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1 k kk-, v/j uv » Business To reach this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5567 Photo by Peter J. Thompson Dianne Cunningham, Ontario Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, announced a pilot project to help female secondary school students become financially literate and study math, science and technology to help their job prospects. German firm acquires PRO-ECO Ltd. PRO-ECO Limited, an Oakville designer and builder of strip metal processing systems has been acquired by Mannesmann Demag AG. The German firm took a 75% interest in the local firm on March 1st. In a joint statement, company offi­ cials said the move will allow both companies to more effectively meet the needs of customers through the millennium. The existing PRO-ECO opera­ tions will continue in their present form and Robert March will continue to lead the existing management team as President of PRO-ECO Limited and its U.S. subsidiary, Production Efficiency Co., Inc. The acquisition expands Mannesmann's existing range of products and services to include those PRO-ECO presently offers to mini-mills, metal service and pro­ cessing centres and product manu­ facturers. Women's Issues minister wants female students to stick with math, sciences Dianne C un n in gh am boosting choices for yo u n g w om en B y W ilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Women entrepreneurs current­ly provide more jobs in Canada than the Top 100 cor­ porations, according to Dianne Cunningham, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. "The largest creator of jobs in this country are the 800,000 women entre­ preneurs, who have created 1.8 million jobs in Canada." By comparison, she pointed out the country's Top 100 pro­ vide 1.4 million jobs. Cunningham was at the Women's Information and Support Centre of Halton - better known as The Women's Centre - on Monday to promote women entrepreneurship. She was on a one-day speaking tour to mark International Women's Day, first cele­ brated on March 8, 1911, to draw atten­ tion to social, economic and political injustices affecting women. "Women are succeeding in all aspects of life and are a significant eco­ nomic force," said Cunningham. "During the past few decades, changes in social attitudes, laws, government- funded programs and supports have opened doors for women to become economically independent." Prior to her media stop at the Women's Centre, Cunningham announced a pilot project to help female secondary school students become financially literate - and to encourage them not drop math, science and technology courses. She said these course are requirements in the province's recently announced new curriculum for secondary schools. "We see a lot o f Grade 11,12 and OAC students taking these apprenticeship programs, but no women. Every year I go back to these programs to ask what they're doing to get the young women into their programs, and next year I 'm going to ask them to show me the numbers, because I 'm losing patience. " -D ianne C u nn ing ha m "Young women must be financially literate to ensure their economic inde­ pendence," said Cunningham, adding young women should also be encour­ aged to take apprenticeship programs. A pilot project, 'Your Money, Your Life, Your Way,' will be introduced by the York Region Separate School Board and the Upper Canada District School Board next fall. This program was developed by 25 women volunteers from the financial, consulting and edu­ cation sectors who came together to draft a teachers' resource that encom­ passes math and economics, plus fami­ ly and business studies courses - as outlined in the new curriculum. "This will teach female students about the importance of opening their own bank account and saving money," said Cunningham. Cunningham would like to see more female high school students entering apprenticeship programs. "We see a lot of Grade 11, 12 and OAC students taking these apprentice­ ship programs, but no women. Every year I go back to these programs to ask what they're doing to get the young women into their programs, and next year I'm going to ask them to show me the numbers, because I'm losing patience." Cunningham believes "there's opportunity out there for women, and I'm very strong about women taking advantage of them. University gradu­ ates are still the best paid, however, women are challenged to come up with a business plan which includes paying back their student loans." She said money for an education, or retraining, "is hard to find, but it's out there." Laura-Lee Thomas of London, a self-made entrepreneur, attended the conference to explain how she came off welfare and launched her business, Dr. Doolittle's, a heath food store for pets, through the London Community Small Business Centre, six years ago. "When I first went to this centre, they told me I couldn't take their cours­ es because I didn't have any money and was on welfare," said Thomas, who now has sales of $400,000 a year and enough inquiries about franchising to open six new locations. "So I went back home and found the money. I sold my car, took in a boarder, and took the course." Thomas is one of four women entre­ preneurs featured in the Advancing Women's Economic Independence: Ontario's Success Story booklet detail­ ing job statistics and choices for female high school students. She is one of three women entrepreneurs featured in the January-February 1999 Ontario Business Report published by the Ontario Ministry of Economics, Development, Trade and Tourism. (See 'Cunningham' page C5) ' NBA executive off to the Big Apple B y K a th y Y a n c h u s SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER It's a long way from Winnipeg to New York City. "And it's a long way from Oakville to New York City," laughs Ken Derrett, Managing Director o f NBA Canada, Inc., who has been named Senior Vice-President, Marketing Partnerships, of NBA Properties Inc. and will be leaving Oakville for the Big Apple this month. "We've been here since 1991 and it's a very great place to raise a fami­ ly," said the 42-year-old father of two. One of the "toughest" parts of the decision to leave Oakville and his Toronto-based position, was the lifestyle and friendships he and his family currently enjoy. With the fami­ ly firmly entrenched in their neighbor­ hood, school and Oakville's stellar sports scene, it's taking some persua­ sion on his part. With 20 years of sports marketing experience, the Winnipeg native is sliding into a job with which he feels extremely comfortable. After being named Canada's first NBA employee four years ago, he spent half of the first four months in the New York office. "When I walked into the New York office, it was like walking into my second office," said Derrett. "I have a lot to learn. I'll be on a learning curve." Every aspect of his current job will be magnified as he takes on the responsibility of building the NBA globally. Agreements will certainly be larger as will the scope of his proper­ ties. Derrett will be creating market­ ing programs that link leading con­ sumer brands not just to the NBA, but to the WNBA and USA Basketball. One of the most fascinating ingre­ dients of his new position, which will involve travel throughout the U.S. as well as some international destina­ tions and Canada (he will continue to manage the Canadian NBA opera­ tion), is the opportunity to work with the NBA's senior management team including commissioner David Stem. Derrett regards Stern as "an unbeliev­ able man with unbelievable vision" who has brought the organization to incredible heights. The New York office may have only 14 employees, but Derrett will be interfacing with hundreds of different people in his travels. And of course, there'll be life after Michael Jordan to contend with, as Ken Derrett: off to New York City for the NBA well as regaining the trust and loyalty of the fans after the NBA's labor trou­ bles. "There will never be another Michael Jordan. We all knew that day would come. We didn't want to face it. He has made an incredible contri­ bution to the sport and we are indebt­ ed to him." To circumvent the loss, other play­ ers will have to step up and "coverage will have to be extended to other play­ ers and that's good for the game." To combat the potential loss of fans due to the lockout, the league pre­ pared a structured umbrella plan exe­ cuted by individual teams to win back fans, he said. It began last fall and involved strategies to regain fan interest and momentum, said Derrett. "It was a very well thought out plan on both sides of the border," said Derrett, involving a TV component, open scrimmages, a free pre-season game and teams offering a minimum number of $10 seats. "The objective was to demonstrate what the fans mean and that we appre­ ciate their support and patience." "I think we've recovered at this point," said Derrett, noting that bas­ ketball has infiltrated all of the major networks as well as print. As Derrett leaves the Canadian operation, at least physically, an office he built up to 13 employees, he does so with a feeling of satisfaction. His staff, he said, is committed to the business, and worked diligently with sponsorship and marketing pro­ grams, the media, special events, con­ sumer product sales and grassroots basketball development. Working within the confines of a country boast­ ing two teams "helped elevate the interest and awareness in a short peri­ od of time." To develop the game in a country which grows up on hockey, it was necessary to embark on partnerships with corporate Canada to demonstrate "what opportunity there was with the NBA." Derrett feels he and his staff have done an admirable job of explaining what the game is about and what to expect. This was not an easy task considering for the first year and a half, they were selling the game on image only. "The first game was not until October of '95." There must be a certain patience level but Derrett feels "both Canadian franchises have shown a marked improvement on the floor" and new collective bargaining agreements mean that teams will have the ability to sign longer term agreements hold­ ing onto superstars longer and offer­ ing fans continuity. Raptors' and Grizzlies' jerseys are in the stores and their images are in the community he added. "And where can you not find hoops and a backboard? Kids are playing in greater numbers and TV ratings are enjoying growth." Even Derrett plays recreational basketball on a regular basis, but in current years his participation in sports dwindled as he became more active on the career side. "I've had an interest in basketball since childhood. I played a little in high school and in college." He was also passionate about foot­ ball and hockey, watching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Jets as well as the city's junior hockey franchise. After his graduation from Laurentian University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration, he worked for the Canadian Football League and at Labatt Breweries as Manager, Sports Properties. His career has enabled him to be a spectator at major sporting events including the Olympics, "where he was thrilled to see Donovan Bailey" strike gold. As he became more exposed to basketball he converted to the game very quickly. 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