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DISPLAY YOUR PASSION<br />
Helping companies<br />
showcase their value Pg 20<br />
SONIC BOOM<br />
Blending business<br />
and music Pg 22<br />
INTRAPRENEURSHIP<br />
Building a culture<br />
of innovation Pg 30<br />
BUSINESS VOICE<br />
HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | JULY & AUGUST 2016 | VOLUME 25 ISSUE 06<br />
<strong>dynamic</strong><br />
infusion<br />
Immigrants critical to Nova Scotia’s economic future<br />
PAGE 14<br />
HALIFAX’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE
LEED. NEVER FOLLOW.<br />
We are proven leaders. Certified, even. Purdy’s<br />
Wharf is the first commercial property in Atlantic<br />
Canada to earn LEED EB: O&M certification from<br />
the Canada Green Building Council.<br />
It’s where your business needs to be.<br />
For leasing information, contact us at<br />
902- 421-1122 or visit purdyswharf.com.
CONTENTS<br />
}<br />
Demographically, Nova Scotia is in big trouble.”<br />
Paul Pickering,<br />
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia<br />
15<br />
COVER STORY<br />
Dynamic Infusion<br />
Immigrants critical to Nova Scotia’s<br />
economic future<br />
14<br />
04 Events<br />
05 President’s message<br />
06 New & noted<br />
09 Members in the news<br />
14 Energy infusion<br />
Immigrants critical to Nova Scotia’s<br />
economic future<br />
20 Display your passion<br />
Young entrepreneurs help companies<br />
showcase their value<br />
Display your passion<br />
Young entrepreneurs help<br />
companies showcase their value<br />
Illustration: rawpixel/123RF<br />
20<br />
Photo: Clayton Morrissey<br />
22 Profile: Sonic Entertainment<br />
24 All ships rise<br />
25 Working for you<br />
27 Trends<br />
32 Halifax partnership<br />
33 City desk<br />
38 Where are they now?<br />
SPECIAL FEATURE<br />
34 Aerospace and defence<br />
Board of Directors<br />
Carol MacMillan, The Shaw Group, Chair<br />
Mark Fraser, T4G, Vice Chair<br />
Rob Batherson, Colour, Past Chair<br />
Directors<br />
Cynthia Dorrington, Vale & Associates<br />
Level Chan, Stewart McKelvey<br />
Lori Barton, Beaumont Advisors Limited<br />
Don Bureaux, NSCC<br />
Jamie O’Neill, Uprise Consulting<br />
Margaret Chapman, Corporate Research Associates<br />
Mark Sidebottom, Nova Scotia Power Inc.<br />
Michele Williams, Grant Thornton LLP<br />
Captain (N) Sutherland, Maritime Forces Atlantic<br />
Sreejata Chatterjee, LeadSift<br />
Gavin MacDonald, Cox & Palmer<br />
Paul Bent, CPA, ICA, CD.D<br />
Robert Dean, WBLI<br />
Saeed El-Darahali, SimplyCast<br />
Chamber Staff<br />
Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO<br />
Nancy M. Conrad, Senior Vice President, Policy<br />
Colin J. Bustard, Director of Finance and Administration<br />
Be cky Davison, Marketing Manager<br />
Melissa MacDonald, Communications Specialist<br />
Volume 25 Issue 06<br />
Business Voice is published 10 times a year for<br />
members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
and Metro Halifax’s business community. Views<br />
expressed in Business Voice are those of the<br />
contributors and individual members, and are<br />
not necessarily endorsed by, or are a policy of,<br />
the Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
No part of this publication may be reproduced<br />
without written consent of the publisher. While<br />
every effort has been made to ensure accuracy,<br />
the publisher cannot be held responsible for any<br />
errors or omissions that may occur.<br />
Please address editorial enquiries<br />
and changes to information to:<br />
Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
100-32 Akerley Boulevard, Dartmouth,<br />
Nova Scotia B3B 1N1<br />
Tel: (902) 468-7111<br />
Fax: (902) 468-7333<br />
info@halifaxchamber.com<br />
www.halifaxchamber.com<br />
Business Voice is published by<br />
The Chronicle Herald, Custom and Community<br />
Publishing Department<br />
Publisher: Sarah Dennis<br />
Vice President, Business Development: Jeff Nearing<br />
Editor:<br />
Design Department Manager: Julia Webb<br />
Layout & Design: Pete Ross<br />
Contributing Writers: Erin Elaine Casey, David<br />
Pretty, Jon Tattrie, Carol Dobson, Becky Davison,<br />
Kayla Cotton, Courtney Osborne, Mike McCarther,<br />
Gregory Phipps, Ian Munro, Mike Savage<br />
Customer Relations Specialist: Jennifer MacLean<br />
Sales Executives: Peter Coleman,<br />
Victoria MacDougall, David A. McNeil<br />
902-426-2811 x1163<br />
Cover photo: V.J. Mathhew/123RF<br />
Copyright 2016 by The Chronicle Herald<br />
All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article,<br />
photograph or artwork without expressed written<br />
permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.<br />
2717 Joseph Howe Drive<br />
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2T2<br />
Tel: (902) 426-2811<br />
TheChronicleHerald.ca<br />
Disclaimer<br />
Business Voice magazine makes no warranties<br />
of any kind, written or implied, regarding the<br />
contents of this magazine and expressly<br />
disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy<br />
or reliability of information contained herein.<br />
The views contained in this magazine are those<br />
of the writers and advertisers; they do not<br />
<br />
magazine and its publisher The Chronicle Herald.<br />
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40032112<br />
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to<br />
Halifax Chamber of Commerce.<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 3
CATAGORY<br />
EVENTS<br />
CHAMBER EVENTS<br />
For a full and up to date list of our<br />
Chamber events, please visit<br />
www.halifaxchamber.com/events<br />
DATE: July 13, 2016<br />
TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 pm<br />
LOCATION: Halifax Chamber<br />
of Commerce Building<br />
BUSINESS<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
NETWORK<br />
DATE: July 15, 2016<br />
TIME: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm<br />
LOCATION: Halifax Chamber<br />
of Commerce Building<br />
The Links at Brunello<br />
DATE: July 20, 2016<br />
TIME: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm<br />
LOCATION: 120 Brunello Blvd,<br />
Timberlea<br />
DATE: August 17th, 2016<br />
TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 pm<br />
LOCATION: Halifax Chamber<br />
of Commerce Building<br />
BUSINESS<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
NETWORK<br />
DATE: August 19, 2016<br />
TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 pm<br />
LOCATION: Halifax Chamber<br />
of Commerce Building<br />
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR<br />
SIGNATURE EVENTS!<br />
2016 FALL DINNER<br />
November 2, 2016<br />
HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA<br />
December 1, 2016<br />
2017 HALIFAX<br />
BUSINESS AWARDS<br />
January 26, 2017<br />
2017 ALL SHIPS RISE<br />
CONFERENCE<br />
February 15, 2017<br />
SPRING DINNER 2017<br />
May 4, 2017<br />
THANK YOU TO OUR JUNE SPONSORS:<br />
For You, Your Employees,<br />
and Your Business<br />
1<br />
2<br />
FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
FOR YOUR BUSINESS<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Take advantage of our National Buying Power.<br />
Contact our Business Development Team to get started<br />
1-844-856-9876<br />
<br />
4<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE<br />
An introductory message<br />
Looking forward to working with Chamber members president@halifaxchamber.com<br />
I believe a strategic plan requires input from all<br />
stakeholders, and I look forward to working with the<br />
board and our members to develop a plan over the coming<br />
months that will take us toward a prosperous future.”<br />
PATRICK SULLIVAN<br />
PRESIDENT & CEO<br />
I am pleased and humbled to have<br />
been chosen as the incoming President<br />
and CEO for the Halifax Chamber of<br />
Commerce. I am lucky enough to have<br />
spent my formative years in Halifax with<br />
parents that grew up here, although my<br />
father was in the Canadian Forces and<br />
spent my early years living away.<br />
I attended Mount Saint Vincent<br />
University and like many young people,<br />
left early in my career and spent time in<br />
Toronto. During the course of my career I<br />
have lived both here in Halifax and Toronto<br />
and have been back and forth a number of<br />
times with my wife, Patti and my children.<br />
In 2012, I came back to Halifax<br />
from Toronto and joined government.<br />
There, I gained valuable insight into the<br />
inner workings of government through<br />
a number of budget cycles and seeing<br />
two elected governments in power. After<br />
more than 25 years in the private sector,<br />
my time with government was interesting<br />
and a significant learning opportunity.<br />
It’s one that I hope to take advantage of<br />
in the coming years.<br />
My immediate goal at the Chamber<br />
is to begin the learning process from<br />
Valerie, the board, the staff and most<br />
importantly, our members, about how<br />
I can best serve the Halifax Chamber of<br />
Commerce. I would like to take advantage<br />
of Valerie’s knowledge for as long<br />
as I can to ensure a smooth transition<br />
from the outgoing CEO to my new role.<br />
The board has pledged it’s support and<br />
I will certainly take advantage of this<br />
strength. I hope to reach back to previous<br />
governors to learn from their significant<br />
experience with the Chamber and the<br />
business community in Halifax.<br />
Valerie has built a strong team at the<br />
Chamber and I have now met everyone.<br />
They will be my day to day guides as<br />
I begin my time at the Chamber and I<br />
know I will need their counsel and support<br />
as we move forward.<br />
I began my career as a marketer,<br />
learning from the consumer and I believe<br />
the most important thing I can do as the<br />
incoming CEO at the Chamber is to learn<br />
from our members. I plan to spend the<br />
next few months of my new role meeting<br />
members, attending events and listening.<br />
I will listen to what our members want,<br />
what they need in a Chamber and a<br />
CEO, and how they see the future for<br />
the Halifax business community.<br />
The Chamber’s strategic plan,<br />
currently in place since 2013, will run<br />
to 2018. That is only a short 18 months<br />
away. I believe a strategic plan requires<br />
input from all stakeholders, and I look<br />
forward to working with the board and<br />
our members to develop a plan over the<br />
coming months that will take us toward<br />
a prosperous future.<br />
I look forward to meeting and working<br />
with you as we move forward together.<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 5
NEWSMAKERS<br />
CATAGORY<br />
NEW & NOTED<br />
We welcome our new Chamber members<br />
ATLANTIC PHOTO SUPPLY<br />
We operate the only professional photo<br />
lab in Atlantic Canada and offer photo<br />
prints from wallet size up to mural.<br />
Create photos on canvas prints, fine<br />
art prints, photo gifts and home decor<br />
photo products with your own photos.<br />
Quality printing is our commitment.<br />
Complete camera shop from digital<br />
cameras to telescopes, studio lighting<br />
and all photographic gear.<br />
Allen Sutherland<br />
202 Brownlow Avenue, Unit CCF<br />
Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-423-6724<br />
www.atlanticphotosupply.com<br />
PERSONAL CARE & SERVICES –<br />
Photography<br />
CANADIAN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT<br />
ACCOUNTING SERVICES<br />
Ehab Mdoukh<br />
177 Main Street, Unit 302, Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-830-8669<br />
ehab@cbmasi.ca<br />
FINANCE & INSURANCE – Bookkeeping<br />
COLORWORKS INC.<br />
Paul Susnis has been painting and<br />
decorating all his life, so when he came<br />
to Nova Scotia in the mid-1980s to open<br />
a paint store he wanted to do it right, by<br />
offering the best possible products and<br />
friendly personal service.<br />
Paul Susnis<br />
3667 Strawberry Hill, Halifax, NS<br />
902-455-1337<br />
cw.accounting@eastlink.ca<br />
www.susnispaint.com<br />
INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING –<br />
Paint/Paint Equipment<br />
D.P. MURPHY HOTELS AND RESORTS<br />
Hospitality … Like Never Before, in the<br />
Maritimes. The portfolio of accommodation<br />
properties includes eight<br />
year-round properties throughout the<br />
Maritimes, and one seasonal resort<br />
which is located in the National Park,<br />
Prince Edward Island. Our Company’s<br />
focus is always on the customers.<br />
Christie Neate<br />
250 Brackley Point Road<br />
Charlottetown, PE<br />
902-368-3727<br />
cneate@dpminc.com<br />
www.dpmurphyhotelsandresorts.com<br />
TRAVEL & TOURISM – Accommodations<br />
(General)<br />
DURASPACE<br />
David Wilcox<br />
Bedford, NS<br />
902-316-3611<br />
dwilcox@duraspace.org<br />
duraspace.org<br />
COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY –<br />
Computer Software<br />
FLUFFY BOTTOM BABIES INC.<br />
Ivy Liu<br />
1595 Bedford Highway, Bedford, NS<br />
902-443-5005<br />
<br />
SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL – Retail<br />
(General)<br />
LIVE ART DANCE<br />
As a key presenter and advocate for<br />
contemporary dance, Live Art Dance<br />
is the only company east of Quebec to<br />
program an annual series of nationally<br />
and internationally recognized artists.<br />
Live Art has distinguished itself as a premiere<br />
dance presenter and has anchored<br />
Halifax’s presence on the international<br />
dance-touring map.<br />
Deb Twohig<br />
6068 Quinpool Road, Halifax, NS<br />
902-420-0003<br />
deb@liveartdance.ca<br />
www.liveartdance.ca<br />
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT –<br />
Theatre<br />
ECONOMY SHOE SHOP /<br />
SEAHORSE TAVERN<br />
Victor Syperek<br />
1663 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS<br />
902-423-8845<br />
argylecobblers@eastlink.ca<br />
RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE –<br />
Restaurant<br />
6<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016
NEWSMAKERS<br />
NEOCON INTERNATIONAL<br />
An award-winning automotive design<br />
house and production facility with<br />
export sales making up 98 per cent of<br />
portfolio with products such as interior<br />
cargo storage and protection that create<br />
vehicle sizzle. Grade “A” clients include<br />
Nissan, Honda, Ford, Toyota and GM.<br />
Founded in 1993 in Nova Scotia, Neocon<br />
employs well over 200 engineers, technicians<br />
and plant personnel.<br />
Pat Ryan<br />
35 Akerley Boulevard, Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-468-6663<br />
pryan@neoconinc.com<br />
www.excoautomotive.com/neocon<br />
INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING –<br />
Manufacture/Process<br />
PROVINCIAL WOODWORKERS<br />
