Toronto Plastic Bag Ban Reprieve

Retailers in the Toronto area, and all of Ontario, can breathe a temporary sigh of relief as Toronto announced a reverse of the bag ban decision on November 28, 2012. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/11/28/toronto-plastic-bag-ban-vote-councillors.html

Without this eleventh hour decision, it was expected a By-Law would be passed and, effective January1, 2013, retailer would no longer be able to provide single-use plastic bags to customers.  Other than the loss of work in the plastics industry (a huge issue in itself), there was another concern - how could retailers be expected to find, purchase and implement non-plastic bags within one month?

I feared mass panic as retailers flooded suppliers with requests for paper bags or reusable bag alternatives.  It could easily have meant a bag shortage as suppliers worked to meet high demands for alternative products!

But, the issue is far from over.  Several years back, Toronto ordered all businesses to charge their customer five cents per plastic bag. The businesses kept the money and, in essence, it made larger retailers money by reducing their packaging costs. An additional side effect to the Toronto bag charge was that most major retailers (Metro, Shoppers, Loblaws) started charging for bags. As this bag charge went directly into the pockets of the businesses, I do not see any major business voluntarily eliminating the charge.

The issue of environmental damage also still exists.  Single-use plastic bags cause a lot of pollution and do not decompose for many, many years. Plastic is a problem.

On the other hand, switching to paper bags has its own issues:

• Paper bags are more expensive for retailers to purchase. A single plastic poly bag (9 x 12) costs about 5 cents versus a single 8 x 10 paper (kraft) bag with handles at 25 cents or more. [Note these costs are based on small quantities purchased] The cost of paper bags is significantly higher.
• Paper bags use more energy to produce.  Yes, studies have shown that paper bag production has its own environmental issues.
• Paper bags take up more room for storage.  A box of 250 paper bags takes a minimum of 5 times as much space as a box of 500 plastic bags.

Personally, I prefer the look of paper but it is not always effective for certain purchases and the cost plus storage is preventative.

Reusable bags are another great option but only work when the customer remembers to bring them.  Reusable bags are not great for POS or spur of the moment purchases.  There are also e coli concerns  that have arose from a lack of bag care - please wash your bags regularly!


As Toronto and other communities re-examine plastic bag use, I hope they will look at the type of plastic bags they are considering banning.  Plastic bags come in many styles and thicknesses and I know many of us will reuse thicker bags for garbage bin liners, diaper buckets, school lunches, lining snow boots and more! What I suggest, is that council look at a minimum bag thickness.

We have all visited grocery stores where the bags are so thin that they break before you get to the car. It is inevitable that these bags will have at least one hole in the bottom by the time you unpack them.  This type of bag is truly single-use.  Let's ban those bags and go back to the thick plastic bags that can be reused instead.

Toronto Plastic Bag Ban

In January, 2013, Toronto plans to officially launch a full ban on single use plastic bags. This means that retailers will no longer be able to provide customers with plastic carry-out bags for food, clothing or other product purchases.  Plastic bags will NOT be available for a five cent fee.  As of January, 2013, if Toronto council has its way, retailers will only be able to provide reusable bags (likely at a purchase cost) or paper bags.  In fact, offering a plastic bag could result in a fine for the retailer.  Consumers can also choose to use their own bags or reusable containers.

According to the City of Toronto, the plastic bags in question are as follows:

 http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/pdf/plastic_bag_consultation_presentation.pdf

"Single-Use Plastic Carryout (Shopping) Bag

A bag made of plastic film, designed to carry customer purchases from a retail business establishment but does not include: 

A. Bags used by customers inside retail business establishments to package bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items such as nails and bolts;

B. Bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish, flowers or potted plants, whether pre-packaged or not;

C. Bags used to protect prepared foods or bakery goods;

D. Bags provided by pharmacists to contain prescription drugs;

E. Newspaper bags;

F. Door-hanger bags;

G. Laundry-dry cleaning bags; or

H. Bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for such uses as garbage, pet waste, yard waste, recycling, or household organics" 

While we do need to reduce our use of single-use plastic bags, replacing these bags with paper bags may not be the answer.  Paper bags require more processing (costing more electricity and creating more pollution) and are more expensive to make.  Paper bags are also considerably more expensive for the retailer to purchase thus you may find extra mark-ups on product to offset higher costs.  

