catch people doing things right

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BRANTFORD / BRANT COUNTY HALDIMAND / NORFOLK OXFORD COUNTY
www.BUSINESSLINKNEWSPAPER.com
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12, NOVEMBER 2010
CATCH PEOPLE DOING THINGS RIGHT
“Poor leaders only point out errors; they only catch people doing things wrong. Exceptional leaders catch people doing things right.”
BY CJ CALVERT
T
wo years ago, I was racing to a major
motivational convention. The presenter
was a world-famous speaker and there was a
chance that I would be able to get backstage
and actually meet this person. However, I found
that my digital camera had just died on me…I
wouldn’t be able to capture the moment!
I raced into a camera store and explained I needed to buy a camera on the spot for this meeting.
As we were concluding the sale, the salesman said
“You’ll need to go home and charge the batteries
for 3 hours before you can use the camera.”
I was speechless! I pointed to the demo
model in the display case and asked “Could I
please swap the battery I am buying now, with
the fully-charged battery in the demo model
we were just using?” He thought about it for
a moment and said yes. Problem solved! I was
very happy, and asked if I could please speak
to his manager.
You should have seen the look of fear in his
eyes! He asked if everything was ok, and I reassured him that I simply wanted to pay him a compliment in front of his manager. He got the manager, and the manager asked the same question! I
told the manager that this person had really gone
above and beyond to help me solve my problem. The manager breathed a sigh of relief that I
wasn’t angry, thanked me, and said “Wow…we
never get anyone complimenting us.”
As I left the store that day, it saddened and
upset me to think that most people are told
“I have never seen a man who
could do real work except
under the stimulus of encouragement and enthusiasm and
the approval of the people for
whom he is working.”
what they do WRONG, but rarely what they do
RIGHT. When a clerk is summoned to the customer service desk, it is usually to get yelled at.
When an employee is summoned to their boss’s
office, it is to discuss how they screwed up. How
often do employees get called into your boss’s
office and told “I just wanted to say what a
FANTASTIC job you’ve done on this report/presentation/project”?
One of my clients had a staff member I
interact with daily win as “Employee of the
Year”, and yet they barely mentioned it to me
in passing a month after the fact. But that same
wonderful employee would be run up the flag
pole if she made an error. One VP I know was
quoted as saying “I’m not good at giving people
compliments.” In describing the owner of a business I know, the staff said “If he says nothing,
it means you did a good job. He rarely compliments people.”
Charles Schwab said “I have never seen a man
who could do real work except under the stimulus
of encouragement and enthusiasm and the approval of the people for whom he is working.”
Poor leaders only point out errors; they only
catch people doing things wrong. Exceptional
leaders catch people doing things right. My challenge to you is to tell people them exactly what
they did right, why it helped, and that you appreciate them. Your example can shift the culture
of your entire organization, and you’ll be a better
people-leader because of it.
CJ Calvert is a motivational speaker, author
of “Living an Exceptional Life” and President
of CalvertTraining, the motivational arm of
Shepell-fgi.
COMMUNITY
BUSINESS PROFILE
SALES MOVES
Il Business Link
Wee Watch
The Pizza Philosophy
50 & Più Enasco, Istituto Di Patronato
E Di Assistenza Sociale
“…offering safe, educational and reliable services
to today’s time-strapped parents.”
What toppings do you offer? Are customers
raving about the quality of your pizza?
SPECIAL INSERT
PAGE 4
PAGE 14
PUBLISH E R
The Business Link Niagara Ltd.
13 Secord Dr., Suite #3
St. Catharines, ON L2N 1K9
Tel: 905-646-9366
Fax: 905-646-5486
email: [email protected]
www.BusinessLinkNewspaper.com
CO-PUBLIS H E R S
Jim Shields, Adam Shields
DIRECTOR OF AD V E RT I S I N G
Julie Shields
With Site Engine, you have the ability to add new pages, delete pages, post photos, add new products and change prices or other information instantaneously.
CONTRIBUTING W R I T E R S
C.J. Calvert, J. Jones, S. Leslie, N. Thornton, J. Gitomer
NO TIME FOR WEBSITES!
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distributed to approximately 8,000 businesses in the
Brantford, Brant County, Haldimand/Norfolk and Oxford
Counties via Canada Post
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Any reproduction or use of the content within this
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permission of the Publishers.
2
THE BUSINESS LINK
“Here is how you can keep your website fresh while being cost effective.”
BY JOE JONES
I
have often talked with business owners who feel
that websites are a waste of time or money.
They believe websites are required for a business;
however the time it takes to run them is not worth
the pay off.
In a physical retail store you have customers
who walk through the door just to window shop.
In many cases if you are a seasoned salesperson you can turn that customer into a sale. A
website is the same thing. Many customers will
come to your website but is your website performing like a seasoned salesperson? One of
the biggest reasons for poor performing websites is outdated content or broken links. If a
customer walked into your retail store with your
isles blocked, your stock not replenished, your
cash register not able to accept credit cards,
how likely would that customer stay and buy?
A salesperson would have no problem taking 5-
15 min on one customer to close one deal. Why
can’t we take that same amount of time on our
websites that will benefit hundreds of customers who visit the website?
“Your website should be viewed and acting like a
seasoned sales team”
Most often business owners don’t update their
website for a few reasons. They say they just can’t
find the time. They don’t know how to update
their site. They can’t afford to always pay someone to update their site. We as business owners
take pride in our products and services, and often
our website becomes an embarrassment because
we lack the resources and knowledge of how to
keep it up to par.
Here is how you can keep your website fresh
while being cost effective. Did you know that some
web design firms can build a website that allows
you to update all the content without ever having
to know how to code? If you have ever typed a
document on a computer then you already know
enough computer knowledge to be able to update
your own website.
The website system is called Site Engine and it is
extremely user friendly. Now business owners can
take their website to the next level without all the
extra baggage. Site Engine allows you to update
your website whenever you desire not when it’s
convenient for someone else. You can have all the
ability to add new pages, delete pages, post photos,
add new products and change prices or other information instantaneously. The best part about this is
that you don’t need to pay a web programmer to
update these files for you.
Symetric Productions can help you get your
website content back up to the standard you
desire. Don’t let your website suffer from out
dated content, turn your website into a seasoned salesperson. For more information please
contact Joe Jones of Symmetric Productions at
905-933-4910 or email [email protected]
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
NOVEMBER 2010
Photo credit to David Gruggen Photography
THE CLEANING HOUSE
Leading janitorial and sanitation supplier offers the ultimate in selection, service.
BY SCOTT LESLIE
The Business Link
I
t doesn’t matter if you need an industrial disinfectant or a carpet extractor—The Cleaning
House has all your cleaning bases covered.
Located on 973 Barton Street East in Hamilton, The
Cleaning House is a family-owned and operated janitorial and sanitation supplier, serving Brant, Hamilton-Wentworth, Halton and the Niagara Peninsula.
One of the largest “walk-in” janitorial and sanitation outlets in Canada, The Cleaning House has
over 16,000 square feet of space. (That includes a
2,400 square feet supply showroom and a 1,200
square feet equipment showroom.) Their retail facility boasts an outstanding selection of cleaning products and equipment—everything from chemicals,
paper products and garbage bags to dishwashers
and maintenance supplies.
According to Louis Hamel, the Owner of The
Cleaning House, respecting the environment is
NOVEMBER 2010
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
one of his firm’s biggest priorities.
“Our strength has always been green,” he says.
“We offer a complete line of green and environmentally-friendly products through Rochester-Midland’s
Enviro line. These include Eco II garbage bags that
can degrade in a landfill within twenty-four months
and high-performance Nobles auto-scrubbers that
use regular tap water instead of chemicals.”
But there’s more to The Cleaning House than just
janitorial products and equipment. They have an inhouse repair facility as well as a mobile repair unit that
can take care of all their customers’ repair needs.
“We have trained technicians that can service all makes
and models of floor machines, auto-scrubbers, dishwashers, vacuums and power washers,” Louis explains.
To help their customers get the most from their
products and equipment, The Cleaning House provides a wide variety of training seminars as well
as product brochures and videos. They also offer
WHMIS training. All their seminars can be tailored to
meet the customers’ requirements, whether they
need to train one employee or one hundred.
The Cleaning House has a long history of dedication to their customers. It all started when Louis
and his wife Karen established a contract cleaning
company back in 1972. A few years later in 1978, the
Hamels opened The Cleaning House on Kenilworth
Avenue in Hamilton. By 1983, they sold their contract
cleaning company to focus their energies on their
supply store. Karen retired from the business five
years ago but Louis continues to work closely with his
daughter, Shannon, and Sales Manager Ron Reis.
Over the years, The Cleaning House has continued
to build its reputation, not to mention its roster of
satisfied customers. For instance, The Cleaning House
is a leading sanitation product supplier for several
boards and municipalities including the City of Hamilton, Halton Public School Board and Hamilton Public
School Board. Louis says their firm continues to experience great success despite the recent recession.
“Our business has grown exponentially since the
1980s,” he says. “We’ve grown 15% per year over
the past several years.”