AND LAB SYSTEMS LTD.<br />
Steve Mageau<br />
23 Gloster Court, Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-468-3034<br />
steve@provincialwoodworkers.com<br />
www.provincialwoodworkers.com<br />
INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING –<br />
Millwork<br />
RECTOR COLAVECCHIA ROCHE<br />
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS<br />
Rector Colavecchia Roche is a clientfocused<br />
firm of chartered accountants<br />
for businesses seeking expertise, value,<br />
and trust they can build on. We invest in<br />
long-term relationships with our clients<br />
to help them achieve financial and personal<br />
success. We have in-depth expertise<br />
with land developers, construction<br />
companies, professionals and non-profit<br />
organizations.<br />
Lawrence Roche<br />
230-3 Spectacle Lake Drive<br />
Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-463-9571<br />
decisionsmatter@grcpa.ca<br />
www.rcrca.ca<br />
FINANCE & INSURANCE – Accounting<br />
RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES CENTRE<br />
The Resource Opportunities Centre is<br />
a nonprofit community development<br />
organization which serves the Prospect<br />
Communities and operates the stateof-the-art<br />
Prospect Road Community<br />
Centre. A volunteer board, an Executive<br />
Director, a staff of 40+ people and<br />
countless volunteers promote the ROC's<br />
vision of a welcoming, innovative, and<br />
thriving community.<br />
Shirley Jollimore<br />
2141 Prospect Road, Halifax, NS<br />
902-852-2711<br />
executivedirector@prospectcommunities.com<br />
www.centre.prospectcommunities.com<br />
NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS –<br />
Community Centres<br />
SCOTTISH LION IMPORTS<br />
Innis Campbell<br />
Bedford, NS<br />
902-818-1265<br />
info@scottishlion.com<br />
www.scottishlion.com<br />
SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL –<br />
Wholesale<br />
SMARTCAT MARKETING<br />
SmartCat Marketing is a collaboration<br />
of top talents. We deliver positive<br />
experiences and results in graphic<br />
design, web site development, online<br />
marketing, social media strategies and<br />
advertising direction. As a SmartCat<br />
client you can expect us to give you<br />
back your time and respect your budget.<br />
We deliver customized marketing<br />
programs at competitive rates.<br />
Nicole Gallant<br />
Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-209-9626<br />
smartcarmkt@gmail.com<br />
www.smartcatmarketing.ca<br />
ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA –<br />
Graphic Design<br />
SOSHEL TECH INC.<br />
We’ve created a solution FOR the<br />
restaurant industry BY people who<br />
have worked in the industry and have a<br />
passion for it. Featured is a new mobile<br />
app that allows restaurants to connect<br />
directly with restaurant-goers to feature<br />
their specials and deals while collecting<br />
data and feedback from their guests.<br />
Matt Nicholson<br />
Fredericton, NB<br />
506-478-3827<br />
matt@getfeaturednow.com<br />
www.getfeaturedapp.com<br />
COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY –<br />
App Development<br />
THE MORTGAGE GROUP<br />
ATLANTIC LTD.<br />
The Mortgage Group, an award-winning<br />
Canadian mortgage company, has been<br />
providing residential and commercial<br />
mortgage services since 1990. In Atlantic<br />
Canada with a team of over 40 Mortgage<br />
Brokers, we can provide the best mortgage<br />
to meet your current and future<br />
needs. Contact us today. You will be glad<br />
you did.<br />
David Skinner<br />
2 Bluewater Road, Suite 115<br />
Hammonds Plains, NS<br />
902-835-6420<br />
davidskinner@mortgagegrp.com<br />
FINANCE & INSURANCE – Mortgage<br />
STONE HEARTH BAKERY -<br />
A DIVISION OF METROWORKS<br />
Stone Hearth Bakery is a kosher<br />
commercial bakery with a primary goal<br />
to operate a viable social enterprise<br />
supported by a work adjustment skills<br />
training program. Proud to produce<br />
premium quality European-styled<br />
breads, bagels and specialty baked<br />
goods that are distributed throughout<br />
the Maritimes and can be found in<br />
most major grocery stores.<br />
John Hartling<br />
7071 Bayers Road, Suite LL05, Halifax, NS<br />
902-454-2851<br />
jmattatall@mymetroworks.ca<br />
www.mymetroworks.ca<br />
RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE –<br />
Bakery<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 7
NEWSMAKERS<br />
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK<br />
Nova Scotia offers comprehensive<br />
home and business moving and<br />
packing services. Our goal is to exceed<br />
customers' expectations by customizing<br />
our moving services to specific needs.<br />
We move apartments, condominiums,<br />
homes, businesses, and everything<br />
in between. We’re here to help with<br />
managing relocation stress.<br />
Kevin Hayes<br />
192 Joseph Zatzman Drive, Unit 3<br />
Dartmouth, NS<br />
902-444-2636<br />
kevin.hayes@twomen.ca<br />
www.twomenandatruck.ca<br />
TRANSPORTATION – Moving/Storage<br />
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER<br />
Una Hassenstein<br />
902-722-1340<br />
una.hassenstein@novascotia.ca<br />
OTHER – Individual Member<br />
UPPER CUTZ BARBER SHOP<br />
At Upper Cutz Barber Shop we specialize<br />
in fading and train our staff to provide<br />
exceptional haircuts and service. Our<br />
barbers Christy Goodwin, Jamie Tucker<br />
and Michelle Parent who have a huge<br />
passion for men’s hair styles. Open seven<br />
days a week to. Book us online https://<br />
bookyouruppercutzbarber.resurva.com.<br />
Christy Goodwin<br />
6494 Bayers Road<br />
Halifax, Nova Scotia<br />
902-425-2889<br />
sassy_cuts@hotmail.com<br />
uppercutzhfx.ca<br />
PERSONAL CARE & SERVICES –<br />
Hair Services<br />
VSI WORLDWIDE TRADING INC.<br />
VSI Worldwide Trading exports vehicles<br />
to markets where they are otherwise<br />
not available. Primary market is Western<br />
Europe, other markets include South<br />
America and the Middle East. VSI has<br />
partnerships and can source vehicles<br />
from Mexico & the Caribbean. In addition<br />
to exporting sourced/sold vehicles<br />
VSI helps individuals and organizations<br />
ship their vehicles abroad.<br />
Carolanne Lawrence<br />
45 Borden Avenue, Unit # 04<br />
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia<br />
902-481-8153<br />
ca@vsiworldwide.com<br />
www.vsiworldwide.com<br />
BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES –<br />
Import/Export/Trading<br />
Are you a new member? To submit your 50-word description for New & Noted, please contact<br />
Melissa MacDonald, Communications Specialist at Melissa@halifaxchamber.com or 902-481-1238<br />
within the first six months of membership.<br />
SHAPING<br />
LEADERS<br />
Linda Yates<br />
AST Class of 1998<br />
Ordained Minister<br />
Leaders come in many forms. AST helps<br />
develop post-graduate students to meet<br />
the theological and ethical challenges of<br />
today’s world. For over 40 years, AST has<br />
provided an arena for ecumenical teaching<br />
and research, public discussion, and<br />
community engagement. Welcome to a<br />
different kind of university.<br />
astheology.ns.ca<br />
8<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016
NEWSMAKERS<br />
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS<br />
How our members are growing Halifax<br />
MORE THAN $61,000 RAISED AT<br />
10TH ANNUAL CUA LUNG RUN<br />
On May 7, The Lung Association of<br />
Nova Scotia raised more than $61,000<br />
for lung health in Nova Scotia! More<br />
than 300 walkers, runners, families and<br />
strollers took to the course in downtown<br />
Halifax to help raise funds and awareness<br />
for lung health in Nova Scotia. With an<br />
emphasis on fundraising, this was a free<br />
event where participants were encouraged<br />
to fundraise as much as possible<br />
leading up to the day of the event. The<br />
top fundraiser was CUA President & CEO<br />
Marie Mullally and the top fundraising<br />
team was the CUA Crusaders. The next<br />
Lung Association of Nova Scotia event is<br />
the Runway Run in Fall 2016.<br />
SHUCK SEAFOOD + RAW BAR<br />
OPENED END OF APRIL<br />
At Shuck Seafood + Raw Bar, an RCR<br />
Investment Company, we take great<br />
care to source products that have a positive<br />
impact on our environment. Award<br />
winning Chef Luis Clavel uses a delicate<br />
hand on seafood dishes to highlight the<br />
quality and freshness of the product and<br />
we have an ever changing selection of<br />
raw bar items. Sommeliers Melissa Carey<br />
and Ana Correa designed an eclectic yet<br />
affordable wine list that is complemented<br />
with local craft beer, Nova 7, cider on tap<br />
and signature cocktails. The interior is<br />
simple and understated with board and<br />
batten construction and exhibits a traditional<br />
yet modern East Coast vibe.<br />
QUEEN’S MARQUE: A $200M<br />
INVESTMENT TO BRING CULTURE<br />
TO HALIFAX WATERFRONT<br />
The Queen’s Marque proposal is a joint<br />
venture from Armour Group Ltd.<br />
and the Waterfront Development.<br />
It includes a hotel, office space and a<br />
residential building, combined with art<br />
installations and roughly 23,000 square<br />
metres of plazas, courtyards and other<br />
public space. Two of the buildings are<br />
shaped like ships in port, tapering on the<br />
water side. Waterfront pedestrians can<br />
walk under the buildings as they are supported<br />
in part by dock-like pilings. The<br />
project is scheduled to go before Halifax’s<br />
Design Review Committee Thursday for<br />
a pre-application presentation. A formal<br />
application will follow. The expected<br />
completion date is slated for 2019.<br />
TALENTWORKS IS PLEASED TO<br />
ANNOUNCE THE ACQUISITION<br />
OF STRICTLY STAFFING<br />
Strictly staffing has built a well-known<br />
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BUSINESS VOICE 9
NEWSMAKERS<br />
SMART WOMEN IN<br />
MEETINGS AWARDS 2016<br />
SMART Meetings magazine recently<br />
honoured the talents and triumphs of<br />
25 female event professionals in North<br />
America. Characterized as executive<br />
leaders, doers, innovators, entrepreneurs<br />
and rising stars Leanne Andrecyk,<br />
managing partner with ZedEvents<br />
great productions, was honoured as<br />
1 of only 2 professionals selected from<br />
Canada. Leanne currently sits on the<br />
editorial board for Corporate Meetings<br />
& Events magazine, serves as VP of<br />
marketing and communications for MPI<br />
Atlantic Chapter and is a member of the<br />
judging committee for the Chamber’s<br />
Halifax Business Awards. Winners<br />
were judged on innovation, industry<br />
involvement and philanthropic activities.<br />
You can read the full feature in the online<br />
edition at www.herald.ca/s5D<br />
YOUNG N.S. ENTREPRENEUR READY<br />
FOR PRESTIGIOUS G20 YEA SUMMIT<br />
Sean Court, a 22-year-old Nova Scotian<br />
entrepreneur will head to the G20 Young<br />
Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit 2016<br />
(G20 YEA) in Beijing, China from Sept.<br />
7-8, 2016. Court operates Halifax-based<br />
Beaumont & Company, an exhibit and<br />
display firm that helps clients display<br />
their value. “While at the summit I hope<br />
to do my best to meet and network with<br />
as many of the 800-plus young entrepreneurs<br />
in Canada and from the G20<br />
nations. I plan to develop national and<br />
international networks and contacts to<br />
help grow ties to Atlantic Canada and<br />
engage the G20 leaders and policymakers<br />
in the cause of entrepreneurship.”<br />
10<br />
DARTMOUTH-BASED METAL FABRICA-<br />
TOR CHERUBINI METAL WORKS HAS<br />
WON ITS FIRST QUEBEC CONTRACT<br />
Cherubini Metal Works will supply<br />
an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes of<br />
steel for Montreal’s $3.7-billion Turcot<br />
Interchange. The contract includes<br />
fabricating box girders for use in a<br />
300-metre bridge that will take six to<br />
eight lanes of traffic. “This is our first<br />
major project in Quebec and solidifies<br />
work for the company and our employees<br />
for the next year,” said Steve Ross,<br />
General Manager. Cherubini is currently<br />
completing work on the $22 million Sir<br />
Robert Bond Bridge in Newfoundland and<br />
will begin work on the St. Peter’s Canal<br />
bridge in Cape Breton this summer.<br />
HEALTHWIZE WELLNESS CENTRE<br />
IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE A<br />
NEW PRODUCT ACQUISITION<br />
HEALTHWIZE Wellness Centre now<br />
offers Black Mica is a unique water treatment.<br />
The treatment removes chlorine<br />
(100%), fluoride (86%), 250 contaminants,<br />
186 industrial chemicals, 99.95%<br />
pharmaceutical drugs, reduces lead,<br />
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parasites, pulls 86% heavy metals from<br />
the body adding 100 beneficial minerals.<br />
Dr. Brain Clement, Hippocrates Health<br />
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products he’s seen.” It’s incredible<br />
watching the “curing process” — those<br />
contaminants settling in your water jug<br />
as “yellowish dust!” For additional info.,<br />
contact Wendell @ (902) 443-2946 or<br />
e-mail healthwize@ns.sympatico.ca<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
VENOR ANNOUNCES<br />
NEW TEAM MEMBER<br />
Venor, an Atlantic Canadian talent<br />
management firm, is pleased to<br />
announce the addition of Brittany<br />
Stewart to its Halifax office. Brittany<br />
will bring her fresh perspective and<br />
caring, customer driven approach to the<br />
team. “As a young professional, I am<br />
excited to work for a local company and<br />
look forward to growing and building<br />
relationships in this region. It’s an<br />
exciting time to join and be part of great<br />
initiatives happening in our community<br />
focused on retaining our young talent.”<br />
Venor specializes in professional<br />
recruitment, executive search, career<br />
management and early stage talent<br />
preparedness and placement. venor.ca<br />
NEW MERCHANDISE CROWD<br />
PURCHASING COMPANY<br />
LAUNCHES IN CANADA<br />
CROWD-SWAG.COM, of Duggan<br />
International Group, a new merchandise<br />
crowd purchasing website has<br />
officially launched. Crowd-Swag allows<br />
event organizers, charities, fundraisers,<br />
musicians & artists, schools, reunions,<br />
sport teams and everyday people can<br />
upload their designs to the Internet design<br />
site; create a campaign and sell direct<br />
to their audience. “Instead of putting<br />
out upfront money and buying a bunch<br />
of tees or other types of merchandise —<br />
hoping participants or fans will buy from<br />
you, Crowd-Swag gives people a venue to<br />
sell direct with zero risk and hassle,” says<br />
company president, Darlene Duggan.
