CanadianSME Small Business Magazine September 2020

ISSUE 22 - SEPTEMBER 2020

CANADIANSME Empowering Canadian Small & Medium Businesses

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WELCOME Welcome to the CanadianSME September issue! As we slowly approach the end of 2020, it’s crucial that we remember how far we’ve come despite all the challenges that we were faced with this year. It’s also important that we look forward to upcoming events that can contribute to the success of our nation’s business industry.

With that in mind, CanadianSME is proud to announce The Small Business Summit, which is an exclusive event for small business owners. This twoday event scheduled to take place in October gathers Canada’s top leaders and entrepreneurs who will share their wisdom and expert advice that can be beneficial for small business owners.

Another exciting event that CanadianSME is looking forward to is the nominations for the CanadianSME National Business Awards 2020. Following last year’s successful event, we are very excited about this year’s nominations. Make sure to be on the lookout as more details will be announced closer to the date.

Putting the list of events aside, this month’s issue is filled with exciting interviews from industry experts across Canada. To start off, we have exclusive interviews with founders such as Lisa Jolly, Founder of Honeybunch, Chelsea Rivera who is the co-founder at Honest Paws and Zach Sims, co-founder and CEO of Codecademy. We’re also very excited to include interviews with Rebecca Smith who is the Director, Group Life and Disability Services from Medavie Blue Cross, Frank Bilotta, Partner at SBLR LLP Tax, Victoria Deboon who is Director of Sales at SAP Concur Canada and Niger Branker, President, Heath and Productivity Solutions and Executive Vice President at Morneau Shepell.

The September issue of CanadianSME also includes resourceful articles for entrepreneurs as they overcome the challenges that the global pandemic has caused on their business. Articles such as Mid-Pandemic Marketing, What Small Business Owners Can Learn from Canada’s Craft Brewers and How to Manage Finances in Times of Crisis are great ressources that Canadian small business owners can benefit from. These are only some of the interesting articles you will find in this month’s issue.

As we work together to bring you expertise knowledge and exclusive interviews month after month, we hope that you find our September issue resourceful. Our team of experts work hard every month to ensure to bring you the best information and once again, we thank you for your loyalty and putting your trust in us month after month. Happy reading!

Thanks for your support!

www.canadiansme.ca info@canadiansme.ca canadiansme canadian_sme canadiansme canadiansme Publisher Shaik Khaleeluddin (SK)

Webmaster Ashraf

Consulting Editor Shiraz Siddique

Social Media Cmarketing Inc

Creative Designer Rakibul Islam

Photography Ahsan Khan 416 617 3058

Client Manager Sheliza Yacoob Contributors ZACH SIMS Karisa Marra Rebecca Smith Chelsea Rivera Frank Bilotta

Lisa Jolly Karen McGregor Nigel Branker Mostafa Sayyadi Victoria Deboon

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The contents in CanadianSME Magazine are for informational purposes only. Neither Cmarketing, the publishers nor any of its partners, employees or affiliates accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of its contents.

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2020

CONTENTS

As October is Small Business Month in Canada, on October 20 and 21, we are hosting the inaugural The Small Business Summit and would like to invite you to be a part of it.

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CANADIANSME THE SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT - 2020

CHELSEA RIVERA’S TIPS ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY WORK REMOTELY Co-Founder of Honest Paws

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HOW TO DESTRESS DURING A PANDEMIC WITH REBECCA SMITH Director, Group Life & Disability Services

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HOW ZACH SIMS GREW A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Cofounder and CEO of Codecademy

26 NIGEL BRANKER DISCUSSES THE IMPACTS OF MENTAL HEALTH ON YOUR BUSINESS. President, Health & Productivity Solutions & Executive VP At Morneau Shepell

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FRANK BILOTTA’S ADVICE ON MANAGING TAXES CPA, CGA - Partner at SBLR LLP Tax

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LISA JOLLY

FOUNDER OF HONEYBUNCH NATURALS, A NATURAL SKINCARE AND WELLNESS PRODUCT LINE.

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VICTORIA DEBOON’S DIRECTOR OF SALES SAP CONCUR CANADA SAFETY ADVICE FOR TRAVEL DURING COVID Director Of Sales Sap Concur Canada

INTERVIEW

HOW

ZACH SIMS GREW A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Z

ach is the cofounder and CEO of Codecademy, the leading provider of online education to close the skill gap. Since its founding in 2011, Codecademy has helped

more than 45 million people around the world learn the skills they need to find jobs in the twenty-first century through an engaging, flexible, and accessible online product. Codecademy has helped popularize the concept of literacy in Computer Science and introduced programming to tens of millions of people around the world. In addition to its work with consumers around the world, the company works with governments like the United Kingdom’s and the United States’ to roll out nationwide Computer Science education initiatives in K-12 and targeting unemployment, as well as working with organizations like Twitter and Google to spread technical knowledge. Codecademy has raised more than $42.5m from prominent investors including Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Thrive Capital, Index Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Richard Branson, Yuri Milner, Naspers, Y Combinator, and more.

Zach and Codecademy were honored by The World Economic Forum as Technology Pioneers. Zach has spoken in Davos at the WEF’s Annual Meetings and has appeared on television shows like The Colbert Report and in newspapers like The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. In 2013, Zach was voted to TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list. Forbes Magazine and Inc. Magazine each have named Zach to their respective “30 Under 30” lists.

When not working on Codecademy, Zach is a Venture Partner at Bowery Capital, a seed-stage venture capital firm, and an advisor to Bloomberg Beta, Bloomberg LP’s venture capital fund. He is an investor in numerous startups including the apparel company Represent (acquired by CustomInk), computer vision and self-driving company Blue Vision Labs, men’s health company Roman, and more. Prior to Codecademy, Zach worked at GroupMe (acquired by Skype) and drop.io (acquired by Facebook). He was a student at Columbia University before dropping out to start Codecademy.

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What was the inspiration behind the founding of Codecademy? What are you hoping to accomplish through it?

Codecademy was inspired by my college years, when I realized there was a massive gap between what I was learning in the classroom and what I wanted to do in my career. The tech industry was rapidly taking off, yet education was hardly keeping up. After I tried and failed to teach myself technical skills, my co-founder and I teamed up to create a better way of learning -- one that would help people gain in-demand skills in an accessible, engaging and flexible way.

At Codecademy, our mission is to empower learners, helping them unlock new skills and economic opportunities through our online coding courses. We aim to not only build skills and employability for our users, but fundamentally change the way people learn.

Since the launch of Codecademy in 2011, the company has served over 45 million individuals within over 190 countries. What would you say are some of the strategies that have contributed to the success of the organization? What sets Codecademy apart from other similar companies?

At Codecademy, we put a lot of time and effort into making our learning experience the best it can be. We listen to our learners to ensure we’re delivering not only the highest quality curriculums, but the most interactive and enjoyable experience on the platform.

Codecademy has also worked with some of the world’s most influential public and private organizations, including government partnerships across Europe and the Americas, as well as collaborations with Google and Amazon on our curriculums. These partnerships have allowed us to make an even larger impact, providing critical education experiences to people across the globe.

What are some of the initiatives that Codecademy has implemented to remain innovative in its field?

This year, we’ve been particularly focused on making online learning more accessible, especially in response to the COVID-19 crisis. In March, we moved quickly to implement two initiatives to help those affected by the pandemic. The first was our student scholarship initiative, allowing us to grant 100,000 scholarships to students affected by school closures. The second was our worker support campaign, through which we’ve provided 50,000 Pro memberships and counting to workers who have been laid off or furloughed.

Remote learning continues to be a challenge for so many, which is why we’re expanding our work with students and teachers this fall, including

a new student membership plan. As an edtech company that’s been working in online education for 9 years, we have a unique opportunity to help students and teachers improve their remote learning experience and navigate another complicated school year ahead.

Both yourself and Codecademy were honored by The World Economic Forum as Technology Pioneers. How does that make you feel? What does this recognition mean to you and how has it motivated you to remain on top?

I think it’s recognition of the huge need we’re trying to solve and hopefully shows the world that it’s possible to make a dent in a problem you care about. We used the moment to recognize and reflect on everything we’ve already accomplished, while looking ahead to the future and what we still want to achieve.

Codecademy recently announced the launch of a new interactive VR course, Learn-A- Frame. What can you tell us about this program and how do you believe it can help those who will use it?

We’re thrilled to launch the world’s first interactive VR course that’s actually taught in VR. It’s suited not only for developers and designers, but for non-technical creatives as well, allowing learners to build 3D environments and preview them in real time using a VR headset. I love the creative applications of the course, and believe this has the potential to change how we learn and build things. There really is nothing out there like it! .

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on many organizations. What’s been the biggest impact it’s had on the company?

At the onset of the pandemic, we knew we had a responsibility to make an impact and share our platform with those in need. We quickly deployed about 20% of our team to work on a COVID-19 response, which led to the student scholarship and worker support initiatives. As scary and challenging as it was to quickly navigate this new normal, working on those initiatives helped our team stay focused and motivated to help. It also underscored our company’s mission to empower people through education.

On a final note, what advice can you give to other entrepreneurs that can help them in their success?

Perseverance is key, especially in this climate. Even during tougher times, stay focused on your customer, supportive of your team, and committed to your mission. When you’re doing those things, you’re more likely to overcome the hardships.

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WHAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CAN LEARN FROM CANADA’S CRAFT BREWERS If you’re anything like me, you’re probably tired of the pandemic. Tired of all the uncertainty, not knowing when- or even if - things will feel normal again. There is comfort in predictability, but it’s important we don’t only seek what’s comfortable in our constantly changing environment.

I’m eager to share advice on how local business owners can boldly move forward through the pandemic and beyond.

And there is no one better to teach us than Canada’s craft brewers, a group that managed to quickly adapt during the pandemic in order to keep cash flowing while the taps were not.

Here is what I believe any business owner can learn from the nation’s craft brewers.

DIVERSIFY Besides the intoxicatingly delicious flavour and staggering variety, another factor in the success of craft brewers has been their ability to create diverse sales channels. While some business owners stick to set ways of doing business, craft brewers are more likely to take advantage of many different means of distribution. For consumers, brewers have tap rooms and bottle shops, along with branded “swag” that beer enthusiasts proudly wear or serve beer in.

Many offer their beer wholesale to specialty retailers and have it served by restaurants and bars. A number of taprooms also moonlight as venues for special events, tours and educational sessions.

This clear precedent served the industry well during the pandemic; those already leveraging diverse income streams were more insulated against the business interruption.

For those who were sticking to only one or two sales channels, this existing roadmap offered a strong lifeline. For instance, those that previously sold brews solely from the tap room were able to pivot quickly to offer bottle sales, while others turned to making hand sanitizer as demand surged.

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One may argue that diversifying is not necessarily that simple for other industries. In most cases, creativity is required, but it can be done with a little ingenuity and a leap of faith.

All business owners have learned from COVID-19, circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Diversification not only brings greater prosperity, but helps to insulate one’s business from unexpected challenges.

PROACTIVE > REACTIVE In addition to nurturing diversification, COVID accelerated the move online for many breweries who had distant plans to sell online, which begs the question: Why did they wait so long in the first place?

The answer is fairly intuitive; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Whether owners are too busy to plan ahead or are simply content with the status quo, it’s human nature to procrastinate.

Brewers in general tend to have a greater appetite for experimentation, many were able to quickly set up online bottle shops with Square and curbside pickup and local delivery for customers’ housebound happy hours for the first time. And they’ve been busy, thanks in part to Canadian appetites and in part to their ability to adapt.

A brewery is a place to socialize with friends, a place for education on stouts, hops, and IBUs. A brewery also serves its community in many ways beyond refreshment.

The last few months it’s been clear community doesn’t exist solely within the walls of a taproom.

It spills over to the broader community of people who share a passion for a common pastime.

Take, for example, Collective Arts Brewing, in Hamilton, ON, which is a beacon of not only the brewing community, but the arts community as well. Collective Arts’ cans are all designed by artists who are then featured on the website, offering them tremendous exposure they wouldn’t otherwise enjoy.

Brunswick Bierworks in Toronto literally puts its money where its mouth is: As businesses saw incomes drop through the pandemic, the brewery has donated - and continues to donate - thousands of dollars to BIPOC charities and COVID relief funds.

It’s this strong sense of community that has helped craft brewers to continue to employ staff and stay connected to their customers throughout the pandemic. This is a lesson that can translate across many industries.

Maintaining that sense of community will help a business maintain a strong customer base, and a great business flows from that.

The last few months have been tough, but it’s worth reflecting on these aspects of how craft brewers operate to more boldly move through the pandemic and beyond to whatever is next.

So grab a craft beer, take a break, and then back to work more inspired. The future is bright.

