The Advocate Magazine - September | October 2012

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

Employee Development: An Investment or an Expense?

A Big Step Forward for Local Health Care A Provincial Vision for Technology and Education The Importance of Your Personal Brand

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012 WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

FEATURE

A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR LOCAL HEALTH CARE Jeff MacIntyre

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EDITOR:

Heather Hutchings

FEATURE

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Cober Evolving Solutions

COVER STORY

PHOTOGRAPHY:

EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT: AN INVESTMENT OR AN EXPENSE?

Adamski Photography ADVERTISING AND SALES:

Why building and maintaining the right workplace culture is the key to organizational success Greg Viner

David MacLellan – dmaclellan@greaterkwchamber.com Don Critelli – dcritelli@greaterkwchamber.com JR Waddell – jwaddell@greaterkwchamber.com Michelle Kienitz – mkientz@greaterkwchamber.com

FEATURE

2012 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS NOMINATING COMMITTEE’S SLATE OF CANDIDATES NOMINEE PROFILES

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CONTRIBUTORS:

Bryan Atcheson and Teri Hetherington ADVERTISING AND COPY DEADLINES:

Sept. 21, 2012 for November | December November 23, 2012 for January | February

FEATURE

A PROVINCIAL VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION

CHAMBER STAR - KEVIN HOFFMAN

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

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THE UNIVERSAL IMPERATIVE OF EDUCATION Art Sinclair

#40026716

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

Brian Bennett

ADVOCACY

Proposals and articles are accepted via mail or email c/o Editor - Advocate. Please do not send originals.

All contributors articles must be accompanied by a head shot in a jpg file and a 40 word author’s bio.

FOR PERMISSION AND REPRINT REQUESTS

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PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS AND JOBS WITHOUT PEOPLE

Darlene Jones djones@greaterkwchamber.com

PUBLICATIONS PERMIT:

MAKING YOUR CHAMBER RELEVANT MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

SUBSCRIPTION AND BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES:

SUBMISSION POLICY:

FEATURE

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Ian McLean

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Brian Bennett, Catherine Fife, Jeff MacIntyre, Greg McCauley, Andrew McDowall, Ian McLean, Art Sinclair, Greg Viner

R&D CHANGES IN FEDERAL BUDGET

departments 4

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

FEATURE

Catherine Fife

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DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:

Greg McCauley

Andrew McDowall

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Art Sinclair

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EVENTS

SUMMER NETWORKING

PRINTED IN CANADA BY:

PUBLICATION OF:

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

APRIL 1, 2012 TO JULY 31, 2012 EVENTS

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MEMBER NOTABLES

ACHIEVING SUCCESS CHAMBER MEMBERS SPONSORSHIP

CHAMBER SPONSORS

The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not constitute endorsement by the Chamber.

The Advocate follows the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (1990), copies are available through the Publisher. The Chamber cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamber will not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims and has the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false, misleading, or inappropriate.

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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message from the chair

MAKING YOUR CHAMBER RELEVANT

BY BRIAN BENNETT This edition of the Advocate focuses on education, both secondary and post secondary, and the critical role that skills development plays across all sectors of our economy.

It is hard to believe that almost a year has gone by and it will soon be time to pass along the gavel. It has been a fun, rewarding, busy and inspirational time. This has been an incredible year of significant accomplishments, including the celebration of our rich history during the 125th anniversary.

Through ongoing feedback from our members, the Chamber continues to ensure that we remain relevant as evidenced by a vibrant and growing membership base. We continue to focus on the four key pillars that are most important, including networking, education, member rewards and advocacy.

The Chamber staff does a remarkable job of hosting in excess of 80 events annually to drive the networking and educational component that our members have indicated is essential to the local business community. One of the newest and very well received initiatives is our Peer to Peer program which focuses on business development, marketing , hospitality and tourism, and a CEO day. All groups bring business sectors together to learn from each other, and this program will be expanded in the fall.

We are leveraging technology and providing more current and relevant tools, and as you can see from our expanding website this includes resources such as social media tutorials, social media starter kits, as well as marketing and networking tips - be sure to check it out!

It is often said that collaboration is the cornerstone of this community, and the Chamber is doing its part. We are working together more with the Cambridge Chamber including the new 570 News Business to Business program, the satellite leadership program Leadercast, and the Regional Trade Show which also includes the Guelph Chamber. Our Chamber was a partner in the inaugural Manufacturing Innovation Network Summit, which focused on initiatives to enhance the local manufacturing sector.

Our Member Rewards program continues to expand - are you receiving your 3.5 cent per litre discount with the Esso gas card?

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On the Advocacy front our Chamber successfully lobbied the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on a resolution to immediately commence construction, as promised in 2007, on a new four lane Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph with completion by 2016.

Economic development is being negatively impacted.

One of the critical initiatives that the Chamber delivers is the Family Physician Recruitment program. Since inception in 1998 over 140 family physicians have been recruited to our community, reducing the number of residents without a physician to 20,000 from 40,000.

There will be continuing pressure to recruit new family physicians with population growth, the retirement of existing physicians, and balancing the expectations of new medical graduates. A healthy community and access to these services is essential to attract and retain talent within our Region. In order to continue to provide this service to the community we require the financial support of both individuals and business. We will be providing more information shortly on how you or your business can get involved to support this essential program.

I thank you for your confidence, support and invaluable feedback to make your Chamber better and more relevant, as it has been my privilege to serve as your Chair during the past year.

Our community continues to be resilient, remains visionary, embraces innovation, with business being the catalyst with a "can do" approach. Please take the opportunity to get involved with your Chamber by participating in an event, volunteering, or taking advantage of a program as we continue business building community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Bennett CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Bennett is a Financial Services Executive and the owner of BME Consulting, a financial consulting services firm.

message from the president

PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS AND JOBS WITHOUT PEOPLE

BY IAN MCLEAN Across a broad-based organization such as a Chamber of Commerce with members in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, finding public policy issues where consensus can easily be achieved is at times a challenging exercise.

However, over the past decade, all sectors of the local economy in Waterloo Region have agreed that skills development and providing the necessary educational opportunities to prepare workers for the challenges of an emerging global economy is the priority issue.

The shortage of skilled professionals across the information technology sector is well documented. Public service providers, most notably agencies and institutions in health care, are and will be managing equally significant challenges.

Four years ago, economist Larry Smith projected that, from 2013 to 2017, an additional 2,845 workers will be required to meet the health care needs of Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

Our Chamber remains a major stakeholder in this portfolio through our physician recruitment activities, and we have also persistently made MPPs and Queen’s Park officials aware of the serious shortage of workers across the entire system. In this respect, the Chamber’s advocacy efforts to secure additional infrastructure funding at Conestoga College, where a significant expansion of health care capacity is rapidly proceeding, have greatly assisted the region in meeting the service requirements of a growing population base.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Perrin Beatty was in Waterloo Region last June as part of a CCC consultation program on the national skills shortage. Mr. Beatty, a former MP, knows Waterloo Region well since his constituency included, at various times, Woolwich Township. Two roundtable meetings were organized with local business leaders where issues related to the skills shortage were identified and discussed.

Earlier this year, the CCC released a report on the top ten barriers to competitiveness for Canadian businesses. Barrier number one – and it is clear this is the highest priority – is the national skills crisis. The report very precisely notes that Canada’s growth and prosperity will depend on our ability to be more innovative and globally competitive. Better trained workers are essential to improving productivity, and a more highly skilled workforce will

produce value-added goods and services that will in turn improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

Remedies for the current labour shortage revolve around improved training and access to skilled foreign workers. Related issues include upgrading for employees in SMEs, integration services for immigrants, and connecting education with employment. All of these matters and the overall issue of skills development have been priorities of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for a considerable number of years.

Rick Miner, the former President of Seneca College, produced a paper in 2010 titled People Without Jobs – Jobs Without People.

Miner applies data from a variety of sources to illustrate that Ontario needs a larger workforce and increased skills, with a primary recommendation that we have to accept the attainment of post-secondary education or training as the expectation for all but a small minority of Ontarians.

By 2031 (the same year that Waterloo Region’s population growth projections are directed), Ontario will require a workforce where 77 percent of participants possess post-secondary credentials, including apprenticeship, university or college. The composition in 2010 was approximately 60 percent.

The end of summer and the beginning of September is a major event in Waterloo Region as students return to post-secondary institutions and service industries who were relatively quiet during July and August experience significant increases in activity.

However the local skills shortage is a year-round priority and the commitment of all stakeholders – business, government and education – is critical.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean Ian McLean is President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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awards nominations

MA ARK YOUR CALLENDA ARS!

greeater r kw chamb c ber Ann nual General G l Meeting The 20012 Annual Geeneral Meetingg has been calleed for Wednesday d d yy, September p b 19th, 1 h 2012 att which hi h time the thh new Greater t Kit Kitchene h er Waterloo W t l Chhamber h b off Coommerce Boardd of Directors w will be installed.

