consistently outperform your sales competitors
Transcription
consistently outperform your sales competitors
EXPERT ADVICE Howard Rotberg B R A N TC O R D WA R E H O U S I N G I N C . Warehousing Expert p20 BRANTFORD BRANT COUNTY HALDIMAND NORFOLK OXFORD COUNTY www.BUSINESSLINKNEWSPAPER.com VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10, JULY/AUGUST 2010 CONSISTENTLY OUTPERFORM YOUR SALES COMPETITORS Add the sales TRIUMPHS model to your selling skills repertoire BY JACK SINGER, Ph.D. S usan has been doing well in her sales career for many years. She understands how to make cold calls, how to follow up on leads and referrals and how to offer excellent customer service. Yet, she’s amazed at how much more successful her colleague, Michael, is, when she puts much more time and sweat into her work than Michael seems to do. She wonders what is missing in her approach. The key difference between Michael’s and Susan’s approaches is the fact that Michael has trained himself to be an “active listener.”He uses the sales T.R.I.U.M.P.H.S. model to not only to help him maximize his sales deals, but even when he is not “selling” anything, it is a powerful technique that helps him communicate effectively with his wife and teenagers. This model works wonderfully for virtually any product or service that one is selling. Here are the components of your sales T.R.I.U.M.P.H.S. T = Treat your client/customer with respect and value. Developing rapport with the prospective client/customer is a crucial first step. Smile, position yourself at the same level (sitting or standing, depending on what the client/customer is doing), and slightly lean toward him, maintaining eye contact. Make sure your cell phone is on silent and you can give undivided attention to the customer. Listen to what the prospective customer is saying and don’t shuffle… PAGE 2 SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL FEATURE BUSINESS ON THE GROW Buy Local The 2010 Brantford San Rocco Festival Welcome To The Jungle “If we make a little change in our spending habits, we can all make a big difference.” PAGE 5 Come see what all the fun is about! Kidtastic Adventures Indoor Playground & Party Centre PAGE 9 PAGE 22 CONSISTENTLY OUTPERFORM YOUR SALES COMPETITORS Sticking to this Sales TRIUMPHS model will surely bring you your share of triumphs over your competition! Locally Owned and Operated PUBLISHER The Business Link 86 Brant Avenue Brantford, ON N3T 3H3 tel: 519-751-LINK (5465) e-mail: [email protected] www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Joy Boyce ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alma Stevens Chris Di Cesare Jennifer Schween CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J. Singer, M. Kawabe, C. Di Cesare, D. O’Neill, C.J. Calvert A. White, M. Wardell, A. Landauer, S. Leslie CIRCULATION The Business Link is published 12 times per year and distributed to approximately 8,000 businesses in the Brantford, Brant County, Haldimand/Norfolk and Oxford Counties via Canada Post SUBSCRIPTION RATES $39.99 for 12 issues. Send cheque or money order to above address. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. Opinions and comments within this publication reflect those of the writers and not necessarily that of The Business Link. All advertising is accepted subject to the Publishers’ discretion. The Publishers will not be responsible for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any design, artwork, copyright or typesetting supplied by The Business Link Niagara Ltd. is for the exclusive use by the Publishers. Any other use not authorized is an infringement of copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of the Publishers. 2 THE BUSINESS LINK Continued from page 1 …papers or start thinking about your response. Just listen to her. Regardless of what the person asks, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to answer immediately. It’s ok to say, “That’s a great question. Give me a day or so to research our products to find the one that precisely addresses your question.” Some prospective customers can be long-winded, nervously asking a lot of questions, especially with expensive products. Cutting off a speaker may lose you the rapport you need to develop. Always give the speaker the courtesy of finishing a point before you interject yours. Again, take notes so you won’t forget what you wanted to say. R = Reflect the meaning of what your client is telling you before you actually respond. The best way to understand your prospective customer is to make sure you are listening carefully and the best way to do that is to reflect or paraphrase what you heard him say before you comment on it. An example is, “What I’m hearing is that you are not certain that our product will serve your needs.” I = “I statements” are powerful. As you paraphrase and reflect back what the buyer is saying, you can use “I statements,” which are very powerful. For example, “I am getting the feeling that you are uncomfortable with this product and would like some other options.” For you to start with “You” would be much more threatening for the buyer. “You don’t like this,product.”? It is important to realize that by understanding what the listener is saying, doesn’t mean necessarily agreeing with him. You are simply showing that you are hearing his concerns. Example, “Fred, I hear your concerns because of your last experience with a similar product. Let me get the information you will need to make you feel better about this.” Always acknowledge the speaker and his position before voicing your opinion. U = Understand the needs and goals of your client/customer. If you are genuine and sell quality products that will truly satisfy your customer’s needs and desires, the customer will trust you. That includes not selling him the most expensive product if you believe it is not right for him. Nothing gains their trust more than you being honest with him. M = Monitor the tone and mannerisms of the prospective customer. Body language is so important that studies point out that only a small percentage of what is “heard” by a listener are the words of the speaker. Most of what is “heard” by the listener is tone of voice, smiling, facial expressions, vocal inflections, etc. Watch for all of these indices of your customer’s mood and attitude. You might even wait for a pause and make an interpretation of what you are sensing. An example is, “I am feeling as if you believe that I am trying to force you to buy this product. Is that what’s going on in your head, Alice?” P = Probe gently and with respect. Your job is to try to understand what your prospective client/ customer needs and how you can accommodate those needs. The only way to show people that you have exactly the product to satisfy those needs is to ask gentle questions about their goals and hopes (related to your product). An example is, “If you could describe the ideal software to solve your business problems, what would you like it to do for you?” H = Help your client feel safe in the conversation. For major purchases, such as insurance policies, automobiles and investment products, clients needs to feel safe discussing specific money issues. Gently probing about personal and family situations that affect their pocket book requires them being able to trust you. This entails ensuring confidentiality and showing genuine concern for their needs. If you expect them to share their biggest fears and insecurities, you must focus in on what they’re saying, be sensitive and assure them that you will help them to meet their goals. S = Summarize. You’d be amazed at how much you show the speaker you are listening by frequently summarizing what you just heard. This will also help you to focus and remember what the speaker is telling you. If you have hit the key points in your summary, the speaker will feel validated and closer to you. If you missed key points that he is trying to convey, he can inform you about that at this time. Practice this with friends and family. It’s easy to get the hang of it and it really works! Sticking to this Sales TRIUMPHS model will surely bring you your share of triumphs over your competition! Dr. Jack Singer is a professional speaker, trainer and practicing psychologist. He has been speaking for and training Fortune 1000 companies, associations, CEO’s, sales staffs and elite