Small Business Development • Succession Planning • How to Network

September ‘09

Chris Huskilson, Hon. Jim

President & CEO of Prentice, Federal
Emera Inc Minister of Environment
Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the
Official Opposition and Leader
of the Liberal Party of Canada
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.
 Small Business Development
Chair’s Message
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
Currents • September 2009
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
2 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: igilman@sjboardoftrade.com
Visit our website at www.sjboardoftrade.com
PRODUCTION
Editor: Imelda Gilman
Advertising Sales: Jennifer Tupper (506) 634-4159 or
email jtupper@sjboardoftrade.com
Graphic Design & Production: Morrison Marketing
Printing: Transcontinental
Mail Preparation: United Catena Training Centre
Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail
Sales Agreement No. 40010390
 Members
Small Business Development
networking at
the Luncheon
with the
Honourable BDC Perspective:
Jim Prentice,
Minister of the
Environment
Strong leaders build
in August
stronger companies
Building leadership capacity in your Know your weaknesses and strengths
company is now even more critical, as it "Be sure that you have clear insight into
will help you successfully ride a turbulent your strengths, weaknesses and blind spots.
economy, says BDC President and CEO Once you recognize these, you're better
Jean-René Halde. "Everything we do able to focus on what you do best and see
happens through people. We bet on people, exactly where you may need some help,"
not strategies or systems," he emphasizes. says Halde. For instance, you might be
Always room for improvement able to fill a gap in your skills by hiring
For Halde, the high rate of failure among an external consultant.
small businesses in Canada can often be Delegate
attributed to leadership shortcomings in "You can't do it all yourself," emphasizes
key areas such as human resources Halde. "The failure to delegate is probably
management, strategy and soft skills such one of the biggest challenges for many
as employee communication. "This is entrepreneurs, who often micro-manage."
particularly true in a globalized business He encourages business owners to
environment, where the stakes have recognize the strengths of other people on
changed dramatically. It's much more their team and tap into those strengths. "It's
difficult to be an entrepreneur today than important to learn how to surround yourself
it was 5 to 10 years ago. How we did with competent people. By delegating,
business in the past is not a guarantee of you're also developing employees, which
success in the future," he adds. "Leadership is crucial to the long-term stability of your
is the key driver of best practices, innovation organization, particularly in challenging
and productivity. It's not surprising that economic periods. People will most often
there is strong correlation between rise to the challenges offered."
leadership development and how Train and develop
companies perform." "Leadership training is also crucial to
Some practical advice ensure that employees have the right skills
Whether you're at the helm of a small to move your company forward, especially
company with a few managers or you're a in tougher times," says Halde. For instance,
bigger player, you can probably benefit your people may be lacking problem-
from applying best practices in leadership. solving skills to help your company deal
Although there are no set recipes for with common challenges such as
success, BDC's President and CEO offers operational inefficiency and low
some practical advice. productivity. "Formal academic training
Lead with vision programs may fail to engage people. A
"A leader with vision makes sure that better strategy today, for example, is to
people have a clear understanding of where ensure that your more experienced
the company is going and what is expected managers are coaching other team members
of them," says Halde. "Your role is to be and sharing their knowledge with them.
a positive and motivating influencer. You Or you may want to get external help," he
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."
Currents • September 2009

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."
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
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 3
THE NETWORK
 Small Business Development Tim Vickers, Executive
Director of the Atlantic
Coastal Action
Program, speaking
How to network to with other attendees
at the Luncheon with
the Honourable Jim
grow your business Prentice, Minister of
the Environment in
by Roger Pierce August

All business owners know the Develop categories of people: touch with the people you have networked.
importance of networking. It is a term Prospective customers: So get out there, meet people and help
given to building relationships that will • Category A - hot prospects your business.
help both of the people involved. So what • Category B - warm prospects
Roger Pierce is an Entrepreneurship Columnist for
are the benefits of networking? • Category C - potential prospects The Toronto Sun and 24 Hours, whose columns can
• It generates new business and referrals. • Supplier be found in The National Post, The Globe and Mail,
• It enables you to explore ideas and • Advisor Metro News, The Toronto Star, Canadian Business
and The Wall Street Journal.
discuss business challenges. • Industry Colleague
• It’s an opportunity to meet new people With this advice you will have an To obtain a copy of this or other articles by Roger
and socialize. organized and effective way to keep in Pierce please visit http://blog.bizlaunch.ca
• 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
Currents • September 2009

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.

