Bill 168, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009, amends Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. It places a duty on employers to take every reasonable step to protect workers if the employer knows or ought to know there is likelihood the safety of a worker will be endangered at the workplace by an act of domestic violence. It became effective on June 15, 2010.

It requires that most employers in Ontario:

•  adopt policies and procedures on workplace violence and harassment;
•  take steps to protect employees from acts of domestic violence in the workplace; and
•  warn employees where they are likely to come into contact in the workplace with an individual with a history of violence.

Workplace violence includes a threat, an attempt or an exercise of physical force. Workplace harassment means vexatious comments or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.

To comply with Bill 168, employers must:

• Develop written policies with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace.
• Assess the risk of workplace violence and communicate the results of that assessment to a joint health and safety committee, a health and safety representative or to workers if there is no committee in place.
• Develop a program to implement and maintain the violence and harassment policies.
• Take reasonable precautions where the employer is aware or ought to be aware that domestic violence is likely to expose workers to the risk of physical injury in the workplace.
•  Provide information to workers about an individual with a history of violence where workers are likely to encounter that person in the course of their work and where there is risk of physical injury.
•  Allow workers to refuse unsafe work where workplace violence is likely to endanger their safety.
• As with other serious incidents, notify the Ministry of Labour of an incident of violence.

Penalties for Non-Compliance to Bill 168

As part of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, contravention carries the possibility of a significant fine and/or jail time. For corporations, the maximum fine is $500,000 and for individuals the maximum penalty is $25,000 and/or six months imprisonment.

My clients have enjoyed these funds to assist them with increase production capacity for exporting, attending trade shows or new marketing efforts for promotion in a new foreign market. With a simple application process and policy, it is easy to apply and Export Express Credit offers no penalties for early payback.

No guarantee of personal assets or business assets are required.

Project Eligibility: At least two years operating history and with annual sales of less than $5 million.

For additional information on financing for export development, please do not hesitate to contact Bernadeen McLeod at info@mentorworks.ca for this and other business development expertise.

Follow the links on this and other hiring mechanisms  – but the projects that are eligible for co-op hire is geared to your website only. Getting your site rankings improved, improve conversion traffic from website, press releases and building stronger content on your web by hiring a software engineering student from a local college/universities. U of Waterloo is the delivering agency for this area but all of their funds have been depleted and at this time, Industry Canada has not provided them any additional funds.

The Greater Toronto Area and Eastern Ontario have advised that all placements are filled. Therefore, please work through St. Thomas location by contacting: slong@oacfdc.com or the Greater Ottawa area through: sbip@cebacanada.org with your application and job description.

 The partner company contributes $7,500 and the funds are matched by Accelerate Ontario through Government Canada. The benefits to the company are innovative research, methods and development of tools, model, technology or solutions to support the companies challenge. You may apply for several interns and may have repeat work terms with the same student within the guidelines of the university year.

The student is managed through the professor and the Mitacs Business Development staff connects you with the local university or college for the appropriate expertise and complete the internship proposal. For more info, visit: www.accelerateontario.ca.

This program is a great way to reduce the costs associated with highly skilled individuals and tackle innovative challenges on a quarterly basis with outside support. Many teams have been motivated with the approach and added technical skills assistance.

To encourage post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario to increase partnerships with SMEs and undertake pre-commercialization and applied research development expertise projects, the Federal Economic Development Agency (FedDev Ontario) have provide up to $15 million in funding to accelerate the collaboration. The greater collaboration will enhance innovation, improve productivity and competitiveness to help individual SMEs move products, practices or processes to market.

Eligible activities may include:
- Proof of concept
- Demonstration and piloting
- Problem solving
- Certification
- Product testing
- Technology development
- Engineering design
- Product and process applied research

Research & Innovation Challenges faced by SME’s

FedDev will reimburse up to 100% contribution or up to a maximum of $50,000 per project of the college or Universities total eligible costs or the equivalent of two-thirds (66%) of the total project costs. SMEs will be expected to contribute a minimum of one-third (i.e. 33%) of the project costs in the form of in-kind contributions and/or cash to the post-secondary institution. All project activities must be completed by March 31, 2012.

The objectives of the FedDev initiative:

- Increase the awareness of how post-secondary institutions can assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in meeting their R&D and commercialization needs
- Benefit from working capital
- Present knowledgeable resources to allow production lines to be taken offline for experimentation of a process or product
- Extend capacity of internal research and development

Applications for the initiative must be submitted by the post-secondary institutions by June 14, 2010 and the funding will not exceed $750,000 per eligible institution.

If you are interested in identifying if your project may be eligible for approval by a southern Ontario post-secondary institution, please do not hesitate to contact Bernadeen at Mentor Works or your local Industry Liaison Advisor.

Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Journey to Success
Company of Woman

Date: June 15, 2010 – 8:30 to 5pm, Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre (just south of the QEW @ Hwy 25)
Map attached for convenience.

Expert Panel: How-To Sessions with Financing for your Small Business

Contact Mentor Works and Bernadeen today to learn more about or to register for our next business coaching event in Ontario.

The good news to report is that the federal and provincial queue’s are combined and therefore the AIME initiative has combined the projects into one list and will continue to accept new preliminary applications for training grants.

It is an objective where manufacturing companies can apply for $50k contribution and non-repayable. It includes 75% of direct and indirect labor costs as part of the training initiatives to support innovation. This mechanism focuses on people and productivity improvements where you must select a project that serves either of the two objectives. They are:

Objective 1 – training that will support the adaptation of new technology, new processes or procedures or any change within the company to support innovation.

Objective 2 – training that will support and develop highly skilled personnel in any area that leads to innovation. This can include the development of new engineering skills, training in the use of new equipment or other tools/software to support innovation, retraining to embrace new technologies, new mfg methods or any other business area that will make Ontario Mfg Company more competitive in the global market.

To apply for this maximum contribution of $50k, you must be in business for at least 3 years in Ontario, have between 15-1500 employees and have a product for sale. This government funding mechanism will support training initiatives of internal staff to foster innovation in new materials or processes.

For additional information or support in submitting your application, please do not hesitate to contact Mentor Works Business Consulting services.

I recommend contacting our local Conestoga college and Ken Buitenhuis [kbuitenhuis@conestogac.on.ca] for support on how to provide small business owners with excellent canidates locally to interview. Whether your interest is with co-op short term assignments (i.e. SBIP) or full-time graduate hires and commitment through the YEP program, Conestoga has great canidates for consideration.

So if the economy and US marketplace conditions have caused you to reduce your workforce, the support of government to SMEs through small business financing options is perfect. It is now time to consider your strategic thinking approach and enable your business for steady growth.

Drop me a comment back and retweet your success story with others. We can move our business forward together.

Through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Youth Employment Program is intended to help young graduates find employment in their chosen field, by providing a financial contribution to Canadian SME’s to help offset the cost of the graduate’s salary and training.

The maximum contribution is $30,000 per graduate and must support an internship period of six months minimum but may be up to 12 months.

Requirements of the interested incorporated business:

- The business must have one employee on the payroll (T4 slip) but fewer than 500 employees

- Able to use the expertise of the grad through a technical, business or marketing development

- No displacement of current employees

- Graduate must be currently unemployed

- The company, not IRAP, must find the graduate before applying

- A great resource to find students is with the employer guide  through Conestoga College available on line at: http://www.conestogac.on.ca/employers/employerguide.jsp

- A current balance sheet confirming that the operating line is sufficient for the first 2-3 months of start-up

- A copy of the graduates CV and diploma must accompany the application

For more information, please free to contact me at: www.mentorworks.ca or follow at: www.twitter.com/Bernadeen.

To encourage Businesses to advantage of the possibilities offered by e-business, the Small Business Internship Program has been extended to run for 2010/2011. The SBIP seeks to improve the competitiveness of SMEs by supporting businesses to actively market on-line and improve their competitiveness with e-business practices and technologies.

Through Government of Canada, a corporation or sole proprietaryship may receive up to 75% of wages up to a total of $10,000. The internship would apply to a student within a post-secondary education program or recently graduated and be intending to return to school. The internship must give the student a total of 420 hours over a 12 week period.

Eligible Criteria for Funding:

• projects must enhance the businesses e-capability
• e-business marketing such as emailing, blogging, podcasting, viral marketing, etc
• enhancement of social media tools
• development and execution of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy with the correct keywords and link building strategies

This is a great program and examples of project ideas can be reviewed at Eligible Programs or Marketing Activities for SBIP. This program is easily accessible for many business owners in the region.

Please drop me a comment when you get approved – I would like to determine the effectiveness of sharing funding mechanisms through blogging and if hiring mechanisms are in demand.

While Industry Canada is responsible for the administration of the Program, financial institutions are responsible for all credit decisions and for making the loans.

Computer software developmental costs are eligible if:

• the software is for operational purposes of the business and not for marketing or promotional purposes;
• the software is designed and developed by a specialized contractor/vendor;
• the contract provides the details for the software specifications;
• the contract is completed and the software is operational within one year from executing the contract;
• it results in the borrower acquiring ownership of the computer software, and;
• it excludes any payment for operating cost, ongoing maintenance and services.
  

