Guelph Chamber of Commerce Connection

Guelph Chamber and Innovation Guelph Open House Slide Show

Last Tuesday the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and Innovation Guelph held our Open House.  If you were not one of the 400 or so that made their way through, you can check out the slide show here.  What a great time.  You can still drop by any time. 

Members of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce now have their choice of three Board rooms for their use to meet clients, or have offsite meetings, at no additional cost to membership fees.  And the rooms are amazing.  Please check them out for yourself!

Guelph READS!

The Friends of Guelph Public Library held an event last night:  Guelph Reads. 

The books that were defended were:

Life In the Backwoods by Suzanna Moodie, defended by Lloyd Longfield

Take the High Road by Terry Fallis, defended by Mayor Farbridge

Cigar Box Banjo by Paul Quarrington, defended by James Gordon

and the winner was..... Life in the Backwoods.  The book all of Guelph should be reading.  Written in 1830's by Suzanna Moodie - her reflections on settling into Canada living in the backwoods for four years before moving into the city.  She went into the backwoods as an English immigrant, and came out a Canadian.  There is a great discussion piece in which a tornado going through Guelph in 1829 is mentioned - barely missing John Galt's house after crossing the Speed River and heading up Eramosa Road making it impassible by twisted trees blocking the way. 

Apart from that a great perspective on the emerging Canadian personality of collaboration, surviving and thriving regardless of the challenges faced.  It is a free download for Kobo, and is also available at the Guelph Public Library.

 

Emerging Stronger

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has recently published “Emerging Stronger - A Transformative Agenda for Ontario”. This document aligns well with the work of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and our partners at the City of Guelph and education institutions. The priorities for Ontario’s future prosperity have been outlined in the Emerging Stronger document, and centre around five key areas:

1) Fostering a culture of innovation and smart risk-taking in order to become a productivity leader

Ontario’s innovation gap is a major barrier to increasing productivity and prosperity. Last year the Guelph Chamber of Commerce helped to launch Innovation Guelph, part of the Ontario Network of Excellence, located within the Chamber of Commerce Business Center along with NRC-IRAP and the University of Guelph. Guelph business is focused on implementing innovation in our community.

2) Building a 21^st century workforce through workforce training, utilizing newcomer’s skills, and apprenticeship reform

Ontario needs to build the skill sets necessary for the knowledge economy. Skilled labour is in short supply, even though unemployment still exists in our community. The Guelph Chamber is working to help align supply and demand for labour, collaborating with education and employment agencies. The Chamber’s Global Experience @Work project is focused on identifying and removing barriers to hiring newcomers.

3) Restoring fiscal balance by improving the way government works

Without balanced budgets, reasonable tax levels, and efficient public services, Ontario will lag behind other jurisdictions. The business community is working with all levels of government to bring business expertise to develop sound strategies, including the use of technologies in healthcare and education and government service delivery.

4) Taking advantage of new opportunities in the global economy

Guelph is developing significant cultural and economic linkages to emerging markets though our business community, the University of Guelph, and our increasing immigrant population. Guelph has long celebrated our diversity, including the Multicultural Festival in June. Diversity has become a strategic advantage in the new economy.

5) Identifying, championing, and strategically investing in our competitive advantages in the global economy

Ontario’s economy is undergoing rapid evolution. During the recession, the City of Guelph collaborated with education and business to develop our ten year economic development and tourism strategy: Prosperity 2020. This plan is focused on strategically focusing in our competitive advantages in key sectors. We now need to make global linkages to build on our prosperity.

More information can be found at www.occ.on.ca under Economic Vision.

Guelph Chamber Inside

We are almost settled in.  Some artwork for the walls, a few more board room tables, and we are "good to go".  We have a public open house May 8th from 4pm to 6pm.  Come on by!

 

Meeting rooms are available for complimentary use by Guelph Chamber members. 

 

How Does North America See Us?

