Guest Post: The Business of Sustainable Wine: Restaurants and Retailers Making It a Priority

August 3, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

More wine retail shops, grocery chains, hotels and restaurants are making sustainable procurement of wine a priority. Some independent wine and spirits shops are focusing the majority of their wine inventory on sustainable, organic, and biodynamic wines.

One of the largest hotel and restaurant proponents of sustainable wines is Kimpton Hotels, which has committed to having at least 30 percent of all wine lists at their hotels and restaurants include eco-friendly selections. Kimpton has also created a happy-hour program that features sustainable wines, including Flip-flop wines, owned by The Wine Group, and also Wente Family Estates, which dedicates a portion of their sales to social causes.

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You Snooze You Lose: Why Is Speed Important In Business?

May 31, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

In this post, we’re going to talk about something that tends to go unnoticed by a lot of small or new business owners. As the title suggests, the topic is speed. Specifically, why is it so important in business?

For starters, speed refers to how quickly your business does things. It refers to the speed with which you reply to customer service queries, carry out services, ship out products, and so on. A lot of people believe that speed doesn’t matter that much and that as long as you produce things of a high quality – that’s all that matters.

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Closing The Gender Gap in the Workplace

April 28, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

Two months ago I was walking in my hometown of Bristol, England. I passed a modern office with glass walls and my curiosity compelled me to look inside. I saw a conference room with about ten people in it. All of them were men.

Is the Gender Gap Still Prevalent in the Workplace?

When we talk about the gender gap in the workplace, there are two factors to consider. Firstly, that there are more men working than women. Secondly, that those women are not paid the same amount as men. Despite numerous countries creating laws to eradicate the gender pay gap, it is still very much present in today’s society. This isn’t just a problem for us in the UK: the problem is worldwide.

The American Association of University Women explains why the gender gap still exists for so many of us in the workplace. For full-time men and women, they claim that there is still a 20% pay gap in the USA. How is this possible?

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Push Your Employees Up The Career Ladder With These Tips

April 27, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

There are lots of ways that employers can support their employees in and out of the workplace. In fact, more and more new recruits are looking for those extra benefits of working for big companies. These benefits may not have a financial value but instead offer something a little more personal. After all, they’re there for their career, not only a paycheck!

How is your company helping employees work their way up the career ladder? Do you offer a defined career progression and plenty of promotion prospects? Do you offer careers counselling and opportunities for interdepartmental work experience? Millennials aren’t the only ones seeking something more from their work. Don’t forget the newest graduates and the longest serving employees. They too can benefit from more attention to their career progression.

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MINI – Great Brand, Cars and Company Culture

April 20, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

MINI is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. It has reached a level that all car manufacturers and companies want to reach: Cult Brand Status. What makes MINI special and unique is that it appeals to all ages and both women and men. People in their 20s all the way up to their 80s buy MINIs. MINIs are fun, and the people that own them and love them are loyal. MINI is a great company to study if you want to learn how to create a great work culture, branding, influence and reach.

I was reminded of this a few weeks ago at the Auto Show that took place in Ottawa. MINI Ottawa was at the show and it was one of my favorite areas to visit and be in. The cars are fun and great looking and the staff that was there from MINI Ottawa were engaged talking all about MINIs. They didn’t have to do a ‘hard sell’. They let the MINI cars speak from themselves. I fell in love with the brand all over again.

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How to Create an Effective Cell Phone Policy for the Workplace

March 29, 2017April 2, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

Smartphones have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. They’re often the first thing we touch when we wake up in the morning and the last thing we look at before going to sleep at night. With these devices playing such an important role in our lives, it makes sense for your workplace to create a cell phone policy. An effective cell phone policy should balance your business’s needs with the needs of all employees.

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Who Should Be At The Head Table? [#Infographic]

March 28, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

A business is only going to be as strong as it’s leader. But in most businesses these days, it’s not just one individual at the head of the table. Instead, you need to make sure that you have a competent team to steer the ship and ensure your business is managed effectively. The question of course then becomes who do you want in that boardroom. Who sits at the head table?

A Team With Experience

If you are a young business owner or start-up, you should certainly think about getting some experience in the board room. By doing this, you can make sure that you have someone who has been where you are now. One of the best ways to guarantee this is to use a good consultant with a specialty that is relevant to your field. They will be able to advise you in many areas of your business where you are having trouble finding your footing.
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