[

Pleaase register online at: www.ggreaterkwchambe k h b r.com

]

Date: September 19th, 2012 Registration: 4:30 pm – 5:00 5 pm Business Meeting: 5:00 pm – 5:20 pm Networking Reception: 5:20 pm p – 6:30 pm Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel 475 5 King St. St N N., Watterloo

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For more information, pplease contact thee Chamber office at a adm dmin@greaterkwcha k hamber.com or call us at 519.576.50000 b .

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER COM

advocacy

THE UNIVERSAL IMPERATIVE OF EDUCATION

BY ART SINCLAIR The consensus among analysts within media, academia and stakeholder collectives that watch Queen’s Park politics on a regular basis is that that Ontario electoral success is based on a relatively uncomplicated formula.

During a recession or major downturn, strategies and policy formulation evolve around job creation and economic growth. Two decades ago, when Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton commenced a successful campaign for the White House against incumbent George H.W. Bush, now prominent and revered political strategist James Carville introduced the phrase “it’s the economy stupid” to symbolize voter obsession over job losses and the impacts delivered by the prolonged recession of the early 1990s. This stratagem has survived and perhaps dominated American – and Canadian politics for twenty years.

In Ontario politics, two portfolios that can also win or lose an election are health care and education. Considering that hospitals and other related services now assume 40 percent of the provincial budget, any major political mistakes or misstatements on funding for or governance over these institutions announced during an election campaign can be highly damaging.

Although spending does not match health care, education is equally intimidating for all major parties. Former Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory can describe in explicit detail the long and short-term damage that can result from political miscalculations on all matters related to a $25 billion elementary and secondary school system.

The relationship between Waterloo Region post-secondary institutions – Conestoga, UW and WLU – and the local business sector have been documented and acclaimed nationally and internationally. The productive collaboration between faculty and emerging businesses has been identified as a critical contributor to our success and provides a model for many communities across Canada.

According to statistics from 2010, students who leave high school are unemployed at a rate that is double the level for graduates in the 20-24 years of age demographic. High school dropouts generally earn less throughout their careers, cost taxpayers more through social assistance, and generate far less in tax revenues than individuals with higher educational achievements.

On a positive note, the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, which opened in the fall of 2007, will provide an increasingly important role in local education. The expectation of an additional 200,000 residents within Waterloo Region over the next 20 years presents unprecedented challenges for local school boards, and the additional resources offered by a post-secondary education faculty will provide significant direction in addressing these issues as they arise. The WLU Faculty of Education is an important asset which we are fortunate to possess at this critical stage in the growth of the community from both an economic and population perspective.

All major parties will be articulating and advancing detailed platforms on education and training reform for the upcoming Kitchener-Waterloo by-election. Our Chamber asks all our members, as employers in Waterloo Region, to critically assess these proposals and determine how we should prepare the local workforce for current and future requirements.

As the Canadian Chamber of Commerce noted, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to successfully transition and integrate into the labour market will help them reach their full potential and ensure Canada’s economy remains competitive in the years to come.

Important decisions on education are imminent. Be informed and be engaged.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Equally important is the role of the elementary and secondary system in developing competent workers required for a changing global economy. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in their recent report Preparing Canada’s Youth for the Jobs of Tomorrow, noted that high schools offer the minimum competencies that students require for entry into the workforce, primarily literacy and numeracy skills.

Art Sinclair Art Sinclair is the Vice President Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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feature

A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR LOCAL HEALTH CARE

BY JEFF MACINTYRE Kitchener-Waterloo has been challenged to find primary care physicians for more than 20,000 residents who currently do not possess a family doctor. Fourteen years ago the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce took on this challenge on behalf of our community. Six years ago we ramped up our efforts by dedicating Mary Sue Fitzpatrick full time to focus on the attraction of physicians. The Chamber also convened a Facility Task Force to work with interested parties in establishing a medical building that would provide a venue for new doctors to practice.

The business community has identified the doctor shortage as a major concern with respect to the attraction of new employers and employees to the area. Previous efforts to attract physicians have been based on the many benefits of what K-W has to offer. What has been lacking is a facility utilizing an innovative and efficient model of healthcare delivery. On July 19, 2012, Ian McLean joined 125 other business leaders including local developer The INCC Corporation to break ground on The Medical Centre at The Boardwalk. The Medical Centre is a four-storey building totaling 80,000 square feet and is located at the north end of The Boardwalk’s 90-acre site that includes over 1 million square feet of commercial and office space located in both Kitchener and Waterloo. The building tender has been awarded to local builder Melloul-Blamey Construction and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013.

This Medical Centre will be designed and dedicated to patient healthcare by providing a number of services in one place.

Designated uses such as pharmacy, laboratory, and medical imaging on-site will create conveniences for the patients. A more efficient healthcare delivery model will include general practitioners, specialists, specialty clinics and related services in individual physician suites, smaller group units and large pods. Integrated technology will minimize wait times for patients and expedite treatment.

The Medical Centre will equally address the concerns expressed by medical professionals: new graduates want the guidance and mentoring of experienced doctors, while seasoned doctors have

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identified that their patients would benefit from medical collaboration with other physicians and specialists. Any doctor who has worked in the hospital environment recognizes the advantages of informal hallway consults and the mutual collegial support. The goal is to promote a culture of medical collaboration amongst professionals working in the centre.

Patients and clients visiting the Medical Centre by car will appreciate ample free parking surrounding the building. The parking lots will be in close proximity to the building’s north and south entrances, featuring convenient drop-off zones. Grand River Transit now provides two bus routes to The Boardwalk and in order to meet increasing need has planned for two more to be added shortly providing more convenience for those who require access other than by car.

The business community is excited about how effective The Medical Centre at The Boardwalk will be at attracting physicians to the Region of Waterloo. We applaud developers Greg Voisin, Paul Dietrich and the team at INCC for their commitment to our community. Early indications are that this medical facility will be a very important tool at reducing and eliminating the shortage of physicians in our community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff MacIntyre Jeff MacIntyre is the owner of two small businesses in Waterloo Region. Winexpert Kitchener South is an on-premises winemaking shop. So There Business Solutions assists employers to increase profitability through market access, sales assistance, business development planning strategies, mentoring and training.

feature

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

BY GREG MCCAULEY In today’s competitive economy, finding the right people with the right skills to do the job right can be difficult. Employers are constantly looking to find ways to recruit, develop and retain top talent.

Many organizations are using innovative talent management approaches to gain a competitive advantage and create a strong platform for growth. Recognizing this, prospective employees are seeking opportunities to refine their personal brands for an advantage over their counterparts. As a result, more value is placed on professional development and training to help employees realize their full potential.

Retired Partner and People Leader at Ernst & Young Karen Wensley, who authored The Power of Personal Branding for Career Success, says that “choosing and developing your ‘personal brand’ will help you get where you want to go.” Whether that’s inside or outside the workplace, knowing your ultimate value proposition will be your most valuable asset.

These sometimes “hidden” assets may have nothing to do with your degree or professional designations. Instead, they have everything to do with what you’re good at and what you feel driven to improve and exploit – the motivators shaping your future success. “If you try to build a brand that contradicts your strengths, interests and values, your job satisfaction and consequently your career advancement will suffer,” explains Karen.

Whether you’re working for a small start-up or a large Fortune 500 company, each organization has its own culture and therefore values different brands of people. Seek out what they’re looking for, and try to choose a company whose culture aligns with your own professional development.

Hard work alone is not enough to get you noticed. Authenticity is the differentiator. Carla A. Harris, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley agrees. There is only one you, says Carla in her book, Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace. Bringing the real you to work allows you to be free. Free to learn new concepts, free to be creative and responsive, free to take risks—all of which helps to enhance the professional that you are and makes you valuable to the organization.

Employers want self-motivated employees who are comfortable with who they are, and self-confident for developing positive relationships with colleagues and clients.

Nurturing that unique personal identity is instrumental to growth.

More and more organizations are doing their part to support employee personal development and career advancement objectives.

At Ernst & Young, continuing education is a priority for helping employees reach their goals and potential. To support employees taking charge of their own careers, Ernst & Young encourages people to make a significant investment in world-class knowledge tools, learning programs, counselling, and tools for mapping career decisions. Continuing professional development credits are rewarded to employees who participate in continuing education and professional development programs.

Ernst & Young promises its people that no matter where they are in the world, they will have access to high-quality formal learning through a curriculum that includes both enterprise wide and technical (service-line specific) content offered via a variety of formats, including virtual (web-based, videos, webcasts) and face-to-face (case studies, lectures, conferences and simulations). This global curriculum helps to ensure a consistent experience regardless of where the learning happens.

