How to Work a Room Inside What’s

NLOWE I e-Newsletter I September 2012
What’s
Inside
Spotlight: Judy Kennedy &
Sheila Duggan
Regional Profile: Labrador
Opportunities in Export
NLOWE’s Social Life
Award Sponsors Announced
Upcoming events
NLOWE Head Office
2nd Floor, Regatta Plaza II
84-86 Elizabeth Avenue
St. John’s, NL A1A 1W7
TEL: (709) 754.5555
FAX: (709) 754.0079
TOLL-FREE: 1.888.NLOWE.11
E-MAIL: info@nlowe.org
Send your feedback, inquiries and Spotlight
Q&A forms to members@nlowe.org.
NLOWE offers services to women in business
thanks to the financial support of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
How to Work a Room
As the fast pace of Fall begins, so does
a plethera of networking receptions and
business luncheons. Some of us may feel
lost as we enter a room full strangers.
Avoid wandering around aimlessly by
trying some of these steps:
1. Go with a purpose. Remind yourself
why you are there. Set a couple of
targets like: speak to three new people;
or try to learn at least two new pieces of
information.
2. Use inside contacts. If you know the
event organizer and he or she is around
during the event, ask for an introduction
to key people who you ought to meet
there.
3. Be a lone ranger. If you’re attending
the event with people you already know
well don’t fall into the trap of sticking
together for the whole event. Talking to
people who you already know will lessen
your chances of meeting new ones. To
extricate yourself, deliberately sit next to
someone you don’t know during a talk or
a meal that takes place during the event.
4. Get the lay of the land. Observe group
formations before choosing whom to
approach. Look for people who are most
likely to respond positively. These would
be individuals standing alone who are
waiting for someone to talk to, or groups
of twos and threes that are open to new
participants.
5. Be aware of your own body language.
Folding your arms in front of your body
and looking at the floor forms a barrier
between you and the other person and
gives the impression that you don’t want
to talk to them. In contrast, leaving your
arms unfolded and maintaining eye
contact will make them feel welcome.
6. Break the ice. Don’t feel like you have
to say something profound. Breaking
the ice can be as simple as commenting
on the venue, the program or the food,
or expressing an interest in why they are
attending.
7. Mind your handshake. Put out your
full hand, avoiding the half-handed (and
halfhearted) grip, which can feel like a
cold fish. Shake firmly, but don’t make it
a bone crusher. Maintain eye contact and
smile as you greet your new potential
contact.
8. Ask open-ended questions. These
are questions that ask who, what, where,
when and how – as opposed to questions
that can be answered with a simple yes
or no. Your goal is to explore ideas and
opinions and also to show your listening
skills.
9. Go easy on the business cards. Make
each one count, rather than handing
them out like a meaningless pamphlet.
It’s not about volume–it’s about quality
contacts. Forcing it on someone who
doesn’t seem to want it just makes you
look desperate.
10. Be generous. Offer to help where you
can and don’t expect anything in return.
Most people appreciate a favor and want
to reciprocate.
Source: www.forbes.com
www.nlowe.org
Members
Spotlight
Helping Matters is not just the name
of their business, it is something that
Sheila Duggan and Judy Kennedy
prove everyday. As Canadian Certified
Counsellors with Masters in Counselling
Psychology, Sheila and Judy provide
counselling and assessment services to
children, youth, and families through
their private practice located in St. John’s.
Sheila’s and Judy’s careers began as
classroom and special education teachers.
With years of experience as teachers,
and later as guidance counsellors, they
gained great insight into all levels of
the education system in Newfoundland
and Labrador, which in turn they were
able to share with other educators and
professionals. Sheila and Judy went on
to consult with district personnel and
provide professional development to
school staff. Through collaboration with
community-based agencies and acting
as an advocate for students, they began
to identify the challenges that face both
young people and their families. With this
insight and understanding, they knew
that there was a need that they could fill
and so they set out to open their own
private practice.
Through Helping Matters – Counselling
and Assessment Centre, Sheila and Judy
Judy Kennedy & Sheila Duggan
Helping Matters
St. John’s
provide professional and confidential
counselling services that address a variety
of issues including but not limited to,
bullying, social skills, anxiety, learning
disabilities, autism, grief, and addictions.
They also administer comprehensive
assessments for children, youth, and
adults to identify areas of strengths and
needs, which can lead to the identification
of the presence of a learning disability or
other exceptionality that could inform
school programming. Helping Matters
supports the home-school connection
with scheduled group and individual
sessions on identified areas of need. In
addition, the assessment service benefits
young adults who may desire to return to
post secondary, re-enter the workforce, or
benefit from career guidance.
