Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, are you wondering where your career passion is? It’s that time of year – no, it’s not New Year’s but SPRING … the time of year we all look forward to when the trees and the plants and the animals start showing signs of rebirth … of …
Author: Vanessa Salopek
Vanessa is one of our Business Associate with over 15+ years of small business operational and management experience. Over the years Vanessa has had vast hands-on experience with start-ups, small-medium size business and franchises. She has proudly started, owned, and operated several businesses, including Canadian franchises and a award-winning Restaurant in Calgary Alberta. She is an advocate for entrepreneurs and small business owners and understands the unique needs and circumstance of businesses in various industries. Vanessa is also a proud to sit on the Board of Director for AARCS, and understands the importance of aligning Board strategy with daily operations of the organization. Vanessa is a CPHR candidate with a Business degree from the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. She combines years of industry experience with a strong broad and practical skillset that helps organizations look at their people strategy as a full entity of their business to help them grow and develop.
Anthem for the Small Business Owner
Its 6:30 am on the morning after my Executive Chef’s wedding. I can hear the partygoers slowly dying off as I’m slowly waking up for yet again another 14-hour workday. As I sit here sipping on my venti, non-fat, sugar free, no whip, caramel macchiato and watching the sunrise over the mountains, I find myself …
Welcome to … 2019!
In traditional new years’ style, we are dreaming of all we wish to accomplish with this fresh start – listing off each goal with bright eyes and an overwhelming sense of motivation. These goals tend to range from personal to professional, from mental to physical health, with tiny habit changes and baby steps in-between. In …
The Simple Art of Effective Listening
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” –Doug Larson Among the many keys to establishing and maintaining a strong relationship, there isn’t anything I value more than practising effective listening skills. In my own experience, I have always felt more confident and empowered leaving a …
The 20 Hour Work Week: Working Smarter Not Harder
Can you image what your life would be like if you only had to work 20 hours in a week? You could hit the links and go golfing with some friends, or catch a matinee movie, or even hit the gym before the after work craze. Its safe to say that working less hours would …
Move over Summer, Falls going to be a good one!
As the days get shorter, the excitement of warm-weathered activities fades and the hot summer sun begins to dwindle, you may notice a negative impact on your own mood and energy levels. This can be due to a number of different reasons, many of which involve the impending fate of a cold Canadian winter. These …
Embrace the Eccentric!
“What people call “weird” comes part and parcel with people who are brilliant in some way. So embrace your weird. Embrace your eccentricity.” – Elleen Anglin , Life Coach No matter what industry, position, or place you work in, I’m sure we all have that one co-worker who is singled out as the office “odd ball”. …
Keeping Up…The Changing Landscape Of Ontario ESA Legislation
It seems no matter which direction we turn these days change just keeps a comin’! In 2018, Ontario employers have faced a number of new challenges – more than just an increase in minimum wage – arising from the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 … better known as “Bill 148”. To help navigate the …
Expect R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Isn’t it a given – we should all expect respect? Why is it then that we are spending considerable time and resources in our businesses ensuring everyone is aware of the importance of a respectful work place? I believe the answer is that if we don’t, we can’t be assured that everyone is on the …
Giddy Up! Proper Stampede Etiquette You Can Apply In The Workplace
Picture this … it’s a beautiful sunny day, and while you’re currently enjoying a cinnamon-sugar-coated mini-doughnut, a hot dog sure sounds good. Then you come across a pizza stand … and a hot dog-stuffed pizza stand … and a hot dog-stuffed pizza topped with mini-doughnuts stand … now totally confused, you adjust your cowboy …