PDF - Halifax Chamber of Commerce
Transcription
PDF - Halifax Chamber of Commerce
A RUNNING TALLY ACTION REQUIRED EXECUTIVE COACHING Blue Nose Marathon will hit milestone Pg 24 Time to move on climate change Pg 28 Looking at the big picture Pg 30 BUSINESS VOICE HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | M AY 2 0 1 5 Startup season | VOLUME 24 ISSUE 4 Shining a light on new entrepreneurs HALIFAX’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE Page 14 ety. Pg 22 OUT Where scie nce and training me et. Pg 26 B US I N E S HALIFA X CHAM BE R OF C OMMER CE | FLEET MANA GEMENT Making wis e auto resour use of ces. Pg 33 S VOICE JUNE 2 014 | VOLUM BEYOND 65 MARKETIN G HISTORY al Centre boo Black Cultur rism. Pg 24 cultural tou rs redefinin Baby boome 26 . Pg retirement sting rts hold the key to eco no E 23 Business Voice goes digital! ISSUE 5 The Business Voice app is available for free download in Apple Newsstand, the App Store and Google Play. g OICE V S S E N I US g ajor sportin C HA LI FA X’ S BU SI N ES ME OF COM HAMBER RCE | S M AG AZ 014 APRIL 2 mic growth ME IN | EV O L U UE 3 S Sge I Pa 23 16 MANY STORIES TO TELL THE ENTR broadcast Canadian nsbridge, Ma icon, Peter k at Chamber will spea ring Dinner Sp Page 16 EPRENE UR Proven ’S CHEC ste KLIST busines ps to succes s from s experts local . Pg 19 TOP PE B US I N RFORM ER S Bluedr op essential Performance pr workpl ace tra ovides ining. Pg 24 ALL SH IPS RISE Major pr oj set for O ect conferen ce ct. 17 at W TCC Pg 32 E S S VO ICE th Drago er’s den to HALI FA X C HAM From fa IN E BER O SS M AG AZ F CO M M EBU SI NE RCE HA LIFAX ’S | OC TOBE R 201 3 | ns’ Den VOLU ME 2 2 ISSUE 8 ntrepre neur rlene D ickinso n as had a rema rkable rney 14 UN OPPORT rketing email ma ectives for New dir Pg 30 AM SPAM SL LLING rtsmouth th Ian Po Q & A wi Pg 22 CE I O V S SINES a ova Scoti U ITIES CA y econom H A LI FA AM AX CH OCTO X ’S B UM M E R C E | F C O S IN ES S BER O M AG reason to 14 BER 20 | VOLU ME 23 ISSUE 8 Available for free download, the Business Voice app is a digital copy A Z IN E of the magazine. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, COMEE HOM Business Voice magazine is free, published 10 times a year, plus a special Outlook issue every February and two bonus inserts of All Ships Rise (April &Oct). ds to otia nee Nova Sc tmigration u o address ductivity and pro OK INSI Page 12 S M AG A Z IN E DE LO Rise All Ships for your nce details confere updates. t ec oj pr & CONTENTS } It totally changed our mindset.” – Michael Dunn of Dunn & Associates on taking an All Ships Rise program. 23 COVER STORY 04 Events 05 President’s message 06 New & noted 10 Members in the news 14 Startup season Shining a light on new entrepreneurs 20 It’s time to say yes! We need both a positive attitude and decisive action 24 Profile – Blue Nose Marathon 28 Working for you 14 Startup season 20 30 Trends Shining a light on new entrepreneurs It’s time to say YES! 33 Halifax Partnership 34 Where are they now? – IMP Group 38 Message from the Chair We need both a positive attitude and decisive action Board of Directors Volume 24 Issue 4 Rob Batherson, Colour, Chair Carol MacMillan, The Shaw Group, Vice-Chair Francis Fares, Fares Real Estate Inc., Past Chair Business Voice is published 10 times a year for members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Metro Halifax’s business community. Views expressed in Business Voice are those of the contributors and individual members, and are not necessarily endorsed by, or are a policy of, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Directors Cynthia Dorrington, Vale & Associates Level Chan, Stewart McKelvey Lori Barton, Beaumont Advisors Ltd. Darren Nantes, The Nantes Group Mark Fraser, T4G Jamie O’Neill, Bluteau DeVenney Don Bureaux, NSCC Margaret Chapman, Corporate Research Associates Mark Sidebottom, Nova Scotia Power Inc. Michele Williams, Grant & Thornton LLP Stanley Julien, BMO Atlantic Canada Sreejata Chatterjee, LeadSift Capt (N) Angus Topshee, Maritime Forces Atlantic Valerie Payn, Halifax Chamber of Commerce Chamber Staff Valerie A Payn, President and CEO Nancy M. Conrad, Senior Vice President Colin J. Bustard, Director of Finance and Administration Becky Davison, Marketing and Communications Specialist No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. Please address editorial enquiries and changes to information to: Halifax Chamber of Commerce 656 Windmill Road, Suite 200 Dartmouth, NS B3B 1B8 Tel: (902) 468-7111 Fax: (902) 468-7333 info@halifaxchamber.com www.halifaxchamber.com SPECIAL FEATURE 35 Financial services Business Voice is published by The Chronicle Herald, Custom and Community Publishing Department Publisher: Sarah Dennis Vice President, Business Development: Jeff Nearing Editor:@e[o<_jpfơjh_Ya`ǃ_jpfơjh_Ya6^[hơbZ$Yơ Layout & Design: Julia Webb Contributing Writers: Jon Tattrie, Richard Woodbury, Gordon Whittaker, Karen Hourtovenko, Eric Blake, Carol Dobson, Pam Tower, Fred Morley, Kathy Johnson Sales Executives: Victoria MacDougall, David A. McNeil (902) 426-2811 x1163 Disclaimer Cover Photo: Paul Darrow Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Business Voice magazine makes no warranties of any kind, written or implied, regarding the contents of this magazine and expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy or reliability of information contained herein. The views contained in this magazine are those of the writers and adl[hj_i[hi1j^[oZedejd[Y[iiơh_boh[ǃb[Yjj^[l_[mi of Business Voice magazine and its publisher The Chronicle Herald. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40032112 Copyright 2015 by The Chronicle Herald All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. 2717 Joseph Howe Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2T2 Tel: (902) 426-2811 TheChronicleHerald.ca BUSINESS VOICE 3 EVENTS CHAMBER EVENTS INFORMATION SESSIONS (1) SPEAKER: Wendy Vrooman, Sandler Training Halifax TOPIC: President’s Club Sales and Strategic Sales Management Program (2) SPEAKER: Brenda Fay, PRESENTED BY: Dartmouth Seniors Centre DATE: May 14, 2015 TIME: 5 pm – 7 pm LOCATION: 45 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth BrenDaniel Productions Certification Preparation Program Bluteau DeVenney & Company TOPIC: Applied Leadership and Management Program (4) SPEAKER: donalee Moulton, Quantum Communications TOPIC: Marketing and Communications Program For full event details visit our website halifaxchamber.com 2015 CHAMBER GOLF CHALLENGE June 12 DATE: May 13, 2015 TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 pm LOCATION: Kenneth Rowe Hall, Canadian Museum of Civilization Pier 21 12 Networking @ Noon SPEAKERS: Gregg Saretsky, CEO Westjet, & Glenn Squires, Chair of TIANS SPONSORED BY: Halifax Stanfield International Airport DATE: May 29, 2015 TIME: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm LOCATION: WTCC – 200B DATE: May 13, 2015 TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 pm LOCATION: The Westin Nova Scotian – Seaport Room DATE: May 7, 2015 TIME: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm LOCATION: Halifax Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 656 Windmill Rd THANK YOU TO OUR APRIL SPONSORS of Commerce Boardroom, 656 Windmill Rd Get your message out on target and on time. A full-service commercial printer with direct-mail capabilities, unique in Atlantic Canada, Bounty Print offers a wide range of services for all your printing needs including a newly installed wide format division. Bounty’s industry-leading team has the knowledge and experience to deliver great value and impact for your next print project. BOUNTYPRINT YOUR FULL-SERVICE COMMERCIAL PRINTER 902.453.0300 WWW.BOUNTYPRINT.COM MAY PAUL DAVIDSON, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES OF CANADA June 18 ALL SHIPS RISE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT September 16 THANK YOU TO OUR SPRING DINNER SPONSORS DATE: May 8, 2015 TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 pm LOCATION: Halifax Chamber 4 SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS! of Commerce Boardroom, 656 Windmill Rd NETWORKING TRADESHOW TOPIC: Project Management (3) SPEAKER: Jamie O’Neill, DATE: May 20, 2015 TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 pm LOCATION: Halifax Chamber To learn more: halifaxchamber.com 2015 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Our members speak up Annual survey tells us what’s on your mind the secondary reason shifts to: Keeping up to date on issues affecting business (15 per cent). Slightly less than half of respondents described their level of activity as active, citing a lack of time, too much competition for other activities and expense the main reasons for not participating in Chamber activities. Of course, we would love to see this increase! VALERIE PAYN PRESIDENT & CEO Late last year we distributed our annual survey to our entire membership. This is a great opportunity to hear from you, our members, on the value you see in the Chamber of Commerce. We had an incredible response rate of over 300 members letting us know how satisfied you were in our key focus areas. Over the next few months I would like to review some of the findings from our Annual Fall Satisfaction Survey, and this month I would like to focus on Member activity. Why be a member? The top two reasons for joining the Chamber were to: Network and develop business contacts (42 per cent), followed by: Establish a business profile in the community (22 per cent). Although the main reason for staying remains the same, How to increase involvement? Activating your membership will help you promote your business at little to no cost! For decades, networking has been the number one reason people cite when joining the Chamber. What that really means is that they not only want to meet new people, they want to promote their business, brand themselves as the expert, and grow their business. The Chamber has a number of ways that members can do this at little to no cost — and often with minimal time investment! 1. Enhance your listing in the membership directory, 2. M2M Marketplace OLD ORCHARD INN Conference Resort & SPA 3. Social media sharing 4. At Issue: A Business Voice Blog 5. Business After Hours 6. Becoming an Ambassador 7. Attending one of our 100 annual events And on that topic, we asked members what value they place on our events, and the highest results included our Distinguished Speakers Series luncheons, Halifax Business Awards and our Annual Fall and Spring Dinners. These are our signature events and are we delighted at the high level of value members place on these. I would really like to see the numbers around All Ships Rise training increase. With dozens of free annual training programs in Project Management, Leadership, Sales, Marketing and more, we really want our members to take advantage of this opportunity to increase skills and become involved in the major projects supply chain in our region. Please take a look at an upcoming All Ships Rise 101 event held on May 7 and June 4, held at the Halifax Chamber offices providing information on these training programs. For more information please contact Lisa Francis, Program Coordinator, All Ships Rise at lisa@ halifaxchamber.com or 902-481-1239. Next month I will look at Membership Value in advocacy, communications and events. ANNAPOLIS VALLEY NOVA SCOTIA - Indoor Pool, Sundeck - Full Service Spa - Local Wineries, Beaches - Hall’s Harbour (Lobsters) - Grand Pre UNESCO Site - 1 Hour from Halifax The only place to truly experience the culinary combinations www.oldorchardinn.com of Orchards, Tides. 101, Exitand 11, 153 Greenwich Rd. South, RR2 Wolfville, NS B4P 2R2 1-800-561-8090 HwyVineyards Hwy 101, Exit 11, 153 Greenwich Rd. South, RR2 Wolfville, NS B4P 2R2 www.oldorchardinn.com 1.800.561.8090 BUSINESS VOICE 5 NEWSMAKERS CATAGORY NEW & NOTED New to the Chamber this month ATLANTIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOUTIQUE BOOKKEEPING SERVICES The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is a federation of nearly 100 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade throughout Atlantic Canada, representing more than 16,000 businesses and professional people. ACC pursues opportunities for growth and prosperity through regional cooperation, and provides a strong, unified voice for business in Atlantic Canada. Glenn Davis, Vice President Policy PO Box 2291, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902) 698-0265 info@apcc.ca www.apcc.ca GOVERNMENT Ms. Julie Bellefontaine 8 Oland Crescent, Halifax, NS B3S 1C6 (902) 407-7046 info@bbshfx.com www.boutiquebookkeepinghfx.com FINANCE & INSURANCE Jane Parsons, CEO Elizabeth Smith, Senior Director, Development 5251 Duke St, Suite 417, Halifax, NS B3J 1P3 902-422-5520 esmith@cbcf.org www.cbcf.org/atlantic NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION CANADIAN RECYCLING LIMITED The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is Canada’s leading community-driven breast cancer charity dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Funds raised in the Atlantic Region are invested in Atlantic Canada, funding innovative breast cancer research and supporting and advocating for the breast cancer community. Halifax Business News on the Go Mr. Peter Burgess 365 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1K7 (902) 830-1267 peterburgess@eastlink.ca www.canadianrecyclingltd.com ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT CBDC BLUE WATER CBDC Blue Water is a non-profit organization which offers a variety of programs and services to help you start, expand or modernize your small business. We offer valuable business counselling, training as well as financing. We work with every industry, including fishing and forestry. If your small business is located in rural HRM we can help! Mr. Bill Aasvangen 5228 Hwy 7, Unit 6, Porters Lake, NS B3E 1J8 (902) 827-5564 patrick.breton@cbdc.ca www.bluewatercbdc.