Business News
GANDER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is taking charge of their bottom line. FALL: 2018
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Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country, and an average of 37% more than the rest of Atlantic Canada.
We deserve better. Our insurance system needs real reform that will bring positive change to Newfoundland and Labrador. Visit betterautoinsurance.ca and find out how you can help.
table of contents FALL: 2018 VOLUME 33: #3
In this issue . . .
Business News is a publication of the St. John’s Board of Trade.
Cover Story.......................................................................................................................................................2 Chair’s Message..............................................................................................................................................3 New Members.................................................................................................................................................4 Members in the News.................................................................................................................................5 Upcoming Events...........................................................................................................................................7 Connector NL...................................................................................................................................................8 Business Solutions.....................................................................................................................................12 Annual Golf Classic....................................................................................................................................16 Working For You..........................................................................................................................................20 Labrador and Arctic Opportunities....................................................................................................24 Around the Board.......................................................................................................................................28 Member Profiles..........................................................................................................................................30 The Economy................................................................................................................................................32 Feature Editorials Business Education: From Employability to Creativity.....................................................................6 Trending: Using cloud technology to avoid major accounting pitfalls......................................... 10 To Sit or Not to Sit? That is the Question!..........................................................................................14 Unleash the power of data to make better business decisions..................................................18 Worrying About ‘Busyness’: Innovating Through Training and Education...............................21
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 contributions 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: Jennifer Barnable Printed by: Bounty Print Layout: image4 ST. JOHN’S BOARD OF TRADE EXECUTIVE Andrea Stack Janis Byrne Andrew Wadden Justin Ladha Dorothy Keating Jennifer Clement
Chair Senior Vice-Chair First Vice-Chair Second Vice-Chair Immediate Past Chair Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Janine Browne Melissa Royle Jenny Smith Shirley Smith
Norm Dimmell Glenn Janes Alex Gibson
Managing Chronic Disease: Employers can empower employees to take charge of their health............................................................................................................22 Recent US Court Decisions and the Impact on Canadian Businesses.......................................25 An Open Call for Newfound-preneurs................................................................................................26
Supply Chain Management Association Your partner in supply chain excellence
STAFF Nancy Healey
Chief Executive Officer
Margie Davis
Account Executive
Rhonda Tulk-Lane Director of Business Solutions Jackie Bryant-Cumby Member Relations Administrator Brendan Hagerty Manager of Labour Market Solutions Jennifer Chaytor Manager, Finance & Compliance Brandon Ellis Policy and Advocacy Researcher Janet King Business Development Mentor Jennifer Barnable Storyteller
THAT BIG DEAL YOU JUST SIGnED?
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 www.stjohnsbot.ca
WE MADE IT POSSIBLE. Annual General Meeting - Holiday Inn, Portugal Cove Road - St. John's September 27, 2018 For more information please visit: www.scma.com/nl/
Energy Savings Take Off at Gander International Airport
Working with takeCHARGE, a jointinitiative between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Gander International Airport made energyefficient upgrades that are saving them over $9,000 a year in electricity costs. Gander International Airport has made history multiple times since the first plane landed there in 1938. Over the past 80 years, its historic international lounge has been visited by Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and Winston Churchill. Gander was also the first stop in North America for the Beatles. More recently, the airport and the entire town of Gander made headlines when they welcomed 38 jets and cared for 7,000 passengers on September 11, 2001. The international lounge has retained much of its décor, furniture and charm from the times it hosted Frank Sinatra, but it was decided that the lighting needed
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a makeover. “It took two weeks and a lift to change out the fluorescent bulbs,” explained Reg Wright, CEO, Gander Airport. The answer to frequent bulb changes – long-lasting LED tube lighting! The fluorescent bulbs needed to be replaced every two to three years. The LED lights used in the upgrade will last much longer. The airport landed $7,800 in rebates for the LED lighting upgrade in the lounge. With the savings in electricity costs, this project will pay for itself in less than six months! Things are also looking bright in the airport’s Fire Hall. All of the lighting in the Fire Hall was replaced with LEDs, saving $2,400 in electricity costs. “The takeCHARGE team was extremely helpful. They showed us where we were losing energy and money,” says Wright. “They helped us with this project every step of the way.”
Want to take charge of your bottom line? Over 570 businesses have made energy-efficient upgrades and saved with takeCHARGE rebates. Call an energy expert to set up your complimentary assessment. With the average rebate amount for our custom program at over $5,000 and a maximum rebate of $50,000, we can really help with those initial costs. Contact us to get started! Call 1-800-663-2802 or visit TakeChargeNL.ca.
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Chair’s Message At the St. John’s Board of Trade, we help you get your message out. DID YOU KNOW that 63% of consumers prefer to shop at a business that is a member of their Board of Trade?
DID YOU KNOW that there are over 460 people in our data base who are either CEOs, presidents or owners of their respective companies?
DID YOU KNOW that the St. John’s Board of Trade’s followership on social media is over 8,000? In addition, each week, over 2,000 new and returning users visit the Board of Trade website. Our most popular page is our Members Directory and you can increase the visitors to your listing with a video. Engaging video content leads to 80% consumer growth. If you don’t have a video, we’re here to help. We have a Storyteller on staff who can shoot a Member Profile video profile for your business. We promote your video on our social media channels (YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook) as well as on your Members Directory listing on our website. Our videos and dynamic social media content showcase your business to your peers and potential customers. Advertising on the Board of Trade website is a premium place to be seen. As the “go-to” place for business in the St. John’s area, our website is another premium place to advertise your business. We’re committed to doing everything in our power to have our platforms maximize exposure for our members. We’re here to support you and help you grow your business. Contact us today to learn more.
Pints & Peers
As we evolve our program and services offerings, one event I encourage you to keep an eye out for is Pints & Peers.
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This new series gives members and non-members the opportunity to enjoy a beer, connect with business owners and business leaders about tangible ways they can improve the bottom line of their businesses. These relaxed conversations are not your traditional classroom style learning. Conversations are led by local business leaders who share their experiences and expertise. Special Summer Events: • July's session featured Ray Agency's owner Jenny Smith. Winner of the Business Excellence Award - Leader in Growth and Sales 2017 who led an insightful discussion on marketing. • In August, Brent and Christina, owners of the Newfoundland Chocolate Company, were our special guests for a session. This intimate event was for CEO and Business Owners only. Participants enjoyed a cold drink and met two individuals who have experienced the ups and downs of operating a small business in our province!
Advocacy Work Carbon Tax We have spent the summer advocating for the introduction of a carbon tax that is revenue neutral to the province. A
CHAIR
ANDREA STACK carbon tax must be used to discourage the burning of carbon. With the introduction of this new tax, other taxes should be reduced to offset the overall tax burden on businesses in our province. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians cannot pay any more tax. We already carry one of the highest tax burdens in the country, our economy is sluggish, and more tax will exacerbate the situation. Electricity Rates We have also spent the summer doing research and the Board is developing its position on electricity rates. One thing we know for sure is that businesses and the people of our province are concerned about future electricity rates. With our heavy tax burden, as well as our isolated geographic location that demands everything that comes to the province must float or fly, business and our customers will struggle with an increase in electricity rates. A comprehensive rate mitigation plan is a must. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, NALCOR and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro must leave no stone unturned as they identify solutions to ensure electricity rates remain competitive.
