Business
Matters Vol. 6 Issue 6
www.victoriachamber.ca #100-852 Fort Street, Victoria BC V8W 1H8
November/December 2010
Prosperity Gains and Affordability in BC Publications Mail Poste-Publications
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contents
November/December 2010 I vol. 6 issue 6
cover 6
17
Extending our Reach for Economic Growth
6
Advertising in Business Matters is available to chamber members at very competitive rates and yearly specials are available until November 26, 2010. Don’t miss out on your chance to get a 25% discount on your ads for 2011. Contact an account representative at the chamber office for more information.
also inside 11 22
Business Services Show Thanks 2011 Business Awards Nominations
in every issue Messages from the Chair and CEO
5
Member News
12
Events Calendar
14
Prodigy Group
15
Greater Victoria Development Agency
24
17 NOMINATE recognition • promotion • celebration
4
New Members
26
Policy Moves
27
Ask an Expert
Message From the Editor Business Matters is a bi-monthly publication of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in 2011, we will be changing our publication format and increasing our distribution. Our goal in doing so is to extend the reach of the voice of business and to bring you greater exposure for your advertising investments. Business Matters will be printed in a newspaper format and directly delivered to 10,000 businesses per edition, including all chamber member companies. This is a fivefold increase over our current distribution!
Prosperity Gains and Affordability in BC
feature article
Shannon Renault
greater victoria business awards 2011
22 26
Content submissions to Business Matters are accepted from chamber members, as a benefit of membership. Content Editor: Shannon Renault Layout Editor: Tessa Cogman Business Matters’ content is copyrighted: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Victoria, B.C., Canada. To advertise in Business Matters Contact: Chamber Account Representatives (250) 383-7191 or chamber@gvcc.org Advertising rates are for electronic file-ready artwork. All rates are plus applicable taxes. Reduced multiple insertion ad rates (six or more issues) are available, contact your account rep for more information. Type of Ad
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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Send all magazine submissions to: srenault@gvcc.org Please respect the length guidelines as outlined below. Longer items will be edited. Ask an Expert Column: 300 words, please include professional head and shoulder photo, high resolution and position title. Member News: Standard one page news release. Please put “Ask an Expert” or “Member News” in the subject line of your email.
messages
David Marshall Chair
As 2010 comes to a close,
one can certainly describe the past decade as “interesting”. Through most of that 10-year span, we enjoyed great economic growth. The latter years of the roller coaster decade brought a downturn that, frankly, we could have done without. For our emerging entrepreneurs who have not been through such a cycle, it was possibly a huge learning experience. For all of us, I’m sure it is one that will make us all stronger, more reflective business persons. Moving into the next decade, the Chamber is focussed on building an even stronger Greater Victoria, one where we are known for what we do rather than for where we are. We will continue to promote our region as a place of great opportunity and bring the business perspective to our local, provincial and federal governments. In the near term, we encourage our members in the City of Victoria to take a leadership role by becoming involved in the Johnson Street Bridge funding referendum. Please discuss the issue, the importance of maintaining the lifeline to our downtown core, and the financial implications of the November 20th vote. The Chamber supports borrowing to build the bridge as it will have the least tax impact on both residents and businesses. And while this is officially a “Victoria” issue, it is truly a regional one. Without borrowing authority to build a new bridge, we risk closure of the current bridge, which in turn could have a huge impact on downtown businesses and employees throughout the region. I look forward to working with our new board members in 2011 – John Wilson, and Kimberley Hughes, and with Janell Karst who will be appointed as Chair of the Prodigy Group – as well as continuing with our returning board members. The Chamber has a strong, committed leadership team! On behalf of our members, I would also like to thank the board members who are not returning for their hard work and contributions to the organization. Thank you to John Juricic, Roger Skilling, David Vinnels, and Annie Wong-Harrison. You have served your colleagues well and you deserve our – and their – thanks.
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Bruce Carter CEO
As I look towards 2011,
there are many positive signs in our community. Economic forecasts are positive and I anticipate improved conditions for the region. Our technology and education sectors continue to lead our economy in economic growth. The government services sector, which has decreased in size in the last two years, is starting to see signs of growth. Our tourism sector is holding its own in a struggling global economy that sees tourism declines far greater than those on Vancouver Island. The marine industry has a series of long-term contracts and will bid for considerable government work in the next five years. I do not expect that we will experience extensive growth in 2011 but our stable local economy will remain strong and we will continue to see recovery in all sectors. The infrastructure challenges that all our municipalities face has been highlighted by the issues related to the Johnson Street Bridge replacement and I expect this will be the subject of considerable study in our Chamber. We will continue to be strong advocates of rationalizing police services as necessary to maintain public safety. We have new additions to our board of directors and very good sector representation. The chamber staff has experienced some changes in the last year and these are expected to continue with impending retirements. The newer members of the staff team are settling in and our team remains very strong. The Chamber will make a number of changes to its communication strategy in 2011 with the most significant being a change in magazine format and increasing the distribution fivefold. We will examine our priority areas and expect to have considerable engagement in the municipal elections in the fall of 2011. The calendar looks very exciting next year with Skate Canada competitions in February, a finalized rapid transit proposal in the spring, Tall Ships in the summer, a fall municipal election and rumours of a federal election. It looks like an exciting year ahead.
Business Matters
member news
Megson FitzPatrick’s Uptown office is now open! The Town & Country office has now moved into Uptown Centre. The new office is located off the Blanshard Street entrance near Best Buy and Shoppers Drug Mart. If parking underground, the elevator to the top floor (L4) will get you there. Megson FitzPatrick would like to thank all the clients who visited their office over the last few years while the construction was going on. The new office is easy to get to with plenty of parking outside and is open extended hours; Monday to Friday 8:00am9:00am, Saturday & Sunday 9:00am5:00pm and most stat. holidays from 10:00am-2:00pm. Rinald Tax Advisory has hired Byron T.D. Smith, CA as Tax Manager. Byron brings with him five years of public practice experience including domestic and cross-border tax services. Byron is a chartered accountant and has completed the Canadian Institue of Chartered Accountant’s in-depth tax program. He also holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Victoria and is multi-lingual, speaking French and Japanese. Formerly with Grant Thornton LLP as a Manager of Tax Services, Byron’s commitment to creating lasting client relationships and providing purposeful advice make him an ideal addition to the RTA team. Rinald Tax Advisory specializes in providing practical tax advice in the areas of personal, corporate, trust and estate tax planning. G.E. Miller Builder & Contractor celebrates a double gold win at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s
Business Matters
2010 Care Awards. Top honors were received for Best Residential Renovation or Restoration over $100,000 and Best Custom Millwork Under $200,000.
conveniently located ATM near them using their iPhone or iPad mobile device. THE EXCHANGE Network ATM finder application is available for free download from iTunes or from www.caorda.com.
G.E. Miller’s work in residential and commercial construction and renovation creates marks of distinction for clients seeking superior quality and artistry. With an 80-year family legacy of outstanding craftsmanship, clients receive the highest standards available from the construction and design industry.
Our Place Society is in the business of helping those in need. On December 11, 2010 Our Place will host its first ever “Non-gala Gala”, where local businesses can help out without giving up any time.
