The Times of Canada

THE TIMES OF CANADA NOV 2020

The

TIMES

NOVEMBER 2020

Of Canada

CELEBRATING SOUTH ASIAN BUSINESS

ARE YOU DRIVEN

BY YOUR CORE VALUES?

LAYOFFS & TERMINATIONS

ISSUES EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONSIDER

DOING BUSINESS WITH JAPAN

ADVANTAGES OF FREELANCING AS A CAREER

SHUBHA CHAUDHURY VOLUME 02

MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL

$ 2.99

A LI DIW

CA R

N WIN

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GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS

MANORLANE H O M E S

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE DEAR READERS,

Once again for the 8th year in a row, we were able to conduct our Diwali Car giveaway event. This was made possible by the efforts of our team led by our Managing Editor, Rajula Gupta and the unwavering support of all our sponsors. I am particularly thankful to our main sponsors Applewood Nissan Surrey, Day to Day Wholesale cash and carry, the BM group and Nagara TV who stepped in to ensure that we were able to give away a car in the community on the occasion of Diwali. My congratulations to this year’s winner Marianne Laxton, a registered nurse with Fraser Health who works hard every day to keep us all safe during this pandemic.

The federal government has kept interest rates low which have made mortgages affordable and within the reach of many first- time home buyers. In this issue we decided to feature Shubha Chaudhury, a very successful licenced mortgage professional and business woman on our cover.

Her life story is very inspirational as she started from a small town in India, migrated to Canada and has worked hard to become a very successful business woman and an active member of the community.

As we all try to adjust to the challenges of this pandemic, I would like to appeal to all members of the community to follow public health guidelines to secure their own health and safety as well as that of their family and friends. Please remember to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, maintain a physical distance of two meters (approx. 6 feet) with everyone other than the people you live with and wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Always remember to be kind, be calm and be safe.

VINAY SHARMA Manging Director

Sincerely

THE TEAM SEEMA SHARMA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

RAJULA GUPTA, MANAGING EDITOR

Seema founded the Times of Canada

Rajula is an entrepreneur, international

along with her husband Vinay Sharma. She

business coach and newspaper columnist

has an extensive background in retail and

with the OHerald in Goa, India. He has

customer service and looks after the overall

an extensive background in business

management of the magazine. She loves to

development and marketing and in his spare

spent time with her free family and friends.

time like to cook and travel.

MINU GUPTA, GRAPHIC DESIGNER Minu is an Artist & experienced Graphic Designer in print, web, social media & UX UI. Her sense of current trends and minimal approach towards creative gives magazine a new uplift. She teaches kids, teens & adults drawing - painting regularly. Listening music, dancing are her other passions.

PANNA A LADHA, GRAPHIC DESIGNER Panna has a Honors Degree in Computer Studies with over 6 years of graphic design experience. She loves to mentor children and travel the world.

MADHU OZA, ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Madhu is an experienced Administration Manager with excellent office management and people skills. She is the backbone of the magazine and ensures its smooth running by co-ordinating with the entire team. She loves to cook & makes excellent pickles & ladoos.

RAMANDEEP KAUR, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ramandeep has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education along with a Masters Degree in Zoology. She started her career as a teacher before making the switch to being an administrative professional. She likes to explore new places and watch comedy shows.

The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Times of Canada Magazine. Therefore, The Times of Canada Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinions expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content in this magazine without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. © 2020 The times of Canada Magazine. All rights reserved. #207-7928, York Centre, 128 Street, Surrey BC V3W 4E8 604-834-4940 | www.thetimesofcanada.com | info@thetimesofcanada.com

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Mayur Arora Save Commission. Get Sold.

Top 1% in Sales of all Realtors® in Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver 2010 - 2020

604-725-1000

*Medallion Club and President’s Club Member of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver for every year since 2010.

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WHAT'S INSIDE?

DIWALI CAR WINNER

ARTICLES 7 – LETTER FROM DR. HENRY ON PROPER USAGE OF MASK 9 – TIMES OF CANADA DIWALI CAR GIVE AWAY 14 – COVER STORY SHUBHA CHAUDHURY 16 – ARE YOU DRIVEN BY YOUR CORE VALUES? 18 – ARE ZOOM BACKGROUNDS THE NEW JEWELLERY? 20 – LAYOFFS & TERMINATIONS ISSUES EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONSIDER 22 – DOING BUSINESS WITH JAPAN 24 – CAN CARS BRING YOU LOVE, MONEY & HAPPINESS? 26 – THE ADVANTAGES OF FREELANCING AS A CAREER 28 – BUSINESS NETWORKING DURING COVID-19

