Windsor Business March 2024 Issue

5 HE SAID/SHE SAID:

The news and views of area executives on pertinent business issues of the day.

12 CORPORATISM:

Jim Blasingame says small business should do a spring cleaning well before spring arrives.

MARCH 2024

WINDSOR’S FOREMOST BUSINESS NEWS PUBLICATION

WINSIDE TRACK

2 AT A GLANCE

A look at the economic issues facing Ontario companies post-pandemic.

2 CROSSWORD

Take a coffee break from work and challenge yourself with our crossword.

3 ESSEX ECONOMICS

A series of guest columns by business executives on various trends in the region.

6 PRIME PROPERTY

A look at recent commercial property transfers in the city of Windsor.

8 PRIME HOME

A look at recent residential property sales in the city of Windsor.

10 BUILDING PERMITS

A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market.

11 START UPS

Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

11 WORLD OF WORK

A career advice column by two workplace consultants and career coaches.

indsor entrepreneur Tony Amato has taken over the former ProFit Manufacturing building on Morton Industrial Parkway in west Windsor.

The entrepreneur behind worldwide mobile events company, MRA Experiential Tours & Equipment, purchased the two-acre property with the 30,000square-foot warehouse in January, and is converting it for his own business and leasable space.

The building was associated with Meloche Windows, located immediately across the parking lot, and was sold for $2.9 million. A Meloche rep did not respond to requests for comment.

Amato took over MRA, an innovative events business, 20 years ago. He has offices in the old Walkerville fire hall where the firm’s Canadian operations

Continued on page 4

Windsor entrepreneur Tony Amato, president of MRA Experiential Tours & Equipment, at his new warehouse on Morton Industrial Parkway. By Ron Stang

PHOTO BY JOE SYMCHYSHYN SYMCHYSHYN PHOTOGRAPHIC

JUST THE FACTS:

• The recently released Ontario Economic Report shows the province is under strain.

• Business confidence is low, GDP-per-capita is falling, and the economy is hampered by inflation, interest rates, skill gaps, infrastructure backlogs and prolonged uncertainty.

• However, inflation and labor shortages in Ontario are gradually easing, and businesses are showing resiliency in a post-pandemic economy.

• Business confidence in the economy dropped to a record low, with only 13 percent feeling confident in Ontario’s economic outlook.

• Despite this, 48 percent of businesses are confident in their internal outlooks, while a majority expects their businesses to grow in 2024.

Source: Ontario Chamber of Commerce, 2024.

1. Top reasons for business pessimism about Ontario’s outlook:

Cost of living: 82%

Inflation: 80%

Housing affordability: 61%

Cost of inputs: 61%

2. Policy priorities for Ontario businesses:

Reduce/simplify business taxes: 50%

Encourage Ontarians to buy/travel locally: 34%

Invest in workforce development: 33%

Support affordable housing development: 33%

Enhance access to credit/capital: 26%

Support businesses with technology adoption/innovation: 25%

67

28 Pizza topping

29 Kind of geometry

31 Junk or snail –

32 Jargon

33 Entertainer Della –

34 Mideast nation

36 Tea leaves reader

2 Beehive State

3 Early VCR format

4

6 Soft leather

7

8 Follett and Norton

9 Wheat products

10

25 Shows again

40 Free from restraint

41 Look daggers at

44 Redcap’s concern

47 Big bird

49 Chantey singer

50 Flower child

53 Flakes

54 Cone bearers

55 Valhalla honcho

56 Autry of oaters

57 Talk hoarsely

59 The younger Guthrie

60 Follow

61 Glimpse

64 Chinese “way”

BUSINESS BOOST

“You might think your office desk is so clean you can practically eat off it – and some days you probably do. But truthfully, you’d be better off eating your turkey wrap from the toilet seat instead.

“According to a study conducted by Dr. Gerba, the average office desk harbors 400 more bacteria than the average toilet seat.

“Surprisingly, bacteria levels on private surfaces, like phones and desktops, were higher than on photocopiers and toilet seats. Since you consider yourself to be fairly clean, how did you office get so germy? Usually, it’s from other people who directly contaminate your space or germs that hitch a ride back on your hands.

“The good news? Disinfecting these areas once a day can decrease bacterial levels by 99 percent or more, even in the most contaminated spots.”

Allison Janse and Charles Gerba in The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu, Health Communications Inc.

