March 2022 Chamber at a Glance

Chamber at a

MARCH 2022

Glance

What's Inside:

Let's Celebrate! Business Achievement Awards Member News Meet This Year's Finalists

4 Steps to More Exciting (and Productive) Meetings

SUCCESS, RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION One of the most compelling parts of being connected to the

Next, we send you to task – find a way to congratulate them. Learn

Chamber network is having the advantage of being surrounded by

about their businesses, visit their businesses, or send a note. We

companies

could all use a pat on the back, a shake of the hand and a little

Chamber

and

individuals

publications,

who

attending

emanate events

success. and

By

reading

connecting

with

other Chamber members, we surround ourselves in an environment of inspiring business leaders.

Success can mean many different things to many different people.

Still, regardless of the route, our business community year over year has produced inspiring examples of what it means to reach success.

Success

is

the

stories

we

hear

of

resilience,

determination, and ground-breaking growth. The triumph of the up-and-coming

star

who

is

disrupting

the

way

we

conduct

business. Or the work we witness of those who have lent a hand, lifted others, and given back to their community. These examples of entrepreneurial endeavours all deserve celebration, as their combined

efforts

create

the

legacy

patchwork

of

Brandon’s

growth and success.

celebration

in

our

day

to

day

lives.

This

is

what

growing

your

network looks like in action.

“Leaders don’t look for recognition from others, leaders look for others to recognize.” Simon Sinek As we prepare for the 2022 Awards Show, we hope that everyone, both nominees and winners, are left with a sense of being seen, heard,

In homage to our City’s entrepreneurial spirit, we will celebrate our 139th Business Achievement Awards this April. While the Awards presentation recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of a select group of finalists, it is truly a celebration of our entire

and

appreciated

in

their

endeavours

and

inspired

to

continue creating change. That is truly where the story of success lies. In the famous words of Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning.

Keeping

together

is

progress.

Working

together

is

success.”

business community.

Congratulations to all!

We encourage you to flip to page 4 of this Chamber at a Glance issue

to

see

community,

the each

remarkable having

list

of

finalists

demonstrated

a

nominated different

by

our

story

success.

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | MARCH 2022

of

the Brandon Chamber of Commerce

02

CHAMBER MEMBER

MEET A MEMBER: C. BUHLER & ASSOCIATES LTD. What exactly does your organization do?

NEW MEMBERS

We lead clients who want to reduce or eliminate

their

debt

and

regain

control

over their finances by working with their creditors

or

liquidating

assets,

by

Brandon Literacy Council Inc.

using

blcbrandon.com

federal and provincial legislation to do so.

(204) 729-9964

What are the organization?

goals

for

your

129 - 12th Street

We aim to provide insolvency services for those

in

rural

blc@blcbrandon.com

and

remote

communities,

Why is your organization a member of the Chamber?

and to increase our visibility in the local

We

community and our trading areas.

community, and appreciate the support and

What is your favourite part of your job?

Brandon MB | R7A 4L8

enjoy

networking

with

our

All Seasons Furnace and Duct Cleaning

local

cleanyourfurnace.com

representation the Chamber provides.

(204) 573-0056 info@cleanyourfurnace.com

I love helping people – to hear them say they

will

be

able

to

sleep

at

night,

Site 250, Box 48, RR2

or

Brandon MB | R7A 5Y2

aren’t scared of a ringing phone anymore is very satisfying.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

It is challenging to run a small business.

Between employee concerns, technology issues, and marketing decisions, there is always

something

service

first

to

do.

becomes

Putting

the

focus

client of

my

C. BUHLER & ASSOCIATES LTD.

Dr. Darichuk Psychology and Wellness Centre

119 10TH ST BRANDON, MB R7A 4E7 (855) 352-3733 (WORK)119 10TH ST INFO@DEBTFREENORTH.COM WWW.DEBTFREENORTH.COM

energy.

drdarichuk.com (204) 725-4174 info@drdarichuk.com 29-10th Street, Unit I Brandon MB | R7A 2X2

Jen Luckay Designs jenluckaydesigns.ca

What is a product or service your organization provides that people might not know about?

