The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012 B1

BusinessTRACKc o n n e c t • i n f l u e n c e • p r o s p e r

M i s s i o n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

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By Allan Main

Building clusters of businesses with similar interests

and markets is a strategy used in many communi-ties to help strengthen local economies. Bring-ing together related businesses creates a peer support structure where businesses can share experience and wisdom. The innovation encouraged in sector focused groups can help participating companies improve performance with far less risk than if companies are left to grow their business in isolation.

Initiating a cluster strategy starts with the simple process of bringing all local play-ers together, and letting them define their needs. In Mission this is the motivation behind the formation of a small group, originally starting as the Mission Manufac-turers Association, but now evolving to include manufacturers, technol-ogy professionals, IT companies, and other value creators — com-panies located in the Mission area but selling to markets beyond local consumers.

This group held its first meeting in October, and has scheduled the next meeting for Nov. 15. The group is a work in prog-ress, and the November meeting will give partici-

pants the opportunity to set priorities and define the key challenges to their business.

The expanded um-brella of companies invited to join the group will attract more par-ticipants, for more ideas, and more shared knowl-edge. Membership to the group is open to any Mission company that is a technology or manu-facturing business, and is free.

The group will set its own priorities to im-

prove the business envi-ronment, but one of the key benefits of a group like this is peer mentor-ing, with companies sharing their positive and negative experi-ences.

At the first meeting, areas identified as chal-lenging included human resources, finding local contractors and support services, and a general sense of isolation work-ing in a small communi-ty at the fringe of the re-gional business core. On

the positive side Mission has affordable industrial land, and good access to transportation. The first meeting also brought out a few stories of how effective peer support can be — by simply asking the question to other local businesses, answers can come from unexpected sources.

The key to growth for many of the companies in this sector is not just more sales — it is also innovation and how to improve products and

processes. The technology and

manufacturing sector is a vital part of the local community, but it is a sector that has only shown modest growth in Mission over the last 10 years. The growth of manufacturing and technology sectors and the related technical and support services is important for the growth and health of our community. Not only do these companies create good jobs, they

sell products to outside markets, which brings money into the local economy. Strengthening this sector is good busi-ness for everybody.

The Nov. 15 meeting is from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Mission Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 34033 Lougheed Hwy. This meeting is intended to build some structure and refine the group’s mandate using a round-table format to encour-age participation. Come out and see what this group can do for you.

Eventually the group hopes to develop a web-site as a central point for shared information, including local career opportunities, and the organization may look at building alliances with other similar business associations throughout the Upper Fraser Valley area to provide greater connections, and ex-pand the cluster strategy to similar businesses in other neighbouring communities.

For more information, or to attend this next meeting, contact Allan Main at the Community Futures office, 604-826-6252, or e-mail info@northfraser.org. If you are unable to attend the November meeting be sure to get on the email list for future events.

Allen Main is the ex-ecutive director for

Community Futures North Fraser.

Mission manufacturers, IT get together

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B2 The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012

Insightful Selling will change the way you sell. The 21st century

customer has a heavy work-load and considers most products to be similar, and therefore makes decisions based primarily on price.

The S.A.L.E.S Formula™ differentiates the seller from the competition by creating opportunities and impacting the customer’s bottom-line. In this three-hour workshop, you will become skilled at getting in the door and staying there.

After this course, you will know who to target, how to target them, and how to be

efficient at speaking in the language of the 21st cen-tury customer.

You will leave with a per-sonal prospecting plan and template using the custom-er value model to ensure future success.

What will students learn?• The S.A.L.E.S Formula™

system;• why your product is ir-

relevant to customers;• why relationships no

longer get the sale;• the two primary ways to

create customer value;• how to get in the door

faster than ever before;

• the secret language of every B2B customer;

• Blue Fish Prospecting concept.

What topics are covered?• The current mind set of

today’s customer;• the five types of sales-

people and which is best;• how to create customer

value;• insightful prospecting –

no more cold calls;• How to leverage Linke-

dIn;• How to create an in-

sightful positioning state-ment;

• how to engage with cus-tomers in real time.

