PARO Wheels...

Making A Difference: A Business Development Program

Smart Start Your Future…

With a winning resume and a fundable business plan.

Want to start or expand your business?

Not sure where to start?

Can’t find a Job?

Dissatisfied with your Work?

What is Making a Difference?

· Business Development Training & Job Search Assistance

· Networking & On-going Support

· Small Loans Through Peer Lending Circles

· Bi-weekly Group Sessions

· No Cost to the Participant

Orientation Session:

Monday February 21st, 2005 ~ 2 PM OR 7 PM

in the Marathon Town Hall Building - Council Chambers

Call Lori 1-800-584-0252

A partnership initiative between PARO and the Town of Marathon Economic Development Office

Funded by:

The support of Government of Ontario through the Ontario Women's Directorate, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is acknowledged

Bits & Pieces for Busy Businesses

By Rosalind Lockyer, Executive Director

An amazing amount of trivia passes through my computer. Yours too, I'll bet! Sometimes statistics leap out at me, and I wonder if we ever take the time to apply what we see and hear as "fact" and translate them into marketing or business strategies. Here's an example for you:

This recent article in the Ottawa Business Journal about Valentine's spending, quotes,

Men spend an average of $74, while women spend $47
21% of men will spend between $1,000 and $5,000, while 9% of women will do the same

How do you position YOUR products and services, and do you know what the purchasing statistics are for special occasions? Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day are coming up. What's your strategy for reaching the consumer who is more likely to spend money with you? Then, how do you track what actually happened?

Need some help in understanding what's happening in the marketplace? If you are already in business in Northern Ontario, you might consider applying for The Accelerator.

Yours in business growth,

Roz

Biz and Bagel

Join us for our next Biz and Bagel

Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 featuring

Beth Boon

"Building a Tradeshow Booth and

Representing Your Business Effectively While at It"

This program is funded by the Government of Canada

The Accelerator

If you are a woman in the service industry, listen UP! When someone asks you for advice about your specialty service, do you just give it away and then wonder why you aren't being paid enough or at all? This summarized article has some answers. You may not agree with all of the responses, yet you can use them to figure out an approach that will work for you.

Freebie Seekers? Turn Them Into Clients and Referrers - or Turn Them Far, Far Away

Summary: When you value your services and create boundaries; others will value your services, too.

Many service business owners these days are "giving away" their business services - and then wonder why people aren't hiring them in droves. In the name of "marketing," business owners are providing way too much information for free. Some shifts in thinking are necessary if these business owners expect to be in business years from now. Even trained coaches, I believe, do too much pro-bono work. Why? They say that they need to practice, but the bottom line, IMO, is that they don't value their gifts.

Shifts in thinking and action need to occur. One place to start is by moving yourself from an employee mentality, where you "give information for free because your company is paying you and it's just what you do in your job" to thinking like a business owner who values their gifts and expects to be paid for those gifts.

Tiffany Bond, principal at BrandBond in Seattle, said it best: "People seldom value an opinion they didn't pay for - but they will sure assess blame to it!"

23* things to say when someone asks you - a service business owner - for free information! (* edited to 20!/ MM)

My charge for an initial consultation is "x." If we turn out to be a good match, and you hire me, I'll apply 1/2 of "x" towards your commitment.
I'm happy to give you 5 minutes or less of free time, however, most issues are more quickly & effectively resolved in an undisturbed session(s). May we schedule a meeting so I can give you my undivided attention?
What I can do is refer you to a free resource on "_______."
I do work with two pro-bono clients, who are in desperate need financially. I'll take your card and add you to the waiting list.
Yes, I do work with clients on "name the issue." Would you like to set up a consultation?
That will cost "x" per hour.
Well, I'd love to suggest something; however, my fees are "xxx" per hour.
Are you looking to hire me?
You may call me for a 15-minute talk, very focused, on that issue.
"Well, the answer to that question depends" and then spend a few minutes explaining some of the options and considerations.
Sorry, I can't answer that unless you pay my fee (or hire me).
A complete answer to your question is going to take more than 15 minutes over the phone. Would you like me to send you a proposal on this?
I have really enjoyed talking with you and would like to help more. May I send you one of my brochures and a rate card?
Do you have a time line and/or budget in mind for solving this problem?
Have you looked at cost estimates from others who would like to help you solve this problem or complete this project?
It's not a good time for me to begin a session right this minute. Would you like to briefly discuss session times and fees?
Are you seeking generic free information on "the topic" or to work with a "your profession here" to address your specific situation? [If I have a free resource, I'll ask for their email address and send it to them.]
I provide a general 3-4 sentence overview of how I would address their concern with them. Then I say that I've found that the sorting of the information available and subsequent application of that information is so specific to each individual that I always recommend hiring a "your professional" for getting that one project completed.
Well what I can offer you on that subject is an ebook (CD, audio, etc) called ________. I'll email you the link.

(source: Maria Marsala, Denise Wakeman BLOG)

The Accelerator might be what YOU need to scale up your business or to solve some entrepreneurial problems. It's an innovative and flexible (we know you're stretched for time!) program for women who are already in business in northern Ontario. {PARO has participants from Nipigon to Dryden, Fort Frances region to rural Thunder Bay; seniors, young entrepreneurs, experienced and with barely one toe in the water.}

Applications are ongoing, so please call Maggie at 807 625 0328 for information and forms. As one current participant emailed, "Just wanted to tell you thank you very much for spending so much time with me on the phone. I really appreciate your wisdom and your advice. It feels good to be able to share some of my thoughts with you and get some very valuable feedback."

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PARO's Accelerator project has been supported with a grant from the Canadian Women's Foundation Economic Development Collaborative Fund, a partnership of the Canadian Women's Foundation, CIBC, The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and an Anonymous donor.