athletes for 34 years. Dr. Jack is a frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC, FOX SPORTS and countless radio talk shows across the U.S. and Canada. He is the author of “The Teacher’s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide,” and several series of hypnotic audio programs, some specifically for athletes and some for anyone wanting to raise their self-confidence and esteem. To learn more about Dr. Singer’s speaking and consulting services, please visit www.drjacksinger.com or call (800) 497-9880. www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 WEB HOSTING ISSUES TO CONSIDER “Here are a few things you probably didn’t think about when you set up your web site with your host.” BY MARK KAWABE I f you have a web site, you have a web host. “Hosting” refers to the storage of the electronic files that make up your web site on a computer that is hooked up to the internet 24/7. This computer is referred to as a “web” server (or just “server” ) and the company that owns the server is referred to as your web hosting provider (or host). Here are a few things you probably didn’t think about when you set up your web site with your host. 1. Dedicated vs. Shared Server. A shared web server means your web site is hosted on a machine with dozens or even hundreds of other web sites. Your site shares server resources with all the other sites on the server. With a dedicated server, your site is the only site hosted on that machine. Sounds great but you will pay much more for a dedicated server and often be responsible for many more things, including server security and back-ups. The majority of small and medium sized businesses manage just fine on shared servers. Keep in mind that if another company hosted on the same server is a spammer, your e-mail could be affected if the server gets blacklisted. 2. Uptime and Reliability. You want your site and e-mail to be available as much as possible. Most hosting providers offer 99.9% uptime or greater. Sounds good, but then again, 0.1% of one JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com year is 8.76 hours. With advances in technology, some hosting providers are now offering 100% uptime guarantees. You will generally pay more for 100% uptime and it’s important to read the fine print. Some providers guarantee their NETWORK will be connected to the internet 100% of the time. They do NOT guarantee your website will be available 100% of the time if the problem is due to an internal network or server problem. 3. Hosting is a Marketing Advantage. When you host your web site you will generally have your own domain name. This also means you should be able to have e-mail accounts set up so you can send and receive messages with your domain like [email protected]. An e-mail sent from an address with its own domain looks so much more professional than one sent through Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail or any of the other free e-mail providers. Having your own domain also gives you more freedom to move from one host or internet service provider to another without having to worry about changing your e-mail address. For example, if you switch from Sympatico to Cogeco and you don’t have your own domain name, you will potentially lose e-mail messages because your e-mail address will change from [email protected] to [email protected]. If you have your own domain name this won’t be a problem. There are thousands of companies offering web hosting services so finding one is easy. Choosing one can be more difficult. Technically, most hosting providers are about the same, so the real difference between them can be found with their service. Whether you want to stay local or are considering one of the multi-national hosting providers, it is the service that ultimately will determine how happy you are with them. Happy hosting! Mark Kawabe is a Niagara internet marketing specialist at The Web For Business.com. For more tips and advice visit TheWebForBusiness.com. Web Hosting A web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their own website accessible via the World Wide Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own or lease for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. Web hosts can also provide data center space and connectivity to the Internet for servers they do not own to be located in their data center, called colocation. –wikipedia THE BUSINESS LINK 3 MAKE YOUR NEIGHBOURS GREEN WITH ENVY FILE IT WHERE? File by use…not by source. BY DENNIS O’NEILL The Business Growth Coach BY CHRIS DI CESARE F or Greener Grass than the guy beside you, Steve and Mike Petrella are the guys to contact! The two Brantford brothers own and operate M&S Sprinkler Systems and are well known for their quality work. The company was established in 2003 and specializes in residential and commercial irrigation design, installation, service and repairs to all makes of systems. As well these two experts provide Spring Start Ups and Winterization Services. Over the past seven years M& s Sprinkler Systems has grown to serve Brantford and surrounding areas and have a service base of over 75 clients. M & S is one of the few companies that deal strictly with Rainbird and Hunter irrigation products, which are two of the leading innovators in the irrigation and landscape industry. This summer enjoy a lush, green lawn with a worry free automatic irrigation system by M & S Sprinkler Systems. Call Steve and Mike today…. .and find out how this affordable,efficient system can do the work for you…then just sit back and relax this summer… Call Steve or Mike for more information at 519-770-6010 4 THE BUSINESS LINK E ver wonder…where did I put that? Keep in mind this simple idea for filing. The chances are when you next want a document it’s because you need it for some regular specific use. That use is where you should be able to go to find it. File by use…not by source. I worked in radio for a long time. We got hundreds of great pieces of material from The Radio Marketing Bureau. Every station had a huge file of “stuff” filed under Radio Marketing Bureau. Many complained that they got lots of stuff from the Bureau but seldom did they use it. That was their own fault and their loss. It might as well have all been filed under “miscellaneous”. The materials might have been ‘sales tips’, or information about each category of business that our advertisers were in. e.g. auto dealers, furniture stores, service businesses…or dozens of other valuable categories. When you needed any specific piece you went to the files. Most stations just filed it with the ton of material in the huge file marked ‘Radio Marketing Bureau’. Usually it was a large drawer full, not a file at all. I discovered it served better to ignore where it came from…the source. File it under use. A file on ‘Auto dealer information’, a file on ‘furniture stores’, etc. We needed separate files on ‘Selling materials’, ‘promotions’, various advertising media and on and on. A file for each use we would have. So when you need information, whatever the use for the material, you could go to the file for your specific use. Seems elementary. Yet almost nobody did it that way. File by use; not by source. Dennis O’Neill is the Business Growth Coach For more information on how to grow your business, visit www.dennisoneillcoach.com www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 BUY LOCAL “IF WE MAKE A LITTLE CHANGE IN OUR SPENDING HABITS, WE CAN ALL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.” CHARACTER IS WHO YOU ARE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS LOOKING BOTTLE OF WINE, FRUIT OF THE VINE BY CHRIS DI CESARE S BY CJ CALVERT S ome might say that it’s easy to be on stage and perform well, particularly if you are motivated (as I am) by public accountability. If you’re like me, it’s important to be true to your word, to be the very best you can be, and be a living example of the ideals you espouse. When all of the world is a stage, we tend to be on our best behaviour. But what happens when the cameras are off and the audience goes home? Thomas Macaulay, an American essayist and historian, said “The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.” A good litmus test is to ask yourself, whatever you are doing right now, whether you would want your family to read on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow. When