Business Matters September 2015

A Syllabus for Success

Business Plans Who Needs Them?

BUSINESS MATTERS

Nurturing Entrepreneurs

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CONTENTS 4

Education at Work

8

Member News

12

A Syllabus for Success

16

Chamber Elections: Your Nominees!

18

Business Plans: Who Needs Them?

Our public post-secondary sector generates billions to support household sustaining jobs and local businesses. Get your details here!

A TV show, new appointments, store openings, partnerships and awards. Keep up to date with what is happening in our community.

Our public post-secondary sector’s innovative approach to working with business and industry helps meet labour demands and foster economic prosperity.

In September, we will ask you to elect six new members to the 2016-2017 Board of Directors. Learn about the nominees here!

In this edition, we outline how your plan should reflect your commitment to business planning, suit your operating environment, and be tied to the actual work that needs to be done/being done.

Events: Something for Everyone!

20 Chamber Nothing can duplicate the moment when you meet face-to-face the connections you need to do business in Greater Victoria. Our events make it fun and easy to do just that.

Entrepreneurs 22 Nurturing Greater Victoria’s greatest resource for economic growth is its entrepreneurs.

Find out what local schools and businesses are doing to stimulate the next generation of innovators.

our New Members!

25 Introducing Welcome to those who’ve decided to join the people who get things done.

Photo provided by UVic Photo Services

BUSINESS MATTERS September 2015 Business Matters is a bi-monthly publication of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a key business resource targeted to 2,000 business leaders in our community.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a progressive, inclusive and dynamic community leader. It is a supportive resource for business people who wish to learn, grow and create a stronger business and a more robust and sustainable community while respecting people, planet and profit.

To advertise in Business Matters, contact us at: The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce #100 - 852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8 (250) 383-7191 chamber@victoriachamber.ca

Membership: It’s about the company we keep.

Specific Mechanical Systems 28 Profile: Ever heard of a hop cannon? Check out Specific Mechanical’s profile, learn about their work as a global stainless steel and copper fabricator.

in Action 30 Advocacy Updates on the issues of interest to Greater Victoria’s business community: capital region governance review, municipal accountability and roles, and more.

Publication Mail Poste-Publications 40005319

Lead Article

Education

@ Work

Greater Victoria provides a myriad of choices for an educational journey. Three publically-funded educational institutions (four if you count the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s downtown satellite campus) plus a plethora of private sector offerings means Greater Victoria has something for everyone. Whether you want to take a course for the joy of learning, or have a specific path to your next job or opportunity, our region is rich with learning opportunities.

Victoria was rated “Canada’s Smartest City” by McLean’s in 2010, the last year of The magazine’s rating program.

In addition to being a source of social and cultural benefits, our education sector is also a significant contributor to our region’s economy.

The economic impact of each institution’s overall activities as well as the generation of skilled graduates fills labour shortages and fuels our economic growth.

Camosun College Camosun College is a public college that offers a wide variety of technical, vocational, and career programs as well as a first and second year university transfer program. According to its 2013 study, Analysis of the Economic Contribution of Camosun College, Camosun added more than $89.4 million to the local economy in 2011/2012 (FY2012).

Footnote: Economic impact figures were taken directly from published reports, each of which have differing methodology based on their institutions’ unique circumstances and operational environment.

4

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

Royal Roads University

as “large businesses.” For example, as an employer, they paid out over $440 million in salaries and benefits last year, supporting thousands of local households.

Designated as a public university in 1995, Royal Roads University (RRU) delivers applied post-secondary education to working professionals and career-focused students in Canada Employer Impact (FY2015) and around the globe. The Colwood-based institution’s Camosun RRU UVic online learning model Employees 959 FTEs 471 FTEs 4,644 blended with short on-campus (Headcount) residencies allows students to continue working while they Salaries & $87.1M $32.5M $322.6M complete their degree. RRU’s benefits 2014 economic impact study has it injecting nearly $63.3 million into the Greater Victoria Direct Spend economy in 2012/2013 (FY2013).

Each institution’s annual direct spend— University of Victoria the amount of money they inject Over the 50 years of its history, the directly into the economy through University of Victoria (UVic) has employees’ wages, payment of goods emerged as one of Canada’s leading and services, etc.—supports thousands research universities, ranked among of Greater Victoria families and local the world’s top institutions. UVic businesses. In 2015, institutions’ offers a wide range of undergraduate combined direct spend is estimated to and graduate programs, including be over $600 million! professional degrees. According to its 2012 study, The Economic Impact of the University of Victoria, UVic added more than $597 million to the region’s Did you know? Camosun’s library economy in 2010/2011 (FY2011). spends approximately $375,000 In and of itself, the three institutions each year on materials! have a considerable economic impact on the Greater Victoria region simply

Students

Did you know?! Over 1,250 B.C. businesses were RRU suppliers in FY2013, including about 720 located in Greater Victoria

In addition to their direct spend, the institutions are continually investing in infrastructure, providing household sustaining jobs, supporting families within the region, while contributing to the capacity and capability of our skilled workforce. For example, all three institutions had major capital construction projects last year totalling over $100 million—RRU had a $2.5 million renovation to its Cedar Building, UVic completed the $77 million Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities, while Camosun’s $30 million Trades and Innovation Complex broke ground.

Each institution has a noteworthy number of student enrolled in their credit and non-credit programs, and offer a variety of program platforms: on-campus, distance, and a blend of the two.

UVic typically has more than 12,000 students in community and professional education programs, plus another 2,000 who take English as a Second Language. Both Camosun and RRU each report having approximately 5,000 people participating in continuing education programs each year.

Student enrollment (2015) Camosun

(Headcount)

RRU (FTEs*)

Credit

13,877

2,492

21,209

Domestic

12,400

2,089

17,434

403

3,775

International 1,477

UVic (Headcount)

* An additional 167 FTEs are studying offshore–principally in mainland China at partnering universities/institutions.

Camosun’s $30 million Trades and Innovation Complex under construction.

International student Impact

By the numbers (FY2013):

$2.3 billion spent

by international students’ province wide.

$1.63 billion contributed

to B.C.’s economy.

25,500 jobs generated as a result of international education.

Did you know? Camosun is the second largest provider of trades training in B.C.—delivering around 2,000 FTEs each year.

International education continues to create jobs and grow the economy in communities throughout the province.

International education is a global twoway flow of students, faculty, staff and ideas, helping to attract the best talent to Greater Victoria, while preparing graduates for success in today’s interconnected global community.

While on campus, these students—both domestic and international—spend hundreds of millions in the region on entertainment, accommodation and the like, which in turn supports local businesses and households.

British Columbia has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students.

Did you know? UVic is widely considered a “destination” university, drawing approximately three-quarters of their undergraduates from outside Greater Victoria.

Economic Impact of Post Secondary Education Camosun (FY2012)

RRU (FY2013)

UVic (FY2011)

Direct Spend

$82.1M

$49.8M

$389M

Student spending

$5.4M

$12M

$118M

Visitor spending

$1.9M

$1.5M

$90M

$63.3M

$597M

Total $89.4M

Photo provided by Camosun

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

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Photo provided by RRU

Visitors Each institution draws visitors to its campus for a variety of reasons: conferences, athletic and cultural events, graduations as well as events for prospective student and parents.

Visitors’ spend well over $100 million a year in the region on accommodation, entertainment, etc. supporting local businesses and households.

Estimated number of annual visitors Camosun (FY2012)

RRU (FY2013)

UVic (FY2011)

13,566

7,331

100,000

UVic also draws visitors to 20 university research centres, such as the Vancouver Island Technology Park, CanAssist, and Ocean Networks Canada.

The most recent X-Men film series uses RRU’s Hatley Castle for filming.

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RRU is home to a National Historic Site, which is a focal point for thousands of visitors to Victoria as well as a popular site for commercial film production. Hatley Castle has been featured in the Smallville television series, the most recent X-Men film series, and now Family Channel’s Descendants.

Since the University’s inception, the campus has been the site of 33 productions of varying sizes, each of which have contributed to the local economy through the creation of jobs and income for Vancouver Island residents and businesses.

For example, Descendants employed hundreds of people as crew and background—most of whom were local residents—and generated a direct spend of approx. $500,000.

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

It is common knowledge that higher levels of education tends to open more doors, and through those doors are opportunities to earn a higher income.

Using data from the 2006 Statistics Canada census, the average full-time employment income for those with less than a bachelor-level education is $43,681, while income for someone with one is $68,689.

In their respective economic impact reports, Camosun has its alumni (1983 to 2012) contributing an extra $683.9 million to the region, while UVic had its (1963 to 2011) an extra $845.5 million.

