Last Minute - The Lethbridge Journal

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Strictly Business By Debbie Thomas Submitted to the Lethbridge Journal Much has been written over the years about the power of setting goals, both in your personal life and in your business life. Unfortunately, most people ignore the volumes of evidence that clearly provide that if you commit those goals to paper you have a far greater chance of achieving them. Recent studies have revealed that only four per cent of the population write down their goals and constantly refer to them to see if they are achieving their desired outcomes. Studies have also revealed that when most people reach retirement, only four per cent will have the assets to provide them with enough income to maintain the quality of life they had when they were working. As a business owner, it is vital to have clearly articulated goals or plans for your business. Let’s discuss the importance of goal setting: What Are Goals? Goals are best described as dreams or desired outcomes wrapped around a projected time frame. In other words, goals are those things you would like to achieve or have happen as a result of effort you are prepared to make. It’s a fact that you cannot achieve a goal you set for yourself without being prepared to work for it. Why Set Goals? Goals are important for many reasons. The most important reason for business owners to set goals is because it can help articulate and crystallize desired outcomes for your business. It’s a well-known fact that success is not an accident! It is consistent and disciplined effort that determines a person’s level of success. Goals come in all shapes and sizes and, for many people, exist only in their heads. It’s committing your goals to paper that compels you to act. What Happens When I Achieve A Goal? The first thing that should happen is that you should congratulate yourself. It’s important to develop reward mechanisms and incentives for yourself and your team every time a goal is achieved. You should also keep continually revising and stretching your goals, as it’s only by constantly setting new target and goals that you will see sustained and continuous improvement. Keep Your Goals In Reach When setting goals for your business, it’s a very good idea to remember some key focal points. It is very important to make sure all your goals are sustainable. Too many people set goals that simply cannot be maintained over the long term. Measuring your progress is another key element. It’s a simple fact that what gets measured gets done, so it’s important you know your position today in relation to where you want to be tomorrow. Setting goals that are achievable will help you avoid disappointment. Far too many people set goals that they are simply incapable of achieving. Keeping your goals relevant is also very important. Some people hang on to goals or dreams that they should have let go of years ago. It is also crucial to set a time-frame within which you would like to achieve your goals. Open-ended goals are really just pipe dreams. One of the easiest ways to set your goals for this year is doing it backwards. It’s easy!! First, know your big picture, then from there start breaking it down into sections. For example: if your big picture is a 15 per cent profit from last year, then you must determine how you are going to achieve that profit. There are many components in goal setting for that type of goal, such as marketing, sales, budget, product, service, etc. Each item in your business can then be broken down even further. Let’s take your budget to start with, that usually determines what you can spend and where to spend it. If your final goal is more profit, then you may need to expose your business more than you currently do. From there, you know that you may need a fair sized budget for marketing. So, if marketing will help with your goal this year, that’s where your budget needs to be adjusted from last year. Hop on the internet, read the ads in your local paper and start your search for marketing companies. You will be amazed at the talent you can find in your own back yard. They will work with you to achieve your ultimate goal by providing you with options you feel comfortable with and are within your budget. You may just need your website adjusted to be a bit more user friendly. Do you have enough information on it? Do you even have one? If you don’t, even if you are a small local business, it is almost essential to have one. The money you will spend on a professional company working for you will hopefully expose your company to more customers and clients that, in turn, will make your company much more profitable this year. So, now determine what is the next important part of your business that will make you more money and give you more time. Let’s say you spent four hours each month doing your own bookkeeping just to find out that your tax accountant had to re-do most because you don’t understand how to allocate your expenses. Luckily, that’s one area that is a no brainer: OUTSOURCE that to a professional bookkeeper. Their goal is to take that burden off your shoulders and provide you two very important things: First, it frees up that time so you can put your efforts into other areas of your business that you KNOW you’re good at. And second, bookkeeping is tax deductible. It’s like the government giving you this money to pay someone to ensure your records are up to date, accurate and the best part of all, will keep the cost of your tax account bill down. I hope these few ideas will help motivate you into a goal setting mode and get your creative juices flowing. So hit the ground running! Cooks (East Indian) required: Full Time, Permanent, Punjabi speaking, Minimum 2 years experience; $13.00/Hr. to start ASAP Fax Resume to 403-381-1356 41068451 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 6 LETHBRIDGE JOURNAL • WEEK OF MAY 11, 2012 • www.lethbridgejournal.ca
By Jeff Wiebe For the Lethbridge Journal For almost 40 years, Yoshitaka Kinjo has been practicing the art of karate. This dedication has allowed Kinjo to better both himself and his community, and now he has been officially recognized for his years of devotion. Kinjo was recently awarded a Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in recognition of his many contributions to Lethbridge and area. Through his karate school, Kinjo has held demonstrations to help raise funds for a variety of local organizations, including The Lung Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He has also created specially-tailored courses to serve local residents living with various illnesses like asthma or fibromyalgia. Kinjo says this spirit of service was instilled in him from a young age, growing up with his family in a small village in Okinawa, Japan. “People would help each other. We didn’t Yoshitaka’s joy is in helping others Photo credit: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © 2012 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General of Canada have so much money, but we helped other people,” he explains. “We have good times and tough times. When people have good times, we should be happy with them, and when they have tough times, we should help as much as we can. That’s the kind of lifestyle I learned from a very young age.” Kinjo