St. John's Board of Trade Business News Winter Edition

Business News

WINTER: 2019

VOLUME 34: #1

I 0834-2018

The St. John’s Board of Trade is organizing another trip.

We are headed to

CHINA

Beijing • Shanghai • Suzhou • Hangzhou

October 10-20, 2019

INCLUDES...

• Roundtrip international airfare & Chinese domestic airfare • 4/5 star hotel accommodations • 3 meals per day • Deluxe bus tours • Fluent English speaking tour guides • Entrance fees for attractions

11 Day Trip

2399

$

per person

Board of Trade trips have proven to be immensely popular to explore a part of the world with friends and colleagues. China is listed as one of the must see destinations in the world.

HURRY SPACE IS LIMITED BOOK NOW!

For more information, contact Rhonda at rtulklane@bot.nf.ca or call 709-351-0291

table of contents WINTER: 2019 VOLUME 34: #1

In this issue . . .

Business News is a publication of the St. John’s Board of Trade.

Cover Story.......................................................................................................................................................2

Reproduction of any material contained in Business News is permitted provided written approval from the St. John’s Board of Trade.

New Members.................................................................................................................................................4

Chair’s Message..............................................................................................................................................3 Upcoming Events...........................................................................................................................................7

Articles and criticisms are invited, but opinions expressed by contributions do not necessarily represent those of the St. John’s Board of Trade. We encourage you to support the business leaders whose names and products you see advertised in this issue as well as throughout our entire membership. The Board reserves the right to edit submissions.

Business Solutions.....................................................................................................................................12

Editor: Janet King Printed by: Bounty Print Layout: image4

The Economy.................................................................................................................................................26

ST. JOHN’S BOARD OF TRADE EXECUTIVE

Feature Editorials

Andrea Stack Janis Byrne Andrew Wadden Justin Ladha Dorothy Keating Jennifer Clement

Chair Senior Vice-Chair First Vice-Chair Second Vice-Chair Immediate Past Chair Treasurer

26th RBC Business Excellence Awards ...........................................................................................13 Working For You .........................................................................................................................................20 Labrador and Arctic Opportunities....................................................................................................22 Around the Board.......................................................................................................................................24 Member Profiles..........................................................................................................................................27 Succession Planning is a Process Not an Event ............................................................................................. 8 Giving the People What They Want: Positive Change Through Social Enterprise .................... 10 Welcome to Stingray! Local Vibes, Global Reach. ..................................................................................... 16 Therapy Dog Program .............................................................................................................................................. 18

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Janine Browne Melissa Royle Jenny Smith Shirley Smith

Norm Dimmell Glenn Janes Alex Gibson

STAFF Nancy Healey

Chief Executive Officer

Rhonda Tulk-Lane Director of Business Solutions Jackie Bryant-Cumby Member Relations Administrator

graphic DESIGN &

printing

Brendan Hagerty Manager of Labour Market Solutions Jennifer Chaytor Manager, Finance & Compliance Brandon Ellis Policy and Advocacy Researcher Ziyi Qian Membership Executive Janet King Business Development Mentor Daniel O’Leary Student

Your business

GROWS

by the IMPRESSION it sets.

ST. JOHN’S BOARD OF TRADE 34 Harvey Road P.O. Box 5127 St. John’s, NL A1C 5V5 Canada Tel: 709.726.2961 Fax: 709.726.2003 E-mail: mail@bot.nf.ca www.stjohnsbot.ca

t 709.747.3850 c 709.697.0909 e brenda@image4.ca 1170 Topsail Road, Mount Pearl, NL

www.image4.ca

The North is Returning to St. John’s Northern Exposure 2019 is being held at the Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre from January 29-31, 2019.

A project of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce (LNCC), the biennial Northern Exposure Conference and Trade Show is a high-profile business showcase of Labrador. Northern Exposure seeks to educate the island portion of the province (and other regions of the country) about Labrador’s vibrant economy, while promoting partnership opportunities for like-minded business, government, NGO and Indigenous organizations.

The ‘Big Land’ truly offers ‘Big Opportunity’ for Newfoundland companies: • Labrador is the backbone of the provincial mining sector, with companies like the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) and Vale (Voisey’s Bay nickel mine) operating some of the largest mining projects in the world.

Learn about some of the many mining and exploration projects currently under development in the region.

• Indigenous businesses and development corporations are building capacity and seeking to develop partnerships across numerous industries and sectors. Labrador’s three Indigenous groups (Nunatsiavut, Innu Nation, NunatuKavut) are engaged in many economic development opportunities for the benefit and prosperity of their people and communities.

• Continual improvements to transportation networks are transforming the Labrador business landscape, particularly with respect to supply chains and tourism. Paving of the Trans Labrador Highway continues and new ferries will begin service in 2019, increasing capacity, reliability and opportunity for commercial and noncommercial traffic alike.

• Offshore Labrador is poised to become a major player in the Provincial oil and gas sector, with significant potential identified through seismic data collected within the past decade and beyond. Call for bids for Offshore Labrador are scheduled to continue with the completion (in 2019) of an update to the Labrador Shelf Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

• Significant opportunity also exists with Labrador’s Northern neighbours, particularly in Nunavut. While many Newfoundland & Labrador companies and organizations have already established partnerships with Nunavut counterparts, much potential remains untapped.

Join us for informative and engaging sessions, dynamic networking opportunities, exciting social events, and true Labrador hospitality!

To register or learn more, visit www.northernexposure.events.