SHUBHA CHAUDHURY

COVER STORY-PAGE 14

31 – BUSINESS DIRECTORY

COVER PAGE CONTRIBUTERS Photography - ROBIN KANOZIA Hair and makeup - SHIMMER BY KIRAN - KIRAN VERMA Decor - EAST WEDDING DECOR - RAJ VERMA Outfit - ELATIONS DESIGNERS VIEW - PARMINDER GREWAL

I CA R D IWA L AY W G IV E A 2 02 0

THE TIMES OF CANADA DIWALI CAR SPONSORS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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19 Henry

By Dr. Bonnie lth Officer ea H al ci in Prov Nov 16, 2020

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19

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DIWALI CAR GIVE AWAY 2020

WINNER MARIANNE LAXTON

MAIN SPONSORS

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DIWALI CAR GIVE AWAY I CAR DIWAL AY W GIVE A 2020

DAILY WINNERS

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I CA DIWAL

CAR I L Y A DIW E AWA GIV 2020

W

R

S R E INN

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Photography - Robin Kanozia Hair and makeup - shimmer by kiran - Kiran Verma, Decor - East wedding Decor - Raj Verma , outfit - Elations Designers View - Parminder Grewal

THE TIMES OF CANADA NOV 2020

SHUBHA CHAUDHURY T ime and again, it has been observed that people move from small towns to big cities to fulfill their dreams, with nothing more than

their talent in hand. These places often have promises of providing essential elements that convert their dream into reality, and ultimately lead a better life.

But do not think for a minute that these dreams are as small as their respective towns are said to be. Realizing that they need better resources, and a sustainable environment, to make sure that they can share their dreams with the world.

SHUBHA CHAUDHURY IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW AMBITION AND THE WILL TO NEVER GIVE UP ARE HALLMARKS FOR SUCCEEDING IN LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND GENDER MIGHT BE. Born and raised in Rohtak, Haryana (India), she has proved that no boundaries can stop you if you aspire to dream big and turn it into reality.

Currently, a Licensed Mortgage Professional with Mortgage Architects – A Better Way. Her motto is “The world is full of distractions, so you need to set the right goals and work hard to achieve them. No one can stop you just because you are from a small town. Just throw yourself in the direction of your dreams, and then work hard, work hard and work hard! Believe me, it works” She has completed a Masters degree in Computer Applications from India, and started her career as a Computer Teacher. From a young age, her dream was to become a teacher, and she was able to make this goal a reality. She always excelled in math and accounting, and studied at one of the best institutes in India for accounting and financial software.

Shubha Chaudhury, has been in the finance industry for more than 15 years. She has thrived in this constant changing industry, and is able to come up with solutions to make her client’s lives easier. She had a rough start trying to build a consistent client base, and combating the myth of ‘clients only go to a mortgage broker when they have been declined by the banks and that mortgage brokers always charge fees for their services’. She embraces this challenge and takes it upon herself

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to educate clients about the mortgage industry. As a Licensed Mortgage Professional, she can offer her clients over 50 of Canada’s leading lenders to choose from and with competitive mortgage rates and services. These lenders include major Banks, Credit Unions, Trusts and other national and regional lenders Shubha believes in building trust and family relations with all of her clients, because she knows that the mortgage industry is based on referrals. This is not a one-time deal and that’s the reason she always get repetitive business “I’m always honest with my clients,” continued Shubha. “You give your clients the best. When a client comes to me, I try to understand their needs, and my first step is to evaluate their entire credit history and then try to figure out which lender and product suits their needs.

Each client has a unique financial and life situation. There has to be a commitment in getting it right for every client. My purpose is not just to give options, but I educate my clients. They are involved in each step of the loan process, and I ensure, they are aware about their rights and choices while I’m working to get them right mortgage.”

She often gets many questions about how the new government regulations are making it difficult for main stream clients to get a mortgage. Shubha explains that if a client does not have proven income, or has poor credit, they may be eligible for alternative lending. The majority of homeowners are blissfully unaware of alternative mortgages. Basically, alternative lenders are looking for deals that make sense, but don’t fit the traditional guidelines. I have a lot of clients who are self-employed, and sometimes running your own business means your income is reported differently due to more expenses and deductions. This could mean clients are showing income that does not reflect the full potential

of their business, but they have the capacity to make their payment. The lenders who have these alternative programs, have found a niche in this market and provide excellent opportunities for clients who may have been turned away from traditional lenders.

MISSION STATEMENT FROM SHUBHA: I’LL BE THE SOURCE OF UP-TO-DATE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY INFORMATION AND MAINTAIN TRUSTWORTHY AND CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY CLIENTS, BUSINESS PARTNERS, TEAM MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY.