All three institutions are deservedly proud of their graduates, many who have become successful contributors both at home and abroad, bringing recognition back to their school and program.

Former UVic grad student Barry Duplantis and UVic microbiologist Francis Nano developed a new approach to vaccine creation that was recently awarded a US patent.

Research There is a proven relationship between public post-secondary research and economic growth. Private sector companies benefit from the research conducted, as do graduates, who bring their skills, knowledge, and expertise to the workforce. All three are active in research. For example in 2015, UVic spent $316.8 million on research, while RRU spent $2.2 million and Camosun $1.5 million, for a total of over $320 million!

Did you know? In FY2011, UVic generated over $700,000 in revenue through licencing of its technology!

Conclusion “We recognize the education sector as a key driver of our regional economy,” said Greater Victoria Development Agency’s economic development officer, Dallas Gislason. “Not only are they preparing our labour force, but their infrastructure spending, research projects and subsequent spin-offs, international student impact, and other specialty impacts are robust and actually perpetuate and increase economic impacts on an ongoing basis as more spin-offs occur.”

Although each of the institutions’ economic impact report is based on differing years, with the totals calculated using different methodologies, it is evident that our public post-secondary education providers have a multi-billion dollar impact on Greater Victoria.

Camosun, RRU, and UVic’s day-today operations provide household sustaining jobs and support local businesses while generating skilled graduates to fill labour shortages as our economy grows.

Photo provided by UVic Photo Services

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MEMBER NEWS

Directing a Wealthy Life

NEW to the fall TV show line up on CHEK is The Wealthy Life with Sybil Verch. This 13-episode, half-hour talk show is hosted by Sybil Verch, portfolio manager and investment advisor at Raymond James, Ltd. and recipient of The Chamber’s 2014 Business Person of the Year. Sybil explores the realworld money matters Canadians face, with easy-to-follow tips and website

resources that will help viewers take charge.

“CHEK was proud to partner with such a dynamic talent as Sybil,” said Michael Woloshen, director of creative services at CHEK. “Even our seasoned crew was engaged by the stories of regular folks and their financial challenges.”

Raymond James Ltd., one of North America’s leading full-service investment dealers, is the production’s presenting sponsor.

• Raymond James, Ltd.: Member since 2003 • CHEK: Member since 1971

The Winners are …

In a recent report profiling the environmental performance of North America’s leading printers, Hemlock Printers achieved the highest ranking of the top 400 assessed.

Canopy, an international environmental not-for-profit, created The Blueline Report 2015: North American Printers: Sustainability, Transparency, Paper Sourcing and Forest Conservation.

This report ranks major printers on a set of twenty-nine criteria, including leadership on paper procurement

Sybil Verch The economic impact of these two conferences will be sizeable.

Frank Bourree, CEO & Partner, Chemistry Consulting

I heard — we’re also looking forward to our 2015 SARMAC Conference.

The VCC’s hosting our 2016 International Biometric Congress.

Laura Cowen, Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, UVic

Steve Lindsay Acting Chair, Department of Psychology, UVic

policy, protecting endangered forests and biodiversity, and engagement in forest conservation initiatives.

Hemlock’s resident representatives on Vancouver Island are Gord Wright and Craig Bauer, both of whom have a unique depth of understanding and experience in technical, service and sustainable aspects to manage their clients’ print projects.

Hemlock Printers: Member since 2003

Award-Winning Tax Marketing Shelby Parkinson, franchise owner of Greater Victoria’s three Liberty Tax Service locations, won the national marketing and PR award at the Annual Liberty Tax Service Convention in Toronto this June. As the franchisee who “stood out” in marketing efforts during the past year, Shelby received a trophy, a new iPad and $1,000.

Examples of Shelby’s marketing efforts include: the First Annual Tax Turkey Tuesday, where new clients received a free turkey just in time for Easter; an interactive “Why File Your Taxes” day at the University of Victoria Student Union Building; contests at each of her three locations; daily presence of Leafy, the Liberty Tax mascot, during the tax

I’ll check with the Helicopter Association of Canada.

Troy Macdonald, Director of Sales, Helijet

bring it Let’s

#LetsBringIt

8

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

You can help us bring business to Victoria, too.

Let’s connect!

Monika Lebedynska, Senior Account Executive, VCC

Conferences drive the economy and we all benefit.

Contact me: MonikaL@VictoriaConference.com

MEMBER NEWS

season; and annual participation in the Santa Light Parade in November.

Liberty Tax Service: Member since 2011

The ONC portion involves a cabled observatory to be built in the mouth of the Churchill estuary, along the main shipping channel across Hudson Bay and Strait, providing a state-of-theart monitoring system designed to strengthen Canada’s ability to protect the Arctic environment.

University of Victoria: Member since 1976

Cheshire-Cat Grins Abounded The winners of the 15th Annual VIATeC awards were announced on Friday, June 26 at an Alice in Wonderlandthemed event at the Victoria Conference Centre.

Congrats to Chamber members: Executive of the Year: Bobbi Leach of RevenueWire, Innovative Excellence: Schneider Electric, Product of the Year: Red Brick Media, and Employee of the Year: Jessica Allan of Unit4.

• RevenueWire, Inc.: Member since 2008 • Schneider Electric: Member since 2003 • Red Brick Media: Member since 2012 • Unit4: Member since 2010

ONC Jumps into Hudson Bay The University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is partnering with the University of Manitoba to develop, install and maintain the cabled estuary observatory component

Shelby Parkinson of a new Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO) in Hudson Bay. The CMO, formally announced by the federal government on July 6 in Churchill—Canada’s only Arctic deepwater port—will be a multidisciplinary facility where researchers will study the impact of oil spills on sea ice and investigate issues related to marine transportation and resource development in the Arctic.

The facility, led by the University of Manitoba, is funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and the Province of Manitoba. CFI has provided $200,000 to University of Victoria for the ONC portion.

New Ownership—Same Dedicated Service.

Peoplesource has recently acquired The 500 Staffing. Peoplesource will now assume and build upon the business of The 500, fully committed to providing the same excellent range and standard of services to which The 500 Staffing’s clients have become accustomed. For Peoplesource, this means the fulfillment of all current staffing agreements and arrangements, and the continued well-being of clients’ working relationship.

As one of Canada’s leading providers of full-time and temporary staffing solutions to companies nationwide, The 500 Staffing will continue to focus on expertly placing employees into a range of office, clerical and

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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

9

MEMBER NEWS government fields, and Peoplesource will drive the sales and marketing, accounting, finance, information technology and engineering Teri Scott divisions of the business.

“We are committed to ensuring an exceptional client experience through a seamless transition in business operations,” said Peoplesource President, Teri Scott.

Sharon Dunn, who has been with Peoplesource for five years, has been appointed as The 500 Staffing’s new branch manager for the Victoria-based office, which is still located at 514-1207 Douglas Street.

The 500 Staffing Inc.: Member since 2015

to add new stores to its network of 100 locations in North America. The new store also features BeaverTails’ sister brand Moozoo Gelato, sorbet and frozen yogurt. The company has been selling BeaverTails—whole-wheat pastry, hand-stretched to resemble the tail of a beaver and served hot with a choice of toppings—since 1978.

BeaverTails Pastry: Member since 2015

Welcome to the Pod!

Store Opening

After 15 years of operations, Smart Dolphins IT Solutions Inc. continues to expand thanks to the support of Victoria’s vibrant business community, a batch of new employees and growing revenue.

Paul Holmes joined Smart Dolphins as Technology Ambassador. With 24 years of technology industry experience, co-founder of Canada’s largest social media conference and some 27,000 followers on Twitter, Paul sets out to engage the business community to help local leaders better leverage technology.

BeaverTails Pastry opened its first Victoria location at 602 Broughton St. in late June as the company continues

Founded in 2000, Smart Dolphins IT Solutions is a Victoria-based managed service provider offering computer and

VICTORIA B.C.

The TOWN

a charitable campaign organized by

Paul Holmes

A New Board for Beacon Beacon Community Services recently elected the following to their volunteer board of directors: • Jim Brookes A resident of Oak Bay, Brookes is executive director of Neurodevnet, a national research network dealing with children’s brain disorders.

• Dr. Howard Brunt A North Saanich resident, Brunt is an award winning researcher who has worked with multi-disciplinary teams drawn from medicine, genetics, nutritional science and nursing.

OCTOBER 17, 2015

victoria, bc

When people in need were asked if they could be given anything to make their lives easier, what would it be? Surprisingly, they all immediately answered “toilet paper.”

With your help we’re hoping that we can smash that number!

To find out how you can contribute, stop by prodigygroup.ca to find the nearest participating grocery store in your area.