Next, G.E. Miller will be vying for the 2010 Georgie Awards, which celebrates excellence in homebuilding in British Columbia. Miller and his team won Renovator of the Year and Best Kitchen Renovation in 2009. After a full year of service at their new location at 713 Johnson Street in the Access Health Centre, partners Victoria Cool Aid Society and AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI) have much to celebrate. Together, well over 1,500 more persons are receiving respectful and effective health care and social services than could be served at the old locations. In their first year of operations the centre has provided 34,677 medical and dental encounters and 8,000 nutritious meals served at the AVI café. Caorda Web Solutions, one of Victoria’s leading web design and development companies, is pleased to announce they have built a new iPhone app for THE EXCHANGE® Network of No Fee ATMs. This new application for Apple® mobile platforms enables customers to quickly find the most
The Non-Gala for Our Place Society is the first of its kind in Greater Victoria and replaces the gala events of the last three years. This year’s Non-Gala has no lengthy speeches, no raffle, no silent auction and requires no expensive outfit! It lets you support those without a home by staying at home. For more informaiton visit www.ourplacesociety.com/nongala The Fairmont Empress welcomes International Artist, David Goatley, for the inaugural Artist in Residence series commencing November 5, 2010. Goatley, is widely regarded as one of North America’s leading portrait painters. Born in London, England, he trained at London’s Camberwell School of Art before settling with his family in Victoria, BC in 1992. Goatley’s notable portraits include artists Robert Bateman and Ted Harrison, folk music legend Valdy, the internationally acclaimed Tenor Richard Margison, two Lt. Governors of BC, the official Parliamentary portraits of Speaker Gilbert Parent and Prime Minister Kim Campbell and US continued on p. 21...
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Prosperity Gains and Affordability in BC 6
Business Matters
C
anada has come through the economic downturn rather well compared against a number of countries, and in turn, British Columbia has fared well compared to other provinces. While businesses work to pull out of the recession, it is worthwhile to reflect on the longer trend in economic-growth to business, and wage growth to workers over the last decade. Since 2000, the economy of BC has grown by an average of 2.2% per year, growing from approximately $121.5 billion to just over $148 billion in 2009. Forecasts for 2010 project that the province’s economy will top $154 billion with an average growth rate of 3.2% for the next four years.
The Wage Debate While wages overall are increasing in the province, and in the Capital Region, it is apparent that the increases are not being felt the same way across the income strata. The Victoria Foundation in their Vital Signs report of 2010 quotes the research of the CSPC, noting that the affordability index calculation for Greater Victoria is $17.31 an hour (it is calculated to be $18.17 per hour in Vancouver). This equates to a yearly salary of $63,008.40 for a family of four: two adults and two children. The hourly living wage of $17.31 is up from $16.39 an hour in 2008. The living wage refers to the level of income that a two parent
British Columbia has the third highest average hourly wage in Canada.
Wages have also grown substantially in the province. Average hourly earnings increased in eight of the nine years between 1998 and 2007, with an average annual increase of 2.0% per year for a net increase of 19.3%. During this time period the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for BC increased at an average of 1.8% per year with an overall increase of 17.8%. Hence, wages are increasing slightly faster than inflation. And wages continue to increase, along with our economic growth. According to BC Stats, the average wage in BC from January to September 2010 was $22.77 per hour, a 2.9 per cent increase over the same period in 2009. British Columbia has the third highest average hourly wage in Canada, next to Alberta at $24.94 and Ontario at $23.12. The Canadian average is $22.43. The statistics are good news. It would appear that as a province we are doing well and headed in the right direction. Although this is true overall, there are some challenges for particular groups in the labour market. These are the concerns highlighted in Victoria Foundation’s Vital Signs report and the Community Social Planning Council’s (CSPC) research on what is termed the “Affordability Index,” a community affordability indicator that calculates the hourly wage (“living wage”) required to have an adequate standard of living in the Capital Region.
family with two children would need to earn to modestly cover the cost of living in the region. It does not include extra expenses such as holidays, education or retirement savings, loan payments of any debts, or extra expenses that might arise from unexpected life circumstances. At that level of wage consideration, a very good portion of the population is doing okay. The most recent census statistics on family income from 2006 notes that a family of four as described by the CSPC in the CRD earned a median income of $71,500. That median has almost certainly increased by 2010. However, a significant portion is making less, and for those individuals it is hard to enjoy a good quality of life in the region. That should be a concern for businesses in the ongoing challenge to attract and retain employees. The Social Planning Council is not suggesting that all small businesses need to raise wages to the living wage level. And that’s good, as most small businesses would be out of business at that level. Rather they publish the living wage as an indicator on the issue of affordability in the region and suggest things that employers and the community can do to address the situation as they can in their own environments.
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But before looking at those suggestions, the shortcomings in the actual data need to be acknowledged. While a significant portion of people earn less than the living wage, and while 2.3% of the British Columbians earn the minimum wage, it should be noted that the majority of those wage earners worked in industries where there are other streams of income added to their statistical wages. National stats show that almost all the wages paid below the living wage level in BC are in the sales and services occupation. Within that grouping, a number of the positions also earn tips and gratuities in the accommodations and food services sectors and some significantly so. There is no doubt that a number of workers in the grouping are making well over the living wage, notwithstanding the official statistics.
So while the statistics are informative and a useful starting point, their direct applicability in certain sectors needs to be kept in perspective. A second part of the data to keep in perspective is the demographic breakdown of people earning minimum wage and employed in low paying positions. According to Statistics Canada, the vast majority of workers earning minimum wage are between the ages of 15-24 (with most of them under 19 years of age) and living at home. The income levels of workers generally increase with age, though the age group after age 55 again sees a bit of an uptick in lower salaries. This appears to be related to retired individuals taking on a part time job.
Employers Assisting Affordability Knowing all that information, it is still important to note that employers are concerned about being able to attract and retain employees, and compete with larger companies and the public service to do so. Employers are encouraged, and many do, pay the most attractive wage and benefit package that they are able to. But it is true that small businesses simply cannot compete against the public sector in these areas – though it is interesting to note that compensation package increases in the public sector come out of the contribution of tax payers and not out of “profits.” But there are other ways to support workers to be able to better afford the cost of living in the Capital Region.
STABILITY, GROWTH AND A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT Situated in BC’s provincial capital in a city known for its entrepreneurs and thriving technology, marine, health and tourism sectors, the Victoria Conference Centre is a perfect global business destination. At the VCC we partner with you to ensure that your business objectives and the needs of your delegates are met through the planning and execution of a flawless conference programme or business meeting. The VCC hosts over 230 events a year and delivers over $60 million into the local economy annually. COME FOR THE CONFERENCE. Return to live and invest in Victoria.
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Some suggestions of experts in this area include:
Provincial Comparison of Average Hourly Wa g e s
• Being open to flexible shifts so families can minimize the hours they have to pay for daycare
Comparison of average hourly wages by province Jan-Sept 2010.
• Provide bus passes as a benefit, to reduce employee transportation costs • Provide on the job training to improve employee skills so they will be able to increase their own value in the workforce
Average Hourly Wage by Province Canada British Columbia $22.77 Alberta $24.94 Saskatchewan $22.34 Manitoba $20.36 Ontario $23.12 Quebec $21.04 New Brunswick $18.88 Nova Scotia $19.75 Prince Edward Island $18.48 Newfoundland $20.52 Canada
$22.43
• As much as possible, make business to business contracts with other companies that support the community. These are useful suggestions outside of the demand for wage increases. And they are ones that a number of businesses may be able to integrate without causing a strain on their own working environment.
