ST SUE S IS AIN HINE THI K A G AC FOL EN M OIL GRE THE
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CANADA’S
ENERGY CITIZENS BIG OIL FIGHTS BACK VS. BIG GREEN
WHAT’S ON EVERYONE’S LIPS? HUB CONNECT EVENT WHO PAYS THE PRICE? SUPPLY CHAIN FINANCING BEST PRACTICES IN A TOUGH JOB MARKET BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CANADIAN BUSINESS CHICKS ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER BENEFIT
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BUILD A FUNCTIONAL OPERATIONS DATABASE EASILY IMPORT A SELECTION OF VENDORS, CONTACTS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, & INVENTORIES FROM YOUR HISTORICAL WELL DATA.
OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER
OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER
Oilfield HUB is now offering a better way to organize your well operations reporting and a FIELD COST MANAGER revolutionary field cost manager module to control project expenses. There is no question about the need for greater control over and reduction of field expenses. For a live presentation of our Operations Report Manager module and the powerful Field Cost Manager call us toll free at 1-866-883-8848 or click the link to schedule a demo.
FIELD COST MANAGER
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WE HELP TO MANAGE YOUR CASH FLOW
BENEFACTOR
National Bank helps to free up your working capital for success! As a proud ďŹ nancing partner of the Energy Services Industry, National Bank supports businesses with rapidly growing international and domestic sales. Our specialists can offer you customizable solutions that will improve the management of your accounts receivable and accounts payable. Your partner in business, International Trade – Calgary Alberta Ibrahim Alsalibi: 403-592-8515, ext. 27024 energyservices@nbc.ca
nbc.ca/energy
MAY 2015
contents FEATURES
12
HUB Connect Event
17
Oill prices got you down? At Leadstone Group we don’t believe in falling victim to...
12 17
Blame Language Everything has to be someone’s fault. When things go wrong, someone has to pay the price.
34 36
Business Development Don’t wait for the world to come to you!
Canadian Business Chicks Providing a connection for a global community of
34
inspired women who move mountains...
36 ABOUT THE COVER
32 4
Liquor Lane Wine technology, and what it means to you
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
After years of watching environmentalists erode support for the energy industry, action is being taken.
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YOUR GLOBAL
ADVOCATE
OILFIELD STAFFING SOLUTION
WELLSITE SUPERVISION Pajak maintains a certification database that allows us to ensure that a supervisor’s tickets are always current before they go out on any job. Pajak senior technical staff are available on a 24 hour/day back-up to all supervisors and engineers.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT We provide experienced, dependable project management staff to oil & gas sites around the globe. Our team knows how to get the job done, and is insured, certified, and be IRP (industry recommended practices) #7 and IRP #16 compliant.
Contact Us
Contact Us
WORK FOR US We are constantly searching for highly qualified, safety conscious individuals to expand and maintain the company’s high standards. We provide the very best in field supervision and project management to the oil and gas industry. Apply With Pajak PAJAKENG.COM | 403-264-1197(24HOURS)
MAY 2015
contents DEPARTMENTS
10 22 24 40 44
10 20
CEO Message What’s on everyone’s lips?
Gordon Food Services The BMO center display
Calgary Women in Energy
Best practices for a tough market
Weight Loss Eating out - Part 2
Alternative Health Joint pain - Can oral, natural, non-animal, hyaluronan liquid supplements provide relief?
24
40 20 6
Supply Chain Financing Does it make sence in today’s oil patch?
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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ADVOCATE
STABILIZE
PROBLEM SHALES
AND REDUCE
COSTS
PRODUCT DELIVERY AVAILABLE FROM 13 WAREHOUSES AROUND CANADA An independent Canadian drilling & completion fluid Company providing quality of service and experience.
1 403 233 2500 | pinnaclefluids.com
Subscriptions@OilfieldPULSE.com TELEPHONE 1-403-537-6560 TOLL FREE 1-866-883-8848 For advertising inquiries or editorial submissions please contact: Production@LeadstoneGroup.com
CEO KEVIN TURKO | Kevin.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com
PUBLISHER/V.P. SALES DAVE O’CONNOR | Dave.OConnor@LeadstoneGroup.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR KYLE K. FUJITA | Kyle.Fujita@LeadstoneGroup.com
MANAGING EDITOR ANDREA TURKO | Andrea.Turko@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR AMANDA LEE | Amanda.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARB LEE | Barb.Lee@LeadstoneGroup.com
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER CHAD CARBNO | Chad.Carbno@LeadstoneGroup.com
DIRECTOR - CLIENT RELATIONS KAREN KEITH | Karen.Keith@LeadstoneGroup.com FINANCE & ADMIN JEANNIE YIP | Finance_Admin@LeadstoneGroup.com
OILFIELD PULSE
ADVERTISING INDEX 2 OPERATIONS REPORT MANAGER
15 EVOLUTION OIL TOOLS INC.
39 OILFIELD HUB
3 NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA
16 SIDELINE GRILL & SPORTS LOUNGE
47 ARIZONA VACATION RENTALS INC.
5 PAJAK ENGINEERING LTD.
19 GLOBAL RESOURCE DESIGN INC.
48 PLAINS FABRICATION
7 PINNACLE DRILLING FLUIDS LTD.
27 PEANUTS PUBLIC HOUSE
9 CATCH RESOURCES INC.
43 BLACK BETTY BURGER & WINEBAR
For advertising inquiries or editorial submissions please contact: Production@LeadstoneGroup.com
© 2015 by Leadstone Group Inc.
SPONSORED BY
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The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this publication is prohibited. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Disclaimer: The messages expressed in this publication do not represent the views of Oilfield PULSE, Leadstone Group or affiliated companies. Publication Number: 42420518
CEO MESSAGE
WHAT’S ON
EVERYONE’S LIPS THESE DAYS?
T
here’s so much water cooler talk out there these days it’s hard to focus on any one specific issue that, in itself, is significantly impacting the wellbeing of the oil and gas industry in western Canada. Hard to believe, aside from the obvious white elephants in the room of crappy commodity prices and widespread industry layoffs, here’s what we’re hearing in the boardrooms and on the street in downtown Calgary.
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
ALBERTA’S NEW PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT The latest salvo was launched this past Tuesday with the election of our new NDP government and the decimation of the PC Party which has governed Alberta for over 40 years. If low commodity prices weren’t already enough for the patch to worry about, now we have the NDP election platform uncertainly connected to the potential of higher corporate taxes, royalty reviews, and pipeline support to add to this ugly list. Investor confidence in the industry was already waning with many mezzanine and institutional investors camped out on the sidelines. They’re taking the wait and see approach into the 3rd and 4th quarters of this year to see if and when oil prices will hopefully recover to some degree, and to see what kind of opportunistic deals might come available as several exploration and production companies struggle with lower cash flows and meeting bank covenants. What’s in store for the rest of 2015, and the next four years, at least for now, a whole lot more uncertainly and additional risk in the minds of those who control the cash to fund future drilling activity. Let’s hope for the best!