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new members Atlantic Canada Aerospace Defense Association
Jody Fancey, Provincial Director 90 O’Leary Avenue, Suite 297 St. John’s, NL A1B 2C7 709-689-7492 jody@ac-ada.ca
Crossbeam Management Craig Tucker, CEO 7 Gadwall Place Mount Pearl NL A1N 5J8 709-682-2399 craig@crossbeam.ca
Elliott Group Inc.
Chad Decker, Chief Operations Officer 320 Torbay Road St. John’s, NL A1A 4E1 709-697-2423 Cdecker18@nfld.net
Great North Data
James Goodwin, CEO 277 Water Street Bowring Building 3rd Floor St. John’s, NL A1C 6L3 709-231-2510 tracey.terry@greatnorthdata.com
LearnSphere
Craig Ennis, Project Manager 30 Harvey Road, Common Ground St. John’s, NL A1C 5V5 709-743-3995 craig.ennis@learnsphere.ca
LunchIn
Jon Butler, Owner 30 Harvey Road, Common Ground, Unit 2 St. John’s, NL A1C 2G1 709-700-7001 / 709-325-5662 jon@lunchin.ca
M & M Food Market
Jacques Benjamin 470 Topsail Road St. John’s, NL A1E 2C3 514-349-3912 / 709-368-4525 JacquesB@lesalimentsmm.com
Trailblazer Okay, his real title is Practice Innovation Partner, but Paul Saunders has inspired our Firm to think more like an innovative startup than an established law firm. Paul and his team have partnered with over 50 partners and associates across our Firm on 15 practice innovation projects designed to create efficiencies in how we deliver client service. With the steadfast support of the Firm’s leadership, our shared goal is to respond to the evolving needs of our clients through continuous feedback, improvement and learning. His official title notwithstanding, Paul’s fresh thinking and multidisciplinary approach is inspiring positive change.
Puglisevich
Robert Barron, Operations Manager 611 Torbay Road, Suite 1 St. John’s, NL A1A 5J1 709-722-2744 bob@puglisevich.com
Mills & Wright Landscape Architects Matthew Mills, Partner & Landscape Architect 95 LeMarchant Road, Suite 202 St. John’s, NL A1C 2H1 709-770-5035 / 709-770-8381 matthew@millsandwright.ca
Editorial Impact Position yourself as a thought leader among your business peers. Get your Guest Editorial placed in our next issue of Business News at $1,000 + HST. These 500-word editorials focus on a variety of set themes each edition. To find out more and book your Guest Editorial, contact Jennifer at jbarnable@bot.nf.ca.
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Members in the News New Freshii to open in East End St. John’s this fall
Michelle Pye and her Freshii business partners (Paul Mercer and Dave and Susan Petten) are establishing a second location on White Rose Drive in the East end of St. John’s. The franchise is based on a healthy brand of specialty dining and has been enjoying success at its first location in St. John’s for the last three years. The new space is not yet under construction, but will be approximate 1300 square feet, employ about 14 staff and be located next to the Little Caesar’s in the Thompson Centres commercial property. The new Freshii location will also feature ample parking. Stay tuned for November 2018, when Freshii intends to open and start dishing out its signature selection of healthy bowls, burritos, wraps soups, salads, wraps, juices and smoothies.
Collision Clinic expanding to Torbay
Collision Clinic, a local vehicle repair centre at 685 Topsail Road, is celebrating 40 years in operation this year – and news of an expansion. Owner Glenn Hickey has purchased Garland Auto Body in Torbay and will convert the 10,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Torbay Road and Cox Marsh Road into a Collision Clinic. “We will renovate, rebrand and retool the facility with the state-of-the-art technology and equipment that Collision Clinic currently uses to restore today’s complex vehicles to pre-accident condition,” a news release announcing the acquisition stated. “The energy and skill level of the employees at our new Torbay Road location is impressive, and we are excited about having them join the Collision Clinic team of professionals.”
Whink is growing and moving!
After 8 years in operation, Whink is excited to create a new and expanded shopping experience in Churchill Square. The store is moving into the former Living Rooms location in September. Kim and the Whink team will be offering even more amazing art, jewellery and décor from local artisans and national brands in a shiny, new and accessible space.
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Whink is excited about its next chapter and joining the buzz and changes happening in Churchill Square. The business also intends to provide local artisans with a more spacious and dynamic venue to hold workshops, community-minded events and artisan networking sessions. Construction is ongoing with behind-the-scenes video updates available on the Whink website, so stay tuned for more news about the relocation and Grand Opening week.
Craft Council Shop, Gallery and Clay Studio relocation
After 27 years at Devon House, the Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador has relocated to a new downtown space at 275 Duckworth Street, a building recognized for to its aesthetic and historic values. This modern new home with its open, accessible floor plan will enable the Craft Council Shop to continue highlighting the outstanding work of its juried members. The Gallery is introducing an addition to its Main and Annex Galleries. The Clay Studio is currently moving into their interim location at 38 Ropewalk Lane (Unit 1106) and will continue classes and programming in that space while developing a new clay facility in the coming months.
BDC Capital Makes investment in Focus FS
Focus FS, a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) company that safeguards industrial worksites using innovative software products, announced in June that the company has closed a financing round of $1.4 million. BDC Capital, along with private investment, were among investors who supported the vision and growth plans of Focus FS. The funding will enable Focus FS to further invest in sales and marketing in key North American and international markets. Closing this round of funding with the support of multiple, strategic investors
is a clear validation of the Focus FS vision, team, and technology. BDC Capital is providing an $800 thousand-dollar quasi-equity investment as part of this financing. “Focus FS’s success to date is attributable in large part to their client-centric approach,” said Brian Whiteway, Director, Growth and Transition Capital, Newfoundland and Labrador at BDC Capital. “They have collaborated with industry experts and operators to understand their pain points and have built their products to address their needs. The company now feels it has reached a strong product-market fit and that it is ready to accelerate its growth.” BDC Capital’s investment is based on the company’s strategy and future value, rather than on specific assets. This type of investment product is especially well suited for technology-based businesses operating on a recurring revenue model, like Focus FS.
SCMA National Conference a great success
The Supply Chain Management Association, Newfoundland & Labrador Institute was host to the SCMA National Conference this year in Newfoundland and Labrador. The conference was held at the Convention Centre on June 13-15, 2018 in St. John’s, NL. 375 supply chain professionals and 25 exhibitors from across Canada attended the conference. Exhibitors showcased their products and services to the supply chain industry during the conference. The event featured a jampacked, two-day agenda of educational sessions from leading supply chain experts, keynote speakers from Newfoundland and Labrador and networking opportunities. It was a great opportunity to hear from industry experts, and to interact with other supply chain professionals to learn supply chain best practices. Additionally, SCMA gave back to the community with donations to Bridges to Hope and Dr. Jack Hand Legacy Foundation.