In April 2014, the first ever TP the Town event raised 48,000 rolls of toilet paper for St. Vincent de Paul society in Kingston Ontario.

Help us TP the Town in Victoria!

prodigygroup.ca 10

networking support to Vancouver Island businesses.

SmartDolphins IT Solutions: Member since 2002

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

MEMBER NEWS • Penny Donaldson Recently retired as Director of Resident Services for the Kiwanis Pavilion, a complex care facility and home for people with dementia in Victoria, Penny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a certificate in quality management from the Canadian Healthcare Association.

“We’re thrilled to have these three offer their talent and experience to help Beacon further its mission of helping people and improving lives,” said Board Chair Chuck Rowe. “They definitely have the skills to help Beacon deliver quality programs and services and help build on our successes.”

Beacon Community Services: Member since 2009

Recognition for Butchart’s Dining Room Restaurant OpenTable, the world’s leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of The Priceline Group, unveiled the 2015 Top 100 Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Canada late June 2015. The list reflects the combined opinions of more than 275,000 restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 1,600 restaurants in Canada.

Featuring restaurants that offer some of Canada’s most stunning views and dining experiences, the complete list includes winners from picturesque regions such as Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Stanley Park, B.C., and Banff, Alta. Ontario leads all provinces with 41 winning restaurants, followed by British Columbia with 29, Alberta with 17 and Quebec with 12. The Butchart Gardens – The Dining Room Restaurant is proud to be on this rarefied list.

“I am very proud of the whole food services team at The Gardens.

We are fortunate to have such an extraordinary location with dedicated departments such as Gardening, the Gift Store, Visitor Services, and others working together at the top of their game to bring unmatched elegance to this National Historic Site setting in which The Dining Room Restaurant is situated,” said Bob Parrotta, Director of Food Services at The Butchart Gardens.

The Butchart Gardens Ltd.: Member since 1976

The Butchart Gardens – The Dining Room Restaurant

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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

11

Photo provided by UVic Photo Services

A Syllabus for Success Businesses thrive or survive based on the latest hires or the inthere-for-the-long-haul employees.

In Greater Victoria, the hiring process can be a challenge, employers having to sort through dozens—if not hundreds—of applications, trying to find the one who will be the perfect fit. Employers are looking to recruit people with specific skills and education. Employers want mature people who can step in and do a job immediately—they may not want to risk “taking a chance” on those who may need a bit of polish or on-the-job training.

Greater Victoria is a region flush with opportunities as we evolve into a knowledge-based economy.

Advanced technology is the leading economic generator, with annual revenues exceeding $1.95 billion.

Greater Victoria is also a major tourism destination, spawning an industry that has a regional impact of $1.15 billion.

Other key sectors such as education, marine, construction, health, retail, and 12

agriculture are also steadily on the rise.

Yet, Victoria’s unemployment rate is rising.

If there are so many people available for work and there is such growth, why are there positions that remain stubbornly vacant? Why do businesses continually indicate that getting staff is their biggest obstacle to growth? If we have something for everyone, why are there those who are “underemployed,” i.e., employed in occupations that do not take advantage of their higher education and skills?

StatsCan’s former chief economic analyst, Philip Cross, proposes that the unemployment rate can be a statistical illusion, especially if those unemployed are youth and if employers do not regard them as a substitute for their experienced and productive workers who are approaching retirement.1 Employers’ reliance on a mature workforce could leave us with a large number of unemployed who do not have opportunities to build the experience needed to succeed. In 1 Do Labour Shortages Exist in Canada? Reconciling the Views of Employers and Economists, by Philip Cross (Fraser Institute, 2014)

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

addition, this bias could leave us in a position where we feel the upcoming talent exodus of retiring baby boomers more acutely than most.

So the challenge is to prepare British Columbians with the skills they need to transition in and out of jobs as our economy grows and our workforce ages.

The Future for B.C. The Government of Canada recognizes the opportunities that Greater Victoria’s public post-secondary institutions provide for Canadians. For example, Camosun College and the University of Victoria recently received over $2 million in federal funds, intended to support the advanced manufacturing and aerospace sectors in Victoria.

Camosun received $1.5 million to create interactive labs to support manufacturing. The University of Victoria received $527,000 for the acquisition of equipment and laboratory updates to support design, development, commercialization and certifications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Public and private organizations are working together to meet mutual objectives for the region.

For example, in May the Greater Victoria Development Agency (GVDA) launched a new program called Education Victoria with the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University, Camosun College, Tourism Victoria and other education partners.

Education Victoria is a collaboration designed to give institutions common key messages along with support collateral for the purpose of attracting international students to the island.

The project also aims to connect these international students and their families with real investment opportunities in the region.

“International student programs represent a $1.8 billion bump to the B.C. economy, generating about 21,000 jobs,” said GVDA’s economic development officer, Dallas Gislason.

“The average full-time international student will not only spend $30,000 annually on tuition, housing, transportation, food and entertainment, but they represent a connection from our community to the world that lasts their entire career.”

The B.C. government recognizes the opportunity on the horizon—one million jobs. They are re-engineering education and training so that B.C. students and workers have the skills to be first in line for jobs in the growing economy. For example, the B.C. government will provide $3.5 million for programs that help youth get onthe-job experience and training.

B.C. public post-secondary institutions are taking steps to ensure program progressiveness and relevancy— regularly reviewing their curriculum, consulting with their industry advisors, seeking alternative funding models, and surveying their graduates to assess their satisfaction. B.C. is becoming widely known coast to coast for being on the vanguard of reorienting its public education system to labour market demands.

In Greater Victoria, there is much more going on behind the scenes than you might think. Our three public post-secondary institutions work closely with business and industry— as well as each other—to help meet labour market demands as well as foster economic prosperity for British Columbians.

There are many examples of how our region’s post-secondary institutions are working to meet employer needs, now and into the future, including business development and work-integrated learning.

Business Development: • UVic’s Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE) provides on-campus ‘incubator’ services designed to help students, faculty, staff and recent grads take business concepts from idea to investor-ready.

ICE connects students with mentors and prominent business community specialists. It partners with entrepreneur-focused organizations to provide students with supports to launch viable businesses.

• The Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP), owned by UVic, houses the greatest concentration of high-tech companies on Vancouver Island, providing a supportive environment for business development in Victoria’s growing high-technology sector.

Did you know? There are 33 companies currently at VITP, with between 1,100 and 1,200 employees.

• Royal Roads University’s Eric C. Douglass Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, located in Fort Tectoria, is another regional resource for business development. The Centre seeks to engage entrepreneurs and communities in support of new ventures that will enable a new breed of entrepreneurs to, “make a positive difference in our communities while making a profit.”

Royal Roads University’s Eric C. Douglass Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, located in Fort Tectoria, is another regional resource for business development.

• Enterprise Point is Camosun’s onestop gateway into the college’s portfolio of professional and innovative services, fostering economic development throughout the region. It is flexible and responsive, providing custom solutions for regional businesses and industry.

In a recent blog post, entrepreneur and educator Jake West describes his time with some blossoming student engineers and programmers doing some “interesting hardware work” for the Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC) and Limbic Media—building a water level sensor with a web component for the aquaponics system at Mason Street Farm, and a cube prototype that is audio-reactive and responsive to different environments. They received support from inside and outside Canada, leveraging technology to the hilt. Working with Camosun College’s Enterprise Point, who Jake describes as “an amazing undercover team building awesome things for the world,” they were able to access specialized equipment and expertise. The result? Lots of recognition, learning and opportunities—including the lead engineer landing himself a job with Limbic Media straight out of high school!

Photo provided by RRU

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

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Work-Integrated Learning All three institutions provide their students some sort of practical handson model that helps their students build experience, apply theory, and make connections and building relationships with future employers throughout Greater Victoria and around the world.

Did you know? RRU’s Bachelor of Commerce students participate in a weeklong Applied Business Challenge, where local businesses present their challenges and students apply problem-based learning to produce a variety of recommended solutions: the exchange is a win-win scenario for both clients and students.

For example, to graduate from Camosun's Mechanical Engineering Technology program, students have to—in just 11 weeks—conceptualize, design, manufacture, test, and present a device that reflects elements of what they’ve learned over the previous two years. The project finale is the Technical Defense, where students present their projects to a panel of engineering professionals from universities and industry. Mike Viala’s team project was to build an

Types of Work-Integrated Learning • Apprenticeship Training that combines learning on the job with classroom instruction, leading to a certificate of apprenticeship

• Co-op Academic study that alternates with paid work experience developed and/or approved by the college/university

• Field placement Practical experience in a real work setting

• Internship Program-related experience in a professional work environment

• Mandatory

• Applied

practice

professional

Work hours needed to obtain a licence to practise or a professional designation, or to register with a regulatory college/ professional association

automated growler-filler by converting a pop-dispensing machine for a local craft brewery. The project exceeded expectations all round, and Mike is now an employee at the brewery.