NEWSMAKERS<br />
DRESS FOR SUCCESS HALIFAX<br />
Brenda Saunders/Todd continues to help<br />
women around the globe, as she recently<br />
spoke at the World Economic Forum<br />
International Conference in New Delhi,<br />
India. Dress for Success Halifax<br />
President, Julie Morine says: “Never<br />
before has any organization or chamber<br />
taken up such a mammoth task of having<br />
women from across the globe discuss<br />
global issues that concern the world<br />
at large and take leadership positions.<br />
Never before have there have been<br />
more than 600 speakers, 80% from<br />
across 108 nations, speaking in a single<br />
forum. Never before has India seen such<br />
a large gathering of powerful women<br />
coming together to discuss, learn, forge<br />
partnerships and do business together.”<br />
For more information:<br />
www.halifax@dressforsuccess.org<br />
TIC TALKERS TOASTMASTERS<br />
“The proof is in the pudding”, says<br />
President, Anne Marie Drake, when she<br />
announced that “Brenda Saunders/Todd,<br />
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) of<br />
TIC Talkers Toastmasters Club is<br />
doing exactly what she has been trained<br />
to do through her membership at our club<br />
on Tuesday’s from 12-1pm. She recently<br />
spoke as a main stage speaker, as well<br />
as, two panelist sessions at the Women’s<br />
Economic Forum, with 1,500 attendees<br />
from 105 countries that took place in<br />
India and we are very proud and pleased<br />
to have been able to provide the environment<br />
for her to practice and hone this<br />
skill.” If you want to develop speaking or<br />
leadership skills, please email:<br />
contact@tictalkers.ca<br />
NEW TERM BEGINS FOR NOVA SCOTIA<br />
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® PRESIDENT<br />
The Nova Scotia Association of<br />
REALTORS® is pleased to welcome new<br />
President Roger Sanford for the 2016-17<br />
term. A REALTOR® in Pictou County<br />
for over 30 years, Stanford has moved<br />
through the Executive Committee on the<br />
NSAR Board of Directors and will now<br />
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BUSINESS VOICE<br />
11
NEWSMAKERS<br />
serve more than 1,500 members. During<br />
his term as President, Sanford will oversee<br />
an awareness campaign for buyers and<br />
sellers. He notes: “To accomplish this, we<br />
all need to Play A Part. As Nova Scotia<br />
changes over the next year, let’s continue<br />
to not only be a part of it, but lead. You<br />
need to know that each one of us makes a<br />
difference to the provincial economy.”<br />
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 35TH NS<br />
LEADERSHIP PRAYER BREAKFAST<br />
The annual breakfast invites people who<br />
find themselves in leadership positions to<br />
come together for a time of prayer for our<br />
province, it’s communities and its people.<br />
Brian McConaghy, founder of Ratanak<br />
International, was guest speaker to<br />
over 300 attendees. Mayor Mike Savage<br />
was MC, Premier Stephen McNeil read<br />
scripture, Police Chief Jean-Michel Blais<br />
and Michelle Porter (Souls Harbour<br />
Rescue Mission) led in prayer, and<br />
Linda Carvery and Bill Stevenson<br />
presented inspirational music. Co-chairs<br />
of NSLPB are David Finlayson and Bruce<br />
Havill. The event is held in the spring<br />
each year and all are invited to attend.<br />
ADVANTAGE WIRELESS<br />
WELCOMES ADDITION TO ITS<br />
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS SALES TEAM<br />
Advantage Wireless is excited to<br />
welcome Sarah Hendsbee to its Business<br />
Solutions Sale team, joining April of 2016<br />
as a B2B Senior Wireless Solutions Sales<br />
Adviser. She brings with her a wealth<br />
of industry experience while having<br />
a great understanding of small and<br />
medium sized businesses in our region.<br />
Superior customer service is foremost<br />
her first priority with her clients. She<br />
joined Advantage Wireless because<br />
of the extensive portfolio of superior<br />
solutions offered, such as Mobility, Fleet<br />
Management and VOIP Solutions, while<br />
still being locally owned, knowing that<br />
she could enhance her clients experience<br />
making an immediate impact with<br />
excellent customer service.<br />
HOME INSTEAD HAS “THE TALK”<br />
Home Instead Senior Care Network<br />
has launched a new public education<br />
program, Let’s Talk About DrivingSM.<br />
The new program offers free resources<br />
and tips to help families build a roadmap,<br />
together with their senior loved<br />
one, for limiting or stopping driving<br />
when the time is right. To view<br />
program resources and tips, visit www.<br />
LetsTalkAboutDriving.ca or, contact<br />
Home Instead Senior Care by calling<br />
902-429-2273 to learn how family<br />
caregivers can help seniors plan ahead<br />
for driving cessation.<br />
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JULY & AUGUST 2016
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LAW PRACTICE<br />
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Manage the Practice. Practise the Law.<br />
Running a legal practice requires not only a strong grasp of the law, but also the skills to run<br />
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Dynamic infusi<br />
A<br />
ny doubts about the critical role that<br />
immigrants will play in Nova Scotia’s<br />
future economic growth will be quickly<br />
quelled in a conversation with Paul<br />
Pickering. He’s the workplace culture<br />
coordinator for the Immigrant Services<br />
Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS).<br />
“Demographically, Nova Scotia is in<br />
big trouble. We’re looking at a workforce<br />
that’s projected to shrink by 15 per cent<br />
over the next 20 years. This is not a fiveyear<br />
blip — this is a long term, potentially<br />
devastating problem. Even if we bring<br />
every group in Nova Scotia up to full<br />
employment, we’re still at a deficit. We<br />
need to be looking at any underemployed<br />
14<br />
population which certainly includes<br />
bringing in more immigrants.”<br />
Doing so requires that we confront<br />
some lingering negative presumptions<br />
about immigration, chief of which is the<br />
belief that immigrants take jobs from locals.<br />
“Immigrants actually create jobs,”<br />
says Sherry Redden, Business and Workforce<br />
Integration Manager at ISANS.<br />
“They’re three times more likely to start<br />
businesses. Of the 230 new clients we<br />
worked with last year, 71 of them opened<br />
new businesses. They’re also 70 per cent<br />
more likely to still be in business after<br />
three years, while the national average is<br />
about 48 per cent.”<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
According to Redden, immigrants<br />
also bring valuable global connections<br />
with them. “They have markets they can<br />
connect with to export their products and<br />
markets for the things they need to create<br />
products,” she says.<br />
Product diversification is another<br />
unexpected windfall, with one example<br />
springing up from the local community<br />
gardens that ISANS helped refugees grow<br />
all over Halifax. While many people grow<br />
pumpkins en masse and then discard<br />
the leaves, farmers from the Bhutanese<br />
community use these leaves to make<br />
delicious traditional recipes. Redden<br />
observes that this is just one instance
COVER STORY<br />
on<br />
By<br />
Immigrants critical to<br />
Nova Scotia’s economic future<br />
David Pretty<br />
Illustration: rawpixel/123RF<br />
Demographically, Nova Scotia is in big trouble. We’re looking at a workforce that’s<br />
projected to shrink by 15 per cent over the next 20 years. This is not a five-year blip —<br />
this is a long term, potentially devastating problem.”<br />
— Paul Pickering, Culture Coordinator, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)<br />
of cultural awareness “increasing the<br />
economic base” of something that was<br />
once thought to be useless.<br />
Paul Pickering is also quick to point<br />
out that “far from the idea that immigrants<br />
take jobs, the vast majority of<br />
people are stepping into skills gaps and<br />
bringing experience and expertise that<br />
the market can use. So they actually<br />
complement the existing workforce.”<br />
And then are the logistical problems<br />
that immigration can address. “The<br />
average number of children that came in<br />
with a recent group was seven,” Pickering<br />
illustrates. “We’ve got rural schools<br />
closing because there aren’t enough<br />
kids, but seven to 10 kids would save that<br />
school. One or two families coming into<br />
BUSINESS VOICE<br />
15
COVER STORY<br />
I think one of the<br />
biggest challenges that<br />
most immigrants face<br />
is finding sustainable<br />
employment or a<br />
way to build a business<br />
that’s not taking<br />
on someone else’s<br />
problems.”<br />
— Ashwin Kutty<br />
President & CEO,<br />
WeUsThem<br />
Photo: Paul Darrow<br />
a region can literally change that entire<br />
community.”<br />
Pickering maintains that it’s not<br />
enough to treat immigration as an easy<br />
solve for our workforce woes — new<br />
arrivals have to be placed in positions that<br />
LET’S DO<br />
BUSINESS<br />
TOGETHER<br />
they want to assume. “Native-born Nova<br />
Scotians have a 60 per cent chance of<br />
working in their field, while immigrants<br />
have a 40 per cent chance,” he says. “This<br />
suggests that the pharmacist may be<br />
driving a taxi cab and although taxi cab<br />
902 469-8151<br />
drivers are wonderful and we need them,<br />
if you’re trained as a pharmacist, it probably<br />
isn’t what you want to do.”<br />
It’s an opinion shared by local<br />
entrepreneur Ashwin Kutty. Originally<br />
from India, Kutty’s parents immigrated<br />
to Nova Scotia to look for education<br />
opportunities for their children. After<br />
completing his studies at Dalhousie<br />
University, Kutty went on to hold several<br />
key positions with the Nova Scotia Health<br />
Authority. His work experience inspired<br />
him to co-found WeUSThem, an awardwinning<br />
marketing, communications,<br />
advertising and public relations agency.<br />
Kutty may have found considerable<br />
success as a business innovator in Nova<br />
Scotia, but this didn’t translate to his<br />
entire family. “Our biggest challenge was<br />
trying to find a business that was part of<br />
our skill set as a family and whether or<br />
not we could run it,” he says. Despite an<br />
extensive background in construction<br />
and real estate, his family couldn’t find<br />
“a clear pathway to success, a pathway to<br />
actually build something together.”<br />
The family tried to open a convenience<br />
store in Rawdon, but soon realized<br />
that it “wasn’t their business” and they<br />
shut it down. According to Kutty: “I think<br />
one of the biggest challenges that most<br />
immigrants face is finding sustainable<br />
employment or a way to build a business<br />
that’s not taking on someone else’s problems.<br />
We have to find a sustainable way<br />
to hold on to immigrants because people<br />
are returning to employment or entrepreneurial<br />
ventures in their home countries,<br />
which is what happened with my family.”<br />
16<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016
COVER STORY<br />
Photo: Contributed<br />
We do this in partnership with ISANS at our Spring Dinner. We reach out to our corporate<br />
table purchasers and ask if they’d be willing to give one seat to an ISANS client. This is a<br />
small, yet impactful, way of making connections in the business community. At our most<br />
recent Spring Dinner. We had a record 28 tables host ISANS clients for the evening.”<br />
— Melissa MacDonald, Communications Specialist, Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
This sentiment is echoed by Sherry<br />
Redden: “Often times immigrants can’t<br />
get loans, so they have to find a job and<br />
invest their own money to start a business,<br />
which may be three to four years<br />
down the road. They need a place where<br />
they can get employment and language<br />
services in addition to information about<br />
laws and permits. They want a settlement<br />
service that sees them as a whole<br />
person.”<br />
According to Redden, ISANS has<br />
“taken this to heart” and developed a<br />
curriculum that addresses these specific<br />
requirements. Clicking on the “Do Business”<br />
tab of the ISANS website reveals<br />
a slew of valuable resources, including<br />
information on market research, import<br />
and export laws, financial institutions<br />
and sources for community support. In<br />
addition to their comprehensive, 67-page<br />
Connections guide, ISANS also hosts an<br />
ongoing series of free seminars about<br />
such diverse and practical topics as business<br />
plan creation, developing communication<br />
skills, job search strategies, details<br />
on provincial employment standards and<br />
growing awareness of cultural sensitivity.<br />
All of this, according to Redden,<br />
forms a “holistic package” designed<br />
to get people as “settled” as much as<br />
business-savvy. It’s a strategy well in-step<br />
with Ashwin Kutty’s philosophy: “We<br />
need to understand the basics of what<br />
people actually require. We need education<br />
for our children, a roof over our head<br />
and food for our family. And those three<br />
components are served by the Chamber<br />
through their networking opportunities<br />
or they can go to ISANS and develop their<br />
language skills or build a business plan<br />
to position themselves for some level of<br />
success. Not to just go through the immigration<br />
process but to communicate with<br />
people locally.”<br />
HOST TABLE<br />
One unique communication opportunity<br />
is the Host Table program offered<br />
by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
through their Driving Diversity initiative.<br />
“We do this in partnership with ISANS<br />
at our Spring Dinner,” says Melissa<br />
MacDonald, Communications Specialist<br />