VOLUME 29, ISSUE 10 • MARCH 2024

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nadia H. Shousher

ART DIRECTOR David Cowx

CONTRIBUTORS Jim Blasingame, Dale Dauten, Rodney L. Denis, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Ron Stang, Joe Symchyshyn

Windsor Business is published monthly by The Page Publishing Corp. and is distributed through Canada Post to every business address in Windsor and Essex County and Chatham-Kent. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright The Page Publishing Corp., 2024.

THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP.

552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101

WINDSOR, ONTARIO N9A 5M2

TEL: (519) 255-9775

• www.windsorbusiness.net

info@windsorbusiness.net

NADIA H. SHOUSHER

Who doesn’t love a good cliché?

Sure, we can get tired of the clichés bandied about so carelessly in the day-to-day of business. But I think it’s easier to use the tried-and-true, than to try to articulate one’s thoughts independently and creatively.

Sometimes, a cliché is the most appropriate and impactful way to get your message across, especially in a pinch.

Such as when you’re around the boardroom table, and the PowerPoint presenter just goes on and on. Some may doze off, while others fake an emergency and “must go.” One guy I know bit his tongue for most of the meeting and then blurted out: “I’ve never heard so much crap in my life. Give me a shovel!” Of course, he got fired. But as he says, those words were burning holes in his tongue until he let it all loose.

How about when you have some sales rep in your office who just won’t let up? You’re eyes are glazing over while you wonder how many times you have to say “no” before you are forced into rudeness. Aren’t you tempted to jump and yell: “Shut your PIE HOLE!” or some such? Is there any lingo one can use that gets the point across more aptly and succinctly than a cliché? I think not.

A former colleague in London went to sign her life away on her dream car. She had waited until the model and color she wanted was available, then rode her bike to the dealership expecting to drive her baby home. But the first sales guy she encountered couldn’t let things be so easy. He had a spiel ready and by God! she had to listen to it. After an hour’s entrapment (as she called it), she leaned over his desk with bared teeth and said: “Did I ASK for your life story? I came here to pick up my car. If I don’t have the keys in my hand within five minutes, I’ll ride my bike to your competitor across town. Now, do I need to repeat myself? DO I?” (I’m sure we all hear echoes of our mothers’ voices here.)

But she got the new car without any more fuss. As she said, it was too bad she had to fall back on archetypal language to get her errand done. Yet, if she continued with the polite nods and such, she might still be sitting there to this day.

By no means am I advocating boorish behavior, especially when it comes to the serious conduct of business. However, it seems sometimes short and snappy clichés are the only way we can communicate effectively in today’s world.

It could be “easy as pie” or like “running a knife through hot butter.” Yes, sometimes there’s nothing like a good cliché.

Nadia H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.

ESSEX ECONOMICS

DAN ADAMS

Leader sins to stop committing now

Are you a Builder, or a Decorator? Builders drive profitable, sustainable growth by delivering differentiated value to customers, as they brush aside business fads, short-term distractions and financial gymnastics. Decorators focus on looking good to investors, quarter after quarter.

While there is nothing wrong with looking good to investors, when it’s a leader’s primary goal and constant focus, it slows growth, alienates employees and weakens the company. While every company was (by definition) founded by a Builder, research suggests only one-third to one-half of them are still led by one.

Here are some of the most egregious Builder “no-nos:”

• Kowtow to Wall Street. Our research found maximizing shareholder wealth is almost always the top goal for slower-growth companies. For fastergrowth companies, the top goal was to grow by meeting customer needs.

• Constantly talk about the quarterly financial report. Better to stay focused on the strong, profitable, sustainable growth that builds value for everyone over time.

• Let financial types call the shots. If you’re not happy with your company’s financial reviews, look to the past. What you’re seeing is the result of decisions made years ago. Running a business based on them is like driving a car by staring into the rearview mirror. Builders know finance is not a participation sport, but a spectator sport.

• Fixate on cost-cutting measures and spending freezes. When carelessly applied, these can damage a business’s growth capabilities and have a negative – not neutral – effect on sustainable growth.

• Implement knee-jerk mass layoffs. This is a form of cost-cutting Decorators resort to in order to appease Wall Street. It’s not that layoffs never happen under Builders, but they happen far less often. Builders understand the true cost of layoffs, both to employees and the health of the business. It takes engaged employees to keep innovating for customers, not a nervous workforce worried about their security.