Many are selling the same volume of beer as before, but imagine their revenues if they had been selling online in addition to - rather than in place of - other channels.

A lesson for any type of business is that putting off your business plans is akin to leaving money on the table. When a business is doing well, it’s easy to get comfortable and put off plans for expansion, but if 2020 has taught us one thing, it’s that we can never anticipate what tomorrow will bring. Act on your plans now, instead of waiting until there is no other choice.

COMMUNITY IS CURRENCY As much as Canadians love their beer, when it comes to craft brewers, it’s about serving much more than a stellar brew. Successful breweries understand their customers and know how to connect with the community in the ways they oftentimes didn’t know they needed.

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Karisa Marra is a business expert at payments and point-of-sale company Square in Toronto. She works with businesses of all types and sizes across the country. In her role, Karisa partners with craft brewers to contractors to hair salon owners to help them overcome their operational challenges

MID-PANDEMIC MARKETING 101 FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE COMPANIES

By Mike Donaldson, Carol Eversen, and Slade Kobran Professional services have always been a people-to-people business, but now the industry is in a situation where professional interaction has radically

Same Clients - New Behavior and Expectations Over the past few months, many professional services firms have taken a hard look at what’s different and what they need to change to keep their revenue growth engines running strong : •

•

•

They’ve realized that without face-to-face meetings, it’s harder to understand their client’s current needs They’ve learned that the focus may be substantially reduced in some areas of practice—yet increased in others They’ve been forced to consider alternate business development strategies

From law firms to consultancies, client behavior has changed and expectations are different. Some are looking for flexible payment terms, some want to see new and innovative service offerings.

Given this shift, what can a midsize professional services company do to understand changing customer needs, express their value and sell their services differently?

Insight Gathering for Mid-Sized Firms To understand what’s changed with customers, businesses need to ask them. Gathering direct input and determining what clients are looking for will help CEOs know how much to pivot.

When collecting customer feedback, start with the biggest clients—those that have the best relationships with the company. Find out what’s impacting them now with digital survey tools to collect valid insights quickly. Insight gathering surveys should: •

Ask targeted questions—to the right people

•

Ask for their opinion on new ideas

•

Ask about their business

changed. This represents a tectonic shift—in the services provided, the way they’re provided and business development efforts.

Develop Meaningful Value Propositions Fundamental questions to the value proposition are literally, “What do you do?” and “How are you unique?”

Businesses must provide clarity around what they actually do backed by relevant proof points, which strengthen the firm’s position.

In the past, CEOs could meet in person and take time to explain their value proposition. Now, the message about how companies add value needs to be up front—clearly stated on the website homepage. A value proposition should address: •

What exactly does a business do?

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What are the business’s capabilities?

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How is the business different?

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Specifically, what’s unique about what the business offers?

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What do people believe about the business?

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Is the business talking about itself in a way that is credible?

New Rules for Remote Business Development Without face-to-face client interactions, professional services need to focus on top of the funnel activities that will drive new leads and conversations. One proven tactic is to publish thought leadership content relevant to current insights. This will equip sellers and executive teams with talking points for client conversations. As business development teams tire of Zoom calls and presentations, businesses need to give them new ways to engage people. Some firms have built virtual business development toolkits for their sellers, some have created COVID-19 resources to share with clients.

Content also needs to be designed for digital—strategically and thoughtfully placed to meet clients and prospects where they are now. Digital content strategies go beyond websites, ads and SEO—businesses also need a solid social media distribution plan. When developing digital content strategy consider the following: •

Who are you trying to reach and what do they need to hear?

•

What can you say that they need to know right now? It can’t just be “buy from me” or “here’s information about my products”

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Why should customers listen to you?

The buyer journey for professional services is complicated—it’s a people business backed up by technical expertise on things that clients often don’t understand. At the best of times it’s challenging to differentiate offerings and form client relationships. With today’s environment, it’s even harder.

Across the board, professional services firms need to take a new approach to gather insight, express their value in terms of today’s market demands and ultimately, provide existing and new customers with services and information they want and need—where and when they want it.

What has changed?

What’s important now?

This tactical approach is required to gain knowledge and given the pace of change businesses need to be agile when putting insight into action. Check back frequently with customers to keep the proverbial finger on the pulse of the market.

Mike Donaldson, Carol Eversen, and Slade Kobran are CMOs with Chief Outsiders, the nation’s leading fractional CMO firm focused on mid-size company growth. They work with financial services companies to solve seemingly inextricable growth challenges.

More information at www.chiefoutsiders.com

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HOW TO DESTRESS DURING A PANDEMIC WITH

REBECCA SMITH

Director, Group Life & Disability Services

Mental health has become the fastest growing and leading cause of disability claims in Canada today – collectively, we talk about it more, hear about it more in the news and in the workplace, and have become more aware and more likely to seek treatment. As employers continue to grapple with the incidence of mental health in the workplace, new innovations are enabling profound and positive impacts.”

Rebecca Smith brings more than 25 years of disability management experience and progressive leadership to her role as Director of Group Life & Disability Services at Medavie Blue Cross. In this senior management position, she is responsible for managing rehabilitation services, medication consultations and partnerships, along with ongoing training and auditing of disability management programs and offerings. Rebecca draws on an extensive background in claims management, quality assurance and training. She began her career as a claims assessor for the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, gradually working her way up to top management posts with leading insurance carriers in Ontario.

Rebecca looks to share key insights and updates on topics relating to: •

The importance of innovations and personalized care in disability management

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Virtual care as a way to get people access to care faster and more efficiently

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The benefits of an effective disability prevention and management strategy

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1. What do you believe is the main reason that many Canadians are suffering from mental health issues during the pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a great number of challenges and uncertainty. Many individuals were forced into isolation, which is not a normal way to live. All generations are feeling the effects of this isolation – in particular, we know it’s taken a toll on the younger generation and seniors.

Job loss and financial stress is also a major contributor – many Canadians have experienced job loss or layoffs and are worrying about their future. For those working, this has been a difficult time for many trying to balance their new normal – working remotely, living/ working in the same space, and in many circumstances, taking care of children/aging parents.

2. What are the most common symptoms that can determine a person is suffering from “traumatic stress” and other mental health related issues?

From a claims perspective, we often see persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, difficulty sleeping, increases/decreases in weight, irritability and overall loss of energy.

We recommend that anyone exhibiting signs or symptoms of mental illness visit a physician or trained professional to help identify what the problem might be and advise on effective coping strategies and treatment options.

3. What are some of the initiatives that the federal government has implemented to help those impacted by mental health issues? What other initiatives can they put in place that can benefit Canadians suffering from “traumatic stress”?

From my perspective, the government has made a positive impact in ensuring Canadians have access to mental health support throughout the pandemic. Between relaying details on crisis lines, providing free mental health resources and normalizing mental health – these are all important steps to ensuring those who need help can receive it.

4. Many small businesses are struggling as their current health benefits package doesn’t cover mental health needs for their employees. How do you believe this is impacting Canadian employees and what initiatives should entrepreneurs implement that can benefit their employees?

Mental illness is the leading cause of disability claims, accounting for 30 per cent of claims and 70 per cent of costs, prior to COVID-19. Before COVID-19, half a million Canadians were away from work each week due to stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health-related issues.

Inadequate mental health benefits can negatively impact employees and the employer.

Employees are unable to get the treatment they need to help manage their mental health challenges. According to Medaca Health Group, mental health issues can consume up to 14 per cent of an organization’s net annual profits.

Overstaffing, temporary workers, recruitment, hiring costs, and retraining are all direct and/or indirect consequences that affect the bottom line.

With that in mind, small businesses and entrepreneurs should evaluate whether or not their current benefits plan sufficiently addresses the mental health needs of their employees – an investment in the health and wellness of employees can have a direct impact on company profits.

For small businesses where benefits are available, take advantage of them. It is important to understand the return on investment for the employer.

5. What are some of the programs and resources that Medavie Blue Cross offers to Canadians that are struggling with mental health problems?

Over the past decade, and certainly now, the mental health needs of Canadians in the workplace have grown exponentially. As a health solutions partner, Medavie Blue Cross is committed to offering access to mental health professionals and other specialized services to support workplace wellness.

Through our Connected Care digital health platform, plan members have access to online doctors, personalized medicine and digital therapy, otherwise known as internet-enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been proven to be clinically effective for a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety to depression to panic and post-traumatic stress.

In short, we’re focusing on providing our plan members with accessible care, when and where they need it. We will continue to form strategic partnerships, invest resources and leverage new technologies to develop innovative, collaborative solutions that increase accessibility to care, support mental resiliency and ultimately improve the wellbeing of Canadians affected by mental illness.

6. On a final note, what is the best advice you can give to Canadian employees who are currently experiencing “high levels of stress” and other mental health issues that can be beneficial to them?

It is so important to encourage people to take action – never ignore it. There are many resources available to individuals within benefit programs, and we encourage them to find that support. Start with small steps – sometimes it can be one small change that makes all the difference. The important thing is to take that first step and know that options are available.

We are enhancing the delivery of services, leveraging the speed of digital solutions and updating plan designs to offer higher benefit maximums for services associated with mental health practitioners. We’re also expanding the types of mental health practitioners that we cover, including counselling therapists, psychotherapists and psychoeducators.

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Chelsea Rivera graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Radio-Television-Film & and Advertising. Upon graduation, she moved to Los Angeles for an internship in digital content at Maker Studios. Having been a pet lover all her life, Chelsea combined her love of digital content and pets to co-found Honest Paws with her brother Erik. As Head of Content, Chelsea loves educating pet parents on holistic wellness. She currently lives with her dog, Baby Rose, in Atlanta.

CHELSEA RIVERA’S TIPS ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY WORK REMOTELY Co-Founder of Honest Paws CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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1. As Co-founder of Honest Paws, what has been the biggest impact that COVID-19 has had on the business?

In addition to being a Co-Founder, I serve as Head of Content for Honest Paws. One of the biggest things that we had to do on the marketing side is pivot in terms of how we were speaking to customers. It is our job to provide the utmost value to our customers and we were not going to accomplish that if we just kept on communicating in the same way.

In response, we produced a lot of helpful, digestible content about how to care for your pet (and yourself) in the time of COVID and it did not go unnoticed.

Additionally, on the management side, while we have always been remote, we had to rethink how we managed the team. So many of our team members have children and a great deal of our team members dealt with (and currently deal with) mandated curfews. This led to implementing flexible work hours to better support the team.

team as well. In response, we mandated that everyone take one day off a month for a mental health day. We have an open vacation policy but since travel is at an all time low, team members did not feel like they had a “good enough” reason to take time off. After implementing this policy, we have noticed much better morale (and as a result, much better productivity).

As someone who has worked from home for years, I recommend the following. Set up a dedicated workspace and work there and only there. It will help when it comes time to “leave the office”. Lastly, turn off your notifications after hours. We work in many different time zones so it’s not uncommon to receive a message at 8PM. Turning off your notifications ensures peaceful evenings and weekends.

5. On a final note, what advice can you give to other entrepreneurs when it comes to implementing a work-from-home policy that can benefit their business and employees?

At Honest Paws, we are 100% driven by KPIs. You will drive yourself mad if you attempt to micromanage your employees or count their hours. Instead, as a manager, I try to clearly define my direct reports’ KPIs so they know how to define success. As long as they are delivering, we are on the right track.

2. Honest Paws has always embraced technology, which is a huge benefit when it comes to staying connected and working remotely. Would you say the company was better prepared for COVID-19 compared to others who are not as technology advanced like Honest Paws?

Absolutely! Working from home is a skill that takes time to develop. Because our team has years of work from home experience, we did not have as many hurdles to jump over getting acclimated to this new way of life.

3. How important is it to have the right tools and technology when it comes to working remotely?

Working remotely can either be a dream or a nightmare. That’s why it is essential to have the proper tools at your disposal. We use Slack for messaging, Zoom for meetings, and Asana to track tasks and projects. Additionally, I subscribe to Product Hunt so I can be notified of all the awesome productivity tools coming out.

4. Many businesses and employees are finding it difficult to work from home and are experiencing high levels of anxiety as well as other mental health issues. What would you say is the most important aspect when it comes to employee productivity and a healthy work life balance when it comes to remote working?

Mental health issues have skyrocketed this year (understandably so). We noticed it among our CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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June, 2021 TORONTO, CANADA

SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2021 A MUST ATTEND EVENT

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CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

Be a part of the crowd as more than 2,000 business leaders, top executives and top Canadian SMEs gather at the CanadianSME Business Expo taking place in April, 2021 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This is an event that you don’t want to miss!

SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND AT CANADIANSME BUSINESS EXPO JUNE, 2021 14info@canadiansme.ca

FRANK

BILOTTA’S ADVICE ON MANAGING TAXES CPA, CGA - Partner at SBLR LLP Tax With over fifteen years in public practice providing tax consulting services to owner-managed businesses and their shareholders, and seven years of previous experience in the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business audit division, Frank Bilotta brings a unique perspective to clients at SBLR. Frank has advised privately-held enterprises and high net worth individuals in various industries, to ensure they minimize their tax exposure and enhance profits, as well as assisting them with CRA assessments and disputes, estate planning, commodity tax, and succession planning.

Frank’s specialized knowledge and expertise in the area of owner-managed tax consulting is in high demand. He works closely with clients to identify opportunities for minimizing corporate and personal tax exposure, focusing on corporate reorganizations, estate planning, and representing clients on tax objections and appeals.

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1. As a Partner at SBLR LLP, what would you say is the most important aspect that entrepreneurs should consider when planning their taxes?

One of the most important aspects that entrepreneurs should consider is developing and implementing a tax plan or strategy that is all-encompassing and part of their overall business plan. A proper tax plan will consider the entrepreneur’s tax position at the initial stages of the business, during the business’s growth/life cycle, and when it comes time to exit the business.

There so much complexity in the Canadian tax system, entrepreneurs need to plan ahead. A proper tax plan may include minimizing current period taxes or deferring future taxes, and/or utilizing available tax credits and incentives. This will allow the entrepreneur to free up working capital for daily operations of the business, and for making investments to grow the business. Comprehensive tax planning will also consider the business owner’s future goals, such as major equipment or other purchases, and business expansions. As the business grows and matures, proper tax planning will ensure the entrepreneur and the business are structured to minimize tax on a future sale or exit from the business by the owner, while enabling the owner to keep as much after-tax funds as possible for retirement. Tax planning should be an ongoing component of the entrepreneur’s business plan as it could result in large differences to business and personal cash flow. It should be reviewed each year, as the entrepreneur’s personal and business goals may change, to give enough time to implement any beneficial tax strategies before each year ends and the next begins. One of the most important aspects of an overall tax plan involves the ongoing consideration of the amount of funds/remuneration an entrepreneur will need each year for personal living expenses. Tax planning involves various components and, as such, can be overwhelming and complex. This is why I recommend entrepreneurs seek advice and work with their tax advisors to implement a plan on a proactive rather than reactive basis.

2. As per your experience. What is the biggest mistake that entrepreneurs make when it comes to planning their taxes?

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is not investing the time to setup a proper tax plan before it is too late, causing them to lose out on great opportunities to minimize their overall annual tax bill. I have dealt with many entrepreneurs who have done very little planning for their taxes over the years, and wait until a big event has happened to reach out to their advisor rather than doing tax planning in advance of these transactions. One of the main reasons for this is the entrepreneur’s reluctance to invest in the professional fees of an advisor, or the feeling that tax planning is not necessary for their circumstances. When they are made aware of how much tax they had to pay versus what they could have saved, entrepreneurs then decide to engage a tax advisor to determine

and implement a tax plan for the business and themselves. Entrepreneurs are experts in their business. Tax advisors are experts at tax planning.

Working together, the entrepreneur and the tax advisor can develop a fully coordinated tax plan to enable tax-efficient control over the business’s tax liability and the entrepreneur’s personal tax liability.

3. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on small businesses. What approach has SBLR LLP taken to help small businesses during these challenging times?

SBLR has always had a proactive approach with our clients. We keep in touch with them regularly throughout the fiscal year to stay ahead of potential issues and provide assistance where needed. The pandemic did not change our approach, but only increased our interaction with our small business clients. From the onset of the pandemic and the introduction of the tax relief measures, we made sure to keep our clients informed via client webinars, direct emails, phone calls, and setting up a COVID-19 relief measure page on our website with a breakdown of the relief measures and updates as changes are announced. The partners and managers at SBLR reached out to clients directly to assess their needs and determine how SBLR could assist them during this time. For many clients, it has involved working with them on applying for certain tax relief measures, and for others, it has been working with them on developing short and long-term budgets. In essence, we have taken the approach of becoming a business advisor or outsourced CFO to many of our clients. The partners at SBLR are ourselves small business owners, so we have been able to relate to the many issues small business owners have been experiencing; therefore we feel one of the best approaches has been to draw on our own experiences and do for small business what we would do or would want done for ourselves. We have also ensured that our team has been fully accessible throughout this time to handle new client issues and questions as they come up.

We have invested in staying up to date with technology, so it was a smooth transition to move our entire team to work from home, through very secure systems, including a client portal to enable sharing information electronically. Furthermore, all client files have at a minimum two points of contact to ensure our clients can always reach someone on the SBLR team, as we realize the timeliness of the need for information for small business owners.

4. In your expert opinion, what impact has the pandemic had on businesses tax-wise and what advice can you give to entrepreneurs to help them during the COVID-19 outbreak?

The government has been introducing various tax relief measures on a regular basis to help Canadians get through this pandemic. As things being to stabilize and the economy opens up, businesses should expect more in the form of elimination and changes to current tax relief measures, with the introduction of new more long term tax measures to

help the economy begin to grow again. In addition, with all of this tax relief and government spending, there will be a need for increased taxes at some point in the near future. In this regard, businesses need to stay current on the tax measures and consider how they will impact cash flow and profitability. Entrepreneurs need to plan for things such as: maximizing their eligibility for government grants and credits; loss utilization to minimize current year taxes and/or recover prior year taxes; asset sale strategies such as disposing of or writing down obsolete assets to provide tax deductions in the current year; corporate tax planning to allow the owner to withdraw funds at a lower tax rate; amalgamation/windups to eliminate unprofitable businesses and use losses against profitable businesses; and managing employee/employer payroll tax through salary deferral planning, noncash benefits, etc. All of these planning strategies have the potential to minimize a business’s tax burden by providing cash flow liquidity. It is a matter of identifying and planning for the right strategies that are the most suitable for the particular business to help in its recovery.

5. What is you key advice to small business owners in general that can be beneficial for them during these unprecedented times?

Business owners need to have a business plan and use this opportunity to take an in-depth review of their business. They should not just be budgeting for the short term. Entrepreneurs should be reviewing all aspects of their business, including: •

Business lines and products to determine which are profitable versus unprofitable, and which should be discontinued

•

Opportunities for new business lines/ products that this pandemic has created and their business could provide (”re-invent your business”)

•

How their product or service is being delivered to the market place to get up to speed on technology and new customer habits

•

Review and eliminate expenses which are not necessary for your business, for example, if working from home is an option, consider getting rid of excess office space

•

Investing in marketing/business development to attract customers and stay current with their needs.

Overall, small businesses need to have a business plan for the near and distant future in order to be ready once the pandemic is over, as the past’s business and consumer environment has and will be changed forever.

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

16

SIX SIMPLE

WAYS TO BRING CALM

INTO YOUR HOME

(WHEN THE WORLD IS FULL OF CHAOS) When we get intentional about creating a calm home environment, we can better cope with the upheaval going on in the world. Karen McGregor says it requires only a few simple changes.

Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia (September 2020)— From the global devastation of COVID-19 to the national grief, horror, and widespread protests set off by the killing of George Floyd, the world is reeling with chaos. No wonder waves of fear, pain, and uncertainty are infiltrating our thoughts and emotions—and thus, our homes, says Karen McGregor.

“ “We’re witnessing the most disease the world has seen in our lifetimes,” says McGregor, author of The Tao of Influence: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders and Entrepreneurs (Mango, September 2020, ISBN: 978-164250-275-6, $24.95). “As individuals, we can’t be untouched by what we’re seeing and hearing and imagining. What we can do is make our home a haven from the worst of the chaos.”

If we weren’t impacted by the suffering caused by a global pandemic and clear evidence of racial injustice and abuse of power, we’d hardly be human. Speaking out and taking action to create a better world is a healthful and productive response. But dwelling on fearful, negative, stressful thoughts and images isn’t. Not only does it make you miserable, it weakens your

immune system, says McGregor, who in addition to being an author is an international keynote and TEDx speaker and founder of the Speaker Success Formula. This is why bringing calm into your home is so important.

And there’s another reason. When you take the steps needed to create a calmer home, you’re leading by example. You’re teaching family members how to rise above stress and anxiety also. This is what being a positive influencer (the central message of The Tao of Influence) is all about. The book lays out a path—rooted in the ancient wisdom of the 4,000-year-old Tao Te Ching—for identifying and breaking the “power patterns” that undermine your influence, create dysfunctional relationships, and otherwise squelch your potential.

“When you do the work needed to overcome your power patterns, you’re building spiritual habits that create an inner sense of calm,” notes McGregor.

“That sense of calm will naturally permeate your home and impact the way your family experiences daily life.”

Building those habits involves paying attention to your thoughts and emotions and getting intentional about your daily routines. Here are six tips to get you started creating a calmer home: Start the day with a calming morning routine.

Do you wake up a little early so you can enjoy some relaxing time to yourself? Or do you sleep as late as possible and then rush to get

everything together for your family or work obligations?

Try setting your alarm a half hour earlier (which may mean getting to bed earlier as well), suggests McGregor. In this bonus time, you can journal, sip a cup of coffee, pray, or meditate.

Also, set a positive intention for the day ahead.

Decide what a “calm home” means to you, then express it through your surroundings. Is it happy, fun, joyful, out-of-the-box, connected, or something else? Find ways to start bringing that feeling into reality. For example, if you want to fill your home with the energy of love, you might add candles, essential oils, salt lamps, or prayer beads.

“For me, a calm, peaceful home means I have lots of windows to let in the light, white walls, and no clutter,” says McGregor. “I intentionally don’t own a lot of stuff.”

Do some spring cleaning… A messy space at home contributes to a disorganized and chaotic mind. But if we can take small steps toward establishing stillness on the outside of us, we can experience more internal peace, wellness, and harmony within.

“If you haven’t already done so, take advantage of the extra time you may have at home to clean and organize your space to promote balance and stillness,” says McGregor. …and include your thoughts, not just your possessions. Your home is comprised of “stuff,” and all of that “stuff” contains the energy of

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

17

CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS

your thoughts, says McGregor. Are you filling your home with stressful thoughts? And what are you doing that reinforces those thoughts? Spring cleaning might also mean turning off the news and calling a moratorium on social media. No question those in your house can feel the energy of your thoughts.

“I remember the year before going through a divorce, I went into my five-yearold son’s bedroom to check on him while he was sleeping,” says McGregor. “He was talking in his sleep and I heard him say, ‘Mommy is sad.’ I never told him I was sad, and I didn’t cry in front of him, because at the time I believed it was better to hide those things. But my thoughts were sad, and he picked up on it.

Your thoughts are present in the very fabric of your home.”

Once you are aware of negative thoughts, release them. “When a negative or fearful thought crosses your mind, release it and watch it energetically drift out of your home and dissolve into Mother Earth,” says McGregor.

“Several times each day, ask yourself, What am I holding on to in this moment that could be released? Encourage each of your family members to release thoughts in this same way, too.”

By the way…it’s important to fully feel your emotions. Your thoughts and emotions are meant to move through you like a wave that arrives and then dissipates, says McGregor. After you completely feel them, replace them with empowering thoughts that generate peace. For example: I am so thankful for the opportunity to practice letting go of this situation.

“Every time you are grateful and accept a situation, it calms your mind, thereby calming your body, impacting those around you and the energy of your home,” says McGregor.

“It may be a mad world outside of your home, but choosing what you allow inside your living space is a radical act of love and empowerment for you and your family,” concludes McGregor. “Make your environment a place of nurture and safety, and you will feel more grounded and in control, even in these troubled times. And you’ll influence your family in a positive and meaningful way.”

About Karen McGregor: Karen McGregor is a thought leader and catalyst for influencers with a powerful global message, and is the author of The Tao of Influence: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders and Entrepreneurs. Karen has supported hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs over the past decade to create and deliver powerful messages. An inspiring international speaker who presents across all industries (her TEDx Talk on happiness has been viewed by over a million people), she walks her talk every day, sharing her message on stage with luminaries like Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, John Gray, and David Wolfe. Her ideas and direct quotes have been featured on CTV News, Reader’s Digest, Breakfast Television (Toronto, Canada), Florida Weekly, and many other prominent media outlets.

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www.sblr.ca 2345 Yonge St., Suite 400 CANADIANSME I 64618 2345 Yonge St., Suite 400,MAGAZINE Toronto I SEPTEMBER www.sblr.ca 2020 T. 416 T. 416 646 0550 0550 Toronto, ON M4P 2E5

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Digital Transformation CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

19

EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH

LISA JOLLY Founder of Honeybunch Naturals, a natural skincare and wellness product line.

