3 ways to drive profitability

While most business owners want to increase profits, most do not have a plan to do so. Some say they will increase profits by boosting sales. But how will you boost sales? Will you hire more sales-people? Can you afford more sales-people? Will you leverage additional sales channels through which you can sell your products or services?

Will you try and help any customer that comes to you? Can you afford to do everything for every customer? Do you know which products or services are worth your time to produce or deliver? Do you know which products or services are actually profitable once you take input costs, overheads, salaries (Yes this includes your salary as well), delivery and other costs into account?

Will you perhaps expand to another location or add additional products and services? What will this entail? 

It seems that no matter what the initial idea, some thought and planning may be required to make this a reality. This “plan” is often called a business strategy. It could be either a strategy for a specific functional area such as marketing or sales, or alternatively, it could be a complete and comprehensive business strategy. Developing a business strategy can be difficult but it is often the difference between success and failure. If your business does not have business strategy, speak to someone who can help you create one.

Creating a niche for your business is important in making your business different from your competitors and does not force you to compete with large companies with scale, that can offer the same products or services at a cheaper price. Every business should think like their target audience or customers.  Know their exact needs, motivators, wants, dreams, goals, and interests. Find out what is valuable to your customers and what they are willing to pay a little extra for. Ever wonder why Starbucks (a normal coffee shop) was able to differentiate enough to grow much faster than their competitors? 

Finally, it is important to create internal targets and goals. This helps to determine how well you are doing. One way to measure progress toward achieving your business goals is to use key performance indicators (KPI’s). Another is to use customer satisfaction as a benchmark for external performance and success.

KPIs provide us with an immediate snapshot of the overall performance of our businesses. To be used effectively, we need to measure and track the key performance indicators crucial to the success of our business such as profit margins per product category, and total sales. They also play a key role by providing vital decision-making information. (Do we sell more of product A or Product B? Which one is actually more profitable?) 

Customer satisfaction can be measured using the Net Promoter Score (NPS) which we discussed in our last article. Have you done this for your business yet? How high is your Net Promoter Score?

“Profitability is coming from productivity, efficiency, management, austerity, and the way to manage the business”-  Carlos Slim

Auditor General report reveals new home owners are not protected

For most people, their home is their biggest investment, and their financial future rests on its foundation.

When purchasing a newly built home, Ontario families rely on a system that is supposed to ensure builders meet the highest standards during construction, and that their warranty is respected if things don’t measure up.

A recent Auditor General (AG) report reveals that this is not what has been happening in practice.

Over the 15 long years of Ontario’s past Liberal government, complaints from new homeowners grew. They included numerous minor and major defects in new homes, a lack of information on the competence and integrity of specific builders, warranties not being respected and a complete lack of government oversight.

Many of the complaints were directed at Tarion Warranty Corporation, which is responsible for regulating Ontario’s home building industry. Tarion’s board is controlled by developers.  

While complaints from new homeowners were on the rise, Ontario NDP MPPs were raising concerns at Queens Park about Tarion and the various issues with newly built homes. But the previous Liberal government largely ignored them.

In 2018, a successful NDP amendment in committee finally granted the Auditor General (AG) the authority to audit Tarion for the first time in its 43 years of existence.

In a report released this past October, the AG made some concerning findings, including:

-builders did not honour their warranties in more than half of the cases studied;

-nearly 10,000 claims of new home buyers were denied just because they missed Tarion’s narrow and often confusing deadline periods;

-the Ontario Building Registry, which is supposed to provide important consumer information on builders, often does not provide complete information about past builder performance for buyers to make informed choices;

-builders with bad warranty records and allegations of dishonesty and law-breaking continued to get licenses; and 

-Tarion’s senior management was rewarded up to 60 per cent in salary bonuses for maximizing Tarion’s profits and minimizing claim payouts to homeowners.

For more details, the AG’s report can be found at www.auditor.on.ca.

In August of this year, I attended a packed meeting of homeowners in the highly publicized Cardinal Creek Village development in the riding of Orleans. It gave me an opportunity to visit newly built homes with major structural defects, multiple deficiencies, mould and more.  Needless to say, homeowners were furious at a “perceived conflict of interest, burden of proof on homeowners and a lack of transparency from Tarion.” Homeowners spoke of rejected claims and, at best, severely delayed payouts with many still waiting after two years.

This is simply unacceptable. The former Liberal government failed in its oversight of new home building industry, and the current Conservative government has yet to take action.

