NVCC News

Park the Tax Coalition - Translink Survey

2008-03-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Your Support and Input is Requested...

TransLink is holding both a public forum and an online vote on whether or not RESIDENTIAL should be included in the collection base for the “Replacement Tax” that will replace the Parking Site Tax.

The North Vancouver Chamber aggressively opposed the Parking Site Tax when the idea was first introduced over a year ago. It was a significant victory for business when this unfair and inequitable tax was withdrawn.

We respectfully request that you vote to agree that the property (replacement) tax revenue should be collected from business, RESIDENTIAL, commercial and industrial properties resulting in only a $13 increase in the average residential tax bill.

By including Residential, it will finally bring full fairness to the parking tax issue.

All you have to do to vote online is:

· Click on the link below
· Click “Agree”
· Type a supporting comment if desired
· Click “Done” to register your vote with TransLink

Click here to take the survey!

NVCC Golf Tournament Survey

2008-03-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years, one of the North Vancouver Chamber's staple events has been the Golf Tournament. We are looking for your feedback in making the 2008 Tournament better than ever! Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey by clicking on the link below.

Click here to access the survey.

We are hiring!

2008-02-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

•Member Services Manager
•Visitor Information Counsellor

For detailed job descriptions and further information, please click on the position of interest to you above.

Can't find the employees you need? Want to expand your market?

2008-02-12T16:05:00.000-08:00

The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce along with the City and District of
North Vancouver may be able to help you.

We are currently working collaboratively to assist business on the North Shore by:
• Attracting skilled employees to the North Shore at 4 Job Fairs in Ontario
• Promoting North Shore business opportunities at the BC Canada Pavilion during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Please complete the form (downloadable from below) and send it to the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce via mail, email or fax by February 20th.

THANK YOU.

Click here to download the form.

This is a joint initiative between the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, the City of North Vancouver, and the District of North Vancouver.

What are your merchant rates?

2008-01-03T12:05:00.001-08:00

The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new benefit to all members in good standing!

Versapay Merchant Services is offering merchant rates as low as 1.65% on Visa, 1.65% on MasterCard, and just 7 cents on Interac transactions. For details visit www.versapay.com or call 604-678-3230.

GST Rate Change as of January 1st, 2008

2008-01-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to change your GST rate as of January 1st, 2008, from 6% to 5%. For detailed information and examples of how to apply the reduced rate in your business, click here to download an article (pdf format) from the Canada Revenue Agency.

What's New for Payroll?

2008-01-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
* CPP pensionable earnings ceiling increased to $44,900 for 2008 (up from $43,700 in 2007)
* Employer and Employee contribution rates for 2008 will remain unchanged at 4.95%
* Maximum employer and employee contribution to the plan for 2008 increased to $2,049.30, and the maximum self-employed contribution will be $4,098.60 (maximums in 2007 were $1,989.90 and $3,979.80)

Employment Insurance (EI) rates
* Employer premiums have been reduced to $2.42 per $100 of insurable earnings (from $2.52 in 2007)
* Employee premiums have been reduced to $1.73 per $100 of insurable earnings (from $1.80 in 2007)
* Maximum insurable earnings have increased to $41,100 (from $40,000 in 2007)
* Maximum contributions have been reduced to $995.44 for employers and to $711.03 for employees

For a complete listing of what’s new for payroll in 2008, please visit the CRA site or ask your accountant:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/business/topics/payroll/whatsnew-e.html

Getting Your Business Back on Track

2008-01-03T11:59:00.002-08:00

This is the time of year when most of us are thinking about what is possible in the coming year. If you have a complete set of goals, a budget, benchmarks and team buy-in for 2008, congratulations, you are miles ahead of your competition! If not, you can still make this a great year.

Here are some things you can do right now, in 30 minutes, to get off on the right foot.

1. Set the big-picture goals for your business for 2008. These usually include revenue and profit. What about the number of hours you are working in your business? And what are the key strategic items you want to put in place for growth beyond 2008 even though they may not directly affect the bottom line this year? These might include getting better data for your business (Key Performance Indicators), putting key systems or procedures in place, or creating the environment that will attract and keep the team you want.

Remember to mark your goals "Smart": Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-limited.

2. Determine the key strategies you will use. For example, if you are looking to increase top-line revenue, this might be by increasing the number of leads you generate. Or, by improving your conversion rate. Maybe the easiest wins are in boosting your average dollar sale. Or, selling more to existing customers. Which strategies make the most sense depend on your particular business.

Or, if improved margins are your goal, what strategies might you use? Perhaps those involving purchasing, inventory turn, better quoting, loss/error control, scheduling or training.