Reusable bags are also a great option to replace plastic bags.  Often, consumers can collect reusable bags at trade shows, events or by purchasing from a local retailer.  But, care must be taken to ensure these bags are kept clean.  Regular washing is mandatory for reusable bags, particular when used for groceries.  Another issue with reusable bags is the simple fact that we may forget them.  Many people simply forget to put the bags back in their vehicle, or forget to take them into the store.  How many of you have ran into a store for one item only to come out with a bagful?

The Toronto bag ban will be an interesting battle to watch.  The draft bylaw will be considered for enactment on November 27 or 28th, 2012. What happens at that point is still unknown as there will have to be some leniency and time for retailers to use up remaining bag stock and purchase new stock.  It can take weeks to have new paper and reusable bags custom printed with logos and/or manufactured.

We strongly advise Toronto area clients to consider your options now and wait til the end of November before placing any large plastic bag orders.

Winter, outerwear and your business

Ever been to a meeting or event where there was nowhere to hang your coat?  Chances are you either:

A. Kept wearing it
or
B. Carried it over your arm.
or
C. Dropped the coat in a heap on the floor or on a table.

Is this the best way to look after your outerwear?  Does your arm ache from carrying around the coat?  Is it awkward to look at displays or talk to people because you are carrying a burden?

Businesses hosting meetings, events or trade shows can easily solve this issue by using collapsible rolling racks.  At an approximate cost of $100.00 (for a decent commercial strength), a business can take apart and store the rack when not in use.  Even better, why not share the rack with another company to keep costs even lower.  Having a place to put your coat is not only convenient, it also indicated that the business is thinking of your needs.

Help make your customers' and business partners' experience with your meeting or event more positive by providing this simple courtesy.  Overall, being relieved of the burden of carrying an over-sized overcoat will allow your clients and associates to enjoy the event at a much higher level.

I know I am always grateful for a place to hang my coat.

Supporting Small Business & Local Community

It is very important to Shawn and I that we support other small businesses and our local community. When you support each other, you build a stronger foundation and are more effective and productive!  We don't look at other businesses as competition but rather as potential partners, suppliers or places to refer people to.

What better way to celebrate your anniversary than to do so with another small business? We invited Pete & Meredith Skinner of PC Service On Site to join us as they were celebrating their first year of operation in the Barrie area after moving from the GTA. PC Service On Site looks after your tech needs, at your location thus they do not have a physical office.

To further our commitment of supporting local business, lunch featured Pulled Pork sandwiches covered in Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce and cupcakes from Cheeky Treats!  We also wanted to add a special touch to our event and decided to make it a charity lunch with all lunch donations going to the Barrie Women & Children's Shelter and non-perishable food donations going to the Barrie Food Bank.  In 2 hours, we raised $225.00 and over 70 lbs of food!

I also had a crazy idea!  What if we helped promote Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, a major fundraiser for the Women & Children's Shelter, by having the men try on shoes and then dance Gangnam Style?
See the results below!

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes takes place October 14, 2012 at Heritage Park in Barrie.  The walk, triathlete and obstacle course start at noon but be there by 11am for shoe fitting.

Cool Temps and Your Garage!

The temperatures are falling and winter will soon be here.  Many of us have already started to put away the summer patio furniture, garden accessories and more.  Now its time to put the bikes, golf and other warm-weather sports equipment away as well.  With winter, comes hockey season, and with hockey season, comes skates, helmets and other equipment.  Overall, winter means one jam-packed garage!

So imagine if your garage could look like this:

or like this:

One method to combat the clutter is garage organization.  A series of special slatwall fixtures, designed for a variety of purposes, will help you organize and declutter.  You will even have room to move in a one-car garage!  The hockey sports organizer allows storage of skates with a basket for helmets above.  The golf organizer will allow you to put away the clubs.

If you are looking for a nice way to finish your garage and organize it at the same time, drop by our showroom at 166 Saunders Road, Unit 8, Barrie.  You can also see more at www.totalgaragesystems.com

Also ask about the remote control garage door bug screens!