preparing for my last bodybuilding competition, I resolved that I would remove Iced Tea from my diet, as it had too much sugar and invisible carbs. In fact, I laid out a personal challenge, and over dinner shared this “dare” with my good friends: if I drank any iced tea (my favorite drink at the time) for the next few months leading up to the competition, I would have to treat the group to $250 collectively. They were thrilled! That week, my wife and I were on a date at the movies, and she asked what snack I wanted at the concession stand. Reflexively, I answered “Iced tea, of course!” I had temporarily forgotten about my commitment to my friends. The following day, my wife and I were leaving for a drive to see some friends and, stopping at a convenience store, I asked her what she wanted to drink for the road. As I was getting out of the car, I turned suddenly to her and said “Oh my goodness! I was about to walk into the store and buy an Iced Tea, without thinking! I would have reneged on my promise to my friends, and I would have had to pay them $250! Wow, that was close!” My wife said “You had an iced tea at the movies last night!” I stared in silence. “What?” I asked incredulously. “Last night at the movies,” she said again. “But it doesn’t matter; just start the contest today.” I felt my heart sink into my guts. I said softly “Sweetheart, I can’t reset the start time of the contest.” She rolled her eyes. “Come on, NO ONE WILL KNOW!” I replied “I will know.” Needless to say, I paid my friends the $250. They were thrilled! I might have lost $250 cash, but I won the bigger prize of knowing I did the right thing, especially since no one else would have known. I believe it’s important to keep our word in small matters, because it toughens us up and prepares us for the really big tests when they come. The next time your integrity is tested, and no one else would know, make it a point of pride to admit your mistake. The credibility you will build in your eyes and in the eyes of others will astound you. ome say the end of a perfect day is constituted by a glass of good wine and a meal with friends or family or both. Wine, like any other product can come with a substantial price for a quality vintage created by an expert vintner. At Carafe Wine, located at 250 King George Rd., a quality wine can be made for a fraction of the cost of that of wine stores and liquor stores. Proprietor, Ben Kleinsasser told the BusinessLink that his process “provides a fool-proof way to produce quality wines for personal consumption.” The process for making wine is handled by the staff of the Carafe and wine making is entering a new phase of development which is customization. A client comes into the store and identifies his or particular taste in wines and friendly, well-trained staff will advise them and take care of the process: primary fermentation, racking, stabilization and filtering. The kits that are sold at Carafe produce 23 litres of vintage wine of all qualities to suit the palate of the connoisseur or individuals who are new to the enjoyment of the grape. Prices range from $119 – $199. The product list contains vintages from some of the most prestigious wine making centres in the world. Juices from Italy, France, Germany, Spain, South America, South Africa and California grace the list with over 40 varieties to tantalize the taste buds. For the last “three years we have been entering wines in an American wine making competition and we have medalled three years in a row using Cellar Craft International and Cru products,” Kleinsasser said. “We specialize in wine making made easy; all the customer does is bottle the wine. It is a fun experience, and our customers like our products and the convenience we provide for their busy lives,” he said Wines made at Carafe are unconditionally guaranteed to please. They have seasonal specials, exclusive offerings, monthly featured wines and special To get started making your own wine, please contact Ben at 519-751-1221 or visit the website at www.carafewinebrantford.com to view the extensive listings for wine or wine making products or accessories. CJ Calvert is the author of “Living an Exceptional Life” and President of CalvertTraining, the motivational arm of Shepell-fgi. JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 5 BUY LOCAL WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM FACEBOOK’S PRIVACY BLOW UP “Social media has proven too useful, engaging and empowering to live or die with the fortunes of one website.” BY ADAM WHITE D PROUDLY PROMOTING THE LOCAL BUSINESSES OF BRANTFORD, BRANT COUNTY, HALDIMAND/ NORFOLK AND OXFORD COUNTIES 519-751-LINK (5465) • www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com id you sever any connections on May 31? That was the day the Quit Facebook movement targeted in protest of the social networking giant’s privacy changes. A storm had been gathering since a December shift to the site’s default sharing settings, cumulating in the launch of an ambitious project dubbed Open Graph in late April. In short, Open Graph is tied to the “Like” button you are surely now seeing all over the web. Facebook is encouraging web site owners to add additional interactivity for Facebook users and create more personalized browsing experiences. Despite an avalanche of attention from traditional media and blogs that trumped up the privacy risks of Open Graph, the much publicized Quit Facebook movement flopped. A mere 34,100 of the site’s more than 450 million members committing to leaving. The number that actually carried through with that threat is likely far less. What can we learn from this? As a business owner the lesson you should take away is that Facebook is merely a tool. Your business should have a presence there only if it remains an appropriate venue to connect with your customers and meaningfully engage them. If Facebook, the company, sours the public’s opinion of their service then you should follow your customers wherever they choose to go next. Facebook without people has no value. Social media has proven too useful, engaging and empowering to live or die with the fortunes of one website. Go ask the former users of Friendster or MySpace if their desire to connect fell with the popularity of those networks. Your business approach to a new network would require some effort to learn the different features, quirks, and community norms, but your core social media skills will remain vital. Regardless of the website you want to be a genuine person, not a spammer. You want to engage with quality content. You want to show the real people on the other end of the conversation that you actually care and are listening. These are not Facebook specific skills. Facebook’s rocky first half of 2010 is also a testament to the power of online communities. While only a small number ended up actually quitting the service, a chorus of individuals voiced their concerns loudly and the company responded. Facebook’s woefully complicated privacy settings were clarified, simplified and made “Facebook’s woefully complicated privacy settings were clarified, simplified and made more robust in response to the outcry.” more robust in response to the outcry. Competing networks and new upstarts stood up and took notice of the public’s desire for better privacy controls, thus improving their own offerings. We should not discount how much power the crowd had in this incident. They commanded real change and continue to let no new policy go unscrutinized. Networks may come and go, but the desire to be social will remain. Recognize Facebook for what it is, a customer service tool that is only part of your larger strategy, and you will be able to adapt when changes occur. Adam White (AdamWhite.org) is a developer at JMR SoftwareSystems (JMR.ca). For conversations with local businesses visit SocialMediaNiagara.com or join the Social Media Club (SMCNiagara.com). Risks to Internet Privacy Those concerned about Internet privacy often cite a number of privacy risks—events that can compromise privacy—which may be encountered through Internet use. These methods of compromise can range from the gathering of statistics on users, to more malicious acts such as the spreading of spyware and various forms of bug exploitation. Privacy measures are provided on several social networking sites to try to provide their