For over thirty-two years now, The Cleaning House
team has been providing their customers with the
ultimate in cleaning supplies, selection and service.
And they look forward to many more.
“We have over 100 years of combined experience in the business,” Louis says. “We take great
pride in offering our customers the very best in
cleaning solutions.”
973 Barton Street East, Hamilton ON
tel: 905.547.2636 • toll free: 1.800.263.8610
fax: 905.547.1984
[email protected]
www.thecleaninghouse.com
THE BUSINESS LINK
3
BUSINESS PROFILE
“WE WORK CLOSELY WITH PARENTS AND PROVIDERS TO ESTABLISH FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS AND MENUS THAT ARE
TAILORED TO A CHILD’S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.”
WEE WATCH
Licensed home child care agency offering safe, educational and reliable services to today’s time-strapped parents.
BY SCOTT LESLIE
The Business Link
M
any of today’s working families have a
hard time trying to balance a career and
still find professional caregivers to look after their
children. If you’re wondering how to get your children the personal care and attention that they deserve, Wee Watch is here to help.
Wee Watch is a licensed private home child care
agency that provides quality care for children ranging from six weeks of age to 12 years old. Through
the Wee Watch day care system, children are cared
for by fully-qualified child care providers offering full
or part time care in a warm, safe and stimulating
environment.
“Our Wee Watch Providers can give a child the
personal attention they need due to the small ratio
setting,” explains Luisa Pappert, Supervisor of Wee
Watch Enriched Home Child Care in Brantford. “We
work closely with parents and providers to establish flexible programs and menus that are tailored
to a child’s individual needs. We also offer flexible
hours including evenings, weekend and overnight
in some cases.”
4
THE BUSINESS LINK
Wee Watch operates under all provincial licensing
regulations in accordance with the Day Nurseries
Act. All their home child care providers undergo a
rigorous screening and training process to ensure
they have the proper child care skills and the ability
to provide children with a safe and educational environment. All Wee Watch providers are fully trained
a child due to illness or necessity.
In terms of their providers, Wee Watch supplies
them with ongoing training as well as various materials including manuals, activity ideas, craft supplies and other related equipment such as playpens,
strollers and high chairs. With the desire to build on
a successful model, Wee Watch developed and in-
“Securing quality child care is about offering parents
a choice. Wee Watch is committed to providing our families
with the highest level of quality care through the
Wee Watch Program.”
in first aid and CPR, and are constantly upgrading
their skills.
To ensure the highest degree of quality and
safety, Wee Watch makes regular “unscheduled”
monthly visits to a provider’s home to check that
all standards are maintained. Wee Watch will
then provide parents with a written evaluation
on how their child is progressing. Their agency
will even supply parents with a back-up provider
if the current provider is unavailable to care for
troduced an educational component – an exclusive
“play and learn” series—that grows with the child
harmoniously through to school age.
Parents can gain enormous benefits by securing a
child care provider through Wee Watch. Wee Watch
providers offer greater flexibility and convenience
for working families that have a hard time dealing
with the rigid schedule of most daycare facilities.
Their services are also remarkably affordable.
Wee Watch’s Brantford office has been providing
home child care services in the Brantford and Paris
area since 1989.
“Many of our families have been referred to our
agency through existing or previous clients that
have had a wonderful experience with Wee Watch,”
Luisa explains.
It’s a big compliment that continues to fuel
their success.
“At Wee Watch, we’re committed to supporting
a child’s emotional, social and physical well-being,”
Luisa says. “Securing quality child care is about offering parents a choice. Wee Watch is committed
to providing our families with the highest level of
quality care through the Wee Watch Program.”
For more information please call 519–758–2703
or visit www.weewatch.com.
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
NOVEMBER 2010
Sells For $1000
Opening Bid: $400
$1000 Vehicle Gift
Certificate
Receive $1000 towards the
purchase of a vehicle from
Wiley Luxury Brand Auto or
Wiley Affordable Auto
Mark Wiley
Sells For $5000
Fitness Membership
Conveniently located on Bunting Road at
Carlton (Premier Plaza), Premier Fitness is
the Niagara Peninsula’s largest and first
five-star family fitness facility. Measuring
in at 63,000 square feet, this club is one
of the new format of family-oriented
fitness complexes that Premier Fitness
is building across Canada. Premier is
the first fitness chain creating this type
of comprehensive facility specifically
catering to families and serious fitness
enthusiasts.
Opening Bid: $2740
Beyond Montessori, Private
School Tuition 2011-12
Academic Year, JK, SK,
Gr1, Gr2
Your child’s love of learning starts
here! Beyond Montessori School is
serving the Niagara Region with an
enriched Montessori program for
toddlers through early elementary.
We are committed to providing each
student with a customized education
that nurtures the whole child. Our
enriched Montessori curriculum
includes daily french, visual arts,
music, eco-workshops, drama,
dance and much more!
Beyond
Montessori
School
Sells For $240
Any shade solution that we manufacture to cover your “PATIO” area.
This item could be a FIXED PATIO
CANOPY or a RETRACTABLE AWNING using a Sunbrella material
which carries a 10 year warranty.
This could also be used toward a
3 SEASON SUNROOM or a HARD
ROOF SYSTEM. Please check out
our website for more details and
info on our products available to
cover your “PATIO” area.
$250 value good for christmas
parties, new years, birthdays,
anniversary, and take out dinner.
Everything Dom’s has to offer.
Superior Japanese engineering
starting from $30,853
Website Audit
& Competitor Analysis
Tu2s are elegant skirts for
bus bins. All Tu2s can be
customized with a logo. They
are not only fully functional
but fashionable. Designed to
be lightweight, water repellent
and quick drying. Perfect for
caterers, restaurants, halls,
hotels, wineries, spas and
much more.
Find out how your website
scores compared to your
competitor and how you can
improve its results with a
Webscan analysis.
51 Woodrush Ave., Welland ON
905-788-1616
www.imagingondemand.ca
[email protected]
Sells For $2280
Opening Bid: $912
Qicology Canada is dedicated to
helping others achieve a healthy
happy way of living. Qicology is
a wonderful blend of Qi-Kung,
Yoga and Tai Chi. Our quaint
studio is a haven for relaxation
and healthy living. We run classes
throughout the week for all levels
of students. We also provide
outstanding alternative healing
treatments.
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
QICOLOGY
CANADA
4 Secord Dr., St. Catharines ON
905-324-6680
[email protected]
www.qicology.com
Sells For $2500
Opening Bid: $1000
Blue Sapphire Necklace
14k white gold necklace set
with a 1.20 carat oval sapphire
surrounded by 1.00ct. total
weight in diamonds
Sells For $2400
Opening Bid: $960
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
2 Hour Personal Physical
Assessment: Optimize your
health by being Pro-Active!!!
A natural medicine physical
includes 2 hours of personalized
attention, ES TECK full body computerized health scan, nutritional
consulting, supplement testing,
iridology & tongue analysis,
hormonal values, mineral
deficiencies and more!
#4-205 Nebo Road, Hamilton ON
905-575-9111
[email protected]
www.keymaster.net
Sells For $250
136 James St. North, Hamilton ON
905-529-2761
www.hwilliamsjewellery.com
Complete Young ForeverTM,
Natural Medicine Physical
SW100 Power Door Operator
complete with 2 buttons, installed,
(110v AC by others)
Opening Bid: $220
1505 Upper james St., Hamilton ON
905-905-389-4500
[email protected]
www.subaruhamilton.com
23 Duke St., St. Catharines ON
905-346-0112
www.wsinetset.com
[email protected]
Confederation Park, Hamilton ON
Phone: 905-547-6141
Toll Free: 1-800-555-8775
www.conservationhamilton.ca
Sells For $550
Opening Bid: $200
Power Door Operator
6 Month Membership, 1
Massage, 20% off services
905-546-3747
[email protected]
www.hamilton.ca
Sells For $500
Bus Bin Tu2s
Package of 8
83 Church St., St. Catharines ON
905-937-0700
[email protected]
www.beyondmontessori.com
This par 72 course is viewed as
one of the true tests for even the
finest of golfers. King’s Forest
plays 7,150 yards from the championship tees and is considered
one of the premiere golf facilities
in Ontario.
NOVEMBER 2010
Opening Bid: $416
Waves, sun, waterslides and a
picnic for 100 persons at Wild
Waterworks in Confederation
Park, Hamilton. You pick the day
between June through Labour
Day. Includes pavilion for your
picnic lunch, parking for 30 cars
in Confederation Park and a
medium barbecue for you and
your guests to use. Retail price is
$2280 plus HST.
Foursome at King’s Forest
Golf Course
22 Academy St. Downtown St. Catharines
905.688.4202
483 Eastchester Ave. E. St. Catharines, ON
905.984.6884
[email protected]
www.alexanderawnings.com
Sells For $1040
Opening Bid: $600
* Price tag includes shipping and
air taxes as well as PDI, OMVIC,
administration and environmental
fees only. Taxes, licenses, options
and dealer costs are extra.
