October 2021: Chamber at a Glance

OCTOBER 2021

Chamber at a

Glance

In This Issue

Small Business Week

We're Back!

Chamber Events in Review Business Anniversaries Member Expert Articles

Mark Your Calendars 10.19.21 Small Business Workshop #1 10.21.21 Small Biz Week Luncheon 11.05.21 First Friday Coffee

SMALL BUSINESS MAKES A

BIG DIFFERENCE Industry Canada's definition of “small business” is firms that have fewer than 100 employees. Check out these stats on how big an impact small business makes on our country.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

5 Ways You Can Celebrate Small Business Week Small

Business

entrepreneurs

Week to

is

a

great

time

network, and share their own stories about

presented over the last several months. Are

building business resiliency, and think about

there any opportunities to improve on ways

what’s possible for the years ahead. Here are

of

several

business

can

take

to

Take time to reflect Think about the challenges that have been

you

together

for

learn,

ways

come

part

in

and

working?

How

can

continuity

you

for

better

future

What new skills will your business need in the

future?

Thank those who support you

development

It’s important to thank customers and other

inefficiencies can you reduce or eliminate?

SME

Are

owners

that

may

have

supported

you

are of

there

you

your

any

potential

and your business in the past. Send a thank-

opportunities available?

you

note

with

purchase

of

a

product

or

supporting workforce?

Shop and support local

long way and can help to build brand loyalty.

There are many ways to show support other

than

Mentor an entrepreneur

example,

Do

you

have

lessons

share

physical

locations.

items

online

greater business resiliency or advice to help

Tell a friend about a local small business you

peers

overcome

believe in!

things

you

you

knew

Or

about

are

there

running

a

Take

advantage

of

the

power

of

and a small business will thank you. Commit

were just starting up? Consider sharing your

to

knowledge

owners’

with

an

up-and-coming

a

friend

great

about

customer

a

small

service,

entrepreneur, or one that may be struggling.

local product, or reputable service.

Chances

are

someone

else

could

benefit

from your knowledge.

"Small

business continues to

create most new private sector

jobs, provide strong community support and live where they work.

Their adaptability, vision and courage has helped them remain a major contributor in our business community."

BARRY COOPER CHAMBER PRESIDENT

Attend a celebration

Small

Acknowledge

the

97.6 97.9

attending

a

a

unique

contributions

Week of

69.7

business

we

celebrate

our

members

celebrating milestone anniversaries.

million

businesses

38.4

percent of our national GDP which is

How ever you are able to help celebrate the important

percent or 8.3

for small

week

Small Business Week luncheon October 21, where

businesses in

Canadians work

your

celebration. The Brandon Chamber hosts a

2021,

percent of small

business

Business

small

businesses in

Canada (2021)

employees, and your local small businesses by

percent of small

Manitoba (2021)

referrals

business during difficult times back when you

telling

businesses

For and

selecting a delivery or a safe pickup option.

adversity?

on

in

purchasing

building

wish

to

shopping

represent small

the

service. A message of appreciation will go a

Brandon

membership who

What

partnership

percent of the

Chamber

support

disruption?

celebrate Small Business Week:

How

98.9

work

that

our

Small

community does, we salute you!

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021

Business

contributed by SMEs *Stats sourced from www.ig.gc.ca

02

MEMBER MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES Congrats to all of these legendary businesses!

5 YEARS

CW2 Construction and Design Ltd Evolution Bookeeping Guardian Fencing Ltd. Mulligan's Electric Ltd.

10 YEARS Daughter on Call

15 YEARS Blinds by Anita

50 YEARS

Cardinal Signs Ltd.

20 YEARS

Career Connections Inc.

Apex Facility Services

Jenkins The Flooring People

Fountain Tire Brandon Ltd.

Lyons Transmission Centre

Manitoba Public Insurance

25 YEARS

Shoppers Mall

Crocus Dental Centre Corporation

K.K. Penner Tire Centers (Westman) Inc.

55 YEARS

Minute Muffler & Brake

Brandon Wheat Kings

West-Can Human Resource Solutions Inc.

Pfizer

30 YEARS

60 YEARS

Brandon Business Interiors

Assiniboine Community College

The Women's Resource Centre

Brandon Clinic Medical Corporation

35 YEARS

65 YEARS

Hometown Auto Glass

J&G Homes

Taylor Jackson Sunlife Financial

Maple Leaf Aviation Ltd.

Trend Collection & Bailiff Services Ltd.

75 YEARS

40 YEARS

Western Manitoba Regional Library

Crane Steel Structures Ltd.