users with protection for their personal information. On Facebook for example privacy settings are available for all registered users. The settings available on Facebook include the ability to block certain individuals from seeing your profile, the ability to choose your “friends,” and the ability to limit who has access to your pictures and videos. Privacy settings are also available on other social networking sites such as E-harmony and MySpace. It is the user’s prerogative to apply such settings when providing personal information on the internet. –wikipedia 6 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 BUY LOCAL JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 7 MAKING ARRANGEMENTS WITH BECKETT-GLAVES “We have a commitment to the local community, to serve their needs in the tradition that was passed down by my great grandfather, grandfather and father…” Glaves wanted to advise anyone who is investigating pre-arranged and pre-paid funerals to shop around and compare because there could large financial differences between providers. Glaves said that pre-paid funerals, if created soon enough can provide a nest egg at the time of a person passing and be a financial blessing in disguise. As a family-run business, Glaves said that there are few left in Ontario and “we consider ourselves to be at the top of the scale for family funeral homes in Ontario,” he said. ‘We have a commitment to the local community, to serve their needs in the tradition that was passed down by my great grandfather, grandfather and father,” Glaves concluded. BY CHRIS DI CESARE R ecently, Trooper Larry Rudd, serving with the Royal Canadian Dragoons based at CFB Petawawa and stationed in Afghanistan was a victim of the ideological clash of terrorism and the forces who oppose it. The young man was struck down in the youth of his life and the tragedy still reverberates throughout Brantford. “The funeral for Trooper Larry Rudd was webcast —using our new system—to his comrades in Afghanistan and his distant relatives in Holland,” Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre Director, Jeff Glaves said. “Webcasting is the newest service that we offer at Beckett-Glaves, Basically, the funeral is broadcast live on the internet while it is being conducted in the chapel,” Glaves said. The program came on line in January of this year and Beckett-Glaves is the “first and only funeral home in the country to offer the service at no extra cost,” according to Glaves. The newest innovation is one of many that the Glaves family has instituted to define their funeral home in the marketplace. Reception centres were another service that the family introduced to help the grieving, a Memorial Forest was established in 1985, is located along the Grand Valley Watershed 8 THE BUSINESS LINK Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre is a fourth-generation funeral parlour that has been serving the needs of community with dignity and sensitivity for over four decades. They are located at 88 Brant Ave., Brantford ON. and a pathway through the watershed is named after Jeff’s father, the Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway. Two other forests were established in Brantford, one at Brant Park and the other on Birkett Lane. Glaves said his father was the visionary who introduced reception centres and the memorial forest to the list of services the Beckett- Glaves provides. Glaves said the fourth-generation family business —ably staffed by his brother Todd and sisters Beth and Meg—has competitive pricing that competes admirably with corporate funeral homes. They have services to fit all budgets and specialize in superior service and options that may not be part of an allinclusive corporate package. We’re always trying to be the people who provide something no one else provides,” he said. For more information about booking a service please visit the Beckett-Glaves main location at 88 Brant Ave., Brantford or call 519-752-4331. Virtual tours of the facilities can be accessed through the company’s website at www.beckettglaves.com. www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 Special Feature THE 2010 BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 9 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL The Story Of San Rocco San Rocco was born at Montpellier, France, son of the governor there in the year 1295. When he was orphaned at the age of twenty, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome and devoted himself to caring for the victims of the plague that was ravaging Italy. He became a victim himself at Piacenza but recovered and was reputed to have performed many miracles for healing. On his return to Montpellier, he was imprisoned for five years as a spy in pilgrim’s disguise, by his uncle. (His uncle failed to recognize him and Rocco failed to identify himself.) Rocco died in prison in 1327 and was only then identified as the former governor’s son by a birthmark in the form of a cross on his chest.When miracles were reported at his intercession after his death, a popular cult developed, and he is invoked against pestilence and plague. He is known as Rocco in Italy, Roque in Spain and Roch in France. 10 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL The 2010 San Rocco Festival Committee Seated left to right – Trustee Lina Berardi, President Sandra Dobson, Vice President Filippo Berardi, Trustee Paola Modica Standing – Trustees Enrico Imola, Giovanni Imola, Francesco DeCosmi, Treasurer Fred Ligori, Trustees Bernardino Imola, Girolamo Palmegiani JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 11 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL A Message from the President It is with great honour that I serve as Your President for 2009-10! As we continue into our 19th year, the San Rocco Association has continued its heritage here in Brantford. Our Association strives to keep this festival apart of our community and our families. A very large part of our success is due to the many volunteers that come out to help in any way they can. Our fund raisers throughout the year would not be such a success without all of you. I want to thank you for your past and continued support! Without all of you our Festival would not be the same. In addition to our many volunteers, we have been loyally supported by our local and surrounding community businesses and merchants. With this support we are able to raise funds needed to organize such a wonderful Festival in August. Thank you for your continued support and generosity. SANDRA DOBSON, PRESIDENT Each year we encourage new membership to our committee in order to remain fresh in the creation of new ideas and more awareness of what we are all about. We hold an election meeting to select the committee for the coming year and this year it will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 2:00pm at St. Pius X Church. We invite all past members as well as anyone interested in our Festival to join us at this meeting. Come see what all the fun is about! Sincerely, Sandra Dobson 12 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL Festa of San Rocco Program SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010 ST. PIUS X CHURCH 7:00 p.m. Benediction of the Torch of San Rocco and memorial mass for the deceased, celebrated by Monsignor. MURRAY J. KROETSCH SUNDAY - AUGUST 8, 2010 ST. PIUS X CHURCH 1:00 p.m. Solemn High Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor. MURRAY J. KROETSCH followed by Traditional community procession in honour of San Rocco And the benediction and distribution of bread LIONS PARK – 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Soccer Game starts at 5:00 p.m. Bocce Tournament, Children’s Activities Variety show featuring IMPACT SUPER BAND M. C. PASQUALE TANCREDI SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS Draw JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 13 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL Map of the San Rocco Festival 14 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL San Rocco Festival 2009 JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 15 THE BRANTFORD SAN ROCCO FESTIVAL 16 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 MAKING LIFE EASIER “The ‘we love having you here’ folks at the Hampton Inn and Suites have expanded their services to accommodate the business, group