productivity research put forth the Susan Power controversial proposition that workers’ feelings were important. Relationships are Key to Motivating Employees Throughout the 1940s, the human resources field made contributions to increase understanding of the dynamics of work groups and the social needs of employees. Business leaders began to appreciate that a higher quality and quantity of work resulted when managers acted less like taskmasters and more like good leaders, counselors and facilitators. Non-monetary rewards became an important supplement to motivating employees. An understanding of the importance of improving the relationships between management and employees was furthered. As time progressed, the nature of work continued to change. A well-educated group of baby boomers changed the command and control leadership style to become a more collaborative one. Boomers placed human rights and ideas of self-fulfillment at the forefront of their workplace concerns. These individuals were interested in more than an occupation; they wanted jobs that were challenging and interesting. Employees began to view themselves as stakeholders in their organizations’ enterprises. Dedicated to making work meaningful, enriching the work environment, communicating by objectives, this generation seeks to tie the goals of individuals with the goals of the organization. September 2012
Human Resources in the 21st Century Today, the human resource professional is charged with optimizing employee skills, matching people to jobs and maximizing the potential of employees as valuable resources. In my opinion, a lot of organizations are limited in viewing HR as an administrative function only considering recruiting, payroll, benefits, and health and safety. In the St. John’s market, we keep hearing so much about the challenges of attracting talent. But, I would like to advocate for employers to focus their energies on also keeping their current talent engaged; helping their people develop their potential; and providing them with an opportunity to voice their ideas and suggestions. Unleashing the talents of your people and helping them direct their energies to where they can make their biggest contributions, is the value that human resources can provide today. Susan Power is the principal consultant at Higher Power and can be reached at susanpower@highertalent.ca
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Keeping Current policy matters Labour Market Task Force
Minister Joan Burke met with members of the Board of Trade’s Labour Market Task Force to discuss ways in which to overcome local labour market challenges. It is clear that there are not enough people in domestically to do the work that needs to be done now and in the next 20 years. The Labour Market Task Force will follow up with key personnel from the Department of Advanced Education and Skills and other interest groups in the coming weeks to resolve the labour shortages. Ms Nellie Burke from the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism also provided an excellent lunch and learn session concerning international recruitment to our members. The Board will be providing more information sessions concerning the labour challenges in the near future.
Core Mandate Review Submission
Your Board has submitted to the provincial government’s Core Mandate Review. The submission calls for a measured debt reduction, more people in our province, and the creation of a Diversification Strategy. The provincial debt is of great concern. Approximately $800 million per year is paid to service the debt, resulting in $2.2 million per day that cannot be spent on critical issues such as the labour market challenge and education. Projections indicate that the debt will double in 10 years if measures are not taken to address it. The current unfunded pension liability accounts for 56 per cent of total debt. This amount will only increase due to poor returns on investments and a substantial increase in younger annuitants since 2008. The Board also advocates for publicprivate partnerships to deliver services more efficiently through the private sector. The example of Tim Horton’s in the Health Science Centre proved that the private sector can deliver services more efficiently and lower the public’s cost of doing business while strengthening the private sector.
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The province needs a Diversification Strategy to focus our efforts towards long-term sustainability. The Board’s submission also called for a more robust and realistic immigration policy to fill the tens of thousands of positions that will remain unfilled, even if all available Newfoundlanders, Labradorians and Canadians enter the work force. There is a need for both internal and external solutions to the labour market challenge.
Federal Pre-Budget Submission
The Board of Trade has also made submission to the federal pre-budget consultations, advocating for a balanced budget, and the use of public-private partnerships wherever possible to reduce government operating costs while promoting the private sector. Government should also investigate the growing costs associated with the defined benefits public pension fund. Board of Trade members also call for more authority located in Newfoundland and Labrador. More senior federal decision-makers in this province would help the federal government understand our specific challenges in order for Newfoundland and Labrador to maintain a strong federal presence and promote dialogue and understanding between governments.
September 2012
Concerning innovation, Canada needs to become an idea incubator to promote job creation and foster sustainable global success. Canada needs the federal government to create the best possible atmosphere for this investment in people and innovation to occur. Increased fiscal flexibility will enable government to channel resources into R&D to assist the private sector in its innovation and investment schemes, and allow for internationally competitive tax regimes which are good for the economy.