Sheila and Judy know that they provide
an invaluable service that speaks to the
needs of their clients. Their work not
only inspires their clients to succeed but
their clients inspire their work as well. The
children and youth they have met have
shown them the power of resiliency as
they overcome tremendous obstacles
to find their way. They have also been
inspired by the dedication of many
professionals they have encountered to
make the world a better place.
One of their favourite quotes comes
from Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Founder
and Chairman of the Interdisciplinary
Council on Developmental and Learning
Disorders, “All children have within them
the potential to be great kids. It’s our job to
create a great world where this potential
can flourish.” It is clear that Sheila and
Judy are doing their part to create a great
world for great kids, youth, and families in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Helping Matters is located at 71 Casey
Street, St. John’s and can be reached at
709.579.2000 or toll-free at 1.855.579.2062
or visit the company website:
www.helpingmattersnl.ca.
Member Mentions ...
Welcome to our new members!
Louise Buffett, Germaine’s Ltd.,
Alban’s
Shannon Doyle. Heart
Enterprises Inc., Carbonear
and
St.
Sole
Carolann Hamilton, The Place of
Natural Healing, CBS
Glenda Thistle, Precision Automotive,
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Darlene Thomas, Seaside Suites Inc.,
Woody Point
Michelle Whelan, St. John’s
Congratulations on achievements!
Sarah Lynn Russell,Distinctive Interiors
Lts., Blaketown
Peyton Barrett, owner of Experience
Labrador, is one of only two finalists
chosen for the Women Entrepreneur of
the Year Award for the 6th Annual Atlantic
Aboriginal Entrepreneur Awards. The
winner will be announced at the awards
gala in Halifax, NS on Sept. 17.
Holly Stanley, Ocean Quest Inc.,
Paradise
Good Luck Peyton!
Katherine Hiscock, Beautiful Rock,
Gander
Tara Manuel, Shadowy Souls, Corner
Brook
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paulette Fudge, President
Karen Noftall, Immediate Past
President
Renee Attwood, Treasurer
Sandra Avery, At Large Director
Hilda Broomfield-Letemplier,
Labrador Director
Eddi Kenny-Boyd, Avalon Director
Andrea Sharpe, Eastern Director
Alison Stoodley, At Large Director
Bernice Walker, Central Director
Mandy Woodland, Appointed Director
www.nlowe.org
Regional Profile: Labrador
The Lady Wears Pink Coveralls
Owner/Manager Glenda (Bird) Thistle at her
desk at Precision Automotive Inc.
The timing could not be better when
it comes to purchasing or starting a
business in Labrador, especially in
Central Labrador and Labrador West,
in light of the economic boom in both
areas. Some of the major projects
underway are: the Lower Churchill
Development, Grand River Ironsands
Inc.’s mining project, VALE mining at
Voisey’s Bay, and the Paladin Aurora
Uranium Project.
In addition, Iron
Ore Company of Canada and other
large companies within Labrador West
employ people from Central Labrador
and DND & SERCO are still very active on
the base at Goose Bay. Both companies
make use of a lot of goods and services
provided within the area. These projects
make a substantial contribution to the
area, which in turn means higher pay for
residents, resulting in more disposable
income, larger homes, and more
demand for goods and services.
With this line of thinking, Glenda (Bird)
Thistle strapped on her pink coveralls
and decided to start her own business in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Glenda and her
husband own PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE
INC. located at 5 Churchill Street.
Glenda grew up in Churchill Falls and
Happy Valley-Goose Bay while Jason
hails from Labrador City. Glenda and
Jason attended The College of the
North Atlantic in 1997 where they both
became apprentice Automobile Service
Technicians. Jason got a job right away
and is now a Journeyman, but for Glenda
it was the first of several up hill battles.
She was offered a job in a large shop but
was told she would only be responsible
for changing oil and tires and that
her wage offering would be reduced.
Immediately she knew why, because
she’s a woman. She made no bones
about it and questioned the manager,
but it did not matter, so she packed her
tools and left.
When a local garage came up for sale,
she knew this was the opportunity she
needed to open her own garage. It
took more than eight months, “going
through hoops like dolphin in an
aquarium” as Glenda puts it, to purchase
the business. Before she opened the
doors she knew every government
department and what they could offer
with loans, grants, employee subsidies,
etc. She opened all their doors! It was
an expensive endeavor because she had
to undertake creating a large business
plan and had to have not one but two
environmental studies on the building,
demand for skilled labourers. By hiring
apprentices, and taking full advantage
of their skills, Glenda is using her own
business to advance the labour force of
tomorrow, an opportunity she had not
been given herself.