Hailing from Wanganui, New Zealand, Lisa Jolly has been a serial entrepreneur for over 20+ years, launching her most recent international company Honeybunch Pure Naturals in 2014.

Her stroke of creative genius came right from her kitchen, when she decided to submit her handmade soap and scented bath products to Shopify’s Build a Business competition. Her high energy, hard work, and persistence caught the attention of many in the industry, accelerating Honeybunch’s jump into the world of e-commerce.

The natural product line, infused with New Zealand Manuka honey, was created because of Lisa’s desire for safe products that her whole family could use and enjoy. All Honeybunch products are created in an eco-certified facility and carefully handcrafted in New Zealand. Manuka honey lovers can immerse themselves in a variety of bath and body products including flavorful lip balms, soaps, lotions, and more.

Lisa is passionate about the natural wellbeing of humans and wildlife, she is continuously finding ways to contribute her products and her voice to causes that are dear to her heart. Lisa is excited about Honeybunch’s launch into the U.S market and is focused on sharing both her brand and her entrepreneurial story with thousands of others.

For more information or to purchase a product please visit www.honeybunchnaturals.com

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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1. What was the inspiration behind the founding of Honeybunch Pure Naturals?

For myself the inspiration has always been the same from the get go, to make people smile, by creating an amazing product experience that emphasizes self-love, well-being and lifting people’s spirits. We are so blessed to already have a product which is formulated with what we consider to be liquid gold which is Manuka Honey. The inspiration for me was to design packaging and innovate my product in a way that people will not only experience the wellness benefits of Manuka Honey but also feel an extra dose of joy and happiness when using the product and opening the packaging. I’ve always been inspired by building a brand that tells a story. As an entrepreneur you can do and start anything at any stage of life and although we all acknowledge it can be hard work we sometimes forget it can be super fun and empowering all at the same time. Self-love, wellness, empowerment and smiles, that’s what keeps me motivated.

2. You recently launched Honeybunch into the U.S. Market. What’s been the most challenging part about launching in the U.S. and what strategies did you use to overcome these challenges?

Definitely distribution and learning about how it works. My normal Kiwi self just would walk up to anyone I see, with a product in hand (always have a product on you - handy hint) and say “Hey, look at my beautiful products, you need to try it out!” but that was not so easy in the USA. Having to understand a different way of business and then make decisions afterwards is key. The most challenging part for me is just learning how to match the speed, pace, energy of the US, slow down at times and speed up at others. Ultimately, I love learning the way other countries do business, it helps me sharpen my skills and learn what a new customer base is looking for.

It’s important for me to remember not to dilute my beliefs and values, or compromise my brand, regardless of who I’m doing business with.

3. What can you tell us about some of the strategies you’ve used that have contributed to the success of the company?

Oh, I love that question! A valued mentor friend of mine has told me that I lack strategy but have another incredible quality which is my “just do it attitude.” For me, strategy can be learned, but you either have the “just do it” attitude and no fear mindset, or you don’t. So, it’s fair to say I’m learning strategy. I tend to reverse engineer. For example, the other day I woke up and said to myself “I’m going to sell $1 million dollars’ worth of online gift boxes before Christmas.” So, I went and told my team of VIPs and after doing some calculations they let me know how many products we’d have to sell, and they’re going to help me do it. So maybe I do have a strategy! Putting out the idea to your core group and team with a reverse engineer approach, works to get everyone striving towards the same goal. We build the roadmap back to front and of course get packing boxes!

4. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on many businesses who have been forced to make adjustments to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. With that in mind, working from home seems to be the new norm for several organizations.

What would you say is the biggest challenge that many employees will face when it comes to working from home?

The biggest challenge that many employees are facing right now is the lack of connection and team energy. A lot of success comes from team energy and it’s difficult to do that working from home. We are a company of people who really like each other and there are days at work where we are running around like crazy people and don’t have much time to chat, but we still maintain that buzz which is harder to achieve working from home. Right now, we make sure that we all communicate constantly even if it’s sending a silly photo of our homes and personal lives to keep the vibe alive while we’re working hard during the day.

5. According to a recent survey, 69% of employees are experiencing burnout symptoms in the United States.

What advice can you give to employees when it comes to implementing strategies that can help them adjust to this “new normal”?

I’m potentially the biggest burn out queen. I’ve had to force myself to stop and take time to keep my mind fueled so I can carry on at our fast pace. For our business we have several things we do. For me, I believe that COVID allowed the world to pause and take a break - so take that break yourself and heal any burnout where you can. I’ve included a few things below that help me and my employees out:

Ensure you carve out some me-time: No matter what, between the hours of 2-3pm every day, I go on a run and focus to keep myself fit and committed as I live and breathe this business 24/7 currently. Fitness for me means focus and it’s an investment in not becoming burnt out. When I’m at the beach, I build compartments in my head and I leave all the negative energy and thoughts behind when I leave. This really helps me stay grounded. It’s important to treat yourself like an important meeting and not skip out because work “took over for the day.” You’ll notice how much happier you become!

Carve out time to spend with your family/friends: In times of extreme stress, our families/friends can really take the brunt of our emotions, so it’s important to carve some time out to spend with them as well. Taking your thoughts off work and enjoying time with loved ones is great medicine after a hard day or week.

Use your colleagues as a resource: Start a Facebook group chat. I’ve made it really clear that we can be open and transparent here. My team can offload anything that is wearing them down and let others in the group know when we need some group support. It’s always done in fun and humor but it’s in a way you can read between the lines. It’s like therapy and everyone respects each other. I’d also advise people to find a buddy at work that you can really trust and hold each other accountable for projects/deadlines and each other’s me times. You spend more than 8 hours a day working with your colleagues, it’s important to build good relationships with people who understand you and will push you to do better.

Work smarter not harder: I used to subscribe to “hustle porn” but no more. COVID-19 really slowed me down as I was traveling less and made me realize how important being strategic is. Working smarter not harder means trying to get everything done in your allocated time in your work day. If you can’t, find a way to pivot by talking to your boss or your colleagues or policing yourself so you’re able to be more productive. That could mean taking a gym break, cutting yourself off at a certain time, and doing your best not to reinvent the wheel.

Reevaluate your career: At a time of uncertainty, use this time to be certain. If you’ve been considering a career change, look to ways where you can take a course to learn more about that industry or connect with individuals on LinkedIn who are in your dream job or industry. If you’re gunning for that promotion, work smarter and not harder and find ways to climb that ladder by speaking to your boss. Lastly, if you’re looking to start that business or you’ve started a business already, ensure that you see it to completion.

Write: I write a blog, but I would suggest a journal.

Just getting things out of my head at times where I’m feeling burnt out or run down really helps. You only have so many compartments in your head and it’s impossible to have them all rented at once all of the time.

6. In your expert opinion, would you say that working from home is the best solution for everybody?

The short answer is no. I think a mix of both is best. I personally believe for my business that I would prefer a 50/50 split as I love my team and having family and home time. Zooming in PJs is wonderful, but so is being together as a business and interacting with each other face to face.

7. On a final note, what can you tell us about your own personal experience of suffering from burnout throughout your career and how did you overcome it?

I really experienced a bad case of burnout around this time last year, and not addressing it at the time became a horrendous business mistake. I took on too many things at once, it all seemed fun and appealing but then reality set in and it was just too overwhelming for me. I was being pulled in so many directions and constantly depleting my energy. I couldn’t show up how I needed to, when I needed to. I’ll never forget being in a hotel room in Brisbane after I had finished enduring a tour from hell (for a band I was managing) and I was lying there in the dark for 2 solid days. I had to leave to fly home, where a great friend told me to stop and take time.

I was no good to anyone being in the shape I was in. So, I listened and surely, I started to rebuild my energy, my focus, and redirect my attention to the things I’m good at. I did all the things I had to do in order to bring myself out of that place, it involves making choices and being more intentional with my lifestyle. Now I take those lessons and I’m more mindful of how I structure my time.

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

21

MAGNET EXPORT BUSINESS PORTAL ENABLES

GROWING BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF

CANADA EASIER

As of July 1st, 2020, the CRA prescribed rate is at its lowest possible rate of 1%, down from 2%. This represents an excellent planning opportunity that would allow family members to income split. The net effect would be that any investment return generated above 1% would be taxed in the hands of the lower-income family member.

The platform, which takes users just few minutes to join, uses Magnet’s highly intelligent, scalable, and leading technology to: •

Eliminate the need for businesses to search through multiple websites, portals and programs saving them time, money and resources.

•

Remove the guesswork by delivering information that is targeted (like a matching-app) to the specific needs of each business.

•

Serve as a centralized trade hub by bringing together export programs and services onto one platform for all Canadian businesses to access.

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

“

Magnet is an innovative matching

technology, originating with its EmployerJob Seeker platform, established in 2014 in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“

T

he Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade has partnered with Ryerson’s Magnet to launch a first of its kind, free online business growth resource hub called the Magnet Export Business Portal. The free online digital platform helps businesses maximize international market potential by connecting Canadian exporters with the tools and relevant export resources, funding and information they need to grow their business.

The adaptation of the matching technology to the Magnet Export Business Portal connects users to opportunities in the export-ecosystem that match their specified growth goals, filtering and curating information from hundreds of sources including from founding partners GAC and the Trade Commissioner Service, BDC and EDC saving users time and ensuring access to the most up-to-date and valuable resources.

Mark Patterson, Executive Director, Magnet encourages all current Magnet Employer and Job Seeker as well as Canadian businesses considering exporting, coast to coast to coast to visit the portal and sign up. “Magnet itself has almost 20,000 businesses already using its platform, some of which are either exporters or have export potential. Thanks to the initiative and funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade, combined with our advanced technology, we believe these companies and thousands more will see an immediate benefit from the Magnet Export Business Portal.”

22

To date over 4000 businesses have signed up to use the Export Portal, with a user quoted as saying: “Nearly 70 percent of our sales now come from international trade and we are always looking for more international market share.

When I think back to when we first embarked on exporting, it was extremely difficult to source information specific to our type of technology and products. I have previously used Magnet to grow my business by finding the right talent and am very pleased to now have access to curated information tailored to my trade needs as well. After using The Magnet Export Business Portal I have found that it to provide customized content, easy to navigate and is extremely useful for companies that are expanding their sales channels and looking to be more competitive.”

Coming in August 2020 will be the expanded version of the Export Portal with the Magnet Business Growth Portal. Here the matching technology will be expanded to all size and manner of Canadian businesses from small local bricks and mortar shops to large and expanding organizations connecting them to a wide swath of growth oriented programs, services, grants, financing, webinars, virtual events, COVID recovery resources and more.

Entrepreneur of the Year

CELEBRATING BUSINESS SUCCESS IN CANADA APRIL, 2021, TORONTO Canadian entrepreneurs are more than just business owners of a successful company.

They are the innovators of our country. Through their flourishing businesses, they push our economy to the next level and are what our communities are structured on.

www.smeawards.ca

Organised by:

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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THREE STEPS TO C R E AT I N G A C U LT U R E

OF INNOVATION

FOR SMES Executives can build an effective corporate culture to improve customer satisfaction through acquiring additional knowledge from customers, developing better relationships with them, and providing a higher quality of service for them. There is a global need to cultivate a strong corporate culture to accomplish sustainable competitiveness in global markets.

By Mostafa Sayyadi

T

his strong corporate culture includes three aspects of collaboration, trust and learning. These three cultural aspects play a critical role in improving innovation. For example, collaboration provides a shared understanding about the current issues and problems among employees, which helps to generate new ideas within organizations.

Trust towards their leader’s decisions is also a necessary precursor to create new knowledge.

Moreover, the amount of time spent learning is positively related with the amount of knowledge gained, shared, and implemented. The next sections particularly present a set of actions that can be taken by executives to build an effective corporate culture within corporations.

•

There is a willingness responsibility for failure.

to

accept

Creating a No-Fail Trust Culture To create a trust culture, executives need to maintain the volume of reciprocal faith in terms of behaviors and intentions. In doing this, they can build an atmosphere of trust and openness in which:

•

Various formal training programs are provided to improve the performance of duties.

•

Opportunities are provided for informal individual development other than formal training such as work assignments and job rotation.

•

Employees are generally trustworthy.

•

•

Employees have reciprocal faith in other members’ intentions and behaviors.

There is an encouragement to attend external seminars, symposia, etc.

•

Employees have reciprocal faith in others’ ability.

Various social mechanisms such as clubs and community gatherings are provided.

•

Employees are satisfied by the contents of job training or self-development programs.

• •

Employees have reciprocal faith in others’ behaviors to work toward organizational goals.

To build a collaboration culture, executives need to improve the degree to which employees actively support and provide significant contributions to each other in their work. In doing this, they can develop a collaborative work climate in which:

•

Employees have reciprocal faith in others’ decision towards organizational interests than individual interests.

