Leaf Solutions Co-sponsors Yukon Convention Bureau Bravo Awards

Posted on by
Reply

Recently our company sponsored the Yukon Convention Bureau Bravo Awards with our co-sponsor, Westmark Whitehorse. The  annual Bravo Awards consist of 2 awards:

The “Bravo” Award  is awarded to local groups or individuals who, through their efforts have secured or assisted in the planning of a meeting held in the Yukon. 

This year the Bravo award was given to the Planning Committee for the Western Canada Music Alliance Breakout West Music Festival which was held in Whitehorse, Yukon, October 23 – 26, 2011. Music Yukon was the local host. A planning committee of 17 dedicated members worked hard to make the event happen.The Breakout West Music Festival was the first of it’s kind to be held in the Yukon. It brought significant recognition and economic impact to our territory.

The “Golden Award”  is awarded to a Yukon Convention Bureau Member who has raised the bar in terms of customer service in the meeting and event industry of the Yukon.

The 2011 Golden Award recipent was Yukon Brewing Company Ltd. in recognition of their efforts in hosting the VIP reception for Music Yukon as part of the Breakout West Music Festival. They went out of their way to convert their brewery into a inviting venue for national and  international music dignitaries. More so, the Yukon Brewing Company has consistently raised the bar within the Yukon Meeting Industry through many sponsorships and donations to many meeting/events in the Yukon.

As a meeting planner I know that planners seek unique destinations with “excellence” in terms of the products/services they provide. And, as a Yukon meeting planner I know that “excellence” can be found here. Many outside planners do not. Our company chose to  co-sponsor these awards to support our local industry, recognize those who have contributed to its “excellence” and as a means of getting the word out to meeting/event planners. 

The meeting, event and incentive travel industry is a lucrative one. Planners will pay the price for a unique experience if it is supported by “excellent” products and services. Planners are interested in our unique territory – our vibrant history, natural wonders and cultural. However, our uniqueness peaks interest only – it is our excellence that brings them here and ensures they come back. 

To those meeting/event planners seeking a unique experience backed by excellence.  It can be found here, in Canada’s Yukon.

A Different Christmas Party

Posted on by
Reply

This Christmas, my staff and I have decided to have a “different” Christmas party.  In the past our annual christmas party included a gift exchange where we bought an anomymous gift and made a game out of it by picking and bartering for the gift we wanted.  It was a lot of fun.

This year however, one of my staff said she would rather not do the gift exchange.  So, we put our heads together and decided we wanted to really get into the Christmas spirit by doing something for others.  And, we wanted to incorporate that “spirit” into our Christmas party.

We decided to buy gifts for kids who may not get them otherwise and have our party at the same time.  We will close the office one afternoon and shop, in teams of 2, for the presents.  We will then head back to the office and enjoy some Christmas “cheer”.

Here the program is called “Santa’s Sleigh”, we buy gifts for a girl or boy of a certain age group and deliver them to Bank of Montreal who in turn, arranges distribution. 

When we decided to do this, one of my employees began investigating the procedures and explained our party idea to “Santa’s Sleigh” (BMO) staff.  The folks at “Santa’s Sleigh” were intrigued by the idea. They hadn’t heard of a company having a Christmas party like this before.  I am certain there are other companies who have taken on such initiatives.  If not, I hope  they will consider it.  Why?  Because I have noticed something….my staff and I are excited,  looking forward to an afternoon of shopping for the “kids” and having fun together. This can only be good for business… staff and management pulling together to do something good and having fun doing it! 

But there is something bigger happening here. It isn’t about business or staff/employee relationships … that is simply a “bonus”.  This year a few children will receive gifts from staff and managment of Leaf Solutions.  They will unwrap their gifts with joy and excitement.  Little do they know the joy and excitement we have experienced by the simple act of giving. 

Already our “different” christmas party has make a difference!

Driving Business..our Economic Force!

Posted on by
Reply

I read an article in the October issue of Corporate Meetings & Events yesterday on Driving Economic Force in the meeting and events industry. The article speaks with regard to convention centres. I think the message holds true for the overall industry as well. 

As a member of the Yukon Convention Bureau for many years I have experienced the challenges of measuring the economic impact of our industry. The benefits of holding meetings in communities permeates across many sectors.  As a meeting planner who has rented outhouses, hired cleaners, rented forklifts etc.  I know that economic impact is far more than heads in beds and renting a convention facility. The problem is in the measurement of that success.  It also extends to the “communication” of that success and garnering the support of the local community and governments.

Within my own business, I have felt the impacts of the recession, the effects of the changes in the global economy, and the impact of  ever changing technology.  It has caused me to re-evaluate how we can stay competitive and  “drive” business to us.  I  have come to similar conclusions as those in the article with regard to alignment with other parts of the business, professional and academic community.  

I would add that driving economic force also extends to the active involvement in organizations that promote our industry and economy. Organizations such as the Yukon Convention Bureau allow us to speak collectively to government, market our destination internationally and drive our economy locally.  It is incumbent upon those of us in the industry to get involved, drive our industry and our economy.

 

 

Business matters!

Posted on by
Reply

When I began self-employment 23 years ago, a client wanted our company to work with a competitor on a project.  Unfortunately that competitor refused and said they didn’t “recognize” my company.  As we are in a small city and I know many people here (including my competitors), that statement smarted! 

After I dusted off my ego, I remembered who’s opinion is important.  It really is what the client thinks that matters!

I moved on and built my company on a real desire to serve my clients to the best of my ability, which has always included finding complimentary expertise when required. 

Over the years, we have served many clients with a long lists of credentials.  They choose our company and remain with us because of our focus on quality, fair pricing and service.  We enjoy repeat business from most of our clients and we are respected for our hard work and integrity.

As for that competitor who didn’t recognize me or my company, I think he may have done me a favour by cementing in my mind respect for the opinion that really matters: our clients’!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small Business Week

Posted on by
1

I looked up some interesting facts on small business in Canada which you may find interesting.  Check out:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/smallbusiness/story/2011/10/04/f-smallbiz-by-the-numbers.html  It confirms what I have known since becoming a business owner myself many years ago. Small Business is the backbone of the Canadian economy. 

Personally, I think, we Small Businesses don’t often get our “dues”. It is a challenge to own and operate a small business in today’s gobal economy.  It is no longer what happens in our own community that affects businesses.  What happens thousands of miles away affects us too. 

Technology has dramatically affected the way we do business as well.  The goal is to keep ahead of it.  The reality in the small business world is that we often keep abreast with it.  And, we simply can’t be left behind!  Our livelihood/survival depends on it.

Here in the Yukon, our population is small compared to other regions. They say our economy is “booming”.  However, the “booms” tend to be in specific sectors. Government is the largest employer and service contractor.  Industry, can “boom” and “bust” .

So, why do I continually fight for my small piece of the business “pie”?  Sometimes I wonder, but really the challenges  of being a small business owner/operator are also benefits.  There is something to be said for using your talents to the best of your ability, challenging yourself, contributing to the community, leading others  …all while providing the basic necessities of life.  On a good day I am invigorated, ready to meet any challenge… on a less than good day, I wonder why I do it.  Either way, I am a small business owner.