Make Old Love New Again

 Posted by at 7:22 am  Business, Finance & Communication  No Responses »
Mar 282012
 

By Rose Pellar

Did you ever expect a Divorce Lawyer to talk about keeping love alive?  I am on a campaign to help couples keep their love alive because I know that in so many cases, divorce or separation need not happen.

Rose Pellar, B.A.S., LL.B.

Rose Pellar, B.A.S., LL.B.

Remember how you felt when you first fell in love with your spouse?  You anticipated with excitement the next time you were going to see him.  You even took extra care with your appearance and you were more attuned to his needs and desires.   You were interested in that person’s goals, his friends, his families and his hobbies. You were both more considerate of each other and wanted to please each other.   Do you ever wish you could feel that way again or at least feel you are in a relationship that is alive, if not vibrant?

People, it does not happen on its own.  Love takes work.  A new relationship takes even more work, so why not invest your time and effort into making that old love new again?

When he talks to you, no matter what the topic…listen, give feed back.  Many wives (and husbands too) complain “We don’t talk any more.”  People (and husbands and wives are no different) like to feel important.  When last did you make your spouse feel important?  When last did they make you feel important?  Use words of affirmation to each other.

Life can be very hectic and we as individuals get carried away with busyness that we spend little time with the people we care about.  This is upside down thinking.  The things or people we care about the most deserve our attention the most.  Spend quality time with your spouse.   Don’t forget date nights!

It feels great to get a gift for Christmas, birthdays and Valentines but doesn’t a gift for no reason at all feel even more wonderful?  A gift doesn’t have to be expensive – it could be a cup of coffee – just something that will tell your spouse you thought about him.  Give gifts for no reason at all.

What about being of service to your spouse?  Maybe ironing his shirt if he usually does that himself or picking up his drug prescription from the store.  Make acts of service part of your communication.

Did you used to hold hands, hug and kiss each other?  Humans need physical touch in order to thrive.  Start being tactile again.  A gentle touch on the hand or arm demonstrates caring.  Holding hands say “I’m here for you” or “I feel safe with you”.

It may sound as if it’s a one way street, it is not.  In order to receive one must first give.

I highly recommend you read “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman and take action if you want to make your old love new again.

Rose Pellar, B.A.S., LL.B.
Barrister & Solicitor, Notary
Pellar  Family Law Professional Corporation
www.pellarfamilylaw.com

 

Why an Advisory Board

 Posted by at 7:00 am  Business, Finance & Communication  No Responses »
Mar 202012
 
Richard Ziemski

By Rick Ziemski

 “Some of us learn from other people’s mistakes and the rest of us have to be the other people.”

~ Zig Ziglar

 

Richard Ziemski

Personal experience is a great teacher and we humans learn from both good and bad experiences. However personal experiences are time consuming and bad ones are usually costly. So I can’t help but wonder why more business people don’t use the experiences of others to shorten the learning and reduce costly mistakes.

Larger businesses that hire capable and empowered management teams and boards of directors do benefit from the experience of others. Unfortunately, for small business the costs of these infrastructures are not affordable and the owner/managers tend to look to themselves exclusively for the vision and operating expertise needed by the business. What they fail to realize is that the demands of a growing business will sooner or later outgrow their skill sets.

Smart entrepreneurs overcome this problem by using an advisory board which is defined as; “a group of individuals selected to help advise a business owner regarding various business issues including marketing, sales, financing, expansion etc; a body that advises but does not have authority to vote on corporate matters.” The group usually deals with both operational matters inside the business and also with the business environment including legal, financial and other trends that may affect the business. In this regard it is wise to select carefully the right individuals with the right functional expertise such as finance, marketing, human resources etc. A pivotal resource is someone with strong CFO experience.

The first key to creating an effective board is to pick not only individuals with strong technical capabilities but ones that have the experience and success behind them; successful problem solvers. Equally, they need to be a cohesive group that works well together and relates well to the owner/manager. A very thorough search process and due diligence is needed when putting this team together. Tapping into strong networks is the best way to find good members. A key to having motivated members is to pick those who have a true interest in the nature of the business at hand.

The second key for an effective board is to actually use the advice. There is nothing more demoralizing to a board than a business owner/manager who gives only lip service to the ideas and recommendations of the board. It usually ends in members resigning. People who join advisory boards do so for the love of truly helping the company succeed. In fact, compensation for an advisory board isn’t necessarily costly if members are highly motivated by their involvement. Compensation can range from monthly retainers to payment per meeting or to some form of stock participation like stock options.

The fundamental issue to resolve before structuring an advisory board is to honestly understand and accept your own shortcomings in depth, experience and knowledge, and to know that you can leave your ego at home when it comes to working with your board.

W. R. Ziemski, C.A.
Management Consultant
rickziemski@cogeco.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/rickziemski

 

Making Global Connections Through Networking

 Posted by at 7:07 pm  Business, Finance & Communication  No Responses »
Mar 122012
 
Susan Baka

Susan Baka

I’m a firm believer in the power of networking. Advances in technology over the past decade have provided the opportunity to network beyond our borders and take our businesses global. In the past year, I visited Europe twice – in the spring and fall – and used the opportunity to connect with women entrepreneurs there.   I leveraged my membership in the Organization of Women in International Trade (www.owit.org), which is part of The International Alliance for Women (www.tiaw.org) to get introductions in advance via e-mail to women’s business organizations in Germany and Turkey that are also part of TIAW’s global network.

In Germany, I met with members of the European Women’s Management Development International Network (EWMD).When its President, Kris Hauf, told me about plans for a 2012 conference in Istanbul, the wheels spun into motion in my head. The prospect of visiting Istanbul and witnessing the blend of Eastern-Western cultures intrigued me. I began thinking about the possibility of organizing a trade mission for North American women to Istanbul in 2012.

Istanbul: a whirlwind

So I jumped at the opportunity to visit Istanbul this past fall as the guest of a friend who works for the World Law Group, which was holding its conference there. As in the spring, I leveraged the TIAW network to get introductions to women’s business organizations and entrepreneurs there. Thus began a truly amazing trip where one connection led to another and another. I had a whirlwind of meetings with incredibly dynamic entrepreneurs and their organizations, including EWMD, KAGIDER (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey) and Business & Professional Women (BPW Turkey), all of which represent excellent partners for a trade mission.

Each in turn introduced me to some of their members, whose business acumen and generosity of spirit were amazing. Through one of life’s moments of sheer serendipity, I met a Turkish entrepreneur with a business similar to mine, had an immediate connection and have already agreed to pursue a business partnership. A tour of her office felt like an instant second home.

I also visited Canada’s new Consulate in Istanbul and appreciated the reception received and hearing about the opportunities open to Canadian businesses.  I also met with Garanti Bank, a member of the Global Banking Alliance for Women.

Planning trade mission

To experience Istanbul from a business perspective was exhilarating. I was truly impressed by the dynamic business culture and the trip convinced me more than ever of the global trade opportunities that exist out there for us. No question, there is a strong network of collaborative partners in Turkey. I’m following up with them about a potential trade mission for women entrepreneurs to Istanbul this fall that will include a combination of one-on-one business meetings with other entrepreneurs and professionals, along with attending a conference to expand networking opportunities.

There is nothing quite like visiting a new country and experiencing a different culture when you have like-minded women at the other end. Indeed, it makes the possibilities limitless.

Susan Baka,
President, Bay Communications & Marketing Inc.
Specialists in business newsletters, web sites and marketing
www.baycomm.ca

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