2 0 0 9 B C S t a t i s t i c s Wa g e S a l a r y S u r v e y T h e c h a r t b e l o w i s a n e x c e r p t o f t h e B C Wa g e a n d Salary Survey showing the average starting salaries and hourly wages of full time employees in selected common occupations. The survey was conducted with a sample population of establishments between March and June
Community Assisting Affordability Income is only one side of the equation. The other side is the cost of living, and it is here that perhaps there are policy shifts that could take place to encourage affordability. The biggest portion of the budget for most people is their housing, and it is no secret that housing of all descriptions is expensive in Victoria. There has been some good work on this front in recent years on the housing concerns at the “social housing” end of the spectrum. Most municipalities now participate in the Regional Housing Trust Fund and United Way of Greater Victoria supports many organizations working on housing issues. We also have the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness that is implementing a program called Streets to Homes, to move the absolute homeless directly into housing, and the province of BC has contributed to substantial housing projects in our region. However the cost of market housing for working individuals is high. And while it will never be low in an area as highly desirable as Victoria, it could be made more affordable through policies that decrease the cost of
Business Matters
2009. The full list of employer groups is available on the Statistics BC website.
Occupation Management and Administrative Occupations Senior Manager, Financial, Communications and Business services Financial Managers Retail Managers Restaurand and Food Services Managers Accommodation Services Managers Bookkeepers General Office Clerks Natural and Appled Sciences and Related Occupations Civil Engineers Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Computer Network Technicians Occupations in Social Sciences, Education, Arts and Culture Community and Social Service Workers Early Childhood Educators and Assistants Graphic Designers and Ilustrators Sales and Service Occupations Insurance Agents and Brokers Chefs Cooks Hairstylists and Barbers Retail Salespersons Food and Beverage Servers Cashiers Food Counter Attendants Light Duty Cleaners Trades Carpenters Painters and Decorators Bus Drivers and Other Transit Operators Construction Trade Helpers and Labourers
Starting Wage
Most frequent full-time wage
$49.36 $36.31 $19.30 $14.43 $15.36 $19.97 $16.63
$61.30 $40.55 $21.44 $16.47 $16.22 $21.12 $19.17
$24.19 $24.15 $21.97
$37.47 $30.92 $27.03
$16.78 $14.45 $19.12
$18.83 $16.46 $24.69
$15.90 $15.34 $11.61 $12.36 $12.16 $9.56 $10.07 $9.48 $13.16
$23.51 $16.75 $13.19 $14.75 $14.61 $10.15 $11.51 $10.87 $15.24
$20.30 $19.67 $18.03 $16.39
$24.51 $29.45 $24.33 $20.51
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building, and therefore providing housing, and increase the density of housing throughout the region. The federal government has been called upon to change tax policies to treat investments in housing the same as other forms of investment to loosen up the “locked in” effect often cited as one reason for not building purpose built rental housing.
And as a region we need to keep focussing on attracting industries and businesses that inherently pay higher wages. We will always have a lower paid service sector – and we need that for a portion of our workforce – however economic development of our region will provide a greater number of career and professional positions and ensure a better quality of life for workers.
Share of employees working for minimum wage or less by province 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 % Canada 4.7 4.8 4.8 4.1 4.6 4.3 Newfoundland and Labrador 8.7 5.7 7.4 8.4 6.5 6.1 Prince Edward Island 3.7 3.2 4.4 4 4.4 5.1 Nova Scotia 4.9 4.1 4.6 5.9 5.6 5.1 New Brunswick 6 4.2 4.2 4.1 2.5 3.1 Quebec 5.4 7 6.1 5.1 4.4 4.6 Ontario 4.6 4.1 3.9 3.5 5.3 4.3 Manitoba 5.1 4.5 4.8 4.5 4.9 4.9 Saskatchewan 5.9 4.4 4.8 5 3.3 3.9 Alberta 2 1.5 1.1 1.1 0.9 1.3 British Columbia 4.5 6 7.7 5.6 6.2 5.6
2006 4.3 7.6 4.7 5.9 4.1 4.2 4.7 4.8 5.4 1.7 4.6
We are all concerned about the affordability of living in our province, particularly in our urban centres. We are all concerned about the prospects for our youth and the situation of poverty. Clearly the overall growth in our economy and wages has not benefitted everyone, yet focusing the debate solely on the wage side of the equation is only looking at a portion of the issue. A full and creative discussion needs to take place on 2007 2008 increasing prosperity in our province for all of us; those at every point 5.0 5.2 on the income spectrum. And that conversation 7.4 7.7 needs to open the door 6.9 5.6 to a number of policy 6.2 6.4 initiatives at all levels of government to address 5.6 4.8 both the income and 5.4 5.9 expense side of the 6.3 6.6 issue. 5.5 5.3 3.2 3.8 1 1.6 3.4 2.7
Source: Statistic Canada, Labour Force Survey
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Business Matters
business services sh w
PRESENTED BY:
get what your business needs
Thank you to our sponsors & exhibitors: 103.1 Jack FM & The Ocean FM 98.5 2nd Globe Studios Academy of Learning Adrena Line Zipline Adventure Tours AMICA Mature Lifestyles (Somerset & Douglas House) Aspect - B.C.’s Community Based Trainers BC HAZMAT Management Ltd. B.C. Hydro - Power Smart Beach Club Resort Bee Clean Building Maintenance Belfry Theatre Berwick Retirement Communities Best Western Chemainus Festival Inn Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island BMO Bank of Montreal Business Examiner Buy, Sell & Trade, Inc. Camosun College Co-operative Education Camosun College School of Business, and School of Trades & Technology Canadian Payroll Association CanAssist Caorda Web Solutions Capital Regional District (CRD) Centra Windows Ltd. CFB Esquimalt Lookout Newspaper Chamber of Learning Network (Etraffic Solutions) Chard Development Ltd. CHEK News Commissionaires Victoria, the Islands & Yukon Communication Connection Inc. Costco Wholesale Canada Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community Cube Global Storage Custom House Datagirl.ca
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Edible Arrangements Elite Sportswear and Awards Enterprise Project Management Ltd. Express Employment First Memorial Funeral Services Graffix Promotionals Inc. Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victoria Development Agency H2O Zone Pure Water Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites Hartman Business Machines Hatley Memorial Gardens Hazmasters Hone People Development Consulting Hotel Grand Pacific IdeaZone.ca Investors Group - Yates Island Blue Print Co. Ltd. Island I.T. Inc. Island Savings Credit Union - Downtown Jack Insurance & Financial Services Janice Mangano, Realtor, Pemberton Holmes Ltd. Kenmore Air Manulife Securities Maximum Express/ Maximum Furniture Home & Office Monk Office Supply Ltd. Mt. Doug CruiseShip Centres Nerds On Site Old House Village Hotel & Spa Out of the Blue Designs Pacific Coastal Airlines Page One Publishing Ltd. Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa Prestige Oceanfront Resort & Convention Centre Price’ s Alarm Systems Ltd.
