CAPS Ottawa
 
In this issue

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PrezA Message from our President, Jim Carty CSP
  
Anyone yes...but not for everyone.
 
Jim Carty
While involvement in CAPS can directly benefit your business - that may not be reason enough to join (...and that is OK).
 
During the past week, I had discussions with two individuals who were considering the benefit of CAPS in their particular situations. Both people worked with their clients primarily through individual consultations. Since they also provided occasional public seminars as a part of their business development model, involvement in CAPS seems like a wise move to consider.
 
During our discussion, one of the individuals explained that the seminar model was a temporary measure as she was developing her consulting practice. She decided to simply continue attending CAPS meetings as a guest for those topics which were of interest to her. The second person is genuinely focused on developing his seminars into a consistent profit centre for his business. Membership for him is clearly a goal on his radar.
 
I mention this not to teach you, but to remind you that membership in CAPS is not for everyone. I imagine that most people could find some benefit from your business offering regardless of what it is. That doesn't mean that 'most people' fall into your ideal target market.
 
The target market for CAPS includes "experts who speak professionally". While the information available at our sessions and through our members can be beneficial to any business, not everybody is a 'fit' for CAPS membership. Whether you are a member, one of our clients, or simply a friend of CAPS remember, as you tell our story, not everyone who could benefit from our Association will decide to become a member. In the end it is as much a business decision as using any of your services would be.
 
As Chapter President, I am thrilled knowing that an individual decided to come as a guest to an event which fit their business plans and goals (if in time they choose to become a member I am OK with that too).

 
Jim Carty
President 2009

CAPS Ottawa Chapter

 
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AprilComing in April - Two Special Events on April 8, 2009.
  
Afternoon Session - Transform your overloaded text slides into persuasive presentations
 
Speaker: Dave Paradi
Date:  Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Time: 2:00 to 4:30 pm
Location: Centurion Conference & Event Center
Senate Room (2nd floor - stairs only)
170 Colonnade Rd South, Ottawa, ON
613-727-1044

Pricing :
Members - $25.00 / Guests - $50.00
Please note that the First Timer special is not available for this event.
Special package to attend afternoon and evening event - $75.00
 
Registrations are open until Wednesday, April 1, 2009
(Payments must be received by this date)
 

 
Cancellation policy
Refunds will not be provided for cancellations received within 7 working days of the event. Cancellations received prior to this period will be subject to a $10 administration fee. Substitutions are allowed at any time.
 
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Check out Dave's podcast on iTunes, his YouTube channel and his blog.
 
Speaker: Dave Paradi

Date:  Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Time: 6:30 to 9:00pm
Location: Centurion Conference & Event Center
Senate Room (2nd floor - stairs only)
170 Colonnade Rd South, Ottawa, ON
613-727-1044
 
Pricing:
Members - No Charge / Guests - $40.00
Please note that the First Timer special is not available for this event.
Special package to attend afternoon and evening event - $75.00
 
Registrations are open until Wednesday, April 1, 2009
(Payments must be received by this date)
 
 
Cancellation policy
Refunds will not be provided for cancellations received within 7 working days of the event. Cancellations received prior to this period will be subject to a $10 administration fee. Substitutions are allowed at any time.
 
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MayComing in May - Member Only Event 
 
Joint Power Partners with CAPS Montreal in Montebello, QC
Extending the Power of Partnership - a unique retreat with our colleagues from CAPS Montreal

 
Power Partners is a new CAPS Montreal professional development initiative specifically designed to help professional members to grow their businesses.  So mark your calendar now for this dynamic session where professionals get together to Learn, Share and Grow.  For 2009, CAPS Montreal and CAPS Ottawa have decided to conduct a joint Power Partners Session. 
 
Prepare to participate!
 
Everyone in the group needs to be prepared to do two things:
1. Contribute an idea/resource of some sort that will be valuable for the group
2. Prepare a burning question that you want feedback on from the group
 
If you would like to talk to someone who has already experienced a Power Partner event please contact:
 
Jim Carty, CAPS Ottawa - email
Paul Frazer, CAPS Ottawa - email
Toni Newman - CAPS Montreal - email

 
Date:  Friday, May 29 (evening) & Saturday, May 30, 2009
Time: To be announced
Location: Fairmont Hotel Le Château Montebello
 
More details to follow.
 