Guelph is the first Canadian community to be profiled on the USA program "Profiles", hosted by Terry Bradshaw.  Please check out the 5 minute video highlighting some of Guelph's strengths, and a bit of our personality.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da11A8_6Bv4 

Please "Like" this and send it around though your channels.  It would be great to see the You Tube hits climb!

Come by our Open House May 8 between 4pm and 8pm on the 2nd and 3rd Floor of 111 Farquahr, across the tracks from Co-operators.  7 Catering companies are setting up in the large multi-purpose room at Innovation Guelph on the 3rd Floor, and you have to see the Chamber offices on the second floor that includes 3 Board  rooms for our members' complimentrary use!  The setting and views are stunning.  Parking after 5 in the Neeve Street parking lot, as well as 80 spots around our building. 

8 of 10 offices for small business have been rented out.  The UofG and National Research Council are moving in. We have had over 500 people attending on site business support sessions and other community events in the first two months of Innovation Guelph's multi-purpose room being available for rent.  The place is humming with activity!  Innovation Guelph has 2 more Board rooms for use by local businesses and associations - you have to check it out!

Innovation: What is it Good For?

In the coming years we will be hearing the word “innovation” in a lot of contexts. Some will be old
ideas made new, and some will be new ideas that will surprise many. The Guelph Chamber is touching on innovation in many ways.

The Guelph Chamber is in an innovative space, sharing the rent with Innovation Guelph, the National Research Council, the University of Guelph, and so far 8 divers companies with room for two more. It is no accident the Chamber has developed partnerships to provide direct support for innovation for Guelph’s businesses, regardless of their size. Innovation truly comes in many shapes and sizes. The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program has a major focus on helping small business embrace technology. And Guelph has many small businesses that can help other small businesses along the way. The University of Guelph, Conestoga College, and our school boards have a ready supply of
students that can add their expertise to helping to strengthen our business community. Summer is coming, and that means students will be more available to pitch in. The Chamber’s website has links to co-op opportunities. www.Innovationguelph.ca will show an amazing array of events and programs for those wanting to get ahead in the knowledge economy. Innovation is Guelph’s middle name.

A traditional idea is becoming new again: face to face conversations. Imagine: sitting around a
table with like minded people looking for good ideas to share. The Guelph Chamber and Innovation Guelph have shared space to have round table discussions on questions posed by the table, facilitated by local mentors. The “Guelph Winners Circles” are geared for small businesses to connect to support
in the community. The cost of these monthly sessions is included in the price of a Guelph Chamber membership, which starts at $300 per year or less than $30 per month. Sessions run on the second Wednesday evening of the month from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Details are on the home page of www.guelphchamber.com.

Innovation is all through the new Guelph Chamber location. Drop by 111 Farquahr second floor anytime, but make sure to come by our joint open house with Innovation Guelph on May 8^th from 4pm to 8pm! The building might be 1858 but what is going on inside is heading us into an innovative future.

Ontario's Budget: Two Pronged Approach Key to Future Growth and Prosperity

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has called for a two-pronged approach to balancing the books: deficit reduction and a clear focus on growth and transforming the Ontario economy for the 21st century. Overall, yesterday's budget positions us to move in this direction.

The OCC recognizes that the 2012 Ontario Budget made difficult choices as the province's debt repayments rank as the third largest area of expenditure after education and health care. The budget's main focus on reducing the deficit is certainly the top priority for Ontario businesses – and
is a key factor in the economic vitality of the province and our ability to deliver critical government programs. But to lay the groundwork for future growth and prosperity, austerity is only one side of the equation. A vision for future economic growth is the other.

“Today, we are calling on the Government to work with the Ontario Chamber Network and other
stakeholders to grow its top line in order to balance the books,” said Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Innovation, a 21st century workforce, fiscal balance, taking advantage of global opportunities and identifying our competitive advantages are of fundamental
importance if Ontario is to be more productive, more competitive and more global.”