Public Works and Government Services Canada R.G. Properties Ltd. Save On Foods Memorial Centre Royal BC Museum Shark Club Bar & Grill Shaw Cablesystems G.P. Signs of the Times Enterprises Inc. Sooke Harbour House Hotel Restaurant Gallery & Spa Staged N Sold Properties Inc. Sunbelt Business Brokers (Victoria) Ltd. TD Merchant Services Team Sales Vancouver Island Ltd. The Fairmont Empress Three Point Motors - Mercedes Benz/ Smart Dealership TigerTel Communications Times Colonist, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Torbram Electric Supply Undercover Wear Union Club of British Columbia University Canada West Victoria Conference Centre Vision 2000 Travel Group - Blaney’s Travel Vivid Solutions WCG International Consulting Inc. Wealth By Design Wells Gray Tours (Victoria) Ltd. West Coast Mail Services West Shore U-Lock Mini Storage Ltd. Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa WildPlay Element Parks WorkSafeBC YWCA Hotel
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events calendar
November 2010 Monday
Tuesday
1
2
CEO Coffee Hour
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Business Awards Nomination Info
A one hour issue discussion with Chamber CEO, Bruce Carter DataGirl.ca 3B-1218 Langley St. 8:30 am-9:30 am Members only please
8:00 am-9:00 am Chamber Office #100-852 Fort St. s! Plu
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Prodigy Group November Mingle
5:30 pm-7:30 pm The Oyster at Pescatore’s Seafood + Grill 614 Humboldt St.
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Wednesday 3
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Business Education Series
Thursday 4
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Sponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc. Identifying the Reasons for Doing Business (“Pain”) and Closing the Sale 11:45 am-1:00 pm Chamber office
17 Business Education 18
Business Mixer
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Series Hosted by Queen Victoria
Sponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc. Business Continuation Planning: How to prepare your business for the unexpected 11:45 am-1:00 pm Chamber office
Hotel and Suites 655 Douglas St. 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Members & their guests only please
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Annual Dinner Auction
An evening of mixing, bidding and buying. 6:00 pm-11:00 pm Victoria Conference Centre 720 Douglas St.
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Friday
Notes:
For more information or to register, visit www.victoriachamber.ca
Business Education Series • November 10 Randy Hnatko
Kelly Joya
Identifying the Reasons for Doing Business (“Pain”) and Closing the Sale Prospects buy for their reasons, not the salesperson’s reasons. All too frequently, sales are lost because the salesperson didn’t know when to stop talking. Join the President and CEO of Sandler Training/ Trainwest Management and Consulting Inc. for this informative presentation.
Business Continuation Planning: How to prepare your business for the unexpected Business continuation planning considers the events that could jeopardize the viability of your business, offering strategies to protect against these eventualities. This session will help you decipher the most desirable solution in the event of death, disability, or critical illness of a key employee or shareholder.
Sandler Training/Trainwest Management and Consulting Inc.
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Business Education Series • November 17 Sun Life Financial
Business Matters
December 2010 Monday
Tuesday
Notes:
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Wednesday 1
7
Business Education Series
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Chair’s Reception
Sponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc. Leadership That Works 11:45 am-1:00 pm Chamber office #100-852 Fort St.
Join David Marshall & the 2010 Board of Directors 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Chamber Office #100-852 Fort St.
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Business Education Series
Prodigy Group December Mingle
Friday 3
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Annual Christmas Luncheon
5:30 pm-7:30 pm Madrona Gallery 606 View St.
Join us at our Annual Christmas Luncheon 11:00 am-1:30 pm Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa 45 Songhees Rd.
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Sponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc. Customers for Life 11:45 am-1:00 pm Chamber office #100-852 Fort St.
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Thursday
14 CEO Coffee Hour A one hour issue discussion with Chamber CEO, Bruce Carter Chamber Office #100-852 Fort St. 8:30 am-9:30 am Members only please
Happy Holidays!
Chamber office closed for holidays
For more information or to register, visit www.victoriachamber.ca
Business Education Series • December 1 Sandy MacIver
K.A. MacIver and Associates Leadership That Works The focus of this presentation is on proven leadership: putting organizations on the road to greatness. Greatness comes through trusted leadership that galvanizes organizational groups. We can become trusted, group-focused leaders by taking two steps. Learn these steps and more by joining Sandy MacIver for this informative session on leadership.
Business Matters
Business Education Series • December 8 Richard Larkin
Success Biz Coach Customers for Life Learn how to create systems in your business to handle all possible outcomes with your customers, determining what your customer really wants and how to meet, and even exceed their expectations. Discuss the model all businesses must follow to ensure you have customers for life. Join Richard Larkin, President of Success Biz Coach for this exciting and dynamic presentation.
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www.prodigygroup.ca
Apprentice Fundraiser
Regan McGrath, Chair In my last official article as Chair, I want to publicly recognize the hard work of my team this year on the Prodigy Group. I am sincerely proud to have led a team of such dedicated, hardworking, enthusiastic young business leaders. Highlights of the group this year are many: We increased the membership of our group by over 100%, threw three very successful special events (The Amazing Race, Volleyball Tournament, and Golf Tournament), and successfully paired ten emerging business people with the best mentors in the city. While these accomplishments are excellent, they are not the reasons why I am so proud to lead this wonderful group.
Prodigy Gro up Golf Tour nament at Prospect La ke Golf Cour se, Sept 20 10
For more information on how you can be involved in the Prodigy Group Apprentice, or any future Prodigy Group events, please contact us at specialevents@prodigygroup.ca
ngle at October 2010 Mi
Sitka
This year our committee decided not to run a surplus or take any money from our events to put back into our operations. Instead, we unanimously decided to take all extra revenues and give them to charity. The philanthropy and willingness to give back to our community that our group exhibited is what makes me most proud of the 2010 Prodigy Group Committee. As a result of our decision, and with your help, we have raised $4000 for Community Micro Lending in Victoria. This money will go toward supporting local entrepreneurs who would otherwise not have access to start-up capital or funds, thus strengthening the fabric of the local economy and likely changing lives. We will be presenting our cheque to Community Micro Lending at their launch and fundraising event November 16 at the Atrium, and hope you will join us in celebrating the impressive efforts of that group.
Great networking at the golf course! Sept 2010
The 2010 Prodigy Group Golf Tournament presented by National Car & Truck Rental was held on September 17th at Prospect Lake Golf Course. Everyone enjoyed a sunny afternoon with a little friendly competition and networking in a relaxed atmosphere at the club house over drinks and BBQ dinner. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the sponsors, prize donors and participants for their support of the 2010 Prodigy Group Golf Tournament presented by National Car & Truck Rental. Without your participation, we would not have had such a successful event. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the 2010 Prodigy Group charity of choice; Community Micro Lending. We invite you to visit our website to view photos of the event: www. prodigygroup.ca/blog Title Sponsor
Putting Contest
Hole Sponsors
Prodigy Grou p Golf Tourna men Prospect Lake Golf Course, Se t at pt 2010
November Community Connections Mingle
November 9th, 2010 | 5:30 to 7:30 pm The Oyster at Pescatore’s Seafood + Grill, 614 Humboldt St.
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2010 Golf Tournament
Thank you to our sponsors!
And lastly, thank you to everyone who has made my year so fantastic. It has truly been a pleasure chairing the group this year.