As your career evolves, so must your brand. It’s important to remember that your biggest competitive advantage is yourself. No one else can be the way you uniquely are. So consider your personal brand an asset. Invest in it to avoid having its value depreciate over time. Choose experiences that play to your strengths and interests and fit the dynamics of your career. The rewards you reap will be well worth the investment ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Greg McCauley, CA, Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, Southwestern Ontario In addition to overseeing the client and market activities of the region, Greg also has direct client servicing roles as an assurance partner. His clients are primarily entrepreneurial businesses in the technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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networking

SUMMER NETWORKING 1

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1) PETER BRAID MP PRESENTS A LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS ON THE CHAMBER’S 125 YEARS TO IAN MCLEAN 2) GROUP SHOT AT THE COWAN INSURANCE GROUP NEW MEMBER WELCOME 3) JEFF SHEPPARD (COLDWELL BANKER PETER BENNINGER REALTY, BROKERAGE) AND GARY BROWN (FUTURE STATE OF AFFAIRS INC.) AT THE 125TH JUBILEE

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4) BENJAMIN BACH (KELLER WILLIAMS GOLDEN TRIANGLE REALTY INC) PRESENTS TIPS ON MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL ONLINE PROFILE AT CENTRE IN THE SQUARE 5) BILL PEGG (HALLMAN BUSINESS FORMS LABELS AND PRINTING LTD.), LEO TOBI (BRENTWOOD LIVERY) AND ALEXIS BLACK (BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP) AT THE NEW MEMBER WELCOME 6) THIS SMOKED DUCK DISH WAS JUST ONE OF THE FABULOUS COURSES AT THIS YEAR’S 100 MILE AND BEYOND FEAST

Photography by Adamski Photography

Your parents were wise with their money…

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CHARTWELL

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190 David Bergey Drive Kitchener

Call 519-571-1110 www.chartwellreit.ca

networking

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7) KATIE REID (VAN HOUTTE COFFEE SERVICES INC.), STEPHEN SOUTHERN (S.H. SOUTHERN AND ASSOCIATES) AND ANDREA HALL (VAN HOUTTE COFFEE SERVICES INC.) 8) DR. DOUG WEIR FROM THE ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE AT A LUNCHEON FOCUSED ON HEALTH CARE FUNDING

9) ROD PHILLIPS (PRESIDENT OF ONTARIO LOTTERY AND GAMING CORPORATION) SPEAKING AT THE 125TH JUBILEE 10) HEATHER HART, ANNIE CONSTANTINESCU AND BRIDGET KING FROM RESEARCH IN MOTION AT THE CYP EMBASSY EVENT

11) DIANE HAWRYLENKO (NICHOLSON REALTY INC., BROKERAGE), BEV GAY (THE MORTGAGE GROUP ONTARIO INC.) , TRACEY WEILER (WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY) AND NAHLA KOR (KOR CAPABILITIES CONSULTING) 12) GREG LEHMAN OF SPIKE MOBILE, SAMANTHA HUNTER AND KYLE FEUCHT OF THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA 13) DR. DOUG WEIR FROM THE ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SPEAKING AT A CHAMBER LUNCHEON

Photography by Adamski Photography

LOOK TO US FOR ALL OF YOUR

MEDIA

NEEDS!

In Print.

Online.

Mobile.

Magazines.

TToo advertise or partne partner er with the Waterloo Waterloo Region Regionn Record, Record, please call 519-8 519-894-2250.

894-2250. advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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new members

April 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 Alarmshield INC

Beatties Basics Office Products

Carter Calmont Leasing and Rentals

Security Services & Systems Victor Savtchouk, President 55 King Street West Suite 700, Kitchener, ON N2G 4W1 Email: info@alarmshield.ca Web: http://www.alarmshield.ca Phone: (647) 979-4260

Office Supplies (Main), Office Furniture & Equipment Ian Greenwood, Commercial Account Manager 399 Vansickle Road, St Catharines, ON L2S 3T4 Email: customerservice@beatties.com Web: http://www.beatties.com Phone: (519) 653-4447 / Fax: 1 (866) 406-5556

Automobile Renting & Leasing Lori Weinstein, Regional Manager 1401 Weber Street East, Kitchener, ON N2R 3A7 Email: kitchener@calmont.ca Phone: (519) 893-5050 / Fax: (519) 893-2913

ALL-BRITE Glass & Tint

Berlinie Tuong

Glass - Automobile Terry Aivaliotis, General Manager 31 Manitou Drive Unit 6, Kitchener, ON N2C 1K9 Email: terry@allbriteglass.ca Web: http://www.allbriteglass.ca Phone: (519) 894-4434/ Fax: (519) 894-4288

Student 8 Porchlight Road, Brampton, ON Z6X 4S3 Email: berlinietuong@gmail.com Phone: (416) 605-1888

Computer Supplies & Accessories Antonio Fiorillo, Owner 875 Highland Road West, Kitchener, ON N2N 2Y2 Email: cartridgecounter@gmail.com Phone: (519) 584-2225

BITSPEC

Centre Éducatif Village d'Élisabeth

Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Dan Keon, Director Marketing & Communications 4273 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2P 2E9 Email: infocanada@allianz-assistance.ca Web: http://www.allianz-assistance.ca Phone: (519) 742-2800

Anishnabeg Outreach Inc. Charitable & Community Organizations Lee Ann Hundt, Office Manager 151 Frederick Street 5th Floor, Kitchener, ON N2H 2M2 Email: apatisiwin@anishnabegoutreach.org Web: http://www.anishnabegoutreach.org Phone: (519) 742-0300 / Fax: (519) 742-0867

Arjune Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. Machine Shops Dave Arjune, President 80 Bathurst Drive,Waterloo, ON N2V 1V6 Email: dave@arjune.com Web: http://www.arjune.com Phone: (519) 725-2305 / Fax: (519) 725-1653

Bauer Convenience Ltd. Convenience Stores Sean Lee, Manager 187 King Street South, Unit 102, Waterloo, ON N2J 1R1 Email: bauerconvenience@yahoo.com Web: http://www.bauerconvenience.com Phone: (519) 572-5946

Educational Consultants Dorina Grossu, Knowledge Leader 416 Draper Street, Norval, ON L0P 1K0 Email: mitch_grossu@bitspec.com Web: http://www.bitspec.com Phone: (905) 702-1708

Child Care Services Chantal Cumming, Director 280 Glenridge Drive, Waterloo, ON N2J 3W4 Email: directrice@ceve.ca / Web: http://www.ceve.ca Phone: (519) 885-4693 / Fax: (519) 880-0492

Borealis Grillhouse & Pub

Financial Planning Consultants Chris Williams Financial Advisor Dundee Private Investors, 550 Parkside Drive Waterloo, ON N2L 5V4 Email: cwilliams@dundeewealth.com Phone: (519) 772-5893 / Fax: (519) 746-6443

Restaurants Court Desautels, Director of Operations 4336 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2P 3W6 Email: steph.borealisgrille@gmail.com Web: http://www.borealisgrille.ca Phone: (519) 219-9007

Braun's is Bicycles Bicycle Dealers, Sales & Service Robert Braun, Co-Owner 405 Nyberg Street, Kitchener, ON N2G 1Z2 Email: kitchener@brauns.com Web:http://www.brauns.com Phone: (519) 579-2453 / Fax: (519) 579-8723

Brixton Music Inc. Audiovisual Production Services Cory Schnurr, Communications & Operations Director 283 Duke Street West Suite 340, Kitchener, ON N2H3X7 Email: cory@brixtonmusic.com Web: http://www.brixtonmusic.com Phone: (519) 496-6239

New Trips Spring 2013!

China March 30th, 2013 | India April 4th, 2013 Find out more about an upcoming information night for these trips by contacting Lester Holley at 519.749.6039 130 Highland Rd. East Kitchener, ON N2M 3V9 519.745.3233 TICO #4472890

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Cartridge Counter

Chris Williams

Conestoga Meat Packers Ltd. Meat Packers Arnold Drung, President 313 Menno Street, Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 Email: adrung@conestogameats.com Web: http://www.conestogameats.com Phone: (519) 648-2506

Corporate Traveller (Flight Centre Inc) Travel Agencies Fawn Nesbitt-Frei, Business Development Manager 130 Thomas Street Suite 300, Oakville, ON L6J 3B1 Email: fawn.nesbitt-frei@corporatetraveller.ca Web: http://www.corporatetraveller.ca Phone: (905) 901-0292 / Fax: 1 (905) 901-0549

Costco Wholesale Department Stores Andrew Smith, Asst. Whse Manager - Operations 4438 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2P 2G4 Email: w512mbr@costco.com / Web: http://www.costco.ca Phone: (519) 650-3330 / Fax: (519) 650-3355

new members

Crabby Joe's Tap & Grill

Future State of Affairs Inc.

GoodLife Fitness - Erb

Restaurants Robert Norcott, Owner 65 University Avenue East Unit 19, Waterloo, ON N2J 2V9 Email: waterloo@crabbyjoes.com Web: http://www.crabbyjoes.com Phone: (519) 725-9041 / Fax: (519) 725-5642

Business Consultants Gary Brown, Owner 448 Brentcliffe Drive, Waterloo, ON N2T 2R5 Email: gbrown@focalpointcoaching.com Web: http://garybrown.focalpointcoaching.com/FSA Phone: (519) 279-4449

Health, Fitness & Exercise Service Marcia Grove, Manager 450 Erb Street West Unit 417, Waterloo, ON N2T 1H4 Email: waterlooerb@goodlifefitness.com Web: http://www.goodlifefitness.com Phone: (519) 886-7276 / Fax: (519) 886-3918

Cushman & Wakefield Waterloo Region Ltd.

