Can you recognize a business by its service?

Interesting point - I wrote in my blog about a stunningly "bland" experience I had at a Welland print shop recently. I didn't name the print shop.

Today, someone who had read my blog commented that they knew which one it was - and they DID!

What does that say about that business?

More importantly, what do people say about YOUR business? How do they describe what it is that YOUR business provides or doesn't provide?

Just something we all need to think about. We have the image we like to project about ourselves and our companies. Then there's the image that the "business-person on the street" has about our business. Sometimese the two match up pretty well. Sometimes people will think you better than you think you are.

Sometimes people will think you're full of cr@p. If there's more than one or two people out there like that, then you know you have a problem.

But how to find out?

Now there's a topic for a future posting...

How to sign up for our RSS Feed

If you're interested in this blog, you might be interested in subscribing to our RSS Feed.

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Then, just paste in this URL to the reader:

/blog/atom.xml

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I hope you'll consider signing up to the RSS feed. It's an easy way to keep up to date on what's new in The Niagara Guide.

Happy RSS Feeding!

Barter Your World?

Just had an interesting meeting with Ken Fleck from First World Trade Corporation - independent brokers for Barterworld. Interesting not because there's another trade organization moving into Niagara - there's at least two - but because this trade organization adds consumers into the mix.

This makes the Barterworld system kind of like eBay but without actual dollars travelling back and forth. Consumers can get rid of their stuff for barter "BUX" and spend those "bux" at businesses.

Ken says this has the power to revolutionize barter. Maybe. There's a cost involved for consumers to join the barter network. Do people want to pay to barter? Barterworld seems to think so, and in doing so, has an approach unique to other barter organizations in Niagara and perhaps the world.

What do you think? How much would you be willing to pay as a consumer to join a barter organization? $100? $200? $300? $500?

Interesting. Might wind up joining - as a business - but it'll be interesting to see how many consumers come on board over time. More fascinating things to keep watch over in the Niagara Business world.

Omni Media Productions Gets The Gold!

Our friends at Omni Media Video Productions have received a couple of prestigious video production industry awards.

First is a Gold from the Aurora Awards (which recognize excellence in video production) for their "Brock University: 40 Years" - a recruiting video for - you guessed it - Brock University.

The second is a Certificate of Merit from the 41st INTERCOM Competition in Chicago for the Brock University video in the "Facility Overview" category. This production was selected from hundreds of applications worldwide.

Winning both of these international competitions demonstrates two things.

First, that Omni Media is a company you should definitely call when you're thinking of producing a video.

Second, there's a HUGE pool of talent in Niagara that often goes unrecognized.

So, congratulations to Peter & Joyce Murray and the rest of the supporting cast and crew at Omni Media!

These awards aren't their first, and they're certainly not their last!

Niagara Executive Centre

The Niagara Executive Centre is now online in The Niagara Business Guide. These experts at workplace safety offer a variety of programs designed to ensure your business is in compliance with the law. Check them out today!

Jewel of Niagara now online

Jewel of Niagara Limousine has taken out a listing in The Niagara Winery Guide. Great cars, superb service and of course, wine tours. Sounds like a great combination. Check them out today!

"In Lieu of Flowers"

Another part of my chat with Pat at Among the Flowers dealt with the "In Lieu of Flowers" trend in the funeral business.

I personally think it's a great idea that charities benefit from donations when someone passes away. Often, it's the only time people think about donating and it's a nice gesture. Charities have really made it easy for people, sometimes even providing postage-pre-paid envelopes for people to send their donation cheques and sending the family of the departed a note to let them know who made donations.

Great idea, but I think it diminishes the funeral itself.

How would you feel if you attended a funeral and there were NO flowers. What would you think?

"Nobody cared enough to send flowers."
"This person didn't have many friends."

In North American culture, flowers are an expression of sympathy and caring from friends, relatives and associates. When there are particularly tragic circumstances surrounding a death, particularly the death of a child, you'll see multitudes of floral displays at the funeral home. When there aren't any flowers, or they're few, it just doesn't feel right. For the family of the deceased or for the attendees of the funeral.