Regan McGrath, Chair rmcgrath@kpmg.ca
Saturday November 27th, the Prodigy Group will be partnering with the YMCA Strong Kids campaign for our annual Apprentice Fundraiser. Prodigy Group members and Olympic athletes will be working with children from the community to compete in a challenge to raise money for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Teams will be tasked with selling candy canes in Victoria’s downtown core and the team with the most money raised at the end of the afternoon, receives a special prize. Each team will be provided with materials to be used to help them promote their product and, with the skills and expertise of the Prodigy Group members and Olympic athletes, teams will work together to develop successful strategies to achieve their goals.
December Holiday Mingle
December 9th, 2010 | 5:30 to 7:30 pm Madrona Gallery, 606 View St.
Business Matters
Roger Skillings Chair The GVDA recently launched the 2011 edition of Business in Greater Victoria, a comprehensive guide to business and investment in the region. The publication has been distributed to main Canadian cities, San Francisco, Seattle, and to the Department of Foreign Affairs in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The aim of the publication is to invite investment and further diversify our local economy and all its sectors. An important regional initiative, the publication highlights Greater Victoria’s key business sectors, economic strengths, labour force, as well as lifestyle qualities including real estate, climate, commuting, transportation and green and safe neighborhoods. Our region has a tremendous story to tell regarding economic opportunity, and Business in Greater Victoria will help paint that picture for investors and businesses around the world. The GVDA has also been asked to help assist in the development of an economic development strategy
Business Matters
for the City of Victoria. A panel of local business professionals are working with City staff to develop an economic development action plan to retain and attract economic growth to the Capital City. The strategy will include an assessment of the City’s realistic economic development and employment growth prospects in the short, medium and long term, opportunities to strengthen and diversify the local economy and identify the subset of opportunities that are focused on environmental services, green technology, sustainable building strategies and environmentally-friendly sectors of the economy.
Greater Victoria Development Agency will also participate in development of the strategy. During these times of economic uncertainty, the GVDA exists to serve the needs of local businesses and entrepreneurs. If you need advice on developing new markets for your products, or help with any other issue facing your business, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Our Economic Development Officer, Sasha Angus, would be happy to help. Mr. Angus can be reached at sangus@ gvda.ca or 250-383-7191 ext 204.
The panel is comprised of 13 members, including: Rob Bennett, Greg Brophy, Deirdre Campbell, Bruce Carter, Peter Ciceri, Alan Dolan, Scott Hoadley, Mohan Jawl, John Juricic, Dr. Valerie Kuehne, Pauline Rafferty, Mike Suzuki, and the Deputy Minister of Community and Rural Development. A steering committee of senior City staff and Sasha Angus, Economic Development Officer for the
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Personal solutions, global backing
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Russell Lazaruk, CIM, FSCI Associate Portfolio Manager, Branch Manager T: 250 412 3403 | TF: 1 877 978 9300 russell.lazaruk@macquarie.com
Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. St. Andrews Square II 730 View Street, Suite 430 Victoria, BC V8W 3Y7
Visit our website at www.macquarieprivatewealth.ca Macquarie Private Wealth *In Canadian dollars as at March 31, 2010. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is registered as a bank or an authorized foreign bank in Canada under the Bank Act, S.C. 1991, c. 46 and no entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is regulated in Canada as a ďŹ nancial institution, bank holding company or an insurance holding company. Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (MBL) is a company incorporated in Australia and authorized under the Banking Act 1959 (Australia) to conduct banking business in Australia. MBL is not authorized to conduct business in Canada. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies other than MBL is an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Australia), and their obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of any other Macquarie Group company. Macquarie Private Wealth is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.
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Business Matters
Extending our Reach for Economic Growth
T
ransportation connectivity is the key to prosperity. This is always true and is especially important to our region, as we live on an island. And it is a fundamental fact in tourism prosperity. The province has certainly recognized that improvements to transportation facilities, and specifically airports, are important to realize our province’s economic potential. They have been active supporters of airport improvements and expansions around the province and those locations have been able to open up new markets and building on existing ones in their respective centres. Likewise, the opportunity for significant economic development for the Capital Region can be realized with an extension to the main runway at the Victoria International Airport. The Victoria International Airport is Canada’s ninth busiest airport, and has the shortest runway of all major Canadian airports and provincial capitals. Even with that limitation, the airport has seen a 50 percent growth in passenger activity since 2002. This represents over 1.5 million passengers per year. The airport is a major hub of activity, with more than sixty daily departures with non-stop and one-stop service to every major Canadian city and a number of US destinations.
Victoria International Airport runway Photo credit: Phil Jenson
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As busy as it is, the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) knows that there is a substantial market demand for direct flight access to Victoria that can only be realized through an expansion to the main runway. Research to date shows a ready market from key European destinations, including London, England and Frankfurt, Germany. These markets have shown interest in non-stop flight packages to Victoria. The VAA estimates that with an extension to the runway, they could see 36,000 new international passenger trips from Europe in the first year with an increase to 48,000 within five years. The runway extension would also lead to direct non-stop service to China, by the end of the decade, so Victoria could capitalize on Approved Destination Status. A second area of economic growth could be realized with the synergies that can be developed for the tourism industry. The extension to the runway will provide the capacity direct international flights to link Victoria as a
home port for the cruise ship industry. Being a home port for a cruise presents the potential of longer visitor stays in the days preceding a cruise vacation. This is in contrast to the cruise tourism that we now receive, which is generally a stay of a number of hours, or at best a short overnight visit. As a home port, visitors may choose to arrive in Victoria two to three days early, or even more. The growth to our cruise industry and the spin off to Victoria businesses is a great potential development that would arise from the Runway Extension Project. The VAA has estimated that the overall economic impact of extending the runway and welcoming new international flights would amount to an additional $37 million annually to Greater Victoria. To realize this potential, the runway needs to be extended from 7000 feet to 8400 feet. A common way to fund this type of community economic initiative is through a threeway equal partnership. In our case the partnership would
Top and bottom photos: Victoria International Airport Photo Credit: Victoria Airport Authority
be between the Airport Authority, province of British Columbia and the federal government. At present, the VAA has its share of the funds in reserve for the project and the federal government has expressed interest in the project.
million to the runway extension at the Kamloops Airport and one third of the $13.5 million to extend the Cranbrook
airports. Expansions to runways and facilities in these cities are opening up new markets and building on existing ones in their respective centres. At this juncture, the Victoria Airport Authority has not yet secured a funding partnership with the province to implement its runway improvement.
The overall economic impact of extending the runway... $37 million annually.
Over the last five years, the provincial government has contributed funding to a number of airport facilities across the province. The most recent contributions include $11 million towards the extension of the main Prince George runway, $4
runway system. There have also been contributions to work at the Nanaimo, Abottsford, Kelowna, and Smithers
In the meantime, while the VAA continues to pursue funding opportunities, they also work on improving the airport lands and approaches, to be prepared
New ideas. Creative minds. From our schools to you. Call Greater Victoria’s co-op and career programs to find the right student for your hiring needs. Co-operative Education and Student Employment www.camosun.ca/coop 250.370.4410 Co-operative Education Program and Career Services www.uvic.ca/coop 250.721.7628
Business Matters
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for the extra traffic that the region will experience. The project to improve traffic flow at McTavish Road will be a grade-separated interchange to improve safety, enhance transit and improve access to the airport. The new interchange will include major improvements to the transit facilities including an expanded park and ride, transit exchange and other enhancements (including accommodation of Rapid Bus service). The interchange will also accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, and improve access to BC Ferries and the rest of the local road network. The $24 million project, which is scheduled to be completed in March of
2011, has been cost shared with the provincial and federal governments, each contributing $10.5 million, and the Victoria Airport Authority itself, putting in $3 million. It is clearly established that transportation infrastructure serves as the backbone for economic growth. Our region is focussing on a number of areas of transportation infrastructure that will improve traffic movement to, from and around our region. The Chamber adds the feature of long term economic benefit through business expansion to the list of those projects that make our advocacy list. For us, the Runway Extension Project at the Victoria International Airport is
the project at the top of the list of transportation projects that meet that criteria. We are working alongside our colleagues at the VAA to promote the investment opportunity to senior governments at every chance we get!