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The Labrador North Chamber of Commerce (LNCC) is a not-for-profit membership-based organization located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Made up of businesses, professionals, relevant government organizations and community groups, the LNCC acts as a unified voice for business and partners with community stakeholders in determining strategic development opportunities and action plans that aid in diversifying Labrador’s economy.

A strong community force since 1962, the LNCC currently has approximately 175 members. The LNCC has long been focused on promoting and supporting business and trade development within Labrador, Northern Canada, and abroad.

The Chamber has also been involved in showcasing Labrador’s many strengths through promotion, lobbying, and participation in trade shows and international conferences.

Visit www.chamberlabrador.com for more information.

WINTER: 2019

Chair’s Message Your Board of Trade New & Improved 2018 has been a year of transition for the St. John’s Board of Trade.

The Board is implementing year one of a transformative strategic plan.

The three pillars of the plan are Connect, Celebrate and Support.

STRONGER

BUSINESS TOGETHER

JOIN OVER 750 FELLOW MEMBERS WHOSE BUSINESSES ARE DRIVING THE PULSE OF OUR CITY!

CONNECT

We have been rethinking our events and how to maximize your time. We have been doing more intimate events with small groups of likeminded people in our Pints and Peers sessions to ensure richer networking. We have had great response to our evening events with Vikram Vij and our recent reception with the Premier. We know that you are busy working on your businesses and you don’t always have time to come out to events. Therefore, we are doing more events virtually that you can watch via Facebook live.

We are inviting members to our meetings with Ambassadors and High Commissions when they are in town. We recently received the Consul General from Israel who advised of R7D funds for Canadian companies. In addition, the High Commissioner from India visited Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time. His Excellency Vikas Swarup is familiar with the connections between India and this province and shared with us a vast array of opportunities in this emerging economy including the construction of 100 airports, 50 metro systems and 50 Smart cities.

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CELEBRATE

Helping to promote our members, especially our small business members who don’t have a marketing department, is a priority for us. This year we introduced member video profiles and will continue to offer these as a way to help our businesses grow their online presence and up their game.

In addition, we are transforming our advertising initiatives by providing more online advertising opportunities. Why? Sixty-three percent of consumers prefer to do business with a company that is a member of their local board of trade. We have over 8000 followers (and growing) on our social media platforms.

We want to join in celebrating your good news and are happy to share or retweet your messages. Please tag us on social media at stjbot.

CHAIR

ANDREA STACK SUPPORT

Our Director of Business Solutions is tasked to help you with your pain points.

She is measured by the positive impact she has on our members. This year Rhonda Tulk Lane has helped members find grants to hire students as well as navigate the myriad of paper work necessary to bring in foreign workers.

She has also conducted preliminary market data for a retail business looking to relocate and guided members through the introduction of cannabis and how it can impact the workplace.

Our advocacy work with all levels of government continues to be a priority. Our Advocacy specialist, Brandon Ellis, has led work on your behalf to mitigate electricity rates, offset the introduction of a carbon tax, and improve the development process at City Hall. Our consistent message is to keep taxes reasonable and competitive.

I am pleased to have been your Chair during this time as we address continuous disruptions, find solutions together and ensure your Board of Trade is evolving to meet your ever-changing needs.

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new members Clarke Enterprises

Mind the Gap Consulting

Edible Arrangements St. John’s

People Stuff

Vale Newfoundland & Labrador Operations

AirSprint Inc.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Canada

Leadership Matters Inc.

Fabian Clarke, President PO Box 1214, Stn. C St. John’s, NL A1C 5M9 709-728-1188 fabianmclarke@gmail.com

Chad Decker, Human Resources Consultant 2F Bates Hill St. John’s, NL A1C 4B4 709-697-2423 chadcdecker@gmail.com

India Gate Restaurant

Dave Sood, General Manager 286 Duckworth Street St. John’s, NL A1C 1G9 709-753-6006 davesood@gmail.com

Willow Anderson, Principal 17 Hickey’s Lane Flatrock, NL A1K 1C5 709-770-1432 willow@mindthegapconsulting.ca

Kristie Cochrane, Corporate Affairs 18 Hebron Way, 2nd Floor St. John’s, NL A1A 0L9 709-758-8854 Kristie.cochrane@vale.com

Bryan Hetherington, Senior Account Executive 510 Topsail Road St. John’s, NL A1E 1L4 709-351-3777 Bryan.heatherington@bt.konicaminolta.ca

Are you an employer in Atlantic Canada?

Do you want to hire and retain skilled foreign workers and international graduates?

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot may be exactly what you are looking for.

Canada.ca/Atlantic-immigration

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Lesley Wright, Owner 1B Kiwanis St. St. John’s, NL A1B 0A2 709-702-0888 Nl1643@dofruit.ca

Fernand Croisetiere, Director of Business Development 1010 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1800 Montreal, Quebec H3A 2R7 514-398-0222 fpc@airsprint.com

Heather Stamp Nunes, Principal + Founder 1 Hyde Park Drive St. John’s, NL A1A 5G1 709-770-8773 heather@leadershipmatters.ca

Do you have news about your business you’d like to share?

Contact: Janet King to share your story in MEMBERS IN THE NEWS 726-2961 ext 207 jking@bot.nf.ca

WINTER: 2019

SEM Ltd.

