Summer 2015 issue - The Markham Board of Trade

2015
Summer Issue
TAKING
AIM FOR
GOLD
Pg 8
PLUS
Made in Markham:
Shimco Finds the
Perfect Fit – pg 6
Keeping Your Business
Moving During the
Games – pg 12
3 Apps to Improve
Your Productivity – pg 13
Trading Suits for Slippers:
The Work from Home Debate
– pg 17
INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE:
M A R K H A M ’ S
E X C L U S I V E
B U S I N E S S
M A G A Z I N E
In This issue
Publisher
Richard Cunningham
President & CEO
COVER STORY
YPC
Editor
Meghan Behse
Colborne Communications
8
Creative Director
Katherine Pomykacz
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Your comments are always welcome.
Please email [email protected]
Advertising information
Christine Rogers
Advertising & Marketing Consultant
905-474-0730 ext. 3019
Membership information
Mary Ann Quagliara
Director, Member Services
905-474-0730 ext. 3017
Markham Board of Trade
Markham Convergence Centre
7271 Warden Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 5X5
T: 905-474-0730 • F: 905-474-0685
[email protected]
www.markhamboard.com
Daisy Wai (Vice Chair),
Ad2000 & Beyond Advertising
Charles Scott (Secretary),
Community Volunteer
Zamin Baqar (Treasurer),
KPMG Enterprise
Erez Zevulunov,
MIT Consulting
How to Choose the Right
IT Supplier
19
14
Business Books Marketing
Insights
2015
Summer Issue
M A R K H A M ’ S
14
E X C L U S I V E
B U S I N E S S
TAKING
MARKETING
AIM FOR
The Rise of the Corporate Blog:
Is Blogging Right for You? 16
Pg 8
2014 Business Excellence
PLUS
Award
Recipient Profile
Made in Markham:
Perfect Fit – pg 6
12
Bruce McMeekin,
J Bruce McMeekin Law
Bruce Tilden,
RE/MAX Realtron Realty Inc.
13
Shimco Finds
the
CDI
Computers
Carole McAfee Wallace,
Wilson Vukelich LLP
Rashpal Sahota,
Powerful Mind Powerful You
3 Apps to Improve
Your Productivity
GOLD
Made in Markham:
Shimco Finds the
Perfect Fit
Dr. Peter Kim,
Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Vito Marchese,
Whiteboard Studio
TECH Goodies
Learning Through Play at the
Markham Public Library
6
DIRECTORS:
Shadi Aghaei,
Times Group Corporation
5
SUMMER KIDS’ PROGRAMS
Taking Aim
for Gold
Markham Board of Trade
2014-15 Board of Directors
OFFICERS:
Joe A. Salib (Chair),
Sun Life Financial – Unionville
2015 ASPIRE Award Recipients
Keeping Your Business
Moving During the
Games – pg 12
Salute to Small Business
18
20
3 Apps to Improve
Your Productivity – pg 13
Trading Suits for Slippers:
Welcome
2
The Work from Home our
Debate Newest Members 2
– pg 17
INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE:
Keeping Your
Business Moving
During the Pan Am/
Parapan Am Games
Thrives and its contents
are provided by the
City of Markham
Andy Taylor,
City of Markham Representative
Richard Cunningham,
President & CEO, Markham Board of Trade
17
Cover and Cover Story Design: CS-Graphic Design Inc.
Design: Lisa Mervin, L.J. Sales
Cover photo: Dave Starrett
Markham’s exclusive business
magazine published by:
Printing: CanMark Communications
Circulation – 12,000
© May 2015. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or
copied in parts, or as a whole, without prior written
permission of the Markham Board of Trade
Publication Agreement Number 41245573
Trading Suits for
Slippers: The Work
from Home Debate
www.markhamboard.com
The VOICE Summer 2015
3
M A G A Z I N E
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Members benefit from a
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House, Condo, Tenants or Cottage Coverage for what ever you call home.
Auto Insurance
Protect your vehicle, motorcycle, motorhome, ATV, boat and more.
Business Insurance
MBT members can also save on their business insurance need regardless of the size or industry
We specialize in:
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Commercial
General Liability
Errors and Omissions
Directors and Officer’s General Liability
Surety Bonding
Take advantage of your preferred member benefits and save money by calling
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4
The VOICE Summer 2015
905-475-5800
Y P C W h at ’ s G o i n g O n ?
Third Annual ASPIRE Awards
Honouring Markham’s Outstanding Young Business Professionals
T
he Young Professionals
Club (YPC) recently
presented the third
annual ASPIRE Awards,
honouring three of Markham’s
outstanding business people
under the age of 40.
Nominees for the ASPIRE
(Achieving Social and
Professional Ideals, Reaching
Excellence) Awards must
demonstrate business success,
community involvement, as
well as being a role model and
inspiration to others.
In congratulating this year’s
award winners, YPC Chair Bill
Hutton spoke of the calibre of the
city’s young professionals: “Year
after year, the abundance of
high-quality award nominees is a
strong indication of the vibrancy
of Markham’s diverse business
community.”
Congratulations to the
2015 award recipients:
Sean O’Leary
Partner,
Energreen Technologies Inc.
Mike Meshkati
President,
Sina Printing Inc.
Dr. Debbie Smrz
Owner/Director,
Naturopathic Living Medical
Solutions
YPC Title Sponsor:
Stay connected: MBTYPC
(From left) Mayor Frank Scarpitti; recipient Mike Meshkati, President,
Sina Printing Inc.; recipient Dr. Debbie Smrz, Owner/Director, Naturopathic Living
Medical Solutions; recipient Sean O’Leary, Partner, Energreen Technologies Inc.;
award sponsor Chris Dudley, Director, HELIX Seneca College.
