Bot Currents Sept09

Small Business Development • Succession Planning • How to Network

September ‘09

Chris Huskilson, President & CEO of Emera Inc

Hon. Jim Prentice, Federal Minister of Environment

Over the summer months, the Board of Trade presented its members with the opportunity to meet and listen to 3 distinguished speakers. Topics ranged from Maximizing Opportunities in the energy sector; Water Policy for clean renewable water in Canada; and a Vision for Canada.

Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

Small Business Development

Currents • September 2009

Chair’s Message

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While summer is usually the time for relaxing, your Board of Trade has been busy these past few months working on policies, organizing events and educational opportunities, attending meetings and press conferences, and preparing for the upcoming committee year. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a couple of points about the Saint John Board of Trade and show you why I am so passionate about it! Your Board of Trade works for you, not only locally, but regionally and nationally. As members of the Board of Trade, you are part of an extensive network of organizations that promote a more competitive business environment and seek to ensure a brighter future for all Canadians. The power of this network extends through the ten provinces and three territories. It encompasses 350 local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade with over 175,000 members! To find out more about the power and influence of the network, I encourage you to visit our website under the Member Centre and watch the Power of the Network video. This past quarter, we’ve supported and advocated for the development of Peel Plaza and the new police headquarters, advocated for Canadian Blood Services reconsideration to close the blood production centre in Saint John, and for the second year in a row, we have submitted a proposed policy resolution to the THE POWER OF THE NETWORK

Canadian Chamber of Commerce. This year’s resolution is titled “Improvements to the Maternity and Parental Benefits Under Employment Insurance” with the key recommendations being extending benefits to self-employed persons and introducing benefit flexibility. We’ve also been very busy with events held over the summer (Luncheons with Hon. Jim Prentice and Michael Ignatieff, and our Annual Golf Tournament), and gearing up for events this fall (for a preliminary list please see page 9). This summer we’ve also rolled out our new Member-2-Member Program and you can find out more information about this on page 12! To fulfill our role as a membership organization, we need your help! If you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding anything the Board of Trade does, I would like to encourage you to contact me or one of the Board of Trade’s staff members. We are a membership organization and we love to hear from you, our members! We are quickly approaching small business week in October and our Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards in November! In honour of small business, we have dedicated this issue of Currents to providing tips to small businesses. Although directed to small business, there are many tips larger businesses and individual professionals may find useful, especially the tips on Networking!! Also, we are still accepting nominations for our Annual OBA Awards. Help us identify those entrepreneurs and businesses in Greater Saint John whose efforts and achievements merit consideration! The theme for this year’s small business week is “Your Dream, Your Business, Your Passion”. With that in mind I hope to see everyone out at the events celebrating our dreams, businesses and passions! The events we organize are fantastic ways to build and strengthen your own Network and ensure the Power of the Network works for you.

September ‘09 • Volume 6 No. 3 Currents is published 4 times a year for members of the Saint John Board of Trade and Greater Saint John’s business community. Average circulation is 5,000 per issue including distribution to all Board of Trade members and to all business addresses in Greater Saint John. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the view of the Saint John Board of Trade. Suggestions and comments are welcome. The Board of Trade cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur in this publication. Currents reserves the right to edit any material submitted. SAINT JOHN BOARD OF TRADE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE Kathryn Craig, Chairperson Fundy Linen Service Inc. J. Michael Murphy, 1st Vice-Chair BMO Bank of Montreal John Warrington, 2nd Vice-Chair Lorneville Mechanical Marilyn Singh, Secretary Vision Coaching Deanna Graves, Treasurer Moosehead Breweries Limited Dr. Michael Barry, Immediate Past Chair Saint John Medical Society Patrick Sohy, Member-at-large Avant-Garde Construction and Management Inc. Mike Walton, Member-at-large Lantic Sugar Limited DIRECTORS Sheikh Bahauddin, Bank of Nova Scotia Larry Hachey, Gateway Retirement & Estate Planners Kevin Hocquard, Stantec Consulting Ltd. John Johnson, University of New Brunswick - Saint John Kelli Lester, Irving Oil Limited Andy Lodge, Barry Spalding Chris MacDonald, J.D. Irving Limited Eric Poirier, Bell Aliant Donna Robichaud, Grant Thornton LLP Claire Ryan, Fusion Al Soppitt, Saint John Port Authority Gerry Verner, Altus Technology Associates STAFF Imelda Gilman, President Carole Cunningham, Office & Events Coordinator Michelle MacDonald, Administrative Assistant Erinor Jacob, Policy & Research Officer Jennifer Tupper, Marketing & Sales Officer CONTACT Please address editorial enquiries to: Saint John Board of Trade PO Box 6037, 40 King St. Saint John, NB E2L 4R5 Tel: (506) 634-8111 Fax: (506) 632-2008 E-mail: [email protected] Visit our website at www.sjboardoftrade.com PRODUCTION Editor: Imelda Gilman Advertising Sales: Jennifer Tupper (506) 634-4159 or email [email protected] Graphic Design & Production: Morrison Marketing Printing: Transcontinental Mail Preparation: United Catena Training Centre Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Agreement No. 40010390