My older brother Ronald died suddenly about one year ago (Nov. 21, 2004). He had Down's Syndrome and had a marvellously childlike view of the world. My parents had been involved in various organizations to do with Down's Syndrome and have a large network of people they have known and worked with for decades. There were flowers at the funeral. Not overwhelming, but lots, from many different people and groups who knew Ron.

My parents and I would have been heartbroken to show up at the funeral home for the funeral and find that nobody had sent flowers. Finding out later that people had sent donations "in lieu of flowers" wouldn't have eased the pain we would have felt that day.

Yes, it's nice to get an envelope from a charity telling me that someone cared enough to make a donation. I think it would be even better to have flowers AND the charitable donation notification.

Showing up at a funeral is an expression of sympathy and support for the family of the deceased. Flowers have a direct impact on the day when the sorrow's at its peak. In cases when you can't attend a funeral, having a floral arrangement sent with your condolences is a much better comfort than sending a donation.

Obviously there are different traditions depending on the culture. I attended a funeral in Japan where it was customary to send flowers and bring a cash donation for the family to help defray the funeral expenses. A muslim funeral I attended in my university days didn't have any flowers that I can recall but it was a very intense, moving experience nevertheless.

Disclaimer: I'm not a paid representative of the floral industry.

Just my opinion folks. As always, I'm curious to know yours.

ARRR MATEYS!!! Blackbeards Barber Shop is now online!

Dan Pacquin is "Blackbeard" at Blackbeards Barber Shop in the Glenridge Plaza (St. Catharines). Quite a great guy (don't let the pirate reference fool you) and an experienced barber, Blackbeards offers mens and ladies haircuts at great prices with great service.

Drop into Blackbeards and have a relaxing haircut in a stylish shop. Did we mention there's a big screen TV at the back of the shop? Check out the website for more details.

I took my son there last night for a haircut. The same kid emerged a little while later looking considerably more handsome than 10 minutes earlier. Hard to believe (you have to meet my son), but it was a great cut. Thanks Jerry! (Jerry's one of the other stylists.)

So, for great cuts and great looks, visit Blackbeards Barber Shop. It's a barber shop like no other. It's . . .

"A New Traditional Barber Shop!"

Among The Flowers

Pat Shedden at Among the Flowers is proud of her business. And rightly so. She's won numerous awards and received heaps of praise from her many happy customers.

Pat's the latest business owner who "gets it" when it comes to local online advertising in Niagara. Among the Flowers is the latest addition to The Niagara Guide.

Pat also knows a good deal when she sees one. Her yearly listing fee gets her first page placement in three different guides - bridal, home and shopping.

More importantly, because she's currently the only paid advertiser in those categories, her listing "bumps" her competition to a second page. Result? She's the first company people see when they're looking for a florist!

Just another way we help gain our advertisers more exposure through effective online advertising!

Congratulations Pat!

Do you want order takers or salespeople in your business?

Today I was stunned by a completely bland customer experience at a copy shop in Welland.

This copy shop, which shall remain nameless, was on my way somewhere where I happened to need 150 copies of a fundraising flier (legal sized). Since I didn't have those 150 copies, I stopped at this shop.

I've stopped there before, but this time there's new management as the old company that owned it was sold last year.

Anyway, I walk in, smiling. I'm greeted by a lady who asked "Can I help you?". "I need 150 copies of this form on legal sized paper" I replied.

So, the lady dutifully took the fundraising form over to the copier and proceeded to make 150 copies of it.

It takes a little bit of time to make 150 copies. I might have expected a little bit of small talk about the weather (how Canadian) or something. But I was wrong.

I was completely ignored while I was waiting.

Now, I shouldn't be surprised, but here's what I thought might happen.

a) She might have LOOKED at what she was copying and asked what group I was fundraising for. I would have told her.
b) She might have made some comment about how their print shop can design carbonless order forms (it was implied on one of their wall signs) and suggested perhaps we consider those for our next fundraising endeavours.
c) She might have asked if we needed any other things printed - like business cards, flyers etc.
d) She might have asked if I knew anyone else who needed copies or other business printing services.

Alas, she did none of these things, which was sad, because the fundraising efforts might have gone easier with carbonless forms. The organization I'm helping fundraise for just changed their website URL and could use some new flyers with the new address. They could also use business cards. I also happen to be part of a couple of organizations where I'm sure I could think of one or two people who needed printing.

