The Trend is towards making Community Stronger in 2010

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 Trend is towards making Community Stronger in 2010


Was that a year or what? 2009...we saw the arrival of the first ever Black President...the challenges that the economy brought, tighter money supplies, record bankruptcies, the loss of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett on the same day, baseballs New York Yankees spend their way to a world series, loss, divorce, challenges both personally and professionally and so much more.

So take a moment now to pat yourself on the back if you're still standing and in business! As small business owners we've collectively survived one of the most interesting years in history, from an global economic front, to changes in the environment, to changes in politics, media, communications and how we do business and live our lives.

Sadly, the change is going to continue. So brace yourselves. Be open, go with the flow, allow and don't get too attached to any one outcome, as long as you're well, alive and you have friends and family that love you...you're doing awesome!

On a personal note, this year has been a year of tough sledding. Working hard and not having a lot to show for it from a financial point of view at the end of the year. I am opting for joy in the New Year...Joy is my operative word.

Yet, the hard work and tough sledding had many rewards in other ways for me this year. The spiritual rewards and the fact that I have touched a lot of lives is where my currency has come from.

Maybe, that's what the world is asking all of us for now. Maybe it's not about the material possessions or the stuff, but about how we can affect lives (for the better) and help people be all they can be.

In my work in the non-profit field, I see newcomers to Canada with little or no hope as they arrive to a new land. I have seen regular Canadians, go through job loss and change, uncertainty...but what I have also seen is that somehow we've all made it through.

I am hopeful as I write this newsletter because I believe that the human spirit and kindness will rule the day. I have come to the realization event more this year than ever that we are our brothers/sisters keepers. If you think you're not...think again.

We've all been touched by some kind of life altering event this year and we have to begin to think community first, family first rather than the "Me" first we've seen during the 80's and 90's.

Now this isn't to say 'You' aren't important, you totally are. You've got to manage your well-being on all levels or you won't be good to anyone. But once you've managed your life and wellness, then you have to step up to make the community stronger.

We need new ways of doing business, we need access to money from somewhere else other than the bank. We need communities to come together.

Three such examples of communities coming together include something called "transitional communities", "slow money" and "community micro loans for businesses"

In a CBC radio documentary that aired in the fall, write David Gutnick comments that "Slow Money" is borne out of what's happened in business and society this past year...Gutnick suggests, "Combine poisonous factory-farm tomatoes with disgraced investment banker Bernard Madoff. Then throw in a stock market disaster that cost investors their life savings.

You may have the recipe for a revolution: a public spooked by the dangers of industrial food production and investors wary of risky business."

In the article about slow money on the CBC's website they discuss one of the only growth industries in North America seems to be farmer's markets. The CBC's website goes onto add that, "Slow Money takes its name from a culinary movement called Slow Food. For 20 years now, Slow Food proponents have advocated a lifestyle in which people take time to savour food and take pleasure in eating locally sourced products, rejecting large-scale farming and the hectic way of eating and living that damages our bodies and the world.

There is an exploding demand for what small farms and food producers have to offer. Yet, banks see agriculture as a risky business, and brokers trade stock in agribusiness giants, not small, local operations.

Farmers need cash and a system to get it to them.

That's what Slow Money activists want to create: an investment system in which profit expectations are redefined so that big money can help small agricultural producers provide people with local, wholesome food."

So who's investing in the Slow Money movement?

Woody Tasch is investing in organic Canadian farms.

The CBC article writes, "Until a few years ago, Tasch chaired an organization that connects investors with small businesses addressing social and environmental concerns. He was the matchmaker, funnelling more than $130 million to hundreds of new ventures.

Businesses grew, foundations fulfilled their missions to do good works and investors made profits that were close to the stock market average. Everybody was happy.

But Tasch was hungry for a more focused approach that connected health, food and capital.

People investing in big, fast-operating companies expect big and fast returns. Tasch says that the Slow Money concept he came up with promotes the idea of nurturing capital — money that supports healthy enterprise with a modest return on investment."

Other investors are former high finance people like Cathy Berry. She made boat loads of money in the markets during the high tech boom in the 90's as a stock broker. She too now has been introduced to the concept of slow money...and is quickly developed a love affair for the kind of out comes it's helping to create.

Berry hasn't seen much of a return on her investment yet. This is, after all, slow money. But she has deep pockets and is confident her optimism will pay off.

In the meantime, she's trying to bring other investors on board. It hasn't been easy. "I think we have got too hung up on 'It's not a good investment unless we get a 20 per cent return'," she says. "Why not think about loaning money for five per cent to your local farmer?"

Small is beautiful in the world of Slow Money — but so is big.

There are more than 50,000 philanthropic foundations in the United States. Their assets total $400 billion US, most of it invested in the stock market. Needless to say, that money would be a game changer if it — or even a fraction of it — was reinvested in local agriculture.

The other key initiative that has communities coming together in a much different way is a concept known as "Transition Towns".

The main aim of the project generally, and echoed by the Towns locally, is to raise awareness of sustainable living and build local resilience in the near future. Communities are encouraged to seek out methods for reducing energy usage as well as increasing their own self reliance — a slogan of the movement is "Food feet, not food miles!" Initiatives so far have included creating community gardens to grow food; business waste exchange, which seeks to match the waste of one industry with another industry that uses this waste; and even simply repairing old items rather than throwing them away.

The Transition concept emerged from work permaculture designer Rob Hopkins had done with the students of Kinsale Further Education College in writing an "Energy Descent Action Plan". This looked at across-the-board creative adaptations in the realms of energy production, health, education, economy and agriculture as a "road map" to a sustainable future for the town. One of his students, Louise Rooney, set about developing the Transition Towns concept and presented it to Kinsale Town Council resulting in the historic decision by Councillors to adopt the plan and work towards energy independence.

Some example of Transition Towns includes; Totnes, England and Santa Cruz New Mexico are two sites where transition towns have taken shape...but there are initiatives in Canada, the U.S. , England, Australia, New Zealand and Italy.