My biggest reward is to see smiles on the faces of my clients when they get the key to their dream home; and that’s the reason my company’s name is also Keyways Mortgage (Key of Your Dream Home/Business). I show the way to get the keys to your dream home.

Shubha Chaudhury is also very active in her community. She is a member of the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society, Surrey.

She does food drives with Surrey food banks, and is involved with various homeless shelters, orphan homes, as well as BC Children’s Hospital, and Jan Seva Sansdhan NGO in India.

Happy Diwali everyone -Shubha

Keeping it simple so that client understands the entire process as I work toward a quick approval Earning client’s trust and providing the best solutions, even if client has been told that your situation is impossible Integrity, Compassion, Quality, Dedication and Efficiency are my values as a Licensed Mortgage Professional.

My vision is to be the best mortgage broker in our community by being the go-to service provider for clients’ financial needs. I want to be at the top of mind for my clients and referral partners, when they think about their mortgage financing needs.

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ARE YOU DRIVEN BY YOUR CORE VALUES? I have a confession to make. If you had asked me the meaning of core values in 2010, I would have drawn a blank and asked you to clarify. It was only in 2014, when I joined an organisation called Toastmasters International to develop my leadership, communication and public speaking skills, did I come across the concept of core values.

Toastmasters is a unique global organisation and its mainly driven by the concept of service leadership in which individuals volunteer their time

to lead and help others become better communicators and leaders. Present in over 100 countries which are broken up into regions and districts, leaders at all levels actively practice the 4 core values of Toastmasters every single day during club meetings and events all over the world.

Their 4 core values are INTEGRITY, RESPECT, SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE. These values go to the very heart of the Toastmasters spirit in which every member acts

with the utmost integrity in their daily actions during club meetings, respects fellow members from all cultures, ages and backgrounds, offers their services and expertise to help fellow members develop their leadership and communication skills and in their actions and behaviour, strive to do their personal best and reach the pinnacle of excellence.

Which brings me to a fundamental question – What exactly are core values and how do we develop them? While

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this question may have many answers, here is what I think - As social human beings, we are all guided by a set of values. We first learn of these values from our parents as children and the meaning of these values becomes clearer to us as we start to go to school and start interacting with others in our extended family as well as society. Two values we learn from a young age are honesty and trust as our parents teach us to be honest with them and to trust them to make the best decisions for us as children. These two values are extended to our teachers when we go to school.

As we grow older and get more exposed to society, we start to see the behaviour of others and learn about other values like leadership and humility. Very soon we find ourselves attracted to some of these values and in a very unconscious manner, we start to behave in a similar fashion as we adapt these values for ourselves. By the time we become adults, we have invisibly developed a set of core values for ourselves.

These core values not only represent our deepest beliefs and our highest priorities, but they are responsible for our fundamental behaviour. For example, if honesty is one of your core values, you will never lie and will always speak the truth no matter what the circumstances and the consequence.

To demonstrate the importance of core values and how it leads to company and brand success, let me share with you the core values of some of the top brands in the world today.

APPLE – Steve Jobs set out these values in 1981 and they still stand a great guide for what the company stands for today. A. One person, one computer. B. We are going for it and we will set aggressive goals. C. We are all on the adventure together. D. We build products we believe in. E. We are here to make a positive difference in society, as well as make a profit. F. Each person is important, each has the opportunity and the obligation to make

a difference. G. We are all in it together, win or lose. H. We are enthusiastic. I. We are creative, we set the pace. J. We want everyone to enjoy the adventure we are on together. K. We care about what we do. L. We want to create an environment in which Apple values flourish.

GOOGLE – Their core values are mentioned on their philosophy page and are as follows. A. Focus on the user and all else will follow. B. It’s best to do one thing really, really well. C. Fast is better than slow. D. Democracy on the web works. E. You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer. F. You can make money without doing evil.

G. There’s always more information out there. H. The need for information crosses all borders. I. You can be serious without a suit. J. Great just isn’t good enough.

COCA-COLA – Their core values act as a guiding compass for the company’s actions and they also describe how their employees act around the world.

A. Leadership: The courage to shape a better future. B. Collaboration: Leverage collective genius. C. Integrity: Be real.

D. Accountability: If it is to be, it’s up to me. E. Passion: Committed in heart and mind. F. Diversity: As inclusive as our brands. G. Quality: What we do we do well.