•

Employees have relationships based on reciprocal faith.

•

Employees are satisfied by the degree of collaboration between departments

Cultivating a Successful Learning Culture

•

Employees are supportive.

•

Employees are helpful.

Building a True Collaboration Culture

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

they can contribute to the development of a learning workplace in which

To foster a learning culture, executives need to enhance the extent to which learning is motivated within the workplace. In doing this,

24

In conclusion standing on the shoulders of scholars before us, I indicate that corporate culture is a major internal resource for business success. Without a grasp on this tenet executives are bound to fail.

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Some of our Whiz Kids are Gen X’ers, even a Baby Boomer or two. But each Whiz Kid has a special ability to provide solutions to common and not-so-common computer issues,” said Paul LaFlamme, founder of Whiz Kid Support and the owner of Centrend, a Sturbridge, MA-based IT solution provider for small to mid-size businesses. “While there may be a few households that have their own computer whiz living there, most don’t. Whiz Kids Support provides a remote resource for households to solve computer problems, address security issues and remove the stress from having something go wrong with your computer. That’s why we call it stress-free tech.”

“

Whiz Kid Solutions provides remote computer services on a wide range of common issues---slow computer, e-mail problems, security, stopping pop-ups, or setting up new computers. For those issues that can’t be fixed remotely, Whiz Kid Support also offers on-site and zero-contact drop off repair by appointment.

Other issues Whiz Kid Support addresses include computer security and safety; printing problems; e-mail issues; slow dropping Wi-Fi; back-ups; and more. Whiz Kid Support also offers coaching and training as well as new computer sales and replacements.

What is a Whiz Kid? In simple terms, it’s somebody who is good with computers and can find quick fixes and add protection systems to keep your computer running smoothly. Ironically, many Whiz Kids are not exactly kids.

In addition to household customers, Whiz Kid Support also serves small businesses with three computers or less. Whiz Kid Support service plans range from one-time fixes to Bronze, Silver and Gold options. The plans are per household and not for one specific computer.

“Our service plans are flexible and offer a viable, stress-free solution for a wide range of users, including households with one or more students; home businesses; seniors; etc.,” said LaFlamme.

About Whiz Kid Support: Whiz Kid Support provides computer support services to individual home users and to small/independent businesses with three or fewer computers. A sister company to Centrend (https://www.centrend.com/), Whiz Kid Support offers one-time rates and annual service plans and fixes a wide range of computer issues. Whiz Kid Support also offers coaching, training and consultation services on purchasing new computers. For more information, call 774-778-2800 or visit https://www.whizkidsupport.com.

For complete information on Whiz Kid Support plans and services, visit whizkidsupport.com.

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NIGEL BRANKER DISCUSSES THE IMPACTS OF MENTAL HEALTH ON YOUR BUSINESS. President, Health & Productivity Solutions & Executive VP At Morneau Shepell

Nigel Branker is President, Health and Productivity Solutions and Executive Vice President, Morneau Shepell. Nigel and his team focus on developing and implementing solutions that help deliver measurable health outcomes for employees, resulting in increased workplace productivity for organizations. With a passion for helping people when they are most vulnerable and ensuring employee experience drives employer programs, Nigel believes in providing meaningful support at all stages of an individual’s health journey: from healthy to predisability to return to work. Nigel is a thought leader in helping organizations build strong business cases for investing in workplace mental health, and developing strategies that encompass both traditional and innovative solutions. Nigel joined the organization in 2012 and was previously Senior Vice President, Pension Consulting and Health and Benefits Consulting for Ontario. Prior to joining Morneau Shepell, Nigel held a number of senior roles in global consulting firms. He holds an Honours BSc in Actuarial Science and Mathematics from the University of Western Ontario, and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

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1. Many small businesses have been struggling due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on their businesses. What would you say is the biggest impact that the pandemic has had on the mental health of small business owners?

productivity, increased absenteeism and an increase in costs to deal with the situation in some cases. All forms of stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues also impact employee morale, ultimately impacting the overall business operation.

For many Canadians, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought increasing levels of stress and anxiety. Businesses of all sizes have been impacted by the global health crisis, but for small business owners – particularly those who own non-essential businesses and brick-and-mortar stores –Canada’s state of emergency and physical distancing restrictions have forced them to close their businesses for several months, and in some cases, permanently.

Prior the pandemic, a study conducted by consulting firm Deloitte, in which Morneau Shepell participated, revealed that the business costs of poor mental health in the workplace were staggering, with 30 of every 1,000 Canadian employees missing work for mental health reasons each week – demonstrating a strong need for employer intervention even before COVID-19 became a significant risk. In total, the loss of productivity at work due to mental illness-related absenteeism and presenteeism (working while unwell) added up to CA$6.3 billion annually across Canada prior COVID-19. More recently, our Mental Health Index™ found that productivity decreased 11.0 points in July when compared to June 2020.

Anxieties that small business owners have experienced have been amplified by financial stress brought on by diminishing business, as well as tough decisions they’ve been faced with during the past few months, including reducing their personnel, closing brick-and-mortar locations and/or transitioning their business to a 100 per cent online model in some cases. As well, small business owners are worried about their employees and how they will be affected by reduced finances. On one hand, employers are concerned about the health and safety of employees and the potential exposure to the virus by keeping doors open, while on the other hand, employers are concerned about the impact on employees’ finances if they close or halt operations.

All of these factors, coupled with the mid- and long-term impact on provincial and federal economies, have taken a toll on business owners’ mental health. In fact, our latest Mental Health Index™ report found a consistent negative mental health score in the country for the fourth consecutive month between April and July, in part led by young small business owners and entrepreneurs who saw their income impacted by COVID-19. Our July report found that those reporting a reduced salary when compared to the previous month had the lowest mental health score (-19.1), while those who were employed fewer hours (-16.2) and those who were not currently employed (-16.0) also reported low scores. We also found that younger respondents continue to experience a greater increase in mental stress when compared to older respondents.

2. What impact do you believe mental health issues can have on the success of a business?

Mental health issues have a direct impact on employers and businesses, including decreased

3. Morneau Shepell recently launched a new behavioral therapy program called AbilitiCBT. What can you tell us about this new program and how it can benefit Canadian entrepreneurs who are suffering from mental health issues due to the global pandemic?

Morneau Shepell’s internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) program, AbilitiCBTTM, addresses the uniquely challenging aspects of the pandemic – including uncertainty, isolation, caring for others, information overload and stress management, as well as general anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia, as well as pain management. The program is designed to help individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns to help change the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are causing problems by working directly with a registered therapist.

AbilitiCBTTM also offers self-guided learning and resources to navigate stressful situations brought on by health, work, life and finances, and as part of the government’s efforts to support Ontarians and Manitobans during the pandemic, is being offered at no cost to residents over the age of 16 in these provinces.

4. Morneau Shepell is able to provide AbilitiCBT for free in Ontario and Manitoba due to successful partnerships with local governments. What marketing strategy was used in order to gain this partnership?

Our experience with other wide-scale crises and traumatic events has demonstrated that the impact of such events has a long-lasting impact on the mental health of Canadians and one much longer than the event itself. Prior the pandemic, mental health was already an increasing topic of conversation and concern for Canadian organizations, institutions and governments, who understood the importance of removing barriers and making it easier for those struggling to get the help they need.

Our partnership with the Ontario and Manitoba governments has been groundbreaking in providing accessible and reliable support for those in need, during and beyond COVID-19.

Beyond providing the service alone, our goal is to educate Canadians on the importance of seeking help to improve their overall wellbeing and to position mental health support as something that is normal, encouraged and widely accepted.

We look forward to continue working with our partners across the country to identify the various tools needed to support Canadians during this time.

All Canadians, including entrepreneurs, can benefit from the platform’s personalized professional therapy. During the therapy, a registered professional therapist guides patients/users through a series of modules designed according to each patient/user needs and personal goals. From advice on how to have difficult conversations with employees to how to navigate through uncertainty due to loss of income or financial instability, AbilitiCBTTM helps business owners cope with a wide variety of mental health issues resulting from the pandemic.

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5. The federal government has implemented many programs and resources to help businesses that have been impacted from COVID-19. While most resources include financial aid and safety measures, providing programs that are focused on the mental health of entrepreneurs and their employees is also an important aspect. What programs and resources are currently available to small business owners that support their mental health?

7. On a final note, what impact did COVID-19 have on Morneau Shepell when it was time to develop new solutions that was beneficial for Canadian businesses?

Across the country, many organizations and governments have come together to show their support for Canadians, across physical, mental, social and financial health. Many entities care and it’s great to see the widespread support of Canadians’ wellbeing.

When the pandemic reached Canada in early 2020, our operations continued without disruption, across all our core services, including counselling and other EFAP services, trauma support, cognitive behavioural therapy, e-learning and webinars, absence and disability management, administrative services and retirement consulting services. At that time, Morneau Shepell’s lines of business came together to work on a plan to better serve Canadians throughout the health crisis, including an extensive assessment of our full suite of services and how they would support Canadians’ mental health during uncertain times.

At Morneau Shepell specifically, in addition to the support we offer through AbilitiCBTTM, we recently launched WellCan, a mobile app and online platform that offers free resources to help develop coping strategies and build resilience to deal with uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with these solutions, Morneau Shepell continues to offer its employee and family assistance program (EFAP) and workplace learning solutions to all Canadians during the global health crisis.

As well, governments are offering a wide variety of tools to support Canadians’ mental health, including workbooks and coaching in various languages, videos with helpful tips, personalized attention from mental health counsellors, and much more.

Canadians can find more about the tools available to support their mental health here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/ diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/mental-health.html

6. As President of Health and Productivity Solutions at Morneau Shepell, what are some of the strategies you use when it comes to developing and implementing solutions that can benefit business owners and their employees?

At Morneau Shepell, our main priority when working with clients is understanding the impact of mental health on their people and their business. We understand mental health plays a significant role in the success of any organization, as regardless of an organization’s size or sector, happy and healthy employees are key drivers to success.

Without addressing mental health, issues can range anywhere from lost productivity to long-term disability claims.

We work very closely with our partners to ensure we are offering solutions, experts and tools best suited to their business and team’s specific needs, by first understanding how they can better support their employees’ life, wellbeing and mental health. While AbilitiCBT is a great resource for individuals looking for mental health support, we also offer a full suite of wellbeing support to current and prospective clients to take care of them, their people and their business. These include ondemand support solutions, EFAPs and workplace learning solutions, among others.

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Morneau Shepell has significant experience dealing with widescale crises. Our business continuity plan is strong and is being effectively deployed.

As we continue to listen to our clients and their changing needs, one thing that we quickly realized, and see even more prominently today, is that digital support is here to stay.

Employers are now faced with new realities and employee needs that they need to accommodate, including more flexible work-from-home policies and accommodation on time off. We continue to listen to these concerns from each client and assess the types of support needed on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, there is no surprise that the role of digital tools has gotten stronger during the global health crisis. One of the solutions that was specifically tailored to support the anxiety related to the pandemic was AbilitiCBTTM. In March, we announced the program would be expanded to address anxiety symptoms related to the uniquely challenging aspects of pandemics, as we identified Canadians were facing uncertainty as a result of COVID-19 and may have been dealing with challenging situations that could impact their wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial health). The platform continues to support individuals most affected by COVID-19, including healthcare providers and frontline workers, as well as parents and teachers who are faced with uncertainties brought on by children’s return to the classroom.

For more information about AbilitiCBTTM, visit myicbt.com

SAGE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2020 ANNUAL CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTING AWARDS Sage (FTSE:SGE), the market leader in cloud business management solutions, today announced the winners of its second annual Sage Circle of Excellence Accounting Awards.

Announced at a virtual awards celebration on August 14, 2020, and hosted by Mark Hubbard, Senior Partner Development Manager at Sage, this year’s list of awardees included: Alan Salmon Lifetime Achievement Award: Andrée Dubé, Intégratech (Longueuil, QC) Accountant Partner of the Year: John O’Keefe, O’Keefe Accounting Group (Port Hope, ON) Bookkeeper Partner of the Year: Sara Gibb, Flow Works Bookkeeping and Consulting (Chemainus, BC) Small Business of the Year: Tamara Goddard, Four Our Future Indigenous Economics Ltd. (North Vancouver, BC) Innovator Award: Cheryl-Lynn Schaefer, Now Bookkeeping (Kelowna, BC)

As many businesses around the world emerge from a difficult and complex period and reimagine the possibilities for the future, Canadian accountants and bookkeepers continue to carry the torch for the country’s business community. Their unmatched service and trusted counsel have helped business owners make important decisions to provide peace

of mind during uncertain times, while helping them navigate the “new normal”. This year’s awards program celebrates the Canadian accountants, bookkeepers and small businesses who have made a positive impact at a time they are needed most.