Labrador Contacts
Katherine Baikie-Pottle
Business Advisor (Start-up)
Phone: 709.497.8446
Toll-free: 1.888.896.8494
E-mail: kbaikiepottle@nlowe.org
Marvella Wells
Business Advisor (Growth)
Phone: 709.632.5069
Toll-free: 1.866.632.5069
E-mail: mwells@nlowe.org
Lisa Birmingham
Regional Coordinator, Business
Connections
Phone: 709.639.1244
Toll-free: 1.888.639.1244
E-mail: lbirmingham@nlowe.org
Debra Ward, apprentice working with
Precision Automotive Inc.
despite it having been in business as a
garage for over twenty years.
Today she has seven staff; 2 parts
employees, 4 technicians, and herself,
Owner and Manager. Glenda and Jason
share in the management of the business,
and they complement each other with
their varied skills. In the evenings,
Glenda plans on putting on her pink
coveralls and working with her husband
to gain her hours as an apprentice.
Glenda believes in apprentices, man or
woman, getting into the field they love,
where they can do more than change oil
and tires. One apprentice, Debra Ward,
was referred by The Office to Advance
Women Apprentices and another
apprentice, Ryan Mercer, was referred by
the Advanced Education & Skills.
As the major projects being developed
in Labrador increase, so does the
Katherine Baikie-Pottle
Busineess Advisor (Start-up)
Labrador
The deadline for submissions for the
next issue of NewsLink is Wednesday, Oct.
3. Member news and business-related
events may be submitted to members@
nlowe.org. NLOWE reserves the right to
edit and/or decline submissions.
www.nlowe.org
NLOWE
Exciting Opportunities in Export
For more information about any
of the events you see below contact
Deborah Youden, Export Consultant, at
709.754.5555 ext. 230 (toll-free 1.888.
NLOWE.11) or dyouden@nlowe.org.
Trade Mission to Florida
NLOWE, in collaboration with IBRD
and ACOA, is currently seeking women
business owners to participate in
business meetings in Deerfield, Florida
from Dec. 4-8.
The mission will be in consultation
with a Regional Partner Organization of
WEBNC (Women’s Business Enterprise
National Council): Women’s Business
Development Council Florida, whose
territory includes Florida (minus the
panhandle), Puerto Rico, and the
US Virgin Islands. It will also involve
outside matchmaking meetings with
companies/corporations.
Opportunities will include meeting
with other women business owners
and corporate buyers as well as specific
training and focused networking.
Eligible business must be considered
experienced exporters or must be
developing or have an international
presence.
Interested candidates can download
an application at www.nlowe.org.
Completed
applications
can
be
forwarded to Deborah Youden, Export
Consultant, at 709.754.5555 ext. 230
(toll-free 1.888.NLOWE.11) or fax
709.759.0079 or dyouden@nlowe.org.
The deadline for applications is Friday,
Oct. 5.
Information sessions, in the form
of webinars, will be taking place on
Thursdays in September, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
To register for one of these sessions visit
www.nlowe.org.
WEConnect Conference
NLOWE is currently seeking women
business owners to participate in a
delegation to WEConnect Canada’s 2012
Annual Conference called “Opening
Doors” being held Nov. 12-13 in Toronto.
www.nlowe.org
“Opening Doors” is a national event
that brings together women business
owners, corporations and government
representatives to network and do
business.
Among the many benefits of
attending, participants will have the
opportunity to meet with corporations
that are diversifying their supply chains,
learn about the requirements to become
a supplier to big corporations and
governments, and discover mentors,
networks, peers and contacts.
Eligible companies will have access to
pre-conference training and may qualify
to have up to 50 per cent of registration
and travel costs subsidized.
Expressions of Interest to participate
in this delegation are due by Friday,
Oct. 12.
Information sessions, in the form of
webinars, will be taking place on Sept.
14, 19, 28, and Oct. 5. To register for one
of these sessions visit www.nlowe.org.
support and results.
You will learn:
• The four communications styles
of prospects and how to adjust
to each of them for maximum
influence and impact.
• A powerful, yet comfortable
process to ask for, and receive,
referrals.
• Strategies and techniques for
establishing your credibility
quickly and thoroughly.
• Methodology for differentiating
yourself, and your company, from
the competition.
Register by Oct. 23 by visiting www.
nlowe.org.
The cost to attend is
• $50 + HST for Trade Mission
participants
• $100 + HST for NLOWE members
• $175 + HST for non-members
Supplier Diversity Webinars
The better you know your business
the more likely you are to do well. But
sometimes knowing your business
well can actually get in the way. Like in
elevators or during busy trade shows,
when you have only a minute to get to
the point.