If you want to learn more about either of these two socially minded initiatives log onto

http://transitionus.org/

and http://blog.lunapads.com/2009/11/green-investing-for-change/

There is also one last way that we have to transform our communities first and that's with a local business lending organization called "Access Community Capital Fund". It's mandate is to help starting entrepreneurs get a head start.

Let's face it, with job loss and our collective credit in some disarray, Access tends to turn the other cheek should you have financial challenges, what they are looking for is a great idea, mixed with character of the person and a plan to re-pay the loan. It's a starting loan...it's not big money...the maximum you can borrow is $5000.00.

But if you're out of options and you've got that dream to start a business then Access might be up your alley.

The ACCESS Community Capital Fund, a Canadian Registered Charity, is a Community Loan Fund that helps small and emerging businesses in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) to meet their need for credit by securing initial loans of up to $5000. By granting small loans to local entrepreneurs, the ACCESS Community Capital Fund is contributing to the community as a whole -- helping more people to become self-sufficient through self-employment.

ACCESS Community Capital Fund was formed to help promising entrepreneurs with viable business plans gain access to financing not available through other sources. Individual loans are made using a character based lending decision, where the abilities, skills and commitment of the applicant in conjunction with the strength of the business plan are key decision criteria. Using a 'step-lending' approach, ACCESS provides a series of loans that increase in size as the business grows in the community. You can obtain more information on Access online at; http://accessccf.com/

So as this year draws to a close and a new one begins...maybe it's about community. Maybe too we can forget about our problems a little if we help someone else out who needs it more. I recall the song the Age of Aquarius by the Fifth Dimension and we are entering the Aquarian Age now in fact and the line in the song went like this, "Sympathy and understanding, truth and compassion abound"

I would like to think that through the hardships we all collectively went through in 2009, that new ideas to make humanity fair for all will be the hope for us all in 2010.

To make a world that works for every woman, child and man. That's what I am playing for in 2010...anyone want to join in?

Have a beautiful holidays and a wonderful New Year. If you want to kick start your year...I do invite you to register for our "Create Ignite and Inspire" event happening on January 16th from 9- 4:30 at the Monte Carlo Inns in Markham, see the post below for more information on the event or log onto http://www.smallbusinessbigideas.com/CreateIgniteandInspire.pdf

Here you can log onto to see what's in store that day. We've got 7 wonderful speakers talking about health, creativity, selling, marketing, and personal growth, plus lunch and a light breakfast is included!

I hope you can make it out.

Have a great holidays and a healthy, happy abundant new year!

Cheers/David

Get Happy or not? It's all okay.

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.




Have you ever left something you loved doing? I did just that in October. I hosted/produced my last Small Business Big Ideas Show on CKDO on October 4th. It's not because I didn't love radio, or the listeners or the owners of the station, the decision to leave was borne out of necessity. With 2 key work commitments that take place during the week, life has been pretty full on and the body and mind needed to have a break from working 6 sometimes 7 days a week.

Now it's been a month since I hosted the last show, I have to admit something true to you. Come the weekends, I have been feeling flat and there is a piece to my life that's missing, leaving a big void. Those close to me could even suggest I was a little depressed especially for the first few weeks. I didn't have that something to get up for on Sunday mornings and there was no fire in the belly to do the work I really enjoyed doing. I didn't have the same mission and drive that I had when doing the show for the past 7 years of Sunday's.


The first Sunday off I ended up sleeping most of the day and there was a grieving process to go through. I just felt off. Perhaps it's just the body that needed to rest after going and going. Perhaps too it was the fact that once I was up on a Sunday to host the show, I would designate that day as the day to do the show, hit the gym, wash the car, do errands, clean and laundry...once the key part to getting up and getting going on a Sunday was out of the equation, it became easier to sleep and do nothing that first Sunday off. Plus if you could would you rather sleep in or get going and and get excited about doing laundry, cleaning and washing the car? Yeah you'd opt for sleeping in too...


So there you have it...I am speaking my truth. Since hosting the show, I have not had the same verve and passion to my weekends that I had. I still feel there is a void and being slightly type "A" I need something to do...I thrive on it. In fact two weekends ago I was home in bed with a nasty cold and cough too...so out of 4 weeks of not doing the show, 3 were spent feeling a little blue and flat. Those that know me, know I am pretty upbeat, like to laugh and have fun. But life hasn't been as fun as you'd like it lately.

Lately it's been about work, trying to make ends meet and I have been feeling like I am on a bit of a treadmill. Work, pay bills, work pay bills. Not that I am complaining, it's just what's so...sometimes as good as life can be it seems like you have to ask yourself is that all there is? Now I know the process I have gone through this past month is just that...it's a process, it's part of life. This too shall pass...and truthfully to me the real hero's in life are those that are on the treadmill and don't give up. They go to work everyday and make it happen... It's those of us that even though we're not at our "Optimum best" that we don't give up, we keep going.

It's okay to feel flat, it's okay to sleep in all day, it's okay not be happy all the time, it's okay to be depressed now and then and it's okay to not be going and going.


"But how so," you ask? If we're not happy with life, how can we attract the good things we want to us? Doesn't the law of attraction state that you've got be up, positive, happy for people to be attracted to you? I say drop it. Just be you, just be real.

Some good habits to adopt when you're going through the "flat times" include;

1) Talk it out


2) Have a mastermind team


3) Seek professional counseling


4) Have a laugh


5) Incorporate exercise and meditation in your day-to-day activity


6) Have that one good buddy or mentor you can connect with, sometimes those close to you get tired of your stuff...


7) Be okay with the times when life isn't all that it can be...you have to embrace all that is...


But wait? you claim...this is all well and good...but life lately is like getting to me...well if it's of any help...know that you're not alone. Life is challenging for each one of us.

In North America we are addicted to feeling good. In a book by Barbara Ehrenreich called "Bright Sided" How the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America, Ehrenreich suggests that last year, Americans spent 14-Billion-dollars on self-help books, CDs and seminars. Antidepressants are the most prescribed category of drugs in the country.