For the 2020 program, the judging panel received 151 nominations across six award categories. Winners were Canadian accountants, bookkeepers, and small businesses who, whether a solo practitioner or senior partner at a firm, have exemplified high standards of excellence in entrepreneurship, client service, continuing education, training, and advancement of the profession in Canada.

division which credits automation for helping to drive efficiencies within its practice.

Members of the judging panel included: Yan-Yan Lee Senior Director, Finance Ronald McDonald House British Columbia & Yukon CEO CPB Canada Steve Ryujin VP, Small Segment Canada

Social Influencer Award: Bianca Mueller, Books

by Bianca (Burnaby, BC)

Doretta Thompson, BA, CAPA

The Sage Circle of Excellence Accounting Awards celebrates Canada’s top accountants, bookkeepers and their small business clients, and is our opportunity to recognize the expertise and achievements of the very best in Canada.

Each of this year’s winners demonstrate a strong commitment to client service, in-depth knowledge, persistence to ongoing professional development, and support for local communities,” said Nancy Tichbon, EVP and Managing Director, Sage Canada. “Sage celebrates the excellence displayed by each of the winners and is inspired by the influence they have on our industry.”

Director, Corporate Citizenship

“

Throughout her career, Andrée has been a passionate advocate for the French accounting and bookkeeping community and was a proud and long-standing member of the Sage Accountant Advisory Council.

Valoree McKay, CAE

Trainer of the Year: Anna Abbruzzese, Actium Consulting Inc. (Toronto, ON)

Andrée’s innovative and practical approach to problem solving saw her building her own apps, including a revolutionary automation tool called IntegraPortation (IP). The development of this powerful and innovative solution is used by many industry professionals today to help improve efficiency, laying the groundwork for the company’s slogan: “At Intégratech, we never enter the same information twice”.

Sage

“

For the second year in a row, Sage recognizes the outstanding achievements of Canada’s accounting and bookkeeping community

Financial Literacy Leader Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada Brendan Woods Vice President Sage AutoEntry

Recognizing innovation in practice management This year’s Alan Salmon Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Andrée Dubé, founder of Intégratech, based in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada. Established in 1987, Intégratech is an IT firm with an accounting and bookkeeping

About Sage Sage (FTSE: SGE) is the global market leader for technology that provides small and medium businesses with the visibility, flexibility and efficiency to manage finances, operations and people. With our partners, Sage is trusted by millions of customers worldwide to deliver the best cloud technology and support. Our years of experience mean that our colleagues and partners understand how to serve our customers and communities through the good, and more challenging times. We are here to help, with practical advice, solutions, expertise and insight.

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www.businesstalks.ca

Up-close & personal interaction with Canadian business leaders Exclusive event for Small Business Owners Canada Business Talks will be hosting Canadian business leaders to discuss the most important topics for small business success.

Business Finance

Cloud & Technology For SMEs

Digital Transformation

Business finance specialists will be partaking in

Cloud and technology are inevitable. There are

Why going digital is essential, and investing in

most excellent practices and proficiency advice

innovative detections made in the IT world daily,

technology will make your business grow.

on how entrepreneurs can get capital, what are

and the bulk of businesses have curved their

Making your business digital is one of the vital

the top finance options for SMEs, and how to

business into the virtual sphere. Cloud

choices you will make that will meaningfully

succeed and run a financial plan that will

technology is an essential topic for each

contribute to its victory.

warrant the triumph of your small business.

entrepreneur; knowing the usage of cloud technology will allow small businesses to produce and gauge their businesses.

Women Entrepreneurship

Global Business Mindset

Small Business Leadership

Women are changing the face of the business

It’s important for a business to grow and

When it comes to helping an organization

industry. Canada Business Talks will discuss

succeed that entrepreneurs have a global

prosper, business leadership is the most

resources and tools that are available to

mindset. What is global mindset? It’s the ability

significant characteristics. Robust business

women entrepreneurs. Training and mentoring

to absorb information as well as different

front-runners have the influence to stimulate

sessions to help women grow their business

traditions and cultural norms from around the

their workforce’s to attain their objectives and

and be successful.

world and implement it within their business

maximize their efficiency. They also inspire

strategies.

innovation and a healthy work environment.

Canada Business Talks is organised by CanadianSME Business Magazine in association with exclusive partners, Cisco, Lenovo and RBC

Presenting partner

PC partner

Banking partner

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INTRODUCING THE NEXT GENERATION

OF FIELD SERVICE AT SALESFORCE: AI-POWERED TOOLS FOR TRUSTED, MISSION-CRITICAL FIELD SERVICE

BY MARK CATTINI, SVP OF FIELD SERVICE MANAGEMENT

T

oday we are announcing the next generation of Salesforce Field Service, equipping teams across industries with AI-powered tools to deliver trusted, mission-critical field service. Built on the world’s #1 CRM, Salesforce Field Service includes new appointment scheduling and optimization capabilities, AI-driven guidance for dispatchers, asset performance insights and automated

customer communications, all of which help ensure jobs are completed the first time, on time, every time.

When the pandemic first hit, many industries that send employees out to complete jobs in the field had to shut down entirely. But critical machinery still needs to be repaired—medical devices require servicing, air conditioning units need to be fixed and assembly line machines

still malfunction. After getting over the initial shock of COVID-19, frontline workers got back to work and have been at it ever since. After an initial dip in March, Salesforce Field Service saw usage jump more than 50% between April and July 2020, and is actually now being used 20% more than at pre-COVID levels as companies and frontline workers scramble to clear the backlog of service requests created earlier this year.

Einstein Recommendations

What’s New with Salesforce Field Service Salesforce Field Service innovations include: •

•

Dynamic Priority enables dispatchers to focus on the jobs that matter most, with scheduling and optimization capabilities that automatically prioritize jobs based on the service level agreement or how critical the work is. For example, if maintenance is due or a warranty is about to expire, that job will automatically receive higher priority over others.

Einstein Recommendation Builder enables organizations to rapidly deploy machine learning models to enhance service, including AIpowered recommendations to ensure mobile workers always have

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the right parts for the job. Einstein will scan past work orders for previous similar jobs to identify which parts will be needed for the current one.

•

Asset 360 is a new set of asset management capabilities that ServiceMax is building in partnership with Salesforce. With Asset 360, companies will have complete visibility into their install base, service contracts and asset performance (e.g. machinery, medical equipment) to maximize the uptime of complex equipment and reduce operational costs. More details here.

•

Appointment Assistant uses live status updates and GPS to automatically update customers on the technician’s arrival time.

This keeps customers informed, and gives them a chance to vacate the premises and/or adequately prepare before the technician arrives—increasing safety for both technician and customer while social distancing is advised.

Appointment Assistant

Our customers tell us that it is more crucial now than ever for their field technicians to have the right information and tools to maximize equipment uptime and first-time fix rates.

Decades of industry expertise and innovation have gone into building our next-generation field service management product, and organizations across industries are deploying it to keep their equipment working, businesses running, technicians productive and end customers safe.

These innovations are the latest in a series of milestones for Salesforce Field Service, which include last year’s acquisition of ClickSoftware, a leader in field service management. And with the combined power of Salesforce and ClickSoftware, we are delivering a complete field service product with all of the capabilities leading service organizations require. This was proven recently, when Salesforce Field Service was named a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Field Service Management.

How Organizations Across Industries and Regions are Using Salesforce Field Service Many customers across regions and industries have been using Salesforce Field Service in unique ways to pivot their businesses and keep moving forward—see below for some examples.

AAA Carolinas, the regional AAA club serving both North and South Carolina for more than 100 years, provides its members a full range of travel, insurance, financial and automotiverelated services.

“Salesforce continues to help us meet our goal

of deepening customer relationships,” said George Figueiredo, VP Automotive Services.

“Incorporating Salesforce Field Service into our wider service offering will help us provide a comprehensive and consistent support experience from the moment a customer calls to when our service technicians deliver the necessary in-person service. The new capabilities will allow us to maximize our resources and ensure that our field service techs are armed with the right information and equipment to best serve our 2.2 million members.”

Best Buy Canada is transforming how its 500-member support team helps clients with installations, repairs, and technical support.

With the Geek Squad agents having access to the Salesforce Field service application on mobile, this helps provide greater visibility as clients receive real time updates of any schedule changes. “With Salesforce Field Service, we will be able to optimize the efficiency of the team and improve the accuracy of when an agent is due to visit a client,” said Chris Sallans, Vice President, Retail Operations & Geek Squad. “There are now fewer manual processes for our Geek Squad agents, enabling them to spend more time helping clients resolve their technical issues.”

Greenthumb, conducts approximately 2.5 million lawn treatment visits to customers’ homes every year across the U.K. Just months after implementing Salesforce Field Service, Greenthumb started saving money—and the environment. Smarter scheduling enabled their field crew to complete at least one extra job per worker per day, which generated more revenue.

“By routing crews efficiently, we estimate it will save over £400,000 in annual fuel costs,” said Paul Edwards, Managing Director. “With no more need for paper work orders, we will cut paper requirement by three million sheets per year, which will rise as we gradually replace traditional mail with digital communications. In addition, working on a lightning-fast system has enabled our dispatchers to resolve customer inquiries an average of 45 seconds faster than before— going from seven clicks per case to just three.”

Hologic, a medical technology company primarily focused on women’s health, is turning to Salesforce Field Service to quickly view all of its products on a given customer’s site, determine which software version it’s on, and analyze its service history. This level of visibility will allow Hologic employees to provide service more effectively as they have all the information they need right at their fingertips. “One of our main challenges was our dispatch team was operating via an offline spreadsheet which was time consuming and inaccurate,” said Matthew Faherty, IS Manager, Customer Experience

Solutions. ”With Salesforce Field Service we are seeing an improved time to dispatch, ensuring the right field engineer is dispatched and our systems are available to continue improving women’s health globally.”

St. Francis Healthcare System was able to rapidly operationalize a new meal delivery program for homebound seniors in just a few days when the COVID-19 lock down hit with the support of its partner, Pacific Point, and its Salesforce account team. Using Salesforce Field Service, St. Francis is able to coordinate local restaurant meals and efficiently dispatches drivers to deliver these meals to the homes of seniors. Now in its third month, St. Francis has delivered more than 50,000 meals to date.

During the COVID-19 crisis in France, Wartner employees wanted to extend its platform to facilitate a laundry service for those at the heart of this sanitary crisis: medical staff and nurses.

Through delivery management facilitated by Salesforce Field Service and Community Cloud, Wartner delivered more than 8,000 laundry orders to 60 overloaded Parisian hospitals to serve 90,000+ staff members in just one week, saving precious time and money in a situation where each minute counts.

WBP Group, one of Australia’s largest, independent property valuation and advisory firms, needed to reshape how it operated to minimize contact between employees and customers in response to COVID-19. Service Cloud enabled the rapid launch of virtual valuations, creating a safe no-touch experience for customers and employees. Salesforce Field Service has increased the efficiency of scheduling appointments and will be used in the future to manage valuations from end to end.

Additional Information Go here to learn more about Salesforce Field Service, and check out this demo video.

Check out the Forrester Consulting TEI study, commissioned by Salesforce in July 2020, to learn the benefits four organizations saw over three years with Salesforce Field Service, including a firsttime fix rate improvement of 90%.

Availability Dynamic Priority will be generally available in October 2020. Einstein Recommendation Builder will be in beta in October 2020.

Asset 360 will be generally available in November 2020. Appointment Assistant will be in closed pilot in US in October 2020.

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VICTORIA DEBOON’S SAFETY ADVICE FOR TRAVEL DURING COVID

DIRECTOR OF SALES SAP CONCUR CANADA

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Victoria DeBoon is the Director of Sales at SAP Concur Canada. She has helped businesses of all sizes drive sustainable growth by empowering them with data insights to increase efficiency, optimize performance and scale across Canada.

Victoria is a customer-centric leader with a proven track record of exceeding business results by cultivating talent for high performing teams.

Victoria is a business travel expert having logged millions of miles and a sought after speaker on the topic. Victoria is committed to spearheading inclusive best practices and is passionate about mentorship and growing her teams. She is recognized as a leader in supporting women to enter and stay in the tech industry.

Victoria holds a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree focused in Business from Simon Fraser University.

What would you say has been the biggest impact that COVID-19 has had on business in Canada?

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses of all sizes across the country. Many businesses have had to shift their operations over the past 6 months. Notably, businesses transitioned to a remote work environment with varying degrees of success. Companies who were equipped with digital tools and processes fared better than the many companies that relied on manual processes.