Do you have news about your business you’d like to share? Contact: Jennifer Barnable to share your story in MEMBERS IN THE NEWS 726-2961 ext 204 jbarnable@bot.nf.ca
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Business Education: From Employability to Creativity In a letter to the Telegram published in July 2018, a reader argued that Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) should close programs that do not “match” the Newfoundland and Labrador labour market. The usual suspects were highlighted: German, Spanish, Russian, ancient languages, classics, ancient worlds, humanities, gender studies, sociology, and fine arts. In an articulate reply to this letter, MUN music graduate Michael O’Keefe, now Rhodes Scholar for Newfoundland and Labrador at Oxford University, warned us against thinking “myopically about the future” and argued that the province needs a “comprehensive and visionary university” rather than over-focusing on the match between programs and labour market needs. As the Dean of MUN’s Faculty of Business Administration (FBA), I watched this debate with great interest. The placement rate of our graduates is evidently an important metric for us, but it is not the only one. When Michael O’Keefe claims that the global job market “increasingly values the creativity and passion, resourcefulness and perseverance inspired by the arts and humanities,” he is perfectly in line with what we hear from top business schools around the word. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the FBA’s accrediting body that represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide, considers that liberal arts are very relevant for preparing the future generation of business leaders. Recognizing the importance of creativity for business success, top schools such as the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business or Babson College forged stronger relationships with fine arts or humanities departments across their campus, so that business students can learn to improvise, to write songs or paint.1
By having access to a pool of graduates with such a sensitivity, Newfoundland and Labrador companies may get a better chance to expand internationally or participate in global supply chains. In addition to preparing our students to meet the demand of the local labour market, why not train them to create new jobs, redefine the rules of business success, and invent the industries of tomorrow? This is precisely what we do at MUN. We encourage our students to be as creative as possible and we provide them with a safe space to explore business ideas that may sound a little crazy at first. And things are promising. Emily Bland, former member of Enactus Memorial and now CEO of SucSeed Social Enterprises, was recently awarded the Satchu Prize at The Next Venture Day in Toronto. This award recognizes the potential to lead Canada’s next generation of high-impact entrepreneurs. Combining his passion for music and his newly-acquired business knowledge, undergraduate business student Edward Rumsey founded NE1 Beatz with one of his music friend. NE1 Beatz is a production team that works with Hip Hop artists to provide them with instrumental compositions which are then distributed through all major streaming platforms. They come up with beats that other artists can use in their own music. Edward Rumsey and his business partner are able to seize the opportunities that are created by a music supply chain that is constantly
ISABELLE DOSTALER evolving due to new technologies. As an AACSB-accredited business school, the FBA aims to have more and more stories like these to share in the coming years. Fine arts and humanities courses provide valuable support to our quest to train a generation of creative and sensitive business leaders. It would be an error to close down programs that might not lead directly to local employment given the valuable part that they play in developing business leaders and entrepreneurs that will change the world. Isabelle Dostaler, PhD Dean of Business Memorial University of Newfoundland idostaler@mun.ca
SAVE THE DATE! Corner Brook I October 15-17, 2018 I Civic Centre www.diversitysummit2018.ca
A contributor to the AACSB blog recently argued that interdisciplinary business curriculum drawing on the liberal arts is much needed to help future professionals to develop the cultural sensitivity that they will need to work in a global context.2 1 http://communications.aacsb.edu/ q/12EitGcRPliA6rDnGzZje1qP/wv 2 https://www.aacsb.edu/blog/2016/october/ integrating-liberal-arts-into-business-education
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upcoming events
We encourage all members to register online. Visit www.stjohns.ca/events to register for any of the events listed.
Business Mixer – A night of modern elegance at The Delta
Invitation to enjoy a night of modern elegance! Please come join us for a chance to bask in our newly renovated Delta St John’s Hotel and Conference Centre. In the months of our ongoing renovations, our team has been working diligently to bring our community something we can all be proud of. Attend and enter to win a one night stay for two with breakfast and parking included. (Jacuzzi suite if available.) Date: Thursday, Sept. 13 Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Location: The Delta Hotel Cost: Benefit of Membership Featured Charity: The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association of NL
Strategies for Dealing with Cyber Risk
Join Doug Blakey, President of Watsec Cyber Risk Management (watsec.com) and Director with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Risk (c3rm.org), and Tom Hickey, President of Wedgwood Insurance to discuss and learn about business strategies for dealing with Cyber Risk. Date: Thursday, Sept. 20 Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.; Session 9 – 11:30 a.m. Location: The St. John’s Board of Trade, 34 Harvey Road Cost: $30 +HST Members; $60 +HST Future Members
Pints & Peers
Join us for our next Pints & Peers and find out how to hit your sales targets in your last quarter. September's session will feature Scott Giannou, President/Owner of The Beverage Baron and Higher Talent Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26 Time: 3:30 – 5 p.m. Location: Quidi Vidi Brewing Cost: $15 +HST Members; $30 +HST Future Members
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connector NL
www.connectornl.ca
Looking to make a Connection? Connector NL is a highly effective networking program that matches new residents and graduates with established business and community leaders to grow their professional networks.
TALENT
OPPORTUNITY
SUCCESS
www.connectorNL.ca We are all Connectors 8
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financial advice At Assante Wealth Management, we work with you to take care of your investments, to save you money, and to prepare you for your retirement. We are here to ensure that you and your family are well taken care of, now and in the future. As your trusted advisor we look at your complete picture. Contact us today, and be well-advised.
Hugh Shea, B.Comm, CFP Financial Planner hshea@assante.com Krista Mennie, B.Sc. Financial Advisor kmennie@assante.com Assante Financial Management Ltd. 95 Bonaventure Avenue, Suite 301 St. John’s, NL A1B 2X5 T : (709) 726-6570 ext. 226/231
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Trending: Using cloud technology to avoid major accounting pitfalls Most business leaders today will agree that accurate, timely financial data is critical to being nimble and competitive in the face of ever-evolving challenges facing Canadian businesses of any size. In fact, business owners we speak with on a daily basis tell us a failure to maintain reliable, real-time bookkeeping and accounting data represents one of the biggest pitfalls, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
DERRICK DEMPSTER PARTNER AND DELOITTE PRIVATE LEADER FOR DELOITTE CANADA - ATLANTIC
Without relevant data, business owners have no reliable way of knowing how they’re truly performing on a daily basis. After all, gut instinct can only get a person so far—and sooner or later, it won’t be far enough. Those who rely on instinct end up missing opportunities and making decisions that can hurt, rather than grow, their company.
It’s not just about the numbers
BRIAN GROVES
PARTNER AND MARKETPLACE LEADER, DELOITTE CANADA - NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Accelerate your career
Get what you need to succeed. Enroll in a Supply Chain Management program.
Of course, knowing the numbers is only part of the equation. Making sense of those numbers is what really counts. Unlike their predecessors, today’s business leaders have access to so much data that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The key is to know precisely where to focus and how to extract meaningful insights from the avalanche of information. The inability to do this is one of the top pitfalls affecting small and medium-sized businesses today.
That deluge of data likely contributes to another major obstacle: actually finding the time to complete the bookkeeping. We’ve seen small business owners do their books manually and infrequently, without expert help. This makes it harder to access timely, accurate information. The good news is that affordable and timely help is out there. However, leaders shouldn’t drag their feet to take it.
News flash: Your competitors are already in the cloud
When people refer to the cloud, they’re generally talking about all the technology assets, like servers and software, used to run key business functions. The beauty is that all those assets are located somewhere off-site. Most business leaders have already heard about the enhanced efficiency, cost savings, reliability, and security the cloud offers. Our research has shown that businesses embracing cloudbased technologies are outperforming slower adapters. Those using cloud-based systems are able to access their financial data faster, and from more places, than less
Management track - SCMP Designation SCMA Newfoundland &
Labrador Institute delivers an extensive range of leadership and skills-development programs preparing supply chain management professionals for success. Visit our website noted below to find out how education and professional development can launch or accelerate a successful and rewarding career in supply chain management.