This brings me to the next question – How do you choose the core values for your organisation? A good place to start would be reflecting on your own core values as a business owner. Some of the most common core values we all have are Integrity, Honesty, Trust, Accountability, Commitment to serving customers, Leadership, Empowerment, Teamwork, Innovation, Promoting Diversity and promoting ownership amongst employees. Ideally, one should focus on a maximum number of 4 to 6 core values as having a longer list makes it harder for employees to adapt and practice in their daily actions.

Remember that these core values

become the identity of your organisation and is reflected in the actions of all your employees towards your customers as well as your suppliers.

A final word of caution. If you present a set of core values to the world and ask your employees to follow them, then you must stick by them no matter what the circumstances. If your actions as a founder as well as the actions of your senior management team are in contradiction to your core values, it can cause a lot of damage to the reputation of your organisation as well as negatively affect your relationship with your customers. It will also harm the internal relationships between you and your employees as they will stop trusting you which will only lead to demotivation and a toxic work environment. Hence it is important to carefully choose your core values as they are the key to your success and the success of your organisation.

Successful business owners know the importance of developing and practicing a set of core values which attracts great employees who share the same values. This leads to strong workplace motivation and employee engagement as employees practice these values in their everyday actions and promote a happy and positive work culture. I wish you the best in choosing your own set of core values and practicing them along with your employees to make your organisation a great success.

Rajula is an entrepreneur, international business coach and newspaper columnist with the OHerald in Goa, India.

He has an extensive background in business development and marketing and in his spare time like to cook and travel.

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ARE ZOOM BACKGROUNDS B

THE NEW JEWELLERY?

ack in the early days of the pandemic, when Zoom calls seemed like a novelty with an expiration date, I advised my clients against using cute backgrounds during meetings. A screen of the Eiffel Tower or a beach at sunset would be too cheesy, I thought, it would undercut the professionalism of whomever was speaking in front of it. With so many distractions present in our own home offices, why add yet another during a

call? But now that Zoom is our new normal, I’ve changed my mind.

Why the shift in opinion? For starters, backgrounds have improved exponentially in just a few months. We now have a huge number of highquality choices that can create visual interest or emphasize the points we wish to make. Zoom offers a curated selection of backgrounds ranging from sports team logos to Alaska Airlines

travel photos to animated still from the Cartoon Network. If you use a site like Unsplash, which offers thousands of beautiful stock photos for free, you can tailor your backdrop to your personality or the meeting topic.

The sheer number of Zoom meetings we must attend on a daily basis also calls for change. Zoom fatigue is very real, and keeping clients and colleagues engaged is an ongoing challenge.

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Backgrounds provide a bit of color and intrigue during what can be a monotonous schedule of online calls.

I’ve begun to see backgrounds the same way I see dressing for a speech or choosing jewelry for a meeting. Your background is a chance to express yourself and create a human connection with your colleagues and associates.

But, just as I would advise against wearing too-bold statement pieces in the board room, I suggest you use a little restraint.

Complement what you’re saying. Savvy users can turn backgrounds into visual statements that reinforce the energy and presence they bring to meetings.

Recently, I was on a call that brought together a number of colleagues from around the world — North America, Asia, Europe — and we all used backgrounds of flowers from our native countries. Believe it or not, this wasn’t intentional! But this unplanned gesture gave us an unexpected icebreaker and reinforced the good nature and commonality of our cause.

Tell the story of who you are. It’s OK to get a little personal, especially if this isn’t your initial meeting with a new client or colleague. Why not use a photo of your alma mater’s campus in full bloom to highlight your background (especially if there’s another person on the call who attended the same school)? It would be appropriate to share a photo of a favorite landscape from your last vacation, or a favorite local view or landmark. Your backdrop can serve as insight into who you are and be a conversation starter.

Think of it as an accoutrement.

Consider coordinating your background with what you’re wearing, just as you would jewelry. If you’re wearing neutral or dark clothing, a more colorful background could provide a splash of visual interest. Choose solid colors rather than patterns to avoid a too-busy look. The one mistake you want to avoid is wearing the same color as your

background, which will render you into a talking, floating head.

Make sure you are the main feature. A fun background is just one part of the equation when it comes to putting your best foot forward on Zoom. Without a proper setup, you won’t be the point of focus — and you could appear unprepared or unable to properly navigate technology. Great lighting is the key to a great appearance on Zoom: Adjust the light so it shines toward your face. If you can, avoid overhead lighting that can cast unflattering shadows and make you look more tired than you really are. You’ll also want to think about where shadows fall — if they appear on your left side, place a light there for added illumination.

Keep other people out of the picture.

Avoid using group shots, such as photos featuring your whole family, or sports photos that include half a team.

They’re far too distracting, especially when you’re presenting.