(867) 446-6219 jenluckaydesigns@gmail.com 663 - 16th Street Brandon MB | R7A 4Y5

We can help people in financial difficulty to reduce their payments on debt by using a

Consumer

bankruptcy,

a

Proposal.

Consumer

Different

Lighthouse Wellness Centre

than

Proposal

lighthousewellnesscentre.ca

will

(204) 728-0054

combine all monthly payments into one,

office@lighthousewellnesscentre.ca

and ensure that it is affordable, given the

29 10th Street

situation.

Brandon MB | R7A 4E4

What are the most important issues facing your organization today?

Recovery won’t

be

from quick.

the

economic

We

are

Shippam & Associates Inc. shippam.com

downturn

training

to

(204) 728-3330

be

jason@shippam.com

ready to assist clients who are looking for viable

options

to

keep

their

personal

assets and businesses from bankruptcy.

3 Hedin Crescent

Cpt. Vanessa Durand & Cpt. Dagyeong Lee of Shilo CFB at the Feb 17, 22 Luncheon: Building Supply Chain Resilience

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | MARCH 2022

Brandon MB | R7A 7V9

03

Mark Your Calendars!

REGISTER TODAY & CURE YOUR F.O.M.O.

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE: IN PERSON @ THE CHAMBER 9:00am - 10:00am | April 1, 2022

These mini events are held the first Friday of every month and are an excellent networking opportunity for you and your business. Chamber Coffees promote the exchange of ideas and discussion and often we host special guests with insights on current issues and topics relevant to our members.

1043 Rosser Avenue | FREE | Registration Required

Sponsor:

APRIL LUNCHEON: THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF RURAL MANITOBA 11:00am - 1:00pm | April 7, 2022 Margot Cathcart, CEO of The Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corp and Chuck Davidson, CEO of The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce joins us to give updates on the RMEDCs progress and what the future holds for rural Manitoba's economy.

Clarion Hotel & Suites Brandon | $35 + GST (early bird)

Host Sponsor:

139TH ANNUAL CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS SHOW 5:30pm - 10:00pm | April 14, 2022 On April 28, 2022, The Brandon Chamber will welcome Manitoba's 24th Premier, the Honourable Heather Stefanson, for her State of the Province Address. Manitoba's business community will hear from Premier Stefanson on her vision for our province

Keystone Centre | $150 + GST (early bird)

Host Sponsor:

SPECIAL LUNCHEON: STATE OF THE PROVINCE WITHY PREMIER STEFANSON 11:00am - 1:00pm | April 28, 2022

On April 28, 2022, The Brandon Chamber will welcome Manitoba's 24th Premier, the Honourable Heather Stefanson, for her State of the Province Address. Manitoba's business community will hear from Premier Stefanson on her vision for our province

Keystone Centre | $35 + GST (early bird)

Host Sponsor:

MAY LUNCHEON: STATE OF THE CITY WITH MAYOR CHREST 11:00am - 1:00pm | May 19, 2022 Join us for our Annual State of the City address with Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest. In his final Chamber address, listen in as he discusses the opportunities and challenges facing the City of Brandon. A Q&A session will be held at this event.