Members networking at the Luncheon with the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment in August

BDC Perspective: Strong leaders build stronger companies

Know your weaknesses and strengths "Be sure that you have clear insight into your strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. Once you recognize these, you're better able to focus on what you do best and see exactly where you may need some help," says Halde. For instance, you might be able to fill a gap in your skills by hiring an external consultant. Delegate "You can't do it all yourself," emphasizes Halde. "The failure to delegate is probably one of the biggest challenges for many entrepreneurs, who often micro-manage." He encourages business owners to recognize the strengths of other people on their team and tap into those strengths. "It's important to learn how to surround yourself with competent people. By delegating, you're also developing employees, which is crucial to the long-term stability of your organization, particularly in challenging economic periods. People will most often rise to the challenges offered." Train and develop "Leadership training is also crucial to ensure that employees have the right skills to move your company forward, especially in tougher times," says Halde. For instance, your people may be lacking problemsolving skills to help your company deal with common challenges such as operational inefficiency and low productivity. "Formal academic training programs may fail to engage people. A better strategy today, for example, is to ensure that your more experienced managers are coaching other team members and sharing their knowledge with them. Or you may want to get external help," he adds. Be transparent "Effective communication skills are paramount for successful leaders. The first step is being fully transparent with employees and letting them know exactly where the company stands and where they

stand," he advises. "Be yourself and don't put on a mask. People will recognize whether you are being genuine or not. Your employees need as much information as possible to help you reach your company's goals. Holding back that information can only cause problems down the road," he says. Manage and develop respect "Leadership is not about winning a popularity contest," emphasizes Halde. "Your goal is to be respected but not feared. You have to show that you are fair in your dealings, competent and a good coach." Strong leaders also have to be able to make hard decisions and focus on getting results. "Get all the cards on the table and address conflicts and challenges directly and tactfully. In the end, people will respect you more for your openness." Reward people "Treat other people the way that you would like to be treated, and always say thanks for a job well done. The fact is, it simply encourages better performance," he says. Apart from obvious perks such as compensation and bonuses, people genuinely need honest feedback. "When you're asking people to pull out all the stops, especially during difficult times, you want to show your appreciation for a job well done, which also builds employee loyalty." Network and partner rigorously "Networking is a leader's best friend, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises," he believes. "Smaller companies often need to connect with other businesses, for example, to share experiences and learn from one another." Strong leaders know how to reach out and build beneficial partnerships and alliances. "Networking is also one way to keep abreast of trends and maintain your visibility in a highly competitive market," he says. "In today's global environment, no one can do it alone!" THE POWER OF THE NETWORK