for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.<br />
“We reach out to our corporate table<br />
purchasers and ask if they’d be willing<br />
to give one seat to an ISANS client.<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 17
COVER STORY<br />
Photo: Paul Darrow<br />
It was a great inspiration for my new small business as a makeup artist. I was able to<br />
start working just few months later and this event was a big open door for my career.”<br />
— Joelle Peskett, Makeup Artist<br />
This is a small, yet impactful, way of<br />
making connections in the business<br />
community. At our most recent Spring<br />
Dinner. We had a record 28 tables host<br />
ISANS clients for the evening.”<br />
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A graduate of the Christian Chauveau<br />
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JULY & AUGUST 2016
COVER STORY<br />
hoping to “meet and interact with local<br />
business people” but the experience<br />
turned out to be life-altering.<br />
“I met the president of the Chamber<br />
of Commerce, a very beautiful, strong,<br />
kind woman by the name of Valerie<br />
Payn,” Joelle relates. “I did the makeup<br />
for her photo shoot and she was very<br />
pleased that I organized it in such a<br />
short period of time. It was a delightful<br />
experience and I consider it to be one of<br />
my greatest achievements in Halifax.<br />
It was a great inspiration for my new<br />
small business as a makeup artist. I was<br />
able to start working just few months<br />
later and this event was a big open door<br />
for my career.”<br />
The “Driving Diversity” program<br />
is just one initiative that the Halifax<br />
Chamber of Commerce has spearheaded<br />
to foster a welcoming and inclusive<br />
business climate for immigrants.<br />
The Chamber hosted a roundtable<br />
recently with the Nova Scotia Office of<br />
Immigration to “discuss immigration<br />
issues facing Nova Scotia and how<br />
the business community can help,”<br />
MacDonald says. She also notes that<br />
their annual pre-budget submissions<br />
consistently make a case for increased<br />
immigration which, in turn, has led to<br />
a strong working relationship with the<br />
provincial government on this issue.<br />
“Immigration is a key part of the<br />
Chamber’s plan to see Halifax become<br />
one of the top three growth cities in<br />
Canada by 2018,” MacDonald says.<br />
“To do that Halifax needs to be a more<br />
competitive city and in order to be<br />
competitive we need to grow, which<br />
means we need to attract and retain<br />
talent and keep them at the top of their<br />
game.”<br />
ISANS continues to do its part.<br />
Sherry Redden gives considerable<br />
praise to Paul Pickering “who does free<br />
sessions on workplace culture, diversity<br />
training, the challenges and benefits of<br />
hiring immigrants as well as the business<br />
support programs that encourage people<br />
to hire immigrants.” She also mentions<br />
the unflagging support of Atlantic<br />
Chamber of Commerce Vice President<br />
Glenn Davis, who “has been sending<br />
out information to all 52 chambers about<br />
our programs and services that promote<br />
hiring immigrants across the province.”<br />
Ashwin Kutty was scarcely aware<br />
of such resources when he founded<br />
WeUsThem a decade ago, but he’s since<br />
witnessed the benefits first-hand.<br />
Halifax needs to be a more competitive city and in<br />
order to be competitive we need to grow, which means<br />
we need to attract and retain talent and keep them<br />
at the top of their game.”<br />
— Melissa MacDonald, Communications Specialist,<br />
Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
“I was talking to someone who recently<br />
immigrated here to further his family’s<br />
education,” Kutty explains. “He was<br />
looking for some stable mechanism of<br />
employment or for doing business here.<br />
So I talked to him about what ISANS and<br />
the Chamber provides for networking<br />
possibilities.”<br />
After connecting with some<br />
executives in town and learning what the<br />
possibilities were based on his education<br />
and experience, they discovered that<br />
securing an official CPA and various<br />
other certifications was integral to<br />
moving on to the next step. According to<br />
Kutty, he’s “looking forward to pursuing<br />
that right now with the hopes of getting<br />
to a financial position with a local<br />
company” and, thanks to ISANS, “his<br />
wife is now working as a translator for<br />
Syrian refugees.”<br />
“That’s a story where learning<br />
occurred based on direct feedback from<br />
potential employers, from folks that can<br />
speak to what the requirements and needs<br />
are, rather than having someone guess<br />
their way through it,” Kutty observes.<br />
“I think if we focus on the specific<br />
needs of immigrants, and literally meet<br />
them as they arrive to tell them about<br />
all these different venues, I think that<br />
would be great.”<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 19
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS<br />
James Court, left, and Sean Court<br />
at the Moncton Coliseum in front<br />
of a custom, interior-lit LED trade<br />
show booth their company designed,<br />
fabricated and now installs at seven<br />
shows across Canada.<br />
Photo: Clayton Morrissey<br />
Display your passion<br />
Young entrepreneurs help companies showcase their value By Erin Elaine Casey<br />
Find your passion and make a job<br />
out of it. We hear it all the time — from<br />
motivational speakers, the latest business<br />
how-to books, and our favourite TED<br />
Talks. But as most of us know, it’s easier<br />
said than done. Many would-be entrepreneurs,<br />
even in their 40s and 50s, still<br />
don’t know what they want to be when<br />
they grow up.<br />
Laurie Cameron, President and<br />
CEO of CEED Centre for Entrepreneurship<br />
Education and Development, thinks<br />
young entrepreneurs have something<br />
to teach us about harnessing passion.<br />
“We’re recognizing young people as a<br />
force that’s having a big impact in business<br />
and innovation,” she says. “Let’s<br />
encourage that energy and creativity.<br />
We need to think about how we build<br />
the climate to unleash that hidden but<br />
<strong>dynamic</strong> potential.”<br />
That’s what makes Sean and James<br />
Court so special. At just 22 and 23 years<br />
old, they’ve turned their passion for<br />
helping other entrepreneurs showcase<br />
their products and services into a highly<br />
specialized enterprise. The brothers own<br />
Beaumont & Co., a business that designs,<br />
20<br />
builds, installs, and stores one-of-a-kind<br />
custom exhibits and displays for trade<br />
shows, sporting events, festivals, and<br />
retail locations. It installs worldwide for<br />
businesses of all sizes, national brands,<br />
special events, and conferences. Clients<br />
include Atlantic Lottery, Kent Building<br />
Supplies, several provincial government<br />
departments, and both American<br />
and Canadian customers in the seafood<br />
industry.<br />
James and Sean are part of the<br />
new generation of young entrepreneurs<br />
diversifying the business landscape in<br />
Halifax and beyond. “We offer turnkey<br />
solutions,” explains James. “Normally,<br />
if a larger company is attending several<br />
trade shows, they have their own team<br />
to manage this, but it takes up a lot of the<br />
marketing department’s time. It causes a<br />
lot of stress and headaches, and we take<br />
those away. We become a small arm of<br />
these larger companies.”<br />
The brothers grew up in Charlottetown,<br />
PEI and spent several years working<br />
in the family advertising business.<br />
This hands-on education prepared them<br />
for working with many different kinds of<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
clients, and gave them an appreciation<br />
for how hard it is for businesses to set<br />
themselves apart from the competition.<br />
“We really pay attention to what<br />
our clients’ needs are, and help them<br />
display the value of what they’ve built,”<br />
says Sean. “We realize how much hard<br />
work people put into their companies,<br />
often generationally. When we see that,<br />
we have no shortage of passion. They’ve<br />
built it up, built the products, everything<br />
is perfect, but they need help standing<br />
out at international trade shows. It’s not<br />
easy to stand out, but especially in Atlantic<br />
Canada, with so many great products,<br />
they really should be standing out.”<br />
Beaumont & Co. is standing out in<br />
its own right. The company offers a full<br />
range of display services, and does it<br />
sustainably. Traditional banners, booths,<br />
and other exhibit components are made<br />
of vinyl and other materials that are<br />
time-consuming to transport and set up,<br />
but Beaumont uses 90 per cent fabric and<br />
recyclable aluminums. It’s lightweight,<br />
portable, and the fabrics are biodegradable.<br />
It’s greener, easier to set up, and<br />
much more affordable to ship and store.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS<br />
Sean and James are deeply committed<br />
to giving back in other ways, too, sponsoring<br />
events and doing whatever they<br />
can for the community. They are currently<br />
looking for more talent for their offices on<br />
the Bedford Highway, and plan to hire coop<br />
students and graduates to work in sales<br />
and project management. “We really want<br />
to sponsor and help younger entrepreneurs,<br />
say 18 to 39. We want to give them<br />
a chance,” explains James.<br />
“The younger generation has a lot of<br />
big innovative products and services, but<br />
sometimes they’re not given a foot in the<br />
door from larger businesses,” adds Sean.<br />
He’d like to see more “bridging the gap”<br />
between newer and more established<br />
businesses. “We do see many good things<br />
happening such as larger corporations<br />
incubating entrepreneurs and corporate<br />
responsibility guidelines ensuring some<br />
supply chains include small businesses.<br />
We need to keep thinking about who’s<br />
going to fill the gaps — who are the next<br />
entrepreneurs? There’s got to be more<br />
hands-on, measurable, tangible investment<br />
in younger entrepreneurs.”<br />
Beaumont & Co. is also focused on<br />
helping other companies export more<br />
effectively, to the United States and<br />
farther afield. Its own export strategy<br />
includes attending more than 50 trade<br />
shows a year, including NACS — the<br />
National Association for Convenience and<br />
Fuel Retailing — in Atlanta, Georgia this<br />
fall. Beaumont & Co. is also a major sponsor<br />
and official custom exhibit and display<br />
provider for the DEFSEC — the Canadian<br />
Defence Security and Aerospace Exhibition<br />
Atlantic show — in September.<br />
An entrepreneurial spirit and wisdom<br />
beyond his years have earned Sean<br />
a spot at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’<br />
Alliance (YEA) Summit, taking place this<br />
September in Beijing, China, in conjunction<br />
with the G20 Summit in Hangzhou.<br />
The G20 YEA is a global network of<br />
approximately 500,000 young entrepreneurs<br />
and the organizations that support<br />
them. After a rigorous application process,<br />
Sean was selected as one of about<br />
35 delegates from Canada.<br />
The delegation has a full itinerary<br />
of meetings and networking, and a<br />
major focus will be looking at how<br />
entrepreneurship is placed in school<br />
systems. They’ll meet with Prime<br />
Minister Justin Trudeau in Shanghai<br />
and work directly with the Business 20 —<br />
or B20 — a coalition that provides a<br />
platform for the international business<br />
community to participate in global<br />
The biggest thing is<br />
to really think hard<br />
about what value<br />
you’re going to bring to<br />
the marketplace. It’s<br />
not that complicated.<br />
Business is made for<br />
people, products are<br />
made for people,<br />
services are made<br />
for people.”<br />
— Sean Court,<br />
Co-Owner,<br />
Beaumont & Co.<br />
economic governance and international<br />
economic and trade regulation.<br />
Sean’s biggest goal while in China?<br />
Bridging with representatives from as<br />
many G20 nations as possible. “I’m<br />
honoured to be chosen, so I want to do<br />
my best before I go, while I’m there, and<br />
when I come back,” he says. “It’s a great<br />
platform for Atlantic Canadians in particular.<br />
I’ve been reaching out, speaking<br />
to different CEOs, the Chamber, gathering<br />
as much information as I can so I can<br />
represent Halifax and Nova Scotia and<br />
then bring it all back home. It’s exciting<br />
to go, but for me it’s even more exciting to<br />
come back and tell people how valuable<br />
their input was.”<br />
The balance of working hard in<br />
their own business while supporting<br />
the growth and sustainability of other<br />
businesses gives Sean and James a<br />
unique perspective. What’s the one piece<br />
of advice the brothers would give to<br />
new entrepreneurs? “The biggest thing<br />
is to really think hard about what value<br />
you’re going to bring to the marketplace.<br />
It’s not that complicated. Business is<br />
made for people, products are made for<br />
people, services are made for people,”<br />
says Sean.<br />
“Ask yourself: How can I create the<br />
most value possible for my potential clients?”<br />
adds James. “Focus on the value,<br />
and the rest will come to you.”<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 21
PROFILE<br />
Photos: Contributed<br />
Sonic boom<br />
Local company blends business and music By Jon Tattrie<br />
I<br />
t was the early 1990s and Louis<br />
Thomas’ music career was starting to<br />
take off. As a member of Thomas Trio<br />
and the Red Albino, he’d put out two<br />
records, had videos on MuchMusic and<br />
toured Canada.<br />
“Ultimately, when the group I was<br />
in disbanded, I didn’t really have a lot<br />