Zoom has presented a world of unique challenges and opportunities to us during this pandemic. It’s no longer a novelty but a necessity, and as our work styles adapt and change our etiquette surrounding this platform will

transform, as well. When in doubt about options like Zoom backgrounds or other ways to make your calls more visually interesting, err on the side of caution.

Don’t test a new background during an important presentation — when meeting with clients and decisionmakers, especially from more traditional industries such as banking or law, the more conservative choice is often the best choice.

The rest of the time, though, Zoom backgrounds are a great way to create visual variety and interest with creative clients and existing colleagues. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to make or reinforce your point while showing a bit of your personality.

Margaret Page is a B.C.-based entrepreneur, etiquette expert and success coach who specializes in helping executives and businesses be more professional.

You can learn more about Margaret and her services at margaretpage.com.

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LAYOFFS & TERMINATIONS – ISSUES EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONSIDER W hen is a laid-off employee entitled to severance pay?

This has been one of the top questions both employers and employees are asking. Generally, if an employer lays off non-union employees due to lack of work with a right to do so in the employment contract, then termination pay under the Employments Standards Act (“ESA”) or damages for wrongful dismissal at common law

may be owing. However the world has changed in such a fundamental way that we need to talk about pre COVID-19 and post COVID-19. This article will cover common severance pay questions for employers and employees.

PRE COVID-19 Absent seasonal work and the right to lay-off in a written contract, any temporary layoff is generally treated

as a constructive dismissal under the common law, triggering the employer’s severance pay obligations either under the employment contract or the common law.

The ESA provided that after 13 weeks in any 20 week period, any temporary layoff would automatically become a termination. However, the Courts have held that this does NOT

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prevent employees from exercising their common law rights to claim a constructive dismissal if the layoff is less than 13 weeks.

POST COVID-19 After COVID-19 started, there were mass layoffs and many workers were prepared to waive their rights and accept temporary layoffs and rely on government benefits such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in order to keep their jobs. Many of these workers are now being recalled back to work but some are not.

If the temporary layoff was caused by COVID-19, then determining whether an employee is owed termination pay under the ESA or has a claim for severance pay and wrongful dismissal is more complicated.

Here are some things to consider: Was the employment contract impossible to perform? The important question is whether at the time of the lay-off, the employment contract was impossible to perform due to an unforeseeable event or circumstance outside of the control of the employer and the employee (such as COVID-19)?

If the answer is “yes”, then the exception under section 65(1)(d) of the ESA may apply so that no termination pay is owing in this circumstance. A good example of this is if the employer had to completely shut down or significantly reduce its operations such that it simply could not continue to provide work for its employees.

Has your business started back up since the layoff? Different considerations might apply depending what point of the layoff you are. So for example if an employer’s business starts up but some employees are not recalled then the layoffs might constitute a wrongful dismissal or otherwise attract severance pay under the ESA after 13 – 16 – 24 weeks of lay off.

Have the employees been recalled or an agreement reached? If an employer can recall or arrive at an agreement with all employees before the 16 week period arrives then it is highly unlikely that any claims by employees will be made. You can read more about the different programs available to employers in our previous blog posts here: https://www.ksw.bc.ca/ employment-labour-blog/ Is there a written employment contract with a termination clause? If an employee has to be terminated and paid severance pay, the amount will be limited by the employment contract termination provision (if there is one).

How much “common law” notice or pay in lieu (severance pay) do people need to get because of the current workforce market?

Since the decision in Bardal v Globe & Mail in 1960, courts have relied on the set of factors laid out when calculating

the length of the reasonable notice period to be awarded to a terminated employee that does not have a written or implied term limiting severance pay.

These “Bardal factors” include the length of the employee’s service, age, character of the job they have lost, and availability of similar alternative employment. The economic downturn caused by COVID-19 will likely impact how courts calculate reasonable notice.

In previous economic downturns, the courts have provided for increased notice periods, however they have explicitly stated that this factor cannot be given undue weight. At present, we do not have any legal precedent for how our courts in BC will treat the pandemic when assessing the notice period.

If you are interested in an opinion regarding the amount of severance pay owing, please contact one of our team members and we would be pleased to assist you.

By: Chris Drinovz, KSW Lawyers (www.ksw.bc.ca) Note to Readers: Information regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. This is not legal advice. If you are looking for legal advice or are dealing with an issue in relation to COVID-19, please contact our Employment & Labour Group at cdd@ksw.bc.ca or online: https://www. ksw.bc.ca/employment-law/

If an employer simply loses business (e.g. loses a big contract) such an exempting principle would not normally apply to relieve an employer of its fundamental obligations to provide working notice of termination or pay in lieu.

