T H E G R E A T E R V I C T O R I A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E / JANUARY 2011

The Knowledgeto Grow.From the PeopleWho Know.BUSINESSMaTTERSTHE BRIDGEMOVING

FORWARDGETTING TO KNOWTHE FILM INDUSTRY

CLARIFY YOURVISIONREFRESH YOUR BUSINESS

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

TCpromo_BigDay_10x10.pdf 12/13/10 3:24:35 PM

The referendum on the Johnson Street Bridge is complete and the City of Victoria now has a mandate to replace the bridge. And we all expect the City to do so

in a financially-responsible and well-managed way.

In retrospect, the “Bridge Debate” was particularly interesting. While the maintenance, repair and ultimate replacement of this piece of transportation infrastructure is the responsibility of one municipality, many of the arguments highlighted its regional significance. Rail – its challenges and longer-term promise – became and remains a key consideration, despite the obvious if not overly-simplistic fact that the City of Victoria does not require a rail link between Vic West and Downtown. Similarly, strong and quite valid arguments were made that the project must include considerations and amenities that would improve the

regional trail and bicycle systems. Regardless of the positions taken by the various “sides”, there was a common thread – this project has impact well beyond municipal boundaries, it has regional significance, and it affects many residents and businesses in our broader community. Is this not the case with most, if not all, of our major transportation

projects? And, if so, why do we not develop plans and organize their

implementation in such a way that each individual project is considered within a well-understood, regional context?

One could readily argue that the Spencer Road and McTavish Road interchanges were not the region’s highest transportation priorities. Certainly, arguments were made, and continue to be made, that the challenges of the McKenzie/Trans-Canada intersection are more significant and have a much wider impact. Each project has impacts that extend beyond municipal boundaries, though each is inevitably near and dear to those who live and work in the direct area, and to the host municipality that has primary funding responsibility.

However, one of the key reasons the McTavish project in particular was funded is thus – the planning was complete and “municipal funding” (in this case, from the Airport Authority) was in place.

In the Chamber’s view, far greater

emphasis is needed on regional planning and management of regional infrastructure, most notably as it concerns our arterial transportation system. We believe that our elected representatives must devote more of their time to regional transportation planning, and to setting priorities for the region as a whole. We believe that they must do so in such a manner that they agree on the relative priority of each project in the plan – safety, economic development, addressing traffic congestion, shifting transportation dependencies, guiding or supporting community growth, etc.

We believe that more cohesive, collaborative planning would better position the region to be able to quickly take advantage of opportunities as they arise, such as the federal economic stimulus package, or other provincial and federal initiatives that invariably emerge. At the simplest level, when such opportunities arise, we want to be positioned to pull the plans for the highest-priority project off the shelf and “get on with it”, rather than having to quickly come together in some form of committee to argue over priorities, and then compete against one another. Even if this is an over-simplification, it begs the following question: where is the plan and what are the agreed priorities for the region’s transportation infrastructure?

The Chamber has been one of many voices calling on our municipalities to give up transportation planning to a regional body – either to the CRD or to some form of regional transportation authority.

Could the concerns around rail, regional trails, and the high interest level on the

regional impact of the Johnson Street Bridge be a catalyst to moving towards a more regional approach in the area of transportation in the future? This may well be the most positive outcome of the whole “Bridge Debate”.

Table of Contents

BUSINESSMaTTERS

Advertise in Business Matters

SubmissionGuidelines

Business Matters is a key business resource that is targeted and distributed to over 10,000 business owners and decision makers of our community.

To advertise in Business Matters, Contact Us At:

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

#100 – 852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8

(250) 383-7191chamber@gvcc.org

Send all magazine submissions to: srenault@gvcc.org

Please respect the length guidelines.

Member Letters: 200 words

Member News: Standard one page media release

Comment from the Chair:Dave Marshall

BUSINESSMaTTERS 2

Get To Know: Page 17

Keep Your Eye on the Issues: Page 16

New Members: Page 13

Prodigy Group: Page 12

Greater Victoria Development Agency: Page 11

January/February Events: Page 10

Clarify Your Vision: Page 7

Member News: Page 6

Moving the Bridge Forward: Page 3

MOVINGTHE BRIDGEFORWARD

T he voters have spoken and provided the City of Victoria with the go-ahead to borrow $49.2 million to

build a new Johnson Street Bridge. No doubt the next six months will be a flurry of activity getting the project rolling and the community of interested citizens and potential contractors will be watchful of the progression.

A project of this size, the biggest infrastructure project in the history of the City, will have many moving parts. A couple of the first significant

interconnecting pieces will start soon and be in full swing in the coming months. The detailed design drawings will need to start early in the New Year, and in order for that to move ahead, a final decision needs to be made on whether to bring the E&N rail across the bridge into downtown or not, and if so, how to fund that extra expense. Once that final puzzle piece is settled into place, or removed, then the project team can kick into full gear. The Rail QuestionYou may recall that when the City of Victoria received the cost estimates for the bridge, they included options that affected the price. They included the option to upgrade the bridge to a seismic lifeline standard and the option to bring the rail over the bridge into downtown or to have it stop on the Vic West side of the bridge. The upgrade of the seismic standard posed an incremental cost of $10 million and the rail option carried a cost of $12 million. Had the City incorporated both the seismic upgrade and the rail, the overall estimated cost of the project would have been $89 million.City Council made the decision that they would invest the money in upgrading to a

seismic lifeline standard, to keep the bridge open and functional even in the event of a large earthquake. They noted that other bridges in the region are not at that seismic safety level and felt it prudent that at least one of them should be. However, Council pulled back from the option of bringing the rail over the bridge for $12 million. They felt that as much as they all support the notion of the rail, the incremental cost for a rail that served essentially the whole Island was just too much for the City of Victoria to bear on its own. The rail option was removed from the plans

and the overall project cost was adjusted downwards from $89 million to $77 million. The City then applied both the federal grant and the money attributed to the project from the City through reserves and reprioritizing projects to the total. The outstanding amount of $49.2 million was taken to the citizens in the form of a referendum question to acquire their permission to borrow up to secure funding for the project.

Interested PartiesHowever, the rail is a popular amenity. Municipalities around the region are interested in bringing the rail downtown, as is the Island Corridor Foundation. So, in the background, the Capital Regional District has been discussing whether they would be able to contribute to the $12 million incremental cost to add the rail crossing back in to the final design plans, as well as assist in funding the multi-use trail portion, and have unanimously decided to do so. The City, with the support of the CRD, will send an application to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for $23.5 million from the General Strategic Priorities Fund. This fund is allocated for

projects that are strategic in nature and important from a regional perspective. The application includes $6.5 million to be contributed to the cost of bringing the E&N rail across the bridge, and $17 million contributed to the cost of the multi-use trail (possibly reducing the amount of the $49.2 borrowing room the City will be required to use).

After the $6.5 million rail contribution, the City is left seeking the remaining $5.5 million to make up the cost of the rail. And that is the challenge they must overcome in order to make the rail addition a reality.

