Business Link Niagara October 2017

NIAGARA

BUSINESS LINK

15TH ANNUAL

CALLING ALL NOMINATIONS BROUGHT TO YOU

BY

For more information call 905-646-9366 or email juliev@businesslinkmedia.com

Let's Get Social PUBLISHED BY

6 MEDITATION: A NOVELTY OR A NECESSITY

22 SAY NO TO ICE CUBES & OTHER TIDBITS!

23 LEADERSHIP, IT’S NOT JUST FOR LEADERS

All the skills and attributes that make for a successful and engaged workplace

Travel tips for your next adventure!

Allowing leadership at all levels promotes openness...

COLLECTORS EDITION VOLUME 15

ISSUE 9

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NIAGARA

FEATURING: DANIMA CREATIVE GROUP |

OCTOBER 2017

KEEP IT SIMPLE

"You don't need to know what the hell you are doing! You just need to simplify."

GERRY VISCA

W

hen did we allow complexity to dictate our lives? When did it become acceptable to live with a sense of overwhelm? Were our ancestors not raised with the mentality that less is truly more? I think perhaps our modern world may have lost its way in the pursuit of more. Simplicity is about developing the capacity to savour less. Ask yourself these questions as you strive to simplify all areas of your life: 1 . W H E R E A N D H O W D O Y O U WA N T T O L I V E ?

2 . W H AT I S Y O U R P E R F E C T D AY ?

3. W H E R E A N D H O W D O Y O U WA N T T O SPEND YOUR TIME? 4 . W H AT A R E T H E T H I N G S T H AT G I V E Y O U T H E G R E AT E S T J O Y ?

As I write these words, the Tuscan Bells of Montespertoli chime 9 times signaling 9:00am. I just finished a long contemplative walk through the olive groves. I converse with the trees as they seem to rise and greet

the morning sun. I witness a lovely lady smiling at me from her balcony as she joyfully tends to her herbs. She greets me with a simple 'Bonjourno' (good morning).

My life partner Angela and I decided to return to the hills of Tuscany for a consecutive year. I feel deeply rooted in these lands much like the olive trees as if I am one with the soil.

My mother grew up in Italy, a few hours away from this simple paradise.

This return visit marked a memorable milestone. We celebrated the launch of my new novel "Remembering Why" A Wondrous Journey to Why We Exist. This is the first transformational novel in my 16-book repertoire.

The words were inspired by my experiences in Tuscany last year and the enormity of the events that followed. The title "Remembering Why" appears even more fitting as I simply soak in all the senses that this heavenly place offered me. It reminded me just how brilliant and brief life truly is.

CONTINUED ON

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R E A D O N L I N E AT B U S I N E S S L I N K N I A G A R A . C O M

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TECHNOLOGY

WHAT IS BITCOIN? UDO SCHAFER

Y

ou have probably seen the headlines about “Bitcoin,” and for many of us it is difficult to make sense of what all the news about Bitcoin actually means. Now that the term has become commonplace, it is increasingly rare to actually get an explanation about what Bitcoin actually is.

Bitcoin is a kind of digital currency. You can buy it with dollars and euros, just like you can trade any other currency. It has been called the first decentralized digital currency, since the system works without a central administrator. There is no country that regulates this currency. It was invented by an unknown programmer, or a group of programmers, and released as open source software in 2009.

The system is peer-to-peer, and transactions take place directly between people’s computers, without an intermediary. In other words, Bitcoin participants open their computers to the network. This system is very similar to the popular Napster music sharing system from the late 1990s. For security purposes, transactions have to be verified. This prevents anyone from hacking or stealing your coins from your computer.

How to use Bitcoin

To use Bitcoin, you will have to put a virtual “Wallet” on your computer so you can spend

Bitcoin online and in the physical world for goods and services. This wallet is a piece of software available on the Bitcoin website.

Usually if you pay for something on the internet, you use a credit or debit card. That card is connected to information about you, such as your name and billing address. Unlike a credit card, Bitcoin transactions are completely anonymous. They can't be used to identify you personally. Instead, whenever you trade in bitcoin, you use a so-called private key associated with your wallet to generate a bit of code - called an address – that is then publicly associated with your transaction but with no personal identifying information.

What is Bitcoin Worth?

Bitcoin has a valuation, which you may have heard about because Bitcoin's price has fluctuated up and down. Still, the value of a single bitcoin has risen steadily in recent years. Hours before the WannaCry ransomware began spreading around the world, the price of one Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $1,830.

Some analysts predict that it could break $3,000 by year's end.

As of a few years ago, the number of merchants accepting bitcoin exceeded 100,000. Instead of 2–3% typically imposed by credit card processors, merchants

accepting bitcoins often pay fees in the range of zero to 2%. Some firms that accept Bitcoin payment are PayPal and Microsoft.

Merchants accepting bitcoin ordinarily use the services of bitcoin payment service. When a customer pays in bitcoin, the payment service provider accepts the bitcoin on behalf of the merchant, converts it to the local currency, and sends the obtained amount to merchant's bank account, charging a fee for the service.

Due to its decentralized nature and relatively recent genesis, many people are understandably wary of Bitcoin. Hopefully the above explanation helps to demystify it and will allow you to make sense of the next “Bitcoin” headline or article that flashes across your screen. BL

If you have any IT questions you would like us to write about, feel free to reach out to us at udos@plexisltd.com.

Udo Schafer is the president of Plexis Limited located on 1931 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines.

For more information please call 905.684.7253, email udos@plexisltd.com or visit www.plexisltd.com.

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DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH

282 Ontario Street, St. Catharines • 905.228.1712 • BayShoreGroups.com OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

3

VOLUME 15

ISSUE 9

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NIAGARA

|

OCTOBER 2017

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CONTENTS

R E A D T H I S P U B L I C AT I O N O N L I N E AT B U S I N E S S L I N K N I A G A R A . C O M

Locally Owned and Operated PUBLISHER The Business Link Niagara Ltd. 36 Hiscott St., Suite 200 St. Catharines, ON L2R 1C8 Tel: 905.646.9366 Fax: 905.646.5486 email: info@BusinessLinkMedia.com www.BusinessLinkMedia.com CO-PUBLISHERS Jim Shields, Adam Shields D I R E C TO R O F SA L E S Dave Martineau CONTRIBUTING WRITERS G. Visca, D. Thomas, A. Kontgen, U. Schafer, S. Leslie, R. Smith, B. Meadows, L. Von Massow, D. O'Neill, B.Sloan C I R C U L AT I O N The Business Link Niagara Ltd. is published 12 times per year and distributed to all businesses in the Niagara Region via Canada Post.

S U B S C R I P T I O N R AT E S

8

EXCELLENCE IN CANCER CARE FOR THE REGION

Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, the regional centre of excellence for specialized cancer care in south central Ontario.

7 A LAWYER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE ROLLER COASTER REAL ESTATE MARKET.

$48 +HST for 12 issues. Send a cheque or money order to the address above.

Any reproduction or use of the content

Some of the important conditions a buyer should consider

within this publication without permission is prohibited. Opinions and comments

11 / CS1 DANIMA CREATIVE GROUP Niagara Falls Agency marks 20 years of serving Niagara's needs in web and print design needs,

within this publication reflect those of the writers and not necessarily that of The Business Link Niagara Ltd. All advertising is accepted subject to the Publishers’ discretion. The Publishers will not be responsible for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any design, artwork, copyright or typesetting supplied by The Business Link Niagara Ltd. is for the

INSIDE

9 GREAT RESULTS FROM GETTING BACK TO BASICS!

Why do some sales people rise to the top while other's struggle?

exclusive use by the Publishers. Any other use not authorized is an infringement of

25 DAN'S DIVE SHOP PROFILE

copyright. No part of this publication may

Niagara diving experts have become one of Canada’s leading scuba diving instructors and equipment dealers.

Canadian Youth Entrepreneurship Fund

be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of the Publishers.

26 INNOVATION INSIGHTS

27 DOWNTOWN NIAGARA FALLS BIA Let's Get Social

Downtown BIA is optimistic that there are big things in store for Queen Street.

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November 16th, 7:00pm vs. Kingston

November 17th, 7:00pm vs. North Bay

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DECLUTTERING HOARDING RECLAIM REMEDIATION JUNK REMOVAL

H E A LT H

MEDITATION: A NOVELTY OR A NECESSITY IN TODAY’S WORKPLACE? All the skills and attributes that make for a successful and engaged workplace are found in the minds of people.

ANGELA KONTGEN

RELEASE

CLEAR OUTS ESTATE APPRAISALS RESTART

are in u o y s s e in s u b t No matter wha

$ U O Y E V A S L ’L E W E C N A R U S IN R U ON YO

Construction

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et we continue talking about creativity, focus, emotional intelligence, resilience, relationship building and other attributes that make up success and engagement as if they can be purchased in a book or a one off workshop. Here’s the truth, they cannot and I think we are coming to realize this. When I asked an executive recently – Why Meditation? They answered: I need a daily practice that will bridge the gap between knowing and being. It’s one thing to talk about focus and creativity, and quite another to intentionally harness it within our mind. That’s where meditation comes in and that’s why it is fast becoming a necessity in the workplace.