A significant part of that global competitiveness is the provincial tax environment. While the Ontario Chamber of Commerce was expecting a delay in the corporate income tax (CIT) reduction, we expect the Government will meet its deficit reduction targets and implement the CIT rate reductions
in 2017-18, or earlier.

Recognizing the business community must do its part in moving Ontario towards 21st century prosperity, the OCC supports the consultation of the private sector in modifications to business supports and would welcome an invitation to join the Jobs and Prosperity Council described in the budget.

“Every individual, every business and every community across Ontario is in this together,” said O’Dette. "We must focus on growing the economy of this great province so, together, we can emerge stronger.”

Guelph Chamber Launches Small Business Support Group

Guelph Winner's Circles

Goals:

Discuss your challenges in business, connecting to local support and learning how others have dealt with similar issues. The objective is to:

•Increase sales revenue and profits for small businesses/SME’s in Guelph

•Give small businesses a face to face resource for timely, relevant responses to their needs

•Increase employment in SME’s

•Increase business to business connections to contribute to local economy

• Increase social connections between Guelph business people

Time: 6:30 to 8:00pm second Wednesday of month starting April 11th

Place: Innovation Guelph, 3rd Floor, 111 Farquhar- across the tracks from Transit Terminal

Hosted by: Guelph Chamber of Commerce

Hosted for: Guelph Small Business Community

Fees: First meeting complimentary. Attendance at 10 meetings included in annual Guelph Chamber membership fee

Format:

•Short success story from local business – 10 minutes

•Attendee input on business topics to be discussed using posting board (examples of themes below) – 15 minutes

•Mentor/facilitator led table discussions based questions from floor: 5 tables of discussion – 50 minutes

• Large group gathering with short summary of best ideas from each table – 15 minutes

First session:

Wednesday, April 11th – space limited to 80 attendees. To reserve a spot at the table - http://memberservices.membee.com/onguecoc/irmevents.aspx?id=1174

Success story: Intrigue Media from startup to multi-franchise in 4 years

Business topics for discussion: Questions to be addressed from attendee sticky notes placed on top 5 posting boards under the following topic headings:

• Forward facing accounting – Tonin & Co.

• Marketing to be known – GJA Communications

• Technology can be your best friend – Bennett Business Connections

• Banking challenges for small business - RBC

• Customer focused sales – The Achievement Centre

• Measuring success for success – Action Coach

Facilitators and topics will change monthly from within Guelph Chamber of Commerce network, the next month's topics coming from attendees at the end of each session. Sessions are driven by attendees based on their interests and needs. Facilitators will guide discussion of questions posed, and share their general expertise where appropriate.

Connect to Guelph Businesses in April

Local businesses make our community go. Money made in Guelph and money spent in Guelph provides a living for people living here. It’s called the “multiplier”effect: a dollar paid in local wages to purchase local goods and services provides income to purchase more local goods and services. Local businesses invest in themselves to pay more local people and the cycle continues. Local economics makes enormous sense.

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce supports our community in many ways. On Wednesday, April 4^th from 4pm to 7:30pm, local economics comes alive at Cutten Fields with our 9^thannual Table Top Trade Show where we help you to connect to our local businesses. Over 80 local merchants display what they do to as many local residents who take the time to visit their booths. With Guelph’s amazing array of talent, you will always be surprised by what is available locally. So look at dropping by after work on April 4^th: parking and admission is free to the public and you do not have to be a member of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.

Social networking and internet usage have been the source of on going debate over the past few years. Jodi Van Dam, Director, HR with Co-operators General Insurance Company, one of the 50 best employers in Canada, is our keynote speaker for our April 11^th Lunch & Learn. Jodi will discuss the importance of considering not only the challenges that these technological advances have provided the world, but also the advantages when designing any HR policy for your organization. Again, you do not have to be a member of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce to attend, but members do receive a discount on admission.

