Burnaby NOW • Friday, March 21, 2014 • A17
BURNABY
BUSINESS NEWS
The business advantage of Buy Burnaby and how the BBOT can help You’ve probably heard any number of idioms about keeping wealth in the family. Usually, the idea has to do with things like passing on your estate, investing in those around you, or perhaps supporting a family business. It’s seen as a wise way to benefit and strengthen your family rather than, depending on the circumstance, giving up too much to the tax man, or sending one’s hard earned money to benefit a stranger. The same principle exists on a larger level, in the world of commerce. You may have heard of it referred to as buy local. Definitions of buy local can vary somewhat, but generally speaking, the logic again is that supporting local business strengthens and benefits your own community rather than, for example, sending your dollars across the border to American markets. Local businesses contribute to the local tax base, provide local jobs, support local charities, Con’t on p.3
PHOTO: TOURISMBURNABY.COM
By Michael Keller michael@bbot.ca
Open for business: Buy Local to strengthen and benefit your community
APRIL 2014
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BURNABY BOARD OF TRADE
Events AM NETWORKING BREAKFAST
March 28 @ Riverway Clubhouse
STATE OF THE CITY LUNCHEON
April 2 @ Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre
KNOWLEDGE PHILANTHROPY: HOW TO FIND AND ENGAGE EXTERNAL TALENT HALF-DAY WORKSHOP April 15 @ Best Western Coquitlam Inn & Convention Centre
HIGH TEA DIM SUM
BBOT AFTER HOURS MIXER @ WILLINGDON PARK April 24 @ Willingdon Park
APRIL’S MEMBER INFORMATION SESSION April 29 @ BBOT Offices
April 23 @ Fortune House Seafood Restaurant
GREEN TALKS!
May 13 @ Electronic Arts Canada
AM NETWORKING BREAKFAST
May 23 @ Riverway Clubhouse
BURNABY BUSINESS DAY SHOWCASE & EXPO
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May 30 @ Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre
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A18 • Friday, March 21, 2014 • Burnaby NOW
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Buy Burnaby con’t from cover and are much more likely to re-circulate their earnings back into other local service providers – such as accountants, lawyers, marketing agencies and even suppliers. According to Vancouver-based LOCO BC, the economic case for buy local speaks for itself. According to their website, $46 out of every $100 spent at a local business is recirculated back into the local economy. Every 1% increase in BC consumer spending creates 3100 jobs and 94 million in annual wages. Plus, it’s worth noting that the practice helps to reduce environmental footprints, which
is an increasingly important consideration in purchasing decisions for many businesses. With a membership of over 1,100 local organizations, the Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) has ramped up its efforts to promote buying local (or buying Burnaby), notably through its Pledge for a Sustainable Community program (bbotpledge.ca). Through the program website’s purchasing section, Pledge Members are encouraged to buy local, and are offered various resources including links to information on local procurement. The site’s member directory, along with the BBOT’s full membership and resource directory (bbot.ca), provides a full
complement of local businesses offering products and services across virtually all industry sectors The BBOT also provides its members the opportunity to post hot deals and member to member discounts on its website to encourage local b2b and b2c business, and each year they host the Burnaby Business Day Showcase & Expo to promote businesses here in Burnaby. This year the showcase will include “Green Street,” to place extra emphasis on sustainable businesses. Of course, the main way the BBOT will continue to (and has always) promoted buying Burnaby is through its expansive
Bringing the community together to do business By Tessa Vanderkop tessa@bbot.ca Every year the Burnaby Board of Trade hosts its annual Burnaby Business Day Showcase & Expo. This is a great opportunity for businesses to cost effectively showcase their products and services. However, more importantly than that it’s an opportunity for businesses to do business with one another. As a business organization we recognize the importance of supporting the exchange of commerce amongst our members to strengthen our local economy and to facilitate that we encourage members to develop relationships at our business
networking events, through our Member 2 Member, Hot Deals and Pledge programs. The Business Day Showcase is not only an opportunity to sell services and products but to build lasting business relationships and a vibrant business community. The Burnaby Business Day Showcase & Expo takes place on May 30 from 12:00pm to 4:30pm.