The Money QuestionSecuring an additional $5.5 million is not a small challenge, though arguable also not insurmountable. At this point Victoria City Council will need to consider the options in front of them, and perhaps ideas that have not yet been brought forward.

Immediate options include allocating additional internal dollars through further use of reserve funds and resource reallocation from other projects. Other obvious options might appear to be requesting additional funding from senior governments.

That is a possibility from the provincial government, but not the federal government. The federal government will fund projects to a maximum of 50 percent of the overall cost, and assuming a successful application through UBCM for the gas tax funds of $23.5 million and the already committed $21 million from the federal stimulus funds, the 50 percent threshold will be reached.

At this point, the province has not contributed to the rebuilding of the Johnson Street Bridge, and it is unknown as to whether they will. Past approaches to the province have been unsuccessful. However, having the support of the CRD on the rail portion may put that part of the project in a different light. The province prefers to participate in projects that are identified as regional priorities.

The City made the decision in August of 2010 that they would not borrow to fund the rail portion of the bridge. Further, the referendum was supported largely on the premise that there would be no tax

increases specifically to for bridge. Though the City could pose a tax increase to fund the rail portion that was not included in the borrowing referendum, the public may well see that as splitting hairs. Revenue OpportunitiesMore creative options will have to be seriously considered if the City hopes to bring the rail over the bridge and remain true to its commitment concerning funding and taxes.

Perhaps there is opportunity for the City to enter into a cost recovery agreement on the steel from the existing bridge, or find other creative ways to raise revenues from the “historic steel.” Under the leadership of the city’s sustainability department, they may find a way to use the bridge steel for something other than scrap.

No doubt there are revenue opportunities to be found with naming rights. They happen the world over and the option is one that should be fully explored. The University of Victoria has been able to secure substantial philanthropic contributions for their projects and educational grants for students: $11 million from Bob Wright of the Oak Bay Marine Group to help build the Bob Wright Ocean, Earth and Atmosphere Sciences Building and contribute to student scholarships and a $10 million contribution to the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business from the founder of Custom House, now sold to Western Union . These are somewhat different than naming rights, but with enough similarities that the opportunities should be explored concerning naming rights on the new bridge.

Whatever the $5.5 million solution is, we look to the City to be creative in its approach to securing the funding and holding fast to its commitment of no tax increases for the bridge funding. Possible Project ModelsRegardless of what happens with the E&N rail, the new bridge is moving forward. City staff see the spring as a busy time getting the detailed design work done and working out the procurement model for the building phase. Though the timeline for the start of construction is not yet clear, city engineer Mike Lai notes that “early work” such as decommissioning of the current rail and

BUSINESSMaTTERS 4

A project of this size, the biggest infrastructure project in the history of the City, will

have many moving parts.

current rail station are likely to be the first visible work.

How the project rolls out over the next three to five years is largely dependent on the type of procurement model the City chooses. In speaking with MMM Group about contracting options, they pointed out that the reason for contracting is to share risk with companies who are experts in the areas that the City is not and better able to manage those risks. To accomplish that, there are a variety of options that could work.

The traditional contract model would see the design team at MMM Group complete the design and put the whole project out to bid in the marketplace. This would result in a number of prime contractors bidding on the project and the entire project being awarded to one successful bidder. This prime contractor would then break out the work in smaller contracts and they would hold responsibility for supervising the work completion. An advantage of this model, according to MMM Group, is that the City would be better able to deal with risks that arise in a project of this scope, complexity and sensitivity.

A second option would be to hire a construction manager into the design team, so that portions of the project could be designed and rolled out to the market through tender packages as they come on line. This is somewhat similar to the first option, in that the City would manage the contract work, however, because the design team would include a construction manager, the design part of the program would move along more quickly, fast tracking the entire project. One advantage of this model is that the project components may be more easily packaged, particularly for consideration by local contractors. The Design-Build OptionA third option is the design-build option. Under this model, MMM would work with the City to define what characteristics and performance they are looking for out of the whole project. The design-build RFP would go out to market, and the successful proponent would then be responsible to work through the design details with their selected contractor, ensuring a project that works from both perspectives.

This approach can lead to considerable construction efficiencies but can also lead to a loss of design control for the City if the RFP is not carefully structured.A combination of all three of the above contracting methods is also possible to create a hybrid approach. The City has not indicated they will pursue a P3 option. While the project is of the size that may work for a P3, the federal government funding, which precludes the implementation of tolling the bridge, diminishes the opportunity for return on investment.

The more interesting part of the issue is what portion of the work will be done by regional contractors and what the impact will be on our economy. Certainly, such a substantial project will be great for our region and it is a goal of the City to provide opportunities for regional businesses. Likely if one prime contractor is chosen, that contract will not be won locally given that experience with building moveable bridges is of vital importance to the project. We do however have great expertise in other areas of the project, whether it is the steel fabrication, road construction, concrete work, possible construction of the train station, landscaping...there are considerable contract opportunities in this project for our local economy. As the Johnson Street Bridge project unrolls, it will no doubt be one of the major factors in our region’s economic strength in the coming years.

Building ExcitementQuite apart from the mechanics of moving forward, the excitement is building about the project. It is the largest project ever undertaken in the region. It not only furthers the economic development opportunities of our downtown, but encourages alternate modes of transportation to continue building a greener region, and opens up the bridge to those with accessibility concerns. The bridge will enhance the word-class development at Dockside Green and the future projects that will no doubt come on line for the sites currently occupied by the Janion Building and the Northern Junk Company. Citizen support for this new bridge signifies to the City and the whole region that we are ready to move forward as a community and work together to build the Greater Victoria of the future.

5 BUSINESSMaTTERS

A: A co-op student with the skills to speed up your projects. Contact us today to learn how our students can contribute to your workplace. Work terms normally begin in January, May and September.

Q: What’s missing from your workplace?

Co-operative Education and Student Employment www.camosun.ca/cese250.370.4410

Co-operative Education Program and Career Services www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer250.721.7628

Chris Witt, CIM, FCSI, Senior Investment Advisor250 412 3406 | 1 877 978 9300 | chris.witt@macquarie.com

Macquarie Global Investments

If you could buy $100,000, or more ofyour favourite TSX 60 stock(s):• with 100% financing from Macquarie;• keep the dividends and the gain(s); and• experience no capital downside,

would you be interested?

Periods of one to five years are available and you only pay the interest, which may be fixed or variable.

Find out more about the Macquarie EquityPlus 100% financing program.

® Macquarie Global Investments 2010. Financing provider: Macquarie Securities Financing Ltd. (Canada). Macquarie EquityPlus (MEP) is offered byMacquarie Securities Financing Ltd. (MSFL). Before deciding to participate in MEP obtain the current Information Folder and consider its contents. Theinformation folder is available by calling 1 877 484 4665. To participate in MEP, you must complete the application form in the Information Folder or onlineat www.macquarieglobalinvestments.ca. Financing terms and conditions are set out in the MEP Master Acquisition and Financing Agreement. No entitywithin the Macquarie Group of Companies is registered as a bank or an authorized foreign bank in Canada under the Bank Act, S.C. 1991, c. 46 and noentity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is regulated in Canada as a financial institution, bank holding company or an insurance holding company.Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (MBL) is a company incorporated in Australia and authorized under the Banking Act 1959 (Australia) toconduct banking business in Australia. MBL is not authorized to conduct business in Canada. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies otherthan MBL is an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Australia), and their obligations do not represent depositsor other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of any other Macquarie Group company.Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.