Girl Guides of Canada - Ontario Council

Goodlife Fitness - Williamsburg

Real Estate Brokers & Sales Representatives Mike Polzl, Broker of Record 120 Randall Drive, Suite F, Waterloo, ON N2V 1C6 Email: michael.polzl@cushwakewr.com Web: http://www.cushwakewr.com Phone: (519) 585-2200 / Fax: (519) 585-2208

Charitable & Community Organizations Jill Dundas, Executive Director 14 Birch Avenue, Toronto, ON M4V 1C8 Email: executive.director@guidesontario.org Web: http://www.guidesontario.org Phone: (416) 926-2351 / Fax: 1 (416) 920-1440

Health, Fitness & Exercise Service Marcia Grove, Manager 315 Max Becker Drive, Kitchener, ON N2E 4K9 Email: kitwilliamsburg@goodlifefitness.com Web: http://www.goodlifefitness.com Phone: (519) 576-4440/ Fax: (519) 576-7243

David Fox - Private Music Teacher

Glass Doctor of Kitchener-Waterloo

Google

Artists - Fine Arts David Fox, Owner 163 Lancaster Street East, Kitchener, ON N2H 1M9 Email: davetimberwolf@gmail.com Phone: (519) 208-8680

Glass - Automobile Oscar Angulo, General Manager 5 Paulander Drive, Unit D, Kitchener, ON N2M 5B6 Email: kitchener.waterloo@mail.glassdoctor.com Web: http://www.glassrepairkitcheneron.com Phone: (519) 342-2124 / Fax: (519) 342-2125

Internet & Technology Products & Service Dorothy Skonieczka, Administrative Assistant 151 Charles Street West Unit 200 Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6 Email: dskoniec@google.com / Web: http://www.google.ca Phone: (519) 880-3491 / Fax: (519) 880-3401

GMP Sportswear

Grand River Sign Design

Promotional Products Gus Bastias, General Manager 30 Manitou Drive, Unit E, Kitchener, ON N3C 1L3 Email: gus@gmpsportswear.ca Web: http://www.gmpsportswear.ca Phone: (519) 748-9255 / Fax: (519) 748-4730

Signs John Pelerine, President/Owner 25 Struck Court, Cambridge, ON N1R 7L3 Email: johnpelerine4@gmail.com Phone: (226) 338-2373

Diana Lam Student 4734 Rosebush Road, Mississauga, ON L5M 5H4 Email: dianalam16@gmail.com Phone: (647) 295-0523

FIDA/pcH Charitable & Community Organizations Alexis Barkman, Events & Communications 155 Frobisher Drive Unit H-109, Waterloo, ON N2V 2C9 Email: alexis.barkman@fida-pch.org Web: http://www.fida-pch.org Phone: (519) 886-9520

Fionn MacCool's Irish Pub Restaurants Vicky Johnstone, Owner 4287 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2P 2E9 Email: kitchener@primepubs.com Web: http://www.primepubs.com Phone: (519) 653-3111 / Fax: (519) 653-3655

Go Passion Jewellery Jewellers Irina Arkhipova, Owner 660 Rhine Fall Drive, Waterloo, ON N2V 2V5 Email: sakurabijou@hotmail.com Web: http://www.sakurabijou.com Phone: (519) 886-3795

GoodLife Fitness - Fairway Health, Fitness & Exercise Service Kyle Wood, General Manager 589 Fairway Road South, Kitchener, ON N2C 1X3 Email: fairway@goodlifefitness.com Web: http://www.goodlifefitness.com Phone: (519) 576-7744 / Fax: (519) 576-3022

Hamilton Insurance & Financial Management Financial Planning Consultants Mike Hamilton, Financial Advisor 535 Wasaga Crescent, Waterloo, ON N2V 2Y8 Email: mike@hifm.ca / Web: http://www.hifm.ca Phone: (519) 722-5228 / Fax: (519) 489-0593

Harold Albrecht, MP Government Linda Fauteux, Constituency Manager 153 Country Hill Drive Unit 2A, Kitchener, ON N2E 2G7 Email: harold@haroldalbrechtmp.ca Web: http://www.haroldalbrechtmp.ca Phone: (519) 578-3777 / Fax: (519) 578-0138

(continued on page 14)

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

13

new members

April 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 (continued from page 13) HR Services

LucasWorks!

Nicole Battista

Human Resource Consultants Rick Filsinger, Principle 134 Middlebury Drive, Waterloo, ON N2T 2M4 Email: rick@hrservice.ca / Web:http://hrservice.ca Phone: (519) 503-5449

Employment Agencies Kathryn Cross, Professional Services Division Manager 55 King Street West, Unit 700, Kitchener, ON N2G 4W1 Email: kitchener@lucasworks.ca Web: http://www.lucasworks.ca Phone: (519) 772-7544 / Fax: 519-772-7501

Artists - Fine Arts 619-A02 Wild Ginger Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2V 2X1 Email: nicolebattista@live.ca Phone: (519) 588-5033

Hunch Creative Communication & Public Relations Consultants Ray Hurst, President 367 Joseph Street, New Hamburg, ON N3A 1G3 Email: ray@hunchcreative.com Phone: (519) 807-9698

Hussein Law Office Professional Corporation

Lynda Walter, Registered Holistic Nutritionist Holistic Health Services Lynda Walter, Owner 155 Frobisher Drive Unit G113, Waterloo, ON N2V 2E1 Email: walter.lynda@gmail.com Phone: (519) 589-5224 / Fax: (519) 746-6127

Lawyers Jessica Sipione, Lawyer 275 Lancaster Street West, 2nd Floor Kitchener, ON N2H 4V2 Email: jessica@vhlaw.ca / Web: http://www.vhlaw.ca Phone: (519) 744-8585 / Fax: (519) 744-8569

Maher Financial

John Milloy, MPP

March of Dimes

Government John Milloy, MPP 1770 King Street East, Unit 6C, Kitchener, ON N2G 2P1 Email: jmilloy.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org Web: http://www.johnmilloy.onmpp.ca Phone: (519) 579-5460

Charitable & Community Organizations Jennifer Neill, Regional Employment Services Manager 180 King Street South, Suite 220, Waterloo, ON N2J 1P8 Email: jneill@marchofdimes.ca Web: http://www.marchofdimes.ca Phone: (519) 579-5530 / Fax: (519) 579-5479

K9 Nanny

Mary-Eileen McClear, Storyteller

Heidi Bechtold, Owner 292 Magnolia Place, Waterloo, ON N2V 2A3 Email: k9nservice@gmail.com Phone: (519) 571-1896

Artists - Fine Arts 89 Snyder's Road West, Baden, ON N3A 2M2 Email: maryeileen@thestorybarn.ca Web: http://www.thestorybarn.ca Phone: (519) 634-8973

KW Health Connection Health Care Supplies & Service Ericka Holenski, Clinic Director, Naturopath 417 King Street West Unit B2, Kitchener, ON N2G1C2 Email: info@kwhealth.ca / Web: http://www.kwhealth.ca Phone: (519) 576-2222

Launch Frozen Innovations Inc. Frozen Foods Brian Schallhorn, President 528 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, ON N2H 5G1 Email: sales@launchbars.com Web: http://www.launchbars.com Phone: (519) 489-4686

Lisa Schultheiss - Royal LePage Wolle Realty Real Estate Brokers & Sales Representatives Lisa Schultheiss, Sales Representative 842 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, ON N2B 3C1 Email: lisa.schultheiss@gmail.com Web: http://www.llisamichelle.ca Phone: (519) 578-7300 / Fax: (519) 742-9904

Little Mushroom Catering Caterers Stephanie Tanner, Owner/Operator 141 Whitney Place Unit 104, Kitchener, ON N2G 2X8 Email: littlemushroomcatering@gmail.com Web: http://www.littlemushroomcatering.com Phone: (226) 929-7927

Financial Planning Consultants Frank Maher, President 282 Carson Drive, Kitchener, ON N2B 2W2 Email: frankmaher@rogers.com Phone: (519) 745-9428 / Fax: (519) 745-5681

Max's Golf Centre

nikharron.com Artists - Fine Arts Nik Harron, Artist 24A Eby Street North, Kitchener, ON N2H 2V7 Email: nik@nikharron.com / Web: http://nikharron.com Phone: (519) 636-7612

Nth Sense Consulting Inc. Information Systems - Consultants Prasan Raghavan, Director 511 Clipper Drive, Waterloo, ON N2K 4B5 Email: rprasun@nthsense.ca / Web: http://www.nthsense.ca Phone: (226) 338-4554

Owen Bloomfield MMus, RMT Artists - Fine Arts 120 Main Street, Unit 7, Cambridge, ON N1R 1V7 Email: owenbloomfield@gmail.com Web: http://www.owenbloomfield.com Phone: (226) 339-9150

Perfect Image Custom Tattoos Kfir Ohayon, Manager/GM 12 University Avenue East, Waterloo, ON N2J 2V7 Email: waterloo@perfectimage.ca Web: http://www.perfectimage.ca Phone: (519) 886-1212

Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for KitchenerWaterloo

Golf Practice & Driving Ranges Sundeep Khosla, 800 King Street North, Waterloo, ON N2J 4G8 Email: fun@maxsgolf.ca / Web: http://www.maxsgolf.ca Phone: (519) 746-4653 / Fax: (519) 746-5913

Government Peter Braid, MP, Member of Parliament 22 King Street South, Unit 204, Waterloo, ON N2J 1N8 Email: peter@peterbraid.ca Web: http://www.peterbraid.ca Phone: (519) 746-1573 / Fax: (519) 746-6436

Merchant 1 Payments

Pinchin Environmental Ltd.

