panorama winter09

8/14/2019 Panorama Winter09

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PANORAMAmagazine

www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca

T h e V o i c e o H a m i l t o n B u s i n e s s

ebruary/march 2009

The People

QuotientRecruit and retainthe right teamInspire your employees

Laura Markey and Bay Gardensrethink the funeral business

PLUS:Marketing 101shout loud in tough times

$3.95 CAN


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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009 | PANORAMA

On the cover: Laura Markey, Bay Gardens marketing director,

in the companys new high end hotel-like funeral home.

Photograph by Daniel Banko

eb rua r y /march2009

eatures

9 The people puzzle

The right team + the right ground rules = success

1 Luxe life celebrationsBay Gardens has a new take on an old tradition

19 Fire up your teamThree local organizations share their secrets or success

5 Presidents message

6 Editors message7 Chamber updates8 News11 Hamilton Economic Summit12 The real deal with Neil15 Diversity in the workplace16 Market perspective18 Making the case22 In the loop24 From the rootop25 Upcoming events26 Around Hamilton

departments

contents

T h e V o i c e o H a m i l t o n B u s i n e s s


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4 PANORAMA | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009

THE HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCEVoiceoHamiltonBusiness

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:TylerMacLeod,DundeeSecuritiesCorp.

President Elect:RuthLiebersbach,HamiltonBulldogsHockeyClub

Vice President:RichardKoroscil,HamiltonInternationalAirport

Treasurer:PaulGibel,MacGillivrayPartners

Director at Large:MikeFoley,TrinityDevelopmentGroupInc.

Secretary:JohnDolbec,HamiltonChamberoCommerce

Past President:LenFalco,LCMAssociates

DIRECTORSMoniqueBiancucci,ArcelorMittalDoascoInc.

SuzanneCarpenter,CorusRadioHamilton

NeilDring,GrandRiverSachem

AndrewFurgal,BMOBankoMontreal

PeterIpema,NewaltaIndustrialServicesInc.

JohnKnechtel,BickFinancial

NickMarkettos,McMasterUniversity

WilliamOates,WilliamOatesCharteredAccountant

KimPiper,CBRichardEllisLtd.

DemetriusTsaaridis,SteelcareInc.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Ambassadors Club:JillGenno,RogersTVListings

Ancaster Division:JohnKnechtel,BickFinancial

Business Development:JayHiggins,BeauMondeProductions

Chamber Connections:NormGrey,W.NormanGreyConsulting

Community Development Committee:AureliaTokaci,SISO

Settlement&IntegrationServiceOrganization

Dundas Division:WilliamOates,WilliamOatesCharteredAccountant

Glanbrook Division:NeilDring,GrandRiverSachem

Government Affairs:JudiPartridge,CorporateCommunityRelations

Human Resources:RosanneLasowski,ArcelorMittalDoascoInc.

Past Presidents Council:LenFalco,LCMAssociates

Science, Technology & Innovation:PaulLakin,KPMG

Transportation:DanRodrigues,LittleGreenTreeLtd.ADMINISTRATIONJohnDolbec,ChieExecutiveOcer

CarlAlexis,NetworkSystemsAdministrator

RichardAllen,HamiltonEconomicSummitSecretariat

DonCrossley,GeneralManager,Sales&Marketing

PatriciaDieryck,EventsAdministrator

BeverleyFehrman,AdvertisingManager

LauraJackson,CommunicationsCoordinator

KarenHall,OceManager

CaseyJohnson,PublicPolicyConsultant

Jo-AnnOrth,Manager,SpecialEvents&Promotions

DarleneSchroder,MembershipSale&ServicesCoordinator

DianeStephenson,MemberSupportServices

JanWatts,Controller,G.M.Administration

PANORAMA MAGAZINEPublishedbyLittleGreenTreeLtd.inco-operationwith

TheHamiltonChamberoCommerce555BayStreetNorth,Hamilton,ONL8L1H1

Tel:(905)522-1151Fax:(905)522-1154E-mail:[email protected]

Website:www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca

Printing:ImpressionsPrinting

Little Green Tree Ltd.

Publisher:DanielBankoEditor:LauraJackson,HamiltonChamberoCommerce

Associate Editor:MarieVerdun

Creative Director:AliKhamis

Art Director:LynnBrenner

Photography:BankoPhotographic

Vice President of Sales & Marketing:DanielRodrigues

Sales Associates:DavidBanko,KimberlyHoover

PanoramaMagazineispublishedbi-monthlyonForestryStewardshipCouncilApprovedPaper.

Nopartothismagazinemaybereproducedwithout

priorwrittenpermissionothepublisher.

Copyright2009LittleGreenTreeLtd.

10%

Cert no. SGS-COC-005381


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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009 | PANORAMA 5

TheworkoyourChamberneverseemstobedone.Wehavebeenbusy

andIcannotbelievethedepthoissueswetackle.

Wevehadrecentpolicyrecommendationsthatdealwith:thewaterront;the

transportationmasterplan;developmentees;labourissuesandpublictransit.The

ChamberhasalsothrownitshatintheringsupportingthediscussionsonnoincreasesinEIpremiums,accelerationo

corporateincometaxes,anincreaseinbasicpersonalexemptionsortaxes,

HarmonizationoGST\PST,tangibleinrastructureinvestmentlocallyandred

tapereductioningovernment.Wehave

beencalledupontopresentourviewsotheeconomyandupdatesonthebusiness

environmenttocouncil.Wesuppliedourmunicipalandprovincialpoliticianswith

businessclimatesurveydatathatwasreadilyapplaudedanddeemedexceedingly

helpulbyourelectedocialsthosesameocialsthatwecontinuetobuildrelationshipswith,sometimesonpolite

butcleardisagreement.YourChamberhasmetwiththeprovincialnance

minister,ourlocalmemberotheederalConservativegovernment,thepremier

andlocalmembersotheOntarioLiberalparty.Wealsohaveregularmeetingswiththemayorandmembersocouncil.

Thisabbreviatedlistrepresentsthelast

ewmonths,withmuchthankstoallourcommitteevolunteerswhohavehelped

toachievesucharobustportoliooaccomplishments.Ocourse,nothingcanbedonewithoutthesupportotheBoard

oDirectors.Thankyou.

Butwhy?WhydoestheChamberworksohardandfourishinitstravails?Because

businessisimportant.Anditsnotjustimportant,itistheeconomy.Idonot

wanttowaxpoeticorgettoophilosophical,butsometimeswehavetomoveto30,000eetoreven

100,000eettoactuallygetbacktothegroundlevel.

Iabusinessdoesnotexist,itpaysnotaxes.Given.Moretothepoint,itwould

employnoone.Clear.Andinoonehadajobthentaxeswouldntbepaid

becausetherewouldntbeanincome(otherthanthoseluckyewwhoinheritwealth).Simple.

SoImalwaysbafedwhengovernments,

organizationsorpeoplewholobbyorpoliciesandregulationsstifeandintentionallyimpedeethicalbusiness

growth,andthenactshockedwhenthereisnomoneyinthecoers.Thisisnot

theshockedattitudeothepreectinCasablanca,whoreallydidunderstandthe

criminalelementcirclingaroundhim.No,

itisalackounderstandingo,ontheonehandaseeminglycomplex,interconnected

socialsystemorontheother,aprettysimpleconcept.Eitherway,somejust

dontgetit.Themoneycomesromusbusinessesandthosepeople

employedbysaidbusinesses.Thisholdstrueoralllevelsogovernment.UntiltheUnitedStates,AlbertaorMississaugastart

topayourbills,Iwouldsayitisprettyimportantthattaxesarecollected.The

ChamberanditsmembersunderstandthisIdonotknowwhyitprovessodastardly

elusivetosome.

Everyonewantsawealthy,prosperous

communitythatoerssocialprogramsandculturalandrecreational

opportunities.Hamiltonstrivesorthisideal,butsometimesailstoprioritize.

(CuetheChamber!)

ThisiswhytheChamberexists,to

speakonyourbehal.Asamatteroact,notwithstandingthecurrentrecession,

yourchambercontinuestogrow,withnetmembershipup4%yearoveryear.Thisis

dueinlargeparttotheactthatourmembersagreeononesimplethingno

onlydobusinessesneedavoice,theyneedonethatispowerul...yourChamberoCommerce.Congratulations,itsworking.