burnaby business day showcase expo
&
GREEN STREET This year the BBOT continues to expand on its sustainability program by introducing Green Street at the Burnaby Business Day Showcase & Expo. Businesses that sell green products or services or simply identify themselves as proud BBOT Pledge members (bbotpledge.ca) are invited to set up shop on Green Street. This one day event will be held at the Burnaby Delta Hotel and Conference Centre and will feature over 60 exhibitors representing all kinds of businesses. Attendees and participants are invited to learn valuable skills from presenters in our seminar room, meet and network with hundreds of people from the Burnaby community, discover the many BBOT services available to help you grow your business, win prizes and have fun!
offering of networking events. With over 70 events every year, the main benefit of membership is coming out and meeting other business leaders at workshops, grand events like the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards, or even over a cocktail at one of the monthly Member Mixers. Regardless of an organization’s motivation, buying local seems to make sense – whether you’re interested in personal objectives like winning an RFP bid, or more altruistic ones like strengthening your community or meeting CSR goals. Either way (and why not both?!) it’s good for business.¾
GREEN TALKS New this year is the BBOT’s annual environmental forum features “Green Talks!” Nine speakers will present engaging and interesting 5-minute talks on an array of environmental and sustainability topics. We’ve lost the keynotes and ditched the speeches for this event! Presenters will discuss everything from composting and triple bottom lines to urban farming and retrofits. Enjoy amazing food and great networking with business people, professionals and others who have an interest in sustainability at Burnaby’s Electronic Arts Campus – May 13th – 5:30 – 8:00 pm ¾
help students transition into their professional life OPENING DOORS TO YOUR FUTURE
• Provide young professionals with invaluable advice and a professional network • Get access to top young talent • Build your professional development portfolio Our Connectors represent a wide range of organizations including: pacific blue cross, ibm, ritchie brothers, the city of burnaby, electronic arts, kpmg, hemlock printers and many more. “I think many potential Connectors in this program will be surprised by how much they can learn from a young person seeking advice and direction.” – Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan
apply today www.accessprogram.ca/connector-porgram
Burnaby NOW • Friday, March 21, 2014 • A19
BBN 3 5
N what’s news
www.bbot.ca
Election time – and you don’t have to go to the polls: CPT30
CPT3O? Oh dear . . .
Large B.C. retailers are potential U.S. acquisition targets WAL-MART AND TARGET COULD SEEK LEASES OR BUY LOCAL COMPANIES OUTRIGHT, SAY ANALYSTS By Glen Korstrom Retail analysts believe large B.C.-based retailers are acquisition targets for large U.S. retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, which seek to expand by opening urban locations. The 78-store London Drugs chain and Best Buy Canada, which operates 149 Future Shop and 79 Best Buy stores, are two of the Metro Vancouver-based retailers rumoured to be acquisition targets. Loblaw Co. Ltd. (TSX:L) used a similar expansion strategy in its attempt to buy Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) for $12.4 billion to
By Cynthia Hamilton Kemp Harvey Hamilton Inc., CGAs Canada Revenue Agency (CRA ) (formerly known as Revenue Canada) has a form for everything. They even have forms that really don’t do much other than tell the government you want to do something specific—which is called “making an election”. For those of us of a certain generation, you probably thought when you turned 65 a few years ago that your employer would stop deducting CPP because you began collecting it. But the rules changed in 2012 and you can’t just call and say “Hey, CRA I am too old to keep paying into a system that barely gives me enough money to stay alive which is why I have to keep working”. They will tell you that you can’t call them, you have to fill out a form: namely the CPT30 (not to be confused with C3P0). The CPT30 is a formal way of telling the government that you aren’t going to continue to pay into their pension system. The form should be filed a month before your 65th birthday if you want the deductions to stop as soon as you come of age, or it can be filed any time thereafter until you turn 70. You fill out the form, give one copy to your employer, and send another copy to CRA. And voila, your employer will stop deducting CPP and all will be well. That is, until they get a PIER and you have to prove that you actually filed the return
