What's New

Old Montreal may never be the same again after 29 CBA members and guests celebrated with a day of spirited fun and frolic on Saturday May 29. For the most part, Carol McAlease of Jolly Tours was able to keep the group under control.  The tour began with a leisurely walk through Old Montreal where tour guide pointed out some of the prominent buildings and unique architecture in the area. This picture of the group was taken in front of Centaur Theater.  After lunch at Steak House de Vieux Montreal, the group made their way to the old port where we boarded a tour boat for an hour long boat cruise.  Thanks to Carol and Tom the bus driver for getting everyone home safely. Great fun!

Lee Carey says that there is a new approach in the struggle for businesses to find new customers and it can be summed up in three words: Research, Rapport and Relationships. The model begins with research; namely, collecting and analyzing information about the market sector. The rapport step is establishing a common ground with the client. Networking plays a part in this step as we get  to know our clients on a first name basis. Finally and most important is relationship building. You can do all sorts of research and networking but if it's not followed up with relationship building with the client, sales will not reach their full potential.   Repeat sales are built on solid relationships between vendor and buyer so time spent getting to know our clients and maintaining contact with them helps build trust and loyalty.

Lee says that he has a lot of admiration for entrepreneurs. They have the ability to see opportunity that others miss. For more information on Lee's sales model visit http://outsourceoasis.ca/ .  In the photo, Dr. Thorin Gault (L) presents Lee with our CBA portfolio.

Started in Ingleside with humble beginnings, the Fence Depot moved to Cornwall several years ago.  With that move came growth and expansion and the company hasn't looked back. Manon Locke recounts how serendipity played a part in their securing the present retail location at 3045 Pitt St in Cornwall's north end. The store handles everything for the farmer and outdoors person.   And if they don't have, John will get it for you. Fishing, hunting, welding and hardware supplies are just a few of the lines carried by the re-branded Fence Depot Town and Country Store.

Currently in the works are plans for a dog park.  Manon says there is a high demand from dog owners for suitable place for owners to exercise and train their dogs.  What's next for the Fence Depot? Just stay tuned. We are sure John has something up his sleeve.

 For more information visit www.fencedepot.ca .

Life balance facilitator Penny Lee Prevost says that to make positive changes in our lives, sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone. It's best to break changes into smaller segments, taking steps while establishing new comfort zones along the way. Make changes in life one step at a time. The Positive Attitude Zone Penny Lee promotes can be applied to any area of our life: career, parenting, marriage etc. As Penny Lee says, " if we can dream it, we can achieve it" . That's why it's important that we each have our own "dream boards." Most successful people have them and they help our minds think in pictures.

 For more information on Penny Lee's Positive Attitude Zone workshops, visit www.HTRIO.com  or email: plp@pennyleeprevost.com  In the photo, CBA member Tammy Head (R) presents Penny Lee with our CBA portfolio.

RCMP Media Relations Officer Michael Harvey says that local forces face an up hill battle in the fight against contra band tobacco. Because of its unique geograpy, Cornwall's location is ideal for smugglers bringing illegal cigarettes across the border. In fact, Sgt. Harvey says that  most of the contra band tobacco distributed across Canada enters the country in the Cornwall region. In spite of the efforts by the RCMP, OPP and Cdn. Border Service, the Regional Task Force has hardly made a dent in this lucrative trade. Of the 50 million illegal cartons of cigarettes entering Canada each year, only about one million are seized on entry.

Sgt. Harvey says that the smuggling issue is a problem we can't ignore. As many as 15 organized crime units operate in the area using profits from cigarette smuggling for drug, people and firearm trade. He says that the community must step up to the plate and promote the good news stories taking place in Cornwall.  Law enforcement alone will not eliminate the problem; we must educate the public. Currently, an educational awareness campaign is underway by the RCMP pointing out to smokers the consequences of their purchasing  illegal cigarettes. 

In the photo, CBA member Bob Copeland (R) thanks Sgt. Harvey for his informative presentation. 

Team work starts at the foundation of any organization and like an embryo, it most grow from there. That is the metaphor that CBA's February guest speaker  Doreen South uses to describe the process of building team spirit. To have a healthy team, members must feel comfortable to express their views, thoughts, feelings etc in a "safe" environment. That is,  an environment of acceptance and support where belonging is fostered. In this environment, people are not afraid to commit themselves unconditionally to the task at hand.