began learning karate at age 16, and quickly took to it. Initially, his perceptions of the practice were admittedly misguided. “A lot of people believe karate is all about the physical – kicking and punching – and when I started karate, I thought the same,” he explains. “But as I practiced more and more, I realized physical is one side of karate, but there is also the mental and health side of it.” In 1971, at age 18, Kinjo moved to Canada and stayed for two years at a farm near Bow Island before re-locating to Lethbridge. At the time, he spoke very little English, but after experiencing the kindness of the city’s residents, he decided to stay long term. “People opened their hands for me, they opened doors for me. When I asked, they helped me all the time. So when I started being able to look after myself, I realized it was time for me to do something for others,” he explained. All the while, Kinjo worked on honing his karate skills. “Then one day I said, ‘karate is not a sport, it is an art,’” he explains. “And then I knew what I should do.” From then on, Kinjo would use his karate expertise to help others in the community, whether through fundraising demonstrations or specialized programs designed to help alleviate sickness and pain. “It makes me so happy when people who are suffering from pain start to be able to get a normal life again after I work with them,” he explains. “I love to help people, to see them smiling. It’s a very wonderful thing.” Kinjo has tried to impart these same values to the young members of his school who perform demonstrations, and he hopes they will go on to serve their communities Eco-ify your next garage saling adventure! in similar ways. He is very grateful for the support of his family and friends over the years, and humbled at being given an honour as prestigious as the Caring Canadian award. “If everybody put one step toward other people who need help, it could make our community much better.” The Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. Nominations for the award can be made directly through the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. They will be assessed by the Chancellery of Honours, which will make recommendations to the governor general. If you know a friend, neighbour or member of the community you believe deserves to be nominated, visit www.gg.ca/caring. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and the clutter is piling, so let’s talk garage sales! Whether your browsing others or the host, garage sales are an excellent eco-friendly option. To take it a step further, here are some tips for making your next garage sale experience easier on you, your wallet and the environment. For the garage sale shopper: The key to successful garage saling is in seeing the potential of repurposing, here are some suggestions: Garden Art - Be imaginative. If you’re looking for something to spice the garden up, consider old furniture such as dressers, metal work or even an old kettle can be turned into an indoor/outdoor planter. Use weather proof paint when possible and avoid small pieces birds and animals may eat. Party Platters - Pretty dishes can be transformed to multitiered platters with just E600 super glue and candlesticks. Renewed furniture - Quality wood can be hard to find and expensive if you do but a fresh coat of paint will bring new life, save your pocket book and the planet! Picture Perfect - A beautiful picture frame with a not-sonice picture can be easily swapped for another picture or even a mirror. You don’t even need to hang it, just use it as a tray! Think of the potential - Handles & pulls can easily be changed; wallpaper the back of a shelf to fit decor; chalkboard paint gives new life and kids love it! These are just a few of the many possibilities, (Pinterest is a great idea source too) but just make sure whatever you buy is something you will use, or it will just end taking up space until your own sale next spring! For the garage sale host: Multi-Family sales are always a big draw. Invite your neighbors to run a sale the same day, or friends to join yours. Group sales mean you can split the cost of newspaper advertising and put up signs together reducing your work and materials needed. Make an eco-friendly sign by using materials you already have or can get for free such as boxes with rocks used to hold them down. If you don’t have a cardboard box, just ask a grocery or liquor store. If you do use signs, don’t forget to collect them once you are done and (with all the space you now have) save them in your garage for next year! Get your stash looking nice and shiny to get more for your items. Clean the merchandise with an eco-friendly cleanser or household vinegar. White distilled vinegar can be used on many household items (porcelain, glassware, brass, copper, wood and carpet) but some need dilution or a mixture so it’s best to check first. Never use vinegar on marble. Go to vinagartips.com/ cleaning for a complete list. Wash all clothing in cold water and, if possible, opt for detergent that is vegetable not petroleum based and phosphate free. Stock up on plastic bags to give to customers. Ask co-workers or friends if you need. It makes shopping easier and saves a plastic bag from the landfill. For any electronics missing the manuals, just check online. Many companies, Sony and Apple for example, have an online version free to view/print. Just pointing this out may close your sale, especially for pricier items. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. The lamp you think is outdated maybe someone’s dream D.I.Y project but you must be realistic when your trash is, well, trash! Make sure you know where to recycle or dispose of items in their proper place. Visit lethbridge.ca/ living-here/my-home/Waste-Recycling for more info on waste disposal around Lethbridge. Some items are also illegal at garage sales. Find more information at healthcanada.gc.ca/cps In the end, re-using and re-purposing (when conscious of toxic chemicals and processes) can prevent useful, beautiful and unique items from reaching the landfill and make wonderful, budget- and planet-friendly additions to your home. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, garage sales are a perfect option for saving more than just money and space! Next month. . . Pallet Gardens! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • LETHBRIDGE JOURNAL • WEEK OF APRIL 27, 2012 • www.lethbridgejournal.ca 27
Page 1 and 2: FEATURE STORY Linda’s heart is in
Page 3 and 4: COVER FEATURE Specializing in: Plas
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Page 7 and 8: We’re Family Owned & Operated Ran
Page 9 and 10: send your pictures to editor@lethbr
Page 11 and 12: Last Minute MOTHER ’S DAY Guide B
Page 13 and 14: DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS DAILY DRINK SP
Page 15 and 16: ARIES (March 21-April 19) Greet eac
Page 17 and 18: Your ultimate events calendar for e
Page 19 and 20: What about Jack? By Greg Stonehocke
Page 21 and 22: Stay a while, and listen! We need a
Page 23 and 24: Recruitment & Search Temporary Staf
Page 25: Virtuous woman exposed Submitted to
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Page 31 and 32: New gym experience is platinum By J

Last Minute - The Lethbridge Journal

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