or the single traveller with two booking channels to help secure lodgings.” BY CHRIS DI CESARE W ith the advent of technology, the internet is fast becoming—if not already—the most powerful business tool anyone can use. The everywhere, all the time connection that the web provides creates a sense of urgency to close deals faster and generate greater profits through streamlined communications. The “we love having you here” folks at the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton at 20 Fen Ridge Rd. a couple of hundred metres from Highway 403 and the Oak Park Rd. exit in Brantford have expanded their services to accommodate the business, group or the single traveller with two booking channels to help secure lodgings. For groups, Director of Sales and Marketing, Natasha Janjevic told the BusinessLink that booking a corporate retreat, business meeting or family reunion at any one of the 1,600 hotels in the Hilton family can be done with a few simple clicks of the mouse. Using the group booking tool that is found at hampton.com/groups, up to 25 rooms can be booked up to a year in advance. You can shop around the site for group rates and room types to satisfy whatever requirements your event may have. requirements. Whether it is a buffet with sweets that are endemic to family traditions or a specific beverage, Janjevic said that they could provide it on cost per person basis. The same services can be provided for Christmas parties and Janjevic advised that they have plans that encompass Economy, Basic and Premium Packages to create an evening or meeting to remember. The Christmas party bookings come with an op- tional room at a reduced rate to keep people from drinking and driving. Diversity is fast becoming a viable avenue for business at the Brantford location. “We have hosted theme nights that cater to the different communities that rent our facilities. We have had Mexican, Thai and Italian nights to name but a few, because at the Hampton ‘we love having you here’,” Janjevic said. To use the website to book you outing please visit www.hamptoninnbrantford.com or call the tollfree telephone number at 1-877-318-9440, or locally at 519-720-0084. To use the eAdvantage booking tool to simplify your business travel visit www.hiltoneadvantage.com or book your group guestrooms or meeting room needs online www.hampton.com/eevents.com “Using the group booking tool that is found at hampton.com/groups, up to 25 rooms can be booked up to a year in advance. You can shop around the site for group rates and room types to satisfy whatever requirements your event may have.” The Hampton can also provide equipment support and use of a meeting room, and at the Brantford hotel, up to 200 people can meet in the state-ofart banquet facility that converts into a corporate meeting room on a moment’s notice at Hampton. com/eevents.com The eAdvantage can help manage your company’s travel through an online booking and management tool that helps the business traveller choose from a previously visited hotel, or where your company has prearrangements, or negotiated special rates. “All our packages—Corporate, Group, Wedding and Christmas—are all inclusive,” Janjevic said. “We want to raise awareness through personalization of services,” she continued. All the packages are “competitively priced based on local rates of hotels and golf courses in the area,” Janjevic said. “Our packages include items that our competitors don’t.” Janjevic mentioned that the all-inclusive Wedding Packages start with the floral arrangements on the tables, the décor, the bar, the meal, limousine service, music and whatever else might fulfill cultural JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 17 GROWTH BY ACQUISITION – BUSINESS EDGE The pros and cons BY MARK WARDELL A lthough the majority of businesses grow organically, many owners will entertain the idea of making an acquisition at least once in their career. For some, growth through this method is a rare opportunity which is unlikely to be repeated, while for others, growth by acquisition is an important part of their overall growth strategy. In all cases, the process of buying another business has its own unique set of challenges. So before embarking on the acquisition trail, it’s important that you gain as much knowledge about those challenges as possible to maximize your likelihood of success. Acquisition may have a glamorous reputation in the news, bringing to mind splashy stories of large corporations acquiring the next big thing and successfully expanding their market share. But when it comes to logistics, this strategy is only right for businesses built on a rock solid foundation. It’s not about size. It’s just that the more self-reliant your current business is, the more likely you’ll be to succeed using this strategy. Buying a new business always involves hidden challenges—challenges that will cripple you if you don’t have the time and resources to tackle them properly because your current business still relies on you for its daily success. So, the starting point for any acquisition needs to be a strong, self-reliant enterprise. Interestingly, the same criteria can be applied to your analysis of the company you intend to buy. In other words, the more self-reliant the targeted business is, the better your chances for long-term success. This is because the self-reliant business has a more predictable and resilient cash-flow. When your sights are set on the right business, the potential benefits are vast. Acquisition is a great way to instantly increase your sales and revenues and provide you with access to new markets. If your target business is truly complimentary to your current enterprise, acquisition can allow you to successfully expand your brand portfolio on the marketing side, while providing improved efficiencies and economies of scale on the business operations side. It can be a real win-win. On the flip side however, acquisition can absorb a substantial amount of time and money. More than most people expect. So be sure to invest heavily in the process of due diligence, investigating all of the potential hidden liabilities of the target company. Once you’ve made your acquisition, you’ll need a strategy for the transition. This means mapping “…acquisition can allow you to successfully expand your brand portfolio on the marketing side, while providing improved efficiencies and economies of scale on the business operations side. It can be a real win-win.” out how you’ll minimize any potential adverse effect on the customers of the acquired company, how you’ll handle the transition of ownership, and how you’ll create a positive, exciting and motivating transition for the current employees and managers of the target company. Just remember that you cannot transition that which you do not have. So make sure you have your own house in order before tackling business number two. It takes some preparation, but an acquisition can be done extremely well with the right approach. As a growth strategy, it has the potential to reap serious reward- if, that is, it’s the right move. Any questions? Drop me an email. Mark is President & Founder of Wardell Professional Development (www.wardell.biz), an advisory group that helps business owners plan and execute the growth of their companies. The author of seven business books, Mark also writes regularly for several national business publications, including Profit Magazine, the Globe and Mail, and CGA Magazine. Email him at [email protected] 18 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 GEMS OF MT. PLEASANT HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT AT ONE OF THE GEMS OF MT. PLEASANT “All the staff at Hardy Terrace is committed to offering services to promote and maintain individualized independence (restorative care) and wellness.” H ardy Terrace is the place! Our commitment to providing the highest quality of physical, social, emotional and spiritual support is unsurpassed. All of this set on beautifully pleasing landscaped grounds among the rolling hills of Mt. Pleasant. Our home is warm, attractively decorated and comfortable. Family Member Vanessa Grupe said: “Our family is glad that our mom moved to Hardy Terrace four years ago. She feels at home, and feels loved. The attentive, patient hard working staff has come to know her as an individual. They keep a