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES CITADEL NETWORK SOLUTIONS LIMITED Mr. Jody Hubert 5530 Artillery Pl, Unit 507, Halifax, NS B3J 1J3 (902) 705-0191 bmarshall@citadelnetsolutions.com COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY COMMON KNOWLEDGE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING Common Knowledge Research and Consulting specializes in program evaluation, social policy research and gender based analysis. We work with diverse communities and provide efficient consulting services throughout Atlantic Canada. Using a strengths-based ap- 6 MAY 2015 NEWSMAKERS proach, we aim to increase the depth and quality of your organization’s common knowledge. Ms. Joanne Hussey Halifax, NS (902) 445-5493 info@commonknowledgeconsulting.ca commonknowledgeconsulting.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES DARTMOUTH METALS Dartmouth Metals Ltd is a purchaser and processor of all kinds of scrap metal, and all metals are sorted and adapted to comply with international and domestic Steel Mill foundry specifications. The company serves as a global resource for all industries. Dartmouth Metals Ltd is a family owned business that has serviced the Maritimes for over 35 years. The company’s mission is to offer outstanding service to its stakeholders, while maximizing the value of the clientele’s recyclable material in an environmentally sound manner. David Giberson 14 Dawn Dr, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1H9 (902) 468-1995 dartmouthmetals@ns.aliantzinc.ca www.dartmouthmetals.com/en ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT EMC - EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE INC. Ms. Margaret Martell Hiltz Suite 300-239 Brownlow Ave Dartmouth, NS B3B 2B2 (902) 832-8356 www.emsincns.com SAFETY & SECURITY Mr. Gino Paesani 6960 Mumford Rd, Suite 2077 Halifax, NS B3L 4P1 (902) 454-8112 info@foreigncanada.com www.foreigncanada.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES HEALTH ASSOCIATION NOVA SCOTIA FOREIGN CANADA INTERNATIONAL WORKFORCE AND IMMIGRATION SOLUTIONS INC. A full service immigration and foreign worker recruitment firm offering services for prospective newcomers to Canada as well as Canadian residents and businesses. At Foreign Canada we plan on revolutionizing how people immigrate and settle in Canada, while helping Canadian businesses continue to be, and become even more globally competitive. Health Association Nova Scotia is a non-profit, non-government, membership-based association of health and health-related organizations. We provide high-quality, cost-effective services (Clinical Engineering, Group Benefits Solutions, Labour Relations and Compensation Analysis); policy support for continuing care members; and we are a joint sponsor of the Nova Scotia Health Employees’ Pension Plan. Mrs. Mary Lee 2 Dartmouth Rd, Bedford NS B4A 2K7 (902) 832-8500 mary.lee@healthassociation.ns.ca www.healthassociation.ns.ca HEALTH CARE Success on Your Terms Succeed in your professional accounting career. A 36-month, part-time MBA specialized in accounting, structured for full-time working professionals. Set yourself up for success on your own terms. Earn your professional designation, and a respected business degree. Our program is accredited by the CPA Atlantic School of Business. Accepting applications for Fall entry until June 15. Questions? Email MBA@smu.ca sobey.smu.ca/mbacpastream MBA Master of Business Administration (CPA Stream) BUSINESS VOICE 7 NEWSMAKERS JENNIFER BERRY CONSULTING Ms. Jennifer Berry Halifax, NS (902) 456-2541 contact@jenniferberry.ca jenniferberry.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES JILL’S CHOCOLATES Here we carefully handcraft all of our selections, with a simplistic charm. Whether you need a box to say thank you, or something custom designed, we use some of the best chocolate the world has to offer, mixing it with fine ingredients and filling her boxes with handmade creations that everyone will adore. Chocolate making, and helping others with delicious and eye catching gifts is our passion. Visit our website: jillschocolates.com Mrs. Jill Franklin Halifax, NS (902) 209-6788 Jill@jillschocolates.com jillschocolates.com SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL LARRY CHISHOLM, QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES We are a Nova Scotia based company that provides assistance to organizations in quality system implementation to internationally approved quality management standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100. These services include quality management system development and implementation, auditing, continuous improvement, training and supplier development. For organizations seeking combined certification for quality, OHS and environment we can offer complete system implementation packages. Mr. Larry Chisholm Halifax, NS (902) 406-2688 larrychisholm@eastlink.ca www.larrychisholm.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES MATLEN STRATEGY CONSULTING Matlen Strategy Consulting (Matlen) works with companies to define, direct and design authentic and distinguishing strategies which are uninfluenced by the vast emergence of tactical trends. Strong advocates of critical thinking during strategy development, Matlen’s consulting services include: marketing strategy, brand ingenuity, custom literature and a unique ‘director retainer program’. Mr. Matthew Harpell 61 Fathom Crt, Halifax, NS B3M 0A7 (902) 497-8919 matthew.harpell@matlenstrategy.com www.matlenstrategy.com ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA MONK RENOVATIONS MONK Renovations is a residential renovator, specializing in bathrooms & ensuites, kitchen, basements (Man Caves, In-Law Suites & Media Rooms) and additions (Main Floor or Second Story) in HRM. MONK Renovations has been “Turning Renovation Dreams into Reality” in Halifax since 2009 and are a proud new member of HCC Mr. Dan Monk P.O. Box 48003, Bedford, NS B4A 3Z2 (902) 497-0011 dan@monkreno.com www.monkreno.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION QUALITY INNS & SUITES HALIFAX Ms. Shelly Dean 980 Parkland Dr, Halifax, NS B3M 4Y7 (902) 444-6700 sales2@qualityinn.com www.qualityinnhalifax.com TRAVEL & TOURISM SHAYNA YOUNG - STUDENT MEMBER Ms. Shayna Young Halifax, NS (902) 240-8819 shaynayoung2013@gmail.com STAGED FOR UPSELL Staged for Upsell is Halifax’s leading home staging and decorating company. Staged for Upsell prepares your home for sale so it shows beautifully, sells quickly 8 MAY 2015 NEWSMAKERS and for top dollar. As well the company offers staging and furniture and décor rental for events and trade shows. We create beautiful spaces! Ms. Joanna Lane Halifax & Dartmouth, NS (902) 830-3170 joanna@stagedforupsell.com www.stagedforupsell.com HOME & GARDEN STARFRESH MODERN DINER Ms. Lisa Barry 20 Wright Ave, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1G6 (902) 446-4946 actioncatering@eastlink.ca RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE STATION12 Ms. Lauren Langlois 560 Windmill Rd, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1B3 (902) 468-2810 lauren@livinglightingns.ca station12.ca SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL WAEGWOLTIC CLUB WINGENBACK INC. Established in 1908 the Waegwoltic has been a beloved feature in the hearts of generations of Halifax families for over 100 years. Founded by like-minded families to enjoy the love of sport and camaraderie. The Waegwoltic Club features tennis, sailing, aquatic, dining and lifestyle programming to suit every age. With over 10 rolling acres situated along the Northwest Arm we are perfectly positioned for a picnic lunch or a day on the water. At our core, we are in the memory business. Building on decades of tradition while looking forward to a vibrant future within our community and with our members. Mr. David Greaves 6549 Coburg Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 2A6 (902) 429-2822 david@waegwoltic.ca waegwoltic.ca SPORTS & RECREATION Mr. Michael Cross 10 Morris Dr, Unit 27, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1K7 (902) 407-4030 mikec@wingenback.com www.wingenback.com TRANSPORTATION Are you a new member? To submit your 50-word description for New & Noted, please contact John MacDonald, Member Services Coordinator at john@ halifaxchamber.com or 902-481-1227 within the first six months of membership. EMBA Executive Master of Business Administration SUCCESS ON MY OWN TERMS sobey.smu.ca/emba • Realize your potential and accelerate your career. • Classes arranged to accommodate demanding schedules. • Learn from world-class faculty and peer professionals. Learn downtown—modules offered exclusively at the WTCC. Program AACSB-accredited. Upcoming information sessions April 23 and May 14. Visit sobey.smu.ca/emba for details. Cassandra Dorrington President of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC), CPA, BComm’81, EMBA ‘00: sobey.smu.ca/success BUSINESS VOICE 9 NEWSMAKERS MEMBERS IN THE NEWS Movers and shakers, our members are newsmakers KILLING THE K-CUP NEPTUNE UNVEILS SEASON In July of 2014 Egg Studios and Social Bean Gourmet Coffee, both of Halifax NS, combined to create a short video outlining the Environmental issues surrounding the Pod Coffee Industry. In January of 2015, the “Kill the K-Cup” video was released. The Satirical “invasion of Halifax by K-Cup monsters and such” has gone viral with over 600,000 views on YouTube to date and has truly brought the K-Cup Industry under scrutiny for their environmentally unfriendly products. Both Mike Hachey of Egg, and Doug Leblanc of Social Bean, have been interviewed across North America for the Kill the K-Cup Campaign. Killthekcup. org is a site that has many articles about this issue, along with a petition (with over 25,000 signatures), asking Keurig to expedite their efforts for a more sustainable product. Check it out, it’s worth a look! Neptune Theatre revealed its magical 53rd Season recently. This free public event, held annually, featured the official unveiling of the 2015/2016 season lineup along with special performances, patron appreciations and video presentations. In the meantime, Neptune’s season ending musical The Addams Family runs on the Fountain Hall stage April 7 May 24. Trudeau Stories, the final Studio Series production of the season written and performed by Brooke Johnson, plays April 21-May 3. Tickets for both shows are available 3 ways: online at www.neptunetheatre.com, in person at the Box Office, or by phone at 902-429-7070 or toll free 1-800-565-7345. WIRED FLARE ACHIEVES B CORP CERTIFICATION Wired Flare has joined the ranks of Certified B Corporations. As an organization that specializes in social media strategy and online communication, it is the first company of its kind in Canada to achieve B Corp Certification and the 13th company overall to be certified in the Maritimes. As a company that works with an international clientele, the certification strategically differentiates Wired Flare in the global marketplace and improves competitiveness in an economy that increasingly places real value on social responsibility. According to president, Frances Leary, “Wired Flare’s core has always been about affecting positive change.” Learn more: www.wiredflare.com. STRUM CONSULTING MARKS 20 YEARS Strum Consulting is kicking off its 20th year in business since its inception in March of 1995. With a staff of 45 and offices in Antigonish, Moncton and Deer Lake, Strum has grown its presence across Atlantic Canada. Its services have grown as well with a large civil design group practicing commercial and residential land development here and in Alberta, and land surveyors providing legal, topographic and GIS based surveying. Strum has also grown its environmental assessment and contaminant groups. Thanks for the support from our many successful clients over the years! 