100 YEARS

45 YEARS

BDO Canada LLP

Brandon Bearing Ag & Industrial Supply The Rotary Club of Brandon #1344 Ltd.

Mint Orthodontics

110 YEARS

Rainbow Eavestroughing

Quintex Services Ltd.

50 YEARS

140 YEARS

Cardinal Signs Ltd.

Christies Office Plus

Career Connections Inc.

Meighen Haddad LLP

Jenkins The Flooring People

Lyons Transmission Centre

Manitoba Public Insurance Shoppers Mall

“Legacy” is a powerful word and aspiration. Building a business for a long-term impact is a different type of building entirely. Here are some ideas on how to work towards legacy and leave a mark on the world through your business:

1. Be The Best At What You Do Becoming the best is about never being satisfied with what you've done.

It's about continually improving who you are. Embrace the idea of evolving.

2. Give Back And Gain Clients Consumers feel that when they use a product or service of a socially responsible company, they are a part of giving back to our community.

3. Tell Your Story “Be a person, not an organization”.

Storytelling and sharing your company story and its people who make it unique, provides powerful connection for your consumers.

4. Make An Impact “Who are we, if not measured on the impact of others”. Truly taking the time to care about your consumers, listening and giving back will deeply resonate and naturally make you a legend in the business community.

DYK? These are two of Brandon's first established businesses!

*Should you be on this list? Let us know ASAP 204 571 5340

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021

03

Review

Our in-person events are back!

Speaker

Jay

Grewal,

CEO

of

Manitoba

Hydro spoke about the future of energy in

From casual mixers to elegant award

our Province and reflected on her lessons

celebrations, in-person and virtually, there’s

in

always something going on. Our event

leadership

while

navigating

major

change. It was a great day!

season runs from September to June. Stay

tuned with Chamber communications to

see what we have coming up!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

We are doing everything we can to keep you safe this year, questions? Call us 204 571 5340 or visit brandonchamber.ca

40+ member joined the 2020-2021 virtual Annual General Meeting. The

board and

staff

milestones

recounted

the

many

financials from the 2020-2021 Chamber

2021 WESTMAN HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE OCTOBER 13, 2021

year were given.

Partnering

which

were

challenging message,

achieved year.

report

during The

from

the

past

President’s

the

GM,

and

with The

Chamber

Westman

managers,

professionals Conference.

Health

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

new

reconnecting some

faces.

with

familiar

These

our

employees the

Sessions

the

After

over and

annual

included

Workplace, Workplace the

Development

invited

membership.

faces

and

"mini-events"

some are

a

great way for Chamber Members to meet somebody they may not normally meet in their day to day business life, which can lead to new & exciting opportunities for them and their business.

November

Coffee

spoke

Pandemic.

on

how

mental

health

Moving Keynote

must

pandemic world of work.

SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON WITH MB HYRDRO CEO: JAY GREWAL SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 Over 170 members signed up and attended our first in-person luncheon of the year at the

Keystone and

Centre.

comfortable

We

maintained

environment

a

while

will

feature

a

of networking before sitting down to enjoy a warm lunch.

Mental

be

a

part of your HR efforts moving into our post

safe

special guest - stay tuned for details!

HR HR

Psychosocial and

guests were treated to an extra half hour Our

50

Jamie Hall, COO of SAFE Work Manitoba

great to be back, laughing, sharing stories

saw

to

the

in

Forward

Friday Coffee in over 18 months. It was

We

in

Factors

We were thrilled to host out first in-person

and

Economic

Brandon,

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021

04

CHAMBER EVENT LINEUPMark Your Calendars FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE - VIRTUALLY 9:00am - 10:00am | November 5, 2021

Join us as we meet up again virtually! Share some coffee and reconnect with the Chamber network at our legendary networking event. Coffees are an excellent opportunity for you and your business to meet with new and existing clients. Sponsored by: Tim Hortons Westman

ZOOM | FREE | Registration Required

SMALL BUSINESS SKILLS WORKSHOPS 12:00pm - 1:00pm | November 16, 2021

This is the second part of the Small Business Skills Workshop Series is on: Effective Meetings. Join ACC instructor Heather Ewasiuk in covering essential topics such as meeting formats, decision-making processes, roles, and conflict at meetings

Zoom | $15/per person (+tax) | Registration Required

BUSINESS AFTER 5: BRANDON RIVERBANK DISCOVERY CENTRE 5:00pm - 6:00pm | November 18, 2021

Buisiness After 5 is BACK! Join us as we jump back into evening networking with our featured business, The Riverbank Discovery Centre. Learn about what the centre is up to, while noshing and sharing a drink with new and old colleagues.