There was a time not long ago when the word meditation brought visions of people in robes sitting quietly in remote areas. There was a time when a few workplaces thought it might be a novelty to add it to their stress management programs. Today, as the science and research mounts, meditation is shifting from a novelty to a necessity for today’s workplaces. Even the reputable Harvard Business Review is sighting meditation as one of the top practices for the 21st century business leader. The reason for this is that the benefits of it extend far beyond relaxation. There is growing evidence that meditation is a powerful way to build leadership skills and advance goals.

Google the science of meditation and you will see that it is having a positive impact on a wide range of areas – from our immune, cardiovascular and digestive systems to helping us create the space to really listen to employees and co-workers. You might not need another workshop on “listening skills” – you may find it much more powerful to press pause for five to 10 minutes, in your day, to unlock new levels of empathy.

One of the biggest reasons that meditation impacts so many aspects of our life is because of how it actively shifts and changes the brain. In his amazing book, Evolve your Brain, Dr. Joe Dispenza explains that meditation takes us from Beta to Alpha and Theta brain wave states. Why is this so important you might ask? In a nutshell, you are shifting the brain from overdrive and survival mode into creativity mode and what I also like to call the “all is possible and I can handle anything” state. Now that’s amazing!

New levels of creativity, focus and fulfillment are possible when we actively shift our brain wave states. Deeply inspired by this knowledge, I imagine a time when leaders sit and breathe for five minutes before they go into an important team meeting. I see intentional midday meditations taking place to help shift people into that all is well and I can handle anything state.

As I get approached by more leaders and more workplaces, I am coming to realize that meditation is no longer a novelty; in today’s fast paced world it is a necessity. I used to coach people on all aspects of their personal and professional lives; today I focus on one thing – meditation – that positively impacts everything! BL Angela Kontgen is a meditation and mindset coach. For more information, email Angela at angela@angelakontgen.com or go to www.angelakontgen.com

www.cmsteeleinsurance.ca 6

BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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LEGAL ADVICE

A LAWYER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE ROLLERCOASTER REAL ESTATE MARKET. D AV I D T H O M A S

A

fter years of an ever-rising real estate market, we recently experienced a taste of what the market used to be like. That is, a market where it can take a long time to find a buyer, and where values may go down as well as up. While the market is still very strong, it is a good idea to review some legal points that may have been forgotten by many buyers and sellers, and by many realtors, in the ever-rising market we have experienced until recently.

Conditions are important! In the incredibly strong seller’s market we have experienced, many agents recommend that buyers submit offers without conditions. This is based on the assumption that sellers will only entertain “clean” offers. However, putting in an offer without conditions can leave a buyer totally exposed to claims for damages.

Many people believe that if they can’t close their purchase, their liability is limited to the deposit, and they can just walk away.

S O M E O F T H E I M P O R TA N T C O N D I T I O N S A B U Y E R SHOULD CONSIDER: F I N A N C I N G . You may have been “preapproved” for a mortgage, but the house you are trying to buy will not have been. If the lender’s appraisal shows a lower value than you expect, the amount you can borrow will be lower, and you may not be able to fund the shortfall.

S A L E O F Y O U R C U R R E N T H O M E . If you have not sold your current home, and will need the money from the sale to buy your new home, you need to make sure you are only locked in to buy after you have a firm deal to sell. If you don’t, you may be in trouble if you can’t sell your house, or you may have to take a lower price than you’d hoped.

CONSIDER A BRIDGE LOAN.

Years ago, most people bought and sold their homes on the same day. Many people now get a “bridge loan”. This is a short term loan from a mortgage lender, to allow you to borrow on the equity in your existing home, so you can buy your new home before the sale of your existing home is closed. This normally does not cost a lot. It allows you to move in to your new house a few days or weeks before existing house sells, and provides some breathing room. It also protects your purchase if, for some reason, the sale of your own house does not close as expected, because the buyer has a problem.

If the deals were to close on the same day, with no bridge loan, you could end up not able to complete your purchase. It is usually better to have two houses, for a short while, than to get sued for failure to complete the purchase. Your liability may exceed the deposit.

Many people believe that if they can’t close their purchase, their liability is limited to the deposit, and they can just walk away. In most cases, this is not true. If your failure to close a purchase results in a whole chain of deals failing to close, you could be responsible for everyone’s damages, and your exposure is virtually unlimited. This is particularly a problem in a falling market.

If a deal falls through and a seller puts it back on the market, the next buyer may offer a lower price, and the defaulting buyer will be on the hook for the difference, among other costs. BL

Dave Thomas is a senior partner at Lancaster, Brooks & Welch LLP and may be contacted for legal advice in corporate and commercial law as well as residential and commercial real estate. Dave is located in our St Catharines

Most of us are not qualified to accurately spot the problems with a house. If there is no inspection and you miss a problem, it could cost a lot. It could also mean a lower appraisal, and could mean that your lender declines to approve the house.

INSPECTION.

office, 905•641•1551

Buying or Selling Property?

We are Niagara’s Lawyers since 1882.

Trust your Real Estate transaction to the Team at Lancaster Brooks & Welch

800 - 80 King Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6Z1 | 905.641.1551 | TF: 1.866-835-3934 | www.lbwlawyers.com OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

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IN THE COMMUNITY

EXCELLENCE IN CANCER CARE FOR THE REGION P R O V I D E D B Y H A M I LT O N H E A LT H S C I E N C E S F O U N D AT I O N

C

ancer touches all of us, whether it’s a personal journey or a loved one’s experience with the disease, and one can never predict when a diagnosis of cancer lies ahead. That is why Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation is dedicated to supporting excellence in cancer care through-

out the region.

The Foundation supports Juravinski Hospital Cancer Centre, the regional centre of excellence for specialized cancer care in south-central Ontario. As part of Hamilton Health Sciences, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre serves a population of 2.3 million people from Niagara Falls and Brantford to Kitchener-Waterloo and Burlington. The site is one of Ontario’s most comprehensive cancer centres and is home to the Regional Cancer Program, which includes a partnership in Niagara and community-based oncology clinics at hospitals in Brantford and Burlington.

Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre offers a number of specialized inpatient and outpatient cancer services, many of which are not available elsewhere in the region. These programs provide a full spectrum of cancer care, from prevention, screening and diagnosis to treatment, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The volume of chemotherapy visits overseen by Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre is the highest in Ontario.

Patients can also receive exceptional breast cancer care at the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre, which provides rapid access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic services, and is the most comprehensive assessment facility of its type in the region. As one of the only facilities in Ontario offering genetic testing for those with a family history of breast cancer, the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre acts as a regional resource for women at high risk of developing the disease and provides care for nearly 12,000 patients annually.

The cancer specialists at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre also conduct groundbreaking research into the causes, prevention and management of cancer including an

This complex but potentially life-saving medical procedure has the ability to help patients suffering from such cancers as leukemia and lymphoma

8

extensive clinical trials program, ensuring that the medical teams stay at the forefront of cancer care.

As one of only three centres providing all forms of stem cell transplants to adult cancer patients in Ontario, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre stays on the leading edge of specialized care for patients suffering from blood cancers. This complex but potentially life-saving medical procedure has the ability to help patients suffering from such cancers as leukemia and lymphoma.

A stem cell transplant is a method of replacing cells in the bone marrow that cause cancer.

New stem cells, either from a donor or harvested from the patients themselves, are infused into the body so they can attack the underlying diseased cells to help fight the cancer. Stem cell transplants, particularly donor-matched transplants, are complex and resource-intensive, requiring very specialized facilities and highly trained clinical teams.

Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign, Tomorrow Stems From You™, which will enable the expansion of a dedicated and specialized clinical space, and will support the purchase of essential equipment for the treatment of patients. With the support of generous donors, Tomorrow Stems From You™ will help enable Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre to provide 50 percent more cancer patients with vitally important stem cell transplants.

As we strive for healthier communities throughout south central Ontario, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation renews its dedication to patients and families from across the region by enabling excellence in cancer care.

For more information about Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation or Tomorrow Stems From You™, visit www.hamiltonhealth.ca. BL Donors can make a real difference in the lives of patients at St. Peter’s Hospital and help provide care for the ages. Visit www. hamiltonhealth.ca to donate today.

BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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MARKETING

Great Results From Getting Back to Basics!

BRETT MEADOWS

your email. Because there was no conversation, no context, and no value given, you’ve cheated yourself and your prospect of the real value you create.

4. No Value Created The question is really, “How much value should I really give before I sell one single case?”

If you cannot, do not, or will not create value for your prospect, they are right to refuse your request for an appointment. Your prospect receives no value by being qualified. If you have no insight, no

ideas, and no profit making ideas, you are wasting their time—and making your job a lot harder than it has to be.

The reason we avoid the fundamentals is because, until you master them, they can be difficult to execute. Once you master them, they become second nature. Focus on the fundamentals.

This month get back to the basics! BL

Brett trains, coaches, and speaks to salespeople all over the country. For more information on seminars and training, please visit www.brettmeadows.com or contact the friendly folks at “Meadows Performance Sales and Strategy” via email at Info@brettmeadows.com or by calling 289.696.3605.