Minimum Wage Review
As committed in the Blue Book 2011, the provincial government has convened an advisory committee consisting of a Chairperson (Blair Patrick), an Employee Representative (Elaine Price) and an Employer Representative (John Peddle). Stakeholder feedback will be accepted by the committee until September 15, 2012 regarding three main questions: What are your views regarding changes to the minimum wage? 2) What are the issues you think should be considered in making changes to the minimum wage? 3) If you see challenges associated with increasing the minimum wage, how could these be addressed? The Board of Trade will submit to the committee, and members were encouraged to complete a member survey on minimum wage to provide input to the Board’s submission.
Business News
Feature coastal promises Sound management today; safe passage into the future.
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tired mantra? The watchwords of a successful business?
Fishers’Loft Inn is located on the Bonavista Penninsula. Every year around May some 30,000 visitors from Newfoundland and around the world flock to the region to hike the trails, experience theatre, explore historic sites, visit family and wander the lanes and paths of these once busy rural communities. A way of life which came to a cataclysmic and sudden end in rural Newfoundland with the collapse of the north Atlantic cod stocks and the resulting moratorium in July 1992. Tourism, while hardly the answer to a lost way of life at least promised a seasonal job and a chance to stay home. Come October the summer visitors have mostly departed. Tourism businesses close for another season. In 2009 we noticed a decline in the levels of unemployment in our region. This combined with a Conservative majority in the federal government and a number of credible studies highlighting inequities in the Employment Insurance program nationally, suggested that yearly uncontested access to seasonal EI could soon be a thing of the past. It is, in the view of our business, a bogus assumption that the employee alone is responsible to find their way when income security lessens or diminishes completely as result of changes in government policy. While not generally recognized or at least
Business News
openly spoken about, seasonal businesses are as dependent on EI as their workers. As business owners we have both a responsibility to our workers and also the wellbeing of our businesses. The most valuable asset in our business – our staff – walks or drives home at the end of each day. It took three years to research, design, finance, and build an executive conference centre. We visited conference centres in Great Britain, United States, and Canada. We met with conference planners and participants; read studies and reviews.
We now have a state-of-the-art conference centre replete with a plenary space for up to 200 participants, board rooms and breakout spaces. A business centre and everything to ensure successful meetings and conferences from flip charts, drop-down projection screen, HD projector, sound system with handheld and lapel mics, video and voice conferencing and high-speed wireless Internet; a professional kitchen and dining room. The centre is located on a high wooded ridge overlooking Trinity Bay with views as remarkable as anything at Banff. Our “fitness room” is the renowned five kilometre Skerwink Trail which provides a vigorous and healthy workout combined with spectacular seascapes. Travel and Leisure Magazine rated it one of the best trails in North America. September 2012
Fishers’ Loft Inn has for 16 years demonstrated an inexhaustible commitment to quality. Resulting market support has been strong. The conference centre will continue this same commitment. In late May of this year we convened the first conference at the newly opened facility; a three-day 45-participant event for the National Judicial Institute of Canada. That same week Diane Finley, the Federal Human Resources Minister announced reforms targeting “repeat E.I users.” Fishers’ Loft Conferences is receiving bookings late into the fall. We reckon we are on the way to providing at least 10 months of work to our employees rather the current six months. Sound management today; safe passage into the future is working for us and for our hard working exceptionally talented and experienced employees. John Fisher is the author of the management best seller “Money Isn’t Everything,” and a former governor of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. For 35 years he led the management consulting firm Fisher Associates. John and his wife Peggy started Fishers’ Loft Inn 1997. The Inn now employs 25 people including their sons Luke and Gabriel and their wives.
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Feature roundtable Maximizing the strategic value of human resources
O
rganizations within Newfoundland and Labrador are continually facing challenges when it comes to “winning the war” on talent – attracting and retaining top talent, ensuring the workforce has been effectively deployed and sourcing the right skills to meet job requirements. With increasing opportunities available to workers within the province and across Canada, an organization’s Human Resource (HR) function must be aligned to an organization’s overall strategic direction and designed to support all facets of the organization, in order to be successful. It is important for organizations to know that their HR function and practices are effectively designed and managed to successfully engage in the talent war. One method available is to conduct an internal HR assessment to measure the effectiveness of the HR function in providing value Traditionally, HR assessments have focused on areas of compliance like occupational health and safety requirements or against policies for lower-risk areas like hiring and payroll practices. However, many organizations are conducting HR assessments with expanded scope, moving beyond compliance and focusing on how the HR function will provide value to the organization, in terms of delivering specific programs and services that meet a defined range of management and employee needs. Organizations are asking some of the following questions: • Are HR and talent-management plans and organizational plans aligned and do they address business-driven talent management needs and priorities?