close eye on her, which gives us peace of mind. Staff is always looking for new ways to engage all the residents, and there is good communication with family members. We thank God that mom’s needs are being met in such a loving way at Hardy Terrace” Hardy Terrace organizes recreational and social events, involving the community, volunteers, residents and families. Our long care home provides residents the opportunity to stay active and develop companionable relationships. All the staff at Hardy Terrace is committed to offering services to promote and maintain individualized independence (restorative care) and wellness. Hardy Terrace Resident said: “They have good home cooked meals; I can be as independent as I want. There are lots of outings if I choose to go and I go on most of the bus trips. There are lots of things to do, and they let me do some gardening because I have always loved gardening. Best of all ‘Hardy Terrace is in the country’. That is what does it for me! I grew up in the area and it just feels like home” We are a member of the Diversicare Family of Homes. Diversicare has more than 25 years of experience managing long-term care homes in Canada. Please call us at 519-484-2431 we would be happy to meet with you and arrange a tour of our home. Paul Rooyakkers, C.K. Administrator COUNTRY AMBIANCE AT ITS FINEST “One of the things we wanted to generate was atmosphere, so we could be warm and inviting,” BY CHRIS DI CESARE I n the summer, or any other time for that matter, a drive in country is always a soothing experience for the harried and the pressed. Driving through the rolling hills and pastoral settings that country vistas provide is an experience that can last a lifetime. “One of the things we wanted to generate was atmosphere, so we could be warm and inviting,” Rob Heikoop told the BusinessLink. Heikoop is the manager of the WindMill Country Market conveniently located at 701 Mt Pleasant Rd. at the corner of Birch St. in the Village of Mt. Pleasant. Heikoop said that they have been drawing people from Ancaster, Woodstock, Simcoe and Brantford to name but a few towns and cities that denizens travel from to enjoy the “rustic charm and the friendly service that the country experience” provides to the visitors of the Country Market, he said. Heikoop advised The Business Link that they have received a lot of positive feedback from visitors to the market that revolves around the home-style hot lunch counter and the bakery. Heikoop said all the entrees at the lunch counter are homemade and all the baking is done from scratch. The dining area at the market can accommodate up to 100 people and the décor is in the style of traditional country furniture. The medium-backed spindled chairs are complimented by harvest-style tables to host groups or individuals as needed. Heikoop mentioned that the market supports a wide variety of giftware for all occasions with seasonal accents to compliment the home and the outdoor landscape. The Heikoop family has been operating the store for five years. The family patriarch, Henry, designed the building and his sons Rob, James and Mark administer to the day-to-day needs of the operation. To see what gastronomic delights await you when you visit the WindMill Country Market please visit their website at http://www.thewindmill.ca or call 519-484-9955. Hours of operation are Tues.-Sat. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 19 ASK THE EXPERT WANT SAGE ADVICE? YOU’LL GET IT HERE! Brian Stephen, CFP Investment Advisor, Financial Planner FINANCIAL PLANNING EXPERT BUSINESS RESOURCES EXPERT QUESTION QUESTION What are some advantages to using an Investment Holding Company? Is there Employment Insurance special benefits for self-employed people? ANSWER Years ago the use of a Canadian Investment Holding Company was considered an attractive tax planning technique. Tax changes over the last several years have more than eliminated this advantage. Even though this is the case, investing through an investment holding company can provide other benefits: • Income-splitting with adult children Rules discourage income-splitting with spouses and minor children but dividends can be paid to adult children and taxed in their hands. • Estate Freeze This is where you “freeze” a company’s share value for original shareholders while ensuring future increases in value pass to the next generation. • RRSP Room If an individual has little or no income, payments from a holding company such as a salary or management fee can create earned income and RRSP contribution room. Trudy Belanco ANSWER As a self-employed person, you are now able to enter into an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission on a voluntary basis. This new program began January 31, 2010. There are four types of EI special benefits available: • Maternity Benefits : maximum of 15 weeks • Parental Benefits: maximum of 35 weeks • Sickness Benefits: maximum of 15 weeks • Compassionate Care Benefits: maximum of 6 weeks EI regular benefits are benefits available to employees when they lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are available for and able to work, but cannot find a job. Please note that self-employed people cannot access EI regular benefits based on their self-employment. Note: Investment Holding Companies also have some disadvantages and I will elaborate on these in next month’s issue. EI premiums are payable on the amount of your earnings from self-employment, up to an annual maximum amount for 2010 of $43,200.00. The 2010 EI premium rate for self-employed is $1.73 per $100.00 of earnings, which is the same rate that employees pay. For more information on using Investment Holding Companies and to receive a complimentary copy of the “Investment Holding Companies” booklet, feel free to give me a call. Once enrolled in the program, at “My Service Canada”, you will have to wait 12 months before you will be able to make a claim for EI special benefits. Additional Program and Enrollment information can be found on the Employment Insurance web page. Brian Stephen CFP, Investment Advisor, Financial Planner tel: 519-756-1908 274 Lynden Road, Suite A, Brantford, ON N3T 5L8 [email protected] www.brianstephen.ca tel: 519.756.4269 1 Market Square, Brantford [email protected] www.businessresourcecentre.ca RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member CIPF. ®Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. RBC Dominion Securities is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Howard Rotberg President WAREHOUSING EXPERT HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERT QUESTION QUESTION What should manufacturers know about outsourcing storage of their inventory? Is your degree worth the cost? ANSWER You may think warehousing is simply a matter of finding a big room with a loading dock, enough space to store your product, and the best price. Think again. Longevity. Solvency. Experience. Technology. Security. Insurance. Fire protection. These things make the difference. How annoying would it be to entrust your product to a warehouse with inadequate security, untrained staff, or even one whose doors are locked by a creditor? Know the questions to ask or risk learning the answers too late. Confirm that your warehouse of choice invests in the levels of protection your inventory deserves. Like everything else, warehousing has entered the world of technology. If your warehouse has invested in a Warehouse Management System, a few key-strokes on a laptop from anywhere, any time, will serve up realtime inventory reporting, control, management, and the ability to virtually direct your shipping and receiving. A technologically savvy 3rd party warehouse can offer as much or as little hands-on involvement as desired, and become a seamless extension of your own company. With 250,000 sq. ft. and 14 years in the industry, Brantcord Warehousing offers full services and both longterm and temporary storage to large and small businesses. Call to see how Brantcord can help you meet your business needs! tel: 519.759.5800 111 Sherwood Drive | 10 Spalding Drive, Brantford [email protected] www.brantcord.com ANSWER There is no doubt that you might be wondering if your degree is worth the cost The monetary and time investment required to complete your degree is definitely worth the cost. You are more marketable and you possess