Randall W. Edge, MBA

Professional Services by Randall Edge

2011-07-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

The professional services provided by Randall W. Edge, M.B.A., will be offered through his newly formed and registered company RandallEdge Professional Services. Services being provided to clients include:

Management Consultant
Marriage Commissioner
Notary Public
Simply Accounting Tutor
Quick Books Tutor
Regina Consulting Services
Regina Management Consultant
Regina Accounting Software Trainer
Regina Marriage Commissioner, formerly named J.P.
Regina Notary Public / Commissioner of Oathes
Regina Accounting Service
Relief Accounting Jobs (Term or Casual Assignments)
Regina Bookkeeping Service
Regina Payroll Service
Regina Labour Standards Consulting
Regina Occupational Health & Safety Consulting
Parliamentarian Services (Roberts Rules & Kerr King)
Business Valuation Analysis
Business Forecasting & Budgeting
Business Cash Resources Management
Business Inventory & Pricing Control Support
Cost Recovery Analysis - Merchant Credit Card Processing
Proposal Preparation for Bank Financing Applications
T4 Summary and T4 Slip Preparation
CRA Volunteer Tax Preparer (CVITP Program)
Tutoring Services - Simply Accounting Application Software
Tutoring Services - Quick Books Application Software
Tutoring Services - Payroll, HR & Occupational Safety
Regina Web Domain Search & Registration
Regina Business Name Searches
Regina Business Name Registration
Incorporation of a Saskatchewan Corporation
Business Trade Name Registration in Saskatchewan
Wedding Service in Regina
Rental of Portable PA System in Regina

RandallEdge Professional Services is owned and operated by 101168455 Saskatchewan Ltd.

Arestian....A New Venue for a Wedding

2011-05-01T04:43:00.000-07:00

A new venue has arrived in Regina. The Artesian Centre is an astonishing new facility. Located at 2627 - 13th Avenue (at Angus Street); it is nestled in the Cathedral area. Once a church building...the building has undergone are complete renewal process. It has a gathering space that can accommodate 200 witness for a wedding service. The facility benefits from astonishing attention to acoustics where every word can be heard by all during the wedding service without the need for microphones or sound equipment. There is a stage area available. There is a guest lounge at the lower level. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible. A truly perfect venue for anyone considering a setting for their wedding service. For more information email info@www.artesianon13th.ca

Services - Marriage Commissioner

2010-12-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here is an indication for Marriage Commissioner Randall Edge's availability to perform wedding ceremony services for the solemnization of marriage in the City of Regina, Saskatchewan and its surrounding area:

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All appointment bookings are made on a preliminary basis. To secure a booking, the fees for the services requested must be paid in advance at the time of booking in the form of a non-refundable deposit. This is the only way to change your booking from a preliminary to a confirmed booking. RPS does reserve the right to cancel any booking upon refund of the deposit.

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Confirmations of appointments booked can be facilitated upon request. Please request confirmation by email to the eMail address of Randall.Edge@Gmail.com.

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The basic fee for a Marriage Solemnization ceremony: $105.00 (including GST) per ceremony performed (which includes the cost of a wedding rehearsal as well). Randall's service is provided through his registered company RandallEdge Professional Services (RPS). RPS, effective June 1, 2010, became a registrant in the GST system, and as a result there is $5.00 of GST added to the $100. fee for a total charge of $105.00. Randall does provide a more detailed schedule for fees for special request services which are available upon request. Payment for service is requested be paid in full at the time of the booking of the wedding service. This avoids the awkward issue of dealing with the issue of payment immediately before or after the wedding service. In addition, the bridal party is requested to arrange to present Randall with an envelope that should contain the original Marriage License in advance of the ceremony or upon his arrival. Randall has been receiving requests for extra meetings and rehearsals and can only accommodate these requests as his schedule permits.

(There is no charge for mileage for ceremonies within the boundaries of Regina)

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Most wedding ceremonies are conducted at locations that are provided by the wedding couple. Should you not have such arrangements yet made; please refer to Randall's web site for a listing of alternative locations. Couples desiring to book weddings in locations that are out-of-doors are cautioned to prepare to cope with issues like rain and wind storms. Having a widely known alternative location for the wedding service (in case of rain) just makes good common sense. Consider advising your wedding guests of the alternate location (in case of rain) right in the text of the original wedding invitations.
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Marriage ceremonies may be booked to be conducted at the Residence of Randall W. Edge (compact front living room area) for a booking fee of $75.00 plus GST. Randall's residence is located in north Regina near the Northgate Shopping Center. However in the summer, Randall suggests that when the weather is sunny, that the Kiwanis Waterfall Park is ideal for small intimate wedding ceremonies. The park is located at 3400 Regina Avenue. This is the park at the intersection of Regina Avenue and Elphinstone Street. The park is located about three blocks east of Regina and Lewvan and therefore is located just east of the Regina Airport. This location is a more appropriate setting for a wedding and when the weather is rainy the backup located is suggested to be the Wascana Park Bandshell; (which is a four minute drive away) which is an equally appropriate setting for an impromptu wedding, whether large or small. In the fall, winter and early spring, couple consider renting time and space at the Regina Floral Conservatory (call Rose at 586-2265 to book their facility near 8th Avenue and Broad Street) at the same $75.00 fee that Randall charges for the use of his living room. The setting is perfect for wedding pictures and is available year round for booking. Randall does possess his own portable sound PA System and it is available for use at a wedding service for a small rental fee of $25.00.

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Under the requirements of the Marriage Act, 1997, the couple to be married should avoid the consumption of intoxicating beverages (etc.) prior to the conduct of the marriage ceremony. The couple should possess the ability to speak and comprehend the English language in order to understand the legal nature of the marriage vows. The Act also stipulates that the timing of marriage ceremonies between the hours of 10pm and 6am (22:00 to 06:00) should also be avoided. The couple is expected to provided two witnesses for the ceremony, both of which are eighteen years of age or older.

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For more information call Randall at (306) 737-1760 or send a fax to (403) 800-1765 or email him at Randall.Edge@gmail.com

A Tymeless Event - 359B Albert Street (near Avonhurst Mall on Albert)

2010-11-30T14:21:00.000-08:00

I recently presided over a Wedding Soleminization Ceremony where the couple had booked the cute chapel space (for their wedding service) that has been created at the Tymeless Event boutique location at 359B Albert Street.

Amanda Delporte, who is also a Marriage License issuer is serving as host. The facility is perfect for a small intimate wedding service.

To make arrangements for the booking of chapel, just contact Amanda by calling her at 550-3340.

Optional Service - Rental of Portable PA System

2010-09-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

Randall has acquired an battery powered Apollo portable PA system that is illustrated in the photo image of this announcement. While this system is not suitable for an audience of over 100 guests...it certainly is up to the job of coping with audiences under 100. The unit has been made to good use for weddings in Kiwanis park to help everyone hear the words spoken at the wedding service despite being right beside the waterfall. Randall is making this equipment available upon request for a small rental fee of $25.00 per wedding service used. The system has one wired microphone and microphone stand will can perfectly capture the words being said during any wedding service as well as the pronouncement of the wedding vows. Randall also makes sure that spare batteries and microphones are always packed as well as about 200 feet of microphone cords and cord extensions.

RPS in alignment with Regina-based Chartered Accountant Brian Humble

2010-08-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Effective August 15, 2010, RandallEdge Professional Services (RPS) is pleased to announce that it is in alignment with the professional services offered by Brian N. Humble, Chartered Accountant. RPS will refer of its clients requiring complex taxation management issues to the offices of Mr. Humble. This provides RPS clients with improved support for income tax planning as well as corporate tax return preparation and filing. Brian has operated his practice, located to service the Regina trading area, from his offices on McAra Street. Randall has worked with Brian on several common client files and both agree that clients have enjoyed good outcomes as a result.

Announcement - New Marriage License Issuer Available

2010-08-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

This has been a bit of weird summer when it comes to the topic of couples obtaining marriage licenses. For whatever reason many Issuers ran out of marriage license forms that created at times a situation where couples were unable to proceed with their wedding arrangements. Good news though...Regina now has a new Marriage License issuer. Amanda Delparte (306.550.3340) of A Tymeless Event (amanda@tymeless.ca) is now established as another License issuer. Her storefront establishment is located at 359B Albert Street just north of Albert Street and the Avonhurst Shopping Center. Amanda's establishment is blessed with lots of parking as well.

Getting Married in Regina, Saskatchewan?

2010-06-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Often a phone call will be received with the caller asking a basic simply question, "I am new to this, so how do I get married in Regina, Saskatchewan"? It is a good question. A quick break down of the steps involved are outlined in the information sheet "Fact Sheet: Marriage Solemnization Services", which is directly relevant to a wedding ceremony service being conducted in Regina, Saskatchewan and its surrounding area.

Consulting Services - Fee Schedule

2010-06-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Consulting Fees are based upon the duration of the project assignment being undertaken.
Level 1 - $45.00 per hour for projects spanning 1 to 5 hours
Level 2 - $35.00 per hour for projects spanning 5 to 10 hours
Level 3 - $30.00 per hour for projects spanning 10 or more hours

Special Assignment Work (for Businesses under 10 employees)
Business Valuation Analysis - $597
Budget & Cash Flow Projections - $697
Year End Payroll Functions, including T4 Preparation - $497
Payroll Preparation - Per Payroll Run - $197
Accounting Data Conversion - Manual System to Application Software Solution - $697
Accounting Data Conversion - Application Software Data to Alternative Solution - $497
Web Page Setup Fee - $597
Web Domain Search & Registration - $197
Business Incorporation - $597
Business Corporate Minutebook Startup - $397

All prices subject to applicable sales taxes.
RandallEdge Professional Services is owned and operated by 101168455 Saskatchewan Ltd.

Notary Public Service, Regina, SK

2010-06-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Randall W. Edge, Notary Public, Regina, Saskatchewan now offers notarization services after 5:00pm. Randall is accepting appointments, even on an emergency, as a way to provide more accessible services to his clients. Just call Randall at 306.737.1760 to book an appointment. Most services are provided for $30 per visitation, including certification of documents as well as notarization of sworn oath documents.

Service: Parliamentarian Services

2010-06-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Services offered by Parliamentarian Randall W. Edge, DTM:

Randall has served in the role of Parliamentarian and/or Preceptor for several organizations, most notably at their Annual Meeting of Members. Randall is equally comfortable working with organizations that make use of the Roberts Rules set of Parliamentary Procedures or the Kerr & King set of rules. Randall takes on such assignments with the understanding that access needs to be provided to Randall, in advance of such assignment, of organizational documents such as their Constitution, By-laws, the Meeting Agenda, as well as their prior meeting minutes.

Fee for Attendance at an Meeting of Members (governed by Parliamentary Process) - $297 per session attended, this fee is reduced for Non-profit organizations to a fee of $197 per session.

Course: Introduction to the use of Parliamentary Procedures
Duration: 2.5 hours
Fee: $247 per course session.

All prices are subject to applicable sales taxes.

Setting a Price to Sell your Business?

2010-06-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Every business owner should be thinking about their strategy to exit their business from the instant they start their business operation. Knowing the value of your business is a topic that is often neglected but a topic that can be impacted by the decisions you take each and every day. So pose the question to yourself, "What is my business worth"? What price should I set for my business if I choose to sell it to a buyer who may be a partner who wants to buy me out or someone external to business is expressing an interest? The answer to this question is not easy. There are as many answers as one can think of or imagine. The real issue is for setting the price is will that price be understood and accepted by potential buyers. What are they willing to pay? Can you set the price in such a way that a buyer can accept the value without dispute. Well, this is a topic that is discussed in detail in the document entitled "Opinion Discussion Paper: Setting a Price to Sell Your Business", which discusses this issue and provides opinions offered by Randall W. Edge, M.B.A. Randall has assisted several businesses by providing a valuation using the methodology outlined in his Composite Valuation Model that is detailed in the discussion paper.

Who and What is a Parliamentarian?

2010-06-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

Who and What is a Parliamentarian? What is their role in an organization? These are commonly asked questions that are appear any time an organization is preparing to conduct a meeting of their Membership. Randall Edge, a Distinguished Toastmaster and an Able Parlimentarian, has authored a discussion paper entitled: "The Role of a Parliamentarian". This discussion paper outlines the role a Parliamentarian in an organization as well as a discussion of the qualifications and functional roles that are invariably expected of anyone taking on this role for their organization.

Rebuilding Your Credit Rating in Saskatchewan and Canada

2010-06-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

It always atonishing to me all the myths are surround the entire discussion area of exactly what happens to a personal credit standing whenver someone elects to become involved in personal bankruptcy or the alternative process a making a proposal to their creditors. There is a few very simple ways that any person can employ to enhance and rebuild their credit rating. These issues are discussed in the Opinion Discussion Paper "How to Rebuild Your Credit Rating in Saskatchewan and Canada"

Notary Services & Fees

2010-05-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

Randall W. Edge, Notary Public

Service is offered upon request
Must appointments taken after 5pm
for client service and convenience

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Notary Services Offered - $25 Per Session
GST is included in Session Fee

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Accountants Examination Application Notarized
Acting as Commissioner for Taking Affidavits
Administering Oaths and Affirmations
Administering Solemn Declarations
Affidavit for a Lost Cheque (Oath Administered)
Affidavit of Execution (Oath Administered)
Affidavit of Identity (Oath Administered)
Affidavit of Service (Oath Administered)
Affirmations Administered
Authentication of Notarized Documents
Authenticity Declarations Notarized
Bill of Sale Notarized
Certificate of Birth Notarized
Certification Copies of Original Documents
Certification of Government Forms
Certification of Signatures
Certified Copies of Documents
Certified Copy of Court Order
Certify Proof of Loss
Certify Copy of Birth Certificate
Certify Identification Copies
Certify Consent to Travel Documents
Certify Copies of Real Estate Documents
Certify Government Forms
Certify Mortgage Copies
Certify Photographs
Certify Copies of Powers of Attorney
Certify Signatures
Certify Copy of Forms
Certify Real Estate Documents
Certify Copy of Diploma
Change of Name Application Notarized
College of Physicians and Surgeons Application Notarized
Commission of Forms & Declarations
Commission of Licensing Applications
Commission of Single Status Statutory Declaration
Commission of Statutory Declarations
Commissioner of Oaths Services
Common Law Union Statutory Declaration Notarized
CPA Examination Application Notarized
Damaged Passport - Statutory Declaration
Declarations Notarized
Declarations Taken & Commissioned
Degree - Certified Copy
Destroyed Passport - Statutory Declaration
Drafting of Invitation Letters
Examination Application Notarized
Examination Declaration Notarized
Exemplification – Notarial Certificate
Health Card Notarization
Invitation Letter Notarized
Land Transfer Signing Notarized
Legalization of Documents at Consulates
Legalization of Notarized Documents
Letters of Invitation for a Canadian Visit Visa
Licencing Application Notarized
Lost Passport Statutory Declaration
Marriage Certificate - Certified Copy
Marriage Certificate Notarized
Medical Examination Application Notarized
Membership Application Notarized
Mobile Notary Public Services
Mortgage Signing Notarized
Notarization - Negotiable Instruments Protested
Notarization of Applications
Notarization of Automobile Proof of Loss
Notarization of Birth Certificate
Notarization of Certificate of Identification
Notarization of Certified Copies
Notarization of Consent to Travel Documents
Notarization of Deeds
Notarization of MCC Application
Notarization of Mortgage Documents
Notarization of Photographs
Notarization of Power of Attorney
Notarization of Ship Protests
Notarization of Signatures
Notarization of Statutory Declarations
Notarization of Uniform CPA Application
Notarization of Waiver Execution
Notarization or Commission of Proof of Loss
Notarize Job Applications
Notarize Proof of Loss
Notarize Birth Certificates
Notarize Identification
Notarize Certified Copies
Notarize Consent to Travel Letters
Notarize Real Estate Deeds
Notarize Government Application Forms
Notarize Mortgage Forms
Notarize Photographs
Notarize Powers of Attorney (That are already drafted)
Notarize Signatures
Notarize Statutory Declaration
Notarize Application Forms
Notarize Real Estate Documents
Notarize Diplomas
Notarizing Acknowledgements
Notarizing of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Application Forms
Notarizing of Real Estate Documents
Notarizing of Single Status Statutory Declaration
Nurse Examination Application – Notarized
Obtaining Foreign Embassy Stamp
Obtaining Ontario Government Document Authentication
Order - Notarized Copy
Parent Consent Letter Notarized
Passport Applications – Commissioned
Permanent Resident Card Application Notarized
Postgraduate Education Application Notarized
Preparation of Consent to Travel Documents
Preparation of Invitation Letters for Visitors’ Visas
Preparation of Statutory Declarations
Professional Applications Notarized
Providing Notarial Certificates
Release Signing Notarized
Single Status Affidavit Notarized
Solemn Declarations Taken
Statement of Live Birth Notarized
Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor Notarized
Swearing of Declarations
Sworn Statement Notarized
True Copies Notarized
Unauthorized Transaction Declaration Notarized
Witnessing of Signatures

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Other Notary Fees:

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The prices below only apply to services provided in Canada.

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Administering an Oath or Solemn Affirmation
$25.00 plus taxes

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Letter of Invitation for the purposes of applying for a Canadian or U.S. visitor's visa
$75.00 plus taxes

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Passport Application (includes certification of applicant's photo, declaration in lieu of guarantor and certification of documents that support the applicant's identity)
$75.00 per passport application plus taxes

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Permanent Resident Card Application (includes certification of applicant's photo, declaration in lieu of guarantor and certification of documents that support the applicant's identity)
$75.00 per application plus taxes

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Consent to Travel Document: Drafting and notarization of consent to travel document for when a child is traveling without one or both parents
$25.00 per letter notarized plus taxes

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*Prices do not include any applicable provincial and/or federal taxes.

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*Prices subject to change without notice.

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*Prices will be adjusted if required by law in a given jurisdiction.

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Regina Floral Conservatory

2010-05-31T15:32:00.000-07:00

Throughout the year, but most notably during the winter months, one venue that is just catered for the conduct of wedding ceremonies is the:

The Regina Floral Conservatory
1450B - 4th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan

Mailing Address:
Box 1790
Regina, SK
S4P 3C8

Phone: 306 781-4769

Contact: Rose Miller, Event Co-ordinator at 586-2265

Regina Garden Associates, in conjunction with the City of Regina, maintain the Regina Floral Conservatory from the Tuesday after Labour Day to mid June. Bursting with tropical plants, exotic trees, and brilliant blooms September through June, the Conservatory extends a warm welcome to visitors. Floral displays change regularly and feature seasonal offerings set in the tranquility of lush greenery, the therapeutic scent of moist air and the soothing sounds of a gentle waterfall. The facility was established by the City of Regina during the 1950's as a cluster of three greenhouses to grow plant material to beautify the city. A portion of this operation was later opened to the public so that the people of Regina could enjoy an indoor greenspace. In 1991, a volunteer organization called the Regina Garden Associates (RGA) was formed to operate a small gift shop at the entrance to the public floral display. In 1999 the City of Regina formed a partnership with the RGA to maintain a 315 square metre greenhouse display, oversee special events and run the gift shop. In 2002 the greenhouse officially became known as the Regina Floral Conservatory. Public Hours: Open 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. daily September through June; July and August by appointment. Entry is free of charge. All charitable donations are greatly appreciated. Wheelchair accessible. Ample free parking. Pets not permitted

Parkland College

2010-05-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Randall is pleased to announce the beginning of new relationship between RandallEdge Professional Services and Parkland College. Randall has accepted the assignment of teaching a new course in Fort Qu'Appelle for their Fall 2010 semester. Parkland College's continuing education campus is located at 740 Sioux Avenue in Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan.

Simply Accounting 2009:
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This is an 18-hour course that will provide participants with a good foundation basic knowledge of the workings and features that are contained in Simply Accounting 2009 application software.
Fort Qu'Appelle: Sept 25-Oct 9, 2010 - Saturdays - 9am to 4pm (3 sessions of 6 hours)

For more information, contact Jill Whiting at Parkland College at 306.332.5416 or by fax at 306.332.5242. Their web site is www.parklandcollege.sk.ca .