MGI-008 MPW Ad_Witt:Layout 1 12/13/2010 12:03 PM Page 1

The Board of the Victoria Airport Authority is pleased to welcome the New Year as the start date for Geoff Dickson, their newly appointed President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Dickson takes the reins left by the retirement of Richard Paquette who has led the Authority since 1999. As President/CEO, Mr. Dickson will assume overall leadership in the strategic planning, operations and financial performance of the Victoria International Airport.

Geoff Dickson brings twenty five years of air and marine transportation experience and a unique combination of senior management, market development, operations, customer service and corporate finance expertise. He will be leaving his current position at British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries) where he worked for the past 12 years most recently as the corporation’s Vice President of Catering and Retail Operations.

Prior to his role at BC Ferries, Mr. Dickson worked for 12 years in the airline industry with Pacific Western Airlines, which later became Canadian Airlines. At Canadian, Mr. Dickson advanced through the organization from corporate finance onto Canadian’s international marketing team.

Cedarwood Productions has been awarded the runners up prize in the 2010 North American Speaker’s Video Award, for their work with their Vancouver based client Michelle Ray http://www.michelleray.com/demo.html. This award recognizes the best speaker promotional videos in the continent and has hundreds of entries from across North America.

Sector Learning Solutions has been building human capability to produce positive change in organizations since 1983, and 2010 has been their best year ever.

Sector attributes their great success to a shift in focus from standard government training packages to offering more custom training and consulting services to business and crown corporations, In addition, Sector has continued to specialize and build capability in Microsoft SharePoint.

SharePoint is a web-based collaboration tool that helps organizations “do more with less” by helping people communicate more effectively and work together more efficiently.

At the end of 2010, Sector renovated its classrooms to expand remote training delivery capability (webcasting) and better support customized and one-to-one personalized training. Heading into 2011, Sector will continue to build its SharePoint training and consulting business, as well as curriculum development services. They will offer corporations, health care, and governments training programs that focus in on critical, high-impact staff training that will meet the needs of tight budgets, skills shortages, and technological advancement.

Sector Learning is hosting an Open House to show off the new facility and “SharePoint 2010” on January 18th, 2011. For more information or to register, contact Gerry Brimacombe or his staff at 250-727-2266 or info@sectorlearning.com.

L.L. Brougham Inc., Chartered Accountants announces the relocation of their office from their former Gorge Road building to 1011 Johnson Street. The business phone and email address remains the same.

The Victoria Conference Centre has won the bid to be the first national rotation host for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Conference. The three day conference will take place in February 2011 and attract over 700 key municipal staff and elected officials, federal/provincial/territorial government representatives and industry innovators who play a significant role in community sustainability.

The selection of Victoria was based largely on the city and region’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and the development of the Victoria Sustainability Framework. The framework will identify long-term sustainability goals, priorities for action, and provide measures to help track progress.

GICdirect.com head office at 101-1175 Cook Street (at View) has undergone a long awaited facelift. They’re very excited about their freshly renovated and modestly expanded space! Stop by to “oooh” and “aaaah” their new look, in the New Year. Check them out at www.gicdirect.com.

Ideba, a Victoria based marketing consultancy is pleased to announce several new contract wins. The company has recently added Microsoft Corporation, Savi Technology (a division of Lockheed Martin), Iovation Inc., and Victoria Transmission & Auto Care as clients for research, strategy and consulting engagements.

As a result of these new business wins, Ideba will be hiring new employees in Victoria and Seattle, where it will open a third office location to serve clients in the Puget Sound area. The new hires will join the company in January 2011.

Ideba Marketing, Inc. is a privately held company, with offices in Victoria, BC, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. Other clients beyond those listed above include Symantec Corporation, WatchGuard Technologies, and Sirius XM Radio (New York, NY).

Island Savings Credit Union has been ranked as one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers in the November 8th issue of Maclean’s magazine. This year marks the first time Island Savings has appeared on the national listing.

Unlike other workplace studies currently published in the marketplace, Best Employers is the only national study where employees determine the best places to work in Canada. The study is co-sponsored by Aon Hewitt (formerly Hewitt Associates), the Queen’s University School of Business, the Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing, and the National Quality Institute.

Activities Island Savings has undertaken in the past year to engage employees include investing in employee education, implementing technological solutions to make employees’ work processes easier and internal communication stronger,

celebrating employee success through a variety of Reward and Recognition initiatives, and offering flexible benefits tailored to individual employee needs.

Dawn Rueckl, co-owner of Wells Gray Tours (Victoria), served as the chair of the 2010 National Tour Association (NTA) Annual Convention held in Montréal November 13-17. NTA is the leading association for professionals serving travelers to, from and within North America with membership from more than 40 countries. This is only the fifth time in the convention’s 59 year history that it has been held in Canada and the third time a Canadian has been appointed chair.

NECI has launched two new online courses to help business owners navigate the tricky waters of RFPs and tenders. The courses are self-directed introductions to competitive contracting for sellers who respond to RFPs and tenders and for buyers who conduct the competitive process. More information is available at www.neci-legaledge.com

MEMBER NEWS

The one source for all your staffing needs.

Guaranteed!

Temporary Staffing• Permanent and Contract • PlacementsTemp to Perm Options • Customized Services•

“Our Recruitment methods include a network of contacts that span a

variety of industries”.

Contact us for more details

Phone: 250-381-32541124 Fort Street, Victoria, BC

www.pgstaff.com

BUSINESSMaTTERS 6

CLARIFY YOUR VISION

Richard Larkin on why it’s time to refocuson your business aims and objectives

It’s that time again when we all look back on the past year and celebrate our successes and accomplishments

in our business and personal lives. We also tend to look forward with great anticipation that this next year will be even better than the last. Sometimes this is eternal optimism, other times it’s blind faith, either way, even if you’re on

the right track, you’ll still get run over if you don’t move your feet.

Now in order to gain some traction and perhaps ignite the flame that once burned brightly, think back to the day you started your business. What were you going to do differently, better, faster, bigger or smarter than anyone else in your field? What was the compelling vision you had that moved you out of your comfort zone and into the realm of the risk taking business owner?

The New Year is an opportunityto re-align your vision. Vision is really about where you want to go in your life, business, career or any endeavour you set your mind to do. Christopher Reeve said, “If you don’t have a vision, nothing happens”. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your golf game, your fitness goal, or your business, you must have a vision if you are to succeed. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. Without a clear vision you will be floundering in your business and asking yourself, why am I doing this? And ‘why’ you do something is so important. The ‘why’ is about what you stand for, what you are committed to, what you truly believe in.