63 McQuade Lake Cres, Bayers Lake, Halifax, NS B3S 1C4 • tel: 902-421-2116 • fax: 902-425-3517 • info@interspace.ca 10 MAY 2015 NEWSMAKERS PARTNERSHIP WELCOMES MINDER SINGH The Halifax Partnership welcomes Minder Singh, Account Executive for the Partnership’s Business Retention and Expansion program (SmartBusiness). Minder helps local businesses overcome growth obstacles, take advantage of opportunities, and connect to the resources and programs they need to succeed in Halifax. Minder has more than 20 years of international business and consultancy experience. He was a registered consultant with the Productivity and Standards Board, Singapore, and a Fellow of the Faculty of Secretaries and Administrators, UK. Email Minder, msingh@halifaxpartnership.com, to book a SmartBusiness consultation. one-size fits-all fits no one. Which is why we only offer coverage that’s completely customized for your unique needs. www.archwayinsurance.ca D’COSTA RECEIVES AWARD STANLEY JULIEN WITH BMO COMMERCIAL BANKING ARCHWAY INSURANCE GROWING Archway Insurance is set to grow its commercial footprint across Nova Scotia, rounding out its experienced commercial team in Halifax with account executive Joel Young. Young’s key focus is commercial insurance, and he enjoys a reputation of knowledge and ability second to none in the area of Surety and Bonding. Young began his insurance career in 2009, earning his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation in 2012 and currently pursuing his Chartered Insurance Professional designation. At Archway Insurance, we believe in choice. And that lions of travellers. More information can be found here: http://www.tripadvisor. com/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cFamilyg153339 Stanley Julien is the Regional Vice-President, Commercial Banking, Atlantic Provinces Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. In this role, Julien is accountable for leading the Commercial Community, covering the four Atlantic Provinces. He is also responsible for improving and maintaining the bank’s competitive commercial position and leading the commercial customer experience within the Atlantic Provinces Division. Julien is involved in a number of volunteer activities and enjoys coaching and mentoring young people. Julien is currently a member of the Board of the Turnaround Management Association. He also sits on the Advisory Board of Centennial College. Julien is a graduate of Concordia University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance, an MBA from Dalhousie University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. D’Costa Marketing Limited, leading supplier of promotional products in Atlantic Canada has received an award from PPPC – Promotional Products Professionals of Canada for Distributor of the Year Eastern Small Enterprise. The Award was presented to Michael C. D’Costa, President of D’Costa Marketing at the PPPC Image Awards in Toronto, Ontario on January 28, 2015. This event brings together suppliers and distributors of the promotional products industry from across Canada to recognize top achievers in the industry. D’Costa Marketing Limited is a key Atlantic Canadian distributor of promotional products and strives to exceed in relations not only with customers, but also suppliers. www.dcostamarketing.com HELPING SENIORS INCREASE INDEPENDENCE While staying physically active may be a challenge for seniors, getting Mom (and Dad) moving can help prevent and even reverse signs of frailty, and help increase their independence. To help keep seniors engaged and fit, Home Instead Senior Care has developed a public awareness program to promote an active lifestyle. The program includes a seniors’ activity calendar and the website www.getmommoving.com. In celebration of Mother’s day, Home Instead Senior Care is offering Activity Cards for the Mind, Body and Soul. For more information about how to help seniors at home or for your set of Activity Cards, call 902-429-2273. HAMPTON INN WINS TRIPADVISOR HONOUR Hampton Inn & Suites Dartmouth has just been awarded and ranked # 7 on tripadvisor in all of Canada as a top rated family hotel. This elite honour is awarded to the top 1% of all hotels on TripAdvisor, based on reviews and opinions from mil- BUSINESS VOICE 11 NEWSMAKERS event was $440,763. The Old Spice Girls raised over $130,000 for the Foundation, winning the Top Fundraising Award. For a full list of cast members, sponsors and supporters, visit www.mentalhealthns. ca/a-different-stage-of-mind ROBERT ZED LAUNCHES NEW VENTURE After five years of volunteering as a high school entrepreneurship teacher, Robert Zed is working on a new venture of his own, one that will bring entrepreneurship education to many. Zed, chairman of Triangle Strategies of Halifax, helps a teacher at Citadel High School teach an entrepreneurship program to Grade 12 students. Zed has been inspired to create Prime 101, which will launch across Canada by September 2016 and offer a curriculum in entrepreneurship. “It will have an online component. We will roll it out to school boards, First Nations and others that want to learn about entrepreneurship.” Zed hopes Prime 101 will play an important role in increasing knowledge about entrepreneurship. www.trianglestrategies.ca MARY BLACK TAKES ON NEW ROLE The RCR Hospitality Group and White Point Beach Resort are pleased to welcome Mary Black to the newly created role of Business Development Manager. Mary had an extensive career with National Art, a sister company, as Contract Sales Manager for Atlantic Canada. In her new position, Mary will be promoting the RCR Hospitality Group venues and White Point Beach Resort to the regional corporate market. White Point is a year round, 4 Star, RCI Gold Crown beachfront resort located on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. RCR Hospitality Group operates the Cunard Centre, Canada’s Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Grill at Glen Arbour Golf Course, ONYX on Argyle, Waterfront Warehouse, CUT Steakhouse & The Grill at CUT, Bistro Le Coq and The Arms Public House. www.rcr.ca THINK MARKETING INTRODUCES NEW ART DIRECTOR Think Marketing is excited to introduce its new Art Director, Joey Brown, who has relocated from Regina with his family to join the team. Brown brings seventeen years of design experience, and has spent much of that time in leadership roles providing creative direction and strategic planning at both large agencies and smaller shops. “We’re lucky to have such great clients and exciting projects to work with, so we’re thrilled to have even more creative talent behind us to help really bring our big ideas to life,” said Think President and CEO, Cheryl Chappel. BMO HAS RECORD BREAKING EVENT The 12th annual BMO Bank of Montreal A Different Stage of Mind on February 20th was a record-breaking night for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. The event featured performances from five “star” groups of Nova Scotian business leaders. Each group raised funds through ticket sales, fundraisers, and high end sponsorships, as well as live donations during the show. At the time of this news release, gross revenue for the LIFEZONE IMPROVES CORPORATE CULTURES Founder Dr. Karen (Martell) Hourtovenko is a born and raised Maritimer and wants to help individuals and businesses in her home province to be the best they can be. LifeZone assists clients in the area of personal and professional coaching, vision/mission development and strategic and health and wellness programing through webinar/teleconference format as well as face-to-face. Lifezone’s programs are based on the foundation of Business, Psychology and Medicine, which makes LifeZone Consulting in a class that supports many different challenges individuals and corporations. LifeZone uncovers challenges of corporate cultures that may be minimizing success and creates opportunity for growth and development. HAL-CON TICKETS ON SALE MAY 4TH The 6th annual sci-fi convention expands once again, now adding the Scotiabank Centre to its event space. Last years’ tickets sold out in under 13 minutes! www.hal-con.com To make a submission to Members in the News please contact John MacDonald, Member Services Coordinator at john@ halifaxchamber.com or 902-481-1227. Deadline for submissions is six weeks before publication, on the 15th of each month. 12 MAY 2015 Sweet dreams CERTAINLY CINNAMON BUILDING A CATERING EMPIRE BY HEATHER LAURA CLARKE CUSTOM CONTENT Although its warm-and-cozy name is reminiscent of the days when the business served up nothing more than coffee and baked goods, Certainly Cinnamon has evolved into one of Halifax’s largest off-site catering operations. Scott Colwell, who owns the business with his wife, Donna, says the opportunities for catering in Halifax are endless. He and his team cover everything from business breakfasts and lunch meetings to parties, grand openings, product launches, funerals, and weddings. The Colwells are a well-known Halifax family, dating back to the Halifax Explosion when Deputy Mayor Cyril Colwell organized the disaster response since Mayor Peter Francis Martin was overseas at the time. After quietly looking for a larger space,they came across a gigantic warehouse — with ample parking — at 3204 Barrington St., across from the Irving Shipyards. “We love it, and it’s really affirmed that we are not a restaurant doing catering on the side — we are caterers, first and foremost.” says Colwell. “We’re encouraging people to think outside the box. You don’t need to have a meeting in a boardroom, or have a book launch in a museum,” says Terry Pottie, general manager of Certainly Cinnamon.“You can have a unique event right in the middle of an industrial kitchen.” “Our mantra is ‘If we don’t know how to make it, we’ll say yes and figure it out,’” says Pottie.“We can do just about anything.” PROVIDING COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE MEETING AND EVENT PLANNING SERVICES W NE ! ON TI CA LO Going above and beyond. VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION AT 3204 BARRINGTON STREET, HALIFAX 902-423-CINN (2466) CERTAINLYCINNAMON.COM Startup seas Shining a light on new entrepreneurs By Jon Tattrie | Photos By Paul Darrow N ova Scotia needs more entrepreneurs to help turn around its fortunes, but we “subtly discourage” it, says One Nova Scotia’s Ivany report. “These and other attitudes constitute significant barriers to bringing people together around a shared vision for change and renewal.” The Halifax Chamber of Commerce used Nova Scotia’s annual State of the Province address to shine the spotlight on three emerging businesses that are finding innovative solutions to persistent problems. One has come up with a way to make your knee injury work for you; another to help caregivers with home care; 14 and another helps to smooth transitions in companies with high turnovers. National Public Relations sponsored the February event and picked the three startups: Spring Loaded Technology, Quick Shift, and Phased.IO. Each got 90 seconds to give their elevator pitch to 700 members of the business community, plus Premier Stephen McNeil. One of the issues National identified was the difficulty startups often have in connecting with mentors. “What if we were to actually take a moment and create an environment where three entrepreneurs actually get up there and we MAY 2015 actually hear what they’re doing?” asks Sarah Young, head of National in Atlantic Canada. “Potentially, they can make a connection. Small things can make a difference. We need more entrepreneurs, and therefore we need more of an environment that fosters entrepreneurism.” The inspiring, exciting event put the entrepreneurs right in front of the connectors they may need to successfully launch. Guests completed comment cards with advice and suggested contacts for each of the presenting teams. Here are the three who took the stage: The Halifax Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Dalhousie Rowe School of Business for allowing us to photograph our entrepreneurs on site for this issue. COVER STORY Our technology acts as a living memory in your organization by storing knowledge and keeping previous members connected.” — Colin MacInnis, Phased.IO on Phased.IO The problem: Every time an employee leaves her job, or takes extended leave, a huge amount of knowledge vanishes from the company. Her replacement strug]b[ijeǃ_dZekj^emj^[Z[fơhj[Zf[hied did her job, what tools helped, and where jeǃ_dZYhkY_ơbf_[Y[ie\_d\ehcơj_ed$ Colin MacInnis saw how much time and money is lost trying to regain this knowledge when he joined the student union at St. Francis Xavier University. Each year, a new crop of presidents and treasurers take the reins and ride in circles as they re-invent the wheel. MacInnis had to learn from scratch, as did the person before him and the person after him. MacInnis still gets emails from another old job as his replacements need to borrow his brain. This happens when people quit, retire, take parental leave, or need medical absences. It wastes time and money. The solution: MacInnis needed to pitch a business idea as part of his studies at Cape Breton University’s UIT startup program. His first idea, in December 2014, was to create a social network for student unions, and in January revised that to CoHost, software for studentunion management. MacInnis needed a good programmer to turn his idea into a reality, so he took fellow student Brian Best to lunch. “He’s really, really good at code,” MacInnis says. So good that he turned around a working demo by 3 p.m. that day. Their mentors urged them to look at the student union market more closely. They realized that even if they fully tap out the market in Canada, the company would earn about $600,000 a year. “That’s quite a bit of money, but the chances of us getting the full 100 per cent of the market? That’s not the case for most companies.” Bringing in the U.S. lifts it from 94 universities to 2,506 universities, but that’s still a small market in the overall BUSINESS VOICE scheme. “We looked at the market cap for student unions and we realized it’s not the biggest market we could go after,” Best says. “This is a situation that every single employer has to face.” The new Phased offers that digital memory for all organizations. “A good way of imagining this is a Wikipedia