Randall W. Edge, DTM, Speaker's Bio

2010-05-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

Randall W. Edge, DTM, is a Management Consultant who has been providing services to his Regina based clients since 2001. He has served in management roles for Brecknock Brewing Co. (2009-2010), the Harvey Group of Companies (2008-2009), MarkeTel (Regina, 2000-2008), Elision Technology (Regina, 1998-2000), We Care Home Health Services (Sudbury, 1996-1998), Chubb Security (Kamloops, 1994-1996), Gold Business Machines (Kamloops, 1991-1994), Saskatchewan Transportation Co. (Regina 1990-1991), Balfour Moss (Regina, 1989-1990), ConAgra (Canada) Ltd. (Regina, 1987-1989), Jaguar Property Management (Regina, 1987-1989), General Records Wascana (Regina, 1985-1987), as well as Tozer, Kemsley & Millbourn (Canada) Ltd. (Toronto, 1980-1985). He is currently an active member of the Canadian Payroll Association, the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Credit Institute of Canada as well as Toastmasters International. He is a Distinguished Toastmaster as well as an able Parliamentarian. Randall routinely provides business lectures in the disciplines of Communication & Leadership Skills, Robert's Rules of Order, and most recently the "Biz Launch" lectures for new Entrepeneurs. He has Diplomas in Business, and Accountancy (Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology). He holds Certificates in Business Administration, Payroll Management, Occupational Health and Safety (including First Aid), as well as Privacy Rights. Randall is currently engaged in the completion of his M.B.A. at the Levene Graduate School of Business Studies at the University of Regina (scheduled for completion in December 2007). Randall is a Notary Public and is also a Marriage Commissioner (Regina). For more information; refer to http://www.randalledge.blogspot.com/.

SIAST Courses

2010-05-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

SIAST Courses - Instruction by Randall Edge
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Here is a listing of courses that Randall is planning to teach at SIAST Continued Education (part-time night studies for Regina's Wascana Campus) for their forthcoming Fall 2011, Winter 2012 and Spring 2012 semesters. The running of these courses are, of course, subject to enrollment levels and other scheduling
consideration. This information is offered for planning purposes only.

Bookkeeping for Small Business (Part 1) (BKPG 1600):
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Introductory course about the magical world of debits and credits. Topics include entering transactions, bank account reconciliations, and financial report preparation.

Doing your Own Payroll & Understanding Taxes (Part 2) (BKPG 1601)
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Introductory course that covers topics like preparation of your own T4 summary, Employee Records of Employment as well as topics such as Labour Standards and payroll administration.

Finance Mathematics (FIN 120):
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Studies include introduction to accounting concepts
such as managerial accounting, decision making,
financial accounting and financial report analysis.

Finance (FIN 220):
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Studies include sources of capital, corporate
borrowing, cost of capital theory, optimal
capital structure and capital budget decision
making tools.

Payroll Compliance Legislation (ACCT 1609):
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Studies include statutory employer obligations in
all 14 legal jurisdictions in Canada. Course is
recognized by the Canadian Payroll Association
for their P.C.P. designation requirements.

QuickBooks (COAP 1700):
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Studies provide participants with a comprehensive
working knowledges of the capabilities of the
Quick books software.
Simply Accounting (COAP 1636):
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Studies provide participants with a comprehensive
working knowledges of the capabilities of the
Simply Accounting software.
To enroll in any of these courses, just pick up the phone and
call SIAST. You can register in person at the Wascana campus
or your call Registration services at 306.798.4314.

Why Do You Need a Will?

2010-05-30T21:20:00.000-07:00

The primary purpose of a will is to provide for the distribution of your property upon your death. If you die without a will or what is referred to as "Intestate", your estate will be distributed accounting to the dictates of Saskatchewan provincial law. This distribution likely will not reflect your final wishes. In addition, if you pass away without a will, your loved ones may incur additional administration costs as well as delays in the winding up of your estate. When a will is drafted, the provisions of the will are carried out by your appointed Executor. A Will can also spell out who will the legal Guardian for any infant children they remain to be cared for. You can leave your property to whomever you wish....subject to provincial law that applies to estates such as the Dependent's Relief Act. The Family Property Act provides that a spouse in a marriage; or a person living with another person in a spousal relationship (for 24 months or longer) is entitled to share equally in the family property (unless such division is unfair). Certain property such as RRSPs and life insurance policies (payable to a named beneficiary) do not pass through an estate. Generally a couple will small children would each have a will appointing the other spouse as Executor and sole beneficiary. If both spouse die at the same time, the will would provide that the estate would be held in trust for the children until such time as they become of age. The Executor should be given the power to pay money to the Guardian of the children for their support and educaton.

Randall W. Edge, M.B.A.

2010-05-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

The Curriculum Vitae (Resume) for Mr. Randall W. Edge is now available in either a printable or downloadable PDF format. Just take your mouse and place on Randall's name above and left click to be linked to the PDF document. The PDF file is made available making use of the web site service www.box.net.

What Parliamentary Systems are used in Canada?

2010-05-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

What Parliamentary Practices are used in Canada? Good question. There are several, but two are notable in their usage, which we can discuss:

Roberts Rules (originating in the United States, circa 1876):
For non-governmental organizations, in Canada, a recent survey has identified that 90% of organizations polled referred to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised as their parliamentary system of choice. The Roberts Rules book on parliamentary procedure is widely used by parliamentarians and novice club presidents alike. Robert's Rules is a recognized guide to smooth, orderly, and fairly conducted meetings. It is the only book to have been maintained since 1876 under the continuing program established by General Henry M. Robert himself in cooperation with the official publisher of Robert's Rules.

Kerr & King Rules (originated in Canada, circa 1992):
The guide "Procedures for Meetings and Organizations", authored by professors Kerr and King is widely used in Canada for the conduct of business with organizations notably with proffessional membership bases. The guide, cited as "Kerr, M. Kaye and Hubert W. King’s Procedures for Meetings and Organizations" contains a comprehensive set of rules for meetings suitable for adoption and adaptation by organizations, a delineation of roles and responsibilities of directors, staff, committees and stakeholders, and a straightforward commentary permitting quick understanding and implementation.

Management Consultant - Rules of Conduct

2010-05-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

As a professional consultant, it is imperative that to adopt principles to ensure ethical consulting as well as to recognize the boundaries within which work can be effectively undertaken in an organization. Guidelines in this narrative are based upon a set of principles, outlined as follows:

1. The “answer” to complex problems lies between the consultant and their client. The “answer” emerges during the project as consultant and client work collaboratively to clarify current issues and address them, while learning at the same time.

2. Encourage and recognize diverse values and perspectives. There are many perspectives on an issue in the organization. Those perspectives should be encouraged and explored because they often lead to more successful problem solving.

3. When a Consultant works with there client, both should start from where they are now. The consultant does need to understand their client’s perspective on their issues, including what they have tried, what
has worked, what has not worked and what they think should be done now. It is better to go slower than faster at the startup phase of any new assignment.

4. There is no blame in consulting situations. It is rare that anyone sets out to hurt someone else or an organization. An atmosphere of blame only serves to inhibit people in the client’s organization from the trust, collaboration and commitment necessary for successful change.

5. Come to the project with a basic consultation framework in mind. Early in a project, the major purpose of the framework can be used as a common frame of reference when talking about the project goals, methods, evaluation and learning. Be willing to modify that framework as Consultant and their client work together.

6. A Consultant's value is in the flow of the process, not in the details of the project. The client will value the entire experience if both of you continue to work together in a process that is collaborative, well understood, communicated to all and focused on results.

7. Success comes from who the Consultant is as from your expertise. This is true, especially if the client perceives the Consultant to be authentic and respectful, and consulting with focus on results and learning. Similarly, one of the most powerful influences that a Consultant can have with their clients is to model the behaviors that the Consultant would want from them.

8. The Consultant should Do what they say they are going to do. In the midst of your client’s confusion, you can help a great deal by remaining grounded and centered, clear and consistent. Consistency builds trust and commitment with clients, as well.

9. The Consultant should Know themselves. The Consultant is an “instrument” of change with your client, so the Consultant should be willing to suspend their overall biases, assumptions and beliefs when working with people. Be honest about such issues when they arise during a project.

10. The Consultant does not tell their clients to do something just because they said so. Always first explain the reasons for advice offered and the benefits that might come to the client as a result. Then provide time for the client to respond to the advice. This is usually true even if the Consultant is a leader acting as an internal change agent.

11. It is up to the Client to use the Consultant's advice or not. This is sometimes one of the hardest principles for new consultants to accept.

12. The Consultant should not take issues personally. Often your client struggles with an issue, in part, because of their role in the issue. They may not want to change themselves and might resist your attempts to help them. In those instances, remember that those responses are their choices, not the Consultant's.

Those Pesky Microsoft Publisher Files (.pub)

2010-05-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

Those Pesky Microsoft Publisher files...identified as .PUB files. Though in theory the same file format has been used from Publisher 97 to Publisher 2007....there are indeed differences. Sometimes you get stuck trying to read one of these files.....so what to do? Well, there is a good tool. I like it even though this web based tool is available only in the french language. The tool is a converter web base tool. To use it go to URL:

www.Conv2PDF.com

You will catch on fast. Upload the .pub file to them...then give them an email address...and poof....you get a email sent to you with the document provided in a .PDF format which you can read using Adobe reader. Very useful and its safe to use. Even if the tool is in french....it works well.

Things to Think About...Creating a Web site

2010-05-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

If you're ready and eager to join the digital era by building your own web site, you may being feeling overwhelmed as to how to go about it, you're not alone. Altnernately you may be equally daunted by the cost that commerical organization such as advertising agencies are seeking to charge for such a creation. Fortunately, there are other choices available to you. This article describes the basic steps involved in setting up a simple web site. The Internet has never been bigger than it is now. The number of websites online is growing everyday. Nowadays, it is becoming more and more common for average people to set up their own website or blog. Many people are setting up family websites or small informational websites, while others are looking to set up large e-commerce websites in order to turn a profit. No matter what kind of website you wish to set up, the basic steps to accomplish that goal are pretty much the same. Yes, it is a lot more difficult to set up a complex site than it is to set up a one-page family website, but the basic steps are the same. Let's discuss the basic steps which are essential to getting your site online. For the most part, this tutorial is for beginners who have never set up a website, but more experienced website developers may also learn a thing or two by reading this article. Keep in mind that I am writing this article based upon my own experiences with setting up a website, so there may be other ways to set up a website than the ones I describe here. Obviously, the first step to setting up a website is deciding exactly what you want your website to be about. This may seem like an easy step, but it needs to be given some thought. Do you want to set up a family website, an e-commerce site, informational site, or some other kind of website? If you wish to set up a website strictly for ad revenue, I recommend choosing a specific niche for your website topic such as fly fishing, a minor league baseball team, or 80s music; get as specific as possible.
====
Do not try to make a website like Yahoo or MSN, both of which have a wide range of topics covered on their sites. It will be almost impossible to get traffic to your site, through the search engines, if you make a website such as those; that market is already full. It is much easier if you choose a niche, and write as much content as possible on that niche. If you choose a niche website, you will have a much better chance to get a lot of free search engine traffic, and in turn, make money with Google's AdSense or any other kind of ads or products you wish to offer on your site. Once you've decided upon a website topic, you need to select a domain name for your website. A domain name is the .com, .net, .info, etc. name, which is used to identify your website online. It's important to choose a good domain name for your website, because it can play a part in getting search engine traffic to your site in the future.
====
Some experts believe that a relevant domain name can play a bigger part in search position than meta tags (hidden relevancy tags on a website) do. So try to select a name which describes your website well, and try to keep it as short as possible so that people can remember it easily. There are entire articles on selecting domain names on this website, so feel free to explore those articles for more detailed tips on selecting a good name.
====
There are a variety of different companies with which you can select and register your domain name. These companies are known as domain name registrars. Go to a search engine and type in "domain registration," and see how many results come up. There are many other companies for which you can register a domain, so feel free to shop around. In fact, it may be a good idea to shop around, as you'll probably notice huge variations in price. Registering a domain name should not be tremendously expensive.
====
I have one more quick tip on domain names. Try to select a .com name rather than a .net, .info, .org, etc. The reason for this is that .com is the most popular, and therefore that is what people will probably use when searching for your site. For instance, if your site name is google.net, and someone heard about your site and went to visit it, they would probably type in google.com first.
====
Design the Website: Once you have the concept for the website and have registered a domain name for it, it is time to actually design the website itself. This can be accomplished a few different ways, and it will vary with each person's own web design experience.
====
The easy way to design a website is to use a pre-designed web template. You can find nice website templates all over the Internet; some are even free to use. In most cases, these website templates allow you to create a website with little or no HTML knowledge. I did not have a lot of money when I was setting up my website, so I chose to use Website Tonight to create my website for free. Website Tonight is a website template site which makes building a website as easy as using Microsoft Word.
====
So, it took me about a day or two to design my website and fill it with some good content. My site is very basic, but it is still effective at its purpose, which is to informoks. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars designing a website in order for it to be effective. My site is a simple 5-page website which works well. The only monetary investment I've made is the dollars spent on the domain name registration.
====
Once your website is completely designed, you can then search for a web host to actually host your website on the web. There are a variety of options when choosing a web host. The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of host is best for your website. There are different hosts for e-commerce websites, personal pages, or large websites with databases. It is important to choose the right host for your website. .
====

What to Post an PDF onto the Internet with its own Web Address?

2010-05-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

What to Post an PDF onto the Internet with its own Web Address? For Free? Then you have got to go to URL:

http://www.box.net/

Go to the web site. Create yourself as a user. It is free and it is safe. Upload your PDF document to the the web site. Request a web address and poof! They give you one. What is also so very neat about this web tool and that every time someone peeks a look at your document...Box.net sends you a notification by email. It works like a dream. I recommend this tool without hestitation.

Which is Better? Simply Accounting or Quick Books

2010-05-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

As an experienced Tutor for Simply Accounting and Quick Books there is a question that continues to assert itself over and over again among those that are being tutored. The question of course is.....which accounting application software solution is better, Simply Accounting or Quick Books. The response that is provided in my tutorial sessions is invariably the same and it should be made clear that the response is my opinion and solely my opinion. The question comes up so often that a summarized text on this issue is discussed in the document "Opinion Discussion Paper - Simply Accounting vs. Quick Books, Opinion provided by Randall Edge, MBA". It is almost invariably the response given is a response that no one seems satisfied to hear but it is one that is offered for their consideration on this topic.

Randall's List of Free, Useful and Safe Software

2010-04-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here is my list of Free, Useful software tools that I recommend as safe to use and which I find to be handy on a continuous basis:

Adobe Reader This is a great tool for reading PDF files.
====
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft. This is a useful for fighting Adware and Spyware.
====
AVG Anti-Virus AVG is a wonderful alternative to Norton Anti-Virus or Virus-like McAfee Anti-Virus.
====
Belarc System Analyzer for understanding the current hardware and softwar configuration of your computer. Very very useful and entirely safe.
====
Blogger Want to create your blog or Webpage. Use Google's Blogger. It is easy to use.
====
CutePDF For Converting a printed document into a PDF (for sending as an attachment over the internet). Very useful for sending large documents to others over the internet.
====
Desk UnPDF This is a very impressive application that converts a PDF page into a Word page
http://www.docudesk.com/downloads.shtml?id=1
====
Excel Templates - Finance & Accounting:
http://www.dotxls.com/free-templates/16/free-excel-templates---finance-and-accounting-templates
====
FaxZero For Sending a fax from your computer to a fax machine anywhere in Canada or the United States without a charge or fee. (There is a free service, with an advertising flyer sent as a cover page; quite clever. Will send a Word document as a fax. Very useful.)
http://www.faxzero.com/
====
File Hippo - A web portal that keeps key up-to-date free programs available for download
http://www.filehippo.com/
====
Filezilla for Transfering of Files (FTP) from one computer to another over the internet:
http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/
====
Flowcharts? Try DrawAnywhere
http://www.drawanywhere.com/
====
FreeCAD - What a CAD program?
http://www.ar-cad.com/programs
====
Free Translations - English to French, French to English, English to Spanish...etc.
http://www.freetranslation.com/
====
HighRise CRM (Up to 250 contacts will be stored for free - Just excellent!)
http://www.highrisehq.com/
====
Icons What make them when you can get them (for free)
http://www.freeiconsweb.com/
====
Irfanview Picture Viewer (Plays MP3 and MPG files too!) (Creates .EXE slide shows of pictures)URL (It's Free). There is now even a Screen Capture feature built into Irfanview....and it works great!
http://www.irfanview.com/
====
Mad Capture (Screen Capture) URL (for when you see something on a computer screen you want to input into a document you are working on (It's Free):
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Screen_Capture_Tools/Mad_Capture.html
====
MWSnap 300 Screen (It's Free, it OK; but Mad Capture is much better)
http://www.mirekw.com/
====
SurveyMonkey Surveying Tool URL (It's Free):
http://www.surveymonkey.com/
====
Typing Test TQ (Download) URL (It's Free):
http://www.shareup.com/Typing_Test_TQ-download-35858.html
====
Winamp - Still the most reliable and dynamic MP3 Player (It's Free)
http://www.winamp.com/
or at http://www.filehippo.com/
====
Zone Labs Firewall "ZoneAlarm" URL (It's Free):
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp%3bjsessionid=EsMFWSJOpzEkxchv1jDj1hgDRFECT3oTgA9Ob4n2QIxvDvEvJ2dU!-1001666488!-1062696903!7551!7552!NONE?dc=12bms&ctry=US〈=en&lid=dbtopnav_zaav
====

Lessons from Mr. Kodak

2010-04-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

Cutting prices. Have you ever wondered how much your must increase in order to maintain your profitability after cutting prices? Research conducted by the Eastman Kodak Co. garnered interesting results. Assuming an anticipated profit of 25% on selling price, a 2% cut in that selling price means you must increase you volume of sales by 8.7% to make the same profit as before the price was lowered.

A 3% price cut needs a 13.6% increase in sales to keep same profit level
A 5% price cut needs a 25% increase in sales to keep same profit level
A 7.5% price cust needs a 47.8% increase in sales to keep profit level
A 10% price cut needs a 67% increase in sales to keep same profit level
A 20% price cut nees a 400% increase in sales to keep same profit level

If you REVERSE the Process and Increase your Price....

A 3% increase in prices means the same profit on 90% of sales volume
A 5% increase in prices means the same profit on 83.5% of sales volume
A 7.5% increase in prices means the same profit on 77% of sales volume
A 10% increase in prices means the same profit on 71.5% of sales volume
A 15% increase in prices means the same profit on 62.5% of sales volume
A 20% increase in prices means the same profit on 55.5% of sales volume

If you lower your prices there is a need for more sales volume to sustain the same amount of profit. Increased volume results in higher variable costs such as commissions, labour, etc. This means you are doing more volume, at less revenue, with high variable costs.

With an increase in prices there is less need for volume to maintain the same revenue level. A 10% increase in prices measn that you could lose 29.5% of your customers and still maintain the same profit level.

Think about it....

Regina Notarizing of Travel Letter for a Child

2010-01-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

From time to time we make arrangements for a child to be travelling accompanied by a traveling companion who is not a parent or a guardian of the child. In such cases, there is a growing awareness by airlines and staff at border crossings of the need for documentation authorizing these type of travel arrangements. As a Notary Public in Regina I do observe that more demand for my services relate to the preparation of a "Consent Letter for Travelling Child" Travel Letter. It is not a bad idea to prepare one of these documents whenever your child is 'on the road'.

A Truly Unique Place to be Married

2009-08-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

For a couple that is seeking a location for their wedding that can meet their needs...they should give "Truly Unique Country Weddings" a hard look as one of their option choices.

The site is an easy 15 minute drive from north Regina (Albert at Ring Road) on Highway 6. The site is equipped with a remarkable list of features. A full rock garden. A gazebo for entertaining. A full outdoor tent facilty for a reception that is fully equipment with lighting, sound and a bar.

The list goes on and on. A camping area for RVs and tents. A volleyball court. Lots of beautiful pathways. Firepits abound for cuddling at night. Couples book out the entire site for an entire weekend. Lots of parking. Lots of support for serving large meals. The facility is fully equipped with tables, chairs that are perfect for open air ceremonies. The main venues for wedding services is fully equipped with wireless microphone capability that works well.

This is an option for a truly unique wedding service that cannot be ignored.
The facility runs open houses from time to time and I quietly suggest that the
trip is worth the effort.

