The Winter Edition

Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. I am really excited about adopting this new format for my newsletter and hope that you like what it's all about.

The Winter Edition

Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. I am really excited about adopting this new format for my newsletter and hope that you like what it's all about.



Happy Holidays and my very best wishes to you for a healthy, abundant and joyous New Year...making it great in 2008...that's my motto for the year ahead.


One way to make it great is to volunteer...on December 5th, the world celebrated International Volunteer Day. It's a way to recognize volunteerism. In Toronto, CITY TV staffers were involved with building a house for a family in need through Habitat For Humanity. Recently, I gave up a couple of hours on a Saturday to help prepare a meal for the homeless...my good associate and business woman Gail Hutton takes time out of her business life to spearhead this event that helps the homeless...She feels that in life...you have to have meaning and by volunteering she finds that in helping others.

I know I have been a mentor to a young entrepreneur and am on the board of directors at the place I pray at.



I have helped the homeless, raised funds for the Kids Help Phone, coached individuals, made phone calls, walked the Terry Fox walk a few times...the bottom line is when I volunteer, I get to enrich my own life.


I remember when I was with the Kids Help Phone Foundation. I assisted them for 5 years. I was in the promotional products business and met a ton of contacts through my work with the Kids Help Phone Foundation. I enjoyed doing that more than networking to be honest.

When I volunteer I feel real, a connection, like I am making a contribution and I am networking believe me. Only the networking isn't forced...it's natural...people you volunteer with get to see the "real" you. A you with time pressures, with assigned tasks, with ideas, with a helping hand.

If we are really going to make a shift in the world, it starts with us. Helping eachother...making a difference. 2008 is about community. We're already hearing the phrase "Buy local, shop local". We want to make our communities stronger and volunteering is a good place to start.

Rules of thumb though...get involved with something you're passionate about. Make sure you involve your business associates. My good associate Shawn Shepheard let's us all know about his involvement with Team Diabetes...he is a diabetic and the guy is hero in my books having run 3-4 marathons for that very cause...believe me Shawn let's everyone know about this charity and the work he's up too.

You may also find that going to those monthly networking sessions isn't bringing you much joy...well there is no better place to network then at an association you're lending time and energy too.

As you look ahead to 2008...choose a charity that you want to become actively involved with and volunteer...it makes good business sense. Why you ask?

Well...the networking you can do while you donate your time is one reason. The other is that you can test your skills sets to a new limit and bring that back to the business you run. Lastly, if you promote your involvement with a charity then let your clients know...it really puts you in a different position in the minds of your customers. You are now part of the community. You aren't just taking, you're giving something back.

Companies now are encouraging their staff to volunteer too. It brings forth better comraderie at work, it unites the team, and it helps to retain employees as well.

The facts are there believe me. It fills the soul when you volunteer. Be it your own or the soul of the company you own or work with.

In my religion, (Judaism) there is a standard by which we live. It's known as TIKKUN OLAM (teak oon Olam) and it means to mend the world. To make the world a better place while you were here. I live by that philosophy in my work and in my volunteerism. It's a good feeling too...seeing a project get completed.

In the new year, commit to volunteering and watch your sales and business improve vastly.




David Cohen



It's a jammed pack newsletter this month...as we are featuring two articles...the second is courtesy my good friend and associate Peter Miller...I think you'll like reading it.


There is a solution to everything!
By Peter Miller
Essential Communications
905-668-4141


Two years ago this May, driving through northern Portugal with another couple we encountered a dilemma which was about to ruin a good portion of our vacation. That morning we had left a lovely posada (historic resort) along the banks of the Douro River and had traveled winding mountainous roads with many stops for breathtaking views and small villages to reach our destination of Guimares. Arriving, I noticed the red knapsack, containing all our passports, prepaid hotel vouchers and airline tickets was missing. Upon reflection I could only hope I had left it at the checkout. To say I was unpopular was an understatement. We proceeded to tell the clerk at our new destination our story, register and attempt to figure out our next steps. However it got worse, we were told we were a day early. More trouble. The manager appeared, reached out his hand, welcomed us and simply stated “not to worry there is a solution to everything”. Sure enough he methodically worked his way through our situation first verifying that the knapsack was actually where we thought it was, then looked at alternatives for us to be reunited with the knapsack. He found that one of the staff from the previous posada actually lived reasonably close to where we were and arrangements were made for him to bring it when he came off shift. Everything else was resolved and we celebrated our good fortune - a few euros later. I will always remember the outstanding customer service provided by the manager but more his philosophy that there is a solution to everything. I use that in my life now and while it may seem intuitive, actually thinking that way has made a difference. So as life's day to day challenges hit you in the face, I think you'll find, as I do, that if you think that there is a solution - you too will find one.

If you service your clients with that philosophy your business can not help but flourish.



Happy Holidays!!!

EVENTS:

This is one event I just love...it's a time where you can come together in prayer and meditation with all of mankind...and pray for peace, for abundance...for health, for the planet, for eachoter.

Plan to attend on the morning of December 31st...

It's the...

22nd
World Healing Event



Join the millions worldwide in the 22nd
World Peace Prayer/Meditation

Monday, December 31, 2007
6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
(Noon G.M.T.)

In Toronto the festivities are held at

St. Lawrence Hall
157 King Street East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(Southwest corner of King and Jarvis Streets)

For more info...log onto...

http://www.peace-the-21st.org/dec31/


The DSHBA has there next networking event on January 2nd...log ont www.dhsba.com to find out more about Durhams choice for networking

Also Small Biz Home Biz United starts up too in January with some networking events too...very friendly, relaxed and cozy...log onto www.smallbizhomebizunited.com

The Business Advisory Centre Durham is putting calls out to young people who want to start a business this summer. The Summer Company Program is taking applications for the 2008 program. If you are 18-29...and going back to school next year...then Summer Company may be the program for you. Log onto www.bacd.ca

Wanna start a business? Essential Communications in Whitby is taking applications for the Ontario Self Employment Benefit Program...if you are on E.I. or have been in the past 3 years and have a viable business idea, then the OSEB program might be the one for you. You get 8 weeks of business training, a completed business plan and also...income support and coaching for your first 48 weeks in business. Call Essentials at 905-668-4141 or log onto www.essentialcommunications.ca