Why do some sales people rise to the top while other's struggle? No, it's not luck and no it's not because they have a better territory. It comes down to getting back to some basic fundamentals. You don’t have to like fundamentals, but you do have to obey them if you want to become one of the best.

1. No Targets Without identifying your prospects you are attempting to win through luck instead of intention.

If you don’t have a list of prospective customers for who you are certain you can create breathe taking, jaw dropping, earth shattering value, then you are only going to win these clients by accident. That isn't a good plan.

You need a list of prospects that will help you reach your goals. Don't have a list of prospects that will help you reach your goals? Take 10 minutes right now and write down 10 prospects that will help you reach your goals.

2. No Plan Many sales people drop in to see their prospect once a week with no real plan or reason for the decision maker to take you seriously. By not having a plan you are making it too easy for them to ignore you.

A quarterly email doesn’t make a mark at all. You are deleted without a second thought.

If your plan to get an appointment with your dream prospect doesn’t include a weekly value touch point the chances of you closing the account or even getting an appointment is slim to none.

3. No Control of the Process Why on earth would you email your prospect your proposal and pricing?

Why would you deprive yourself of presenting your solutions and ideas and having a conversation about what value and ideas you can bring to the table?

Once you’ve provided pricing by email, you have decided that your relationship is transactional. Your prospect doesn’t have to take your call or return

OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

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COMMUNITY LEADERS

2 MINUTES WITH

2 MINUTES WITH

OWNER

OWNER

KRISTINA MORGANELLI

NANCY CAMPBELL

KRISTINA'S KOLOURS FACIAL SPA

ONE SOURCE MOVING SOLUTIONS

NICKNAME: Nancy

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NICKNAME: Kris

WHERE ARE YOU FROM: Brantford, ON

WHERE ARE YOU FROM: Niagara Falls Ontario.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL: Brantford Collegiate, Niagara College

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL: St. Michael High School, Niagara College.

FAVOURITE FOOD: Homemade soup or chili on a cold day.

FAVORITE FOOD: Nachos.

BIGGEST QUIRK: Shoes

BIGGEST QUIRK: At the gym, I have to spray down the machine. The thought of

3 THINGS THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m a pretty

someones sweat on it grosses me out.

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open book, what you see is what you get.

3 THINGS THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I owned a swim

WHAT DO YOU LOVE: My family…two daughters Kim and Heather and I consider

school for 20 years, when I talk to old people I cry, I always wanted to be a lawyer.

them my best achievement. And, so grateful for “my grandchildren.” They are

WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST: My family.

the light of my life. Also love shopping, a clean house, organizing, traveling to

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE: Kindness, integrity, honesty, & logic.

Florida, walking.

YOUR DREAM: To own a second facial spa location.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE: Life is to short...live it with enthusiasm! I believe that

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Quality is the best business plan" - John Lasseter

happiness within brings about the good things you want in your life.

YOUR TOP 3 CHARACTERISTICS: Sarcastic, thoughtful, logical.

YOUR DREAM: My dream has been to help my clients transition from one home

YOUR STRENGTHS: I'm a perfectionist, generous, a hard worker, spontaneous.

to another in a positive environment while maintaining their control and dignity.

YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Swimming

YOUR TOP 3 CHARACTERISTICS: Loyalty, honesty, passion for my business

OTHER INTERESTS: I love to travel the world, going out to restaurants, spending

YOUR STRENGTHS: Building relationships, organization

time with my nieces and nephew.

FAVOURITE ACTIVITY: Socializing with friends, decorating my home OTHER INTERESTS: Gardening, walking/hiking

Starter Company Plus is a training and mentorship program for both new businesses and businesses in their first two years of operations. The program includes:

PLANNING ON STARTING A BUSINESS IN NIAGARA?

FREE BUSINESS TRAINING In the areas of business planning, sales & marketing, financial forecasting, bookkeeping, and more

MENTORING Meet regularly with a team of qualified business professionals that will help you successfully launch and grow your business

CONSULTING Develop your business plan and launch your business with guidance from Small Business Enterprise Centre Consultants

You could be eligible for Business Training, Mentoring, and $5,000 through the Starter Company Plus program…

NETWORKING Meet other new start-ups. Support and learn from each other GRANTS There are grants of up to $5,000 available Applicants must be over 18 and planning to work full-time in their business. Please contact the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre or Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre for a full list of eligibility requirements and further program details.

ST CATHARINES: NIAGARA FALLS:

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@SCEnterpriseCtr @NFEnterpriseCtr

Facebook.com/SCenterpriseCentre Facebook.com/NFSBEC

enterprisecentre@stcatharines.ca bmiller@niagarafalls.ca

905.688.5601 ext 1767 905.356.7521 ext 5130

BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

Canada’s Sesquicentennial October 2017

NIAGARA SUCCESS STORY

Edition 10

DANIMA CREATIVE GROUP

» Nick Svab and Dave Rotella Jr. owners of Danima Creative Group

Niagara Falls web design agency marks twenty years of serving its clients’ print and on-line needs.

SCOTT LESLIE

E

very day, thousands of small and medium-sized businesses struggle to market themselves on-line. That's why it’s important to have a digital expert in your corner someone who can make sense of your needs and deliver cutting edge solutions where it’s needed most. Someone like the dedicated team at DANIMA Creative Group.

DANIMA Creative Group is a progressive firm that offers a wide range of services including secure website and web system development, social media management, search engine optimization, branding and print design.

From the very beginning we have helped our clients keep up with the never-ending changes in the e-landscape,” says Dave Rotella, president and co-owner of DANIMA Creative Group, “and that commitment has really paid off for us over the years.”

A BRIGHT IDEA In many ways, the idea for DANIMA came about largely by accident. Back in the spring of 1998, Dave and his two friends Nick Svab and Matt Walsh were sitting around a patio, enjoying the sunshine and a frosty beverage, when the subject of the internet came up. In those days, the internet was all brand new and the three of them felt they should really be taking advantage of it. The question was-how?”

It didn’t take long for them to come to a decision. Why not launch their own web company? But what would they call their new enterprise?

One of them suggested they use the first two letters of their first names, and the idea clicked. “"DA-NI-MA" Technologies Inc. was born. “"Nick, Matt and I were all busy working our nine to five jobs,"” Dave recalls, “"but the idea of starting a business really motivated me. It created this fire inside me and every waking moment I wasn't working nine to five, I was working on our new venture."”

In the beginning, DANIMA was just a small three-man operation, offering services like web design, web hosting and domain name registration, and developing some basic web directories.

After working out of their homes for a few years, the friends...

Continued on page CS 2

CS 1

October 2017

Canada’s Sesquicentennial

» Derek Linton, Elvis Stojko, Dave Rotella Jr. Continued from page CS 1

Congratulations Danima in 20 Years of Success!

...would establish their very first office in 2003, sharing a unit on Morrison Street in Niagara Falls - and turned DANIMA into a full-time business. As time wore on, they also added a few key staff including an administrative assistant and two programmers to help out as the business began to grow.

By 2008, the company would move from its original Morrison Street site to its current location on 4056 Dorchester Road. But that time was also a period of soul searching for the company. The marketplace was changing, and the DANIMA team need to rise to meet the challenge. By 2010, DANIMA had begun to diversify and branched out into print and design services - even adopting a new name to reflect that growth: DANIMA Creative Group.

In the past year, the firm has also transitioned away from the web hosting business in order to focus on its core services - namely web, print and social media.

"Our philosophy hasn't changed since the day we started,"”Dave says. “"We're still dedicated to providing our clients with the tools to help them be successful both on and off-line."”

CLIENT MATTERS

Congratulations to Danima I can honestly say that Dave and the Danima teams support of designing and maintaining my website for 20 years literally catapulted my business to the top. I thank Danima from the bottom of my heart.

905.374.9002 - www.tstsafety.com CS 2

These days, DANIMA is one of the most cutting edge web development and print firms around with offices in Niagara Falls and Toronto. The company currently has eight employees and over 250 clients in Canada and the U.S. including major players like Air Canada, Hilton Niagara Falls, Toyota, Garda and Hamilton Health Sciences. DANIMA has also had its share of celebrity clients over the years including Milos Raonic, John Cafferty, Elvis Stojko, Marcel Dionne, Grammy award-winner Joe Grushecky, Steve Earle, Daniel Nestor, and most recently, legendary country-rock group Poco.

Over the years, DANIMA has created business systems for hundreds of firms in nearly every sector - whether it's the hospitality, insurance, music, non-profit or tourism fields.

For instance, DANIMA has had success with its Platypus Reservations Management System over the past several years which has been used successfully by many prominent local...

Continued on page CS 6

Canada’s Sesquicentennial

October 2017

CS 3

Canada’s Sesquicentennial

October 2017

Snapshots in Time Take a walk down memory lane with these vintage views from Niagara’s distant past.

BY SCOTT LESLIE

THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM In 1888, Crystal Beach Park opened as a religious campground on the shores of Lake Erie. The park eventually became a popular destination, drawing over 150,000 people a year, particularly patrons from nearby Buffalo, N.Y. But one of its most popular draws over the years was the Crystal Ballroom. The Schultz Brothers Company of Brantford began construction on the venue in November of 1924 and the new hall officially opened in May of the following year. The Crystal Ballroom was billed as “The Quarter-Million Dollar Hall” and had one of the largest dance floors in North America. During the summers, the hall’s sliding glass doors were opened up to let the breeze in from Lake Erie and cool off the ballroom.