ADVOCATE
T
his month, I would like to pass along our thanks to a few of our Oilfield HUB VIP clients who were gracious enough to co-sponsor our latest HUB Connect Event in April. With the kind support of companies like National Bank, Evolution Oil Tools, Plains Fabrication and Catch Resources, these functions have certainly turned into a huge networking success for all those in attendance. I would also like to acknowledge Craig Braun, Howard McCourt and Greg Coleman from National Bank for sharing their industry expertise and forecasts in their presentations at the event.
R E S O U R C E S
FINDING COST EFFICIENCIES Next, cut costs at all costs! I don’t think there is any company or any individual involved in the energy business that has not been affected by recent layoffs or reduced work hours over the past few months. But once a company has managed through this unfortunate cycle, what’s next? Finding cost efficiencies! When drilling activity is running at full tilt in the patch, most companies usually don’t have the time, nor inclination, to step away to implement new business processes, revise procedures or adopt new systems. If it’s working don’t fix or change it! Today however, companies are looking for cost efficiencies wherever they can find them. Now’s the time to ferret out these cost efficiencies, seeing as there is spare time on most people’s hands. Implement something different, real game changers that will enable companies to do more work with the same amount of people or the same amount of work in less hours. That’s what it’s all about! As prices recover, the human capital cost of the latest round of industries layoffs will really take its toll. When this time comes many professionals will have already moved on or out of the energy business in order to survive. Will they be available when work picks back up? Who knows! Undoubtedly, finding good and available resources will soon resurface as one of the barriers to success once prices are relegated to the back seat. So finding cost efficiencies is paramount to our future success. Having a clearly articulated plan to do something about these cost efficiencies along with a strategy to execute your plan needs to be on everyone’s lips right now! What’s your plan?
OILFIELD HUB UPDATE Here’s a few exciting game changers that are happening in our world: We just launched our new field operations reporting and costing tools – adios spreadsheets! It’s now easier, more than ever, for Operators and EPCs to add new companies and stay connected with people in the HUB – as men, we all know how effectively we communicate!
Investor confidence in the industry was already waning with many mezzanine and institutional investors camped out on the sidelines.
We’ve added the capability to organize, rank and source your preferred vendors by service type – curb all those incoming telephone sales calls! What next? Where’s the money? End of well and service reconciliations – help us strike a huge blow against non-productive time!
Kevin Turko CEO LEADSTONE GROUP 403.537.6561
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
11
EVENTS
CONNECT
EVENT
Photography By Freshcut HD Creative, Communications & eLearning
O
12
il prices got you down? At Leadstone Group we don’t believe in falling victim to the black cloud hanging over the oil and gas industry right now. So on Wednesday April 22nd, we threw an Oil Pity Party in downtown Calgary. Our HUB Connect Event was sponsored by our friends and HUB Benefactor’s at National Bank of Canada. With presentations from Howard McCourt, Sr. Supply Chain Financing, and Greg Colman, Energy Services Analyst, the crowd got some valuable insight into what we can expect in the upcoming months in the industry. The event drew in over 110 people, our biggest turn out yet! The crucial takeaway of the night was strength in numbers. There’s a distinct need for everyone in the oil and gas industry to band together. We need to make things happen during these hard times, and not just sit back and wait and see how it plays out while the market recovers. We want to encourage companies to work together and get more aggressive about marketing their services to companies that are still actively drilling during this downturn to sustain momentum for when things turn back around. And we know they will! Thanks to Amy Kittilsen and her fantastic team at Black Betty Burger & Wine Bar for the great venue, food and drinks, and to Doug Hodgson and Marc McPherson from FreshCut HD Communications & Training for capturing some great images at the event. Last but certainly not least a special thanks to our event co-sponsors, National Bank, Evolution Oil Tools, Plains Fabrication and Catch Resources, and for their ongoing support of our Oilfield HUB service and online business community, as well as everything they contributed to help make this event a huge success. We hope to see you at our next HUB Connect Event in June. Stay tuned for our pre-Stampede networking event details!
PHOTO GALLERY
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
PRIZE PACKAGES & WINNERS: Brian Grubbe | Rig Service Tools Ltd. Full Page Business Feature, Golf Balls, Gift Card, Bottle of Wine. Best Western Certificate Value $3000.00
Austin Vlooswyk | Global Resources Design Inc. 1/2 Page Ad, Golf Balls, Gift Card, T-Shirt, Bottle of Wine Value $1550.00
Lance Cucheran | Banana Bit Inc. 1/4 Page Ad, Golf Balls, Gift Card, T-Shirt, Digital Album Value $1400.00
James Caldwell | Hurricane Computer Solutions Inc. 1/6 Page Ad, Golf Balls, Gift Card, T-Shirt, Key Chain Value $900.00
Danny Shannon | GreatWest Kenworth Ltd. 1/6 Page Ad, Golf Balls, Gift Card, Back Pack, Digital Album Value $900.00
Harlen Hippe | Stantec 1/6 Page Ad, Golf Balls, Gift Card, T-Shirt, Key Chain Value $875.00
Doug Wagner | Sunwapta Solutions Inc. 1/6 Page Ad, Golf Balls, Gift Card, Back Pack Value $850.00
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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PRESS RELEASE
EVOLUTION OIL TOOLS & MANTL
ADVOCATE
PARTNERS IN ARTIFICIAL LIFT SOLUTIONS
Evolution Oil Tools Inc. is proud to announce that it is a supplying partner of Artificial Lift Tools to MANTL Canada Inc., a progressing cavity pump manufacturer.
O
14
il tool manufacturer Evolution Oil Tools Inc. (EOT) and MANTL, an independent Canadian company that builds complete progressing cavity pump (PCP) systems for oil and gas wells, today announced a strategic partnership to market and sell artificial lift oil tools. “Evolution Oil Tools is a proud supplying partner of Artificial Lift Tool Solutions to MANTL,” stated Shaun Wold, General Manager, Evolution Oil Tools. “The vision behind this approach dovetails exactly with ours – it gives us more exposure and states our partner’s trust in our products and our supply relationship with them.” As part of the arrangement, MANTL will be offering Evolution Artificial Lift equipment including,
torque anchors, gas separators and intakes, tubing rotators and tubing swivels. “As part of our Complete PCP system, MANTL is proud to partner with Evolution Oil Tools to supply a comprehensive line of downhole tools,” states Ryan Oosterbroek, Marketing and Business Development Manager at MANTL. “We are very pleased with the partnership between MANTL and Evolution. Both are hardworking, independent Canadian companies with a common goal of superior customer service. We look forward to supporting them and growing with them in the future,” commented Ted Tryhuba, VP Canadian Business Development at MANTL.
ABOUT EVOLUTION OIL TOOLS Evolution Oil Tools (eotools.com) is a group of people that were brought together to meet comple tion and subsurface tool needs for the oil and gas industry. Evolution Oil Tools provide wholesale pro ducts to accommodate your completion / service requirements. Evolution offers a wide range of Oil & Gas tools in four different product groups: Flow Control, Artificial Lift Systems, Packers / Completions, Coiled Tubing Systems and Protective Coatings.