If you are looking for better accountabilities from your team, strategies may include creating Position Descriptions, procedures and coaching/mentoring.

3. Set your goals for the first quarter. Where do you need to be at the end of March to be on track? What specific strategies are you going to put in place or improve, or what tasks are you going to accomplish? Keep the number small. There are 13 weeks in the quarter. In my experience, it is the exceptional owner who can complete one strategic goal a week. Ten is ambitious. I would suggest choosing no more than 8 things that will make a difference to your business, and make sure they get done this quarter.

4. Plan to succeed. Build accomplishing these goals into your routine. Maybe every Monday afternoon is set aside to work on one of these. Share your plan, both to get help and to keep you accountable. If you have told your team or spouse that you will do something, the pressure is on. If you have told your team not to interrupt you Monday afternoons because you are working on "x", and if they see you not in your office, they may send you right back!

So, how to get ready for a great 2008? Set a small number of strategic goals. Choose the actions that will most directly affect them. Work on a quarterly basis. Keep it simple. Involve your team.

Article courtesy of Andrew Orr, ActionCOACH Business Coaching

BC Training Tax Credit

2008-01-03T11:59:00.001-08:00

The BC Training Tax Credit Program provides tax credits to apprentices and their employers to encourage British Columbians to enrol and complete apprenticeship programs.

The Ministry of Small Business and Revenue has developed a brochure on the Training Tax Credit that includes information on how the program works and how to claim the credit.

Brochures are available at the Chamber and on the ministry website at:

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/brochures/TrainingTaxCredit.pdf

Employers may qualify for up to $12,500 in tax credits as their apprentice progresses through training. Additional tax credits are available to employers who apprentices qualify for the Enhanced Tax Credit.

Have a Happy & Prosperous 2008!

2008-01-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

It's hard not to get excited when thinking about the new year - new challenges, and new opportunities to learn and do business abound. This optimism and renewed energy is a great way to reach for the stars, but don't get lost in your daydreams - to make the most of your visions for 2008, make sure you set goals and track them appropriately. We're happy to have added a coaching article, courtesy of Chamber member Andrew Orr of ActionCOACH Business Coaching, in this newsletter to maximize your success.

We've also included some important information regarding GST, Tax Credits, and Payroll Tax changes coming into effect this year into the newsletter, and hope you will find it useful.

Lastly, we'd like to remind you that the Chamber is here to help you in a number of ways as a member. If you haven't been involved, or feel you could be taking greater advantage of the benefits we offer, we encourage you to contact us to determine how we can best meet your changing business needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Regards,
The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Team

Business Excellence Award Recipients & Video Slideshow

2007-11-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

The award recipients for the 2007 Business Excellence Awards were announced on Thursday, November 15th. To see a list of the recipients, please click here.

The photos of the Awards will be available for order online as of the end of this week. In the meantime, enjoy the video slideshow of all of the great photographs taken that evening by Peter Joyce of PhotosAndMore.ca:

MC Confirmed for Business Excellence Awards

2007-10-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Many of us invite her into our homes each night, as we learn the news of the day. CTV's News at Six anchor, Pamela Martin, will be the official Master of Ceremonies for this years' awards. Pamela's extensive biography can be viewed by clicking here. Kevin Evans, the Awards MC for the past few years, will be acknowledged for his contribution to the growth of the event at this year's awards.

Special Appearance
A familiar face of Old Hollywood will make a stop at the awards to mix, mingle and entertain! Can you guess who it might be?

Tickets On Sale
Put on your Old Hollywood attire and take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, as we celebrate a decade of Business Excellence in North Vancouver.

Thursday, November 15th, 2007
British Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
6pm Reception • 7pm Dinner & Award Ceremony

For more information, please visit our website.
To purchase tickets, please click here to download a PDF Ticket Order Form. (To complete the form, you will need the latest version of the free Acrobat Reader, available for download here.)

Business Excellence Awards Tickets now on sale!

2007-10-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

If 2006 was any indication, the Business Excellence Awards will sell out this year - and with a decade of excellence behind us, this year promises to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

This Old-Hollywood themed event will take place at the historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Thursday, November 15th. For further event details, please click here.

To purchase tickets, please click here to download a PDF Ticket Order Form. (To complete the form, you will need the latest version of the free Acrobat Reader, available for download here.)

Stay tuned for details regarding the evening's MC, entertainment, dinner menu, etc. In the meantime, make sure you're seen at this must-attend North Vancouver staple event.

Questions? Comments? Please drop us a line or give us a call at 604.987.4488.