In a review about the book and this notion that we must be feeling upbeat and positive in Newseek magazine, writer Julia Baird comments that according to a study from the General Social Survey by economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers of Wharton, that despite three decades of economic growth in America, men and women are no happier. This fact has been lost in the hubbub over the finding that while women were happier than men in 1972, they are not now. Barbara Ehrenreich calls positive thinking a "mass delusion." She argues that an unrelenting drive to train our brains to overlook problems and blame ourselves for failures has blinded us to inequality, incompetence, and stupidity. Baird writes in her article, "The philosophy of positive thinking, has been developed both as a reaction to the negativity of Calvinism and a salve for the sick and anxious, but has, over time, been turned into a kind of blind optimism.

At the heart of positive thinking is a belief that you can will anything you like into happening: recovering from cancer, getting a promotion, becoming a millionaire. Often, the worse things are, the more vehemently people are encouraged to be sunny. The more companies downsized and restructured in the '80s and '90s, the more popular affirmation-chanting, team-building consultants became. And all the while, as the country's wealth shot up, the gap between rich and poor ballooned."


With tragedies like Hurricane Katrina, a sagging economy, the Iraq war, and yes even the recent H1N1 epidemic, it's maybe not a time for "Let's get happy" but maybe a time to connect to others, to team up, to talk, for dialogue, compassion and to speak up...and work to making collective change, to create a world we would be proud of for a grand kids. Maybe it's a time to shout out, get mad, be a little ornery and as Baird writes, "This is why Ehrenreich dedicates her book to "complainers everywhere," inciting them to "turn up the volume." But surely there's a middle way between clueless cheerleaders and grumpy prophets. The Dalai Lama shows you can strive to be content and remain angry about injustice."


Maybe now is the time to speak up. Drop the happy, all is well facade and get into collective action to bring justice, fairness and equality to all mankind. I recommend the book by Ehrenreich...and as Thomas Frank, author of the Wrecking Crew and What's the Matter with Kansas, wrote in his review of the book Bright Sided, "We're always being told that looking on the bright side is good for us, but now we see that it's a great way to brush off poverty, disease, and unemployment, to rationalize an order where all the rewards go to those on top. The people who are sick or jobless—why, they just aren't thinking positively. They have no one to blame but themselves. Barbara Ehrenreich has put the menace of positive thinking under the microscope. Anyone who's ever been told to brighten up needs to read this book."


So maybe as the year draws to a close, begin to speak up, begin to collect and make change join proactive groups that allow you to be a force for good, begin to be okay with not being upbeat and happy all the time. It's okay you know.

There are lot's of unbelievable, incredible people who aren't happy go lucky all the time who are doing great things on the planet. Know you're okay no matter how you feel and yes maybe take you're not feeling good and being upset with life's lot and take massive actions to make change on the planet.

So go ahead and have a Bahh Humbug this season, maybe that's exactly what the doctor ordered for you to live your most powerful, authentic, real life in 2010! Log onto Barbara's site at http://www.barbaraehrenreich.com/. Also if the feeling flatness continues past one or two weeks, please get professional help and call a doctor or therapist. Life is about being real, authentic and as joyful as you can...but there are times where that is just not how you want to be...and it's cool, so seek help when it persists for any long period of time.

I have included two videos for you to watch, one a feature on the author of Bright-Sided, Barbara Ehrenreich and a classic song originally done by Randy Newman but sung by Steve Tyrell and Dr. John, called you got a friend in me...maybe when we go through life's challenges, it's just good to have a friend to be there to listen and not fix.

Enjoy...and have a wonderful, meaningful holiday season.

All the best until next time!

David

Barbara Ehrenreich Video:





Steve Tyrell and Dr. John

Nature is an amazing healer

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.

Nature is an amazing healer...



I just got back from a week at Rolling Rock Cottages (these are the pictures you see to the left...it's the where I was staying and of the view I had every day). I won the weeks stay courtesy a good friend and associate of mine...Sue Sutcliffe at A Web that Works (Sue held a contest for her clients and as luck would totally have it...I ended up winning) and when I won, I had to admit, I was grateful, but on the other hand was worried. I am not one that takes on change as easily as I thought. A week away at a cottage meant change, it meant being out of my comfort zone...it meant, "what the hell are you thinking dude...you just won a week at a cottage...get moving, packed and go"!!!

So Monday morning Mr. Cityboy here, got in the car and headed north...not in my two by four truck, but my Toyota Yaris...and despite my initial fear and hesitation, I wouldn't have traded the week away for anything!


Here is what I had the pleasure of experiencing during my stay at Rock Island Lake, just north of Parry Sound and South of Point Au Baril. (3 hours north of Toronto)

I saw sunrises on the lake...with mist floating along, I saw gorgeous sunsets not on the lake but along the shores of Georgian Bay, in Parry Sound. I saw stars at night!

You don't see stars at night in the city, because there are too many lights on and we don't have enough darkness to allow us to see a beautiful nights sky.

I saw hummingbirds and chipmunks, snakes and frogs.

I got to really relax, journal, meditate read and take a load off.

I saw an outdoor concert in Parry Sound at the new Stockey Centre for the arts...the concert was on a deck overlooking the Georgian Bay!

I got to shoot hockey pucks at the Bobby Orr Hockey Hall of Fame(He is Parry Sound's favourite son)

I did two nature trail walks a day...went for a dip or two in the lake, sat outside most of the day and breathed in the clean air, sat in the sun, BBQ'd my meals...(oh and grill your corn on the cob on the BBQ...it's really good that way). Drank a couple of beers a day...

I got to swat big honking flies and I got mosquito bitten, I got back to me this week at the cottage and realized upon coming home, that nature is truly a gift, it's a true healer...

Where else can you experience such joy then watching a sunset along the water?

Where else can you have tranquility and peace of mind as you walk along a nature trail for 30 minutes...

Where else can you have the solitude with yourself as you over look the water, the rocks, the trees and hear the birds chirp and see them fly about at 6:30 in the morning?

If you don't think that nature is totally giving then think again?

As a business coach, radio show host and facilitator, I take on a lot in my work...but this week away allowed me to totally "Chill" right out.

Some of the perspectives I got from this magical week away is to stop wearing the mask of perfection...and just be...be in joy, be in peace, be happy. I think mother earth wants to just enjoy all that there is and be at one with it.