provAnnette Grant en discipline to accomplish your goals. Recent studies also confirm college Branch Manager degrees can result in higher earnings and lower unemployment. A college degree will help you stand out in the crowd and is often required just to get your foot in the door at certain companies or within certain fields. Once you get your foot in the door, there are several things you can do to get the most out of your degree and increase your value within the company. Show your leadership skills. You have had numerous opportunities in college to develop your leadership skills. Try putting those skills to work by taking the lead on new projects. Or, if you see opportunities for process improvement, make a presentation to your boss on how your suggested improvements can impact the bottom line. Be professional. Prove that you are a professional by preparing for meetings, doing your research, and dressing for the job you want, not the job you have. Brush up on your e-mail etiquette and writing skills. Begin networking with professional groups, and volunteer for the tasks at work that others don’t want to tackle. Offer solutions. Show your value by being creative, thinking strategically and offerings solutions. Sometimes it is easy to get so involved in details that you miss the overall picture. Approach each project strategically by setting goals and objectives. Strategic thinking will lead to more solutions and will help lead to more opportunities for your career growth. tel: 519.750.0111 32 Market Street, Brantford [email protected] www.expresspros.ca ADVERTORIAL 20 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 HOW TO RIDE A ROLLER COASTER CALMLY Tips and Techniques for Participating in Meetings and Presentations BY ADELE LANDAUER N obody at his company knows who David is, which is a shame because he is a smart guy with a lot of good ideas. In fact, he’s personable, has a good sense of humor, and is full of aspirations. It isn’t that he is shy or lost among a thousand cubicles at a major corporation. David works for a medium-sized software company that offers a lot of opportunity for upward movement. And people actually do know who he is. They see him in the break room being lively and engaging. The members of his team know him as a capable and hard worker who makes sound analyses and is constantly finding ways to improve their project. So why does David feel invisible or worse: why does he feel irrelevant at his company? Like many companies, David is very meetingoriented. They have meetings for problem solving, decision-making, planning, feedback, feedforward, combo meetings, and meetings to schedule the next round of meetings. The future projects David will be working on are decided in these meetings, and they are one of the few opportunities he has to show his superiors not only his good ideas, but desire to do more for the company. The reason why David feels irrelevant or unknown and ends up working on other people’s good ideas instead of his own has nothing to do with sitting quietly in a corner. He does speak. He does participate. He tries to engage and show his enthusiasm, but everything comes out wrong. He is not believable. He doesn’t appear authentic. He has no charisma. He has a Communication Wall that is blocking his ability to express himself in an honest and real way. People hear him, but they do not listen to him. His content and argument are betrayed by his body language and voice. Going into a meeting for David is like going on a roller coaster. He is not afraid. He wants to show that he is not afraid. But once the meeting starts, he is screaming and flailing about. For David, there is a discrepancy between who he is and how he acts. Eventually David found and tore down his Communication Wall. It was a process of deep introspection coupled with finding a strong desire to change and following through every single day on that decision to live wall-free. To help him fight against his old patterns, David learned a couple tips and techniques that actors actually use to make a strong impression and have a lasting effect on their audiences: • Come across as in control and capable. When sitting, find a comfortable position—do not bob or fidget back and forth. When standing, maintain a strong posture. Keep your gluteal muscles lightly contracted in order to raise your pelvis as you extend your vertebrae to ensure that you are standing up straight and not resting on a hip. • Take responsibility for your appearance. Decide for yourself how you want to come across and what kind of first impression you would like to make. From the very first moment you enter a room, walk on stage, or step up to podium, use your body language to show yourself to be a likable, competent, persuasive, and charismatic person. How people perceive you and judge what you say starts long before you utter a word. • Only those who burn themselves can spark others. Inspire your audience with your presence and intensity. Speak from the power of your own passion. Enjoy every second of your presentation or the meeting so that your passion touches others. Make sure that everyone present in the room feels addressed and involved. Spread your attention and energy out into every corner of the room to ensure that no one feels left out. • Every motion has a beginning and an end. When you walk during a presentation, do it consciously as well. Take a few steps to approach a designated point while avoiding unconscious and mindless movements and gestures. Let your body speak, but in a relaxed manner. Every gesture should come from your center and then return there or be replaced by an appropriate, natural movement. Allow each gesture a moment to have an impact, your body language is more confident and you appear more knowledgeable and convincing. Avoid quick, hectic, and agitated movements. • Breathe from your core. During inhalation your abdominals, lower back, and sides are extended. Relax them completely during exhalation. Nervousness or stage fright as well as stress and excitement can be easily managed when you use abdominal breathing. • Develop a sense of mission! Know and believe that you have something important to say. Remember: what goes around, comes around. Everything that you give and send out, will come from your audience back around to you. • Smile! Not only will it relax you, but it will create a real, open, and honest connection with others. Success in business today is determined by more than the quality of our content or the caliber of our product, but also by how that content or product is presented. Countless hours of hard work are only given a few moments to shine in a boardroom, at a conference, or during a presentation or customer pitch. Too many great ideas have fallen victim to a simple lack of appeal—yet not of the idea itself, but rather of the person presenting it. Use these tips and techniques to help you tear down your Communication Wall and find success as David has. Adele Landauer is an international expert on success, achievement, and self-leadership. As a coach, she teaches effective presentation skills to business leaders, politicians, and sports teams. She also works with organizations and teams of all sizes as well as individuals in personal coaching to help improve productivity and results. Her first international book is entitled, “Experience Total Freedom: 6 Steps to Tearing Down Your Walls and Living Your Life with Happiness, Balance, and Success. Inspired by the Fall of the Berlin Wall.” To find out more, visit her website www.adelelandauer.com. ASK THE EXPERT BUSINESS CONSULTING EXPERT QUESTION Is it time to fire a customer? ANSWER Customers are too hard to find; I can’t afford to lose any! Wrong! You can’t afford to keep them if they are not profitable. We seldom think of the real contribution customers make to our bottom line. The old axiom 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customers is proven Mike Kirby true time and time again. So what is the point you might ask? Well, 80% of your customers are only giving you 20% of your business. Now is the time for some real soul searching. First you have to get rid of the emotion and honestly look at these customers; ask the following questions of each one: • How much time is being invested in this customer? • What is my cost for this time? • What products do they purchase? • What