Celebrating Small Business

As an entrepreneur, I make it a goal to support others in a similar situation.  I also make it a point to support my community.  Often, these two goals coincide with each other as supporting local business will benefit your community.

Recently, while chatting with another small business, we realized that we were both celebrating our first anniversaries - mine as a full-time storefront and theirs as a new business in Barrie.  As this company (PC Service On Site) did not have a physical location, I suggested they join us and celebrate together.  Thus, the event has been booked and on October 11, 2012, we will both celebrate our first anniversaries.

To add to our lunch-time event, we have decided to include hot sandwiches with all proceeds going to the Barrie Women & Children's Shelter. In addition, in support of their upcoming Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on October 14, we have invited male participants to test-drive their favorite heels.  There may even be some extra entertainment (stay tuned to see if we pull it off!).  This is just one way we, as small business owners, can support our community.

In small business, the first year of business is vital.  Many businesses fail right out of the starting gate; others fail by the six month mark.  As you talk with entrepreneurs, you will realize that many businesses have a rocky first year and the important thing is to keep adapting and push through.

If you are an entrepreneur, think about how you can help small businesses in your community. Make it a point to offer some advice or encouragement to another entrepreneur, or join forces to accomplish a mutual goal.

Small Business Week is October 15 - 19.  Get out and meet your local business owners!

Events:

October 17 - Barrie Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 - Barrie Food Bank
October 18 - Ask the Experts at Barrie City Hall Rotunda
October 19 - Speed Networking

Visit www.barriechamber.com or www.barriebusinesscentre.ca for more information on the above events or contact me at Rebecca@simcoenorth.ca and I will update you!

Business After 5 - July 18, 2012

Recently, we hosted the Barrie Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 at our office at 166 Saunders Rd., Unit 8, Barrie.  It was quite a crush with well over 110 people in attendance!  I wish I had pictures but the camera was left behind!  Stay tuned for the August Snap as there are bound to be pictures in it.

Thank you to all who visited and an extra thank you to Buffalo Wild Wing for providing hot wings throughout the night!

One common response from many of our guests was "I didn't know you do this." It is an ongoing issue for us to find exactly how to best market the company as we truly do a wide variety of things ranging from store fixtures, promotional materials, packaging, printing, garage systems and more.  Overall, all of our products and services go together to make us a "one-stop shop" when setting up or promoting your business.

We can help businesses in a variety of ways:

• Business cards
• Storefront signs, vinyl lettering for windows or walls
• Vehicle lettering or graphics
• Banners, promotional displays or stands
• Pamphlets, brochures, stickers, labels
• T shirts and other promotional items
• Wall systems for product displays
• New store set-up and design
• Packaging for goods including bags, tissue paper, boxes & ribbon

Please drop in to see us soon.  Regardless of whether you need our services, we like to meet and get to know the people in our local community so that we may refer people looking for products or services we do not provide.

Rebecca and Shawn Palmer

How Twitter Has Helped My Business

Twitter is the People You Want to Meet; Facebook is Who You Already Know

 

Can 140 characters truly help you build relationships on a personal and/or business basis?  Yes!  It can!

When I joined Twitter in February of 2010, I did not know how to use Twitter - I didn't "get it".  The program simply did not make sense to me.  I could see Tweets from other people but did not know how to interact with them or how to find direct messages or mentions.  In essence, I was stuck and thus, I gave up on Twitter.

But, sometime in late 2010, I attended a social media information session that taught me about Hoot-suite (we will talk about it later), and soon, I was a very active Twitter user making lots of Tweets and connecting with lots of people!

And thus, the story of how I benefited from Twitter begins...

The Early Days

As I started to learn how to use Twitter, I wanted to expand who I was following and who followed me.

By following lists of people made by fellow tweeters, I was able to meet more people in my community and also those with similar interests.  I have now met many people through Twitter and have gotten to know them through their Tweets.