Vital Statistics Office is at a New Location

2009-08-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Vital Statistics, the department of the Government of Saskatchewan that handles the registration of marriages has completed its move to new premises. Vital Statistics is now a part of the Information Services Corporation (ISC). Since opening at the new location last fall (October 2008), the new office of Vital Statistics has been situated at 1301 - 1st Avenue (near the Purolator office) in Regina. The phone number is 1-866-275-4721 or 306.787.3110 and their new web address is www.isc.ca/vitalstats. Should anyone have any questions simply contact the Customer Support Team at email ask@isc.ca .

A Wedding Ceremony Plan

2009-08-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Taking the time to plan how your wedding ceremony will be conducted is always a good idea. Having everyone informed as to what their role is as well as what is expected from them. Knowing the roles of each participant is a good place to start. Avoid making assumptions that everyone knows what to do. Weddings do not happen everyday and are, in many cases, unknown commodities for many people. To obtain a more detailed PDF version of the above illustrated planner; just email Randall for a copy at Randall.Edge@gmail.com

The Kiwanis Waterfall Park

2009-08-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

One of Regina's worst kept secrets is the Kiwanis Waterfall Park. Located on Regina Avenue and Elphinstone (3400 Regina Avenue), about five blocks east of the Lewvan (and Regina's Airport); the park is a picture perfect setting for small to mid size wedding ceremonies. Kiwanis Park is a public park that is care for by the City of Regina. Couples can book the use of this small cozy park for one hour time periods. There is power available for sound systems as well. The park is serviced by two separate parking lots; and there is an upper park area that is perfect for small family picnics.

The park is an ideal setting for weddings involving a guest list of four to fifty participants; with parking availability becoming a factor as the guest list grows. One factor to take into consideration is that the falling water creates a lot of background noise that is challenging for larger groups of people to hear. If you are conduct a wedding service with over 20 guests, you make wish to consider rental sound equipment for the wedding service.

Reservations for the park are handled by the City of Regina.

Web Base Invoicing Service

2009-08-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

Do you want to crank out the odd invoice that looks slick and will help you get paid for the work you do? Why not try the on-line service "Fresh books".

At URL:

www.freshbooks.com

This online service is FREE if you have a client list spanning two
or three clients.

Worth looking at!

Changing Your Name in Saskatchewan?

2009-06-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, one of the couples whose marriage ceremony I presided over asked "Do you know if it is difficult to change my name?" It got me wondering; so I did some research about name changes in Saskatchewan.
====
Surname after Marriage
====
After marriage the bride or groom can choose to use one of the following surnames: the married person's birth name, i.e. the legal surname as recorded in the birth registration records of the jurisdiction where that person was born the surname of the married person's spouse the married person's pre-marriage surname, i.e. the legal surname that a married person was using immediately prior to his or her current marriage a double surname made up of the bride's and groom's surnames. The double surname can contain no more than two components and it may be joined by a hyphen. You do not need to apply for a legal change of name or file a notice with Vital Statistics nor does it result in a change of name to birth records. You can decide to return to your own surname at any time. To change your identification, please contact each agency directly to determine their requirements for making a change in their records.
====
How to register a legal change of name
If you reside in Saskatchewan and want to legally change your name, you must make an application for a change of name pursuant to The Change of Name Act, 1995. You may apply to change: a) your own name b)your spouse's name c) a child's name. Most reasons given by the applicant for wanting to change a name are acceptable; however, a change of name cannot be made if it is for the purpose of fraud or misrepresentation. When legally changing a name in Saskatchewan, the name must be written entirely in characters of the Roman alphabet. A change in a surname can contain no more than two names hyphenated or combined. The resulting changed name must consist of at least one given name and a surname.
====
Who can apply for a change of name
You must: a)be at least 18 years old or married, widowed or divorced b)be a resident in Saskatchewan c)have actually resided in Saskatchewan for at least three consecutive months in the 12-month period preceding the date of his or her application d)be legally entitled to remain in Canada.
====
Where you are required to obtain consent, the application must include: the consent of your spouse if his or her name will be affected by the application the consent of any unmarried children 14 years of age or over whose name will be affected by the application. If the required consents cannot be obtained, your application must be accompanied by an order from a judge of a court dispensing with consent. You will also need: proof of residency for yourself and everyone whose name appears on the application, usually consisting of copies of your Saskatchewan health services card (s) an official birth certificate for each person whose name is to be changed if born in Canada or the United States; if born elsewhere, official certificates of Canadian Citizenship or official Immigration documents must be submitted an official marriage certificate, if you are married an official death certificate for your spouse, if you are widowed an official or certified photocopy of the Decree Absolute or Certificate of Divorce, if you are divorced an official or certified photocopy of any Agreement, Judgment, Decree Nisi or other Court Order granted with respect to the lawful custody of any child(ren) named in the application. As part of the change of name application, you will need to complete an affidavit of qualifications and bona fides and sign it before a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Oaths in and for Saskatchewan declaring that the statements made in the application for change of name are true. When a change of name application is accepted by the Director of Vital Statistics, the change of name must be advertised in the Saskatchewan Gazette. There is a fee for advertising the change of name.
====

As Vital Statistics is now part of Saskatchewan's ISC, the Information Services Corporation, you can find lots of information about name changes on its web site.

Go to URL:

http://www.isc.ca/default.aspx?DN=2016,2010,10,1,Documents

For more information, contact:

For More Information
Customer Support - Vital Stats
Information Services Corporation (ISC) of Saskatchewan
E-mail: ask@isc.ca
Fax: 1-306-787-2288
Toll Free: 1-866-275-4721

Change Your Own Handwriting into Fonts

2009-03-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Do you like the sight of your own handwriting?

Would you like to have your word document type
out your messages in your handwriting.

Then go to URL:

http://www.yourfonts.com/

The Marriage Unit in Saskatchewan

2009-03-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Saskatchewan Justice is given the responsibility for the administration of the Marriage Act in Saskatchewan and has formed a separate unit that is known to all as the "Marriage Unit". Anyone interested in contacting the Marriage Unit are referred to:

Director: Lionel McNabb
Asst. Director: Donna Sebastian
Saskatchewan Justice Department
The Marriage Unit
323-3085 Albert St. Regina SK S4S 0B1

Phone: (306) 787-4132
Fax: (306) 787-0107

E-mail: muinquiry@justice.gov.sk.ca

Small Business Bookkeeping: Doing Your Own Books

2009-01-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

Small Business Accounting: Doing Your Own Books(BKPG 1600)

A short, concentrated course which is intended for owners, prospective owners
or bookkeepers who currently operate or plan to start a small business and
need to understand accounting and business principles. Your hands-on course
will provide you with practice working through an actual set of books. Daily,
monthly and yearly transactions will show you the accounting cycle for a year
at a glance. Due to the quick pace of your course, you should plan to commit
yourself to all sessions in order to get the full benefit. Please bring a pen,
pencil (mechanical preferred) ruler, calculator and notebook to your class.
The ability to make effective use of financial statements will be emphasized.
The ability to manage a small business two decision making that will assist
it to profitability will be discussed and reviewed extensively.

Topics covered include:
1. The essentials of opening for business
2. The set-up and recording of transactions in a journal
3. Posting to a ledger
4. Categorizing assets, liabilities, capital, income and expenses
5. Payroll, petty cash, accounts receivable and payable
6. Bank reconciliation and depreciation
7. Worksheet, income statement and balance sheet
8. Year-end adjustments and closing entries
9. Government taxes including GST and Provincial Sales Tax
10. Bridging bookkeeping skills for the use of accounting software

Register through SIAST Wascana Campus, call 1-866-goSIAST

A LUCKY DAY TO BE MARRIED

2008-08-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Regina couples choose to marry on 08-08-08

by Pamela Cowan, Leader-Post
Published: Saturday, August 09, 2008

REGINA -- 08-08-08 -- why wait?

Friday isn't a traditional day to wed but at least eight Regina couples decided to tie the knot for

luck on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008.

For the past year, marriage commissioner Randall Edge has received numerous requests for his services

on Friday. He tried to accommodate everyone, but said four weddings a day is his limit.

"I work as a controller for Ashdown Furniture in Moose Jaw but I took the day off because there was

such a strong demand for performing ceremonies today," he said.

The last ceremony he was to perform on Friday was at 9 p.m.

"It's really a reflection of the fact that the Chinese culture calls for today to be a day of high

fortune," Edge said. "It's not an accident that the Olympic ceremonies started at eight minutes after

eight this morning of the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighth year of this decade. A lot of

individuals want to start off their relationship as a married couple with good fortune."

His day began at 11 a.m. when he married Melissa and Aaron O'Connor in the backyard of Aaron's

parents' place. The bride chose the date because eight is a lucky number in Chinese tradition.

"I've been fascinated by the oriental culture for years so when this date came up it was like once in

a lifetime opportunity," she said. "I'm very superstitious. Aaron is not."

But her new husband hopes the date will be to his advantage.

"That's an anniversary date that I think I can manage to remember," Aaron said.

The weekend will be memorable for Aaron's family as his brother Tyler will marry Erin Heisler in

Qu'Appelle today.

Aaron and Tyler's mother, Grace O'Connor, made both wedding cakes. She was burning the midnight oil on

Thursday as she completed Tyler and Erin's wedding cake.

"It's been a little hectic and we have the rehearsal tonight," she said after Aaron and Melissa's

wedding ceremony.

Lawyers Melanie Hodges and Robin Neufeld were married by Judge Diane Morris on Friday afternoon at the

Regina Floral Conservatory. The couple chose the date last year when they got engaged on Melanie's

birthday.

"We randomly picked Aug. 8 because my birthday is Aug. 1 and Robin's birthday is Aug. 15 - so we

figured that we'd remember Aug. 8," Hodges said. "It was just a date between our birthdays, but we're

happy that it was 08-08-08. It wasn't because of any superstition, but we'll take any luck that we can

get."

Calendar Templates

2008-06-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

Making up working calendars for use at home or for work is made simplier by making use of superb Excel templates at www.vertex42.com

Service Canada HR Portal

2008-05-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

Service Canada now provides currently updated information for employers

Fonts Fonts Fonts

2008-01-10T19:46:00.001-08:00

Most users of Microsoft Office do not realize that there have been remarkable changes in the fonts found to be available in Microsoft products such as Word and Powerpoint from version to version of Office. What to do if you have upgraded to Office 2007 but want to keep a font you fell in love with in Office 97? Well there
is help! Go to Dafont Downloadable fonts.

You will be glad you did.

Where Can I Get a Marriage License?

2007-08-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

In Regina, there are several locations where a couple
can obtain their marriage license, these include:

====
Regina Fire & Ice Custom Jewellery
3125 Quance St. E, Regina, SK, S4V 3B7
Ph: 585-3473
Fax: 585-3474
Email: fireandice@sasktel.net
====
Paris Jewellers
Southland Mall
20-2965 Gordon Rd.
Regina, SK
Ph: 347-5660
====
Quality Goldsmiths Ltd.
217 Victoria Ave E.
Regina, SK, S4N 0N5
Ph: 789-2700
Fax: 789-2701
====
Royalty Goldsmiths
Victoria Square Mall
Regina, SK
Ph: 522-4653
Fax: 522-4654
Email: royalgold@sasktel.net
====
The Wedding Gallery
305 Victoria Avenue
Regina, SK
Ph: 789-7911
Cell: 591-1135
Web: http://www.aweddinggallery.ca/
Email: contact@aweddinggallery.ca
====
Victoria Jewellers Ltd.
2591 Quance St. E.
Regina, SK
Ph: 352-4001

====

Hotel Saskatchewan - An Elegant Setting

2007-08-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Recently a request came from a couple for the conduct of their marriage ceremony at the Hotel Saskatchewan. The Hotel Saskatchewan is located in the heart of Regina's downtown at 2125 Victoria Avenue. The hotel has an engaging view of Regina downtown's Victoria Park. The facilities provided for our wedding ceremony left an impression. In the week that followed I met with Jocelyn Sagal (Ph: 337-4313, Fax: 757-5521, Email: jsagal@hotelsask.com) who graciously took me on a tour of suite #510. For the hotel; the suite is referred to as a 'luxury suite'. It has a separate master bedroom with a king size bed. It has a separate living room area that is perfectly suited to an intimate wedding ceremony. There is even a lovely dining room table that is well suited for the signing of the marriage documents after the wedding ceremony. The hotel also offers a "Romantic Moments" themed service. The service includes breakfast, flowers, champagne, champagne flutes and robes for the couple. The Luxury Suite is available for C$299.00 per day (plus taxes). For more information contact: Jocelyn Sagal, 2125 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 0S3. Phone is 337-4313, Fax is 757-5521. Email for Jocelyn is jsagal@hotelsask.com; web site is www.hotelsask.com.

Randall's Rules (of Thumb)

2007-08-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

Over the years, in different circumstances, lessons have been learned in my life. These lessons have manifested themselves into what is now referred to as "Randall's Rules":

Making and Losing Money:

You can either make Money or make Excuses.

Making Profit is a process of creating sales in excess of your costs.

Profit occurs the moment an order is paid (in full).

Debt is a institutionalized legal form of slavery.

Franchising is a well defined legal form of slavery.

Buying a franchise is an act of either poor legal advice, incompetence or despair.

Buy Low, then Sell Higher.

Never worry about how much money the other guy is going to make.

The Price for Value:

Something is only worth what someone else will pay for it.

There will always be someone selling an inferior product at a lower price.

The Price will always be too high. Saying a price is too high requires no thinking.

Price is the not sole feature of your product or service.

Nothing happens until an a client signs an order.

If a customer agrees to pay your price….then your price is the right price (today).

It is never a mistake to raise your prices.

Whenever there is uncertainty; it is time to raise prices.

When you are in demand; it is time to raise prices.

When in doubt; raise prices.

Losing a customer over the issue of price is an indicator you are nearing the right price.

Do not worry about how much money the other guy is going to make.

Strive for a Quality Price for Value Goods or Service.

The best form of discounting is the provision of more value to the transaction.

The fear of losing a sales transaction is irrational.

Setting a price that is below the cost of an item is an act of despair.

Setting a price too low does not require thinking.

Governance:

A business is an economic enterprise. It is not a charity. It is not a form of government.

Earning respect is free; Demanding respect bears a higher price.

Anyone can say the word 'No'. Saying "Yes" requires thinking.

Lawyers are trained in the law.

Accounting is an artform; not a science.

Cash is at true asset.

Cash is your friend. Ample cash is your best friend.

CRA is not your friend.

Canadian Chartered Banks are not your friend.

Canadian Chartered Banks define Risk as a four letter word.

Canadian Chartered Banks prefer granting financing to clients that don't need financing.

The only constant for every business is change.

Tax planning is not the same thing as business planning.

The most powerful tool used by Unions is their ability to waste everyone's time.

Government's key purpose is to continue its growth in size and scope.

Governments produce nothing. Governments simply take money from people and then expend it. This is not a remarkable process.

Running a non-profit organization requires only the ability to expend money.

Honouring government technocrats for public service is an irrational act.

Decision & Indecision:

A decision by consensus is never a solution.

Decision-making is an process whereby you make a decision.

A Decision made is a good decision. Make decisions often! The more the better!

A Decision made can always be altered just as quickly by making another decision.

A mistake that has been caught and corrected can no longer be considered a mistake.

The Not for Profits:

Anyone can spend money. All you have to do is just write a check.

The best jobs in any volunteer organization are the ones with the word "Past" in the job title.

The word "Meetings" is not contained in the definition of the word "Achievement".

If your Consultant is not part of the solution; there's good money to be made studying
your problem.

"Profit is not a four letter word while "Loss" is.

The Persecuted Minority:

The Self-Employed are a persecuted minority.

The only real control an entrepeneur has is to raise prices.

Whatever it was that got you to where are today; is now no longer enough.

An Enterpreneur must contend with every fee, levy, tax or fee that can be imagined
by every technocrat at work at each and every level of government.

An Entrepeneur must Believe in order to Achieve.

An Entrepeneur is someone who steals office supplies from home and brings them
to work.

Technology & Thinking:

Technology does not replace thinking.

Statistical Analysis is a profession that operates without professional standards.

Mathematics are an ocean; everytime you use Math you are just dipping your toe into the water.

Mathematics is a profession discipline without professional standards.

Accounting is a man-made harbour in the ocean of Mathematics.

Accounting is a profession with professional standards.

As technology improves; the demand for paper will increase.

Any problem can be resolved given enough resources are allocated to solving it.

If a technology continues to do what it was purchased to do; keeping using it.

Published books are energy-efficient, portable and useful storage devices.

Ballpoint pens are energy efficient, portable, light weight printing output devices.

Marketing & Promotion:

Toot your own horn for no one else will toot it as loudly.

Any employee not involved with marketing and promotion should be viewed as a fixed cost overhead.

An Enterpeneur's primary goals includes minimizing fixed costs.

The Highest Ratio of Today's Sales will always come from one's existing clients.

Completing a sales transaction involves asking the customer for the order.

Paying the Piper:

Only a small proportion of the people who say they are bankrupt actually file for bankruptcy.

You need money to petition for bankruptcy. Many people cannot afford to do so.

A dollar in the bank is worth two on the books.

The Right Stuff:

An employer can only hire from among the best applicants that present themselves at the
time of hiring.

'Leading by Example' works when Leaders lead Leaders.

Day to Day:

If it tastes good or feels good…there must be a physician out there that is convinced that it
is bad for you.

The amount of junk anyone owns is directly proportional to the available amount of storage space one has available.

CPP and Disability Benefits

2007-08-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Pension Plan and its Disability Benefit
====================================================

With few exceptions, working Canadians pay into the Canada
Pension Plan, from age 18 forward. Residents of Quebec pay
into a similar provincial plan. Each Canadian and their
employer each pay half of the contributions. Each worker's
share in normally deducted from their paycheque. All
workers who contribute to C.P.P., part time or full time,
have access to benefits as long as they meet the eligibility
criteria
====
The CPP plan can provide a monthly benefit to those who are
unable to work because of a severe and prolonged disability.
Eligibility is based on the contributions you've made to the
CPP and how your disability affects your ability to work.
According to CPP legislation, the applicant must show that
he or she cannot work regularly at any job and that this
situation will continue indefinitely. The CPP disability
benefit does not provide complete financial independence,
but it will provide a basic income to which other types of
insurance and savings can be added so that Canadians have
a measure of security. A CPP disability benefit cannot be
paid after age 65. At this point of time, it is converted
to a CPP retirement pension. The retirement pension continues
to be paid until death.
====
A monthly children's benefit is provided to the CPP disability
beneficiary for his or her children under 18. It can be paid
directly to the children if they are between 18 and 25 and
attending school full-time
====
For more information:
Phone: (800) 277-9914
Web site: www.hrsdc.gc.ca

Templar's Rules for Work

2007-08-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

TEMPLAR'S RULES FOR WORK

by Richard Templar

Richard Templar has authored a series of books for personal success. While I may not necessarily recommend all of his writings; I do appreciate the work he has done in his wordsmithing in "The Rules of Work". Here is a summary of his key points:

Rules of Work
=============

1. Walk your talk
a) Get your work noticed
b) Never stand still
c) Volunteer carefully
d) Carve out a niche for yourself
e) Under promise and over deliver
f) Know something other don't
g) Be 100 percent committed
h) Enjoy what your are doing
i) Develop the right attitude
j) Never let anyone know how hard you work

2. Know that you are being judged at all times
a) Dress well
b) Cultivate a smile
c) No limp fish - develop the perfect handshake
d) Exude confidence and energy
e) Deverlop a style that gets you noticed
f) Pay attention to personal grooming
g) Be attractive
h) Be cool
i) Speak well
j) write well

3. Have a plan
a) Know what you want long term
b) Know what you want short term
c) Study the promotion system
d) Develop a game plan
e) Set objectives
f) Know your role
g) Know yourself - strengths and weaknesses
h) identify key times and events
i) Anticipate threats
j) Look for opportunities

4. If you can't say anything nice - shut up
a) Don't gossip
b) Don't bitch
c) Stand up for others
d) Compliment people sincerely
e) Be cheerful and positive
f) Use 'please' and 'thank you'
g) Don't swear
h) Be a good listener
i) Only speak sense

5. Look after yourself
a) Know the ethics of your industry
b) Know the legalities of your industry
c) Set personal standards
d) Never lie
e) Never cover up for someone else
f) Keep records
g) Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth
h) Cultivate your support, contacts and friends
i) Understand others' motives
j) Assume everyone else is playing by different rules

6. Blend In
a) Know the corporate culture
b) Speak the Language
c) Dress up or down accordingly
d) Be adaptable in your dealings with different people
e) Know where to hang out, and when
f) Understand the social protocols
g) Know the rules about the office hierarchy
h) Never disapprove of others
i) Understand the herd mentality

7. Act One Step Ahead
a) Dress one step ahead
b) Talk one step ahead
c) Act one step ahead
d) Think one step ahead
e) Address corporate issues and problems
f) Talk of 'we' rather than 'I'
g) Walk the walk
h) Spend more time with senior staff
i) Get people to assume you have already made the step
j) Prepare for the step after next

8. Cultivate Diplomacy
a) Ask questions in times of conflict
b) Don't take sides
c) Know when to keep your opinions to yourself
d) Be conciliatory
e) Never lose your temper
f) Never get personal
g) Know how to handle others people's anger
h) Stand your ground
i) Be objective about the situation
j) Put things in perspective

9. Know the System - an Milk it
a) Know all the unspoken rules of office life
b) Know what to call everyone
c) Know when to stay late and when to go early
d) Know the theft and perks rule
e) Be on the right side of the people who count
f) Be well up on new management techniques
g) Know the undercurrents and hidden agendas
h) Know the favourites and cultivate them
i) Knwo the mission statement and understand it

10. Handle the opposition
a) Identify the opposition
b) Study them closely
c) Don't back stab
d) Know the psychology of promotion
e) Don't give too much away
f) Keep your ear to the ground
g) Make the opposition seem irreplaceable
h) Don't damn the opposition with faint praise
i) Capitalize on the career enhancing moments
j) Cultivate the friendship and approval of your colleaques

Where Can We Have a Wedding in Regina?