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Does the training, coaching, and mentoring provided develop required skills and contribute to the retention of employees? Have high-impact and difficult-tofill positions been identified, and forecasts conducted of the demand for talent within these segments based on planned organizational growth, as well as retirement, mobility and separation projections? Are recruitment and succession plans in place to address projected workforce shortages? Is the existing leadership team effective and are future leaders being identified and trained?
by the HR function. This view of the HR function’s effort and resources will help inform whether the effort and focus is placed on the right activities. It will help organizations prioritize their HR practices and resources to address areas of risk or opportunities to optimize the value that HR provides to the organization. An HR assessment will allow organizations to gain insight and understanding as to how the HR function can move itself beyond an administrative function towards becoming or remaining a key strategic function supporting the achievement of an organization’s strategies, goals and objectives. The benefits derived from an HR assessment can be foundational for understanding the value of HR services brought to an organization and how to maximize the HR functions’ strategic value. For more information about Deloitte’s Human Resources practice, please contact David Gibbs at dagibbs@deloitte.ca or Tami MacDonald at tamacdonald@ deloitte.ca, or call our St. John’s office at 709-758-5144.
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Are there any performance management and measurement processes established to provide feedback on a consistent and timely basis? • Have key workforce metrics been defined and are they used to make annual decisions to improve talent management? • Does the organization assess the level of employee engagement? By assessing the current HR strategy and service delivery model in the context of the broader organization’s strategies, goals and objectives, organizations will be able to identify misalignment between the two and identify where opportunities exist to increase the value or services performed September 2012
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In Focus: Our Labour Market This province is facing severe labour shortages in all sectors in the next 10 to 15 years. Our members are reporting that they’re losing business, opportunities and can’t staff their businesses within the local labour market. This problem is pervasive across the country. In fact, all the growth in this country’s labour force in 2012 has come from immigration.
Demographic Information (from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Stats Can) • • • • • • •
Newfoundland and Labrador Population: 509,348 (As of April 1, 2012) Average age in Newfoundland and Labrador: 44 (in 1971, average age 20.9) Atlantic Canada: a third of the population will be older than 65 in the next 20 years Since the 1970s Newfoundland and Labrador’s birthrate has gone from the highest to the lowest in Canada Our province’s population is aging faster than any other province In 2012 there were four working-age people aged 20 to 65 for every senior in Newfoundland and Labrador. By 2026, the ratio will change to 2.2 for every senior in Newfoundland and Labrador Canada has 34 million people. We are vastly under populated compared to available land
Employment Statistics (from Newfoundland and Labrador and Stats Can) • • • • • • •
Total potential Newfoundland and Labrador labour force aged 15-65 who are capable of work: 264,800 Total Newfoundland and Labrador working population as of June 2012: 230,400. 87 per cent of those capable and available to work in Newfoundland and Labrador are working. 32,600 are not working who could be This province has a 13 per cent unemployment rate Of the 80,000 jobs opening between 2010 and 2020, 20,000 of those will be construction jobs, the other 60,000 will be full-time permanent jobs The Conference Board of Canada estimates that a million jobs will be vacant and unfilled across the country in the next decade Even if we had an unemployment rate of ZERO, an all the 67 per cent of Income Support recipients capable of working were in the workforce, we still do not have enough people to fill all the vacant positions
Immigration Statistics •
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In 2012, two per cent of the Newfoundland and Labrador population are immigrants and 0.3 per cent of the population are recent immigrants (2001-2006). By comparison, in Toronto 40 per cent of the population are immigrants. Most immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador come from the UK; USA; India 25 to 44: most common age at which immigrants arrived (0-14: 29 per cent; 15-24: 20 per cent; 25-44: 43 per cent; 45+: eight per cent) In 2011 Canada admitted 250,000 immigrants – the average for the last decade. Immigrants are 60 per cent more likely to have a university degree and their children become the country’s greatest asset. 2,401 immigrants to Newfoundland and Labrador between 1998 and 2003, but Newfoundland and Labrador 864 (36 per cent) stayed here. As of 2010 we were retaining 81 per cent of Provincial Nominee Program applicants. 90 per cent of the skilled-worker category immigrants have post-secondary education, compared to 43 per cent of Canadian skilled workers. International students make up 187 provincial nominees to date – they’re an ideal pool of candidates for permanent immigration. In 2011 86 per cent of immigrants to this province are younger than 44.
Temporary Foreign Worker Facts • • •
As of Dec. 1 2011 there were 1,823 TFWs working in Newfoundland and Labrador, most from USA, UK, Philippines and China. The vast majority of TFWs are aged 25 to 44, with 23 per cent in St John’s and 77 per cent elsewhere in the province Over 70 per cent of provincial nominees (new permanent residents) started as TFWs
Keeping Current around the board Referral Rewards Program Carson Thistle Thistle Financial Services Ltd. Ian Chaytor Colour
The signature drink – Summer Passion - had everyone thinking blue and orange when they left the mixer.