get Joe Fresh and other Loblaw brands into SDM’s mostly urban locations. That deal still needs federal Competition Bureau approval. “Loblaw’s move is a sign of what’s to come in that once a retailer has exhausted its expansion potential in the markets it’s already in, it looks to new markets to go into,” said James Smerdon, who is Colliers International’s vice-president and director of retail consulting. Loblaw operates Great Canadian Superstore locations mostly in suburbs. It has little presence in urban areas. Smerdon said Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is the most likely suitor for London Drugs or Best Buy because it’s large enough to finance such a large deal and intends to expand in Canada. In late January, Wal-Mart announced that it would spend $500 million in Canada in 2014 on 35 building projects and six new stores. Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT) is less likely to be making large acquisitions given its struggle to make profitable its 124, mostly suburban stores in Canada. However, Target, which plans to add another nine stores this year, has used the strategy of bulk-buying leases in the past. Target bought leases for 220 Zellers stores from Hudson’s Bay Co. in 2011 for $1.82 billion. It then sold 39 of those Zellers leases to Wal-Mart . But London Drugs CEO Wynne Powell rejected the idea that his company would sell
so make sure you keep a copy for yourself and note the date on which it was mailed. Many of us of a certain age we just assumed that CPP WOULD stop when we turned 65. But the federal government tweaked (not to be confused with the dance of a similar name but it probably resembled it in Parliament) the CPP plan. In doing so they took a note from a local cable company that shall be nameless (unless you Google negative billing cable company) and decided that negative enrolment is always the best way to fool people into giving you money. So if you don’t opt out you will keep paying until you are 70. “But wait”, you say, “The government must have a reason to have me continue to pay.” They do! If you pay you can continue to increase your CPP benefit by receiving what is called a post retirement benefit. It is especially important to note, and here is the carrot, that the post retirement benefit is indexed to the cost of living increase as measured by the Consumer Price Index. It comes down to this: you need to figure out if the ultimate increase in the CPP benefit you will get from continuing to pay into the CPP system until you’re 70 is more than what you could get if you stopped paying in and just invested the extra money. For more information you can see the CRA website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cppchanges-employers.¾
to a larger player. “We’re part of a 112-yearold family company that does not wish to sell,” said Powell. “We’re going to remain an independent, family-owned Canadian company.” Powell said London Drugs is doing well on its own thanks in large part to a doubling of online sales after a substantial investment in e-commerce capacity. Burnaby-based Best Buy Canada could be a more likely retailer to either be swallowed whole or to sell a bundle of its leases. Its U.S. parent, Best Buy Co. (NYSE:BBY), is struggling with shrinking margins, profit and revenue while the Canadian subsidiary, which operates Future Shop and Best Buy stores, announced January 30 that it’s laying off 950 employees. “Best Buy is struggling a lot more than London Drugs is, so it might be prudent as a real estate play for Wal-Mart to buy its leases and enter downtown Vancouver that way,” said Craig Patterson, who operates the Retail Insider retail analysis website. “If Wal-Mart were to buy London Drugs, they would probably want to keep the London Drugs name and introduce their own private label products, which I would argue are stronger than what London Drugs currently has.”¾ This article originally published in Business in Vancouver Magazine
A20 • Friday, March 21, 2014 • Burnaby NOW
Discover and enjoy interactive content with
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for the annual State of the City address. As we head into an election year, hear from Mayor Derek
Employment Service
Corrigan on City Hall’s plans for Burnaby over 2014 and the coming years and get the first-hand account on what you can look forward to for your community, your family and your business in Burnaby. Engage with over 200 business and community leaders while hearing about the future of our great city.