Why vote “Yes� to the Johnson Street Bridge Borrowing Referendum?
Yes to the most cost efficient way to finance this capital project Yes to moving ahead with minimal disruption to business Yes to securing the funding commitment from the federal government
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Business Matters
member news
...continued from p. 5 business leaders and their families.
The hotel will partner with artist Goatley to afford guests the opportunity to have their portrait commissioned in memorable areas throughout the hotel. Whether the hotel’s world renowned Tea Lobby, dazzling Palm Court and Crystal Ballroom or luxury suites, guests will cherish the memories that Goatley will paint during his residency at the award winning Fairmont Empress. Reservations and information will be made available on the hotel website at www.fairmont.com/empress/ vanity/artist.
sustainable world. In two years Accent Inns has supported more than 430 organizations in BC. Poppies Floral Art is excited to announce their move from 744 Yates to The Atrium at 800 Yates on November 15th. Moving to the fabulous LEEDS building where environmental considerations are paramount enables Poppies to increase their own ongoing eco-friendly efforts. Poppies’ reputation for contemporary, urban design will be showcased in the new, modern space. Owned and operated by Mary-Jane Posno and daughter Andrea Posno-Walker, the floral boutique has operated as Poppies - the Island Florist since 2006. Lighthouse Brewing Company is proud to announce the release of our newest beer. Shipwrecked Triple IPA is the first 650mL offering in their “Small Brewery-Big Flavour” series and is only available for a limited time at private retail stores.
Mandy Farmer Profit Magazine has named Mandy Farmer as one of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs on the 2010 PROFIT W100 list. Recognition is based on ranking Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs on a composite score based on the size, growth rate and profitability of their businesses. The PROFIT W100 profiles the country’s most successful female business owners. Amongst this elite group, Farmer’s successes earned her 12th spot. In two years, under the leadership of Mandy Farmer, Accent Inns has expanded its markets, greened more of its business process and retained staff far beyond industry standards. They have also had a profitable year while holding true to their company vision of investing back into the community, in light of a poor global economy. Outside her responsibility as a CEO, Farmer takes time to engage with the greater community. Under Farmer’s leadership, InnAid, an Accent Inns company-wide program, engages staff in community based activities that emphasize making a difference in people’s lives and supporting a
Business Matters
Shipwrecked Triple IPA is a strong beer brewed in small batches using twice the regular kettle time, double the Pale Malt and triple the hops of a regular IPA. It is a rich malt character with pine, spruce and citrus notes. Lighthouse Brewing Company is a Victoria B.C. premium craft brewery dedicated to producing unique, high quality, non pasteurized beers. As the days get shorter and people across the country prepare for another cold Canadian winter, Shaw Communications Inc. is aiming to deliver a million pounds of food to ‘Fill the Food Bank’ as part of their Together is Amazing movement.
be tripled in value as both Shaw and Campbell Canada will match your food donation. For more information about Fill the Food Banks, visit www. togetherisamazing.com. November 19th is the date of the third and final event of the Fall Season of the “Leadership Series” brought to the business community by Ideba Marketing, Times Colonist, UVic School of Business and Sage Internet Solutions. The final event features Martyn Etherington; VP, Marketing & Operations for Tektronix--the largest test and measurement company in the world. Chamber members will be given a discounted student rate at this final event. See www. marketingcentralvictoria.com The Maritime Museum of BC is pleased to announce Cuyler Page as their new Director of Programs and Collections. Page started his role on October 18th and brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity from his past incarnations in architecture, design and artifact preservation and interpretation. He has also enjoyed roles as Site Manager of the Grist Mill at Keremeos, Curator of the Kamloops Museum, Site Manager of Craigflower Historic Site, Instructor at Cariboo College and Selkirk College, and consultant to many museums of the BC Interior.
Send all Member News submissions to: srenault@gvcc.org Please respect the length of a standard one page news release. Longer items will be edited. Please put “Member News” in the subject line of your email.
Please visit any Country Grocer store, Thrifty Foods at Colwood Corners, The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney or Sooke Home Hardware before November 15th, with your non-perishable food donation. Your food donation will
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NOMINATE
recognition • promotion • celebration
2011 Business Awards
greater victoria business awards 2011
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Business Awards Finalists receive over $10,000 in promotion!
nomination categories New Business
Outstanding Customer Service Sustainable Business Practices Innovation
Employer of the Year Business of the Year (1 to 10 employees) Business of the Year (11 to 25 employees) Business of the Year (26 to 75 employees) Business of the Year (76+ employees) Employee of the Year Business Leadership Young Entrepreneur of the Year Business Person of the Year
celebrate!
Lifetime Achievement Award (selected by the Chamber’s Board of Governors) For detailed information about the award categories and submission criteria, please visit www.victoriachamber.ca. Nomination forms must be submitted to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.