• Rely on initiatives like quality improvements and sales training to drive growth. Quality improvements may help, but not to the extent they did a few decades ago. Today, reliable quality is considered table stakes. Sales training, too, can boost revenue growth and lead to better pricing for increased profitability. But if a business doesn’t keep delivering new value, customers will eventually buy from competitors.

• Betray the CEO’s “first duty” which is to leave your business stronger than you found it. If you’re thinking of retirement as the finish line, you are not a Builder. Instead of crossing a finish line, leaders should focus on passing the baton in a never-ending relay race. Think of it this way: Your retirement speech should indicate that the best years of your company lie before you. Not behind you.

Dan Adams is the founder of The AIM Institute and author of the books Business Builders and New Product Blueprinting. Please visit https://theaiminstitute.com.

BY RON STANG

Long-time Sandbar employee takes over Lake St. Clair restaurant

It’s a dream come true for longtime Sandbar employee Keith Golla, as he takes over the reins of Lake St. Clair’s venerable Sandbar Waterfront Grill

Golla took over the lease and is now operator of one of the last remaining waterfront restaurants in Essex County. The property boasts a 100-well marina and recreation amenities at Puce Harbour and the lake. The previous operator was the owner of the John Max sports bars in Windsor, who vacated when the lease was up.

The property’s overall owner remains businessman Robert Troup, whose companies include Trojan Interior Contracting, which has worked on such high-profile projects as the WFCU Centre, University of Windsor and the Gordie Howe International Bridge complex.

“Construction’s good, everything’s good. Windsor is boom-

ing,” Troup said. The restaurant itself has been there “from day one,” or at least the 1950s, and has had several iterations. Troup has owned the trademark and name for more than three decades.

Golla also has a long history at the resto, starting as dishwasher, cook and working his way up to kitchen and front house manager. “It’s been a long road,” he said. “But I do know just about everything there is to know” about operating the business.

Golla started way back at Devonshire Mall’s former Margaritas eatery, and “just shy” of his 18th birthday was promoted to kitchen manager. Ironically, the previous Sandbar operator “was actually my dishwasher back in the day.”

Golla said he “never thought” he’d have the chance to run his own restaurant. “I just wanted to work hard and make the place suc-

cessful and somewhere to be proud of,” he said. “But I’m grateful, and I think I’m the right man to do the job. I know what the locals want, the regular customers.”

Look for several menu changes including use of all fresh ingredients. “I don’t want people eating stuff they can do at home,” he said.

He praises “talented” chef Carlo Catauro, adding “We’re both pretty excited to take the Sandbar to the next level.”

The restaurant’s staple is perch and Alaskan halibut, and boaters’ sandwiches. But items like more steak options are coming.

There are other high profile waterfront restaurants in the area, but “I don’t think they’re in our league,” Golla said.

Indoors and out the Sandbar seats 400, and Golla has plans to introduce a tiki bar and live music on long weekends.

BY RON STANG

Experiential firm moves into Windsor warehouse

Continued from page 1 are based. Amato himself is a Walkerville resident. But MRA’s corporate headquarters are based in Madison Heights MI, because the bulk of its business is in the United States and worldwide.

“We park our trucks (in Walkerville), and were running out of space,” he said of his reason for acquiring the west Windsor building. MRA will take one side of the building and rent out the other, which has warehousing, a truck bay and offices.

MRA is a leader in designing, building and exhibiting custom “large format vehicles” for any number of display purposes, from trade fairs to rolling exhibitions and health clinics or corporatethemed tour buses.

Most people have probably experienced using these vehicles, where raised platforms attached to trailers open up and people can enter and tour a portable museum exhibit or attend a blood clinic.

MRA’s success has been international, with contracts throughout

TRANSFER

BY DEVAN MIGHTON

Canada and the United States, England and even the Middle East. It has contracted with such institutions as the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Simon Wiesenthal and Abraham Lincoln museums. It also has worked with former Canadian Governor General David Johnston on a touring exhibit of regimental medals and ribbons. It has worked with companies like Sobeys with food sampling trailers, going from town to town.

“We’re going to be really busy this year for the Olympics, because they’re a big sponsor,” Amato said. “We’re going to go across the country to where all the athletes are, and celebrate in their hometowns.”

In Britain, MRA’s vehicles are currently transporting portable MRI machines for community testing.