Fellow tweeters will also help you learn Tweet Etiquette.  Some important rules to follow:

• Do Not Spam.
• Use regular case for posts (do not use all caps or numbers).
• Follow users who follow you (Spam bots excepted).
• Give credit for Retweets (RT) and Mentions.
• Engage people by responding to their tweets or asking questions or sharing information/links.
• Make sure to explain a link when you post it instead of simply posting a link.  this prevents people from fearing it is spam/phishing scheme.
• Promote other people.  If using #FollowFriday #FF, remember to tell us why we should follow someone.
• Be social.  Be humourous. Be informal but in a professional way (particularly if tweeting for business).
• Space out your tweets throughout the day to avoid over-cluttering the timeline with just your posts.
• Provide value with your tweets.

Benefits of Twitter

Locally, I have discovered food venues and other businesses because of recommendations and posts on Twitter.  Without Twitter, I may never have experienced the bliss achieved by consuming Laurie's Sweets & Treats PMS Bars (@lauriewarwick) or learned the delights of Pie Wood Pizza (@piewoodpizza).

I have also met many new friends and acquaintances through the power of Twitter.  We share common likes (food, golf, reading), common interests (supporting community, kids, business, entertainment). Twitter has also helped me meet people new to Barrie and build relationships with many people outside of Barrie.

In terms of business, without Twitter, I may not have connected as well with many other local business people had I met them solely at local networking events. The reason?  Many networking events can be overwhelming and you meet a lot of people!  You may not remember much about a person through a brief meeting.  But, seeing occasional (or numerous) tweets from a person gives you a more thorough insight about what they do, who they are and what they are interested in.
Also, Twitter as a community is very helpful.  If you have a question and "Tweet It", chances are, someone can answer it or direct you to the answer.  Wondering why the power is out or if there was an earthquake?  Why traffic is stopped?  Twitter may also be able to tell you that.  Breaking news travels very fast via Twitter - faster than traditional media.  Thus, Twitter is one of the first places I turn to for answers.

Twitter can also provide leads for your business in real-time.  If someone you follow posts a need for an item or service you offer, you can respond to the post and contact the person at the exact time of need.  You can also use programs like Hoot-suite to set up a stream which lists only posts from a certain group of people (a list), posts that contain a certain keyword or words (ie: window for a glass company) or posts relating to a specific hashtag such as #Barrie.  A hashtag is a word or letters combined to represent a specific subject.  Many cities use them such as #GTA (Toronto area) #Barrie, #Orillia and more.  Hashtags are also used for events like #CGTA (Canadian Gift and Tableware Association), #HockeyNight (hockey night hash tag for playoffs) or #Blogathon (today's blogging event hosted at Creative Space).

You can also receive referrals from Twitter.  If someone finds value in your posts, he/she may refer other people to your business.  I have received and given many leads relating to products, restaurants and services through Twitter.

Overall, Twitter has changed my life, both personally and professionally, as it has allowed me to connect with people I would not have otherwise met, both locally and throughout the world.  By participating in Tweet-ups, I am also meeting people in person.  I have made friends throughout Ontario and look forward to opportunities to see them.  These people have also shared events and places within their own community to enjoy.

Twitter has expanded my horizons and allows me the interaction I need to keep abreast of happenings in my local and surrounding communities.  I learn something new every day.

To me, learning new things and meeting new people are the ultimate benefits of Twitter.  Join today and start interacting.

Washroom Advertising: Capitalizing on a Captive Audience

If you own a restaurant or business with multiple washrooms, have you considered advertising as an additional revenue stream?

Several businesses already feature marquee boards on the back of washroom doors.  Advertisers then pay to promote an event such as a concert, or support activities such as Kids Help Phone.  Chances are, if you are in a stall with an advertisement, you read the ad.  Unless you are in a washroom with interesting graffiti, there is not much else to stare at.

Many businesses will also post flyers in the bathroom but the look is often unattractive and the flyer easily damaged.  Another washroom option is the Marquee sign.


But marquee signs are permanent and posters may look ugly...

Yes.  Advertising signs are often fixed permanently to the door.  The poster can be changed, but the frame remains.

 

 Marquee signs provide the benefit of protection for posters and easy changes at the end of advertising campaigns.

QR codes

QR codes are everywhere so lets take advantage of them.  QR codes are a small square shape.  They are usually black but other colours have been known to work. QR codes could be the only object on a poster or, used in conjunction with another image. And, they can be made to go on removable material!