Business Matters
new members Acumen Communications Group Inc. A public relations agency specializing in strategic communications planning, stakeholder relations, media relations, crisis communications and project management. p: 250-727-7464 e: info@acumenpr.ca w: www.acumencommunications.ca AlterEgo Marketing Group p: 250-415-9745 e: jesse@alteregomarketinggroup.com w: www.alteregomarketinggroup.com Ann Henslowe, Personal Trainer Working with both individuals and groups. Fit fitness in! p: 250-888-0956 e: annhenslowe@live.ca Aussie Pet Mobile Victoria Aussie Pet Mobile Victoria is the newest Canadian member of an international franchise. We provide full-service, professional, mobile dog and cat grooming in Greater Victoria. p: 250-698-7955 e: kim.demers@aussiepetmobile.ca w: www.aussiepetmobile.ca/victoria Artistic Lighting Design Garden, lighting, landscaping, design, “Landscape Lighting”, “Garden Lighting”. p: 1-888-338-1039 e: lesley@artisticlightingdesign.com w: www.artisticlightingdesign.com BC Smoke Shop Inc. You won’t find traditional pipes here or lame souvenirs; however we have a wall of rolling papers, pipes, cigarettes, international cigar brands, plus smoking accessories. p: 250-383-4663 e: info@bcsmokeshop.ca w: www.bcsmokeshop.ca BMP Sani-Safe Inc. BMP Sani-Safe offers a premium commercial sanitization and supply service. All dispensers, soap, hand-sanitizer, urinal products and air-scent are free. p: 250-514-4782 e: bruce_broadwood@telus.net Breathe Athletic Inc. Get up. Get Out. Just Breathe. Yoga inspired athletic wear for real women. p: 250-995-2244 e: stephanie@breatheathletic.com w: www.breatheathletic.com Brentwood Bay Resort Victoria’s only 5-star oceanfront resort, featuring luxurious “OceanSuites”, seaside dining, spa, marina and eco-adventures. We’re not a million miles away—it just feels like it! p: 1-888-544-2079 e: info@brentwoodbayresort.com w: www.brentwoodbayresort.com Broadmead Hearing Clinic Broadmead Hearing Clinic is an independent hearing aid clinic specializing in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. Staffed by audiologists, call Broadmead Hearing for personal, professional service. p: 250-479-2969 e: doranwright@broadmeadhearing.com w: www.broadmeadhearing.com Busix Computer Services p: 250-472-8936 e: support@busix.com w: www.busix.com
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Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Association - Pull Ahead BC Fully funded, continuous improvement training program for BC small manufacturers with 350 or fewer employees. The program provides training in LEAN (Lean Enterprise) and essential skills to qualified employees. p: 250-217-7449 e: chrystie.benson@pullaheadbc.com w: www.pullaheadbc.com Cascadia Liquor Locally owned and operated, Cascadia Liquor stores deliver outstanding service, surprising product selection and some of the best value pricing in Victoria. p: 250-590-1940 e: pamela@cascadialiquor.com w: www.cascadialiquor.com Dale Carnegie Training of British Columbia Public speaking using consulting, coaching & training. p: 604-299-5115 e: paul.sinkevich@dalecarnegie.com w: www.dalecarnegie.com Dominion Lending - Harbour View Mortgages Corp. We find the best mortgage rates and products for our clients and continue to provide service and care to our clients for the life of their mortgage. p: 250-477-7555 e: greg@hvmortgages.com w: www.gregmartel.com Elevate Consulting We are a company with uncompromising excellence in the areas of training, planning, facilitating, project management, business consulting, and communication. p: 250-483-6660 e: debbie@elevateconsulting.ca w: www.elevateconsulting.ca Fairhome Building Inspections Inc. Specializes in providing unbiased, professional inspections for homes, townhouses and condominiums for prospective home buyers. Our state-of-the-art reports include documentation with photos. p: 250-661-7363 e: fairhomevi@shaw.ca w: www.fairhomebuildinginspections.com Geoff McLean Personal Real Estate Corp. Our clients near and far, benefit from our decades of experience and sound judgment. Let us help you make Victoria your home. p: 250-744-5551 e: geoff@geoffmclean.com w: www.geoffmclean.com GoodSense Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Inc. GoodSense Plumbing commercial and residential. We are well known for excellent customer service, reputable same day service and 24/7 emergency service. NO JOB TOO SMALL. p: 250-213-8700 e: goodsenseplumbing@hotmail.com w: www.goodsenseplumbing.ca Hallmark Air Conditioning Hallmarks recent merger with Peninsula A/C gives Hallmark 13 technicians serving the island. They offer computer generated service history reports on all of their buildings. p: 250-384-1355 e: judy@hallmark-a-c.com w: www.hallmark-a-c.com Ideba Customer-focused, customer-driven marketing consulting that works with customers to help them make more informed business decisions. p: 250-475-5655 Business Matters e: davids@idebamarketing.com w: www.idebamarketing.com
www.victoriachamber.ca InFocus Rehabilitation Services Vocational and rehabilitation counselling and case management for persons facing challenging life circumstances including disability, work place injury and brain injury. p: 250-590-3805 e: admin@infocusrehab.org w: www.infocusrehab.org Island Gourmet Catering Full catering services. p: 250-216-6137 e: islandgourmetcatering@yahoo.ca w: www.islandgourmetcatering.com Live VHD - Virtual Help Desk p: 1-866-677-3256 e: info@livevhd.com w: www.livevhd.com Macdonald Realty Victoria Inc. Macdonald Realty is a fully integrated real estate company, spanning Western Canada and offering a wide range of property related services. Local Brand. Global Reach. p: 250-388-5882 e: victoriaadmin@macrealty.com w: www.macrealty.com Macquarie Private Wealth - Russell Lazaruk, CIM, FCSI As an Associate Portfolio Manager at Macquarie Private Wealth, Russell Lazaruk offers discretionary wealth management to high net worth investors, specializing in trusts and committeeships. p: 250-978-6603 e: russell.lazaruk@macquarie.com w: www.macquarieprivatewealth.ca/lazaruk P.W. McCallum & Associates NEW ROOFS * RE ROOFS * REPAIRS * MAINTENANCE. Roofing Victoria and area for over 50 years. Residential/ commercial/ sloped roofing/ flat roofing. p: 250-884-0305 e: mccallumroofing@hotmail.com Pacific Coast Floor Coverings Inc. Quality floor coverings at very competitive pricing. p: 250-474-0411 e: info@pacificcoastfloors.ca w: www.pacificcoastfloors.ca Patwell Consulting Patwell Consulting’s customized approach to coaching, leadership development and change management helps create the organizational culture leaders require to build capacity and increase operational performance. p: 250-382-1908 e: bpatwell@patwellconsulting.com w: www.patwellconsulting.com Properties In Victoria Professionals Your Real Estate source. p: 250-920-7000 e: info@propertiesinvictoria.com w: www.propertiesinvictoria.com Prestige Oceanfront Resort & Convention Centre Vancouver Island’s premier waterfront destination is the ideal haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. Our full service resort features luxurious guestrooms, exceptional dining experiences, and extraordinary hospitality. p: 250-344-7990 e: sales@prestigehotels.ca w: www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com
Robbins Group James is a rare mix of management consultant, adventurer and motivational speaker. p: 250-508-7271 e: james@jamesrobbins.com w: www.jamesrobbins.com Saanich South Constituency Office My goal is to work in a non-partisan and solutions-oriented way to improve the quality of life in Saanich South. Community Office: Mon-Fri, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm p: 250-479-4154 e: lana.popham.mia@leg.bc.ca w: www.saanichsouth.ca Sears Home Furniture - mattresses - major appliances. p: 250-380-7100 e: gjiggins@sears.ca w: www.sears.ca Seaside Times Seaside Times Magazine treasures and celebrates West Coast culture, giving readers a glimpse of our people and places and reflecting the vibrant energy that our community offers. p: 250-686-1144 e: publisher@seasidetimes.ca w: www.seasidetimes.ca
WEST COAST CULTURE
Showtime Event & Display Provides full service audio visual support. p: 250-220-2609 e: warren@showtimedisplay.com w: www.showtimedisplay.com Studio 37 p: 250-213-3888 e: armandobarbon@shaw.ca w: www.armandobarbon.com Techrite Computer Services Ltd. Sales and service of computer equipment. p: 250-658-4435 e: mboukowski@techrite.ca Unit 4 Business Software p: 250-704-4450 ext. 4471 e: shelley.zapp@agresso.com Victoria CruiseShip Centers Ltd. Today’s ships are floating conference centers equipped with everything you need to host an unforgettable conference, convention or business meeting with the team of experts from our EVENTS AT SEA division. p: 250-381-7447 e: eages@cruiseshipcenters.com w: www.victoria.cruiseshipcenters.com WaterForest Group p: 250-642-6561 e: info@waterforest.com w: www.waterforest.com WeCare Home Health Services Providing assistance and support to live at home for as long as possible, everything from an occasional visit to around the clock care. Helping you. Live your life. p: 250-389-0202 e: victoria@wecarecanada.ca w: www.wecare.ca
Reg Young Furniture & Upholstery Repairs Quality furniture and upholstery repairs by well trained staff. p: 250-727-7924 e: ryoung54@gmail.com
Business Matters
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policy moves