for your specific job and your specific organization,” MacInnis says. “Our technology acts as a living memory in your organization by storing knowledge and keeping previous members connected.” Departing employees can add helpful links, training information, recommended courses and videos to advance your skills, as well as ideas they have for the future. After their 90-second pitch at the State of the Province, Best and MacInnis headed straight to Volta Labs, a Halifaxbased organization that helps to arrange mentorships and build a business community. Phased is now pursuing its first customer so that it can tailor its product to that company. “If this works here, we can make it work in other places,” Best says. “We can’t focus on getting seven customers before we get one.” And just as Phased seeks to build its future one customer at a time, it points the way for Nova Scotia to build its own future, one startup at a time. 15 COVER STORY MacKenzie Atlantic It’s really to aid the caregiver, to help reduce back injury while repositioning patients.” The problem: Stuffing a pillowcase under an 83-year-old woman’s bottom and then hefting her up in her wheelchair makes for a back-hurting experience for the caregiver and an unpleasant intimacy for the senior. Northwood, a Nova Scotia organization that helps seniors living at home, in independent seniors’ buildings and with 24-hour care, partnered with the Nova Scotia Community College to engineer a better device to correct slouching in wheelchairs. Students created a great prototype device that would reduce the physical burden, but the project never left the college. No one really knew why the device worked, or even how well it worked. NSCC called Matthew MacKenzie of MacKenzie Atlantic, a full-service tool-making and machining company, and asked him to take the project off the lab shelf and get it onto store shelves. The solution: With some refinements, MacKenzie turned the prototype into the 16 — Matthew MacKenzie, MacKenzie Atlantic Quick Shift. It’s a sheet that sits under the patient and attaches to the back of the wheelchair by webbing straps. The caregiver wears a special belt that feeds into the straps. The patient’s weight is then repositioned around the caregiver’s waist, reducing the stress on the back. “It’s really to aid the care giver, to help reduce back injury while repositioning patients,” MacKenzie explains. “With our product, there’s limited touching of the patient. The caregiver leaves one hand on the patient’s shoulder just in case, but other than that they do not have to touch the patient. It’s not so intrusive.” MAY 2015 The Quick Shift reduces the patient’s weight by up to 85 per cent. MacKenzie’s company spent four years going through ethics review boards, getting patents, testing at NSCC and at Northwood. He hopes that 2015 is the year it turns from prototype to product. He wants to sell it to long-term care facilities, and as an in-home care device so husbands and wives can help partners without needing heavy-lifting muscles. His 90-second pitch at the State of the Province bore fruit shortly after he left the stage: he landed a meeting with the CEO of PharmaSave. www.sawmilllanding.com Sherbrooke Waterfront Developments Inc. P.O. Box 150, 8073 Hwy. #7, Sherbrooke, NS B0J 3C0 email: waterfront@bellaliant.net • (T) 902.522.2343 (C) 902.328.4338 S - Lot 51 – Deep water and 376 feet of water frontage. 7.8 acres, $78,000 +HST. ABOVE - Ancestral Home in Sherbrooke LEFT - Lot 30A – Model home, 2,000 sq. ft., 1,000 sq. ft. garage. 5.06 acres, 880 ft. water frontage, $575,000, has an automatic standby 20,000 watt generator set, 2 bedroom, 2.5 baths, den/study, all one level LEFT - Log Home on Lot 14, 3 bedroom, 3 floors with 3,200 sq. ft., 416 ft. water frontage with wharf, 3.5 Acres, 2 garages, $489,000 LEFT awmill Landing is a residential development in Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia, nestled along the St. Mary’s River. The lots range in size from over 2.5 acres to up to 12 acres, with up to 650 ft of water frontage. Many lots are on the water and many have deep anchorage for docks. We also have vista lots if you are looking for a great view without being right on the water. Our development has a park area with water access for Sawmill Landing residents. There is power to all lots and excellent roadways. The St. Mary’s River, famous for its salmon fishing, is 50 miles long. Sawmill Landing is located at the wide end of the river, where it meets the salty tidal water of the Atlantic Ocean. It is eight miles to the ocean, all buoyed. From your lot, you may bicycle or canoe up to the village for lunch, or take your boat and head out to the ocean for a day of beachcombing. The large lot size affords privacy, but the location near Sherbrooke provides access to the amenities of a much larger center. Sherbrooke offers both the character of a village in the 1800s with the services and facilities of the 21st Century. The lower part of the village has been restored and is a “living” museum which is open to the public during the summer months. Sherbrooke is a busy community with lots of social events and celebrations year round for all ages. Sherbrooke also offers lots of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Sherbrooke has the following amenities — bank (with ATM), grocery store, drug store, post office, liquor store, library, garage, two gas stations, convenience store, three restaurants, hospital, St. Mary’s Fitness Center, school, RCMP detachment, St. Mary’s RecPlex with hockey and curling arenas, and St. Mary’s River Smokehouses. Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia remains one of the world’s best kept property secrets COVER STORY Chris Cowper-Smith, Spring Loaded Technology, with an early prototype version of the knee brace. The marketready version will be much more streamlined. Spring Loaded Technology The problem: The knee is one of the most often injured body joints, particularly for athletes. Hundreds of thousands of people hurt their knees in North America each year, derailing their pursuits and slowing their lives. A few years ago, two Dalhousie University students added their knees to the long list of the injured: Chris CowperSmith and Bob Garrish. “We had experienced knee injuries of our own, so we understood the value of knee-bracing in augmenting the user’s mobility,” Cowper-Smith says. Garrish has had knee surgery for chronic knee injuries and osteoarthritis. As a result of his injuries, his knee regularly gives out. The solution: Two strangers met via Dal’s Starting Lean entrepreneurship course The idea was to create a brace that could actually augment strength and power, rather than taking it away.” — Chris Cowper-Smith, Spring Loaded Technology and decided to blend their skills in engineering, math, science and business to create a better brace. (Gerrish, an engineer and mathematician, oversees product design while Cowper-Smith handles corporate financing, business development and works with clinicians to organize the testing on people.) The team went through 15 design iterations before crafting the winner. Spring Loaded Technology’s streamlined solution loads energy when the user flexes her knee and releases the energy upon extension. Basically, when you squat, that downward energy will help propel you up. “The idea was to create a brace that could actually augment strength and power, rather than taking it away,” says Cowper-Smith. “We’re developing the world’s first compact and powerful knee-brace technology. It can directly enhance the strength and mobility of the user’s leg muscles, while providing increased protection to what is the most commonly injured joint in the body.” The potential market has expanded beyond athletes to grandparents who want to play with their grandkids more easily, people with neurological problems or an acute knee injury, and those working in manual labour or the military. They hope to sell it in sporting goods stores as a consumer product. Are you launching a new business or product? The Halifax Chamber wants to share your story! Please contact Becky Davison at becky@halifaxchamber.com. 18 MAY 2015 Are you looking for the best? Chances are the best are not actively looking for you. Rcrutng th cram of th crop oftn mans you hav to go to thm. Cram s Th Chroncl Hrald’s comprhnsv mploymnt platform and your sourc for rcrutmnt advrtsng n Nova Scota. Utlsng Nova Scota’s most trustd ns sourc across four major mda channls - prnt, onln, socal mda and mal — mans your company ll rach 435,000 kly radrs. On of hom could b your nxt star mploy. Contact a carr spcalst at careers@herald.ca or find out mor and rgstr your company at RISETOTHETOP.CA CONNeCT wiTH US POSITIVE ATTITUDE It’s time to say YES! We need both a positive attitude and decisive action By Richard Woodbury T here are a lot of great things happening in the Halifax business community, with many businesses taking decisive action to ensure Nova Scotia has a prosperous future. The Ivany Report said that to tackle the challenges we face, we need to use innovative approaches and be willing to take on risks. In short, we need to do things differently than we have in the past. To achieve that, we need to support: Growth Entrepreneurship Graduates Our immigrant population The major projects in this region The companies and individuals profiled in this story are all in some shape or form saying an enthusiastic “Yes!” to the above. Ask yourself: are you saying yes to the above things? Remember, our future depends on it. 20 The Startup 100 A new partnership between the Sobey School of Business and the provincial government is helping develop more student entrepreneurs. The Startup 100 began Feb. 23 and has a goal of launching 100 student-driven businesses in 50 communities across the province in 100 days. The participants include university students, community college students, as well as high school students. So far, the program has exceeded its goals, as about 125 students are participating in the program in 51 communities, says Jared Perry, a project manager with the Sobey School of Business’ Business Development Centre. He says the businesses can be found across the province, in communities such as HRM, Pictou, Amherst, Truro, Sydney and Yarmouth. Perry says he thinks one of the broader implications of the pilot program is participants seeing entrepreneurship as a career option. “I think they’ll be able to see entrepreneurship is a viable option for them. I think their mindset might change from: ‘Where’s my next job going to be?’ to: ‘What’s my next venture opportunity going to be?’ I think that’s key,” he said. For now, the businesses will likely be part-time in nature or be ones for the students to focus on in summer. The businesses are at different stages of development and are diverse in nature. Businesses are in a range of areas including web development, website design, apps, photography and there’s even a farm. Perry says the Business Development Centre is looking for businesspeople across the province to help mentor the program participants. MAY 2015 POSITIVE ATTITUDE Farmers Two years ago, Farmers Co-operative Dairy Limited merged with Agropur dairy cooperative, a Quebec-based entity. The move has been a good one for Farmers, says Ralph Ballam, Farmers’ former President and CEO. “I think this has been a great development for our company, shareholders, employees and it allows us to be able to compete in the national market and on a more global basis,” he says. Ballam is currently a Guest Director on the board of directors for Agropur. Agropur is one of the largest dairy processors in the world and the largest dairy processor in Canada on a volume basis. It is owned by dairy farmers in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Ballam says since the merger, several millions of dollars have been invested into Atlantic Canadian plants, helping ensure there are jobs for Atlantic Canadians and helping fuel optimism for a prosperous future. There are two processing plants in Nova Scotia and one in Newfoundland. The one in Bedford handles fluid, ice cream and culture products, while the one in Truro works with industrial powder. The St. John’s, Newfoundland plant works with fluid. There are also various distribution centres in those two provinces. Ballam says the merger worked because the two co-ops “have the same principles, same culture and same motivations. It was just a natural fit.” Ballam is excited about what lies ahead. “There’s been some investment into some new product lines,” he says. While he can’t speak in more specifics about what these products are or what the potential timelines are for the products to hit the shelves, he says the products will position the company well for growth in the future. Mohammad Ali Raza (L) and Kevin Latimer (R). Photo: Contributed Cox & Palmer A challenge immigrants often encounter in Canada is that employers are focused on looking for Canadian experience. For immigrant Mohammad Ali Raza, his employer, Cox & Palmer, hired him in part for the opposite reason. “They were actually valuing my foreign experience,” he says. Prior to settling in Canada in October 2014, Ali Raza had about 10 years of experience practicing law in the energy and gas sector in Asia and Europe. Oddly enough, Ali Raza was married in Halifax in 2008. His wife and her family are from here. In