Entry to intermediate - Supply Management Training
Introductory courses and seminars in technical competencies, soft skills and business management for entry to mid-level practitioners.
Register now for our upcoming Supply Chain Management Modules (September 2018) To register or for more information please visit: www.scma.com/nl/
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technologically-inclined competitors, with a corresponding increase in the speed and quality of their decision-making. In fact, 58 percent of Canadian executives expect cloud-based technologies, like data analytics and business intelligence, to have a significant impact on their business this year. Clearly, companies need to be in the cloud. When assessing cloud-based platforms, owners should look for solutions that will scale, offer options
tailored to their needs, and deliver predictably and consistently. Ideally, the solution you land on should be designed to grow with your business, be customized to meet your specific requirements, and at an affordable rate. Many cloud-based solutions will handle bookkeeping efficiently. But, in today’s hyper-competitive environment, that’s not enough. The real value of a cloud solution is to give business owners the tools to make better decisions.
Now’s the time to take advantage of cloud-based solutions and overcome those all-too-familiar business pitfalls more effectively than ever.
Brian Groves (709) 758-5225 bgroves@deloitte.ca Derrick Dempster (902) 721-5695 ddempster@deloitte.ca
Nalcor Energy, The Board of Trade and The Canadian Mental Health Association - NL
Mental Health Advocate & Strategist | Top 50 TEDx
Wednesday, September 19 8:30 a.m. Registration & Networking, Event starts at 9:00 a.m. Verafin Bldg. 18 Hebron Way, St. John's $25+HST for members, not-for-profits, and future members Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to CMHA-NL Event Space provided by To register, please contact Jackie Cumby at the St. John's Board of Trade at jcumby@bot.nf.ca or 726.2961 ext 202. For more information visit www.stjohnsbot.ca
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business solutions
The St. John’s Board of Trade is your Go-To resource for business solutions St. John’s and surrounding area is home to a number of high-quality resources that support businesses and entrepreneurs. But, it’s a complicated world, and it’s rare that business owners and entrepreneurs have time to be familiar with all the resources available to them to support and grow their business. The St. John’s Board of Trade’s Business Solutions Unit is changing this by creating a single point of contact for all your business needs. We are the ‘Go-To” resource for business in the St. John’s area. We’ve built a coordinated network of experts that will quickly route you to valuable information, available programs,
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experience and expertise to help your business succeed.
We make it easy – simply schedule a confidential one-on-one visit with a member of our collaborative team of Resource Professionals. You can then confidentially discuss your operations, your requirements and your plans for the future. We’ll review your request for a consultation, have a look at your needs, connect you with the appropriate resources (such as wage subsidies, export growth tools and climate smart initiatives) and help connect you to experts and mentors within the St. John’s business community.
Knowledge is power, and missing access to an available resource can mean the difference between success and failure. Rhonda Tulk-Lane Director of Business Solutions St. John's Board of Trade solutions@bot.nf.ca (709) 351-0291
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Vikram Vij: A Story of Immigration and Entrepreneurship Join the St. John’s Board of Trade for an exclusive experience with celebrity chef, cookbook author and TV personality Vikram Vij. Learn about his incredible immigration journey and entrepreneurial success.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10, 2018 The Merchant Tavern 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Book your tickets now! Seating is limited, so get yours quickly to spend an evening with this former Dragon’s Den judge, RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award recipient and famed restauranteur. Call Jackie at (709) 726-2691.
Photo credit: Aaron Aubrey
Thank you to our sponsors
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To Sit or Not to Sit? That is the Question! Many people believe that sitting is the “new smoking�! How much sitting and standing is too much? Do I require a sit-to-stand workstation in order to improve my health? This article summarizes some of the latest research on this topic, and my clinical opinion following more than 25 years of ergonomic consulting.
JANE SIMMONS
PRESIDENT/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, INTEGRATED OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES (IOHS)
There are many documented health risks associated with prolonged sitting, such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, weight gain, and neck/back pain. On the other side, there are health risks linked to prolonged standing as well, such as fatigue, varicose veins, and increased foot and/or back pain. Standing workstations are often suggested for a reception or customer service counter so employees are able to work at eye level with their clients. Employees with decreased sitting tolerances are also provided with similar workstations.
Are you an employer in Atlantic Canada? Do you want to hire and retain skilled foreign workers and international graduates? The Atlantic Immigration Pilot may be exactly what you are looking for. Canada.ca/Atlantic-immigration
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More recently, employees are requesting sit-to-stand workstations to prevent risk of injury, as many believe it will alleviate the pain that they are experiencing. However, it has not been conclusively determined that sit to stand workstations will improve productivity, or reduce the risk of any of the above noted health conditions. While back pain is reported to decrease in some studies, in other instances, these workstations can increase back pain if used improperly. As well, the best sit-tostand ratio has not yet been established, and it appears to be very individualized. Many people purchase workstations that are height adjustable and do not use them, nor are they educated about the risks, or how to properly use them. What we have found clinically, which is also supported by the research, is that we need to move more. We are too sedentary in work and everyday living, and this is contributing to our poor health. We need to alternate between sitting, standing, and movement (such as walking) more than what we are currently doing! We also need proper ergonomic set-up when involved with prolonged sitting or standing tasks. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of our posture, to breathe effectively, and to relax muscles not needed for the tasks that we are performing. We also need to take more micropauses or short breaks involving movement of the body to increase blood circulation, versus alternating between static postures. Some solutions are to walk to speak with co-workers versus sending an email, stand or walk on the spot when talking on the phone, go to the printer after each document is printed versus batch printing, walk during breaks versus sitting at a workstation or in a lunch room, and finally, move more in your home life as well if you wish to reduce the health risks associated with stationary, static postures.
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Despite the fact that the research does not conclusively determine that sit-tostand workstations prevent injury, if I were to replace any of my workstations I would ensure that part of the desk could adjust from sitting to standing. I would also educate my employees on how to properly adjust the sit-to-stand workstation for their height and activity, to ensure they are using the workstation effectively. With the ability to adjust from a seated to a standing position, employees are more likely to change positions and avoid sustained exertions. Such
workstations would also accommodate the proper height for multiple users performing different tasks. If employees are having increased discomfort performing job tasks, it is very important to identify and eliminate the risk factors causing these symptoms. Individualized ergonomic assessments are often required to help them identify their risks. Most repetitive strain injuries are 100% preventable if identified early, and the costs of the modifications and assessments are minimal when compared
Present
to the cost of injury or disability to a valued employee. Thank you to Sam Burke, Former Occupational Therapy Student of IOHS, for his assistance with researching this topic.
Jane Simmons President/Occupational Therapist Integrated Occupational Health Services (IOHS) 709-722-9675 jsimmons@iohs.ca
Attentive
When you need us, we’re already on it.
TRAMPOLINE BRANDING
Contact: Larry Bootland 902 405 4809 Project: 11723C&P NL Board of Trade Ad Client: Cox & Palmer
VOLUME 33: #3
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2018 Annual
Golf Classic
Thank You
to all our sponsors and participants of the 2018 Golf Classic!
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Unleash the power of data to make better business decisions Follow these four steps to collect valuable business data You could be sitting on a pile of gold without knowing it. Entrepreneurs have tons of data about their finances, customers and operations. All this data can be an invaluable hidden resource that increases your efficiency and profit margins. Some businesses are going even further, using datadriven insights to make key decisions, develop products and create new business lines. “Many businesses have an intuitive idea about how they’re doing, but no clear data,” says BDC Business Advisor Rayhan Abdulmughnee, who works with businesses on digital technologies. “Entrepreneurs are often too overwhelmed with daily tasks to focus on how they collect data or how they could use it better for decisions. They often don’t realize how valuable their data is.”
