“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 …
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.
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 …
Setting the Table for a Hospitable Business
Setting the Table: The Power of Hospitality in Business. “ Understanding the distinction between service and hospitality has been at the foundation of our success. Service is the technical delivery of a product. Hospitality is how the delivery of that product makes its recipient feel. Service is a monologue- we decide how we want to …
My Path to Human Resources & Joining the Salopek Team!
Hello and welcome to my very first blog post! My name is Zoe Dzenick, and I started with Salopek & Associates as a Human Resources Assistant and Office Administrative Assistant in mid-May of this year. Relocating to Calgary from my hometown of St. Albert in September of 2017 was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating (not unlike …
Be Aware! OH&S Changes Impact HR: Free Breakfast Session
The first Occupational Health & Safety update in 40 years comes into effect June 1, 2018 and the changes will impact your Human Resources policies and practices. Have you prepared your organization, your managers and H&S representatives for the changes? Bill 30 will come into effect June 1, 2018 and is aimed at improving the …