the ensuing years, the two contemplated whether to settle in Pakistan or Canada, but because of the deteriorating security situation there, Halifax was ultimately chosen. Upon coming to Canada, Ali Raza thought he would work on getting his credentials straightened out and then head to Calgary, the home of Canada’s energy sector. But, Ali Raza saw a lot of opportunity in Nova Scotia’s energy sector. He then researched local law firms to find out who practiced in energy and gas just to get some advice (and not to land a job), so he contacted Danny Gallivan at Cox & Palmer. A chat soon blossomed into dinner meetings and Ali Raza was brought on board. For now, he is working as a business paralegal, but is expected to be called to the bar in January 2016, at which time he will join the company as an associate. “From our standpoint, it was an easy decision,” says Managing Partner Kevin Latimer. BUSINESS VOICE 21 Photo: Contributed POSITIVE ATTITUDE Luke Williams, Dalhousie Engineering graduate Welaptega Marine Limited Halifax-based Welaptega Marine Limited is known for the fact it often hires young engineers. Business Development Manager James Kesten uses an anecdote from his days at Dalhousie University as an engineering student to describe why. The 2008 grad says in a class he took, the instructor gave the students a coat hanger and told them to come up with a list of all the things the coat hanger could be used for. “If you do this same test with a five year old, they’re going to come up with 500 ideas, 1,000 ideas because they’re not constrained by pre-conceived notions of how this thing should be used or could be used,” he says. Welaptega designs inspection equipment technology for use underwater. The majority of this technology is used to inspect the mooring ship systems of offshore oil and gas assets and Welaptega’s technology is used worldwide. The company currently employs 21 people and has grown from 14 to 21 people in the last year alone. Most of the engineering staff are mechanical and electrical engineers. Kesten says the company’s culture appeals to young people. It’s hierarchical structure, and questioning the way things are done is not just tolerated, but encouraged. “Everybody has the onus that if they have a good idea, go forth and make it so,” he says. This also applies to the ways the company has long conducted its business. If employees think that there’s a better way, they should pursue it. T4G Lior Zelering, a recent immigrant from Israel, is thrilled with how life has turned out in Halifax. Not only are people are welcoming, but they’re willing to go the extra mile. This was reinforced when he was hired by T4G, a company focused on analytics, managed services, retail planning, digital marketing and custom applications. After being introduced to somebody from T4G through the Greater Halifax Partnership’s Connector Program last fall, a good meeting was had but there was no opportunity available at the moment. Four months later, T4G contacted him about an opportunity. “I had never seen anything like that before,” says Zelering, expressing amazement someone would think of him four months after the fact. Before coming here with his wife and daughter Zelering believed Halifax was an immigrant-friendly community, and this experience backed up his belief. Zelering works as a digital strategist with T4G and feels like he fit in with the company’s culture from day one, in part because it wanted to see what he could bring to the table to help the company. “It was more about, ‘Let’s see what you got. Let’s see how you do things. Let’s try and work together,’” he says. For its part, T4G says it hired Zelering because he was the best candidate for the job, but does concede his foreign expertise is a plus because he brings a different perspective to the table. “Life experience in different geographies is never a bad thing,” says Mark Fraser, the company’s Executive Vice President. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. In mid-February, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) announced details of a partnership with Women Unlimited for 20 women to get funding to study in the welding and metal fabrication program at NSCC’s Akerley Campus. Even better, the program includes job opportunities for these women once they finish their studies. Women Unlimited is a not-for-profit women’s organization that promotes the full participation of women in trades and technology. The roots of the partnership come from ISI’s Centre of Excellence. It has a mandate of providing Nova Scotians, 22 particularly under-represented ones, with programs and training to help secure work in the marine industry. The program participants will receive 50 per cent tuition funding over the course of four semesters (two years) from ISI to complete their studies. Successful graduates who meet employment eligibility criteria will then be employed by ISI as positions become available in 2017 and beyond. Prior to starting the NSCC program in September, the women will complete a 14-week pre-academic career readiness program. The readiness program began in March. MAY 2015 The union representing about 1,000 shipyard workers applauded the effort to build a more diverse shipbuilding workforce in a news release. “Unifor is proud to promote women in the skilled trades, and to be a part of Irving Shipbuilding’s Centre of Excellence Women Unlimited pilot project,” said National Representative Rick Rose. “We recognize that to increase women’s participation in the trades we need innovative approaches and real commitments that include having industry, union, government, education, and community working together in partnership.” POSITIVE ATTITUDE Dunn & Associates For the principals of Dunn & Associates, a communications and public affairs company, a five-day course offered through the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s All Ships Rise program was life changing. “It totally changed our mindset and the way we look at ourselves as individuals and as business owners,” says Michael Dunn. A key insight was the need to work both “in” and “on” their business. Through some simple actions, it increased its revenue by 25 per cent. Another key lesson was setting the business up to continuously improve, innovate, grow and share the gains. As part of this, the company looked at key business functions, and the strengths and weaknesses of its people, then aligned their roles with improved processes. For example, rather than giving each partner equal say in all decisions, Michael now leads strategy and administration, while his partner and wife, Holly, leads editorial and client services. These actions have allowed them to better understand their business’ realtime health, making it more efficient, effective and harmonious. The training also changed their view of entrepreneurs. They aren’t just self-employed people, but rather those who create jobs for others. While the company will continue to work with external associates, it’s now preparing to make its fi rst full-time hire. Holly says their mindset and process changes have improved everything, and if even a small percentage of Atlantic businesses did the same, it would have a profound effect. “If we all did that, then the whole region would take off,” she says. Jasim Uddin, and his extended family. Photo: Contributed Cherubini Metal Works When Cherubini Metal Works went looking to hire a specialized welder eight years ago, little did the company know this move would inadvertently create a talent pipeline for it. Finding a specialized welder isn’t easy and through a staffing agency, the company was connected with Jasim Uddin, a Bangladeshi who was working in Singapore at one of the largest shipyards in the world. He began working for Cherubini eight years ago. Four years ago, his wife came over and they have since had two children in Canada. Three years ago, Cherubini hired two of Uddin’s brothers, Zia and Kabir, also specialized welders who had been working in Singapore. Zia and his wife already had a child when they came over and have had a son since being here. Kabir and his wife have one child and he was born here. One year ago, Cherubini hired another brother, Al-Amin, also a specialized welder. Al-Amin is not married, but will bring his eventual bride from Bangladesh to settle here. As of now, that works out to a total of 12 family members. “We certainly didn’t know it was going to turn into a whole family immigrating here,” says Jane Caudle, Cherubini’s human resources manager. As a family company, Cherubini couldn’t be happier. Staff at Cherubini don’t hesitate to provide assistance to the family to help make life easier in Canada, such as on matters regarding documentation or the things that pop up in life. “We have a great working relationship with them,” says Caudle. Photos: Contributed BUSINESS VOICE 23 PROFILE A running tally Blue Nose Marathon will have its 100,000th participant this May By Carol Dobson bluenosemarathon.com Photo: Adrien Veczan/The Chronicle Herald F or the past 11 years, the Victoria Day weekend in Halifax has become synonymous with the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon. It’s a chance for people of all ages and skill levels to get involved in walking, running, wheeling, and Nordic Pole walking over courses ranging from two kilometres to 42 kilometres in length. The first marathon attracted 3500 participants; last year, it swelled to six events with 13,500 participants, ranging in age from three months to senior citizens. Not only does the Marathon promote physical fitness, but through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, raises thousands of dollars to support the community. “This is our 12th year and we’re watching for our 100,00 participant to register,” says Gerry Walsh, the Co-chair of the Marathon’s organizing committee. That special individual will find themselves with a Blue Nose-themed merchandise package to mark the occasion. This year’s events kick off on Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. with the 2 and 4 K Youth Runs. The 2K was added last year to give younger children a chance 24 This is our 12th year and we’re watching for our 100,000 participant to register.” — Gerry Walsh, Co-chair, Blue Nose Marathon to participate in the weekend, perhaps with a parent or grandparent, at a more appropriate distance. It proved so popular that it is back on the agenda this year. The Youth Runs work hand in glove with running programs sponsored by Doctors Nova Scotia in schools across the province and Walsh says this segment of the weekend has grown to be the largest of its MAY 2015 kind in the country. “We’ve also added a relay this year,” Walsh says. “Teams of between four and eight runners will run or walk relays on the full marathon route. Each leg of the relay varies between 4 and 8K and we’re hoping that local companies and organizations will enter teams into the relay. They are also able to use their relay teams to raise money for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Walsh and his co-chair Rod McCulloch were the founders of the Marathon. Over the years, they have developed a structure for organizing and running the event and have decided that the time has come to move a step forward and create a board of volunteer directors for the Marathon. “We are seeking leaders, in particular, those who have specialist knowledge in: community engagement, finance, legal, HR, sponsorship, health & wellness, operations, marketing, technology, risk management or governance,” Walsh said. Instead of inviting individuals to join the Board, Walsh and McCulloch SUMMER with Bikram Yoga As we head toward the warmer months of summer, what better time to focus on your health and well-being? Daily Bikram Yoga classes will allow you to forget about everything else and focus solely on you. There are lots of great reasons to keep up with your practice this summer. Bikram Yoga, practised in heat and humidity, can help you acclimate to the season’s warmth by teaching your body to cool itself more efficiently and effectively through sweat. This yoga encourages you to stay well hydrated by keeping on top of your water intake and replenishing your electrolytes regularly. During the hot summer months this can be helpful outside the hot room, too. Bikram Yoga is a great physical workout, burning nearly 1000 calories per class leaving you feeling more comfortable and confident in your skin. Planning on swimming, hiking, sailing, biking, jogging this summer? Bikram Yoga will give 1567 GRAFTON ST, HALIFAX, NS (902) 444-7660 you the athletic upper hand no matter what outdoor activity you choose, increasing your strength, stamina, balance and co-ordination. Bikram yoga is a great compliment to your summer activities in Halifax and we hope to see you in the hot room soon. Kristin Johnston opened Bikram Yoga Halifax three years ago after moving here from Montreal. It was the first Bikram Yoga studio east of Montreal, and has grown from 10 members to the hundreds. The studio has grown so fast because people can see that Bikram Yoga works! Bikram Yoga is a beginner series that is open to everyone no matter your age, size, stamina or flexibility. Absolutely anyone can walk into the studio and feel comfortable and feel like they belong. Staff and facilities are top of the line, and are here to help you through your yoga