STEPHEN BARKER
Abdulmughnee offers this four-step guide to unleashing the power of data in your business.
1) Start small and find out what you already collect
It’s useful to start small with data collection, especially if you’re just beginning to think about how to harness business data. Try to collect too much data right away, and you could wind up with confusion about how to use the information or inaccurate numbers.
“You have limited resources,” Abdulmughnee says. “Even just collecting data can be overwhelming. If you’re starting from scratch, choose two or three things to measure at first. As you gain experience, you can add more data.” In fact, your business is probably already collecting a fair bit of data. For example, you may need data on your finances
BUSINESS CENTRE MANAGER BDC, ST. JOHN’S
for tax and banking purposes. You might also collect sales and marketing information, such as customer details and data on internet traffic and social media interactions. Operational or back-office data is another source of data that’s too often ignored. Consider looking at inventory turnover rates, product margins and
MUN | CNA CAREER & GRADUATE SCHOOL FAIR 2018
10am-4pm. SEPT 26. Field House
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Just start by writing down the data with pen and paper. Trying to scale from day one will be too overwhelming for many businesses and usually lead to disaster rather than meaningful improvement. —Rayhan Abdulmughnee, Business Advisor employee idle time to find areas of your business that could be improved. Read about how to improve the measurement of your financial performance. Discover how to harness online marketing data in your business. Learn how to use dashboards to boost your productivity.
2) Measure what matters to your customers
To decide what data is most useful to collect, ask yourself what your customers want and how you lose money to competitors. Retail customers may want shorter queue times or better service. Useful data in this case could include wait times, queue abandonment rates and average time to service a client. If you’re a plumber or electrician, you might want to gather data on service time, travel time to jobs and time spent going to the store for missing parts or equipment. Also think about data that could help increase margins and reduce costs. For example, tracking inventory turnover may reveal that some product lines haven’t had a sale in months, while others are often out of stock. The data could help you refocus efforts on higher-margin items, optimize restocking rates and reduce inventory costs. Read more about market research to understand your customers. Read more about how to monitor your inventory.
3) Develop your data collection process
Once you’ve identified the data you want to collect, take time to develop a solid data collection methodology. How often will you collect the data? Will you do spot checks on your performance? How will you record the data and validate its accuracy?
experiences,” Abdulmughnee says. “It drives your whole business strategy.” Stephen Barker Business Centre Manager BDC, St. John's 1-888-463-6232
Again, if you’re just starting, it’s wise to start simply. “You don’t want to build an awesome iPad dashboard app if your data is all wrong,” Abdulmughnee says. As you tweak your methodology and gain experience, you can progress to a spreadsheet, dashboards and business software such as customer relations management or inventory control systems. With a greater variety of data and still more sophistication, you may consider creating your own apps or integrating data collection across your business, such as with an enterprise resource planning system.
4) Use data for decisions
As you get comfortable with data collection, you’re likely to see greater uses for the information in business decisions. A retailer could use queue data to optimize cashier staffing at peak hours, better direct queue traffic or offer self-service or mobile checkouts. A plumbing service can use service time data to optimize training or improve stocking of parts and equipment in service trucks. “Instead of going by hunch alone, data can help you figure out what your next product will be, where to expand operations and how to personalize customer web
OCTOBER 14-20
BDC Small Business Week 2018 Digitize now: Transform your business
Accounting & Auditing Management Consulting Mergers & Acquisitions Taxation
Suite 201, 516 Topsail Rd. St. John’s, NL, A1E 2C5 T: 709.364.5600 F: 709.368.2146 W: noseworthychapman.ca
working for you The Secret Carbon Tax On October 3rd, 2016, the Federal Government announced to the Provinces that a carbon tax was incoming and that they had until 2018 to craft a cap and trade model or put a direct price on carbon. With a carbon tax implemented, businesses and consumers will begin seeing costs increase across the board. In a report to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, University of Calgary economics professor Jennifer Winter revealed the cost of a $50-pertonne carbon tax. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be paying an additional $859 per year for an average household. That is a significant increase to households within the province and does not include additional burdens on business. And what would those burdens be? We do not yet know. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has known about this impending tax for close to two years. The St. John’s Board of Trade supports a revenue neutral carbon tax. Our Board supports putting a price on carbon so long as other taxes are reduced in order to make up for the additional revenue that Government is receiving. If that does not happen, then it is simply a cash grab by Government. Government will have additional revenue to allow them to pick and choose what to spend it on and we will almost certainly not see lower taxes as a result. This is called redistribution, not revenue neutrality -- and it will allow Government to play Robin Hood. Day one of the carbon tax begins on January 1st, 2019. With almost two years of no consultation, the Board of Trade is concerned that this carbon tax will not reflect the interests of small business and may have detrimental and unintentional impacts.
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Our Board of Trade takes climate change very seriously and we actively work with and encourage our members to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. We hope that Government works with our business community and tailors its carbon pricing to be fair, equitable and revenue neutral.
Brandon Ellis Policy and Advocacy Researcher St. John’s Board of Trade bellis@bot.nf.ca (709) 726-2961, ext. 205
A special thank you to Policy intern Dan Campbell for his assistance.
FALL: 2018
Worrying About ‘Busyness’ Innovating Through Training and Education Too often in business, we believe that training and education is a cost rather than an investment. As small business owners get increasingly busy making their company a success, the ability to take an hour, morning, or full-day from their schedule becomes a challenge. Although most small business owners acknowledge that training and education is beneficial, making it part of the way that the company operates is neglected. The need to ensure immediate customer and financial demands are met takes priority. The ability to act strategically – how education, training, personal and professional development will help the organization both now and in the future – is neglected through a lack of time, resources, as well as the need to be busy. ‘Busyness’ seems to be the most important strategic objective of most small business owners and entrepreneurs. However, focusing on ‘busyness’ may mean that the company does not have the ability to engage in the necessary thinking and planning to be innovative as well as take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace. The philosophy of ‘busyness’ (meaning owners don’t have time or the resources to engage in training and education because they are too busy) usually flows down to staff. Owners are reluctant to allocate time to training and professional development for staff because that takes away from operations – whether it be meeting a deadline, following up on a customer need or ensuring a financial goal has been met. Moreover, the old fear seems to underlie most training and education decisions; if we train staff and then they leave, we lose that investment. However, this fear should be mitigated by the fact that there is a real cost to employees leaving. Training and education may help mitigate this cost to the company1. There are also
Training on the SmartICE SmartBUOY (photo by Michael Schmidt)
wider societal benefits to having well trained and engaged staff because they make the human resources pool available to all companies more competitive and compelling. Moreover, training and education increases the capacity that the organization has to get things done. It makes the ‘busyness’ more focused and effective. At SmartICE we believe in developing all the members of the organization – whether they be staff, students or board members. This development comes in many forms, but it is also giving the time to recognize, in our ‘busyness,’ we need to maximize the benefits to the communities that we serve. Training and development help us to continue to focus on our strategic goals as well as enable individuals. It is those individuals that grow the capacity of SmartICE as a social enterprise, help deliver on our mandate as well as help empower everyone within the
organization whether they are on the board, staff, trainees and communities. ‘Busyness’ should not be the major driver for avoiding personal and professional development for small business. Innovation emerges from education and training as well as implementing that learning once returning to the workplace. Moreover, strong arguments can be made that investing in training and development can improve staff morale, health and wellness, as well as adding to the overall bottom line of the company2. Avoiding a complete focus on ‘busyness’ and instead using training and personal development to think of how to adapt and change is an important not only for organization success but for that of the wider communities we all live in.