Thanksandcheers.

Business, the

cornerstoneor sucess

presidents message

TylerMacLeod,DundeeSecurities

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editors message

Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytointroducemysel.MynameisLauraJacksonandIrecentlyjoinedtheteamat

theHamiltonChamberoCommerceas

CommunicationsCoordinatorandEditor.AlthoughIamstillrelativelynewtotheChamber,Ieelveryortunatetohave

theopportunitytoworkorsuchanimportantandworthwhileorganization.Iamespeciallythrilledabouttheactthat

IwillbeabletoworkalongsidesomanyoHamiltonsprominentbusinesspeople.

ThroughmyroleattheChamber,Iamable

togaininsightintoHamiltonsdynamicbusinesscommunity.Hamiltonbusinessesarecomprisedosomanyknowledgeable

andexperiencedpeople,andthroughtheChamberspublications,Ilookorwardto

sharingsomeothisknowledgewithyou.

AttheHamiltonChamberoCommerce,weprideourselvesontheactthatweareabletoassistourmembersin

achievingoptimumbusinessexposure.Panorama Magazineisonewaythatwe

canhelpyoutoshowcaseyourbusinesstonearly2,000othermembers.Inevery

issue,wewilleaturedierentmembers

throughourbusinessproles,whichare

basedonthethemesthatwehaveselectedoreachissue.

OurocusorFebruary/Marchis

HumanResources.AterspeakingwithaewoourmemberswhospecializeinHumanResourcesinHamilton,Ilearned

theresnobettertimethannoworbusinessestoocusontheirworkplaceculture;especiallyduringthistimeo

economicuncertainty.

Inaworldwheretechnologyischangingthewaysinwhichwecommunicate,its

sometimeseasytoorgetthatpeoplestillremainattheorerontonearlyeverybusiness.Andwithoutthem,our

businesseswouldntexist.

WehopeyouenjoytheFebruary/MarchissueoPanoramaMagazine.Iyouhave

anystoryideasorothernewsyouwouldliketosharewithyourellowmembers,pleaseeelreetocontactme.

Sharing

knowledge.Connectingmembers.

LauraJackson,TheHamiltonChamberoCommerce

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Canadian & OntarioChamber o Commerce updates

An excerpt rom the presentation to the OttawaEconomics: Pre-budget Event on Budget 2009

January 15, 2009From Perrin Beatty, president & CEO of the Canadian

Chamber of Commerce

IntheCanadianChambersview,the2009BudgetneedstobebasedonrealisticassumptionsaboutCanadaseconomic

perormanceandprovidescalstimulusthatistimely,targeted,temporaryandcost-eective.Itmustalsoocusonmeasures

thatnotonlystimulatetheeconomynow,butalsolaytheoundationorlong-termgrowth.

Thegovernmentmustnotbeindenialabouttherecessionsseriousness.Certainlytherearemeasuresthatitshould

undertakeintheshortterm.Butitalsoneedstoconveythe

condencethatthingswillgetbetter,andmakeitclearthatthemeasureswetaketorespondtothecrisistodaywillhelp

usbemoresuccessultomorrow.

A Canada-U.S. Agenda For a New AdministrationJanuary 16, 2009TheCanadianChamberoCommercebelievesthatthere-electedGovernmentoCanadaandthenewU.S.

Administrationnowhaveanopportunitytoreinvigoratetheirlong-standingpartnershipwhilestrengtheningtheirphysical

andeconomicsecurity.

Closercollaborationshouldaddresstheeconomicdownturn,

theglobalnancialcrisis,acknowledgeoursystemicintegration,increaseCanada-U.S.security,acilitateourintegrated

manuacturingsupplychains(andthe10millionjobstheysupport),secureourmutualenergysupply,andcreateanenvironmentconducivetoinnovation;uellingutureprosperity

orourchildren.

Theullreportcanbeviewedathttp://www.chamber.ca/article.asp?id=3

chamber updates

2009 Business Climate Survey: Members areoptimistic about economy Ananalysisothe2009OntarioBusinessClimateSurveyreveals

thatrespondentsareconcernedabouttheOntarioeconomy,butbelievetheprovincialgovernmentshouldprovidetaxationand

regulatoryrelieinordertohelpbusinessweatherthestorm.

Whileover80percentexpecttheperormanceotheOntario

economytobesomewhatormuchweakerin2009thanin2008amajorityorespondentsarearmoreoptimisticaboutthe

utureotheirowncompanies,with55percentbelievingthattheywillperormthesameorbetternextyear.

OCC moving orward in IndiaForeignmarketspresentenormousbusinessopportunitiesorOntariocompanies.OneothosekeymarketsortheOntario

ChamberoCommerce(OCC)isIndia.TheOCCisorganizingatrademissiontoIndiabetweentheend

oMarchandthebeginningoApril2009,or10to15companies.Inadditiontoallowingpeopletheopportunitytobemore

currentabouttheavailableopportunities,thistrademissionwillocusonIndiasenergyandinrastructuresectors.

Forqualiyingcompanies,theOCCwillbeabletoassistwiththecostunderExportMarketAccess,its50/50costsharinggrant

program.Moreinoisavailableat:http://www.exportaccess.ca

Sales tax reorm aids consumers, governmentand business: Report, January 22, 2009

SupportersarerallyingbehindacomprehensivereportonsalestaxreorminOntario,asoneothemosteectivewaystocombattheeconomicchallengesacingtheprovince.

PreparedortheOntarioChamberoCommerce,thereportdemonstratesthatOntariohouseholds,businessesand

governmentwillallbenetromreormoOntariossalestax.

ThereportwasreleasedinTorontoandothercommunities

throughouttheprovince.Itcanbeoundathttp://occ.on.ca/Policy/Reports/441


8/28


News rom our members

news

First o its kindTheHamiltonPortAuthoritylauncheditsshortseashippinginitiativewithadedicatedcontainereedervesselboundorIndia

andPakistanviatheMontrealGatewayTerminal.Thisirstoits

kindshipmentmarksasigniicantstepintheadvancementoGreatLakesshortseashippingthroughthedevelopmentoviablecontainereederserviceslinkingwithbothHaliaxandMontreal.Shortseashipping,asigniicantcomponenttogoodsmovement

throughoutEurope,provideslong-termsustainabilityortheSeaway.

LaunchTheDunhamGroupispleasedtoannouncethelaunchoanew

ITServicesdivisionandtheappointmentoJeremyMcMastertothepositionoDirector-ITServices.Jeremyhasmorethan

10yearsexperienceandhasheldseniorpositionsatboth

InterlynxandDependableIT.

AnnouncementOnWednesday,December17th,MetrolinxannouncedthelargestcooperativebuspurchaseinOntariohistory.Thismeans

thattherewillbeasmanyas160newbusesprovidingservicetomunicipalitiesacrossOntario.

AppointmentsHamiltonCityCouncilestablishedtheEconomicDevelopment

AdvisoryCommitteeonJune11th,2008andseveralHamiltonChamberoCommercemembershavesincebeenappointed

toit.

AppointedChambermembersare:

MarkChamberlain-Trivaris,ChairoAdvisoryCommitteeMaryLynnWest-Moynes-MohawkCollege

RichardKoroscil-HamiltonInternationalAirportJuergenSchachler-ArcelorMittalDoasco

TylerMacLeod-HamiltonChamberoCommerceVacant-HamiltonHealthSciencesSydHamber-DTZBarnicke

CarolynMilne-HamiltonCommunityFoundationMoElbestawi-McMasterUniversity

JeremyFreiburger-HamiltonCommunityFoundationBruceWood(Pres/CEOorAlternate)-HamiltonPortAuthori

Congratulations toMaritaZairohasbeenawarded2008CanadianCitizenothe

YearbytheSonsoItaly.Marita,whoispresidentandCEOoMarcheseHealthCareisrecognizedorhercontributionsovertheyearsbothproessionallyandsocially.

PeterMcCannoPeterMcCannCorporateConsultingrecently

launchedanewbooktitledTurnarounds:Brains,Guts&Stamina.HisbookoersadviceromCEOsandconsultants,basedon

researchandexperiencewithprivatelyheldcompaniesinCanada,USA,BritainandFinland.PeterMcCannisaCEO,ManagementConsultant,CorporateDirectorandauthoro

StrategyandBusinessPlanningoPrivatelyHeldCompanies.