Keystone Centre | $35 + GST (early bird)

Host Sponsor:

REGISTER FOR ALL EVENTS AT BRANDONCHAMBER.CA or CALL 204 571 5340 *Please note that things change! So keep in mind that dates, times, speakers, locations and formats can change and/or be cancelled. Double vaccination is required to attend Chamber in-person events. To learn more about how we are keeping you safe, visit brandonchamber.ca.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Call Erin @ 204 571 5343 or email events@brandonchamber.ca CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | MARCH 2022

04

139TH ANNUAL BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FINALISTS BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

COMMUNITY IMPACT

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE (LARGE)

OUTSTANDING NEW BUSINESS

Frank Arndt (myITsource) Kent Forman (Forman Honda) Bernie Whetter (The Green Spot Home & Garden) Kim's Asian Restaurant Meighen Haddad LLP Myphone | TELUS & KOODO Authorized Dealer

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE (SMALL) The Bloom Box GEM Services Velvet Dip

Curtis Fedorowich Greg Crisanti Westman Communications Group

Compass Coach Lines LINKS Institute Resurrection Paint Correction & Auto Detailing

JOIN US APRIL 14, 2022 TO FIND OUT WHO WINS! *P lease note that the Lifetime Business Builder, Young Entrepreneur and Westman's Top 4 Under 40 awards will be announced the night of the awards.

THANK YOU TO OUR MONTHLY EVENT SPONSORS! February Luncheon

First Friday Coffees

Small Business Workshop Series

Host

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | MARCH 2022

05

STEPS TO MORE EXCITING (AND PRODUCTIVE) MEETINGS

or a local park near your business or even in the parking lot.

Instead

of

sitting

around

a

table,

hold

a

walking

or

standing

Author: Christina R. Green / Source: Frankjkenny.com

meeting.

If you host regularly scheduled meetings or events (like a weekly

Routines can feel monotonous. Do something slightly different and

review) in your business, you may not even realize how detrimental

it won’t feel so much like drudgery.

"Instead of the conference room, host it at a coffee shop, or a local park near your business..."

they are to the productivity of your team.

According to the National Statistics Council, about 37 percent of employee time is spent in meetings for the average employee. You may also be surprised to hear that nearly half of employees (47 percent) believe that too many meetings are the biggest waste of time on any day—more than social media or email distractions.

That

number

may

be

higher

in

your

business

if

you

employ

Step 2: Start on Time and With an Agenda

members of Gen Y and Gen X who have little interest in face-time

Respect everyone’s time and begin on the minute your meeting is

exchanges that could be accomplished through technology.

scheduled. If people aren’t there, that’s okay. Make it clear you’re not waiting for anyone.

So

if

you

find

that

your

status

meeting

consists

of

everyone

reading their part from a spreadsheet, it’s likely time you change it

Provide an agenda ahead of time that lists topics, goals, person

up.

leading the conversation on each topic. For example:

If this is news to you, don’t worry. There’s a lot that can be done

Company logo change: review designs and select final

about it.

Doug 15 minutes

Step 1: Do Something Different Most meetings are held first thing in the morning. This is not ideal

Make sure you stick to the agenda and stay on task. Start your

for several reasons:

meeting by reiterating the goals so everyone is clear what should be accomplished in your time together.

Mornings are the time for decisions. People tend to decrease in energy and decision-making powers as the day progresses.

If something starts to deride you from the agenda (or your goals)

Don’t tie up valuable power time in morning meetings.

but it’s important, table the discussion for another time. Assign

Employees often feel like this is a sneaky way for the boss to

follow-ups if needed.

get everyone in on time. Plus, if you offer flexible work hours or have employees who don’t work first thing in the morning, this

If you can’t meet your goal in the time assigned you’ll need to

meeting time can feel like a punishment.

return to it at another time. But only do this in very important

Morning

meetings

start

the

day

off

in

a

productivity

hole.

Everyone in that meeting isn’t doing what they get paid to do.

situations. In the above example, let’s say you had preliminary discussions and idea exchanges but didn’t vote in that 15 minute slot. Don’t call an entirely new meeting to do that. Instead, create

But what if you absolutely must have a morning meeting?

a

survey

and

use

technology

to

assist

you.

That

way

your

employees can vote when they’re on hold on a call or at some Then do something different. Instead of starting at 9, start at 9:05

other time that works for their schedule instead of a disruptive

or 8:50. Instead of the conference room, host it at a coffee shop

meeting.