Quickly and clearly describing your
business, and leaving an impact on your
listener, takes planning and practice.
Just like those Olympians who make it
look so easy, good introductions and
door openers need plenty of prep.
During this one-day session you’ll
work with accredited communications
trainer and consultant Gina Pecore, and
with your fellow workshop participants,
to carefully craft the short story of your
business. You’ll draft, refine, practice
and polish your message until it’s near
perfect... at least perfect enough to take
to the streets and practice some more.
Sessions will be held Oct. 10 in Corner
Brook and Oct. 26 in St. John’s. Register
by Oct. 5 and Oct. 23 respectively by
visiting www.nlowe.org.
The cost to attend is
• $50 + HST for Trade Mission
participants
• $100 + HST for NLOWE members
• $175 + HST for non-members
Supplier Diversity is a business
program that encourages the use of
diverse-owned
vendors,
including
women-owned businesses, as suppliers
to corporations and governments.
Join in on one of the free online
information sessions that NLOWE is
offering the last wednesday of each
month. Learn how Supplier Diversity can
open doors for you and your business.
You will also learn about WEConnect
Canada and the benefits of WEConnect
Canada Certification.
To register for one of these webinars
visit www.nlowe.org.
Women Competing in
New Markets
The doors are open for Newfoundland
and Labrador women entrepreneurs
to grow their businesses by entering
new markets. We know we’re ready.
How do we establish our credibility and
differentiate ourselves quickly?
Join Anne MacKeigan of Sandler
Training on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 9:00
a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for a day of training,
Elevate Your Elevator Pitch
NLOWE
NLOWE’s Social Life
NLOWE has really immersed itself in
the world of social media, with Facebook,
Twitter, Linkedin, and now the official
blog of NLOWE, Around & About. NLOWE
would like to thank the Social Media
Committee, the brains behind NLOWE’s
social media presence, for their creative
efforts in establishing NLOWE as a social
butterfly on the web! Thanks to Paula
Flood, Julieanne Foss, Kristy Hoddinott,
Lindsay Lindahl, and Melissa Wheeler.
For a chance to get to know the
committee, along with the rest of the
NLOWE staff, tune in to our Facebook
page on Fridays to find out a fun fact
about one of NLOWE’s staff members
along with a business tip.
Be sure to check out our blog Around & About on wednesday each week for a new
post. Take a look at our upcoming guest bloggers.
Dana Warren
DMW Coaching
“The First Quarter”
Wilma Hartmann
Anchor Inn Hotel & Suites
“From Internet Marketer
to Innkeeper”
Award Sponsors Announced
Other sponsorship
opportunities available
NLOWE is proud to announce the
sponsors for its 2012 Entreprenur of the
Year Awards. This years Sponsors are:
Start-up
Newfoundland & Labrador
Credit Union
Innovation
Scotiabank
Community Impact
Hebron
Visionary
Cox & Palmer
Youth Entrepreneur
of the Year
College of the North Atlantic
Entrepreneurial Excellence
Royal Bank of Canada
The winners will be honoured at a gala
dinner celebration on Thursday, Nov. 1 at
the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland in
St. John’s.
NLOWE is pleased to offer its supporters
additional opportunities to be involved
with the Entrepreneur of the Year
Awards Gala. Additional sponsorship
levels include:
•
•
•
•
Gold ($2,500)
Silver ($2,000)
Bronze ($1000)
Corporate Table ($900 + HST)
Gala sponsors will connect with
a strategic group of experienced
businesswomen from every region of
the province. The best and brightest of
the province’s women entrepreneurs
will be recognized at this event, and
many business professionals, industry
representatives
and
government
delegates will attend to show their
support.
For
more
information
about
becoming a sponsor or to obtain a
sponsorship package, contact Julieanne
Foss, Marketing & Communications
Coordinator, at 709.754.5555 ext. 232
(toll-free 1.888.NLOWE.11) or jfoss@
nlowe.org.
Jackie McCann-Scott
Independent Financial Advisor
“Financial Planning”
Networking Receptions
NLOWE
will
hold
networking
receptions
at
various
locations
throughout the province this Fall. The
receptions are designed for women
currently in business or interested in
starting a business as well as business
development organizations. Check the
list below to find a NLOWE Networking
Reception in your area:
• Sept. 24 - Grenfell Heritage Hotel &
Suites, 1 McChada Dr., St. Anthony
- 6:00-8:00p.m.
• Sept. 25 - Alexis Hotel, 3 Alexis Dr.,
Port Hope Simpson - 7:00-9:00p.m.