Wild Waterworks in
Confederation Park for
100 People
Opening Bid: $96
Sells For $1500
2011 Subaru Outback
Gift Certificate
366 Bunting Rd. Unit 2C, St. Catharines ON
905-935-8887
www.premierfitness.ca
Sells For $6850
Opening Bid: $100
Party Packs from Dom’s
www.wileyauto.ca
Opening Bid: $379.60
Sells For $250
Patio Canopy
www.wileyluxurybrandauto.com
Sells For $949
Opening Bid: $2000
Opening Bid: $100
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Natural Health Clinic
Sells For $2500
Opening Bid: $1000
One Hour Income Tax Review
Website Development
One hour review of your latest
personal income tax return.
Does not include re-filing of your
income tax or creation of a tax
planning strategy.
Includes creative platform look
and feel and basic operational
programming for 5 pages.
Website scripting programs such
as content management, interactive forms i.e. on line purchasing/
donations, data base collection,
etc. not included.
154 Grays Road, Stoney Creek ON
905-664-1010
[email protected]
www.theaccountingplace.net
Dr. Nance MacLeod Phd, NMD/DNM
289-669-0015
www.thewellnessdiva.org
435 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON
905 526 0067
www.albanesebranding.com
THE BUSINESS LINK
5
Sells For $820
Opening Bid: $328
Reverse Osmosis Drinking
Water System
Sells For $625
No Frills Golf Membership,
2011 Season
4 stage Goldline Reverse Osmosis
System. Delicious, healthy water
right at your kitchen faucet.
Includes: 15-18 hole rounds or
30 - 9 hole rounds or combination, 7 day playing privileges,
5 day pre-booking eligible for
all member tournaments,
handicapping.
600 Ontario St., St. Catharines ON
905-646-9624
www.aquatruewater.com
Sells For $2500
Opening Bid: $1000
Sells For $250
Sells For $1000
Opening Bid: $400
Opening Bid: $100
Sells For $2300
Super 8 Grimsby, Jr. Suite
Weekend Package
Maplewood Hall Wedding
Package
• 100% smoke free facility
• Indoor heated pool and hot tub
• Access to high speed internet
• Microwave and refrigerator
• Pet friendly
• King size bed with double
pull-out couch
• Complimentary continental
breakfast
• 2 nights
• Subject to availability
Have a wedding at Hamilton
Conservation Authority’s Maplewood Hall, a naturally beautiful
reception venue deep in the heart
of the Dundas Valley. Hall available
Friday’s only, June through August
2011 (date subject to availability).
Includes outdoor chapel, entire
Maplewood facility, available
day of reception from 8:30am to
1:30am the following day. Includes
tables and chairs only. Retail value
is $2300 plus HST.
3290 Ninth St., St. Catharines ON
1-877-ROCKWAY 905-641-1030
[email protected]
www.rockwayglen.com
11 Windward Dr., Grimsby ON
905-309-8800
[email protected]
www.super8.com
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
$1000 Office Furniture
Gift Certificate
Druxy’s, Fresh Deli
Revolution Gift Certificate
$250 Gift Certificate
We are offering $2500.00 towards
the purchase and installation of a
solar photovaltaic (PV) system over
5kW. This is a complete turn key
system including panels, inverters,
racking, installation and hookup to the electrical grid. Power
produced by the system will be
sold to the power grid at 80.2
cents per kW.
$1000 gift certificate to be
used for any new or used
furniture in store. (Certificate
has no cash value)
$250 Gift Certificate (no cash
value) for Druxy’s Fresh Deli Revolution: Since 1976 you’ve counted
on the quality and freshness of
Druxy’s Deli sandwiches. A lot has
happened in over 30 years, but
one thing remains: you can always
rely on our high standards and
great menu choice.
$250 Gift Certificate (no cash
value) for The Cheese Truckle
Marketplace: Come to the place
where it’s all about quality, featuring: Specialty Cheeses, Spices,
Herbs, Jams, Olives, Crackers,
Imported Coffees, Dressings,
Imported Prosciutto, Wide Selection of Gluten-Free Products,
Espresso Bar, Cheese Trays and
Gift Baskets.
485 Eastchester Ave. East
St. Catharines ON
905-641-4713 1-800-667-2658
www.desksplus.com
Sells For $500
Opening Bid: $200
Sells For $600
Opening Bid: $240
Opening Bid: $240
Angel Workshop, Private
Retreat for 6
Selling in 3E Sales Training
Program
Queen Size Mattress
• Sells for $500
• Can be used on a $2000 Move
or More
• Ease Your Transition to a New
Home
• Free in-home consultation
• Organizing, Sorting, Downsizing, Packing, Cleaning, Disposal
of unwanted items, Scheduling
Mover, Customized Space
Planning for your new home
Welcome to the Garden of Healing.
Come and relax, enjoy and
imagine you and 6 friends having
an afternoon of bliss. Offering a
one hour Qi-jong Class, light lunch
and an Angel Meditation / workshop all in a beautiful peaceful
atmoshere.
The Moffett Company is offering their
Selling in 3E: Expertise, Execution,
Experience sales training program. This is
a hands on program which is conducted
in a group setting giving you the ability to
learn from your peers and network. The
program is 2 half day morning sessions
that will help you make more sales. You
will be given the tools to instantly close
more deals, overcome any objection,
develop a winning presentation and
so much more. Get the edge on your
competition!
2.2 lb foam mattress. 8” high
density Soy Foam, all natural,
quilted to 2” Quilt Flex, 10 oz
Holo Fill.
Sells For $500
Opening Bid: $200
Garden of Healing
Sells For $150
282 Linwell Rd, Unit 118
St. Catharines ON
905-938-8899
Opening Bid: $60
289-795-0161
[email protected]
www.themoffettcompany.com
Sells For $5000
Opening Bid: $2000
Sells For $330
Quality Hotel Parkway
Convention Centre, 1 Night
Stay in Standard Room
Gift Certificate
Quality Hotel Parkway
Convention Centre, Sat. or
Sun. Brunch for 4
Welcome to the Quality Hotel St.
Catharines! The Quality Hotel
Parkway Convention Centre is
located minutes from downtown
St. Catharines, Seymour-Hannah
Area Sports & Entertainment Centre, historic Port Dalhousie harbor
village and the Henley Rowing
Course at Martindale Pond.
Welcome to the Quality Hotel St.
Catharines! The Quality Hotel
Parkway Convention Centre is
located minutes from downtown
St. Catharines, Seymour-Hannah
Area Sports & Entertainment Centre, historic Port Dalhousie harbor
village and the Henley Rowing
Course at Martindale Pond.
5,000 Gift Certificate to be put
towards kitchen cabinetry with
countertops. (Not redeemable for
cash. Redemption value not to
exceed $5,000. Some conditions
may apply.)
Welcome to the Quality Hotel St.
Catharines! The Quality Hotel
Parkway Convention Centre is
located minutes from downtown
St. Catharines, Seymour-Hannah
Area Sports & Entertainment Centre, historic Port Dalhousie harbor
village and the Henley Rowing
Course at Martindale Pond.
THE BUSINESS LINK
327 Ontario St., St. Catharines ON
905-688-2324
1-888-440-4023
www.heartofniagarahotels.com
443 Eastchester Ave E,
St Catharines, ON
905-684-2620
www.innovativekitchendesigns.com
Opening Bid: $559.60
50 Scott Street West, St. Catharines ON
905-685-6333
[email protected]
www.bestwaybedding.com
Quality Hotel Parkway
Convention Centre, $500
Towards Banquet
327 Ontario St., St. Catharines ON
905-688-2324
1-888-440-4023
www.heartofniagarahotels.com
Opening Bid: $100
Sells For $1399
Moving Solutions for
Seniors Certificate
Gay Douglas & Nancy Campbell
905-988-8271
www.onesourceforseniors.ca
917 Artaban Rd.,
Hamilton, ON
905-525-2181, ext. 141
www.conservationhamilton.ca
4434 Queen St., Niagara Falls
289-477-5292
[email protected]
www.thecheesetruckle.ca
4434 Queen St., Niagara Falls
www.druxys.com
Sells For $600
Opening Bid: $920
Sells For $250
Solar Photovaltaic System
1-3447 King St., Vineland ON
905-562-1426
www.informedenergysolutions.com
6
Opening Bid: $250
Opening Bid: $132
327 Ontario St., St. Catharines ON
905-688-2324
1-888-440-4023
www.heartofniagarahotels.com
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
NOVEMBER 2010
In Collab orazi one Con
ISTITUTO DI PATRONATO E DI ASSISTENZA SOCIALE
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE OF ITALIAN ORIGIN
BRANTFORD / BRANT COUNTY HALDIMAND / NORFOLK OXFORD COUNTY
www.BUSINESSLINKNEWSPAPER.com
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, NOVEMBRE 2010
50 & PIÙ ENASCO
IL VALORE DELL’ESPERIENZA
“Offre assistenza gratuita in Italia e il Mondo attraverso le porte di 800 e 1500 operatori professionisti nel campo dell’assicurazione e assistenza.”