Business Consultants Mike Seaton, Regional Account Executive 240 London Road Unit 84, Guelph, ON N1H 8N8 Email: mseaton@merchant1payments.com Web: http://www.merchant1payments.com Phone: (877) 797-1783 / Fax: (800) 541-2613

Environmental Consultants Paul Loney, Regional Client Manager 470 Weber Street North Unit 103 Waterloo, ON N2L 6J2 Email: info@pinchin.com / Web: http://www.pinchin.com Phone: (519) 746-4210 / Fax: (519) 746-7108

Michael Harris, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga

PM Xcel Incorporated

Government Michael Harris, MPP, Kitchener-Conestoga 4281 King Street East Unit 4, Kitchener, ON N2P 2E9 Email: michael@michaelharrisMPP.ca Web: http://www.michaelharrisMPP.ca Phone: (519) 954-8679 / Fax: (519) 571-8660

Project Management Consultants Doug Clarke, President 265 Westcourt Place Unit 1204, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E6 Email: doclarke@rogers.com Phone: (519) 954-3600

Mind Morphosis Educational Teaching Aids & Supplies Uma Vishwanathan, Centre Director 645 Westmount Road East Unit 17 Kitchener, ON N2E 3S3 Email: mindmorphosis@ucmas.ca Web: http://www.ucmas.ca Phone: (519) 729-3276

Prylynx Corporation Computer Software Bryan Simmons, President 45 Washburn Drive, Kitchener, ON N2R 1S1 Email: bryan.simmons@prylynx.com Web: http://www.prylynx.com Phone: (519) 895-0600 / Fax: (519) 895-0496

(continued on page 20) 14

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advocate MAY | JUNE 2012

15

cover story

EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT: AN INVESTMENT OR AN EXPENSE? Why building and maintaining the right workplace culture is the key to organizational success

BY GREG VINER When I first started my training firm, one of my friends shared with me his perception of management consultants. He told me “Consultants light the fire for free… then charge you to put it out!”

While this idea explains why I’m a corporate trainer and not a management consultant, it also points to a very real dilemma that many small and medium-sized firms deal with when it comes to making improvements and facing challenges. They know things could improve, but they wonder if undertaking a teambuilding or leadership development project will be worth the opportunity cost involved. They may think if improvements were easily achieved they would have happened already under their leadership.

I know firsthand this has been the experience for some. When I’m preparing to deliver a workshop, I regularly encounter people with a very distinct body language. Crossed arms and solemn expressions are a sure sign of a skeptic. When I ask those particular participants what they expect from the session they’re about to take part in, the usual response is either “nothing around here changes” or “this didn’t work last time.” Clearly when this happens there is a problem with the process.

Ensuring a return on investment Is employee development an expense or an investment? If senior leadership is engaged in the process it can be an extremely profitable venture. If not, my advice would be for a company to save its money. It will need it soon enough.

“Do as I say not as I do” simply doesn’t work. In fact, one of the conditions I have with a new client is the full participation of senior leaders. If senior management isn’t involved, I decline to work with the client.

As tempting as it is to accept a lucrative contract to deliver my best work, I know that without senior leadership engaged in the entire process the project is doomed. The very core of leadership is leading by example. Regardless of the quality of the content all

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teambuilding and leadership training efforts will fail if the initiative is framed incorrectly.

Building a culture of collaboration Both teambuilding and leadership principles are concepts intended to get people working together for a common purpose. For me, these concepts are a variation on one thing: perspective.

Leadership isn’t about command and control of an organization.

It’s about getting the best work done with the available resources.

This isn’t a concept solely for managers. Workers at every level respond when they feel inspired by a leader rather than simply managed by a superior. A wise leader will recognize they‘re not always the best person for every job. They’ll communicate to their team that they need help because together the team can do the best job possible. Every role is important.

There is a direct relationship between employee morale and improved performance. Some managers still seem to miss this truth. The challenge for senior leaders is to communicate their perspective in a way that has meaning and value for the team. A workplace culture that fosters honest communication is good business – with some studies showing workers who feel appreciated increase their productivity up to 30%.

Top down dictatorial management styles where the “boss” gives instructions and communication is unidirectional and isn’t effective. “I outrank you so you have to do what I say” doesn’t work. This style promotes a value system of isolation and fear whereby employees are “trained” to not report any unwanted truth or to seek improvement because they’re never heard anyway.

They’ll end up focusing on their area of responsibility only. Inertia takes over, innovation is lost.

Learning from a cautionary tale I once had a client say they wanted changes, but wouldn’t do anything differently. They wrote goals and paid me to help write a

cover story

strategic plan. When they didn’t experience the changes they wanted, they wrote new goals and a new plan. But their culture simply didn’t support change.

No one felt safe telling the president his goals weren’t realistic, so he continued to have unrealistic goals. He trained the team to engage in this behaviour because it was his habit to “shoot the messenger.” His clever employees quickly learned to give him only messages he wanted to hear and real problems weren’t addressed until they were too large to ignore. The CFO confided in me that their company had the potential to be a “goldmine” yet they were struggling to break even on $30 million in revenue. Strategy didn’t matter because the culture was wrong.

When questions are asked, it’s important that honest answers are accepted. People need to provide open feedback. If employees learn to give unrealistic yet favourable answers, problems become inevitable. When expectations are regularly unmet, frustration ensues and a round of “pass the blame” and self preservation becomes the order of the day. Team members begin to spout rhetoric without saying anything that can be pointed back at them.

In the end, once a company begins to fail its internal clients, failing the external clients becomes inevitable. Poor culture equals poor performance. To change that, useful communication must replace political messaging.

Developing people and processes Conversely, when senior leaders are fully engaged in the process of organizational development, the right culture emerges and amazing things happen. People are re-energized and do the extra things that make such a huge difference. It costs the same to pay a frustrated employee who works to the minimum acceptable standard as it does to pay a person who is engaged and excited to do their best work. The quality of an organization is directly related to the quality of the relationships.

Want to improve the organization? Improve the relationships.

Leadership and teambuilding initiatives, delivered correctly, allow the opportunity for colleagues to step away from the day to day and to have a better perspective on how to more effectively face challenges and opportunities.

Why not inspire a team to work at its best? No one can run a business alone. Each individual has a unique perspective of both the problems and the solutions. When a business is faced with challenges, some of the best resolutions have already been thought of by experts within the team.

A team culture not only provides access to great ideas – management also benefits from workers regularly bringing their “A” game to work. Insightful and innovative ideas continue to flow from all members of the organization more often and team members automatically come up with better and more efficient processes.

It only makes sense to access all the intelligence an organization has to offer. It doesn’t cost more to thrive, and taking the time to properly develop employees and build a culture of teamwork and collaboration is not only a sound investment but the key to organizational success.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Greg Viner Greg Viner helps teams develop unconventional and practical solutions to complex problems. Presenting readily available information in a whole new light, he creates a lasting “eureka effect” with clients ranging from senior leaders to frontline staff.

For details, visit www.eldc.ca.

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

17

events

Mark Your Calendar

BY CHAMBER STAFF

September 20, 2012

September 19, 2012

October 16, 2012

Chamber Young Professionals KickOff Networking Event

2012 Annual General Meeting

AML / Rogers Business After 5

4:30-7:00pm Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel Member: Complimentary Registration 4:30-5:00pm Business Meeting 5:00-5:20pm Networking Reception 5:20-6:30pm

5:00-7:00pm Location: TBD Member: Complimentary Future Member: $10 Exhibitor: $50 *New pricing this season!

5:30-7:30pm Location: Quarry Integrated Communications Inc. Member: $5 Future Member: $10 Join some of Waterloo Region’s Young Professionals at the first CYP networking event of the season!

September 18, 2012 Point of View with Feridun Hamdullahpur 11:30am-1:30pm Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel Member: $35 Future Member: $45 Join Dr. Hamdullahpur as he explores the role of innovation in securing a bright and equitable future for this generation and the next.

September 27, 2012 WalterFedy Networking Breakfast Series Kick Off 7:15-9:00am Location: Holiday Inn Kitchener Waterloo Member: $28 Future Member: $40

Does networking intimidate you or do you thrive on meeting new people? Come out to this casual bi-monthly event with friendly faces and easy conversation that provides an opportunity for B2B networking.

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Get an Expert Opinion on your Commercial Insurance Needs insure@erb-erb.com · 519-579-4273 · www.erb-erb.com · Commercial Property · Commercial Auto · · Professional & Business Liability · Surety ·

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events

October 11, 2012

October 17, 2012

November 15, 2012

CHAMBERFEST

Chamber Young Professionals Networking Event

Point of View with Craig Alexander & Professor Mikal Skuterud

5:30-7:30pm Location: CIGI Member: $5 Future Member: $10

11:30am-1:30pm Delta Kitchener Waterloo Member: $35 Future Members: $45

Come on out to this casual networking event and meet new contacts and reconnect with existing ones!