ABOUT MANTL MANTL (mantl.ca) is an independent Canadian company that builds complete progressing cavity pump (PCP) systems for oil and gas wells. MANTL’s management team has over 200 years of combined experience in the oil and gas industry. MANTL uses a field-back approach, and works with customers to build the right tools for the job, whether it’s above or below ground. With MANTL’s standardized assembly processes deliver quality products and site services customers need.
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
SAFE
ADVOCATE
AND
EFFECTIVE
RELIEF OF
WELLBORE PRESSURE Our Managed Pressure Drilling tools provide a method of safely relieving trapped wellbore pressure in a precise and controlled manner. The Evolution Float Valve Equalizing system is designed to be used in conjunction with current or existing wireline tools and equipment readily available from local slickline service providers.
OUR INNOVATION, YOUR ADVANTAGE At Evolution, we are continuing to spearhead new oil tool development that will help you be more effective in the field
1-800-265-TOOL | www.eotools.com
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INSIDER EVERYTHING HAS TO BE SOMEONE’S FAULT. WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, SOMEONE HAS TO PAY THE PRICE.
LANGUAGE Recently, the Premier has been using the media as a tool to communicate some tough messages to his stakeholders. In some cases, it is to the public at large, and in other cases, it is to the union/public employees. In my opinion, it is a great case study for your managers. In this case (unfortunately for the Premier), it is a great case study in what not to do.
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
17
INSIDER Mr. Prentice may have tough messages to convey, but he is not making it any easier by asking people to share blame equally. He is also not keeping his staff onside by negotiating their wages through the media. Why waste time talking about the problem? When a leader needs to communicate difficult messages, the crafting of words becomes incredibly important. You can’t speak off-the-cuff, and you shouldn’t use negative language. Your negative words will undermine the end result you want to achieve. Leaders are not the bearers of bad news. Leaders are responsible to deliver the message which rallies the troops. To accomplish this, you have to focus on the road ahead and not the problem itself.
best way to show leadership is to stop focusing on everything that went wrong. He needs to use insightful and pragmatic action words and focus on inspiring people to do things differently to create a brighter future. Managers, take note: stop talking about what is wrong. Almost everyone is smart enough to figure that out for themselves. Lead and communicate with your highly trained and highly skilled team to define change before you start issuing messages. My intention here is to illustrate that basic management training would be beneficial to help our politicians lead us through this tough time. You can’t change culture overnight, and it takes a steady hand and long term planning to do it properly. You can’t
Managers, take note: stop talking about what is wrong. Almost everyone is smart enough to figure that out for themselves. Lead and communicate with your highly trained and highly skilled team to define change before you start issuing messages.
Let the Premier’s poorly chosen words be a lesson for your own career. Creating fear and using blame language when the chips are down will only help you lose the game faster. It seems like every day I wake up to another example of the Premier doing or saying something any management textbook would tell you is a culture killer. When times are tough, everyone in your company will know they are tough without you having to tell them. If you want to keep talent, you need to keep their spirits up. You need to send the right messages. You need to calm the sense of fear and attempt to create calm. You need to push your chips all-in and get to work. The words you choose in tough times will define you, and they can be your biggest asset. If you use the wrong words, the situation will become more complicated. The Premier is trying to show leadership and to communicate. He has chosen to frame all the issues by using blame language and negativity. I propose the
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
relay sensitive information using memos nor should you attempt this in newspaper headlines. When using these methods of mass commu nication, your words have multiple connotations and can be taken out of context. Mass communication will amplify negative messages and mute positive messages. Managing through downturns requires well-crafted messages that always focus on action and collaboration. Albertans are afraid, so they have stopped spending money. Translate this into business terms, and your productivity is decimated, because they are scared they are going to lose their incomes. They are spending their time cleaning up their resumes and looking through employment ads not doing the work needed to turn things around. Many of the companies in our province are going to slow down. Managers, do not allow your words to compound the problem. Our Premier is making a big
problem even worse. His negative language will make even the strong feel weak. This is a deadly mistake when attempting to navigate through problems. You need to deal with the problem and bounce back as quickly as possible. His words are destroying public confidence. Our politicians are making the classic mistake of over-reacting in the public eye. They are exacerbating the drama. They are showing grave weakness. They are wearing their weakness on their sleeves for everyone to see. Panic is setting in, and no one does well in panic situations. Adverse situations call for calm, cool, calculated, methodical, and even-handed guidance. This Chicken-Little act is comical, but unfortunately, the world is watching. Let’s consider Winston Churchill for a different approach: “Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” We are facing an economic downturn not a war. If language can inspire a country to stand tall through a war, then the words needed to lead us through an
economic downturn can be crafted and relayed in a way which will minimize both the economic and emotional stress to Albertans. History has shown us politicians are often focused on the game of politics rather than the job of managing their jurisdictions. This is a cultural condition, which will take time to change and will require the courage of people willing to try. Until this change occurs, politicians will continue to wonder why no one actually trusts them. I think I’ll let Mr. Churchill have the final word here. The man was not perfect, but he did have a way of delivering a message that inspired a nation to do what they had to and get things done. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
T.J. Ross TIHEM CONSULTING TIHEM.INFO@GMAIL.COM
WWW.GLOBALRD.CA | 403.202.7479
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
19
FINANCE
SUPPLY
CHAIN FINANCING DOES IT MAKE SENSE IN TODAY’S OIL PATCH? The answer to this question depends solidly on whether you see the glass as half-full or half-empty. Are your customers paying you any faster now— settling their accounts payable—than they were when oil was trading at over $100 a barrel? What about your incurred costs? Are your vendors giving you longer payment terms now, knowing that the slowdown may not be short-lived? The National Bank of Canada pioneered supply chain financing in Canada in 1984, when it began buying receivables from Canadian companies. Receivables purchasing (and/or reverse receivable purchase) is a non-debt form of financing; the purchase or sale of a non-productive asset (the receivable, in this case) is the cornerstone of any Supply Chain Financing (SCF) program. The Bank is an established SCF provider, with vast experience at structuring such facilities in the Canadian market. The Bank’s current portfolio covers most industry sectors, and represents billions of dollars in annual volume. Customer facilities start from as little as $100K, and may be as large as $100M, and are offered to both private and public companies.
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
WHAT’S NEXT? With no forecasted oil price recovery anywhere in sight, we believe that something similar to what took place after the 2008 crisis in Canada’s automotive tooling and parts sector may be in store for companies active in the Canadian oil patch. At that time, the number of Canadian automotive businesses declined by 20% from its peak while revenues decreased by 36%. Today, as measured in sales, six of the top 10 North American mold makers are Canadian entities. Throughout this repositioning and consolidation, debt levels, leverage ratios, funding costs and liquidity were all ruthlessly challenged. SCF is designed to optimize the management of working capital and liquidity tied up in the financial side of supply chains, to the benefit of both buyers and sellers.
The net result is low-risk BENEFACTOR financing which, in turn, supports financing rates equal to, or perhaps even lower than, the seller’s current, existing, and secured lines of credit. When a buyer with a solid credit rating takes advantage of payment terms offered by vendors with a comparably weaker financing structure, they are encouraging financial inefficiency, given that the supplier incurs a higher cost of funds than does the stronger buyer. The supplier’s financial cost, in order to carry the receivable over extended payment terms, is obviously included somewhere in the selling price negotiated with the buyer—and SCF can help lower this cost.