 QR codes can be scanned by your smartphone. The code then brings you to a selection of targeted information such as a website or contact information.  As gross as it may be, studies have shown a large number of people to use their smartphones in the bathroom!!

Removable stickers

The best choice for a bathroom door would be a vinyl sticker.  It is a little harder to remove and may damage paint.  But, the look is clean and there are no glaring pictures taking away from general bathroom ambiance (yes I like a fancy Moxie's style bathroom).

Another option is removable adhesive wall stickers.  These stickers can simply be peeled off the wall when the campaign is over or to be saved for another day.  In addition, removable wall stickers can be used around sinks, on outside of stalls, and on bathroom walls.

In all, the back of your bathroom door can be used to obtain additional revenue or share news about events or issues.  Restaurants may wish to feature specials or upcoming events.  Casinos could advertise upcoming concerts or gambling assistance programs.  Another option is to promote organizations such as MADD or Canadian Designated Driver.

Put your washroom to work!

Choosing a Retail Wall System Part 1: Slatwall

When setting up your retail store, you need to consider your wall system options.  Your needs will be based not only on look, but also on functionality and type of product carried.

This post will look at MDF slatwall (aka slot wall or slat wall).

Slatwall

Slatwall (or slot wall) is traditionally found in many retail stores.  The product is made from MDF board (pressed fibre board) and is often finished with paint or laminate.
Many companies now offer metallic finishes or textured finished to represent metal, brick or other fancy patterns.

Slatwall often comes in a 4' x 8' sheet and holds approximately 10 - 15 pounds per square foot, on the centre of the sheet.  As you move towards the edges of the sheet, the weight load decreases as more pressure is put on the slat.  Each sheet weighs about 75 pounds.

You can strengthen standard slatwall with aluminum inserts that can be inserted at manufacture or after purchase.

Slatwall works best for light weight items.  If clothes or shelves are too heavily loaded, slats may break.  This results in broken, unattractive slatwall than can only be repaired by replacing the entire sheet.

A wide range of hooks, baskets, shelves and other accessories are available for this product.

Slatwall is just one of the many options for wall systems and the first of a series of posts.  We will explore grid wall and slat grid next.

Dress for Success

It's an old saying, but a wise one - "Dress for Success."  Once upon a time, dressing for success meant a formal dark suit and tie for the men or a dress or skirt/blouse/blazer for the ladies.

Nowadays, business attire can mean anything from a pair of jeans and nice shirt to the full-out formal suite.  Given the lean towards casual wear, one may be tempted, particularly in a small business or as an entrepreneur, to wear jeans and very casual wear.  I admit, I am guilty as some days, those jeans just sound so much more comfortable at the office.

But, are we cheapening our image by dressing down?  Do you personally feel as positive about a business professional who shows up to a network event wearing jeans and an old top or raggedy jacket as you would about someone who is wearing dress pants and a dress shirt, or at the very least, a nice polo/golf shirt?  Does the person in a suit give off an air of knowledge that he/she would not give off if wearing jeans?  When faced with a decision as to where to spend money based on who has the most "value", would you choose the person in dress clothes or jeans?

The fact is that both people may be equally qualified and the person wearing jeans may be even more knowledgeable, but, because he/she has dressed down, he/she has reduced his/her value to the consumer.

While both the above pictures still look acceptable, imagine the same people in a less posed situation, or in older, less stylish or ill-fitting clothing?  At several recent networking events, styles of dress included ultra mini skirts, baseball caps and loud printed shirts!

 
Think about how people dress at business events you attend.  Does matter of dress affect who you approach for conversation?  What about other people you deal with? 


[Printed t shirts and baseball caps are great for casual wear but not for networking or general business]




 In addition to your appearance to others, it is also vital to think about how our mode of dress affects our own self.  People who dress appropriately for functions, and in business attire, tend to feel more positive about themselves and thus, have higher self-esteem.  When you feel better about yourself, it is apparent to others.  Those who dress down may feel a loss of self-esteem and even feel slobbish or out of place.  Many career coaches will tell you to dress in business attire when conducting phone interviews or internet/phone job searches.  This is based on the simple reason that when you look good, you feel good.  Feeling good can be heard through the telephone, much like chatting with a smile!