The time for action is now, and the AG has laid out a number of key recommendations to help fix this broken system. This is a start, but more must be done to fix the anti-consumer culture that has captured Ontario’s new home warranty system. The NDP will keep fighting until Ontario families have consumer protection they can count on when they buy a new home.

Humans of Downsview: Nathan Baya, the leader behind Jane Street Speaks

Nathan Baya is an active community member who is behind the initiative Jane Street Speaks - a platform that "provides local artists with an opportunity to express themselves and shine their light." 

Nathan was born in Toronto and grew up in the Jane and Finch area. His parents immigrated to Canada from Congo; "I take great pride in my African routes and I'm happy I was born in the talented city of Toronto."

When asked why he started Jane Street Speaks he shared that it's because he struggled to get booked as a local artist. So he began putting on his own events to showcase his talent.

"I wanted to create a platform where I could provide the same opportunities for local artists from my neighborhood who struggled to get gigs as well." 

The events he organizes are all about self-expression through art and using art as a way to heal from traumas experienced in life. "I either have events where I showcase specific local talents from the city or I put on an open mic where the community gets the opportunity to come sign up, perform and show the people what they got."

Jane Street Speaks has been very successful at doing just that, however Nathan expresses that his biggest accomplishment is "not letting anything stop me. Life is not easy and not everyone is supportive of the path of being an artist. But, music and chasing my dreams is in my blood so I could never stop!" 

When I asked him what motivates him and how he finds the inspiration to continue being an artist, Nathan attributes this to his daughter. "I wanna be somebody that she can look up to when she starts chasing her dreams as motivation to never quit and always live in your truth." 

Nathan's initiative has been well received in the community, Jane Street Speaks puts together live performances,food and clothing drives for the homeless, workshops for youth and community events.

The work is necessary - Nathan shares,  "When people don’t get the opportunity to express themselves and heal from their traumas they suffer in silence. Why do that? We can come together as a community and heal from our traumas through the power of self expression."

Nathan created a popular slogan that has been turned into t-shirts and other merchandise seen around Jane and Finch. The slogan: "Support Local Before Global " is self-explanatory and reminds artists the only way to be global is through community support. It sums up the heart of his initiative. 

"I love this community it's filled with so many talented individuals who are doing incredible power moves in the city of Toronto and who are changing the narrative everyday about members who come from the Jane and Finch/Downsview community."

Catch Nathan's next project titled "Journey to Fatherhood." Follow @janestreetspeaks_ on instagram for more details. 

Humans of Downsview: Rabia Khokhar - educator, student, librarian, and writer

Rabia Khokhar is a Long Term Occasional Elementary Teacher in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My dad is always reminding people of when I was 4 years old and how I would come home from Kindergarten and play ‘teacher’ with my family members and stuffed toys.”

Rabia is proud to have helped create a library that resonates with the students.

She was born in Pakistan and immigrated to the Downsview area with her family when she was 6. Growing up Rabia spent many hours at the Downsview Public Library. She reflects, “it is such a vibrant and happening place! It has helped solidified my belief in the importance of public libraries for all members of a community. I remember in high school I volunteered for the Leading to Reading Program and wrote for the Scribbles newspaper for teens. I fondly remember hours of sitting, reading books and chatting with friends. Even to this day, every time I visit this library it feels like home.”

This love for libraries and community has turned into a lifelong passion for Rabia. As an educator and librarian, she is very proud to have a library that is the heart of her school’s community.

She explains, “[w]hen designing our library our goals were to have a social justice and equity lens and this meant we wanted to pay attention to the books, physical environment and learning opportunities for our students. We were very lucky to have funding to buy 200 new books for our students which showed diverse people and lived experiences. Our students were so excited to read and see these new books on display! We also wanted to have differentiated learning spaces for our students like a: technology zone, whole group, small group and independent spaces. We wanted our students to be part of creating their learning space, so we got them to help us make the signs and art in our library.”

The support from her Principal allowed for Rabia's success in implementing their library program.

Rabia attributes part of the success in her library to the support she received from her Principal, “I think our library program was successful because of the support from my Principal who really supported all ideas and was excited about them. It is so important to have a vision of the library that aligns with the administrator’s because that really helps to move things forward.” 

When she is not working as a librarian and educator, Rabia is pursuing a Master’s in Education at York University. She expresses that this is one of her biggest accomplishments, as it complements the work she does during the day.

Some books that Rabia helped bring to the school.