Chamber Pub Night is at Symposium on April 16^th from 5 to 7pm. Admission is free, and the informal get together is a chance for local business people to meet each other in a relaxed setting. The Chamber showcases one of our local restaurants each month for these events.

If early morning suits you better we are holding a Breakfast Academy on Friday April 20^th, where Rob Murray from Intrigue Media will discuss using LinkedIn as a business tool. Intrigue Media is another one of our multi-talented local businesses that helps other businesses to connect to each other.

April events with the Chamber wind up with Business After 5 at Arc Industries, Community Living Guelph Wellington. On Tuesday April 24th, join us for a tour of the beautiful new building and gymnasium and learn about the many services they offer including woodworking, catering, paper and mailing, property maintenance and packaging. Arc Industries is one of our many not for profit businesses that provide support for members in our community, and opportunities for local businesses to use their talent and provide community benefit at the same time.

Drummond Report Summary - Good for Business

The analytical and pragmatic approaches put forward in the Drummond Report are consistent with policies the Guelph Chamber has been advocating for, including streamlining business support programs, alternate financing of infrastructure projects, encouraging innovation, consolodation of hydro utilities, focusing on wellness initiatives to reduce health care costs, maintaining investment in education. The policy review team from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has put together a bullet point summary of highlights of the report now in front of our provincial government.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Review of the Report of the Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

Overall Key Messages:

· The Commission's report sets the stage for Ontario's future competitiveness.

· To slay the deficit and keep Ontario competitive, the government must seriously consider the package of reforms recommended by the Commission.

· Ontario's business community has been asking the government to get the province's fiscal house in order by setting out a deficit reduction plan, managing public sector compensation, finding efficiencies in service delivery, and negotiating a new fiscal deal with the federal government. The report responds to those ideas.

· Now more than ever, the government needs to look to the private and non-profit sectors to partner in the delivery of services and financing of public projects.

· Encouraging innovation will increase productivity and provide Ontario with a sustainable economy in the 21st century.

Background:

· The Commission on the Reform of Ontario Public Services Report (the "Drummond Report") was released on February 15, 2012.

· The report contained 362 recommendations on how to transform government service delivery in order to reduce costs.

· The Government of Ontario will now decide which recommendations to implement in Budget 2012 and beyond.

Economic Assumptions

The Commission projects that:

· In the current economic climate, and if government continues to spend as it does today, the deficit will not be eliminated by 2017-18. Instead, the deficit would more than double to $30.2 billion in 2017-18 and net public debt would reach $411.4 billion.

· The Commission's recommendations would balance the budget in 2017-18, based on a revenue
projection that is substantially lower than the 2011 Budget projections. The Commission's plan allows for a 0.8 percent increase in total spending programs per year.

· The Commission recommends restrained growth in spending on:

o health care (increase of 2.5 percent per year out to 2017-18),

o education (increase of 1.0 percent per year),

o post-secondary education (excluding training) (increase of 1.5 percent per year), and

o social programs (increase of 0.5 percent per year).

All other programs would see a decrease in spending of 2.4 percent per year until 2017-18.

Recommendations that may be of interest to the OCC Network include:

Business Support:

· Review direct business support programs and tax expenditures to ensure they are delivering value for money.

· Refocus the mandate of business support programs from job creation to productivity growth.

· Pool money for direct and indirect business support programs into a single funding envelope.

Labour Relations and Compensation:

· Constrain broader public sector compensation increases over the next several years.

· Look at “total compensation” when engaging in public sector labour relations – this means including benefits and pensions in any discussion.

Operating and Back-Office Expenditures:

· Consider alternative service delivery where value for money can be enhanced without compromising quality or access.

· Seek greater private sector participation in ServiceOntario.

Government Business Enterprises:

· Create additional value from Ontario’s Government Business Enterprises (LCBO, OLG, Hydro One and OPG) by improving their operational efficiencies, by directing the LCBO to use its purchasing power more effectively, and by directing the OLG to close one of its two head offices and one of the two casinos in Niagara Falls.