The lady simply took my money, gave me my receipt and my copies (asking if I needed a bag, presumably thinking I could simply tuck 150 legal size copies under my arm and keep them together on a cold, windy & rainy morning) and thanked me.

So, I figure the copy shop made about $10 on a $15 order. Maybe more. Maybe less. It's not really important.

What's important is how much they WON'T make on any future business with me because I don't have any reason (aside from occasional last-minute copy requirements) to go there.

The only way that company can make more money from me - or any of their walk-in customers - is to convince them they need more services that only that company can provide. That means learning more about those walk-in customers by talking to them.

Since the lady at the counter was just an order taker, the company probably won't capitalize on the potential revenue their walk-in customers represent.

Is the same true in your business? Think about it. I sure did.

"Get and Ye Shall Receive"

An example of someone I think is "with it" - Sean at the Mortgage Shopper in Niagara Falls.

It's his first week in business, yet he took the time to submit his business to The Niagara Money Guide.

Why?

Probably because he wants local exposure for his business.

But more importantly, because "he gets it".

He understands the Internet isn't going away.

He knows it's a fact that people go looking online for information and that it's often the preferred method of finding information.

He has an appreciation of effective advertising methods (sorry - shameless self-plug there).

I wish more people were like Sean at The Mortgage Shopper, 4675 Queen St., Niagara Falls, ON 905-354-1576 .

Sometimes it's true - "Get and Ye Shall Receive".

Your Name Sells Niagara South

Your Name Sells Niagara South is the latest business to be added to The Niagara Business Guide.

YNSNS proprietor Yve Rochon knows a good opportunity when he sees it when it comes to website promotion. YNSNS offers self-managed website development for $20 / month. This is a great tool for many small businesses.

However, one area small business owners always need help with is getting local exposure for their websites. That's where Yve felt The Niagara Guide could play an important role in creating more business for him.

Check out their listing!

We like Animals - do You?

Furry critters - I'm allergic to some of them, but I like them anyway.

The Niagara Pet Guide has been online for a while, but we've recently added a new feature I thought pet-people would find interesting.

Send us your pet pictures to info@niagarabbguide.com with your name, your pet's name and a pet bio and we'll post it in an upcoming pet gallery.

Sound like fun? We think so!

I look forward to seeing your pet pictures soon!

Keeping the Lines of Electronic Communication Clear

At the Niagara Guide, we get inquiries from people who are trying to reach individual companies that advertise with us.

The problem is, we can't answer their questions.

So, why are they contacting us? Because there's no electronic method to contact the advertisers directly.

Goes to show it's just another reason that you should include your e-mail address and/or website in any advertising you do. Instead of calling the number listed for the advertiser on the website, the visitor looked for an e-mail address. People who use the Internet to look for information will e-mail first, call second - and then, ONLY IF THEY HAVE TO.

Keep your electronic lines of communication clear!

Get Wrapped! Wrapworks Joins The Niagara Restaurant Guide

I'm from Toronto originally, so when I met Amir Salama at Wrapworks and learned he was from Toronto, I had to ask: "What the heck are you doing down here?"

It turns out, Amir has a mission. His restaurant - Wrapworks Mediterranean Cuisine - provides authentic Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cooking at a great price. He likes the small-town atmosphere of the south end of St. Catharines. It's a good location too - lots of students around.

Another thing that helps is the fact that Niagara residents are becoming a lot more adventurous in their eating styles. Wrapworks is a great addition to Niagara's culinary landscape. They offer their famous 2-for-1 pitas as well as full lunches, dinners and catering. It's a popular place during the week, so make sure you pay a visit too.

I'd appreciate it when you visit Wrapworks to tell Amir you saw him in The Niagara Guide! Thanks!

Where do things fit? A new category is born...

The all things finn post reminded me that I had to think about where to put them in The Niagara Guide framework.

Companies like all things finn who take out free listings get put into one category in The Niagara Guide's network of websites. So, while all things finn sells housewares, artwork etc., they couldn't be added to those categories separately. Well, not unless they become a paid advertiser...perhaps later.

So, this left me with an interesting dilemma - where to put them?