LaurelMartinandMikeMartin,principlesoSkywayLieInsuranceinHamilton,theexclusivelocalplanagencyorthe

ChambersoCommerceGroupInsuranceplan,receivednationrecognitionorhavingthehighestpercentageoreturningcustomersyear-over-year.Thisisthethirdconsecutiveyearina

rowthatSkywayhasreceivedthisawardinitsclassnationally.

ChamberlainArchitectServicesLimitediscelebrating30yearsinbusiness.

OnThursday,January22nd,theMohawkCollegeAlumniAssociationhosteditsannualAlumnioDistinctionAwards

dinner.Thisyear,CathyWellwoodwastherecipientothe2008AlumnioDistinctionAwardintheBusinesscategory.Cathys

nominationpackageoutlinedherinvolvementwiththeHamiltoChamberoCommerce.

ZoomZoomsIndoorPlaygroundinAncasterhasjust

celebrateditsoneyearanniversary.


9/28


eature

WrittenbyLauraJacksonPhotographybyDanielBanko

PerceptionhasitthatonlycompanieswithmanyemployeesrequireHRprocessesandpolicies.But

HumanResourceexpertssaythisisnttrue.Iabusinesshasemployees,itshouldhaveHRstrategies

inplace.

Alotocompaniesgrowquicklyandtheydonthaveasystem

inplace.Andtheyllusuallyexperienceaproblembeoretheygetawakeupcall,saidLenFalco,presidentoLCMASSOCIATES.

Butthisdoesntnecessarilymeanthatyouneedtohavea

comprehensivepolicybook.Itsenoughtodevelopsomegroundrules,headded.AnHRconsultantcaneducateyouonwhatyourresponsibilitiesareasanemployerandhelpyouimplement

policies.

Andyourdecisiontohireeitheraconsultantorapaidemployeewilldependonthenatureoyourbusinessandthesizeoyour

sta.HRconsultantsareotenhiredonaperprojectbasis;however,theaveragecostinHamiltonisbetween$100and$150perhour.

WithappropriateHRpoliciesinplace,youcansaveyourbusinessmoneybypreventingmajorproblemsandlegalissues,

saidFalco.Butasideromlegalissues,therearemanyothercoststhatcanariseasaresultopoorHRplanning.Manybusinesses

makethemistakeohiringemployeeswhodontitintothecultureotheirorganizationacommonmisstepwhenthereisasuddenneedtoillavacantposition.

Itsanemotionaldecisionorakneejerkreactionwherean

employerdoesnttakethetimetogothroughtheprocessproperlytoensuretheyaregettingtherightcandidate,said

Falco.

Thekeyisjobitandcultureit.Hiringexcellentpeopleis

aboutmuchmorethanexcellentskillsets,saidGayMiller,vice-presidentoThePartnerFirm.

Itisimportanttostructureapositionsothatthegoalsareclea

andemployeesarechallengedbytheirwork.Youneedtocreateanenvironmentthatpeoplewanttoworkin,sheadded.

The

Combine clear HR strategies and the rightteam members or success

PEOPLEPUZZLE


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Employeeswhoitthecultureoaworkplaceotenrequirelessteaching,whichtranslatesintolessday-to-daymanagement.

Whensearchingornewemployees,recruitersotenconductbehavioural

interviews.Theinterviewerwillirstensurethecandidateisqualiiedortheposition,then,throughaseriesosituationalquestions,determineitheywillittheorganizationsculture.Recruitersotenusepersonalitytestswhenmakinga

inaldecisionromashortlistocandidates.Itwopeopleareequallyqualiied,thiscouldhelptodeterminetheirabilitytoitintoyourorganizationandbea

productiveemployee,saidFalco.

However,thecurrenteconomiccrisismaymeanthatbusinessesaremoreconcernedwithtrimmingromtheirteamsratherthantoaddingtothem.But,Millerbelievesaneconomicdownturncanprovetobebeneicialorbusinesses

andorganizations.Forexample,itcanprovideanopportunitytogainanedgeovercompetitors.Businessesshouldcontinueinvestingintheirkeypeopleand

preparethemselvesortheupturn,shesaid.

Keepingemployeeshappyisonesurewayorbusinessestosavemoneyandreduceturnover.Manyemployeesaresatisiedwhentheirworkisrecognizedandappreciatedbytheiremployer.Everyoneneedsapatonthebackanditsnot

alwaysaboutmoney,saidFalco.

Employeescanbemotivatedbypromotions,lexibilityinworkschedulesorthroughinvolvementindecisionspertainingtotheirjob.

BusinessescantakeadvantageoorganizationssuchastheCanadianCentreorOccupationalHealth&Saety(CCOHS),locatedinHamilton.TheCCOHSwas

establishedin1978tohelpbusinessesandorganizationspreventinjuriesintheworkplace.

TheCCOHSisreadilyusedbybusinessesandorganizationsacrossthenation.

Lastyear,theCCOHSperson-to-personInquiriesServiceanswerednearly13,000questionsromCanadianspertainingtohealth,saetyandwell-being.AndstatisticsshowthatOntariansusedtheservicethemostat53.4percent.

Today,manybusinessesareturningtotheCCOHSormorethanhealthand

saetyinormation.Theyarealsorequestingtipsonhowtoimplementwork-liebalanceintotheirorganization.

Employeeslookormorethanjustsalaries,theylookatthebigpicture.Work-

liebalanceisbecomingincreasinglyimportanttoemployees,saidEleanorWestwood,communicationsmanageratCCOHS.

TheCCOHSisespeciallybeneicialtosmallercompaniesthatdonthavethestatoimplementproperworkplacehealthandsaetyprocedures.Andinding

accurateinormationcansometimesbeoverwhelmingorsmallbusinesses,saidWestwood.

ButexpertsagreethatHRisultimatelyaboutpeople.Sometimesinbusinesswegetcaughtupinbeingproductiveandoverlooktheactthatwearerelyingon

peopletodeliverthegoods,saidFalco.

BusinessesneedtoocusonHRandmaximizetheirinvestmentinpeople.Itsastrategictoolorleadersoorganizationsthatcanhelpthembecompetitive.I

properlyutilized,itcanimproveacompanysbottomline,saidMiller. P


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hamilton economic summi

How do we involve the next generationo leaders in advancing our communitysgoal to become one o Canadas top tencensus metropolitan areas within thenext ive years?

ThisquestionaroserepeatedlyatlastyearsinauguralHamiltonEconomicSummitacommunityinitiativeacilitatedbythe

HamiltonChamberoCommerceinpartnershipwiththeCityoHamiltonandtheJobsProsperityCollaborative.

Partotheanswerisbeing

deliveredthroughanewinitiativespearheadedbytheChamberincollaborationwithaworking

committeeoorganizationsrepresentingacrosssectiono

Hamiltonsdiverseeconomy.

OnMay7,2009,thecommittee

willhostadaylongeventatMcMasterInnovationPark

targetingapproximately250localstudentsandyoutheager

tocontributetocreatingneweconomicopportunitiesin

Hamilton.Thepurposeotheeventistoactonthesummitinspiredrecommendationthatourcommunityintroduceresh

waystoempowerindividualcitizensinprogressiveeconomicdevelopmentbasedontriplebottomlineprinciples.

TheeventsmajorgoalistoinvitelocalyoungpeopletohelpshapeHamiltonsuturethroughapplyingtheirperspectivesto

actualdevelopmentscenariosandlatersharingtheirideaswithkeydecisionmakersandthebroadercommunity.Anumbero

inormaldesigncasinvolvingsampleyoungpeoplewereheldinFebruarytoinormthenaleventprogram.

Thechallengeosuccessionplanningextendsbeyondorganizationsandnetworks.ItissomethingHamiltonmust

addressgivenitsagingpopulationandtheimportanceodevelopinganewcohortocommunityleadersthatwill

moveourcitysuccessullyorwardinthecomingdecades.