OPTIMIZING FOR BOTH BUYERS & SELLERS Buyers and vendors have, by their very nature, conflicting priorities. Buyers need extended payment terms, or Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), while their vendors—due to increasing credit exposure to fewer and larger buyers—need more cash on hand to fund the ever-growing cash conversion cycle, and to reduce their Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and exposure to risk. This is the context where National Bank’s SCF comes into play. The Bank’s program is designed to reconcile these conflicting goals by funding the cash gap between buyers and sellers. With the parallel objectives of both managing debt and optimizing working capital, our customers typically select the few, larger accounts that unreasonably tie up their working capital, and sell these non-productive assets (the receivables) to the Bank instead of resulting to debt financing through traditional lines of credit. National Bank of Canada’s approach to receivable purchases (and/or reverse receivable purchase) was conceived of, and is implemented, as a credit enhancement tool, offered to sound, credit-worthy buyers and their key vendors. This unique offering supports the growing demand for extended payment terms imposed by a shrinking number of ‘mega’ buyers. In fact, many of these larger buyers are now leveraging the Bank, so that we can indirectly extend our financing to these vendors, with the end goal of easier access to liquidity at more competitive costs.
OUR TAILORED SOLUTIONS National Bank of Canada’s SCF program allows both parties to address and bridge this gap, while also meeting their own respective (and conflicting) liquidity management goals. Selling the receivable to the Bank allows the vendor to accelerate DSO while reducing credit exposure, while the buyer can maintain or even improve DPO. Various options for customization and fine-tuning are available through these programs, and are designed to make this a winning proposition for all—to trim excess financial costs, to reduce exposure and to free trapped cash. This end result can only be accomplished by leveraging the strongest credit in the chain, through the intervention of the Bank as facilitator. The Bank is there for all parties, to optimize their activities and to minimize their risk and exposure. We’re experienced and qualified, and act as a partner and resource where required. Give us a call and see how we can positively change your outlook, operating contexts, and the resulting bottom line. SCF unlocks immense potential for the various participants operating in the oil patch, and this is more pertinent today than it ever has been in the past. Howard McCourt SENIOR MANAGER, SUPPLY CHAIN, FINANCING SOLUTIONS HOWARD.MCCOURT@NBC.CA NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
21
SHOWCASE
Gordon Food Service recently put on a spectacular display at the BMO center, showcasing the many amazing products that they distribute to restaurants, hotels and institutions. Gordon Food Service continues to be the industry leader with new offerings that will surely tempt the palate. Be sure to look for what’s new at your favorite eatery. All the food on display at the show was generously donated to charity. Well done Gordon Food Service!
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23
BEST PRACTICES FOR A TOUGH MARKET
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
With the multitude of changes in our market recently, one’s hopes of landing their dream job may appear to be temporarily out of reach. Despair not job seekers! With a bit of polish, some new skills, and redefining what your dream is, the goal may not be as far as you think. LINKEDIN – BEST PRACTICES One of the greatest tools for Hiring Managers, Recruiters, and Human Resource professionals is LinkedIn. However, this is only valuable if used in the right way. Here are a few “Best Practices” to
their website? Find ways to connect outside of a cold LinkedIn invitation. Research & Respond LinkedIn is a GREAT tool for researching more about the Hiring Managers who will be present in the interview. Take note of their work history, qualifications, and experience, and refer to points from interviewee’s background to add substance and credibility to the conversation. Show interest in the company and the individuals who work there.
utilizing LinkedIn at its greatest value: Be Current & Consistent Consider your LinkedIn profile like an online resume. It is the easiest way to consistently and comprehensively update professional experience, education, and technical skills. The more current the information the more likely a sourcing agent will be to make the first call. Stroke Your Ego A resume is a professional ego boost. This is the time to highlight all relevant skills, education, experience, volunteering, and organizations
BE POLITE! This adds a genuine credibility to your conversation post interview. Being courteous and respectful will demonstrate how you will communicate with potential clients, colleagues, and managers.
that professionally add value to that profile. Be detailed, keep it simple, and highlight skills,
THE LAYOFF
accomplishments, and experience that reflect career
Realistically, this is the hardest part of the market down turn. Being optimistic and having a “glass half full” attitude is hard when your Hiring Manager has just recited the line “budget cuts” and has handed over a severance package. Here are some tips to help reduce a bit of that stress;
goals and objectives. Include company links, logos, and descriptions of your responsibilities in the roles that have most relevance to your job search.
THE DO’S & DON’TS OF NETWORKING OVER LINKEDIN Always have a reason to connect. If it is to reach out for job opportunities, do some research prior to sourcing on LinkedIn. Send a personal message to the targeted professional. What company are they from? What is their background? Do you share a commonality outside of just looking for a job? Could you send a personal email if you looked at
Research & Understand What Happened To Reduce The Emotional Stress Remember, it’s not your fault! Understanding why the layoff happened and how the rest of the market is responding will allow a deeper understanding of the situation and will help you cope with what can be devastating news. OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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What Can You Learn About Your Reaction This is a great way to learn more about yourself and how you deal with difficult situations. Write down the next steps after the layoff. Make a plan for how you want to move forward. Understand how you reacted to the conversation, and learn from this to plan your future. Be Factual The more you know about the market and current labour conditions the better you will feel about the layoff. What is being said about your industry? What can you learn about the facts?
short. Do some research on how the market has affected salaries and compensations. Approach with confidence knowing what the new rates for your profession look like. Do be flexible knowing you may have to take a cut, but do not accept an offer with a company simply for the fact of getting a job. A good company will expect your commitment and dedication as they are hiring strategically and will be looking for you to stay and progress with them. If you accept a position you are “kind of” interested in, it puts your reputation, as well as the company’s trust in you, at risk.
STAY POSITIVE Think of it this way, if you were interviewing a candidate and they had a negative perspective coming into an interview, would you want to hire them?
Skills & Designations This is a great time to brush up on some desig nations that will help move you towards that dream job. Obtaining certifications and designations during a slower time will help when it comes time to market yourself and set you apart from the competition. Consistently add these to your resume/LinkedIn, and continue to be curious and educated as you eventually move into a new role. Let the company and Hiring Managers know what you are working on and how this helped enhance your skills and add value to the company.
NETWORKING There are many strategies to networking. Here are 3 tips that work well when pursuing a new career: Be Genuine and Sincere Networking and making new connections can come across a bit aggressive. Be personal about your connections. For example, if you are attending an event with a participation of over 200, try to have a quality conversation with three people. Reconnect and make the follow up emails/calls personal. Mention your conversation and leave the connection
Flexibility Being flexible is different from being desperate. You want to be willing to take on temporary or contract terms and salaries, but do not sell yourself
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feeling warm. If you attempt to connect with every person at the event, you will feel stretched thin and tired. Be personal, genuine, and respectful with others time.