“Canada is starting to kind of wake up to that (use) a little now,” Amato commented. “So, we’re seeing an uptake and the interest from organizations to consider mobile services, instead of the traditional brick and mortar.”

Tatro Equipment Sales makes room for off-ramp

In a deal that was set in motion nearly five years ago, Tatro Equipment Sales Ltd. will be moving 500 metres down the road from its location at 7744 Seventh Line West, just south of Chatham, to a new 10-acre lot in the Bloomfield Business Park

“The MTO bought it,” said Don Tatro, president of Tatro Equipment Sales. “I am moving out at the end of February and it's going to be demolished, and there will be an off-ramp going through it.”

Tatro Equipment will be relocating to 7620 Seventh Line West, where a new head office has already been constructed.

According to Tatro, the original property was sold a halfdecade ago to the Ministry of Transportation, and his company has been leasing it from the MTO ever since for its offices and truck lot.

Founded in 1988, Tatro Equipment is a division of the Tatro Group of Companies and is an independent seller of used trucks

and truck parts.

In January, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent approved the purchase of the former Sears site at the Downtown Chatham Centre from 100 King Street CK Holdings Inc. , a holding company coowned by Tatro and Rob Myers, chairman and CEO of RM Sotheby’s in Blenheim. The purchase was for $2.95 million.

Stuart McFadden, ChathamKent’s director of Economic Development and Tourism Services, said town council gave the green light to move forward with the purchase of the Sears building. Administration is currently determining if the retail site will be suitable for using the building as a civic center and town hall, and other services such as a public library and a museum.

If it turns out the projected costs are not acceptable, or council decides the building is not the right fit, the property will be sold back to the 100 King Street CK Holdings at the same price as purchased.

WB

“Mental health breaks are essential for me, and I certainly take them daily. I use this time to eat my favorite meal, listen to music, chat with my beautiful mother, record a mini mental health related video, and watch Friends!

Dr. Riham Al-Saadi, Social Worker, Transparency Counselling Services.

Do you take mental health breaks during the workday? How often, and what does it entail?

“A sense of completion always helps me refocus. If I feel stuck, I will go out and sweep the shop, or hop in a truck and go on a local delivery. It’s a great way to feel productive, while taking some time for yourself.”

Adam Moore, General Manager, Coxon’s Sales & Service.

“As a busy mom-entrepreneur, I've discovered that starting my day early with exercise boosts both my productivity and mental wellbeing. Despite long work hours, I prioritize short breaks to tend to my family, maintaining balance and energy throughout the day.”

Elizabeth Elias-Hernandez, Owner, Pirkko Marketing.

“During the day-to-day, things can get really overwhelming. I've found going for a walk really helps to decompress. Luckily for me, my mailbox is a couple blocks down the road so I just go check the mail, get some fresh air. It seems to really help refresh and energize me for the rest of the day.”

Dr. Ali Siblani, O.D., SBLV eye care.

“I’ll take a few breaks and go for a walk or do a word puzzle. If I don’t, I find the stress gets worse and you can’t accomplish anything. I press pause for a few minutes, so I can get back to work in the right frame of mind.”

Kristen Chatelain, Administrative Assistant, Rachelle’s Better Bookkeeping.

PRIME PROPERTY

THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE ESSEX & CHATHAM-KENT AREAS:

SOLD

Address: 5990 Malden Rd., LaSalle

Selling Price: $1.3 million

Vendor: Named Individuals

Purchaser: 2681410 Ontario Inc.

SOLD

Address: 340 Maidstone Ave.

W., Essex

Selling Price: $3 million

Vendor: LBK Seguin Hardware Ltd.

Purchaser: Seguin Building Centre Inc.

SOLD

Address: 2759 Talbot Trail, Chatham-Kent

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 7067 Smith Industrial Rd., Amherstburg

Selling Price: $1.55 million

Vendor: 1741163 Ontario Inc.

Purchaser: DA Holdings Windsor Inc.

SOLD

Address: 47 Wilson Ave., Essex

Selling Price: $3.05 million

Vendor: Home Hardware Stores

Ltd.

Purchaser: Essex Horizons Inc.

Selling Price: $2.4 million

Vendor: Named Individuals

Purchaser: 1000042787 Ontario Ltd.

Address: 7 Main St., Chatham-Kent

Selling Price: $1.2 million

Vendor: Parkside Cabins Inc.