IL PATROCINIO DI ENASCO
D
al 1967 al servizio pubblico del Enasco, ente
nazionale di assistenza sociale, i commercianti offre assistenza gratuita in Italia e il Mondo
attraverso le porte di 800 e 1500 operatori professionisti nel campo dell’assicurazione e assistenza.
In particolare, la sua attività è focalizzata prima e durante i percorsi burocratici delle pratiche
concernenti la pensione di vecchiaia di inabilità
pensione e la sopravvivenza del supplemento di
pensione o assegno di invalidità per il recupero e
l’assegno sociale beneficio di prestazioni gli invalidi civili e a scapito della Enasarco. E assiste i
lavoratori nella richiesta di prosecuzione volontaria, dell’indennizzo per la chiusura delle attività
di maternità indennità. Verificare le posizioni di
riacquisto di azioni e di assicurazione. Patronato
Enasco, infine, è un valido supporto per tutte le
controversie amministrative e legali.
Specialista di attività a favore dell’assistito per tutti
i tipi di pratica da chiedere all’INPS, per la Enasarco per
l’ASL di governo locale dell’amministrazione finanziaria.
Il Enasco ha, nel corso del tempo, specializzato
nella funzione sociale fino ad ottenere dalla sua
delegazione di società, la Confcommercio, sponsor
a trattare con protezione e assistenza al mondo
della terza età. Per una migliore promozione e la
valorizzazione del ruolo degli anziani nella società
moderna la Confcommercio ha promosso l’istituzione dell’associazione 50 & più Fenacom.
ATTIVITÀ 50&PIÙ ENASCO ALL’ESTERO
• Gli uffici 50 & PIU Enasco che attualmente lavorano
all’estero è 27, distribuiti in 7 paesi: Argentina Australia, Brasile, Canada, Belgio, Stati Uniti e Uruguay.
• i servizi offerti alla preoccupazione assistita attività Pension, Associativa l’attività e attività fiscali.
Tra le principali attività includono:
• Eventi e cerimonie di aggiudicazione—“maestri
del commercio” e “Italiani nel mondo”;
• lingua e italiano; corsi di cucina
• Università 50 & più—accordi con le università locali
• Attività turistica
Attività di servizi
In campo assicurativo, i nostri uffici forniscono assistenza con le pratiche di pensione italiana e con
quelli locali attraverso accordi o convenzioni con le
istituzioni di sicurezza sociale l’aggiunta di place.
In tutti i nostri uffici svolgono un ruolo importante
di sostegno per i nostri consolati per avere tutte le
pratiche relative alla cittadinanza.
Inoltre, da metà marzo 2009 iniziò operazione
Red stranieri che ha colpito oltre 270.000 ai nostri
concittadini.
È importante ricordare, inoltre, l’assistenza continua e
costante filo diretto che lega la direzione Centrale Enasco a tutti gli uffici esteri, collegamento che sarà sempre
più a consolidare ed estendere grazie al rafforzamento
della rete e dei servizi, la “SERVER FARM” online.
Affari fiscali
Le attività fiscali che trasportano il Enasco all’estero,
variano da paese a paese, a seconda del legislatore
e dell’organizzazione esistente.
Attività associativa
Socio del Enasco offre servizi a disposizione dei loro
compatrioti, inoltre per l’abbonamento alla rivista 50
& più e per l’assistenza fiscale, sono ricchi di iniziative
mirate soprattutto per coltivare e mantenere vivo il bisogno di appartenenza e ritornare alle radici del “Italiana”
membri stranieri spesso desiderano e cercando.
SITUAZIONE STRANIERI ANNI 2006-2010
Anno
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Uffici Num Operativa
17
18
19
22
27
Nuove aperture 2009: Argentina: Rosario; Brasile: San Paolo; 2. Australia: Victoria East Midlands,
Victoria Park, Hoxborn Park; Canada: acero
Nuove aperture 2010: Brasile: Porto Alegre, Presidente Prudente.
50 & Più Fenacom
50 & Più Fenacom. è un apolitica e apartitica, asso-
ciazione privata con più di 400.000 abbonati e ultra
trent ‘ anni di esperienza che offre protezione, assistenza e una vasta gamma di servizi e convenzioni,
oltre all’opportunità di partecipare a un’intensa vita
associativa.
Obiettivo di 50 & plus Fenacom è la difesa dei valori e dei diritti degli oltre 50, l’importanza il loro ruolo
nella società odierna e per migliorare la qualità della
loro vita. Interlocutori qualificati organi politico-istituzionali del paese concernente la sicurezza sociale e
sociale 50 & più Fenacom è diffusa su tutto il territorio
nazionale con oltre 800 uffici e il esterni.
Unire il mondo 50 & più fornisce l’occasione per
l’accesso a molti benefici attraverso la tessera associativa 50 & carta più, NATO in collaborazione
con il Monte dei Paschi di Siena e consentendo di
godere molte opportunità.
A livello internazionale, l’associazione è membro
fondatore della Fiapa (Federazione) (le associazioni
delle persone Anziane In-ternazionale), organizzazione non governativa accreditata presso le Nazioni
Unite. Anche una parte del AARP Global Network che
insieme a Danage, AARP USA e CARP Canada costituiscono il nucleo di una rete mondiale che opera per
le esigenze delle persone più di 50 paesi diversi.
La quattordicesima per le
CONCORSO 50 & PIÙ:
I VINCITORI (OTTOBRE 2010) pensioni basse
(luglio agosto 2010)
Congratulazioni a tutti!
C
ome ogni anno si è svolta a Levico Terme dal
26 settembre al 3 ottobre la XXVIII edizione del
Concorso 50 & Più Prosa, Poesia, Pittura e Fotografia
dedicato agli over 50.
Quest’anno sono stati 525 gli artisti che hanno partecipato con le proprie opere al concorso; 250 le persone che erano presenti a questa settimana “culturale”
dove tutti hanno avuto la possibilità di prendere parte
ai laboratori di scrittura creativa con il prof. Francesco
Tarquini, a quelli di poesia con il prof. Elio Pecora e a
quelli di pittura con il prof. Enrico Benaglia.
Ogni sera tanti spettacoli di vario genere: dalle
cover dei Nomadi al concerto di Fiordaliso, dal complesso Vittorio Viviani (voce) e lo Skatò Saxphone
Quartet allo spettacolo autogestito dei partecipanti.
Il momento più atteso è stato, naturalmente, quello
delle premiazioni, quando tutti i finalisti hanno ricevuto
il verdetto finale dalla prestigiosa giuria del Concorso,
composta da Maria Luisa Spaziani (poeta), Renato Minore, Riccardo Benvenuti (pittore) Arnaldo Colasanti,
Elio Pecora (scrittore) e la fotografa Carla Morselli.
Anche quest’anno a presentare le cerimonie un noto
volto della televisione ormai divenuto un affezionato collaboratore, Paolo Notari che ha consegnato le
ambite Farfalle e Libellule tra gli applausi di un folto
pubblico.
VINCITORI 2010:
Libellula d’oro per la Poesia: Mentana LUCACCINI,
di Colle Val d’Elsa, con l’opera: “A Citerna”.
Libellula d’oro per la Prosa: Benito COLONNA, di
Rimini, con l’opera: “Quest l’è è vèint che porta a
punèint”.
Libellula d’oro per la Pittura: Adriana CRAIGHERO, di
Treviso, con l’opera “Risorgiva della Storga”.
Libellula d’oro per la Fotografia: Anna Maria
BOSCARDINI, di Rieti, con l’opera: “Omaggio a Caravaggio”.
Farfalla d’oro per la Pittura: Corina DAVIDONI, di
Roma, con l’opera “Questioni di punti vista?”; Elena
FABBRI, di Rimini, con l’opera “Fantasia di colori”;
2
Anna Rosa GUIDOBONO, di Alessandria, con l’opera
“Val Tiberina”; Evelina MAIER, di Selvazzano (Pd), con
l’opera “Dopo il temporale”; Rosalia MAROTTA, di Caserta, con l’opera “Fiori”.
Farfalla d’oro per la Fotografia: Emanuela RIDOLFI
PIERAZZO, di Mestre (Ve), con l’opera: “sguardo di
bimbo”; Giulia DEL GIUDICE, di Genova, con l’opera:
“Serena maternità (sul Mekong)”; Maria DE FRANCESCHI, di Vicenza, con l’opera: “Occhi!”; Agostino
DAUPHIN, di Aosta, con l’opera: “Sci, alpinismo sull’Etna”; Celestino VILLERMOZ, di Sain Cristophe (Ao),
con l’opera: “Sognando il mare”.
Farfalla d’oro per la Poesia: Dario ASPLANATO, di Roma,
con l’opera: “Come una silfide”; Maria Pia BAZZACO, di
Pederobba (Tv), con l’opera: “Resto chiusa”; M. Gabriella
BOMBARDINI, di Faenza (Ra), con l’opera: “Il mio giardino
delle idee”; Mario CAPUCCI, di Lugo di Romagna (Ra), con
l’opera: “Inseguendo le nebbie d’autunno”;Angela CATOLFI,
di Treia (Mc), con l’opera: “Ritorno”.