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Burnaby NOW • Friday, March 21, 2014 • A21
Putting a positive spin on epilepsy awareness Stefania Seccia staff reporter
Jacquoline Marpin has been suffering from seizures since she was three months old. She’s lived with the stigma of having epilepsy her whole life, which is why she created an event to put a positive spin on it. The 22-year-old is hosting an event for Purple Day, which is the international day for epilepsy awareness, on March 22 in Burnaby. “I was actually denied daycare when I was younger because I had epilepsy,” she said. “A lot of people become unemployed because of epilepsy. Employers don’t want to risk or take chances because someone is epileptic. It’s really not fair. I want to fight for that.” Marpin says she knew a firefighter who lost his job because of a concussion he sustained that resulted in him having eight to 10 major seizures a day. “After being a fireman for 15 years, you can imagine that’s very devastating for him,” she added. “I fight for people like that.” Although Marpin is on the right medication, she still suffers from tonic-clonic seizures, when the body shakes and she loses consciousness, a few times a year, but gets petite mal seizures every day. “My eyes roll back into my head, and it lasts for two to three seconds,” she told the NOW, about her petite mal episodes. “I can be in the middle of a sentence, and I’ll lose my train of thought. Because of all this, I’m not allowed to drive a car, and I might not be allowed to give birth.” Marpin said she tries not to let all the negative aspects of epilepsy take over her
life, and that’s why she lost 150 pounds, became a registered weight trainer, goes to school to become a nutritionist, and is hosting an event to fundraise for epilepsy research. “If you honestly look at all the negatives, you push yourself down,” she said. “You have to keep moving forward. You just keep striving, keep looking at the positive.” Marpin moved to Burnaby from Ontario nearly two years ago, and after selling cupcakes last year for Purple Day, she took a $250 gift card and turned it into a whole event. She won the card in a Metropolis at Metrotown contest. When she was asked what she’d spend the money on, a charity event for epilepsy, the mall hopped on board as the first sponsor. “From there it just grew and grew and grew,” Marpin added. The B.C. Epilepsy Society has since become a partner in the Burnaby event, called Feeling Fine for Epilepsy, according to Elvira Balakshin, program and communications coordinator for the society. “The thing about epilepsy we always stress is it’s not just a medical condition,” she told the NOW. “Unfortunately, epilepsy is often misunderstood and causes problems for people who have it.” Epilepsy is more common than Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stomach cancer and Down syndrome, with more than 40,000 people in B.C. and 300,000 in Canada living with it. It can develop at any age and in many situations it can last a lifetime. “People with epilepsy and their families could face social isolation or unneces-
Larry Wright/bur naby now
A positive approach: Jacquoline Marpin is hosting an epilepsy fundraiser and awareness event at West Burnaby United Church this Saturday. sary restrictions, exclusions from school and work activities,” Balakshin said. “Luckily, there’s a lot more medications, effective medications that can help control (seizures).” But those who don’t get much help from medication face employment, recreational and transportation issues, to name a few, Balakshin said. “Just because you have epilepsy doesn’t mean you should be limited from typical activities,” she added. There is no cure for epilepsy, which is why fundraising events exist, and March is epilepsy awareness month in Canada.
The event is on March 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Burnaby United Church, 6050 Sussex Ave. The event starts with a build-yourown yogurt parfait bar, a tea sampling with David’s Tea and a hatha yoga session with Angela Ringstead of Fitness 2000. There will also be an information presentation by the B.C. Epilepsy Society, refreshments and prize draws. Raffle tickets are $2 a ticket, $5 for three tickets and $15 for 15 tickets. Prize values range from $25 to $100. Follow Stefania on Twitter, @stefania_seccia
Canadian Red Cross’s Beyond the Hurt Program won a Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Award. One third of school-age children are bullied or bully others. Reaching children at risk before they make the wrong choices is critical to their well-being. By funding programs like Beyond the Hurt, United Way helps children build their confidence, find great role models, and grow up strong and healthy. United Way makes a difference to the lives of 300,000 children, families and seniors throughout Metro Vancouver.
Proudly presented by
Winnie Leong, Scotiabank and Melinda Mennie, Canadian Red Cross
A22 • Friday, March 21, 2014 • Burnaby NOW
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Burnaby NOW • Friday, March 21, 2014 • A23
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A24 • Friday, March 21, 2014 • Burnaby NOW
Burnaby NOW • Friday, March 21, 2014 • A25
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Board of Trade acts on provincial, federal budgets By Cory Redekop cory@bbot.ca In response to the federal and provincial budgets being released in February, the Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) both issued a budget statement and organized an exclusive roundtable discussion with the senior regional Minister for BC on behalf of the Burnaby business community. Shortly after the 2014 federal budget was presented in Ottawa, the BBOT organized an executive roundtable with the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry and MLA for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam on February 17th to discuss the
Employer benefits of a socially sustainable workplace By Michael Keller michael@bbot.ca Members of the Burnaby Board of Trade know that we regularly send out surveys to ensure that our advocacy efforts accurately represent the interests of the business community. One such survey that we recently sent out from our Social Development Committee provided a mandate to study the broad topic of “socially sustainable workplaces” from the perspective of both employers and employees to determine its effect on issues such as staff attraction, retention, and absenteeism.
