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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A Business Without Its Own Personality Is Sure To Fail

August 3, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

People don’t buy products, they buy people. This old business adage might not be as true as it used to be because there is less face to face customer interaction these days. However, it is still useful advice. It’s true that customers are going to choose based on product, to begin with, but it’s the personality of the business and its employees that will keep them coming back time and time again. That’s why it’s important to inject a little bit of your own personality into the business. You might be thinking that it’s harder to do that now because so many of your sales are online and the customer never comes face to face with you, but social media has filled that void. Customers interact with your business in new ways so you still need to make sure that you are interesting and real, rather than coming across like a faceless company. If you think your company is a bit stale, try these tips to help your personality come through in all of your business interactions.

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The Hidden Dangers Of The Workplace (And How To Avoid Them)

August 3, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

Whether you’re an employer or an employee, Health and Safety in the workplace is something that you underestimate at your peril. Employers need to be aware of their obligation to create a safe environment that’s conducive to happy and healthy workers, but employees also need to be cognizant of their responsibility, too. Both have a responsibility to perceive and identify hazards in order to maintain the safety of the workplace

While some hazards such as the control of hazardous and dangerous substances are a given, most modern workplaces are littered with far more discreet, yet equally damaging hazards.

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Make your office space more productive

July 27, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ 1 Comment

There is no denying the relationship between employee satisfaction and business productivity. The industry leaders such as Apple, Google, and Facebook, grasped this concept many years ago. Ideas that were dismissed as wacky or off the wall are now accepted as main stream methods in office organization and design.

Two decades ago, offices were constructed around a rigid design and were sterile and austere places to work. Open plan working was in fashion but that left nowhere for private meetings and sensitive conversations. Workers were in each other’s faces throughout the working day and that did not suit everyone.

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Important Skills Every Business Owner Needs to Develop

July 21, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ 1 Comment

Do you want to make it to the top in your chosen field? If so, there are certain skills every entrepreneur must develop and master. Once you do this, it will be more likely that you will set yourself apart from your competitors and establish a much more professional business. Below are some of the most important skills every business owner needs to develop.

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Go Take A Hike: 5 Ways a Hiking Vacation Can Boost Your Career – Guest Post from @VictorPrinceDC

July 20, 2017July 27, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ 1 Comment

I love going for hikes myself. The picture above was taken on one of my hikes in Gatineau Park, Quebec which is a favorite spot of mine, and my family’s, for hiking. Reconnecting with nature is a powerful thing. So I was thrilled when Victor Prince asked if I would help to support his new book, The Camino Way. The book is an inspiring read and will have you thinking about leadership in a whole new light.

I am honored to host a guest post from Victor below:

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Workplaces Woes: What To Look For In A New Office Space

July 2, 2017 ~ Chantal Bechervaise ~ Leave a comment

If you run a business, creating a positive and productive workplace should be high on your list of priorities. If you’re new to the game and you’re on the lookout for suitable premises, or you’re worried that your workplace may be holding you back, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect new office space.

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