Co-op and related programs can provide employers cost-effective means to hire short-term and

projects

research

Student projects to address specific business or industry problems • Service learning Student projects to address identified community needs or global issues

motivated employees as well as facilitate the recruitment process.

Further, co-op provides an opportunity for business and industry to help shape the development and renewal of programs by providing a vehicle for continuous feedback through co-op supervision and evaluation.

On October 19, Canadians go to the polls.

42nd Federal Election Virtual Candidate Forums

DECISION 2015

Canada needs a strong business community, and our elected representatives need to hear from businesses large and small!

The Chamber has interactive virtual candidate forums for three of Greater Victoria ridings.

The forums are free-of-charge, and can be viewed on the web-enabled platform of your choice.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization. We do not endorse candidates.

Take the time to make an informed decision—make your vote count!

Join the conversation. /VictoriaChamber

Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke Tuesday, September 29 Noon to 1 pm

Saanich-Gulf Islands

Wednesday, September 30 Noon to 1 pm

Victoria

Thursday, October 1 Noon to 1 pm

The streaming link will be posted to www.victoriachamber.ca the day of the event.

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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

@ChamberVictoria

Mike Viala’s team project was to build an automated growler-filler by converting a pop-dispensing machine.

Photo provided by Camosun

Did you know? Last year, UVic students completed 1,423 co-op work terms with Greater Victoria employers.

Conclusion Camosun, RRU and UVic’s innovative approach to working with business and industry helps meet labour demands and foster economic prosperity for British Columbians. Stimulating— and at times instigating—business development as well as providing access to short-term and motivated labour provides a great service to both students and local industry and business.

“I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”

-

Albert Einstein

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

15

nominees for the 2016/2017 Board of Directors

Chamber Elections Each fall The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce holds an election for new board members.

Each board member is elected for a two year term with staggered renewal dates—this year we are asking members to elect six members of the board. Election ballots will e-mailed to the main contact for your organization on Mon., Sept. 14. The Chamber uses a weighted voting system, based on the number of employees.

Voting will close Wed., Oct 7 at noon.

If you are The Chamber’s main contact for your business and did not receive your ballot on Sept. 14, please contact us at 250-383-7191.

Dee Govang

Chartered Life Underwriter RBC Insurance Incumbent Director

She supports the business case for women on corporate boards and in the trades, expanding the talent pools for local businesses. Her own daughter is an industrial electrician, serving on an industry board.

An active volunteer, Moira is currently 2nd Vice President of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, is the Vice Chair of the Chemainus BIA, and is a member of the business development committee with Community Future, Cowichan. Past Chair of the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, Moira has held positions on various boards and societies.

Her passion for family-run local business is the reason she is on the local board of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, CAFE.

Michael is now president of Orbus Business Network and a regular attendee of Chamber and Tourism Victoria mixers.

He’s particularly concerned with keeping B2B local and educating residents on the importance of shopping locally.

16

oira Hauk is the Regional manager, South Vancouver Island with Coastal Community Credit Union. Coastal Community is the largest Island based Credit Union with almost 2 billion dollars in assets and 22 branches throughout the Island.

Issues Moira identifies with include opportunities for municipalities to find fiscal synergies, and the ongoing impacts created by homelessness and the lack of supports for our marginalized citizens.

Natasha Reger

Sales and Marketing Digital Direct Printing

His work in sales with Digital Direct Printing follows account and business management in local ad agencies, communications consultancy and retail business ownership.

He was the founding president of the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Graphic Designers of Canada and for years was active as a community sport volunteer.

Coastal Community Credit Union

M

ee Govang is the VP of the Policy Committee and serves on the Finance Committee. She is concerned about the issues businesses face daily and about the long term growth of our business sectors in an economically viable region; therefore, Dee is on the Regional Governance Review Committee.

Michael Marshall

orn in Victoria and a graduate of Mt. Doug and UVic, Michael and his wife, Janice, have two adult sons and a first grandchild on the way!

(South Vancouver Island)

D

Dee has 12 years’ experience as a Certified Financial Planner and works with RBC Insurance.

B

Moira Hauk

Regional Manager

Owner Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics

Incumbent Director

Incumbent Vice-Chair

N

atasha has served on the Chamber Board since 2014. She enjoys being a part of the Prodigy Group committee’s growth and success. Natasha hopes to continue her role as Chair on a new committee focusing on peer support and mentorship for Chamber members.

Natasha is a second generation owner of The Reger Group, a training, coaching and consulting company specializing in entrepreneurship, team development, and key leadership skills required for success in business and life.

The Reger Group, in partnership with the Chamber, has delivered numerous business development and employment programs over the years. Natasha is keen to share her knowledge, experience and passion for entrepreneurship with this Board contributing to the economic and employment growth in the region.

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

Al Hasham

Manager and part-owner The Reger Group

A

l Hasham has been an integral part of the Victoria Community and has grown 3 successful businesses in Victoria starting in 1987. His flagship business Maximum Express is a family owned and operated business that he started in 2004 as the President and CEO with the head office in Victoria and a branch office in Vancouver.

In 2008 Al started a sister company Max Furniture in a mentorship role coaching a younger business partner through the hard work and growing pains that it takes to make a new business successful.

Outside of owning and operating successful local businesses Al has always been a huge community supporter and has donated many types of resources to non-profits and charities in the local Victoria area. He is the Vice-Chair of The Chamber and has volunteered his time to help the Chamber’s voice for businesses be heard.

nominees for the 2016/2017 Board of Directors

Gary Wayne Kinar

Lise Gyorkos

Member Kinar Curry Lawyers

President Page One Publishing Inc.

Patricia Jelinski

Chief Executive Officer United Way of Greater Victoria

Incumbent Director

G

ary is a current director of The Chamber, chair of the Policy and Government Affairs Committee and member of the Capital Regional Governance Review Committee and Vibrant Victoria committee.

He is a lawyer, called to the bar in Saskatchewan in 1976, Alberta in 1981 and B.C. in 1982. He is a member of Kinar Curry Lawyers, providing corporate, commercial, real estate and estate advice.

Gary is a past director of the Victoria Bar Association, member of various federal and provincial political constituency associations and counsel to various political candidates.

He is a volunteer/instructor in the Law Day Program and with the BC Law Society as well as provides occasional counsel to community groups.

Key issues for Gary for the upcoming year will be rationalization of regional transportation and parking and rationalization of regional governance.

Kerry Brown

Co-owner Success Biz Coach

K

erry has 19 years’ experience coaching, consulting and training and is the co-owner of Success Biz Coach, which specializes in small business.

A graduate of UVIC, Kerry has lived and worked in Victoria since 1972 and has extensive community and Board involvement. A second generation entrepreneur, Kerry was an award winning realtor and owned her own real estate office. She is the founding managing Director of Victoria Chapter of eWomenNetwork and is a founding member of the Professional Business Coaches Alliance and has volunteered for many organizations such as the David Foster Foundation, the board of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, the Capital City Executives Association, the Victoria Real Estate Board and is an active Chamber member.

Incumbent Director

L

ise Gyorkos launched Page One Publishing in 1998 with Georgina Camilleri and has grown the company into one of B.C.’s largest independent magazine publishers. Page One has been a Chamber member for over 15 years.

As co-publisher of Douglas, YAM and Salt magazines, Lise contributes in a significant way to the creation of a vibrant entrepreneurial region. She is very interested in the needs of small business and promoting local economic development.

Lise gives her time to many community causes and organizations, as a mentor and as a Greater Victoria Housing Society board member. Her company promotes entrepreneurship through Douglas magazine and its 10 to Watch awards. Lise also provides support for the Vancouver Island Economic Summit, Visions Gala, VREB Commercial Building Awards and many other organizations.

A

s CEO of United Way Greater Victoria, Patricia Jelinski brings over 16 years of senior executive leadership to her work through her career positions in organizations across North America in the private, public and non-profit sectors where she led business development, community investment, brand building and fund development.

Her experience working within multistakeholder environments including her work with government, tourism, economic development, foundations, corporate partners and social service organizations is integral to her community leadership role.

Patricia serves on the Chamber’s Governance Committee and Policy and Government Affairs Committee. She is also a Director of the Leadership Council of the Coalition to End Homelessness and Co-Chair of the Institute for Studies and Innovation in Community University Engagement at the University of Victoria.