Join TD Chief Craig Alexander and Professor Mikal Skuterud for an engaging point of view discussion on Canada's Skills Shortage and Literacy Challenge.

6:00pm-9:00pm (Ticket also includes access to the Tent for the remainder of the Corporate Night) Location: Concordia Hall, Concordia Club Admission: $42.50 Don’t miss an opportunity to entertain your clients at one of Kitchener-Waterloo’s most distinctive event attractions: Oktoberfest!

For $42.50, receive admission to Corporate Night at Concordia Club, enjoy a sit down German Style Dinner, a complimentary beer and enjoy a networking opportunity that includes Oktoberfest programming such as authentic German dancers and the tapping of the Keg.

Event Sponsors:

NEW SOUP & SALAD MINI BUFFET $10

LUNCH You Pick, You Choose! Fresh Lunch Combos in Rushes.

11:30 am - 3 pm

FRESH SANDWICHES Made to Order

at the Waterloo Inn

Monday - Saturday

475 King St. N., Waterloo

www.waterlooinn.com

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

19

new members

APRIL 1, 2012 TO JULY 31, 2012 (continued from page 14) pund-IT Inc.

Schmuck 'N Gourmet Foods

TEKsystems

Computer Consultants John DeMonte, Sales Consultant 39 Peppler Street, Waterloo, ON N2J 3C5 Email: jdemonte@pund-it.ca Web: http://www.pund-it.ca Phone: (519) 342-4004

Caterers Brad Schmuck, Owner Email: bradschmuck@yahoo.ca Web: http://www.schmuckngourmetfoods.ca Phone: (519) 404-5218

Employment Agencies Brian Slomka, Account Manager 350 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga, ON L5B 3J1 Email: bslomka@teksystems.ca Web: http://www.teksystems.ca Phone: (905) 283-1332

Realitycave Architects Supplies Tanya Voisin, Marketing Manager 151 Charles Street West Suite 100, Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6 Email: tanya@realitycave.com Web: http://www.realitycave.com Phone: (519) 489-2525

Reliance Home Comfort Limited Partnership Air Conditioning Contractors Ross Beaman, Regional Sales Manager 600 Jamieson Parkway, Cambridge, ON N3C 0A6 Email: rbeaman@reliancecomfort.com Web: http://www.reliancehomecomfort.com Phone: (519) 635-6961

RLB LLP Accountants - Chartered Jason Gibbons, Partner 650 Riverbend Drive, Suite D, Kitchener, ON N2K 3S2 Email: hr@rlb.ca / Web: http://www.rlb.ca Phone: (519) 884-4445 / Fax: (519) 884-3858

Salama SHIELD Foundation Charitable & Community Organizations Paul Cescon, Director, International Programmes 896941 Washington Road, Plattsville, ON N0B 2E0 Email: info@salamashield.org Web: http://www.salamashield.org Phone: (519) 696-3686 / Fax: (519) 696-3727

Scherer Leasing Inc Automobile Renting & Leasing Grant Patterson, Director of Business Development 1225 Courtland Avenue East, Kitchener, ON N2C 2N8 Email: grantpatterson@fairwayautomall.com Web: http://www.schererleasing.com Phone: (519) 893-8888 / Fax: (519) 893-8384

Schlueter Chevrolet Automobile Dealers Stephen Heron, Director of Customer Experience & Innovation 300 Weber Street North, Waterloo, ON N2J 3H6 Email: chevrolet@waterlooautomall.com Web: http://www.waterlooautomall.com/chevrolet Phone: (519) 884-9000

Secure Business Infrastructure Computer Consultants Susan El-Nagar, E-Commerce Consultant 763 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo, ON N2V 2W2 Email: susan@sbi-secureit.com Web: http://www.sbi-secureit.com Phone: (519) 208-5006

Sequoia Group Employment Agencies Lisa Peirson, Managing Partner 161 Bay Street Suite 2700, Toronto, ON M5J 2S1 Email: lisa@sequoiasearch.ca Web: http://www.sequoiasearch.ca Phone: (416) 873-4230 / Fax: 905-878-6570

ShopKitchener.com Advertising - Internet Michael Cohen, Regional Manager 9170 Highway 93 West, Midland, ON L4R 4K4 Email: mcohen@shopcity.com Web: http://www.shopkitchener.com Phone: (888) 430-7467 / Fax: (705) 528-0897

Stacey Bartlett Student 108 Dover Street, Waterloo, ON N2J 1Z5 Email: msstaceybartlett@gmail.com Phone: (226) 339-6821

Steve Wand - TD Merchant Services Merchant Services Steve Wand, Business Development 450 Columbia Street West, Waterloo, ON N2T 2W1 Email: steve.wand@td.com Phone: (226) 339-7506

Summerset Creations (1178912 Ontario Ltd.) Artists - Fine Arts Gerhard S., President 1347 Spragues Road, Unit 3, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S5 Email: gerzmail@yahoo.ca Web: http://www.gerhardart.com Phone: (519) 497-7597

Tania Nandor Student 927 Pebblecreek Court, Kitchener, ON N2A 0C5 Email: ctnandor@hotmail.com Phone: (519) 501-2628

Schlumberger Water Services Computer Software Ole Meldahl, Business Manager - Software 72 Victoria Street South, Kitchener, ON N2G 4Y9 Email: omeldahl@exchange.slb.com Web: http://www.water.slb.com Phone: (519) 746-1798 / Fax: (519) 885-5262

Terence Webster Design Associates Ltd. Interior Design Services Alicia Kostyria, 1310 Osprey Drive, Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 Email: info@webstergroup.ca Web: http://www.webstergroup.ca Phone: (905) 648-9959 / Fax: 1 (905) 648-9995

The 500 Staffing - The Ian Martin Group Employment Agencies Carole Alain, Account Manager 30 Duke Street West, Unit 502, Kitchener, ON N2H 3W5 Email: carole.alain@the500.com Web: http://www.the500.com Phone: (519) 457-0400 / Fax: 1 (519) 457-3393

The Cambridge Citizen Publishers Scot Ferguson, Publisher 33 Dickson Street, Cambridge, ON N1R 7A6 Email: scot@cambridgecitizen.ca Web: http://www.cambridgecitizen.ca Phone: (519) 620-2795

The Cardinal Search Group Employment Agencies Madonna Bradley, President 55 Northfield Drive East Unit 245 Waterloo, ON N2K 3T6 Email: madonna@cardinalsearchgroup.com Web: http://www.cardinalsearchgroup.com Phone: (519) 603-0328

The Lancaster Smokehouse Restaurants Chris Corrigan, Chef/Owner 574 Lancaster Street West, Kitchener, ON N2K 1M3 Email: inquiry@hogtailsbbq.com Web: http://www.lancsmokehouse.com Phone: (519) 743-4331

The Mortgage Group Ontario Inc. Mortgage Brokers Bev Gay, Mortgage Broker 914 King Street West, Kitchener, ON N2G 1G4 Email: bev.gay@mortgagegroup.com Web: http://www.bevsmortgages.com Phone: (519) 896-6021 / Fax: (519) 896-6349

Topper's Pizza Tech Supplies Express Ltd. Computer Sales & Service Jim Ryder, Service 437 Albert Street, Waterloo, ON N2L 3V2 Email: sales@techsuppliesexpress.ca Web: http://www.techsuppliesexpress.ca Phone: (519) 579-1150 / Fax: (519) 579-1168

Pizza Ed Medeiros, Owner 324 Highland Road West, Kitchener, ON N2M 2G2 Email: ed@edsellsyourhome.com Web: http://www.toppers.ca Phone: (519) 743-3363 / Fax: (519) 743-2867

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2012 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS NOMINATING COMMITTEE’S SLATE OF CANDIDATES NOMINEE PROFILES Linda Dancey is the Founder, President and CEO of Grand River Personnel Limited, a Staffing Recruiting company in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Grand River Personnel's 32 years of history has been built on a foundation of commitment to offering dedicated professional recruiting services with diversity and flexibility to the business community.

Linda is a member of the Human Resources Association - Grand Valley Chapter and received her C.H.R.P. designation in 1990.

Linda served as the Chapter President during 2008 /2009 and currently is the Director for Programs for the Chapter.

LINDA DANCY, C.H.R.P. President Grand River Personnel Ltd.

During her tenure with the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Linda has served as the Board Liaison for the Business Excellence Awards Nomination Committee, as a member of the Human Resources Committee, and most recently is a member of the Family Physician Liaison Task Force.

Linda is also a Board Member with the Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society. She is an active member of the Friends of the Foundation Committee. This is a dedicated group of volunteers who spearhead RAK Day - Random Act of Kindness Day on behalf of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. Linda is also active within the Waterloo Regional Sales Club and is a member of the Kitchener Westmount Rotary Club.

IN HER OWN WORDS: “The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is the quintessential voice of our community taking the lead in representing our business community on significant issues. As such, I am delighted to have the privilege of allowing my name to stand as a candidate for consideration by the membership. I look forward to serving the business community and being a part of the positive future results affected by the Greater KitchenerWaterloo Chamber of Commerce.”