2007-08-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Some couples have asked about possible venues in Regina where they can consider for the conduct of their marriage ceremonies. Here are some suggestions for consideration:

REGINA's UNIQUEST PLACES

====

Wascana Centre (in Wascana Park)
2900 Wascana Drive
Box 7111, Regina, SK, S4P 3S7
Phone: (306) 522-3661
Fax: (306) 565-2742
Email: wca@wascana.sk.ca
Website: http://www.wascana.sk.ca/

The Lady Slipper Courtyard is a secluded outdoor garden enclosed by a perimeter fence adjacent to Wascana Place. The courtyard features mature landscaping, all-weather surfacing, entrance gateway arbors and a large open pavilion. The facility is fully accessible. By renting the facility the designate from the user group will be given a key to the courtyard for the rental period. Lady Slipper Courtyard can be booked in the summer from Victoria Day to Labour Day, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. In the winter the hours are Labour Day to Victoria Day, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For bookings outside of the regular hours, please refer to the list of options. During the regular public hours of Wascana Place, courtyard user groups have access to the building as any member of the general public. The pavilion contains 5 sets of permanent all season tables and seats. Each table set will seat 8 people. As well, there are two portable, convertible bench/table units which will accommodate an additional 5 people per unit. The recommended capacity of the courtyard is 50 people. The courtyard is suitable for a variety of different functions i.e. weddings, company barbecues, lunches etc. It is serviced with 2 charcoal barbecues, 2 portable, long serving tables, electrical outlets (suitable for coffee makers, sound systems etc.) and a water fountain. Washroom facilities are located inside Wascana Place. For evening functions, there is no direct lighting within the pavilion but there are a number of standard Wascana Centre globe lights within the courtyard. Free parking is available in the Wascana Place parking lot. Please be aware that some areas are posted for staff parking (which can be used after regular work hours) or have strictly enforced time limits.

Rental Options:
Option A Lady Slipper Courtyard Daytime Fee $35.00 per hour (minimum 2 hour charge); $125.00 half day (4 hours);$250.00 per day The use of Lady Slipper Courtyard during the regular business hours of Wascana Place can include the kitchen (3 appliances and stainless steel cart) and set up area at no additional cost.
Option B Lady Slipper Courtyard After Hours Fee $50.00 per hour (minimum 2 hour charge); $175.00 per 4 hours; $350.00 per 8 hours When the courtyard is rented outside of the regular business hours of Wascana Place a custodial staff person must be present so that courtyard users have access to the washroom facilities inside the building. Access to Wascana Place will be limited to the courtyard user group only. All the amenities of option A are also included. For more information go the information website: http://www.wascana.sk.ca/rental-ladyslipper.html
===

The Regina Floral Conservatory
City of Regina Greenhouse
1450B - 4th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan

Mailing address:
Regina Garden Associates
Box 1790
Regina, SK
S4P 3C8

Phone: 306 781-4769

Contact: Rose Miller, Event Co-ordinator at 586-2265

Website: http://www.reginafloralconservatory.ca/
Regina Garden Associates, in conjunction with the City of Regina, maintain the Regina Floral Conservatory from the Tuesday after Labour Day to mid June. Bursting with tropical plants, exotic trees, and brilliant blooms September through June, the Conservatory extends a warm welcome to visitors. Floral displays change regularly and feature seasonal offerings set in the tranquility of lush greenery, the therapeutic scent of moist air and the soothing sounds of a gentle waterfall. The facility was established by the City of Regina during the 1950's as a cluster of three greenhouses to grow plant material to beautify the city. A portion of this operation was later opened to the public so that the people of Regina could enjoy an indoor greenspace. In 1991, a volunteer organization called the Regina Garden Associates (RGA) was formed to operate a small gift shop at the entrance to the public floral display. In 1999 the City of Regina formed a partnership with the RGA to maintain a 315 square metre greenhouse display, oversee special events and run the gift shop. In 2002 the greenhouse officially became known as the Regina Floral Conservatory. Public Hours: Open 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. daily September through June; July and August by appointment. Entry is free of charge. All charitable donations are greatly appreciated. Wheelchair accessible. Ample free parking. Pets not permitted
===
The MacKenzie Art Gallery
T.C. Douglas Buliding
3475 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 584-4250
Email: mackenzie@uregina.ca
Website: http://www.mackenzieartgallery.ca/About/Facilities_and_Rentals/

Opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays and Statutory Holidays: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The MacKenzie Art Gallery is located in the South West corner of beautiful Wascana Park. The Member’s Lounge at the MacKenzie Art Gallery is a warm, casual space to hold a smaller, more intimate function such as wedding ceremony. The room features comfortable seating (which can be arranged to meet your dinner party or reception needs) and a wall of over-sized windows that look out on sky and tall pine trees. Perfect for dinner parties, retreats or smaller, more informal meetings. Capacity: 35 for a stand-up reception, 16 for a sit-down dinner or casual meeting. Rental Fee: $250 The facility is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available.
====
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
2245 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4W7

As a rule, the RSM just doesn't have the space to host a wedding event. The major portion of the Museum, the Galleries, is open to the public, 7 days a week from either 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (winter hours) or 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (summer hours). Although there is a theatre and boardroom available for rent for private functions during regular museum hours or after hours, neither of those spaces are truly applicable to an event such as a wedding ceremony or reception (not really by look or size). However, having said all that - the lobby space could be considered (evening weddings only), for a smaller wedding ceremony with room to host a bit of a cocktail reception. Much of the lobby can be opened up by removing some items, but exhibit cases and the information desk would have to stay put, with a simple decoration scheme. We don't have food services on site but there are numerous caterers that have set up in our lobby for other events with receptions, with or without alcohol. Our charge would vary depending on set up requirements, but a start point would be $150 for the lobby space itself. Other charges would include the after hours attendant @ $11/hour (minimum of 3 hours), a.v. tech @$15/hour (again a minimun of 3 hours). So if couples might be interested in a smaller evening wedding, they are welcome to call Margot Storey, Public Programs Coordinator, RSM Associates, Friends of the Museum, at 787-8165 or at email: mstorey@cyr.gov.sk.ca .
===
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA's LAZY OWL
221 Dr. William Riddell Centre Building
University of Regina,
Regina, SK, S4S 0A2

Alexis Losie, Manager
Phone: (306) 586-8811 x227
Fax: (306) 586-8812
Cell: (306) 530-7204
Email: Alexis.Losie@ursu.uregina.ca

The Lazy Owl has a 2nd level that can be booked as a separate venue. It balony level has a wonderful view, and is ideal for a gathering such as a wedding. The Owl can provide catering services to meet whatever needs that a couple may desire. There may be some background noise; but the setting does work.
===

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
1820 Cornwall Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 2K2

Phone: (306) 522-2676 (Bryan)

If you are looking for a traditional look and feel for your wedding; the
Legion building downtown is a great choice.
===

===
REGINA's CATERING FACILITIES
===
The Zest Restaurant (at the Saskatchewan Science Center)
2903 Powerhouse Drive
Regina, SK S4N 0A1
Phone: (306) 522-5250
Fax: (306) 352-3034
E-mail: zest@sasktel.net
Website: http://www.zestrestaurant.ca/
The restaurant does have a private meeting room for up to 35 seats
===
CONEXUS ARTS CENTRE
200A Lakeshore Blvd.
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4S 7L3

Phone: (306) 565-4500
Fax: (306) 565-3274
Web: www.conexusartscentre.ca/catering_wedding.php
Email: Lynn.Severt@conexusartscentre.ca

The Arts Centre can providing room and catering services for weddings of all
sizes and statures.

===
REGINA HOTELS
===
BEST WESTERN SEVEN OAKS INN (Central)
777 Albert St, Regina, SK. S4R 2P6
Phone: 1-800-667-8063 or (306) 757-0121
Fax: (306) 565-2577
Email: bw7oaks@sasktel.net
Website: http://www.bestwesternsevenoaks.com/
===
COMFORT INN (East End)
3221 E. Eastgate Dr, Regina, SK. S4Z 1A4
Phone: 1-800-228-5150 or 306-789-5522
Fax: 306-789-9964
Website: http://www.choicehotels.ca/
===
COUNTRY INNS & SUITES (East End)
3321 Eastgate Bay, Regina, SK. S4Z 1A4
Phone: 1-800-456-4000 or (306) 789-9117
Fax: (306) 789-3010
Website: http://www.countryinns.com/
===
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS (Downtown)
1907 - 11th Ave, Regina, SK. S4P 0J2
Phone: 1-800-667-9922 or (306) 569-4600
Fax: (306) 569-3531
===
DAYS INN (East End)
3875 Eastgate Dr, Regina, SK. S4Z 1A4
Phone: 1-800-329-7466 or (306) 522-3297
Fax: (306) 522-0807
Email: steve.whelan@daysinnregina.com
Website: http://www.daysinn.ca/
===
DELTA REGINA HOTEL (Downtown)
1919 Saskatchewan Dr, Regina, SK. S4P 4H2
Phone: 1-800-209-3555 or (306) 525-5255
Fax: (306) 781-7188
Website: http://www.deltahotels.com/
Email: lkozan@deltahotels.com
===
HOTEL SASKATCHEWAN RADISSON PLAZA (Downtown)
2125 Victoria Ave, Regina, SK. S4P 0S3
Phone: 1-800-333-3333 or (306) 522-7691
Fax: (306) 757-5521
Email: info@hotelsask.com
Website: http://www.hotelsask.com/
===
QUALITY HOTEL (Downtown)
1717 Victoria Ave, Regina, SK. S4P 0P9
Phone: 1-800-228-5151 or 306-569-4656
Fax: 306-569-4977
Website: http://www.qualityregina.com/
===
RAMADA HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTRE (Downtown)
1818 Victoria Ave, Regina, SK. S4P 0R1
Contact: Lynn Sonmor, Director of Sales (569-1666 Ext 7262)
Email: lynn.sonmor@saskramada.com
Phone: 1-800-667-6500 or (306) 569-1666
Fax: (306) 352-6339 or (306) 525-3550
Email: regina@saskramada.com
Website: www.the.ramada.com/regina11851
===
REGINA INN & CONFERENCE CENTRE (Downtown)
1975 Broad St, Regina, SK. S4P 1Y2
Phone: 1-800-667-8162 or (306) 525-6767
Fax: (306) 352-1858
Website: http://www.reginainn.com/
===
REGINA TRAVELODGE SOUTH HOTEL (Central/South)
4177 Albert St. S. Regina, SK. S4S 3R6
Contact: Lloyd Lindemann, Sales Manager (586-3443 Ext 723)
Email: corporatesales@travellodgeregina.com
Phone: 1-800-578-7878 or (306) 586-3443 or (306) 584-6323
Fax: (306) 586-9311
Email: reginatravelodge@sasktel.net
Website: http://www.travelodgeregina.com/
===
TRAVELODGE REGINA EAST (East End)
1110 Victoria Ave. E. Regina, SK. S4N 7A9
Phone: 1-800-578-7878 or (306) 565-0455
Fax: (306) 569-0012
Website: http://www.travelodge.com/
===

EMBA Trip to China (April 2007)

2007-08-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

During the month of April 2007; the first class of the University of Regina's Executive MBA class participated in course E870 - the International Trade Course. As a participant it was a course requirement to maintain a journal of my observation sas well as a summary of these observations. Here is an excerpt of the paper submitted by Randall W. Edge. The ten day trip started in the city of Shanghai and concluded in the city of Beijing.

==========

The Sights: China's long history has produced some of the most fascinating and artful sights for visitors to appreciate. During our time in China we were privledged to visit such sights as The Forbidden City (Beijing), the Emperor's Summer Palace (my personal favourite in Beijing), the Great Wall (outside of Beijing), The Jade Budda Temple (Shanghai), The Ming (Dynasty) Tombs (Beijing area), The Temple of Heaven (Beijing), Tianammen Square (Beijing, Gateway to the Forbidden City) and where the Great Hall and its artworks reside, The Bell Tower (Beijing), the 2008 Olympic Site (under construction in Beijing), Shanghai Gardens (Shanghai) a Bed and Breakfast in the Hutong, as well as the "Zhou Zhuang" Water Village (Shanghai). Of course no trip is complete in China without trying one's hand at what is truly 'guerilla shopping' at the Xiushui Silk Market.

==========

The EMBA class were also treated to an interesting series of tours of Chinese institutions and businesses that include the Great Hall of the People (Beijing at Tianammen Square), Shanghai Port Authority (Shanghai, on the ocean), The GM Plant in Shanghai, Shugong Steel (the City within the City of Beijing), ATS Automation (Shanghai), and Monarch Flooring (Shanghai).

==========
The Issue Selected by R. Edge for Study:
Is China moving to a technology export based economy?
==========
A Background Discussion: The People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.)

==========
China qualifies as a remarkable region of the world for several key factors. China's population exceeds 1.3 billion people which is experiencing growth at a rate of 0.6% every year. China’s work force was estimated at 2001 at 711 million. The literacy rate is estimated to be 89% of China’s population. China’s land mass incorporates an area of 9,596,960 sq. km. (or about 3.7 million sq. mi.); which is similar in size to the land mass of the United States.

==========

China’s economy was reported with a GDP in 2005 totaling C$2.3 trillion+. Natural resources existing in China include significant deposits of coal, iron ore, crude oil, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, as well as uranium. Agriculture includes rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley; commercial crops include cotton, other fibers, apples, oilseeds, pork and fish; produces variety of livestock products. Traditional industries for the Chinese economy include mining and ore processing; iron; steel; aluminum; coal, machinery; textiles and apparel; armaments; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; low cost consumer products, automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, as well as aircraft manufacture. Exports were reported in 2005 of C$750+ billion which were centered on such commodities as electronics; machinery; apparel; optical, photographic, and medical equipment; and furniture (to name a few). China formally joined the WTO (the World Trade Organization) in December 2001.
==========
Investigative Scope: The author joined with an organized effort by the University of Regina to visit China (April 13 to April 26, 2007) first hand to observe this economic juggernaut that is emerging as a trader working on a global scale. The initial scope selected for this analysis was the emergent automotive sector in Canada; which specific focus on indigenous automotive manufacturers. While this was the initial context for this report; the scope rapidly changed to incorporate a broader perspective. It is clear that the Chinese government today is developing an economy based upon low cost production. It is equally clear that China is working to a longer term economic plan. This plan is emergent and contemplates moving from low cost production to high value technology based production that will be exported on a global scale. As a result the scope of this report will discuss this process of economic transition on a broad basis as well as in the specific context of the automotive sector.
============
The Chinese Economy – First Quarter of 2007: The China Daily, on April 2, 2007, revised its economic forecast for China and stated: "The country's GDP growth in the first quarter will be faster than that seen at the same time last year and that seen in the previous quarter," announced Chen Dongqi, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission' Institute of Economic Research. The State Information Center has shown the way, by revising its GDP growth forecast upwards for the first quarter from 10.2 percent to closer to 11 percent. Despite a series of economic control measures implemented last year, the expected slowdown has shown no signs of occurring as economic growth continued apace in January and February. Statistics show that urban fixed-asset investment rose slightly by 23.4 percent year-on-year, or by 20 percent as compared to the last quarter, confirming the reversal of a slowdown originating from last July. Meanwhile, the trade surplus rocketed up by 230 percent, with retail sales enjoying a bullish 14.7 percent rise over Jan-Feb 2006.　"Industrial growth is a key driving force behind overall economic growth, and power generation is also a useful indicator," Chen said. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's industrial output climbed 18.5 percent while industrial profits soared 43.8 percent in the first two months. The rise seems to have targeted all areas with power generation growth moving up to 16.6 percent year-on-year when it languished at fewer than 14 percent in the same period last year. Even news that more state-controlled tightening measures will soon be launched could not stop Lehman Brothers, a global investment bank, from revising their annual forecast. According to a recent report by the firm, their forecast for first quarter growth now stands at 10.1 percent from 9.8 before. Their annual forecast has risen marginally from 9.6 percent to 9.8. "In the light of the stronger-than-expected figures in the first two months of this year and the likely policy responses, we have lifted our full-year growth projections for this year to 10 percent from 9.1 percent, based mainly on stronger growth in credit, investment and exports," Qu Hongbin, HSBC's chief China economist, revealed. Domestic banks also saw a brusque pace of loan business with 982 billion Yuan (US$127 billion) being granted in the first two months of this year, up from 716 billion Yuan (US$92 billion) in the same period for 2006. Earlier predictions from the government had estimated GDP growth this year to hover around 8 percent. China has now seen four consecutive years of double-digit growth, including 10.7 percent in 2006, the fastest in a decade, a trend that may not be showing any sign of slowing. The latest official forecast stated the authorities' directive to shift economic scope from being quantity-oriented to a quality-driven one.”