The Director of Employment Standards has issued a revised Interpretation Bulletin outlining the circumstances when the exclusion would apply when the layoffs were related to COVID-19.

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DOING BUSINESS

WITH

JAPAN

H

ere are some interesting facts about Japan. It is one of the most prosperous and stable economies of the world. It is ranked as the 3rd largest economy globally which is a great accomplishment considering the geographical size of the country. It is also one of the largest direct investors

of the US economy responsible for investing roughly USD 50 billion to the US economy. Japan is part of the transpacific partnership; whose countries are responsible for producing 40% of the world’s GDP. The top exported goods in Japan (mainly from US) are civilian airplanes, engines, medical equipment,

pharmaceutical, meat/poultry and corn.

Recent reforms done by the Japanese government by loosening regulations has stimulated the economy and created tremendous opportunities for all types of foreign investors. Japan has an extremely low unemployment

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rate, making the workforce readily available for investing businesses.

Japan is an innovative nation with cutting edge technology, leading in advanced manufacturing, cyber security and e commerce processes. Medical and personalized care for the elderly is an unmet need in Japan. The need of the hour in Japan: Medical devices, medicines, biotechnology, robotics and other health care related products and services.

Deciding which part of Japan to do business with is also important as different cities have different culture and work ethics. Many communities in Japan support small businesses rather than brand names and may make for a good fit for the investment. Key investment cities are:

•

• •

•

•

Japanese have a “work hard, play hard” approach. Which usually leads them working 12 hours shifts and overtime.

Japanese workers are more reserved and avoid confrontations and gossip They are less formal in a Social setting and that the best time to close a deal, keeping in mind you follow all the correct cultural norms Japanese speak with greater subtlety which is a key factor in communication in a business setting

•

•

•

Understanding body language is

long conversation is considered confrontational Providing gifts during business meeting is a tradition and encouraged esp something staff can share Certain businesses, homes & restaurants require you to remove your shoes as a form of respect for the business (must check in advance before arriving at such locations) Snap photography is highly frowned upon in Japanese work culture.

Permission must be taken before an picture is taken

TOKYO: Countries financial district and home to major newspapers, commercial businesses. Port of Tokyo is an international trade center.

OSAKA: Prime location for high tech startups. Technological advancement business, smart malls, fashion and technology hub. Major Clean energy projects are starting here KYOTO: Big on IT sector and home to video game manufacturing. Due to strong culture and tradition outlook in Kyoto it is also a hub for Arts and crafts.

All the major cities are well connected thru fast and efficient transportation, which makes the ease of commuting between cities much faster and comfortable. (Shinkansen: Bullet trains business lifelines between cities) BUSINESS CULTURE:

•

•

Once decided on what type of business to open and where to open, its imperative to understand the business/local culture Western business owners conduct business in a much different manner than their Eastern counterparts.

•

•

•

important as conveys the interest or discomfort in a particular subject Since Japanese are soft spoken it is important to modify your tone/ voice in accordance to match the audience Japanese require longer time to make a decision, they will want to get to know you better and consult with a senior advisor as well Patience is the key to good negotiations

BUSINESS ETIUETTE: Bowing is a traditional form of greeting in Japan but a slight nod is often adequate to demonstrate respect • Maintaining eye contact through

•

• • •

NEGOTIATING A BUSINESS DEAL: Always pitch in ideas that would bring benefit to the local market and culture Always adjust your voice and tone to match the audience Patience is a virtue, as they will take time to decide. Meanwhile its always good to introspect on what you have offered.

Yuko Kosuge Sandhar Managing Director: S.S Manufacturers Ltd Founder: Yukolicious Artisan Foods Designer: Made For Living Co Tel# (604).369.0885

Info.ssmanufacturers@gmail.com

Website: www.ssmfr.com

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CAN CARS BRING YOU LOVE, MONEY & HAPPINESS?

I

n today’s fast paced life, cars have become significantly important as they play a big part in our lives. A few decades ago, a car was considered as a luxury item but not today, as it serves us in many ways in our personal and professional lives. Have you ever thought that a car, besides all its amazing

features can also bring you good fortune which in turn can promote health, wealth, happiness and general well-being in your life?.

from bad to good. So here are 9 simple Feng Shui techniques you can use to make your car help you attract love, health, wealth and happiness in life.

A car can not only be a mode of transport to move you from place to place, but it can also move your luck

•

Try to keep the glass, mirrors and the shiny surfaces of your car crystal clear, clean and free from any

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• •

• •

•

•

• •

residual marks. In life and busines we need to have clarity in our thoughts and vision to take the right decisions. Clean and clear surfaces help promote this function of our brain.