Be Creative Step out of your comfort zone! Find interesting things to be a part of. Look at volunteering, being a part of a not-for-profit organization, or participating in recreational activities. Participate in something that gets you involved and active but also allows you to meet people and network. This will also show those potential referees or Hiring Managers you have more talents and skills than just applying for that position. Utilize Contacts & Connections This is a very important element. Being in the industry and having a job opens you up to many different connections. Utilize these connections to learn more about different companies and the market itself. Stay connected!
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF
CALGARY WOMEN IN ENERGY Shawna Wagner DAVID APLIN GROUP
Kelly Trott KLOPP RICHARDS & ASSOCIATES
Caelly Campbell Despite difficult market conditions and resulting layoffs by many organizations in the city, this challenging time can prove to be a valuable learning experience. Looking at this as an opportunity to showcase your skills and ‘best self’ in a more strategic way will help give you an edge in a competitive job market. Keep these tips from the members of Calgary Women In Energy in mind and remember there is always an opportunity within adversity as long as you maintain perseverance, consistency, and optimism.
KLOPP RICHARDS & ASSOCIATES
Lynn Cathcart EAGLE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES INC.
Allison Sides ENSIGN ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Meghan Williams ENSIGN ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Calgary Women in Energy is an independent, non-profit, membership society dedicated to promoting, supporting, and empowering women in the energy sector of Calgary, Alberta. For more information, please visit www.cwie.org
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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FEATURE
CANADA’S ENERGY
CITIZENS BIG OIL FIGHTS BACK VS. BIG GREEN With Canada’s Energy Citizens, Big Oil says it is pushing back against Big Green in Canada after years of watching environmentalists, allied with First Nations, erode support for the energy industry in key regions like the lower mainland of BC. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers is rolling out a new PR campaign designed to turn industry supporters into outspoken ambassadors. The Canada’s Energy Citizens campaign is designed to equip ordinary Canadians with the information they need to publicly support the oil and gas industry in coffee shops, family gatherings, on social media – wherever conversations are taking place about energy.
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BEACON ENERGY NEWS RECENTLY SPOKE WITH JEFF GAULIN, VP OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR CAPP, ABOUT THE NEW STRATEGY. MARKHAM: Please give me an overview of the campaign. GAULIN: CAPP has started Canada’s Energy Citizen, which is a program and a platform that allows average Canadians to learn more about the oil and gas industry. And to be able to speak up in their social networks, and their public networks, and if they’re so inclined in their political networks. MARKHAM: Walk me through how this would work in a practical sense. GAULIN: People can sign up for Canada’s Energy Citizens online at Energycitizens.ca. They can follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter. And they can receive regular and timely information about the oil and gas industry. The type of stuff they might have use for at the office, or in their social networks, to share information about the oil and gas industry. To give them the courage to be able to speak up if they are supportive of our industry. MARKHAM: How many people have signed up so far? GAULIN: I believe we’ve got more than 10,000 people signed up right now. We really haven’t done a strong recruitment drive. We do know that there’s
a strong support for Canada’s oil and gas sector from coast to coast. And as the program becomes more public, as the participants begin to speak out more I think you’ll see that grow substantially. MARKHAM: What’s your target? GAULIN: We don’t have a target right now in terms of numbers. You know there’s 550,000 Canadians who are directly employed in Canada’s oil and gas industry. If we get only a fraction of them, even if we’ve got only one per cent, that’s more than 5,000 people who could speak up and stand up and support their industry. And that would have a tremendous influence on the tone and manner of conversation online, and in their communities. MARKHAM: Is this a social media strategy that attempts to get to influencers and arm them with information and have them share that with their networks? GAULIN: Social media is only one channel where we hope people will have conversations. You know they can have conversations at the hockey rink, at the company picnic. They can have it in line at Starbucks, they can have it at home at the family dinner table. There are many ways for people to begin to recognize that they’re not alone, they’re not wrong, and by speaking up they can defend an industry that has tremendous value to the community, economy, and our well-being.
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meeting thank me for giving out that information because they got it just as quickly as they got it from the news. And so we’ve had that anecdotal feedback, and we’ve seen that the volume of traffic of people who are online become more assertive. And that’s beginning to have an impact. MARKHAM: Your opponents in the environmental movement take a somewhat different approach. It’s like they run a political campaign 24/7/365. Do you think that a campaign like this is an effective counter to the environmentalists’ tactics?
Jeff Gaulin, VP of communications, Canadian Assoc. of Petroleum Producers. MARKHAM: If you’ve got 10,000 people now, what kind of results are you seeing from folks in that network? GAULIN: Absolutely. Here’s a great example. A couple weeks back there was a seismic event around Fox Creek, Alta. where people were concerned that hydraulic fracturing had potentially caused an earthquake. It was about 4.4 on the Richter scale. They didn’t know what was going on other than what they’d heard in the press. Through Canada’s Energy Citizens we were able to get them the information in a very timely way, in a way they
GAULIN: I do think that it can counter a lot of misinformation that’s out there. Now we don’t have to be emotional or shrill about this. We can be very factual. We can be very pointed. And we can be very precise. And I think developing that support network coast to coast is definitely an effective counter to a lot of the misinformation that is spread out there. MARKHAM: I understand how the example would work in say Fox Creek because Alberta has a lot of energy employees, and energy is a much more part of the day to day conversation than it is elsewhere. But what about jurisdictions like British Columbia? I live in Metro Vancouver and I rarely find anybody who is A) a supporter of the industry or B) knows anything about the industry. How is it going to work in the lower mainland of B.C., Metro Toronto, Quebec, places like that?
could understand, and they understood what they could do with that information. And that was a small example of how timely information can get out to supporters to help them feel more secure in their support, to understand what’s going on, and understand what they can say to speak up. And that’s what we’re looking to build from coast to coast. MARKHAM: In the case of Fox Creek, do you have any concrete feedback that the information that you provided actually was spread by the people who received it? GAULIN: The Monday after that event I was in Toronto, far away from where the event occurred in Fox Creek. And I had someone in a business
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People can sign up for Canada’s Energy Citizens online at Energycitizens.ca.
GAULIN: I think this can be a way where we can begin those conversations, answer those questions, be open and honest and transparent with Canadians who are inclined to support the industry. And as they learn more they will understand the significance of it so that they may in the future feel comfortable to speak out publicly, in their social networks, or even participate in the process that we have to get projects approved. Whether it’s a pipeline or the oil sands as a whole. MARKHAM: There was a poll that came out last May that showed 70 per cent of British Columbians trust environmental organizations and First Nations on technical energy industry issues and only 30 per cent trusted industry. How does a campaign like this work in an environment that seems so anti-industry like it is in B.C.? GAULIN: Our research shows that most British Columbians are no different than the rest of Canadians. That when you look at the province as a whole, support for the energy sector – oil and gas specifically – is on par with the national average. What we find in British Columbia that’s a bit different is that the opponents are very vocal, and very active. And so what we need to let supporters know is that there are facts – verifiable, thirdparty information – that people can turn to to get the straight facts. And as they begin to learn that themselves, then they may feel more comfortable to speak up in the future. So we would look at British Columbia as a province very much like every other one, where there is a quiet majority of the population that supports the oil and gas industry. MARKHAM: I understand that you’ve recently done a poll on industry support across Canada. GAULIN: What we have found in our polling most currently is that about 42 per cent of Canadians from coast to coast support oil and gas development and about 25 per cent oppose it. Now when you look at what are the real strong supporters, the numbers about 25 per cent of Canadians are very strongly in favour of oil and gas. And only about 12 per cent of Canadians are
opposed. So it’s almost a 2:1 ratio in favour. But the real telling story for us is so who speaks out against? And the numbers are inverse for our opponents. They are more likely, three to one more likely, to speak up against the industry. So they don’t represent the majority viewing Canada. What they do is they’re very dominant, they’re very vocal, and they can be very effective at getting the message out.