Kris Wirk

Partner Dickson Dusanj & Wirk

K

ris is a partner with the accounting firm Dickson Dusanj & Wirk with over thirteen years’ experience in providing accounting and tax services for owner managed businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations. He has an Honours’ Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, and received the Western Canada Gold Medal for the highest standing in Western Canada on the final chartered accountancy entrance exam. In addition, he is a lecturer for the CA School of Business and is a member of the board of directors and treasurer for the Victoria Prostate Centre.

Kris is born and raised in Victoria and believes strongly in supporting local businesses and wants to assist the Chamber in advocating for a business environment that will allow entrepreneurs to succeed.

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Business plans—who needs them?

In an October 2014 poll of small business owners in B.C., 23 percent of business owners felt a business plan was not important to the future of their business.

In the same poll, 52 percent of small business owners indicated that they began their business without a business plan.

Does this poll suggest that half of Greater Victoria business owners did not have an idea of what they wanted, nor a roadmap on how to get there— starting their business on a whim and a prayer? That nearly a quarter of our region’s business owners are investing their time and money, their hopes and dreams, willy-nilly? Are small business owners flying by the seat of their pants, relying on their street smarts and intuition to succeed? For the sake of our local economy, hopefully not.

Perhaps there isn’t a common understanding of what exactly is meant by the term, “business plan.” A Google search comes up with pages and pages of blogs, articles and templates targeted to small business. The majority of these small business experts and bloggers say that a business plan must have seven to nine sections, and can vary anywhere from 10 pages to 100 in length.

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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

“Traditional” Business Plan?

 Executive summary

 Market analysis

 Company description

 Organization and management

 Marketing and sales strategy

 Service and/or product line

 Funding requirements

 Financials Appendices  There are a plethora of dos and donts. Be accurate in your financials.

Demonstrate that you understand your industry and key trends. Prove demand exists for your product or service.

Ensure your assumptions are supported by concrete evidence. Take the steps to ensure your business plan is a living document, one that projects three to five years into the future.

All that sounds like the kind of a document that you would need if you were seeking investment from a private lender, a bank, government agency, etc.

A document with which they can gauge how sustainable a business idea might be.

But who ever said a business plan has to be so scripted, so static? Is not the purpose of a business plan—or any plan—to help you set your goals and objectives, to maintain your focus and evaluate your progress? What is the benefit to small business owners committing to such rigorous planning

processes, producing such a spiffy, detailed document—if all it ends up doing is sitting on a shelf, collecting dust faster than Aunt Nellie’s knickknacks?

The Business Plan—Demystified

The present focus is on the multi-page, detailed business plan that describes the size of an opportunity, the problem to be solved, and the solution that the new venture will provide. This tends to be aligned with how business plans are taught.

Given that funding tends to be the “make it or break it” focal point to getting a business off the ground, perhaps it makes sense that this type of business plan has become the accepted standard. So the format that all the experts and bloggers are recommending is not wrong—if the audience of your business plan is a traditional lender, and the purpose is to secure funding.

A Business Plan—Simplified Business plans need to match the intended purpose. The business plans needed to go public, borrow money, or operate a business may—and should—be formatted differently.

“All businesses, regardless of size, need to plan,” said Ian Batey, a small business coach and strategist, who has been supporting Greater Victoria small businesses for the last seven years. “The size and capacity of the business will determine the level of the detail.”

Formalized business planning processes can help you manage your risk, as well as opportunities.

“As a company that has been around for over 45 years in Victoria, we have lived through an evolution of sales, costs and expenses,” said John Wilson, CEO and co-owner of Wilson’s Transportation, a local, family-owned and operated charter bus company. “Our company, and all companies, need to remember to stop and take a fresh look at the business every few years. It is important that we re-evaluate and revisit our

&

Business plans rarely survive first contact with customers. As the boxer Mike Tyson once said about his opponents’ prefight strategies: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” goals, objectives and business opportunities.”

The business planning process has to be tied to what you want or need done.

“Although we don’t have a detailed business plan per se, we are committed to business planning, and pay extremely close attention to performance indicators,” said Al Hasham, owner of Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics, a local, family-owned and operated company with offices in Victoria and Vancouver. “We also focus on building relationships with our current and future clients together with the business community at large, an

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area that should be included in every businesses’ business plan.”

Your plan should also be aligned with your methodology. For example, if your product or service demands a more agile and responsive path, e.g., technology or manufacturing, you may have a more modern business planning process, one that favours experimentation over elaborate planning—“fail fast, learn continually,” customer feedback over intuition, and iterative design over traditional “big design up front” development. For this methodology, the traditional—and static—plan simply won’t work.

In the end, if a business owner has a commitment to business planning, one that suits their operating environment, and is tied to the actual work that needs to be done/being done—regardless whether it is a 20page document or a one-page piece of paper posted in the lunchroom— they likely have what they need.

In the end, taking the time to think and plan can truly make a difference.

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Summer Social Series

Winemaker’s Dinner On a sunny Thursday evening in July The Chamber hosted the Winemaker’s Dinner. This first event of the new Summer Social Series was sponsored

by Audi Autohaus Victoria.

Guests arrived at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific courtesy of L.A. Limousines, ready for an evening of award-winning wines and fine dining.

Sommelier Carmen Parry kicked off the evening with a glass of Blue Grouse Ortega. Throughout the night, she regaled guests with stories of her adventures while visiting the featured wineries. Each wine was paired with a delicious dish prepared by Food for Thought Catering, tempting the palate of guests with locally produced meat and produce.

It was a magical combination of great food, wine and conversation.

Please join us for our final Summer Social Series event, the Harvest Dinner on Thursday, September 24 at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. Purchase your tickets at victoriachamber.ca.

Thank you to our Sponsors: Audi Autohaus Victoria

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20 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

For more event photos please visit victoriachamber.ca

CALENDAR of EVENTS

September

October

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

30

31

1

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Prodigy Group September Mingle September 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

KPMG MSLP and the Robert Bateman Centre 470 Belleville St. The Art of Non-profit Fundraising September 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Chamber 100-852 Fort St. September Business Mixer and Board Candidate Meet & Greet September 17 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Ruffell & Brown Interiors Ltd. and Max Furniture 1-2745 Bridge St. I’m on LinkedIn. What now?

September 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Chamber 100-852 Fort St. Summer Social Series: Harvest Dinner September 24 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse Mt. St. Michael Rd.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

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Small Business WeekTM October 19-23 Financial Management for Small Business October 20 from 10 a.m. to noon The Chamber 100-852 Fort St.

Member Orientation Breakfast October 21 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Carlton House of Oak Bay 2080 Oak Bay Ave.

Networking for Success October 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Chamber 100-852 Fort St.

Effective Negotiating October 21 from 2 to 3 p.m.

The Chamber 100-852 Fort St.

Cedar Hill Golf Course

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Great Value & Free Parking Seasonal Christmas Buffet $37 For Details Call: 250-475-7156

42nd Federal Election Forums September 29, September 30, and October 1 from noon to 1 p.m. victoriachamber.ca

or visit our website: www.saanich.ca

Prodigy Group October Mingle October 8 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Pizzeria Prima Strada - Bridge Street 2960 Bridge St. Fall Marketplace Mixer October 15 from 4 to 7 p.m.

GOLF COURSE

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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

21

Photo by Greg Miller.

Nurturing entrepreneurs

Jake West is a teacher at the region’s newest high school, the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry (PSII). students are experiencing a totally different style of education. students focus on deepening their skills, asking good questions, and using modern approaches to problem-solving and project management.

West, a self-described entrepreneur, educator and performer, believes a lot of what they are doing is not new at all, what they are doing has come from an indigenous approach that is centuries old.

“We have pulled together best practices and have invented a few of our own,” said West. “It is very exciting!”

Educators like West are preparing a new generation of entrepreneurs. This helps to break the stereotype that entrepreneurs are born not made.

On southern Vancouver Island, we have a fundamental problem: our aging demographic combined with the increasing cost-of-living is leading us towards potential stagnancy.

But it doesn’t have to.

In a recent article in Douglas Magazine, Peter Elkins, co-founder of the Capital Investment Network and an accomplished entrepreneur and investor, asked a fundamental question.

“With the south island’s natural resources running down and key sectors such as tourism maturing, how do we find the next all-important ‘first dollar’ to energize our economy?”

His answer is: change our mindset around attracting and nurturing entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship is not only the solution to addressing the shift in the region’s economic make-up, but it is key

The audio-reactive cube prototype was created by PSII high school students, with VIATeC funding.

Cubes were featured onstage at the 2015 VIATeC awards.

The Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry is Victoria’s newest high school (Grades 9 to 12), one that offers a truly personalized education. Through a formal inquiry process, learners at PSII (pronounced “sigh”) develop interdisciplinary pathways that lead to projects and other learning activities to take them through a curriculum all their own, while also meeting or exceeding B.C. graduation requirements. to creating the jobs that young people and families will need to afford to live here and pay taxes—the same taxes that older generations will no longer be paying as they trade in their large homes for retirement villas.

To demonstrate the importance of entrepreneurship to the local economy we need to look at the statistics: our metropolitan region and its 13 municipalities ranked 27 out of 28 metro regions in Canada for economic growth in 2014. Our job creation numbers are weak or based on seasonal or part-time occupations.

By 2022, one out of every four citizens here will be over the age of 65. The unemployment rate in the health services sector alone is expected to be approaching zero percent by 2022.

Did you know? Economists regard unemployment rates below five percent as “full employment”

We must get innovative with how we sustain our community and economy into the future. Entrepreneurs are the innovators to do just that.

Elkins’ article makes some great recommendations on how our region can build a stronger eco-system that nurtures and attracts the entrepreneurs that we need. Including things like

22 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

using the Start-Up Visa program to attract serial entrepreneurs from other countries; creating localized “playbooks” that detail how to start and grow businesses; converting vacant commercial space into vibrant co-working spaces; accelerating “craftspeople into viable businesses” and more.

The good news is that many of these recommendations are slowly taking shape. For example, there are now at least five co-working spaces already on the market with new ones popping up in the coming months.

As far as attracting entrepreneurs, the Greater Victoria Development Agency met with 153 in-bound investment groups in 2014—a record year by a wide margin! Many of these are seasoned entrepreneurs from other countries who will transfer this acumen to our local marketplace.

But there is still lots of work to do if we are to address the aforementioned issues. One essential area, also mentioned by Elkins, emphasizes the importance of education in deepening this entrepreneurial eco-system. This is an area that is only in seed stage at best.

Schools like the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry will play a part, but more is needed.

It requires many other facets to make a macro-effect. For example, elementary

school programming that introduces children to a wider range of what is possible.

Other programs need to expand as well. A good example of that kind of expansion is the University of Victoria’s Innovation Centre of Excellence (ICE), a program that was started three years ago to fill the gap between student research and projects and real-world implementation.

Another example is the Alacrity Foundation, a non-profit organization that is based in Victoria (but has province-wide reach) that provides an intense training environment to prepare graduates for entrepreneurship in the technology sector. They’ve developed and mentored some of the best engineering and business graduates in British Columbia, helping them launch companies with a high likelihood of success. Companies like Victoria-based Referral SaaSquatch, Tutela, Echosec, and Pretio Interactive.

The Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC) is also key to this ecosystem. Not only is their Accelerator Program bursting at the seams, but VIATeC plays a much larger role in the eco-system: that of a cheerleader.

best practices into their management and strategy?

What we’re talking about here is at the societal level as much as it is the elementary level.

Children need 21st-century skills infused into curricula. Secondary students need real world exposure to entrepreneurial success—that’s why I helped my son Noah land his Grade 8 internship at VIATeC earlier this year (he was pumped to become their youngest “Tectorian of the Week”).

Post-secondary students need bridges from their textbooks to turn research into feasible businesses. And it is never too late to innovate. Adults need programs, mentors (and financing!) to turn their ideas into job-creating companies and sustainable social ventures.

“I think that entrepreneurship needs to be fused through everything that is done at school now,” said West. “That does not necessarily mean business, just the attitude of, ‘get out there and make something happen’. That can take a million different approaches depending on the person.”

one in four people are moving into wellearned retirements?

This is where business advocacy groups such as chambers of commerce play a role: encouraging societal acceptance that profit is good. Businesses don’t exist without it—they only create new jobs when new revenues are brought into their venture. Charities and “shop local movements” not only rely on “discretionary incomes” of the region’s households, but they themselves need profits to succeed.

The bottom line is we need young people and families in our community.

For that we need more jobs; and for those, we need entrepreneurs. Time to innovate our approach and encourage those revolutionary ideas that will generate a new resource for that allimportant “first dollar.”

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Think about it: young people are looking to their surroundings for inspiration about what is possible in their future.

If all they see around them is "boring government jobs" and part-time bartenders, their dreams will be of escape. Just like I did when growing up in a small town in the prairies—except all I saw was over-sized trucks with the names of oil companies on them.

Through deliberate public relations strategies, events like “Experience Tectoria” and “Discover Tectoria” as well as their annual awards program, VIATeC is revealing the future potential of the region that gives young people something else to aspire to.

VIATeC will play an expanded role beyond just traditional “tech” and the associated “start-up,” moving into entrepreneurship in general.

What if retail businesses became the clients of “accelerators,” where they refine their business model and infuse

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3675 Shelbourne Street Victoria, BC V8P 4H1

Bruce Read

If you’re looking to growBusine your Manager, Services for help (250) 356-4018 Banking Specialists offer you solutions We’re open earlier, later,bruce.read@td.c and even on S Victoria City Centre Cheryl Duff

Duff 1080Cheryl Douglas Street Small Business Advisor Advisor Small Business whenever 250-356-4018 ext. 300 300 Victoria, BC V8W 2C3 250-356-4018 ext. cheryl.duff@td.com cheryl.duff@td.com Victoria City City Centre Centre Victoria

3675 Shelbourne Shelbourne Street Street 10803675 Douglas Street Victoria, BC BC V8P V8P 4H1 4H1 Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2C3

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Bruce Read Shawn Johnson Shawn Johnson Manager, Business 2406 Ave. 2406Beacon Beacon Ave. Banking Services Cheryl Duff (250) 356-4018 ext.

301 Sidney Sidney bruce.read@td.com 250-655-5244, 230 250-655-5244,ext. ext.

230 Small Business A Victoria City Centre shawn.d.johnson@td.com shawn.d.johnson@td.com 250-356-4018 e 1080 Douglas Street cheryl.duff@td.c Victoria, BC V8W 2C3

Victoria City Cen

Trish Thame Cheryl Duff 1080 Douglas St Small Business Advisor Small Business Advisor Victoria, BC V8W Banking Bankingcan canbe bethis thiscomfortable comfortable 250-405-5260 ext. 300 250-356-4018 ext. 300 ® 1 1 Individual branch hours vary. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

Individual branch hours vary. The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. trisha.thame@td.com M00574 (0914) (0914) cheryl.duff@td.com M00574 Victoria Cedar Hill SEPTEMBER 2015 Thame 23 BUSINESSMATTERS | Trish ®/®/ Victoria City Centre TheThe TDTD logologo andand other trade-marks areare thethe property of of TheThe Toronto-Dominion Bank or or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or countries. other trade-marks property Toronto-Dominion Bank a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/orother other countries.

3675 Shelbourne Street 1080 Douglas Street

Small Business A

Advertorial

Do you know Jack?

Meeting people is the essence of business and entrepreneurship. When you join the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, you meet hundreds of like-minded individuals, working to strengthen our community and build better businesses.

For those who do not yet know about Jack Insurance and Financial Services—especially those who may be in the market for an affordable employee benefit plan—let us introduce you to president and founder, Rob Jack In 1981, Rob started his career in the insurance and financial industry in Ottawa. In 1993, he decided to move to beautiful Victoria to raise his family and to start his own business, Jack Insurance and Financial Services.

Since then, Rob and his staff have been providing expertise and advice to small and medium-sized businesses.

He continues to employ his high standard of service by meeting with individuals and businesses, listening to their needs and taking the time to understand each one’s unique situation.

"People are my top priority," said Rob. "Personal service is the foundation of Jack Insurance and Financial Services."

For 17 years, Jack Insurance and Financial Services has been a local advisor for Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s members, helping them design a Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan that reflects the size and requirements of their businesses. He can present you with options, not preset packages.

Even if you are a one-person operation, he can show you how you can customize your benefits package so you can get top value for your dollar. Rob will explain how claims are averaged over thousands of companies just like yours, so if you have higher than usual claims one year, no worries—you won’t be singled out for a price increase.

Give Rob a call at 250-383-9866, have a chat with him about the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan.

Jack Insurance and Financial Services: Member since 1998

Rob Jack with a client

The Group Benefits Plan Made Specifically for Small Business The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan is used by over 30,000 small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. From Victoria to St. John's, and everywhere in between, small business owners just like you continue to enjoy comprehensive benefit coverage at affordable rates.

Isn't it time you took advantage of this benefit for your business, employees and their dependents? Keep your most important asset, your people, healthy and well taken care of with the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan—the most popular employee benefits plan in Canada for small business.

HR Consulting & Recruitment

Meet Sheenagh, HR Consultant at Chemistry Consulting Chemistry Consulting Group is pleased to welcome Sheenagh Beadell to our HR Consulting division, assuming the role of Recruitment Specialist.

