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GM's Update
 by Erin Hanson
Chamber Plan Adds Business Assistance Services
The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance plan has added access to professional accounting, counseling, legal and human resources experts as a new service - at no additional cost. Business owners enrolled in the plan can get up to six hours of expert advice in legal matters, accounting and human resources per calendar year. And employees have access to confidential referrals to counseling for personal problems and bereavement. To learn more about this and the other value-added benefits included in the Chambers Plan, please contact your local advisor or call the chamber office for the contact information.
Chamber Director Nominations Are Open
The Chamber is seeking nominations for one-year terms for 14 director positions. The nomination form can be found on our homepage link. If you are interested in joining our team of directors, please complete the form and email it to admin@penticton.org along with a small (less than 2 megs) jpeg image of yourself, a short candidate biography. Help be a "voice of business" in our community. The deadline for nominations is 5pm; Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
BDC launches its 2013 Young Entrepreneur Award
Are you an entrepreneur aged 18-35 with a company at a crossroads? BDC is asking young entrepreneurs to tell them, in a short video and online application form, about a crossroads their company has reached and the solution they propose that will take their business to the next level. Eleven finalists will be selected from across Canada, and then Canadians will vote to select the winners. It could be worth $100,000, or $25,000 in consulting services. Application deadline is Noon, Eastern Standard Time, April 2, 2013. For more details www.bdcyoungentrepreneuraward.ca/?ref=shorturl-yea
BC Chamber News - Budget 2013
On February 19, 2013 the BC Chamber released its issued a press release congratulating the BC government for fulfilling its commitments to return to a balanced budget.
Following the release of the Budget 2013, CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, John Winter, congratulated the BC government for fulfilling its commitments to return to a balanced budget. Winter noted "Business has been clear, governments priority was to get its fiscal house in order. Budget 2013 does that in a balanced way that controls spending while making modest increases to taxes. Small businesses are the economic engine of the province, as such they will be happy to see no change to the small business tax rates but an increase to the corporate tax rates combined with the return to the PST will present challenges to BC's global competitiveness."
"As all parties prepare for the coming provincial election it is important that we remain committed to not only the fiscal prudence underpinning Budget 2013 but also the need to remain competitive on the global stage," continued Winter. "As we look out over the full fiscal plan we see that government will begin to have additional flexibility to invest in economic growth as the economy continues to recover. What business will be looking for in the election campaign will be a focus on addressing the competitiveness of BC's economy, particularly our critical export sectors."
Read more budget details in the BC Chamber's Budget 2013 Backgrounder - Facts & Figures. For all the latest BC Chamber of Commerce news releases, letters, editorials and information, bookmark http://www.bcchamber.org/news/index.html
Canadian Chamber News
The Canadian Chamber just report entitled Closing the Skills Gap: Mapping a Path for Small Business. This report presents the findings of a symposium it hosted in November 2012 on skills and small business. The symposium participants included owners and managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stakeholders from government, academia and the learning and training communities. The report includes their recommendations for encouraging increased skills development in SMEs, makes policy recommendations for all stakeholders and highlights best practices in alleviating skills pressures. To supplement this report, they also created a toolkit of training resources for SMEs.
With declining labour force growth, low productivity growth and a mismatch between the skills required and those available, Canada must close its skills gap if it is to maintain and grow its economy. As small- and medium-sized enterprises employ half of all private-sector employees, their training and upskilling challenges require attention. With this report, SMEs, the Canadian Chamber and its network of chambers of commerce can work with other stakeholders to overcome human resource issues and improve the competitiveness of Canadian business.
For all the latest Canadian Chamber of Commerce news releases, letters, editorials and information, bookmark http://www.chamber.ca/index.php/en/news/
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Members Support Members Discount Program  Here are a few discounts offered by members just like you! Sirf Web Marketing Strategies 250-488-8781 15% off web & social media marketing Plaza Cleaners 250-492-7393 10% discount Complete Mortgage Services 250-809-8099 Free, no obligation mortgage consultation to discuss new or existing mortgage The Medicine Shoppe 250-276-3876 10% of regular priced over-the-counter products, 20% off if prescription customer For a complete and up-to-date list of program participants, visit our website or click on the link below.
Remember to show your discount card before you make the purchase!
If you would like to offer a discount at your business, call us at 250.492.4103 and we would be happy to add you to the list! |
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FortisBC's Small Business FLIP Program
Quick and easy lighting upgrades are a great way to reduce your electricity use and save money. Participate in FLIP and reduce your electricity costs. Restaurants, offices, retail outlets, small warehouses, production facilities, workshops and more. This program is for you if you operate within the FortisBC electricity service area and operate a privately owned business from a commercial facility and spent less than $20,000 on electricity over the last 12 months and
TheFortisBC/LiveSmart BC Lighting Installation Program (FLIP) is your opportunity to flip the switch to new, efficient lighting in your small business. The program provides up to $5,500 in assistance for lighting upgrades, helping you outfit your business with new, energy efficient lights, occupancy sensors and controls. A FortisBC approved contractor will walk you through the entire process from assessment to installation, making the process simple and turnkey.
Make the first step in reducing electricity costs for your business while doing your part for the environment. Call: 1-866-932-8283 or email: flip@fortisbc.com |
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Voice of Business E-Newsletter Ads
Advertising Space:
One Issue: $50.00
Two Issues: $42.50
Three or more Issues: $37.50
- Ads include a link to your website
- Reaches over 800 members and businesses via email
- Newsletters are posted on Chamber website
- Specifications: 200 x 400 pixels; JPEG format
Space is limited. Contact 250.492.4103 or admin@penticton.org. |
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