Professional Development IT PAYS TO KNOW
Mark your calendar for
payroll education!
Marty S., CPM - CPA Member, Ontario Region
With more than 190 federal
and provincial regulations
and changes each year,
staying payroll compliant
is one of the biggest
challenges employers face.
Stay Current Stay Compliant
Improve compliance and reduce the risk of audits and
penalties with help from Professional Development
seminars from Canadian Payroll Association (CPA).
CPA offers seminars for all levels from beginner to advanced. On
a variety of topics covering Learning Payroll, Taxable Benefits,
Employment Standards, Pensions and more. Check our calendar for
a seminar in your area.
Learn more at payroll.ca.
Call 416-487-3380 ext 118 or 1-800-387-4693 ext 118.
Become a CPA member and get preferred rates on seminars.
www.payroll.ca
The VOICE Summer 2015
5
Made in Markham
Shimco
Shimco:
Peter Voss the Perfect Fit for
Precision-Parts Manufacturer
By Mary Teresa Bitti
“I wanted to make the
company process dependent,
people independent, and that’s
still what we do.”
6
The VOICE Summer 2015
P
eter Voss, a CPA with
degrees in physics
and economics, had a
varied career in audit
and industry before deciding
he wanted to own and operate
his own business. As CFO of a
public company in Waterloo, he
was doing M&As, scouting out
high-tech companies, rightsizing,
and integrating them into
existing operations. “I spent a lot
of time helping others become
successful, and I wanted to do
the same for myself.”
In 2011, Voss found and
acquired 25-year-old Markhambased Shimco, a manufacturer
of precision-machined parts for
a range of industries that had
been stalled with no growth for
the previous decade. “It was
owned by a divorced couple
looking to retire. He had his
set of customers and she had
hers. There were very poor
controls in place with respect
to visibility of what was being
done, a poor ERP system, and
a scheduling system that was
more organized chaos than
anything else, with 400 work
orders on the floor at one time,”
says Voss. “At that time, 60% of
their business was focused on
the aerospace industry and the
rest was everything else. They
were trying to be all things to
all people and would disrupt
scheduled production to serve
“I implemented quarterly bonuses to recognize
people who were contributing, going above and beyond,
showing the values of the company. The people we hire today
have to fit into that value system.”
walk-in customers.
There was no concept
around priority. The
result: the business had
stagnated for about 10
years. The owners were
just riding it out.”
Still, Voss saw
big potential. Shimco
could begin generating
predictable revenues by
becoming more strategic and
building its aerospace client
base by focusing on tier one and
OEMs in the sector. He spent
the first month observing and
absorbing how things worked in
different departments, learning
the flow of work, and getting to
know the people. He also dug
into the financials, identifying
where money was being spent
and implementing controls,
including levels of authorization
that spelled out who could
spend what.
“I wanted to make the
company process dependent,
people independent, and that’s
still what we do. We’ve become
more automated to become
more efficient. We’ve improved
procedures and training to
prevent mistakes and helped
build accountability into how
we operate.”
Perhaps most importantly,
he focused on culture, moving
away from the command-andcontrol management system
to an environment supported
by five key values: safety,
honesty, integrity, respect,
and cooperation. “These are
the five values we live by. I
implemented quarterly bonuses
to recognize people who were
contributing, going above and
beyond, showing the values of
the company. The people we hire
today have to fit into that value
system.”
The impact of Voss’s strategy:
Ninety-four percent of his
company’s client base is now
from the aerospace sector, sales
have doubled in the past four
years, and Shimco is in growth
mode. Voss will be travelling to
India to attend a trade show and
to scout out potential locations
for a second plant.
An International Baccalaureate (IB) Applicant School
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Pre-School to Grade 1: 905-474-3434
Grade 2 to Grade 12 and University Prep: 905-470-1200
TCMPS.com
The VOICE Summer 2015
7
TAKING
AIM FOR
GOLD
THE PAN
AM GAMES
A BULL’S
EYE FOR
MARKHAM’S
DANIEL NG
By Mary Teresa Bitti
8
The VOICE Summer 2015
2015
D
aniel Ng is excited. At 42, he is preparing for this summer’s Pan American (Pan Am)
Games both as a competitive athlete and entrepreneur. Making it past the last hurdle,
team trials to be held in Montreal at the end of May, will mark the ultimate realization of
his passion for archery, a sport he discovered when he was four years old and that is currently
capturing the world’s imagination thanks to movies like The Hunger Games and The Avengers.
“The fact that the Games are
being held in Markham is just
awesome,” says Ng. “Not only
are we able to promote sport and
help kids see what’s out there, it
will bring business to the city.
Everyone knows the Games will
be here. It’s the perfect icebreaker
to reach out to new markets.”
The Pan Am Games is
the world’s third-largest
international multi-sport
competition, after the Summer
Olympics and the Asian Games.
More than 7,000 of the world’s
best athletes from 41 countries
across the Americas and
Caribbean will compete in 36
Pan Am sports from July 10 to 26
and 15 Parapan Am sports from
August 7 to 15. Competitions
in more than 15 sports at the
Toronto Games will qualify
athletes for the 2016 Olympics in
Rio de Janeiro.
Canada has hosted the Games
twice before, in 1967 and 1999,
both times in Winnipeg.
The Toronto Games will
involve municipalities from
Oshawa to Welland, supported
by 24,000 volunteers and a
budget of $1.4 billion – of which
about half was directed to capital
development projects.
This is a big deal for the GTA
and particularly Markham,
where the $78.5-million Markham
Pan Am/Parapan Am Centre
will host badminton, table tennis,
para-table tennis, and water
polo competitions. Angus Glen
Golf Club, which has hosted
the Canadian Open twice,
was selected as the site of the
first-ever Pan Am Games golf
tournament.