Purchaser: Mull Road

Investments Inc.

CHATHAM-KENT

•

SOLD

Address: 254 Road 2 W, Kingsville

Selling Price: $1.5 million

Vendor: 450862 Ontario Ltd.

Purchaser: M Salvatore M Inc.

SOLD

Address: Conc. 1, Part Lot 5, Seacliff Dr. W., Leamington

Selling Price: $1.45 million

Vendor: Seacliff Developments Inc., Tank Development Group Inc., Ranmic Saccucci Holdings Inc.

Purchaser: Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington

PRIME HOME SALES

PRIME HOME SALES

THE FOLLOWING REPRESENT SOME RECENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES IN THE ESSEX COUNTY/CHATHAM-KENT AREA:

SOLD

Where: 12741 Little River Blvd., Tecumseh

Size: 64’ x 110’

# Bedrooms: 4

# Bathrooms: 2

Taxes: $3,950

Listed For: $589,900

Sold For: $610,000

SOLD

Where: 282 Lesperance Rd., Tecumseh

Size: 50’ x 155’

# Bedrooms: 3

# Bathrooms: 1

Taxes: $2,211

Listed For: $415,000

Sold For: $400,000

SOLD

Where: 114 Sylvano Cr., Lakeshore

Property Size: 59’ x 134’

SOLD

Where: 15 Hart St., Amherstburg

Property Size: 53’ x 149’

# Bedrooms: 3 + 1

# Bathrooms: 2

Taxes: $3,400

Listed For: $569,915

Sold For: $585,000

SOLD

Where: 432 Lilac Ct., Amherstburg

Property Size: 48’ x irr.

# Bedrooms: 4

# Bathrooms: 1

Taxes: $3,020

Listed For: $599,000

Sold For: $585,000

# Bedrooms: 3 + 1

# Bathrooms: 3

Taxes: $4,193

Listed For: $799,500

Sold For: $780,000

SOLD

TOWN OF ESSEX COMMERCIAL:

• Richard Savard Construction is doing commercial renovations on County Rd. 50 W. Value of construction: $30,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL:

• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Keown St. Value of construction: $300,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a garage on County Rd. 8. Value of construction: $75,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Draper St. Value of construction: $1.038 million.

• Individuals are doing renovations to a single-family residence on Laird Ave. Value of construction: $55,000.

• Individuals are doing renovations to a single-family residence on Lane St. Value of construction: $40,000.

• Individuals are construction an addition to a single-family home on Talbot Rd. S. Value of construction: $450,000.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL:

• Individuals are erecting two new bunkhouses on Highway 77. Values of construction: $1.5 million each.

• Individuals are doing interior renovations to an agricultural building on Seacliff Dr. W. Value of construction: $1.9 million.

• A numbered company is building two greenhouses with warehouse, offices and a packhouse on County Rd. 14. Values of construction: $3,824,500 total.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL:

• Individuals are building two units of a semi-detached residence on Eagle St. Values of construction: $1.2 million each.

• Individuals are building a single-

detached dwelling on Marl-borough St. E. Value of construction: $250,000.

TOWN OF LASALLE COMMERCIAL:

• Individuals are erecting a farm building on North Townline Rd. Value of construction: $72,000.

• LaSalle Heritage Plaza is doing interior fit ups for a tenant. Value of construction: $400,000.

TOWN OF LASALLE

RESIDENTIAL:

• Greystone Building Group is erecting a single-family residence on Mayfair Ave. Value of construction: $336,846.

• 2312205 Ontario Ltd. is building a single-family dwelling on Mayfair Ave. Value of construction: $754,507.

TOWN OF KINGSVILLE COMMERCIAL:

• A contractor is constructing an addition to an agricultural building on Road 11. Value of construction: $50,000.

• Solid Rock Homes Inc. is constructing an accessory structure on County Rd. 34 W. Value of construction: $125,000.

• Barrineti Construction Ltd. is renovating an accessory building on Graham Sdrd. Value of construction: $450,000.

• Two numbered companies are renovating a commercial building on Seacliff Dr. Value of construction: $55,000.

The former Monsignor Uyen Catholic School in suburban Chatham has been sold again, after a sale just last August to a local businessman.

The property at 255 Lark Street sold last summer for $1.61 million to J. Robert Myers in Trust. The person behind it is Rob Myers, CEO of RM Group of Companies , the classic car restoration company. Myers is also redeveloping the Paul Martin building in downtown Windsor as a boutique hotel.