Sheenagh has over 20yrs experience working in Human Resources, specializing in sourcing, developing and training staff.

Contact Sheenagh today to help you build the team you need to be successful.

250-382-3303 ext. 213 | S.Beadell@chemistryconsulting.ca

400-1207 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2E7 p 250.382.3303 e info@chemistryconsulting.ca chemistryconsulting.ca

24 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

New Members June 1 to July 31 Alchemy Business Consulting

With over 30 years of experience, business consultant and coach Larry Earnhart works with small business owners to turn their businesses into profit machines.

250-857-1245 www.alchemyconsulting.ca

BeaverTails Victoria

Our delicious addictive whole-wheat pastries are hand-stretched, then float-cooked and served piping hot, topped with butter and your choice of delectable flavours. Proudly satisfying your sweet tooth since 1978.

778-440-8245 www.beavertails.com

GoodToGreat Public Speaking Training

Omicron

G2G’s mission is to cure you of the fear of public speaking through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and coaching sessions.

250-514-5024 www.goodtogreatps.com

Graham KIA Victoria

At Graham Kia Victoria, our highly qualified technicians provide exceptional service in a timely manner.

250-360-1111 www.grahamkiavictoria.com

Omicron is one of the largest integrated firms providing development services, design and construction. Omicron delivers a better experience from offices in Victoria, Vancouver and Calgary.

250-388-3800 omicronaec.com

ProtoXtype Retail Store

Italian Design travel wear and accessories for your business and casual trips. All our garments are made from premium quality, light-weight and eco-friendly fabrics.

250-580-4462 www.protoxtype.ca

Grascale Developments Inc. Bell and Company CPA, CGA

Bell and Company is a certified general accounting firm providing a comprehensive range of tax services, carefully customized to fit each client’s unique needs.

250-590-1725 www.bellandco.ca

BIOSWEEP Victoria

BIOSWEEP® provides innovative odour removal and indoor air and surface decontamination services. BIOSWEEP® does not use any chemicals and is considered a green technology.

250-216-6262 www.biosweepvictoria.ca

Bydesign Plumbing & Heating

Reliable new construction and renovations provided for both commercial and residential systems.

250-507-6857 www.bydesignphg.com

The Condo Group

The Condo Group is dedicated to working with condo and townhome buyers, sellers and developers in Greater Victoria.

250-382-6636 www.thecondogroup.com

Friendly Giant Window & Gutter Cleaning

Friendly Giant is focused on providing highquality window cleaning, gutter cleaning and complete customer satisfaction.

250-884-4596 www.friendlygiant.ca

Local home builder comfortable working on anything from log houses to modern west coast design.

250-888-9841 www.grascale.ca

Melissa Welsh Photography

Scene About Town Party Rentals

Our quality party rentals are available for private functions, celebrations, weddings and corporate events from Sooke to Sidney, Oak Bay to the Malahat.

250-388-9605 www.scene-about-town.com

Melissa Welsh is a national award-winning photographer who lives in the beautiful city of Victoria.

250-886-6464 www.melissawelsh.com

Did you know... that most businesses spend more than they should on telecommunications – up to 35% more?

Our concept is simple.

4 We analyze your telecommunications system and needs.

4 We give you independent and objective advice on how to optimize your configuration.

4 Our fee is simply a share of the savings we generate for you.

WE ARE THE TELECOM EXPERTS.

Eszter Farkas Strategic-Partner Tel: 250-598-6991 www.schooleymitchell.com/farkas eszter.farkas@schooleymitchell.com

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

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New Members June 1 to July 31 Hire a co-op student.

Hear the results.

The Ensuite Bath & Kitchen Showroom

Top Pair Roofing Inc

Ensuite offers a large selection of luxury bathroom and kitchen items. Visit our showroom to see the very latest in kitchen and bathroom design.

250-380-1570 www.emcobc.ca

Two Birds Designs

The Soap Exchange

...exceeded expectations...

...a great return on investment... ...enthusiasm for learning and leading... ...we will be extending continuing contracts...

With over 23 years combined experience, Top Pair Roofing looks forward to providing South Vancouver Island with dependable, affordable and durable roofing services.

250-857-6486 www.toppairroofing.ca

The Soap Exchange offers alternatives to environmentally damaging, dangerous cleaning products by providing 100 percent biodegradable products. We also offer locally made personal care products composed of natural oils and essences.

250-475-0033 www.victoriasoapexchange.com

Two Birds Designs specializes in high-end work with an all-encompassing, turnkey approach that provides full interior design services, specializing in kitchen and bath design.

250-893-8124 www.twobirdsdesigns.ca

Varsha Sips + Nosh House Thompson Cooper, LLP

We are a Canadian West Coast intellectual property law firm with an office in Victoria.

Our professionals have a wide spectrum of education and experience, both technical and legal.

250-389-0387 tcllp.ca

Varsha Sips + Nosh House is a family owned bistro serving flavourful Indian food in downtown Victoria. Named after Varsha, the inspiration behind the idea of Indian home cooked comfort food served to you in our vibrant, yet cozy, downtown environment.

250-590-6252 www.varsha.ca

...sheer winners! ...brought fresh ideas and a willingness to learn...

Co-operative Education Program and Career Services uvic.ca/hireacoop 250.721.6616

Web hosting Virtual servers Dedicated servers Domain names SSL certiďŹ cates Search engine optimization Web site design

www.islandhosting.com Co-operative Education and Student Employment camosun.ca/cese 250.370.4100 26 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

Promo code: CHAMBER2015

June 1 to July 31 Victoria Public Market at The Hudson The Victoria Public Market at the Hudson highlights local food producers at every level—farmers, fishers, butchers, bakers, cheese-makers, preservers, brewers, vintners, florists and restaurateurs.

778-433-2787 victoriapublicmarket.com

World Tree COP

The World Tree carbon offset program is an investment strategy for the kind of people who want their money to work for them and do good in the process.

250-549-0191 worldtreecop.com

Writing Impacts

If you need professionally written content with a strong call to action for your website, blog, newsletters, social media and marketing materials, my team and I provide affordable solutions.

250-516-6287 www.writingimpacts.com

New Members

XW Sunrise Developments Ltd.

XW Sunrise Developments Ltd. is pleased to announce its newest project, Lakeside Village located alongside the beautiful Thetis Lake conservation area. This thoughtfully designed development will offer unique retail and professional services in the heart of a growing community in a beautiful natural setting.

(778) 265-1117 www.lakeside-village.org

Members at the July Business Mixer hosted by the Victoria HarbourCats

Zen Farmz Environmental Solutions Inc.

A commercial strength cleaning solution that is safe for your home or office. Frogwash replaces all your other cleaners.

250-589-7635 www.frogwash.ca

To update your directory listing or if you have any other questions about your membership, contact Carmen Lundstrom at membership@victoriachamber.ca or 250-360-3475.

Stop right there

if you even want to make it through to 5 pm.

Whether your staffing need is temporary or permanent - or somewhere in between we can help.

You’re working your tail off to get ready for a presentation and you’ve not eaten properly in three days. Swing by The Market Stores and refuel with a healthy lunch.

Our specialties include:

Administrative Professionals Light Industrial Sales & Marketing Customer Service

Human Resources Legal Skilled Trades Procurement

Call us today

250.381.3254 1124 Fort St, Victoria, BC

talentcor.com Talentcor is a division of Design Group Staffing Inc.

themarketstores.com

903 Yates At Quadra | 250.381.6000 7 am - 11 pm 125-2401 C Millstream Road | 250.391.1110 8 am - 11 pm BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

27

PROFILE:

Specific Mechanical Systems Specific Mechanical Systems is a stainless steel and copper fabricator of quality brewing systems.

The Central Saanichbased company is active internationally in craft brewing and craft distilling as well as industrial sectors such as oil and gas, dairy, waste water treatment, pulp and paper, food processing and pharmaceuticals.

Specific Mechanical is a one-ofa-kind for Vancouver Island and have fabricated and delivered equipment and services to most—if not all—of the local brewery-related establishments. In 2015, Specific Mechanical won The Chamber’s Business of the Year award for the over 76 employee category.

For this edition’s profile, we interviewed Specific Mechanical’s general manager, Reo Phillips.

28 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

How would you describe Specific Mechanical?

Specific Mechanical is recognized as a world leader in the craft brewing industry. We make everything from brewing-equipment, fermenters and bright tanks to complete brew houses and all the accessories required inbetween.

How would you describe Greater Victoria’s manufacturing industry?