==========

The Shanghai Daily, on April 14, 2007, had the following observations of growth in tax revenue generation for the Chinese economy for the first quarter of 2007, “Taxation revenue tops one trillion. Tax revenues are up 25.5% in the first quarter of 2007. This is remarkable when the official growth rate is 16.5%. Taxes from real estate is up 35.3%; a sector experiencing 24.3% growth. Chinese business profits generated a net surge in taxes of 26%. Stock market trading duties grew 12.2%. Chinese customs duties are up 27% from a sector seeing import growth of 14.5%.” On April 20, 2007; the author attended (a part of a delegate) a formal briefing of the state of the Chinese economy by Director Han Lei, which was conveyed by the Committee of Economic Affairs at the National People’s Congress to our MBA class. Mr. Lei began the meeting with a general briefing that also included an opportunity for questions from our delegation (from the University of Regina). Mr. Lei offered the following highlights: The Chinese economy experience 11th growth in the first quarter of 2007; China has experience double digit growth for the past four years; Improved living standards in China have been observed. Disposal income is up 16% in urban coastal areas of the country. Disposal income is up 12% in rural regions. The wages of the civil service was recently increased by the government to acknowledge this growth; The rate of profit report by individuals owning business enterprises is up by 40%; The “Foreign Trade Reserve” (FTR) is currently at 1.2 Trillion Yuan (C$181.8 Billion). The FTR is comprised of a) the inflow of foreign direct investment; b) the trade surplus reserve and c) foreign investment (as converted to internal Yuan); The trade surplus has served to increase bank liquidity. Large bank capitalizations have served to become available for use by the Chinese economy; China is benefiting (in terms of the trade balance) with the transfer of production to China (from such countries as Canada and the United States) as “Foreign Trade Investors” (also referred to as FTI or Joint Venture Enterprises) take advantage of special tax treatment as well as low cost rates of labour. FTI are thriving as a result of their access to the internal markets of the China for the sales of their goods and services. Tax rates for FTI and Non-FTI businesses in China will be changed in the short terms to an equalized rate of tax of 25%; 100 million cell phones are now being produced in China each year for worldwide export; China currently has over 300 Intellectual Property licensing agreements in place with the FTIs; Profits are observed to be higher in the traditional industries of steel production, power generation and energy distribution; China’s labour pay rates are currently operating at a level of 3% to 5% of the pay rates observed in the United States. These levels of pay rates are expected to continue for the longer term due the large supply of labour available in the rural regions of the country; The valuation of the Chinese Yuan will not be permitted to fluctuate entirely own its own for the longer term. The Chinese government expresses concern upon the impact of rapid growth; especially upon stock market valuations in the shorter term. Control of the Yuan is seen by the government as necessary in order to minimize de-stabilizing changes in such valuations; The Chinese government is concerned that its agricultural production is not meeting its optimal potential. This is a result of a large shortage of agricultural workers who are moving to the coastal areas seeking employment. More investment in infrastructure is required in the rural regions;
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State of the Transportation Sector in China
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Passenger Vehicles:
It is obvious to anyone visiting China that the Chinese has discovered and embraced the automobile. The domestic demand for transportation in the form of scooters, motorcycles, cars, vans, and trucks in all makes and models is currently not being satisfied by domestic production. China has encouraged the creation of joint ventures with foreign investment components with such globally based companies as General Motors and Volkswagen as part of its effort to meet this strong demand for transportation; most notably for passenger automobiles. Demand is so strong that the distribution of products for sales appears to be based upon proximity to manufacturing facilities in preference to extended distribution automotive dealership networks that exist in North America. The distribution network for the sale of automotive products is observed to be underdeveloped throughout China. For example, in an unscientific survey of vehicles passing the author’s tour bus (Sunday, April 14, 2007) the observed preference for vehicles in Shanghai was for Volkwagen’s Santana 2000s or 3000s, which was observed 70 of 180 passing vehicles (38.8% of the time). However in Beijing there was a clear preponderance of passenger vehicles of manufacture by General Motors of Shanghai (specifically Buick products).

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The price of passenger vehicles in China was observed to bear some resemblance to prices paid by consumers in North America. While visiting the showroom of the General Motors manufacturing facilities in Shanghai; the following prices were observed:
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GM Excelle List Price RMB 153,800 (C$22,618)
GM SRV List Price RMB 79,800 (C$11,735)
GM Aveo List Price RMB 96,900 (C$14,250)
GM Lacrosse List Price RMB 269,800 (C$39,677)
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It was interesting to learn that 100% of GM’s production output in pre-sold in China; there clearly is a temptation for GM for the consideration of price increases for the foreseeable future. In the April 15, 2007 edition of the Shanghai Daily, a variety of prices for what is observed to be strong market for the resale of passenger vehicles. A sample of these advertised prices is offered for consideration:

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VW Passat (2002) RMB145,000 (C$21,323)
GM GL8 Van (2003) RMB 205,000 (C$30,147)
GM Excelle (2004) RMB 118,000 (C$17,353)
Audi A6 (2000) RMB 258,000 (C$37,941)
Mazda 323 (2006) RMB 115,000 (C$ 16,911)

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GM and Volkswagen appear to have established themselves well as suppliers to the Chinese domestic market due to decisions by their management to negotiate joint ventures agreements with Chinese well before other international automotive manufacturers.
At the recent 12th International Automotive & Manufacturing Exhibition (held in Shanghai April 20th, 2007) the presence of the joint venture automotive manufacturers were evident. General Motors Corp. displayed 30 production and concept vehicles under the Cadillac, Buick, Saab and Opel brands. Volkswagen AG displayed 26 production models including the Chinese-made CrossPolo, and the Magotan sedan. Toyota Motor Corp. displayed 31 vehicles including the Chinese-made Crown, Camry, Prius and Corolla.

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The Chinese manufacturers also made their mark. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (which has partnered with GM, VW and most recently Rover) or SAIC showcased its self-brand models the Roewe 750 (that uses fuel cell technology) and its new Sangyong Kyron. Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. (Anhui Province) introduced 10 new models that included a sport sedan, a hybrid (the A5BSG), a fuel cell prototype and a coupe. Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. Released 10 new models to maintain its profile as China’s largest manufacturer of SUV.
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Stalwart manufacturer China FAW Group (Changchun) was also present. FAW is known throughout China as a manufacturer of trucks and buses but has created its own research facilities for the development of passenger cars for the Chinese domestic market. At the show it unveiled its new CA7460 “Unmanned car”. The unmanned vehicle can cruise at 130km/h and has a peak speed of 170km/h for passing other cars in highway conditions. Another notable introduction was the CA7202 sedan that is branded as the company’s ‘red-flag’ car. The CA7202 is a reminder of the stately cars of Mercedes Benz of the past which is now offered to Chinese consumers of the present. Other manufacturers present included Mercedes-Benz, Ford Motor Corp (with its Chinese partner Chang’an Group), Porsche AG, Kia, Volvo, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan Motor Corp., Skoda, and BMW to name a few.
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Buses:
Traditionally all buses used in China were produced by foreign manufacturers. More recently a significant amount of Chinese domestic demand for buses has been met by a growing number of Chinese based manufacturers. Production has been strong enough to permit for the export of units to foreign markets in recent years. In 2005 China produced 38,900 large-size buses and 55,900 buses valued at RMB 30 Billion. In 2005 China export 5,756 buses; which grew to 11,488 units in 2006.
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Higer Bus Company Limited (Jiangsu, China). Established in 1998, Higer Bus has a capitalization of RMB 180 million and license from the Chinese government for production of 18,000 complete bus and chassis per year. Higer was noted in 2006 for exporting 800 buses to the Middle Eastern government of Qatar.

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Yutong – Zhengzhou Yutong Group (Zhengzhou City, China) Yutong produces covered buses, construction machinery, special vehicles, parts and components. The total assets of Yutong Group currently stand at RMD 4.9 billion. Yutong was noted in 2006 for exporting 1,300+ buses to the other side of world for use by the government in Cuba.
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King Long - Suzhou Xiamen Kinglong (Xiamen, China) Suzhou Xiamen King Long Buses was founded in 1980. Today it operates two plants, one in Xiamen and the other in Shaoxing. The company works with an asset base of RMB 6 Billion. King Long has been notable in 2006 for its increase in exports, which grew by 409% (over 2005 performance). The 2006 export sales involve sales of 1,548 buses valued at RMB 82 Million
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Other Bus Manufacturers:
These is a significant number of Chinese manufacturers operating in China that are discussed in this paper. JAC, FAW and Jin Bei are all successfully manufacturing buses for the Chinese domestic markets.
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Trucking:
The manufacturing of trucking in China is dominated by Chinese domestic manufacturers and well as by several Chinese based joint venture manufacturers. The key Chinese manufacturers include are FAW and JAC. Other truck makers include DFAC/Dong Feng (JV with Honda), JinBei (JV with Toyota), as well as Forland (JV with Hybeko of Sweden).
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China’s FAW (FAW.com):
In the year 1956, China's Central Committee (with assistance from the former Soviet Union), initiated construction of China's first automotive manufacturing capabilities. Known at that time as China First Automotive Works and now known as FAW, this sprawling car and truck manufacturer is headquartered in Changchun.
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In contrast to its early days of producing a single model of medium-duty truck, FAW now produces hundreds of models of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks. Overall annual production volume currently stands at one million units. FAW has undergone a corporate restructuring process that has taken as an organization from one that has the corporate infrastructure of a traditional state enterprise to one that has the corporate structure of a profitable and diversified organization. Some of its current models of trucks include:
The CA5313: Type 6-cylinders in line, 4-stroke, water-cooled, direct injection, turbocharged, air-to-air intercooled; The CA1083 Type 4-cylinder in line, 4-stroke, water-cooled, direct injection, turbocharged, air-to-air intercooled; The CA1093 Type 6-cylinders in line, 4-stroke, water-cooled, direct injection, turbocharged
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JAC (http://www.jac.com.cn/)
Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (or JAC) (Anhui Province), was originally called Hefei Jianghuai Automobile Factory (1964). The company was re-founded 1999, and now employs more than 8,500 people and has grown to possess an asset base of RMB 6.2 billion. The main products of JAC include the manufacture of bus chassis, trucks, MPVs, engines, gear-boxs, as well as automotive components. JAC currently has an annual production capacity of more than 200,000 vehicles.

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Scooters:
There is a large variety of brands of motorized scooters sold throughout China. Brands such as Xin Ri, Gamma, Tank abound the urban landscapes of Beijing and more notably Shanghai. What is striking is the fact that the retail selling prices for domestic scooters, whether gas or electric driven, is often less costly that purchases of bicycles (the traditional preferred form of transportation in urban centers in China). On Sunday, April 22, 2007 the author attending three different dealerships whose pricing were strikingly similar. The following prices were observed:

Xin Ri Electric Driven Scooter List RMB 2,880 (C$423)
Gamma Gas Driven Scooter List RMD 4,200 (C$618)

It was interesting to note that the sale of bicycles in the same dealerships were offered at price at least 10% to 20% higher than the scooters and mopeds.
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Issue Posed for Case Study:
Is China moving to a technology export based economy?

The State of the Chinese Automotive Sector & Exports: As Minister Han Lei eloquently stated; “China must ‘step up’ on the issue of technology”. Many of the economies in the world have been successfully built upon the economics of exports of automotive products. Japan and South Korea are recently examples of ability of this sector to have far reaching impacts upon the economy of any given country. China is no exception. China has improved the standard of living for its people by 12% in the first quarter of 2007 due to the fact that it has emerged as an export of goods to the world. China today is exploiting low cost product as the engine of this export economy which is indeed workable in the short term. However, for long term advantage for its economy China must move from the spectrum of low cost production to one of high value high technology production. The state of the automotive sector is one sector where this transition is clearly underway. It is interesting that it is the bus manufacturers that are leading the way for exports of products. Higer/Long King, Yutong, and FAW are leading the way for China. Nearly a dozen manufacturers across China are engaged in building modern new production facilities, creating ambitious new product development programs as well as developing distribution networks on a global scale. That is not to say that these key Chinese manufacturers are ready to sell products yet to North America. Today they are actively engaged in meeting the domestic demand in China. It will take time for these manufacturers to recognize the differing needs and tastes of demanding consumers outside of China. There exist language barriers. Most importantly these key Chinese manufacturers need to learn to stop competing based upon price by turning their attention to meeting consumer wants, by improving product quality and by introducing new technologies that are unique in the world. The efforts of FAW with its CA7460 for the perfection of the designed of its “unmanned car” is a breath taking step along the path for such high technology production. These manufacturers will need to expend resources in the development of the branding of their products; not just in China but on a global scale. Branding is not natural to the Chinese way of thinking. This is demonstrated in the manner that manufacturer FAW identifies its flagship sedan or “red-flag” sedan as model CA7202. The 7202 is a beautiful car; but one that few in the world would recognize as an identifiable brand. As the only saying goes “You only have one chance to make a first impression”; so much work needs to be done with respect to branding. Is China moving to a technology export based economy? The answer is a resounding yes. The path is set. The pace is one of frenzied energy. It is my belief and assertion that the world will see Chinese produced automotive product arrive at its door step within the next ten years. It is also likely that these products will initially arrive offering the key feature and benefit of low price; but this market entry strategy will be replaced in short order by one where products will feature unique technologies that are compelling and not subject to substitution. The concept of my car driving me to work while I read my morning newspaper is one that put the hairs on the back of neck on guard…..and one I sincerely look forward to.

Tax Topic: Why Incorporate?

2007-08-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Tax Topic: Why Incorporate?

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When a business is started, it can be structured as a proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

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Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is one person operating a business, without forming a corporation. The income of the business is then taxed in the hands of the owner (the proprietor), at personal income tax rates. The income is considered income from self-employment, and is included on the personal income tax return of the owner.

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Advantages:
Setting up a business in the form of a proprietorship is relatively simple and the costs are low.
If the business loses money, the losses can be written off against other income of the proprietor. Proprietorships are less regulated than corporations. The administration of a proprietorship is less costly than that of a corporation. However, proprietorships are regulated by the provincial/territorial governments, and the proprietorship may have to be registered.
The proprietor is in control of all decision making, and receives all profits of the business.

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Disadvantages:
The biggest disadvantage of a proprietorship is unlimited liability. The proprietor is liable for all debts and other liabilities of the business. If the business is sued, all the business and personal assets of the owner are at risk. If the business is profitable, it will usually be paying higher taxes than if it was incorporated as what is referred to as a "CCPC" (a Canadian Controlled Private Corporation). The lowest personal income tax rate paid by a proprietorship would range from approximately 20% to 29%, depending on the province/territory. This rate increases with income. Taxable income over $120,887 (in 2007) is taxed at the highest marginal rates, which range from approx. 39% to 48%, depending on the province/territory. A proprietorship has a lack of permanence - if the owner dies, the net business assets pass to the heirs, but valuable leases and contracts may not.
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Partnership
A Partnership is also an unincorporated business. The problems encourage in a marriage are encountered in a partnership. Very few businesses organize themselves in partnerships. It is similar to a proprietorship, except two or more entities are partners in the business. For partners who are individuals, the income from the partnership is taxed at personal income tax rates, and a percentage of the income is included on the personal income tax return of each owner.

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Advantages:
The setup costs of a partnership are relatively low. A partnership is less regulated than a corporation. A partnership agreement should be drawn up to outline the terms of the partnership, what happens in the event of a dissolution, and what happens in the event of disagreements among partners. In the absence of an agreement, or if certain provisions are not addressed in the agreement, provincial or territorial laws will determine some or all of the terms of the partnership. Business losses can be written off against other income of the partners. Broader base of experience, knowledge and skills to draw from.

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Disadvantages:
The biggest disadvantage of a partnership is unlimited liability. The partners are jointly liable for all debts and other liabilities of the business. If the business is sued, all the business and personal assets of the partners are at risk. An exception to the new legal invention of LLP - or Limited Liability Partnerships. Limited Partners, who contribute capital but do not participate in the management of the business, will have their liability limited to the amount of capital that they have contributed. The partners who participate in the management of the business are called General Partners, and will still have unlimited liability. The legal rights of LLPs are not fully developed in case law yet in Canada. Decisions must be made jointly in all partnerships. The death or retirement of a partner will not end the partner's liability for debts and obligations of the partnership that were incurred prior to the death or retirement. Also, if a partner retires and does not make the retirement publicly known, he/she could still be held liable for obligations incurred by the partnership after the retirement.
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Corporation:
A Corporation is a separate legal entity, which is formed by application to either the federal government, or one of the provincial/territorial governments. A corporate acts like a 'person' in the eyes of the law. It lives its own life, can constitute contracts and pays taxes like any other person in Canada. The corporation issues shares to the owners, or shareholders. The funding of the corporation can be done through the issue of shares, or by borrowing. Instead of investing a large amount in shares, shareholders can lend money to the corporation, and invest only a minimal amount in the shares. This way, when the corporation becomes profitable, the shareholder loans can be repaid without attracting income tax.
Being a separate legal entity, a corporation pays corporate income tax, which is calculated completely separately from the owners' personal income tax.

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Advantages of incorporation:
One of the biggest advantages of incorporating a business is limited liability. This means that the liability of the shareholders is usually limited to the amount that they have invested in their shares in the corporation. However, many incorporated small businesses are not able to get bank loans without the personal guarantee of the shareholders, so this eliminates part of the advantage of limited liability. The personal assets of the shareholders are protected from lawsuits against the corporation. However, shareholders who are directors of the corporation can be held legally liable for some debts of the corporation (such as GST and payroll taxes) in certain circumstances. Another major advantage for a profitable small business is the income tax advantage. A CCPC, pays a much lower rate of tax on the first $250,000 of what CRA calls "Active Business Income" than would be paid by an unincorporated business. Active business income generally does not include investment income or rental income. The combined federal + provincial tax rate on the first $250,000 of active business taxable income for a CCPC varies from approximately 16% to 22%, depending on the province. Keep in mind that this tax advantage is mainly a deferral of taxes until the profits are paid out to the shareholder. If all the profits are paid out to the shareholder as they are earned, leaving the corporation with little or no taxable income, then they will be taxed entirely as income of the shareholder, at personal income tax rates.

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Disadvantages of incorporation:
Incorporation is the business structure with the highest setup and administrative costs.
Incorporation is the most complicated business structure. It is very important to take extreme care in setting up classes of shares, deciding who will be shareholders (spouses, children) and how much control they will have (control is determined by % of voting shares owned). Professional advice can avoid serious problems. Business losses cannot be written off against other income of the owners (shareholders). More administrative work is required for a corporation. This includes annual reports filed with the corporate registry, and corporate tax returns which are filed separately from the owners' personal tax returns. Generally, the higher the net income of your small business, the more advantageous it is to incorporate instead of remaining as a proprietorship.

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No matter what the type of business structure, spouses and children can be employed by the business, thus effectively splitting income. However, amounts expensed must be reasonable amounts based on services provided, and must actually be paid to the spouse and/or children.

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Corporations can be incorporated on a provincial or a federal basis in Canada.

Tax Topic: Employer Gifts to Employees

2007-08-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Tax Topic: Gifts and Awards

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In Canada, federally when employers give gifts to employee, a taxable benefit occurs when the gift is in excess of $500. This applies to two non-cash gifts and two non-cash awards per year, with the exception of gift certificates, which are tax free as well.

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Quebec: $500 threshold treated as an exemption. No limit on number of gifts/awards provided. GifGifts and awards given by employers to their employees.

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Canada Revenue Agency reminds employers that certain gifts and awards that they give to their employees may not result in a taxable benefit to the employees. Employers can now give their employees, on a tax-free basis, two non-cash awards per year to mark employment achievements and two non-cash gifts per year to mark special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, or marriage.

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The total cost including taxes of the two gifts OR of the two awards cannot be over $500 per employee. If the total cost including taxes of the two or more gifts or the two or more awards in a year is over $500, the fair-market value of one or more of the gifts or awards may have to be included in the employee's income. Employers can deduct the total cost of the gifts or awards from their income regardless of the value.

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Note: The limit of $500 applies separately to gifts and awards.

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However, regardless of the cost, the following gifts and awards are considered a taxable employment benefit:

1) cash or near cash gifts and awards such as Christmas or holiday bonuses or near cash gifts and awards such as gift certificates;

2) points that can be redeemed for air travel or other rewards;

3) reimbursements from an employer to an employee for a gift or an award that the employee selected, paid for and then provided a receipt to the employer for reimbursement;

4) hospitality rewards such as employer-provided team building lunches and rewards in the nature of a thank you for doing a good job;

5) gifts and awards given by closely held corporations to their shareholders or related persons;
disguised remuneration such as a gift or award given as a bonus;

6) manufacturer provided gifts or awards given directly by the manufacturer to the employee of a dealer.

Tax Topic: Employer Paid Automobile

2007-08-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Tax Topic: Employer Provides an Automobile to an Employee

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When an employer (or a person related to the employer) makes an motor vehicle available to an employee (or a person related to the employee) for personal use, then the employee must pay income tax on the benefit related to the personal use of the vehicle. The automobile taxable benefit is included as employment income on the T4. There are two components of the automobile taxable benefit - the standby charge, and the operating cost benefit.
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Standby Charge benefit:

Section: Income Tax Act s. 6(1)(e), s. 6(2)

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The standby charge is calculated based on: - the original cost of a purchased automobile or the monthly lease cost of a leased automobile (including GST and PST), and - the number of months the automobile is available to the employee for personal use (which normally includes driving to and from work), and the number of kilometres driven for both personal and business purposes, and any reimbursement by the employee for the availability of the vehicle. When the automobile is owned by the employer, the standby charge is 2% x cost of automobile x # of months available to the employee in the year. If the automobile is available 12 months of the year, then 24% of the cost of the automobile is included in the employee's income each year.
When the automobile is leased by the employer, the standby charge is 2/3 x monthly lease costs (excluding insurance) x # of months available to the employee in the year.
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Standby charge reduction:
For 2003 and later years, the standby charge may be reduced if the kilometres driven for business use are at least 50% (90% previously) of the total kilometres driven, and less than 20,004 km per year, or an average of 1,667 km per month (1,000 km per month previously), are driven for personal use.

