Thank you to The Ridge at Manitou, our gracious May BAH host. On Wednesday, May 19th, many business owners and operators gathered to network, tour The Ridge facilities, enjoy beverages and snacks, and unwind for a few minutes on the patio thanks to some fantastic weather!
MP Tony Clement dropped in and informed the crowd about several initiatives that have been recently announced, such as funding for the Festival of the Sound in the amount of $240,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The strength of the Chamber Network can be tangibly felt at events such as the Business After Hours gatherings and we encourage all of our members to join in on these excellent mixers.
Upcoming BAH Dates:
• Big Sound Marina, June 25, 5 pm to 6 pm
• Delta Rocky Crest Resort, July 14, 5 pm to 6 pm
• Rosseau Road Power Sports and Marine, August 25, 5 pm to 6 pm
Please RSVP to info@parrysoundchamber.ca or call 746-4213 to confirm your attendance for any Business After Hours. We look forward to seeing you there!
Business on the Bay
Join the Chamber of Commerce, Georgian Bay Country and the Georgian Bay Women’s Network for the Annual BUSINESS ON THE BAY networking cruise. This year’s event will be held Wednesday, June 16 from 5-6 pm onboard the Island Queen. This free 1 hour networking get together leaves the Town Dock in Parry Sound promptly at 5 pm, so don’t be left behind!
The cruise offers the opportunity for area businesses and their front line staff to get to know each other, share ideas and information about the upcoming summer season and to learn more about what others in the area have on the go. Get to know what’s happening with your fellow businesses and wow customers this summer with your knowledge of the area.
Special thanks to the Island Queen for their generous support of this annual networking program. Please RSVP to Anna Marie Harris at 705-378-5105 or annamarie@gbcountry.com to confirm your participation.
What’s Happening In Our Community?
Parry Sound Area Dragon’s Den Information Session
In preparation for this fall’s Dragon’s Den Event for local innovators, the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) and partners will be hosting an information session on June 24, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Rosseau Memorial Community Hall, 2 Victoria Street in the
Village of Rosseau.
This session will allow entrepreneurs to gain an initial idea of what to expect when applying to present to the Parry Sound Area Dragons. The Parry Sound Area Dragon’s Den will entertain applications from anyone who has a business or expansion idea that needs private capital investment of $10,000 or more. Everyone is welcome, whether you already have a business or just a brilliant idea!
The Parry Sound Area Dragon’s Den will be held on Friday October 15, 2010 at the Charles W. Stockey Centre. For more information or to RSVP for the information session (by June 20th) please contact Kirsten LeDrew at kledrew@townofparrysound.com or 705-746-2101 ext. 39.
The Dragon’s Den event is funded in part by the Parry Sound Area Community Business and Development Centre in support of economic development in West Parry Sound.
‘Glow and Grow’ with PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
The following workshops are being offered in June by Paro Centre for Women’s Enterprise. The sessions are available free of charge to Parry Sound Area residents by using Contact North’s distance education delivery system. The Contact North Center is located at 60 James Street, suite 201. Please register by emailing buildingbridges@paro.ca by May 31st and remember to indicate which Contact North location you wish to attend through.
Wednesday, June 2nd, 11:00 – Noon
ACTION PLANNING
Christine Sikerbol, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise.
Do you know how to develop an action plan and reach your goals?
We will show you how to:
• Develop action plans to clearly define measurable goals
• Prioritize and set target dates
• Measure and Evaluate one’s progress!
Wednesday, June 2nd, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
VALUES BASED LEADERSHIP
Stacia Kean & Suzanne Tighe, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise. When you think about change, what is your vision for a better future? This is the first in a series of workshops that PARO will offer throughout 2010. Come discover what your true values are!
Wednesday, June 9th, Noon (2hrs)
INDUSTRY AND TARGET MARKET RESEARCH
Christine Sikerbol & Thunder Bay Public Library, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise. Looking to find resources to complete research for your Business Plan?
• Where to find resources and information to conduct industry research
• Online research
• Canadian business information through trade publications and news media
• InfoTrac small business eCollection
• Stats Canada
Wednesday, June 16th, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
CONTRACTS – HOW DO THEY WORK?