Venture for Canada

Leroy Metcalfe, President 79 Mews Place, Second Floor St. John’s, NL A1B 4N2 709-754-1445

Bridie Molloy’s

Aidan Moores, NL Program Coordinator 30 Harvey Road Suite 2 St. John’s, NL A1C 2G1 709-763-6261 aidan@ventureforcanada.ca

Cheyenne Bayse, Marketing Director 300 Water Street St. John’s, NL A1C 1B8 709-576-5990 cbayse@bridiemolloys.ca

Power & Associates, Chartered Professional Accountants Michael Power, CPA, CA 84-86 Elizabeth Avenue Suite 101, Regatta Plaza II St. John’s, NL, A1A 1W7 709-579-1069 m.power@powerassociates.ca

The Celtic Hearth

Cheyenne Bayse, Marketing Director 300 Water Street St. John’s, NL A1C 1B8 709-576-5990 cbayse@bridiemolloys.ca

Blackwood Events Inc.

Stephanie Blackwood, Owner/Operator 13 Almond Crescent St. John’s, NL A1H 1A7 709-693-1721 s.rblackwood@hotmail.com

Present

Position yourself as a thought leader among your business peers. Get your Guest Editorial placed in our next issue of Business News at $1,000 + HST. These 500-word editorials focus on a variety of set themes each edition.

To find out more and book your Guest Editorial, contact Janet at jking@bot.nf.ca.

Attentive

When you need us, we’re already on it.

OLINE BRANDING

Larry Bootland VOLUME 902 405 480934: 11723C&P NL Board of Trade Ad

Editorial Impact

#1

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WINTER: 2019

upcoming event

We encourage all members to register online. Visit www.stjohnsbot.ca to register for any of the events listed.

February 6, 2019

8:00am - 3:30pm Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre

Your GO TO business event for 2019 ​• Motivational Keynote Workshop: Darci Lang Where is your focus for 2019?

• The Expo • Annual General Meeting • Leader's Fireside Chat: Economic Outlook 2019 • Grow your sales with Fatima Zaidi: "Lets talk business, diversity and sales."

The Expo ON SALE NOW!

Motivational Speaker DARCI LANG

Sales Expert FATIMA ZAIDI

EARLY BIRD RATE

$149 +HST Members - until Dec. 31, 2018 $199 +HST Future Members - until Dec. 31, 2018

AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2018

$199 +HST Members - after Dec. 31, 2018 $299 +HST Future Members - after Dec. 31, 2018

For information on The Expo, contact Brendan Hagerty bhagerty@bot.nf.ca • 746-0441

VOLUME 34: #1

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Succession Planning is a Process Not an Event When is the best time to sell your business?

Business owners are more likely to maximize the price they can get for their business when the following three conditions are in place: 1) market conditions for transactions are favourable, 2) the business is well positioned for a sale, and 3) the owner has put in place strategies to maximize their after tax proceeds and is ready to sell the business.

Market conditions are prime for selling a business right now; there are many buyers, both strategic and financial, looking for opportunities to acquire quality businesses. And, credit markets are also quite favourable. This will not always be the case, though. Think back to 2008 and the Great Recession. Lenders were not lending and there were far fewer buyers looking for businesses to buy. The volume of transactions dropped. Many business

owners that were planning on retiring in 2008 to 2010 had to delay their plans or risk getting far lower sales proceeds than they were expecting. Timing the sale of a business to coincide with favourable market conditions can make a significant difference to the selling price that is obtained.

Business owners should assess if their business is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunity to sell. If it is not, they should start to groom the business now for transition. A clear 3 to 5 year plan for succession will help determine the best time to sell, how to maximize value and how to best transfer that value to a new owner. Despite the prevalence of articles and books dealing with “succession planning,” many business owners often don’t consider strategies to increase the salability of their business until they are forced to. By then, the

SUZANNE C. LOOMER MACC, CPA, CA, CBV

SUCCESSION PLANNING SEMINAR JANUARY 16, 2019 We agree succession planning is a process, however you also need to be connected.

Join the St. John's Board of Trade for an informative discussion on succession planning. Contact Rhonda for details solutions@bot.nf.ca

On sale now! #growstjohns February 6, 2019

Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre

Motivational Speaker DARCI LANG

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Sales Expert FATIMA ZAIDI

WINTER: 2019

owner may not have the variety of choices available, or the time, to make improvements to the business so that they can maximize their sale proceeds.

To understand how to maximize the value of their business, business owners must understand what drives value in their business. Uncovering new ways to increase revenue and profitability can improve value, but so can many other activities, like: • putting in a strong and experienced management team so there is less reliance on the owner for day to day operations • focusing on building a good quality customer base • making the most of strategic advantages (like intellectual property) • building a strong market position in your industry • putting in place quality information systems that provide data for management decision making Even if a business is well positioned for sale, the owner needs to be ready to sell it. Having strategies in place that will make this transition easier and allow the owner to retain more of the sale proceeds after tax is important to having the retirement they want.

Strategies focused on the “ownership” of the business and improving after-tax proceeds available to the owners when they sell include: • Estate planning for the business • Insurance considerations • Tax planning and succession planning • Shareholder agreements • Ownership of key assets or redundancies • Debt management and financial leveraging Timing the market, putting value enhancement strategies in place, and getting your personal house in order can take time. Some strategies can take years to achieve the intended results. Planning ahead helps owners and operators understand alternatives and gain the flexibility that can improve the probability of success. Identifying value creation strategies early offers a roadmap to better manage the future

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growth in the value of your business.

Implementing these strategies will take time, but identifying and implementing them in advance of a sale means the business will be ready to sell when you are. Good succession planning is a process, not an event.