Dr. Tom Cooper Board Member, SmartIce www.smartice.org
Hinkin, T. R., & Tracey, J. B. (2000). The cost of turnover: Putting a price on the learning curve. Cornell hotel and restaurant administration quarterly, 41(3), 14-21. Hubbard, G. (2009). Measuring organizational performance: beyond the triple bottom line. Business strategy and the environment, 18(3), 177-191.
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Managing Chronic Disease: Employers can empower employees to take charge of their health Chronic disease affects nearly 6 in 10 working Canadians and results in income and productivity losses of close to $190 billion each year in Canada – making it the biggest driver of benefit plan costs. No wonder that chronic disease is referred to as the “silent strain” on employers’ bottom lines. Our own claims data shows that that per capita drug spending for type 2 diabetes alone has grown by more than 50% over the last five years, with 1 in 15 covered plan members now being treated for the condition.
PAULA GROSSMAN SENIOR HEALTH SPECIALIST MEDAVIE BLUE CROSS
That’s the bad news. The good news is that compared to other illnesses, chronic conditions are the most preventable. Think high cholestoral, high blood pressure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Controlling, reversing chronic disease
By learning proper treatment methods and adopting healthier lifestyles, employees can control their condition and even reverse or delay the onset of disease - in the case of heart disease and stroke by as much as 14 years. Employers can play a role by empowering employees to take ownership of their health. How? By removing barriers to self-care. For some that barrier is cost. For others, it’s not knowing where to turn for expert help or how to navigate the health care system.
Mental Health First Aid
One in three Canadians will experience a mental health problem at some point during their life. The earlier a problem is detected and treated, the better the outcome. Mental Health First Aid gives people the skills they need to provide that early help that is so important in recovery.
For more information, contact us at (709) 726-4200 or sja@nl.sja.ca
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www.sja.ca
FALL: 2018
Employers can take down these barriers by connecting them with specialized health professionals in their communities – and by paying a portion of the cost for their coaching and education services.
Personalized, targeted services
These health professionals can work closely with employees to: • better understand their condition • know how to best manage their symptoms • develop personalized plans to achieve their health goals • take their medications as prescribed • learn correct use of medical delivery devices and equipment such as inhalers, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitors • make appropriate lifestyle adjustments
• fewer benefit claims • lower drug spends Smart solutions to chronic disease management will become increasingly important as Canada’s population ages, the rate of chronic disease continues to rise and new, more expensive drug therapies launch to market.
Bakery Catering Event Space Fresh Food Great Coffee
Depending on their health benefit plan, employees can get direct access to and reimbursement for the coaching and education services of a specialized health professional through extended health benefits that are dedicated to guiding and supporting them on their path to better health. Medavie Blue Cross was the first insurance carrier in Canada to offer such a benefit to employees and their dependents, living with chronic health conditions.
! We Cater
dwiches made San e m o H s u o Scrumpti s art y Soup e H y, st Ta lads a vourful S s Fresh, Fla & Pastrie s Dessert le b ta c le De h Cakes, inning Fis Award-w Terrific, Burritos, l fu ti u a e B More! rnovers & u T ty a e M
The 2018 Sanofi Canada Healthcare Survey indicates a strong desire and willingness among employees to gain the knowledge – and the confidence – to take charge of their health. The survey found that 84% of plan members would like to know more about their chronic conditions and how to treat them, while 75% of plan of plan members would be interested in a benefit for health coaching.
OCKET Ta ste th e RFOOD! h it Dif fer en ce w
Returns on benefit investment
The return on benefit investment can be significant for employers. Research consistently demonstrates that health coaching improves health literacy, selfcare and adherence to treatment. The end result is healthier, happier employees that positively impacts employers’ bottom lines with: • increased productivity • less absenteeism
Come in and Enjoy
H! C T A R C S M FRO E D A M D O FO ceive food.ca to re ts! list at rocket g en n ev ili r a ou m r h Join ou ep up wit ke d n a u en our daily m
Call us at (709) 738-2011
www.rocketfood.ca • Rocket Bakery is located at 272 Water St., Downtown St. John’s catering Ad.indd 1
VOLUME 33: #3
Paula Grossman Senior Health Specialist Medavie Blue Cross products@medavie.bluecross.ca
2018-08-13 10:14 AM
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labrador and arctic opportunities
Northern Opportunities Abound The St. John’s Board of Trade is the “Go-To” place for business, not only in St. John’s and surrounding area, but also when it comes to Northern opportunities. Over the past five years, we’ve concentrated on exposing our more than 750 members to the vast amount of business opportunities in the North (namely Labrador and Nunavut). Our membership stretches across the province and includes many northern enterprises. At the St. John’s Board of Trade, we continue to expose Newfoundland and Labrador businesses to these considerable opportunities. One of the most important factors for succeeding in the North is fostering relationships, and attending tradeshows and conferences, where important partnerships and connections are formed. Organizing delegations for key events such as the Nunavut Trade Show, Northern Exposure Conference, Northern Lights, Expo Labrador and Opportunities North will greatly benefit businesses looking to succeed in this region.
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The St. John’s Board of Trade has mentored over 400 business members since our Labrador and Arctic program began. Over the last two years, iron ore prices have dropped drastically - a devastating outcome for Labrador. Iron ore prices have since rebounded, however, and Wabush 3 Mines have started construction the second quarter of 2017. Wabush 3 aims to also extend the life of the mine, reduce operating costs and increase production of quality grade iron concentrates and pellets. Additionally, Vale recently announced its expansion of an underground mining at Voisey’s Bay, extending operations by at least 15 years and creating 1,700 jobs as a result.
The Board sees great value in connecting our business members to opportunities and projects related to Labrador and the Arctic, and already we’re seeing new members joining with keen interest in growing their businesses in the North. Contact us for more details about northern opportunities and developments.
Janet King Business Development Mentor Labrador and Arctic St. John’s Board of Trade jking@bot.nf.ca (709) 726-2961 ext 207
FALL: 2018
Recent US Court Decisions and the Impact on Canadian Businesses Canadian Businesses Selling into the US
As Canada’s largest trading partner, the US is a hot spot for Canadian businesses exporting goods. The Canada-US Income Tax Treaty, (the “Treaty”) allows for many Canadian businesses to sell into the US with minimal income tax exposure provided the Canadian business is not doing business through a permanent establishment in the US. When it comes to sales tax, the previous statement may not hold true. In the past, the 1992 Supreme Court opinion in Quill v. North Dakota, 504 US 298 (“Quill”) was used to govern whether out of state businesses selling goods to end consumers in the US would be required to collect state sales tax on those sales. In Quill, physical presence (for example, by having an office or warehouse) was adopted as the standard in determining state sales tax nexus. Nexus refers to the determination of whether an out of state taxpayer doing business in the state is liable for collecting and remitting sales tax on sales made into the state. For many Canadian businesses, no physical presence typically meant no requirement to collect and remit sales tax in relation to the sale of tangible product to US consumers.