Oh I know what you're saying, "Have you gone cocoa-banana's Cohen"? Are you a tree hugger now? Well maybe so...because there are some things you might want to integrate in your life in order to access what nature gives us so willingly and for free each and every waking moment...

1) Begin to take a planned time out in your week to experience a nature trail walk. There are many of them in and around the city

2) Head north and just explore once a month...see what you can find and discover.

3) Meditate each day, take a 10 minute time out for you...just for you

4) Commit to walking or exercise...don't just talk the game, do it...and it starts with a 10 minute walk...which you increase each day.

5) Read more

6) Buy flowers for yourself

7) Go easy on the planet

8) Break your routine...at least one day a week...get up when you want to get up, have beer out in your backyard, listen to great music that uplifts and nurtures your soul, stretch out in the air of the morning, leave the watch off your wrist, don't turn on the television or the computer, have lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 7:15 pm...watch a movie DVD or two, just break your routine at least one day a week or every other week!

9) Go hug a tree...I mean it...if you haven't done this...try it...just make sure no one is watching because they'll think you've lost it...(but who cares really...we just know you're being your true magnificent self)

10) Just enjoy life...allow what is, let go, let go of judging things, people and experiences. Laugh more, have fun, laugh at yourself, marvel at life and the bigness of it all...and lastly cherish everyone in your life...because the one other thing I learned being in nature at a cottage is...you never know when you might have to take on a bear in the woods!

Now go create an amazing life!


Cheers/David


P.S. For amazing web design and consultation log onto www.awebthatworks.com

Oh and if you've got an easy going attitude about life then I recommend a stay at Rolling Rock Cottages...log onto www.rollingrockcottages.ca

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.


Come on get happy!

This month I want to look at happiness...it's been a summer of discontent, especially in Toronto. The weather hasn't been stellar, we've had a city strike that's affected garbage, day care, social events, pollution and yes our psyches.

Add to the fact that the recession isn't abating for a lot of us...we still have to watch our debt loads, work harder, watch spending and watch the bottom line retreating.

Some of you reading this right now may think I am a bit of a pessimist. You may even think I am dwelling only on the negative...and yes, yes I am...but this newsletter does have a message of hope. Why am I saying that you ask?

Well for starters, I personally have had a week of encountering unhappy people. A co-worker at work snapping at me, a neighbour taking up my access to my parking spot and yelling at me, and today on the holiday Monday, while parking my car again to go for a nature walk, some driver boxes me in so tight that there would have been no way for me to move. Thankfully, I encountered the driver and asked them to move...and when she saw her parking transgression she moved the car...but it caused me to think that yes...we are not a happy lot these days...and some of us are so about "self" that you wouldn't think to move a parked car so as to not box someone in...and a neighbour who I have not had an issue with for 8 years all of sudden explodes on me for being upset about being not able to access my parking spot at home...not once, but twice.

What gives? I needed to ask myself this week...what was in the air? Was it me? Was I attracting this to myself? I am just doing my thing in life...and I had a challenging week.

My only conclusion is...is that we aren't happy. Life has us all a little down...collectively. I think there is an answer to our collective dilema.

I think we have to begin to live life like they do in Bhutan, a small land locked nation is the Himalyas. The people and the King of Bhutan guide their nation politics and all on the principal of GNH...they measure the GNH...which stands for Gross National Happiness...see you're giggling already.

But the GNH is part of a grand vision first conceived in 1972 by the King of Bhutan. Since then Bhutan in the wake of globalization, employess the GNH as a guiding principle to steer itself toward a more wholistic direction in development, This encompasses measing both economic and social variables.

Although GNH remains to be defined quantitatively, it is increasing being studied as a new paradigm shift toward a meaningful, sustainable and equitable socio-economic development...on both a national and worldwide basis.

Can you imagine the shift that would occur on the planet if every government measured it's success on the GNH?

The testing for the General Happiness of Bhutan looks at socio, economic, spiritual, work/life, family, environmental, belonging and health. It measures every aspect of an individuals happiness as it pertains to these key areas.

The testing is quite indepth...here log onto http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/

But should our quest in life be about happiness? Is that our only end game? Here are some quotes that might make you re-think happiness being the reason we're here...

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling."--Samuel Johnson, 18th-century English philosopher once said.

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances." This too is quite profound...and so aptly put byMartha Washington. But the quotes by Joseph Campbell on happiness and the quote by Chang Tzu a Chinese Philosopher help me discuss some pertinent ideas with you on this post.

Joseph Campbell said, "Happiness is absorption in a cause which in the end is but illusion." So what Campbell is saying here is that happiness doesn't exist? It's an illusion...but wait, Chang Tzu a 5th and 6th century Chinese philosopher states that, "You only find happiness when you cease to look for it.

So what this tells me is that the key to any happiness lies in beiung true to our internal guidance system and to our own personal values. Maybe as we reach the half way point to summer this month that you do an inventory of your values? Both professionally and personally.

Seek peace of mind over happiness. Seek to share over taking, seek to understand over being understood...as Dr. Stephen Covey phrased it in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People?

True happiness it seems comes from giving to others. Helping, teaching, tithing. In fact in Jewish Mysticism, the Rabbi's talk about "Ego" and the "Ego" is about only wanting what's good in the world for itself. Greed basically.

But...we rid ourselves of "Ego" thinking by sharing...and not thinking about the "self" alone than that's where God comes into play.

In the book the "Purpose Driven Life" by author Rick Warren, he too examines the age old question, "Why am I here" ? Warren suggests that we're to live God's plan for us...that our purpose lies within being at one with a loving decent God, in fact Warren writes, "Think of the things our culture lures us into using for our purpose: power, prestige, glory, sex, and wealth. The problem with these things is that there never seems to be enough. Even the people who have “arrived” aren’t happy the way we imagine them being. Meaninglessness is like a black hole at the center of human existence that sucks up whatever we throw at it, leaving it as empty as it was before. Even things that are supposed to be good seem to disappear in this deep cavern."