Al Hayes is the CEO of WalterFedy, a 160 person company offering architecture, engineering and construction management services.

WalterFedy has operated from Kitchener-Waterloo for the last 61 years and serves customers in the education, health care, industrial, commercial and infrastructure sectors throughout Southern Ontario.

Al was born and raised in Waterloo, attended the University of Waterloo and the University of Western Ontario and has worked in the local consulting engineering field for 27 years. He has been a part of WalterFedy for the last 18 years.

In addition to being active in the Physician Recruitment initiative at the Chamber, Al is a past-president and active member of the Rotary Club of Waterloo. Previously he has been active with Habitat for Humanity and the United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo.

AL HAYES, Partner & Chief Executive Officer WalterFedy

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “The Chamber plays a critical role for business in the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo area. With such a diverse economy, it is important there be an organization that recognizes the needs of businesses large and small in our community. By organizing events such as the Business Excellence Awards and Chamber Connections, providing numerous networking opportunities, supporting important community initiatives such as Physician Recruitment and providing a forum for business advocacy, the Chamber is the only organization truly representing businesses of all types. As this Region continues to grow and prosper, the Chamber will continue to be a voice for business in our community.”

Rosa Lupo is a partner of the Waterloo Region office of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and a member of the Business Law Group. Rosa practises in all areas of real estate law with an emphasis on purchase, sale and financing transactions. Rosa advises clients with respect to development, financing, leasing, purchase and sale of commercial and multi-residential projects. Rosa is actively involved in the preparation and negotiation of complex agreements of purchase and sale, joint venture agreements, commercial agreements and security documentation.

ROSA LUPO Partner Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

Rosa has been a long-standing active member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce where she has been a member of the Leadership Committee. Rosa’s involvement in the community also includes being a Board Member of K-W Counselling Services and a regular lecturer at the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.

IN HER OWN WORDS: “Over the past 7 years, I have continually been impressed by the level of service and commitment of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to this region. The Chamber continues to be involved in important community initiatives such as healthcare and networking/mentorship for young professionals. The Chamber takes a holistic approach to the variety of businesses in the community and draws all of the businesses together as one voice and one common community. I am delighted to be part of this initiative and contribute to the KW community in this way.”

(continued on page 22) advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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2012 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS NOMINATING COMMITTEE’S SLATE OF CANDIDATES NOMINEE PROFILES (continued from page 21) Jason Kipfer is a Community Small Business Advisor with TD Canada Trust. He works exclusively with TD’s small-to-medium sized business customers and provides advice and insight into helping his clientele start up and/or expand their businesses. Prior to his current role, Jason worked with local business owners to set up payment card processing services through TD Merchant Services which allowed them the ability to accept and process credit and debit card payments in a retail, telephone and/or ecommerce environment.

Jason’s initial introduction to the local business community came from his two roles as Events Coordinator and Membership Development Representative with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

JASON KIPFER Community Small Business Advisor TD Canada Trust

Having grown up in Ontario, New Brunswick and Montreal, Jason now lives in Waterloo with his wife and two daughters. Jason is a graduate of a double honours degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year award by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Jason is currently acting as a mentor for the Ontario Summer Company Program and is a volunteer for the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “Throughout my career at TD Canada Trust, I have worked exclusively with our small-to-medium sized business customers. Time and time again, I draw upon the resources of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to answer the call of my customers. What makes the Chamber successful in my opinion is in their ability to bring businesses and entrepreneurs together through a series of networking and related events; new and innovative cost saving programs and services; and an organization that listens and responds through advocacy and other support services. I am honoured to be considered for the opportunity to support the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce at the board level to further realize and achieve the organization’s mandate.”

Dr. Micheál Kelly is Dean of the School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. Previously, he was Professor of Strategic and International Management at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. He was also Dean of the School from 2000-2010.

Micheál has spent several decades working with technology companies and venture funds in North America, Europe and Asia and doing research on competitive strategies in technology industries. He is the author of several dozen monographs, articles and studies on venture capital investing and strategic alliances. He has also written on Silicon Valley, innovation and the venture capital and tech sectors for the Globe and Mail and National Post.

MICHEÁL KELLY Dean, Laurier School of Business & Economics Wilfrid Laurier University

He is a former Chair of the Six Countries Programme, one of Europe’s first innovation networks. He also served on of the Advisory Board of the Silicon Valley Roundtable where he did the venture capital forecast for its annual “Valley Business and Economic Forecast” panel. Micheál is a former member of on the Advisory Board on Commercialization of the Canadian Institute for Heath Research and is a past President of the Canadian Federation of Business School Deans.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “I am a strong believer that universities and particularly their business schools should be deeply embedded in their communities and strong contributors to the economic growth of local enterprises. Kitchener Waterloo is one of Canada’s most dynamic regions and I look forward to working with the Chamber to help ensure its future growth and prosperity.”

Karen Mason joined Equitable Life in September 2006. As Senior-Vice President, Group she leads a $300 million business unit, with an operations team in Waterloo and a sales team in Ontario and the Western Provinces.

Most of her career prior to Equitable Life is also in insurance, and she has held senior roles in marketing, operations and strategy in Canada as well as the United States.

Karen has been on the Board of the Greater Kitchener and Waterloo Chamber since 2008, and currently serves as Treasurer as well as Board Liaison to the Chamber Health Care Resources Council.

KAREN MASON Senior Vice- President, Group Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada

IN HER OWN WORDS: “The Greater Kitchener and Waterloo Chamber of Commerce plays a vital leadership role in creating an environment that helps businesses through advocacy, networking opportunities, services and community initiatives like physician recruitment.

This is a very collaborative community with a strong ‘can-do’ attitude. It is a privilege to be of service to this community through the work of the Chamber and Equitable Life is very proud of our long-standing involvement.”

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new members

APRIL 1, 2012 TO JULY 31, 2012 (continued from page 20) Tri Star Transport Inc.

Vancea Financial Group

Western IT Group Inc

Transport Services Gaby Salmeron, Secretary Treasurer 69 Rouse Avenue, Cambridge, ON N1R 4M7 Email: tristartransport@rogers.com Phone: (519) 623-5333 / Fax: (519) 623-5556

Financial Planning Consultants Jancey-Lu Ballantyne, Networking Co-ordinator 120 Ottawa Street, Unit 213, Kitchener, ON N2H 3K5 Email: jancey@vanceafinancial.com Web: http://www.vanceafinancial.com Phone: (519) 578-3875 / Fax: (519) 578-2876

Telecommunications Dan Martens, President 1900 Hyde Park Road Unit 4, London, ON N6H5L9 Email: richard@westernitgroup.com Web: http://www.westernitgroup.com Phone: (519) 936-8985/ Fax: 1 (519) 936-8663

Versutus Associates Inc.

WLU Student Publications

Consultants Richard Cleary, Director 283 Baldwin Drive, Cambridge, ON N3C 0B8 Email: richard.cleary@versutus.ca Web: http://www.versutus.ca Phone: (519) 841-2186

Newspapers Angela Taylor, Advertising Manager 205 Regina Street, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 Email: angela.taylor@wlusp.com Web: http://www.wlusp.com Phone: (519) 884-0710

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Caterers Daryl Hunter, Owner 75 King Street South, Waterloo, ON N2J 1P2 Email: dhunter@zoup.com / Web: http://www.zoup.com Phone: (519) 747-9687 / Fax: (855) 747-9687

True North Barbell Health, Fitness & Exercise Service John Torkos, President 300 Mill Street, Kitchener, ON N2M 5G8 Email: info@truenorthbarbell.com Web: http://www.truenorthbarbell.com Phone: (519) 772-1018

Trumpeter's Choice Consulting Training & Development Judith Harrison, Chief Executive Officer 10 St. Emilion Place, Kitchener, ON N2P 1X2 Email: judithlharrison@rogers.com Web: http://www.judithlharrison.com Phone: (519) 578-5797 / Fax: (866) 877-8543

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Š 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC� refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity. 2175-14 0312

advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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feature

R&D CHANGES IN FEDERAL BUDGET

BY ANDREW MCDOWALL At the end of March, Minister Jim Flaherty announced the details of the 2012 Federal Budget. It addressed a number of changes regarding innovation within Canada which has a direct effect on how business will be able to support their future development efforts.

Highly anticipated changes leading up to the budget include adjustments to the flagship Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program which currently accounts for up to half of federal support for R&D. The changes to SR&ED were made specifically to streamline, simplify and improve the cost effectiveness of the tax incentive or indirect support program. The changes are summarized below and although they do not change eligibility, they effectively reduce the benefit afforded to taxpayers who are completing work eligible under the SR&ED tax incentive program.

Expenditure Type

Change

Effective Date

Contract Payments

Only 80% of contract amount qualifies for the SR&ED program

January 1st, 2013

Capital

No longer an eligible expenditure for the SR&ED program

January 1st, 2014

Proxy Overhead

Proxy allocation being reduced from 65% to 55% of eligible labour

60% after January 1st, 2013 55% after January 1st, 2014

Federal Credit Rate Reduction in the (Large Corporations) SR&ED credit rate to 15% from 20%. Small company rate remains at 35%.