After only a few months, Myers turned around and sold the school property, via a numbered company, for $2.26 million to a London resident, Azhar Choudry.

thought, boy, this could be a pain in the butt with these neighbors. At the same time, somebody came along and made a good offer. It’s about as simple as that.”

The school was originally closed in 2019 and the property declared surplus by the St. Clair Catholic District School Board Three offers were made in December 2021 but, school trustees “opted not to accept any,” according to a board press release.

The Board then hired Buckingham Realty (Windsor) Ltd. to put the property on the market in July 2023, with a listing price of $750,000. Two open houses were held with a closing date of August 1st. Six offers were received with the highest bid coming from Myers at $1.61 million.

TOWN OF KINGSVILLE

RESIDENTIAL:

• Nor-Built Construction is erecting an accessory dwelling unit on Erie Ave. Value of construction: $200,000.

Myers said he originally wanted to redevelop the property, deep in a residential area, as some sort of “condo” complex. The school comes with more than four acres of land. But rumors among neighbors soon spread that he wanted to turn the property into a homeless shelter, which he said was not true.

“The neighbors were up in arms about me possibly putting in a shelter. I wasn’t ever planning on doing that,” he said. “But I

The new owners are Azhar Choudry and Dinal Peramune of London, who are now doing “due diligence” with the possibility of building a residential development or even a specialized college, Peramune said. They recently developed an 88-home residential site on London’s Meadowlilly Road, which was controversial at the time, as it was across from a nature preserve.

Rob Myers

THE WORLD OF WORK

BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL AND DALE DAUTEN

Dear J.T. & Dale: I can’t seem to get over a nasty cold and cough. I take medication and don’t have COVID-19, but the cough is persistent. I’m getting looks in the office, even though I’ve told people my doctor says I’m not contagious. Yesterday, my boss pulled me aside and said people are complaining, and that I need to take sick days until I can control my cough. I don’t have any sick time left, so I’ll have to take it unpaid! Can they do this? – Iris

J.T.: I would first ask your boss if you can work from home so you don’t have to take sick time. Make it clear you are capable of doing your job, but respect the concerns. Hopefully, they’ll agree. But, if it’s not a job you can do remotely, I would say they are within their rights to protect the office environment. So, focus on getting some medical help. Given all we’ve been through with the pandemic, you can see your coworkers may be nervous.

DALE: Of all the changes that COVID-19 brought about, one I hadn’t thought of until we got this question is that people are hyperaware of coughing. A couple of coughs and people move away from you or, if they can’t move, try to get you moved. You become an outcast – and when you consider that “cast” means “to throw,” you don’t want “out” added in. If you can’t work remotely, you could end

up out of a job, and getting hiring would be doubly problematic with a medical issue people find scary. So, this is no small matter, and you must deal with it aggressively. We wish you well. * * *

Dear J.T. & Dale: I get a lot of requests from recruiters on LinkedIn pitching me job openings that aren’t a match for my skillset. It’s annoying. How do I make it stop? – Chris

J.T.: While you can take steps to keyword optimize your LinkedIn profile so you show up in the search results of recruiters looking for your skillsets, there’s no easy way to get recruiters to stop sending you unsolicited jobs that aren’t a match. In short, LinkedIn is a free platform, so you get what you pay for. Simply ignore the Emails –you don’t need to respond.

DALE: That makes sense, although you might want to use those Emails as career research. You’re getting them because the openings have some overlap with your skillset. You might start thinking about how your skills fit other jobs, and perhaps start to see new possibilities for career growth. Or, if you’re not interested in expanding your career possibilities, you could simply use the Emails as research into who is hiring – what types of companies, in which industries.

* * *

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am getting married next June. My future spouse and I plan to move across the country right after. What’s the best way to get a job before you move someplace? – Kaylene

J.T.: I always encourage people who are relocating to make a list of companies that hire for their skillsets, and start networking with people who work there via LinkedIn. Send them a note letting them know you are relocating by June and would love their advice on how to stand out in their firm’s hiring process. Often times, when people hear you are relocating, they are willing to introduce you to the recruiting team or HR department so you can at least get on their radar.

* * *

Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a career coach and the founder of workitdaily.com. Dale Dauten is the founder of The Innovators’ Lab, a business consultant and author. To send questions, visit questions to jtanddale.com.