Facilitator Adon Rigg’s philosophy is that no mat-ter who you’re selling to, from the CEO to the entry-level purchaser, all buyers are either directly or indi-rectly responsible for their company’s bottom line.

He believes that the key to success is to learn how not to simply sell product, but to create value by im-pacting bottom-line results. He provides sales, training and public speaking ser-vices for Fortune 500 Orga-nizations and most recently held this course for at the Vancouver Board of Trade.

BusinessTRACK

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Helping People Changing Lives Building Community

33179 2nd Avenue Mission, BC V2V 1J9604.826.3634

info@missioncommunityservices.com

www.miss ioncommunityserv ices.com

10¢ donated to the Mission Christmas Bureau for every

receipt sent to the Mission Chamber showing a purchase

made at a Mission business.Nov 16- Dec 15

www.missionchamber.bc.ca

Christmas BureauMISSION COMMUNITY SERVICES

Christmas BureauWE NEED HELP:• Help-a-family • Hamper Construction

• Wish Trees • Offi ce Help • Special Events

• Food, New Toys, Cash Donations Gladly Accepted

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Pay it Forward… Shop Local Let us thank you for shopping in Mission

during the holiday season.

Christmas Bureau 32646 Logan Ave.604.814.3333

2012

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RECT

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Elyssa Lockhart PRESIDENT

Sean MeliaVICE PRESIDENT

Trevor GirardDIRECTOR 2012

Satti GrewalDIRECTOR 2012

Attila DavalovskyDIRECTOR 2011

Cal CrawfordPAST PRESIDENT

Pam AlexisDIRECTOR 2012

Tony LaPointeTREASURER

Vicki GouldDIRECTOR 2012

Ann HarperDIRECTOR 2011

Learn Insightful Selling and grow your sales to new levels

This issue gives you a glimpse at the manufacturing sector that is occur-ring in Mission. The innovations that many of these small companies are a part of, makes you realize the growing potential of Mission as an

incubator of ideas.Their grassroots initiative to come together to share resources and ideas

will provide added benefit to those looking to relocate their business to Mis-sion and support those already in this sector. If you are a manufacturer or in IT, I encourage you to participate in the group outlined on page one. Through collaboration we will build a stronger community.

This month I had the pleasure of meeting several provincial cabinet minis-ters and discussing issues that affect business. My meetings left me contem-plating, what do we need to be a successful business in Mission?

We have joined an initiative asking the question “What are you for?” I would like to ask you to consider this. What do we want for prosperity? We will be surveying our members over the next few months to better under-stand this. Let us know if you are interested in changing the discussion of what we don’t want, to what we do.

Additionally, let us say thank you. Our Pay it Forward campaign begins Nov. 16. Each time you send us proof of a local purchase between Nov. 16 and Dec. 15, the Chamber will donate 10 cents to the Mission Christmas Bureau. When you shop local you help strengthen Mission’s economy. During the holiday season we thought this would be a great way to say thank you by paying it for-ward on your behalf. I look forward to seeing how much money we can raise together.

Don’t forget the Candlelight Parade is on Friday, Dec. 7. See you there!

Allan MainLIAISON, C.F.N.F.

Jane MarshallLIAISON, MDBA

MayorTed Adlem

DOM LIAISON

President's message

The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012 B3

By Kathleen Rake

Mission-based Cimtex Industries began in 1984 as a two-man

shop. Since then, it has grown to consistently employ both hometown people and those from surrounding communi-ties at its 10,000 sq. ft. facility.

Cory Padula, president and hands-on owner at Cimtex, came to Mission in the early 1980s and has lived in the Fraser Valley since.

“People talk to you here,” he said.

Cimtex is a full-service engineering, machining and

assembly company.“We can machine a some-

what simple part in steel or take customers’ complex drawings to final specifica-tion using exotic metals or plastics,” explained Padula. “Plus we can make prototypes or complete units that require assembly and precision test-ing.”

Cimtex is ISO certified and keeps a remarkably clean shop.

“Cleanliness is part of the culture. It takes a lot to maintain ISO standards,” said Padula. “But we need to be certified in order to do

restricted work within high-tech industries.”