About the author: Suzanne Loomer is a Partner in KPMG’s Deals Advisory practice in Atlantic Canada. Suzanne has more than 22

years of experience advising small, midmarket and multi-national companies on business valuation matters for mergers & acquisitions, succession planning, disputes and others. An accomplished speaker and author, she has written three books and regularly writes and speaks about business valuation topics across Canada.

Suzanne C. Loomer MAcc, CPA, CA, CBV sloomer@kpmg.ca

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Giving the People What They Want: Positive Change Through Social Enterprise

GEOFF DAVIS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, CONSULTING, DELOITTE

CHELSEY MACNEIL DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, CHOICES FOR YOUTH

With the release of Deloitte’s 2018 Global Human Capital Trends report, aptly titled ‘The Rise of the Social Enterprise’, many factors, such as youth perspective and workforce participation, technology, and the need for corporate leadership were identified as contributing to a clear shift, locally and globally, toward more sustainable and socially-conscious business models. Included in this shift are social enterprises that operate to turn business practices into opportunities to solve social problems and build value to communities. This shift cuts across sectors; from the increase in environmental awareness and considerations for the impact on renewable resources, to combatting social inequality.

the workforce, the workplace, and work technologies undergo seismic change. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has responded to these economic and social challenges with the release of its first Social Enterprise Action Plan. At the federal level, government is also crafting a comprehensive social finance strategy which looks to strengthen the role of social procurement and investment in how it spurs innovation.

While embedding social, cultural or environmental into their purpose, social enterprises sell goods and services, just like any other business. For this reason, although social enterprises come in many forms, their goal is to reinvest profits into their social mission. These businesses also offer a unique approach in how government and private sector purchasing, and even impact investing, can be leveraged to create very real social and economic value.

David LePage, international expert on social enterprise, makes a strong case for social value purchasing by businesses and governments. "Every purchase, intentionally or not, has an economic, employment, environmental and social impact. When governments and businesses use social procurement, they intentionally add social value.”

(David LePage, 2018). Buying from social enterprises means leveraging money that will already be spent on contracts by governments, private companies or nonprofits to provide community benefits through economic and social returns. But in order for social value purchasing to take hold, we need to challenge our purchasing policies, both in the private and public sector, to value social contributions.

Increasingly, both governments and the private sector are recognizing how vital social enterprise will be in the future as

There is a strong economic and social case to approach complex social issues with positivity and collaboration. We have a

Congratulations NANCY HEALEY 2018 CCEC EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

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chance to create innovative solutions to support our most vulnerable and combat social inequities. For example, Choices for Youth’s social enterprise portfolio includes Impact Construction; The Shop, a manufacturing and fulfillment business; and Neighbourhood, its second hand clothing boutique. Last year alone, these social enterprises generated over 25,000 hours of paid employment for young people, allowing them to access supports and maintain stability in their lives.

This was achieved through partnerships with both public institutions, private

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sector companies, and members of the public who all recognized the value for money proposition that social enterprise represents.

As a province with a history and culture of resourcefulness, resiliency, and kindness, we can shape a future that leverages existing resources and market-based activities to activate social change. Though social purchasing activities, governments, the private sector and citizens can get the products and services they need and make a strong and lasting social impact.

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business solutions

The St. John’s Board of Trade is your Go-To resource for business solutions St. John’s and surrounding area is home to a number of high-quality resources that support businesses and entrepreneurs.

But, it’s a complicated world, and it’s rare that business owners and entrepreneurs have time to be familiar with all the resources available to them to support and grow their business.

The St. John’s Board of Trade’s Business SolutionsTeam is changing this by creating a single point of contact for all your business needs. We are the “go to” resource for business in the St. John’s area.

We’re building a coordinated network of resource partners that will quickly route

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you to valuable information, available programs, experience and expertise to help your business succeed.

It is easy, we make it easy – just schedule a one-on-one visit with a member of our collaborative team of Resource Professionals. You can then confidentially discuss your operations, your requirements and your plans for the future. We’ll review your information and connect you with the appropriate resources and individuals within the St. John’s Community. Resources such as wage subsidies, export growth tools, climate smart initiatives etc.

Knowledge is power, and missing access to an available resource can mean the difference between success and failure.

Rhonda Tulk-Lane Director of Business Solutions St. John's Board of Trade solutions@bot.nf.ca (709) 351-0291

WINTER: 2019

26th RBC Business Excellence Awards

St. John's Board of Trade celebrates the best in business

The St. John’s Board of Trade recognized some of the city’s most outstanding entrepreneurs at the 26th RBC Business Excellence Awards. The Business Excellence Awards represent overall achievement across several categories. The recipients have distinguished themselves at the very highest level of success during this business year.

The St. John’s Board of Trade’s Business Excellence Awards acknowledges and commemorates the significant results achieved by private sector businesses and community leaders who have been making an impact within the Province this year. As a representative of the Board of Directors, the staff, and the hundreds of members under the banner of our organization; I wish to congratulate each recipient from this year’s awards ceremony and hope that as they progress further into the future that they are accompanied with a continuation of their success.