of interest in continuing on, and trying<br />
to put another band together,” Thomas<br />
says. “I was sort of the pseudo-tour<br />
manager for the band, so I’d met a lot<br />
of promoters and agents.”<br />
He tried his hand as a booking agent<br />
in Toronto. He got a job with one of the<br />
big agencies and started booking bands<br />
across the country.<br />
He later went it alone and heard<br />
about an upstart Newfoundland outfit<br />
No one’s going to show<br />
up at your door and<br />
discover you. I think<br />
you need to go to your<br />
audience and have<br />
an excellent work ethic,<br />
those are the artists<br />
I gravitate to now.”<br />
– Louis Thomas,<br />
President, Sonic<br />
Entertainment Group<br />
called Great Big Sea and started booking<br />
them shows. He began managing them in<br />
about 1993. He moved home to St. John’s<br />
to work with the band on their break-out<br />
album, Great Big Sea.<br />
Thomas eventually relocated his<br />
fledgling business to Halifax, which he<br />
saw as a middle ground where he could<br />
work with East Coast bands and stay connected<br />
to the rest of Canada. “By default,<br />
I started the other things. I started a record<br />
company because I couldn’t get one<br />
of the bands I was working with signed,”<br />
he says.<br />
The label needed a name, so he<br />
called it Sonic Records. Someone needed<br />
to promote the concerts, so he started<br />
Sonic Concerts. He added a recording<br />
studio (The Sonic Temple), artist<br />
22 JULY & AUGUST 2016
PROFILE<br />
management and concert promotions, all<br />
living today under the Sonic Entertainment<br />
Group banner. Thomas is president<br />
of the company.<br />
He still works with Alan Doyle of<br />
Great Big Sea (for his new album, So Let’s<br />
Go, and his new book, Where I Belong,)<br />
Matt Mays, Matt Anderson, Hey Rosetta!<br />
and others. When some cast members of<br />
the Trailer Park Boys decided to try touring<br />
as a sketch comedy act, SEG stepped<br />
into help with that. From Thomas’s perspective,<br />
a touring comedy troupe is very<br />
similar to a touring rock band.<br />
Though his band broke up two<br />
decades ago, that experience still guides<br />
his work at Sonic. “No one’s going to<br />
show up at your door and discover you. I<br />
think you need to go to your audience and<br />
have an excellent work ethic,” he says.<br />
“Those are the artists I gravitate to now.<br />
“You really need to keep the hunger<br />
when you’re on stage; you can’t phone it<br />
in. It’s similar to playoff sports. You need<br />
to have that attitude.”<br />
Thomas has nine full-time employees,<br />
all tax-paying East Coasters, and<br />
he thinks a prosperous future needs<br />
governments that understand the value<br />
of culture as an export and as a draw to<br />
living in the area. “It’s important to help<br />
elevate it and ensure that artists who<br />
are from here… are able to have a global<br />
career based out of Atlantic Canada.”<br />
That sounds like music to the ears<br />
of aspiring East Coast musicians.<br />
Ship Shape<br />
Cox & Palmer is committed to working with suppliers as they<br />
negotiate contracts under the national shipbuilding initiative.<br />
Our lawyers know the industry, are experienced with the complex contracts, and have<br />
a proven track record of helping clients successfully negotiate arrangements that set<br />
them up for success. We are focussed on ensuring that you, as a shipbuilding supplier,<br />
have the independent representation you need to make strategic decisions today<br />
that will support your business in the future.<br />
David Reid<br />
dreid@coxandpalmer.com<br />
902.491.4131<br />
Harry Thurlow<br />
hthurlow@coxandpalmer.com<br />
902.491.4232<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 23
Kayla Cotton and Becky Davison<br />
at the All Ships Rise Networking<br />
Trade Show on May 13 at Pier 21 .<br />
ALL SHIPS RISE<br />
IN THE TOP 50<br />
Congratulations to Chamber<br />
Members who were recognized<br />
in this year’s Atlantic Business<br />
Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs<br />
Cory Bell, President<br />
Lindsay Construction<br />
Chamber Member Since 1976<br />
Don Bureaux, President and CEO<br />
Nova Scotia Community College<br />
Chamber Member Since 1996<br />
A special<br />
opportunity<br />
All Ships Rise Networking Trade Show a success<br />
Dr. Richard Florizone,<br />
President & Vice Chancellor<br />
Dalhousie University<br />
Chamber Member Since 1969<br />
Tom Hickey, CEO<br />
Atlantic Road Construction<br />
and Paving Ltd.<br />
Chamber Member Since 2013<br />
Roger Howard, Regional President<br />
RBC Atlantic Canada<br />
Chamber Member Since 1972<br />
BECKY DAVISON, MARKETING<br />
MANAGER, HALIFAX CHAMBER<br />
OF COMMERCE<br />
On May 13, the Chamber staff<br />
travelled over to Pier 21 for the fourth<br />
annual All Ships Rise Networking Trade<br />
Show. The event broke Chamber records<br />
with well over 30 booth holders and 250<br />
guests — it was a networking success. We<br />
will continue to grow this event, and bring<br />
like-minded Chamber members together<br />
in the quest to negotiate contracts and<br />
subcontracts for all of the major projects<br />
in Nova Scotia, and to promote growth in<br />
Halifax.<br />
Our booth holders ranged from<br />
Sandler Sales Training, to the Centre for<br />
Entrepreneurship, Education and Development,<br />
to the Black Business Initiative.<br />
On the other side of the coin, with All<br />
Ships Rise now being in its fourth year,<br />
we are moving ahead with our partners<br />
and trainers, providing free and affordable<br />
support to members. Your Halifax<br />
Chamber strives to promote the importance<br />
that every one of us contributes to<br />
growth and development of our city. In<br />
our business and in our community. We<br />
want our members to get involved with<br />
our All Ships Rise initiative to see where<br />
the Chamber can help.<br />
A number of our trainers were booth<br />
holders, or guests at the All Ships Rise<br />
Trade Show, promoting the impressive<br />
and extensive opportunities they offer.<br />
The goal of our training programs over<br />
the past few years has been to offer<br />
resources to our members needs at an affordable<br />
cost. Over the next few months<br />
the Chamber team, with the support of<br />
volunteers, will be assessing the training<br />
offered and rebranding the program to<br />
better suit the evolving business environment<br />
in Halifax. Please watch out for a<br />
launch of our new program in the fall!<br />
Halifax is at an opportune time<br />
in history, and we want to assist our<br />
members to take advantage of every<br />
single one out there. And perhaps create<br />
a few of their own! We want to thank our<br />
many members, guests, booth holders<br />
and trainers. In particular, our Business<br />
Leaders; BDC, Dalhousie University<br />
Rowe School of Business and the Department<br />
of Labour and Advanced Education<br />
and our Business Influencer, the Sobey<br />
School of Business.<br />
Roger King, President<br />
Supplement King Canada<br />
Chamber Member Since 2013<br />
Ashwin Kutty, President and CEO<br />
WeUsThem Inc.<br />
Chamber Member Since 2013<br />
Dr. Ramona Lumpkin,<br />
President & Vice-Chancellor<br />
Mount Saint Vincent University<br />
Chamber Member Since 1999<br />
Travis McDonough,<br />
Founder & CEO<br />
Kinduct Technologies<br />
Chamber Member Since 2014<br />
Dan Merzetti, President & CEO<br />
DSM Telecom<br />
Chamber Member Since 2002<br />
Erik Sande, President<br />
Medavie EMS<br />
Chamber Member Since 1993<br />
Ken Shea, President & CEO<br />
East Coast Credit Union<br />
Chamber Member Since 1993<br />
Janet Simm, President & CEO<br />
Northwood Group of Companies<br />
Chamber Member Since 1991<br />
Ian Smith, CEO<br />
Clearwater Seafoods Ltd. Partnership<br />
Chamber Member Since 1995<br />
24 JULY & AUGUST 2016
WORKING FOR YOU<br />
Chamber appoints<br />
new task force chairs<br />
Create a positive business environment<br />
Grow and nurture the skilled workforce<br />
PAUL BENT,<br />
CPA,CA, ICD.D<br />
DON BUREAUX,<br />
PRESIDENT, NOVA<br />
SCOTIA COMMUNITY<br />
COLLEGE<br />
Paul recently retired<br />
after a 37 year career in public<br />
accounting, 35 of which were<br />
with Grant Thornton LLP. Paul<br />
served in a number of roles<br />
over his 25 years as a Partner in<br />
the Firm including as a client<br />
service partner, a member of<br />
the Firm’s professional standards<br />
team and for the last four<br />
years of his career, Chaired the<br />
firm’s National Partnership<br />
Board.<br />
In addition to his experience<br />
and insights gained from<br />
his time in public accounting,<br />
Paul has been an active member<br />
in the Chamber for a number<br />
of years, beginning with<br />
a term Chairing the former<br />
Provincial Affairs Committee,<br />
a predecessor committee of<br />
the Create a Positive Business<br />
Environment Committee.<br />
For the past three years Paul<br />
served under Darren Nantes<br />
on this committee and chaired<br />
the taxation sub-committee<br />
before taking on the position<br />
with the recent retirement of<br />
Darren from the board. Paul<br />
also has extensive experience<br />
in the not-for-profit sector<br />
where he has served on a<br />
number of boards.<br />
Paul brings significant<br />
energy and enthusiasm to<br />
the role and is fully aligned<br />
with achieving the goals of<br />
the Chamber as laid out in the<br />
strategic plan. Paul is fortunate<br />
to have a committee comprised<br />
of dedicated volunteers from a<br />
broad cross-section of Chamber<br />
members who similarly<br />
share the goals and objectives<br />
of making Halifax one of the<br />
top growing and progressive<br />
cities in Canada.<br />
Early priorities for the<br />
committee include confirmation<br />
of the active files to be<br />
pursued in the coming year<br />
and effectively managing the<br />
time and contribution of members<br />
to issues of importance to<br />
the Chamber and its members.<br />
Current files including taxation<br />
(provincial and municipal)<br />
as well as regulation and<br />
red-tape reduction are likely to<br />
remain front and center in the<br />
coming year.<br />
As a sub-committee of<br />
your Chamber board, we want<br />
to be both a catalyst for and<br />
supporter of positive change<br />
(YES) advancing the cause for<br />
our members and our community.<br />
As President of NSCC,<br />
Don Bureaux serves as the<br />
chief executive officer for the<br />
operation of a network of 13<br />
campuses, over 100 programs<br />
in five academic schools and<br />
over 24,000 students and<br />
more than 2,000 staff. For over<br />
two decades, Don worked with<br />
adult learners within colleges<br />
and universities as well as with<br />
national and international professional<br />
designation-granting<br />
bodies. His work over the years<br />
has allowed him to collaborate<br />
with educational institutions<br />
in North America, Europe and<br />
Asia to promote the concept<br />
of entrepreneurial cultures<br />
as a foundation for learningcentered<br />
environments and<br />
student success.<br />
Don has worked with a<br />
number of foreign educational<br />
institutions and governmental<br />
bodies in the development of<br />
success-based models for both<br />
students and staff within postsecondary<br />
institutions. He has<br />
worked with the boards and<br />
staff of numerous not-for-profit<br />
organizations in Nova Scotia in<br />
the areas of board governance,<br />
policy development and strategic<br />
planning.<br />
As president, Don has<br />
been able to, through positions<br />
of leadership, continue his<br />
work across these disciplines<br />
in communities throughout<br />
Nova Scotia.<br />
He believes his experience<br />
will support the exciting<br />
work ahead as the Chamber’s<br />
new Chair for the Grow and<br />
Nurture the Skilled Workforce<br />
Task Force. The task force<br />
aims to help increase by 20<br />
per cent the number of skilled<br />
workers in the province by<br />
2018. Don feels that changing<br />
the narrative about the<br />
potential of our future is the<br />
first step to making some of the<br />
critical changes needed. He<br />
adds: “The opportunities and<br />
challenges before our province<br />
provide the membership of the<br />
Chamber a chance to leverage<br />
our resources and lead by<br />
example to support the intent<br />
of the Ivany Report and the<br />
initiatives being proposed by<br />
government in both education<br />
and immigration.”<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 25
WORKING FOR YOU<br />
Valuable life lessons<br />
Cooperative education enables personal and professional growth<br />
KAYLA COTTON, PUBLIC<br />
RELATIONS INTERN, HALIFAX<br />
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE<br />
A university degree is no longer solely<br />
earned after four years of lectures and<br />
exams. Students now have the opportunity<br />
to gain valuable life lessons relating to<br />
business culture and confidence outside<br />
the classroom.<br />
Several academic institutions in<br />
Nova Scotia offer programs similar to<br />
Mount Saint Vincent University’s<br />
Co-Operative Education program, which<br />
COMMERCIAL<br />
REAL ESTATE<br />
OPPORTUNITIES<br />
26<br />
To place an ad call: 426-2811 ext 1163<br />
allows undergraduate students like myself<br />
the opportunity to work for a business or<br />
organization in their chosen field and finish<br />
their degree with a year of applicable<br />
experience. In 2014, 80 per cent of co-op<br />
graduates at MSVU secured employment<br />
in their field of study in just six months<br />
after graduation. This means that students<br />
are relieved of the stress that comes from<br />
the dreaded job-hunt after the completion<br />
of their studies.<br />
I’m in my final year of the Bachelor<br />
of Public Relations degree at MSVU,<br />
and currently undergoing my third<br />
four-month work term with the Halifax<br />