Bonnie King, King Konsulting. Contracts do not have to be complicated! Bonnie will explain step by step how to navigate the world of contracts.
Wednesday, June 16th, 10:00 – Noon (2hrs)
PRICING STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Christine Sikerbol, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise We will teach you the following:
• Importance of pricing and factors overlooked when developing a pricing strategy for your business
• Quality, expertise and image of your business
• Intangible factors and consumer perception and value of Goods and Services
• Establishing price ranges to cover costs, break-even analysis
Wednesday, June 16th, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP
Stacia Kean & Suzanne Tighe, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise. When you think about change, what is your vision for a better future? This is the second in a series of workshops that PARO will offer throughout 2010. Discover your authentic self!
Wednesday, June 23rd, 10:00 – Noon (2hrs)
DEVELOPING YOUR ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STRATEGY
Christine Sikerbol, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise.
• Marketing and advertising essentials for any business
• Developing your strategy for effective exposure
Wednesday, June 23rd, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
ASPIRE TO HIRE
Brenda McDougall, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
Are you overwhelmed? Did you know that one reason women’s businesses have lower average sales than male entrepreneurs is because women are more reluctant to hire.
Did you know that hiring a skilled person, whether an individual or another business, can bring you more profits? At this workshop, you learn how you can better “Glow & Grow” and how you can shine by hiring great employees.
Wednesday, June 30th, 11:00 – Noon
BUSINESS EXPENSES AND BUDGETING
Barbara Gauthier, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
Business Expenses and Budgeting leave you confused?
We will help you make sense of it all …
• Variable vs. Fixed Expenses
• What is your reliable income?
• How to budget for your business
Wednesday, June 30th, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Brenda McDougall, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
How much thought and time do you give to presentation? Whether it’s how you appear to your customers or how you present yourself for a job, whether in writing or in person…
This workshop is for you!
The Power of Social Media for Small Business
Discover the true power behind social media and see how it can benefit your business with minimal cost thanks to a free webinar offered by TD Canada Trust on June 3, 2010.
This Webinar Workshop will show you:
• What social media is and how to use these tools to market your business
• Why social media sites are generating buzz and how you can profit from it
• That you don’t need to be tech-savvy to build an online presence and make it known
• Real examples of small businesses using social media as a cost-effective marketing tool
Host: Irene Law, Senior Manager Business Banking, TD Bank Financial Group
Guest Speakers:
• Erin Bury, Community Manager, Sprouter
• Amber MacArthur, New Media Journalist & Co-Founder, MGI Media
• Lyn Wilson, Online Marketing Consultant, 6s Marketing
Join the FREE Webinar Workshop on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 12 pm ET, to learn how to boost your marketing efforts by leveraging the power of social media.
Click here to register
Ride for Refuge
For information on the Parry Sound RIDE, please visit http://www.rideforrefuge.org/home.php?c=1&l=12
Waste Diversion Survey
The purpose of this Ontario Chamber of Commerce survey is to seek the business community’s input on what, if any, obstacles or challenges exist in their own waste diversion programs, or whether such programs exist in the business. The survey should only take about 5 minutes and is located at the following link:
http://surveys.occ.on.ca/ls/index.php?sid=83375&lang=en
Please complete this survey by Monday, May 31 at 4:00 pm. The OCC will use your input to help shape and influence the Auditor General’s report to the Ministry of Environment.
Thank you for taking the time to share your insight.
What Are Our Members Doing?
Canadore College Appoints New President
The Board of Governors of Canadore College has recently announced the appointment of George Burton as President and CEO. Mr. Burton is currently Vice President, Enrolment Management and Student Services, at Loyalist College. He is a graduate of the Recreation Leadership program at Canadore College and was a Canadore staff member working in several leadership roles in the office of the Registrar for seven years beginning in 1985.
Mr. Burton will assume his post beginning July 15, 2010. In the interim he will be visiting the College and area on several occasions. Please help us welcome him, and his family, to that area, and congratulations to the Canadore team for bringing such a talented member of the alumni back home.
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