There were also balconies at either end where spectators could watch the festivities and take in concerts from such wellknown orchestras at the time

like Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa, and Woody Herman. The ballroom would go through a number of updates.

In 1974, a fire damaged much of the hall and over $500,000 was spent to restore the building including the addition of The Big Top Restaurant - a new eatery that served alcohol. In the late 1980s, the owners would also spend thousands of dollars updating the ballroom’s stage and dance floor. Unfortunately, the park began to decline by the 1980s due to smaller family sizes and increased competition from such local amusement parks as Darien Lake, Fantasy Island and Canada’s Wonderland. The small concert venue was also cost-prohibitive for larger music acts.

In 1989, the Crystal Beach Amusement Park closed its doors for good. The Crystal Ballroom was torn down and many of the park’s rides and attractions would be sold. The land itself was cleared to make way for condominiums.

RIDGEWAY-CRYSTAL BEACH HIGH SCHOOL

CS 4

S.S. CANADIANA In 1908, the Lake Erie Excursion Company purchased the Crystal Beach Amusement Park - one of the most popular attractions in the Niagara area. That same year, the firm launched a passenger ferry called the Americana” to handle growing traffic between Buffalo. Two years later, business was so great they decided to add a second ferry the Canadiana.”

Designed by marine architect Frank E. Kirby, the new 215-foot Canadiana was built by the Buffalo Dry Dock Company and had the capacity to handle 3,500 passengers. In May of 1910, the Canadiana would begin ferrying passengers between Buffalo and Crystal Beach, making six round trips a day. The ferry was well-known for its elaborate decor which included gilded plaster mouldings, stained glass windows and long sweeping staircases. However, the Canadiana’s fortunes slowly began to dwindle with the rise

in automobile traffic and the construction of the Peace Bridge in 1927. Things were so slow that the Americana was taken out of service in 1928, although business did pick up substantially during the Second World War when gas rationing was in force. The ship’s owners eventually tried to attract more passengers by cutting ticket prices but to no avail. In 1956, the Canadiana was finally shut down and sold off.

Over the next few decades, the ship changed hands several times and served as a ferry and cruise boat in Ohio. In 1984, the deteriorating ferry was acquired by a non-profit group called the Friends of the Canadiana and brought to Buffalo with the hopes of restoring the Canadiana to its former glory. But their efforts ultimately fell through and the ship was dismantled in Port Colborne in 2004.

Back in the 1900s, Ridgeway secondary students didn’t have a lot of options. Starting in 1909, they were obliged to attend a small public school at the local Masonic Temple where all grades were taught in one place. By 1921, the school had run out of room, and all grades were transferred to the new Ridgeway Public School on 143 Ridge Road. It wasn’t until 1927 that Ridgeway established its very own high school on 576 Ridge Road. The new 12-room red brick building was designed by architects S.B. Coon & Son Limited in Toronto and cost $99,600 to build. Originally known as Ridgeway Continuation (High) School, the school was officially renamed “Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School” in 1930. And there would be many more changes over the years. In 1956 for instance, a new cafeteria was added and the building was renovated in the 1960s to make room for new science labs and a more expansive library. By 2014, however, the District School Board of Niagara decided to merge Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School and Fort Erie Secondary School due to a decrease in enrollment. Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School would close its doors and relocate to the newly-built Greater Fort Erie Secondary School on 1640 Garrison Road in the fall of 2017.

k n a h T ! u o Y

TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

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27th Year of

EVENTS VALVANO 'The Ride' for Wise Guys

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11th Annual Boxing Night Honouring the Niagara Legends 3rd Annual The Wise Girls "TEE PARTY" Live Auction Dinner Party

OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

14-02-20 11:29 AM

WHITE TEE SPONSORS Salit Steel Trius Winery at Hillebrand Lookout Point Golf & Country Club Royal LePage

Premier Bailiffs Bosak Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities Boldt Pools & Spas

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RED TEE SPONSORS DJB Chartered Accountants Burtnik Printing Advanced Office Solutions Grant Thornton LLP Henley Honda RBC Commercial Markets Rankin Construction

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Fidelity Investments JTL Integrated Machine LTD Martin Sheppard Fraser LLP Niagara Tent and Events Kully’s Original Sports Bar Niagara Clifton Group Horton Automatics of Ontario Romby's Tavern & Steakhouse

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ANOTHER RECORD SM

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3.11

$

Thanks to all ou Niagara Charitie

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BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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11th Annual Boxing Night Honouring the

In the Community Kullys Raffle Draw

Niagara Legends

River Lions Night

27th Annual Live / Silent Auction

Charity Golf Tournament

Valvano The Ride for Wise Guys

Dinner & Party

3rd Annual The Wise Girls "Tee Party"

27th Year of Wise Guys Charity Events 18

BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

Canada’s Sesquicentennial

October 2017

A SESQUICENTENNIAL TIMELINE

Here are some noteworthy events from Canada’s illustrious past―and our region’s own remarkable history.

Winemaker Herbert Konzelmann decides to relocate his family winemaking operation from Stuttgart, Germany to Canada, and establishes a new winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake on the shores of Lake Ontario. Konzelmann Estate Winery is born.

Canada introduces a new gold-coloured one dollar coin to replace its paper dollar bill. The coin is soon given the nickname “loonie” for its image of a common loon on one side.

Marc Garneau becomes one of Canada’s first astronauts, eventually logging over 677 hours in space.”

AAPEX, the largest driving academy in Niagara, is established.

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 Pilot Ruedi Hafen purchases Pan-Air Helicopters in Niagara Falls and transforms the dilapidated sightseeing operation into Niagara Helicopters.

The Toronto Blue Jays become the first Canadian baseball team in history to win the World Series.

The Vancouver World’s Fair also known as Expo 86 is held in British Columbia with a focus on transportation and communication.

The City of Welland commissions several artists from across the country to paint the Welland Murals on the sides of buildings in its downtown core.

In Calgary, Canada hosts the Winter Olympics for the very first time. Team Canada athletes Brian Orser and Elizabeth Manley both win silver medals for figure skating.

In April, Frank Di Bartolomeo founds Newport Signs in Port Colborne.

The Conservative government introduces the Meech Lake Accord in order to amend Canada’s Constitution, only to see it scuttled when Manitoba MLA Elijah Harper voices his dissent.

Jeff Reuter

New Conservative party leader Kim Campbell becomes Canada's first female prime minister but loses to the Liberals in the subsequent federal election.

Canada signs the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – a new economic partnership that links Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

purchases Reilly Insurance and launches Reuter & Reilly Insurance Brokers in Welland.

Casino Niagara opens in Niagara Falls on the former site of the Maple Leaf Village amusement park, and becomes a catalyst for development in the Niagara Region.

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

War breaks out in the Persian Gulf when Iraqi forces invade Kuwait.

Canada sends three warships and 2,400 troops to the Gulf as part of a United Nations effort to force Iraq to leave the tiny country.

Joe Kowalski, his brother Jack Kowalski, and John Kinney open Whirlpool Jet Boats in time for the summer season.

The Nitsopoulos brothers – Angelo, Chris, John, Jim and Peter incorporate their company under the name “Heart of Niagara Hotels” and make their first foray into the hotel business, purchasing the Howard Johnson’s on Meadowvale Drive in St. Catharines.

On October 30th, Quebec holds a referendum on sovereignty and elects to remain in Canada by a small majority.

The Royal Canadian Mint introduces a new two dollar coin. Like the “loonie” before it, the coin goes through several nicknames before finally settling on the “toonie.”

Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey is named “The World’s Fastest Man” when he breaks the world record for the 100 metre dash at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia with a time of 9.84 seconds.

CS 5

October 2017

Canada’s Sesquicentennial

» Dave Rotella Jr. and Toronto photographer Lisa MacIntosh hotels and tour companies. Just this fall, DANIMA also introduced the Tango Business Management System-a suite of human resource and business modules that are tailor made for small and medium-sized businesses.

According to Dave, the decision to get into building business systems such as intranets, project management systems and e-commerce systems was a natural one, as many businesses were looking for custom solutions to their business’ needs. “"About 10 years ago, we decided to invest our resources into ensuring all our web products were built in-house,"”he says. "That allows us to customize our products and serve our clients better."

The DANIMA team has also increased their business substantially by focusing on several growth areas like social media and digital marketing. Print services in particular have been a great addition for DANIMA in recent years. “ "We can serve all your print needs like signage, business cards, menus, brochures, window coverings you name it,"” Dave explains. "It makes for more consistent branding to have all your design needs created by the same company."

SEEING THE LIGHT Over its history, DANIMA has been fighting hard for its clients-but the DANIMA team is just as committed to fighting for the people who need it most.

In 2007, DANIMA became the lead organizer of Light of Day Canada -a series of benefit concerts that helps raise money for the Parkinson’s Society of Canada-and takes care of all the event marketing, social media, website, and ticket sales. Light of Day Canada then donates all the resulting proceeds towards several entities including Parkinson Canada, the Light of Day Foundation, the Steve Ludzik Foundation, Queen's University Neuroscience Studies, and the London Health Sciences Movement Disorder Centre.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system and impacts thousands of people each and every year. It’s a cause that has really hit home for Dave. “"Since Light of Day started, I've gotten to know many people with the disease and have lost several friends and family to Parkinson's," he says. "It's what motivates me to keep working hard so we can help find a cure and move on to the next one."