Farfalla d’oro per la Prosa: Laura CALERI FALCONE,
di Arezzo, con l’opera: “Un giorno come un altro”; Antonino FRATTAGLI, di Valderice (Tp), con l’opera: “Psico
cronaca di un premio letterario a Levico”; Michele GILLANI, di Vercelli, con l’opera: “Gamberoni e calamari”;
Mario IURILLO, di Lonate Bozzolo (Va), con l’opera:
“Terno secco”; Maria Rosa Abrate, di Reggio Emilia,
con l’opera: “Primo volo”.
Super vincitori 2010:
• POESIA: EZIO MAIFRE’, di Tirano (So), con l’opera
“Croste di polenta”;
• PROSA: ADA DE PETRA, di Pescara, con l’opera: “Mille bottoni colorati”;
• PITTURA: ANNA DETTI, di Grosseto, con l’opera:
“L’emigrante”;
• FOTOGRAFIA: ANNA MARIA BOSCARDINI, di Rieti,
con l’opera: “Pesca sul fiume Li”.
Premio Buonconsiglio (riservato ai concorrenti trentini
che hanno ottenuto la migliore qualificazione)Poesia:
Anna Maria ROTTER, di Povo (Tn), con l’opera: “Casa
di ombre”.
IL BUSINESS LINK BRANTFORD IL GIORNALE DEL BRANTFORD
A
nche quest’anno è in pagamento da luglio
la cosiddetta “quattordicesima” introdotta
dalla legge n.127 del 2007, sulle pensioni di importo basso.
A beneficiare sono oltre 3 milioni e 200 mila
pensionati di età pari o superiore a 64 anni, indipendentemente dal fatto che siano uomini o donne,
con importi di pensione attualmente inferiori a 691
Euro mensili, pari a 8.988,91 Euro l’anno.
Detta somma aggiuntiva non è uguale per tutti
ma è stata articolata in relazione all’anzianità
contributiva raggiunta dal pensionato, così come
indicato nella tabella.
I requisiti
Il beneficio spetta, dunque, se il pensionato possiede, oltre l’età pari o superiore a 64 anni, anche il requisito reddituale, che viene aggiunto se
l’interessato può far valere un reddito complessivo
individuale, relativo all’anno di riferimento, non superiore ad una volta e mezzo il trattamento minimo
annuo del fondo lavoratori dipendenti.
Questo vuol dire che per poter percepire l’intero
aumento non bisogna superare per il 2010 un reddito complessivo individuale fino a 8.988,91 Euro.
Nel caso in cui, invece, il reddito personale sia di
poco superiore ad esso, la somma aggiuntiva viene
proporzionalmente ridotta.
Se si considera, per esempio, un titolare di pensione diretta del fondo lavoratori dipendenti con
un’anzianità contributiva di 20 anni e con il possesso
del reddito annuale di sola pensione ammontante a
9.200 Euro, la somma aggiuntiva spettante è pari a
208,91 Euro complessivi (8.988,91 + 420 – 9.200).
Sempre nella tabella sono indicati i limiti di reddito 2010 oltre i quali non si ha diritto a nessuna
somma aggiuntiva.
Quali redditi
Ai fini della quantificazione dei limiti reddituali,
occorre considerare tutti i redditi di qualsiasi na-
tura, compresi quelli esenti o tassati alla fonte
come gli interessi bancari e postali, i rendimenti
da Bot e altri titoli. Nel compiuto rientrano anche
le rendite Inail e gli assegni assistenziali, in alter
parole bisogna denunciare tutto eccetto redditi
provenienti da:
• La casa da abitazione
• L’indennità di accompagnamento
• Gli importi dei trattamenti di famiglia
• Le somme riscosse per i trattamenti di fine rapporto, comunque, denominati (Tfr, Tfs, ecc.)
• Gli importi arretrati soggetti a tassazione separata.
La quattordicesima è esentasse e non costituisce
reddito né ai fini fiscali, né per il riconoscimento di
altre prestazioni previdenziali assistenziali.
La domanda
Ai pensionati che già l’hanno percepita nel 2007,
2008 e 2009 la quattordicesima viene pagata regolarmente con la rata di Luglio.
Mentre coloro che compiono 64° anno di età
nel corso del 2010 devono presentare un’apposita
domanda con allegata la dichiarazione da cui risulta che il loro reddito personale non supera lilimite di legge.
L’importo in questo caso viene corrisposto in
tanti dodicesimi per quanti sono i mesi in cui spetta,
considerando comunque mese intero quello in cui
è stato compiuto il 64° anno di età.
E’ importante a questo punto ricordare che per
presentare detta domanda, per verificare il giusto ammontare della somma erogata da parte
degli Istituti Previdenziali, per presentare le relative richieste di mancato riconoscimento e/o adeguamento dell’importo, gli uffici del Patronato
50 & Più Enasco, presenti in ciascuna provincia,
sono gratuitamente a disposizione per fornire
tutti i chiarimenti del caso.
www.BusinessLinkNewspaper.com
NOVEMBRE 2010
PENSIONI MINIME E
MAGGIORAZIONI 2010:
OCCHIO AI REDDITI
(GIUGNO 2010)
S
ono diventati più semplici e basati solo su
dati certi i rapporti tra Inps e pensionati che
percepiscono prestazioni legate al reddito. Già
dall’anno scorso con la legge n. 14 del 2009, è
stato stabilito che ai fini delle prestazioni collegate
al reddito si tiene conto unicamente del reddito
conseguito dal beneficiario e dal coniuge nell’anno
solare precedente e non più, come era avvenuto in
precedenza, su quello presunto dell’anno in corso.
Con questa normativa il fenomeno, causato principalmente da erogazioni basate sul criterio del reddito
presunto, è stato notevolmente ridimensionato. Il
diritto, dunque, alle quote di pensione viene verificato
tenendo conto unicamente del reddito conseguito
l’anno precedente. Questo parametro, inoltre, resta
invariato fino al 30 giugno dell’anno successivo. Nel
2010, per esempio, sul modello RED—che i pensionati debbono inoltrare tramite il Caf entro il 30
giugno prossimo—va riportato il reddito del 2009
sulla cui base viene confermato, ridotto o aumentato
l’importo spettante fino al 30 giugno del 2011.
Il calcolo della pensione minima
Per capire adesso con quale criterio viene attribuita
l’integrazione dobbiamo ricordare anzitutto che l’Inps
calcola la pensione sulla base dei versamenti effettuati.
Ma se l’importo risulta inferiore al minimo di legge
(460,97 euro al mese nel 2010) aggiunge la differenza,
cioè una integrazione a totale carico dello Stato.
Attenzione però, l’integrazione, che un tempo veniva
concessa a chiunque avesse maturato il diritto a pensione,
oggi è strettamente legata ai redditi personali per chi vive
da solo e a quelli della coppia per chi è coniugato. La legge
fissa determinati limiti di reddito che, come si è detto,
vengono aggiornati di anno in anno in base al tasso di
inflazione (costo della vita pari allo 0,7% per il 2010).
E anche chi non li supera non è detto che riceva
come integrazione la differenza tra la pensione
maturata e il trattamento minimo. A seconda del
reddito dichiarato può essere assegnata la misura
intera o ridotta. Per chiarire meglio vediamo intanto
come si presenta la situazione per i pensionati che
vivono da soli. Nel 2010 possono contare sul trattamento minimo di 460,97 euro mensili se il loro
reddito annuo non supera 5.950,88 euro.
Se il reddito extra pensione si colloca tra 5.950,88 euro
e 11.901,76 euro l’integrazione spetta in misura ridotta,
pari alla differenza tra quest’ultimo importo e il reddito
conseguito. Per rendere meglio il concetto è bene fare
l’esempio di un pensionato che ha maturato con i soli contributi una pensione di 200 euro al mese e possiede altri
redditi (case, altre pensioni ecc..) per 9.000 euro l’anno.
In questo caso l’integrazione è di 223,21 euro (11.911,76
– 9.000 : 13) per cui la pensione sarà di 423 euro al mese,
inferiore quindi al trattamento minimo.
I redditi personali e della coppia
Il discorso diventa più complicato per le persone coniugate che devono superare in pratica un doppio
sbarramento: quello del reddito personale che deve
restare nei limiti sopra indicati e quello della coppia.
Quest’anno la situazione si presenta in questi termini:
NOVEMBRE 2010
www.BusinessLinkNewspaper.com
1. reddito personale che non supera 5.950,88 euro e reddito della coppia non oltre 17.852.64 euro in questo caso
al pensionato spetta l’integrazione intera e viene quindi
garantito il trattamento minimo di 460,97 euro al mese.
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!
We’d like to know about your experience with
Il Business Link! Please send your thoughts, comments
or suggestions to [email protected]
1.877.446.9366 www.BusinessLinkNewspaper.com
2. reddito personale compreso tra 5.950,88 e
11.901,76 e reddito della coppia compreso tra
17.852,64 e 23.803,52. In questo caso l’integrazione
spetta in misura ridotta.