journey. All Bikram yoga is hot, but not all hot yoga is Bikram. Healing the body and the mind is something everyone deserves. BIKRAMYOGAHALIFAX.COM ADVERTORIAL PROFILE We’ve become a community-owned event, so it’s the logical next step to invite diverse leaders from the community who share our passion for Blue Nose.” — Rod McCulloch, Co-chair, Blue Nose Marathon Photo: Ted Pritchard/The Chronicle Herald RegistraƟon Open! Friday, June 12, 2015 | Glen Arbour Golf Course Where it’s more about the blast you have on the green than in the bunker www.halifaxchamber.com 26 MAY 2015 Photo: Ingrid Bulmer/ The Chronicle Herald have launched an open recruitment process. “We’ve become a communityowned event, so it’s the logical next step to invite diverse leaders from the community who share our passion for Blue Nose,” McCulloch said. Members of the community who are interested in becoming a board member are asked to visit the Blue Nose website at www.bluenosemarathon.com. Prospective members are asked to send a letter and resume, stating why they would like to be part of Blue Nose Marathon. Attention: Selection Committee, Board of Directors, Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon. Email: admin@bluenosemarathon.com, fax 902 492-2888, or mail to 205-3600 Kempt Road, Halifax, NS, B3K 4X8. Alternative Legal Thinking for Start-ups Cox & Palmer’s alt program provides emerging companies with second-to-none, affordable legal advice and mentoring, with a view to building a solid foundation for your venture’s next stage of growth. At Cox & Palmer, we share a passion for innovation and partnership and truly believe that entrepreneurs with great ideas and some motivation can change the world (or at least their community, for starters). Due to a start-up’s limited (or non-existent) budget at the early stages, retaining strong legal advisors ends up falling off the entrepreneurial radar. That’s where we come in. Our multi-disciplinary legal team has extensive experience in equipping start-ups with the necessary tools and advice to compete on the local, national, and international stage. Patrick Fitzgerald | Halifax, NS pfitzgerald@coxandpalmer.com | 902.491.4117 t ant c Marketing Conference May 21, 2015 World Trade Convention Center, Halifax Hear from leading brands who will share their success stories and insights on how their great ideas were brought to life. Kelly Peters, CEO & Managing Partner, BEworks Ted Ghanime, Director of Video Production, Weber Shandwick Greg Plata Mike Mills WestJet studio m This year, we are featuring exclusive, intensive workshops from leading CMA instructors. Plus, attend conference sessions hosted by top brands offering you a unique educational experience. Register today at CMAatlantic.ca Thank you to our sponsors and partners: BUSINESS VOICE 27 WORKING FOR YOU Time to act on climate change Businesses need to be aware of government options ERIC BLAKE POLICY & RESEARCH ANALYST Carbon pricing has been a familiar topic in the news lately. Laurel Broten’s tax and regulatory review endorsed adopting a carbon tax in order to reduce emissions and fund cuts to provincial income taxes. As well, at a Chamber DSS event in March, former Premier of Quebec Jean Charest told the audience that he believed carbon pricing would become the norm within 10 years and that major companies such as Exxon Mobile were already incorporating it into their longterm plans. Given the scale of the challenge presented by climate change, there is growing pressure on governments, citizens, and businesses to act. Whatever your views on climate pricing may be, now certainly seems like a good time for a quick refresher on what any new government actions to combat climate change might look like. Carbon Taxes Easily the most well known example of a carbon tax is in British Columbia, which taxes carbon at $30 per tonne. The tax is applied to different types of fuel, such as gasoline, diesel, coal, and natural gas and is collected in a similar way to gas taxes. Since different fuels produce different amounts of carbon, the actual amount of tax levied varies. For example, in 2012 the carbon tax added 6.67 cents per litre to the price of gas in British Columbia. BC’s carbon tax is revenue neutral, meaning that all of the money collected is used to cut other taxes. This was the model recommended by Laurel Broten’s tax review. BC has used its carbon tax revenue to lower corporate and personal 28 Illustration: Dejan Bozic/123RF income taxes, and ease the impact on lowincome and rural residents and certain industries. While tax reductions certainly help reduce the carbon tax’s economic impact, by design it will be harder on more carbon-intensive industries than others. Cap and Trade With a cap and trade system, the government creates a limit for annual carbon emissions and then auctions off permits to companies for the right to emit. Cap-and-trade programs tend to be targeted toward large emitters, as they are easier to monitor. The original model for this kind of program is the 1980s capand-trade system for sulphur emissions that helped reduce acid rain. Like a carbon tax, revenue could be returned to the public to offset the cost of the system. The downside for businesses is that the price of emissions permits can be unpredictable, as they will fluctuate based on demand. Cap-and-trade systems are also more complicated for governments to operate. Programs and Regulation Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act is our province’s largest effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so far and it is a good example of taking a regulatory approach. The act committed the government to increase automobile fuel efficiency, mandate that utilities produce a certain amount of renewable energy, and increase energy efficiency. While these options do not always have a direct cost for consumers, they can have an economic impact by making some things more expensive to produce. MAY 2015 With its many seaside communities, and dependence on industries such as fisheries, agriculture, and forestry, there is no doubt Nova Scotia is at risk from climate change. Given this challenge, we will likely see governments take more action to reduce carbon emissions in the future. It is important for businesses to be aware of the government’s options and understand how these policies might affect their industries. Chamber News MAY 2015 Mandi Bowser, Reception, Administrative Assistant Growing up in Dartmouth has made Mandi more than happy to cheer on not only Halifax, but Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. Joining the Chamber in November has allowed her to learn more about what there is to offer and she is thrilled to promote local business. Graduating from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Arts (Majors: Political Science and Sociology & Social Anthropology), Mandi has jumped into her role in reception, building on skills from previous administrative roles, including survival equipment and home furnishings retail. Always ready to help, she has brought a big smile to the front desk and is ready to welcome anyone coming through the door. WORKING FOR YOU Demographic realities A prosperous city benefits the province Today, Halifax is our most important asset and continues to emerge as our best chance for a prosperous future.” GORDON WHITTAKER MBA The Globe and Mail article, “The Incredible Shrinking Region” from March 21 provides insightful background to the dire economic and demographic challenges currently facing the Maritimes. It is an honest, bleak telling of our current situation but there are no surprises. For me, the historical context was the only “new” content but I was raised in central Canada where sadly there was little awareness of Canada east of Quebec City! I appreciated that the article included the “Five Rules for Saving the Maritimes.” They are: Don’t rely on Ottawa, grow the private sector, invest in Halifax, improve inter-provincial collaboration and increase immigration. We have heard these before but it was reassuring to read them so clear and obvious in a national newspaper. They are all worthy of our collective attention. Rule #3 reinforces the importance of Halifax to the Province’s future. Halifax has always played a key role in Nova Scotia and the region since well before 1879 when the federal government imposed a tariff wall that cut off the Province’s main trading partners. Now 136 years later, Nova Scotia needs Halifax more than ever. Halifax does not define Nova Scotia but a prosperous city will benefit the Province just as Halifax benefits from Nova Scotia’s rich history, culture and beauty. Today, Halifax is our most important asset and continues to emerge as our best chance for a prosperous future. The article states, “Halifax, especially, could once again be a major hub.” Good or bad, the universal trend of urbanization is well underway and most young people (the ones we need) want the diversity, opportunities and richness that cities provide. This is a global trend and sadly for Canada it means our vast beautiful country is imploding into a handful of urban/regional centres. While these already exist we can be sure that our country’s urban powered economic and cultural centres will grow and fuel larger and larger geographic and political areas. Nova Scotia is a prime example with 940,000 residents of which 50 per cent live in a city generating close to 50 per cent of the provincial GDP. The city is not only important economically, but has the best shot at meeting the expectations of the very mobile younger demographic. The provincial budget’s proposed change to the film, television and animation tax credit will seriously impair Halifax’s ability to meet those expectations. After the many impacts from lost productions are felt we will see the erosion of our most important asset: young, driven, creative talent. This isn’t good on Professional space that works for you. so many levels the least of which is the negative impact on Halifax, the city that will drive NS’s brighter economic future. Timing could not be worse as the range of opportunities for success narrow and the margin of error tightens with each spring budget. The majority of the industry lives and works in Halifax. They collaborate, move between sectors, create companies, supply goods and are engaged with the city. Having spent close to 20 years in this complex and creative industry, I can confirm, these hard working people are entrepreneurial and are an essential part of the larger creative eco-system. I have written before, Halifax needs this creative community of artists, technical and business people just as Nova Scotia needs Halifax to thrive. Tax credits are universally offered and if NS’s credit remains unchanged, the industry will not compete. Halifax will lose its pipeline of creative talent and that will impact us all. NorthWest can help you find - or create - the perfect space for your business. For over a decade, we’ve been committed to helping professionals like you locate and set up across Canada. The right space – From turnkey suites to fully customized, state-of-the-art offices. The right lease – Leasing arrangements are customized and always competitive. The right services – Our people are available onsite and in local offices to provide a comprehensive range of services and amenities The right environments – Our properties feature high standards of design, construction and materials. For leasing enquiries, 902-425-9033 www.nwhp.ca ann.swinamer@nwhp.ca BUSINESS VOICE 29 TRENDS Trends in executive coaching www.lifezone.ca Companies need to look at the big picture DR KAREN HOURTOVENKO, LIFEZONE CONSULTING 30 To place an ad call: 426-2811 ext 1163 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES Coaching has become increasingly popular over the years, and is now common in many different industries. A recent analysis suggests coaching is a $2 billion industry worldwide. There is an obvious need, as individuals and groups look for guidance. Initially for CEOs and those in leadership roles, now there is a shift and everyone from stay-at-home moms getting back into the workplace, those looking for a change in career, increasing personal marketability in the workplace or becoming an amaz- ing leader. Coaching is specific however, and choosing a coach that assists you in growth is essential. Goal setting is important, as there is much more to the coaching process than setting goals with a plan to achieve them. To start, it is essential to look at the big picture. What do you really want? Personally? Financially? Emotionally? Physically? Professionally? If you cannot describe what you want in all these areas, then you will fall short in your personal development. The same is true for organizations. All too often corporations will retain a coach to work with individuals on personal development, but fall short in supporting organizational culture change. Without culture growth, individuals usually minimalize their potential, or valuable people are lost to the competitors. Organizations have to also create a strategic plan, but it is essential to know what the big picture is before the game plan is implemented. Organizational challenges, including lack of morale and inefficiencies are often due to lack of clarity of the big picture. A good test is to ask a handful or employees at different levels of the