The Games take place every
four years, in the year preceding
the Summer Olympics, and
The Pan Am Games Turn the Spotlight on Markham
Located in Markham’s developing downtown core, the Markham Pan Am/
Parapan Am Centre (known as the Atos Markham Pan Am/Parapan Am
Centre during the Games) features a triple gymnasium with approximately
3,345 square metres for training, competition, and community use, as well
as a 10-lane, 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool. The 12.5-metre-high
clear ceilings of the Centre’s field house meet international badminton and
volleyball requirements.
If Markham’s Michelle Li, Canada’s
top-ranked women’s singles badminton
player (ranked 14th globally), qualifies
for the Toronto Pan Am Games – and
there is every reason to believe she will
– it will be the first time she plays before
a hometown crowd. “I’ve never had the
chance to compete in front of my friends
and family before,” she says. “To have
the Games in Markham makes it mean
so much more for me.”
Li won gold in the women’s singles and
doubles at the Guadalajara 2011 Pan Am Games, and in 2014 she became
the first woman to win gold in singles badminton at the Commonwealth
Games. She is looking forward to showing off the Markham Pan Am/Parapan
Am Centre to fellow competitors. “It’s the first facility in Canada designed
specifically for badminton. It’s got high ceilings, great floors, and the design is
impressive.”
“It will be able to host high-level tournaments from around the world,” says Li.
“I think that’s great.”
The
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VOICE Summer
Summer 2015
2015
9
were first held in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, in 1951. (The Parapan
Am Games launched in Mexico
City in 1999.) Archery made its
debut in the Pan Am Games in
1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Daniel Ng, currently ranked
eighth in Canada, is hoping to
be one of the 64 men and women
competing in archery at the 2015
Games in Toronto.
His path to the Games started
with a chance encounter. Born
in Hong Kong, Ng immigrated
to Toronto with his family
when he was two years old.
In kindergarten, a classmate
brought in a homemade bow and
arrow for show and tell. “The
teacher brought us outside so we
could all try shooting one arrow,”
says Ng. “I remember taking my
very first shot and watching the
arrow. That was it.”
For years he tried to convince
his parents to let him take
archery lessons, but they viewed
the bow and arrow as a weapon
and refused. He gave up asking
when he was 16. By that time, he
was well on his way to becoming
an entrepreneur.
Ng’s parents owned restaurants,
and from an early age, he was
involved in the family business.
He credits his parents with
teaching him the ins and outs
of the restaurant business and
encouraging him to work his way
up from busboy to management.
Golf makes first appearance!
For the first time in its history, golf will be part of the Pan Am Games,
and Markham’s world-class Angus Glen Golf Club has
been selected to host the event. The tournament will
include men’s and women’s competitions and feature 64
professional and amateur players who will tee off for the
72-hole competition on Angus Glen’s new South Course.
The Pan Am Games tournament caps a milestone year
for award-winning Angus Glen, which is celebrating
its 20th anniversary and has a strong track record of
hosting major national and international events, most
recently the World Junior Girls Championship in 2014.
Fast forward to 2010 and
the economic downturn, which
afforded him time to finally
pursue his passion. “I had
friends who were members
of a local archery club, and I
decided this was my time to
take it up. I started shooting,
His goal for the Pan Am Games is to qualify
among the top 16 and, ultimately, to stand
on the podium.
At 25, after helping grow
the family business to seven
restaurants, he started EKDN
Business Investment and
Management Group in Markham,
which offers consulting services
and develops real estate. As
a young husband, father, and
entrepreneur travelling the
country for business, Ng’s
involvement with the sport
he first fell in love with in
kindergarten was limited
to watching movies that
featured archery.
10
The VOICE Summer 2015
2015
practising, learning all I could
about bows and making the
perfect string, so all the tension
in the strands are even. I joined
the club so I could shoot
whenever I wanted. I loved it.”
He began entering
competitions, and in his
first year was ranked 19th in
Canada. In 2012, he was six
points short of qualifying for
the London Summer Olympics.
People started to approach Ng
to coach them. It was around
this time that he decided to
merge the worlds of sport and
business and launch a retail
store, Target Pro Archery. In
2014, he opened the Target Pro
Archery School, which has
already had 5,000 students
come through its doors.
Ng fits his own training
around his work schedule
and classes. A typical day
sees him out the door by 8
a.m. and practising until noon
before heading first to the
office and then to his classes
for intermediate students.
After that, he drives to another
archery club in Brampton that
has an indoor facility where
he will practise until 3 a.m. “I
want to shoot between 500 and
600 quality arrows each day,”
says Ng. “When you make that
shot, you feel the energy of the
bow extending to the arrow.
It’s not just about strength and
endurance, it’s the mental focus
you need to have. Each arrow
counts. If you make one bad
shot, you’re done because to
make up one or two points in
competition is very difficult.
It looks simple, but so much
technique is involved. ”
Archery can be distinguished
from other athletic pursuits by its
emphasis on stillness and accuracy.
The archer who shoots the most
arrows into the centre of the
target wins. The challenge: the
target is located 70 metres away
and measures just 122 centimetres in diameter and only 12.2
centimetres at its centre.
Ng’s passion is undeniable.
He describes his “itch” to
shoot as AAD (Acute Archery
Deficiency). That itch led
him to a bronze medal at last
year’s Canadian Spring Classic
competition held at Markham’s
Bill Crothers Secondary
School. His goal for the Pan Am
Games is to qualify among the
top 16 and, ultimately, to stand
on the podium. To make that
happen, he is doing all he can
to ensure he hits the bull’s eye
every time.
The VOICE Summer 2015
11
Keeping Your
Business
Moving
During the Pan Am/
Parapan Am Games
T
he 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am
Games presents an exciting
opportunity for our region,
but it also will amplify some
challenges we already face in Markham,
such as daily congestion, a lack of transit
infrastructure, and the second highest
commute times in the country.