We are limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision. A clear and compelling

vision will be the driving force for everything you do. If your vision reflects your values, your work will have purpose and it will inspire you to reach your goals which are benchmarks along the way towards your vision. What steps do you have to take to move you closer to realize this vision? What one thing could you do today or this week?

Creating a vision requires that you define the values that are important to you, both personally and in your business. These values will guide your behaviours as they are the fundamental determinants of your brand. The values also define what behaviours will not be tolerated, and of course, what your brand does not represent.

To find your core values, you need to be future focussed on the ultimate goal of your business venture. Your vision will capture the essence of your success and will be a stable theme in your business operation over time. To help you crystallize that vision, ask yourself a few key questions. 1.What will your business look like when it’s finished? Where will you be living, what will you be doing and who are the people you will be spending time with? Describe a typical day in your life at this point in time. Does this inspire you or frighten you? My hope is that this creates a little tension and fear so that you continue to stretch and grow and get out of your comfort zone. Have a look around you at anyone who has accomplished great things, from Olympic athletes to successful business people and you will find people who pushed through barriers, self limiting beliefs and other obstacles, sometimes real though often

imaginary. Dream big, for there is no magic in small dreams.

2. What is your exit strategy? Do you plan to sell your business for a significant amount of money or become an absentee owner that will have capable people running your highly profitable and systemized empire? Perhaps you are creating a model business for your children, so they will have a safe and secure future. Whatever your reason, it’s never too early to clarify this point. In fact, most business owners leave this vital step much too late and end up settling for far less than expected because they are forced to make decisions in the moment. Plan for this now and you’ll sleep better too. 3. How wide is the gap between your vision in the future and the current state of your business? While it’s important to have big dreams, it’s equally important to understand your current state of reality. It’s from this point you can start to strategically plan your goals and actions that move you closer to your vision. Everyone wants to leave a legacy, or their stamp on this earth in some way.

And it’s usually not about how much money they made or how clever they were. What is it that get’s you jumping out of bed in the morning excited to take on the day. This is probably more important to you than you realize, for it’s the very foundation of your principles, values and beliefs.

When you answer these questions, let them sink in for a while. Do they bring you a sense of excitement and purpose, perhaps a little bit of fear? If so you are on the right track Moving ForwardOnce you have your vision in place, you are able to move forward with discovering actionable goals to help you bring your vision to fruition. And with your expanded vision of your future, set big, audacious goals that will keep you engaged, excited and on your toes throughout the year. Your goals need to stretch you to the next level, not just keep you at status quo if you truly want to get to your vision.

Perhaps you’ve heard this before – visioning, goal setting. But the

A full range of business banking products. Often hand-delivered.

Business banking at Island Savings offers the same range of fi nancial products

and services as the big banks, from operating accounts and lines of credit, to

commercial mortgages, project fi nancing and insurance. Only here, you’ll also know

the benefi t of dealing with people who can truly appreciate the ups and downs of

owning a business on the island. It’s all part of our remarkable service.

Contact your local branch or visit www.iscu.com/business for details.

BUSINESSMaTTERS 8

What were you going to do differently, better, faster,

bigger or smarter than anyone else in your field?

difference between learning about vision and goal-setting and actually having them make a difference in your business is the introduction of action. If you have never actually taken the time to think these steps through and write them down as a guide for your reference, you are not alone. The New Year is a good time to start!

Set a “Stretch” GoalThink about each aspect of your business operations – sales, marketing, your human resource development, your product or service mix, or your public profile in the community. In each of these, and perhaps other areas, set a stretch goal that makes you nervous. And if you feel really energized, set a Big Hairy Audacious Goal – a BHAG! Make it visionary! Identify with your goal by working out the details of each dimension and writing them down. Give yourself the visual fuel of being able to refer back to this moment of clarity throughout the year.

Perhaps when you sit back and look at your newly created goals, you will note that you have been hoping to reach some of those goals for some time and that you are not happy with the outcome of your efforts. Perhaps at this moment, it would be helpful to take a look at your business from another perspective.

If you were back at school, would your business be

graduating with honours or would it be taking classes over again in summer school? If your business were taking a test, would it pass or fail, more importantly, do you want to know? Think about your biggest challenge right now in your business - now here are some questions to stir you into action about that particular challenge:

• How long have you had this challenge? • What have you done about it up to

this point?• How have those solutions worked

for you? • How much money do you think this has

cost you?• What will happen to your business if

this situation isn’t addressed?

The answers to these questions will help you change your challenge into a goal. You are where you are in your business because of the choices and decisions you have made and how you have responded to your particular challenges and opportunities. The good thing is that you can pause, think, plan, and put your plan into action as the New Year rolls out.

One of my favourite Einstein quotes is, “You can’t solve problems with the same level of thinking that created them”. It’s time to focus on the opportunities available to you and learn how to capitalize on them. Life is always about choices. You can choose to live a healthy life style or not. You can choose friends and associates who inspire and motivate us or not. You can also choose to refocus your energy and actions that will lead you closer to your vision.

Choose to WinChoose to win, choose to lead by example, choose to develop the business you have always dreamed of. And to help you stay

on track, tell someone you can trust who will also hold you accountable for your actions and results. I recommend you set the consequences if you don’t follow through with your commitments. At the end of the day, your integrity will remain intact if you do what you said you would do, long after the mood you said it in has passed.

I’ll close with another Einstein quote to set your mood and intention. “There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle or you can live as if everything is a miracle”. The choice is yours!

Class dismissed!

“We have always been impressed with the enthusiasm of our reps and their veryreal mandate to make sure we get the product we need to drive our business.Our customer base has grown steadily.....and I know that The Q! is a part ofthat..”

~ Gayle RobinsonRobinson’s Outdoor Store

Divisions of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

PREPARED FOR: MARKET STORES REVISEDPUBLICATION: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

INSERTION DATE: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011SIZE: 3.25 x 2.4”

PREPARED BY: BRAVO ADVERTISING 250 590 1169

Platter up Invite our signature party trays

to your next office gathering.Focus on business and let The Market take care of the details! Pick up or have delivered one of our deli’s many varieties of party platters – or make a custom request.

themarketstores.com903 Yates At Quadra 250 381 6000 7 AM-11 PM

125-2401 C Millstream Road 250 391 1110 8 AM-11 PM

Success Biz Coach is dedicated to the success of small business owners by providing clarity, strategy and accountability to their plans. Reach Richard Larkin and find out more about Success Biz Coach at www.SuccessBizCoach.com

9 BUSINESSMaTTERS

720 Douglas Street Victoria, BC Canada | 1.866.572.1151 or 250.361.1000 | www.victoriaconference.com

STABILITY, GROWTH AND A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Situated in BC’s provincial capital in a city known for its entrepreneurs and thriving technology, marine, health and tourism sectors, the Victoria Conference Centre is a perfect global business destination. At the VCC we partner with you to ensure that your business objectives and the needs of your delegates are met through the planning and execution of a flawless conference programme or business meeting.

The VCC hosts over 230 events a year and delivers over $60 million into the local economy annually.