Warren also suggests, that we think about having the desire to be significant, he adds "to make a difference in someone’s life, even if it’s just one person’s? Do you ever think about leaving something behind—something that will make life different for some relative or friend? What would you want written as your epitaph? One of the most common epitaphs in graveyards is the phrase, “Gone but not forgotten.” Why do we want to be remembered? Why not just pass on as if we never existed? Where do you think this comes from, this need to be significant"?

Stephen Covey states in a recent issue of "Success Magazine" that the times are calling for much different, practical, principally centred thinking.

Covey suggests, "Financial success—prestige, wealth, recognition, accomplishment—will always be secondary in greatness," Covey says. "Primary greatness is about character and contribution. Primary greatness asks, What are you doing to make a difference in the world? Do you live truly by your values? Do you have total integrity in all of your relationships? And when correct principles are not followed or ignored, the result can be catastrophic as we have witnessed the past year in the financial markets."

So here is where the hope is, as I conclude this months newsletter...begin to urge your governments to measure success on a Gross National Happiness level and not based on recent polls.

Begin to re-think happiness and look at your values. What are you values as far as your family goes, your love life, your friends, your peers, your church or synagogue? What differences are you making at work? Or in your business? Do you have a cause to get behind in your business?

Living a life based on values, principles and purpose is not always the easy road to take...but eventually the other road will lead you to a dead end and you will have a decision to make...

Living a life based on values, principles and purpose is sometimes hard work...there is no denying it...it's "freakin" tough sometimes...but I ask you in the end...how do you want to be remembered?

Now...yes...this summer has been a bit of a drag...there is an intensity in the air for everyone...so commit too to having some fun. I finally had some fun this weekend...and saw some live music (free live music), a football game, I connected with some friends had a date and also went for a nature trail walk and hit the gym...I encourage you to incorporate "Fun" into your life...now more than ever...

Begin to really get the passion back in your life. Go and take on enjoying all life has to offer...get back up again from a crappy economy, re-think your thinking, team up, share ideas, expenses and build community. Go walk in the park! Catch some live music, see a play, re-charge, re-energize, say no to taking on one more thing at work!

Look to examine your values and base not just your happiness on living a "Principally and Purposeful" life. Sometimes it's not just about being happy...but about knowing in the gut...that you're doing the best. That you're making the planet a better place, helping the lives of others. That's where true happiness comes from...it's that inner knowing, that inner satisfaction that you've done the right thing...you've done your best, you made someone else's day...because in the end it's not about them or how others perceive us ...it's about how we perceive us and how God see's us.

Go take on the month and re-new your values, your passion and commitments to make the world even better!

Cheers/David

P.S. Here is a link to a wonderful article by Dr. Covey in Success Magazine...

http://www.successmagazine.com/article?articleId=469&taxonomyId=21

Also here is a video clip to help you live with optimism it's by, Loretta Laroche, one of my faves speaks about choosing to be optimistic. Have a great rest of the summer...

Loretta Laroche on Optimism...

Our Special Canada 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.

This is the special Canada Day Edition...like last year, I shared 10 events and places you can go this summer to enjoy the arts, music, culture and be entertained for free.

If you're like most small business owners these days, money has been a little tighter this year, sales may be flat...but that doesn't mean our spirits have to be that way? It doesn't mean there isn't fun things you can do and it doesn't mean that you have to spend a bundle to enjoy the pleasures of life...

So here goes...our annual list of the top 10 things you can do for little or no money...Have a Happy Canada Day and a beautiful, bountiful summer.

Cheers/David Cohen

1) Unionville in Markham has a number of events and music concerts throughout the summer that are absolutely free, now if you do want to spend some money, Unionville is a quaint area with shops and restaurants for you to enjoy as well. The highlight events in Unionville include; The Markham Jazz Fest in mid August and the Big Band Street Festival on Labour Day Monday...both are top notch! Here is the link... http://www.unionvilleinfo.com/

2) If you love the Lake, then you'd love hanging at Harbourfront...there are all kinds of concerts, cultural events, shops, restaurants and it's accessible by TTC...plus it's right on Lake Ontario...

Check out the goings on this summer at Harbourfront... there is music, art, free movie nights (outdoors) and much more...here is the link http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/

3) If you live East in the city or in Durham Region...there are free concerts everywhere...in the park, at a school, in a field, it's just the rule...I like my music in a park, I like my music anywhere...check out the Durham Tourism site Sam I am... Okay, in all seriousness and with respect to Dr.Suess, here is the Durham Tourism events site link http://www.durhamtourism.ca/events.aspx

4) If humour, or improv theatre is your thing and Lord knows we all need a laugh or two...then check out a little place on Danforth Avenue in Toronto, called the Bad Dog Theatre, they have improv comedy events starting at $5.00...plus if you want to study improv theatre, they hold workshops as well...lot's on the go at the Bad Dog theatre and kinda fun too! Here is the link for the Bad Dog... http://www.baddogtheatre.com/modules/news/

5) One of my favourite places is an outdoor theatre company in Millbrook...they do exquisite outdoor theatre on a farm. Rob Winslow is the theatre director and turns the "Winslow" family farm into a stage from July 1st through to the end of August with powerful, historical plays. It does cost money...but you get total value for your dollar... log onto http://www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/

6) Once the City of Toronto strike is over...be sure to check out Mel Lastman Square in North York on Sunday nights from July through to the end of August for the Sunday Night Seranades...dancing outdoors, nice music and set in a family atmosphere...if you want to impress a woman with how nimble you are on your feet...I promise you she will enjoy dancing to the music at Mel Lastman Square... http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm

7) Also...when the strike settles...at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto there are free concerts at lunch on Wednesday's and Thursday's ...lot's of fun and a bit of a get-away in the middle of the day. It can break up your nose to the grindstone business routine nicely...again log onto the City of Toronto website at http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm

8) If you're into sports...you can grab a Blue Jay ticket for $9.00...if you collect Air Miles ...70 air miles gets you a pair of free tickets to see pro baseball for free in the 500 level seats...log onto

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tor to get your $9.00 ticket...Go Blue Jays...

9) If you want to see free pro baseball...check out an intercounty league game and see the other Toronto Maple Leafs play...this team has some heart though...log onto http://www.leafsbaseball.com/ to watch semi-pro baseball...it's a fun day out...