January 1st, 2014

Except for the elimination of capital as a qualified expenditure, each of these changes result in a change to the calculation of the SR&ED benefit and do not change the nature in which companies should be identifying or tracking their costs.

The budget also announced a number of initiatives meant to simplify and streamline the process for filing SR&ED claims. These initiatives include: $6 million dollars for the creation of a pilot SR&ED preapproval process; increased activity with industry groups and associations to discuss emerging issues and increased use of CRA ‘tax alerts’ to announce seminars and news related to the program; an enhancement to the online self-assessment eligibility tool; and an improved notice of objection process which will now allow for a second review of scientific eligibility for SR&ED. All of these initiatives complement CRA’s efforts to consolidate and simplify their policy which

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will result in a set of 20 comprehensive documents that are set to be released late Winter 2012.

The changes resulted in part from the recommendations from the Jenkins Panel, chaired by Tom Jenkins of OpenText who was charged with reviewing and recommending how the Federal Government allocates approximately $7 billion in annual funding. The result was Innovation Canada: A Call to Action which outlined a number of recommendations for the government to produce an environment where small and medium enterprises can grow into larger, globally competitive firms and increase the intensity of business expenditures on research and development.

As a result of the Jenkins report, the government moved to modify the SR&ED program and increase funding in direct support programs, such as the Industrial Research Assistance Program which saw its budget increase by $110 million dollars, as well as additional funding to support Venture Capital and government innovation procurement programs such as the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP).

It appears $1.1 billion dollars will be ‘rebalanced’ away from SR&ED and towards these and other direct support initiatives. A number of websites and services such as thefundingportal.com are starting to assist in the navigation of indirect and direct support programs.

Beside these changes, it is anticipated there will be additional announcements. This was echoed by Minister Flaherty at the local Manufacturing Innovation Summit when he stated the report was still new and the government had not yet decided which, if any of the other recommendations will make their way into future announcements or budgets. What is clear is that his government is looking towards direct support programs as a means of kickstarting innovation within Canada.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew McDowall Andrew McDowall, P.Eng. is a Manager in the R&D Tax Incentives Practice of KPMG LLP. Before joining KPMG, Andrew spent 5 years at the University of Windsor / DaimlerChrysler Automotive Research and Development Centre. Since, joining KPMG Andrew has consulted with clients in a variety of industries on their eligibility for the SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) tax credit in addition to helping clients navigate and understand their eligibility for a number of other government assistance programs.

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advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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feature

A PROVINCIAL VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION

BY CATHERINE FIFE This is an exciting and challenging time to be part of the education world. Trustees across the province have a unique opportunity to advance and accelerate the discussion of learning and teaching in a digital age.

Recently Ontario's public elected school board trustees developed a working paper on this issue which is a call for the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Education to lead the way in establishing a vision.

Student and teacher application of technology in their everyday lives and the possibilities this creates for expanding the integration of 21st century skills into our learning and our instructional practices is at a tipping point.

Many other jurisdictions have moved vigorously ahead to define a vision to guide education well into the 21st century and we urge Ontario, which is a leader in student achievement and in education in so many spheres, to take up this challenge.

This call is not inspired by considerations of funding but by a conviction that it is critical to define how we will move to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology to ensure our students are globally competitive. This is a matter of public confidence in our education system.

Students, teachers, parents, school boards – all our education stakeholders – are ready to embrace this vision. We have also engaged the business community in this endeavor, acknowledging that it will take our collective energy to support and empower students for the future.

Our Vision for a Provincial Vision In a diversity of ways, Ontario School Boards are undertaking innovative work to engage students and support teachers in a world where approaches to learning and teaching increasingly incorporate the richness offered by the digital age.

These innovative efforts need to be recognized and articulated in a provincial vision designed to expand the benefits of digital-age learning and teaching to every student and every school in Ontario.

This paper, authored by trustees and educators across the spectrum of Ontario’s public school boards, seeks to align and consolidate current dialogue to support the Ministry of Education in building a progressive and sustainable provincial vision for learning and teaching in a digital age.

Our Vision: • Requires a purposeful cultural shift in our education system that focuses on engaging and inspiring our students, that fosters creative and innovative minds and embraces the enabling role of technology in expanding how, when and where learning takes place.

• Is founded on the principles of equity of access and equity of opportunity • Acknowledges that schools are more than a collection of buildings – they represent a system of learning and a culture where learning and teaching reciprocally drive the use of technology • Seeks to lay the foundations for creativity and innovation and, through student learning and engagement, shape the future • Recognizes that we exist in an international environment requiring a global set of competencies and responsible, ethical social practices • Is centred within a provincial curriculum that reflects these values, aspirations and practices

Our Vision Rests On the Pillars of: • Authentic Student Engagement • Inspiring and Inspired Teachers • Skills for a Digital Age∙ Responsible Digital Citizenship Overall, the foundation for this vision is equity across the education system.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catherine Fife Catherine Fife is the Past-President of the Ontario Public School Boards Association and current Chair of the Waterloo Region District School. She was a founding board member of Canadians for 21st Century Learning and is an advocate for Children's Mental Health and Experiential Learning. Catherine lives in Waterloo with her husband Dale and two children.

Catharine Fife drafted this article in her capacity as President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and was submitted prior to her candidacy in a provincial by-election.

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member notables

Uncover skilled talent or new opportunities in Canada’s bio-economy Bio-business is becoming big business in Kitchener-Waterloo. The BioManufacturing Skills Transfer Program from BioTalent Canada™ connects employers with skilled, BioReady™ professionals — and workers with the tools they need to pursue bio-economy careers.

Connect with us to access: BioTalent HR Tool Kit | The PetriDish™ job bank BioSkills Transfer Tool | courses skills development resources

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advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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member notables

MEMBER NOTABLES Hagon Design Wins DesignEdge Canada Honours Congratulations to Kitchener-based Hagon Design who walked away with top marks in this year’s DesignEdge Canada regional design awards. The nationally recognized DesignEdge Canada publication awarded Hagon with the “Best of Region” honour in the web category for the website smokefreegreece.org that was produced for Harvard School of Public Health.

Besides being recognized with Best of Region honours, Hagon Design was also a finalist in print and digital categories for work done for clients such as Aecon and also Hagon Design’s new website.

Hagon Design is a creative design agency specializing in brand development, online and digital solutions, and marketing solutions aimed at both business and consumer audiences.

Martin’s Family Fruit Farm Expanding With New Facility Martin’s Family Fruit Farm is currently undergoing an expansion that will open a new production plant in Woolwich. The planned 17,000 square foot facility will produce a new line of dehydrated apple chips as well as fresh apple slices and cider, dramatically diversifying Martin’s product offerings.

The expansion of the new facility, set to be located in the Township of Woolwich is projected to bring 30 new jobs to the region. Martin’s Family Fruit Farm projects to have the new facility open sometime in mid-November 2012 Martin’s Family Fruit Farm has been operating since 1820 and started to grow apples in 1971. Since then Martin’s has grown into one of Canada’s largest apple producers.

The Sign Depot Member Notable Kitchener-based The Sign Depot was awarded with BEST IN SHOW honours at the “2012 Sign Media Canada Competition” for their outstanding work on the brand new Beertown pub and restaurant in Cambridge.

In addition to this very high honour, The Sign Depot also received first runner up for top illuminated sign for the Toronto restaurant Gusto 101. They also received yet another first runner up in the stand alone category for the beautiful sign they did for the Waterloo-based restaurant Sole.

For over 15 years The Sign Depot has developed itself into a nationally recognized leader in countless different forms of signage and boasts a client list that includes Eddie Bauer, Molson, the University of Waterloo, and Golf North Properties.

Member Notables are taken from local news sources and member submissions. In order to be considered “notable” an item must be an accomplishment or event that is outside of the ordinary course of business and therefore deemed newsworthy. While we would like to include all submissions, space constraints make it necessary for the Advocate editors to choose items that best fit the above criteria and are most timely.

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advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012

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feature

CHAMBER STAR: KEVIN HOFFMAN The Chamber Star was developed to recognize volunteers and is a way for the Chamber to show appreciation for their significant efforts. It is awarded to an active committee member three times a year, following a Committee Chair nomination process. We are excited to announce that Kevin Hoffman is the newest recipient!

Kevin has been involved with the Chamber’s Pilot Peer to Peer Group Program for business professionals in the Hospitality/Tourism industry over the past event season. We gathered as a group discussing and sharing industry successes, challenges we face and all things relative. His professionalism and dedication as a volunteer was instrumental in the pilot’s success.

Kevin also greatly assisted the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards Gala Committee on the event production side. His ideas and general knowledge were invaluable to the team’s planning stages and the event’s overall success.

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Professionally, Kevin is the Technical Service Manager for AVWTelav Audio Visual Solutions at the Delta Kitchener Waterloo. Kevin has been in the audio visual business for over 10 years. He oversees customer relationships, making sure he exceeds customer expectations by providing a technologically innovative, value-added service with reliability, consistency, and professionalism.

Thank you Kevin for all of your efforts!

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HELPING US MAKE OUR VISION POSSIBLE A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

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