CS 6

» Nick Svab and Dave Rotella Jr. and Sopranos Actor Vincent Pastore To date, Light of Day Canada has raised over $400,000 for Parkinson's research-and the event continues to move from strength to strength.

In the past year or so, Light of Day Canada has grown to include concerts in Toronto, Hamilton, London and Kingston and added major acts like Blue Rodeo and Steve Earle to their shows.

Dave says it's a good feeling to give back to the community that has given so much to himself and DANIMA. “"We've donated a lot of time and resources in the past 10 years,"” he explains. "We've been donating to causes, sponsoring charity events and local sports teams, and create one or two websites for non-profits every year."

ROLLING WITH THE CHANGES Dave would be the first one to tell you how much the web business has changed since he started back in 1998. And a lot of web companies have fallen by the wayside since that time. Not DANIMA. “"We've continued to evolve our business over the years to keep up with changes," Dave explains. “Things have changed dramatically over the past 20 years and we’ve had to evolve or else we’d never have survived."”

The DANIMA team itself has also gone through many changes over the years. Dave's partner Matt left the company to teach at Fanshawe College in London back in 2001 and Nick looks after DANIMA’s operations in the GTA." But one thing will always stay the same-and that's DANIMA's commitment to being the best. “"I don't take this business for granted," Dave says.“"I'm grateful for the opportunity to get up every day and do something I love with great clients and a great team of talented individuals who have helped DANIMA evolve and succeed in a very competitive industry for 20 years. When I think back, it's hard to believe we were here before Facebook, Google, Wikipedia, Spotify and iPhones, and we've outlasted Napster, clipart, Flash websites, floppy disks, Ask Jeeves and much more! It hasn't been easy, but I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else." BL” DANIMA Creative Group is located at 4056 Dorchester Road, Suite 101, in Niagara Falls. For more information please call 905.357.4977, email support@danima.com or visit www.danima.com.

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CAREERS

The Right School.

The Right Carrier.

The Right Pay. SARAH DEKKER

JOBS ARE WAITING

FOR YOU

JUST TRUCK IT! Start Your Next Career With Us CALL OR EMAIL SARAH TODAY 289-321-1063 | sarahd@zavcor.com

www.ZavcorTrainingAcademy.com 3650 Eagle Street, Stevensville WITH A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED TRUCK DRIVERS THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO GET INTO THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

Z

avcor TruckinZavcor Trucking Limited understands the importance of asissting newly licenced tractor-trailer drivers in entering the industry and providing them with the proper training, to help succeed in their career. The education and experience you will receive at Zavcor Training Academy is the first step to being a safe and efficient driver.

The next step is to join a company with a supportive training program in place, to help refine and perfect your skills. Upon successful completion of our course, students will have an opportunity for employment at Zavcor Trucking Limited.

The Zavitz family has been in the trucking business now for 70 years and established Zavcor Trucking Limited in 1990. Zavcor is dedicated to the training, development and mentoring of newly licensed AZ drivers; and are proud to invest time into the next generation of ‘Professional Drivers’. Respect for the drivers has always been a part of the Zavcor culture.

Zavcor offers excellent long term career opportunites, for committed professional and dedicated drivers, by offering benefits such as competitive pay schedules and incentive bonuses. They specialize in the refrigerated transport of fruits and vegetables throughout Ontario and the northeastern United States; and currently have openings for both local and highway drivers. All of Zavcor’s fleet is late model; equipped with the newest technologies and our drivers operate both automatic and manual transmissions.

The school has partnerships with both longhaul and local trucking companies. These ‘Preferred Carriers’ will visit the classroom during each six-week AZ program to let the students know about their company’s offerings and what kind of drivers they are looking for; giving every Zavcor Training Academy Graduate preferential treatment.

We have been asked why Zavcor Trucking Limited has opened its own training academy.

The school opened so that Zavcor will have better access to ‘Qualified’ entry-level drivers.

Unfortunately, we found, in the past, that entry-level drivers applying for positions at Zavcor did not have the skills or knowledge to meet our hiring criteria.

Zavcor became registered as a private career college in 2016, under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 to train Professional, Qualified Truck Drivers. Zavcor Training Academy’s course of study is fully approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD). We have developed much of our curriculum through our relationship with Kim Richardson Transportation Specialists (KRTS) – a respected

truck driver training school in Caledonia, Ontario. The Academy is also a proud member of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) and the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO).

The AZ, course for tractor trailer drivers, is a six-week course running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. It provides 200 hours of instruction, a level that exceeds government training requirements of MELT (Mandatory Entry Level Training) by more than 80 hours.

(MELT was implemented by the province of Ontario on July 1, 2017.)

Using a combination of classroom and practical training, the school’s program covers a variety of topics. These include vehicle inspections, cargo and load securement, backing and docking, trip planning and map reading, required paperwork, electronic log books, speed and space management, accident procedures, railroad crossings, fuel calculations, hours of service, and regulatory requirements; a visit to either a scale house or the Customs buildings is also included.

Professional truck drivers, as a whole, enjoy flexible hours, attractive benefit packages and strong job security. The average starting wage for a professional driver is $40,000 - $60,000.

This amount can increase from $60,000 $80,000 and beyond; based on the equipment used, distance travelled and type of specialized freight hauled.

As the Director of Zavcor Training Academy I work with every client to ensure the best opportunity for a successful career. I will be helping you navigate through funding options to making enrollment efficient, your education rewarding and provide plenty of career options upon the successful completion of your course.

The school is located on the premises of Zavcor Trucking, giving you the advantage of learning in a trucking environment. No other school has a facility like ours, with maintenance and fuelling facilities on site, and a 7 acre yard; with the potential of staying on as a full-time employee.

Zavcor Trucking Limited welcomes all current students or graduates to contact us for further information about our mentoring program and how Zavcor Training Academy can help you launch a new career.

There is a world of opportunity out there for today’s drivers. We are an equal opportunity employer! I would like to extend an invitation to visit our school and meet our team. Please call, text, or email me to schedule your tour.

Written by Sarah Dekker Director of Zavcor Training Academy 289-321-1063 21

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T R AV E L

Say NO to Ice Cubes & Other Tidbits!

I

PROVIDED BY DREAM TRIPS

'm sure we all have that one travel story that goes around the family circle – the time you realized at the airport that your Passport was sitting safely on the kitchen counter...or worse you did say "yes" to ice for that Caribbean Rum Punch that was so tasty at the time. Well, here’s a few tidbits to think about before you head out on your next travel adventure:

1.

Check to ensure your passport is up to date.

2.

Pack a change of clothes in your carry on – just in case!

3.

Travelling abroad? Remember your voltage adapter.

4.

Let your bank/credit card provider know you’ll be out of the country.

(You don’t want them thinking your debit/credit cards are being used fraudulently.)

5.

Do you have to pay to visit or leave? Some countries have entrance/ exit fees. Have you researched your destination?

6.

Money, Money, Money – remember to purchase cash for the country your visiting! Cash is King after all.

I’ve always found that a checklist of items that need to be completed before my trip, what needs to be packed, and contacts that might be needed for the duration is always good to tuck into my carry on...just in case.

C O N TA C T I N F O : DREAM TRIPS / WORLD VENTURES NIAGARA: 289.438.2995 T O R O N T O : 6 4 7. 3 6 7. 2 9 0 7 T O L L F R E E : 1 . 8 7 7. 3 7 5 . 2 9 9 5 CANADA.DREAMTRIPS@GMAIL.COM

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our guest.

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Inspirational Speakers Door prizes, giveaways and light lunch provided Exclusive Access to Tradeshow Specials until Oct 31, 2017 Register at www.beyourbestatwork.ca to keep up to date on all conference information

*For every pre-registered guest that comes to the tradeshow & conference, Beatties will donate $10 to United Way* Bring this “Key” invite to trade in for a real key for a chance to unlock one of our grand prizes from our safe.

Register for full conference details www.beyourbestatwork.ca

22

STORE LOCATIONS

3 WAYS TO ORDER

St. Catharines 399 Vansickle Rd 905-688-4466 Fort Erie 458 Garrison Rd 905-871-7030

1. Phone: 905-688-4040 or 1-800-263-4977 2. Online: www.beatties.com 3. Email: orderdesk@beatties.com BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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SALES TRAINING

LEADERSHIP, IT’S NOT JUST FOR LEADERS

ESTABLISHED 25 YEARS

“Allowing leadership at all levels promotes openness and allows everyone to work together.”

LISA VON MASSOW

T

he traditional corporate structure in the workplace is changing at a speed never before experienced; Millennials are flooding into the workforce. These young professionals are confident, have strong opinions, and they want to have their voices heard. Successful companies and their HR departments understand this and instead of focusing on GPAs, they are looking for critical thinkers and problem-solvers. Working as a team and allowing leadership behaviours to naturally develop, gives employees the chance to be heard, no matter their level of seniority.