The best way to prepare for the Games
is to know what to expect and to plan how
your business will operate. By examining
your travel habits, you can identify areas and
actions that will make your travel during the
Games more efficient.
Markham Pan Am/
Parapan Am Centre
Anticipate heavier traffic volumes between
July 7 and 25 and August 8 and 13.
Roads that will primarily be affected:
• Warden Avenue from Highway 407
to Highway 7
• Enterprise Boulevard from Warden
Avenue to Kennedy Road
• Kennedy Road from Highway 407
to Highway 7
Roads will be busier from:
• As early as 6:00 a.m. to as late as
midnight during the Pan Am Games
• As early as 8:00 a.m. to as late as 10:00
p.m. during the Parapan Am Games
12
The VOICE Summer 2015
Angus Glen Golf Club
How to Plan
Anticipate heavier traffic volumes between
July 16 and 19.
Roads that will primarily be affected:
• Major Mackenzie Drive between
Highway 404 and Kennedy Road
• Elgin Mills Road between Highway
404 and Kennedy Road
• Warden Avenue between
Major Mackenzie Drive and Elgin
Mills Road
• Kennedy Road between Major
Mackenzie Drive and Elgin
Mills Road
Roads will be busiest from:
• 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m.
The Games presents a unique opportunity to
try new ways of working that may make your
workplace more attractive, sustainable, and
productive. Examine your travel habits, and
identify areas and actions that will make your
travel more efficient.
Consider the 4 R’s when developing a
Pan Am transportation plan at your workplace:
Reduce: Reducing travel during the Games
is the best way to avoid traffic congestion.
Implement a telework program and allow
your employees to work from home.
Re-mode: Try using a different mode of
travel, such as carpooling with a colleague
(or two, if you want to take advantage of the
3+ HOV lanes).
Re-time: Check out the competition
schedule, and shift your hours on the days
where there is a competition or event.
Re-route: Help your customers and
employees learn about the traffic changes
in your area by providing this information
on your website, social media accounts, and
phone systems.
Additional Traffic Measures
New temporary high-occupancy vehicle
(HOV) lanes will be introduced during the
Games. All carpool lanes will be reserved for
carpools with three or more people during
the Pan Am Games (June 29 to July 27) and
two or more people during the Parapan Am
Games.
Need help finding another commuter for
your carpool?
Check out the Smart Commute online tool
to look for commuters with a similar trip:
explore.smartcommute.ca
Lindsay Taylor is the Marketing and
Communications Coordinator at Smart
Commute Markham, Richmond Hill. Visit
smartcommutemrh.ca for more commuting tips,
or to become a Smart Commute Workplace.
T E C H G OO D I ES
3
Apps to
Improve Your
Productivity
By Samantha Sim
From making your computer an extension
of your smartphone to providing detailed
analytics reports about your daily habits,
we examine three mobile apps you
should download.
1. AirDroid
This app allows individuals
to access and manage their
Android phone or tablet from
their computer. Receive a
notification on the side of your
desktop or laptop screen every
time someone calls or sends a
message, and then answer or
respond without even touching
your phone. The app also has
full integration with WhatsApp,
lets users view and edit
contacts, as well as wirelessly
transfers photos and other
files between your phone
and computer.
Price: Free
Available for: Android
smartphones, Windows and Mac
laptops and/or desktops
Find out more at: airdroid.com
2. RescueTime
Ever wonder where the day’s
gone? You feel like you’re
always working, but your to-do
list isn’t shrinking. RescueTime
gives insight into where your
time is going. The app runs
in the background of your
smartphone or computer and
compiles a report detailing
how much time you spend
on each activity during your
day. Find out exactly how
long you’re answering emails,
attending meetings, working on
specific tasks, or even browsing
distracting websites. The app
then helps you become more
efficient by sending you alerts
when you’ve spent too much
time on one task or highlighting
achievements when you’ve had
very productive days.
Price: Free and premium paid
versions available
Available for: Android
smartphones, Windows and Mac
laptops and/or desktops
Find out more at: rescuetime.com
HOW DO I SAVE $184,000
IN TAXES WHEN I SELL MY BUSINESS?
THE LIFETIME CAPITAL GAINS EXEMPTION
You may have heard of the exemption, but when an offer to
purchase your business is made, are you properly structured to
be eligible for the exemption? The partners of Kreston GTA can
help. We are an experienced firm of Chartered Professional
Accountants that advise businesses throughout their life cycle.
Whether you need to structure your business for sale, or just need
help setting up your business, we are there to provide strategic
support.
Contact Spence Walker to set up a consultation.
krestongta.com | 905.474.5593 | 8953 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, Ontario
A member of Kreston International | A global network of independent accounting firms
3. Calendly
If you’re someone who’s always
scheduling client meetings,
then you’ll definitely want this
web app. Calendly eliminates
those annoying chain emails,
allowing both you and your
client to book a meeting in
one message. After selecting
your availability for the week,
month, or any set time period,
the information is compiled in
a chart housed on Calendly’s
website. Send a link each time
you need to book a meeting and
your client can see exactly when
you’re available and select an
appointment. The appointment
is then automatically added to
both of your calendars.
Price: Free and premium paid
versions available
Available for: App can be
used on any laptop, desktop,
or smartphone device. The user
needs a Google account, but
recipients can be using iCal,
Outlook, or Google Calendar.