START UPS

THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES WERE RECENTLY ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF INCORPORATION UNDER ONTARIO’S BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT:

• A Takhar Dentistry Professional Corp.

• Ace Fresh Foods Inc.

• AIK Management Services Inc.

• All Ontario Contractors Inc.

• Angela Bell Veterinary Medicine Professional Corp.

• Ashney Consulting Services Inc.

• Asireddy Karnakar Tech & Solutions Inc.

• Baker Tilly Windsor Wealth Inc.

• Bell Fife Veterinary Medicine Professional Corp.

• Bn3 Capital Holdings Inc.

• Boismier Financial Services Corp.

• Bordercitycleaning Inc

• Bouma Builders Inc.

• C. Clark Veterinary Medicine Professional Corp.

• Cenic Trade Enterprise Inc.

• Cookie Bar Inc.

• Creative Custom Fab Inc.

• Damaschino Consulting Services Inc.

• Faridi & Associates Services Inc.

• First Step Behaviour Consulting Inc.

• Foodieboost Inc.

• G N C Create Of Ontario's Inc.

• Gabriele Media Holdings Ltd.

• Global Cycling Solutions Inc.

• Harmony Nursing &

Homecare Services Inc.

• Industrial Next (Canada) Ltd.

• J&J Capital Holdings Inc.

• Ji Property Solutions Inc.

• JSRK Solutions Inc.

• KD Monk Investment Corp.

• Kent

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Spring cleaning for small business should be done

Whether it’s a year where something we once knew as “normal” was part of our reality, or during an unprecedented and unimaginable year of a global pandemic, the abiding management question for all small business owners is always valid: “What’s the best use of my time right now?”

December is the only month where two powerful imperatives converge against a hard stop, each demanding a full measure of your

time, attention and resources: The perennial push to close out the sales year as strongly as possible, while simultaneously taking steps to set the business up for a fast and clean start when the New Year dawns.

Pardon the football metaphor, but in the marketplace game, your business plays all year. December is the two-minute drill of your fourth quarter. And in this tight transition period, fierce competition for precious time and

resources requires discipline and devotion to fundamentals.

Our grandmothers practiced the fundamentals of spring cleaning when the weather broke warm. In the marketplace, in order to kick off the New Year right, your spring cleaning should happen before then. There are many targets for a business’s December cleaning, but here are four important ones to get you started:

Throw stuff away. Even if

you’re not a packrat like me, you’ve accumulated stuff you don’t use anymore. Unused or broken computers, monitors, et cetera may have some value, so call a tech recycler and convert them into cash. Regardless of what it is, if you can’t sell it or give it away, throw it away because it’s in your way.

Empower producers – cut the dead wood. Year-end is a good time to take stock of employees who’ve demonstrated leadership

and engagement. Recognizing the performance of those individuals now will motivate them to a fast start in the New Year. By definition, identifying those who perform shines a light on those who don’t.

The only thing worse than firing someone is letting an unproductive employee hold your team’s performance hostage for another year. You owe productive people the most effective organization possible, which means letting the unproductive pursue their careers elsewhere. Classify customers. Classify customers into four groups by gross profit, from the most profitable As to the least profitable Ds. Worship the As, cater to the Bs, encourage the Cs, and teach the Ds how to serve themselves. If any customer’s expectations encroach too much on your profit margin, allow them to join your unproductive employees – elsewhere. That’s right. You may have to fire a customer.

Purge inventory. As with customers, take a new look at your products and inventory by identifying the most profitable As to the least profitable Ds. Stock all the As, a few of the Bs, and maybe a couple of Cs. But never let a D spend one night under your roof unless it’s paid for. Remember, profitable inventory management means just-in-time, not just-incase. And write off obsolete and damaged inventory. Take the hit now.

A/R reality. Take another hit by writing off uncollectable accounts receivables now, so you can start January with a clean list. The only thing more troubling to a banker than your uncollected A/R is when you don’t demonstrate the discipline to deliver a clean and accurate balance sheet.

Each New Year deserves to have the maximum opportunity to be successful, so don’t saddle it with last year’s obsolescence, waste and bad decisions.

Write this on a rock: Have the discipline to set up your New Year for a clean and fast start, while pushing the current year over the goal line.

Jim Blasingame is the author of

3rd Ingredient, the Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed . Visit smallbusinessadvocate.com.