This pandemic has tipped the scales for many businesses, facilitating an increased adoption of digital tools to maintain operations and enable remote work. For departments like finance who were faced with the responsibility of maintaining business continuity, access to real-time information and visibility into company spend was crucial to make smart decisions.

We’re seeing many companies evaluate their processes and adapting to aid their recovery and improve business continuity.

Do you think the way companies will engage in business travel will change? Do you think travel will be necessary with the virtual formats available? (e.g. virtual conferences and meetings?

Business travel continues to play an irreplaceable role in the success of today’s enterprise.

Research from SAP Concur’s survey of global business travellers shows Canadian business travellers expect their company to experience negative outcomes due to travel restrictions around COVID-19, including a reduced number of deals or contracts signed that require inperson interactions (51%) and declines in new business wins that require in-person meetings (44%). Business travel will return, but it is being reshaped and a new era of trip preparation and policies, will be front and center as travel resumes.

It’s also important to consider industries such as mining or oil sectors where travel is required to get employees onsite to perform their roles.

There is no virtual solution for these industries – travel will still be necessary, and employers will need to follow federal guidelines as well as put their own measures in place to ensure the safety of their travelling staff.

For other industries, we’re going to see business travel take a hybrid approach of in-person and virtual meetings, meaning employees will only travel when deemed necessary. Face-to-face meetings will continue to hold value, but health and wellbeing of employees will be a priority and businesses have a responsibility to make sure they have the proper safety protocols in place for in-person conferences when they return.

Companies will need to supply PPE equipment such as face masks and hand sanitizer for inperson meetings and maintain smaller groups in meetings.

What are some solutions that SAP Concur has that can help ease concerns for corporate travellers?

With COVID-19 bringing health and safety to the forefront of everyone’s minds, companies face more pressure than ever to ensure the safety of their employees. Duty of Care is one of the most important drivers of travel policy changes.

A duty of care action plan is important to help companies mitigate challenges in locating and communicating with travelling employees when an emergency arises.

Especially with many employees now using a variety of self-serve booking apps and websites, it becomes increasingly difficult for managers and HR teams to access accurate, timely traveller location and activity data. SAP Concur solutions provide wide-ranging data through our Itinerary API that delivers the entirety of consolidated travel information from Concur Travel, TripIt from Concur, Concur

We recently expanded our duty of care partners within the SAP Concur App Center to take advantage of the rich data stream that SAP Concur travel booking produces and, in turn, enable companies to provide the level of duty of care their employees expect.

The survey also revealed that 93% of Canadian business travellers have noted that some measures are crucial to ensure the safety of working on the road. What do you believe is the most important measure that employers should prioritize before resuming corporate travel?

In this moment, it’s important companies listen to its’ employees and invest in solutions their travellers want, including measures they see as necessary when travel resumes, such as improved traveller safety information, requiring pre trip approval, or greater ability to change travel plans quickly.

Our research shows nearly 3 in 10 (28%) employees are looking forward to travelling for work again – but before this happens, they’re looking to their employers to provide training and put safety measures in place to make sure they’re ready to return to travel. These measures include mandatory personal health screenings for travellers (40%), only allowing staff to travel when deemed essential (38%), real-time health and safety updates while travelling (34%), and easier access to personal protective equipment (28%). Employers need to communicate with their teams to see what their top concerns are.

Company training is also important to employers – more than 9 in 10 (92%) Canadian business travellers say that trainings would be beneficial, notably training on how to protect their health and safety while travelling (50%) and how to maintain healthy habits during travel (50%).

Employers have a responsibility to providing their employees with the most up-to-date information and tools to help ease their concerns.

Request, and Concur TripLink. This gives companies access to both intent-related travel data and confirmed itinerary data, providing visibility into who might be impacted as well as who is actively being impacted by an event.

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Results from this survey show that the trip itself is now the most stressful stage of business travel (47%) in a significant shift from last year where last year more Canadians were stressed before the trip. What are businesses doing to address the concerns among their employees?

Employees play a big role in business decisions and their concerns should be top of mind for employers in the plan to move forward. An inherent part of safe business travels is clear communication between employees and employers. Businesses need to balance what is required of employees and what employees are actually comfortable with.

Leaders need to listen to the concerns among their employees and invest in solutions and implement new policies to ensure their travellers feel safe when they return to the road.

More than half of Canadian business travellers confirmed that they would be more comfortable with mobile check-ins as the best mobile app feature once travel resumes. How will technology play a role in easing travel concerns?

There are many uncertainties around the future of business travel, but what we do know is that employees are looking to technology to ease their concerns. Business travellers are looking for a touchless experience while on the road from bookings to luggage drop off. This can be done with tech, in particular, mobile phones. Findings from our survey show that over half (52%) of respondents agree that mobile check-ins are the most important app feature as it helps to minimize contact. Other important app features include traveller safety information (38%), the ability to book air travel (38%), and the ability to view and manage trip itineraries (36%).

The industry has been moving towards this trend, but now more than ever technology will play an enormous role in helping business travellers plan their trip.

Compared to other countries, do you believe Canada is well prepared when it comes to safety measurements for travellers?

Health and safety of employees continues to be a top priority for businesses across Canada. As many businesses continue to work remotely, employers are looking to make sure they have measures in place to ensure a safe return to the office – and we can expect the same when it comes to business travel. Canadian businesses need to ensure they’re listening to the needs of their employees and are implementing travel policies that address all concerns from their staff. More than 2 in 5 (43%) of travellers say their health and safety is their top priority while travelling for business – more than three times as many who prioritize business needs (13%). Canadian businesses need to set policies in place to ensure traveller safety, health, and security.

On a final note, what advice can you give to companies when it comes to implementing measures that will ensure the safety of their employees and customers when travelling?

It’s important for Canadian business travellers to have the most up-to-date information and preparation for when it comes to being on the road – and most employees agree. More than 9 in 10 (92%) of Canadian business travellers agree that company trainings would help set them up for a safer experience while travelling for business. Employees are also looking to leaders to put policies in place and implement safety procedures to keep them safe, but it’s important for businesses to seek the opinions and voices of employees to understand their worries and know what procedures can be put in place to ease their concerns.

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2020 As October is Small Business Month in Canada, on October 20 and 21, we are hosting the inaugural The Small Business Summit and would like to invite you to be a part of it.

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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Small Business Moving Forward

SMALL BUSINESS Small Business MOVING FORWARD Canadian small businesses are the Moving Forward

backbone of our economy. They play a significant role in creating Canadian small businesses the Canadian small businesses are are the backbone employment opportunities and backbone of ourThey economy.

They play of our economy. play a significant role tocreating the overall GDP. a contributing significant role in in creating employment opportunities and employment opportunities and contributing to the overall GDP.

contributing to the overall GDP.

Due to the current situation, many

Due to the current situation,struggling many businesses are currently to Due to the current situation, many businesses are currently struggling to bring bring their back intoaction. businesses arebusiness currently struggling their business back in action. Small and bring their business back in action.businesses Small and businesses medium-sized medium-sized are looking for Small and medium-sized businesses aretolooking for ways toWe improve ways improve their situation. want to their are looking for ways to improve their situation.

We want to be able to aid be able to aid much allow situation.

Weas want to as bepossible able to and aid small businesses can and stayallow afloat during small much as possible and allow asas much as possible small businesses can stay afloat during these challenging times so that no one is businesses can stay afloat during these to challenging timespermanently. so that no forced shut their doors these challenging times so that no one is forced to shut their doors

one is we forced to shut doors Together, can help and their support, and permanently. permanently. we can revive these small businesses as Together, we can help and they continue to serve our support, communities and we can revive these small and provide uswe withcan fantastic and Together, helpservice and support, essentials that all need. businesses aswe they continue to serve and we can revive these small

our communities and provide us with

businesses they continue fantastic serviceas and essentials that we all need. our communities

to serve

and provide us with

fantastic service and essentials that we all need.

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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We are living in unprecedented times, and We are living in unprecedented times, and small businesses in Canada are feeling the small businesses in Canada are feeling the impact. We at CanadianSME want to make impact. We at CanadianSME want to make sure sure small businesses are equipped with the small businesses are equipped the right right knowledge and tools and arewith prepared knowledge and tools and are prepared for the for the new normal. new normal.

In this summit, we will be discussing In this summit, we will be discussing entrepreneurial resilience in challenging entrepreneurial resilience in challenging times, times, small business leadership, Cloud and small business leadership, Cloud and Technology Technology that can transform your small thatlive can Q&A, transform your small business, business, cash flow tips from live topQ&A, cash flow tipsmental from tophealth financialand experts, mental financial experts, much more. health and much more.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable information from top leaders in this valuable information from top leaders in this exclusive summit and get your business moving exclusive summit and get your business thethe right direction. movinginin right direction.

Why attend:Â Every small business owner wants to learn Why attend: entrepreneurial resilience during challenging times. As a small wantto Every smallbusiness businessowner, owneryou wants

to knowlearn and entrepreneurial discover the best strategies to resilience during implement during times. and after Covid-19 challenging As athe small business

Small Business Moving Forward

pandemic.

In this learn The owner, you summit, want to you knowwill and discover Tech adoption Small Businesses through the best for strategies to implement during Covid-19 beyond.

Managing cash In flow andand after the Covid-19 pandemic. this during summit, a periodyou of crisis, small will learn Thebusiness Tech adoption leadership in theBusinesses time of crisis and women for Small through Covid-19

and beyond.

Managing flow entrepreneurship challenges.

This cash summit during a period of technology crisis, small business will help you get the top tips,

leadership time of crisis and business tips, andinthethe best available women entrepreneurship challenges. resources to keep your small business on

This summit willCovid-19. help you get the top track during and after

technology tips, business tips, and the available resources to keep your Who best should attend small business on during and after Small Business Leaders, track Owners, CEOs, Covid-19.

Business consultants, Finance and HR

managers, IT decision-makers from small and medium enterprises who face challenges to adopt innovative technologies.

Who should attend

Small Business Leaders, Owners, CEOs, Business consultants, Finance and HR managers, IT decision-makers from small and medium enterprises who face challenges to adopt innovative technologies.

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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20-21 October 2020 From 11 am to 3 pm

Small Business Moving Forward Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable information from top leaders in this exclusive summit and get your business moving in the right direction.

This exclusive two-day summit will be featuring panel discussions, webinars and keynote presentations by Canada's top business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Adapting to new normal

Why attend:

Who should attend:

Tech adoption

Every small business owner wants to learn entrepreneurial resilience during challenging times. As a small business owner, you want to know and discover the best strategies to implement during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Small Business Leaders, Owners, CEOs, Business consultants, Finance and HR managers, IT decision-makers from small and medium enterprises who are facing challenges to adopt innovative technologies.

Empowering Small Businesses for the new normal

Tech adoption for Small Businesses through Covid-19 and beyond

Entrepreneurial resilience Successful entrepreneurs and CEOs from various industries will discuss how you can revive your business during unpredictable times.

Women entrepreneurship We will discuss resources and tools that are available to women entrepreneurs to deal with Covid-19

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I Registrations starting soon

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smesummit.ca

Benefits Of Diversity In The Workplace For Small Business

BENEFITS OF

Diversity is an integral part of any

organization. An inclusive environment in an

DIVERSITY IN THE productivity, and an increase in ROI - all by WORKPLACE FOR having a diverse background of individuals.

Gender, race, sexualBUSINESS orientation, beliefs, and SMALL

organization means greater innovation,

physical and mental ability all contribute to

D

what makes us unique individuals. iversity is an integral part of any organization. An inclusive Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is important environment in an organization now means more than ever, especially duringand greater innovation, productivity, challenging times.

COVID-19 has impacted an increase in ROI - all by having a diverse background individuals.

Gender, race, the way in whichofsome individuals were sexual orientation, beliefs, and physical viewed based on their race and the and mental ability all contribute to what makes #BlackLivesMatter movement has raised us unique individuals. awareness of the needs of minorities and givenDiversity them aand voice to be (D&I) heard.

Inclusion is important now more than ever, especially during challenging times. COVID-19 has impacted This panel discussion will discuss the ways the way in which some individuals were you can get involved to ensure inclusivity viewed based on their race and the across your entire organization.

You raised will learn #BlackLivesMatter movement has of and the needs of aminorities how awareness to manage recruit diverse and team given them a voice to be heard. of individuals, employee retention, building

rapport and more. As well, you will learn This panel discussion will discuss the ways about allcan theget support programs you involved to ensure available inclusivity and other that would across important your entiretools organization.

You greatly will learn howteam, to manage recruityour a diverse benefit your thus and making small team of individuals, employee retention, business more inclusive and successful. building rapport and more. As well, you will learn about all the support programs available and other important tools that would greatly benefit your team, thus making your small business more inclusive and successful.