Currents • September 2009

Building leadership capacity in your company is now even more critical, as it will help you successfully ride a turbulent economy, says BDC President and CEO Jean-René Halde. "Everything we do happens through people. We bet on people, not strategies or systems," he emphasizes. Always room for improvement For Halde, the high rate of failure among small businesses in Canada can often be attributed to leadership shortcomings in key areas such as human resources management, strategy and soft skills such as employee communication. "This is particularly true in a globalized business environment, where the stakes have changed dramatically. It's much more difficult to be an entrepreneur today than it was 5 to 10 years ago. How we did business in the past is not a guarantee of success in the future," he adds. "Leadership is the key driver of best practices, innovation and productivity. It's not surprising that there is strong correlation between leadership development and how companies perform." Some practical advice Whether you're at the helm of a small company with a few managers or you're a bigger player, you can probably benefit from applying best practices in leadership. Although there are no set recipes for success, BDC's President and CEO offers some practical advice. Lead with vision "A leader with vision makes sure that people have a clear understanding of where the company is going and what is expected of them," says Halde. "Your role is to be a positive and motivating influencer. You want to get people excited and behind your goals." For example, if you need to improve your customer service, you need to set clear objectives and rally people to achieve them, he explains. "That might involve systematic, face-to-face meetings with your team to monitor progress."

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Small Business Development

How to network to grow your business

Currents • September 2009

by Roger Pierce

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All business owners know the importance of networking. It is a term given to building relationships that will help both of the people involved. So what are the benefits of networking? • It generates new business and referrals. • It enables you to explore ideas and discuss business challenges. • It’s an opportunity to meet new people and socialize. • It raises your visibility and improves your brand. Now networking isn’t as easy as handing out your business card to every person you meet. For a lasting impression you have to have a meaningful conversation with the individual, begin to foster a relationship. Even if you have talked and exchanged business cards you still haven’t successfully networked. The most important, and often forgotten, step to networking is following up. You must follow up if you want a relationship to last. A simple phone call or email is probably best. To make the follow-up really effective refer to: • When and where you met. Continue the conversation with relevant, new information. • A common need you may have. • A common acquaintance. • Something that you found that saves time and money. • An idea that may help the person. It is also important to keep your contacts organized. Building and maintaining a contact database is an efficient way to keep track of who you meet while networking. Decide on a system that works for you. • Input your new contacts’ information into your database. • Include their name, address, email, website, company, position, where you met, their interests and any other information you have about them. THE POWER OF THE NETWORK

Tim Vickers, Executive Director of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program, speaking with other attendees at the Luncheon with the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment in August

Develop categories of people: Prospective customers: • Category A - hot prospects • Category B - warm prospects • Category C - potential prospects • Supplier • Advisor • Industry Colleague With this advice you will have an organized and effective way to keep in

touch with the people you have networked. So get out there, meet people and help your business. Roger Pierce is an Entrepreneurship Columnist for The Toronto Sun and 24 Hours, whose columns can be found in The National Post, The Globe and Mail, Metro News, The Toronto Star, Canadian Business and The Wall Street Journal. To obtain a copy of this or other articles by Roger Pierce please visit http://blog.bizlaunch.ca

Premier Graham, Roxanne Reeves, Minister Keir and Barbara Keir entering the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal to attend the Big Splash Event

Why a succession plan is important for your business

business, what arrangements must be made with partners and shareholders? • You need to make plans for the possibility of an untimely death: What happens if you die before you’re able to transfer the business? • Decide when you will retire. • Explore and determine the most taxeffective way to transfer business ownership. • Fully examine and consider available options for transferring ownership, including an “estate freeze” - a way to freeze assets at their current value and defer taxes on future growth until your heirs transfer their shares. Legal agreements These may include provisions governing who can assume your portion of the business and under what conditions. For example, they may give existing shareholders the right to buy you out. You may be able to institute a shareholder agreement with other shareholders that facilitates your succession goals. If you’re in partnership, pay particular attention to agreements that are already in place, including “buy-sell” agreements. Once these and other issues are considered, detail your plans in writing.