I do think that it can counter a lot of misinformation that’s out there. Now we don’t have to be emotional or shrill about this.
MARKHAM: You say this is just the beginning, but the industry has been involved in a death match with environmental groups for years now, particularly in B.C. around the pipelines, and now we’re seeing it spread to Ontario and Quebec around the Energy East pipeline. Why is the industry just beginning now? Why did it take so long to get to this point? GAULIN: I think for a long time there was a faith that by just putting out the information in an objective, non-emotional way, that people would come to a conclusion that this is good for Canada, this is good for the economy, this is therefore good for my community. And we know that’s not often the case because that persuasion can be affected by emotion and rhetoric from opponents. So by communicating in a community by community basis, now we will be more effective in galvanizing support for oil and gas development and the infrastructure that supports it.
By Markham Hislop PUBLISHER BEACON NEWS AND BEACON
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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LIQUOR LANE
NEW AGAIN CLASSIC
MICRO OXIDATION BIODYNAMIC
EARTH FRIENDLY
ROBERT MONDAVI OAKVILLE $57
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TAWSE RIESLING $23.49
VERNISSAGE RED OR WHITE $28.49
TOLANI AL PASSO $26.49
V
intage by vintage, year by year, season by season. As long as wine has been produced, humankind has always strived to move forward and create a bottle of wine better than the last. Even though wine has been subject to the indiscriminate forces of Mother Nature, technology has always been evolving alongside. There are calculated advances in winemaking procedures and techniques, such as micro-oxidation and biodynamic farming, and then there are strokes of luck, like the invention of sparkling wine. It doesn’t stop there with developments in the logistics side, such as Robert Mondavi’s contributions or the eco-friendly strategy of boxed wine. With the world’s technology expanding exponentially, the wine world has not only taken notice but utilized and even contributed, with such ideas like using wine waste by-products and making bio-fuel with their agricultural waste. The following wines are the fruits of this technology. ROBERT MONDAVI OAKVILLE CABERNET $57 If you have ever wandered around a wine store, it’s likely you would have noticed the name Robert Mondavi. He is a well-known producer who has brought old world wine making techniques to the new world wine making state of California. Opening his winery in 1966, Mondavi started making wine in a new world market by using European techniques to bring a new spin on wine. Not only was the wine making affected, but labels and wine packaging received a refreshing make-over for consumers as well. This didn’t just include putting the grape varietal on the label but also adding catchy and playful labels that rapidly began to fill the shelf, which makes choosing wine less intimidating for some. Learn more at: robertmondaviwinery.com TAWSE RIESLING $ 23.49 Biodynamic farming is a conscientious, forward, and innovative movement in winemaking. This agricultural movement started in 1924 and took off in the early 2000’s. France was the first country to introduce biodynamic farming; however, many new and old world countries are practicing these techniques with 450 wineries to date. The positives in wines being biodynamic include no additional chemicals or manu-
factured additives and balancing the vineyard and surrounding landscape with moon, planet, and stars. A winery who has adapted this method of farming is Tawse Vineyard coming out of Niagara region in Canada. This three time Canadian winery of the year is producing wines in almost every style, which are self-sustaining and well suited to every occasion. Learn more at: tawsewinery.ca VERNISSAGE RED OR WHITE $28.49 The wine in a box format became a new trend in wine the mid 1900’s, yet didn’t hit the store shelves until the 1980’s. Cardboard weighing less than glass makes for a cheaper shipping alternative. With the fluctuating prices of gas, this lighter shipping method is inventive in ensuring there are options at a lower cost. Generally thought of as being cheap wine, more and more wineries are putting better quality wine in the box to entice shoppers to be green. Vernissage, a French producer, is opting not only to package wine in a box but choosing a purse shaped box! This playful shape is eye catching as well as an earth friendly alternative, and a great gift for any woman in your life. Learn more at: vernissagewine.com TOLANI AL PASSO $26.49 Wine has many enemies, with oxygen being one of the biggest. However, with controlled exposure during maturation, wine can take on a softer mouthfeel, rounder tannins, and greater colour stability. All of these characteristics make wine more appealing to certain consumers, and this innovative process of micro oxidation has been established in countries all over the world. This advanced method replaces the use of oak barrels and simulates the use of a bottle stopper once a wine has been opened. Producers, such as Tolani hailing from the heart of Tuscany, make use of this practice to create terroir driven and palate friendly wines. Learn more at: tolaini.it/en/
By Devin McKay WINE ROOM EXPERT AT WILLOW PARK WINES & SPIRITS
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
DON’T WAIT FOR THE WORLD TO COME TO
YOU!
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As we all watch the ripple effect of sub $50 oil and its effect on our industry and our economy here in Alberta, it is clear that we are fundamentally price takers. We go hard when times are good and put on the brakes when times are bad. Most industries would shut down if they had to ride the same roller coaster that our industry has been on for many years.
AS THE INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE IN ALBERTA GROWS, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AS AN OIL FIELD COMPANY?
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My travels over the past two months have taken me to some pretty interesting places including Aberdeen, London, Munich, Toronto, Washington and Edmonton. On these trips, I had the opportunity to meet with various companies seeking new opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Beyond that, my conversations have been with experts in the Middle East, South America, the US, Europe and China. All with the intention of finding answers to the challenges and opportunities in the industry; if they exist! The prognosis for companies supplying the oil and gas industry seems to be a challenging topic around the world. The message we have been hearing is that companies need to get lean and prepare to compete with an increasingly global supply chain. As the industry recovers, and it WILL recover, the structure and the players will likely look very different than it did in 2012, 2013 or even 2014. The changes companies should expect to see as we come out of the current downturn will be evident in the offices of the buyers, the owners of the suppliers and in the engineering firms designing the projects. As the industry further globalizes, we will see more foreign investors throughout the supply chain and not just in the E&P companies.
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Reduce staff and assets to a bare minimum and wait for the business to pick up again; Shut down operations entirely, go sit on a beach and come back when times are better; Reach out locally to build new relationships with the new players who are emerging; Take the opportunity to explore other geographical markets that you did not have time to pursue in the past because you were too busy in Canada.
If you can do both three and four, your company will be well positioned for recovery in this market and you will be on the road towards insulating your business against future downturns. If you can balance the downs in Alberta with ups in another market, your stability as a company will definitely improve. As a side benefit, it will also increase the value of your company.