Remember also that dressing for business does not have to be expensive!  A few good pieces (classic styles that seldom go out of fashion) can easily be rotated throughout your wardrobe to ensure maximum use at minimum price.  Very few of us can afford a new wardrobe every season!

So dress to impress.  By choosing a professional appearance, you benefit yourself.

Does Store Design Matter?

Ever walk into a store and find something just feels off?  This feeling can occur in a poorly laid out store, an overcrowded store or an outdated store.

Poor layout - Studies suggest that people natural move to the right when entering a store.  Therefore, if your store is designed to send people to the left, you are upsetting natural patterns.  While this may seem silly to you, it may cause an unknown unease in your client.  Keep this in mind as you set up store displays.

Overcrowding - Do you feel overwhelmed in a store with too much product, too little aisle room?  When retail stores overstock, it impedes the flow of traffic around product displays and racks.  How many have attempted to push a cart or stroller between clothing racks only to find the stuff on these racks drooping into their cart or even over their children because of insufficient space to move?  Outlet stores are particularly bad for this.  In addition to lack of space for movement, it can cause subconscious fears of smothering or being trapped.  Overloading your store stock will not get you more sales as many will want to leave sooner, even if it means missing a "good deal".  The space feels uncomfortable and confining.  Solve this issue by reducing amount of stock or displays on the floor and make sure there is adequate room for people, carts and strollers to move.

Outdated Stores - Does your store still contain original fixtures from a prior owner or from your original opening several decades ago?  Chances are that your slat wall, wall systems or other store fixtures may not only be outdated but may also be broken or simply unattractive.  While a mismatch of unique products may work well for a thrift store, the general overall feel your location promotes will affect your product.  It may also reduce the overall worth of your products in the subconscious mind of your customer.  If one looks at large chain stores, you will notice that they constantly change their layout, appearance and fixtures.  This keeps the store (and products) fresh in the mind of the consumer.  The excitement of change actually encourages people to come in, look around and stay to purchase product.  Small businesses may not be able to afford to change fixtures and displays as often as a large retailer but keep in mind that old and broken displays are going to turn off the customer.  Invest in new fixtures as needed and make sure to change up your store by using paint or other methods to keep the store looking fresh.  Pay attention to what your store looks and feels like when you walk in.  Change may be as simple as moving displays, replacing broken, mismatched slat wall with new slat wall, or, even painting walls surrounding slat wall.  While replacing old product may be a significant cost, the overall benefits will increase your sales and comfort feeling of clients.

Overall, your store layout and design will affect your consumer.  Take a day or two and visit a variety of stores including a regular mall, a busy outlet store (perhaps a Sears outlet on a weekend), a used/thrift store, and some small stores.  Remember to use a cart/stroller to get the full feeling.  Think about how you feel as you visit each location.  What did you like/dislike about the overall feel of the store?  Forget about the actual product and concentrate on the flow and overall environment. 

Always remember that the subconscious mind is always operating and your customer's subconscious can affect your business!

Getting the Most Out of Networking

As a new business, you may wish to build a network of local business people.  The options for networking are endless!

Regardless of the type of group you join, there are a few main things to remember in order to get the most out of any meet-up.  Many of us have committed common errors in the past, particularly when new to networking.