TheHamiltonEconomicSummitandtheHamiltonChamber

oCommerceextendsincereappreciationtoZachDouglas,President,McMasterInnovationPark,ormakingthisevent

possible,andtotheollowingorganizationsoractivelycontributingtooureventworkingcommittee:

ArcelorMittalDoascoHamilton-WentworthDistrictSchoolBoard

CanadianYouthBusinessFoundation

ImperialCottonCentreortheArtsEnvironmentHamiltonGoldenHorseshoeBiosciencesNetwork

McMasterUniversity

HamiltonCommunityFoundationPathEmployment

HamiltonPortAuthorityVolunteerHamilton

Hamilton-WentworthCatholicDistrictSchoolBoard

Formoreinormation,visithamiltonchamber.on.caandclick

onHamiltonEconomicSummitorcallRichardWardAllenat

905-572-0363.

TheHamiltonEconomicSummitisa

communityinitiativeacilitatedbytheHamiltonChamberoCommerceanddeliveredinpartnership

withtheCityoHamiltonandtheJobsProsperityCollaborative.Forinormation,ortogetinvolved,contactRichardWardAllenat

[email protected].

RichardWardAllen,HESSecretariat

Complementary event ocuses

on students and youth

Related NewsThesecondannualHamiltonEconomicSummit

happensonMay6,2009atthenewly-renovatedCrownePlazaHotelindowntownHamilton.Honorary

Co-Chairs:Dr.PeterGeorgeandRonFoxcrot.ContacttheHamiltonChamberoCommerceorregistrationandprogramdetails.

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NeilEverson,HamiltonEconomicDevelopment

Hamiltons economy: a

look back and aheadAn Economist is an expert who willknow more tomorrow why the things hepredicted yesterday didnt happen today.

Iwouldarguethatalthoughmanyeconomistsorecastedan

economicslowdownin2008ew,iany,envisionedthespeedandseverityotherecessionthatnowgripsthethroatothe

globaleconomy.Todaythereisnocontinent,countryorcitythat

isimmunetoitsimpacts.Whatisclearlyevidentisthatsomecountriesandcitieshavearedmuchbetterthantherest.

IsHamiltononeothosecities?Theanswertothatquestion

isaveryhesitantnoandthatsbecauseeventhoughHamiltonhasbeenaectedbyjoblossesandlayosinthe

manuacturingsector,Hamiltonisbynomeansatthebottomothepile.ComparingHamiltonsunemploymentstatistics(as

oDecember2008)toothermanuacturingcentresinOntario,ourmunicipalityremainsbelowtheOntarioaverageo7.2%(Hamiltoncurrentlysitsat6.9%)andsignicantlylessthan

London(7.2%),Kitchener(7.7%),Niagara(8.8%),Oshawa(7.8%),andWindsor(10.1%).

IwelookattheconstructionvalueotheCitystotalbuilding

permitsor2008,includingaourthquarterthatelttheweightotheglobalslowdown,Hamiltonsurprisinglysmasheditsrecord

in2007withatotalconstructionvalueoover$818millionlastyear.Therecordgrowthwasledbyourresidential,commercialandinstitutionalsectors.Whatisimportanttorememberabout

that$818millionnumberisthatitrepresentsbuildingpermitsissuedin2008whichmeansthatthesenewbuildingswillbe

completedthisyearandwillinvariablyinvolvehiringnewsta,payingtaxesandwillrequireservicestocontinueoperations.

Thereweremanyothergoodnewsstorieslastyear;storiesthatdemonstratethatHamiltonseortstodiversiyour

economyarebeingrealized.SomeothehighlightsincludeSunriseMetalsthatestablishedanewpartnershipwiththe

HamiltonPortAuthorityorshortseashippingtherebyopeningupHamiltonmadegoodstonewmarkets.Ourlocalagricultural

sectorshowedstronggrowthlastyeartothetuneoa$260millionincreaseinitsoverallcontributiontoourlocaleconomythatincreasestheannualeconomicimpactto

$1.26billioninHamilton.Thereweretwomajordevelopments

intheMcMasterInnovationPark,theannouncedrelocation

oBurlingtonbasedtechnologycompanyTrivarisandthegroundbreakingotheFederalGovernments140,000square

ootCANMETMaterialsTechnologyLaboratory.

Oneothebiggestgoodnewsstoriesin2008,andonethatwasseenacrossthecountry,wasCanadian Business MagazineratingHamiltonasthe3rdbestcityinEnglishCanadaand

the7thbestplacenationallytodobusinessin2008.Many

actorscontributedtothisrankingbutatthetopothelistarethecontinuingdiversicationooureconomy,theCityseortstoprovideseamlessonestopcustomerserviceor

businessdevelopment,anancialcommitmentbycitycounciltoeconomicdevelopment,andaneectivecommunitypartnershipwiththeJobsProsperityCollaborative.

Intermsolookingahead,thereisnodoubtthat2009willbe

oneothemostchallengingeconomicyearsthatHamiltonhasacedinovertwodecades.Unemploymentandlayos

areexpectedtospreadarbeyondthemanuacturingsector,impactingeveryaspectoourlocaleconomyromretailtoconstructiontothepublicsector.However,therestillremains

roomoroptimismin2009.TheCityhasanumberolargecommercialprojectscurrentlyinthedevelopmentpipelineon

topothemulti-milliondollarredevelopmentsotheCentreMallandtheMountainPlazaMall.Withinthenextmonth,

therewillbenewindustrialgrowthannouncedandtheCityoHamilton,alongwiththeotherlevelsogovernment,areplanningonacceleratinganumberomajorinrastructureprojectsin

ordertostimulateeconomicgrowthinourlocaleconomy.

Finally,thePlanning&EconomicDevelopmentDepartmentisworkingdiligentlytocapitalizeontherecoverythatisorecasted

ortherstorsecondquartero2010.TheseeortsincludethecompletionotheOcialPlan,thenewcomprehensiveZoning

By-Law,theEconomicDevelopmentStrategy,thecomprehensiveMarketingStrategy,andtheservicingotheGlanbrookandAncasterBusinessParks.

the real deal with neil

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eature

WrittenbyLauraJackson

PhotographybyDanielBanko

LUXElifeCELEBRATIONSBay Gardens runs with a new uneral home concept



14/28


U

pscale,hotelchicandeco-riendlyarenotexactlywhatyoudexpectromauneralhome.ButitswhatyouwillindatBayGardensnewestlocationon

HamiltonsEastMountain.

TheuneralhomeopeneditssecondlocationonRymalRoadinHamiltonlastAugust.Sittingon3-acresoland,ithasmorethan

24,000squareeetospace,makingitthecityslargestuneralhome.Inact,thereisntanyotherhomelikeitinCanada.

Theresareasonwhymembersotheuneralindustryarecomingheretotourouracility,saidLauraMarkey,marketing

directoroBayGardensFuneralHomes.

Designedtoaccommodatetheneedsandwantsolocalresidents,BayGardenshasmorethan200parkingspacesandthecapacitytoholduptosixuneralsatatime.ToensureBay

GardenswouldbeespeciallyuniquetoHamilton,itwasdesignedusingawateralltheme,asawaytorelecttheHamiltonarea,

whichhasmorethan100wateralls.

Theaward-winninginteriorothehomeeatureshigh-deinitionplasmaTVs,ireplaces,anoutdoorpatioandbeautiulurnishings,

whichalladduptoauniqueexperienceorclients.Anditwasdesignedkeepingtheenvironmentinmind,withrecycledcarpetthroughouteachroom.Thereceptionareahasatwo-story

indoorwaterall,reshloralarrangements,couchesandcourtesyumbrellasattheentrance.Uponarrival,guestsareoeredreshly

bakedcookies,coeeandspecialtyteas.

Asideromoeringstate-o-the-artacilities,BayGardensFuneralHomestrivestomeetitsclientseveryneedunderoneroo.Thehomehasbeendesignedtoaccommodatereceptions,

withtheoptionohavingcateredmealsandbeverages.Tohelpmaketheentireuneralplanningprocesseasier,BayGardens

sellsitemssuchasloralarrangements,caskets,urnsandcandles.Thehomecanalsoaccommodateuneralservicesinsidethe

chapel,whichholdsupto200people.Themodernchapel,thoughtraditionalinitspurpose,isequippedwithautomaticcurtains

andlighting,alongwithaprojectorandacamerasothatservicescanberecordedandprojectedonline.