Revenue Integrity:

· Ensure user fees more accurately reflect the costs of inflation and the costs of providing the related service.

· Continue to gradually implement a single uniform Business Education Tax rate.

· Replace taxes tied to a good’s volume with taxes tied to its value (e.g. many “sin taxes” like gasoline, tobacco and alcohol are currently taxed on the volume of the product rather than the value. This means when prices rise, revenues from the tax do not respond).

Liability Management:

· Eliminate the Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund or transfer it to a private insurer.

· Eliminate or modify the Taxpayer Protection Act so that both spending and taxes can be used to address threats to fiscal sustainability.

Intergovernmental Relations:

· Reform the equalization program to capture resource revenues in the equalization formula.

· Eliminate the Canada Social Transfer and transfer tax points to the provinces.

· Eliminate duplication and overlap in shared areas of responsibility with the federal government.

· Decrease the rate of increase of provincial transfers to municipalities.

Health Care:

· More private-sector involvement in the delivery of health care so long as the public payer model remains intact.

· Develop and publish a comprehensive plan to address health care challenges over the next 20 years.

· Maximize opportunities to use nurse practitioners with the aim of efficiency, while maintaining excellent care.

Education:

· Funding for First Nations on-reserve education that at least reaches parity with per-student provincial funding for elementary and secondary education.

· Post-secondary institutions need to devote more resources to experiential learning such as internships.

Employment and Training:

· Streamline and integrate employment and training services with Employment Ontario to reduce red tape and increase client access.

· Develop a comprehensive training agreement to replace the patchwork of federal-provincial agreements currently in place.

· Direct Workforce Planning Boards to encourage employers to increase investment in workplace-based training.

· Link employment and training services more strongly to economic development initiatives.

· Shift responsibility for apprenticeship training administration to colleges and union training centres. All other administrative responsibilities for apprenticeships should be transferred to the College of Trades.

Immigration:

· Develop a position on immigration policies that is in the province’s best economic and social
interest.

· Advocate for a greater provincial role in immigration selection to support economic prosperity.

· Streamline and integrate provincial delivered settlement agencies for immigrants with Employment Ontario.

· Advocate for devolving federal immigration settlement and training programs to province with appropriate funding mechanism.

Infrastructure and Transportation:

· Find efficiencies in transit services in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

· Use alternative financing methods to fund transportation.

· Pursue a national transit strategy with the federal government, other provinces and municipalities.

· Engage citizens in an open, public dialogue on how best to create new revenue sources for transportation capital needs. These sources could include: congestion charges, parking surcharges, and regional gas taxes.

Energy:

Acknowledging the importance of electricity prices to regional competitiveness in areas such as
manufacturing and forestry, Mr. Drummond recommends the following:

· Review energy subsidy programs to ensure they align with policy goals and are delivering value for money.

· Eliminate the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit (OCEB) as it can lead to higher electricity costs for consumers and businesses while discouraging conservation.

· Consolidate Ontario’s 80 local distribution companies (LDCs) to reduce the $1.35 billion/year spent on operations, maintenance and administrative costs.

· Undertake an electricity education strategy that covers information on Ontario’s electricity resources including nuclear, hydroelectric, thermal and renewable generation; the role of electricity import and export markets; roles and responsibilities of the various players in the electricity sector; and what drives and shapes electricity prices.

Environment:

· Streamline the roles for environmental protections where currently there is overlap among provincial ministries and the federal government.

· To reduce duplication of environmental assessment procedures at the federal and provincial levels, investigate ways to further streamline the environmental process, such as co-ordinating further with the federal government’s process or integrating it with certain approvals.

· Consolidate the agencies and bodies involved in land use planning and resources management.

Ring of Fire:

· Ensure employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal People are maximized as part of the development of the Ring of Fire.

· Streamline and co-ordinate environmental assessment and regulatory processes to improve timelines in order to secure investment and growth in the region.