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | MARCH 2022

06

Continued...

Step 3: Kill Presentations With technology, there is no reason to make your entire team sit through a presentation or read materials in a meeting. That’s a waste of time. Give out homework before the meeting to watch or read the information. Meetings should be saved for exchange and brainstorming, not for things that people can do on their own.

If you’re worried that people won’t prepare for the meetings then enforce ramifications for lack of prep.

Step 4: Encourage All Voices in and Out of the Meeting During

your

meeting,

especially

if

the

point

behind

it

is

idea

exchange, you should ensure all voices are heard. However, keep in mind that not everyone feels comfortable enough to participate in group situations and others are better at coming up with ideas on

their

own.

opportunity

for

For

these

people

to

reasons,

make

contribute

by

sure

you

provide

brainstorming

on

an

their

own. You can do this by placing the idea needs in your agenda and encouraging people to think about it and submit ideas before

Digital Manitoba Initiative OPEN The Digital Manitoba Initiative will once again help Manitoba SMEs and

the meeting or allow for submissions afterward.

not-for-profit

organizations

with

digital

transformation.

This

second round application process will provide two levels of grants to Whether you gather ideas before or after will be driven by your deadline

needs.

If

you

need

a

resolution

by

the

end

of

the

support

immediately

actionable

projects,

including

upskilling

and

training.

meeting, give the homework upfront. If you plan to revisit it in the future, encourage people to share ideas after the meeting is over.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis in 2 streams:

With technology, meetings are less needed than they were in the TechUp (up to $5,000; application portal opens tomorrow, Feb.

past. They should be used for a time where clear exchange and

23 at 11 AM CST)

buy-in are required. Using them as a status update is a waste

PowerUp (up to $25,000; application portal ON TRACK to open

when technology can help you do that just as easily.

early March) Safeguard your employees’ time and they’ll be more productive

Visit www.digitalmanitobainitiative.com to learn more.

and happy. Work/life balance is important to most employees and when you keep them in meetings, they need to find another time to do what you pay them to do.

Join MB Pulse & Make Change MB

PULSE

is

a

subscription-based

community

insights

and

online

polling platform which will strengthen our members’ collective voice.

In launching this tool, our goal is to collect point-in-time trends data to support our efforts in influencing government policy and decisionmaking.

As a MB PULSE community member, you’ll:

Speaking of Meetings...

Rent out a piece of history in a great downtown

have regular opportunities to share your thoughts on a variety of emerging

engage

with clients. You will have access to WIFI, a TV,

leaders;

available at an extra cost.

issues

from

proposed

legislation

to

forces

growth plans, marketing and export, and more;

location for board meetings, staff training, or meetings

kitchenette, and washrooms. Coffee and tea is

business

affecting operations, such as HR and workforce matters, taxation,

benefit

with

from

colleagues

access

to

on

topics

that

information,

data

matter

(in

to

business

aggregate

form

only), and research themes so you can learn how others feel about relevant issues.

Contact info@brandonchamber.ca to check availability or call at 204-571-5340.

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | MARCH 2022

To join, visit: https://mbchamber.mb.ca/mb-pulse/ 07

Chamber at a Glance is published twelve times per year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce 1043 Rosser Avenue | Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 Phone: (204) 571-5340 | Fax: (204) 571-5347 info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barry Cooper | President Heritage Co-op Tanya LaBuick | Vice-President CW2 Construction Guardian Fencing LaBuick & Co. Jaime Pugh | Secretary-Treasurer MNP LLP. Spencer Day | Past President Progressive Westman Matt Berg Livingstone Outdoor Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd. Andrea Epp Epp Law Office

BEING A MEMBER PAYS Check out these member only cost savings programs which can help you save on your bottom line.

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Meredyth Leech Leech Group Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd. Lois Ruston R&M Homes Ltd. CHAMBER STAFF

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Who We Are: The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.

Our Mission: To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.