BayGardensalsooersitsclientstheoptiontocreatealie

storyacompilationophotosandmusiconDVD.Theliestory,playedonanHDplasmaTVinsidethevisitationroom,isauniquewaytocelebratelives.Eachroomisalsoequippedto

accommodatepersonaliPodsorthoseclientswhopreertoplaytheirownselectionomusicduringvisitations.

Tohelpitsclientsthroughthegrievingprocess,BayGardensoersaBereavementProgram,whichincludesanongoing

supportgroupandonlineresources.

Asideromhelpingamilies,BayGardensisalsocommittedtothecommunity.TohelpsupportHamiltonsmanycommunitygroups,BayGardenshasallocatedaseparatemeetingspaceor

non-proitstousereeocharge.Theinvestment,estimatedat$500,000,eaturesaseparatewingwithboardrooms,washrooms

andasmallkitchenette.

Althoughtheacilityhasbeengettingalotoattention,thestaatBayGardensbelievesthattop-notchservicekeepsthembusy.

OurservicesareunparalleledinHamilton.Beginningwiththeinitialphonecallandendingwithourbereavementsupport

services,westrivetoaccommodateourclientseveryneed,saidMarkey.

Inadditiontooeringexcellentservicesandawell-designed

acility,BayGardensisalsoaordable.AccordingtoMarkey,mostpeoplearesurprisedwhentheylearnthatthepricesarecompetitivewithotheruneralhomesintheregion.

Sheadds,AlthoughBayGardenstakesaverymodernapproach

totheuneralplanningprocess,itremainscommittedtohonouringindividualtraditions.

To help support Hamiltonsmany community groups,

Bay Gardens has allocated

a separate meeting spaceor non-proits to use reeo charge

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TheHamiltonChamberoCommerceiscommittedto

reachingouttomorebusinessesandensuringthatwecontinuetosupportthechangingdemographicsoour

community.Ourgoalsistoprovidecurrentinormationandresourcestohelpourmembersstayabreastodiversity

eortsthroughoutCanada,Ontarioandinparticular,theHamiltoncommunity.

TylerMacleod,presidentotheHamiltonChamberoCommerce,advisedatapreviousbusinessleadersmeeting:

DiversityeortswithinorganizationsandbusinesseswillensurethatwearecompetitiveandallowHamiltonto

continuetobealeaderinattractingandretainingnewimmigrants.Diversityeortstodaywillallow

ustobuildonoureconomicandlabour

baseandprovideagoodpooloskilledworkers

inHamilton.

Inhisstudy,aBusinessCaseorDiversity,Dr.JereyGandzromthe

UniversityoWesternOntarionotesDiversity

canhelporganizationsidentiyandcapitalizeonopportunitiestoimproveproducts

andservices;attract,retain,motivateandutilizehumanresourceseectively;improvethequalityodecision-makingatallorganizationallevels;andreapthemanybeneitsrom

beingasociallyconsciousandprogressiveorganization.

Acompletecopyothestudycanbeoundattheollowing

link:http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/lp/lo/lswe/we/special_projects/RacismFreeInitiative/BusinessCase-e.pd.

Welookorwardtoexploringdiversityinutureissueso

Panoramaandwelcomeyourstoryideas.ContactLauraJacksonatl.jackson@hamiltonchamber.on.cawithyour

suggestions.

diversity in the workplace

Chambercommitted todiversity

P


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market perspective

MichaelCarnegie,TaylorLeibowAccountants&Advisors

Public market meltdown impact

on private-company valuationsOverthelastseveralmonths,Ihavebeenaskedbymany

entrepreneursandotherproessionaladvisorstocommentontheimpacttherecentvolatilityanddownwardtrendinpublic

companystock-marketvaluationshashadonthevalueoprivatebusinesses.

Private-marketvaluationsandpublic-companyvaluationsarecorrelated,albeit,notperectly.Valuationparametersarenot

thesameinbothsectors.Muchothedierencerelatestothe

extenttowhichuturegrowthexpectationsareincludedinthevaluationanalysis.

Therearelargeprivatebusinesseswithsustainedtrackrecordsogrowthwhosevaluesmayincludeexpectationsouturegrowth.Thevaluesosuchbusinessesmaybemoreclosely

alignedwiththepricesopublic-companystocksthanthevaluesosmallandmediumenterprises,whichoutnumberlargeprivate

companiesandaretheocusothisarticle.

Asanexample,letusconsiderCompanyA,whichislistedontheTSX.Theprice-earningsratioorCompanyAsstockis25:1.This25:1ratiomeansthatorevery$25ostockprice,there

was$1oearningspershareoverthelast12months.Thisratioimpliesthatthereturnoninvestmentorthestockholderis4%,

because$1oearningsis4%othecurrent$25stockprice.

Investorsinpublic-companystocksexpectareturnoninvestmentgreaterthan4%.Evenintodayslow-interest-rateenvironment,investorscanobtaina4%returnonaarless

riskyinvestment,suchasagovernmentbond.Itollowsthatthemarketexpectedearningstogrowtoprovideareturnon

investmentsignicantlyhigherthan4%,perhaps8%,10%,12%,ormore.

Futuregrowthexpectationsarealwaysincorporatedintopricing

mechanismsorpubliclytradedstocks.

Letusnowturnourthoughtstoaprivatecompany.Having

dealtwithmanytransactionsinvolvinginterestsinsmallandmediumprivatecompanies,Icanstatewithcondencethatitis

extremelydiculttoconvinceapurchasertoactorgrowthintoitspricingequation.

Therearetworeasonswhythisisthecase:

1. Growth ProspectsPrivatebusinessestendtobesmallerthanpubliccompanies.

Beyondtheinherentlimitedaccesstocapitalnecessarytoundgrowth,thedrivingorceogrowthistheentrepreneur.Private

companiesgenerallydonothaveaormalbusinessinrastructuretodrivegrowth.

2. Who Gets Credit or the GrowthThelackoseparationbetweenownershipandmanagementinherentinmanyprivatebusinessesindicatestoapurchaser

thatgrowth,eveniindicatedbyarevieworecentresultsooperations,needsanoutsideorcetobesustained.The

purchaserwillotenbeothemindsetthatithebusinessistogrowintheuture,itisaunctionowhatthepurchaserbrings

tothetableandnotactorswhichareinherentinthecompany.Thereore,apurchaseriswillingtopayorwhatexistsatpresentbutisnotwillingtoacknowledgeaorecastorgrowth.

Thecombinationothesetwoactorsmeansthatprivate

businessesaremostotenvaluedbasedonhistoricalresultsooperations:sometimessomeanaverageothelastthreeto

veyears;sometimesonlythelast12months.

Whengrowthiseliminatedromthevalueequation,thedierencesbetweenpubliccompanyandprivatecompanyvaluesarenoteliminatedbutarereducedtootheractorssuchasthe

higherriskassociatedwithsmaller,lessdiversiedbusinesses.

Thedeclineinstock-marketvaluesisnotsolelyattributedtoeliminationogrowthromearningsorecasts.Certainothose

issuesalsoimpactprivate-marketvaluations.Forinstance,alackonancinglimitspurchasersabilitytobuybusinesses.Thelaw

osupplyanddemanddictatethatasthedemandoracquisitiondecreases,pricesalsodecrease.

MichaelCarnegie,BComm,CACBVispartner-in-chargeothe

BusinessValuationandLitigationSupportDepartmentatTaylorLeibowAccountantsandAdvisors.Contacthimat905-645.5576.

P


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BUSINESS DINING GUIDEHamiltonishometoadiverserangeorestaurantsandconerenceacilitiesoeringuniquecuisineandworkingexperiences.Ineachissue,Panoramaispleasedtoeatureaselectionothemtohelpyouindtheperectplacetodinewithclients,

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18/28


CaseyA.Johnson,StoneCastleCommunications

Cut Your Spending During a

Recession? Are You Kidding Me?Iyoualreadyhaveathrivingbusinessandpossessthe

undamentalknowledgethatmarketingisnotanexpensebutaninvestment,youalreadyhaveanexcellentheadorbusiness

andwillnotlearnanythingnewromthisarticle.Forthoseoyouwhodont,listenup.