Thank you for your referral You receive 1 hour of service labour on any printer courtesy of Printer Tech Solutions Inc.
There was a great turn out (and an amazing prize) at the Plato summer mixer in Bowring Park.
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September 2012
Business News
Keeping Current what you missed Nellie Burke from the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism provided an excellent lunch and learn session concerning international recruitment to our members.
T
he Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are two programs that can help Board of Trade members to recruit and retain international workers when a qualified Canadian worker is not available to fill their positions. To recruit a worker internationally, an employer first needs to: 1. Obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from Service Canada, which includes a requirement to advertise the position locally and nationally to satisfy that it cannot be filled by a qualified Canadian. There is no cost to apply and the LMO application is available at: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/ workplaceskills/foreign_workers/ temp_workers.shtml ; 2. For more information please contact Service Canada at: (1-800-622-6232). If a positive LMO is received, the local employer can offer the position to a foreign worker. The worker must then apply to the Canadian Visa Office that is responsible for their country of residence for a temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) 3. TFWs can apply for permanent resident status after arriving and working in Canada. 4. For further information, please consult Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website: www.cic.gc.ca. Once TFWs arrive to work and become oriented to the province, they can apply for Canadian Permanent Residency through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which is administered by the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM), in the Department of Advanced Education and Skills (AES).
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NL has a target of 300 PNPs each year and 1,934 people (applicants plus dependents) have been nominated since 2007. Provincial Nominees will have their immigration applications expedited. To qualify, the candidate must: • Be legally working in NL or have a job offer from a provincial employer; • Hold a temporary work permit OR a post-graduate work permit OR a working holiday visa.
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Have a good command of the English language. Full details on the PNP, including application forms, are available online at: www.nlpnp.ca NOTE: INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES from all recognized Canadian Institutions who hold post graduate open work permits do not require a LMO from Service Canada to legally work in Canada.
For further information, please contact: pnp@gov.nl.ca .Several Board of Trade members are international recruiters who may be able to assist with your recruitment needs. The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism can also help plan international recruitment missions, as well as answer your questions concerning the immigration process. September 2012
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Keeping Current around the board
Our 2002 president Gary Reardon was on hand to receive his Past President Pin.
Hon. Tony Clement spoke at a recent Board of Trade luncheon about the challenges and opportunities in the Canadian economy.
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ambassador profiles Shane Kennedy • Account
Manager, BDC • www.bdc.ca
What do you believe to be the biggest challenge in the province right now? I believe the biggest challenge facing the province right now is our aging population. With more people beginning to leave the workforce than enter it human resource management and recruitment is going to be increasingly difficult for employers. Along with that, the people of the province are going to be responsible for the health and social care of our seniors while our revenues from oil, and a lost tax base, decrease; this will significantly increase the burden of our younger population. Don’t get me wrong, I believe all our senior citizens deserve the care they have worked their whole lives to receive and to enjoy a wholesome retirement but I feel a stronger emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring we can provide the required services without significant burden to our younger population.
Katie Hussey • Account Executive, Triware Technologies Inc. • www.triware.ca Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration from people who face both personal and professional challenges with integrity and determination, who are humble about their success and learn from their mistakes.
Jordan Dicks • Sales Associate, Murray Premises Hotel • www.murraypremisehotel.com What makes you smile? Helping guests have the most amazing stay at Murray Premises Hotel is a great feeling. It certainly puts a smile on my face knowing I helped them with their accommodations and fulfilled all of their expectations. However; spending any kind of time with my puppy makes me smile more than anything. Coming home after working all day and seeing her waiting for me. No matter what kind of day I had… if it is sunny, snowing or raining, her excitement for me coming home lights me up.
Kelly Strickland • Upstream Marketing • www.upstreammarketing.ca What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Making mistakes is inevitable. It is how we learn and evolve from those mistakes that truly define our character.
Anders Jensen • Account Manager, TD Commercial Banking • www.tdcommercialbanking.com What was the best day of your life and why? The best day of my life was the day I was accepted into Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific. I got an opportunity to discuss science, business, the environment, politics, religion, and personal preferences with 200 students from 86 countries. It was an opportunity and a time like no other.
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ambassador profiles Julie Gorman • Consultant, Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette • www.kbrs.ca What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? It’s hard to choose just one, so I’ll give two. The first, “Trust your gut”. This was told to me by a colleague within the first week of my job, your instincts won’t lie, I remember that every day. The second, “Practice makes perfect”, which I still hear regularly from my grandmother and something that has helped in all areas of my life.