10) Last but not least is Downsview Park...with events, movies under the stars, farmers markets and more...it's where the Pope was a few years ago and is accessible by the TTC as well. Log onto

http://www.pdp.ca/en/events/index.cfm to check out the events and goings on at Downsview Park...

Here is a bonus too...if you're familiar with business networking groups you can pay a lot of money...well if you run a business there are two networking events that you can go too for free...one is in Durham and one is in Toronto...

Log onto http://www.smallbizhomebizunited.com/ to attend free business networking events in Pickering...George Wellsbury and Lesley Roper host business networking events from their home...and in September they are organizing a business trade show too...it's well worth checking out...

Plus, you can email me at work to attend free networking events at the Learning Enrichment Foundation each month... I am at dcohen@lefca.org and our website is http://www.lefca.org/

We have guest speakers and networking all rolled into one!

I wish you all an abundant, healthy summer...have a great time and now you can have fun, network and do it for free all at once!

David

June musings and thoughts

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.

Thinking new thoughts...and having a "Spiritual Warrior" mentality





So we're now into the 8th month of this new economy and yes I am not using the "R" word...I won't use that word any longer. But this economy is one that's making us nervous, indecisive, afraid and unsure. So when you try these characteristic traits on for size how does it make you feel?

Not that good huh? I agree...how can being nervous, indecisive, afraid and unsure really ever feel good?

I think it's time to turn that corner as hard as it might be given the realities of the day and the things you hear about in the news.

It's time for us to become what I call and others have too...a "Spiritual Warrior". This can take on many meanings for us...but to me when I think of a "Spiritual Warrior" I think someone who is going to be sure in their own thoughts, someone who believes that good will happen, someone who is impervious to negativity and fights bad news like 10 "Supermen".

I think it's time to "Amp" up the positive just now. In our thoughts, in what we say and in what we do. I was just teaching a training session to youth entrepreneurs and in doing so I came to the realization that when you phone someone out of the blue you've got to be super positive in how your company is going to get that client results or how your business is going to solve your prospective clients pain.

You've got to totally know the benefits of what it is your business venture can do for someone else and you've got to communicate that. Benefits minus cost equals value. That's the value equation.

If you don't know what you do for others or why your clients like you and buy from you then you better get on knowing why and fast!

In sales you've got to "Amp" up the positive and show your value to each and every prospect and client you have.

This means a mindset change too.

First of all you've got to believe in yourself and what it is you do. You've got to believe so strongly that you're not going to quit until you get in your clients door...unless of course the client is rude, not fun to deal with and there is just no hope at all in penetrating that client. But if there is an opening, or a slight opportunity then you have to stick with it...like white on rice. In order to stick with a client until they buy it may mean numerous calls, contacts, discussions or meetings before they sign the bottom line and give you that P.O.

If you don't believe in yourself then why will your client or prospect?


The other aspect of mindset is you have to have drive...go for it until you get a lawyers letter to cease and desist or you get physically hauled out of the building. Studies show it takes 7-9 contacts to get a deal...I think in this kind of economy it's more than that...that sales cycles are longer in this economy.

Besides drive, "amping" up the positive and an internal belief in yourself, there are a few other aspects for being successful in running and selling your business.

In order to become a "Spiritual Warrior" in your business venture you've also got to have patience. There is a Hindu expression I just love that talks of patience. "Have patience eventually even grass becomes milk". Which means that in time even something so impossible becomes possible. Grass becomes milk? How on earth does that happen? Well think of it for a moment. Cows graze in the grass and eat the grass and eventually what they eat becomes milk. The impossible becomes possible.

Have patience...stay with it, have belief, be positive and totally sure in what you do.

What other traits do you need to be in business and have that "Spiritual Warrior" mentality? You've got to work well in teams. If you think you've got to do it all on your own...go for it...but that's the hard route. You've got to be able to lead others. To sell them in your dream and vision for your business...Getting help in your business in the areas you need it can be liberating...

Think of it by getting the help you need and leading others your venture has an opportunity to grow, you enable yourself to get more time, you hire others and actually keep the economy growing.

When you do things on your own though, you limit growth, you limit free time and you get mired in the muck as it were working on the aspects of the business you don't like.

So a good "Spiritual Warrior" leads others as well.

Now...if you think back to how we started this article...where we talked about the feelings and emotions we have going for us in this economy...the feelings of uncertainty, fear, indecisiveness...once you begin to don your "Spiritual Warrior" mentality...your feelings totally change...feelings of being positive, having drive, patience and looking to hire and lead others...do you feel a difference in yourself as you take those characteristic traits on and wear your "Spiritual Warrior" hat armor.

There are two other key traits to take on...and one of them is not to take "No" personally. Let negative results be like water on a ducks back. Let it go. Learn from it...but let it go. You're bound to hear no from clients...especially when you're cold calling or prospecting.

But you've got to be okay with the no...and know it's no right now and not forever. At least keep the line of communications open...and play for that day when a "no" becomes "maybe" and the maybe becomes a "YES"!!!

The last trait a good "Spiritual Warrior" needs is to have certainty. If you think back to when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt and years of being slaves in that land...they needed absolute certainty to part the "Red Sea" ...everyone had to have the same focus and thoughts in order to manifest the parting of the "Red Sea" ...I mean how else do you pull that off? It's the power of the mind, prayer, visualization...it's about having absolute certainty that no matter how bleak things look that everything is going to work out in the end...but all hands have to be on deck.

I remember just hearing the producer and writer...of the play "Da Kink in my hair" Trey Anthony speak about the early days of getting her play launched. The play had many obstacles to overcome to get it shown and get it to a stage. There was doubt among the cast members that the play would never take off. Doubt kills certainty. Trey Anthony had certainty! She inspired her team to believe, they took a long term approach and worked really hard to fill the seats. Of course they marketed like heck too!

The play went from the Fringe Festival...to Mirvish Productions to Global TV.

It took vision, patience, tenacity, belief, certainty, team work all of the characteristics of a "Spiritual Warrior".