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Operating Cost benefit:

Section: Income Tax Act s. 6(1)(k), Income Tax Regulations R7305.1

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If the employer has paid the operating costs of an automobile which has been available for the personal use of an employee, an operating cost benefit must be included in the employee's income, less any reimbursements by the employee to the employer. The operating cost benefit is based on the kilometres of personal use by the employee, at the following rates per kilometre:
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2007 $0.22
2006 $0.22
2005 $0.20
2004 $0.17

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Operating cost benefit reduction: for 2003 and later years, if the employee uses the automobile primarily (at least 50%) for business purposes, the operating cost benefit may be calculated as 50% of the standby charge, less any reimbursements.

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Online auto taxable benefits calculator:
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has an online automobile taxable benefits calculator. Employers can use this calculator to determine correct amount of taxable benefits for the employees' T4s for the past year amounts to include in the employees' current year pay periods when doing payroll
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Other resources:
CRA interpretation bulletin IT-63R5, Benefits, Including Standby Charge for an Automobile, from the Personal Use of a Motor Vehicle Supplied by an Employer - After 1992
CRA web page Automobile benefits and allowances.

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Tax Topic: Retirement Allowance

2007-08-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Tax Topic: Retirement Allowance

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When anyone is reaching the the age of retirement, it is appropriate for them to consider the options that are available under the Income Tax Act for their final remuneration payment for their consideration for being treated as a retirement allowance.

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A portion of amounts received as severance pay or retiring allowance can be transferred directly to an RRSP, so that income tax, Canada Pension Plan premiums, and Employment Insurance premiums need not be deducted.

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The allowed transfer amounts, which cannot exceed the severance or retiring allowance received, include:
1) $2,000 for each year or part year of service with the employer before 1996, and

2)an additional $1,500 for years of service which occurred before 1989, in which the employer's contributions to a company pension plan had not vested in the employee.

3) Up to $3,500 per year can be transferred for years of service prior to 1989.

Years of part time employment also qualify as years of service. Even if only one day is worked in the year this qualifies as a year of service.

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If the severance or retiring allowance is not transferred directly into an RRSP, the qualifying amount can still be contributed to the RRSP in order to be allowed as a deduction on the Tax return for the year it was received. To qualify, the contribution must be made within 60 days of the end of the calendar year in which it was received.

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Suggestion for consideration: Defer tax by transferring your severance or retiring allowance to an RRSP.

Tax Topic: The Home Office

2007-08-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Tax Topic: Employee work-space-in-home expenses

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Section: Income Tax Act s. 8(13)

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Employees may deduct work-space-in-home expenses if their contract of employment requires them to pay the expenses, and the expenses are not reimbursable by the employer. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment, should be completed by the employee and employer in order to claim these expenses.

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In order for any expenses to be deductible, the work space must be either:
the place where the individual mainly does their work, or used exclusively for earning employment income, and used on a regular and continuous basis for meeting customers or other persons in the course of performing the job.

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Allowed expenses include heat, electricity, light bulbs, cleaning materials, maintenance, etc. If the home is rented, a reasonable portion of the rent may be deducted. Mortgage interest and depreciation in the form of 'capital cost allowance' (CCA) may not be deducted.

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Sales commission employees eligible to deduct work-space-in-home expenses may also deduct a reasonable portion of property taxes and home insurance. A good rule of thumb is to designate one room of the home as the 'office'; then measure its area; then prorate the cost by the fraction (home office space over overall home space).

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CRA form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses, is used to calculate the amount of the work-space-in-home expenses allowed.

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The work-space-in-home expenses can only be used to reduce employment income. They cannot be used to create or increase a loss from employment income. Any expenses in excess of the employment income can be carried forward to be used in the next tax year.
The work-space-in-home expenses will include any GST/HST or provincial sales taxes incurred. You may be eligible for a refund of the GST/HST included in the costs.

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For more information, go to:
CRA web page Line 229 Other Employment Expenses
CRA Guide T4044 Employment Expenses
CRA Interpretation Bulletin IT-352 Employee's Expenses, including work-space-in-home expenses
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Why is your 'Brand' Important?

2007-08-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Branding: The Life Blood of Your Business
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By Randall W. Edge (Sept 2007)

Branding is a topic of much discussion but what does it really mean? To start one must ask yourself "what does our organization stand for"? What makes its different? What makes us special? What is it about us that keeps bringing our customers back? What does we do better? What value do we add? Is it customer centric focus? It is a bottom line focus for the client? Is it the value you add; the 'go the extra mile' philosophy? Is it the quality and workmanship of your products and services? Lot of questions. Lots to think about. It will take time to sort out what you want your organization to be; reconciled to what it could be; balanced with what is realistic.

Once a 'vision' is clear, then it is time to move consideration of the brand. And by brand we mean a process that affects everything. The way everyone in the organization treats and interact with stakeholders both inside and outside of the organization. The way the telephone is handled. The way email is handled. The way business cards are designed. The way letterhead is designed. The way the web page is designed. The way finished product or services are packaged and communicated.

Then we move to the next challenging aspect of branding; namely consistency. It is simply not good enough to roll out your brand. There must be a built in evaluation and quality assurance process that keeps re-inforcing that the standards set for the brand are maintained on a consistent basis. Policing the brand is a major priority. Re-introducing the brand to newcomers to the organization is a major consideration. The work is an on-going process where the priority must be to strengthen and improvement the brand rather than to let standards slide into oblivion.

Communicating an organizaton's brand is a process where every opportunity must be siezed and exploited. Yellow and white page telephone ads. The script automatically inserted at the end of every outgoing email. The continuity of the web page to your brochures. The way your cheques look that are being sent to suppliers. The quality of the paper used when you send out a letter. The conversational style used by staff on the phone during office hours. Are they plugging the company's services at least once during every telephone conversation? Are they sending a web page reference on every invoice being sent out. Is the company hosting an annual open house to vendors and clients on a regular basis? Never forget that this is the way that brands are created and the way that they flourish.

Tax Topic: Employee vs. Self-Employed?

2007-08-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Tax Topic: Should you be an employee or a self-employed independent contractor?

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The question of whether a person is in a business relationship (self-employed independent contractor) or in an employee-employer relationship is not one that is always easy to answer. There have been many court cases on this subject.

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The courts generally look at the following criteria in making their decisions:

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Control - more control is generally exercised by an employer over an employee than by a client over a self-employed person chance of profit/risk of loss - self-employed persons usually have some degree of financial risk, and more opportunity for profit than employees

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Integration - an employee's job will be an integral part of an employer's business, where the tasks performed by a self-employed person will likely be less integrated with the client's business

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Tools and equipment - self-employed persons are more likely to be supplying their own tools and equipment, as well as being responsible for their maintenance
These topics are further explained in the CRA publication RC4110 Employee or self-employed. A comprehensive checklist is also provided in this publication. This checklist is useful for a worker or a payer (employer/client) to help determine whether their relationship is a business relationship or an employer/employee relationship.

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Employee Advantages: will qualify for employment insurance, Canada Pension Plan premiums paid 50% by employer participation in an employer based employee benefit plan that may include vacation pay, extended health benefits - medical, dental, workers' compensation coverage, higher rate of pay for overtime hours, more difficult to be terminated, severance pay if terminated, no record keeping required

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Employee Disadvantages: must pay employment rate, very few expenses are tax-deductible, less control over working conditions and hours

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Self-employed Advantages: no employment insurance premiums, more expenses are tax-deductible - for example, expense of travelling to and from clients' places of business is tax-deductible, more freedom to choose own working hours, can work for more than one client
in first year of operation, income tax not payable until April 30th following first year end, opportunity for increased profits

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Self-employed Disadvantages: no severance pay if terminated, cannot collect employment insurance, must pay employee and employer portions of Canada Pension Plan premiums, more record-keeping required, often work longer hours with no extra pay, cost of purchasing and maintaining own equipment, risk of loss, liable if contract obligations not fulfilled, no employee benefits, usually must make income tax installment payments, may need to register to collect GST, must register to collect PST, cash management and planning required to ensure funds available for tax remittances may require services of bookkeeper or accountant for the record-keeping and government reporting

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University of Regina's Executive MBA Program

2007-07-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

EMBA Class of 2007 in Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China
April 2007

Have you thought about taking the next step for yourself to enhance your level of academic achievement? The UR Executive MBA is an intensive accelerated experience that requires a high level of commitment from participants. This program is intended for mid-career middle- and senior-level managers who have extensive business experience, and who require a graduate business education to advance their careers. Employer support is a necessary and required component of the program (either in the form of assistance with tuition fees and/or time off work to accommodate the MBA study workload).The 18-month Executive MBA program is scheduled for one full day each week, alternating between Fridays and Saturdays. Over the course of 18 months (Fall, Winter, and Fall semesters), participants in this program take classes on 13 full days each semester (i.e., 6 or 7 Fridays and 6 or 7 Saturdays). On each of these 13 full days in a given semester, participants take four courses in two-hour time blocks.

As a participant in the first graduate class for this program (that graduates in December 2007); I can without hesitation offer my encouragement and support to anyone wanting to take this step. As a member of the UR EMBA Class of 2007, the experience has been a rewarding one.

Rules of Acquisition (from Star Trek's Deep Space Nine)

2007-07-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

As a lifetime fan of Star Trek, the Rules of Acquisition are a constant source
of humour and thought for myself.
=========================
The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
=========================
1. Once you have their money, you never give it back.
2. The best deal is the one that brings the most profit.
3. Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to
4. A woman wearing clothes is like a man in the kitchen.
6. Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity.
7. Keep your ears open.
8. Small print leads to large risk.
9. Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.
10. Greed is eternal.
11. Even if it's free, you can always buy it cheaper.
12. Anything worth selling is worth selling twice.
13. Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.
16. A deal is a deal.
17. A contract is a contract is a contract. But only between Ferengi.
18. A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.
19. Satisfaction is not guaranteed.
21. Never place friendship above profit.
22. A wise man can hear profit in the wind.
23. Nothing is more important than your health. Except for your money.
27. There is nothing more dangerous than an honest businessman.
31. Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother...Insult something he cares about instead
33. It never hurts to suck up to the boss.
34. War is good for business.
35. Peace is good for business.
40. She can touch your lobes, but never your latinum.
41. Profit is its own reward.
44. Never confuse wisdom with luck.
45. Expand or die.
47. Never trust a man wearing a better suit than your own.
48. The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.
52. Never ask when you can take.
57. Good customers are as rare as latinum. Treasure them.
58. There is no substitute for success.
59. Free advice is seldom cheap.
60. Keep your lies consistent.
62. The riskier the road, the greater the profit.
65. Win or lose, there's always Hupyrian beetle snuff.
74. Knowledge equals profit.
75. Home is where the heart is, but the stars are made of latinum.
76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies!
79. Beware of the Vulcan greed for knowledge.
82. The flimsier the product, the higher the price.
85. Never let the competition know what you're thinking.
89. Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits.
94. Females and finances don't mix.
95. Expand or die.
97. Enough... is never enough.
98. Every man has his price.
99. Trust is the biggest liability of all.
102. Nature decays, but latinum is forever.
103. Sleep can interfere with...

104. Faith moves mountains... of inventory.
106. There is no honor in poverty.
109. Dignity and an empty sack is worth a sack.
111. Treat people in your debt like family. Exploit them.
112. Never have sex with the boss's sister.
113. Always have sex with the boss.
121. Everything is for sale, even friendship.
123. Even a blind man can recognize the glow of latinum.
125. You can't make a deal if you're dead.
139. Wives serve, brothers inherit.
141. Only fools pay retail.
144. There's nothing wrong with charity... as long as it winds up in your pocket.
162. Even in the worst of times, someone turns a profit.
168. Whisper your way to success.
177. Know your enemies... but do business with them always.
181. Not even dishonesty can tarnish the shine of profit.
189. Let others keep their reputation. You keep their money.
190. Hear all; trust nothing.
192. Never cheat a Klingon... unless you're sure you can get away with it.
194. It's always good business to know about your customers before they walk in your door.[33202. The justification of profit is profit.
203. New customers are like razor-toothed Greeworms. They can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back.

204. It takes a Ferengi to cheat a Ferengi
208. Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than the question is an answer.
211. Employees are the rungs on the ladder of success. Don't hesitate to step on them.
214. Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach.
217. You can't free a fish from water.
218. Always know what you're buying.
223. Beware the man who doesn't make time for oo-mox.
229. Latinum lasts longer than lust.
236. You can't buy fate.
239. Never be afraid to mislabel a product.
242. More is good... all is better.
255. A wife is a luxury... a smart accountant, a necessity.
256. Accountants just keep score, they do not play the game.
260. Life's not fair. How else do you turn a profit?

261. A wealthy man can afford anything except a conscience.
263. Never allow doubt to tarnish your lust for latinum.
266. When in doubt, lie.
284. Deep down, everyone's a Ferengi.
285. No good deed ever goes unpunished.
==========================
Stages of Acquisition
In addition to the Rules, Ferengi recognize five Stages of Acquisition:
1. Infatuation
2. Justification
3. Appropriation
4. Obsession
5. Resale
===========================
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Randall's Quick Lookup Web Sites

2007-07-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a listing of use URLs to bookmark in your Internet Browser:

MySask Phone Book & Regina Weather:
http://www.mysask.com/portal/site/pc-saskatchewan

Canadian Postal Code Lookup:
http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pcl/bin/advanced-e.asp

Regina Airport Arrivals:
http://www.inregina.com/Travel/AirportArrivals/tabid/66/Default.aspx

Regina Airport Departures:
http://www.inregina.com/Travel/AirportDepartures/tabid/67/Default.aspx

Reverse Phone Number Lookup:
http://www.whitepages.ca/10655/reverse_phone

Time Zone Converter:
http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc?now=1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;zone=America/Regina&tozone=GMT

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Employment Networking Sites:

"Linked In"
http://www.linkedin.com/

"Zoom Info"
http://www.zoominfo.com/

Res Ipsa Loquitar

2007-07-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

There are many phrases in Latin that remain meaningful to this day. The Romans at the height of their empire (circa 450AD) were very entrepeneurial in nature and their culture reflected this in the phrases that came to be used every day....
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Ad Hoc
"For this Purpose"
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Ad Infinitum
"To infinity within limitation"
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Bona Fide
"In Good Faith or Honesty"
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Carpe Diem
"Sieze This Day"
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Casus Belli
"A Ground for War"
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Caveat
"Warning"
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De Facto
"According to Fact"
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Dure Lex Sed Lex
"The is Law is Hard, But it is the Law"
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Ex Officio
"By Virtue of the Office Held"
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Inter Alia
"Among Other Things"
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Intra Legem
"Within the Law"
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Ipso Facto
"By the Fact Itself"
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Mea Culpa
"The Blame is Mine"
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Modus Operandi
"Method of Working"
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Per Capita
"By Heads"
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Per Se
"By Itself"
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Prima Facie
"A first appearance"
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Pro Bono
"For the Public Good"
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Pro Forma
"As A Matter of Form"
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Quid Pro Quo
"Something in Exchange for Something"
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Ratio Scripta
"Within Reason"
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Res Ipsa Loquitar
"It Speaks for Itself"
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Stare Decisis
"Doctrine Set by Prior Decisions"
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Ultra Vires
"Beyond the Jurisdiction or Power"
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Veni, Vidi, Vici
"I came, I saw, I Conquered"
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Management of the Greviance Process

2007-07-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Research Topic:

“Managing the Unionized Environment through
Management of the Grievance Process”
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Prepared by:

Randall W. Edge

November 24, 2006
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The Focus Topic:
“Managing the Unionized Environment through Management of the Grievance Process”

The Core Issues under Examination:
1) The Legal Standing of the Grievance Process
2) Managing Conflict to Prevent Grievances
3) Managing Conflict when Grievances are Filed
4) The Optimal Design of Grievances Processes
5) The Potential Benefits of A.D.R. for Grievance Resolution