Find out more at: calendly.com
Servicing all
your accounting
and tax needs
• Bookkeeping Services
• Income Tax Preparation
& Planning
• HST/GST
• Payroll Services
• Manual or Computerized
Tel: 905-471-7979
Email: [email protected]
www.jpaccountingtax.com
114 Anderson Avenue, Suite 7C, Markham, ON L6E 1A5
The VOICE Summer 2015
13
SU M M E R K I D S ’ P R O G R A M S
Business Books
“When the Cat’s Away, Marketing Insights
Business Reading & Professional
the Mice Will Play”
Development from the Markham
Learning Through Play at
Markham Public Library
F
rom festivals to
daytrips, there’s plenty
for families to do in
Markham during
summer weekends. Whether
it’s bouncing at the Bandstand,
relaxing on a Main Street patio,
enjoying nature at Milne Park, or
cheering at the Pan Am Games,
the next adventure is just around
the corner. But why does the fun,
and the learning, have to end for
kids during the week?
Markham Library’s summer
kids’ programs are both fun
and educational. Our classes
are developed and taught
by qualified educators, and
designed to build math, reading,
leadership, and communication
skills. Creative play is the
foundation of learning for every
young mind! By playing games
and instruments, kids learn
about themselves and each other,
and develop key skills to succeed
in the world.
From superhero training and
journeys around the world to
Xbox game creation and junior
public speaking, kids won’t want
to miss out on our exciting camps
and programs, including:
3D Creation and Printing
With the launch of 3D printers
this May at Cornell Library,
these game-changing machines
became available to everyone
in Markham. In these July and
August classes at Milliken Mills
and Markham Village libraries,
children aged 7–12 will get the
opportunity to explore 3D design
software and build objects like
cups and mini-houses. Using
their imagination and creativity,
they will learn the basics of
3D modelling, inventing, and
fabricating – essentials for careers
in design and engineering – and
take home a mini 3D structure
they’ve created.
14
The VOICE Summer 2015
Journey Around the
World Camp
In this adventure-based program
at Angus Glen, Cornell, and
Unionville libraries, the infamous
Cat Burglar has struck again,
running off with the world’s
largest cubic zirconia, and it’s
the campers’ job to find him!
Children aged 7–9 will experience
different cultures and customs as
they “travel” the globe, searching
for clues and putting their
problem-solving skills to the test
in order to crack the case.
Get Ready for
Kindergarten Camp
Big-kid school is a huge step
for every child. This fun-filled,
half-day camp at Angus Glen
and Cornell libraries comes
to the rescue for parents and
children aged 4–6 years old.
Focusing on early literacy,
communication, social skills, and
new friendships, children get
their first taste of school while
learning kindergarten routines
and popular activities.
For details on camp activities, go
to mplcamp.blogspot.com or call
Markham Public Library at 905513-7977 (ext. 4254 for camps and
ext. 2868 for curriculum-based
learning programs).
Registration for all City of
Markham camps, courses, and
programs is also online. Go
to www.markham.ca, choose
“Online Services,” and click
“Programs Registration
(EZ Reg).”
Amanda R. Kelly is the Business
Community Librarian in the City
of Markham Library’s Community
Development Department. Reach
her at [email protected].
on.ca or 905-513-7977
ext. 5340 – or on Twitter
@markhamlibrary.
Public Library
Promote Yourself: The New Rules
for Career Success
by Dan Schawbel
Whether you’re establishing your own venture,
starting a new position, or are aiming to raise the bar,
Promote Yourself teaches you how to market your skills
and propel your career. Drawing on contemporary
workplace research and interviews with dynamic, top
professionals, Schawbel lays out a step-by-step process for getting ahead
in any industry. Learn the essential hard, soft, and digital skills for career
success, and how to balance them in a personal brand and professional
strategy. Our tip? Make a to-do list from the book’s tips and ideas as you
read, and get in the driver’s seat by taking action!
Data Driven Marketing for Dummies
by David Semmelroth
From social media to the census, learn how to leverage
everyday data to boost sales, target marketing, and
grow your business or profession. Increase efficiencies
and customize your business strategy by using
data to identify trends, understand your existing
and potential customers, predict purchasing behaviour, and improve
professional relationships. From finding specialized information to
understanding it and applying your insights, this how-to guide shows
professionals at all levels how to accelerate sales using analytics.
Social Physics: How Good Ideas Spread
– The Lessons from a New Science
by Alex Pentland
Humans have more in common with bees than
we like to admit: we’re social creatures first and
foremost. In fact, we respond much more powerfully
to social incentives that reward others and strengthen
relationships than economic payoffs. After years
of groundbreaking studies, MIT’s Alex “Sandy” Pentland shares his
remarkable and revolutionary discoveries in collective intelligence and
social influence. Discover how communication patterns determine
productivity, in small groups or entire cities, and learn strategies to
improve engagement and performance.
Loveworks: How the World’s Top
Marketers Make Emotional Connections
to Win in the Marketplace
by Brian Sheehan
By emphasizing emotional connections, worldrenowned brands like Visa, Toyota, and Lenovo have
climbed in the marketplace and nestled themselves
in consumers’ hearts and minds. Reviewing 20 such case studies from
clients and markets around the globe, Sheehan’s findings in Loveworks
act as a real-world roadmap to sustained relationships between
producers, retailers, and consumers. Applying concepts from Kevin
Roberts’s Lovemarks, he discusses best practices and straightforward
steps for positive marketing that are equally valuable to those in sales,
small businesses, and management.
For more information visit www.markhammarkhamlibrary.ca.
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The VOICE Summer 2015
15
M A R KE T I N G
The Rise of the
Corporate Blog:
67 Automall Blvd (Millard & Hwy. 48)
905-888-7777 • stouffvillehyundai.com
Is Blogging Right
for You?
By Meghan Behse
M
Two dealerships.
Same great service.