Your succession plan should establish a timetable for key events: training successors, your retirement date, and transfer of ownership. It should also outline your “strategic vision” - how you see the company being operated after you leave, and the management roles individuals will play in the company. There is help The road to your completed succession plan is complex. That’s why it’s important to enlist the help of professionals. You may need to work with management consultants who specialize in succession planning, as well as tax professionals and lawyers. You should also consider how your succession plan ties in with your estate plan. For example, if you pass along the business to one child, how will you fairly compensate your other children? Once in place, review your succession plan regularly. This is especially important when there are changes in your family or business circumstances - for example, marriage or divorce, a birth in the family, a material change in the business or its ownership structure, or changing tax and business regulations affecting the business. Article provided by TD Canada Trust www.tdcanadatrust.com/smallbusiness

Currents • September 2009

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably worked very hard over the years to build your business - and dream of the day you can step away from work and enjoy retirement. The cornerstone For many business owners, a succession plan is a vital part to protecting your business as you implement your business transfer strategy. It outlines, in detail, how your business is to be transferred to another owner-operator. When done properly, a succession plan can prevent potential difficulties and increase the chances that your business will continue to thrive. Regardless of whether you’re transferring the business to an existing partner, senior executive, or family member, a plan is the best way to make sure it ends up in the right hands and continues in the right direction. This means that a succession plan is not something that can be done hastily or at the last minute. You need to carefully consider who should run the business when you leave, then train your successors, plan your exit, and decide how to transfer business assets. Ideally, a succession plan should be formulated years before you retire. Plan carefully Here are some of the considerations that need to be addressed: • Decide who is going to take over your business and its assets. Will it be family members, business partners, or perhaps a member of your management team? • If you decide on family, determine which family members are interested in, or capable of, running the business. Talk it over with your children and spouse to avoid family conflict. • If you’re not the sole owner of the

Small Business Development

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Small Business Development

Certainty in Uncertain Times

Currents • September 2009

The economic world is changing all around us. Businesses large and small are looking at their operations and trying to navigate through uncharted waters. This means looking at all aspects of their operations and searching for ways to reduce costs - from capital expenditures, to labour costs and even employee benefits. Employee benefits can be viewed as a cost in the short-term or as an investment in your company’s future success. Employee benefits are an important tool for employers to attract and retain good employees. Though the current economic pressures have affected individuals across the country, long term projections still show a shortage of skilled workers in the future. Employee benefits should be viewed as an investment in employee engagement and retention. Your employees are your most important asset, and an engaged and

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THE POWER OF THE NETWORK

Chris Huskilson, President & CEO of Emera Inc, and Board of Trade Chair, Kathy Craig posed for a photo after his speech at the BoT breakfast in June

healthy workforce is a key component to any firm’s future success. Even giants of industry struggle with the issue of providing benefits for their employees. Wal-Mart’s benefits costs have risen by 15% per year on average since 2002.1 Your Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan benefit program is available exclusively through your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade. For over 35 years, the Chamber Plan has provided affordable and competitive benefit plans to companies like yours all across Canada. We understand your financial concerns and have been able to provide participating firms renewals that have averaged less than 5% a year over the past 5 years. We also understand the need to satisfy the needs of many employee groups in your organization. Young Generation Y

employees (born after 1980) want their employers to be interested in them and their good health. Generation X employees (born from 1965-1980) have competing responsibilities - working on their careers, raising a family and perhaps contributing to the care of elderly parents. And Baby Boomers (born 1964 and earlier) have started to focus on health issues as they grapple with the effects of aging. The Chambers Plan can help here as well. Whether it’s covering prescription drugs for Baby Boomers, having Best Doctors or Employee Assistance Programs available for Generation X employees, or the service of a massage therapist or dietician for the Generation Yers, the Plan’s goal is to give you and your employees security and peace of mind. 1) New York Times October 26, 2005 Visit Buy Chambers website at www.buychambers.ca.