For Additional Information: New in Canada’s Economic Action Plan

The real benefit of this federal loan mechanism is that you do not require the standard 25-30% downpayment from the financial institutes for the acquisition of a building. Please contact me for additional info.

Mentor Works Business Coaching has a wealth of information and expertise to help you. Our principle, Bernadeen McLeod, is up to date on the latest grants, loans and other financial aid to help with your business expansion.

If your industrial business (i.e. produce a service or product) is:

• legally incorporated in Canada, for profit,
• with less than 500 employees,
• and financially stable,
  

Contact us directly at:

• Phone: (519) 497-8584
• Email: info(at)mentorworks.ca

Or fill out the form below so we can contact you. Some of the latest financing information available includes:

• ROI of >$30k for Marketing, Website, EDI or Implementing New Software Solutions.
• Grant Money for Youth Employment of $30k
• Training for Productivity Improvements with Funding of $50k
• And so much more.

Contact Bernadeen and the Mentor Works team today and learn how we can help you get the money you need for your business.

Are leadership teams a product of circumstance more than design? Was your last hire made based on the strengths as the best compliment to those of the existing team members? As a leader, do you prefer loyalty over brilliance?

What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows her or his strengths – and can call on the right strength at the right time. Leaders have an extreme self-awareness level of themselves and those around them. Perhaps this is why there is no definitive list of characteristics that describe all leaders.

In the book called, “Strengths-Based Leadership”, Tom Rath discusses the possibilities when people have “the opportunity to do what they do best every day” – playing to their strengths, it will boost an organizations overall engagement and productivity. It is a brilliant read and demands action for you to increase the self-awareness of your strengths and those around you. The on-line assessment brings all the credibility that you will need to re-organize and energize your team’s strength.

As I consider profitability of businesses every day, I seldom examine the “one” leader anymore as the saving grace. I consider the better strategy for growth and deeper question, suggested by Tom in his book, “Why people follow the most influential leaders in their life?” Interesting enough, it can be summarized as:

• The most effective leaders are always investing in strengths
• The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team
• The most effective leaders understand their followers’ needs of trust, compassion, stability and hope

It is all about the strengths of people. We know that – the 3 P’s. People, Productivity and Profits…..we just seldom do very much about the “P” for people.

I just decided that how can I blog about financial matters without discussing where there is great potential to increase the awareness of where some real money lies. By engaging our colleagues, the results from a strengths-based approach will create more rapid individual and organizational growth than traditional methods. I only wish I had read the book 20 years ago….

I would welcome hearing from you on how your last, great read impacted your results. One of my strengths is that of a Learner – hence, I can’t help but ask.

To receive Small Business Financing, there is a short timeline to apply and project must be completed by June 30, 2010. Additional details at: www.yveslandryfoundation.com.

It is an objective where manufacturing companies can apply for $50k contribution and non-repayable. It includes 75% of direct and indirect labor costs as part of the training initiatives to support innovation. This mechanism focuses on people and productivity improvements where you must select a project that serves either of the two objectives. They are:

Objective 1 – training that will support the adaptation of new technology, new processes or procedures or any change within the company to support innovation.

Objective 2 – training that will support and develop highly skilled personnel in any area that leads to innovation. This can include the development of new engineering skills, training in the use of new equipment or other tools/software to support innovation, retraining to embrace new technologies, new mfg methods or any other business area that will make Ontario Mfg Company more competitive in the global market.

Your first step is to review the eligibility document and submit a one-two pager about your project by email.

At Mentor Works, we serve business owners by educating, completing and selecting government funding mechanism that provide financing options for growth. If you would like additional support to complete the application process and learn of others, please do not hesitate to contact us Government Funding Support.

Through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Youth Employment Program is intended to help young graduates find employment in their chosen field, by providing a financial contribution to Canadian SME’s to help offset the cost of the graduate’s salary and training.

The maximum contribution is $30,000 per graduate and must support an internship period of six months minimum but may be up to 12 months.

Requirements of the interested incorporated business:

- The business must have one employee on the payroll (T4 slip) but fewer than 500 employees

- Able to use the expertise of the grad through a technical, business or marketing development

- No displacement of current employees

- Graduate must be currently unemployed

- The company, not IRAP, must find the graduate before applying

- It is recommended that the company register the position on the National Graduate Register.

- NGR coordinates: http://campus.workopolis.com/index.html

- A current balance sheet confirming that the operating line is sufficient for the first 2-3 months of start-up

- A copy of the graduates CV and diploma must accompany the application

For more information, please free to contact me at: www.mentorworks.ca or follow at: www.twitter.com/Bernadeen.

The government funding for small business owners supports new information and communications technologies. The financial support is to allow business owners to take advantage of the possibilities offered by e-business by improving their productivity and competitiveness beyond email or an internet site.