Car fragrances – use either woody or herbal, instead of floral; e. g. amber, cider, sage or balsam. They are more energetic, cleansing and promote growth and will help to make your car interior invigorating.

Your brain will be more focused with increased efficiency. Additionally, they will help control anxiety and will generate positive thinking.

dashboard. Crystals are pure form of earth. They will stabilize and balance the energy structure to help you feel confident and grounded.

Thy are also excellent cleanser and energizer. Many times, copassengers may leave their toxic

believe there is something powerful out there which is controlling our life and planet. Feng Shui strongly recommends a car blessings ritual and buying a car on an auspicious day to invite growth and prosperity in life. This principle is also advocated

YOUR PERSONAL ELEMENT

LUCKY COLORS

UNLUCKY COLORS

WATER

White, Blue, Silver, Gold or any metallic color in gray tone

Green, brown, red

WOOD

Blue, Black, Green, Brown

Silver, Gold or metallic colors

FIRE

Red, Maroon, Green

Blue, Black

EARTH

Red, Brown, Beige

Red

METAL

White, silver, gold, grays

Red

WHITE IS SAFE COLOR – can be used by all people irrespective of personal elements

Avoid eating in your car – food smell and spills will contaminate the energy structure of your car interior and your brain is more likely to forget important things and tasks. This will also slow down the processing ability of your brain. It is advisable to take a meal-break outside your car.

Keep your car clutter-free and organized. Clutter and trash in forms of paper work, personal belongings, covered floor mats and items stuck in your cup holders and door pockets are all responsible for blocking energy flow which in turn may cause you emotional tension, worries and increase the likelihood of you being in an accident.

Invite loving energy in your car by hanging a replica of Peach Blossom animal Rooster. It is ancient Feng Shui tradition to hang red Rooster under rear view mirror to attract loving energy and protect you from con men. Finally, everyone wants to be loved and not cheated in business and in relationships.

Crystal sphere/prism or stones – leave them in your glove or coin box or display them on your

• •

• •

• •

energy in your car; crystals help you purify the car environment. If they are displayed on dashboard, will radiate the sunlight (daylight) by refraction; so, you and your car is energized.

Decorate your car with positive symbols – this may include car decals, accessories, stickers with inspiring art or positive message.

Make your car wear positive aura to boost your image, and social status.

Attract Wealth – Select the lucky number for your license plate that is based on your personal astrology. In Feng Shui, each number has its own significance. Selecting the correct number that matches with your own energy will bring you the wealth.

Make your car lucky by selecting right color – buy a car that carries your lucky color. Colors carry vibes.

When your car vibes synch with your own vibes, they bring you good luck. You can select your lucky color based on your personal element.

The following table will help you know your lucky color for the car.

It does not matter how much modern we are, but at some point, we all do

through Hindu and Asian traditions.

Feng Shui practitioners recommend you buy your new vehicle in ascending (waxing) cycle of the Moon, and especially on Monday, Friday or Saturday.

Today’s cars are smart, equipped with artificial intelligence and they tell others about the wealth status of the owners.

How we drive and care for our car is a statement about our class. Shakespeare once said that “clothes make the man.”

But in the 21st Century one can say “It is our car that makes us”. There are many more ways you can make your car lucky and attract abundance and I have summarized the simplest yet most powerful Feng Shui techniques by which choosing and driving the right car can being health, wealth and happiness.

Deepak Jayakar Feng Shui Master & Astrologer Cell: 604 760 4858 Never before has Feng Shui Master & Designer been fused into one. Over 25 years of experience; he has transformed people’s lives.

Many successful clients are his living testimonials.

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the

ADVANTAGES FREELANCING of

as a

T

his pandemic has resulted in a lot of people getting laid off and loosing their jobs. Each one of

us has a skill or two which can be in demand for a business who may not have the money to hire a full-time

CAREER

employee but does need someone to complete a job. Enter the freelancing option which gives you an opportunity

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“CHANGE how you are paid, change

YOUR LIFE.” ― Richie Norton

COMPLETE CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER WORK – You get to choose who you want to work with and what kind of project or assignment you want to do based on your passion and interests.

After having an initial meeting with a potential client, you can choose not to work with them if you don’t get along or don’t agree with their thought process, a far cry from being stuck with your boss at work.

WORK ANYWHERE - You can say goodbye to long traveling times to work. No more spending hours in traffic trying to get to the office on time in the morning. Your office is now where you want it to be – home, client’s office, coffee shop, park bench, beach side restaurant or your favorite place to hang out. The more time and flexibility you have, the more productive you become.

to market your skills and offer them on a case by case basis for a fee. Here are some of the advantages of being a freelancer.