The aerospace, telecom-munications, scientific and medical sectors call on Cim-tex for specialty work. Padula maintains strong relation-ships with scientists and has built a strong track record and reputation for excellence that leads to work.

“Mercedes is developing a fuel-cell car in Vancouver and we were one of the compa-nies selected to be a top-tier supplier of fuel-cell compo-nents,” shared Padula.

In addition to the Mercedes project, Cimtex is working on

a helium processing station for a first-of-its-kind airship from Aeros.

“It looks more like a space-ship than anything we’re used to seeing in the sky,” said Padula.

When it comes to starting a new business, Padula recom-mends people “investigate it well and if it’s your passion, go for it.”

From his point of view, the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce is a great network-ing tool that lets individuals and organizations stay in touch with what’s happening in the business community.

BusinessTRACK

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Our constituency office is here to assist you with:•GOVERNMENT RELATED ISSUES •INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

•CERTIFYING YOUR COPIES •ARRANGING CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES

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33058 First Avenue Mission, B.C. V2V 1G3 PHONE: 604-820-6203 TOLL FREE:1-866-370-6203 FAX: 604-820-6211

EMAIL: randy.hawes.mla@leg.bc.ca www.randyhawesmla.bc.caEMAIL: marc.dalton.mla@leg.bc.ca www.marcdaltonmla.bc.ca

CHAMBER COM

ING EVEN

TSNov. 15

Chamber LuncheonSpeaker: Adon Rigg

Place: Chapel Room, Rockwell's Bar and Grill,

32281 Lougheed Hwy.Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nov. 16MP Chamber Breakfast

Speaker: MP Randy KampPlace: Rockwell's Chapel

RoomTime: 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 28Insightful Selling seminar

Place: Chamber of Commerce boardroom

Time: 9 a.m. to noon

Dec. 729th Candlelight Parade

Place: Lougheed HighwayTime: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Register your float!

Dec. 20Chamber Christmas

LuncheonPlace: Rockwell's Chapel

RoomTime: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Scan this QR code with your

smart phone to see

details on our website

Mission's Cimtex turns ideas into parts and prototypes

Cory Padula inspects his copper-coated precision pieces.CLICK MEDIA WORKS

Chamber Snapshots: A close-up look at members that keep Mission humming

B4 The Mission Record Thursday, November 8, 2012

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• Business Opportunities34033 LOUGHEED HWY., MISSION, BC V2V 5X8Tel: 604.820.3789 • Fax: 604.820.6738 • Toll Free: 1.866.814.1222

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2012

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AMEnsure you pay it forward and shop local this holiday season

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As we go into the holiday sea-son, the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce

would like to thank you for shop-ping local by paying it forward on your behalf. For every receipt that you send us or drop in one of the marked boxes at local retailers, the Chamber will donate 10¢ to the Mission Christmas Bureau.

When you shop at a locally owned retailer, $73 of every $100 spent stays in the community. Even if you shop at a large chain, $47 remains in the community through wages and additional purchasing. Those dollars then circulate in the com-munity 75 times.

The simple act of shopping in Mission provides continual com-munity benefit that lasts throughout the year.

During the holiday season, we encourage you to visit local retailers and pay it forward.

Ask for a copy of your receipt or gift receipt, scan it or take a picture on your phone or at home and drop it on our website or Facebook page. Don’t have access to a computer? Drop your receipt, or copy into one of the many boxes around town or at the Chamber offices at 34033 Lougheed Hwy. Feel free to blank out the amounts.

So support your community this holiday season by shopping local. Receipts from purchases made be-tween Nov. 16 and Dec. 15 will be accepted.

So drop them in the boxes, on Facebook, or through the Chamber website, just click the Pay It Forward icon on our home page.

For more information on the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce,

go to www.missionchamber.bc.ca.

Allison JackAdministration

Adm

in@M

ission

Cham

ber.b

c.ca

Athena GreenMember Services

MEM

BER_SE

RVICES@MISSIONCH

AMBE

R.BC.C

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Michelle FaveroManager

man

ager

@m

ission

cham

ber .

bc ca

Clare SeeleyVisitor Services

Info@

Miss

ionCh

ambe

r.bc.c

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