Assoonasthewordrecessionissaidaloud,alotopeopleimmediatelystarttopanic,creatingarippleeectthatseemsto

instantaneouslyresurrecttheantiquatedtraditionowantingto

stualloonesmoneyintoonesmattress.Thatphenomenonmaybebadnewsorsome,butnotorthekeenentrepreneurialbusinessperson.ThedreadulRwordeveryoneiswhispering

outoinherentear,reminiscentoLordVoldemortsHe-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Namedmoniker,isnotentirelyanegativeentity.Yes,someindustrieswilltakeahit.Itsinevitable.But,itisalsoa

hugeopportunityorbusinesswarriorswhoknowhowtotakeadvantageoasluggishmarket.

Its been proven that an increase inmarketing spending during a recession cangain a long-term advantage or a brand. Over

the years, research studies have conirmedthat the best strategy in terms o long-termROI is to increase marketing expenditureduring an economic slowdown ... [Reducingyour spending] may leave your brand in aless competitive position when the economyrecovers.NigelHollis,ChieGlobalAnalystorMillwardBrown

Thekeyistopromote,promoteandpromote.Whetheritsthroughmarketing,advertisingornetworking,youneedtotake

advantageotheincreasinggapsinthemarketplaceasothersstopspending.Everytimeanorganizationhaltsitsmarketingandadvertisinginitiatives,theycreateaholeorotherstodominate,

ultimatelygivingthosecompaniesmoreexposure.Withmorevisibilityandlesscompetitioninthemarket,howcanyoulose?

Youcant.

Marketingmustalwaysremainconsistentandfuid.Thinkabout

this.Howmuchleadtimedoyouneedbeoreyouactuallylanda

client?Onemonth?Three?More?Iyoustopmarketingduringa

recessionyoulosethevaluablemomentumittookyearstobuildOncethatmomentumislost,youhavetostartalloveragain,and

itcouldliterallytakemonthsandmonthstorebuild.

It is well documented that brands thatincrease advertising during a recession,when competitors are cutting back, can

improve market share and return oninvestment at lower cost than during goodeconomic times.ProessorJohnQuelch,HarvardUniversity

ThereisareasonEnglishbillionaireRichardBransonisso

successul.Hespendsonethirdohistimepromotingandmarketing.Heknowsthevalueoit.Proctor&GambleadvertisedheavilyduringtheGreatDepression,sodidIntel

inthe1990scalslowdown,andWal-Martin2000whentheeconomywasbarelymoving.

Socontinuemarketing,advertisingandnetworking.Donotstoppromotingyourbusiness,notunlessyouenjoylearninglessonsthehardway.Therearecopiousnumbersostudiesthatprovepeoplewhocontinue,inotincreasemarketingandpromotional

spendingduringscaldeceleration(betterthanusingtheRword,isntit?)havebeenabletoweathereconomicuncertainties

withargreatersuccessintheshortandlongtermthanthosewhodonot.Iyouneedanyotherproo,looktotheleaderso

industryoverthenextewmonthsandwatchwhattheydo.

Canada is relatively well placed to weatherthe current economic climate.

TheHonourableTonyClement,MinisteroIndustry,2008BusinessRoundtablewiththeFederalGovernment

Bebold,leadwithcondence,andlistentoyourcommonsense,nottheearmongeringoothers.Andwhenthemarkettakes

anupswing,asweallknowitwill,youcansaycheersromyourposhnewcondointheMediterraneanandthanktheheavensyoudidntlistentothem.

www.stonecastlecommunications.com

making the case

P


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eature

WrittenbyPaulMitchellPhotographybyDanielBanko

Inspired and engaged employees willtake your business to the next level

FIREYOUR

TEAM

UP

HumanResourcesproessionalsagreethatrecruitingandretainingsta,otenincompetitivesituations,requiresgoingbeyondbasicemploymentelements

suchaspay,beneitsandphysicalenvironment.

Theseactorsarevital,ocourse.Buttheyarentsuicientenoughtoensurethatemployeeswillremainmotivatedand

committedtotheorganizationoverthelongterm.Otherdiscretionaryactorsareneededtocreateaworkenvironment

wherepeopleeeltheywillsucceedandenjoyjobsatisaction.PanoramaspentsometimewithtwoHamiltonorganizationswithprovensuccessintheirHRpracticesandpolicies.They

sharedsomeinsightsonhowtogoaboutkeepingyouremployeeshappy.

Hamilton Health SciencesHamiltonHealthScienceswasrecentlynamedoneoCanadasTop100employersorthethirdsuccessiveyear.Thelist,

compiledbyMediaCorpCanadaInc.andeaturedinMacleansmagazine,isacatalogueobestemploymentpractices.

LouiseTaylor-Green,vicepresidentoHumanResourcesat

HHS,believestheorganizationsachievementistheresultorespondingtodissatisactionwithinitswidespreadhealthcarecommunity.Yes,dissatisactioncanbeapositiveelementi

respondedtocorrectly.

Peoplecanbecomeverycomortableintheirworkenvironmentandthatcomortcanleadtoapathy.Peopledont

challengewhethercurrentpracticesarethebestthingtodo,sheexplains.Sobeingdissatisiedwiththestatusquoisgreatnewsorus.Itshowsthatouremployeescareenough

toalwayswanttogetbetter.Iwecanmakethemeelthattheircontributionisvaluedandrecognizedinasupportive

environment,itsawinorthemanditsawinorus,shesays.

HHSsgoalistoworkwithemployeesorcontinuousimprovementinbothhealthcaredeliveryandthework

environment.Thisisnosmallorderoranorganizationonearly6,000ull-timeandmorethan3,100part-timeemployees,aswelasmorethan1,700physicianswhopractiseatitshospitalsites

acrossHamilton.

Thiscanbeachievedbyrecognizingtheuniquevalueandcontributionoallemployees,andbyprovidingtheconditionsthatallowthemtodotheirbestwork.Weplaceaveryhigh

valueoncontinuousdevelopmentandacademicpreparation,Taylor-Greensays.

Initiativestohelpemployeesimprovethemselvesincludetuitionreimbursementandavarietyolearningandexperientialopportunities.Aleadershipprogramdevelopstheskillsthatareessentialincreatingthebestenvironmentwithineachwork

group.

Diversityprogramsaredesignedtoattractandretaintalentromdierentpopulations.Anumberoinitiativescentreona

values-basedcodeoconductthatestablishesaminimumlevelobehaviouroreveryoneworkingatthehospitals.

ThreelocalbusinessleadersarecreatingawinningculturethroughHRbestpractices.(LtoR)LouiseTaylor-Green,vicepresidentohumanresourcesatHamiltonHealthSciences,BarbaraBradbury,vicepresidentatAnswerPlusInc.andKevinMarshallgeneralmanageroOldMillRestaurant.


20/28


Prideintheorganizationcantbeunderestimated,Taylor-Greensays.Itwouldbehypocriticalometosaythatwe

haveagoodculturebecausesomebodyintheexecutiveoicesaysweshould.Ithappensbecauseemployeesarecommitted

toit.

AnswerPlus Inc.BarbaraBradbury,vicepresidentatAnswerPlusInc.,hasa

surprisinganswerwhenaskedwhythe48-year-oldcallcentrehasbeensuchasuccessovertheyears.

Thecustomerdoesntcomeirst.

Ouremployeeshavetocomeirst.Weresellingaservice

andyoureonlygoingtogivegoodservicebyhavinggoodandhappypeople,shesays.Weprobablydevote70percent

ormoreoourtimeandresourcesonouremployeescoaching,training,monitoring.Itsallaboutthem.

ThecompanysabilitytoattractandretaingoodandhappypeoplewasrecognizedlastyearwhenAnswerPluswonthe

HamiltonHumanResourcesHeroAward,markingitanHRleaderwithintheHamiltonbusinesscommunity.

AnswerPlus,aull-service,24/7,inboundcallcentre

specializinginemergencyresponse,has40employeesatitsHamiltonoice,themajorityothemulltime.Thecallcentreindustrytraditionallyhashighstaturnover,butAnswerPlus

bucksthetrendbecauseoitsdedicationtoemployeeretention.