Board of Trade facilitates transit solution By Cory Redekop cory@bbot.ca After hearing complaints from the business community of a lack of transit service in the Big Bend district of Burnaby, last year the Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) undertook an effort to bring together representatives from those businesses, the City of Burnaby, and Translink to pursue a solution. Following several meetings and discussions, a plan was
budget’s implications for the local business community. Joined by two dozen Board of Trade members, Paul Holden, BBOT President & CEO, presented Minister Moore with an overview of the Burnaby business profile, emphasizing the industry clusters which are key to Burnaby’s economic success, before kicking off a lively and frank discussion with the Minister. Roundtable participants discussed a host of issues with the Minister, including the potential impact of the new Canada AntiSpam Law (CASL), the status of the Canada Jobs Grant, and the state of the Canadian housing market. Speaking directly with the participants, Minister Moore emphasized the New Building Canada Plan as an unprecedented infrastructure investment and reiterated the federal government’s plan for a balanced budget in 2015-16. Following the advocacy efforts of the BBOT this past autumn, including issuing a budget submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and holding the only Lower Mainland stop on the Minister of Finance’s
2014 Budget Conversation Tour, the BBOT was pleased with the provincial budget announced on February 18th. “The Burnaby Board of Trade is happy to see the provincial government’s budget return to balance and was pleased to see that there were no surprises for the business community announced yesterday,” commented Holden in a statement issued by the Board. “We look forward to seeing the provincial government work towards achieving and utilizing the projected future surpluses.” Previously, the BBOT had advocated for the provincial government to prioritize public transportation and the high tech & film/tv industries in future budgets. While the budget did contain modest measures in regards to these sectors, including the Distant Location Tax Credit and the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit, the Burnaby Board of Trade will continue to advocate for these and other matters of importance to its members and to the local business community with all levels of government.¾
The topic of sustainable workplaces takes into consideration a number of factors including HR policy around work-life balance, flexible working conditions, respect for child and elder care responsibilities, fair wages, etc. It also goes beyond working conditions to include client spaces (for example child play areas in a bank lobby), community engagement, and more. The extent to which employers consider these factors can play a large part in determining how an organization is viewed by current and prospective employees, and customers. According to a recent press release from the BC Human Resources Management Association (HRMA) companies that facilitate more flexible working conditions, and recognize the value of work-life balance for employees, have a better chance of creating a more engaged work group and reducing turnover. Of course from an employer perspective, while staff attraction and retention is key to a successful enterprise, managers must also concern themselves with efficiency. Every year most businesses will lose money from lost productivity due to absenteeism. However, typically businesses with
aggressive approaches to sustainable workplaces report fewer absences. Various reasons include employees being more mentally healthy and less stressed. Consider also that employees working from home or telecommuting can help reduce the number of germs in a work environment, preventing further absenteeism. Parents as well can avoid taking sick days to care for their children when flexible work options are available. “Helping employees balance work and family responsibilities and pressures is something that businesses across BC handle every day,” says Christian Codrington, Senior Manager, Professional Practice of HRMA. “Human resources professionals along with those business leaders must strive to create the kind of workplace culture that improves work life balance. It takes commitment, creativity, as well as financial resources. Ultimately though, employers who make the effort and investment generally reap benefits through a committed and focused employee.” The Burnaby Board of Trade, in partnership with BC Hydro, will be hosting an information session on sustainable workplaces on April 4th. Details can be found on the events calendar on bbot.ca.¾
proposed by Translink to address the lack of service in the Big Bend district and was submitted for internal review. This past month, this proposed plan was presented to the public at an Open House on February 4th. The BBOT attended Tranlink’s Open House on behalf of its members and provided its feedback on the proposed bus route extension that will help solve the transit issues in the Big Bend district. During this consultation phase, hundreds of people provided feedback on this and other proposed route changes around Metro Vancouver, which is now under consideration by Translink. The BBOT is pleased to have worked with Translink and the City of Burnaby on
behalf of our members in pursuing a solution to this issue and looks forward to the final implementation by Translink of this new Big Bend transit service.¾ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Burnaby Board of Trade’s mission is to improve business by providing our membership with insightful leadership, advocacy, education and a platform for collaboration. The Burnaby Board of Trade routinely connects its membership with all levels of government through events and direct advocacy. Find out how to become part of the Burnaby Board of Trade at bbot.ca •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
A26 • Friday, March 21, 2014 • Burnaby NOW
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McDonald’s and BCIT combo up to give business students credit, degrees and next generation experience By Garin Fahlman gfahlman@biv.com For many students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology who lament having to balance work and school, a new partnership with McDonald’s could be good news for those interested in a career in business. McDonald’s managers and team leaders will be eligible to use their work at the fast food chain to count towards work experience and course credit. “Supplementing their training with this program with BCIT, we get employees who are further engaged and further educated in certain things, and it raises the talent level in the whole organization,” said Len Jillard, chief people officer at McDonald’s Canada. “It enables them to do a more efficient job than they do today.” The program will begin in late May and give employees the opportunity to reduce the number of courses required to earn their degree, slash tuition costs and gain priority placement in future courses.