4 THE POWER OF
THE NETWORK
 Premier Graham, Small Business Development
Roxanne Reeves,
Minister Keir and
Barbara Keir
entering the Why a succession
Marco Polo
Cruise Terminal
to attend the Big
plan is important for
Splash Event
your business
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve business, what arrangements must Your succession plan should establish a
probably worked very hard over the years be made with partners and timetable for key events: training
to build your business - and dream of the shareholders? successors, your retirement date, and
day you can step away from work and • You need to make plans for the transfer of ownership. It should also
enjoy retirement. possibility of an untimely death: outline your “strategic vision” - how you
The cornerstone What happens if you die before see the company being operated after you
For many business owners, a succession you’re able to transfer the business? leave, and the management roles
plan is a vital part to protecting your • Decide when you will retire. individuals will play in the company.
business as you implement your business • Explore and determine the most tax- There is help
transfer strategy. It outlines, in detail, how effective way to transfer business The road to your completed succession
your business is to be transferred to ownership. plan is complex. That’s why it’s important
another owner-operator. When done • Fully examine and consider available to enlist the help of professionals. You
properly, a succession plan can prevent options for transferring ownership, may need to work with management
potential difficulties and increase the including an “estate freeze” - a way consultants who specialize in succession
chances that your business will continue to freeze assets at their current value planning, as well as tax professionals and
to thrive. and defer taxes on future growth until lawyers. You should also consider how
Regardless of whether you’re your heirs transfer their shares. your succession plan ties in with your
transferring the business to an existing Legal agreements estate plan. For example, if you pass along
partner, senior executive, or family These may include provisions governing the business to one child, how will you
member, a plan is the best way to make who can assume your portion of the fairly compensate your other children?
sure it ends up in the right hands and business and under what conditions. For Once in place, review your succession
continues in the right direction. example, they may give existing plan regularly. This is especially important
This means that a succession plan is shareholders the right to buy you out. You when there are changes in your family or
not something that can be done hastily or may be able to institute a shareholder business circumstances - for example,
at the last minute. You need to carefully agreement with other shareholders that marriage or divorce, a birth in the family,
consider who should run the business facilitates your succession goals. a material change in the business or its
when you leave, then train your If you’re in partnership, pay particular ownership structure, or changing tax and
successors, plan your exit, and decide attention to agreements that are already business regulations affecting the business.
how to transfer business assets. Ideally, in place, including “buy-sell” agreements.
Article provided by TD Canada Trust
a succession plan should be formulated Once these and other issues are www.tdcanadatrust.com/smallbusiness
years before you retire. considered, detail your plans in writing.
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?
Currents • September 2009

• 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

THE POWER OF 5
THE NETWORK
 Small Business Development Chris Huskilson,
President & CEO of
Emera Inc, and Board
of Trade Chair, Kathy
Certainty in Craig posed for a
photo after his
Uncertain Times speech at the BoT
breakfast in June

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
Currents • September 2009
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.

6 THE POWER OF
THE NETWORK
 Aline Munro,
Academic Dean of Small Business Development
NBCC-Saint John,
speaking with Fardin
Ahmed, the Board of
Trade’s co-op student, Cooperative
along with Jennifer
Tupper at a recent
Board of Trade event
Education
A winning formula for Small Business through co-op placements because students Students can be placed with jobs in all
Co-op Education is an effective and are professionally trained, committed to area of Business, Engineering, Technology,
sustainable approach to experiential their best performance and loyal to Media/Public Relations, Healthcare,
learning that continuously creates a pool employers. Education, Manufacturing, Tourism,
of talented individuals who become Students are trained in areas such as but Retail, Government, Military/Police/Fire,
dedicated leaders and support the growth not limited to Finance, Occupational Financial, Energy/Engineering, Skilled
and prosperity of the Greater Saint John Health and Safety, Business Technical Professions/Trades and Transportation.
area. Writing, Team Building, Customer Service Financial Support for Small Businesses
This collaborative approach creates a Skills, Time Management, Conflict to hire Co-op Students
win-win situation for both business to Resolutions, Human Rights, Leadership, Typical co-op students are paid wages
identify potential future employees and Public Speaking, Stress Management. All determined by each individual employer.
students to test drive a career. these skills are transferable to almost any The exception is applied to High School
The majority of co-op students are type of work environment. Co-op Students who are not paid.
placed with local employers, particularly Students being placed with small Funding may be available to assist
small businesses, who have year-round business gain a better understanding of employers in hiring co-op students. Please
access to approximately 650 paid and non- the business and its processes, giving contact individual institutions to learn
paid enthusiastic and professionally trained students the opportunity to work on small more.
students. or large projects beside outlined The Saint John Board of Trade
Why Co-op is important for Small responsibilities. The small business work encourages small businesses to take
Business? environment makes students more advantage of this cost effective opportunity
In this economic downturn, when almost creative and result oriented. of hiring co-op students, while playing a
any size of business is focusing on reduced What type of job can Co-op students leadership role in preparing the next
cost and increased productivity, hiring co- be hired for? generation work force.
op 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