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Not sure a non-traditional leadership system is a good fit for your organization? Consider the following: LEADERSHIP ENCOURAGES TEAMWORK

Giving entry-level employees leadership opportunities demonstrates your company is working towards a stronger team. If people view their coworkers not just as titles like “Manager” or “Department Head,” but as teammates working towards a common goal, they are much more likely to respect each other and work cohesively.

L E A D E R S H I P C R E AT E S A N E V E N P L AY I N G F I E L D

NEW HOURS

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M. 43 SCOTT ST WEST, ST. CATHARINES • 905.984.3467

How often do managers in a typical leadership position not have the respect of their team? They may be perceived as bossy and more of an annoyance than a helpful presence. Giving everyone the ability to make decisions and be their own leader promotes a more equal workplace. Each employee has something they can contribute to the team. Allowing them to shine individually makes for a stronger team overall.

L E A D E R S H I P AT A L L L E V E L S P R O M O T E S O P E N N E S S

Leadership at all levels promotes openness and encourages everyone to work together. This concept also helps to identify slacking employees; there’s no place for them to hide in your organization. Laziness and a bad work ethic will be noticed and reported by an entire team of people. Poorly performing employees often slip under the radar, as managers may not notice their lack of dedication. When everyone fills a leadership role, every employee is free to speak up about issues and work together as a team to solve the problem at hand.

L E A D E R S H I P R E S U LT S I N H I G H E R M O T I VAT I O N F O R Y O U N G E R E M P L O Y E E S

Recognizing leadership at all levels of your organization can build motivation in new employees. Understanding that their ideas and suggestions are heard instead of dismissed, they will be more willing to contribute in the future. In contrast, if they are continuously ignored when contributing to a workplace conversation, they will become demotivated and disinterested. Supporting the growth of managerial skills can alleviate workplace boredom and help employees develop strong decision-making skills.

L E A D E R S H I P N E C E S S I TAT E S C O N S TA N T D E V E L O P M E N T F O R T H E E N T I R E C O M PANY

When every employee wears a leadership hat, company growth is sure to follow. When everyone, whether entry-level or senior staff, contributes to the company goal, new ideas and solutions will arise for the business to pick from. Creative interactions between co-workers will become more commonplace, leading to better work and more positive changes.

For companies to be successful in today’s fast-changing business climate, adaptability and innovation are key. Adopting a company-wide leadership culture gives employees at all levels the chance to be leaders and shape a company that embraces creative solutions and forward thinking. BL Lisa Von Massow is the owner and prinicpal of Sandler Training—Endurance Partners Inc., located at 461 Green Rd, Unit 11 in Stoney Creek. For more information, call 905.963.1339, email lisa.vanmassow@sandler.com or visit www. endurancepartners.sandler.com.

OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

FREE www.endurancepartners.sandler.com

461 Green Rd, Unit 11 Stoney Creek

905.963.1339

23

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COMMUNITY LEADERS

2 MINUTES WITH

2 MINUTES WITH

ADVISOR HULSE & ENGLISH

PGA PRO GRAND NIAGARA GOLF COURSE

TIM HOUSSER

BOB CULIG NICKNAME: Bubba or BCOOL

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NICKNAME: Doogie Housser

WHERE ARE YOU FROM: Fort Erie.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM: Niagara Falls, Ontario.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL: Notre Dame College, Brock University.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL: Holy Family, George P. Vanier, Notre Dame,

FAVOURITE FOOD: I like it all!

NFCVI, Brock U.

BIGGEST QUIRK: Being late or those around me making me late.

FAVORITE FOOD: Pasta Bolognaise.

3 THINGS THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? A diehard

BIGGEST QUIRK: I'm always smiling – people think I’m up to things & I’m a clean

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Bills and Sabres fan, love Croatian folk music, not sure about #3.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE: My job, working with my team, being with family and

freak.

3 THINGS THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT YOU: Very

friends.

competitive, very compassionate, voracious reader, always want to learn.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE: Good things happen to good people.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST: I love to see people becoming successful.

YOUR DREAM: One day, making it down to the Masters.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE: Family, friends, integrity & self-respect – THE most

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Nothing that stands out but hearing and what he stood for."

important things in life!

- Arnold Palmer

YOUR DREAM: Travel the world freely! Watch my children & grandchildren grow

YOUR TOP 3 CHARACTERISTICS: Sincere and hardworking, treat those around

up to be successful.

you with respect and know that I am only as good as only those who I surround

FAVORITE QUOTE: “My mission in life is not to merely survice but to thrive and to

myself with. A smile goes a long way!

do so with passion, humour, compassion and style.” – Tim Housser

YOUR STRENGTHS: Good to work for, believe in what I do and who I do it for.

YOUR TOP 3 CHARACTERISTICS: Loving, compassionate, driven.

Try to learn something new each and every day.

YOUR STRENGTHS: Good listener, open-minded, always thinking outside the box.

FAVOURITE ACTIVITY: Hanging with friends and family, a casual round at the Club.

YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Playing/coaching hockey, golfing, running, cycling.

OTHER INTERESTS: Sports and current events - any and all.

OTHER INTERESTS: Health, wellness in all aspects of life.

Get in Gear for Winter Jobs.

JOB SEEKERS INFORMATION • Job postings through our website & job board • Resource area open to public • Resume & cover letter writing • Community resource and referral information • Job search strategies • Assistance with clarifying employment, training & career goals • Second career information & registration assistance

EMPLOYER INFORMATION • Free job postings • FIll job vacancies quickly & efficiently • Reduce employment costs • All candidates are pre-screened • Job trials and training incentives • Financial assistance opportunities for training costs

COURSES AVAILABLE NOW • Interview Skills & Techniques • Safety Awareness & WHMIS • Smart Serve • Standard First Aid & CPR • Lift Truck with Propane Cylinder Exchange • Counterfeiting Prevention • Working at Heights Certification

Niagara Employment Help Centre 7-6100 Thorold Stone Road, Niagara Falls 905.358.0021 Ext. 0 // www.ehc.on.ca 24

This Employment Ontario program / service is funded by the Government of Ontario

BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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BUSINESS PROFILE

DAN'S DIVE SHOP

Niagara diving experts have become one of Canada’s leading scuba diving instructors and equipment dealers.

SCOTT LESLIE

M

att Mandziuk has been diving now for most of his adult life.

But the owner of Dan’s Dive Shop in St. Catharines never tires of trawling ancient wrecks or passing his diving knowledge on to the next generation. To Matt, it’s always a thrill.

“Scuba diving is one of the most exhilarating ways to spend your time,” he says. “That first breath underwater is a memory most people cherish forever.”

That passion for diving is what fuels the success of Dan’s Dive Shop. Every since it first opened back in 1974, Dan’s has continued to grow with the times – transforming itself from a modest storefront into a one-stop-shop for the diving enthusiast.

One of Dan’s biggest strong suits has always been its inventory. Dan’s carries the largest selection of scuba diving equipment in the country – everything from snorkeling gear and air tanks to metal detectors and wetsuits.

That includes many of the top brands in the industry like Halcyon, Diving Unlimited International, Dive Rite, Fourth Element, Scubapro, and Light & Motion.

“We carry a large stock so our customers can try their items on in-store,” Matt explains. “That way, they can make sure they’re completely satisfied with their purchase.”

Matt and his staff can service all kinds of scuba related items – whether it’s repairing drysuits or testing compressed gas cylinders. Dan’s even has a wide range of scuba gear rental packages available.

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Every diver has to learn somewhere—and there’s no better place to start than Dan’s Dive Shop. Over its history, Dan’s has provided advanced scuba diving courses to literally thousands of recreational, cave and technical divers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Matt and his team often rely on eLearning, Skype and podcasts to teach their students—but on-site instruction has always been their forte. Dan’s certified instructors take students on countless local and international diving excursions each year. They often go to places like South Conception Bay in Newfoundland which has a number of World War Two era wrecks, although they have explored sunken ships in locales like Lake Superior and the coast of British Columbia. Back here at home, Dan’s takes diving trips to such out-of-the-way spots as Sherkson Quarry and the Old Welland Canal.

Matt says they prefer to run small intimate groups, typically with six divers or less.

OCTOBER 2017 | BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA

“Many of our participants are already certified divers,” he says, “while some new divers join us on these trips to complete their certification dives.”

When it comes to experience, Dan’s Dive Shop is a proud member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) – the largest international diver training organization­­—and the third oldest PADI shop in the world.

“We’re one of the more progressive and affordable dive shops out there,” Matt explains. “We offer a Rolls Royce approach—but not at a Rolls Royce price.”

SHARING THE LOVE

Dan’s was originally founded by Matt’s father Dan, an accomplished scuba diving instructor who opened his first location on Lakeport Road in Port Dalhousie in 1974. In later years, Dan would move his operation to 329 Welland Avenue in St. Catharines and invited his son Matt to join the family business in 1997. Dan eventually retired when his son took over the business three years ago. But Matt and his staff of six full and parttime employees continue to promote the same guiding principles Dan introduced back in the day.

“My dad always wanted to share his love of diving with the world,” Matt says, “and we feel the same way.”