US Supreme Court overturns Quill
On June 21, 2018, the US Supreme Court opined in favor of South Dakota (“SD”) in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. In this landmark case, what has been often termed as the “tax case of the millennium,” SD was looking to overturn the 1992 Supreme Court opinion in Quill. In 2016, SD state law required online vendors without physical presence in SD to collect and remit sales tax for sales made to customers in SD. They became the first state to legislate sales and use
VOLUME 33: #3
tax nexus via an economic nexus statute. The state’s economic nexus rules required all entities with yearly sales exceeding $100,000 or 200 or more separate transactions within one year in the state to collect and remit sales tax. Wayfair Inc. (“Wayfair”), an online seller into SD, was required to collect and remit SD sales tax. Quickly, Wayfair challenged this standard and the highest SD court ruled in favor of Wayfair stating that the imposition of an economic nexus standard was not valid in light of the physical presence standard set in Quill. Subsequently, this case found its way to the US Supreme Court- argued on April 17, 2018 and decided on June 21, 2018. In a 5-4 decision, the Highest Court held that because the physical presence rule of Quill is “unsound and incorrect”, both Quill v. North Dakota and National Bellas Hess, Inc. v. department of Revenue of Ill., 386 US 753 are overruled (these cases dealt with the sales tax physical presence nexus test). The majority opinion stated that the physical presence nexus standard doctrine had become “further removed from economic realty,” resulting in state revenue loss and “as first formulated and as applied today, is an incorrect interpretation of the Commerce Clause.” Note that under the principles of the Commerce Clause, state regulations may not discriminate against interstate commerce and states may not impose undue burdens on interstate commerce. The Court concluded that the physical presence test puts businesses with physical presence in a state at a competitive disadvantage to remote online sellers.
What to Expect Post-Wayfair?
More than 30 states currently have laws in the book taxing online sales. The Wayfair decision will definitely change how states implement these laws. Approximately, 20 states already have economic nexus rules in place and it is expected that many more will switch to an economic nexus model post-Wayfair.
JANICE CONNORS This epic decision has far-reaching implications for all states and all taxpayers making sales for which they may not have been collecting sales and use taxes. All taxpayers should immediately consider the impact of this decision on their operations. Businesses are encouraged to consult with their US tax advisors who are knowledgeable in state sales and use tax in order to review many of the technical aspects of their operations and address how the upcoming state legislations would impact them.
Janice Connors is a Senior Manager at KPMG and she leads the US and Cross-Border Tax Services practice in Atlantic Canada. jconnors@kpmg.ca
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An Open Call for Newfound-preneurs "May you live in interesting times" is an English quote thought to have originated from a Chinese curse. It suggests that, while tumultuous times can be challenging, they are also the periods that offer great reward and promising opportunity. Over the last 520+ years, Newfoundlanders & Labradorians have certainly seen some interesting times. Our economic pendulum has swung from despair to hope to prosperity and back again on countless occasions. Each time our residents have adapted and made the best of their circumstances. We have
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learned from both poverty and wealth and have woven each experience into the tapestry of our daily lives. This has allowed us to create a distinct outlook that is neither too cocky nor too defeatist. As 2018 draws to a close, our province is being forced to adapt once again. Like our grandparents who took the future into their own hands on the sea, in the woods or from the land, we must now take control of our own destinies. While most of us won’t choose to work as fishermen or miners, we must all model ourselves after our ancestors’ spirit and become what I like to call Newfound-preneurs. A Newfound-preneur is a person who takes control of their skills, training and ingenuity to reap opportunity wherever it lies. They personalize their talents to meet a unique need within the local community. By finding product or service gaps they are able to create a full- or part-time job that supplements their income. Rather than waiting for someone else to post a job ad, these people create their own positions to make a living.
Aren’t you describing an Entrepreneur?
Health Care
We look at the big picture, handling all elements of employee plans in-house, using cross-functional expertise.
Self-Care
We empower your employees to make better health decisions.
Plan Care
We provide sustainable benefits that fit your employees and your organization’s values and philosophy.
Let’s Connect 1-888-227-3400 GroupBenefits@medavie.bluecross.ca medaviebc.ca
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Newfound-preneurs are indeed entrepreneurs…but with a twist. They are not necessarily business people that start new companies. Instead, they are individuals who may or may not have a full-time job and also create a small business to earn extra money. They may be welders, photographers, massage therapists, computer programmers or any other professionals who have a unique skill that is in demand by others. Most importantly, they understand the marketplace of Newfoundland and Labrador and are able to adapt their products and services to our unique culture. For example, a multimedia graphic design artist may work for a local magazine, but also launches a small business that develops ads for tourism companies at
JAMES LODER,
DIRECTOR, ACADEMY CANADA AND EASTERN ACADEMY
affordable rates. In another instance, a carpenter that works on rotation out west supplements her income by starting a small business that picks up residential fencing projects. These initiatives may remain part-time gigs or evolve into permanent companies that form the economic backbone of our province. As unemployment rates fluctuate and professional goals expand, we must be prepared to think outside the proverbial box. Our workers, both young and experienced, must be prepared to create opportunities. We must take the quality training offered by our colleges, work harder and become more innovative in order to build something special. Newfoundland and Labrador was founded by people who carved something out of a blank stone. In order to build a truly independent and prosperous future, we must follow in their footsteps. We must all become Newfound-preneurs … and we must do it now!
James Loder Director, Academy Canada jloder@academycanada.com (709) 682-4393
FALL: 2018
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around the board
c NC Lavalin In t Advisor for S rt en pa tm ui as cr ng Re , rs this morni Alex Gibson Trade membe l Star Al of t d ex ar N Bo e th to presents ion "Finding r ty Knocks sess to Prepare fo of Oppor tuni Guide for How ry to uc od tr In An e: rviews. Candidat Employer Inte call our phy Molloy to red with Dun min ne rt 59 e pa th e w , ng r Plan duri On July 24th be am Ch e size ot id m prom small to members and e. Over 30,000 Canada's #1 ng le al Ch an Chamber Pl ployees with otec t their em ness . businesses pr for small busi an pl fits employee bene
Our volunteers form the strong backbone of the Board of Trade. Our Ambassa dors were all smiles – and helping hands – at ou r 2018 Golf Classic. Tha nk you for all your work!
ter of ServiceMas as McCaughey of g om in Th m d fil an ng n ri le Norma Al moment du es en sc d e an th e hind our YouTub Clean on a be video. See it on le ofi ! Pr ed r m be deo fil their Mem your promo vi call us to have
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Full hou se
engage m ent at th session a t The Roo e Ocean Superclu ms this s ster ummer.
FALL: 2018
Our CEO N an c y H e a ley and st C hamb er aff took o Challenge n a 59 min introduce , calling p ute the Board otential m of Trade a embers to nd benefi ts of mem bership.
Trade ts the Board of pbell represen the m e th Ca ng an ri D du rn Inte m at a booth ra og cil pr L un N r Co Connec to n Advisory e Immigratio hn’s . ge Jo fu . Re St , al rk nu Pa an in Bowring al iv st Fe l ra (RIAC) Cultu
to meet ns enable you & Peers sessio ays to s w nt t Pi ou w ab ne Our pint and hear a r fo s most er ur O pe siness . with your line of your bu ed om tt ur at bo fe e ’s th e lly improv ssion at O’Rei se s er Pe . & cy s of Ray Agen recent Pint r Jenny Smith guest speake
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Sophie Blais a nd Kell enjoye y d their M their momen Mansell of Ro t in the e mb er cket Ba P sp ke ro Stor y te ller Jen file video film otlight as the r y nifer B y e had d on loca a video f tio eature rnable. Chec d on o u k Rocke n by our r YouTu t be cha ’s promo nnel!
