business news SklIar-Peppler earns Trillum awards Sklar was firetin the occasional chair category for their 710 wing chair, and aIse took firet in the sectional category for their 390 modem contemporaay sections1. Sklar also received menit (second-place) awards for their Homestyles concept and 322 OPEN Mon-Frn 10-8 Soturdoy 10 . 6 50 Iokns St., Whtby (416)430-8061 Fax 4300795 * I der4 Padgett worry for you *SmalI Business Income Tax " Personat Tax " T4's & Govt. Reports " Corporation Tax PADGETT BUSINESS SERV.CES has been helplnçj satisfl.d clients for over 25 yeara......... TAKE ADVANTAGE 0F OUR: SYear Round Availability ~Free Tax Planning Advice (Friendly Service SAccurate Workan SAffordable Cost Sllar-Peper of Whitby wae firet in two categoies in the irecent Trillium awarde compe- tition. plant currently with a workforce of 3Ã0, has the «capacity te satiafy an increased demand,» says Tweedy. Sklar, in 1988, exported $12 million worth of furniture. The plant had a workforce of 450 in 1989. But exporte declined signi- ficantly when the Canadian dol- lar went up -- "the increase in the dollar killed us," says Tweedy. Meanýwhile U.S. furniture- makers gfained a sizeable portion of the Canadian market -- the U.S. makers had a.40 per cent market share in Canada in 1992. The lower Canadian dollar is once again helping Sklar and other Canadian makers -- and Tweedy.sys dealers are recog- nizing that Canadian-made fur- niture offers better qualîty. and value. Sklar-Peppler also has a plant in Mississippi. With a workforce of 220, the plant make lower-end furniture products. Sklar also has a 20 per cent share in a Hanover, Ont. ope- ration. Sklar closed the plant in Octeber 1991 but worked with the plant's employees and the Ontario Development Corp. te revive the operation that pro- duces dining room furniture. Whitby 66-400 Toronto 733-805 ITEL (416) 7251155 TORONTO0LN~E 4282 89AX(46)57"MZ On du..6 Thurm.&rL.eve Canada Trust Br 408 Dundas Si W.i Wltby, Ontai CAA eetmrgj TRUS package in canala? ti @Umnd... uiasaudvklsd , W- L... . ' ' £ The Employmnent Equity Act and Regulatione will be th tepi* of a meeting at theHoligy [n in Oshawa on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The meeting will be held by the Durhamn Region Epomn Equity Network (DREN, a net- work for human resource profes- sionale and employment equity practitioners. The luncheon meeting will be held frin 11:46 amn. te 2 p.m. ickets are $25. For registratiori. cail Elizabeth igeArthur at 721-2000 (eit. Mi9. Paas 14, Whitiy Fmoe PmssWoMdacy. Jauay 27, 190 suite in the ennual awards com- petition held b y the Ontario Fur- niture Manufacturers' Associa- tion and Ontario government te recognize excellence in Ontario- made furniture., The Homestyles concept, through which furniture dealers can obtain made-to-order designs and styles in 21 days, was deve- loped in 1991 and implefiented in 1992. Sklar-Pepp 1er chair Bob Tweedy says -Honiestyles is part of the company's thrust to become "dealer-sensitive" -- through the just-in-time" sys- teni. Homestyles addresses the deli- very neede of dealers who "don't want te carry too much product" and stock inventory. Tweedy says 95 per cent of orders are met on time through Homestyles -- "Th.ats been very successful for us."' Unlike other furniture corn- panies, Sklar offers many (31) diffrent styles in a large range of fabrics -- up to 220. Tweedy says that after more than two years of tough times for furniture-niakers, the last few months have given "indications» that the bettom has been rea- ched and Canadian manufac- turera are now poised te regain their market share. "The comppanies that have sur- vived are in good shape now," ho says. Sklar, for exemple, recently got ordere from dealers in New York state, and the Whitby The intrapreneur's 10 commandments (NC) Entrepreneurs at heart, intrapreneurs worlç inside corpor- ations. Brealdng stereotypes and, at times, rules, intrapreneurs are creative, hard-working assets te any corporation. They develiop new marketing and product ideas, firid innovative ways te save money and are the beet way to boost corporations te the top of the heap. What are intraprenours like? Here'e their code: 1. Thou shaît allow thy creativity and innovation te fiow freely. 2. Thou shaît follow thy dreem and find ways of making it a reality. 3. Thou sheit turn a blind eye to thy job description if it makes thy dreamn come true. 4. Thou sheit overcome roadblocks aimed at stopping thy dreain. 5. Thou shaît enliet the help of others. 6. Thou shat choose only the most qualified team mrembers. 17. Thou shat avoid the spotlight -- too much attention may lamper thy dream. 8. Thou shaît be a renegrade corne te work every day willing to be fired. 9. Thou ehalt be willing te, take rieka. 10. Thou shalt honour the hand that feeds thee but, ultimately, be true te thyself. Strategies for '93 Stepping from 1992 te 1993 for many people feels like moving frmthe frying pan and into the fire - particularly if you are in the business of business. While the signa of optimism are beginning te slowly unfold, prudency stili causes us te hold our carda close te our cheste until some real tangible evidence is laid before us te truly feel confident. It je during times like this that associations, partnerships and networks of fellow business pereons can be invaluable te your strategies, self-confidence and survivability in these tumultuous times. People like yourselves who have earned the scar tissue' and 'experience in the real world' that by eharing with other associates,. can be truly the most valuable resource of all te businesses in your community. The WVhitby Chamber of Commerce provides thie ideal network or channel for exchange. During 1993, the chamber's key strategy is value for, its members. Our perspective of the value that we muet provide you this year will corne fromý high profile guest speaker dinner meetings, special seminars and sessions, liaison services and information resources, high profile public communications, a dependable media voice te express your concerne and, most importantly, a renewed thrust inte volunteer participation in our new orgenization structure that depends on your commitment. We believe -our perspective is on the mark, but we also reinforce our volunteer thrust by asking your opinion and involvement te make thinge better to suit your perspective of value. In general, 1993 will likely continue te provide a great many controversial issues as there were in 1992. Our~ federal and provincial governments continue te provide us with a never-ending source of new challenges as we try to keep our shipe afloat. It is important, however, for us as chamber members te provide leaaersp in these difficult times and te ensure clarity of understanding and that factuel, not emotional, perspectives and solutions are presented te ail of our partners te consider whenever legielative, social or community changes are being tabled. This is a time for respect amonget these partnere of ours in business, governnient and labour and te realize our etrength together as opposed te singular entities often duplicating effort. Finally, Md like te express particular thanke te the chamber's p ast president TÈrevor Bardens who proyided the kind of leadership and support we needed in 1992 b; begin our strategic shift, te Deb Pilip our general manager who mentors the weak and applauds the etrong and te some significant players who leave us in 1993. Anne Nurse, second vice-president and Vicki Deighten, executive secretary, after a number of dedicated years on the chaxnber executive are leaving these very demanding poste te strengthen their commitments te their own businesses. Por their often unacknowledged effort behind the scenes over the yeare, thenk you very much ... ail of you. WaveOuse KEITH A. JACKSON Certified General Accountant 701 Rossland Rd. E. Suite 208, WHITBY(corner of Rossland & Garden 430-2460 INCOM, TA Let 1