Ashley Power-Stack • Manager, Power Boland Chartered Accountants • www.powerboland.ca What was the best day of your life and why? I’ve had some amazing experiences including seeing the Blue Jays win the World Series in ‘93, working with Habitat for Humanity in Costa Rica, indulging in tasting / wine pairing menus with friends, and my wedding day to name a few, but I hope the best day of my life hasn’t happened yet, there’s so much more out there to do!
Torrie George • Marketing Coordinator, Cal LeGrow Insurance • www.callegrow.com What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? My mother always told me to ‘trust your gut’. Learning to trust your instincts, using that intuitive sense of what’s best for you, is paramount for any lasting success. I’ve tried to follow the little voice of intuition my entire life and the only time I’ve made mistakes is when I didn’t. So my best advice is trust your gut, because usually, the gut never lies!
Rob Bennett • Commercial Account Executive, Steers Insurance • www.steersinsurance.com Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in people who achieve great success in life while always maintaining a positive outlook and treating others with the utmost respect. There are all kinds of successful leaders in this world; however those who make it look easy and inspire you to be a better individual are the true leaders.
Barbara Stoyles – Business Development, O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours – www.obriensboatours.com If you could invent or discover one new thing what would it be? I would like to invent a Full Upright Body Scanner to detect Cancer in the Human Body. It would be different than the MRI used now, it would be similar to the New Body Scanners used in Airport Security. All a patient would have to do is step into this upright scanner and it would be able to scan the body from head to toe and the X-Ray Technologists would be able to see instantly if there is active Cancer within the human body. Thousands of people walk through the Body Scanners in Airports daily and the Security can see instantly if the person has concealed a weapon, drugs or other harmful objects. After all early detection is the key in fighting Cancer. If there were such a machine as a Full Upright Body Scanner it would take a lot of burden off the Health Care System, patients would not have to wait weeks and months for appointments and then to wait for results which can be very stressful to the patient. A lot more people could get tested in a run of a day giving them instant results. 20
September 2012
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Brenda Kitchen • Manager of Business Development, Fit for Work • www.fitforwork.com Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in a lot! Passionate people, travel, money, colour, music, beauty, nature, laughter but mostly, I am inspired by the people I meet, and work with, each day. We learn so much if we take the time to listen and really hear what the other person is saying. We all need to be inspired to continue to be the best we can because there is no day but today.
Alice Carter • Senior Business Advisor, CIBC • www.cibc.com If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people what would your message be? Go through life with a smile and a positive attitude. When faced with adversity Rise above it, come out on top. Be the best at whatever you choose to be and live life to the fullest.
Chris Sparkes • Owner, Mr. Lube • www.mrlube.com What makes you smile? The one thing that makes me smile is being on a salmon river.
Natasha Hudson • Business Development Coordinator, NATI • www.nati.net Where do you find inspiration? As the Business Development Coordinator at the province’s advanced technology industry association, I am constantly inspired by the world-class innovation our local companies are demonstrating on a daily basis. It’s so exciting to see local companies on the global stage, and so gratifying to see our companies compete on that stage, and WIN!
Lori Bragg • General Manager, Jumping Bean Coffee • www.jumpingbean.ca What was the best day of your life and why? I think that the best day of my life is always today. Although I have had some very memorable days including the day that I married my best friend, I feel extremely fortunate to work at something I enjoy and to be able to spend quality time with family and friends. An excerpt from A.A. Milne expresses my thoughts when Winnie the Pooh asked what day is it? “It’s today” squealed Piglet. “My favorite day” said Pooh!
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ambassador profiles Amy Tulk • Sales and Catering Manager, Ramada Hotel • www.ramadastjohns.com What makes you smile? When you wake up in the morning and you can appreciate all the good in your life, it’s hard not to smile. All the people in my life make me smile every day, my family, friends, co-workers, clients & associates, life is great.
Justine Perry • Account Executive, NTV/OZFM • www.ntv.ca What is one thing you really want to do but you haven’t done yet? Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Shawn Brown • Regional Sales Manager, Bell Aliant • www.bellaliant.net What is one thing you really want to do but you haven’t done yet? I have always wanted to take a truck and fifth wheel and travel from coast to coast exploring every nook and cranny of Canada.
Lisa Martin Davis • Sales Manager (Meetings and Conventions), Destination St. John’s • www.destinationstjohns.com What makes you smile? What makes me smile is seeing and hearing the reactions of visitors who are visiting our fantastic city for the first time! And of course chocolate dipped strawberries and a good Pinot Grigio!