Request for Assistance for the 12 week internship:

• SMEs submit an application to the local delivering agency
• When approved, SMEs hires and negotiate the salary of the student intern.
• Government of Canada will reimburse 75% of eligible costs (i.e. wages and employee benefits) up to a total of $10,000 at the end of 12 week period.

SBIP receives $3.5 million in annual funding through Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Funding is confirmed until March 31, 2014 or a total of $17.5M. Approximately 400 SMEs each year will benefit from improved information and communication technology (ICT) capacity.

For more information, follow me at: www.twitter.com/Bernadeen.

From my research, the most popular activities include:

• Booth Rental
• Related Exhibition costs – basically anything that you have to rent for the trade show (internet service, large screen TV’s, lights, rugs, equipment, etc). Please note that EMA prefers expenses that are “rented” for accessing new markets compared to things that are purchased as capital assets….so always move towards renting instead.
• Pre-show mail-outs – marketing brochures or booth teasers, etc – excluded are product brochures. EMA will NOT pay for postage or delivery costs just for the marketing materials.
• Return airfare economy class for two reps
• You can submit a budget of travel expenses of $250/day of which they will only support $125/day total
• On-site meetings can be included as follow-up activities but only with clients that are “invoice able” (i.e. no sales agents or dealers)
• Product testing for non-Canadian standards agencies for market certification
• Local transportation costs (renting cars or taxi fares)
• Developing display panels or information booths
• Market materials – postcards, testimonials sheets, etc to be handed out at the booth where you may encourage prospects to enter a draw on website, so that you can collect contact information.
• Other promotional collaterals have a max $500 contribution level by EMA (i.e. like pencils, coasters, CD Cases etc with your company name identified on them)
• Banner to be used specifically at the trade show(s)
• Logistics costs to transport materials, etc to show
• Video creation from film to production – not scripting, just marketing creation costs. What is nice about this one is that you could have a large screen display at booth showing video(s) of company background and product strengths.
• Market research – examine competitive activity or distribution channels, buying attitudes or trends, growth rates, etc. Capped at $5000

Excluded are:

• All training expenses
• Hospitality suites
• No retail pop or pos displays
• No electronic mailing costs – (i.e. software programs like Constant Contact or aWeber is not supported)
• All taxes
• Meals and entertainment with clients

Regardless – we can only pick two Regions in one application. And preference to regions where sales % is the lowest is recommended.

The process is very straight forward and you are able to submit two different applications in a 12 month period. The on-line tool is located at www.exportaccess.ca. If you prefer additional support, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will provide assistance in completing your submission at www.mentorworks.ca.

The Yves Landry initiative, through FEDDEV, will support training initiatives of internal staff to foster innovation in new materials or process developments. The training will support the adaptation of new technology, new processes or procedures or any change within the company to support innovation.

The training can include the development of new engineering skills, training in the use of new equipment or other tools/software to support innovation, retraining to embrace new technologies, new manufacturing methods or any other business area that will make Ontario Manufacturing Companies more competitive in the global markets.

Further information on this funding mechanism can be obtained from their website: Yves Landry Training Initiative

Mentor Works provides support to educate business owners on potential government funding vehicles that are available in Ontario and consulting services to ease the application process. IF you would like additional support to complete the application process and learn of others, please do not hesitate to contact us at Mentor Works.

With the further investment of funding of $1.6M, the extension to the EMA program will provide up to 50% of a project’s eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000 per project. Activities include:

• International trade shows, fairs and exhibits
• Marketing Tools for foreign audiences to market the applicant’s products
• Market Reserch to target precise international markets
• Bidding on foreign projects against foreign competition

SME’s must have between 5-500 full-time employees with goods and services produced in Ontario plus greater than $500k in annual sales. Applications are submitted on-line and are accessed through www.exportaccess.ca.

Here is a small list of projects that are eligible to a maximum contribution of $50,000:

• Assessment of technology needs for adoption of technology (i.e. ERP, IT systems, accounting systems, etc.)
• Development of business, sales and marketing plans and branding
• Development of e-commerce enabled website (or upgrading of website)
• Productivity/lean manufacturing studies & engineering process analysis
• Design: product design, engineering design, design for manufacture
• Development of supply chain strategies
• Competitive market research and competitive intelligence studies

This funding recognizes a balance of technology, market and other business oriented support required to address the needs and growth demands of SME’s – and contribution mechanisms are not required to be repaid, they are not loans.

This contribution mechanism is available in Q1, 2010 so act now to avoid delays. A small business with stable cash position must submit a project proposal. My role is to provide support defining the project objectives, plan of work and benefits by consulting you through the qualification and/or execution process of a project.

Contact us today to help your small business increase profits and improve performance.