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19 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 15, 2009 MEET THE COMMITTEE... MICHAEL R. HAINES, PRESIDENT, QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS O/A M&A NETWORK BILL DODGE, ADVERTISING/MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE, THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Mike is a past president of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and has established a successful career built on years of involvement in finance, credit, banking and business development, with an overlay of computer technology, and software for quality management. Mike also served as a systems analyst for the world's best-known credit reporting firm, and owns and operates a successful business brokerage business, a computer consulting practice serving the SME market and a software distribution company for quality software products. Mike possesses excellent relationship and business development skills, together with a singular strength in identifying key success factors in the businesses he serves. BILL WEIS, PRESIDENT, THE HRD GROUP Bill has a strong background in sales, promotion and marketing. A graduate of The University of Western Ontario in honours Political Science and York University in business, he has been with the Oakville Beaver for seven years. He started two retail operations in the downtown core including a new venture for one of Canada's leading retailers. DAVID S. TANNER P.ENG, MBA, CFP, FINANCIAL CONSULTANT, INVESTORS GROUP After a career in the financial industry spanning almost 30 years, Dave is now a financial consultant with Investors Group focusing on helping small businesses with their financial planning needs. Dave is also a Professional Engineer, an MBA and a Certified Financial Planner. Bill Weis founded the HRD Group in 1998 following a 30-year career in broadcast sales, marketing, media management and strategic planning. During that period he developed training programs in strategic business building and human resource development, specifically in the areas of sales and sales management training, negotiating skills, interpersonal managing skills, communication and presentation skills. SARAH ANACLETO, ACCOUNT MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA TOM SAVOY, SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR, TD CANADA TRUST Sarah works with entrepreneurs in all industries through all economic cycles and helps start-up businesses in their development projects, as well as putting them in touch with the BDC Consulting services. Her focus is on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Tom is a Small Business Advisor at the 321 Iroquois Road & Trafalgar branch of TD Canada Trust. He has volunteered to become the financial advisor on the Chamber's Business Advisory Panel. The Business Advisory Panel was formed by the Oakville Chamber to provide small business owners with a venue to ask questions and gain new ideas to help their businesses prosper.Tom's 29 years of banking experience with TD Canada Trust brings credibility when dispensing advice to new business owners. He has a background in branch administration, Human Resources, Commercial Credit, Professional Banking, Private Banking, Branch Management and also holds a Personal Financial Planning designation. WOLF VON BRISINSKI, PRESIDENT, STELLEUR WORLDWIDE INC. LINDSAY PUDER, MARKETING GURU, BRASH AVENUES Brash Avenues is a full service marketing company working with you for all your marketing needs. We specialize in branded merchandise, offering you full services from graphic design, loyalty programs, custom designed products, unique packaging and mail campaigns. Wolf von Brisinski and his wife Monika enjoy their residency in Oakville since 1989 and are members of the Oakville Chamber for the last 4 years. Wolf is proud and honoured to serve on the SMALL BUSINESS WEEK Committee of the Oakville Chamber. Wolf and Monika are helping Business Owners to cut costs, increase sales and grow their Businesses through the PPL Identity Theft Shield, Group Benefit and Small Business Solutions program. ED FOSTER, PRESIDENT, THE TAX ADVISORY/THE INCORPORATORS/THE BUSINESS ADVISORY JERRY BALICE, IT SPECIALIST Jerry Balice has over 18 years of experience in the high-tech Computer Networking industry supporting various customer verticals in the Federal & Provincial governments, Telecom, Corporate and Private Industry. Jerry spent the past 17 years with D-Link Networks, being responsible for supporting, developing and managing the start-up and evolution of all aspects of the information technology department for D-Link. In addition to the I.T. department responsibilities, Jerry has worked in a business development group supporting Federal, Telecom and SME businesses. Jerry was responsible for the startup and evolution of the Canadian Call Centre's in both Oakville and Mississauga. Today, he also provides his services and support as an IT consultant and as Project Manager in a building facilities role. Ed has 23 years of proven corporate experience at both the domestic and international levels in both the private and public sectors. Ed has held the positions of Vice President And Chief Financial Officer, Assistant General Manager, Director of Manufacturing, Director of Operations and Director of New Business Development providing him with the experience necessary to serve clients with a high level of competence. Ed is a member of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and recently sat on its Home based Business, Small Business, Strategic Marketing, Small Business Week and Marketing Committees and chairs The Business Advisory Panel. He is also a member of the Burlington Chamber Of Commerce. Diversify your export markets, but don't give up on the U.S. Bruce McConnell, Vice President, BDC ConsultingCanadian companies could be forgiven for thinking the United States is one of the last markets they should pursue for new export opportunities. Its economic growth is forecast to contract 1.6% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and its "Buy American" provisions for federal stimulus money are making it difficult for Canadian and other foreign companies to land government contracts. As well, Export Development Canada (EDC) is forecasting a 21% decline this year for Canadian exports to the U.S. ­ partly due to fewer orders and partly due to reduced prices. "We haven't seen drops like that since the 1960s" says Denis L'Heureux, regional vice-president, small business solutions at EDC. With all this doom and gloom, why are experts still telling Canadian exporters to look south of the border? "The U.S. is still our largest trading partner by far, and that's not going to change tomorrow. Our close proximity continues to make us the envy of the world" L'Heureux says. While trade with the U.S. is weaker than before, L'Heureux says it's critical for Canadian exporters to keep seeking opportunities in the U.S. and start preparing now for the inevitable rebound of the world's largest economy. "It's really important to nurture your relationships with U.S. customers, so that when the recovery kicks in, your company will be top of mind." Bruce McConnell, Vice President, BDC Consulting (Business Development Bank of Canada Consulting), prefers to look at the global recession from a "glass half full" perspective, stressing that every economic downturn also brings opportunities. "If you've never exported, the most important thing is to start small, but start now" McConnell says. "Your first stab at exporting might be close by, either in the U.S. or just across the border provincially. It will still give you experience in developing a new market." For more experienced exporters, McConnell urges companies to think creatively in identifying new markets. This may involve developing different uses for your product for a new market or forging new distribution channels that open new export opportunities. Exporting overseas is still smart business Of course, North America isn't the only market in the world and entrepreneurs should pursue opportunities in regions that continue to outperform most industrialized countries. In July, the IMF reported that Asia is set for a stronger performance than earlier anticipated. The IMF now says that China will grow by 7.5% and India by 5.4% in 2009. Latin America also holds promise, with the World Bank predicting economic growth of 2% in 2010. "Many Canadian companies are in an excellent position to take advantage of these opportunities" McConnell says. "According to a recent Conference Board of Canada report, Canada is expected to recover from the recession better than most industrialized countries because it entered the downturn in a healthier position. That sends a very positive message to potential customers in foreign markets." Canada's stronger economic position also means fewer roadblocks to lining up trade financing. Opportunities include loans and lines of credit to foreign companies buying from Canada, equity financing, loan guarantees to banks, and loans to help Canadian companies invest in projects or operations abroad. Continued on page 23