How to Use LinkedIn to Grow your Small Business

Chances are you’ve already set up a LinkedIn Profile.  You connected with some people you have in your network and then, likely, have just left your page laying dormant on the site.  Using LinkedIn to promote yourself and your small business can be very beneficial and even lucrative.   When used properly, LinkedIn can help you gain leads, generate real business, meet others in your industry, and create a forum for collaboration with like-minded business people. Here are some tips to help you utilize LinkedIn to grow your business: Complete your personal profile. Half of the profiles on LinkedIn are no…

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Tips for Recruiting Seasonal Employees

It seems like we blinked and everything exploded into green!  Summer is just around the corner and for many businesses, especially in the food and hospitality industry, that means things are going to get busy. Your success this summer is very much dependent on hiring good seasonal staff.  Are you prepared to recruit and retain a successful summer staff? First things first, start advertising open positions, if you haven’t already.  The longer you wait, the most likely the really prepared and responsible candidates (the ones you want) will have already found a job for the summer. Create job descriptions and job advertisements and post…

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Transforming the Workplace

How would you describe the learning environment in your workplace? Progressive companies understand a healthy learning climate is important for growing business.  Whether it’s defining and meeting goals through business coaching, leadership and management training, team building or workplace diversity training; remaining flexible and willing to learn will improve your business outcome. “When employers improve their workplace learning and interpersonal skills climate it translates into more motivated and engaged employees and better customer service,” said Marie Gervais, Director of Shift Management. Shift Management offers online services for organizations, managers and individuals that include eLearning through online courses and webinars.  One…

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First Aid Requirements for Business Owners

According to the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code every business must ensure that first aid services, equipment and supplies are available to their employees. Employers must make sure a certain number of employees have their First Aid Certification.  The number of first aiders required is determined by the number of workers on site, the sites distance from emergency services, and which hazard category the business falls under. “The government makes first aid training mandatory within business to ensure that health and safety standards are upheld,” said Dominique Graf, owner of Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc in Edmonton….

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Cafe Express

Cafe Express is Acheson’s newest deli cafe specializing in hot and cold sandwiches as well as specialty coffees. Cafe Express is owned and operated by Carmen and Dave Hrycak. With over 15 years of customer service experience, we are proud to offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere where our customers can sit and enjoy a great meal. We also know that many of Acheson’s employees get short lunch breaks, so we have created a great phone in order service where you can call ahead and pickup your lunch when you want it. Cafe Express offers fresh deli sandwiches and hot…

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Balancing Business & Family

The kids are going back to school and while most articles in the Coffee News newsletter focus on marketing for small business, we thought we would touch on another very important topic:  balancing business life with family life.  If you’re a parent AND a small business owner, you know that the fall is a busy time and it can be difficult to find a good routine. An article from National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) from the United States gave some tips for entrepreneurs with families to help keep the peace and stay organized (or get organized!) during this hectic time. …

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Make the most of your Winter Escape

As winter blows into town it triggers a seemingly annual Google search for tropical holiday destinations.  We might not be in the brunt of it yet, but those who live in the prairies know that by January or February a getaway to somewhere warm (anywhere warm) will be necessary. “We’re getting into our busy season because of all the winter travelers,” said Angie Garred of Dive Outfitters, an Edmonton-based company offering scuba diving and snorkeling courses and equipment. Snorkeling is a popular activity on warm destination holidays.  Dive Outfitters offers high quality snorkeling gear and instructional courses in the NAIT…

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A Vacation on Wheels

By Amy Hancock Despite the piles of snow that seem to be lingering this spring, somewhere in the not-so-far distance summer is waiting to appear. For many people this means RV season is approaching. Are you an avid RV vacationer and need to prepare your unit for summer? Have you always wanted to give “RVing” a try? Coffee News spoke with Cross Country RV, a full service RV dealer located near Acheson at Glowing Embers RV Park, and they have advice for both. “This time of year RV owners come in to de-winterize their units,” said Milt Vinet…

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