BUSINESS
OKANAGAN SUN were a step behind Langley Rams throughout last weekend’s BCFC game, suffering a 48-6 loss.
OKANAGAN COLLEGE is the recipient of a 30-foot RV donation that will benefit both the RV service technician and automotive collision repair programs.
DOWNTOWN Kelowna business owner Jan Johnson says so far, so good for attempting to mitigate the negative impacts of the Bernard Avenue street revitalization project.
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TUESDAY October 16, 2012 The Central Okanagan’s Best-Read Newspaper www.kelownacapnews.com
▼ BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Now is the time to prepare for future growth
Jennifer Smith
STAFF REPORTER
Invest in your business while interest rates are low and your competitors have lulled themselves into a false sense of security, the Business Development Bank of Canada’s president and CEO told the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Monday. Kicking off small business week, Jean-René Halde gave those in attendance at the monthly chamber luncheon a smart investment breakdown for those in business for themselves. “Why not capitalize on the fact that maybe some of your competitors are asleep at the wheel?” he asked, after pointing out the nation’s credit rating, education level and the relative prosperity of most citizens may very well wane in years to come though many business leaders have forgotten it’s possible. In the Okanagan, 96 per cent of businesses employ 50 people or fewer and 89 per cent have fewer than 20 employees. Halde’s practical advice for the audience boiled down to a back-to-basics pitch aimed at inspiring business leaders to initiate change now before it’s too late. As such, he homed in on three key areas where businesses tend to stagnate—investment in equipment, people and the latest technology. North Vancouver entrepreneur Chris O’Donohue, the founder of Great Canadian Landscaping, is one who invested in technology wisely, he said. By putting a cell phone in each of his employee’s hands, O’Donohue was able to use a portable clockin mechanism for iPhones that he estimates saves $120,000 annually in time lost to employees paid for time that was not worked. And he also found bid estimator software to make sure bids accurately accounted for all costs to continue growing his business. Brian Klaponski, president and CEO of CARTE International Inc., a manufacturer of small power and specialty transformers, put his investment into people, Halde said. He built an incentive program “based on trust and fairness” and began asking every employee to help design more efficient manufacturing systems. See Growth A6
HEALTHY TURNOUT… Shara Mendoza, one of the event coordinators, holds one of the many products that were featured at the bi-annual Body and Soul Wellness Fair held last weekend at Parkinson Recreation Centre. See story A4.
▼ TANNING BEDS
Heat turned off on fake bronzing for teens Kathy Michaels STAFF REPORTER
Teenagers drawn to the inimitable bronze provided through tanning beds will have to go a few shades whiter, due to legislation that came into effect Monday. Tanning salons must post signs informing the public they won’t serve anyone under the age of 18 as of Monday. If they fail to keep the
teen-set out of their beds, they could face a $345 fine for each offence. “It’s pretty straightforward legislation for us, we’ve already been checking for ID,” said Steve Gilroy, of the Joint Tanning Association, which is based out of Kelowna. “Most of the salons knew about this when they announced in March, and a lot started to move toward the ban sometime in September.”
In addition to easy implementation, Gilroy doesn’t anticipate local businesses will feel much of a financial loss from restrictions. “Only about two to five per cent of sales are for those under 18, it’s not a big deal for us,” he said, noting many teens opt for spray tans anyway. “Our concern was that we were taking parental rights away when it came to the ban. Parents make
the same choice when they allow their (children) to go to the beach or sunny location, so why can’t they do that for an indoor tanning facility?” The industry also has concerns about the fact the government has failed to address the regulation of equipment used and the training standards of those who run machines. In particular, the government has failed to ban self-serve tanning salons
that use swipe card technology and allow clients their own access to tanning timers. The first “completely computer controlled” salon that’s open 24/7 is expected to be ready for business in Vancouver by the end of the year, and Gilroy says it’s possible that they’ll be headed to the local market in the
See Bronzing A6
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