Ultimately, it occured to me that all things finn is first and foremost a store that only sells Finnish goods. That's a unique category - but unless you're Finnish, you're probably not likely to go looking for a category like that in The Niagara Shopping Guide.

So, we created a new category in The Niagara Shopping Guide called "Ethnic Specialty Retailers". This works well, since many stores that focus on a particular cultural or ethnic niche didn't have a category that suited them well before.

This is a new category, so there's not much in it yet - but we're always looking for suggestions from the public or business owners to add a business.

All Things Finn - Niagara's Finnish Shop

What a pleasure it is to announce that all things finn is now listed in The Niagara Shopping Guide.

If you can't picture what a Finnish store would be all about, don't worry - you're not alone. I had no idea what a Finnish store would be like - until I visited.

If you have a sauna, or always wanted one, then this is a great place to start. all things finn can get you pretty much any kind of sauna to fit your home. Sauna accessories, maintenance etc. are all carried as well.

But what's Finnish, aside from saunas?

Think high-quality stainless-steel cookware, stylish glassware and crystal. Think really cool glass hand-blown birds. Think of these things and more.

Definitely worth a visit. Have a peek at their Niagara Guide listing, then go see them! Tell Violet we sent you : )

Change to RSS Feed

Greetings folks,

Just a technical note - when I started the blog, I started a separate RSS feed as I thought the content I would provide through each would be separate and distinct.

Realistically, the information should all be in one place so you shouldn't have to sign up for the RSS feed for the blog as well as a separate RSS feed for news.

So, the old RSS feed will no longer be around and is being deleted from the site. The blog will now have information about postings as well as my longer posts about my observations on Niagara business.

Best Regards,

Mark Kawabe

20 Years of Community Theatre

I just returned from the opening night of the Garrison Little Theatre's production of Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap". There's not much better than an evening of dinner theatre, especially when both the dinner and theatre components are good. Congratulations to the GLT for doing such a great job!

Tonight's performance marked the 20th anniversary of the Garrison Little Theatre.

While that's a significant achievement on its own, let's add some more context.

1. The Garrison Little Theatre is a non-profit community theatre group.
2. They're in Fort Erie, Ontario

There's a joke that was repeated at our table tonight that makes this achievement surprising to outsiders.

"What's the difference between Fort Erie and Yogurt?"

"Yogurt contains active culture."

I'm originally from Toronto, and when I moved to Niagara I did so to work at Eurocopter in Fort Erie. At the time, I heard a lot of jokes about Fort Erie residents poking fun at them on the basis of them being out in the "hicks" of Niagara which somehow qualified them as "rednecks" or "hillbillies". Never mind that Fort Erie is seconds from Buffalo and therefore not in the "boonies". The fact was, and perhaps still is, that Fort Erie is perceived to be a small community full of individuals with small ideas.

However, 20 years ago in this community, a group of people got together to discuss their dream of forming a community theatre organization. Their dream took flight with their first performance at the Garrison Inn to a packed house. Their next production was at the Italo-Canadian Hall, which upped both the size of the crowds who could see them, but also the space for the productions.

But why has it been successful for 20 years?

Aside from having a dream, the people in the Garrison Little Theatre have drive and dedication. They love what they do - and it shows. They put on pretty good performances. They also fill a void in the marketplace with a fairly-priced, quality product.

They also have a great partner in the Italo-Canadian Hall, whose resident caterer (I forget the name) provides them with a really nice meal - family style. Pizza bread, Caesar salad, pasta with meatballs & spicy Italian sausage, roasted chicken with vegetables and potato, coffee or tea and dessert. It's not gourmet, but it's good - and while the menu's remained the same for the past 20 years, people look forward to the meal with each performance.

Congratulations to the cast of the Mousetrap, the behind-the-scenes workers who provided lighting, sound and technical support, props, costumes and set-building expertise. To the catering staff - well done. It was a great evening and we at The Niagara Guide wish you another 20 years of continued success.

The Keg St. Catharines Steakhouse has a New Menu!

Just a quick note to let you know that The Keg (St. Catharines) has updated their menu for fall/winter.

It's an awesome menu. Makes me glad to be a carnivore. Or at least, omnivorous.

Check out the menu and have a visit! You won't be sorry.

Tell Michael (the manager / sommelier) you saw them in The Niagara Guide!