2 B es
201
t Large Busin
ess
22
20 Automall Blvd (Millard & Hwy. 48)
905-888-6680 • stouffvillechrysler.com
0 ••
00110
1 •• 2
2200111
20
01122
2013
2013
S I DENT’S AWAR
D
P RE
OF MERI T
Pieter van der Griend,
Dealer Principal
16
The VOICE Summer 2015
arketing your
business
online is now a
necessity, but it
can be extremely complicated,
and the techniques and tools
are ever changing. Even more
discouraging is the difficulty,
despite analytics tools, of
measuring return on marketing
spend (ROMS). For these
reasons, there’s no
foolproof
guide to
online
marketing.
But what
we do know
(for now) is
that the more
new, relevant
material you create online, the
better your business’s search
engine optimization (SEO) and
the bigger your social media
audience. It’s primarily this fact
that has led businesses into the
world of blogging.
Blogging has a number
of high-value advantages. By
providing additional website
material, it increases your
website’s search relevancy and
generates useful copy to use on
other social media platforms.
More importantly for some, it’s
a great way to boost your email
subscriber list, which can be
used for non-social means.
A corporate blog has other,
less technical advantages. A blog
can help define your company
and set yourself apart from your
competitors by promoting your
core values, showing off your
expertise, and encouraging a
dialogue with your customers.
But many businesses
shudder at the idea of writing
and managing a corporate
blog, and for good reasons too.
Researching, writing, editing,
and promoting even a weekly
blog post can be expensive –
figuratively, in staff time, and
literally if you’re contracting
out the work – especially for a
smaller business with
a limited marketing
budget. The writing
process can also
be very daunting
to employees
and business
owners
who aren’t
trained in the
discipline.
So if
blogging is not
for you, what
alternatives are there to
promote recognition of your
business and stay on top of SEO
and social media?
If your company is more
comfortable in design, focus on
creating a standout logo and
tagline that your audience will
remember. Incorporate these
often in your messaging, and be
sure to properly label them so
that search engines like Google
will recognize them too.
If you are concerned about
the amount of staff time required
to maintain a blog, invest in a
well-formed social media policy
instead so that employees who
update the platforms you use are
consistently deploying keywords
and messages that define your
company.
Also consider other
marketing tactics that are less
text-heavy but can be promoted
on social media in order to
encourage your followers to visit
your website and sign up as an
email subscriber. Giveaways
and exclusive offers are often
extremely effective.
HU M AN R ESOU R C ES
Trading Suits
for Slippers:
The Work from Home Debate
By Kathryn Willms
C
all it the twenty-first century dream:
you wake up, grab a coffee, and step
into your home office to start your
workday. There’s no need to iron
that dress shirt.
For many employees, this dream is
becoming a reality. But is working from
home the ideal solution it’s sometimes
perceived to be? It’s a complex debate for
employers and employees. Understanding
the practice’s advantages and disadvantages
is key to its successful implementation into
a workplace or to deciding if it’s a good fit
for both sides.
For employers, allowing employees to
work from home can result in increased
job satisfaction and lower turnover.
Management shows workers that it trusts
and respects their ability to manage their
time and workloads. Employees working
from home often work longer hours with
less distractions than those who work in the
office, achieving greater productivity. Finally,
a smaller workforce in the office creates
fewer overhead costs.
Happier, hard-working employees. Less
costs. Why wouldn’t every company embrace
the practice?
Employees working off-site can pose
serious challenges for employers. It can
be difficult to identify human resource
problems and to track issues with vendors
or clients. Managers must make more effort
to ensure employees are up to date with
changes in strategy and practice. Finally,
it can be difficult for employers to build and
to maintain trust. If off-site employees are
not communicating regularly and honestly,
employers are at serious risk.
It is difficult for employees to see past
working from home’s advantages. They
enjoy the flexibility to work around other
responsibilities, like children, and save
commuting costs. However, the convenience
of a home office is double-edged. It can be
hard to determine when a workday begins
and ends. It’s easy to fall out of the loop
with managers and coworkers, and to be left
feeling unconnected and underappreciated.
Those water cooler conversations that
begin with House of Cards sometimes
lead to discussion of new ideas and best
practices.
Employers and employees need to
be realistic about the challenges and
opportunities of working from home if
it’s going to work.
Tips for Employers
• Implement regular meetings to ensure
employees follow best practices and work
toward company goals.
• Utilize inclusive technology; for example,
file sharing programs like Google Drive,
Dropbox, or a custom cloud solution
allow multiple employees to work on a
single project.
• Propose video conferences to make
employees feel more connected.
Tips for Employees
• Make the effort to stay in touch, whether
it’s a daily check-in or using an instant
messenger to connect with coworkers
throughout the day.
• Turn off the computer after eight hours.
Getting burned out can quickly take the
glamour out of working from home.
• Separate work life from home life. Make a
space just for work, minimize distractions,
and ditch that bathrobe and get dressed
like you’re going to the office!
The VOICE Summer 2015
17
2 0 1 4 Aw a rd W i n n e r
CDI Computers
The Donald Cousens Conservation
& Environmental Leadership Award
By Samantha Sim
E
ach year, between 400
and 500 million obsolete
computers are shipped
to landfills. For the past
two decades, CDI Computers has
worked to keep these electronic
devices from being thrown away
by refurbishing and reselling
them to the educational market.
CDI currently diverts around
40,000 units per year that
would’ve otherwise been trashed.
“We believe everyone
has a responsibility to be
environmentally conscious,”
says the company’s CFO, Naipaul
Sheosankar. “That extends
beyond just electronics for us,
it can be using new materials
for better recycling or even
encouraging carpooling.”
The company prides itself on
being ISO 14001:2004 certified,
meaning it has a system of quality
controls and accountability to
ensure responsible recycling. This
is considered one of the leading
certifications in the electronics
recycling industry. Companies
recognized with this certification
ensure environmental standards
are met while prioritizing
data security.
