Many companies are discovering the business advantages of hiring people with disabilities. Become a Disability Confident employer, widen your recruitment base and tap into an extraordinary talent pool of potential candidates.

411,600 individuals with disabilities in Canada are not currently employed but have the potential to work. Almost half of these potential workers are post-secondary graduates (Statistics Canada, 2015). An estimated 3.8 million Canadians are limited in their daily activities due to a disability, representing 13.7% of the adult population (Statistics Canada, 2012).

Help grow rural businesses and tap into the TALENT

pool of people with disabilities!

What is HIRE for TALENT?

HIRE for TALENT is a Canada-wide awareness campaign that

aims to increase employer awareness about how persons with

disabilities are a talented part of the workforce. It will also

provide resources to help employers tap into this talent pool

during their search for skilled workers. By understanding how

to create inclusive workplaces, employers and workers can

discover many benefits, while encouraging economic growth —

a “win-win situation” for everyone. CLICK HERE to go to HIRE

for TALENT’s website to learn more information!

Feb 2018

VOLUME 2: ISSUE 2

Community Futures

Peace Country

Highlights

HIRE for TALENT 1

Featured Clients! 2

LUNCH & Learn Recap

3

LUNCH & Learn 3

About Us! 4

Volunteer B.O.D. Opportunity

4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

COMMUNITY FUTURES ‘HIGHLIGHTS’ Page 2

Monthly Featured Clients!

Our featured clients for the month of

February are Rob and Linley Coward,

owners of South Peace Communications

in Valleyview, AB!

What made the two of you decide to

start up your own company?

“We were already owners of a communication business in the oilfield industry and enjoyed the flexibility and other perks. We also felt that we could grow the existing business.”

Tell us about your business. What kind

of work do you do?

“It is a Communications and Electronics store in Valleyview. We partnered with The Source to be able to provide more inventory and options to our customers. We also do radio rentals and installations for business in their trucks.”

What have been your biggest challenges

so far?

“The recession was a little tricky, as a portion of our business services the oilfield with communications rentals. This revenue disappeared for at least a year but is starting to come back with the industry picking up. We offset this challenge by downsizing and paying attention to all the little expenses that add up. Prudence was key.”

What advice do you have for a new

business startup?

“From a Banker's standpoint, as well as a business owner’s, do your home-work. Understand your cash flow and inventory cycles. Cash is king - banks lend on cash flow primarily. Having solid staff is also important. Make sure you have key people in place that are given the support they need to learn and grow with the business. You can have a great business plan and a viable product, but if the right people are not in place to help you succeed - you will not!”

“Lastly, make sure you have a great accountant that understands your business and gives you advice from a tax planning perspective.”

What are your favourite pastimes?

“We enjoy our family and spending time with each other. Our main family pastime is hunting and fishing... and now hanging out with our new grandbaby!“

Where do you see yourselves in 5

years?

“We are entrepreneurs and have a passion for that! South Peace Communications is a success, and we have good people working for and with us. We are currently starting another business in Grande Prairie, AB that is different than this industry, and we are super excited to start this process again!”

VOLUME 2: ISSUE 2

Despite an unexpected power outage at the Community Futures office, we had a full house and a fantastic Lunch and Learn session held on January 17th with Stacey Messner, HR Consultant. Stacey discussed the topic ‘Preventing Harassment in the Workplace’. She went over the definition of

harassment, discussed the many behaviors which contribute to a hostile work environment, and provided excellent tips on how to prevent and deal with harassment in the workplace.

Page 3

LUNCH & Learn!

Join us for our upcoming lunch hour information session on Wednesday, February 21st!

This session is facilitated by Deb Kalyn, CF Business Analyst, and features the topic ‘Understanding Your Financial Statements’.

Please RSVP as soon as possible by calling Community Futures at 624-1161.

It’s FREE!

January LUNCH & Learn Recap

VOLUME 2: ISSUE 2

Write here...

Page 4

Women in the North 2018

The Community Futures Peace Country office is a community driven, non-profit organization staffed by business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. We provide a wide range of small business services and business management tools for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business. We also run a number of specialized business programs, organize exciting business events, and actively work with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth.

Funded in Western Canada by Western Economic Diversification Canada, Community Futures has been supporting small business and rural economic diversification since 1986. Community Futures has established 90 Community Futures organizations throughout rural Western Canada, including 27 offices in Alberta.

Given the importance of small business to Canada's changing economy, one of the primary focuses of the CFs is to foster entrepreneurial development by providing both financial and technical support to new and existing small businesses.

9816 — 98 Ave Peace River, AB

Phone: 780.624.1161

Fax: 780.624.1308

We’re online! www.cfpeacecountry.com

Growing communities

one idea at a time.

About Us!

Page 5

Click to view our Facebook page!

Volunteer Board of Directors Opportunity