COME FOR THE CONFERENCE. Return to live and invest in Victoria.

Local news. Local shopping.Your local paper.

Every Wednesday and Friday.Nobody covers Greater Victoria like

Black Press community newspapers.TOTAL CIRCULATION: 101,474

www.blackpress.ca

Printing is not just about printing the paper...

it’s also about the

FINISHING!Die cutting, drilling, embossing,

foil stamping, folding, laminating, numbering, padding, perfect binding,

perforating, saddle binding and scoring.

Now that’s Finishing!

Hillside Printing Finishing • Business card size ad

3.25 “x 2.4” - CMYK prepared by Art Department Design 250 381-4290

Created: November 2010

Packaging • Magazines • Posters • Business Cards • Presentation Folders • Brochures • Rack Cards • Menus Stationery • Pads • Books • Programs • Flyers • Copying • Bindery

3050 Nanaimo Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4Z1 Tel: 250 386-5542

Fax: 250 386-7838 sales@hillsideprinting.com www.hillsideprinting.com

Tuesday, January 11CEO Coffee Hour8:30am – 9:30am

Chamber Office | Members Only Please

Thursday, January 13Prodigy Group January Anniversary Mingle 5:30pm – 7:30pmHosted by Ambrosia Conference Centre & Events (638 Fisgard St.)

Members & their guests only please

Wednesday, January 19Business Education SeriesSponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc. How to do Business with the Federal Government 11:45am – 1:30pm

Chamber Office

Thursday, January 20Business Mixer5:00pm – 7:00pmHosted by AMICA Mature Lifestyles (Somerset House)(540 Dallas Rd.)

Members & their guests only please

Wednesday, January 26Business Education SeriesSponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc.Office 2010 – What’s in it for Me?11:45am – 1:30pm

Chamber Office

Tuesday, February 1CEO Coffee Hour8:30am – 9:30 am

Chamber Office | Members only please

Wednesday, February 9Business Education SeriesSponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc.Reporting Requirements for Importers and Exporters of Commercial Goods 11:45am – 1:30pm

Chamber Office

Thursday, February 10Prodigy Group February Mingle5:30pm – 7:30pmHosted by Bird of Paradise Pub(4291 Glanford Ave.)

Members & their guests only please

Thursday, February 17Business Mixer5:00pm – 7:00pmHosted by Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas St.)

Members & their guests only please

Wednesday, February 23Business Education SeriesSponsored by Sector Learning Solutions Inc.Exit Planning: The Key to Leaving Your Business on Your Terms11:45am – 1:30pm

Chamber Office

Thursday, February 24Chamber of Commerce Week Member Breakfast7:30am – 9:00am

Members only please

JANUARY & FEBRUARY EVENTS

BUSINESSMaTTERS 10

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

#100 – 852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8(250) 383-7191chamber@gvcc.org

As 2010 comes to a close, economic reports forecast that our regional economy performed much better than most of Western Canada, and are predicting that we will finish 2010 with a growth of 3.2 percent for the year, putting Greater Victoria in the top four cities in Canada. While this bodes well for our economy going forward, the economic challenges of the past year highlight the ongoing need to invest in diversifying our economy and marketing our advantages to the rest of the world to maintain household-sustaining jobs for our citizens. Thankfully we have a great story to tell...

Recently, the KPMG Competitive Alternatives report, which investors use to inform their business location decisions, verified precisely what we have been telling the world. Victoria is a natural place to do business. We can hold our own in competitiveness against any other significant jurisdiction in the province and Pacific Northwest market place. The study compared business competitiveness for more than 130 cities in 10 countries. It measured the combined impact of 27 significant cost components that are most likely to vary by location, such as labour, facilities, land, construction, transportation, utilities, and income

taxes. Victoria’s competitive scale came in at 95.7 while Vancouver was 94.9. Victoria beat other locations like Seattle, Spokane, Portland and San Francisco.

Victoria was also recently named the best region in Canada for young professionals to live and work. Next Generation Consulting (NGC) of Madison, Wisconsin, tabulated the rankings after collecting and analyzing 45 measures for all Canadian cities with populations of more than 100,000 people. According to NGC, the seven indexes of a “Next City” are: Earning, Learning, Vitality, Around Town, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, and Social Capital. The region easily beat out cities like Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto for economic opportunity and quality of life.

The forecast for the region for 2011 and beyond also shows promise. The Conference Board of Canada predicts that the region will grow by 2.6 percent, placing Greater Victoria in the top 10 fastest growing regions in the country. Unemployment is predicted to continue its downward trend, with the technology sector leading the way in employment growth. As we look forward, we must be cognizant of many of the challenges we faced just a few short years ago. We must continue to highlight the region’s quality of life and economic opportunity to attract a skilled workforce and retain our best and brightest, so that as this growth builds momentum, we are positioned to fully benefit as a community.

For more information on the region’s economy, please visit the Greater Victoria Development Agency at www.gvda.ca or call Sasha Angus, our region’s Economic Development Officer at 250-383-7191 ext 204.

www.crd.bc.ca

“I’m not just saving water, I’m also saving money.”

-John Cantin, Owner of John’s Place Restaurant

We opened up in October ’84. And in those days, nobody told you about ways to save on energy costs. Today, we do seven times the business we did that first year - about 600 covers a day. Energy costs go up – you accept that as the cost of doing business.

So when the CRD told me I could save $30,000 a year by switching from water-cooled to air-cooled refrigeration, I sure took notice. That and the other changes they recommended like low-flow faucets for the kitchen and high efficiency toilets.

I’m no longer wasting water or money. As a business owner, it’s great that for once we can save the dollars and do our part for the environment.

To find out how you can save like John, visit www.crd.bc.ca/business/rebates

The GVDA’s Economic Development Officer, Sasha Angus

11 BUSINESSMaTTERS

www.prodigygroup.ca

Prodigy Group Mentorship Program Celebrates 2010 Success and Launches 2011 Program

The Prodigy Group Mentorship Program would like to thank all the mentors and mentees for their participation in making the 2010 program a huge success! In 2010 we had 10 matches from a variety of industries who worked together to grow personally and professionally through the structured program. In Fall of 2010, Prodigy Group hosted the Mentorship Program Appreciation Dinner at Hotel Rialto with 32 mentors, mentees and supporters in attendance. Thank you Rob Curtis and Hotel Rialto for hosting our group!

Building on the success of 2010’s program, we are excited to announce the launch of the 2011 Prodigy Group Mentorship Program. The 2011 program officially launches in January and is limited to 10 new matches. Applications are being accepted until Monday, January 31st 2011. If you are interested in participating as either a mentee or a mentor, please visit www.prodigygroup.ca or contact the facilitators at mentorship@prodigygroup.ca.

What is the Prodigy Group?The Prodigy Group is a diverse network of emerging professionals who reside in the Greater Victoria area. Through our ties to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and other business and community organizations, we provide members the opportunity to connect with likeminded individuals and to affect positive change in Victoria. www.prodigygroup.ca

Come celebrate the Prodigy Group’s Fourth Anniversay!