In 2014, Dan’s celebrated its 40th anniversary in business—and there’s no plan to slow down anytime soon. This fall, they have diving excursions planned in Mexico and the Bahamas not to mention dives around the Niagara Region every week. There’s even Black Friday and rental gear sales in the works.

Over 20 dive shops have come and gone in Niagara over the years­­—but Dan’s Dive Shop is the only one that has withstood the test of time.

In Matt’s eyes, that long-running success is easy to explain.

“Forty years in any business is no easy task,” he says, “but our customers and students are the real secret behind our success. We couldn’t have done it without them.” BL

Dan’s Dive Shop is located at 329 Welland Avenue in St. Catharines. For more information on Dan’s Dive Shop, 905.984.2160, info@dansdiveshop.ca dansdiveshop.ca.

25

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OUR FUTURE

NSIGHTS I N N O VAT I O IN

powered by powered by

KICK-STARTING YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES WITH THE CANADIAN YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND

JUSTIN KUHN

26

T

hroughout​ ​my​ ​education​ ​I​ knew​ ​my​ greatest ​strengths​ and interests ​were​ ​ in​ ​creative​ ​projects, presentations, ​and​ ​group​ ​activities. And in​ Grade​ ​11 after reading​​The Secret to Success by Eric Thomas, I discovered my passion for entrepreneurship. ​That​ ​year​ ​I​ ​applied​ ​for​ ​an​ ​internship​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York​ ​City​ ​through​ ​the Discovery​ ​Internship​ ​program​ ​and​ ​was​ ​accepted ​to​ ​work​ ​with​ ​a​ ​startup​ ​for​ ​the​ ​summer​.​ ​I​ fell​ ​in love​ ​with​ ​the​ ​culture,​ ​work,​ ​and​ ​practical​ ​learning​ ​that​ ​came​ ​with​ ​this​ ​experience.​ ​​ ​During the​ ​last​ ​two​ ​years​ ​I​ ​have​ ​participated​ ​in​ ​the​ ​DSBN​ ​Entrepreneurship​ ​Co​ ​-​ ​ Op, ​St. Catharines Small Business Enterprise Center’s Summer​​Company​​program,​​and​​ worked​ ​for​ ​Curexe,​ ​a​ ​startup​ ​based​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​DMZ​ ​incubator in​ ​Toronto.

Building my professional network, particularly in Niagara and Toronto, within the business community accelerated my learning and understanding of business and entrepreneurship. ​ Without​ ​my​ ​parents, ​ ​mentors, ​ ​and​ ​vice​ ​principal​ ​I​ ​never would have​​ ​believed​ ​I​ ​had​ ​the​ ​ ability​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​my​ ​goals​ ​and​ ​act​ ​on​ ​my​ ​ideas.​ ​My​ ​vision of​ ​entrepreneurship​ ​has​ ​always​ ​ been​ ​about​ ​choosing​ ​to​ ​take​ ​an​ ​alternative​ ​approach​ ​to learning​ ​and​ therefore,​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​ to​ ​offer​ ​other​ ​students​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​​ ​​​create​​ ​​their​​ ​​own​​ ​​learning​ ​paths. This idea inspired me to develop the Canadian Youth Entrepreneurship Fund (CYEF).

The CYEF​ ​offers​​ ​​secondary​​ ​​students​​ ​​the​​ ​​opportunity​​ ​​to apply​​ ​​for​​ ​​micro​​ ​​grants​​ ​​to​​ ​​kick​ ​ start​​ ​​their​​ ​​entrepreneurial​​ ​​initiatives​​ ​​throughout​​ ​​their​​ ​​co-op​ ​term​ ​or as​ ​an​ ​extracurricular​ ​pursuit. ​ ​Providing​​ ​​students​​ ​​with​​ ​this​ ​​opportunity​​ ​​will​ ​generate​​ ​​exposure​​ ​​to​ ​experiential​ ​learning​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​build​ ​and​ ​cultivate​ ​professional​ ​relationships. ​

Not​​ ​​only​​ ​​will​​ ​​students​​​ ​​focus​​ ​​on​ ​bringing​​ ​​their​​ ​​ideas​​ ​​to​​ ​​market,​ ​​they​​ ​​will​​​ ​​gain​​ ​​practical​​ ​​ experience​ ​with​​ ​​access​​ ​​to​ ​community​​ ​​networking​​ ​​events​,​ ​​workshops​ ​and​ ​mentorship.

The​ ​CYEF​ ​will​ ​supplement​ ​traditional​ ​education​ ​offered​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom.​ ​This​ ​project​ ​will​ ​offer students​ ​who​ ​benefit​ ​from​ ​practical,​ ​hands-on​ ​experience,​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​ to​ ​gain​ ​insight​ ​into the​ ​advancement​ ​and​ ​progressive​ ​business​ ​world​ ​in​ ​which​ ​we​ ​live.​ ​ This​ ​project​ ​will​ ​also​ ​aid​ ​in preparing​ ​students​ ​for​ ​the​ ​constantly​ ​changing​ ​job​ ​market​ ​ students​ ​will​ ​enter​ ​upon​ ​graduating from​ ​secondary​ ​and​ ​post-secondary​ ​institutions.

Students​​ ​​who​​ ​​are​​ ​​interested​​ ​​in​​ ​​applying​​ ​​for​​ ​​the​​ ​​grants​​ ​​will​​ ​​participate​​ ​​in​​ ​​a​​ ​​multi-stage​​ ​​ application process​​ ​​where​​ ​​they​​ ​​will​​ ​​fill​​ ​​out​​ ​​an​​ ​​online​​ ​​questionnaire,​​ ​​engage​​ ​​in​​ ​​a​​ ​​professional​​ ​​phone​ ​interview​ ​and​​ ​​a​​ ​​pitch​-style​​ ​​presentation​​ ​​to​​ ​​provide​​ ​​proof​​ ​​of​​ ​​concept,​​ ​​go​ -to​-​market​​ ​​strategy,​ ​and​​ ​​a daily​ action​​ ​​plan.​​ ​​Throughout​​ ​​the​​ ​​school​ ​year​ ​​they​​ ​​will​​ ​​be​​ ​​required​​ ​​to​​ ​​maintain​ ​​detailed​​ ​​activity​​ ​​logs and​ ​attend​ ​workshops​ ​​and​​ ​​bi​-​weekly​​ ​​meetings​​ ​​ to​​ ​​discuss​​ ​​their​​ ​​projects​ ​with​ ​our​ ​mentorship committee.

Because of​ ​partnerships​​ ​​with​​ ​​the​​ ​​Education​​ ​​Foundation,​​ ​​District​​ ​​School​​ ​​Board​​ ​​of​​ ​​Niagara​ ​and​​ ​​ihub​, and ​sponsorship​​ ​​from​​ ​​Innovate Niagara, Meridian​​ ​​Credit​​ ​​Union,​​ ​​Biolinc,​​ ​​ Pen​​ ​​Financial Credit Union,​ ​Niagara​ ​Addiction​​ ​​Services,​​ ​​the​​ ​​Thornton​​ ​​Group​​ ​​of​​ ​​Companies​​, ​​and​​ ​​The​​ ​​Shield​​ ​​Fire​​ ​​and​​ ​​Security, we​ ​can​​ ​​pilot​​​​ ​​CYEF​​ ​​in Niagara during​ ​the​ ​2017/18​ ​ academic​ ​​year. BL Justin Kuhn is the founder of the Canadian Youth Entrepreneurship Fund. He is in his first year of studies at George Brown College and Ryerson University’s Startup School. email justin@cyef.ca.

BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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NIAGARA FALLS

Downtown BIA bringing new projects, excitement to Queen Street in Niagara Falls.

SCOTT LESLIE

B

ack at the turn of the century, Queen Street was in its element. The revered Niagara Falls thoroughfare was home to many of the city’s big players like the Bank of Hamilton and the F.C. Burroughes Furniture Company – and major department stores like Rosberg’s and Woolworths would grow to become the anchors of the city’s downtown core.

Unfortunately, Queen Street began to decline. In 1977, when Niagara Square opened in the city’s south end, residents began turning to the new shopping mall for their retail needs.

Times had changed.

But the Downtown BIA is optimistic that there are big things in store for Queen Street.

“We want to bring some new energy and ideas to the downtown,” says Richard Gilbert, past project manager at the Downtown BIA. “We want to see the Queen Street business district transition back to a vital and dynamic economic hub from its glory days back in the 1970s, before the arrival of malls and big box conglomerates.”

Local residents who haven’t been to the Queen Street area recently will be surprised to see the many updates that have taken place along the main thoroughfare. Over the past few years, the City of Niagara Falls has spent millions on beautification projects in the area, adding new street signage and wrought iron archways. Substantial floral arrangements, street beds and urns have also been established along the entire length of the street.

“Queen Street itself has seen a major makeover in the last five years or so,” Richard says. “There’ve been a number of infrastruc-

ture enhancements such as water, sewer, buried hydro and telephone cables, and sidewalk expansion.”

In terms of amenities, Queen Street has over 100 shops and services – and plenty of free parking – for people to choose from.

Queen Street is also home to Niagara Falls’ transportation hub with Via Rail, inter-city buses and WEGO buses all operating out of the area. The Queen Street area will even be welcoming a new GO Train terminal in 2023 that will dramatically increase traffic in the downtown.