The Greater Victoria area is wellsuited for manufacturing companies such as ours, as not only do we have a great local customer base for our products, we also have excellent local talent available from the college and universities. We are very well connected to the trades industry, which helps us find local employees who are looking for fulltime, long-term employment. With the consistency of the flourishing craft beer and distilling markets globally, we are avoiding the dramatic fluctuations and downsizing that has been experienced in other manufacturing industries and regions in Canada.

What is the best part about doing business in Greater Victoria?

Being involved in the craft beer and spirits industry tends to be more fun than most. Our customers vary from all walks of life and backgrounds, but share a trait that is rarely found—each and every one is passionate about beer and spirits, and about ensuring a wonderful and unique experience for the consumer.

What is the best thing Specific Mechanical is doing for Greater Victoria?

Along with supporting the growth of the established craft beer sector and emerging craft distilling, Specific Mechanical has a direct impact on Greater Victoria’s economy by employing local, buying local, and supporting production of goods that are local. Further, Specific Mechanical is an economic driver— each of our sales outside the region brings money into Greater Victoria, contributing to the sale and resale of local goods and services.

“Industry statistics indicate that the Lower Vancouver Island manufacturing sector consists of approximately 120 companies. Half of these companies reside in the Peninsula, employing thousands of people and generating hundreds of millions in revenue,” said John Juricic, executive director of Sidney North Saanich Industrial Group as well as CEO of Harbour Digital Media. “An industry leader within this sector is Specific Mechanical off of Keating Cross Road, who represents the very best of local manufacturing innovation and productivity.”

“People are the heart and soul of any company,” said Sean Hoyne of Hoyne Brewing Company, who purchased a complete brew house from Specific Mechanical in 2014. “Right from their sales team to their front office, to their engineers and their fine crew of very talented craftsmen building the equipment, I have always been very impressed with how friendly and professional they all are.”

What is it like working at Specific Mechanical?

Over the past five years, Specific Mechanical has grown from 45 employees to over 100. The majority of our employees are engineers and skilled trades, many of whom graduated from University of Victoria and Camosun College programs. We focus on hiring the best of the best.

Specific Mechanical provides bursaries to pursue training, encourages advancement within the company, and ensures employees understand and realize the direct impact they have on the products and the company’s success. Through weekly huddles and quarterly allhands meetings, Specific Mechanical’s leadership shares business results, celebrates successes, and gathers employee feedback on new policies and initiatives.

One of Specific Mechanical’s copper welders, Jeppe, beside the top head for a copper still destined for TM Projects, USA

What is Specific Mechanical proudest of?

Specific Mechanical is proud to have been part of Victoria’s pioneering local craft and micro-brewing sector, helping to put Greater Victoria’s award-winning craft beer on the map, not just within B.C., but across Canada.

The Future Similar to what we saw in the craft beer brewing industry over the last 10 to 15 years, spirits are next. They are high quality, made locally and desired globally. Everything we need is here in Victoria—good barley, grains, fruits, passionate people, good equipment and deep expertise. Craft spirits appear to be following the eat organic and buy farm fresh movement, a trend based on caring about what we are eating and drinking and connecting with our local supplier and producer.

Specific Mechanical’s latest offering for the distillation industry includes a complete copper still distillation package, which includes all of the equipment required to produce spirits such as brandy, gin, whisky, vodka and rum.

Fun Facts: • Over the past 30 years, Specific Mechanical has designed, manufactured and sold well over 500 complete brewing systems throughout the world.

• Specific Mechanical uses over 500 tonnes (1 million pounds) of stainless steel each year.

• Specific Mechanical has over 3,500 square meters (35,000 square feet) of manufacturing space.

• Although primarily supplying North American customers, Specific Mechanical has fabricated and shipped systems around the world to unique locations such as: Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Guatemala, even a distillery in Ireland!

• The typical craft brew house can cost anywhere from $30,000 to allow a very basic production of beer to well in excess of $1 million for some of the larger craft brew houses.

• Some of the most unique and fun pieces of equipment that Specific Mechanical makes are accessories to the brewing process, such as a hops cannon, which uses high-pressure gas to literally shoot charges of hops into tanks during the beer fermentation process.

• Some of the largest pieces of equipment Specific Mechanical makes are stainless steel beer fermentation tanks, some of which hold in excess of 200 barrels, or more than 50,000 pints of beer.

Specific Mechanical Systems: Chamber member since 2015

BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

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Advocacy in action We stand up for you.

One of The Chamber’s central services is advocacy on business issues. As the voice of the Greater Victoria business community, we bring business issues to the forefront, working to shape and make change.

Our ongoing advocacy efforts supports our members and the community at large.

Driving News

As announced on July 22, $102 million is on its way to enhance the McKenzie Interchange as well as fund the Westshore Parkway extension project.

The B.C. government estimates the two will create 550 direct jobs over the two-year span of the projects. The Chamber anticipates the benefits of the two projects will include: reducing the “Colwood Crawl”, and connecting the region’s gateways, i.e., the Swartz Bay Ferry and the Victoria International Airport, more efficiently with the Westshore communities. The Chamber has long advocated for improvements to the region’s transportation system, which directly affects businesses' bottom line and our quality of life.

We will continue our efforts for a regional strategy, which we anticipate would generate a host of ancillary benefits, including increasing access to affordable housing.

Updates

Municipal Accountability Initiative Communicating municipal business in a clear and understandable fashion is a pillar of good governance, and citizens should have the opportunity to fully understand the nature and context of municipal discussions. However very few—if any—successful business people have the time to attend or watch webcasts of Council and committee meetings. For example, the City of Victoria averages of 25 hours of Council and committee meetings a month, some of which run as late as 1 a.m.!

As a pilot project, The Chamber recently hired an independent

30 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

contractor to compile information on the City of Victoria’s Council and committee meetings. This information is intended to support The Chamber’s advocacy efforts, and will expand to include other municipalities as funding permits.

Capital Region Governance Review Strong, effective regional governance is needed in order to grow a vibrant and prosperous community.

There is overwhelming acknowledgement and voter support/demand to improve how our region is governed.

The Chamber has been advocating for some form of amalgamation since 1919; however, to just focus on amalgamation as a solution at this point in time is not only putting the cart before the horse, but limits our collective options.

We need to examine local governance models, namely the municipalities and the Capital Regional District. The Chamber has recommended to the Province it commission and resource an independent study on governance within our region. If a referendum question is an outcome of the study, we recommended one question is asked across all municipalities. Such a study could provide the meaningful and actionable results we want with the regional perspective we need to identify the solutions that are best for our region now and into the future.

Role of Municipalities Municipalities are assuming more responsibility in areas that are traditionally the role of higher levels of government. These municipalities typically characterize their actions as taking on responsibilities that were “downloaded” by higher levels of government. Municipal governments are not resourced to deliver many of these services and have been seeking new resources to be able to fill identified service gaps, which disadvantage taxpayers who remit taxes to all three levels of government.

The Chamber has asked the Province for clarification on the both statutory and appropriate roles for municipal governments.

Miscellaneous

Over the last two months, The Chamber has engaged local, provincial and federal decision-makers in support of the following: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary—Seniors Program The proposed gift store managed and operated by senior volunteers offers a valuable service to Sanctuary visitors by expanding on their experience as they explore the property.

Urban Core Developments’ proposal: Cook Street Village Urban Core Developments proposes a five-storey structure with residential housing and commercial space at the south end of Cook Street Village.

The proposal will provide householdsustaining jobs, add to the affordable housing inventory, particularly in the core area.

Downtown Victoria Visitors’ Centre (812 Wharf St.) Tourism Victoria’s seeks to improve their busy visitor centre on the Inner Harbour, thereby further enhancing the vibrancy of our downtown core and fostering economic prosperity throughout the region.

Lower Causeway in Victoria’s inner harbour The Lower Causeway in Victoria’s inner harbour is the “Front Porch of Victoria” and serves as a welcoming area and gathering place. The causeway expansion project will increase its use and accessibility while retaining its historic character.

Upcoming

Federal Election As the voice of the business community, The Chamber is uniquely positioned to provide Greater Victoria voters an opportunity to ask federal candidates questions affecting our businesses and region’s economic environment. We are planning three interactive, virtual candidates forums— one for each riding—during the last week of September. The forums will be open to interested citizens via webstream, which viewers can access free-of-charge on the web-enabled platform of their choice. Keep an eye out in our weekly BizNews and events e-newsletters for more details!

Your Community.

YOUR Y

Building Healthy Communities YMCA-YWCA

•

851 Broughton Street, Victoria

•

• www.victoriay.com Ph: 250-386-7511 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015

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electrical contracting building controls & automation data networks security & life safety systems industrial construction power quality 24 hr service

Get plugged into electrical safety 250.544.0099

www.houle.ca

32 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2015