When: Thursday, January 13, 2011 5:30 - 7:30 PMWhere: Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre 638 Fisgard Street

Featuring Keynote Speaker Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin

RSVP @ prodigygroup.ca

This is the Prodigy event of the year! Come on out and kick off 2011 with leading young business professionals of Greater Victoria.

November 2010 — Prodigy Group donates $4,000 to local charity Community Micro Lending at their officical launch and fundraising event.

BUSINESSMaTTERS 12

your first event at sea is just a cab ride away. imagine simply hailing a taxi from ogden Point at the end of your next business or family event. as vancouver island’s largest cruise agency, expedia cruiseshipcenters enjoys preferred relationships with major cruise lines, so we’re pleased to offer local disembarkation with huge savings in both time and money.

consider a spectacular west coast sailing for you or your company’s next special event. we’ll get you there and back again, on time and on budget.

for event and group planning, please contact erik ages. for individual travel, contact janet Maxwell and her team of destination specialists.

Erik Ages

250.883.3118

CONFERENCE & EVENT SPECIALIST

Janet Maxwell

250.477.4877

DESTINATION SPECIALIST

your ship’s come in...

www.cruiseshipcenters.ca

nomination categories

celebrate!

New BusinessOutstanding Customer ServiceSustainable Business Practices

Innovation

Employer of the YearBusiness of the Year (1 to 10 employees)Business of the Year (11 to 25 employees)Business of the Year (26 to 75 employees)Business of the Year (76+ employees)Employee of the YearBusiness LeadershipYoung Entrepreneur of the YearBusiness Person of the YearLifetime Achievement Award (selected by the Chamber’s Board of Governors)

For detailed information about the award categories and submission criteria, please visit www.victoriachamber.ca. Nomination forms must be submitted to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2, 2011.

2011

Bus

ines

s Aw

ards

Business Awards Finalistsreceive over $10,000 in promotion!

NOMINATErecognition • promotion • celebration

greater victoria business awards 2011

Acacia Integrative Health ClinicCreating health together with science and nature. Naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, acupuncturists and a clinical counselor; we are truly integrative health!

p: (250) 475-1522e: office@acaciahealth.caw: www.acaciahealth.ca

Aquasafe SystemsAquasafe Systems is the premier supplier of residential under-the-counter reverse osmosis water filtration systems, and water filtration parts and accessories. Drinking water purification at the purest level possible at pennies per litre.

p: (778) 426-2271e: sales@aquasafecanada.comw: www.aquasafecanada.com

BC AssessmentBC Assessment provides an annual assessment roll to all taxing jurisdictions within the CRD. We value and classify all the properties in our region.

p: (250) 479-7131e: capital@bcassessment.caw: www.bcassessment.ca

Business Exit StrategiesBusiness Exit Strategies provides exit planning strategies to increase the salability of a business, & business intermediary services in the buying & selling of businesses.

p: (250) 216-1915w: www.business-exit-strategies.com

Camas Solutions Inc.p: (250) 857-4304e: vpennington@camassolutions.comw: www.camassolutions.com

Canadian College of Performing ArtsOne of the top training institutions in Canada for students driven to a career in the performing arts. Performances have been compared to an evening on Broadway.

p: (250) 595-9970e: rschuster@ccpa.canada.comw: www.ccpacanada.com

Capital City Bookkeeping & Business ServicesBookkeeping and accounting.

p: (250) 590-7454e: info@ccbookkeeping.ca

CARE - Career Assistance and Resources for EmploymentCareer Assistance and Resources for Employment (CARE) provides services for individuals in employment and career transition. Offices are located in Saanich, Sidney and the Gulf Islands.

p: (250) 658-4222e: natasha.dilay@careonline.caw: www.careonline.ca

Chikara FitnessPrivate fitness studio located on a quiet property in the country, 15 minutes from downtown. We offer personal training, bootcamps, kickboxing, Pilates and rehab programs.

p: (250) 888-3591e: chikarafitness@shaw.caw: www.chikarafitness.com

Enabled Financial Solutions Ltd.We concentrate on ensuring you get what the law entitles you to with our excellent research department, knowledgeable staff and the expertise of associated legal advisors and Chartered Accountants.

p: (250) 514-2699

e: support@enabledfinancial.caw: www.enabledfinancial.ca

Gallery GreetingsGreeting cards customized for large and small companies.

p: (250) 380-4940e: laura@gallery-greetings.comw: www.gallery-greetings.com

Greater Victoria Pet Memorial CenterSpecializing solely in pet death care, the Greater Victoria Pet Memorial Center treats you and your pet with the compassion and respect any family should be given upon the death of a very special member of the family.

p: (250) 984-1933e: center@petmemorialcenter.caw: www.petmemorialcenter.ca

Hair Garden Salon Inc.Eco-friendly and fashion forward, hair, pedicure, manicures, back treatment, eco-makeup, eco-waxing.

p: (250) 384-7494e: hairgardensalon@gmail.comw: www.hairgarden.ca

Kinar Curry Lawyersp: (250) 383-8685e: bea.bate@shaw.ca

KT IndustriesConstruction. Trucking. Concrete pumping.

p: (250) 881-1515e: info@kt-industries.comw: www.kt-industries.com

Lakme Impex Ltd.Sells gold and diamond jewellery - gemstones - wholesale and retail online.

p: (250) 590-1290e: sksinghania1102@yahoo.com

Lamar Transit AdvertisingBus Advertising Victoria BC Transit.

p: (250) 475-6243e: dpeck@lamar.comw: www.bctransitadvertising.com

Laurene Clark Personal Real Estate CorporationPersonal Real Estate Corporation provides real estate services to buyers and sellers in Greater Victoria.

p: (250) 592-4422e: laureneclark@royallepage.caw: www.royallepage.ca

Living ExperienceProducing exclusive digital heirlooms of uncompromising quality and style, {the Living Experience} captures life stories - transforming precious memories into priceless legacies for generations to come.

p: (250) 507-7819e: info@thelivingexperience.caw: www.thelivingexperience.ca

Mega Screen ProductionsSelling of promotional clothing, for business community.

p: (250) 380-6800e: info@megascreen.caw: www.megascreen.ca

MJM Architect Inc.Focusing on design excellence and client service, we believe truly successful projects are a result of innovative and sustainable design ideas coupled with attention to budget, project schedule, and fine detailing.

p: (250) 661-5492e: mjmoody@shaw.caw: www.mjmarchitectinc.com

NEW MEMBERS

13 BUSINESSMaTTERS

Mondial AviationAnything to anywhere... We specialize in delivering transportation solutions for cargo and passengers or a combination of both to politically, geographically and naturally challenging locations worldwide.

p: (250) 519-2666e: info@mondialaviation.comw: www.mondialaviation.com

Norah Holloway InteriorsInterior designs of homes and redesign spaces of homes.

p: (250) 519-7669e: norah@norahhollowayinteriors.comw: www.norahhollowayinteriors.com