CDI works with large
organizations to acquire their
old computers, phones, and
tablets for refurbishing. A lot of
these devices were originally
destined for the trash. These
electronics help schools all over
North America. This year, CDI
has raised the bar for itself with
its 1:1 ratio – the company has
partnered with Florida’s Jackson
County School Board in the effort
to deliver a more personalized
education experience by having
one device for every student.
(From left) Mayor Frank Scarpitti; John Babcock, VP Business Development,
Enterprise Equipment; and Naipaul Sheosankar, Chief Financial Officer, CDI
Computer Dealers Inc.; Donald Cousens.
CDI’s environmental
initiatives don’t stop at the
services and products they
offer. The company tries to
make every aspect of their
organization greener, right
down to the materials they use
to ship their products. To ensure
their packaging is recyclable in
every municipality they send
products to, CDI checks that the
materials they use comply with
each municipality’s recycling
standards.
“How do we replicate this
in Mexico, Latin America, and
in other countries worldwide?
That’s a question definitely
on our mind in 2015,” says
Sheosankar.
The company sees its
success in North America as
just a start. In countries where
budgets for new electronics
are even tighter, CDI believes
it offers the solution and it can
be environmentally conscious
while doing so.
R
7676 Woodbine Ave., Unit 10, Markham, ON, Canada L3R 2N2
905-940-2378
18
The VOICE Summer 2015
TECH ADVICE
How to Choose the Right IT Supplier
M
any businesses struggle with
knowing when and how to change
IT suppliers. Finding the right choice
involves knowing the factors to
consider and how the transition will work.
“I’ve outgrown my current supplier.”
You may have started using a freelance
IT supplier or a small IT company several
years ago when your needs were more basic.
Now that your business has grown, you’re
questioning whether your current IT supplier
has the expertise and tools to handle
your needs.
Any business that is dependent on
technology needs more than an IT “repair”
person. Ask yourself if your existing IT
infrastructure is suitable to meet your
business objectives, if you’ve had a complete
security audit recently, if you’re compliant
with the latest regulations, and if you are
backing up your data and have an IT disaster
recovery plan. If your current supplier is not
talking to you about these important topics,
then you probably need a new one.
Frustrated
with the lack
of return on
your marketing
initiatives?
Your IT supplier should be able to react
quickly but also be proactive, helping you
avoid problems in the first place. Current IT
solutions include cloud solutions, business
continuity, VoIP phone service, and 24/7
assistance. Most importantly, you need an IT
supplier with a depth of IT expertise who is
willing to give you advice.
“I don’t think my current
IT supplier has the latest
technologies.”
If your IT supplier waits for you to have
a problem before coming out to fix it, this
supplier is not using the latest technologies
to help keep your system up and running.
Reacting to problems is important, but your
current IT provider should be suggesting
ways to help you avoid downtime in the
first place. A supplier not affiliated with a
bigger organization and attempting to
stay on top of changes in technology
independently is most likely not up to
speed on the latest offerings.
Tired of
paying the
high cost
of group
insurance?
“I don’t know where to find a new
IT supplier, and I’m concerned
about a transition plan.”
Changing suppliers can be difficult. Often the
best suppliers come from referrals, and you
will likely find your next IT supplier through
similar means. Consider your options, do
your research, talk to people you know and
trust, and try to align yourself with the right
information and resources.
When considering a potential IT
supplier, be sure to ask them to develop
a transition plan, which will help you
understand how they will get up to speed
on your current IT system and your future
needs in order to ensure a smooth transition.
A company should be willing to give you
a no-cost, comprehensive current-system
assessment.
Alex Lachine is the general manager
of TeamLogic IT, a Markham-based IT
management and solutions company serving
businesses nationwide.
Hate making
cold calls?
Worried
that business
expenses are
exceeding your
budget?
If any of this resonates with you, call the Markham Board of Trade.
We’re here to help your business succeed.
GROW your business • SAVE money • NETWORK with prospects
Call Mary Ann at
905-474-0730 ext 3017
www.markhamboard.com
The VOICE Summer 2015
19
MBT Salutes Small
Healthy pets make happy homes.
Open 7 days a week.
Dr. P. Brar and Dr. B. Yogi
5970 - 16th Avenue - Unit 104,
Markham, ON, L3P 7R1
Tel: 905.554.7210 • Fax: 905.554.7214
www.16aveanimalhospital.com
Mon-Fri 8:00am. – 6:00pm.
Sat-Sun 10:00am. – 5:00pm
905.642.0054
canmarkcommunications.com
11 Allstate Parkway, Suite 206
Markham, Ontario L3R 9T8
Tel: 905.415.8800 Fax: 905.415.8875
Tol Free: 1.888.415.8802
Eiko Giese BA
Owner/Senior Consultant
[email protected]
www.marlintravel.ca/Don-Mills-Donway
Travel Life
170 The Donway West, Suite 217
Don Mills, Ontario M3C 2G3
Tel.: 416-510-0015
Cell: 647-688-8558
New and pre-owned vehicles.
Over 25 years of automotive experience
905-305-7800
Nick Zanzonico | MARKVILLE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC
5336 Hwy 7 E, Markham | 905-294-1440
[email protected]
www.markvillechevrolet.com
20
The VOICE Summer 2015
Hugo Pacific Commercial Centre
3601 Hwy 7 E. Hsbc Tower, 10th Floor,
Suite 1005, Markham L3r 0m3
Business
Sunil Heda, cpa
Investment Advisor
RBC Dominion Securities
416-571-0369 | [email protected] | www.rbcds.com/sunil.heda
Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
Your ad here reaches over
6,000 Markham businesses
and 5,000+ consumers.