La legge stabilisce che l’importo spettante è quello
minore risultante dal doppio confront tra il limite
massimo di reddito personale (11.901,76) e quello
effettivamente posseduto e tra il limite di reddito
della coppia (23.803,52) e quello conseguito. Nella
tabella A che si riporta in seguito sono sintetizzati i
requisiti per ottenere l’integrazione.
Le maggiorazioni sociali
Chi vive con una sola pensione o quasi può avere
qualcosa in più della pensione minima. La legge
riconosce, infatti, le cosiddette maggiorazioni sociali, che variano in base all’età del pensionato. La
quota aggiuntiva è di 25,83 euro al mese per coloro
che hanno dai 60 ai 64 anni, di 82,64 euro per chi
ha un’età che si colloca tra 65 e i 69 anni. Dai 70
anni in su l’integrazione è di 136,44 euro. I 70 anni
richiesti si possono ridurre fino a 65, in ragione di
un anno per ogni cinque di contributi versati. Per gli
invalidi totali l’età minima è di 60 anni.
Nel 2010 le maggiorazioni sono subordinate al
non superamento dei limiti di reddito riportati nella
tabella B. Per i non coniugati il limite di reddito personale è dato dall’ammontare del trattamento minimo,
più l’importo annuo della maggiorazione. Mentre
per i coniugati il reddito della coppia non deve superare il limite personale, maggiorato dell’importo
dell’assegno sociale (411,53 nel 2010).
Quali redditi
Sia per la pensione minima che per la maggiorazione
sociale, e’ il caso di ricordare che l’Inps considera tutti
i redditi di qualsiasi natura, compresi quelli esenti o
tassati alla fonte come gli interessi bancari e postali, i
rendimenti da bot e altri titoli. Nel computo rientrano
anche le rendite Inail e gli assegni assistenziali. In
altre parole bisogna denunciare tutto con la sola eccezione dei redditi provenienti da:
• la casa di abitazione
• le pensioni di guerra
• l’assegno di accompagno
• i trattamenti di famiglia
• i sussidi erogati da Enti Pubblici senza carattere
di continuità
E’ opportuno, comunque, data la particolare applicazione normativa, rivolgersi agli uffici del Patronato 50
& Più Enasco che, gratuitamente e presenti su tutto il
territorio nazionale, sono in grado di fornire tutte le
informazioni e i chiarimenti necessari.
IL BUSINESS LINK BRANTFORD IL GIORNALE DEL BRANTFORD
3
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Opening Bid: $100
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Package
Ceramic Smoker
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Laser Hair Removal
Debt Management
Consultation
• 2 month membership
• 1 personal trainer session
• 1 body composition analysis
• 3 spin classes
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Smoke for 20 hours at low
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$250 Laser hair removal bikini/
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2, 1/2 hour consultation with
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118 Dunkirk Rd., St. Catharines ON
905-984-6896
[email protected]
www.regionalfireplace.com
300 Bunting Rd., St. Catharines ON
905-938-0233
[email protected]
www.bodymaxfit.com
Sells For $300
Opening Bid: $120
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Hair Today Gone
Tomorrow Etc.
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53 Main St. W. Grimsby ON
905-807-7784
renee@lifecoachfinancial.com
www.thewomeninfinance.com
114 York St., St. Catharines ON
905-688-3111
[email protected]
Opening Bid: $500
Sells For $3500
Opening Bid: $1400
Laser Hair Removal
Hand Crafted Mirror
Acrylic Bath Liner
Vehicle Wrap
Lip and Chin (3 treatments)
We have a state-of-the art Palomar Star
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IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments and
laser treatments.
54” high X 36” wide hand crafted
mirror, wrapped in hand forged
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Acrylic Bath Liner made from
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Advertise 24 hrs a day, 7 days a
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10 Davidson St., #1
St.Catharines, ON
905-708-0069
www.dreamironworks.ca
15 Empress Avenue, Hamilton ON
905-388-2400
[email protected]
www.monarchwellness.ca
Sells For $500
Opening Bid: $200
Sells For $300
Opening Bid: $120
109 Lower Ontario St.
St. Catharines ON
905-687-8077 1-877-725-BATH(2284)
[email protected]
The Bathroom Solution
www.ecobathsolutions.com
389 Ontario St., St. Catharines ON
905-937-2022
[email protected]
www.speedproniagara.com
Eco Bath
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
Bay Window
Home Garage Organizers,
$300 toward the system or
accessory of your choice
Johnny Rocco’s
Italian Grill Gift Certificate
Oh Canada Eh! Niagara
Dinner Theatre Certificates
$500 towards the Bay Window
of your choice. Canadian Made,
Energy Star Rated, Lifetime non
pro-rated warranty.
All purchase must be installed by
Tool Time Home Improvements.
One Coupon per order,
per household.
Organize your garage. Create
accessible space for your belongings to fit your lifestyle and needs.
Join us at either of our
great locations and enjoy
family friendly Italian cuisine
at its finest. Johnny Rocco’s
Gift Certificates make the
perfect Christmas present.
This Holiday season, say it
in Italian, say it with food.
Dinner and Show for 4 to Oh
Canada Eh? Productions Winter
Musicals: Silver or Best Available
seating section – Value $250
Happy Holid-EH! Revue –
Nov 11-Dec 18
Cabar-eh! – Dec 29 & 30
On The Radio – Feb 17-Apr 2
Certficates expire April 2, 2011,
subject to availability, some shows
sold-out, must reserve ahead.
• Slatwall Systems & Accessories
• Flooring
• Ceiling Storage
• Cabinetry
1 voucher per household
Sells For $689
Opening Bid: $275
271 Merritt St., St. Catharines ON
905-680-9300
6889 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ON
905-358-0004
www.johnnyroccos.com
Niagara Falls ON
905-329-5115
[email protected]
www.homegarageorganizers.com
11 Battlefield Dr., Thorold, ON
905-680-4792
[email protected]
www.tooltimeniagara.com
Sells For $395
Opening Bid: $158
Sells For $750
Opening Bid: $300
8585 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ON
905-374-1995
[email protected]
www.ohcanadaeh.com
Sells For $599
Opening Bid: $239
Contemporary
Bar Stool
Pig Roast Party
Chown Cairns Lawyers LLP
Gift Certificate
“Freedom from Dieting”
with Weight Loss Coach
Karen Lee Stocker
Sleek metal design with attractive upholstered cushion, will fit
any modern kitchen or bar area,
counter height (seat height 27”),
comes in a variety of colours.
Includes Rental of fully automated, hassle
free pig roaster with bbq ready 60lb pig
and PigOut Smokin BBQ Sauce.
Roast for 3 hours for your perfect
Crackling Pig Roast - feeds 60 guests
See video at www.pigout.ca
Valid until December 2011
Not valid on Saturdays between June
and September
The lucky winner of this auction
with receive a Gift Certificate
which will entitle them with any of
these services:
1. Preparation of Spousal Last
Will and Testaments together with
related Powers of Attorney; or,
2. All transactional work for the
sale of a residential real estate
property (excluding disbursements); or,
3. Incorporation of a Private
Ontario Business Corporation
(excluding disbursements)
Change your Life... Change your
Weight with Weight Loss Coach
Karen Stocker!
Six Week Private Coaching
Program includes a breakthrough
plan to regain your health and lose
that extra weight permanently!
Also includes complimentary
strategy session.
4700 Montrose Rd., Niagara Falls ON
905-354-3881
www.ironworksniagara.com
NOVEMBER 2010
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
905 650 0781
[email protected]
www.pigout.ca
Karen Lee Stocker
80 King St., St. Catharines ON
905-688-4500
www.chownlaw.com
905-682-8592
[email protected]
www.lawofattractionworkbooks.com
THE BUSINESS LINK
11
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
Sells For $270
Sells For $425
Opening Bid: $170
Sells For $500
Karate Birthday Party
Personal Training Session
CAA Winter Festival of Lights
Gift Packages
Jewellry Gift Certificates
1 hour karate instruction and
games with Sensei Deborah Toth,
plus 1 hour in party room, for
15 children plus birthday child,
special T-shirts included.
When you work with Theresa, you
will receive a personalized fitness
program, education on in-depth
techniques and guidelines for
extended success, and motivation
to reach your goals.
• 1 Joseph’s wine Gift Basket
• 4 Rink at the Brink season passes
• 1 CAA WFOL Golf Shirt
• 1 WFOL picture frame
• 2 WFOL long sleeve T-shirts
• 2 WFOL wind breakers
$500 Gift Certificates for any
item not on sale. 1 Certificate per
purchase.