Vancouver Sun: "Reform railway system, chamber of commerce says"

2007-09-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

As published in the Wednesday, September 19, 2007 edition of the Vancouver Sun. (click here to view original article).
By Scott Simpson
Vancouver Sun

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

A growing sense of frustration among local port terminal operators about "poor and inconsistent service" is prompting North Vancouver's chamber of commerce to lead a new national call for railway system reforms.

North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce president Naomi Yamamoto said in a telephone interview on Wednesday that tens of millions of dollars in potential terminal improvements are being forestalled by uncertainty about quality of service - and she says local taxpayers could be victimized as well.

The chamber says its members, including North Shore terminal operators, accept that some delays are inevitable when weather conditions affect a rail line and stall the movement of goods including potash, coal, vegetable oil, grains, pulp, wood chips and sulphur.

But it is calling on the federal government, which is in the process of reviewing railway service provisions of the Canada Transportation Act, to compel railways to eliminate delays that arise from labour agreements and from movement of freight on rail lines owned by one railway but required by another seeking access to a port.

In one instance, a 1953 agreement between CN Rail and the Vancouver Port Authority guarantees CN exclusive access to North Shore terminals - which means CP Rail and other CN rivals have to hand over their trains to CN crews in order to get their customers' goods into those terminals.

The transfer often takes place at Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon and the North Vancouver chamber notes that the trains "may sit for long periods" before a CN crew becomes available - with terminals sitting idle while the switchover is completed.

The chamber says CN is doing "an admirable job" of controlling its labour expenses - to the detriment of the terminal operators.

"Because of the ownership rights (railway monopolies) that exist, terminal operators feel that there is little they can do to influence better coordination and reliability between railways," says a North Vancouver chamber policy statement endorsed this week by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

"The interests of the port terminals aren't being fairly weighed against the interests of the railways, who really are out there to increase their value to their shareholders," Yamamoto said.

"These port facilities are obviously export oriented and they depend on products arriving on time to ensure that we are seen as a dependable supplier for export markets.

"But the rail service as it exists now is inadequate and the terminal operators are telling us that they face significant added costs, which erodes their competitive advantage.

"They are challenged by the fact that they face a monopoly situation in terms of the railway service that's provided."

The chamber wants the federal government to amend the transportation act so that labour issues - notably the lack of coordination on crew transfers between CP and CN do not continue to be an issue for terminal operators.

"Capital investments are not being made in our port terminals," Yamamoto said. "If we can't get the product to the terminal it doesn't matter how much more efficient the terminals become.

"I've become afraid we will lose $100 million worth of infrastructure that a company may want to put into a terminal - and it will go somewhere else.
"I can tell you terminal operators on the North Shore are some of our biggest taxpayers in the city and it will affect everybody if their operations are not deemed profitable."

Officials with CN did not respond by press time to The Vancouver Sun's request for a comment on the situation.

In a news release, North Vancouver chamber board chair Mike Watson said railroad service to Lower Mainland ports has "deteriorated in recent years."
He said the situation acts as a disincentive to investment, and that greater freight handling capacity would put the terminals in a "strong, competitive position to serve B.C.'s and western Canada's critical exports."

ssimpson@png.canwest.com

Business Plan Contest

2007-09-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Offered by Small Business BC, the 5th Annual Business Plan Contest is a great way to submit your plan for feedback and an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes to jump-start your new business!

To find out more, visit www.bizplancontest.ca.

10th Annual Business Excellence Awards

2007-09-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Nominations are now being accepted for the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce 2007 Business Excellence Awards.

Nomination Deadline: Thursday, September 27th, 2007

About the Awards

Each year, people from across the North Shore come together to honour business excellence. These awards are intended to publicly recognize all of the successful companies in the area, and the hard working people behind them, demonstrating a continued passion for excellence. The Awards also promote the advancement of responsible business leadership and harmony within our community.

Previous recipients of this prestigious North Shore award are positive role models for business, they show vision, have the courage to take risks and be a catalyst for change, and demonstrate their leadership skills within the business community or the community at large.

Who Can Nominate & Be Nominated?

Individuals or organizations may nominate their own business of another business. Nominees may nominate any business in the City and District of North Vancouver, even if they are not Chamber members. Finalists and winners will receive tremendous exposure and a prestigious evening where they will receive their award. The following categories will be awarded this year:

Best Business
Service Excellence
Arts, Culture & Community
Young Entrepreneur
Business Person of the Year
Best Employer
Environmental Stewardship
Innovation

How to Nominate?

Simply submit a the nomination form (click here to download) before end of day September 27th to nominate a company. It's simple, it only takes a couple of minutes, and it can have a lasting positive effect on deserving businesses and business people in the community. What are you waiting for?

Once completed, the form can be emailed, faxed, or dropped off at the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce office.

Stay tuned for updates regarding the 10th Annual Business Excellence Awards!