organization to describe your company so that a random person on the street would understand. It will not take you long to know if the big picture is clear or not. Let me make this clear… it is NOT what you DO; it is WHAT YOU ARE as a company. Beliefs that individuals and organizations have drive behaviors that can be supportive to success or create dysfunction. The coaching process must assess underlying cultural beliefs before growth can take place. For example, comments like “we have always done it that way” and “that is who he is, he just reacts and then he will be ok” and “we always…” or “We never…” tell me a lot about underlying beliefs that will keep an individual or organization stuck. Beliefs are just beliefs someone has told us that keeps us stuck. Making changes without this knowledge, many corporations lose potential superstars that move on and join organizations that are progressive and support growth. Are you at your greatest potential? What is holding you back? Is your organization supporting your growth? Are you supporting your organizational growth? If you answered no to any of these then maybe a coach to support this growth is an investment that will be worth your while. Not all coaches are equal however, so like interviewing a new staff, you also want to interview coaches to see the correct fit for you. If you need a business coach and the coach has no understanding of business, then it’s probably not the correct fit. Coaches should also be versed in the psychology of behavior to offer an understanding of how to encourage and not force change. Finally, rapport is essential for a working relationship, regardless whether it’s a client-coach or customer–organization relationship. Choose wisely. Dr. Karen Hourtovenko is an Executive Coach and Founder of LifeZone Consulting MAY 2015 TRENDS Design: Functional or Aesthetic? Work spaces must be designed with the end-user in mine PAM TOWER OWNER, TOWER INTERIORS Many people think that being a professional interior designer is “fun”. That is the response we get most times when we tell people what we do, and it is true, as it relates to the aesthetic portion of our job. Aesthetic design is the surface decoration or the appearance and visual appeal. We do coordinate colours, wall coverings, flooring, paint, tiles and fabrics and this is indeed fun! However, many people don’t realize that the profession of a Registered Interior Designer is much more about function. Functional design is achieved when the object that is designed and built fulfils a specific need or purpose. When we design the floor plan layouts for a business, there are many issues to consider, such as placing people next to the people they need to work with, and creating flow between each group of people and their tasks, to make sure their equipment is easily accessible. We ensure their work space is built with appropriate work surfaces, storage and technology, all while meeting building code. This all has to work for the end-users so they can perform their day-to-day tasks in a safe, efficient manner. All of the interior built-ins, cabinetry, storage, shelving and displays need to be designed based on how they will be used. Each space that is designed will need appropriate light for the particular task and ambience desired. This means we need to be specialists in lighting, which is ever-changing toward more energy efficiency. If the lighting was not designed and specified correctly it could throw off the whole aesthetics of a well-planned space. When you walk into a space that was designed by an interior designer, each surface you see was not only selected for its aesthetics but also for how it will function and how durable it will be. Each type of flooring, wall covering, tile and fabric is rated for its wearability, slip-resistance and flame retardancy, and it is our responsibility to specify products appropriate for the end-use. The tile that you would use in an office lunchroom would be very different than the tile you would specify for the shopping mall or airport. We need to test flooring and wall finishes to ensure they will hold up to everyday use. For example, we don’t want the floors in a hair salon to be able to be stained by hair dye. Interior design also encompasses ergonomics; the study of how people and their surroundings work together in a healthy and safe manner. All these issues are considered and included in the work- BUSINESS VOICE ing drawings and specifications that are prepared by an Interior Designer. These are legal documents that will be used to procure bids from interested Contractors. The Interior Designer will be with you throughout the construction, ensuring everything is built as planned. Their expertise in combining the functional design with aesthetic design is the key to making sure your space is well planned and visually pleasing. On your next construction project, make sure you are working with a Registered Interior Designer to ensure your space is functional and aesthetically well designed. Pam Tower is a Registered Interior Designer, Owner of Tower Interiors and member of Interior Designers of Nova Scotia. Contact 902-455-1544 or www.towerinteriors.ca 31 TRENDS Planning to fail How mistakes can help your business By BDC bdc.com Illustration: Narong Jongsirikul/123RF Every entrepreneur feels it at some point: the fear of failure. Only half of new businesses make it to their fifth birthday, and that can cause entrepreneurs a lot of stress. However, experts say failure can actually lead to major accomplishments. In fact, failure has been a key ingredient in some of the business world’s great success stories, says Michel Bergeron, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). “Canadian entrepreneurs and the public at large need to be more forgiving about failure. Failure — and learning from mistakes — is often an important milestone on the path to success,” Bergeron says. “We have to change our perception about failure in order to help business owners stay in the game.” Deborah Conroy of EY agrees. She points to the new BDC Entrepreneurial Resiliency Award, an initiative that recognizes a Canadian business that has successfully undergone a turnaround or pivotal event in the past and come back stronger because of it. “Many entrepreneurs talk about some kind of massive failure or hurdle they’ve overcome,” says Conroy, Vice President of Transaction Advisory Services at EY. She is also President of the Montreal chapter of the Turnaround Management Association, a group for corporate turnaround experts that teamed up with BDC for this award. No business is too big or too small to confront roadblocks. Bergeron cites the example of Groupon, the giant deals web32 site. The company got its start as a social media site called The Point, which was created to help people connect for social activism purposes. After a year of effort and US$1 million in operating costs, the start-up was going nowhere. “The founders shifted gears and turned their offering into the discount coupon service Groupon. They learned, adapted and made a fortune,” Bergeron says. Two years later, the shift in focus proved profitable: Groupon ballooned from a few dozen employees to 10,000 and was the fastest company in history to make US$1 billion in revenue. Bergeron advises entrepreneurs to adopt a “try, try again” philosophy. At its core: learning from mistakes and showing resilience, a new business approach that is growing in popularity in today’s rapidly changing economy, he says. Instead of the old model, which emphasized extensive planning before launching a new venture — by which time technology and markets may change substantially — the new approach favours a lean and nimble start-up. The idea is to engage customers early with a basic product, even if you haven’t worked out all the bugs. The second step: Learn quickly from customer feedback and missteps. Third: Constantly refine your efforts. And the final secret ingredient: Don’t give up. “I don’t think fear is all bad. It can be healthy and reasonable. It keeps entrepreneurs from making rash decisions,” Conroy says. “But it’s important to avoid excessive hesitation and waiting for the exact perfect moment. Trying, failing and trying again is much better than not trying at all.” Canadians slow to accept failure How do entrepreneurs turn failure into success? “They have had a knack for seeing failure as an opportunity or challenge,” says BDC’s Michel Bergeron. “When solution ‘A’ didn’t work, they tried solution ‘B’ if they were still convinced there was a need. Or they decided to meet a different need and, in the process, found a new path. The setback helped them identify a weakness, and they fixed it.” Deborah Conroy of EY agrees. She cites a 2013 EY survey that found the following: MAY 2015 Over one third of Canadian entrepreneurs (35 per cent) said business failure is seen as a barrier to future business prospects. This is nine percentage points higher than the average across the G-20 countries, which was 26 per cent. Canadian entrepreneurs may be more worried about failure because of “higher expectations,” but they should also keep in mind Canada’s “many entrepreneurial upsides,” such as the low cost of starting a business, the survey authors noted. HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP Leadership needed halifaxpartnership.com It’s time to take back economic development FRED MORLEY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ECONOMIST Change is hard. Most of us want change as long as it doesn’t affect us or our business…and big change is hard to sell. For Nova Scotia, change needs to come from business and our approach to economic development. Successful communities don’t talk about government much and invest directly, not just in their business, but in their community. They put energy and money into growth partnerships. They also partner with each other through mentorships, direct investment, and other means in a pay-it-forward kind of approach. They seem to understand that what they share comes back to them… sometimes many times over. What if as business, we stopped worrying about government and took back the economic development file? What would this look like? Perhaps not too different from what good businesses do today. Head and regional office companies often buy from local businesses. Let’s work to expand and enhance these local supply chains. Our good exporters have established market contacts and networks that could be shared with aspiring exporters. Our locally headquartered businesses tend to hire and train locally, often right out of our universities and colleges. Some of our companies have the capacity to prototype products invented and developed by local entrepreneurs. How do we encourage more of this? Businesses in Halifax are very aware of the challenges and goals outlined in the One Nova Scotia report. The economic future of businesses is dependent on how well the economy of Halifax and Nova Scotia performs. What is good for Nova Scotia’s future is good for businesses. Many of our businesses invest heavily in our province and could encourage others to do the same. So perhaps the change we need is not dramatic. The change we need is within us and simply involves a personal decision to behave like we do when we are at our very best. That’s when, by all accounts, our culture and attitude are the envy of the world. A personal business response to the One NS report could include commitments to: · Be an employer of choice – create good employment opportunities and be a training ground for people who want to build careers in our city and province. · Invest in R&D related to new technology and new energy opportunities · Be a good partner with organizations committed to growing Halifax and Nova Scotia. The Halifax Partnership is working with our investors and the larger Halifax business community to lead a private-sector response to the One NS report that demonstrates and celebrates what can be achieved when business leads. It’s time for the private-sector to take back economic development. Our future depends on it. MARKET PLACE To place an ad call: 426-2811 ext 1163 · Drive business to SMEs in Nova Scotia through our supply chain. · Expand your international and export MARITIME CHROMING & ANODIZING INC. presence and share your experience and networks with Nova Scotia companies that want to enter new markets. Servi Se rvices: · Be a Connector – welcome new people into your business and our community by connecting them into your network. · Improve our quality of life in Nova Scotia through corporate social responsibility activities. · Partner with universities, NSCC and research institutions to develop new products and our workforce. · Support innovation and start-ups by investing in and/or mentoring new companies. For many businesses, none of this is new. Telling people about our business success is one thing; showing them how it’s done is another. One is information; one is leadership. BUSINESS VOICE · · · · · · Decorative Chrome Plating Nickel Plating Brass Plating Gold Plating High Speed Polishing Chromate Conversion Of Aluminum To MIL-DTL-5541F Type I & II Class III & 1A · Passivation Of Stainless Steel To QQ-P-35C Type II,VI,VIII · Anodizing Of Aluminum To MIL-A-8625F Type II Class I & II (Clear, Titanium Grey, Black, Red, Bronze, Blue) Call usqtuoodtaey! for a 20 WRIGHT AVENUE BURNSIDE · INDUSTRIAL PARK · DARTMOUTH, NS WWW.CHROMING.CA · MCA@BELLALIANT.COM 33 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? A national footprint IMP Group makes major acquisitions By Richard Woodbury Photos: Contributed The last few years have been busy ones for the IMP Group, as it has acquired two companies in the last three years, including B.C.