Transitioning from school to work life By Robert Muhumuza admin@bbot.ca It wasn’t until my fourth year that it occurred to me I might soon have to put the value of my degree to the test. Questions about what I could do with the degree crossed my mind every day. I probably would have gone mad but for a few good people that advised me on how to quell these concerns. I started talking to people that had done similar degrees; those that had the jobs that I wanted to have, and slowly those fears were put to rest. However, the four months preceding my first successful interview were nothing short of excruciating torture. Lingering doubts about my degree, my potential and my abilities began to resurface, but I tried to take strength
While a two-year diploma and bachelor of business administration degree can cost students up to $27,200, through the work experience program, students could save approximately $8,000. Jessica Imrie is enrolled in a business diploma bridging program at BCIT, and has worked at McDonald’s for eight years. She is now a restaurant manager, and heard about the program in early December. “I was really excited, because for a couple of months I’ve been wanting to go back to school to get a business degree, and it got me really excited that I could use what I learned at McDonald’s and apply it to the program,” Imrie said. Though similar partnerships have gone forward in Europe, this is the first such initiative in Canada. Jillard put the program together with the help of Dr. Kevin Wainwright, head of the bachelor of business administration program at BCIT. “He and I were on a committee, dealing with transitioning military,” said Jillard. “He did a presentation there about recognizing the skills in training military personnel and how that would be transferable back into the workplace. So I listened to his presentation
and I thought there may be something there with [McDonald’s].” Students will earn credit by completing McDonald’s standard training modules for management and leadership positions. Dr. Wainwright believes that McDonald’s is an appropriate venue for business students to experience training and leadership. “This is a unique partnership between business and academia, which recognizes that real-world experiences are equally valuable in helping students prepare for a successful career.” Jillard said there is also the potential for partnerships with other institutions to materialize in the future. While McDonald’s is hoping that the partnership will produce more experienced employees, for many students, the program may simply be a way to get the most out of their education. “I’m just really excited to gain more business knowledge that I can actually bring back to my job,” said Imrie. “And obviously, I’m really excited about being closer to a degree.” ¾
in the fact that most graduates were in the same boat too. The value of perseverance and hope during this period cannot be overstated, because within six months, almost everybody had found a job. The interview process itself is quite rigorous and preparation is of paramount importance. This is the time to test the worth of all the resources you have available; your research abilities, your mentors, university career advisors, student career oriented clubs (such as the Student Biotechnology Network), and other resources such as the Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT). As for me, the people I met at the BBOT were a constant tower of strength as I prepared for my interviews. My mentors encouraged me, while friends filled me with hope. When the date of the interview came, I was exuding confidence, not because I expected the process to be easy, or that I guaranteed myself the job, but because I felt I had exhausted all the channels possible. I loved the job I had applied for, I prepared to the best of my abilities and I hoped that
would be enough to allow me express my ability and willingness to do the job. The first few weeks at the job may also bring to mind questions about whether you overstated your abilities during the interview. However letting your mind focus on the tasks at hand and asking as many questions as possible is the best way to keep your mind from questioning whether every interaction you make is a judgment process. Not long after, the benefits of a working life start to manifest: truly free weekends, the value of your time, a biweekly change in monetary standing, and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to change some one, some people or the world. ¾
Article originally published in Business in Vancouver Magazine
Robert Muhumuza is an Access Program student graduate.
