Beginning October 1, BC residents will have access to a new small-appliance recycling program called UnPluggedBC. This new program will allow drop-off of most small appliances for recycling, redirecting lots of items that would otherwise end up in BC landfills. Visit the UnPluggedBC web site for more information on drop-off locations and accepted items. CLICK [...]

Together, the Canadian and British Columbia governments have sponsored the Aspect Targeted Skills Shortage program. The initiative bestows up to $7,500 per employer to provide workplace-specific training to eligible employees, to a maximum of $1,500 per employee. The program is a great chance for employers to support educational opportunities for staff members who have a [...]

The NALH team was out in full force at the Vancouver Board of Trade’s “Business After Business” trade show on May 24th. The event was held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in downtown Vancouver and was a hit with exhibitors and attendees alike. The Fairmont was a wonderful host, providing a lovely atmosphere, courteous staff [...]

This has to be one of the most comprehensive business success web sites we’ve seen in a long time. Be sure to check it out! The Small Business Accelerator is your gateway to freely available business information, education, and assistance that is both current and trustworthy. You’ll find information resources and research strategies that will [...]

As a business owner, you’ve no doubt sat down at your desk, prospect list in hand, taken a deep breath, picked up the phone and started dialing – only to be met by the dreaded voicemail message droning on the other end of the line. SOHO ran an article in a recent newsletter about the [...]

An interesting article on the FMWalsh blog talks about how even the most driven entrepreneur can still suffer from less than ideal rates of productivity. Find out what you can do to maximize your performance and get the job done efficiently and effectively. Visit the FMWalsh & Associates web site to read the full article. [...]

Vancouver’s economy is slated to grow 4% in 2010, topping all Canadian cities, according to Ottawa-based think tank Conference Board of Canada. Toronto and Hamilton will follow closely behind with 3.7% and 3.3% growth respectively, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s Metropolitan Outlook Spring 2010 publication. Read the full article on the Business in [...]

Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union, reported a 7.5% increase in net earnings in 2009, resulting in the second highest annual profit in the institution’s history. Despite the economic downturn, net earnings rose to $50.3 million from $46.8 million on revenue of $75.1 million, which fell slightly from $75.6 million. Much of the profit gains were [...]

Canadian corporations reported a 7.9% increase in profits in the fourth quarter of 2009, the second straight quarter of gains, according to Statistics Canada. Corporate profits rose to $60.1 billion, up from $55.7 billion in the third quarter last year, and 19.7% higher than the recent low of $50.2 billion in the second quarter. Gains [...]

Business in Vancouver’s newsroom is now posting daily 2010 updates to alert readers to business deals being made, entrepreneurs visiting town, success stories unfolding and challenges, opportunities, analysis and insights being generated by the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Visit the BIV newsroom blog for up-to-date information.

Last year’s economic downturn led to a third of B.C.’s technology companies cutting staff, but with economic recovery on the horizon, B.C.’s tech sector is forecast to increase staffing levels this year. That’s according to the BC Technology Industry Association’s third annual B.C. labour study released Tuesday. The study suggested the province’s tech sector cut [...]

Creditors holding $1.4 billion (U.S.) in debt on Intrawest ULC have begun foreclosure proceedings on some of the company’s assets, including the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, and say they plan to auction them off on February 19. The resort operator’s financial woes have put Vancouver Olympic organizers in a quandary, since the sale of the [...]

Front-line small businesses concerned as Ontario, B.C. fold provincial sales tax into federal one this summer. Grant Clark thinks he’s the kind of business owner Ontario wasn’t thinking of when it developed plans for the new, harmonized sales tax. Mr. Clark is president of Solutions for HR Inc., a small consulting shop he’s operated for [...]

Market confidence and expected economic improvements are likely to contribute to an increase in Vancouver real estate prices, according to a Royal LePage house price survey. Vancouver prices are expected to increase an average 7.2% in 2010 following a buoyant market recovery during the last few months of 2009. Detached bungalows in Vancouver sold for [...]

Vancouver-headquartered Telus Corp has sold its debit and credit card processing business to Quebec-based CT-Payment Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The business unit offers custom payment solutions and supports transactions from all major credit cards and private-label travel, entertainment and fleet cards. Click here to read the full article on the Business in Vancouver web [...]