TAHIRA BHARMAL

(Moderator) Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)

MENTORS CONSULT

ANDREA LEKUSHOFF President

BROAD REACH COMMUNICATIONS

STACEY CUMMINGS Head of Customer Solutions Marketing

DUNCAN L. SINCLAIR Chair

DELOITTE CANADA & CHILE

TARA HUNT

CEO, Truly Inc. / Co-founder

PHLYWHEEL

ANDRIA BARRETT President

THE CANADIAN BLACK PUROLATOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I 40

Panel Discussion Panel Discussion

Tech adoption for TECH ADOPTION for Small Businesses SMALL BUSINESSES through Covid-19 and beyond.

THROUGH COVID-19 and BEYOND.

Technology is the future and important for every business. Following the onset of the October 21 - 11: 00 AM - 12: 00 PM pandemic, small businesses across the world

T

were forced to change their business models. echnology is have the future and important Many businesses integrated digital for every business. Following the onset of the technology into their infrastructure and many pandemic, small businesses across the world are forced to quickly adjust as they transition were forced to change their business models. Many into the newhave normal post-COVID. To stayinto businesses integrated digital technology their infrastructure and manytoare forced to quickly resilient meant switching new digital adjust as they transition intostrategies the new normal platforms, new response andpostCOVID. To stay resilient meant switching to new adapting to technology. digital platforms, new response strategies and adapting to technology.

Tech experts from across Canada will discuss

MIKI VELEMIROVICH (Moderator) President

CARGO

PATRICK DIAB

Chief Product Officer MONERIS

ADAM KIRSH

AVP Commercial Sales Small and Growth Business Canada

SALESFORCE

Tech foracross SmallCanada Businesses through Tech adoption experts from will discuss Tech adoption for Small Businesses through COVID-19 COVID-19 and beyond.

The panellists will and beyond. The panellists will discuss the most discuss the most important available important available technologies that can help technologies that can help small businesses to small businesses to succeed post-COVID. They will succeed post-COVID. They employees will also discuss also discuss how to manage working how to manage working remotely and howemployees to address this with aremotely creative approach. and how to address this with a creative approach.

As a business owner, it’s important to be educated on how to utilize the latest tech for your business.

AsWe a have business owner, it’sleaders important toindustry be some of the top in the IT

CHARLIE REGAN

Capability Expansion Orchestrator

NERDS ON SITE INC

NANCY TICHBON

Managing Director Canada

SAGE NORTH AMERICA

educated howright to utilize the latest tech for to discuss on all the tools needed to help steer you in the right direction.

After having the right your business. We have some of the top tools and willdiscuss enable you grow leaders intech theknowledge, IT industryit to alltothe right and scale your small and medium businesses even tools needed to help steer you in the right further. direction. After having the right tools and tech knowledge, it will enable you to grow and scale your small and medium businesses even

JITAN PATEL

National Director of Sales

CANADIANSME LENOVOMAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

PAMELA PELLETIER National Sales Director

41DELL EMC

further.

Panel duration: 45 minutes Panel duration: 45 minutes

Panel Panel Discussion Discussion

Empowering EMPOWERING Women WOMEN Entrepreneurs ENTREPRENEURS During COVID-19 DURING COVID-19

Women are very important in the business October 20 - 01: 00 PM - 02: 00 PM industry. Unfortunately, there haven't been

W

many female entrepreneurs because of the omen which are very important in the lack of support, ultimately makes it business industry. Unfortunately, difficult for a female entrepreneur to survive, there haven’t been many female especially during the pandemic. entrepreneurs because of the lack of support, which ultimately makes it difficult for a female COVID-19 hastoimpacted entrepreneurs in entrepreneur survive, especially during the

pandemic. unimaginable ways. It has an even greater

impact on female entrepreneurs as they COVID-19 has impacted entrepreneurs in have greater barriers to entry compared to unimaginable ways. It has an even greater their male Trying as to they stayhave afloat impact on counterparts. female entrepreneurs during times cancompared be very to challenging greaterthese barriers to entry their male counterparts. afloat during these for women asTrying they to arestay underrepresented. times can be very challenging for women as Investing portfolios usually include very few they are underrepresented. Investing portfolios female founders and presumably, women usually include very few female founders and will find it more difficult to fund their ventures presumably, women will find it more difficult to during the ventures pandemic. fund their during the pandemic.

Woman entrepreneurs entrepreneurs need us us nownow more than Woman need more ever, that’s why we’ve brought in top female than ever, that's why we've brought in top experts to help you learn why women-led female experts to help you learn why ventures will be the backbone of recovery as women-led ventures will be the backbone we move along in the pandemic.

This panel will of recovery move along thechallenges pandemic. give you as the we confidence to faceinany

HON. MARY NG (Moderator)

MINISTER OF SMALL BUSINESS, EXPORT PROMOTION AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

NANCY WILSON ( Mo d e r a to r)

Founder and C EO CANADIAN WOMEN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JAMIE HOOBANOFF Founder

THE LEADERSHIP AGENCY

withpanel advice,will knowledge, and tips from to top This give youtools the confidence female entrepreneurs in the industry. face any challenges with advice, knowledge, tools and tips from top female entrepreneurs in the industry.

PRIYA CHOPRA Founder & CEO

1MILK2SUGARS

NATASHA KOIFMAN President

NKPR

Panel duration: 45 minutes

Panel duration: 45 minutes CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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Panel Discussion Panel Discussion

Small Business SMALL BUSINESS Leadership, LEADERSHIP, and Challenges CHALLENGES and Solutions SOLUTIONS

When it comes to having a successful organization, leadership skills are amongst the October 20 - 02: 15 PM to - 03: 15 PM Strong most important aspects consider. business leaders have the power to inspire the

W

organization, hen especially it comes to their havingemployees a successfulto organization, leadership skills are achieve business goals and maximize their amongst the most important aspects productivity. They also inspire innovation and to consider. Strong business leaders have the a healthy work environment. power to inspire the organization, especially their employees to achieve business goals and Educating yourself is one of thealso bestinspire ways to maximize their productivity.

They (Moderator)

PETER S. DRUMMOND Co-Founder

DAN KELLY

President, CEO and Chair

CFIB

PSD+G STRATEGY GROUP & 32 DEGREES VENTURES

MIKI VELEMIROVICH President

CARGO

CHRISTOPHER ACHKAR Founder and Employment Lawyer

ACHKAR LAW

innovation a healthy environment. adapt yourand skills to thework changing environment

and understand the skills required in order to Educating yourself is one of the best ways to lead with confidence. One of the most adapt your skills to the changing environment amazing thingsthe youskills canrequired do as ainleader and understand order tois the ability to inspire andOne show resilience and lead with confidence. of the most amazing things you can through do as a leader the ability to strength even timesisof uncertainty. inspire and show resilience and strength even through times of uncertainty.

Through this panel, top industry leaders will help youthis uncover theindustry required skills tohelp Through panel, top leaders will you uncover the required skills to captivate your captivate your audience and succeed in the audience and succeed thelearn business business world.

Youinwill theworld. right You skill set will learn the right skill set required when leading required when leading in a time of crisis. This in a time of crisis. This panel discussion will also panel discussion will also teach you about the teach you about the right business tools, how right business tools, ahow effectively to effectively manage teamtoremotely, howmanage to theremotely, right blueprint your organization, abuild team how for to build the right and much for more. blueprint your organization, and much more.

Panel duration: 45 minutes

SHIRAZ SIDDIQUE Founder

LEVERAGE CONSULTING

CHANTAL CARTER Founder

LOVE & NUDES INTIMATES

CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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Panel duration: 45 minutes

Panel Discussion Panel Discussion

How to Manage HOW TO in MANAGE Finances FINANCES IN Times of Crisis TIMES of CRISIS

One of the most important aspects of any business is finances. Without the right knowledge and financial tools, your business couldOctober be struggling, during times of 21 - 12:especially 15 PM - 01: 15 PM crisis. Whether is information about learning

O

how to manage your cash flow, how to gain ne of the most important aspects of more capital, or how to find ways to fund your any business is finances. Without the business, we have you covered. right knowledge and financial tools, your business could be struggling, especially during timesthis of panel, crisis. Whether information Through you will islearn how to about learning how to manage your cash how to effectively manage cash flow and flow, utilize gain more capital, or how to find ways to fund funding to continue to operate your business your business, we have you covered. and how to maximize your business's potential with aThrough limitedthis budget. willwill also cover panel,We you learn how to effectively manage cash flow and utilize funding important topics such as, updating your to continue to operate yourinto business how financial forecasts, tapping relief and funding to maximize your business’s potential with a resources. limited budget. We will also cover important topics such as, updating your financial forecasts, Financial experts in the fieldresources. will discuss how tapping into relief funding small business owners can manage their Financial experts in the field will discuss how finances during and after COVID-19. Top small business owners can manage their financial experts will share valuable advice finances during and after COVID-19. Top and help youexperts to gain critical knowledge and financial will share valuable advice and cash help flow you management skills.

You willand learn to gain critical knowledge cash flow management skills.

You will learn how how to identify upcoming issues and betterto identify upcoming issues and better manage and manage and solve financial problems which solve financial problems which will allow you will allow you to successfully operate your to successfully operate your business through business through challenging times. challenging times.

Panel duration: 45 minutes

REBECCA PANG

Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, Diversified Asian Markets

DANIELLE BREWIN GRAHAM Principal

SANDPIPER VENTURES

RBC

FRANK BILOTTA Partner Tax

SBLR LLP

DINO INFANTI

Partner, National LeaderÂ

KPMG PRIVATE ENTERPRISE TAX

Panel duration: 45 minutes CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

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Panel Discussion

Entrepreneurial Panel Discussion resilience during challenging times ENTREPRENEURIAL Entrepreneurs are by nature very strong

RESILIENCE DURING In order to maintain that greatness, an CHALLENGING entrepreneur must be able to withstand any TIMES difficulties their organization may face. That

individuals who are capable of great things.

is why it is important for any entrepreneur to have resilience during challenging times and October 21 - 01: 30 PM - 20: 30 PM be the lifeline that employees can look to for

E

support. ntrepreneurs are by nature very strong individuals who are capable of great With the spread of COVID-19, entrepreneurs things. In order to maintain that greatness, are facing unprecedented an entrepreneur must be ablechallenges. to withstand There any may face. That is is difficulties no doubt their that organization many of our businesses and why it is important for any to have economies are going to entrepreneur get worse before resilience during challenging times and be the they get better. It's important to learn how to lifeline that employees can look to for support. self-manage and make critical business

NANCY WILSON

Founder and CEO CANADIAN WOMEN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANDREW D’SOUZA Co-Founder & CEO

CLEARBANC

BERTRAND STERN-GILLET CEO PENINSULA CANADA

NUNZIO PRESTA Founder and Ceo

BUY AND SELL AMAGAZINE BUSINESS I SEPTEMBER 2020 I CANADIANSME

KIRK SIMPSON Co-Founder, CEO

WAVE HQ

ELAINE KUNDA

Founder, Managing Partner DISRUPTION VENTURES

JIM ESTILL

President and Ceo

45 SHIPPERBEE &

DANBY APPLIANCES

decisions times. entrepreneurs With the during spread these of COVID-19, are facing unprecedented challenges. There no panel, doubt that many of our businesses and In isthis 5 successful entrepreneurs and economies are going to get worse before they CEOs from across the board will discuss how get better. It’s important to learn how to selfyou can revive your business during manage and make critical business decisions unpredictable times. This panel will teach during these times. you how to make better business decisions In build this entrepreneurial panel, 5 successful entrepreneurs and resilience both and CEOs from across the board will discuss internally and externally. It will also give you how you can revive your business during the knowledge on how to be socially unpredictable times. This panel will teach you responsible, brand awareness, how to makebuild betterbetter business decisions and build how to address resilience employees and customers. entrepreneurial both internally and externally. also give you the knowledgeas on the and adapt Ittowill the changing landscape how to be socially responsible, build better brand economy reopens. awareness, how to address employees and customers. and adapt to the changing landscape as the economy reopens.

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CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2020 I 49

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June, 2021 TORONTO, CANADA

SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2021 A MUST ATTEND EVENT

25 05 05

SPEAKERS

The Biggest Gathering of Canadian Small and Medium Enterprises

Expert business speakers

WORKSHOPS Interactive workshops by industry experts

PANEL DISCUSSIONS Expert panel discussions

www.smeexpo.ca

Be a part of the crowd as more than 2,000 business leaders, top executives and top Canadian SMEs gather at the CanadianSME Business Expo taking place in April, 2021 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This is an event that you don’t want to miss!

SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND AT CANADIANSME BUSINESS EXPO JUNE, 2021 CANADIANSME MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2020 I

info@canadiansme.ca

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