Richard says Queen Street is ideally situated to take advantage of its close proximity to busy traffic areas.

“Queen Street benefits from being connected to Victoria Avenue traffic and River Road at either end,” Richard says, “Approximately 18,000 cars drive along River Road in the peak summer months – and we need to tap into that more.”

According to Richard, the real key to success in downtown Queen Street is repopulating its residential base. With lots of vacant public land around, the Downtown BIA would like to see more middle class residents to the area with the development of more apartments and standalone condos.

“Right now, Queen Street has the lowest cost for retail space per square footage,” Richard says. “We’ve got some competitive lease rates, perhaps the best in the City.”

Building that sense of energy has been a constant focus for the Downtown BIA. In recent years, the agency has launched several festivals to draw people back to the downtown including the Springlicious Food Festival and Cruising on the Q – a vintage cars celebration. That doesn’t include the Canada Day and Santa Claus

Parade festivities that annually take over the downtown core and attract thousands of spectators.

Queen Street has always taken great pride in its business community. Stalwart businesses like Olsen-Sottile Insurance Brokers Inc. and Moody’s Bakery have been part of the downtown landscape for decades now. Queen Street also boasts a wide range of longstanding business professionals, whether it’s lawyers, accountants, architects or pharmacists.

However, new additions are quickly becoming the lifeblood of the area. In recent times, Queen Street has welcomed Fae Nature and the Queen Bean Café – not to mention attractions like Qube Escape Rooms, Adventure Rooms Canada, Batl and Daredevil Alley – a tribute to some of Niagara’s most colourful figures.

Richard is encouraged by all the recent activity.

“Heart Niagara recently moved to Queen Street,” he says, “and provides heart-related education and services to the entire region. The historic Seneca Queen Theatre also continues to be a major provider of concerts and entertainment, attracting citywide and regional attendees.”

These days, Queen Street clearly offers a little something for everyone – and the local business community feels the downtown is moving in the right direction.

“We’re looking forward to brighter days ahead for Queen Street,” Richard says. “With its numerous restaurants and bars, the new businesses coming to the street, and the historic charm of the downtown area, we feel it’s a prescription for success.” BL

HELPING BUSINESS GET STARTED The Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre is your first stop for information and advice on starting and expanding your business • • • • • • •

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Keep it Simple GERRY VISCA

My 48 year journey on this earth has been a wondrous journey learning how to develop the capacity to savour less. Everyone of us has been presented with a treasure, the gift of limited time. We have a choice to begin to remove the enormous 'complexity' we have unconsciously piled onto our lives. There is a light at the top of the heap. We can decide to allocate our life force to only the things that light us up with joy.

Simplifying your life begins with choosing to consciously throw out all the garbage in your mind through a daily practice of clearing the mind. The deeper levels of peace and fulfillment that all of man kind is ultimately seeking will emerge when we simplify the contents of our mind.

You are the only one that can choose to do the inner work, step into living these questions and become aware of your higher self but you have to start deconstructing (breaking down and disassembling what no longer serves you) in all aspects of your life.

It's funny, we are never taught this at a young age or any age for that matter. We are immersed in a society that strives to consume and pursue more. We have forgotten our true purpose which is to elevate the human race and that my friends will come about when we choose to BE (as in we are human beings) as opposed to unconsciously living as human DOings.

We have somehow allowed life to pile more crap upon us. Instead of living and creating life on our terms we choose to bog ourselves down with endless to-do lists that bog down our minds and keep us from focusing on only the things that truly matter.

Life is meant to be lived through greater levels of passion and purpose. Together, these two energies truly create the meaningful outcomes we are all seeking: a path to inner peace, harmony and fulfillment.

I hope this #whytime inspires you to live the rest of your days with a greater sense of urgency for the one life you've been given. BL

Gerry Visca is the #Why Guy, a contributor to The Business Link, one of Canada's top inspirational speakers, the author of 16 books, including the hit seller: Remembering Why, a transformational novel.

Visit www.gerryvisca.com. When you order two copies of Gerry's books, you receive the gift of one-onone WHY Time with Gerry. email gerry@redchairbranding.com Follow Gerry on twitter @gerryvisca www.facebook.com/gerryvisca

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COACHING

Every family has a story to tell.

SHOULD YOU DO THIS PROJECT?

That’s where you come in…

Do you have a family-owned and operated business? Or have some expert advice you’d like to share with the Niagara, Hamilton and Halton business communities?

If so, we’d like to hear from you. With our new All in the Family Magazine, we can profile your business, share your expertise or help you explore a wide variety of advertising opportunities. Contact us today. The story is yours to tell.

DENNIS O'NEILL

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Whenever I consider doing a project, I always ask myself the following questions: PROJECT EVALUATION SYSTEM G O A L S / VA L U E S 6. What is the purpose/need of this project?

5. How will the payer evaluate the job done?

4. Is this "what I do"? (my area of expertise) 3. How will this further my goals/vision?

2. What is the level of job satisfaction?

1. What is the stress level?

TIMING 5. What time will be needed?

4. Is this the best use of my time?

3. Is there a lot of commuting or down time?

2. Will this interfere with other projects?

1. What is the deadline and is there a late penalty?

FINANCIAL 4. Does it pay my rate?

3. Will I require any financial investment?

2. What will this project do for my reputation?

1. Is there potential for repeat business?

A F F I L I AT I O N 3. What are the benefits/drawbacks of working with this client?

2. Who else will I need to work with and will that be beneficial?

1. Will I meet anyone worthwhile to add to the network?

R I S K FAC TO R 2. What is the worst case scenario of risk?

1. How can I reframe this risk as a positive challenge?

EXCELLENCE 1. How can I best do this project?

Often my projects turn out as “Easy, effortless, enjoyableand profitable." The chances of that will increase using the evaluation above. BL

Dennis O’Neill, The Business Growth Coach is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

AITF-Oct16.indd 1

2016-09-29 9:25 AM

Be a part of our 2017 issue. Call one of our marketing experts today.

905.646.9366 | info@businesslinkmedia.com | www.allinthefamilymag.ca

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BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017

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BUSINESS ADVICE

A FARMER’S LESSON BRANDON SLOAN

H

aving been born and raised in Niagara, I feel as though many take our region’s beauty for granted. Living in one of the most picturesque areas of the world sure has its perks, from famous waterfalls to scenic parkways to an overwhelming number of activities to enjoy. One of the most intriguing aspects of our region, however, has to be our farmers. Revered around the world for their award winning wine and fresh produce, Niagara farmers are often unheralded for the role they play not only in our economy, but in embodying our region’s hard-working and diligent spirit. Let’s be honest though, a farmer’s life surely isn’t an easy one. Early mornings and long nights coupled with unpredictable weather that can kill a crop in an instant are just a few worries that farmers deal with on a daily basis.

Regardless of circumstance, it’s a farmer’s ability to stay the course and remain focused on the long term that leads to yielding a harvest.

Sound familiar? It’s probably because a lot of these same lessons can be applied to business. No matter the industry, there are certain lessons that any business should be aware of and practice. These lessons, while relatively simple, could be the difference between the success and failure of a company. Be sure to take all three of these lessons to heart and apply them to your approach.

SOW YOUR SEED

Similarly to a farmer sowing seed for the upcoming season, business owners need to invest time into developing their business and, more specifically, their marketing strategy. Put it this way, if you were a farmer and wanted to grow corn would you just throw any seed into the ground and hope that corn grows? Of course not!

Strategic planning involves developing a concrete plan of attack where you outline your goals, break down your target segment to its core and then create a blueprint of how you plan to attract them. Keep in mind that it’s critical to not overlook the severity of this step as it gives you a reference point when making decisions about your company and ensures that you don’t get distracted and fall off course.

NURTURE YOUR CROP

Now that your seed is in the ground it’s time to nurture your crop so that it grows. Just like watering, nurturing and protecting plants from insects and inclement weather, you too need to nurture your marketing plan.

Investing valuable resources like time and money are important factors when cultivating your plan, as without these two components it’s very unlikely that you’ll yield a worthwhile result. Taking the time to develop and then invest into your marketing channels will make the world of a difference when generating and converting leads, which leads us to the best part.

HARVEST TIME

Now it’s time to reap the benefits of all the hard work and investments that you injected into your marketing plan. It’s crucial in this last step to ensure that you don’t lose focus, as you still need to convert those coveted leads into actual sales. Keys components of this step include quickly responding to potential clients and remembering that your goal should be to educate consumers, not push them into a purchase. If you do this then the sales will naturally start to flow in.

Business, like farming, is never as easy as it looks. It takes time to build your plan and cultivate your audience. Remember that the key to any successful business plan is to stick with it and ignore any temporary setbacks that you will inevitably experience. If you stay focused on the end result, then your harvest will come! BL Brandon Sloan is a sales and marketing director at Symetric Productions located at 196 King Street in St. Catharines. For more information, please call 905.933.4910, email info@spcan.com or visit www.symetricproductions.com.

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With your support, we can open the door to a whole new dimension of discovery, strength and hope for men, women and children who are living with cancer in Niagara.

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BUSINESS LINK NIAGARA | OCTOBER 2017