The Rationale for This Research Paper:
Twice in my working career I have found myself in unionized work environments. In the one of the experiences I found myself as a front-line out-of-scope Manager. The experience brought many issues into focus for me. I interacted with a difficult work environment. I was the recipient of numerous grievances and became involved with a constant stream of grievance proceedings at my level of authority in the organization. It was quite a frustrating and yet quite a uniquely interesting process. The topic of grievances; their relationship to the negotiation of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is a topic of interest. My limited experience involved at times the handling of grievances that involved serious issues of interest to employer and employee; while at the same time dealing with matters that clearly fell into the frivolous category. The pressures upon myself were fascinating. The idea that a CBA was incomplete in dealing with the issues in the workplace seemed to be an odd idea. The idea that inadequacies in the language of a CBA led directly to setting issues by way of grievance proceedings seemed counter-productive. Then I got a walk up call. Wow. I was shocked to learn first hand how a grievance process was capable of chewing time. Time that is valuable to me as a manager as well as the organization as a whole. It was almost in the category of a weapon that could be wielded by the union at any time and for any reason. And what a weapon; for the Union has all the time in the world to waste…or so I thought at the time.
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One immediate observation that became apparent is that unions take the process of grievances very seriously. Unions have an impressive and innate memory of every precedent setting decision (either present day or historical) that is rendered through the grievance process. It was fascinating as a front-line manager to become confronted with decisions rendered by preceding managers long gone (as in decades before me). I was confronted in the 1990 with written decisions made in the late 1960s. My daily interactions with staff were impacted by decisions rendered during grievance processes rendered nearly fifteen years earlier. I was appalled. This invoked a sense of fear in me. The issue then confronting me was the principle that any decision I might make would affect Managers in my organization for decades to come. I was appalled. This fear led to caution. Quickly I became determined not to make any decision. I set for myself a course of action to stake out extreme positions (on behalf of my employer) at grievance proceedings. I genuinely thought that is was “OK” to not settle a grievance at my level and that it was best to ‘kick’ it ‘upstairs’ to my superiors to resolve. Today I am not so sure my actions were right ones. Through this research paper I plan to explore the practical function of the grievance mechanism and what should be its optimal function.
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So What Exactly is a Grievance?
The premise for the parties is that there are going to be disputes….and they should have a mechanism that works effectively to resolve those disputes. A grievance may be defined as a matter which concerns the interpretation or allege violation of the collective agreement. An alternative and broader definition is “a difference between the parties relating to the interpretation, application or administration of the collective agreement or an allegation that the collective agreement has been violated1. There is no agreement as to what constitutes an acceptable rate of grievances. Some sources cite a rate below 10 grievances files per 100 employees as healthy; so sources cite that as high a rate of 20 per 100 employees is equally workable. The clear message is that a rate of zero is not a good sign of the standing of labour relations and a high rate of grievance is also quite undesirable. In 1981 a Canadian study of bargaining units found that grievance rates tended to be higher in organizations where the relations environment was observed to be challenged. Key factors in the environment for lower rate of incidence were observed to be:
The beliefs each party has with respect to the legitimacy of the other
The level of trust present between the two parties
The impact of productivity, discipline and communications
The tone of grievance discussions (anger, distrust, empathy, use of threats)
The inclusiveness of the grievance procedure
The overall satisfaction of the parties involved of the grievance process
The extent of prior-to-grievance consultation between the parties
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What is the Legal Standing of a Grievance?
A Grievance begins when something happens that concerns one of the parties who have contracted themselves into a collective agreement. Collective agreements are formal agreements between employers and employees that are recognized by provincial statute. In Saskatchewan the relevant legislation is the Trade Union Act, RSS 1978. The Act defines a “collective bargaining agreement” (CBA) as “an agreement in writing…between the employer and a trade union setting forth the terms and conditions of employment…” Over time; most (if not all) CBAs have had mechanisms built into them for the “Grievance” process. Recognition of the Grievance processes have evolved to the point where they are implicitly recognized by provincial legislation such as the Saskatchewan Trade Union Act (section 25) with its citing of “any grievance procedure established by the collective bargaining agreement”. So when one asks “What is the legal standing of a Grievance?” The answer is that Grievances are creatures of CBAs which are in turn creatures of provincial law.
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In Saskatchewan, the parties to the collective agreement may agree to refer disputes to the Labour Relations Board; the decision of the Board is final and binding and is enforceable as a legal order of the Board. In addition, the Minister of Labour may establish a board of conciliation to investigate conciliate and report on any dispute relating to the interpretation of any employer and a trade union.
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Why have a Grievance Process?
Grievances are concerns, problems or complaints that employees have from time to time with their employers. Grievance procedures allow employers to deal with grievances fairly, consistently and expeditiously. Grievances serve a rule-making purpose as it provides a mechanism for employers and employees to legitimately influence and participate in the decision-making processes of the other party. They also provide a function of “due process” by which progressively higher levels of authorities review decisions rendered in the grievance process.
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Designing of a Grievance Process:
Design Principles:
Focus on Interests: Start with a process (either by direct negotiation or mediation) where the parties try to solve differences using interest-based bargaining.
Provide Low-Cost Rights and Powers: Use low-cost alternatives (such as voting, arbitration, or protests) to rights and power issues. These are preferable to violent force or even adjudication.
Have “Loop-Backs” Built into Negotiation: As soon as someone appears to be “Winning” give both parties a chance to develop a solution that best meets their needs (as well as their rights).
Use Consultation Before; Use Feedback After: Using increased amounts of shared information is a good strategy for ameliorating conflict. Consultation and feedback mechanisms provide a consistent and reliable methodologies for sharing of information.
Arrange Procedures in a Low-to-High-Cost Sequence of Events: Dispute Resolution systems should be organized into a series of steps. Rank the first steps as the cheapest ones and work you way up through the process.
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Offer Motivation, Skills and Resources to the Process: The greater the problem the greater the need to disseminate skills, knowledge and techniques to the participants of the process. More information brings more alternative solutions to the process.
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Key elements for consideration are:
The process should involvement both management and employees (and their advocates);
Outline processes to all employees and make such information readily available throughout the organization;
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Allow Grievances to be resolved in an informal manner by front line Managers;
Allow for a process of formalization of the Grievance with Management;
Conduct a 1st meeting to allow for an opportunity of both sides to voice their views;
Write with a response with a reasonable period of time and inform the employee of their right to appeal;
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Create an open Appeal process;
Have a more senior Manager handle the Appeal;
Tell the employee that they have the right to be accompanied by an advocate;
Write with a response with a reasonable period of time and inform the employee of their right to appeal to its final stage;
Maintain written records that can be referred to for future reference.
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It is important to remember that the grievance article negotiated by the parties (in a CBA) should be tailored to fit the needs and the grievance experiences of the parties to the agreement. It is essential that the particular grievance be processed in an orderly manner and that it be thoroughly examined at the various levels of management. However, there is no virtue in making the process unduly complicated. The key consideration is to weigh the degree and division of authority at the various levels of management against the need to deal with grievances in an effective and expeditious manner as they arise4.
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Tactics for Dispute Resolution:
1) Clarify the needs of the other party
2) Point out the cost of continued disagreement
3) Control the expression of hostility
4) Express displeasure at the progress of negotiation
5) Express pleasure at the progress
6) Suggest proposals that help avoid the appearance of defeat on an issue
7) Help Individual save face.
8) Try to change the parties’ expectations
9) Teach the bargaining process.
10) Try to gain the parties’ trust and confidence.
11) Call for frequent caucuses.
12) Avoid taking side on important issues in joint sessions.
13) Help develop a framework for negotiations
14) Keep negotiations focus on the issues.
15) Make substantive suggestions for compromise.
16) Press the parties hard for compromise.
17) Control the time or pace of negotiations.
18) Use humour to lighten the atmosphere.
19) Let everyone blow off steam.
20) Have the parties prioritize issues.
21) Take responsibility for concessions.
22) Attempt to speak “their language”.
23) Assure each party that the other is being honest.
24) Warn the next impasse step is not better.
25) Develop rapport.
26) Use late hours or long mediation to facilitate compromise.
27) Attempt to settle simple issues first.
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Coping with Emotions – Assertiveness is best response to Anger3
Describe what your experiencing/noticing, using neutral, non-blaming language.
Explain its effect on you.
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Show that you understand how others feel and the positive intention behind their behaviour.
Communicate your preferred alternative.
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Features of Good Grievance Procedures:
1. Grievances should be present in writing. When informal conversions do not resolve an issue; grievances should formalized in writing. Doing so permits all parties to carefully assess the precise nature and significance of the complaint.
2. Reprisals should be forbidden. This is a safeguard that should be a two-way street.
3. All parties should be allowed to file grievances. Again, this should be a two-way street.
4. A statute of limitations should be specified. This will prevent issues suddenly being brought up that are based on long-past situations.
5. Equal division of all costs by both parties.
6. Consistency and Impartiality are essential as principles.
7. Participants in Grievance process shall be permitted leave to participate in the process without loss of pay or benefits.
8. The system should contain options for preventing, identifying and resolving issues.
9. The system should promote a culture that works to solve problems at the lowest level through direct negotiation.
10. The system should allow multiple access points.
11. The system should empowered parties at all levels of the process with a range of options for addressing conflict.
12. The system should contain effective structures and provide support to maintain the options established in the Grievance system.
13. The system should focus on the nature and desire for preservation of relationships which will minimize conflict relating to authority, social rank, and status.
14. The system should permit high-context and low-context communications.
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The Selection of an Arbitrator
1. Arbitrators should be selected on a rotational basis from a list developed and agreed to by the parties
2. Arbitrator shall fix a time and place for sittings after consultation with the parties.
3. Arbitrator shall determined the set out the arbitration process; shall give full opportunity to all parties to present evidence and make representations. When possible the Arbitrator should consider to follow a layperson’s procedure and should consider to avoid legalistic or formal procedure.
4. The fees and expenses of the Arbitrator and other common expenses should be shared equally by both parties.
5. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be final, binding and enforceable on all parties.
6. The Arbitrator shall not have the power to change the collective agreement or to alter, modify or amend any of its provisions.
7. Should the parties disagree as to the meaning of the Arbitrator’s decision, either party should have the right to request clarification from the Arbitrator of their decision.
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The Four Primary Roles of a Grievance Procedure:
8. A Compliance Role
9. A Judical Role
10. An Adjudicative Role
11. An Administrative Role
Secondary Roles:
1. A mechanism for the continuation of the relationship between the parties
2. A tactic for one party to pressure the other party
3. A forum for the communication of information; a voice function
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Benefits and drawbacks:
Benefits
1. A Grievance Process is that it compensates for ambiguity in contract language
2. It can improve perceptions of fairness and equity
3. Permits resolution of issue without necessity of work stoppages
4. It provides a mechanism that is mutually agreed upon for dispute resolution
5. Is a means for achieving consistency in policy formulation and application
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Weaknesses
1 The cost of procedure, in time and money, may be an important weakness. Grievance processes are expensive and disruptive.
2 Another weakness is that if expectations are diverse enough; the effectiveness and utility of the grievance procedure can be undermined.
3 Process may provide heighten levels of frustration to those working with the process at lower levels; at times a sense of helplessness.
====
Conclusions and Recommendations:
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1. Grievance processes meet the definition of being an Alternative Dispute Resolution process in their own right. They are strengthened with the inclusion of ADR principles into their design.
2. Grievance mechanisms have the potential to effectively resolve ambiguity in collective agreements.
3. Creating an favourable environment for grievances where decision making is has the objective of finding mutually agreement upon grievance issues at lower levels of the grievance process creates an optimal Dispute Resolution process.
====

China - Beijing - The Hutong - A Bed & Breakfast

2007-07-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

April 2007

Oligvy Mather's Thoughts on Advertising

2007-07-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

The advertising company Oligvy Mather has developed principles that they refer to as Oligivarisms that have meaning:

==================

Account Executives:
Madison Avenue is full of masochists who unconsciously provoke rejection by their
clients. I know brilliant men who have lost every account they have ever handled.
One of the most brilliant colleagues I ever had was black-balled by three clients in one
year; the experience hurt him so badly that he left the agency business for ever. If you
are too thin-skinned to survive this hazard, you should not become an account executive
in an advertising agency.

==================
Art Direction:
Once upon a time I was riding on the top of a First Avenue bus, when I heard a mythical
housewife say to another, "Molly, my dear, I would have bought that new brand of
toilet soap if only they hadn't set the body copy in ten point Garamond." Don't you
believe it. What really decides consumers to buy or not to buy is the content of your
advertising, not its form.

==================
H.L. Mencken once said that nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the
American public. That is not true. I have come to believe that it pays to make all your
layouts project a feeling of good taste, provided that you do it unobtrusively. An ugly
layout suggests an ugly product. There are very few products which do not benefit
from being given a first class ticket through life.

==================
Brand Image:
Every advertisement must contribute to the complex symbol which is the brand
image. Most manufacturers are reluctant to accept any limitation on the image of their brand.
They want it to be all things to all people. They want their brand to be a male brand
and a female brand. An upper class brand and a plebeian brand. They generally end
up with a brand that has no personality of any kind, a wishy washy neuter. No capon
ever rules the roost.

==================
It takes uncommon guts to stick to one style in the face of all the pressures to "come
up with something new" every six months. It is tragically easy to be stampeded into
change. But golden rewards await the advertiser who has the brains to create a coherent
image, and the stability to stick with it over a long period.
==================

Client Management:
I always use my clients' products. This is not toadyism but elementary good manners.
Don't expect your agency to pay for all the dry holes they drill on your behalf.
The best way to get new accounts is to create for our present clients the kind of advertising
that will attract prospective clients. We do not have new business departments
in our offices. No first class man will take the job; no second class man can do it effectively.

==================
Consumers:
You aren't advertising to a standing army; you are advertising to a moving parade.
Three million consumers get married every year. The advertisement which sold a
refrigerator to those who got married last year will probably be just as successful with
those who'll get married next year. An advertisement is just like a radar sweep, constantly
hunting new prospects as they come into the market. Get a good radar and
keep it sweeping.

==================
The consumer isn't a moron; she is your wife. You insult her intelligence if you assume
that a mere slogan and a few vapid adjectives will persuade her to buy anything. She
wants all the information you can give her.

==================
Copywriting:
It is a mistake to use highfalutin language when you advertise to uneducated people. I
once used the word OBSOLETE in a headline, only to discover that 33% of housewives
had no idea of what it meant. In another headline, I used the word INEFFABLE, only to
discover that I didn't know what it meant myself.

==================
A lot of advertisements and television commercials look like minutes of a committee
meeting, and that is what they are. Advertising seems to sell most when it is written
by a solitary individual. He must study the product, the research and the precedents.
Then he must shut the door of his office and write the advertisements.

==================
Resist the temptation to write the kind of copy which wins awards. I am always gratified
when I win an award, but most of the campaigns which produce results never win
awards because they don't draw attention to themselves.

==================
Inspiration:
Unless your advertising is built on a BIG IDEA it will pass like a ship in the night.
Encourage innovation. Change is our lifeblood, stagnation our death knell.
Many of the greatest creations of man have been inspired by the desire to make
money. When George Frederick Handel was on his beam ends, he shut himself up for
twenty-one days and emerged with the complete score of "Messiah" - and hit the jackpot.
Few of the themes of Messiah were original; Handel dredged them up from his
unconscious, where they have been stored since he heard them in other composers'
work, or since he had composed them for his own forgotten operas.
Senior men have no monopoly on great ideas. Nor do creative people. Some of the
best ideas come from account executives, researchers and others. Encourage this; you
need all the ideas you can get.
================

Integrity:
I abhor advertising that is blatant, dull, or dishonest. Agencies which transgress this
principle are not widely respected.

================
Never write an advertisement which you wouldn't want your own family to read. You
wouldn't tell lies to your own wife. Don't tell them to mine.
In the best establishments, promises are always kept, whatever it may cost in agony
and overtime.

================
The pursuit of excellence is less profitable than the pursuit of bigness, but it can be
more satisfying.

================
Jingles:
Candor compels me to admit that I have no conclusive research to support my view
that jingles are less persuasive than the spoken word. It is based on the difficulty I
always experience in hearing the words in jingles, and on my experience as a door-todoor
salesman; I never sang to my prospects. The advertisers who believe in the selling
power of jingles have never had to sell anything.

================
Next time you decide to have the sales pitch sung in a television or radio commercial,
play the song to half-a-dozen people who know nothing about the product. Then ask
them what it said.

================
Discipline:
Shakespeare wrote his sonnets within a strict discipline, fourteen lines of iambic pentameter
rhyming in three quatrains and a couplet. Were his sonnets dull? Mozart
wrote sonatas within an equally rigid discipline - exposition, development, and recapitulation.
Were they dull?

================
Firing Practices:
To keep your ship moving through the water at maximum efficiency, you have to keep
scraping the barnacles off its bottom. It is rare for a department head to recommend
the abolition of a job, or even the elimination of a man; the pressure from below is
always for adding. If the initiative for barnacle-scraping does not come from management,
barnacles will never be scraped.

================
It is the inescapable duty of management to fire incompetent people.

================
Hard Work:
I figure that my staff will be less reluctant to work overtime if I work longer hours than
they do.

================
I believe in the Scottish proverb: "Hard work never killed a man." Men die of boredom,
psychological conflict and disease. They do not die of hard work.
Agencies which frequently work nights and weekends are more stimulating, more successful
- and more profitable. A tight ship is a happy ship - provided it is an informal
ship.

================
Hiring Practices:
If you always hire people who are smaller than you are, we shall become a company of
dwarfs. If, on the other hand, you always hire people who are bigger than you are, we
shall become a company of giants.

================
If you ever find a man who is better than you are - hire him. If necessary, pay him
more than you pay yourself.

================
In most agencies, account executives outnumber the copywriters two to one. If you
were a dairy farmer, would you employ twice as many milkers as you had cows?
================

Layouts:
It has been found that the less an advertisement looks like an advertisement, and the
more it looks like an editorial, the more readers stop, look and read. Therefore, study
the graphics used by editors and imitate them. Study the graphics used in advertisements,
and avoid them.

================
Most readers look at the photograph first. If you put it in the middle of the page, the
reader will start by looking in the middle. Then her eye must go up to read the headline;
this doesn't work, because people have a habit of scanning downwards. However,
suppose a few readers do read the headline after seeing the photograph below it.
After that, you require them to jump down past the photograph which they have
already seen. Not bloody likely.

================
Leadership:
Do not summon people to your office - it frightens them. Instead go to see them in
their offices. This makes you visible throughout the agency. A Chairman who never
wanders about his agency becomes a hermit, out of touch with his staff.
Our offices must always be headed by the kind of men who command respect. Not
phonies, zeros or bastards.

================
Mental Health:
The psychiatrists say that everybody should have a hobby. The hobby I recommend is
advertising.

================
People:
I admire people with gentle manners who treat other people as human beings. I abhor
quarrelsome people. I abhor people who wage paper-warfare.
I despise toadies who suck up to their bosses; they are generally the same people who
bully their subordinates.

================
Few of the great creators have bland personalities. They are cantankerous egotists, the
kind of men who are unwelcome in the modern corporation.

================
Positioning:
The most important decision is how to position your product.
A lot of successful advertising was created before POSITIONING was invented. And a
lot of today's campaigns are based on optimum positioning but are totally ineffective -
because they are dull, or badly constructed, or ineptly written. If nobody reads your
advertisement or looks at your commercial, it doesn't do you much good to have the
right positioning.

================
The Power of Advertising:
I once found myself conspiring with a British Cabinet Minister as to how we might
persuade Her Majesty's Treasury to cough up more money for the British Travel advertising
in America. Said he, "Why does any American in his senses spend his vacation in
the cold damp of an English summer when he could equally well bask under Italian
skies? I can only suppose that your advertising is the answer." Damn right.
The mail-order advertiser has no retailers to shrink and expand their inventories, to
push his product or to hide it under the counter. He must rely on his advertisements
to do the entire selling job. Either the reader clips the coupon or he doesn't. A few
days after his advertisement appears, the mail-order writer knows whether it is profitable
or not. For twenty-seven years I have kept my eyes riveted on what mail-order
advertisers do in their advertisements.

==================
Research:
The most important word in the vocabulary of advertising is TEST.
Test your promise. Test your media. Test your headlines and your illustrations. Test the
size of your advertisements. Test your frequency. Test your level of expenditure. Test
your commercials. Never stop testing, and your advertising will never stop improving.

==================
Specialization:
I don't believe in this specialisation. Who said that there's one breed of cat which is an
account executive, and then there are the creative people - and they are quite different?
This has been perpetuated by both sides for years. It's nonsense.

==================
Teamwork:
Nowadays it is the fashion to pretend that no single individual is ever responsible for a
successful advertising campaign. This emphasis on "teamwork" is bunkum - a conspiracy
of the mediocre majority.

==================
Television Commercials:
I have found that it is easier to double the selling power of a commercial than to double
the audience of a programme. This may come as news to the Hollywood hidalgos
who produce programmes, and look down their noses at us obscure copywriters who
write the commercials.

==================
Dr. Gallup reports that if you say something which you don't also illustrate, the viewer
immediately forgets it. I conclude that if you don't show it there is no point in saying
it. Try running your commercial with the sound turned off; if it doesn't tell without
sound, it is useless.

==================
Research has shown that commercials which open with a dramatic visual hold their
audience better than commercials which don't. If you are advertising a fire-extinguisher,
open with the fire.

==================
The Value of Learning:
Supposing you've got an acute appendicitis. You've got to be operated on tonight.
Would you like to have a surgeon who's read some books of anatomy and knows how
to do that operation - or would you prefer to have a surgeon who refused to read all
books about anatomy and relied on his own instinct? Why should a manufacturer bet
his money - perhaps the future of his company - on your instinct?
I can't stand callow amateurs who aren't sufficiently interested in the craft of advertising
to assume the posture of students.

==================
Training should not be confined to trainees. It should be a continuous process, and
should include the entire professional staff of the agency. The more our people learn,
the more useful they can be to our clients.
=======================

Source:

Ogilvyisms - Ogilvy on Everything
Ogilvy & Mather (2000)

China - Beijing - Great Hall of the People

2007-07-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Can you Create Your Own Will?

2007-07-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Can you Create Your Own Will?

Many people do. If you die without a will, it usually costs more. This means your loved ones may receive less. If you die without a will, it’s often more complicated and time-consuming for thepeople who outlive you to settle your estate. The purpose of writing a will is to pass on
your belongings to your loved ones according to your wishes and with as few problems as possible.
====

At some point when you are writing the will you should be alone with the lawyer, Notary or other person who is helping you. You need to be able to speak freely without being afraid of hurting anyone’s feelings.

====
When should you make a will? You can make a will at any time. You should make a will if you marry or if you start a family. Even if you don’t marry or have children, or don’t have many assets, it’s still a good idea to make a will so that you can leave your belongings to the
special people in your life. Also, you should make a will when you are in good health. To make a will, you need to be mentally capable. Your mental capability can be affected by illness, accidents or drug treatment.

=====
What is a Will?
A will is a legal document that leaves instructions about what you want done with everything you own at your death. Everything you own at your death is called the estate. A will gives you some control over what will happen to what you own. By having a will, you can make sure that the things you own go to the people you want to have them. A will can be useful for people who
outlive you. They can then feel sure thatthey are carrying out your wishes.

=====
What are the requirements for making a will?
Because you won’t be around to explain what you meant, your instructions in the will need to be clear. You need to be an adult. Generally, you must be 19 or over to make a legal will. You need to be mentally capable of managing your own affairs. You need to agree with the contents of the
will at the time you make it.

=====

Terminology used in a will includes:
Assets: Money, property, possessions, a business — everything you own.
Beneficiary: A person or organization you leave something to in your will.
Codicil: A document made after the will that changes some things in your will.
Estate: Everything you own at your death.
Executor: The person you appoint to carry out the instructions in your will.
Probate: The procedure that says financial institutions and other organizations
may rely on the will as being the last will you made.
=====

What does a will look like?
The law sets out some rules that must be followed:
• The will must be in writing – typed or handwritten.
• You must sign the will at the end, in front of two witnesses, and you must tell the witnesses that the will is yours. If you are unable to sign the will (because of illness or disability) you can ask someone to sign it for you in front of you, and in front of the two witnesses.
• The two witnesses must sign the will in front of you and in front of each other. The witnesses should not be beneficiaries of the terms of the will.
• You should mark the date on your will.

=====

Who can be witnesses to my will?
The two witnesses must be at least 19 years old and must be mentally capable. A witness
must not be a beneficiary (someone you are leaving something to in your will) or married to a beneficiary. The witnesses do not need to read the will. All they have to do is witness you sign
your name to the will, and sign the will themselves in front of you.

