Changing times require a focus on what’s important in a business.
Maintaining or improving market share, acquiring, retaining, and training good people, communicating effectively with your marketplace and knowing the effect of world events on your business are all key factors in surviving and prospering as a business.
We have brought together a group of speakers who can help you to focus on the key strategies you need to maintain and improve that important indicator of your business’s health – your bottom line.
Four Van-Line Viewpoints
Michael Argier, Vice-President, Sales & Business Development, North American Van Lines
Doug Auld, President, Atlas Van Lines (Canada) Ltd.
David Fennell, President, Allied Van Lines
Anne Martin, President, United Van Lines (Canada) Ltd.
This year, four industry leaders from the major van lines in Canada will share their views on the topics they see as important in today’s rapidly changing technological, economic and political environment. Each will address areas that improve a company’s market share and profitability, and, in turn, what owners and managers must focus on in order to thrive in business.
Government Moving Contract
Chantal Charron, Furniture & Effects Policy, Directorate of Transportation Management
K.W. (Ken) Janes, Chief, Central Removal Service, Public Works & Government Services Canada
As the Canadian government changes its relocation pricing and contract policies, it changes its relationship with the moving industry. Major recent changes have included:
- The tariff increase
- Value indexing
- Alternative-to-scaling trial
- Legible-inventories trial
As the government gains experience with each of these initiatives, their effects on mover performance and customer service become apparent. Major Charron and Mr. Janes will share some of the results of these changes and where they see the government/industry relationship going in the future.
The Economic Outlook for 2002:
The problems in moving to sustainable economic growth
Peter L. Drake, Vice-President and Deputy Chief Economist, TD Bank Financial Group
We are living through the economic fallout from the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The economies of Canada and the United States are hurting. How much of the current economic difficulties is directly the result of the attacks and how much was already in the cards? How long will the economic fallout last? And, when the economies begin to recover in 2002, as TD Bank’s Economics team expects they will, will we face the same economic imbalances as we did during the economic boom?
The HR Contribution to Your Bottom Line
David Boyle, Partner, HR-on-Demand
For some entrepreneurs, the costs associated with human resources are seen as a negative requirement of doing business, having an adverse impact on the bottom line. If this is your view, then this presentation will challenge the way you think.
David Boyle will present a case study that illustrates the benefits of a positive view of HR. Comparing HR with an investment portfolio, Mr. Boyle will demonstrate that the right decision-making regarding HR can create value for a company. He’ll show you how knowing your business can help you choose the right people, and train, motivate and retain them. He’ll also discuss ways of managing the costs of benefits and compliance with legislation. You’ll learn how to achieve the goal of getting the right people who can deliver, with your help, consistent performance that will help ensure your company’s future success.
Be a PROFITMOVER – A Profitability Seminar
James B. Larsen, JBL Enterprises
Jim Larsen, well-known consultant to the moving industry, will present a seminar called BE A PROFITMOVER, which was developed to help small businesses enhance their profitability. If improving your bottom line is important to you, then you must attend this workshop.
To have your company BE A PROFITMOVER, management must keep the following items consistently and persistently in mind. Some items Jim will discuss are:
- Why we fail – no excuses
- Being the best
- Certain business factors: business mix, productivity, capacity, quality, financial analysis, management
- Establishing standards
- Understanding your costs
- Counter management
- Invoicing in 24 hours
- Using the profit equation
- Using a breakeven
- Being a gatekeeper
- Having a sales plan
- Developing a proper financial review
In this seminar, we will work on developing methods of measuring performance that will help you make proper decisions at the right time. "Without measuring a company’s processes and its changes to these processes, it is impossible to know where you are or where you are going" (Six Sigma). You will learn many ways to improve profits in your company – the time you spend here will be very beneficial.
Trade Show
Exhibitors from Canada and the USA will display the latest products, services and technology in a one-day trade show running concurrently with the conference on November 19 only. The trade show will be open to 18 exhibitors this year and will be held in the dining room of the Grand York Ballroom. This will ensure that exhibitors have an opportunity to meet with movers during all breaks and at the evening’s events. Booths will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will remain available for viewing until 9:00 p.m. The trade show is intended to provide members with exposure to the latest in moving products and services, and exhibitors with a one-day event in which they can meet a concentrated group of current and potential clients. Companies wishing to exhibit can contact the CAM office at 905.513.1728 or admin@mover.net.
Hotel
The host hotel for the annual conference is the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel. It is located at Highway 7 and Leslie Street, just north of the Leslie Street exit from Highway 407 and west of Highway 404.
The hotel is offering special rates to conference attendees, ranging from $99 to $169 per night (single or double). These rates are available until October 20.
Registration
The pricing for the conference remains the same as last year. For member companies: $450 for the first attendee and $300 for each additional attendee from the same location. For non-members, the fee is $740 for the first attendee and $300 for subsequent attendees, and includes 2002 membership. You can use an online registration form to register by mail or fax.
British Columbia has updated its list of approved routes for weights up to 85K kgs in the Lower Mainland area eastward to Hope and north to Kamloops. Overload permits will be available at weigh scales or by calling the 1.800.559.9688 permit number.
Ontario advises that, effective July 30, 2001, Level 2 Carrier Abstracts can be ordered at www.carriersafetyrating.com. They will be mailed directly to the carrier. The Ministry intends to proceed with an authorization process that will allow carriers to receive their abstracts directly through the Internet.
Transport Canada announced new "clear language" regulations governing the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada. The TDG Regulations 2001 are designed to promote public safety and set out requirements for testing, classification, labeling, containment and documentation for dangerous goods. The new version is presented in clear language and in a more user-friendly format according to the Transport Canada release. The TDG Regulations 2001 will replace the previous version, which was enacted in 1985, and will take effect on August 15, 2002.
Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) has issued an alert on the subject of drivers as subcontractors. Apparently, some fleets have been advised to sign subcontractor agreements with their drivers, whereby the driver becomes provincially incorporated and establishes himself as an executive officer. This is intended to allow the driver to opt out of WSIB coverage (and premiums) and allow the company to avoid WSIB premiums through becoming self-insured.
The WSIB has ruled that this is not a valid subcontractor relationship and has, in the past, forced companies to pay WSIB premiums. Companies can consult with the WSIB at 1.800.387.0066 before entering into any type of agreement that could put them or their drivers at risk of penalties.