The recipients of the 2018 St. John’s Board of Trade Business Excellence Awards are: • Community Impact (20+Employees) Newfoundland Broadcasting / NTV • Leader in Growth and Sales Training Works Inc • Marketing and Promotional Achievement Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra • Customer Service and Reliability Fonemed • Innovative Solutions Powers Brown Architecture • Workplace Excellence Cox & Palmer • Entrepreneurial Spirit Training Works Inc. • Community Builder Volunteer of the Year Cahill Group • Emerging Young Professional Exxon Mobil Canada • Business Excellence Award Fonemed

—Andrea Stack, Chair of the St. John’s Board of Trade

St. John’s Board of Trade hosted the 2018 award ceremony, presented in partnership with RBC.

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...the winners are...

L-R: Scott Sterling, President CEO of Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Ltd. and David Noseworthy, Deloitte

Community Impact (20+ employees) Newfoundland Broadcasting / NTV

This award recognizes companies with more than 20 employees that are continuously involved in helping out the community and make outstanding contributions through donations, time, effort and other means.

L-R: Kristina Ennis, Benefits & RND Analyst, Exxon Mobil Canada and Mike James, VP Commercial Financial Services RBC

Emerging Young Professional Exxon Mobil Canada

This award recognizes an individual who is 35 years or younger with one or more years of professional experience in their current career, who has exhibited excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession in some or all of the following: company growth, customer service, community service and/or acts as a role model for younger people personally and professionally.

L-R: Hugh Donnan, CEO of Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and Carolyn O'Keefe, m5

Marketing & Promotional Achievement Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra

This award recognizes companies who stand out in a crowd.

L-R: Nancy Healey, CEO, St. John's Board of Trade; Kim Keating, Chief Operating Officer, Cahill Group and Andrea Stack, Chair, St. John's Board of Trade

Community Builder Volunteer of the Year Cahill Group

This award recognizes an individual who is committed and volunteers in the community.

L-R: Des Whalen, Partner Training Works; Jim Morres, BMO and Tamara Vatcher Partner Training Works

L-R: Andrea White, EY; Des Whalen, Partner Training Works and Tamara Vatcher Partner Training Works

Leader in Growth and Sales Training Works Inc.

Entrepreneurial Spirit Training Works Inc

This award recognizes companies that are experiencing an increase in demand for their product and service resulting in significant growth in sales.

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This award recognizes a company that not only offers new and exciting products and services that meet market needs but one that will achieve similar, if not greater, success in the future.

WINTER: 2019

26th RBC Business Excellence Awards Visit stjohnsbot.ca for full coverage!

...and the big winner is ...Fonemed

L-R: Beverley Evans, KBRS; Leanne O’Leary, Managing Partner Cox & Palmer and Natalie Hand, KBRS

Workplace Excellence Cox & Palmer

This award recognizes companies who have provided an exceptional work environment through things such as staff development, work and life balance, fair employment, staff appreciation, and much more.

L-R Nancy Healey, CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade; Charlene Brophy, President and CEO Fonemed; Andrea Stack, Chair St. John’s Board of Trade; Mike James, VP Commercial Financial Services RBC

Business Excellence Award Fonemed

L-R: Jeff Spencer, McInnes Cooper and Bruce Walck, Principal of Powers Brown Architecture

Innovative Solutions Powers Brown Architecture

How are you being creative or relevant? This award recognizes a business that provides innovation through a new product, process or positioning.

This award is the most prestigious award presented by the St. John’s Board of Trade. The winner of this award recognizes innovation, creativity, sales growth and a passion for success. This year, the Board is proud to shine the spotlight on Fonemed.

Thank you to all of our sponsors for your support for this year's 26th RBC Business Excellence Awards

Title Sponsor

Awards Sponsors

L-R: Wade Hiscock, NL Power and Charlene Brophy, President CEO of Fonemed

Customer Service & Reliability Fonemed

This award recognizes overall achievement or improvement in dedication to customer satisfaction through service, or development of an outstanding product or service.

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financial advice At Assante Wealth Management, we work with you to take care of your investments, to save you money, and to prepare you for your retirement.

We are here to ensure that you and your family are well taken care of, now and in the future.

As your trusted advisor we look at your complete picture.

Contact us today, and be well-advised.

Hugh Shea, B.Comm, CFP Financial Planner hshea@assante.com Krista Mennie, B.Sc. Financial Advisor kmennie@assante.com Assante Financial Management Ltd. 95 Bonaventure Avenue, Suite 301 St. John’s, NL A1B 2X5 T : (709) 726-6570 ext. 226/231 16

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WINTER: 2019

Welcome to Stingray! Local Vibes, Global Reach.

In late October, a company with distinct Newfoundland and Labrador roots took on a new global presence.

The radio company founded by Harry Steele, Newcap Radio, was officially acquired by Stingray, a Montreal-based worldwide music and technology company on October 26. That transaction included Newcap’s Newfoundland and Labrador division, Steele Communications, with radio stations such as VOCM, K-Rock, and 99.1 HITS-FM, along with 101 radio stations spanning right across Canada from St. John’s to Vancouver. As part of the deal, the Steele family has taken on a significant shareholder stake in Stingray.

The good news for listeners, advertisers, and Steele Communications employees is that nothing really changes. Stingray intends to stay true to the Steele philosophy of serving local communities with world-class radio stations. What does change is distribution potential.

Through their various digital assets, Stingray reaches listeners and viewers in 156 countries. Stingray services cable TV subscribers with a vast array of digital music channels and music video channels.

In addition, the company dominates the karaoke space with their mobile apps and reaches customers in 78,000 retail locations with custom-made branded audio content.