Ministers Discuss FCTIP In early October, the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism met with tourism industry leaders to discuss needed changes to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP). The issue of the FCTIP, formerly called the GST Rebate Program, is important. The purpose of the former program was to refund tour and conference planners the cost of the GST paid for reservation for events and tours in Canada, as the tax does not apply to services purchased from outside of Canada. The former program also provided GST rebates to individual travellers on eligible items. However, the federal government found the program too expensive to administer, and revamped it, and gave it a new name – FCTIP. The revamping of the program has made it too cumbersome for tour operators especially to use, so instead of taking on the extra administration, the tendency is to price the tax into the cost of tours to travellers. This, along with the change under FCTIP to disallow rebates for individual travellers, has had made travelling to Canada more expensive and less competitive. We are encouraged with the political discussions on this policy issue and look forward to positive development on this portfolio. Rapid Transit Plans The Chamber received a presentation from BC Transit on their work to develop a rapid transit service for our region. The presentation highlighted the challenges of trying to fit all modes of transportation into a single roadway. This was particularly evident in the cross sectional drawings of the roadway. Transit indicated that direction from the municipalities was that all modes of transportation needed to be accommodated in all options. The Chamber is concerned that this severely limits innovation on the part of BC Transit and have requested the municipalities involved to alter that specific direction to Transit to allow them to consider all route options and combinations to find safest and most effective way of moving people and goods to and from the core. Referendum on Borrowing for the Johnson Street Bridge Voters in the City of Victoria go to the poles on November 20th to vote on whether they support the City borrowing $49.2 million to rebuild the aging Johnson Street Bridge. The Chamber has voiced its support for the borrowing as it
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is the best cost option for taxpayers. Here is the rational: • There will be no tax increase specifically for borrowing to finance the bridge replacement. The City is retiring a considerable debt, and the repayment amount for the $49.2 million needed for the bridge will be repaid within that same payment schedule. • The bridge is reaching the end of its useful life. Without work the bridge may be decommissioned, which would have an untenable impact on business and the community. • Engineering reports have indicated that repair work to the bridge will be inadequate to the need, based on its rate of deterioration. • Without borrowing the cost to replace the bridge will require substantial tax increases. Victoria By-elections The Chamber has reactivated its elections web page on our website. We feature the candidates for the City of Victoria by-election also taking place on November 20th and their responses to a number of questions we have posed on business issues. Visit the chamber page at www.victoriachamber.ca/elections to help inform your vote for city council. Chamber Brings Home Policy Wins from National Convention The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has supported the call of the Greater Victoria Chamber to restructure the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP) to increase tourism competiveness in Canada. A second policy co-sponsored by the Victoria Chamber and the Burnaby Board of Trade calling on the federal government to develop a national housing strategy to deal with homelessness was also passed. The policy, which was an update of the Victoria policy brought to the CCC in 2007. The 2010 policy debates took place at the Canadian Chamber AGM in Gatineu, Quebec. Support of the national body requires a two-thirds majority of voting members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. While in the Capital area, Chamber staff held advocacy meetings with Minister Clement on issues related to tourism and the protection of intellectual property rights and with Minister Strahl’s senior staff on important infrastructure potentials, such as the extension of the airport runway and the redevelopment of Belleville Street Terminal.
Business Matters
ask an expert Making Smarter Marketing Decisions for Your Organization
What Makes a Strong Succession Plan?
>> David Sly: President, Ideba Marketing Inc.
>> Mary-Ellen Echle, General Manager, Business Banking, Island Savings
As marketers, we often get asked questions about specific media or tactics. Should I be on the radio or in the newspaper? How should I be using social media? Why do I struggle to get Sales and Marketing teams on the same page? How much should I spend on a Web site? The challenge should not be the tactics or the activities… but more the outcomes that you want to drive. Outcomes extend beyond business objectives, such as: perceptions in the marketplace, competitive market share, etc. Consider asking yourself these questions instead: How will I deem marketing efforts to be a success? What are the outcomes that I want to drive? How will I measure the results of activities?… cost-per-lead, cost-per-sale, conversion to sale rates, incremental revenue; increase in profit margin. Marketing needs to impact the bottom-line, and there has to be a high-level of accountability for ALL marketing dollars. Combine this approach with a focus on producing “customer-focused”, “customer-driven” marketing and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of success. Instead of guessing at media choices, ask your customers where they go for information. Instead of guessing at content, ask your customers what information they need to make an informed decision. Instead of guessing at offers, ask your customers what will motivate them to respond and/or buy. This will allow you to create more informed marketing decisions, increasing the likelihood of making an emotional connection with customers, by better understanding and marketing to known needs. My favorite example is a Portland-based software company that budgeted $100k for a new Web site, only to discover through qualitative research that less than 25% of their customers visited their Web site (<5% of senior decisionmakers). Needless to say, the new Web site never happened. Instead, they invested the budget in customer retention, operations, customer feedback tools, and templates to drive more consistent, successful customer engagements. The business impact: double-digit revenue and profit growth in just two quarters.
David Sly can be reached at davids@idebamarketing.com
For many business owners, the thought of building a succession plan can be overwhelming. The old adage, “it’s never too early to start planning” should be the business owner’s rule of thumb. The sooner you start thinking about your long-term goals (be it retirement or a career change), the more likely you’ll be at achieving them. So, where do you start? Assess your personal and business priorities: • What are your retirement plans and how will you fund them? • What steps can you take today to maximize the value of your business? Choose your exit strategy and identify your potential successor: • If you’re thinking about passing the business on to family, do you know who is interested? Or, if there’s more than one family member interested in the business, do you know who will lead? An organization like the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE) specializes in supporting family business owners and can be a good place to start discussions about family/business decisions. • Does your existing management show interest in taking over the business? If so, begin working with them to ensure they will have the financing necessary to complete the sale. • If you think an outside purchaser is your best option, you might need to court a competitor. Networking is the key to success here. Research who might be interested or have a business that could link into yours. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a good place to start these conversations. As with most things in life, there is no clear-cut path when it comes to succession planning. The key is to start investigating your options now. Talk to a trusted team of professionals to build your plan, including your banker, accountant, lawyer, investment advisor, and insurance advisor.
Mary-Ellen can be reached at mechle@iscu.com
Business Matters
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Golf Course. Real Estate. Resort. Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community is an 831 acre, master planned golf course and resort community located in the heart of the beautiful Comox Valley on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Board Meetings. Host your next company board meeting at Crown Isle. For only $32* per person, we can take care of all the details. Includes coffee & tea, lunch, taxes & gratuities. Join us after for 9 holes of play priced at $30 per person plus tax. Reserve today, call 250-703-5000 or email sales@crownisle.com. * Minimum 8 people, new bookings only. Offer expires April 30, 2011.
Silverado Dining Package. This Dining & Accommodation Package includes a one night stay in a classic jacuzzi suite with $100 in dining vouchers for only $219*. Treat yourself to an intimate dining experience with some relaxing accommodation. * Based on double occupancy. Not offered Sundays and Mondays. Offer expires April 30, 2011.