Thekeyisrecognizingthegoalsandvaluesotodaysyounger

workorcethepostBabyBoomGenerationX,andtheiryoungersiblings,GenerationY.Icanttellpeopleenough:ibecominganemployerochoiceisnotyourgoal,youarenot

goingtokeepGenXandGenYpeople,Bradburyinsists.Theywillcomein,doagreatjoboryou,theywillgiveyou

whatskillstheyhavelearned,theywilllearnwhatskillstheycangetromyoubutiyoucantkeepstimulatingthem,

iyoucantkeepchallengingthem,theywillleaveyouandgosomewhereelse,shesays.

Thebiggestkeyistokeeptheminvolvedineverythingthathappens.Youhavetogivethemperpetualeedback.

Otherwisetheydontseeautureorthemselveswithyou.PayscalesatAnswerPlusarebasedonskillsets,rather

thantenure.Becauseourclientsvarysomuch,wehave12dierentskillsets.Whenyouvemasteredone,wellmoveyouuptothenextone.Andasyoumoveupthroughthe

skillsets,youllrecognizeanincreaseinpay,Bradburysays.Stamembersarerewardedwithperormancebonuses

basedonevaluationsotheirphonecalls.Corporateawardsthatthecompanyreceivesarecelebratedwithspecialevents.

Managementandsalesmeetingsareopentoanyemployeewhowishestoattendandtheminutesarepostedorall

tosee.


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Workingatacallcentrecanbestressul,soAnswerPlushasbeenknowntobringinamassagetherapistonparticularly

hecticdays.IthasalsosetasideitsownTranquilityBase,aquietroomwhereemployeescanrelievestress.

Itsallpartolookingaterourpeople.Weeelamoralobligationtobedoingthis.Itsotenthelittlethingsthat

makethedierence.

Old Mill RestaurantWhilemostouswereshiveringthroughtheJanuarycold

snap,18seniorstaersandmanagementatAncastersOldMillRestaurantwereenjoyingthesunnyclimateoPuntaCana,aresortintheDominicanRepublic.

TheywerethereasguestsotheOldMill,continuinga

seven-yeartraditionattherestauranttorecognizethecontributionsoitskeyemployeeswithapaidvacation.

Thepeoplewhoareonvacationareallpeoplewhohavebeenwithusulltimeormorethanayear.Itsjustaholiday.Wedontgodownthereorshoptalk,saysKevinMarshall,

theOldMillsgeneralmanager.

Inpreviousyears,theseniorstaers,includingitsches,maitredsandheadbartender,havetakencruisesandvisited

LasVegasandJamaicaduringtheslowperiodaterthehecticholidayseasonwhentherestaurantisopenonlyonweekends.

NotthatotherstaareorgottenattheOldMill,which

has50ull-timeand75part-timeemployees.Theyallenjoycompany-sponsoredChristmasandsummerpartiesand,

perhapsmostimportant,areoeredcareer-advancingopportunities.

Staretentionisamajorobjective.Trainingisverycostlyandtimeconsumingsoyouwanttokeepyourpeople.You

wantexperiencedpeoplewhoknowyourproductandcanprovidebetterservicetoyourclients,Marshallsays.

Employeesreceiveaulltrainingpackagewhentheycomeonsiteandwemakeopportunitiesavailabletostawhowishtoprogress.Itheresawaiterwhosknowledgeableabout

wineandwantstobecomeasommelier,wellpayorhisschooling.

TheOldMillalsosendsitschestospendamonthattheFat

Duck,athree-Michelin-starrestaurantjustoutsideoLondon,England.ThecompanycoverstheirroomandboardsotheycanbringtheirinternationalexperiencebacktoAncaster.

Andwehaveaverypositiveworkenvironment,Marshallsays.Wehaveacoregroupopeoplewhoareverypositive

andriendly.Theyhelpinluencesimilarpeopleastheycomeintothecompany. P


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in the loop

Get more out o your

Chamber membership

Ancaster:BarryReid,ChairothenewAncasterBIA,spokeatAncastersDecembermeeting.

TheDivisionisworkingdiligentlywiththeGovernmentAairs

CommitteetoinalizetheManyCommunities,OneEconomypolicy.TheDivisionisalsogearinguportheirCitizenotheYear

andYouthVolunteerotheYearawardsdinner.

Business Development:TheWaterrontTaskForcehassubmittedtheinalversionotheirpolicyregardingWaterrontdevelopmenttotheChambersBoardandwillbepresentingittotheCityoHamilton.

TheCommitteesBrownieldRedevelopmentpolicyisbeing

updatedorconsiderationattheOntarioChamberoCommercesAGM.

NewpoliciesonSmallBusinessEncouragementandFunding,

DowntownRevitalization,andtheShrinkingManuacturingSector&ProductivityGapwillbedevelopedorconsideration

attheOCCAGMaswell.

Community Development:TheCommitteeislookingathealthcareandLHINinitiatives.

LHINisexpectedtopresentaninormationalpresentationtothecommitteeinthebeginningo2009.TheCommitteeis

alsodiligentlyworkingonitsArtsandEntertainmentinitiativetobringtheartscommunitytogethertoenhanceHamiltons

culturalproile.

Dundas:PoliceSuperintendentKenBondspokeattheDivisions

Decembermeeting.

TheDivisionisalsogearinguportheirCitizenandYouth

VolunteerotheYearawardsdinner.TheDivisionisalsolookingorwardtoanothersuccessulSeniorsDayevent,aswellas

continuingtoparticipateontheDundasTourismRoundtable.

Government Aairs:TheCommitteehasinalizedtheManyCommunities,OneEconomypolicy,whilealsocreatingnewpoliciesintheareaso:CouncilGovernance;aNewDealorCities;andAreaRating.

Human Resources:TheCommitteewillbecratingapolicyonundingtoaddressWorkorceQuality,Education&QuantityandShortages.

IssuestheCommitteeislookingatinclude:changestoWSIB;

thenewServiceDeliveryModel;PreventionchangestoH&SAssociations;OccupationalDisease;ExperienceRating;andClaimsPersistency.

Science, Tech & Innovation:TheCommitteewillbelookingintocratingapolicyon

Research&Commercialization.TheCommitteesInnovatorsProjectismovingalongverynicelyandtheyareexpectedtoplayasupportingroleintheHamiltonScienceFairthisyear.

TheirJanuarymeetingwasheldattheGoldenHorseshoe

BiosciencesNetworkoicesatMcMasterUniversity.

Transportation:GuestSpeakerPaulKerry,AreaManager,CorporateBusiness

DevelopmentoCanadianPaciicRailwayspokeattheCommitteesJanuarymeeting.

Newsubcommitteesinclude:IntegratedIntermodalTransportationGateway

Strategy/SOGCAirportdevelopment

TransportationMasterPlanLightRail

TheCommitteewillbeupdatingpoliciesonDARTSandMarineTransportation.ThelatterwillbepresentedattheOCCsAGM.


23/28

in hamiltonWhetheryourelookingoranexceptionalproessional,anoutstandingservice,orauniqueexperienceoremployeesorclients,

youllinditIn Hamilton.PanoramaMagazineispleasedtoeatureaselectewoHamiltonsbest.


24/28


Employment InsuranceInoursubmissionstotheEICommissioner,weadvocated

ornoincreasesinEIPremiumsinlightothesoteningeconomyandhigherunemploymentratesprojectedor2009.OnNovember14,2008,thegovernment

conrmedthatpremiumswouldremainunchangedin2009.ThisisawinortheChamberandotheremployer

groups,aseachone-centincreaseinEIpremiumsrepresents$11million,60percentowhichispaidby

employers.

Cutting corporate income taxAcceleratinganddeepeningthealreadyannouncedcorporateincometaxreductionsrom22.12percentto19.5percentin2008.Reducingtheraterom22.12percentin2007to15.0%in

2012willresultincumulativetaxsavingso$14.1billion.

Basic Personal ExemptionAbasicpersonalexemptionincreaserom$8,929to$9,600

in2007to2008,andto$10,100in2009.Thisrepresents$1.9billionintotaltaxsavingsinscal2007-08andanadditional$600

millionin2008/09.