We certainly have some world class companies in the OFS business in Canada. No doubt your company is one of them. The problem is that the world doesn’t know this like the readers of The Oilfield PULSE do. It’s time to go to the world and seek these opportunities, don’t wait for them to come to you. Clark Grue RAINMAKER GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
T O GE T H E R W E A R E ST RONGE R
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B
elieving “together we are stronger” is something the Canadian Business Chicks, CBChicks, have moved to the next level. Haven’t heard of this group? Hold on, because this movement is breaking the mold on supporting women in business and in life. At all stages of life and career, the CBChicks have created an inclusive environment where believing every woman has something they can share is acknowledged. Through the eyes of another, each woman has a story with value in the social and business climate, which ultimately supports other women. If you are an entrepreneur, professional, student, mother, or a seniorpreneure woman, we are inspired to meet you. Have you ever met someone and instantly thought, “Wow!” Dynamic and energetic with a business concept that will change and impact how women interact and support one another? When I met the founder and CEO
MONICA KRETSCHMER CEO & FOUNDER OF
of the CBChicks, Monica Kretschmer, I had that ‘wow’ moment, and honestly, you will too! In my business dealings, I am fortunate to meet many diverse people every day and value each interaction, but Monica raised the bar for me. I treasure meeting those who have done their homework, move into greatness naturally, and exude the necessary business savvy it takes to reach and exceed goals! Not only does Monica achieve this, but she has provided an opportunity for others to consistently shine and share their talents, skills, and business initiatives. She has created opportunities where other women can create new business, share challenges, and receive support when they need it the most, so they can move forward with attaining their objectives. Thanks to Monica and her team at CBChicks, women have a new place to go to feel inspired, collaborate with others in an inclusive environment, and where learning and sharing is interactive and fun. OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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The CBChicks Mission Statement is to provide a connection for a global community of inspired women who move mountains and realize dreams with the resources and networks they need to launch or grow their business while inspiring others to achieve their greatness. The Vision Statement for the Canadian Business Chicks reads, “A global community of women
If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it. Margaret Fuller business leaders who empower each other. After attending two functions to learn more about the Canadian Business Chicks, this author quickly realized this new and supportive concept is going to take flight! The women in attendance know this as well. They’ve become part of a networking platform of women with diverse education, along with business and cultural backgrounds, where the environment provided was, and always is safe, inclusive, supportive, and incredibly collaborative. It was amazing to witness these talented women supporting
each other without judgement using core values as a unifying force. The values of this group are astounding, and this author was intrigued, to say the least, at what makes this work. What are women going to gain by becoming part of this group? After all, there are plenty of networking groups already, so what sets this one apart you ask? The CBChicks believe it takes: • Courage to ask for help, to show vulnerability, and to stand out in the crowd. Together we can embrace challenges. • Confidence and trust in yourself to follow your passion and where your voice makes a difference to someone else is fundamental. • Commitment to being an interdependent community who are accountable to each other and show up for each other. This is a driving force that helps members realize together we are stronger. • Finally, Integrity. The sharing of our personal visions with respect to the diverse values of the group and knowing what we put into the world will come back, or as Chuck Danes says, “What you think about, you bring about!” Monthly networking events take place, with the next event on May 13th, 2015 from 6-8pm and will be held at Wurst (2437 – 4th Street S.W.) with light snacks and beverages. This event will be all about “The Ask”, where professional head shots by our exclusive pro-photographer Carol Rioux Portraiture
My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment Oprah Winfrey
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will be offered to those who wish to register. It will be a marketplace filled with business owners who will showcase products and services, and a shared panel discussion on making “The Ask” will be held where questions are welcomed and encouraged. Please visit the website at: canadianbusinesschicks.com/events to register and join us to connect with entrepreneurs, professionals, students, mothers and seniorpreneures. Every woman has something to contribute. Come out to meet this amazing, growing team, so we can learn more about your success and challenges. We can share all of our members combined knowledge with you. We are excited to celebrate the one year journey for the Canadian Business Chicks, where we will be launching our “Inspire Award” at a brunch on June 7th, 2015. Connect with us on the website at www. canadianbusinesschicks.com to submit your story of inspiration. Let’s be friends on Facebook, and sign up for our monthly newsletters. Follow us on Twitter under the handle @cdnbizchicks and #CBChicks. Sponsorship and supporters of the CBChicks are welcomed at one month, six month, and 12
month campaigns. See how you can be part of the excitement at canadianbusinesschicks.com under the tab ‘About Us’. The Canadian Business Chicks “walk the talk” and proudly pay it forward by providing a hand up for children and women in need through our memberships, events, and volunteer initiatives in our communities canadianbusinesschicks.com/pay-it-forward. Together we are stronger. Stop thinking about how you can support someone. You know you have skills and talents nobody else possesses, so let’s move mountains together, make a difference, and be a supporter, mentor, and advisor to other women who can greatly benefit from your experiences. CBChicks – today is your day to shine!
By Connie Cook BHRLR, APR, FACILITATOR COMMUNICATING WISELY LTD. COMMUNICATINGWISELY@ GMAIL.COM PART OF THE BUILDING RELATIONSHIP SERIES
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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WEIGHT LOSS
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PART 2
I
hope you found some of my suggestions helpful when eating out over the last month. I had said the second biggest issue with eating out is not knowing what is in it or how it was prepared. A simple thing is to ask the server how it is prepared. I know a lot of us don’t want to trouble the server or be a pain, but the more you practice this, the easier it gets. Someone once said if you had a severe allergy you wouldn’t be afraid to tell the server. We should feel the same way about eating healthy. I also will go online to see if they have nutritional info on their menu. Then, I can make an informed decision before I even get there. Some other things to look out for are grilling of meats. Ask for your meat to be dry grilled. That way, they are using the seasoning and spices but not the fat. There is a reason why that meat is glistening when it arrives at your table. When ordering pasta sauces, marinara sauces are always the best. Alfredo sauces and even rose sauces are loaded with cream, butter, etc., sometimes there are four times the calories just in the sauce. Entrée salads are a killer. Examples are the Chicken Caesar Salad or Santa Fe Salad. We think it’s just a salad. How bad can it be? The lettuce part is great. It’s all the add on’s. The cheese, dressing, tortilla strips, bacon, etc. You could have a steak, baked potato, and steamed veggies for a third of the calories.
Buffets! Need I say more? We want to get our money’s worth. There’s a huge variety of foods. Many times, too much variety. The biggest thing I do is look at everything first. Then, I decide what I would enjoy the most. I never have a bun or potatoes. I can have that any time. I also like to think of the foods in terms of being on a scale of 1-10. One being yuck and 10 being, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. Why would you waste your calories on a food that doesn’t rock your world? I like to have lots of veggies first, and then I’m not as hungry and make better choices. And if it doesn’t taste that great, I leave it on my plate. Lastly, peer pressure is tough. I often like to be the first person to order, so I don’t get tempted by any other people’s choices. I had a member who had lost 245 pounds say when she ate out, she asked herself, was it a special occasion or simply a meal replacement. ‘It’s a Friday night’ is not a special occasion. An anniversary, birthday, graduation, etc. is a special occasion. If we’re simply eating out because we didn’t feel like cooking, that is not a special occasion. If we looked at eating out differently, that could make a difference in our food choices. That’s what it’s all about - starting to think about food in a different way. YOUR BEST TEACHER IS YOUR LAST MISTAKE There are a couple of easy, tasty veggie recipes on the next page for you to enjoy.
OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
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WEIGHT LOSS CREAMED SPINACH 2 PointsPlus for the whole recipe • 1 tsp olive oil • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 3 large shallots, chopped fine • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp pepper • Pinch of nutmeg • 1 large bag spinach • 1 tsp cornstarch • 1/3 cup plain fat free yogurt Heat a large non-stick skillet with oil. Add garlic, shallots & seasonings. Cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Gradually add all spinach until cooked down. Sprinkle cornstarch over spinach. Cook until liquid is thickened. Remove from heat. Add yogurt.
CAULIFLOWER POPPERS 8 Servings | 0 PointsPlus Per Serving • 1 small head of cauliflower • ½ tsp ground cumin • ½ tsp chili powder • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp pepper Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut cauliflower florets into bitesized pieces. There should be about 4 cups. Place cauliflower in a medium bowl and add spices. Toss well to coat. Spread cauliflower on prepared baking sheet. Bake until tender, but not mushy. Stirring halfway through, about 10 minutes. Tip: If you enjoy a stronger flavor try doubling the spices.
Dianna Kerek WORDSTODIFOR.BLOGSPOT.CA
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
JOINT
PAIN CAN ORAL, NATURAL, NON-ANIMAL, HYALURONAN LIQUID SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDE RELIEF?
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
O
ver the years, several companies have commercialized liquid supplements for health care. Some of these products contain less active ingredients than their capsule or tablet competitors. Some may appear to be more expensive. A frequent question asked is: Are these liquids truly effective if they provide a lower amount of active ingredient per dose/serving? Hyaluronan is often injected into the knee joint of patients, but can an oral, liquid, or solid, hyaluronan supplement provide relief to patients? Oral ingestion is the most convenient and commonly used route of supplement and drug delivery due to its ease of administration, high patient compliance, cost effectiveness, etc. The major challenge with the development of oral products lies with the poor bioavailability of the active ingredients. The oral bioavailability depends on several factors including aqueous solubility, dissolution rate, perm足足eability, and other parameters associated with the biological process of gastro-intestinal absorption. One of the most frequent causes of low oral bioavailability is due to poor solubility. Any supplement or drug to be absorbed must be present in the form of an aqueous solution at the site of absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract. The active ingredient is not ready for absorption when you ingest a solid product form, such as a capsule or tablet. The first step is the disintegration of the solid dosage and then the solubilisation of the active ingredient. If it is not solubilised, it cannot be absorbed by the gastro-intestinal tract. This is a well established biological principle. The percent effectiveness of the disintegration-solubi足 lisation process impacts the amount of active ingredient absorbed per serving. Unfortunately, the amount solubilised does not equal the amount absorbed. The percent absorbed by the body is dependent on the above process and the mode of absorption of the specific active ingredient. Some ingredients have poor bioavailability, and product formulators try to improve the absorption by using novel excipients. But with some ingredients, despite good solubilisation, the body simply cannot absorb greater amounts. This justifies questioning if hyaluronan is absorbed. In simple terms, the efficiency of the absorption process is significantly greater for a liquid (solubilised) oral supplement simply because the human body does not need to first disintegrate the capsule-tablet and then
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH solubilise the ingredients. Many people take proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to reduce stomach acid. The ‘reduction’ of stomach acid decreases the disintegration-solubilisation of some supplements, because acid is required for this process. For these patients, liquid supplements are a better choice, because the ingredients are already in a solubilised form ready for absorption. Natural hyaluronan (hyaluronic) (HA) supplements are made from fermentation (produced by yeast or bacteria) or are extracted from animal (bovine, poultry, pig) skin or comb (poultry). The fermentation type of manufacturing is a common method used today to fabricate many natural or complex ingredients. HA is a polysaccharide, which is found widely in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue, such as synovial (joint) fluid,
Oral HA supplements are a good alternative health product for the care of joint inflammation and pain.
cartilage, skin tissue, and some other tissues. HA is an important component of joint cartilage (coats the chondrocyte cells). It is a lubricant giving the joint the capacity to resist compression. The amount of HA begins decreasing when the body ages and reaches its lower levels by the age of 60 to 75 years. With lower amounts due to aging or disease, the joint loses its ‘lubrication’ and pain and inflammation sets in. Significantly lower levels (or smaller polymer sizes) are found in the synovial fluid of worn versus healthy knees. HA products have been around for a relatively long time, but these were mainly in the form of injectables. By injection, doctors can deliver the HA directly to the areas it is needed, such as directly into the knee or under the skin to reduce signs of aging (e.g., wrinkles). Several clinical trials demonstrated intrajoint HA injections are highly effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Will the body absorb an oral formulation of HA considering the type and size of the ingredient? If ab-
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OilfieldPULSE | MAY 2015
sorbed, will the HA reach the joint or skin? A detailed review of the scientific and medical studies reveals high molecular weight HA is absorbed when given orally. Studies demonstrated HA with molecular weights between 1 and 1.5 daltons were absorbed. A liquid HA supplement made from a fermentation process (non-animal) has a range of molecular weights between 1.2 and 1.5 daltons, which is similar to the molecular weights used in the studies. This research also demonstrated HA is distributed to the joint and skin tissues after oral ingestion, and the HA remained present in the joint tissues even 48 hours after administration. The body of evidence shows an oral HA supplement can be effective for joint pain because the HA is delivered to the joint tissue. A placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated oral HA enhanced several markers of quality of life, such as pain and physical functioning, in adults with osteoarthritis of the knee thereby collaborating the evidence demonstrating its oral delivery to joint tissues. Bottom line, although some liquid supplements may cost more, they provide a solubilised form of the active ingredients giving these products superior absorption. Because of the superior absorption, you do not need to ingest as much as the solid form (capsule, tablet), so it is only normal these liquid supplements recommend a lower daily amount for ingestion compared to the solid products. Oral HA supplements are a good alternative health product for the care of joint inflammation and pain. They can be used in combination with many other joint care products. As with all supplements, consult your pharmacist about any potential drug-HA interactions prior to taking any supplement. Also, let your health care professional know what products you are taking, so they can adequately monitor your health condition and any potential risks associated with the remedies. If you are taking PPIs, like Nexium or Zantac, talk to your pharmacist to be sure the reduced acid won’t interfere with the absorption of the active ingredients. By Guy Chamberland, M.SC., PH.D., MASTER HERBALIST, HEALTH PRODUCT CONSULTANT CONTACT HIM AT GUYCHAMBERLANDMASTERHERBALIST@LIVE.CA.
Beautiful home! T hank you for letting us enjoy the home for a week. T he kids had a blast with the pool table, pool and golf use. We would definitely love to come back again in the future.
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Had a great time, everything was just perfect, the place was beautiful and had everything we could want. Hope to come back soon. Had a great week!
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