Burnaby NOW • Friday, March 21, 2014 • A27
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www.bbot.ca
New Biz Resources on bbot.ca! The Burnaby Board of Trade has expanded and improved the Business Resources section of its website, offering members and the public a wide range of useful links and important information about getting started in the business world. Formerly referred to as “Business Services,” the new Business Resource section features tabs on Starting Your Business, Financing Your Business,
and Registering Your Business, along with a growing Social Resources tab. The section will continue to offer information about BBOT services such as certification of Certificates of Origin and Business Name Approvals. “Often times when someone decides to start a new business—especially young entrepreneurs or those new to the area – it can be difficult to know where to start. Our goal with the new business resources section is to provide all the necessary links and information in one place that’s easy to find and easy to navigate,” commented BBOT President and CEO Paul Holden. The BBOT has also expanded Business Resources to contain valuable information about international trade and over the
Welcome new members
coming months the BBOT will add Burnaby demographics, statistics, and more. “Moving forward, we want the section to be a valuable ongoing resource for everyone in Burnaby as well as those interested in investing and doing business here,” added Holden. The new business resource section can be found at bbot.ca.¾
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bbot.ca The hidden cost of employees to your business Employees…they are our greatest asset, and can be our biggest liability. No matter the company size, if you’ve got employees, you’ve got employee issues. And how you handle those issues can dictate the success or failure of your businesses. Exposure to unlawful dismissal suits are a reality for our members today. Did you know that there are over $250,000 suits filed in Canada each year? And over 70% are
won by the employee—primarily because the employer didn’t know how to properly manage the employment process legally. Government Agencies, like Health & Safety, are also a growing concern. Canadian Labour Law dictates the standards a company—regardless of size—must meet. But small business owners often don’t have the time or expertise to meet those standards, and the result can be hefty fines levied by Health & Safety auditors. Workers’ Compensation is an area that most business owners know little about— resulting in sky high premiums when an employee is injured at work. This can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
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Large corporations know this…so they invest in an entire department, dedicated to managing employee issues. But small business owners can’t afford the $65,000 $80,000 salaries that HR Professional earn! So what’s the solution? Recently, The Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) formed an alliance with First Call. They are a Canadian company working with the small business community to provide the expertise in all the areas mentioned above, and they have agreed to provide full scale HR solutions to each of our members at a discounted rate. For just $8.50 per employee per month, they will assign an HR Manager to your company and manage all your employee
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issues. And if you enroll online, you will receive your first month free. Visit their website at www.firstcallhr.ca/ chamber and view their informative video.¾
Less Fuel. More Power. Great Value is a comparison between the 2014 and the 2013 Chrysler Canada product lineups. 40 MPG or greater claim (7.0 L/100 km) based on 2014 EnerGuide highway fuel consumption ratings. Government of Canada test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption may vary based on driving habits and other factors. Ask your dealer for the EnerGuide information. ¤2014 Dodge Journey 2.4 L with 4-speed automatic – Hwy: 7.7 L/100 km (37 MPG) and City: 11.2 L/100 km (25 MPG). 2014 Chrysler 200 LX 3.6L VVT V6 6-speed automatic – Hwy: 6.8 L/100 km (42 MPG) and City: 9.9 L/100 km (29 MPG). 2014 Jeep Wrangler 3.6 L PentastarTM VVT V6 - Hwy: 9.3 L/100 km (30 MPG) and City: 12.7 L/100 km (22 MPG). 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 8-speed automatic – Hwy: 7.0 L/100 km (40 MPG) and City: 10.3 L/100 km (27 MPG). Wise customers read the fine print: *, ‡, ∞, §, Ω The Zing Into Spring Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after March 1, 2014. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,695) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees, other dealer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Financing and lease offers available to qualified customers on approved credit. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select new 2014 vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. ‡4.29% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2014 Chrysler 200 LX/Dodge Journey Canada Value Package/Jeep Wrangler Sport 4x4 through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Examples: 2014 Chrysler 200 LX/Dodge Journey Canada Value Package/Jeep Wrangler Sport 4x4 with a Purchase Price of $18,888/$19,998/$20,888 (including applicable Consumer Cash Discounts) financed at 4.29% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $107/$114/$119 with a cost of borrowing of $3,442/$3,644/$3,806 and a total obligation of $22,330/$23,642/$24,694. ∞4.19% purchase financing for up to 96 months available through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. See your dealer for complete details. Example: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with a Purchase Price of $38,888 financed at 4.19% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $220 with a cost of borrowing of $6,912 and a total obligation of $45,800. §Starting from prices for vehicles shown include Consumer Cash Discounts and do not include upgrades (e.g. paint). Upgrades available for additional cost. ΩFinance Pull-Ahead Bonus Cash and 1% Rate Reduction are available to eligible customers on the retail purchase/lease of select 2014 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram or Fiat models at participating dealers from March 1 to 31, 2014 inclusive. Finance Pull-Ahead Bonus Cash will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. 1% Rate Reduction applies on approved credit to most qualifying subvented financing transactions through RBC, TD Auto Finance and Scotiabank. 1% Rate Reduction cannot be used to reduce the final interest rate below 0%. Eligible customers include all original and current owners of select Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram or Fiat models with an eligible standard/subvented finance or lease contract maturing between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016. Trade-in not required. See dealer for complete details and exclusions. ♦Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian New Vehicle Registration data for 2013 Calendar Year for all Retail vehicles sold in the province of British Columbia. ◊Based on 2014 Ward’s Upper Middle Sedan segmentation. ^Based on 2014 Ward’s Middle Cross Utility segmentation. √Based on 2014 Ward’s Small Sport Utility segmentation. »Based on 2014 Ward’s Middle Sport/Utility segmentation. Based on combined highway/city 2014 EnerGuide fuel consumption ratings. Government of Canada test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving habits and other factors. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC.
A28 • Friday, March 21, 2014 • Burnaby NOW
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B.C.’S #1-SELLING AUTOMAKER HAS THE PERFECT WAY TO SPRING FORWARD.
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2014 DODGE JOURNEY CANADA VALUE PACKAGE
19,998
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$
THE 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO
38,888 FINANCE FOR
PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $2,600 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.
FINANCE FOR
FINANCE FOR
FINANCE FOR BI-WEEKLY‡
$
114 4.29
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220 4.19
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PULL-AHEAD BONUS CASH
PULL-AHE AD INTO A NEW VEHICLE SOONER. EXCLUSIVE TO OUR EXISTING FINANCE/LEASE CUSTOMERS.
@
PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $2,000 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.
119 4.29
@
PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $2,500 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.
@
42 MPG AS GOOD AS
¤
HIGHWAY 6.8 L/100 KM HWY
$
107 @ 4.29 %
FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN Starting from price for 2014 Chrysler 200 Limited shown: $24,885.§
^ AS GOOD AS
CANADA’S #1-SELLING CROSSOVER
37 MPG HIGHWAY 7.7 L/100 KM HWY ¤
%
FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN Starting from price for 2014 Dodge Journey R/T AWD shown: $32,390.§
THE MOST CAPABLE OFF-ROAD VEHICLE IN ITS CLASS√
2014 JEEP WRANGLER 2-DOOR SPORT 4X4
HIGHWAY 9.3 L/100 KM HWY
30 MPG AS GOOD AS
¤
%
FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN Starting from price for 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport S shown: $27,440.§
BEST-IN-CLASS FUEL ECONOMY »
40 MPG AS GOOD AS
HIGHWAY 7.0 L/100 KM HWY ¤
%
FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN
Starting from price for 2014 Jeep Grand $57,641. J G d Cherokee Ch k Overland O l d shown: h $57 641 §
$1,000+1%
Ω
ENDS MARCH 31ST
RATE REDUCTION
LESS FUEL. MORE POWER. GREAT VALUE.
15 VEHICLES WITH 40 MPG HWY OR BETTER.