Members Only| FREE | Registration Required

NOVEMBER LUNCHEON WITH CHRIS SICOTTE 11:00am - 1:00pm | November 25, 2021

Join us and speaker Chris Sicotte, Chair of the Kahkewistahaw Economic Management Corporation to dive into economic reconciliation.

Discover how your business can

become a champion for inclusion, and learn how we can work together in collaboration, partnership, and solidarity for a new way of being for a new economy.

Keystone Centre | $35/person (+tax) Early Bird | Registration Required *Proof of double immunization required at all in-person Chamber events. Please note that all dates, times, locations, formats, speakers and topics are subject to change or cancellation. Visit brandonchamber.ca or call 204 571 5340 to learn more.

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021

05

THE BEST PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED Building Your Mindset / October 6, 2021 / Author: Siere Business Advice Can Take A While To Understand

siere.ca

much

change

she

made

internally,

until

she got out there and started talking to people and selling, she would never know whether she had found the “secret sauce”.

It was in the conversation I believe I was finally able to unravel the advice given to me, so many years before.

A

lot

of

times,

our

focus

as

business

owners is about making sure everything is perfect. Afterall, we all take great pride in our

businesses…the

employees, our

our

systems.

building,

processes,

We

believe

our we

our

products, are

being

“graded” based on these and they are a reflection of who we are, so it only makes sense Not long ago, I was asked, “What is the

It was a little shocking to hear someone

best piece of business advice you have

who

ever received?”

successful

The funny thing about this, is the advice

someone else not to get into business. At

actually came to me, when I wasn’t yet

the

running

other advice even meant. My guess is my

a

business

and

probably

about

seemed,

time,

in

I

at

what

wasn’t

least he

somewhat

was

really

doing,

sure

what

tell

the

fifteen years before I even started one.

confusion in that moment is ultimately the

reason I remember it so clearly, even until

I

was

on

an

airplane,

sitting

beside

a

gentleman who owned a hot air balloon ride company. He was coming back from a

Over

huge

starting

show

in

the

states.

We

talked

through the flight, and he told me about

the

about

past

this

that

fourteen

business,

I

years, have

conversation

a

since

thought

number

of

the work they did and the operation he

times. In our first couple of years, it was

ran. After asking a lot of questions and

easy to get the whole, “it is a lot of work”

listening for quite a while, I finally revealed

thing because it was, but for a long time

to him that one day, I also hoped to own a

the

small business.

continued

I

second to

half

of

the

spin,

with

advice

nothing

just

coming

his

response,

as

if

it

was

yesterday. He said, “I wouldn’t advise it.

About five years ago, I was working with a client who was in the earlier years of

work; more than you will ever know. You

her

are likely better off where you are, right

changing things within the business and

now. But if you disregard that advice and

with some of the products she intended

decide

to offer. We had been discussing change

go

into

business

for

yourself,

an

ideal

these things, it is impossible to know how well we have done, until we talk to the market and see if they respond. In some ways building a business or developing a product or service, is like being an artist. things on

because

we a

we

put

together,

canvas. are

creation,

but

whether

it

the

the

It

engages

like

speaks

“voice”

true

is

to

us,

behind

the

test the

the

comes

in

viewer

or

customer. Is it something that speaks to them?

It

is easy to get caught in your head,

about

what

remember

Starting and running a business is a lot of

to

build

can

be

done

to

capture

customers and to generate revenue, but

clear. remember

and

But no matter how much focus we put on

paint

try

The

today.

to

combination.

business.

change,

She

for

a

was

focused

number

remember business doesn’t happen inside

after

your building. It happens outside it.”

when finally, I told her that no matter how

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021

of

on

happen,

that

you

business;

in

need

taking

customers,

order to to

seeking

for be

business outside

your their

to

your

potential feedback,

marketing and advertising what you do.

No

one

will

ever

see

inside,

until

you

engage them from outside your business.

months

06

HOW DO YOU TURN VALUES INTO ACTIONS?

Member Expert Article/ October 8, 2021 / Author: Reta Saboroski, Co-Owner, ISA Arborist (PR-5451A) of BEE EZ TREE SERVICE The Value of Opening Up Dialogue In Your Business

"The quality of your life will be determined by the quality of the questions you are prepared to ask yourself" (Tony Robbins – Awaken the Giant Within) One of the things we are committed to as an organization is ongoing learning and the

stoking

of

curiosity.