“VOCM is a unique radio station that serves listeners all around the world,” said Mike Murphy, General Manager of the Stingray stations in Newfoundland and Labrador. “And the added global distribution capabilities of Stingray will hopefully help us reach those listeners wherever they live and work.”

The Stingray radio stations are currently distributed on the Radioplayer Canada app, and that will continue. However, Murphy said plans are in the works to bring the 101 radio stations to the popular Stingray Music mobile app.

“The Stingray mobile app offers listeners literally thousands of music channels, curated for every mood or moment in your life,” noted Steve Jones, Stingray’s SVP/ Brands & Content for radio. “By bringing our 101 radio stations to that app, we can give listeners the chance to seamlessly enjoy our local radio stations or a wide VOLUME 34: #1

variety of expertly curated streams without ever having to download another music streaming app.”

While the acquisition is still fresh, so far there have been no changes to the stations that serve Newfoundland and Labrador. “The radio stations are still programmed locally, with music, talk, and advertising content that is created specifically for the unique needs of the province,” assured Jones. “There are no plans to change that strategy. The Stingray acquisition simply brings us a worldwide distribution network and adds a portfolio of new and exciting digital assets for our

listeners and advertisers to tap into.”

According to the guy who manages the operation, the mood at the former Steele Communications building on Kenmount Road is upbeat.

“Our team is enthusiastic that a company so deeply rooted in our province is now part of a global network,” said Murphy. “It is an extremely exciting time for all of us.”

Michael Murphy General Manager (709)726-5590

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GARY REARDON 579-1010

682-0454

gary.reardon@reardons.com

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Therapy Dog Program In 2018, St. John Ambulance - NL Council unleashed a new addition to our Therapy Dog Program, offering companies an opportunity to sponsor their own Therapy Dog. This initiative takes the proven benefits of the program - seen from years of Therapy Dogs visiting at hospitals, senior’s homes, long-term care facilities, etc. - and brings those benefits to the workplace.

This sponsorship opportunity provides valued employees with an immediate destressor from the workday and instantly improves morale. The sight of our wellmannered and affectionate dogs walking through the office – accompanied by a Therapy Dog handler – brings a special kind of impact to any workplace.

Companies can review a Sponsorship Catalogue and select their own Therapy Dog. The sponsoring company will then receive a minimum of four visits from that Therapy Dog over the course of a year, with this dog spreading smiles and unconditional love to staff members.

The benefits of animal-assisted therapy are well-documented. Along with physical benefits such as diminishing pain and releasing calming endorphins, the psychological benefits are significant.

Therapy Dog visits lift spirits, lessen depression, encourage communication, lower anxiety, increase socialization and provide comfort. And that’s just to name a few! This sponsorship opportunity is an excellent accompaniment to any Mental Health initiatives that companies are investing in.

Some of the organizations that have sponsored the Therapy Dog program for 2018 include VOCM Cares, Capital Auto, Oceanex, Fortis Inc., BDO, Genoa Design, Husky Energy, Sub C Imaging, ExxonMobil, Town of Portugal Cove St. Philips, City of Mount Pearl, Town of Conception Bay South, and the St. John’s Board of Trade!

HOSPITALITY

CATERING

We take care of the million little things.

LEISURE TRAVEL

BUSINESS TRAVEL

• In Hotel Restaurant, Clancy’s Kitchen & Bar • 144 Guest Rooms & 5 Meeting Rooms • Complimentary Airport Shuttle 24/7 • Deluxe Continental Breakfast On Us from 4-9am Daily • Free Parking • Fitness Room & Guest Laundry

106 Airport Road, St. John’s I 709.753.3500 I comfortinnstjohns.com

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Feedback from the sponsoring companies has been overwhelming positive.

“Our employees so look forward to our Therapy Dog Maggie’s visits. It’s so rewarding to see how their faces light up the minute she arrives! No one ever calls in sick on days Maggie is scheduled to drop by! This has been such a positive experience for us at Fortis Inc.” — Fortis Inc All funds raised by this initiative will support St. John Ambulance’s Community Services Programs and our volunteers right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY SERIES Interested in increasing your organization's diversity? Want to hire from abroad, but are unsure how? These four workshops will tell you all this, and more.

1.

2.

3.

4.

The Business Case for Diversity Culturally Inclusive Hiring Practices Engaging and Retaining a Diverse Workforce Cross Cultural Interviewing Register by phone or email 709-722-0718 * diversity@ancnl.ca

About St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program: The SJA Therapy Dog program has been visiting with senior citizens in long-term care facilities in the province for over a decade, but recent years have seen the expansion of the program to Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, Memorial University, as well as facilities such as Choices For Youth, The Tommy Sexton Centre, Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, Ronald McDonald House, Stella’s Circle and more.

Therapy Dog volunteers give approximately 5,000 hours of Community Services volunteer time, and provide over 17,000 friendly visits each year here in this province.

When a company sponsors a Therapy Dog, they are sponsoring a program that works tirelessly to provide regular friendly visits - comfort and companionship - to the elderly in senior’s homes, patients at the Health Sciences Centre, sick children at the Janeway, guests at Daffodil Place, families at Ronald McDonald House and so many more. This program positively impacts thousands of lives in our province each year.

If you would like any information on how your company can get involved with this program, please contact us at sja@nl.sja.ca

VOLUME 34: #1

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working for you Maxing out Canada’s Credit Card During the 2015 Federal Election, Candidate Justin Trudeau promised that after three modest deficits originally forecasted at $24.1 billion which have ballooned to an astronomical $72.8 billion over the Trudeau Government’s first three years in office that the Government would return to balance in 2019.