This project is supported by Industry Canada / Fednor

Community Events

returning to Thunder Bay...

Australian sensations

"the FRUIT.TRIO"

Sunday, February 27th 8PM at the OUTPOST - Lakehead University 955 Oliver Rd.

with special opening guests ~ outside the lines

tickets at:

Global Experience ~ General Admission $18

Proceeds to

www.thunderingwomen.ca

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There is only one thing more powerful than all the armies of the world, that

is an idea whose time has come. - - Victor Hugo

This Phenomenal Movie Has Sold Out All Over North America

Coming to Thunder Bay Sunday March 13 ONLY!

Confederation College Lecture Theatre

1:00 pm , 4:00 pm , and 7:00 pm .

Tickets $10.00 advance $15.00 at the door.

Available at Solsbury Hill Wellness Centre

899 Fort William Rd 626-0130

"WHAT THE #$*! DO WE KNOW?!" is a new type of film. It is part documentary, part story, and part elaborate and inspiring visual effects and animations. The protagonist, Amanda, played by Marlee Matlin, finds herself in a fantastic Alice in Wonderland experience when her daily, uninspired life literally begins to unravel, revealing the uncertain world of the quantum field hidden behind what we consider to be our normal, waking reality.

Click here to view trailer http://www.whatthebleep.com/trailer/

Curiouser and curiouser!- Lewis Carroll

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THE BODYMIND CENTRE

Free Beginner’s meditation starts February 21^st 6 - 7pm. Free Tai Chi and Qi Gong for Health Wednesday mornings with Peng You 7:30 - 8:30am. Buddhist Dharma Talks with Ahjan Punnadhamo Wednesday nights 7 - 8:30pm by donation. Everyone welcome. Sunday February 27^th 1 – 4pm HEALING CIRCLE for all energy workers, reflexologists, Healing Touch, T.T., Reiki, BodyTalk Practitioners, etc.etc. potluck snacks, meditation and working on each other. $5 donation. www.bodymindcentre.com 344-1628

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Influential Women Call for Nominations

June 2, 2005 Fort William Historical Park

Deadline for Nominations February 21st, 2005

Nominations is the Public & Private Sector, Exporting and Young Entrepreneur

visit www.influentialwomen.ca

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PARO Development Programs

Are you a Woman with a Disability?

Dissatisfied With Your Work?

Want to Become Self-Employed?

Are you a woman contemplating going into business but do not know where to start?

Information Session in Marathon

Monday February 21st 2PM or 7PM in the Town Hall Building - Council Chambers

Call Lori for more info 625.0328 or 1.800.584.0252

Start Your Business Today!!! Let us help you!

Join the Making A Difference: A Business Development Program

Anyone Interested please join us!!!

Are you out in the region and want to start a business?

LORI @ 1.800.584.0252

Diana (807)597-1299

Funded by:

The support of Government of Ontario through the Ontario Women's Directorate, the Ministry of

Citizenship and Immigration is acknowledged

PARO Self-Employment Benefit Program

PARO's GATEWAY: A Path to Self-Employment

On EI now or in the last 3 years, or had Maternity benefits in the last 5 years?

Register Today!!

Click http://www.paro.ca/gateway.html here for more information

This program is funded by the Government of Canada

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Do you have a computer? Can you surf the internet easily? Why not try our new Pilot project...PARO On-line.

"Call today because you may qualify for our NEW and EXCITING Computerized On-line Training."

Health Minute

Be Good To Your Heart...

Do your breakfast habits include yogurt or cold cereal? If so, you're giving your heart a treat.

Regular consumption of yogurt and cold breakfast cereals was associated with reduced homocysteine levels in a recent study. Keeping homocysteine levels in check may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Other foods in the study that lowered homocysteine levels include milk, bell peppers, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

Source: www.realage.com

PARO Events Calendar

The PARO events calendar will list all dates, times and places of events that will be held during the next few months. Unless otherwise specified, events will be held @ PARO Place. Please contact the office at 625-0328 for any information.

February 23rd - Biz and Bagel 12:15 - 1:15PM - Presented by Rosalind Lockyer - Making it Happen - Women in Business

March 9th - Biz and Bagel 12:15 - 1:15PM - Presented by Donna Brown - Stress & Spam

March 16th - Biz and Bagel 12:15 - 1:15PM - Presented by: Shannon Cormier - Business - Family - Life Balance

March 23rd - Biz and Bagel 12:15 - 1:15PM - Presented by Lila Cano - Finding the Artist Within

March 30th - Biz and Bagel 12:15 - 1:15PM - Presented by Sarah Sowelu - Self-Grounding for Self-Employment

April 6th - Biz and Bagel 12:15 - 1:15PM - Presented by Nancy Angus - Stand-Out! Stand-Up! Showcasing Achievement & Potential with Career Portfolios

June 24, 25 & 26th - Thundering Women Festival - Chippewa Park

Weekly Inspiration

"Teach the young people how to think, not what to think"

-Sidney Sugarman

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POSITIVE QUOTE :

"We can believe in a thing, we can know that it exists, even if we cannot understand it with our intellect, or explain it with words."

DAILY MOTIVATION : No More Hugs

One day someone's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there is not any more.

No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it . . . it is best we love it . . . and care for it and fix it when it is broken . . . and heal it when it is sick.

This is true for marriage . . and old cars . . . and children with bad report cards and dogs with bad hips and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Life is important, like people we know who are special . . .and so, We keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it is your turn to send this to all those people who are "keepers" in your life. Thank you for being a special part of my life!

Irby F. Stewart

Have a groovy weekend,

LORI