FLEXIBLE WORK HOURS – One of the best advantages of being a freelancer is that you get to decide when you want to work and when you want to rest, sleep, take a break, watch a movie, etc., etc. – as long as you complete your work on time as committed when you accept a freelance project.

BEING YOUR OWN BOSS – You no longer have to tolerate your bad boss, no longer have to do what they tell you to do and you no longer have to please anyone. You finally get to take your own decisions and be completely responsible for them. Being in complete control can be very empowering.

YOU GET TO KEEP ALL THE MONEY – Say goodbye to working for a flat salary in which you have to work overtime and do large projects which are very profitable for the company but you get the same salary at the end of

the month. How would it feel to finally get full payment with no deductions based on the amount of work you have done? You also get to write off some of your business expenses which automatically means paying lower taxes, While you are considering the advantages of being a freelancer, I have some good news for you, the Internet has come to the rescue and there are some great websites through which you can pickup freelance assignments. Here are a few of them: Upwork.com – The world’s largest freelance job site. Every year it publishes millions of jobs with over 5000 skills in more than 70 different work categories.

Fiverr.com/gigs – this is another great website where you will find projects for voiceover, video editing, animation, photography, music mixing and even astrology.

Truelancer.com – this is one of my favorites. Projects areas include software development, design, sales and marketing, language translation and accounting.

If you do decide to take the risk and are not afraid of failure, freelancing will let you experience the challenges and uncertainties of self employment.

You will have the opportunity to taste professional freedom while doing something you really like and are good at doing and it will also give you the opportunity to build your reputation and reach your goals. All the best.

Rajula is an entrepreneur, international business coach and newspaper columnist with the OHerald in Goa, India.

He has an extensive background in business development and marketing and in his spare time like to cook and travel.

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BUSINESS NETWORKING DURING

B

usiness networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business people and potential clients or customers. Business networking benefits are the intangible gains made by communicating with other professionals in or relating to your industry.

It became very hard to network during the beginning of Covid-19 because of

COVID-19

social distancing rules. That’s when I thought of bringing a group of business owners together online to support each other emotionally, financially and for knowledge transfer.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUSINESS NETWORKING? Business networking might allow you to create awareness of or keep abreast of the latest business trends or technology

in your industry. A network can also provide you with professional mentors or contacts who might be able to assist you with problems you might need help with. For example, if your business needs the services of a bookkeeper, accountant, or lawyer you may find the ideal candidate through your network.

If your business needs equity financing you may be able to find an angel investor or venture capitalist through networking channels.

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Networking is ideal for expanding your knowledge by taking advantage of the viewpoints and prior experience of others. For instance, if you are thinking of exporting your products or services, you may be able to get some valuable advice from someone else who has done similar business internationally.

Networking builds confidence, in that your business and the methods you have employed to run and manage it are competitive and comparable to similar businesses.

THE KEY NETWORKING BENEFITS

1. Strength business connections 2. Get fresh ideas 3. Advance your career 4. Get access to job opportunities 5. Interconnected business contacts 6. Get career advice & support 7. Build confidence 8. Gain a different perspective 9. Develop long-lasting personal relationships 10. Get an answer to every question 11. Find a job you love

HOW TO NETWORK As much as networking is beneficial to your career and even your personal life, the reality is that it doesn’t come naturally to many people. In fact, for some, the thought of starting a conversation with a stranger at a conference or event incites downright dread.

A good rule of thumb is to plan ahead and have a few relevant points of discussion in mind if you know you’re going to be in a situation where you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people. These conversation points don’t have to be all about work – they can even be about topics like hobbies or the event itself. The idea is to get the conversation flowing and leave room for future meetups and discussions. On that note, don’t forget to bring business cards so you can swap details easily.

WHERE TO NETWORK: There are many Networking Groups in each city and you may be able to find them on Facebook and Meetup, however the group which is actually a product of the Covid-19 Pandemic is Western Business Network. Mostly active in the west coast of North America as of now. It’s a group of

Subject Matter Experts from different industries and skills which help your business grow. One of the unique things about this group is that there is no competition among the group members.

They accept only one business in the group for one type of business. Explore more about them on their website www.

WesternBusinessNetwork.com and visit one of their online meeting.

Sunil Khatri is Founder of Western Business Network, A Growth Hacker and Digital Marketing Expert Who Helps Businesses Get New Clients and Grow their Digital Presence using Social Media, Advertising & CRM Automation. During Covid-19, he built a Business Group of Experts Who Help Your Business Grow.

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