Call Chris Rogers
289-844-3019
The Chambers Plan
Difference
The pooled structure of the
Chambers of Commerce Group
Insurance Plan protects your
business from significant rate
fluctuations. By spreading claims
across 30,000 participating
businesses nationwide, rates
remain stable for all members.
visit
Group Benefits with a Difference.
Simple. Stable. Smart.
Or call
1.800.667.2726
The VOICE Summer 2015
21
Welcome TO our newest members
See the entire list at markhamboard.com
24x7 Print Store – Online
www.24x7printstore.ca
Frankie Tomatto’s Restaurant
www.frankietomatto.com
Nando’s
www.nandos.ca
RWARDZ/iOPW Inc.
www.rwardz.com
AE Auto Plus Inc.
www.aeautoplus.com
Global Consulting Group Inc.
www.globalconsulting
group.ca
Northwood Mortgage Ltd
416-969-8130 ext. 249
Secural Datashred Inc./
Secural Site Solutions
www.secural.com
Alka’sTotal Fitness.com
www.alkastotalfitness.com
Ambiyan Restaurant
& Village Pub
www.ambiyan.com
Global Vacations & Tours Inc.
www.globalvacations.ca
On the Spot Massage
www.onthespotmassage.ca
Golden Rules Medical Inc.
www.goldenrules.ca
Ontario Municipal Insurance
Exchange (OMEX)
www.omex.org
AV Event Solutions Inc.
www.avevents.ca
India’s Taste
www.IndiasTaste.ca
PEO Canada
www.peocanada.com
Cameraworks Productions
International
www.cameraworksint.com
Ingage Consulting
www.ingageconsulting.ca
Prime Nutrisource Inc./
Nugale Pharmaceutical Inc.
www.primenutrisource.com
Canadian Petroleum
Processing Equipment Inc
www.cppe.ca
Comart Studios
www.comartstudios.ca
Danny’s Fish & Chips
905-474-9203
Digreen Homes Inc.
905-513-7999
Edward Jones
www.edwardjones.
com/en_CA/fa/index.
html&CIRN=650289
FocalPoint Business
Coaching – Karl Kremer
www.karlkremer.com
IRIS Optometrists
and Opticians
www.IRIS.ca
Princess Auto Ltd.
www.princessauto.com
KnowledgeX International Inc.
www.speakandgrow
yourbusiness.com
Magenta Design +
Advertising
www.magentadesign.ca
Markham Pharmacy
905-472-1786
Moksha Yoga Markham Inc.
www.markham.
mokshayoga.ca
My Little Pizzeria
www.mylittlepizzeria.com
Rainmaker Strategies Group
www.rainmakerstrategies.org
Real Property Investments
www.realproperty
investments.com
Reilly CA Professional Corp.
www.reillyca.com
Research Development
Consulting
www.RDCinfo.com
Swing Park Indoor Golf
www.swingpark.com
Symposium Cafe
Restaurant & Lounge
www.symposiumcafe.com
Teva Canada Limited
www.tevacanada.com
The UPS Store
www.theupsstore.ca/204
Toronto Division
Copiers-Kyocera
www.torontodivision.com
TRAPPED
www.trapped.ca
Vango Toronto
Fencing Center
www.vangofencing.ca
Zipcar Canada Inc.
www.zipcar.com
Resource Management
Solutions Group
www.rmgmtsolutions.com
T hank y o u t o o u r gener o u s sp o ns o rs
Premier:
Corporate:
Title Sponsor:
Breakfast Networking Series:
Women’s Networking Title Sponsor:
22
The VOICE Summer 2015
Connect to
YOUR market!
HUNDREDS OF RETAIL BUSINESS AND SERVICE LISTINGS
B
HU
BUYER’S
GUIDE
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
2014
Fall Issue
M A R K H A M ’ S
E X C L U S I V E
B U S I N E S S
M A G A Z I N E
SAVING LIVES
THERE’S
AN APP FOR THAT
pg 6
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE
CMY
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
K
PLUS
NEW TAX: Funding Stormwater Management – pg 10
GE’s $40M Commitment to Markham – pg 8
Outsourcing Tips for Marketing & HR – pg 11-14
2015
Spring Issue
M A R K H A M ’ S
2014
Spring Issue
M A G A Z I N E
2013
M A R K H A M ’ S
E X C L U S I V E
B U S I N E S S
Summer Issue
M A G A Z I N E
scoTT benTleY & MarK suMMers driVe sales across MarKhaM
Maithili Thambinayagam
RAMPING UP BUSINESS
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THE MARKHAM BOARD OF TRADE
Pg 12
Pg 13
VENTURE
IN ADVENTURE
B U S I N E S S
André Vittorio
FINDING THE
E X C L U S I V E
T H E
A R T
O F
S U C C E S S
Pg 13
Pg 12
Reset: Changing Course
to Grow – Redline
Communications Group
rebounds – pg 8
Matt Man
Riyaz Datoo
PLUS
3rd Annual ASPIRE
Awards – pg 4
When is your Social
Media a Waste of
Time? – pg 11
Seven tips on
Incorporating your
Business – pg 17
INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE:
PLUS
Markham’s Entrepreneur Ecosystem – Part 1
TEE-IT-UP 2014:
Board of Trade Member Golf Clubs
pg.8
pg.11
How to Feed the Social Media Machine
(without letting it run you over)
3 Top Tech Hits at CES
pg.14
pg.16
PLUS
Marketing Plans
for Start-ups
Five Must Have
Tech Goodies
Pg 9
Pg 16
How to KEEP Your
Employees Engaged
Avoiding Four Common
Social Media Pitfalls!
Pg 10
Pg 19
VOICE_Summer2013-cover.indd 1
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per year, circ. 50,000
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their kind in Markham
Available in 40+ consumer
and business locations
13-05-03 10:02 AM
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markhamboard.com
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The VOICE Summer 2015
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