Allison Crawford • Marketing and Project Consultant, Charles R. Bell Ltd. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? I have been given some great advice from some of the most successful people in this province and in the marketing industry, advice that has certainly helped along the way. However the age old Golden Rule, to treat others as you wish to be treated, has been the advice or mantra that has been most valuable to me in my personal and business life.
Rob English • Industrial and Mining Sales, Whelan Petroleum Personnel Management • www.whelanpersonnel.com Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 10 Years from now I hope to be CEO of the Levert Group and pondering retirement!
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Membership members in the news Nalcor and Emera Formalize the Term Sheet for Muskrat Falls
Thirteen formal agreements have been signed between Nalcor and Emera for the development and transmission of hydroelectric power of Muskrat Falls. These agreements are based on the Term Sheet which was released in Nov 2010. Emera will develop, own and operate Maritime Link and providing Nalcor with transmission rights on the Maritime Link on a pay-as-you-go basis through Nova Scotia in exchange for 20 per cent of Muskrat Falls output (NS block). Nalcor will assume ownership of the Maritime Link after 35 years. Emera pays 20
per cent of total project capital costs in exchange for the 20 per cent NS Block. The arrangement is premised on a 50 year service life for the Maritime Link, but Emera shall receive Supplemental Energy in the first five years in exchange for a full term life. Nalcor CEO Ed Martin stated during the press conference that around $450 million has been spent on project so far, a pre-project spend which normally equates to about 5 per cent of equivalent major projects. The Decision Gate 3 numbers have not yet been released. “The Board is pleased with the level of due diligence that is being exercised in this decision-making and gated process for evaluating the potential of Muskrat Falls,” said Board Chief Executive Officer Nancy Healey. “These agreements demonstrate what can be achieved between provinces and territories for the good of the national
economy, leading towards a stable national energy grid.”
Eat Atlantic Finalist!
The Newfoundland Chocolate Company was the only local company to make it to the finals of the Eat Atlantic 2012 Awards. The company was one of the top three finalists in the challenge. Continued on next page...
Business News
September 2012
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Membership members in the news ...continued from previous page...
The Atlantic Food Product of the Year Award celebrates the world-class products that are made right here in Atlantic Canada. The Co-op’s Eat Atlantic Challenge is a buy-local campaign that promotes the economic, environmental and health benefits of products produced close to home. The winner receives a trophy, complimentary ad placements in the Co-op grocery flyer, the electronic Co-op flyer,
an ad in their local newspaper, a short online video of their winning product and company, and recognition in a media release to Atlantic media.
A Rating for Newfoundland and Labrador The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has been granted an A credit rating from the Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS). The DBRS says while the province continues to exhibit robust
The Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Safety Association is the exclusive in-province provider of the TM COR and CSO programs and the leader in OH&S training for the construction industry. Certificate of TM Recognition
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Create safer workplaces
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1-888-681-SAFE
www.NLCSA.com September 2012
economic indicators, volatility in oil prices and production levels lend a degree of uncertainty to government’s fiscal forecasts. While the province has been given a stable credit rating by the DBRS, with an “A” and R-1 (low) Stable Trend status for the long and short term, the service says that the end of Atlantic Accord payments and lower oil prices could put pressure on fiscal flexibility in the short term. The bond rating service says Muskrat Falls presents what it calls a ‘balanced risk’ since cost overruns could increase debt. The province is projecting a $433 million deficit for next year but the DBRS says those deficits are manageable in light of the province’s credit profile. The service says spending restraint will be necessary in order for the province to return to surplus, as projected, in 2014-15. The Finance Minister Tom Marshall also said that economic diversification is a difficult task, but it’s one that the provincial government has been focused on. He says there have been improvements in areas like aquaculture and ocean technology, but developing Muskrat Falls, and eventually the entire Lower Churchill, will help to make the province what he calls an energy warehouse.
Become a career mentor today!
ScienceM@tters needs great career mentors to help build science capacity in the province’s business community. ScienceM@tters, a national award winning program, helps prepare Memorial’s science students for the world of work, to connect them with experiential learning opportunities, to connect students with employers, and to provide resources for career exploration. The program is targeted at undergraduate science students Business News
Membership members in the news who are contemplating the value of a science degree, seeking career direction, and looking for guidance from experienced science alumni. Mentors are welcome from any profession, industry or occupation, but should hold a Bachelor of Science from Memorial University and have at least one year of work experience. For more information contact Stephanie Hartery , a career development co-ordinator for the science faculty at
Memorial University. http://www.mun.ca/ science/alumni/alumnimentor.php
Going back to their roots
Board of Trade members, government and others have recently met with Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada to build better business ties. Ray Bassett, Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, visited the province recently and met with Provincial Aerospace and ClearRisk, and toured the National
Research Council-Institute for Ocean Technology and the Marine Institute. Bassett also attended the Southern Shore Shamrock Festival where he was joined by Minister Hutchings and later in the day they visited Renews with Loyola Hearn, Canada’s Ambassador to Ireland. The province has several memorandums of understanding with the Irish government outlining business and cultural relationships.