Aline Munro, Academic Dean of NBCC-Saint John, speaking with Fardin Ahmed, the Board of Trade’s co-op student, along with Jennifer Tupper at a recent Board of Trade event

A winning formula for Small Business Co-op Education is an effective and sustainable approach to experiential learning that continuously creates a pool of talented individuals who become dedicated leaders and support the growth and prosperity of the Greater Saint John area. This collaborative approach creates a win-win situation for both business to identify potential future employees and students to test drive a career. The majority of co-op students are placed with local employers, particularly small businesses, who have year-round access to approximately 650 paid and nonpaid enthusiastic and professionally trained students. Why Co-op is important for Small Business? In this economic downturn, when almost any size of business is focusing on reduced cost and increased productivity, hiring coop students is a ideal choice because this experiential learning approach is considered to be a cost-effective solution to meet temporary and future employment needs. Employee turnover and lack of employability skills are two major challenges that small businesses often come across. These challenges are reduced

Small Business Development

through co-op placements because students are professionally trained, committed to their best performance and loyal to employers. Students are trained in areas such as but not limited to Finance, Occupational Health and Safety, Business Technical Writing, Team Building, Customer Service Skills, Time Management, Conflict Resolutions, Human Rights, Leadership, Public Speaking, Stress Management. All these skills are transferable to almost any type of work environment. Students being placed with small business gain a better understanding of the business and its processes, giving students the opportunity to work on small or large projects beside outlined responsibilities. The small business work environment makes students more creative and result oriented. What type of job can Co-op students be hired for?

Cooperative Education Students can be placed with jobs in all area of Business, Engineering, Technology, Media/Public Relations, Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, Tourism, Retail, Government, Military/Police/Fire, Financial, Energy/Engineering, Skilled Professions/Trades and Transportation. Financial Support for Small Businesses to hire Co-op Students Typical co-op students are paid wages determined by each individual employer. The exception is applied to High School Co-op Students who are not paid. Funding may be available to assist employers in hiring co-op students. Please contact individual institutions to learn more. The Saint John Board of Trade encourages small businesses to take advantage of this cost effective opportunity of hiring co-op students, while playing a leadership role in preparing the next generation work force.

Currents • September 2009

Please contact us to learn more about how you and students can benefit from each of our Co-op programs Lynn MacDonald, District 6 Co-op & NBYCC Ph: (506) 847-6215, [email protected] Erin Gillespie, UNB Saint John (506) 6485549, [email protected] Dixie Coughlin, District 8 Co-op Ph: (506) 658-6332, [email protected] Joan Wilkins, District 8 NBYCC Ph: (506)643-6884, [email protected] Lori Cameron, NBCC Saint John (506) 658-6749, [email protected]

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Small Business Development

Employers in Saint John require workers and individuals living in poverty require a job to move out of poverty. TIES 2 Work, a new program connects employers to individuals who are trained and ready to work. Vibrant Communities Saint John and the Saint John Learning Exchange are partnering with employers, government and educational institutions to support a new employer-specific essential skills training approach that began in April 2009. The goal is to facilitate a match between employers and potential employees through 12 weeks of job specific training, resulting in employment at a minimum starting wage of $10 / hour. Employers are invited to participate

Membership

Currents • September 2009

Through our offerings, programs and mentorship the Saint John Board of Trade provides opportunities for members: • To grow themselves (through involvement and learning). • To grow their business (through knowledge and connections). • To assist in the economic development of our community. • To help grow the community by participating in the development of solutions for community needs and issues.

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For more detailed information on Membership with the Saint John Board of Trade please visit our website at www.sjboardoftrade.com

THE POWER OF THE NETWORK

Board of Trade President, Imelda Gilman, welcomes Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, Rodney Weston, MP for Saint John, and Trevor Holder, MLA Saint JohnPortland to a Luncheon on August 6

in this program which runs twice a year. Three employers, City of Saint John, Coast Tire and Auto Service and Fortis Properties launched the first program with six participants who are now all working with these employers. This new approach, funded by PostSecondary Education Training and Labour, builds on the skills of individuals through short-term workplace essential job specific skills training, delivered by the Saint John Learning Exchange that has over 20 years experience in adult education and training. Employers benefit from reductions in the cost and risk of bringing on new employees. They also benefit from increased productivity as a result of the pre-screening and training.