• Sept. 26 - Northern Light Inn, 52
Main St., L’anse au Clair - 7:009:00p.m.
• Sept. 27 - Torrent River Inn, Rte.
430, Vikings Trail, Hawke’s Bay 6:00-8:00p.m.
• Oct. 9 - St. Alban’s Lions Club,
Int. Main St. and Wharf Lane, St.
Alban’s - 7:00-9:00p.m.
• Oct. 10 - Braxton Inn & Suites, 414
Creston Blvd., Marystown - 7:009:00p.m.
• Oct. 18 - Hotel Port aux Basques, 2
Grand Bay Rd., Port aux Basques 2:00-4:00p.m.
For more information or to register for
these events, visit our website at
www.nlowe.org.
www.nlowe.org
Events
Leading Change:
Grow Your Leadership,
Grow the Business
HEAD OFFICE
Paula Sheppard, Executive Director
Kristy Hoddinott, Assistant Director
Terilyn Anthony, Business Advisor
(Start-up), Avalon
Don’t miss your opportunity to
learn from International Leadership
Consultant Cheryl Cran, CSP
Ashton Lane, Business Advisor
(Growth), Avalon
Judy Raske, Office Manager
Last day to register is
Friday, Sept. 14
Melissa Wheeler, Regional
Coordinator (Avalon), Business
Connections
To register contact Judy Raske at jraske@
nlowe.org or online at www.nlowe.org.
Julieanne Foss, Marketing &
Communications Coordinator
Deborah Youden, Export Consultant
Town of Gander Open Air Market
The town of Gander will be hosting
an open air market located at Elizabeth
Drive Shopping Centre on Sept. 15, 22,
29 and Oct. 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For more information or vendor
registration packages contact Annette
Crummey 709-651-5910 or acrummey@
gandercanada.com.
Call for Artists - House of Diamonds
The House of Diamonds Art Centre
located in Glovertown would like to hear
from artists/artisans who could deliver
new and unique workshops/training
sessions for the Fall 2012 – Spring 2013
season. Please respond by October 1st
for the fall scheduling. Workshops may
be geared towards children, youth and
or adults and may vary in sessions and
time. If you are interested, please contact
Raelene Payne Program Coordinator at
hoda-programco-ordinator@hotmail.ca
and/or 533-1168.
Call for Expressions of Interest Technology Utilization Program
The Department of Innovation,
Business and Rural Development invites
Expressions of Interest from businesses
interested in expanding their technology
capacity to improve business processes,
product
quality,
efficiency
and
competitiveness.
The Technology Utilization Program
www.nlowe.org
provides an opportunity for businesses
to integrate technology solutions
that support business development,
innovation and growth. The program can
also help businesses utilize technology
to its maximum potential.
The program provides a nonrepayable contribution of up to 80% of
eligible project costs, to a maximum of
$75,000.
The deadline for Expressions of
Interest is Oct. 10. For call details and
the Expressions of Interest template,
please visit www.gov.nl.ca/innovation
or contact: Michelle Cluett-Fizzard at
709.729.1619 or email tech@gov.nl.ca.
REGIONAL STAFF
Katherine Baikie-Pottle, Business
Advisor (Start-up), Labrador
Lisa Birmingham, Regional
Coordinator (Western), Business
Connections
Colette Crosbie, Business Advisor
(Start-up), Eastern
Paula Flood, Business Advisor
(Growth), Eastern
Lindsay Lindahl, Business Advisor
(Start-up), Central
Clarenville Craft & Home Trade
Show
Joanne Gillis Business Advisor (Startup), Western
The Clarenville Area Chamber of
Commerce is having the 8th Annual Craft
& Home Trade Show on: Friday, October
12th at 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday,
October 13th at 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Costs
are as follows:
• $100 + tax ($113.00) for a 2.5’ X 6’
table in a 10’ X 8’ space; drapery on
back side
• $200 + tax ($226.00) for a 2.5’ x 6’
table in a 10’ X 8’ booth; drapery on
three sides for more privacy
• Extra tables are $15 + tax ($16.95);
or you can bring you own free of
charge
For more information, contact Pamela
Lambert, Event Planner at (709) 4665800 or pamela.chamber@hotmail.com
Betsy Saunders, Business Advisor
(Growth), Central
Marvella Wells, Business Advisor
(Growth), Western & Labrador
NLOWE Head Office
2nd Floor, Regatta Plaza II
84-86 Elizabeth Avenue
St. John’s, NL A1A 1W7
TEL: (709) 754.5555
FAX: (709) 754.0079
TOLL-FREE: 1.888.NLOWE.11
E-MAIL: info@nlowe.org