“I know that a Master’s classroom is a very privileged space, but I think the real accomplishment will be if I am able to take this new learning and language of ‘access’ and ‘translate’ it to those around me whether that’s family, friends and my students.” She is inspired and guided by a quote from Rebecca John and aspires to live as such: 

"What did I know about oppression if I read about it in a classroom? Why was what I saw as a ‘revolutionary education’ distancing me from my family? I realized that there was no point in knowing the language of social justice if I couldn't communicate with it to those closest to me"

Rabia paired her master’s education and work to write an article recently published by the Canadian School Libraries Journal. The article outlines Rabia’s school’s journey in designing a Library Learning Commons through an equity lens and what it can look like in one school community. It also discusses the important role of mentors for new teachers like her.

As if Librarian, Educator, and Master’s Student was not enough,  Rabia is also working on writing a small picture book. She explains: “As a visible Muslim woman a lot of students ask me ‘Ms.Khokhar what’s that on your head?’ so in some ways I am hoping the book addresses this question in a child friendly way.”

When she looks at the future, she would love to have a permanent teaching position as a teacher-librarian and become an equity coach or consultant. 

Read her article about equity and diverse representation here:  https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/designing-an-llc-through-an-equity-lens-and-ensuring-diverse-representation/ 

Lower Auto Insurance Rates Act defeated by Conservatives

On April 18, 2019, my bill entitled "The Lower Automobile Insurance Rates Act" was debated at Queen's Park and defeated by the Conservative Government.

Driving in Ontario means one must purchase auto insurance.  The most frustrating is that while Ontario drivers have the least accidents per capita, we pay some of the most expensive premiums in the country.  This is especially true for our community here, Humber River Black Creek.

I have fought this issue for many years, I hosted town halls, wrote articles and conducted research that demonstrated that the roads of our community do not have the highest rate of collisions or vehicular crime.

In late 2018, I hosted a local town hall at St. Basil-the-Great College School to bring details on an NDP Private Member's Bill that would have treated all GTA postal codes as one when setting insurance rates.  This bill would have lowered auto insurance rates in our community, but was defeated by the Conservative Government.

My bill, the Lower Automobile Insurance Rates Act, was crafted in consultation with Dr. Fred Lazar of the Schulich School of Business, an economist and expert on auto insurance.  His widely publicized research demonstrated that Ontarians were overpaying insurance companies by an estimated $1 billion a year.

This bill would have reduced the excessive profit margin auto insurance companies seek when setting premiums, reduced their operating costs (which includes their marketing, commercials and legal fees when fighting against paying out claims), and increased transparency, especially in the area of setting rates based on postal code.  On April 3, I hosted a packed town hall update meeting at Driftwood Community Centre to share the details of my bill, and received strong support from those present.

Unfortunately, the Conservative Government voted down this bill with one Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament going as far to say, "What's wrong with racking up profits?"

The issue of auto insurance reform is not going away, and I will continue to keep up the pressure because Ontario's drivers deserve respect.

Celebrating Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month through inclusion

What’s wrong with his legs? What’s he wearing on his feet? Why does he walk like that? Is he okay? Are his legs broken?

These are just a sample of the questions I often hear directed at my son who is four years old and lives with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy, or CP, is a physical disability that affects movement, muscle tone and/or posture and is caused by an injury to the immature or developing brain. My son suffered a stroke around the time of birth and was officially diagnosed with CP after his first birthday.

When he was a baby, he had little control over his muscles on the left side and he could barely sit without support. He didn’t crawl until around the age of one and he didn’t walk independently until after his second birthday. With the help of a lot of physiotherapy, he became stronger and eventually learned to walk without needing a walker at all times. Another component of his recovery is occupational therapy, to help with fine motor skills, as well as speech therapy to assist with articulation and vocational clarity. He wears ankle foot orthotics (often referred to as AFOs), all day - one on each foot - which helps support his gross motor function and provides stability, in addition to preventing falls.

Ever since my son was born my perspective on the world has changed drastically. I’ve realized that the world is not made for people living with disabilities. I see an enormous gap in inclusive public infrastructure, which subliminally says ‘you are not welcome’ to people who have different abilities or special needs. Everyday I strive to make this world a better place for people living with disabilities, whether it be through educating others by starting a conversation or writing an article -it all makes a difference.

But I worry about what’s in store for us as the Ford and the Progressive Conservative government in Ontario continues to slash funding intended to help our most vulnerable people. There have been critical cuts made to the disability community which will have a ripple effect on society in general on top of further alienating people.

Our ability to thrive in Ontario is at risk and those who are most marginalized will pay the biggest price. It’s a shame that this is happening, but together we can demand for better, I encourage you to call or email your Councillor, MPP and MP and ask them what they think about these cuts and the effects they are having on our communities.