Chamber of Commerce. Before my first<br />
day, my friends and family wished me<br />
luck and cautioned that the first day in a<br />
new position was the most difficult. I’ve<br />
found this to be normally true. However<br />
I’ll admit that not once did I feel nervous<br />
or intimidated during my first few days<br />
at the office. I felt confident and eager<br />
to learn, not only because of the warm<br />
and welcoming team, but also because<br />
of the experience I’ve gained during<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
my past two work terms. I’m not alone<br />
with this feeling, at MSVU more than a<br />
remarkable 90 per cent of recent co-op<br />
grad felt prepared for the workforce after<br />
completing their co-op work terms.<br />
MSVU gives students the opportunity<br />
to conduct their own job search, while the<br />
university also has strong relationships<br />
with many employers in government,<br />
non-profit and private sectors. Thus students<br />
gain insight to other career options<br />
that they may have not yet realized.<br />
There’s many reasons why it’s advantageous<br />
for employers like the Chamber<br />
of Commerce to participate in the co-op<br />
program. Firstly, by gaining access to an<br />
educated and highly motivated labor pool<br />
for a short period, they are provided with<br />
the perfect solution for completing projects<br />
or filling temporary workplace niches.<br />
Additionally, the co-op labour pool<br />
is inexpensive for the employer as they<br />
are reimbursed up to half of the minimum<br />
$15 hourly wage that students earn. This<br />
resource, while limited to each fourmonth<br />
work period, can be continually<br />
renewed every semester with each new<br />
class of students and builds a strong,<br />
mutually beneficial relationship between<br />
the academic institution and participating<br />
business or organization.<br />
The Halifax Chamber of Commerce<br />
is committed to the growth and support<br />
of business culture. This is achieved by<br />
many initiatives including matching<br />
postsecondary student development to<br />
employer needs. By hiring co-op students,<br />
employers are guaranteed to grow<br />
their team with skilled and enthusiastic<br />
young adults with innovative ideas.<br />
Resulting in a stronger workforce and a<br />
positive business environment.<br />
When I graduate and start applying<br />
for full-time positions, I’ll have a year of<br />
practical, real-world job experience that<br />
employers look at first and an edge over<br />
other students who lack this experience.<br />
My time at university has already taught<br />
me a lot more than I bargained for, and at<br />
the Halifax Chamber of Commerce it’s a<br />
new opportunity each day with networking<br />
events and communications responsibilities.<br />
I’m thankful that the co-op<br />
program exists for me to grow personally<br />
and professionally.
TRENDS<br />
Fairway courtesy<br />
The do’s and don’ts of golfing<br />
COURTENEY OSBORNE,<br />
CPA, CGA OFFICE MANAGER,<br />
GRANITE SPRINGS GOLF CLUB<br />
Now that summer is finally here,<br />
it’s time to enjoy some great Nova Scotia<br />
golfing. After being stuck inside for<br />
several months, golfers are now hitting<br />
the fairways across the province. As a new<br />
golfer, I was very naïve as to what good<br />
etiquette is on the golf course, so I thought<br />
I’d share a few pointers with the readers.<br />
1. ARRIVE EARLY: Arrive at least 15<br />
minutes before your scheduled tee-time.<br />
This allows you to get checked in to the<br />
pro-shop, change clothing if necessary,<br />
gather your golf cart, and stretch/warm<br />
up before your play starts. Often times,<br />
there may be a short walk to the first tee<br />
and the starter’s hut, be sure to give yourself<br />
enough time to get there.<br />
2. WAIT FOR THE ‘ALL CLEAR’: Wait until<br />
the group ahead of you is out of shot range<br />
before teeing off. If you do hit your ball<br />
towards another group, be sure to yell<br />
‘FORE’ to warn them of the incoming play.<br />
3. AVOID SLOW PLAY: If you cannot<br />
keep up with the group in front of you,<br />
or you notice a group always waiting<br />
behind you, step aside and let that group<br />
play through. This allows the speed of<br />
play on the course to remain consistent.<br />
There are marshals on most courses who<br />
will help monitor this, but use your judgement<br />
to help everyone stay happy. On<br />
a similar note, never look for a lost ball<br />
for more than five minutes. We all like<br />
to save that penalty stroke, but donning<br />
a snorkel and mask to search for a pond<br />
ball is not worth it!<br />
4. HELP MAINTAIN THE COURSE:<br />
We’ve all seen the huge divots that can<br />
be left when hitting the ball. You can<br />
help maintain the course by doing a few<br />
simple things:<br />
<br />
Replace the divot when your shot<br />
is complete.<br />
Rake the bunker (that big hole with<br />
sand) after you have taken your shot.<br />
Keep the golf cart off of soggy fair<br />
ways as wheels can get stuck. Do not<br />
follow directly behind another cart<br />
on the fairway.<br />
Repair ball marks on the green from<br />
where your ball has hit. You will<br />
mostly likely want to do this before<br />
you putt.<br />
5. GREEN PLAY: Congratulation’s…<br />
you have made it onto the green…<br />
the flag stick is in sight. Now what?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo: Chih Hsein Hang/123RF<br />
Don’t step in the line of other<br />
player’s putts.<br />
Do not stand where you might<br />
distract another player.<br />
If you are asked to hold the flagstick,<br />
hold it at arm’s length and attempt to<br />
not let a shadow cast on the player’s<br />
line of putt. The flagstick should be<br />
removed as soon as the player has<br />
completed their stroke.<br />
Lay the flagstick off the green so<br />
as to not damage the green.<br />
Once everyone in your group has<br />
putted, quickly walk to the next tee.<br />
6. ENJOY THE GAME: We all get<br />
frustrated from time to time, but<br />
throwing clubs, using profanity, and<br />
sulking ruin the game for everyone<br />
and can cause some awkward silence.<br />
Remember to take time and enjoy<br />
the beauty around you!<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 27
TRENDS<br />
Distributed Audio: Sound for All<br />
Quality audio makes the difference between background noise and an intentional facility sound-scape<br />
MIKE MCCARTHER BUSINESS<br />
DEVELOPMENT – INTEGRATED<br />
COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS<br />
Distributed Audio Systems – Sound for All:<br />
Hotels, community centres, schools,<br />
malls and stores have always used audio<br />
as a key communication method. Now<br />
that audio has gone digital, the users are<br />
all connected with various smart phones<br />
and tablets, and the ProAudio market has<br />
had to adapt to become more accessible.<br />
This month I sat down with QSC and SF<br />
Marketing to explore the advancements<br />
in digital, distributed audio systems and<br />
the considerations that go into a design.<br />
Picking the Sweet Spot<br />
Depending on the size and purpose of<br />
your facility, the type and quality of audio<br />
required will range. For instance, in a<br />
school, mall or recreation facility the primary<br />
function of audio is to make public<br />
announcements for targeted messaging<br />
or emergency alerts. In a hotel, convention<br />
centre, sports stadium or restaurant,<br />
the primary function of audio is to set the<br />
mood and deliver quality sound to create<br />
a desired atmosphere. While both scenarios<br />
involve spreading an audio message,<br />
your criteria for choosing a system could<br />
vary greatly.<br />
Based on your facility and the role audio<br />
is designed to play, it is important to<br />
break down the solution design into four<br />
areas:<br />
28<br />
1. Speakers & Amplification<br />
2. Wiring & Network Infrastructure<br />
3. Media Streaming & Accessibility<br />
4. System Control<br />
A well thought out plan is just as important<br />
in this part of your planning process<br />
as at any other time. Pick your goals and<br />
design a system that meets both the goals<br />
and your budget.<br />
Quality Sound – Speakers & Amplifiers<br />
Speakers and amplifiers all operate on<br />
the same basic principles. However, just<br />
like everything else, different brands and<br />
budget levels are going to deliver vastly<br />
different results.<br />
If the primary function of the audio<br />
system is to delivery audible alerts of<br />
voice messaging, a paging speaker may<br />
do the trick. If the system is designed to<br />
deliver background music, live music or<br />
quality sound for atmosphere influence,<br />
a higher quality speaker will be required.<br />
In both cases selecting the right tool for<br />
the job and pairing it to the right amplification<br />
and processing system is critical to<br />
achieve the planned outcome.<br />
Media Streaming & Accessibility<br />
When designing a distributed audio solution<br />
you must consider the audience and<br />
the users who will be interacting with it.<br />
What audio source needs to be played<br />
through the system? How do the users<br />
connect and control the sources, playlists,<br />
volume and overall functionality of<br />
the system? Will users be using personal<br />
devices or facility provided devices? With<br />
advancements in home audio and mobile<br />
technology, many users are looking for a<br />
more personal experience and, depending<br />
on your goals, integrating this kind of<br />
interactivity from the onset will result in a<br />
more flexible and accessible system and a<br />
better long term return on investment.<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
System & Zone Control<br />
One of the most recent advancements in<br />
distributed audio solutions is the ability<br />
to leverage existing IT infrastructure to<br />
deploy sound throughout an organization<br />
or facility. Imagine connecting any<br />
audio source within the network to any<br />
group of speakers. When designing your<br />
system, decide early how many zones are<br />
required, what type of audio will be played<br />
in each zone, and how users will interface<br />
with the control of the zone.<br />
Wiring & Network Infrastructure<br />
One of the major costs and considerations in<br />
deploying a distributed audio system is the<br />
physical installation, wiring and network<br />
infrastructure required to make it all work.<br />
Make sure when undergoing a new build or<br />
extensive renovation to consider your sound<br />
system. There will never be a better time to<br />
make investments then at this point.<br />
For more information on distributed<br />
audio and a live demonstration on QSC’s<br />
QSYS platform, please join us for a lunch<br />
& learn at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.<br />
While the final date is still being<br />
determined, you can always find the latest<br />
information and register to attend at<br />
www.vistacaretech.com/techtrends<br />
VistaCare Communications is a full service<br />
commercial communications and security<br />
solutions integrator based in Dartmouth,<br />
Nova Scotia. www.vistacaretech.com
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TRENDS<br />
Embracing intrapreneurship<br />
Building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship<br />
@phippsgregory<br />
GREGORY PHIPPS, MANAGING<br />
DIRECTOR, VENTURE CAPITAL,<br />
INNOVACORP<br />
“How can an established company<br />
react to market realities, remain competitive<br />
and fundamentally change the way<br />
it operates — internally and externally?”<br />
The answer is simple: Act like a start-up.<br />
This is not a revolutionary or original<br />
thought. The reality is that companies<br />
from all verticals and of any size can<br />
adopt and sustain a start-up culture.<br />
In fact, they must do so, to remain competitive<br />
and to stave off obsolescence and<br />
potential death of their brands.<br />
WHAT IS START-UP CULTURE?<br />
When we think of “start-up culture,”<br />
we might picture millennials in cargo<br />
shorts and sandals, padding around an<br />
open-concept office space with bean bag<br />
chairs, scratching out plans on a whiteboard<br />
in between games of foosball.<br />
A true start-up culture, however,<br />
involves much more than cool office<br />
space and free snacks. Companies of any<br />
size can embrace and sustain a culture of<br />
innovation by embracing and emulating<br />
many of the practices of start-ups and the<br />
cultural values common among the most<br />
successful ones, including:<br />
Innovation. Entrepreneurial startups<br />
always embrace the latest innovations.<br />
They leverage technologies that are<br />
cost-effective and enable more efficient<br />
planning, CRM, product development,<br />
and marketing automation. Start-ups<br />
also use cloud-centric tools that allow<br />
employees to contribute and collaborate<br />
anywhere, anytime.<br />
Passion. Passion is a hard quality to<br />
define, let alone find, among candidates<br />
for employment or internal promotion.<br />
A start-up culture hires, develops, retains,<br />
celebrates, incents, rewards, encourages<br />
and promotes people who have passion<br />
for the business and its success.<br />
Workspace. Start-ups create<br />
efficient and effective spaces for personal<br />
and collaborative output. They value<br />
cool work spaces because they want<br />
employees to look forward to coming<br />
to work and remaining fully engaged<br />
while there. They provide the conditions<br />
for employees to create and work in<br />
comfortable environments, with freedom<br />
to personalize their workspaces.<br />
Eschewing corporate rules and rigid<br />
work structures. Rigid corporate policies<br />
and old-school structure is the bête noire<br />
to a start-up. Start-ups hold a philosophy<br />
of collaborating externally and across<br />
the org structure, finding ways to work<br />
smarter, and tossing outmoded, cumbersome<br />
corporate rules out the window —<br />