DEBT PER PERSON in Newfoundland and Labrador

$46,397 Now, this month in the House of Commons, the Federal Government voted against a motion which called on the Government to reveal in what year the budget will be balanced. Shortly thereafter, Finance Minister Morneau revealed that the budget would not be balanced in 2019 and his finance department reports that the budget will not be balanced until 2045.

The St. John’s Board of Trade along with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and the London Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored a resolution at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce 2018 Annual General Meeting which called upon the Federal Government to outline a clear path to bring the budget back to balance.

From our perspective, less debt today means lower taxes, better services, and a stronger economy tomorrow. Our Federal Government should look no further than the 1990s and 2000s when Prime Minister

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Chretien and Finance Minister Martin paid down the debt. They had the foresight to know that the good times do not last forever. By comparison, under Prime Minister Trudeau, the percentage change in (Inflation-Adjusted) debt per person over Prime Ministerial tenures without a world war or economic downturn has increased by 5% per person. Under Chretien, it decreased by 13%. Under Martin it decreased 8%.

Through paying down the debt under the Chretien, Martin, and even the early Harper Governments, the country was structurally sound and did not contently live in a culture of deficits and spending during the good times. They instead, learned from the mistakes of the past which saw the deficit spending and debt accumulation reach colossal levels. The Government frequently cites the debt-togdp ratio of being friendly and a strong economic indicator, and they are correct.

However, I suggest that this indicator is used to divert attention from the actual problem of deficit spending and total debt accumulation. The debt-to-gdp ratio that the Federal Government cites also does not reflect the true debt-to-gdp of the country when including provincial debt. It also does not reflect the actual number of government debt per person in Newfoundland and Labrador which is $46,397 and counting (Muskrat falls not included). Budgets were never meant to balance themselves. It requires political courage to balance a budget and control spending. Its easy to max out the credit card, it is hard to pay it off.

Brandon Ellis Policy and Advocacy Researcher St. John’s Board of Trade bellis@bot.nf.ca (709) 726-2961, ext. 205

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VOLUME 34: #1

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labrador and arctic opportunities Arctic Circle Summit 2018 Reykjavik, Iceland

Harpa Conference Center and Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland (where the Artic Circle Assembly took place)

The St. John’s Board of Trade represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the Arctic Circle Summit October 18-21, 2018 in Reykjavik, Iceland which is the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic. It was attended by more than 2000 participants from 60 countries. The Assembly is held every October at the Harpa Conference Center and Concert Hall in Reykjavík, Iceland. It was attended by heads of state and governments, Prime Minister

Live.

Local.

Creative.

of Iceland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Faroe Islands and Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore, members of parliaments, officials, experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, indigenous representatives, environmentalists, students, activists and others from the growing international community of partners and participants interested in the future of the Arctic.

OFFENsiVE tO somE

Charlie: Son of Man

Jan 24-27, 2019

Mar 21-24 2019

The St. John’s Board of Trade presented on potential business opportunities to participants and helped expose Newfoundland and Labrador based businesses who want to expand their businesses in Northern regions to new markets and major projects. The main areas of business will focus on the ocean’s economy, transportation/logistics, air and tourism.

The High North Atlantic Business Alliance (HiNABA) consist of business communities and port owners of seven Arctic and North

Our Audience is Waiting!

Reach a captive and engaged audience.

Reward your clients and employees in a memorable and creative way.

squawk

Be a performance sponsor at the Hall.

Find out more at lspuhall.ca/sponsor or e-mail communications@lspuhall.ca.

Charitable receipt provided.

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Apr 12, 13, 18, 20, 2019

FEB 11 MAR 25

Dana Eidsness, Maine North Atlantic Development Office at Maine International Trade Center and Janet King, Business Development Mentor Labrador & Eastern Arctic,

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Arctic and the North Atlantic and already we’re seeing new members joining with keen interest in growing their businesses in the North.

Contact us for more details about northern opportunities and developments.

Janet King Business Development Mentor, Labrador & Arctic St. John’s Board of Trade jking@bot.nf.ca 709-726-2961 ext. 207

Businesses grow and succeed because people believe in the “why”

Atlantic cities: Tromso, Torshavn, Reykjavik, Nuuk, St. John’s/Argentia, Halifax and Portland. The project has 19 formal partners including port owners in each city and companies in the bioeconomy and tourism sectors. The project’s overarching goal is to increase awareness on similarities in economy, value in business development collaboration and connectivity, and to benefit on existing infrastructure for connectivity: shipping lines, airlines, networks and conferences. will identify joint business opportunities for the seven cities.

international partners.

The goal of the initiative is to drive economic growth by backing innovation in sectors where potential and opportunities exist, thereby creating thousands of new jobs and bolstering national gross domestic product (GDP).

The Board sees great value in connecting our business members to opportunities and projects related to Labrador, Eastern

Accounting & Auditing

In recent years’ achievements in joint business development between port cities of the Northern part of the Atlantic, especially Portland - Reykjavík, and Nuuk - Reykjavík and the emerging business development between Portland and Tromsø. The port cities of Portland, Halifax, St. John’s/Argentia, Nuuk, Tórshavn and Tromsø have many similarities in key business sectors: logistics, ocean bioeconomy and tourism.