Canadian Chamber o Commerce insists

government put Canadians Ahead o PoliticsOttawa, December 2, 2008InearlyDecember,TheCanadianChamberoCommerce(CCC)voiceditsconcernregardingthegovernmentsinabilitytoput

Canadiansaheadopolitics.TheboardotheCCCwasdismayedwithactionstakenbyallederalpoliticalparties.FollowingconsultationwithmembersoitsnetworkromacrossCanada,

theCCCcalleduponallpoliticalpartiestoconcentrateonthepublicinterestaboveallotherconsiderations.TheCCCurged

thatthegovernmentprepareacomprehensivestrategytobepresentedtothepublicattheearliestappropriateopportunity.

Chamber meeting with MP

OnMondayJanuary5,2009,theChambersleadershipmetwithMPDavidSweettoconveytheresultsorecentsurveys

omembersonkeyeconomicissuesaspartohispre-ederalbudgetconsultations.Particularocuswasonstrategic

inrastructureinvestmentssupportingthejobsandprosperityagenda,corporatetaxcuts,redtapereduction,harmonizing

GST/PSTandalleviatedinterprovincialtradebarriersastangiblewaysthattheederalgovernmentcouldeectivelyintervenepositivelyinourcurrenteconomiccrisis.Tangibleederal

supportandleadershiporthemanuacturingsector,particularly

theautomotiveindustrywasalsoemphasized,amongstother

itemsordiscussion.Mr.Sweetwassoimpressedwiththethoroughnessandthoughtulnessotherecommendations,particularlyonsuchshortnotice,thathestronglysuggestedthat

copiesotheminutesothismeetingbedistributedtoallelectedocialslocallyatallthreelevelsogovernment.Viewacopyo

onlineatwww.hamiltonchamber.on.ca

Waterront Development ProposalOnMonday,January12,HamiltonChamberoCommerceCEO,JohnDolbec,madeapresentationtoHamiltonCityCouncil

regardingrecommendationsordevelopmentothewaterront.Asaresult,CouncilendorsedtheChambersproposal,along

withrecommendationsromotherwaterrontstakeholders,askingstatobeguidedbytheCityWaterrontTrustPlan.Thisisamajorleapinmovingtowardswaterrontrevitalization,

whichhasbeenacoreissueortheChamberormorethantwodecades.

Withinaweekothis,theCitysPublicWorksCommitteeacceptedtheChambersrecommendationsnottoimplement

Citystarecommendationsorcertaintraccalmingmeasures,includingsomeNorthBoundstreetclosures(e.g.baySt.N.)

leadingtothewaterront.

Chamber president makes pre-budgetpresentationOnWednesday,January14,ChamberPresidentTylerMacLeodmadeapre-budgetpresentationtoCityCouncil,highlightingtheresultsoaneconomicclimatesurveyomembersconducted

inDecembero2008,whichoutlinedmemberconcernsregardingtheimpactothecurrenteconomicdownturnon

theirbusinesses.Tylerpassedonmemberrecommendationstothecitythatwillhelpbusinessescopewiththedownturn.

Recommendationsincludedinvestmentininacstructureandreductionoredtapeandtaxes.

Our frst new division in 5 years

TheHamiltonChamberoCommercewelcomesitsnewestdivisioninGlanbrook.Thisisahistoricevent,asanewdivision

otheHamiltonChamberoCommercehasnotbeencreatedsince1973.ThechairpersonortheGlanbrookDivisionisNeilDring,publisherandeditorotheGrandRiverSachem.

Chamber continues to growLastly,theHamiltonChambercontinuestogrow.Membershipis

upby4percent.

Recent Hamilton Chamber oCommerce highlights

rom the rootop


25/28


ebruary

Tuesday, February 17th8:00amto10:00amPowerulLearningSeminarCommunications

TheWaterrontCentre

Friday, February 20th7:45a.m.

WinterGamesOpportunitiesBreakastTheWaterrontCentre

Tuesday, February 24th7:30amMakingThemWork,Multi-GenerationBreakast

TheWaterrontCentre

Thursday, February 26th5:30p.m.BusinessAterBusinessCanadianRedCross

TheWaterrontCentre

CallorExhibitorsSmallBusinessShowcase(comingupinApril)

marchWednesday, March 4th5:00p.m.BusinessMeeting6:00p.m.Reception

ChambersAnnualMeetingTheWaterrontCentre

Tuesday, March 10th7:45a.m.

GoodMorningHamiltonLocationTBD

Tuesday, March 17th8:00amto10:00amPowerulLearningSeminarSales

TheWaterrontCentre

Wednesday, March 25th5:00pm

OutoArica,OutstandingBusinessAchievementAwardsMichelangelosBanquetCentre

Thursday, March 26th5:30p.m.BusinessAterBusiness

McMasterInnovationPark

aprilFriday, April 17th5:30p.m.Reception,6:30p.m.Dinner

AncasterCitizenotheYearDinnerAncasterOldMill

Tuesday, April 21st8:00amPowerulSeminarNetworking

TheWaterrontCentre

FormoreinormationonallChambereventsandto

register,visit:www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca

upcoming events


26/28

Hamilton Citizen of the Year & Youth Volunteer of the Year awards

PhotobyRoyTimm

1.TheRoyalBankCitizenotheYearAwardandtheHamiltonSpectator

YouthVolunteerotheYearAwardor2008wereannouncedatagaladinneronMonday,January23,atLIUNAStation.Fromlettorightare:RoyalBank

CitizenotheYear,Madeleine Levy;MayoroHamilton,Fred Eisenberger;

andHamiltonSpectatorYouthVolunteerotheYear,Jessica Kras.

Glanbrook Division

PhotobyTamaraBotting

TheHamiltonChamberispleasedtowelcomeitsbrandnewGlanbrook

Division.

2.PresidentandCEOoHamiltonInternationalAirportRichard Koroscil;memberservicescoordinatorortheHamiltonChamberoCommerce

Diane Stephenson,ServergraphBackupReportingandManagement

Andrew Bienhaus,barristerandsolicitorAnise Docherty,andeditor

andassociatepublisherotheGlanbrookGazetteNeil DringweresomeothosepresentonThursday,January22,whenitwasdecidedGlanbrook

businessownerswouldormaGlanbrookdivisionotheHamiltonChamber

oCommerce.

Business After Business

Over100peopleattendedJanuarysBusinessAterBusinessatMeridian

CreditUnioninAncaster.TheseChambermemberscameouttotheeventon

Thursday,January22,toparticipateinthenetworkingopportunityandtolearnmoreabouttheeventhost.

3.Standinginrontothecreditunionsvaultromlettorightare:Chris

FariasoKitestringCreativeMarketingandCommunications,KaitlinHurstoPOWERGROUPCommunicationsandLeah Frankiewiczo

POWERGROUPCommunications.

4.ThestaatMeridianCreditUnioninAncasterwerebusywelcomingallotheirgueststotheBusinessAterBusinesseventthattheyhostedonThursday,

Janaury22.Fromlettorightare: Tina Shweihat,Shernette Bentick,

Emily WhitworthandJim Dunn.

Presidents Panel

TheannualPresidentsPaneltookplaceonWednesday,December3,2008

atTheWaterrontCentre.ThesoldouteventtitledHamilton:TodayandTomorrowwaspresentedbyMacGillivrayCharteredAccountantsand

BusinessAdvisors.Threeguestspeakersoutlinedbusinesssectortrendsor2009.BelowarethethreeguestspeakersandtheHamiltonChambero

Commerceboardodirectors.

5.Fromlettoright:Richard Koroscil,Vice-President,HamiltonChamberoCommerce;Howard Shearer;PresidentandCEO,HitachiCanadaLtd.,

Aron Gampel,VicePresident&DeputyChieEconomist,Scotiabank;Ruth

Libersbach,President-Elect,HamiltonChamberoCommerce; Dr. Peter

George,President&ViceChancellor,McMasterUniversity;Paul Gibel,treasurer,HamiltonChamberoCommerce;andTyler MacLeod,President,HamiltonChamberoCommerce.

Hamilton Port Authority

OnNovember27,2008,theHamiltonPortAuthoritylauncheditsshortsea

shippinginitiativewithadedicatedcontainereedervesselboundorIndiaandPakistanviatheMontrealGatewayTerminal.

6.Photo:John Dolbec ,CEOotheHamiltonChamberoCommerce,wason

handtocelebratetheirstshipmentoitskind.

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