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Member Profiles
Higher Talent is an Atlantic Canadian human resources firm that delivers full HR solutions and executive search services.
Outsourcing specialized talent can be very cost-efficient and reduce overhead, risk and liability. Let our experts work with you to provide custom HR solutions and executive search services that maximize your most important investment, your people.
We have a team of highly skilled CPHR Professionals that would love to discuss how we can support your growth and profitability.
Please view our website or call us for more information on the wide variety of solutions we have to offer. Tel: 709-739-1953 Email: neilcoombs@highertalent.ca Web: www.highertalent.ca
With a mandate to help businesses and organizations prosper through learning and development solutions, LearnSphere and its partners produce results that would not be independently obtained. Thousands of small and medium sized businesses and organizations across Atlantic Canada benefit each year from LearnSphere’s business management, export development, and commercialization skills programs. LearnSphere is an independent, federally-incorporated non-profit, and has been operating since 1995. LearnSphere, in partnership with ACOA, has three funding programs available for businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador: Export Market Access Program, E-tools for Exporting, and Commercialization, Consulting and Mentoring. Tel: 709-743-3995 Email: craig.ennis@learnsphere.ca Web: www.learnsphere.ca
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With 45 years of quality, wicked service, and competitive pricing, our team at Print Shop Limited are passionate about what we do. Our size makes it possible for us to treat each customer - no matter how small or large – as our most important customer. Our service is second to none. Our team will assist you to make sure your files are processed properly and develop your ideas from pencil to press. We will provide the lowest possible price while still maintaining a high level of quality. We give you a consultation before your piece is designed or printed. Call or email today! Tel: 709-368-2561 Email: design@printshopnl.ca Web: www.printshopnl.ca /in/kathleen-burkeprintshopnl @PrintShopLtd @PrintShopNL
For over 20 years we have been serving Corner Brook on Newfoundland’s west coast, expanding in the last 4 years to the St. John’s area on the east coast. Our professional staff and quality standard provide services to give you a healthy environment in your home and office. We provide construction cleanups, stripping and waxing of floors to a mirror finish, upholstery and carpet cleaning using a dry-foam shampooing system and hot-water pressure washing service. Do you want a cleaning staff dedicated to your needs? Call for a free quote? Contact: George Day: 709-632-8421 Lorna LeGrow-Day: 709-691-8120 Email: btbcleaners@hotmail.com Web: www.btbcleaningservices.ca B’ye the Bay Cleaning Services
Our Product is People. Since 1983
Levert Group is a personnel staffing firm servicing clients operating within the Oil and Gas, Marine, Mining, Industrial and Construction sectors. We specialize in providing temporary and project-based personnel to suit our client’s contingency staffing needs. We also offer direct hire and executive recruitment services. Levert Group (Eastern) division also owns and operates Newfoundland Personnel Inc. and has been servicing the NL area since 2010. However our cumulative expertise spans decades. We have an extensive database of highly skilled and professional personnel that have been pre-screened against our proprietary vetting process and are ready to work for you. Send us your resume at kmyers@levert.ca I 709-579-4505 ext. 5506 I levert.ca
Genesis international HR Inc. is an international recruitment agency based in Paradise, NL. Our company offers high quality recruitment service to the local businesses with employee shortage and ensure best outcomes and satisfaction in the entire recruitment process. Genesis International HR Inc. is a team of experts with many years’ experience in the area of selection and recruitment of qualified personnel. Our mission is to serve the local businesses. We are committed to provide long-term, stable and qualified professionals to local businesses and help those professionals find the right job opportunities and advance their careers. Our vision is that we are committed to become the largest human resource company in North America serving the Chinese community. Tel: 709-770-9892 Email: ye.li@genesisinternationalhr.com
FALL: 2018
the economy Newfoundland & Labrador
FLASH SHEET
Percent Change
Current Month
Same Month Last Year
NL
Canada
Thousands
526.0
529.2
-0.6%
1.4%
Thousands
222.8
223.5
-0.3%
1.2%
Percent
15.5
15.1
0.4
-0.5
All Items
138.1
135.0
2.3%
2.5%
Food
146.4
145.6
0.5%
1.4%
Energy
179.1
155.7
15%
12.4%
All Items excluding Food and Energy
129.5
128.4
0.9%
1.8%
Tonnes (000's)
79.0p
67.1
17.7%
..
$ Thousands
826,928p
828,290
-0.2%
5.3%
Number
12,409
13,718
-9.5%
0.6%
Housing Starts, All Areas (2nd Quarter, 2018)
Number
237
310
-23.5%
4.8%
Median House Price - Bungalows, St. John’s (2nd Quarter, 2018)
Dollars
303,642
297,638
3.7%
--
Barrels
37,910,528p
35,571,582
6.6%
--
POPULATION: (Estimated as of April 1, 2018)
LABOUR: Employed, Adjusted (June 2018) Unemployment Rate, Adjusted (June 2018)
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (2002 = 100):
VOLUME OF FISH LANDINGS: (January - June 2018)
RETAIL TRADE (NAICS): Unadjusted for Seasonal Variation ( May, 2018)
NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES: (January – May 2018)
HOUSING:
OIL PRODUCTION: (January – May, 2018)
For more information contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency Source: Economics and Statistics Branch (Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency), Department of Finance
Tell Your Business Story! 12 Member Profile Videos in production this Fall. Are you on the list? The Board of Trade’s Storyteller Jennifer Barnable is here to help you tell your stories and promote you to the business community. We have only 12 slots remaining for filming your Member Profile videos this Fall. Booking these video shoots is handled on a first come, first served basis.
Storyteller Jennifer Barnable and Member Brenda Prowse of Prima Information Solutions Inc.
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Whether already included in your tiered membership benefits or purchased as an add-on for $400, your 30 second Member Profile video will highlight your B2B key message and call to action for your fellow
business professionals in the greater St. John’s area. We’ll work with you to develop a script, a simple filming concept, and help you identify which business services or features you’d like to promote. Once filmed, your video will appear on the Board of Trade YouTube channel, our popular Member Directory and across our social media platforms. Book your Member Profile filming with Jennifer at jbarnable@bot.nf.ca or (709) 726-2961 ext 204.
FALL: 2018
Business owners: Get MORE!
Connie Tobin or Greg O’Brien SBW Wealth Management & Employee Benefits P. O. Box 7336 | 90 Barters Hill | St. John’s, NL A1E 3Y5 709-726-6548 ctobin@sbwdirection.com or gobrien@sbwdirection.com For details, or to request a free quote, visit:
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DEVELOP YOUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE...
YOUR EMPLOYEES Customized training services are available through College of the North Atlantic’s Office of Customized and Continuous Learning. Our team will customize training from existing curriculum or work with you to develop new training solutions. Contact us for more information on our group rates to meet your learning and development needs.
CONTACT US Office of Customized and Continuous Learning Toll free: 1 888 982 2268 customizedtraining@cna.nl.ca www.cna.nl.ca OUTSIDE CANADA Tell: +01 709 758 7261 international@cna.nl.ca
