Puget Sound Business

Archive for August, 2010

Canadian Entrepreneurs Aim to Address Qualified Labour Shortages-CFIB Talk to 3E Connect Direct

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

An innovative new company believes it can rescue Canadian businesses that are being further crippled by skills shortages amidst the economic downturn.

3E Connect Direct (www.3EConnectDirect.com) provides Canadian employers with an unprecedented opportunity to connect directly with talented, international workers when they are unable to source the skills and experience necessary within Canada.

Talking to 3E Connect Direct Co-founder Ken Docherty, CFIB Chief Economist Ted Mallett re-stated the continuing need that Canadian companies have for certain skills and experience. He said, “We’re still seeing signs of a qualified labour shortage and some members still find it difficult to locate suitable employees. A shortage of skilled, unskilled and semi-skilled labour is an issue for between 10% and 20% of our members, with a skew toward skilled labour shortages.”

Mr Docherty said, “We were influenced by the plight of small-medium sized businesses across Canada who wanted to grow and fulfill existing orders or obligations but were experiencing potentially ‘business crippling’ skilled labour shortages, as well as the number of immigrants arriving who were unable to find work utilizing the skills and experience that qualified them for residency in the first place.”

“Our aim is to provide a self regulating system for funneling ‘would be immigrants’ into areas and industries that need them most urgently while realising our vision of providing a cost effective international advertising platform for Canadian employers who do not have the budget to launch expensive overseas advertising campaigns. There are no sign-up fees, cancellation fees, finder’s fees, immigration consulting fees or recruiting fees or any hidden fees associated with using the service for either the employer or the job seeker. Our system enables the employer to promote their company, opportunity or even their province to attract an international applicant who can help them.”

“Canadian employers can post employment classifieds for free and choose from a variety of additional paid services. The job seeker is charged an annual subscription fee of $39.99 to advertise their skills and experience on the site. As part of the paid subscription, they also have access to employment classifieds, custom built career system and all other non-public areas of the site including a searchable Canadian employer and recruiter database of over 110,000 entries, Canadian salary reports and the ability to connect directly with Canadian resume specialists for a free consultation and discounted consulting services.”

Mr. Docherty added: “The subscription model for the job seeker was chosen due to its effectiveness at filtering out individuals who are not serious about living and working in Canada or who have not done the necessary research to ascertain whether their skills are considered to be ‘in-demand’. By using a subscription-based method of membership and by encouraging pre-registration research, 3E Connect Direct attracts a core group of high quality, committed job seekers focused on a new life in Canada, allowing employers direct access to key skills and experience without having to sort through large volumes of unqualified resumes.”

3E Connect Direct will initially focus on attracting talented workers from the United Kingdom, Ireland and France as a result of the Founder’s experience of recruiting in Europe.

About 3E Connect Direct Online Media Inc.:

3E Connect Direct is a niche employment advertising venue focusing exclusively on bringing together Canadian Employers and International Job Seekers who would like to work in Canada. We are not an Immigration firm or an Employment agency.

To review the website please visit www.3EConnectDirect.com.

What Do You Think A Business Card Is For?

The use of business cards, or calling cards as they were more popularly known, is still widely prevalent today, even in this age of electronic communications. Technologies of instant communications such as Bluetooth and infrared connectivity are easier and much handier ways of sending and receiving data and information, including those contained in a business card. Yet people —and particularly businessmen— still carry around small stacks of business cards, giving them away at every chance they get and at the slightest provocation. Don’t ever tell a businessman you’ll call and he will give you his card, faster than you can say “Jack Robinson”, whoever he is, regardless of whether he has given you one earlier.

This only proves business cards still play a vital role in business or even everyday life, because even those not in business, such as students, have calling cards in their names. Why so? A number of reasons have been advanced as to the business card’s functions, and they range from as a source of personal pride to a business tool.

The functions of a business card

As a business advertising tool. A business card will normally contain the owner’s name, form or list of business or service rendered, phone or contact number/s, and some sort of catchphrase or slogan for the business. In this way the holder will immediately see in the card if the card owner is the appropriate solution to his immediate needs. So actually the card acts as a kind of ‘sleeper’ or inactive advertising for the owner, accessed when needed.

As a social link. Many people accept other people’s business cards and promptly forget both the card and the person right afterwards. Then the card is remembered when the holder needs to contact the card owner socially, and so the card is dredged up from the dustbin of ‘where-did-I-place-it’ questions. Or, you may not care what the guy sells, but he is so hunky…

As a travelling reference. If you know a friend who requires his boat engine serviced and you bump into someone who does that, you may wish to request his card to pass to your friend, who might later pass it on to another with similar needs. Without the card, neither potential customer will remember the boat engine service provider when the service is required. With it, the card owner may well capture a whole boating association.

As a personal affectation. It is simply classy to give away business cards, even if the owner has no business. It gives the owner a feeling of ‘superiority’ -for lack of a more appropriate term-over others. It is also a lot easier to just hand a receptionist, say, your business card instead of explaining who you are.

So, the card

Different people have different uses for a business card and if you think one reason is enough, then you’re wrong. A business card does all of the above, and often, more.

For businesses looking to make some inroads in their own markets, one of the best strategies available is to make connections with a host of china export companies that can provide your business with a competitive advantage on goods and services. China export companies have been growing exponentially over the last decade. With globalization a key to keeping your enterprise or corporation stable, profitable and growing in the future, it is now more advantageous than ever to take advantage of the opportunities that China export companies offer. Here are some tips.

China Export Companies Can Make the Difference

One of the most advantageous strategies your business can implement is to find China export companies. In almost any industry and for a wide range of businesses, you can purchase products and services from China export companies for less. This not only gives you a competitive advantage in your market, but can help you achieve a wide range of your business goals as well. However, in order to start trading with China export companies, you must first make connections with the right businesses. This can be done with one simple tool- Made in China.

Make Valuable Business Connections

Made in China has been helping millions of businesses make connections with China export companies for years. While in the past, it took an enormous amount of time, money and experience to find the right China export partner, today, almost any company large or small can find suppliers to provide them with the goods and services they need to compete in their home markets. Made in China gives you the tools and resources necessary to make these connections such as the ability to search through their network of millions of businesses within seconds to find companies that fit your interest and then to further research specific companies that might provide the best fit for your specific needs.

China Export Tools and Resources to Improve Your Overall Business Dealings

While making the right connections with a China export partner is the first step to a possibly fruitful partnership, other aspects are vital to the process of doing business with China exporters. For instance, understanding customs, tax and other facets of China export issues can help you better offset costs and reduce the time it ultimately takes to do business with your new China export partner. Made in China can assist you in many ways on this front. With a variety of comprehensive trade consulting products offered, your company can do business efficiently and effectively reducing your overall costs and time constraints.

For businesses looking to gain advantage by employing China export partners for products and services, one company that can help you achieve your goals on a variety of fronts is Made in China.