all to ensure efficient and effective, timely<br />
delivery of solutions to customers.<br />
The ability to act quickly and decisively.<br />
In start-up culture, there’s always<br />
a collaborative approach to solving<br />
problems, and employees are empowered<br />
to swiftly make decisions that can affect<br />
company performance and success, decisions<br />
they can “own” and be held responsible<br />
for. When people are empowered to<br />
make decisions and know their contributions<br />
are valued, they will step up and<br />
make a difference.<br />
Keeping the aforementioned top-ofmind,<br />
established companies can create a<br />
culture of innovation within by adopting<br />
some of the following practices:<br />
Create a role or department to drive<br />
innovation and entrepreneurial behavior.<br />
Some people believe that a mandate for<br />
everyone in a company to think and act<br />
like an entrepreneur must start at the top.<br />
Although there absolutely has to be a<br />
senior-level embrace of the concept, the<br />
action plan can be defined and initiated<br />
at a much lower level in the org structure<br />
and driven both up and down from<br />
there. Establish a new role, with a direct<br />
reporting line to the CEO, and define it<br />
as Chief Innovation Officer.<br />
Encourage intrapreneurship. Create<br />
an internal “ideas” incubator to get new<br />
products or services off the ground in<br />
a non-traditional and non-linear way.<br />
Create an opportunity for employees to<br />
share their ideas for innovative solutions,<br />
and you can rightfully declare your<br />
company as being entrepreneurial.<br />
Launch an internal “pitch” competition<br />
to uncover ideas that are of strategic<br />
benefit to the company, and like venture<br />
capitalists — fund the best of them. If<br />
this approach becomes a catalyst to more<br />
efficient service delivery and/or incents<br />
the development of new products or<br />
services, it’s a win-win for the company.<br />
Recruit and reward an entrepreneurial<br />
mindset. Injecting any established<br />
company with former entrepreneurs,<br />
venture capital professionals and others<br />
with actual start-up experience, is<br />
the best way to kick-start a sustainable<br />
culture that emulates an entrepreneurial<br />
start-up.<br />
Think and act like an owner. If you<br />
want to motivate employees to think and<br />
act like an owner, and all the positive<br />
performance outcomes inherent to that<br />
approach, you’ve got to make them owners.<br />
Almost every start-up embraces the<br />
concept of distribution of shares or share<br />
options to employees as an effective<br />
instrument for attraction, retention and<br />
motivation. Corporations of any size can<br />
adopt a similar approach with relative<br />
ease at any stage in their evolution.<br />
Embrace and adoption of those<br />
practices embodied within the start-up<br />
community need not be daunting or<br />
represent a fundamental change to your<br />
business or management practices. Their<br />
implementation will pay rich dividends<br />
in maintaining competiveness, engaging<br />
and retaining high-performing employees,<br />
and provide for a solid foundation<br />
for sustaining growth.<br />
Greg Phipps is Managing Director,<br />
Venture Capital at Innovacorp. Greg<br />
has managed more than 70 investment<br />
transactions, in more than twenty<br />
companies, in the IT, telecommunications<br />
and healthcare vertical sectors.<br />
Contact him @phippsgregory and<br />
linked.com/in/gregoryphipps<br />
30<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016
dal.ca/execed/leadership<br />
CERTIFICATE IN<br />
LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION<br />
Stay Ahead of the Competition.
HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP<br />
Keeping score<br />
We need to get the strategic decisions right<br />
IAN MUNRO, CHIEF ECONO-<br />
MIST, HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP<br />
The Index provides a useful compilation of facts and<br />
figures about Halifax, its past and future trends, and<br />
how it compares to a number of other Canadian cities.<br />
Perhaps more importantly, though, it represents a<br />
means of tracking progress as the city strives towards<br />
the ambitious future envisioned in the Growth Plan.”<br />
Last month the Halifax Partnership<br />
published the fifth annual edition of the<br />
Halifax Index. This followed the approval<br />
by Halifax Regional Council in April of<br />
Halifax’s Economic Growth Plan 2016-21.<br />
The Index provides a useful compilation<br />
of facts and figures about Halifax,<br />
its past and future trends, and how it<br />
compares to a number of other Canadian<br />
cities. Perhaps more importantly, though,<br />
it represents a means of tracking progress<br />
as the city strives towards the ambitious<br />
future envisioned in the Growth Plan. To<br />
borrow a sports metaphor — we are in the<br />
middle of the baseball season, after all —<br />
the Index is Halifax’s box score.<br />
Just as the Blue Jays have their top<br />
line numbers – wins for the season, runs<br />
in a game — our top level focus for Halifax<br />
is on growing the economy (GDP)<br />
and increasing the population.<br />
In addition to these headline figures,<br />
though, are many other factors that are<br />
key indicators and drivers of success.<br />
The keenest baseball fans are attuned<br />
to on-base percentages, earned run<br />
averages, and strikeout-to-walk ratios. In<br />
the Halifax Index, we drill down in four<br />
broad areas: people, the economy, quality<br />
of place, and sustainability.<br />
In pursuit of the population growth<br />
objective, are we attracting and retaining<br />
immigrants? Are our young people finding<br />
employment here and putting down<br />
roots, rather than heading west?<br />
Which sectors of the economy are<br />
poised for growth? Do consumers have<br />
more money in their pockets compared to<br />
last year? How confident is the business<br />
community about their prospects for the<br />
future?<br />
32<br />
Do residents and business owners<br />
view Halifax as the kind of community<br />
in which they want to stay, invest, and<br />
grow? Do they feel safe? How many citizens<br />
are suffering from economic distress<br />
or serious health issues?<br />
Are we on a sustainable path? Is the<br />
city core at risk of hollowing out? Are our<br />
transportation networks keeping pace<br />
with needs?<br />
There are among the many factors<br />
we track and report on in the Index. An<br />
additional feature in this year’s edition is<br />
a special focus on rural Halifax. A winning<br />
baseball team needs good players in<br />
the infield and in the outfield. Similarly,<br />
a strong, successful Halifax requires<br />
growth in both its urban and rural areas.<br />
A baseball manager will review the<br />
box score data to determine which pitchers<br />
will get to start, how players should<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
be placed in the batting order, and who<br />
will get brought up from the minors. Get<br />
these strategic decisions right, and you<br />
are on the way to the pennant.<br />
The 2016 Halifax Index, tells us, for<br />
example, that workforce participation<br />
rates have been declining and labour<br />
force growth has been modest. This in<br />
turn tells us that we need to redouble<br />
our efforts to attract and retain immigrants<br />
and youth. Success on that<br />
front will grow our population, and our<br />
economy along with it. And that is how<br />
Halifax ultimately gets the win.<br />
For all of Halifax’s stats, download<br />
a copy of the 2016 Halifax Index at<br />
www.halifaxindex.com.<br />
Ian Munro is Chief Economist<br />
at the Halifax Partnership
CITY DESK<br />
Recognizing a great idea<br />
Working together to tell a new story<br />
@MikeSavageHFX<br />
MAYOR MIKE SAVAGE<br />
One of the privileges of being Mayor<br />
is having the opportunity to visit different<br />
businesses and meet new people. For a<br />
couple of years I have been working with<br />
the Halifax Partnership to visit workplaces<br />
of all sizes through the Celebrate<br />
Business program.<br />
But, once in a while the request<br />
comes in unexpectedly, as it did recently<br />
when the talented Julia Rivard asked me<br />
to pop by her Gottingen Street Norex<br />
headquarters to welcome hew latest hire<br />
to Halifax. Matt Summers, an entrepreneur<br />
who hails from the UK and spent the<br />
past couple of years in Colorado, found<br />
Halifax through a job posting for Halifaxbased<br />
web design and invention company<br />
Norex.<br />
He liked the creative job posting<br />
even if the job wasn’t his cup of tea and<br />
he struck up a work relationship with<br />
the company. When Julia was looking<br />
for someone to join the team for another<br />
venture, the promising e-learning tool<br />
Eyeread, Matt found his fit. He and his<br />
young family left Colorado behind for<br />
Halifax, a new job in a city that appealed<br />
to them.<br />
It’s heartening to hear stories like<br />
Matt’s, of people finding that special<br />
combination of interest and opportunity<br />
in Halifax. Before they left Colorado,<br />
Matt and his family explored their new<br />
city through Google Street View, checking<br />
out elementary schools, neighbourhoods,<br />
where he would work and where<br />
his wife would do her graduate degree.<br />
For me, it was a nice way to start a<br />
Monday, welcoming a newcomer who is<br />
happy to be here. Beyond that, though, it<br />
was the perfect way to turn my mind to<br />
the days ahead, as I worked to get ready<br />
to take Halifax’s story on the road to a<br />
luncheon with business and industry<br />
leaders at the Economic Club of Canada,<br />
a sales call I had been contemplating for<br />
some time.<br />
As we worked with the Partnership<br />
to prepare presentation materials, it was<br />
clear that tone would be critical in getting<br />
across the message that Halifax is the<br />
right-sized, perhaps even the perfectsized,<br />
city to invest in. We poured over<br />
competitive costs analyses, reports on<br />
start-up communities, housing price<br />
comparisons, the latest figures from the<br />
airport and Halifax Port, urban GDP<br />
predictions, and the city’s new five-year<br />
economic growth plan.<br />
Halifax has the specialness of place,<br />
the deep well of talented people, and a<br />
cost-competitive price of doing business.<br />
People, place, and thing: something<br />
we could confidently hold up. We knew<br />
could show that Halifax has helped grow<br />
impressive companies such as Emera and<br />
Clearwater, while it has also proven to be<br />
a good bet for international heavy hitters<br />
such as IBM and RBC. And, still, it offers<br />
a fit for Matt, someone looking to help<br />
a company move from start-up to going<br />
concern.<br />
It was gratifying to see how leaders<br />
in this business community coalesce<br />
around an idea. Whoever I called, whoever<br />
the Partnership approached, they all<br />
were quick with an offer to help spread<br />
the word or to fill a table through their<br />
Toronto networks. That’s what we do well<br />
in these parts, each of us in our own way<br />
and collectively working to tell a new<br />
story of Halifax.<br />
LET’S GET<br />
SOCIAL!<br />
Questions? Contact Melissa MacDonald, Communications Specialist<br />
(902) 481-1238 or melissa@halifaxchamber.com<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 33
SPECIAL FEATURE AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE<br />
The value of networking<br />
DEFSEC event will have 70 companies exhibiting By Carol Dobson<br />
Every September, the world comes<br />
to Halifax in the form of the Canadian<br />
Defence Security and Aerospace Exhibition<br />
Atlantic (DEFSEC). For three days,<br />
this year from Sept. 6 to Sept. 8, approximately<br />
1,200 delegates from 12 countries<br />
around the world will come to Halifax to<br />
develop business to business and partnerships<br />
between leading suppliers in the<br />
defence and aerospace industry and<br />
members of the business community in<br />
Atlantic Canada.<br />
“This year we will be having 70<br />
companies exhibiting at 100 different<br />
booth spaces,” Colin Stephenson, the<br />
Executive Director of DEFSEC Atlantic,<br />
says. “The conference will take up<br />
50,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and business<br />
to business meeting opportunity spaces<br />
at the Cunard Centre. It gives large<br />
contractors involved in procurement<br />
for the Canadian Armed Forces the<br />
opportunity to meet with local small<br />
and medium sized businesses who can<br />
feed into their supply chain and, by<br />
meeting face to face, can get a sense<br />
if they might be a good fit.”<br />
DEFSEC Atlantic has an open door<br />
policy, whereby local companies are<br />
encouraged to attend. Not only is it a<br />
chance to open doors with companies<br />
supplying Canadian defence and aerospace<br />
requirements but also to meet<br />
with representatives from the other<br />
nations who have sent representatives<br />
to the conference.<br />
“The United States has a big block<br />
of booths,” he says. “Other countries<br />
that are attending include the United<br />
Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden —<br />
mainly European countries.”<br />
One of the important reasons why<br />
these European countries are present is<br />
that Halifax, especially, is the gateway<br />
to the Maritime Provinces, and the rest<br />
of Canada, with its position on the Great<br />
Circle Route, a major advantage for companies<br />
shipping either into the country<br />
our out via the port.<br />
Not only will NATO allies be represented,<br />
but Stephenson says countries like<br />
Israel and Chile will also be in attendance.<br />
DEFSEC Atlantic is the second<br />
largest event of its kind in the country,<br />
combining the elements of both a<br />
The conference will take up 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibition<br />