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ZuluGood News & Bravo Zulu - (naval speak for job well done)
 
Congratulations to Cheryl-Ann Webster for the ninth exhibition of her Beautiful Women Project; an exhibition celebrating natural beauty with an installation of 120 life size clay sculptures of real women age 19-91. The exhibit is on at the Arthur Child Heritage Museum, Gananoque from May 1st to October 31st, 2009.  The museum is open 7 days a week including holidays, the exhibition is suitable for everyone and admission is by donation. Check their website for more details.  To book a guided tour, workshop, presentation or to become a sponsor please email cherylann@cherylannwebster.ca
 
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SponsorCornerAnnual Sponsors' Corner 
 
Creative Unity Ad-vantages 
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By Anthony Snippe, President, Creative Unity Limited
tsnippe@creativeunity.com
http://creativeunity.com
 
One of the biggest misconceptions in regards to advertising in today's world is the cost associated with it. Particularly with our current economy, many people are afraid to spend money on promotional activities. The fact is however, that now is the best time. Suppliers have reduced their costs, and competitors are doing less promotional work than normal, giving people with a smaller budget a chance to compete on a more even field. For example, you can do a 5000 piece direct mail campaign for as little as about $1500 direct to people's homes or businesses. Consider what you charge for your services... if even 1% of those 5000 pieces brought in work, how much more than $1500 would you make? Oh, and just for interests sake, the average response rate on direct mail is over 6%. Remember, any situation can become an opportunity if you use it wisely.
 
Beneficium's Focus on Finances
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By Jacques Duplain, Beneficium Insurance & Financial Services Inc.
jacques.duplain@beneficium.ca
1-613-843-7377
 
As a self employed person, you are not immune to the market downturn. Click here to read more about managing your business in though times. We urge you to call our office so we can complete a complimentary "Financial Plan" for you and your business. The only way your ship will arrive is to have a well laid out plan/map. This is extremely important, particularly in these challenging economic times.   
 
A few more points to remember:
 
1) It is not too late to purchase any RRSP's which you did not pick up from last year.
2) Did you know that you can purchase an additional $2,000 of RRSP, above your normal limits? Most are not aware of this!
3) TFSA are still available and can be invested in various investment vehicles. In addition, we can assist you with Tax Free
    Investments above the $5,000 limit.
4) If health insurance is important to you, we have the answer.  Some plans do not require proof of health.
5) We also provide a "Second Opinion"!
6) In order to assist CAPS Ottawa we have agreed to return a portion of all revenue to the Chapter.
 
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CAPS Mentorship
 
The CAPS Ottawa Mentorship program continues to connect experts and there is always room for more. What better way to learn proven lessons, share wise experiences or ask burning questions that will help each and everyone of you bring this year's CAPS theme to life and GROW! Make it Happen! If you haven't signed up already, contact Pauline at coach@ProActiveBusinessLeadership.com or 613-688-3517 to reserve your spot for the next mentor match-up.

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CAPS Library
 
Two new books in the CAPS Ottawa Library
 
We would like to introduce two new books, written by Ottawa CAPS members Dawn Brown and David B. Berman, to our library. Both are also available on www.amazon.ca as I am sure you will want your own copy to pass friends and family.


We obeyed the rules, we believed in the dream, and we bought into everything, including the house with the white picket fence. We're supposed to feel we have it all. But still something is missing.

Been There, Done That...Now What? is Dawn's invitation to pause and take stock of our lives. In this new book, a follow-up to her bestselling volume "The Perception Thing?" Dawn Brown explores the ways in which a shift in how we look at happenings in our lives can literally change our experience of them. It's easy to see then that we already have all the answers we need within us!

How did design help choose a president?
Why are people buying houses they cannot afford?
Why do U.S. car makers now struggle to compete?
Why do we really have an environmental crisis?

Design matters. Like never before.

This book is not just for designers. It is a call to action to alert those who live on this planet to the role we play in persuading global audiences to fulfill invented needs. It also outlines a more sustainable approach to both the practice and the consumption of design.

Note: David makes a donation of 10% of his proceeds to a not-for-profit organization whose mission is in alignment with the goals of this book.  
 
CAPS Ottawa members are welcome to contact Evelyn Budd if you wish to check out available cds or books (maximum 4 per person) between meetings. Items can be sent by courier at a cost of $10. If you choose to pick them up, the service is free.
 
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PartnersUpcoming Events from our Partner Organizations

Organization Development Network of Ottawa-Outaouais (ODNOO)

Women's Business Network of Ottawa (WBN) 

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News from CAPS National
 
Join us for the 2009 CAPS Convention that will take place in Calgary on December 6-8, 2009.
 
Need to call the national office? Now you can do it toll free!
CAPS National new toll-free number is 1-877-847-3350 
 
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Annual Chapter Sponsors
                                                                   CAPS in the Capital           
 
 
 Creative Unity               Beneficium
 
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About CAPS
CAPS Vision is: To be the association of choice for experts who speak professionally
CAPS Mission is: To raise the profile and professionalism of our members
CAPS Values: Connection, Continuous Improvement and Professionalism
 
CAPS Ottawa Secetariat
c/o Documents Etcetera
200 - 435 St. Laurent Blvd
OTTAWA ON  K1K 2Z8
Tel. 613-749-5975