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, Lynn.MacDonald2@gnb.ca
Erin Gillespie, UNB Saint John
(506) 6485549, emackenz@unbsj.ca
Dixie Coughlin, District 8 Co-op
Ph: (506) 658-6332, Dixie.Coughlin@gnb.ca
Currents • September 2009

Joan Wilkins, District 8 NBYCC

Ph: (506)643-6884, joan.wilkins@gnb.ca
Lori Cameron, NBCC Saint John
(506) 658-6749, lori.cameron@gnb.ca

THE POWER OF 7
THE NETWORK
 Small Business Development 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 John-
Portland to a Luncheon
on August 6

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
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 Post-
Secondary 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
learnex@nb.aibn.com or Cathy Wright, Vibrant
Communities at 832-5624 or cwright@nb.aibn.com.

Membership
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.
For more detailed information on
Membership with the Saint John
Board of Trade please visit our
Currents • September 2009

website at www.sjboardoftrade.com

8 THE POWER OF
THE NETWORK
 Small Business Development
Department
of Energy Members,
officials
network at a
like Freedom
55, had the
Upcoming
BoT Breakfast
with Chris
Huskilson in
opportunity
to meet Events
Michael
June Ignatieff at a
Luncheon on
August 13

September October November

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
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.
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

THE POWER OF 9
THE NETWORK
 Member Profile:
Why it Makes Sense to Hire
Advantage People with Disabilities
Are you having trouble finding suitable 2003). Businesses that employ people
Personnel candidates to fill your open positions? Is with disabilities are better able to design
holding onto employees becoming ever and deliver products that appeal to a
Small and medium sized businesses
more difficult? If so, you are not alone. diverse group of consumers. Further
in Saint John require flexibility as they
With baby boomers retiring and youth people with disabilities have higher than
develop their strategic plans. Included
heading west and south the problem is average employer loyalty, helping you to
in these plans of flexible products and
becoming more acute than ever. The great decrease your staff turn-around and
service offerings is the need for a
news is that there is an untapped workforce therefore save money on recruitment and
flexible labour force supplier.
ready and eager to work. People with training costs. People with disabilities also
Advantage Personnel can supply
disabilities are the most under-utilized generally have better than average
qualified people by the hour, day,
workforce in the country and are ready to problem-solving and creative-thinking
week, month or year. With solutions
fill the gaps in our workforce. skills. By employing innovative thinkers,
ranging from entry level to senior
Tapping into this under-utilized you can enhance your intellectual capital
executives, both temporary and
workforce is advantageous to both big and give your business the competitive
permanent, Advantage Group allows
and small employers. Employing a person advantage.
you the flexibility to find the right
with a disability can increase your The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation
solution to your unique requirements.
productivity, increase innovation, lower and Work (CCRW), Partners for
Advantage Personnel is Canada’s
internal costs and increase your Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP) can
largest independently owned full
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service recruitment and staffing firm.
often have higher than average job seekers with disabilities. Take the
At Advantage Personnel, we are
performance ratings in the workplace, plunge today and diversify your
committed to providing contingency
particularly with regards to productivity workforce!
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all verticals and industries. For more information, please contact Rachel Harlow
Association of Industrial Cape Breton, at rharlow@ccrw.org or 506-635-2275
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
Currents • September 2009

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.

10 THE POWER OF
THE NETWORK
 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 Over 360 members
success! This is our primary fundraising event to ensure we can continue to took the opportunity
provide our members with the level of service and representation they deserve. to network at the 2009
Big Splash on the
Presenting Sponsor Waterfront and enjoyed
a great evening of
entertainment and
food!

Food Island Sponsor Venue Sponsor Entertainment Sponsor 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

THE POWER OF 11
THE NETWORK
 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
jtupper@sjboardoftrade.com.

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 ccunningham@sjboardoftrade.com