That

would

be

considered one of our “core” values. What are your core values? Are they in a mission statement, languishing in a dusty binder on the shelf?

It

may

come

arboriculture This

year,

is

we

as truly

took

a an

on

surprise, expansive

an

but field.

environmental

studies practicum student to join our crew over

the

summer.

We

realized

as

an

organization that there was a cooperative opportunity guide

this

in

how

student

we

were

through

the

going

to

world

of

arboriculture, and its many branches. We identified that there was potential for our seasoned staff as well to learn and teach through this process – opening a brand-

To

help

explore

this

revelation,

we

With

topics

ranging

history

chainsaws

Manitoba to the consequences of drought

during

being

weekly

presentations

staff

aside

meetings

conditions

on

different

species

of

trees

and proper cargo securement and trailer safety, everyone got time to dig into and

Along with Reta”. Both initiatives allowed

share

for

curious about and wanted to learn more

of

cross

second

enjoy

of

being,

sort

the

to

time

something we like to call “RAWR” or “Ride

a

and

setting

geomorphology

of

crew.

first

the

the

decided to start two initiatives with the The

and

from

pollination

between

crew members and management, through

about.

engagement and education.

The

parts

of

our

field

that

they

were

By the end of the summer of 2021, each of instructions

were

to

select

were a

simple.

topic

First,

associated

staff

our staff had presented three times. What

with

was the outcome? It naturally encouraged

arboriculture, research it and then were

all

given

noticing and sharing. It created dialogue

free

range

to

develop

how

they

our

staff

to

get

habit

around

also aesthetics (pruning). It deepened our

display

beautiful

pictures of invasive plants, and some used

lingua

the office chalkboard to sketch out the

references

mathematical

communicate quickly and efficiently.

formulas

associated

with

franca

–

(safety)

of

chose

to

concerns

the

were going to present on the topic. Some PowerPoint

important

into

developing

and

a

but

common

shorthand

to

pulleys.

The

One of our senior arborists, Brian, did a

and “RAWRs” on the schedule was easy.

rigging

Following

demonstration

in

the

shop

and

decision

difficult

walking

scheduling

tour

around

the

neighbourhood,

new line of dialogue.

put

these

through

when my turn came up, I decided on a

where I presented “Tree ID Hacks”.

to

as

storm

was work

conflicts,

presentations

occasionally

happened

but

we

and

followed

through as an organization. Small actions become habits. Habits for an organization form culture. Culture creates legacy!

The critical part is to figure out what your thing

is.

What

are

you

excited

about?

What is your deal?

Are you interested in being a Member Expert? Do you have a story to share?

Contact Alix to learn more: 204 571 5344 or members@brandonchamber.ca

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | OCTOBER 2021

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

Chris Finley Mazergroup

Tilda Fortier Greenstone Building Products

Aida Harrison Aida's Catering

Ryan Jacobson Affordable Storage Brandon Forbidden Flavours Roastery

Meredyth Leech Leech Printing Ltd.

Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd.

Lois Ruston R&M Homes Ltd.

CHAMBER STAFF

Carolynn Cancade General Manager

Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations

Hillary Miller Events & Program Coordinator

WAGE SUBSIDY FOR EMPLOYERS

ASSISTING EMPLOYERS WITH THE COST OF ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING A means to offset the costs of hiring and training new employees A wage subsidy must be approved by Manitoba before the new employee is hired

What do Employers Need to Provide?

On-the-job training that provides a direct work experience and develops job-specific skills that lead to ongoing full-time employment A minimum of 30 hours per week of employment A guarantee that no current employees are displaced by the new employee

Which Employers May be Eligible?

Those that offer ongoing employment opportunities and are: Private sector employers Non-profit and community groups Crown corporations Public health and education institutions, municipalities, bands and tribal councils

Who Can an Employer Hire Through a Wage Subsidy?

Individuals may be eligible if they fit into one of these categories: Have a current or previous Employment Insurance (EI) claim An individual who is unemployed or about to lose their job

What do Employers Need to Know?

The length of support depends on individual skills development needs, the job requirements identified by the employer and local labour market considerations Subsidy levels and length of support may vary Overtime and vacation pay are not eligible costs

Want to Know More?

Contact your local Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centre for detailed program related information. To find the Centre nearest you:

Call 204-726-6500 (in Brandon) or toll free 1-866-332-5077 Or visit Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres online at: www.gov.mb.ca/wd/ites/contact.html

Funding Provided By:

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.