NuTech I.T. SolutionsA professional computer repair, systems management organization offering support to the GVCC business community. NuTech offers a FREE systems and network evaluation of your existing infrastructure.

p: (250) 701-2197e: info@nutechitsolutions.comw: www.nutechitsolutions.com

Octa Collective Society (artsREACH Project)Our mission is to provide all children with the opportunity to develop life skills by exploring their potential through art experiences.

p: (250) 886-6282e: marilyn@octacollective.comw: www.octacollective.com

OmniCare Home CareProviding companionship for seniors to stay living in their homes for as long as possible, by assisting with activities of daily living.

p: (250) 590-8098e: info@omnicarehomecare.caw: www.omnicarehomecare.ca

Palymashanta Antiques & Decorative ArtsAntiques and decorative arts.

p: (250) 590-6657

Personal MobilityPersonal Mobility sells a range of power scooters, power chairs, lift chairs, freedom walkers, manual wheelchairs and lifts.

p: (250) 590-3346e: james@personalmobility.caw: www.personalmobility.ca

Phytomedica Research and Information ConsultancyMedicinal plants research & information consultancy.

p: (250) 388-7939e: phytomed@telus.net

Precision Home Aesthetics

p: (250) 217-8257e: precision.home.aesthetics@gmail.com

Promotions - Special ProjectsBusiness writing - Web blurbs - Specialize in memory marketing purpose of repeat and referral business, music industry - book gigs and publicity.

p: (778) 430-7583e: vyjaro@shaw.ca

RoomKey/XKeyRoomKey is an easy to use, centrally hosted Property Management System that meets the needs of any size hotel, inn or resort.

p: (604) 984-6001e: info@welcometorsi.comw: www.welcometorsi.com

It’s our business tounderstand and helpbuild your business.

We offer businesses a range of innovative, specializedproducts and services. Our specially trained and dedicatedSmall Business Advisors are committed to helping you by:

• Discussing your banking needs • Offering borrowing and investment solutions • Delivering excellent personal service

Cheryl DuffSmall Business Advisor

2406 Beacon Ave.Sidney

(250) 507-2450cheryl.duff@td.com

Call us today for an appointment and find out how we can help your

business succeed.

Johnny Mavrikos Small Business Advisor

1080 Douglas St.Victoria

(250) 356-4018, ext. 238johnny.mavrikos@td.com

Joshua HampleSmall Business Advisor

3530 Blanshard St.Victoria

(250) 532-3265joshua.hample@td.com

Trisha ThameSmall Business Advisor

4000 Quadra St.Victoria

(250) 589-1372trisha.thame@td.com

Steven KellySmall Business Advisor

1080 Douglas St.Victoria

(250) 356-4018, ext. 240steven.kelly@td.com

BUSINESSMaTTERS 14

NEW MEMBERS (Continued)

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce#100 – 852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8(250) 383-7191chamber@gvcc.org

Secretary On The GoA financially savvy solution for businesses requiring assistance without commitment. Offering secretarial services including web content and personalized monthly emails to your entire database for just $65/month.

p: (250) 704-9101e: jessica@secretaryonthego.caw: www.secretaryonthego.ca

Sentinel Ridge Consulting Group Inc.The mission of Sentinel Ridge Consulting is to assist companies, government agencies and educational institutions in safeguarding their information assets through the effective use of appropriate security technologies.

p: (250) 929-1199e: info@sentinelridgeconsulting.comw: www.sentinelridgeconsulting.com

Shelley Prpich AutobrokersAutomobile Broker.

p: (250) 381-1949e: spabroker@shaw.ca

Soundstone MusicElegant live piano for weddings, parties and functions. We also create original, captivating music for video and other media. Enhance your next event or production!

p: (250) 704-8102e: david@soundstone.caw: www.soundstone.ca

Success Biz CoachSuccess Biz Coach provides business owners with clarity of their vision and plan, the right strategies to get there

and the necessary accountability to keep them on track.

p: (250) 658-1904e: info@successbizcoach.comw: www.successbizcoach.com

Success by 6A strategic, community based resource that enhances the lives of children and builds stronger more robust communities for everyone

p: (250) 216-4889e: earlyyearsvictoria@shaw.caw: www.successby6victoria.ca

T. Mainer ContractingT. Mainer Contracting has been in business in Victoria for 5 years and is fully liscenced and insured to do plumbing

p: (250) 812-6822e: tmainer@hotmail.comw: www.tmainercontracting.com

Tech InterfaceCreating customized training packages for your staff, channel partners or end-users. Needs-analysis, training design/development, video/multimedia components, classroom-based or E-learning, train-the-trainer for corporate, technical, science or industrial customers.

p: (250) 595-6911e: info@tech-interface.comw: www.tech-interface.com

Threshold Housing SocietyProvides transitional housing for youths at risk of being homeless. Serving

the community since 1990, we give vulnerable youths (ages 16-21) a stable housing situation for school completion, programs or work experience.

p: (250) 383-8830e: info@thresholdhousing.caw: www.thresholdhousing.ca

Villages Pizza (James Bay)Take-out pizza and pasta location.

p: (250) 744-8545e: john@villagepizza.comw: www.villagespizza.com

Wallace Driving SchoolDriver training for all ages. Members of College of Teachers, Better Business Bureau.

p: (250) 383-7483

e: stevewallace@shaw.caw: www.wallacedrivingschool.com

WFG SecuritiesWorld Financial Group Securities is an AEGON company operating as a financial services marketing company whose affiliates offer life insurance and a broad array of financial products and services.

p: (250) 881-8719e: nmcclelland72rinc@wfgmail.caw: www.worldfinancialgroup.com

Your Ultimate HandymanHandyman work inside and outside of home or business.

p: (250) 893-2012e: yourultimatehandyman@gmail.com

NEW MEMBERS (Continued)

Good business has many rewards.

Vote for those that care about family.

TO VOTE VISIT: www.earlyyearsawards.com

CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY AND WIN!

Your Support. Their Success.

* Deadline for nominations, March 15th, 2011 — Awards Celebration April 13th, 2011

Win a family vacation at the Westerly Hotel in Courtney including an exciting family caving expedition at the Horne Lake Caves or one of our fabulous weekly prizes!

We all know it, we say it all the time…family is everything. But lets face it, in today’s busy and challenging world, young families need all the help they can get.

The Early Years Awards celebrates the businesses and organizations that make a difference in the lives of families with children. Whether it be a safer park, a child friendly office or simply a more tolerant attitude, nominate your choice for an Early Years Award today.

15 BUSINESSMaTTERS

CUSTOMIZED WEALTH MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSINVESTMENT • TAX • ESTATE • INSURANCE • PHILANTHROPIC • BUSINESS SUCCESSION

WWW.RICHARDSONGMP.COM

RANKED #1 FOR SERVING SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES AND ENTREPRENEURS*

SIDNEY • VICTORIA • VANCOUVER • CALGARY • RED DEER • EDMONTON • SASKATOON

WINNIPEG • GUELPH • MISSISSAUGA • TORONTO • OTTAWA • MONTRÉAL • CHARLOTTETOWN

*Based on the 2010 Investment Executive Brokerage Report Card Richardson GMP Limited, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.Richardson is a trade-mark of James Richardson & Sons, Limited. GMP is a registered trade-mark of GMP Securities L.P. Both used under license by Richardson GMP Limited.