2 Words. Pillowtop Mattress! Welcome Back to the Greenwood Inn and Suites. All the comfort, convenience and quality you’ve come to trust, along with new improvements including pillowtop mattresses and LCD flatscreen televisions in every guestroom. Call to book your reservation today!
greenwoodinn.ca
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1 800 399 5381
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September 2012 BofT Day Guide Ad.indd 1
12/16/2011 11:03:02 AM
Membership MEMBER PROFILES From our St. John’s office, Metroworth Consulting (Canada) Limited (MCL), oil and gas recruitment specialists are currently recruiting locally for their major clients on the Hebron project. With over twenty years of offshore engineering and operations experience, MCL have established a reputation for providing experienced personnel with specialist skills and knowledge to suit our clients challenging and quite specific offshore design and operational requirements. MCL provide both staff and contract personnel with expertise in design, construction, commissioning and operations to the global offshore drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry including refinery projects, FPSO’s, pipelines and sub-sea. Julia Holman-Price – Lead RecruiterTelephone: (709) 722-0822 Cell: (709) 699-4892 Email: juliah@metroworth.com
Celebrating 25 years Experience. Delivery. Solutions. Permanent. Contract. Temporary. Workforce Solutions Ph 709.579.4990 215 Water St. Suite # 805
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Global Knowledge (Canada) is the largest corporate training and talent development company in Canada. We deliver the broadest choice of industryrecognized curricula in IT, business process improvement, and leadership business solutions. With 13 locations across Canada, Global Knowledge offers innovative learning solutions in both classroom and online formats. We deliver via training centres, private facilities, and the Internet, enabling our customers to choose when, where, and how they want to receive training programs and learning services. We offer more than 1,200 courses, which span foundational and specialized training as well as certifications. Visit us online at www.globalknowledge.ca.
The Department of Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL) at Memorial University provides a multitude of services and resources for students, graduates and employers looking to recruit new talent. From funding programs, job postings, volunteer placements and on-campus interviews CDEL can help your business tap into the high caliber students and alumni Memorial has to offer. Employers can also hold information sessions on campus and advertise jobs at no cost, or register a booth at the Career and Graduate School Fair held Sept. 26th, 2012. New Entrepreneurship Training Program for International Graduate Students starting this fall. Please feel free to visit our website at www.mun.ca/cdel or call us at (709) 864-2033. September 2012
We have been providing free and low-cost refurbished computer equipment to schools, libraries and registered non-profit organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1993. For further information call (709) 834-2377 or visit www. computersforschoolsnl.ca.
For almost 15 years, Working In has been helping employers from Canada to attract and recruit skilled migrants, predominantly from the UK, Ireland and South Africa. Targeting those skills in demand, including energy, mining and engineering, Working In regularly runs expos where employers can meet and interview prospective migrants. Additionally, Working In offers marketleading websites which attract in excess of 1.5 million skilled migrants annually. The websites offer dynamic job vacancies and employer profiles as well migration information. To find out how Working In can work for you, contact Brendan McGerty: +1 347 329 4640; +55 71 9294 3267; Brendan.mcgerty@workingin.com
Business News
Membership new members Association of Seafood Producers Inc. Derek Butler, Executive Director Suite 103, Baine Johnston Centre 10 Fort William Building St. John’s, NL A1C 1K4 P: 709-726-3730 F: 709-726-3731 dbutler@seafoodproducers.org
Susan Sparkes & Associates
Susan Sparkes, President P.O. Box 23158 Churchill Square St. John’s, NL A1B 4J9 P: 709-765-9428 susansparkesandassociates@gmail.com
Business News
Automotive Supplies Ltd. Max Penney, President 85 Elizabeth Avenue St. John’s, NL A1A 5B2 P: 709-753-5434 F: 709-753-1744 mpenney@nf.aibn.com
Metro Guide Publishing
Courtney Langille, Sales Representative Suite 103, 33 Pippy Place St. John’s, NL A1B 3X2 P: 709-754-3535 F: 709-754-3536 clangille@metroguide.ca
The Lowe Martin Group Mike Landers, Account Manager 400 Hunt Club Road Ottawa, ON K1V 1C1 P: 613-741-0962 F: 613-741-2144 mike.landers@LMGroup.com
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Upcoming Events September events Lunch and Learn “Sales Leaders Don’t Do Powerpoint”
Business Mixer
Technology doesn’t build a relationship, overcome objections, or close sales. Sales leaders build relationships, overcome objections, and close sales by leveraging what they say and how they say it. “Sales Leaders Don’t Do Powerpoint” is a 45 minute session providing excellent tips on how to become a sales leader in any industry. Make sure you come out and join Dennis Dillon from VOCM.
