lay, August 12, ~BUSINESS Company throws party to welcome new employees into the family and SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare â€" all possess different needs, customers, strategies and rules. In short, what he calls diverse "cultures." After building integration between these companies on a set of values and leadership practices, van Amersfoort said having them all on one campus will foster an environâ€" ment of synergy between them. That, after all, was what prompted the consolidation and expansion in often treated like expendable chattel, SmithKline Beecham stands out as a lesson in enlightened relations with its workers. I n an time when employees are On Tuesday, the Oakvilleâ€"based firm hosted an "integration celebraâ€" tion" to observe the consolidation of two associate companies at its soonâ€" toâ€"beâ€"expanded Bristol Circle faciliâ€" ties and to welcome the 93 employâ€" ees who will reâ€"locate there next year from offices in Weston and Mississauga. According to SmithKline Beecham Pharma president Ger van Amersfoort, the three independent operations â€" which include SmithKline Beecham Animal Health new NONâ€"STEROID medication to treat mild asthma? Remuneration of up to $500 will be paid to patients participating in this study. To find out more please call: FRCP(C) Clinical Immunology, Allergy ‘Asthma *,* By HOWARD MOZEL Oakville Beaver Staff Are you between 18 and 70 years old, and have asthma? Would you like to take part in a clinical trial of a safe SmithKline Beecham to expand Oakyville facility Dr. P. Patel, M.D., Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. Multiple Sclerosis AA im A NPA TN A I THE OA Mrs. Donna Marsh of Oakville won two tickets to the playoff finals at SkyDome. Ian MacPherson, president of SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare, Ger van Amersfoort, president of SmithKline Beecham Pharma, and Tom Borders, general manager of SmithKline Beecham Animal Health toast the consolidation of their three companies at the Oakville facility. (Photo by Peter McCusker) the first place. options open to it, including reâ€"locatâ€" to the winner of our "World Championship of Basketball Winner". According to van Amersfoort, the decision to establish a head office was made about a year ago. At that time his company had several Thank you to all who entered! options open to it, including reâ€"locatâ€" ing to Quebec. Unlike Ontario, that province is "aggressively friendly" to pharmaceutical companies and as such was considered seriously. In the Mark and Patrice Shannette opened their second Microplay Video Games franchise store at Oakville Towne Centre I on Aug. 5th with Councillor Jim Smith cutting the ribbon. Microplay offers "everyâ€" thing to do with video games," explains Patrice, renting by day or by the week, to sales, tradeâ€"ins and repairs. Microplay has rapidly grown into Canada‘s largest video games store, with 60 franchises across the country and plans to expand to 150 outlets within the next four to six months. ‘"‘We‘re also moving into the United States," said Patrice, adding Microplay is one of the few exclusively video games business in Canada, dealing in all makes of video games. The Shannettes opened their Brampton store almost four years ago. Call 815â€"0384 (Photo by Riziero Vertolli) Transitions of this type can be trying, but SmithKline Beecham has gone out of its way to make its employees feel right at home. As part of Tuesday‘s activities the comâ€" pany implemented a buddy system which saw employees from each operation paired and information booths set up up around the building to introduce everyone to the integratâ€" ed operation. The day also included a barbecue lunch, a huge cake and a champagne toast. Bus tours of Oakville to familiarize employees with the town are also planned. "It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know each other," said van Amersfoort. Even so, work is now underway on a $3.8 million, 26,700 square foot addition to the Oakville offices. (Currently there is 40,610 square feet of office space and 32,600 square feet of warehouse.) A total of $1.2 million worth of information resources will be added over the next three years. The bulk of the project is expectâ€" ed to be complete by year‘s end, _ with the 93 people reâ€"locating in early 1995. This will bring the inâ€" house total to 219 employees, while those reporting to the Oakville office from across the country will rise from 115 to 182. end, however, the local alternative won out. "The Oakville community offered us opportunities none of the other communities could have offered us," said van Amersfoort, explaining the choice was made despite limitations to land on which to expand. Avoid Another area to exercise caution is with the use of leverage â€" the practice of borrowing funds to invest them. Leverage allows you to invest more money, and that is fine as long as the investment works out. Leverage can increase your gains, but it can also substantially magnify your losses. Also, investment loans â€" like other types of loans â€" require you to make regular interest payments. What happens if you lose your job or the value of your investment decreases? You should have a conâ€" tingency plan established before be wary of tax shelters. You almost always get nothing for nothing. No money down, investments can end up costing you later. The 1980s were famous for great tax shelter deals that went sour. Be careful if a tax shelter is presented to you. oday, this column will deal with some of the more comâ€" mon mistakes of investing and financial planning. The first rule for investing is to COMmMOn investment mistakes (See ‘Worst‘ page 27)