As I conclude this posting in the blog or the newsletter, I really encourage you to become a "Spiritual Warrior" and put these feelings and emotions at play for you.

To recap...the key traits to succeed include:

Have a strong belief in what you do for others

Amp up the positive...focus on results you get for your clients or the good things you do for them

Have unwavering drive

Be patient

Lead others to help you run your venture

Be okay with hearing "No"

and have absolute certainty!

Once you take these traits on...it feels way better than feeling in fear, uncertain, indecisiveness and worry.

So step up to the plate, don your spiritual warrior gear and swing for the stars this month!


Here is to your success!


Cheers/David Cohen

Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. It's in a blog format so it allows you to comment, add ideas, tips and suggestions. We can dialogue together...Enjoy the read because it's all about helping you.


April 2009:

There is huge economic and business opportunity in diversity...The rewards for doing business in diverse markets abounds and we are in control of our own destiny...


I want to focus on opportunity this newsletter. I am just getting it up to here with the negative economic news.

There are key markets and sectors that are in fact growing. One of which is a major trend happening in Canada. That trend is that newcomers to Canada are becoming the new normal. Over 57% of all Toronto residents are new immigrants.

What does this mean from an opportunity perspective? It means we embrace new immigrants, welcome them to Canada and into our communities.

New immigrants come to Canada in search of a better world. A place away from the war, the politics and the oppression they've witnessed in their own countries.

From an economic perspective new immigrants present beautiful opportunities.

One thing that's evident is that they need stuff. Gone are the "brand" relationships they had back home. They are open to new brands. Brands like toothpaste, soaps, household goods.

They are open to training programs, settlement programs and becoming a viable part of the community.

New immigrants come to Canada for various reasons...one is as a refugee escaping a bad socio-political situation and the other key is to actually begin businesses here in Canada. The agreement they make to come to Canada is an "economic" agreement and they are to open up a business within the first year of arrival.

Did you know that the Ontario government often hosts training programs for newcomers to Ontario on how to do business here. The Ministry of International Trade and Investment hosts half day clinics that help newcomers get familiar with doing business in Ontario.

Can you imagine tapping into this niche?

Begin to market to various ethnic communities. But market smart, focus on one ethnic group and really begin to carve out a niche within this sector.

On May 17th on the Small Business Big Ideas Show, we will focus on doing business in Ontario from a new immigration point of view. I invite you to listen to a full discussion on why it makes sense to pay attention to those new to Canada. Let's open our hearts and minds and work effectively, forging partnerships and business relationships with this segment of the population...I guarantee that if you do, you maybe generously rewarded.

There is another sector that's getting attention and that it's in the area of Social Purpose Enterprises. Businesses like co-ops, or businesses that help those that are disadvantaged. Take A-Way courier for example.

It's a courier company that is giving those that suffer with mental illness a chance to contribute. They are employed and paid as couriers. They don't drive or ride bikes to do the work, they are only allowed to ride the TTC subway and buses. A-way is a viable and successful business that gives marginal individuals to have something to look forward too. It offers their employees hope so that they are relevant, and making a contribution.

Other co-ops that assist individuals in need includes the Somali Woman and Children's network. They help Somalian women new to Canada earn money buy providing cut and sewing services to clothing, furniture and manufacturing organizations.

Social Purpose Enterprise Networks is an organization that helps and assists businesses that are doing business with a heart. Businesses that help those that don't normally have a chance to succeed in "mainstream" companies.

The third industry profile is the business of going green. There is an organization of "Green" businesses in Toronto called Green Enterprise Toronto. There are an increasing number of businesses that are doing business from a more ecological and socially responsible vantage point. In a recent article in the Financial Post, it even indicates that "Green" is here to stay,"To call environmentalism a mere "movement" today is to underestimate the hold it has over us. Sustainability is no longer a sphere dominated by activists and special interests; it can be found in every aspect of our lives, whether in curbside recycling programs or corporate initiatives or political speeches. Today, green is mainstream, and nothing - not the recession or cheap oil or resurgent consumerism - is going to stop it".

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1419566


Businesses doing "Green" range from the Organic Coffee House to the Clothing supplier that sells Hemp or Organic cotton clothes that use a vegetable based dye.

Green Enterprise Toronto is a collective of companies that are making a difference and they are tapped into the City of Toronto and other socio-political initiatives that are slowly making a difference in how we're going to business in future.

The fourth and last business opportunity is with respect to doing business with the Government. Did you realize that the Province and the Federal Government are the biggest industries in Canada? They use and need business equipment, products and services like no other company in Canada.

It's a market and industry that puts out tenders regularly for companies like yours to do business. Log onto www.merx.com to access government tenders. If the amount is negligible than you don't even have to go the tender route you can just go direct to the end user at government level.

If you want to access the largest organization and do business with them, you can actually get on the supplier list and take workshops that help small businesses do business with the government.


Caring for people new to Canada, caring for those that are disadvantaged and caring for our environment. It's where the opportunity is and it's where money and investment needs to come from...

If you think that the government is going to constantly fund these initiatives, think again. These sort of community initiatives are being funded and supported by the small business community.

It amazes me that when we are overwhelmed by the economics of the day, that if we get together in the spirit of opening up to new possibilities, to healing our world, to love and joy, that the small business community can really thrive and be on the forefront of leadership, change and making the planet a great place to be.

For more information on Social Purpose Enterprise call:


Catherine Lang
C. Lang Consulting
513 Crawford Street
Toronto, ON M6G 3J9

(416) 588-7129 Phone
(416) 588-3275 Fax

For information on doing business in Ontario for Newcomers contact:

Ministry of International Trade and Investment-Business Immigration Dvision 416-212-8866 Phone 900 Bay St. Hearst Block 3rd Floor Toronto, Ontario

For information on Green Enterprise Toronto contact:

Leslie Domenico

Marketing & Membership

Green Enterprise Toronto

T: 416-644-1012

E: leslie@greenenterprise.net

w: www.greenenterprise.net

For information on doing business with the Government call on:

Public Works and Government Services Canada
4900, rue Yonge, 2ième étage, Toronto ON M2N 6A6 | 4900 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto ON M2N 6A6
ONT.bpme-osme@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca | ONT.osme-bpme@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
Téléphone | Telephone 1-800-668-5378
Télécopieur | Facsimile 416-512-5200

The February 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 February Report:




You never know when you're forced to learn...so embrace being able to be educated







Back on December 4th I fell down some stairs while out with clients, I inadvertently missed a step and went right back on my leg...it killed...the kind of injury where you see stars and feel ill for a moment or two...What I didn't do was go to hospital to have it diagnosed, I knew it wasn't broken so why bother going right?