We all  have energies emanating from our bodies, so it is up to individual team members to extend positive energy vibes (respect and nurturing) and suppress the deadly energy vibes (blame and condemnation).  By using dousing rods, Doreen successfully demonstrates the energy we have and the effect it has on people around us.   Depending on our thoughts, positive or negative, the rods will react accordingly.

Doreen would be happy to discuss further her services and how to build team spirit in your organization.  You can contact her through her web site http://www.angelwhispersconsulting.com/ . In the photo, CBA member Dr. Thorin Gault thanks Doreen South for her presentation to CBA members.

The naturopathic approach to health care is certainly not new. It is the first form of health care ever used in the world, treating ailments with herbs and botanical medicines. Dr. Esposito says that unlike chemical based drugs, botanical medicines have little, if any,  side effects since they are all natural and compatible with our bodies.

A visit to a naturopathic doctor is certainly not rushed. The initial visit lasts 1 1/2 hours with the doctor using a holistic approach looking at a patient's lifestyle, diet and past which may reveal underlying causes of current health problems. 

Dr. Esposito invites CBA members to stop in and see her at her new location after April 1, 2010.  She points out that  visits to a naturopath doctor are covered by most private insurance company plans. 

The level of frustration in the audience was palpable as  CBA members and guests who use electronic payment processing  asked Moneris' Stephen Turgeon how merchant fees were calculated on their sales. Thanks to Mr. Turgeon's knowledgeable background and experience, the audience came away with a better understanding of why and how fees are determined for credit and debit cards.

Mr. Turgeon explained that today, 65% of all purchases are completed using some form of plastic. We will never be able to go back to a paper transaction. Many factors influence the fee charged by Moneris for these electronic payments: Method of selling (is it a face to face transaction), the type of product or service and branded cards. These factors determine the risk of default and reward points that benefit the card holder.

Mr. Turgeon explains that  the new embedded chip cards will virtually eliminate card fraud. All companies will be fully compliant with these new cards by the end of 2010.

Mr. Turgeon says that there are many sources of merchant processing systems, each with their own method of calculating merchant fees.  He suggests you shop around and know what you're going to be charged before committing to one supplier.   In the photo, CBA member Theresa Taylor presents Mr. Turgeon with a customized portfolio.

Whether for corporate or personal gift giving, Tammy Head will personally find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Tammy has a list of local vendors whom she is proud to support and can source many sorts of gifts from house wares to environmentally friendly gift selections. Not sure what sort of gift might be suitable?  Tammy has taken care of that too with her gift certificate program. By appointment only, certificate recipients can visit Tammy's Gift Gallery and browse through hundreds of gifts and several catalogues.

If you're an employer looking for an incentive program for employees or clients, a visit with Tammy is the right place to start. She will be happy to discuss your needs and set up a creative  awards  program for achieving employees and loyal clients.

Visit her web site www.averypresenthelp.com

Thanks to Theresa Taylor and her committee, CBA members and guests celebrated in an olde fashion style. Tom Rand got the group in the spirit of the season by reading  'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Games and trivia contests were available for everyone. Competition got heated though for the best decorated ginger bread house.

Winners were as follows:

Have you ever become so overwhelmed and stressed by work or life in general that you don't know where to turn? CBA member Dr. Pierre Milot offers a service for today's active business person that helps them to stay focused on the issues that matter. Dr. Milot holds a doctorate degree in human sciences and  says that like  having a marketing plan for our businesses, so too should we have a plan for our lives. It all starts by indentifying our goals and objectives then perhaps setting a new direction for our life.

Dr. Milot's career/life coaching can be completed in group workshops or in a one on one format. Coaching plans normally take 8 weeks but for the busy individual , programs can be accelerated. Like any plan, results are evaluated to ensure the desired result is achieved.  For more information or to talk to Dr. Milot, visit: http://www.lifecoaching4stress.ca/

On October 28, St. Lawrence College held their student awards banquet at Ramada Inn in Cornwall. This year CBA is proud to award our $500.00 bursary to Jenn Baker. CBA member Tom Rand made the presentation on behalf of all our members.   Our bursary is funded from the proceeds of our monthly 50/50 draw.

Jenn is a third year student at the college and is pursuing an accounting diploma. 

The Benson Group is proud to support local charities and organizations in the community.  Through golf tournaments , the firm has raised 100s of thousands of dollars that support the Father Rudy Villeneuve Foundation. In spite of the success that Benson  enjoys, one thing is certain: Cornwall will remain the home base and head office of the firm for many years to come.