The power of Richardson GMP.

Advertiser: Richardson GMPAd Size: Full-page: 9.5” x 12”Ad Title: The Power of RGMPDate: Fall 2010

James (Jay) Fray, B.Comm., M.B.A.Vice President and Portfolio Manager

3795 Carey Road, Suite 600, Victoria, BC V8Z 6T8250.419.4260 • 1.877.477.2250 • www.jayfray.com

*Based on the 2010 Investment Executive Brokerage Report Card.Richardson GMP Limited, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Richardson is a trade-mark of James Richardson & Sons, Limited. GMP is a registered trade-mark of GMP Securities L.P.Both used under license by Richardson GMP Limited.

The power of Richardson GMP.

RANKED #1 FOR SERVING SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES AND ENTREPRENEURS*

Keep Your Eye on the Issues in Our Region

BUSINESSMaTTERS 16

Rapid TransitBC Transit is completing its rapid transit plan, the first stages of which will address traffic flow from the West Shore to downtown Victoria. Future phases of BC Transit’s plan will address other transit spurs to the University of Victoria and up the peninsula.

As a business community, we need to stay focussed on how plans will affect the flow of travellers to and from business centres and what the impact will be on loading and parking.

The Chamber has been engaged in these discussions and looks forward to continuing work on the project. Sewage Treatment This issue may appeared to have died down, but not so. It is just going through a less visible part of the process. Once the plans and budgets are approved for the project, the CRD will allocate out budget responsibilities to the involved municipalities for building the project and the operations. It is then up to each municipality to determine for themselves how that budget responsibility will be committed. That’s the point where business owners will need to be keenly aware of how municipal plans will affect their business. If the business to residential tax ratio pattern is used, this could be quite costly and problematic to business. Other options need to be considered in the budgeting phase.

E&N RailwayThe CRD is interested in bringing the E&N railway over the new Johnson Street Bridge, but the amount of capital they can contribute is not likely to be the full cost for the rail. More funding will be needed from

other partners, perhaps the provincial or federal governments. Without further partnerships, costs will have to be recouped municipally if the City of Victoria agrees to go ahead.

Municipal BudgetsMunicipal governments present their budget estimates in the spring, with tax rates finalized in the late spring. Business owners and residents should be aware of potential tax increases and comment on them if you wish to participate in budget discussions.

The Chamber encourages municipalities to keep budget increases to the increase in the CPI index and inflation rates, not higher. Provincial Political Leadership SelectionBoth major provincial parties will soon have new leaders, and that will mean a number of policy issues could be changed or revisited. There is already public discourse taking place on minimum wage and the HST. There may be opportunity to bring older issues to the table again, such as regional policing and energy policy. The first part of 2011 will see some of these issues increase in prominence and provide opportunity for the business community to weigh in on how these issues impact on their businesses.

TAKING YOUR BUSINESS FROM CONCEPT TO PROFITSee how the GVDA can help.

Sasha Angus, Economic Development Officer sangus@gvda.ca 250-383-7191 ext. 204 toll free 1-888-573-8181

E x p a n d y o u r b u s i n e s s

Your best source for understanding the economy with the region’s only Economic Development Officer

Economic Impact The film industry in British Columbia is a vibrant industry. In 2009, the total production budget of the industry was just over $2 billion with $1.3 billion of direct and indirect spending in the province. Our share of that spending in Greater Victoria was $12 million. While the actors and directors spring to mind, the economic impact is more spread out than that, with spending that goes to support all phases of production and include support activities such as equipment supply, construction, transportation and business support.

Level of Local ProductionIn 2009, there were 15 productions in the Capital Region: five documentaries, four made for TV movies, and six TV and mini-series productions.

Types of EmploymentThere are so many types of jobs that contribute to the film industry. There are the creative positions; actors, directors, production designers, directors of photography and costume designers – generally those most visible jobs people tend to associate with film. The creative positions generally have agents who negotiate with the producers or production managers on their fees.

There are many other professions involved in the industry – hair dressers,

make-up artists, transportation, and many stage and location positions. All crew sign a deal memo at the beginning of their employment which states in great detail exactly what they get paid and what benefits and extras they receive. Most department heads make between $25 to $30 an hour with overtime pay after 12 hours. Size of Labour ForceThe Capital Region has a crew base that is 1.5 deep. That means that we can crew up one full size crew and 50 percent of a second crew simultaneously. Most of the television movies use 90 percent local crew people and crews are usually between 70-80 people. However, given that the bulk of the industry work is generated out of the Lower Mainland, most of the creative talent is brought to the CRD for specific production periods.

Potential for Growth Conservative revenue projections estimate that an investment of $150,000 into the film industry on Vancouver Island, translates into an average $10 to $12-million direct

film spend dollars into our communities annually. As the province shifts from its primary resource base to a knowledge and service-based economy, the film industry will play an increasingly important role. The Vancouver Island Film Industry offers not only great locations, but offers a growing crew infrastructure to attract production. Support by the Greater Victoria Film

Commission will also help create jobs and training for youth in a highly-diversified skilled industry that has not yet reached its full potential.

For more information on the regional film industry, visit the Greater Victoria Film Commission at www.filmvictoria.com

The Greater Victoria Film Commissioner Kathleen Gilbert on location in Cook Street Village.

GET TO KNOW THE FILM INDUSTRY

17 BUSINESSMaTTERS

◆ Located steps from the Inner Harbour and Beacon Hill Park

◆ Standard, One and Two Bedroom Suites, Spa Suites, and Penthouse Suites - All with Balconies

◆ Samuel’s by the Park Restaurant◆ Complimentary Local Calls, Wireless

Internet, and Business Centre◆ Meeting Room (up to 45 people)◆ Complimentary Downtown Shuttle Service◆ Indoor Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Fitness

Centre

QUEEN VICTORIA HOTEL & SUITES

655 Douglas Street Victoria BC V8V 2P9

1-800-663-7007Tel 250-386-1312Fax 250-381-4312www.qvhotel.com

JOB # Y100-11545PUBLICATION: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CLIENT: YMCASIZE: 10" X 10" (10.75" X 10.75" BLEED)

PREPARED BY: ECLIPSE CREATIVE 250-382-1103

Your Community.

WE BUILD STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIESYMCA-YWCA Greater Victoria • 851 Broughton Street, Victoria • Ph: 250-386-7511 • www.victoriay.com

Your

NOT ALL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AREWHAT THEY’RE CRACKED UP TO BE.

SEE WHY WE’RE

Robert JackJack Insurance & Financial Services#201, 1137 Yates Street, Victoria, BCP: 250.383.9866 | F: 250.383.6241

rob@jackinsurance.ca

FIND OUT WHY OVER 25,000 BUSINESS OWNERS SELECTED THIS PLAN!