Well on Christmas Day, I slipped on some ice going back on the same leg again...doubling it back and falling back on it. This time it hurt more and it swelled up too...this time I knew I had to go to the hospital for X-rays and I am glad I did because it was determined it was not broken...but during the course of the Christmas holidays I could barely move, the leg hurt like heck, I could barely get in and out of my bed or my car without it hurting like heck and then it began to swell up...my calf, thigh and feet...so I got back to the hospital on New Years day and had an ultrasound, sure enough it wasn't broken, I didn't have blood clotting but I had a nasty partially torn quadriceps muscle, with bruising and bleeding inside the leg that caused the swelling.

So that was my Christmas holidays. I did not go out Sam I am. Not to dinner, not to a movie, not to the World Healing Meditation and not to New Years Eve celebrations...I did not enjoy the holidays much Sam I am...

Actually the thought of re-injuring my leg or slipping again was just too painful a thought. So I stayed in and iced the leg, and stayed put...but here is what I am really getting at with this newsletter. I do not want this to be a pity party for me...I just do not like those kind of parties. I love fun parties...the pity party you can put on hold for now. I am just reporting the facts...and the key fact was I spent a lot of time alone over the holidays.

Some of my friends said..."Good" that's what you need, you need some downtime, time to relax...and I agreed. But I discovered a new world I had never really discovered before. It's a world of wonder and learning and discovery!

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking how can you discover a world of wonder, discovery and learning being laid up with a bad leg?

Facebook

Well let me share with you, because truthfully it's very exciting. On Facebook they now have access to wonderful "Tele" classes you can take with a myriad of topics. Anything from networking with business women (which I can't join apparently), to creating your year with Life Coach Hunter Phoenix or learning with the Goal Guy from Florida and Alan Hunkin in Vancouver.

I took 3 powerful telephone classes in December. One on selling with Kevin Boyle...author of the Secrets to Sales Mastery, then I took a class with the Goal Guy and then I took create your 2009 with Hunter Phoenix...I made two new connections with both Hunter and Kevin and as a result have had Kevin on the radio show back on December 28th and Hunter will be on February 22nd.

To access great telephone classes using facebook and keep in mind you can use facebook as a tool to market your classes too by notifying your contacts and perhaps even posting an "Event" On facebook. Now, next time you're on facebook check out an application called "Calliflower" it's a complete service allowing you to host and promote your own tele-classes. If you have an idea or a business that will be enhanced through educating your client base or prospects I say go for it! To log onto Calliflower free tele-conferencing...check out my page and then access it on your own...
http://apps.facebook.com/calliflower/


Educate away. It's a powerful way to market and position yourself as an expert, leader and teacher. Gone is the hard sell, bring on the thoughtful, compelling consultative sell.

Blog Talk Radio

It didn't stop there...this world of online learning is deep, powerful, exciting. I discovered Blog Talk Radio. This is online radio that has a myriad of topics and shows, you can access them all for free and sign up for your favourites. What blog talk will do is notify you when your favourite shows are on. How cool is that huh?

I tapped into online meditations, topics about spirituality, human potential and positive thought...wow...I got to learn from people like Zen DeBrucke, and master coach Michelle Meiche...two incredible women and thinkers.

Log onto Blog talk radio and let you're world unfold. Also you can host you're on show. So if that craving has been to host a radio show, now you can... www.blogtalkradio.com

Once again hosting a radio show online positions your business as an expert, and with that there is a built in Trust Factor...

World Puja Network...


The third cool online site I discovered was a site called the World Puja Network. It provides thought provoking programming that talks about the deeper meaning behind what's really happening in the world today. This sense we're all feeling, the uncertainty, the economic upheaval, the changes is all happening for a reason. The World Puja network makes sense of it all in a spiritual, practical way. With hosts like Kerrie O'Connor and Barry Goldstein and Dr. Steven Greer and founder and creator Maureen Moss, the information and shows on this website, will engage ideas, inspire you and help you to have a deeper understanding to what's going on in your life and in the world we live in.

I recommend logging on and joining by tapping into www.worldpuja.org

Lastly, for those that know me personally and those that don't know me too well, I am of the Jewish religion. I like what I am and love some of the guiding principals contained within Judaism. I am not overly religious though, but I do like attending services at Synagogue. I like the singing and the music and I find it comforting to pray. I pray for peace, money, to meet a nice woman...but I also pray for people so that they'll be healthy, I pray for my friends and business colleagues so that they will be well too. If they're well then I am well!

But back in early December, I discovered that a Synagogue in Winnipeg broadcast their "Audio" only of the Saturday Sabbath service online. Based in Winnipeg, this congregation offers access to their members who perhaps don't like going out in the cold of winter and going to Sabbath services...and who can blame them? Winter in Winnipeg is wild and woolly...it can be minus 50 degrees no problem in Winnipeg.

So back on December 27th I listened to the service online and participated online...between you and me it was the first time I have gone to a religious service in my pajama's, but it felt right.

Commit to learning in 2009

If you are looking to power up. Learn, be inspired, grow and meditate, there is a world that awaits online. It's incredible and I encourage you to tap into it and be the best you you can be this year.

Online learning offers you the convenience of staying put. Learning from home and there are numerous choices too. From cool online radio stations, to tele-seminars, webinars, and tapping into e-books and blogs like this!

So be kid-like in the year ahead and embrace learning as a way to enrich yourself and embrace teaching others as a way to market your business more effectively.


Enthusiastic Learners in action!










Until March, have a healthy, happy winter and just know that in 2 more weeks baseball spring training begins and even though it's been a wicked winter...spring is coming. Have faith my friends.


Cheers/David Cohen