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
5400 Robinson St., Niagara Falls ON
905-374-1616
[email protected]
www.WFOL.com
350 Ontario St., St. Catharines ON
905-684-SLIM (7546)
tkatsios@diamondfitnessstudio.com
www.diamondfitnessstudio.ca
5064 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls ON
905-374-1010
[email protected]
www.niagaramartialarts.com
Sells For $2500
Opening Bid: $1000
Sells For $1000
Opening Bid: $400
Opening Bid: $200
10-436 Vansickle Road, St. Catharines ON
905-688-0579
[email protected]
www.pennerjewellers.com
Sells For $300
Jimmy Buffett’s
Margaritaville Café
Gift Certificates
BPS Dentures
Corporate Meeting Package
Premium Spa Experience
(AVEDA Salon & Day Spa)
Margaritaville Niagara Falls (Canada) is
located in the Fallsview Tourist District
(next to the Fallsview Casino Resort) and
features a tropical dining experience
over three levels with four outdoor
patios, live entertainment, family friendly
atmosphere, keepsakes from the Surf
Shop along with our world famous
signature dishes, “Volcano Nachos,” and
the “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” plus an
array of unique boat drinks, margaritas,
ice cold beer and more... the Caribbean is
now just a car ride away!
The injection process used in the
BPS system is considered state
of the art in denture processing
resulting in a high quality denture
that resists wear and staining.
Premium Ivoclar teeth are used.
Tailored to client needs to choose
from catered lunch, beverage
and snack breaks, meeting and
event facilities, audio visual
resources. Valid on new bookings
only in 2011.
A rejuvenating and nurturing body
treatment that uses ingredients
from the Caribbean. Start with
a dry exfoliation followed by a
seaweed masque and wrap. Then
into a customized floating facial
and eye zone, a manicure, pedicure and specialized hair treatment. Your makeup application
completes the island experience.
Approximately 5 hours
6300 Fallsview Blvd.
[email protected]
905-354-1245
www.margaritavilleniagara.ca
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
Midtown
Denture
Clinic
Sells For $1000
125 Vansickle Rd. St. Catharines ON
905-682-7621
www.clubroma.ca
117 1/2 Welland Ave.,
St.Catharines, ON
905-688-3543
Opening Bid: $400
Sells For $697
Opening Bid: $278
Sells For $500
Sandblasted Sign
Digital Sign Software System
Powered By Virtually Live
– Standard Edition
A Gourmet Getaway for Two
Molly Maid will come to your house for a
one time cleaning up to a maximum of 2
1⁄2 hours. Count on having a clean home
on your prearranged MOLLY MAID Day.
They provide their own transportation,
cleaning supplies and equipment. Their
professionally trained staff are bonded
and insured. Services only valid for
homes located in NOTL, Virgil, St. David’s,
Queenston, St. Catharines, Jordan,
Vineland, Beamsville and Grimsby.
$1000 Gift Certificate towards a
custom made sandblasted sign for
your home, cottage or business.
An affordable way to advertise your
products and services with images
and video.
• Display your own ads or include outside
advertisers.
• Showcase your products and services.
• Use video, images, sounds.
• YOU update the content with just a
few clicks
• Detailed logging allows for a more
profitable marketing campaign.
* DOES NOT INCLUDE HARDWARE
One night accommodation at the
Oakes Hotel overlooking the falls
in a Premiere Fallsview room and
a gourmet dinner for two at Remingtons of Niagara and breakfast
for two at Applebees Grill & Bar
and complimentary wine tastings
at Hillebrand, Inniskillin & Peller
Estates. Subject to availability.
Certain restrictions apply.
20 Secord Drive, St.Catharines, ON
905-938-7446
[email protected]
www.creativesignworks.ca
Sells For $250
Opening Bid: $100
Sells For $800
Opening Bid: $320
Opening Bid: $224
Sells For $500
Front Porch Non-Slip
Treatment for Winter
Private Hockey Camp for 4
1 Month Tuition
plus Assessment
Photography—
Wedding Package
The Positive Step is offering $250
towards the non- slip treatment of
your front porch. They will come
to your home and treat your front
porch just in time for winter. Can
be used on concrete, ceramic,
porcelain, marble and granite.
Treatments are $1.50 per sq. ft
or $100 minimum
During the camp, the players work
on their skills through time on
the Speed Ramp, the Rapid Shot,
Shooting Gallery and our Synthetic
Ice Surface. 10 sessions of 1 hour
training for up to 4 people.
Parents know, one of the best
things you can do for your child is
to equip him or her with the right
tools to succeed. Life-long tools
like high self-esteem, an active,
agile mind, and an understanding
of how to study, learn and think.
Only Oxford Learning puts all
these outcomes within your child’s
reach — along with better grades
— with our cognitive approach to
learning, where we focus on helping children learn how to learn.
$500 gift certificate off the digital
album wedding package—full
day coverage starting at brides
house—3 choices of digital
albums—Personal designed and
includes Italian leather album—
uploaded online for approval.
17 Clearview Hts., St. Catharines ON
905-680-1832
www.thepositivestep.ca
THE BUSINESS LINK
325 Welland Ave, St. Catharines
905-357-8377
[email protected]
www.thehockeyfactory.ca
24-100 Fourth Ave., St. Catharines ON
905-685-8141
www.oxfordlearning.com
Opening Bid: $200
6546 Fallsview Boulevard
905-356-4514
www.niagarahh.com
3238 Matthews Dr., Niagara Falls ON
905-374-7978
[email protected]
www.VirtuallyLive.ca
Sells For $560
Opening Bid: $120
16 Main Street East, Grimsby, ON
905-945-1422
[email protected]
www.thedressingroomsalon.com
Come Home to a
Clean House
St. Catharines, ON
905-680-1022
[email protected]
www.mollymaid.ca
12
Opening Bid: $108
Opening Bid: $200
20 Pine St. N. Unit B Thorold ON
905-327-0709
[email protected]
www.photographywithgrace.com
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
NOVEMBER 2010
ASK THE EXPERT WANT SAGE ADVICE? YOU’LL GET IT HERE!
BUSINESS ADVISOR EXPERT
BRANDING AND MARKETING EXPERT
Question
QUESTION
What function is most
lacking in privately-owned
businesses?
How do I create a successful social
media campaign?
ANSWER
Answer
The answer to this one is likely supported by many other
professionals. Most privately-owned businesses lack a CEO!
Regardless of what size of enterprise, somebody must be
monitoring the company’s perspective and strategic direction. In others words, some time and attention
must be focused on where we are going and how we actually plan on getting there.
All too often, a business owner’s interpretation of CEO is jokingly “Chief Everything Officer”. But
jokes aside, when nothing ever changes from month-to-month and even year-to-year, long-term
sustainability is dangerously compromised.
Albeit not always viewed as “urgent” in nature, owners must regularly address:
Jim Albanese
Verne Milot
• Why things don’t work as well as we’d like,
• Where do we really want to be,
• How do we actually get there, and,
• Are we demonstrating commitment to change?
You signed up for a Twitter account, you created your company’s Facebook Page,
and then you ask yourself, “Now what?” You may have skipped essential steps
to building a social media campaign that will grow your business or non-profit.
If you want to create a sustainable, effective social media presence, follow these
five steps to social media marketing success.
1. Clarify your business goals. Getting on Twitter is not a goal, it is a tactic. What are your goals for the coming year? Is it to
grow by 20%? Bring a new product to market?
2. Outline your strategies. Remember: strategies are the forest, tactics are the trees. When evaluating strategies think
big picture.
3. Determine your tactics. Determine whether a Twitter account, Facebook Page, Blog or YouTube channel will be
most effective.
4. Plan your execution. Joining social media sites may be free, but social media does have a cost. Whether you hire an
outside consultant or task one of your employees with the work, you need to budget for that resource.
5. Measure your results. You can use the “soft numbers” such as the number of Twitter followers and “Likes”of your
Facebook Page. You can use Google Analytics to track your goals and measure activity on your site. URL-shorteners like
bit.ly can track traffic to different campaigns to see whether it was your blog post, your online video or the link you posted
to Twitter that brought in that big new client.
Not know where to turn for advice and support in the area of business strategy? Why not call a qualified
and experienced business advisor at Growth Associates. Solutions just may be easier than you think.
Social media takes planning, hard work and a results-oriented focus to work. It doesn’t happen overnight but rather, like a
snowball rolling downhill, it builds momentum over time.
Visit www.growth-associates.com/contact.html
for a FREE Business Effectiveness Evaluation.
Building Exceptional Brands and Marketing for Greater Success.
[email protected]
www.albanesebranding.com
[email protected]
www.Growth-Associates.com
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EXPERT
ADVERTISING EXPERT
Question
QUESTION
What is cloud computing – and
what’s in it for me?
How do I make my ad
stand out?
Answer
ANSWER
Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared
resources, software and information are provided to computers and
Scott Putman
other devices on-demand, pretty much like electricity. It is to your office
computer as a cell phone is to a land line (having received its name
because in network diagrams, the internet is usually represented with a cloud in the middle of the drawing).
Cloud computing simply means using web based programs to replace the programs you used to
download to your computer. You can, safely and securely, manage an entire office or organization from
any computer or laptop anywhere; accounting, email, customer management, word documents, file
sharing—just about whatever you need.
The companies that manage cloud programs host your information on multiple mega server farms.
Your data is encrypted (garbles your data to make it unusable to anyone but you), automatically
backed up and usually mirrored into different locations, and as safe, or safer, than the firewalls built
into your server—and certainly safer than your laptop.
