Month: January 2017

New Year resolution for positive change

President’s column (As published in the February 2017, Hub Now)

Ringing in a New Year is synonymous with pledging a resolution. Resolutions are often aimed at improving an individual’s well-being.  Goals to quit smoking and the proverbial diet and exercise plans top many resolution lists. Enthusiasm to reach the goal starts high, but more times than not, focus and commitment wanes, with the undesirable habits returning, leaving participants discouraged.

So you may ask, how do resolutions apply to business?  In simple terms, businesses and their managers can set their own resolutions. Simply committing to change, one or two things in how they operate their business, aimed at meeting specific business objectives.

One resolution may be focused on improving the workplace culture.  Advancing a positive workplace can start with the manager leading by example.  Demonstrating actions towards reducing negativity and limiting meddling, which contribute to a loss of trust and support within the workforce, is a manageable first step.  It’s often stated that it takes three positive comments to offset a single negative comment.  Efforts to create a positive work environment lead to an engaged workforce, which contributes to higher job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

Another tangible resolution may be tailored to supporting our own.  As businesses we recognize the value of residents supporting local establishments. Businesses, in among themselves, are large consumers of good and services. Their purchasing decisions can have a tremendous impact on the local economy. Resolving towards purchasing a greater portion of products and services locally will help support the sustainability of local business. This in return, will support the retention and attraction of staff, the creation of employment and provide donor supports for the social, cultural, educational and recreational needs of the area.

These small yet progressive actions can be very rewarding to business. Silently, the business will become an employer of choice, providing access to a larger labour pool and opportunities to attract the brightest talent.  Efforts towards positive actions further demonstrate the values of the business. Consumers are more aligned to trust a business with shared values and a perception of transparency.  Seeing their consumptive dollars being reinvested in the community, rather than funding programs of an external or foreign entity, provides an element of respect and fulfillment.

Andrew Lake is President of the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce. He is Project Manager with Will-Kare Paving and Contracting.

Refugee family embraces new hometown

Executive director’s column (published in February 2017, Hub Now)

Tareq Hadhad challenged people to imagine the unimaginable, as he told his personal story of loss while recounting living in a refugee camp.

The owner of the Antigonish-based business, Peace By Chocolate, accompanied  by his father Assam and mother Shahenaz, recently spoke at an event in Halifax hosted by the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council and Atlantic Central Credit Unions.

The young man originally from Damascas, Syria, detailed how his family’s perfectly normal, happy life changed overnight as civil war gripped his home country destroying all they had worked to build.

He spoke with great pride about the family’s chocolatier business, once a thriving enterprise in Damascas employing 30 people, many of whom fled Syria with the family in 2013 to a refugee camp in Lebanon.

Then, he shared joy about being the first of his family to arrive in Canada in late 2015, followed soon by others, where they began to quickly rebuild their lives.

Surrounded by strong  community support in their new hometown of Antigonish, the refugees turned entrepreneurs opened the now nationally acclaimed Peace By Chocolate in August 2016 in a small shed built by volunteers.

And they are already in expansion mode.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared the family’s story at a UN summit on refugees and stopped by the newly opened chocolatiers in November  for a private visit congratulating them on their early success in Canada.

The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has invited Hadhad to share his family’s touching story at a lunch and learn on Feb. 1, 12 p.m., at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro.

This event is one of several the Chamber will host during the next few weeks.  Divert Nova Scotia is hosting a networking social for Chamber members on Jan. 19 at its location, 35 Commercial St., Suite 400, beginning at 5 p.m. They invite members to learn about the many services they offer and recycling programs underway across the province. On Jan. 27, the Chamber will host its second annual curling bonspiel at the Truro Curling Club beginning at 1 p.m. Beginners and experienced curlers are welcome to participate in this fun-themed day. A short introduction to the game will be held prior to the first draw so join us for an afternoon of relaxed entertainment as a team or individual.

James Taylor, Commissionaires Nova Scotia regional manager,  will be the special guest speaker at the Jan. 25 TD Business Builders series workshop discussing business security. This session will be held from 8 -9 a.m., is free for members and a light breakfast is served.

For more information about the benefits of Chamber membership or to register for events contact the Chamber office at 902-895-6328, email [email protected], or visit our website www.trurocolchesterchamber.com.

Sherry Martell is the executive director of the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce. She may be reached by email at [email protected].

Town of Truro and County of Colchester endorse business development pilot project

 

TRURO –  A pilot project aimed at attracting new business to the Colchester Region while supporting existing business in growth and retention is being endorsed by local municipalities.

Truro Town Council accepted the business development proposal at its Sept. 12 council meeting subject to developing a satisfactory governance model and other partner approvals.

“We applaud the Truro & Colchester Chamber’s commitment in proposing to take on this very challenging aspect of our economic development,” said Truro Mayor Bill Mills.

The 36-month pilot project will focus on marketing, promotion and communication by establishing a central point of contact to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as sector development, business retention and other supports.

Last month, Colchester County Council voted to support the proposed plan, which was developed by a group of business leaders with participation and input by local CAOs, municipal leadership and Millbrook First Nation in recent months.

“Colchester Council has endorsed the proposal as lead by the Chamber and are pleased with the commitment of all partners thus far,” said Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor. “This is an important step to uniting our communities with a strong unified voice for economic development in our region.  This first step will lead to many exciting initiatives in the immediate future. ”

In recent months the Chamber has engaged with the business community and municipalities in an effort to garner support for the establishment of a business development body with a sharp focus on attracting new business to the area.

“The region has a tremendous geographic advantage over other areas and is rich with recreational, educational and social infrastructure,” said Chamber president Andrew Lake. “A unified effort to market and leverage these assets for prospective and existing business will position the region for continued prosperity.”

During the next few weeks the three municipalities in Colchester region and Millbrook First Nation will be meeting to discuss governance and work together to finalize a funding model with a goal to implement initial phases of the plan in the fall of 2016.