-based Cascade Aerospace. Cascade is the prime contractor for heavy maintenance and modifications for the defence department’s fleet of Hercules aircraft. That company is based in Abbotsford and employs about 600 people. “We’ve now got a much more national footprint in the aerospace business,” says Stephen Plummer, IMP’s group President and CEO. (Fittingly, IMP has for many years looked after Canadian military aircrafts such as the Sea Kings, Auroras and Cormorants.) The second acquisition was of Toronto-based executive aircraft management company Image Air Charter. The company manages a fleet of about 10 corporate aircraft in the Toronto area. IMP made Image Air a part of its Execaire business, which is Canada’s largest operator and manager of business jets. IMP sees the potential to grow these 34 companies by leveraging its worldwide network of contacts. This is not surprising, given IMP has done work for the U.S. Navy, Egyptian Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force. “We’ve got a lot of contacts around the world,” says Plummer. With the acquisitions, IMP now has about 4,500 employees across Canada, with roughly 1,900 in Nova Scotia. Diversity is an IMP hallmark as it also has businesses in health care, information services and hotels. “The economy spins at different rates for different sectors and it doesn’t all hum at the same speed for all markets. That’s been our strength over the years,” says Plummer. “When one part of the economy seems to be soft, another seems to be strong. It’s been a recipe that we’ve leveraged well over the years.” Looking to the future, Plummer sees lots of room for growth, both within the company and through acquiring other companies. MAY 2015 We’ve now got a much more national footprint in the aerospace business,” – Stephen Plummer, President & CEO, IMP Group IMP is consistently ranked as a top employer regionally and nationally, and has been recognized in the past by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s Halifax Business Awards. Being recognized at home has special meaning. “When our home city says, ‘You guys are pretty good,’ that’s kind of nice,” says Plummer. Celebrating success One of the Chamber of Commerce’s strategic goals is to create a positive business environment through the promotion of entrepreneurs and small business success. Our “Where Are They Now?” section aims to celebrate the continued success e\ekhfơij>ơb_\ơn8ki_d[ii7mơhZiǃ_dơb_ijiơdZ winners. Do you have a small business success story? Contact becky@halifaxchamber.com to share your experience. FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIAL FEATURE Small business solutions Financial services becoming customized for SMEs By Kathy Johnson The range of financial services that are available for small and medium sized business owners are changing with the times, becoming more innovative and sophisticated to provide tailor-made solutions in the ever growing global marketplace. “Increasingly even single person businesses are doing more trade internationally so the type of financial solutions needed today are not just loans and working capital,” said Justin Scully, BMO’s Vice President of Commercial Banking in Nova Scotia. “We have really been able to bring all types of sophisticated business solutions to our small business customers.” With industry leading online banking technology, BMO now offers global financing solutions to its small business customers, said Scully. “Even from a home office our business customers can pay and collect globally. By having sophisticated cash management solutions, they get paid faster, which reduces operating costs.” Scully said one new product being offered by BMO to business customers is “deposit edge,” which allows business customers to scan a cheque from their office and deposit it in their online account. “It’s good for our customers in rural areas. It gives them the ability to make deposits from home.” Scully said BMO offers its business customers a comprehensive range of products, services and expertise that covers the entire business lifecycle. “Our small business bankers are experts in both business and personal banking,” said Scully, noting that often during the start up days of a business, the financ- BUSINESS VOICE Photo: Tyler Olson/123RF 35 SPECIAL FEATURE FINANCIAL SERVICES From business planning and customized financing options, to a multitude of resources and support services, today’s financial institutions can help their business customers achieve their goals on numerous fronts. Photo: Tyler Olson/123RF ing and decisions of the business are completely intertwined with personal finances and vice versa. “Our experts can help navigate both sides of that coin,” he said. Scully said BMO has adopted the notion that “we are one bank with 47,000 employees across North America who are all here to serve our customers. There is no question that BMO is proud of its role in helping small and medium size businesses,” said Scully. “They are the real growth engine that drives the Canadian economy.” 36 TD Canada Trust is also proud of the support and expertise they offer their business customers, whether they are just starting out, are looking to expand, or are ready to retire. “TD’s Business Banking specialists can provide the advice and tools businesses need to succeed,” said Rob Lindstrand, Vice President of Commercial Banking, Atlantic Region. “We employ more than 2,000 Business Bankers across Canada (including) 65 in the Atlantic region who work with businesses to create and implement viable financial MAY 2015 plans and guide them through their business journey.” From business planning and customized financing options, to a multitude of resources and support services, today’s financial institutions can help their business customers achieve their goals on numerous fronts. “Access to sufficient credit is integral to running a successful business,” said Lindstrand. “There are a variety of financial solutions available for businesses, from an operating line of credit, business mortgage or equipment financing to government financing and grants. Cash flow is the lifeblood of all businesses, so keeping a close eye on your company’s financials is critical,” he advised. “Whether purchasing an existing business or starting from scratch, owning a successful business requires solid planning, hard work and unwavering passion for what you do,” said Lindstrand. “Starting and growing a business can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your career. But becoming your own boss is not for the faint of heart and solid planning is non-negotiable. A strong business plan should clearly and concisely outline your business model and financial plan. You should consider your value proposition and business strategy and how financially viable your business is. What’s most important is accurately predicting revenues, expenditures and cash flows during the first few years as well as throughout the life of your business. “Another consideration to keep top-of-mind is retiring your business,” said Lindstrand. Experts say you should run your business like you plan to sell it tomorrow. Whether you plan to sell, wind down or transfer your business to someone else, it’s important to determine your exit strategy, seek solid counsel from business experts, tax professionals and lawyers. Lastly, review your exit plan regularly as life and business circumstances change.” Both BMO and TD Canada Trust have a wealth of information and resources online for business owners as well as for people who are thinking about starting a business. Get the expert advice you need from the bank you trust. Your business started up in Halifax, and it’s going places. You’re looking for more customized banking solutions that fit your growing needs. Whether you’re planning to expand locally, nationally, or even globally, we can help achieve your business goals. You can rely on our commitment and dedication as a knowledgeable business banking team. We can offer a comprehensive range of products and services, including customized solutions to suit the needs of your growing business. TD Commercial Banking 1791 Barrington St. Suite 200 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K9 Robert Lindstrand Vice President Commercial Banking Atlantic Region 902-496-3369 robert.lindstrand@td.com Robert McNally Manager Commercial Services 902-420-8545 robert.mcnally@td.com John Zeggil Relationship Manager 902-420-8064 john.zeggil@td.com Jauna Garland Relationship Manager 902-496-8615 jauna.garland@td.com Richard Saurette Account Manager 902-420-8012 richard.saurette@td.com Matt Black Account Manager 902-420-8526 matt.a.black@td.com Inge McKeown Account Manager 902-420-8063 inge.mckeown@td.com Scott Vail Manager Cash Management 902-420-2595 scott.vail@td.com Call us for an appointment and let us show you how we can help your business grow. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. M00060 MOD (0315) MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR How are we doing? Chamber members must be at the focus of everything we do. Bottom line: we want to do what we can to help our Chamber members perform better and be more profitable and successful.” ROB BATHERSON BOARD CHAIR S ince becoming Chair of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, I have been touched by the number of people who have reached out to say hello and wish me well. Some chamber members. Others not (at least not yet!) Some who are longstanding friends or acquaintances. Others who I have yet to meet (either in person or through social media). It’s a nice thing personally to have so many people take the time to connect. But I believe the number of calls and emails are more a reflection of the ongoing relevance of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Our role as the voice of business can only matter, however, if we reflect a large collection of businesses in Halifax. Your membership in the Halifax Chamber of Commerce matters. It matters to our volunteer board of directors. It matters to our management and staff who work each and every day on your behalf. Hopefully, your membership matters to you and your business. The Chamber’s 2013-2018 strategic plan was developed two years ago by our board and staff. While we have talked a lot about the plan’s focus on creating a positive business 38 environment and growing and nurturing a skilled workforce, there’s a third part of our plan that deserves attention. That’s driving member prosperity and value. Bottom line: we want to do what we can to help our Chamber members perform better and be more profitable and successful. Because if Halifax businesses are doing better, Halifax’s economy is doing better, more of our neighbours have jobs to support their families and communities and together we will be that much closer to seeing Halifax become one of Canada’s top three economic growth cities by 2018. That’s only three years away. Time is therefore of the essence to ensure that we are on the right track to help our members. We survey our members on an annual basis. That information is helpful to our staff and board, most recently in our decision to relocate to our new Halifax Chamber of Commerce building for the fall of 2015. During the winter of 2015, we undertook a series of focus groups among our members to build on this knowledge. We also refocused our board’s Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations Committee, so that its sole mandate is Membership. Board member Level Chan of Stewart McKelvey has graciously agreed MAY 2015 to chair our Membership Committee. This month, our board will be holding our annual offsite — led by our new Vice Chair Carol MacMillan of The Shaw Group. As this year marks the half-way point of our five-year strategic plan, we will be using the offsite to take a hard look at how we’re doing in implementing the plan, whether the plan still holds up as is and what changes should we be making, either to the implementation or the plan itself. As a Chamber member, what do you think — either about the plan or the specific work that we’re doing? We are fortunate to have a great team of professionals, led by our CEO Valerie Payn. They are but a phone call, email or (for social media types like me) tweet away. Never hesitate to contact them if you have a question or concern. But please know that as a volunteer board chair — and as a Chamber member too — I am more than happy to listen to what’s on your mind. Without members and without the investment of our members of time and money, there can be no Chamber to advance your interest as “the voice of business”. If you want to talk, drop me a line at robert@colour.ca, 902-406-0707 or @rbatherson. Good communication starts with and depends on listening. THE HEART OF HALIFAX F BUSINESS. Where you operate speaks volumes about your business. Purdy’s Wharf is home to some of the most prominent companies in Eastern Canada. It’s where your business needs to be. For leasing information, contact us at (902) 421-1122 or visit purdyswharf.com.