and business to business meeting opportunity spaces at the<br />
Cunard Centre. It gives large contractors involved in procurement<br />
for the Canadian Armed Forces the opportunity<br />
to meet with local small and medium sized businesses who<br />
can feed into their supply chain and, by meeting face to<br />
face, can get a sense if they might be a good fit.”<br />
– Colin Stephenson, Executive Director, DEFSEC Atlantic<br />
trade show and a defence procurement<br />
conference. Throughout the three days<br />
of the event a mixture of seminars and<br />
social events, along with the trade show,<br />
provide excellent opportunities for one<br />
to one networking. The 2015 show had<br />
almost 400 companies represented,<br />
along with exhibitors, government<br />
agencies, and trade commissioners.<br />
At the event’s conclusion, more than<br />
100 business to business and business<br />
to government meetings had transpired.<br />
“This year one of the panels will be<br />
dealing with the human resources challenges<br />
facing the aerospace and defence<br />
industries in Atlantic Canada,” he says.<br />
“There is a great need for skilled workers<br />
“Representatives from DCNS present to Canadian<br />
sailors at DEFSEC Atlantic 2015”<br />
Photo: Greg Gidney<br />
in both of these fields. We’re anticipating<br />
heavy retirement in the aerospace<br />
industry as baby boomers start retiring.<br />
We also need skilled workers for the<br />
ship building project. Also, when highly<br />
trained and skilled members of the<br />
armed forces are transitioning out of the<br />
military, we need to have opportunities<br />
available for them.”<br />
Attendance at DEFSEC Atlantic<br />
is open to the private sector and is not<br />
restricted to members of any particular<br />
industry association. As well, members of<br />
the military are encouraged to attend as<br />
it is a chance for them to meet companies<br />
who may potentially have them as end<br />
users of the products on display.<br />
34 JULY & AUGUST 2016
Join Forces and Network!<br />
DEFS<br />
events for supply chain development & partnership potential<br />
ti September 6 - 8, 2016<br />
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada<br />
Cunard Centre on the Halifax Waterfront<br />
DEFSEC Atlantic is a major networking opportunity for the Aerospace, Defence and Security<br />
industries - the second largest of its kind in Canada. Focused on showcasing Atlantic<br />
Canadian opportunities, theshow’s worldwide reach creates partnership potential for all<br />
attendees. Incorporating elements of both a trade show and a defence procurement conference,<br />
DEFSEC Atlantic provides access to “the right people” in an engaging and professional setting.<br />
All attendees have an opportunity through B2B/B2G programs, social events and expert panel<br />
discussions, to interact with all levels of defence, industry and government participants.<br />
Right here in Atlantic Canada, large multi-national companies are looking to create partnerships<br />
within the region to complete their Canadian supply chains.<br />
In the heart of the National Shipbuilding Program activity, meet the builders and end users in<br />
the home of Canada’s Navy all in the intimate and scenic setting of the Halifax waterfront.<br />
Visit our web site to learn more and book one of the few remaining booth spaces, or make the<br />
decision to attend as a delegate. Come see what opportunities are waiting for you!<br />
Discover your fit in the expanding opportunities<br />
in Aerospace & Defence at DEFSEC Atlantic!<br />
DEFSEC Atlantic provides many advantages by giving you access to:<br />
- Prime and Tier 2 contractors in a setting where they are focused on supply chain fulfillment,<br />
while there are customers present, the focus is on partnership development<br />
- an event focused on building B2B/B2G relationships and<br />
providing the means to “kick-start” those relationships<br />
through the facilitated B2B/B2G program<br />
- a relevant and informative seminar series<br />
- everything you require in a single venue; with meals provided<br />
for everyone, there is no need to leave through the day<br />
- the right place to find out what procurement programs are on<br />
the horizon and how to become part of them<br />
FOR MORE INFO, PLEASEE CONTACT:<br />
Colin Stephenson, Executivee Director<br />
Mail & Courier:<br />
166 Ingram Drive<br />
Fall River, Nova Scotia<br />
CANADA B2T 1A4<br />
Office: +1 (902) 465-2725<br />
Fax: +1 (902) 484-3222<br />
Cell: +1 (902) 223-2099<br />
E-Mail: colin@defsecatlantic.ca<br />
Web: www.defsecatlantic.caa<br />
Produced By The<br />
Visit our web site for more information:<br />
defsecatlantic.ca<br />
“Canadian Partnership Potential.<br />
Focused Here, Expanding Worldwide...”
SPECIAL FEATURE AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE<br />
A strong defence sector<br />
Industry quietly contributes to the provincial economy By Carol Dobson<br />
Halifax is a military town and has<br />
been since June 1749. Of course, back<br />
then, there were only two services,<br />
the army and the navy. Since then, the<br />
fortunes of Halifax have risen and fallen<br />
in times of war and peace. Today, there is<br />
a third arm to the forces and one which<br />
quietly contributes greatly to the provincial<br />
economy, our air force and aerospace<br />
industries, and their spinoffs.<br />
“The shipbuilding program is a very<br />
visible part of the defence industry,” Carl<br />
Kumpic, the Vice President of international<br />
marketing for IMP Aerospace and<br />
Defence, says. “So while the navy is very<br />
prominent, the army has a presence at<br />
Willow Park, and down at 12 Wing Greenwood,<br />
the air force has more visibility.”<br />
According to Nova Scotia Business<br />
Inc., “Nova Scotia has a strong, diverse<br />
defence, security, and aerospace industry<br />
that generates $600 million in annual<br />
revenues and has a workforce of more<br />
than 6,000.” One of the major players<br />
in the industry, since 1970, has been<br />
IMP, which supports both Canadian<br />
and international aircraft fleets as well<br />
as providing manufacturing support to<br />
original equipment manufacturers. A<br />
recent project has involved a rewing program<br />
for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s<br />
Lockheed Martin P-2 Orion aircraft. IMP<br />
has also completed contracts with Egypt,<br />
Mexico, the United States and a host of<br />
other countries around the world.<br />
Even though much of the industry<br />
does tend to fly under the radar, it is a<br />
valuable contributor to the province’s<br />
economy. IMP, for example, employs<br />
more than 4,000 people in well-paid,<br />
stable jobs, including 2,400 in the<br />
Aerospace and Defence business unit.<br />
Their prime contract is with the Department<br />
of National Defence ensuring our<br />
helicopters and aircraft, from the Sea<br />
Kings to the Auroras, Hercules, and even<br />
the famed Tutor jets of the Snowbirds are<br />
able to fly safely.<br />
“We have a great capacity to keep<br />
the Auroras flying so they can undertake<br />
coastal defence, fisheries patrols, search<br />
and rescue, and drug searches,” he says.<br />
“And, when we are involved with NATO<br />
or other international initiatives we want<br />
to make sure our people are sent there<br />
with the right equipment and training to<br />
do their job.”<br />
One of the keys to IMP’s success is its<br />
ability to retain highly qualified employees,<br />
many with a military background and<br />
to ensure a corporate culture of attracting<br />
and keeping the brightest and the best.<br />
Because of this continuity, the company<br />
has been able to ensure that aircraft, such<br />
as the Sea Kings, with more than a half<br />
century of service, are able to fly safely.<br />
DELIVERING IN-SERVICE SUPPORT—A KEY INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITY IN CANADA<br />
Proudly 100% Canadian, headquartered<br />
in Halifax, Nova Scotia<br />
Over 65 years of providing Turn Key In<br />
Service Support to Canadian and<br />
international militaries<br />
2400 employees located across Canada<br />
Six Operating Units<br />
IMP Aerospace<br />
Cascade Aerospace<br />
IMP Naval and Land Services<br />
IMP Electronic Systems<br />
IMP Aerostructures<br />
Canadian SAR Helicopter Services<br />
A “Key Industrial Capability” now and in<br />
the future<br />
www.impaerospaceanddefence.com<br />
36 JULY & AUGUST 2016
Nominations for the<br />
Now! Nova Scotia Good News Awards are officially open!<br />
We’re looking for anyone and everyone who is making a difference<br />
and helping to move Nova Scotia forward.<br />
The nomination process is easy, and is open to any Nova Scotia-based<br />
individuals, organizations and companies who are helping to create<br />
a stronger entrepreneurial mindset.<br />
We’re looking for people who:<br />
Choose curiosity over cynicism<br />
Look for opportunities instead of obstacles<br />
Engage in action instead of apathy<br />
Believe that better is always possible<br />
Eight awards will be presented in the following areas:<br />
TOURISM EXPORTS STARTUPS GROWTH-ORIENTED<br />
ENTERPRISES<br />
IMMIGRATION LABOUR FORCE POST-SECONDARY<br />
EDUCATION<br />
RURAL INDUSTRIES<br />
Visit NowNS.ca to nominate someone today!<br />
Visit Herald.ca/NowNS to read the latest in our Now!<br />
Nova Scotia editorial series.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?<br />
Photo: Joseph Robichaud/Tanglewood Studio<br />
A growth curve<br />
Davis Pier Consulting expanding its presence By Carol Dobson<br />
Things have been moving in an upward<br />
direction for Davis Pier Consulting<br />
since the company received the bronze<br />
award for New Business of the Year at the<br />
2016 Halifax Business Awards.<br />
“Since we first applied for the award<br />
several months ago, we’ve doubled our<br />
staff, and increased our work both on<br />
Prince Edward Island and internationally,”<br />
Mike Davis, one of the partners in the<br />
company, says. “We outgrew our space in<br />
the Brewery Market and have moved to a<br />
larger, more visible space (located on the<br />
ground floor of the Market).”<br />
Davis, his Partner and Co-founder,<br />
Darryl Pierrynowski, and their team of<br />
17 business consultants, project managers,<br />
business analysts, change managers,<br />
and technical architects offer advice to<br />
clients in a number of fields including the<br />
public sector, healthcare, and related<br />
sectors, as well as the private sector.<br />
The firm specializes in implementing<br />
organizational improvement with capabilities<br />
in strategy, analytics, change management,<br />
and technology. It has developed<br />
38<br />
I think one of our strengths is the ability to help clients solve<br />
tough problems, through either complex analytical approaches<br />
or our ability to manage situations and stakeholders.”<br />
– Mike Davis, Partner, Davis Pier Consulting<br />
an expertise in areas such as operational<br />
improvement, streamlining government<br />
regulation, and helping to manage publicprivate<br />
relationships to find solutions.<br />
“I think one of our strengths is the<br />
ability to help clients solve tough problems,<br />
through either complex analytical<br />
approaches or our ability to manage situations<br />
and stakeholders," he says.<br />
In addition to the company’s expanded<br />
work in other provinces, the company<br />
has also begun working with clients in<br />
the transportation and logistics industry.<br />
Prior to opening Davis Pier in April 2014,<br />
both partners had successful practices<br />
here in Halifax with management consulting<br />
firms, both local and international.<br />
It’s a company that has a strong<br />
JULY & AUGUST 2016<br />
commitment to giving back, with<br />
members of the staff being involved in<br />
many volunteer initiatives, ranging from<br />
Ronald MacDonald House, Kids Help<br />
Phone, the Canadian Progress Club, the<br />
Blue Nose Marathon, and the Canadian<br />
Cancer Society. It’s also partnered with<br />
Innovacorp on the 2016 I-3 Technology<br />
Start-Up Competition.<br />
“We’re a traditional management<br />
consulting firm with people with various<br />
levels of experience, with a nice mix of<br />
seniors and juniors,” he says. “Since we<br />
received the award, we’ve had so many<br />
potential partners reach out about collaborating<br />
with us. We’ve had some great<br />
discussions that we think will lead to<br />
further expansion and growth.”
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED.<br />
THEY ANSWERED.<br />
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE EXCEPTIONAL NOVA SCOTIANS.<br />
They were among 36 young Canadian graduates selected from over 800<br />
applicants for the 2015 Venture For Canada program. These grads will spend the<br />
next two years honing their entrepreneurial skills at some of Nova Scotia’s<br />
most exciting new start-up companies.<br />
ADAM ANSHAN<br />
QRA Corp<br />
DANNY WILLIAMS<br />
Norex<br />
EMILY MILLER<br />
LeadSift<br />
MICHAEL HARDY<br />
Scrapbook Cafe<br />
MUGDHA MULAY<br />
Norex<br />
RYAN HOGG<br />
Affinio<br />
SAGAR JHA<br />
Metamaterial<br />
Technologies<br />
SHONA NICOLLE<br />
Metamaterial<br />
Technologies<br />
V<br />
Venture For Canada supports Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by matching<br />
promising young graduates with the country’s most innovative start-up companies.<br />
For more information visit www.VentureForCanada.ca<br />
Supporting<br />
Our Community
Great oce space never goes out of style.<br />
20,000 SQ. FT. OF OFFICE SPACE *<br />
available for lease at Halifax’s premier retail destination.<br />
*Option to subdivide to meet tenant requirements.<br />
Turnkey premises available. Some conditions apply.<br />
For leasing opportunities contact Sherri Kelsie:<br />
skelsie@20vic.com or 902.454.8666<br />
7001 Mumford Road Halifax Place, Suite 203<br />
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 4R3<br />
20vichalifax.com
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