1. Do not go with the intention of handing out lots of business cards.  Business cards contain important information, but, if you cannot connect with the recipient of your card on a higher level, your card will end up in a giant card pile, the garbage or, as a toothpick!  Instead of trying to hand out as many cards as possible, strike up a conversation with one or several people and give them a reason to want to connect with you further.  Chances are that many of the people will also be at another event.                                                                                                                                    
2. Make a meaningful connection.  Choose one or two people in the room that you would like to get to know.  Spend time chatting with each person.  Your topic does not have to be business related and the majority of conversation should not be about your business.  Make sure to give the other person time to talk.  People like to be listened to.  This is a good time to invite the person to meet for a coffee to further discuss what you both do.
3. Build a relationship.  Networking is not about how many people you can met in 2 hours, but about building relationships.  When you connect with someone on a personal level, trust is also built.  People are more likely to do business or refer people to those they know and trust.  This does not usually occur from a single conversation of under 5 minutes!  Building relationships take time but the results are well worth it!
4. Develop a Good Handshake.  How do you shake hands?  A good handshake shows confidence and strength.  Your handshake should solidly connect with the other person, be firm, but not crushing.  The recipient should know you are shaking their hand.  Ever shake hands with someone who offered a weak, barely there touch?  Did you feel this person wanted to get to know you?  Did you feel this person had confidence?  Consider this the next time you go to shake hands.  Also remember to look the person in the face for a stronger connection.
5. Smile!  A smile is worth a thousand words.  It indicates that you are open to conversation and a positive person.  When attending an event, remember to smile as often as you can as this will encourage people to want to talk with you.  Think about this when you are out - are you more attracted to locations where people are smiling or frowning?  Why?  A smile encourages others to smile and also projects happiness.  Since most people would rather be happy, they will be attracted to smiles rather than frowns.  An unhappy looking person is less likely to participate in uplifting conversation.  A smile also indicates that you  wish to communicate with others.
6. Join In.   When at an event for a first time, you may know no one and be unsure what to do.  In order to meet people, join in a group and offer input.  Smile and tell them you are new.  In no time, you will meet many people.  As you grow more confident, help others to join in.  Begin by talking to a person standing alone and help connect them to other people.  A good way to help a newcomer is to introduce them to a group as new or introduce them to someone you may know that may relate to their business.
7. Follow-up.  I must admit that I have been terrible at my own advice regarding follow-up though I am working hard to change.  Now that you have met someone, you may want to know more about them on a business or personal level (and I don't mean dating).  Perhaps something they said was particularly interesting or you share a common interest.  If you have exchanged cards, give the person a quick call or email.  It will refresh who you are in their minds - remember you both may have met many people at the event.  At the very least, look for the person at the next event and say hello.  Some people prefer to set a time for coffee in order to get to know the person better. 

Making decisions as to what type of group to participate in can also be difficult.  Some choose to participate in several group formats.  Some groups are no cost while others have a yearly cost and a per-meeting fee.  It is important to look at ROI when thinking about groups.  Spending $1,200.00 a year on a group that provides no leads or referrals is not a great return on investment, but the same $1,200.00 to participate in a group that refers lots of business (and makes you money) is well worth it!  You will also want to look at whether groups require mandatory attendance, how often they meet and whether they are the right fit for you.  Some people prefer a less structured group or a community service group.  This will depend on the individual and type of business.

Just a few options in the Barrie area:

• BNI (Business Networking International)
• Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce
• BCX (Business Connection Exchange)
• Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and other service clubs
• Simcoe County Young Professionals
• Barrie New Entrepreneurs
• Business Connections
• PIP (Professionals in Partnership)
• Groups on Meetup.com
• various think tanks by local groups

The above list is nowhere near complete!

Hopefully, these tips will help you at your next event.  Building relationships in the community are a great way to help grow your business.

Celebrating Valentine's Day

Christmas has left the building!

Many retail stores are now decorated in an array of pink, purple and red.  We can help you with tissue paper, plastic poly shopping bags, kraft bags, ribbon and cello.

But, how will you personally celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved one?  Perhaps an array of goodies (PMS bars) from Laurie's Sweets & Treats at Sophia and Ross Street or, go full-out and book your loved one a chocolate massage or chocolate mud wrap from Maple Hill Country Day Spa (located just outside of Barrie with a second location at Cedar Pointe on Thursdays.You would be a very lucky girl to get both. (Hint Hint!)

It's trade show season!!

January 2012.  Many of us are starting to get ready for trade shows.  CGTA, home shows, business to business shows. 

You should consider several things before participating in your next trade show.

• What does your trade show display say about you?  
• Are your banners up to date or are they ragged and worn out?  
• Do you have a booth displaying relevant, eye-catching information or products?  
• How does your booth compare to other displays?

In addition to your booth or display, remember that the people operating the booth represent your company. 
Ensure your representatives work to engage their audience - a smile goes a long way!  If your rep is sitting in a chair looking like they would rather be ANYWHERE else, your company is losing opportunities and even a fancy booth will not change this.