Feedback from Employers: “…. gives employers pre-screened candidates for the positions they have available.” Shirley Mitchell, Human Resources Manager Coast Tire & Auto Service

“…. our corporate responsibility to give a “hand up” to those that want to better themselves and by doing so our community becomes enriched by this investment”. Paulette Hicks, General Manager Fortis Properties

For more information contact Christina Fowler, Saint John Learning Exchange at 648-0202 or [email protected] or Cathy Wright, Vibrant Communities at 832-5624 or [email protected].

Small Business Development Department of Energy officials network at a BoT Breakfast with Chris Huskilson in June

September Sept 2 - New Member Meet & Greet 4:30pm - 6:00pm in the Boardroom at the Business Resource Centre Sept 10 - Networking Mixer sponsored and hosted by Century 21 & Prestige Homes at 125 Daniel Ave from 5pm-7pm Sept 15 - Business Toolbox Workshop presented by Focal Point Coaching noon at the Business Resource Centre Sept 16 - Brown Bag Lunch & Learn presented by Fundy Group Recruiting and Retaining Top Performers noon at the Business Resource Centre

Members, like Freedom 55, had the opportunity to meet Michael Ignatieff at a Luncheon on August 13

October Oct 13 - Business Toolbox Workshop presented by Bell Aliant Manage Your IT Expenditures noon at the Business Resource Centre Oct 15 - Brown Bag Lunch & Learn presented by Fundy Group Systematic Selling noon at the Business Resource Centre Oct 20 - Small Business Week Workshop Succession Planning presented by TD Canada Trust Oct 29 - Breakfast co-hosted by the Saint John Board of Trade and Think NB Growth and Innovation with Speaker: Gary Stairs, Chairman & CEO, Red Hot Learning Inc.

Upcoming Events

November Nov 3 - Community/Business Reception/Mixer co-hosted by the BoT and BCAPI, sponsored by Bell Aliant from 4:30pm – 6:00pm Nov 19 - Brown Bag Lunch & Learn presented by Fundy Group Networking for success noon at the Business Resource Centre Nov 25 - Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Gala Dinner For more information on these and other upcoming Board of Trade events visit www.sjboardoftrade.com! Check the site frequently as we update with new events on a regular basis!

Currents • September 2009

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Member Profile:

Currents • September 2009

Advantage Personnel

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Small and medium sized businesses in Saint John require flexibility as they develop their strategic plans. Included in these plans of flexible products and service offerings is the need for a flexible labour force supplier. Advantage Personnel can supply qualified people by the hour, day, week, month or year. With solutions ranging from entry level to senior executives, both temporary and permanent, Advantage Group allows you the flexibility to find the right solution to your unique requirements. Advantage Personnel is Canada’s largest independently owned full service recruitment and staffing firm. At Advantage Personnel, we are committed to providing contingency and direct hire staffing to clients across all verticals and industries. Through our extensive testing, background and reference checks, Advantage Personnel insures only the most creditable professionals. We take on the burden of recruitment and payroll remittances, thus freeing our small business clients to concentrate on competing in their market where the smallest advantage can be crucial. Our clients who value our flexibility in dealing with their Human Capital requirements realize significant cost savings that translate into profit dollars. At Advantage Personnel, we have the recruitment engine and expertise to source and secure the right personnel for your organization. With over 20 years experience, an extensive candidate database, and HR Consultants employing only industry leading practices - coupled with our competitive rates and guarantees - our clients of all sizes enjoy having Advantage Personnel as their preferred resource provider. For more information, please contact Darryl Daigle office manager of our Saint John office. THE POWER OF THE NETWORK

Why it Makes Sense to Hire People with Disabilities Are you having trouble finding suitable candidates to fill your open positions? Is holding onto employees becoming ever more difficult? If so, you are not alone. With baby boomers retiring and youth heading west and south the problem is becoming more acute than ever. The great news is that there is an untapped workforce ready and eager to work. People with disabilities are the most under-utilized workforce in the country and are ready to fill the gaps in our workforce. Tapping into this under-utilized workforce is advantageous to both big and small employers. Employing a person with a disability can increase your productivity, increase innovation, lower internal costs and increase your competitiveness. People with disabilities often have higher than average performance ratings in the workplace, particularly with regards to productivity (Persons with Disabilities Partnership Association of Industrial Cape Breton,