The Ocean Supercluster initiative is an industry-led collaboration that will build Canada’s ocean economy into one of the country’s most significant and sustainable value-creating economic segments. It is built around the critical mass of oceanbased companies in Atlantic Canada; however, the Ocean Supercluster is a national undertaking, with investment from companies in eight provinces and one territory, and linkages already initiated with indigenous groups and

VOLUME 34: #1

Management Consulting Mergers & Acquisitions Taxation

Suite 201, 516 Topsail Rd. St. John’s, NL, A1E 2C5 T: 709.364.5600 This statue represents Partnership. Fifty years of diplomatic relations between Iceland and the United States. In the fifty years between 19411991 the two countries have enjoyed a close partnership in many areas of common interest.

F: 709.368.2146 W: noseworthychapman.ca

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VOLUME 34: #1

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, Jason voy to Canada w Percy UK En re tion. va nd ,A no O In d CE , Industry an Nancy Healy re ltu Cu , m is Tour Higgins Dept

CEO Susa n Chalme rs-Gauvin Atlantic B Founder a allet, CEO nd CEO of N an c y H e Solutions the aley, Dire Rhonda Tu c tor of Bu lk-Lane m siness eet to discu Summit fo ss Immigra r 2019. tion

Circle Summit ts NL at Arctic en es pr re T Bo Iceland in Reykjavik,

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the economy

The New Housing Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 98.9 in August 2018 unchanged 0.0%* The Consumer Price Index for St. John’s Metro was 137.7 in September 2018 up 1.2%* Retail trade for Newfoundland and Labrador was $761 million in August 2018 down -0.1%*

...as of September 2018

Labour Force 122,500 (up 4.6%) Unemployment Rate 9.6% (up 1.0 ppts) Employment 110,800 (down 3.6%) Participation Rate 66.0% (down 2.6ppts ) St. John's CMA, seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average.

Percentage change reflects the same month previous year.

* same month in the previous year.

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Member Profiles

People Stuff is a Human Resources consulting firm that takes an adaptive HR approach for small businesses.

Our approach is flexible and works for organizations that don’t have a full-time human resources subject matter expert.

People Stuff becomes a part of your team based on your needs and helps grow your business through proven solutions and strategies. You’ll know the benefits of working with someone who gets “the people stuff.” Be a place to be.

Tel: (709) 697-2423 Email: chadcdecker@gmail.com Web: www.peoplestuffnl.ca

AirSprint is a Canadian privately held company that maintains the largest fractional fleet of private aircraft in the country, including the Embraer Legacy 450, Cessna Citation CJ2+ and Cessna Citation CJ3+, serving Canadians from coast-to-coast including the Maritimes, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

As an Owner with AirSprint’s Fractional Program, you’ll have access to our full fleet of private jets. With thousands of approved airports in North America, the Caribbean and Europe, we are confident AirSprint will be able to… fly anywhere business or pleasure takes you.

Toll Free: 1-877-588-2344 Web: www.AirSprint.com

SUBMIT A MEMBER PROFILE FOR YOUR COMPANY HERE. It is a benefit of your membership.

Contact Janet King at 726-2961 ext. 207

709 747.3850

brenda@image4.ca 1170 TOPSAIL ROAD Mount Pearl, NL A1N 5E8

www.image4.ca

CANNABIS HOTLINE The St. John’s Board of Trade has launched a Cannabis Hotline for small business. A “Go To” resource for all cannabis related questions and concerns for cannabis in the workplace.

As workplaces in Newfoundland and Labrador gear up for the legalization of cannabis, many employers have questions. The Cannabis Hotline will connect small business members with experts in areas such as law, government and human resources.

709.351.0291 cannabis@bot.nf.ca VOLUME 34: #1

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connector NL

www.connectornl.ca

Making the right connection Remember when you were looking for your first job, or began your career search in a new town after a move? You did all the right things: look for postings, submit resumes, and attend interviews. Yet, there was always a feeling that if you could introduce yourself to the right person it would help you open unseen doors and provide invaluable insight into the industry you were trying to break into.

Enter Connector NL. We are a highly effective networking program that matches established business and community leaders (Connectors) with new residents and job seekers (Connectees) to help them start or expand their professional network.

Our Connectees are talented individuals looking for an opportunity to start, or restart, their career in this province. When they join our program, we discuss their goals, experiences, and skills and once they are ready, we will match them with

a Connector. In addition to this, they are invited to networking events to meet the larger business community.

So, who are our Connectors? They are community champions, business leaders who want to give back, and individuals interested in opening doors for deserving new talent; they are looking to connect with our province’s future workforce.

Maybe I have just described you?

We know how important it is to make connections. Technology and social media have made it easier to identify who we want in our network and we are now able to reach out to people around the world, or around the corner, with unrivaled ease and speed. Yet, with those access benefits come volume. Our inboxes are full and its difficult to respond to each request. This is

www.connectorNL.ca We are all Connectors

TALENT

where Connector NL steps in.

We produce relevant and meaningful connections by facilitating an introduction between the Connector and Connectee.

We have spent time getting to know the members of our program, therefore when we match Connectee to a Connector we do it knowing the Connector is the right person to help. Also, as a Connector we are providing you with the opportunity to be one of the first to meet new, talented individuals in your industry.

Connector NL is looking for Connectors; we're looking for you! Become a Connector today by visiting our website ConnectorNL.ca. We have staff in St. John’s, Central NL, and Western NL who are ready to help you connect with the future NL workforce.

OPPORTUNITY

SUCCESS

CNA, Qalipu First Nation sign five-year Memorandum of Understanding

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cna.nl.ca