=====
Overview of a will
Typically, a will has several sections:
• The will appoints the executor. This is the person who is responsible for carrying out the instructions in the will. You appoint someone you think may outlive you. It’s wise to also appoint a person to be back-up executor, just in case the executor dies before you.
• The will says who gets your property and under what conditions. The people to whom you give your possessions and property are called beneficiaries.
• The will says who gets any property that remains after all the beneficiaries have been given their share.
• The will can include other details as you wish. For example, people should name a guardian for their underage children.
• A new will normally cancels any other will you had in the past.
• Unless you state in the will your plan to marry a specific person, if you marry or remarry after the date you signed your will, your will is automatically cancelled.

=====
How detailed do I have to get in my will?
You need to be clear about exactly who the beneficiaries are. You don’t have to write down everything; you only need to be specific about who should get what if there is something of great value and you want to make certain it goes to a particular person.
=====
What doesn’t go into the will?
A will often isn’t read until after the funeral. You need to tell someone what kind of ceremony you want when you die, and whether you want to be buried or cremated. If you own assets in joint tenancy, they do not form part of the estate.

=====

What is an executor?
Your executor is the person you name to carry out the instructions in your will. Your executor may need to get a document from the Supreme Court called a Grant of Letters Probate. Probate means that the court confirms that everything necessary has been filed, and that financial institutions and the land title office can rely on the will. Estates that involve only a small amount of money (under $10,000) may not need to go through probate. The executor can check with the Court Registry. An executor is responsible for settling your affairs. This usually involves selling some assets, preparing the final tax return, paying any outstanding debts, applying for the Canada Pension Plan death benefit, and distributing the estate. How much time
this takes depends on how complicated your affairs are.

=====

Where should the will be kept?
You need to keep it in a safe place that is fireproof, waterproof, and tamper-proof. The executor needs to know where it is, so that he or she can easily find it after your death.

=====

What happens if I die without a will?

If you die without a will, someone, usually a spouse or child, needs to file documents in the Supreme Court Registry that ask the court to appoint him or her to administer the estate. If there is no will, the law sets out who will inherit. The estate goes to the government only if no relatives can be found. If there is no one who can administer the estate, then the Public Guardian and Trustee takes responsibility.

=====

Once you have a will; remember to review it and update every five years or so. It is astounding how quickly the affairs in our lives change.

Ordering a Marriage Certificate

2007-07-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Obtaining a marriage certificate in Saskatchewan is a process involving the Vital Statistics office of Saskatchewan Health. Simply complete the "Application for Marriage Certificate" form with the prescribed fee and send the completed document to:

Vital Statistics

1301-1st Avenue

Regina, Saskatchewan

Ph: 787-3251

The offices are open to the public 08:30 to 16:00 Mondays to Fridays.

Design of Letterhead & Business Cards

2007-07-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

Have you ever needed to create a design for letterhead, envelopes, labels and business cards for your organization?
===========
Why pay a designer to do this. Microsoft Word is shipped with pre-designed templates that you can pick up and use.
====================
What about uniqueness? Well, Microsoft has actually issued several different versions of MS-Word over the years. There are versions from 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2007. Each version was shipped with its own separate set of templates. Today, most people have complete forgotten about the template designs shipped in 1997 and they are now fairly unique in character. So save yourself time and money. The work of design has already been done for you;

DISC - New Employee Personality Style Testing

2007-07-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

One of the best ways to obtain a window into the personality style of a prospective new employee is the introduction of DISC testing. For more information go to:

Understanding DISC URL:
http://www.discusonline.com/UDISC/default.htm

Recognizing DISC URL:
http://www.vtaide.com/gleanings/DISC-recognise.htm

Text Messaging (Sigh)

2007-07-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

When you need to send a text message:

Rogers Text Messaging URL (501, 581, 596):
http://www.shoprogers.com/wireless/sendpcs.asp

Sask Tel Text Messaging URL (527, 529, 530, 533, 536, 537, 539, 631, 745)
http://www.sms.sasktel.com/

Telus Text Messaging URL (737):
http://www.telusmobility.com/sendamessage/sendamessage.shtml

Employment Standards (Canada/Saskatchewan)

2007-07-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

=====

CRA - Forms Order Desk:

(800) 959-2221

=====

CRA - Payroll Inquiries Desk:

(800) 959-5525

=====
Employee Rights in Canada URL:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/labour/employee_rights/index.shtml
=====
Employment Standards in Canada URL:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/spila/clli/eslc/01Employment_Standards_Legislation_in_Canada.shtml =====
HRSDC - Service Canada - Index URL:

Service Canada (Regina)

Government of Canada Building (formerly the Galleria)

1783 Hamilton Street

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4P 2B6

(Hours 08:30 to 18:00)

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/corporate/az/index.shtml
=====
HRSDC - Record of Employment URL:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ei/employers/roe_guide.shtml
=====
HRSDC - Employment Insurance & ROE URL:
http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/business/cluster/category/eiie.shtml
=====
Minimum Wages in Canada (Wiki) URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_in_Canada
=====
Public Holidays in Canada (Wiki) URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holidays_in_Canada
=====
Sask Human Rights Commission URL:
http://www.shrc.gov.sk.ca/
=====
Sask Labour (Contacts) URL:
http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/CONTACT.HTM
=====
Sask Labour (Standards) URL:
http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/standards/index.htm
=====
Sask Labour (Occupational Safety) URL:
http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/safety/fast/committees_reps/index.htm
=====
Sask Labour (Overtime) URL:
http://labour.gov.sk.ca/standards/guide/schedules.htm#Overtime
=====
Sask Labour (Termination Pay) URL:
http://labour.gov.sk.ca/standards/guide/discharging.htm
=====
Sask Labour - 2004 Survey of Wages URL:
http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/wage%20survey/2004surveyalpha.pdf
=====
SaskNetWork (Sask Jobs) URL:
http://www.sasknetwork.ca/html/Home/saskjobs/additionalsites.htm
=====
Sask Pension Plan URL:
http://www.saskpension.com/
=====
Sask Workers Compensaton Board URL:
200-1881 Scarth Street
Regina, Sask, S4P 4L1
On-line Services include:
a) Requesting clearances
b) ACV - Automated Clearance Verification
c) Electronic filing of Annual Employer Payroll Statements
d) Claim cost information
e) View your WCB account balance
f) Manage your WCB account information
eMail: reainquiry@wcbsask.com
Ph: 1.800.667.7590 Fax: 1-877-220-1671
http://www.wcbsask.com/
=====
Tax Tips.ca - Information Re: Canadian Income Tax, GST, PST

http://www.taxtips.ca/personal_income_tax.htm
=====
Time and Date.com URL:
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/

=====

Time-Series Payment Calculator (Loan/Lease/Mortgage)

2007-07-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

There are several useful on-line calculator available for whenever you want to assess the calculations related to your your mortgage.

ING Direct has the following URL:

http://www.ingdirect.ca/prepaycalc/en/prepayment1.jsp

Scotiabank has the following URL:

http://cgi.scotiabank.com/mortgage/payment.html

There is a 'bank rate' URL:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/mortgage-calculator.asp

There is an excellent site at 'Efunda' URL:

http://www.efunda.com/formulae/finance/loan_calculator.cfm

Privacy Rights in Canada

2007-07-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Most Canadians are not aware of their rights for privacy in Canada. It is by no means an easy area of law to comprehend. The best starting point is to obtain a basic understanding of the federal legislation that has been enacted in this area of law that is known as the "Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)". PIPEDA sets out ground rules for how private sector organizations may collect, use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities about consumers.

For any business organization that is embarking upon the creation of their own Privacy policies, it should be understood that your Privacy Charter is required to conform ot the principles outlined in the PIPEDA legislation. As discussion of these principles are outlined in the document entitled "Fact Sheet: Privacy Rules for Saskatchewan Businesses".

Robert's Rules of Order Revised

2007-07-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Running meetings that are effective and efficient is never easy. This is especially true when business matters being debated involve the use of money. Making use of Robert's Rules to improve fairness and efficiency is always a good approach.

These rules were developed by Henry Martyn Robert who first published his set of 'rules to run a meeting' in 1876. For more information about Mr. Robert, go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Martyn_Robert

Applying for a Canadian Passport

2007-07-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Are you needing to apply for a Canadian Passport? Well, save yourself a heap of time and make your application through the federal web site for this process. To prevent delays in processing your application, follow these steps:

Step 1:
Use the on-line option for making application. Use Passport On-line - which is available only to Canadians 16 years of age or over.

Step 2:
Complete all applicable sections of the application form.
Personal information
Proof of Canadian citizenship
Documents to support identity
Fees

Step 3:
Obtain two identical passport photos. Have your guarantor complete and sign the "Declaration of Guarantor" section of your application form and sign at least one of your photos.

Step 4:
Submit your application form. Indicate your date of travel (if known) in the "Date of Travel" field provided at the top of the application form. Passport Canada will do its best to process your application to accommodate your needs.

If you are really rushed to get you passport; take your completed paper to the offices of Ralph Goodale, Member of Parliament, for the federal riding of Regina-Wascana and ask for his office to submit them on your behalf. It will really speed up the turnaround time for the issuance of the passport. Go to:
http://www.rgoodale.ca/?s=welcome

What does a Notary Public do Exactly?

2007-07-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Notaries Public Act in Saskatchewan authorizes Notaries Public to; a) prepare certain commercial documents; b) administer oaths; c) take or receive affidavits, declarations and affirmations; and d) perform all other tasks historically associated with notaries public that is required in Canada.

With respect to the prepared of applications for Canadian passports an applicant must have their application, passport photo, and, if applicable, copies of documents confirming their identity signed by an eligible Guarantor. A Notary Public may commission a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor only when you do not have a qualified guarantor. If you have a qualified guarantor, then your guarantor should sign your passport application.

If you do not know an eligible Guarantor, you must make a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor. The Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor form (Form PPT 132) is not included in the standard passport application and must be obtained from the passport office directly. A Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor is where the individual applying for the passport will swear or declare before, and have signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or solemn affirmation that the information in their application is true. A notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits may administer the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor, certify the applicant’s photo and certify any supporting documentation. The notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits administering the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor is not required to know the applicant. If you are making a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor, you must still comply with all other requirements when applying for a Passport.

This includes the requirement to have your photo’s certified and provide documents that support your identity. The individual administering the Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor will also certify your photos and, if applicable, certify your supporting documentation. The federal government requires that you have your photographs verified for your passport application. A notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits may certify your photographs when you do not have a guarantor.

Questions about Marriage in Saskatchewan

2007-07-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Marriage is not a process we enter into every day. As a couple enters this phase of their lives, invariably there are a lot of questions. Let's examine some of these issues.....

In Saskatchewan, marriages between two individuals may be solemnized, or legalized, through a religious or civil ceremony. Only certain clergy can perform religious ceremonies. Marriage commissioners perform civil ceremonies. Marriage commissioners must be registered with the Marriage Unit, Family Justice Services, Saskatchewan Justice. Clergy and marriage commissioners must be registered in Saskatchewan according to The Marriage Act, 1995.
In Saskatchewan, couples who want to marry must purchase a Saskatchewan Marriage Licence. If either of the prospective spouses is unable to understand or speak English or French, they must arrange for an independent interpreter to be present when purchasing the marriage licence. Saskatchewan marriage licences are purchased from marriage licence issuers. Marriage licences purchased outside Saskatchewan are not valid for marriage in Saskatchewan.
The marriage licence must be purchased at least one day prior to the wedding day. However, it cannot be purchased more than three months or 90 days in advance. When applying for a marriage license identification must be presented to the marriage licence issuer.
Canadian citizens must present a valid driver’s licence or birth certificate. Residents outside of Canada must present their birth certificate. Landed immigrants must present a valid birth certificate and landed immigrant papers. The applicants will make a statutory declaration that is a series of questions and information, located on the back of the marriage licence. When applying for the marriage licence, the prospective spouses must complete and sign the statutory declaration in the presence of the marriage licence issuer. The statutory declaration must be read to the parties to prove that they fully understand the content. This includes reading the "Degrees of Consanguinity" which may bar the solemnization of the marriage. Degrees of consanguinity refer to the relationship between the prospective spouses. An individual may not marry his or her:

Grandmother
Grandfather
Father
Mother
Son
Daughter
Granddaughter
Grandson
Brother
Sister

The relationships above include all relationships, whether by whole or half blood or adoption.

What is the age of majority in Saskatchewan?The age of majority is 18 years. There are certain restrictions that apply to minors. In the case of persons 16 or 17 years of age, a Saskatchewan "Consent to Marriage of a Minor" form much be signed and completed by the parent(s) or guardian(s). They must sign the consent form in the presence of a Saskatchewan marriage licence issuer, clergy or any person authorized to take affidavits. Consent forms can be obtained from a Saskatchewan marriage licence issuer or from the Marriage Unit. If the parent(s) or guardian(s) refuse to consent to the marriage, the minor can apply to a judge of either the provincial or Queen’s Bench court for an order dispensing with their consent. The minor may obtain the judge’s order by applying to a court house in Saskatchewan. For persons 15 year of age or under, if either party of the prospective marriage is under 16 years of age, no licence will be issued and no marriage will be solemnized. However, an order from a Provincial Court judge can override this. The minor may obtain the judge’s order by applying to a courthouse in Saskatchewan. In addition, the "Consent to Marriage of a Minor" form must be completed and attached to the statement.
In the case of previously Married Persons, if either of the prospective spouses is divorced, evidence of the termination of the marriage must be presented to the marriage licence issuer when purchasing the marriage licence. The following documents are acceptable as proof of the dissolution of marriage; a) the original or a court certified copy of the "Decree Absolute" of Divorce; or b) the original or court certified copy of the "Certificate of Divorce". The preliminary document (a Judgment, an Order, or a Decree Nisi) are not accepted as proof of divorce in Saskatchewan. Church annulment papers are not acceptable. The correct divorce documents can be obtained from the court in the province or state in which the marriage was dissolved. All divorce documents must be translated into English or French by an independent translator. The translator must include his or her name, complete address and telephone number. In the case of Annulments, the original or court certified copy of the "Decree of Annulment" of marriage is acceptable. This document can be obtained from the "Custodian of Registrations of Annulment of Marriages" in the province or state in which the marriage was annulled. Church annulment papers are not acceptable. Parties cannot remarry until 30 days after the annulment is granted. In the case a person is widowed, if either of the prospective spouses was previously married and the former spouse is known to have died, no proof of death is required. The exact date and place of death of the former spouse must be known. If the former spouse is presumed to have died, a declaration of presumption of death must be presented to the marriage licence issuer. The Court of Queen’s Bench issues the declaration in Saskatchewan. This document must be attached to the marriage licence. The official performing the marriage ceremony must ensure all documents are signed and in order.

China - Beijing - Emperor's Summer Palace

2007-07-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

April 2007

Where artists go for inspiration

The most peaceful place on earth

China - Beijing - The Great Wall at Badaling Gate

2007-07-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

a> April 2007

April 2007

China - Shanghai - Jade Budda Temple

2007-07-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

April 2007

Randall W. Edge - Speaking Engagements Profile

2007-07-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

Randall W. Edge’s Past Speaking Engagements:

Feb 1987: First Regina Condominium Conference Opening Address & Chairman
May 1987: First Alberta Condominium Conference "Condominium Legislation"
Oct 1987: Canadian Bar Association-South Sask "Saskatchewan Condo Law"
Nov 1987: Seventh National Condominium Conference "The Condominium Director"
Apr 1988: Wyse Leasing Inc. "The Art of Leasing"
May 1988: Regina Real Estate Board "Realtors & Condominiums"
Jun 1988: Second Alberta Condominium Conference "Property Management"
Sep 1988: Eighth National Condominium Conference "Director's Liabilities"
Oct 1988: Canadian Bar Association-South Sask "Condominium Bylaws"
Nov 1989: Girl Guides of Saskatchewan Conference "Effective Meetings"
Apr 1990: Regina School Division - Institute '90 "Speaking Techniques"
Jun 1990: Junior Achievement - Westjac Conference "Being a Business Leader"
Sep 1990: Saskatchewan Massage Therapy Association Parliamentarian for A.G.M.
Oct 1990: Sask Sport Inc. - Sport Symposium '90 "Productive Meetings"
Oct 1990: Derges McPhadden (1989) Ltd. "Accpac Accounting"
Mar 1991: MacKenzie Art Galley, Regina, Sask "Making Art Live!"
Sept 1996: We Care National Conference - Collingwood, Ontario “The Elements of Speaking”
Oct 1996: Laurentian Hospital - Lifeline Conference “The Three Elements of Marketing”
Dec 1996: Laurentian University – Sudbury, Ontario “The Objectivist Philosophy”
Jan 2007: Speechcraft Course - U of R EMBA Program
Feb 2007: Parliamentary Procedures - U of R Social Work Program
May 2007: Speechcraft Course - MarkeTel Systems
June 2007: Speechcraft Course - Gillcomm Solutions

Workshops Offered:
==
Expanding Your Horizons (Recruiting New Members for Your Service Club)
==
Speechcraft Public Speaking Course (16 hour Basic Public Speaking Course for Adults)
==
Youth Leadership Public Speaking Course (16 hour Basic Public Speaking Course for Youth)
==
Speech Contest Judge Training (Getting Judges Ready for Judging a Speech Contest)
==
How to Listen Effectively (How to Become an Active Listener)
==
The Art of Effective Evaluation (The Skill of Offering Feedback without Creating Offence)
==
Building Your Thinking Power: Part 1 Mental Flexibility (Skills Approach to Problem-Solving)
==
Building Your Thinking Power: Part 2 The Power of Ideas (The Skill of Brainstorming)
==
How to Conduct Productive Meetings (Making Your Meetings Count)
==
Parliamentary Procedures: Roberts Rules Model (Conducting Formal Business Meetings)
==
Wedding Etiquette and Wedding Receptions
==
Improving Your Management Skills (Working Better through Others)
==
Reading Financial Statements (Getting New Meaning from Numbers)
==
Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Success (Taking Lessons from the Success of Others)
==

China - Shanghai GM (SAIC) in Pudong

2007-07-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

April 2007

China - Beijing - The Forbidden City

2007-07-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

April 2007

China - Beijing - Xiushui "Silk Market"

2007-07-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

The famous Silk Market where everything is for sale. Not just silk. Jewellery, tailored suits, hand bags, shoes, clothes, trinkets, prescription eyeglasses are all for sale. No prices are posted. Buyers invariably offer and purchase items for 15% of the initial asking price. Very agressive selling tactics used by the vendors. Not for the faint of heart. Very exhausting work but there are indeed very good buys available.

UR EMBA Class of 2007 (Group Picture)

2007-07-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

UR Executive M.B.A. - Class of 2007
1st EMBA Class of Levene Graduate School of Business
(Photo taken Oct 2006)

China - Beijing - The Bell Tower

2007-07-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

University of Regina EMBA Class of 2007 in China

2007-07-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

The EBMA Class of 2007, Shanghai, China

China - Randall on Guard

2007-07-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

China - Shanghai - Shanghai Gardens

2007-07-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

China - Many Modes of Transportation

2007-07-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

The incredible CA7202 from FAW (First Automotive Works)

China - Beijing - Zhou Zhuang Water Village

2007-07-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Feel of Venice, the Boat Paddlers sing to you.

April 2007

China - Beijing - Ming Tombs

2007-07-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

April 2007

China - Beijing - Tianammen Square

2007-07-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

April 2007

China - Shanghai - ATS Automation

2007-07-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

April 2007

China - Shanghai - MI (Monarch) Flooring Plant

2007-07-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Canadian Technology transplanted to Shanghai

China - Beijing - Shugong Steel - Economic Briefing

2007-07-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

Steel pour operation - April 2007

Meeting with Management Team

China - Beijing - Olympic Site for Aug 8, 2008

2007-07-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

April 2007

China - Shanghai - Shanghai Port Authority

2007-07-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

April 2007

EMBA Economic Briefing on China by Minister Han Lei

2007-07-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China

April 2007 -EMBA Delegation

Center: Minister Han Lei

Center: Randall and Linda

The APA Standard

2007-07-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

APA: Formatting for Bibliography

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/legacylib/apahcc.html