2003). Businesses that employ people with disabilities are better able to design and deliver products that appeal to a diverse group of consumers. Further people with disabilities have higher than average employer loyalty, helping you to decrease your staff turn-around and therefore save money on recruitment and training costs. People with disabilities also generally have better than average problem-solving and creative-thinking skills. By employing innovative thinkers, you can enhance your intellectual capital and give your business the competitive advantage. The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW), Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP) can help connect employers in the city with job seekers with disabilities. Take the plunge today and diversify your workforce! For more information, please contact Rachel Harlow at [email protected] or 506-635-2275

Thank You! Thank you to sponsors, event partners, volunteers, and event attendees, you have all helped make our Fourth Annual Big Splash on the Waterfront a huge success! This is our primary fundraising event to ensure we can continue to provide our members with the level of service and representation they deserve. Presenting Sponsor

Food Island Sponsor

Venue Sponsor

Entertainment Sponsor

Over 360 members took the opportunity to network at the 2009 Big Splash on the Waterfront and enjoyed a great evening of entertainment and food!

Media Sponsors

Associate Sponsors: Exit Reality, J.D. Irving, Limited, Lorneville Mechanical, Stantec, UNBSJ Splash Supporters: Avant-Garde Construction, BMO Financial Group, Business Health Matters Inc., Fundy Linen Service Inc., Global Convention Services Ltd., Grant Thornton LLP, Hi Roc Construction, Lantic Sugar Limited, Omni Cleaning Services, Paul’s Flower Shop Ltd., Select Printing Ltd. Volunteers: Chair: Heather Peterson, The Hardman Group; Jennifer Blackwood, Business Health Matters; Christine Bourque, Mitchell McConnell Insurance; Lori Cleveand, The Hardman Group; Kay Gillis, Revolution Strategy; Melanie Hall, The Marc Mawhinney Team; Kelli Lester, Irving Oil Limited; Amanda Long, The Marc Mawhinney Team; Dawn Miller, The Hardman Group; Terri Riedle, Revolution Strategy; Paula Small, Saint John Port Authority; Kelli Wetmore, Kelly Services; Greg McConnachie, Mawhinney Property Management.

Currents • September 2009

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Saint John Board of Trade members now have the opportunity to benefit from our Member-to-Member Benefit Program! This program was created to provide members with an opportunity to foster and grow their business-to-business relationships with fellow Board of Trade members and is the first place members should look when in need of professional products and services. All member organizations (and all full time employees within those organizations) will be issued a Member-to-Member Benefit Program Card. Simply present your card at any of the participating organizations and you receive the benefit! All special offers, discounts, benefits and incentives are listed on our website, on the Member-to-Member Benefit Program page, located under the Member Centre. All members are invited to submit a listing. To submit a listing or view the complete terms of use visit our website at www.sjboardoftrade.com. For more information contact Jennifer Tupper, Marketing & Sales Officer, at (506) 634-4159 or [email protected].

2009 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS We need your input! The Saint John Board of Trade invites you to help us identify those entrepreneurs and businesses in Greater Saint John whose efforts and achievements merit consideration for the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. Finalists and winners will be honoured at a special Gala Award Dinner in November 2009. Nominees will be contacted to ask if they will accept the nomination and complete a questionnaire. Members of an Independent Judging Panel will review and evaluate the information provided and select finalists and winners in each category.

Performance and achievement will be judged based on a number of factors, including: • Export growth • Employment Growth • Innovation • Marketing • Management Excellence • Employee Relations • Community Relations • Sales Growth • Entrepreneurship • Other Achievements

Deadline to Nominate is Friday September 11th, 2009. Just email the name of the firm you wish to nominate, their address, phone number, key contact person & title, to [email protected]