Where: Time: Cost: Where:
Wed., Sept. 12 12:30 pm – 2 pm $25+HST member discount $35+HST non member St. John’s Board of Trade, Board Room 34 Harvey Rd., 3rd Floor
Luncheon Join Dean MacDonald as he speaks to Board of Trade members at a luncheon. When: Time: Cost: Where:
Fri., Sept. 14 12:30 pm – networking 1 pm - luncheon $39.50+HST member discount $79+HST non-member Delta Hotel
Destination St. John’s is looking forward to welcoming all members back from summer holidays. Come out and connect with prospects, raise your profile and generate fresh business ideas.
When: Time: Cost: Where:
Look North – Explore the Opportunities Are you looking to explore the vast opportunities in Canada’s North? Join us for a half-day conference and meet with industry leaders while learning how to do business up North. Mark your calendar – details to follow.
When: Time: Cost: Where:
China Orientation Session Come with us to China! Visit Shanghai, Suzhou and Hagnzhou. Price includes airfare, 4-5 star hotels, three meals a day, English speaking guide and so much more. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. Join us for an information session to learn about the itinerary, business meetings, visa application, tour fare payment and much more.
• $3225.69 (members only) Per person base on double occupancy • Round-trip airfare from St. John’s (includes air, hotel and all meals in China)
*For a limited time – first come first serve pricing. Non-member rates available.
When: Time: Where:
Thurs., Sept. 13 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Included as a benefit of your membership Yellow Belly Brewery
Mon., Sept. 17 8:30 am to 10 am St. John’s Board of Trade, Board Room 34 Harvey Road, 3rd Floor
Wed., Sept. 26 8 am- Registration 8:25 am – Welcome and Opening Remarks TBD Holiday Inn
Save the Date – Luncheon with David Chilton David Chilton, author of Canada's all-time bestselling book, “The Wealthy Barber”, is among the most sought after speakers in North America. He is also the newest member of CBC’s – TV Show Dragon’s Den. And he is coming to St. John’s to speak to the Board of Trade. Book your tickets today!
When: Time: Cost: Where:
Tues., Nov. 13 noon – networking 1 pm - luncheon $60+HST member discount $120+HST non-member Sheraton Hotel, 115 Cavendish Square
To register for these events contact Wanda Palmer at events@bot.nf.ca or call at 726-2961 ext. 9 28
September 2012
Business News
Robin Kozar Equity Research Analyst, RBC Capital Markets
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Silver
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Asa Bridle Director, Equity Research, Metals & Mining, Seymour Pierce Ltd.
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Are you a non-accounting concentration student or graduate in the workforce that now prefers to have a professional accounting designation? CMA Newfoundland and Labrador offer the Accelerated Bridging Program with a distance option, that enables you to obtain the prerequisites to write the CMA National Entrance Exam. For 5 years running, 95% of the Fall Accelerated Program graduates successfully passed the CMA National Entrance Exam! Now that’s preparation and a huge success story! The Certified Management Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador are also proud to announce the new Executive CMA Program. The Executive CMA Program is an unparalleled opportunity for experienced senior business leaders to gain a professional management and accounting designation. The part-time program is pursued alongside an intimate group of peers within an expedited, yet flexible, timeframe. The CMA Accelerated Program is an extremely challenging endeavor that I thoroughly enjoyed and found ultimately rewarding. It required significant commitment, but provided an excellent grounding in accounting and an indispensable basis on which to prepare for the CMA National Entrance Exam. The instructor, Jacques Maurice, was very knowledgeable and possessed that rare ability of explaining complex concepts in simple terms with humor and example. The program requires discipline, but for serious students the rewards are substantial! Sincerely, Keith Matthews, MBA, CMA
HURRY: the January 2013 Accelerated Program session registration deadline is December 19th, 2012! Be sure to visit www.BecomeaCMA.com and contact our office as soon as possible for your CMA pathway evaluation.