May is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month in Canada so I encourage you to wear green (the official colour) and learn something new about CP or start a conversation with someone to share what you’ve learned. You can also check out the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy: https://www.ofcp.ca/ to learn more, get involved or to make a donation.

The importance of summer camps

With summer just around the corner, children in our community will be spending the summer months attending day camps and overnight camps across the city. Summer camps are essential for guardians who work full-time and require childcare when their kids are off school. However, summer camps are not only a child-care alternative for the summer months, they are also vital in the social development and skill-building of both its campers and staff.

Local York University student, Diana Boa explains her experience, “I had a very positive experience at camp, notably StepSones for Youth Summer Camp, it was one of the things I found myself looking forward to the most. I believe that it gave me lasting memories that I will always carry with me… there I learned a lot. I became more of a team player and more aware of my team spirit with the different cheers and team building activities. But most importantly, StepStones Camp made me aware of how and why we should respect the land we live on, it taught me to embrace nature at a young age.”

Summer camps not only expose youth to different and new activities from those in the classroom, it also allows for a structured opportunity for them to learn and grow. Overnight camps allow children to feel more independent and ultimately instill a sense of self-confidence through various skill building activities like canoeing, swimming, learning to build a campfire all while socializing and creating lasting friendships. It also provides a mental break from academics and ultimately a gateway to new experiences.

Diana explains why summer camp was important to her, “coming from a city like Toronto there are not (in my experience) a lot of possibilities of experiencing that authentic outdoors atmosphere. Also, in my case being in a situation where my family dynamic was unfavourable at the time, it really gave me the chance to get away from that and experience things that I would have never had the chance to do like canoeing, there was no lakes in Scarborough, where I grew up, for me to do that.”

Overnight camps allow for youth growing up in urban settings to connect with the outdoors and the spaces our province has to offer. On the other hand, city-based camps allow campers to experience all the great spaces our city has to offer while remaining active and encouraged to be creative through arts and crafts projects.

Both campers and staff benefit from summer camps. Although I never attended camp as a child, I did work at an overnight camp for over 7 years. There, I found a passion for working with youth and the importance of community. I learned about social justice, emotional intelligence, and being conscious of how my everyday choices affect our environment. To this day, some of my fondest memories and closest friendships were made at camp.

The new North York Women’s Shelter is almost ready to open

The North York Women's Shelter has released ground-breaking news - they will have a brand new facility come Autumn 2019. During the closure of the former site, residents have been relocated to other locations or have found long-term housing accommodations. Upon the launch of the new facility, women and children will be gradually transitioned into the space in order to bring the shelter back to full capacity and best serve the local community.

The facility will be 24,000 sq. ft. in size, with an abundant amount of windows installed to allow for natural lighting throughout the building. The reception and intake area has been envisioned to instill a calm atmosphere, with comfortable furnishings and soft music set to play in the background. There will be a secondary entrance for visitors and those looking to inquire for more information about the space.

Numerous lounges have been integrated into the floor plan of the facility. These lounges are large enough to both accommodate and encourage a social atmosphere and overall sense of community. The kitchen and dining room area have been specifically designed for a communal purpose. Residents will be encouraged to cook for themselves as well as eat together at each meal. The notion of supporting one another through routine and open spaces is integral to the health and wellbeing of the residents. There will also be a sufficient amount of counsellors to provide additional advice, provisions and referrals. In addition to providing refuge and treatment, the aim of the programs that will be offered will be to break the cycle of violence and spread awareness to the community.

In terms of outdoor space, there will be a fenced-in garden and BBQ area in place for the enjoyment of the residents. Women can watch their children play together while they relax in a secluded space together.

The initial capacity of the building will be 30 people distributed between 17 bedrooms. Each bedroom will have a private bathroom for the sake of further ease and contentment. The 30 count includes both women and dependent children who will be utilizing beds, but not toddlers and newborns, as they will be provided with their own cribs. The maximum capacity for the new facility will be 40 people.

Another prominent feature of the new shelter is the pet lounge, which will be situated in the basement. Allowing women and children to bring their pets with them assists with the transition into the facility and into future accommodations. Pets and support animals offer emotional fulfillment and familiarity.

The new North York Women’s Shelter will serve as a benchmark for future housing designs and projects. The new facility will cost $12 million to construct, with $9 million secured and an additional $3 million remaining to be solidified through fundraising efforts. The Rotary Club of North York is a key stakeholder and donor for this project, having gifted the largest donation in the club’s history.