The “cloud” programs are generally as good as the ones you’re currently using, and the mainstream
suppliers are adding availability on an ongoing basis, so that you will be able to use “cloud” versions
of your regular programs.
Cloud computing is designed to reduce your operating costs by eliminating the licensing fees for
your programs. You no longer need to worry if these programs will work on your operating system
whether it is Microsoft 7, Vista, XP, 2003, 2004, 2007, MAC, or Linux.
In order to make your ad stand out when advertising in a print
medium you need to grab the reader’s attention VISUALLY. “Print’s
power to build brand awareness, to involve the reader, to drive
purchases and create need rely heavily on a single element: visual
appeal. Print needs to capture attention to be effective”1. This can be accomplished by using bright
colours, pictures, illustrations or even designing your ad in odd shapes.
Colours that tend to stand out from all the others are red, blue and yellow. The best way to use
these colours is to highlight key points of information that you want the readers to stop and read.
“Colour ads increase stopping power. A full-colour ad doesn’t just draw the reader’s attention—it
captures it! A colour ad boosts in-depth reading 60 percent more than black-and-white ads”2. That’s a
pretty impressive statistic.
So for the next ad you run in a print medium, remember to make sure that the ad is visually
appealing. This way you can increase the chances of your ad being seen, read and acted upon.
Adam Shields
References: 1. “How Powerful is Print” by Marketing, 2. “2009 Newspaper Advertising Planbook” by the
Newspaper Association of America.
Contact us abut for specific solutions to suit your needs.
[email protected]
www.iovision.ca
tel: 1.877.446.9366
[email protected]
www.BusinessLinkNewspaper.com
ADVERTORIAL
NOVEMBER 2010
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
THE BUSINESS LINK
13
SALES MOVES WITH JEFFREY GITOMER
THE PIZZA PHILOSOPHY. WHAT
TOPPINGS DO YOU OFFER?
“Are customers raving about the quality of your pizza?”
BY JEFFREY GITOMER
W
hen I say “pizza” what
words come to mind?
What images come to mind? What
tastes come to mind? What restaurants come to mind? What delivery service comes
to mind? What toppings come to mind?
Pretty interesting questions. And you have immediate answers.
In fact, you may be reaching for the phone right now.
Pizza is universally loved UNLESS you get a pizza
and you don’t like the toppings or, worse, it has an
anchovy on it!
Pizza offers choices that match your craving or desire.
AKA: Pizza offers exactly what you hunger for. You get
to CHOOSE how you want your pizza to be prepared.
Everyone does. Can you imagine it any other way? If
you call a pizza place and they say, “We ONLY have
sausage,” you will hang up and call someone else.
Not only do pizza places give you exactly what
you want, they’ll even deliver it to your door in less
than an hour.
COOL NOTE: When you order a pizza from Domino’s
Pizza online, you can actually track it being made
and being put into the oven. And you’ll know when
the delivery person is on his or her way to your
door. It’s worth the price of the pizza just to see
the technology.
• How is the pizza philosophy working in your
business?
• Are your products and people ready to serve
exactly the way your customer wants?
• What kind of pizza do you sell?
• How fast do you deliver?
• How flexible are your offerings?
• What are your hours of operation?
• How e-commerce friendly are you?
• Do you give the customer the toppings
they want?
• How easy is it to do business with you?
• Are you bogusly “serving me better” from
among nine options?
• Are customers raving about the quality of
your pizza?
THINK ABOUT THIS: Would you rather place a special order at Burger King or McDonald’s?
REALITY BITES: Burger King made a living off of
McDonald’s customers with the slogan, “Have it
your way!” Thirty years later, McDonalds still doesn’t
get it—but all of their competitors do.
REALITY BITE: Give me what I want. I want it MY WAY!
Back to your business. Do you give your customers
what THEY want? Do you even know what they
want? I doubt it.
If businesses gave customers what they really
want, there would be more market demand for their
product or services.
14
THE BUSINESS LINK
For example: Why aren’t all banks open on Saturday and Sunday? Why don’t call centers move back to
America? Why doesn’t everyone answer their phone
with “hello?” Why do many restaurants not take reservations? Why do companies hire rude people? Why
do hotels only serve one brand of soft drink?
And while I’m asking all these questions, and
you’re nodding your head in approval, what are your
customers wanting? Needing? Hoping for? And how
are you delivering those needs, wants, and hopes?
I wonder if you’ve EVER had a meeting that
included customers, where you asked them “what’s
missing?” or what ingredients they want that you
don’t have or don’t offer.
BEWARE OF QUALITY COMPROMISE: When I order a pizza, I order mushrooms on it. I ALWAYS ask
if they’re fresh or out of a can. If they say, “Out of
a can,” I thank them, and hang up.
BEWARE OF QUALITY COMPROMISE: I used to eat
at a Chinese restaurant in Charlotte. They had the
best pineapple fried rice on the planet. Last time I
was there, it tasted terrible. Canned pineapple was
substituted for fresh pineapple. “Fresh pineapple
costs too much,” was the manager’s snappy reply.
That’s the last time I was there. The very last time.
I left the manager my business card and told
him when they go back to fresh pineapple, please
call me and I’ll return. So far he hasn’t called. That
was about a year ago. Ate there once a month or
so. Average dinner bill was 60.00 plus tip. That’s a
total of $1,440.00 in lost revenue. That buys a lot
of pineapple. And a lot of loyalty. And a lot of wordof-mouth advertising.
Never ceases to amaze me what business people
will do to save a nickel that ends up costing them
thousands. How many nickels are you saving? And
what is the cost?
In these times many businesses are cutting costs.
Make sure you don’t cut service offerings, and products your customers crave. Yes, dollars are important—but keep in mind that those dollars come
from customers, not CEOs or purchasing agents.
If you want more on what customers really want,
go to www.gitomer.com and enter the words CUSTOMER WANTS in the GitBit box.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Little Red
Book of Selling and eight other business books on
sales, customer loyalty, and personal development.
President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives
seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts
Internet training programs on sales, customer loyalty, and personal development at
www.trainone.com. Jeffrey conducts more than 100
personalized, customized seminars and keynotes
a year. To find out more, visit www.gitomer.com.
Jeffrey can be reached at 704.333.1112 or by email at [email protected]. © 2010 All Rights
Reserved—Don’t even think about reproducing this
document without written permission from Jeffrey
H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer, Inc • 704/333-1112
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
NOVEMBER 2010
CORNER POCKET – POSITIONING
ALL YOUR SHOTS PART I
“What would be possible if, as business leaders, we were able to
see all the shots we need to take in the next 6-12 months, before we
start this upcoming week?”
BY NEIL THORNTON
R
ecently I have been able to re-visit one of my favourite all-time passions, playing
competitive billiards.
Let me introduce you to Tom Harriettha, premier pool player. Over the past year, Tom
and I have battled back and forth in some intense matches. He is a true professional and
plays the game with intensity and discipline.
We play a game called 9-Ball, where the break shot is followed by potting balls in order leading to
the final 9-ball shot to win the game. This game is fast paced and includes strategy, taking chances and
understanding your opponent.
When you watch Tom play you quickly understand, that like most great players in any sport, he can
read the entire table, plan out every shot and ultimately starts the game understanding the last shot that
will be required to win the game. In billiard terms, this is called ‘reading the table before you make the
first shot’. Weaker players will play only one shot at a time and simply ‘hope’ for shape and positioning
on the next shot.
When Tom plays, I often ask him how he is planning his match. His reply is always the same, “knowing
where the cue ball (white ball) is going is more important than the shot itself”. Great players, like Tom
always know where their position is going to be.
This is a great analogy for our relationship to business. In my strategy work I observe far too many
companies today operating in reaction to the market changes and customer demands, instead of long
term visioning and planning out innovative strategies; a real game plan.
What would be possible if, as business leaders, we were able to see all the shots we need to take in the
next 6-12 months, before we start this upcoming week? If the best players in sports play the full game
before the first shot how can we translate this discipline to our own organizations?
In the book, ‘The Art of Possibility’, by Ben Zander, the concept of “Being the Board” explains stepping
back to see the entire game board, instead of burying our attention in just ‘moving the game pieces’.
My commitment to you, as always, is to provide hands-on tools to help you grow your results, sales,
team and business. In living my commitment, I will design for you some principles to play your business
from the final shot, understand your positioning, and knowing the effect of every move you are taking,
In Part Two of this article, I will share how the thinking that goes into the
game of billiards, and sports in general can be translated to your team.
If you want a copy before being published, please drop me note.
“Rack ‘em up Tom, it’s my break at the table.”
For more ideas about business strategy, growing
sales, communications and getting into action,
please visit us at www.thorntongroup.ca.
Neil Thornton is the President and Lead
Executioner of the Thornton Group
of Companies. Neil can be reached at
905.401.1434 or [email protected].
©2010 All Rights Reserved—Don’t even think
about reproducing this document without written
permission from Neil A. Thornton and 1707021 Ontario
Limited—The Thornton Group • 905.401.1434
NOVEMBER 2010
www.BusinessLinkBrantford.com
THE BUSINESS LINK
15