is the margin on those products? • What is their payment history? • Can I increase my business with them without increasing my costs? • What will happen if we stop calling on them? Chances are that you will find the answers to these questions will lead you to one answer; these clients cost far too much to service. If you can’t see a way to improve your profitability with them you should abandon them and direct your efforts to areas where you can make more money with less cost. You wouldn’t drop all 80% but perhaps 10% to 20% of them. Then look to your 20% big producers and find ways to increase your sales to them—they make you money and cost less to service. Do the analysis you will be amazed, I know I was! As a real benefit of this exercise is that you will identify customers that have potential that you were neglecting. Need some help with this concept—email [email protected] and ask for an appointment with one of our Professional Business Consultants. Mi� with his experience as an entrepreneur in assisting his clients tel: 519.752.4636 330 West St., Brantford www.enterprisebrant.com ADVERTORIAL JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 21 BUSINESS ON THE GROW “THE FACILITY SUPPORTS DIFFERENT ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES THAT FIT EVERY BUDGET AND TAKES THE HEADACHE OUT OF PLANNING AN EVENT FOR KIDS.” Kidtastic is open seven-days a week and they can host up to 20 kids for parties. For a playground jungle adventure for kids under 11-years-old please contact them at 519-309-0025 to book your child’s adventure. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Kidtastic Adventures Indoor Playground & Party Centre BY CHRIS DICESARE “W elcome to the jungle, we’ve got fun and games, we got everything you want…..” is a song lyric from a rock and roll anthem by Guns ‘N Roses. It could also aptly describe a local entertainment facility for children in the Telephone City. Kidtastic Adventures Indoor Playground & Party Centre caters to children who are 11-yeards-old and younger with structures like a moon walk, bridge, crawl tubes, and slippery slides for younger kids. For older children the playground has a sports court, several slides, cargo-net climb, crawl tubes, mini-zip line, and much more. The indoor playground that is modelled in a jungle theme is located at 625 Park Rd N. in Brantford and they provide a safe, fun and exciting environment for group parties that can host up to 20 children. The facility supports different all-inclusive packages that fit every budget and takes the headache out of planning an event for kids. Kidtastic has individual and family membership rates too. Kidtastic is an unsupervised play area and parents and caregivers are solely responsible for their charges while in the centre, and supervision can be conducted from the comfortable seating that is close to all the action. Public play is available seven days a week, the facility has three party rooms to satisfy the needs of the jungle participants, they host weekly craft activities for kids, and providing your own snacks is permitted as long it is peanut-free. Kidtastic Adventures is located at 625 Park Rd N. in Brantford. To arrange your kid’s party, school trip, or church social please call 519-309-0025 or visit the website at www.kidtasticadventures.ca to learn more. 22 THE BUSINESS LINK www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 CANADA’S TECHNOLOGY TRIANGLE INC. Economic Development Organization promotes the benefits of doing business in the Waterloo Region. BY SCOTT LESLIE The Business Link W ith its extensive talent pool, stable economy, attractive climate and strategic position near international trade routes, the Waterloo Region offers several benefits and incentives for today’s businesses. And that certainly assists an organization like Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. in promoting their Region as an ideal choice for business. Located at 260 King Street West in Kitchener, Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. (CTT) is a notfor-profit, public-private regional economic development partnership that markets the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich to the world. CTT offers a full range of free confidential services to firms and individuals looking to establish a business presence in Waterloo. For instance, their team helps to arrange appointments between prospective businesses and the necessary professionals and community leaders. They provide detailed background on available commercial and industrial sites in the Region, as well as statistics and research on all the latest economic, demographic and sector information. CTT also works closely with the Economic Development departments of many municipalities, business organizations and post-secondary educational institutions. As a leading information provider and business network facilitator, CTT is often the first point of contact for companies looking to start-up, expand or relocate to the Waterloo Region. However, CTT is also committed to actively pursuing new business opportunities. In March, their team travelled to Los Angeles and San Francisco to promote the region as an ideal place to establish digital media operations in North America. Like CTT’s name implies, Waterloo has become a world leader in the high tech industry with everything from wireless to Internet to production technology. Many lead- ing firms such as Google, Sybase, Opentext, LSI Logic and Research In Motion all have a strong presence in the area. In May, CTT also made its first business mission to China in partnership with the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and several local business partners. The mission was an initial step towards attracting business opportunities and talent to the Waterloo Region and marketing its advanced manufacturing, ICT, CleanTech and other high tech industries to the Asian market. CTT rarely sits still when it comes to planning for the Region’s future. Their team is already preparing a delegation of local wind power firms and research institutions to attend the Husum WindEnergy show in Husum, Germany this September. One of the world’s largest wind energy trade fairs, this event will feature over 800 wind energy companies and suppliers from 70 countries—and will be an excellent opportunity for local wind firms to secure meetings with potential partners and business clients. Many experts agree that the Waterloo Region is growing into an economic powerhouse. In fact, fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) magazine recently named Waterloo the “Most Cost Effective” place to do business in all of Canada. It’s impressive accolades like these that are really making investors stand up and take notice. And with the dedicated team at Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. on its side, the future of the Waterloo Region is looking brighter all the time. “CTT offers a full range of free confidential services to firms and individuals looking to establish a business presence in Waterloo.” For more information contact Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc.: Tel: 519.747.2541 or 1.866.233.5133 260 King Street West, 3rd Floor, Kitchener, ON www.techtriangle.com [email protected] About Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc (CTT), established in 1987, is a not-for-profit, public/ private economic development partnership (6 municipalities, 21 corporate partners) representing the Waterloo Region. CTT operates in four areas: 1. Global marketing campaign: to make the Region (Greater Toronto), Province, Country, and World aware of the Waterloo Region as a place of profound opportunity. CTT has two primary functions: • To market the competitive advantages of the Waterloo Region to the world; and 2. Business development: one-on-one interaction with businesses and people to facilitate the investment process. • To connect enterprising business and entrepreneurs to data and information/business networks vital to business competitiveness and growth. 3. Data generation and management—to inform the investment decision making process. 4. Private and public partnership development—to leverage resources and work together to advance economic development in the Region. – techtriangle.com JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com THE BUSINESS LINK 23