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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1991-11-06, Page 8Page 8 — Lueknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 1991 ;t:',:::!;'!,:': .::: •:::: iii .... i... it :.,:: :::1 1 :gi,............:-..„...:...0.,:::::.:.;...:;,.................:.0!::4z:„....::::z:.5.4:::::.:,.....:0„...a:.:-.:;;;;;.,.:......:::::.........:::.......„,.................;;;;....;;;;;.....:....:.;::::...:-..:...::........::::..„.!i.i fPf.;:;:?...,,f;',.•',....,::::•,1,:,--•'..17:-.:1-,:::::;:•!•:-::::::-.::::::-:::•!z::•::•••-•„::-.:-:".:,:::•::•:-:,*.:::::;:-..::::!:::::-'13,1,7-:: , .:2:1•:::777773:-.'.17:',''',:T-'7.7”7"7',-...- . - ,: -..- -7°. : :-:-.:,'777 • ELECT lar • BETH , FuLTON 0.R ,-7 RUB.JC SCHOP TRUSTEE hl East, Wet WOCanoshi,Ashfidd 0 livel kl East wawonosii 0 Two.oblicirenin public achoo • • Active comMunitii vOluntt 2r 1 Wei work for quality edua alkyl i for All students and practise ,:iriancigglespq psiaii , witp. tp.x- _, koriilthef,4 • .:: ..,„ :.:... ...: ...., .... ' ?i:, if ,..:.% NTIPw'MPIIP"tr "-I'm' i ..,-..,..................., , - •••' ‘ ' , ' . ' .., * Financially responsible government Highly concerned with high property tax * Will -deal with everybody honestly and fairly - Resides at Point Clark Retired Previously owned & operated small business TOWNSHIP OF ASHRELD Municipal Elections 1991 Acclainations - This is a notice to all residents of Ashfield Township that the fol- lowing individuals have been declared elected' to the indicated Offices by acclamation! REEVE. Allan Gibson COUNCILLORS Gwen Fisher Linda Andrew Returning, Officer Township of Ashfield jfaving a plan is an essential tool for business success BY SHELLEY MCPHEE • MUST STRATEGiC PLANNING — 'The process by which the guiding members Of an organigation vision its future and develop the necessary procedures and operations to achieve Mat end." -- John Geddes, ilynaink Planners A football. coach .uses a game plan. A teacher uses a lessokplan, ,a director ases a script. in games, in education,: in entertainment,'In business - a plan is an essential tool for success and surviVal.- John , Geddes, president of Dynamic Planners inc., London was at The Red Maple Vangstra, on Ott& 17 to ad- dress more than 70 Invon County business people on the necessity of strategical -business pianning. The workshop was 0.; second in a srles of 10- being sponsored by th ederal Business Development Bank's - Community Business Initiative program for Huron County. ' • "Strategic planning," W. Ged- des said, "is not crystal ball • inWherWiig and, how do we get there." He told b audience that plans generally fall into three categories five per 'cent of business people who have a written business plan; the greater number who, have a business plan' in their heads,; and the "four o'clock in the morning planners." For the business oilier, a strategic ,plan works like a blueprint. It works to define and guide, to focus and plan for business. It is applicable to all businesses, large and small, and specifically examines product, marketing, competition, management, goals and future "deireloPinent. • Using -a Simple step-by-step process, all business owners can develop their own° strategic plans. Mr. Geddes suggested that the first step is in analyzing -the business, its strengths, weaknes- ses, opportunities and threats. It'S putting your business under the microscope and taking an objec- tive look at the .operation, he noted. Such an analysis looks at , the product, customer, perception of the business; internal organization and management, * financing, research and development. The process is certain to reveal problem areas, .and records of achievement as well. Mr. Geddes' stressed that business owners must carry out this exercise if they are to maintaina successful operation in the 1990s, and the future, Paints make up between 50 and 80 per cent of the wastes taken to household hazardous waste collec- tion centres, says the' Ontario Waste Management Corporation, and a lot of leftover paint is still ending up in municipal landfills.. • You can reduce the amount of waste paint you have to get rid of by making sure to buy the proper amount needed for the job, Buy only what you .need. Ask your retailer for assistance. • Always be sure to read the label which gives important information regarding the product. • The easiest way for you to dis- pose of leftover paint is to use it all up. Apply a second coat or touch up areas which need improvement. • Leftover paint can be. given to a 'neighbour, friend or -relative who can use it. Churches, theatrical groups, high schools; recreation departments and community service organizations are often pleased to accept free paint. Make sure that any paint you donate is in its orig- inal container with the label intact. determined t 'oui'reap larger revenues front land sales. A&W then re -defined its product and servieeo and has fe-established its tisit food outlet business in malls and food uii;.., and sells root beer on a large scale to grocery - and coitiveni011ee SIM markets. - Planning, focasing, analyzing, changing - ies all part of the strategic gaol' Plan, and site- . cessful business mnagement. The business awnermust look at specific aspects of planning in the - effort to Compete and succeed, • Can he, offer the lowest prices in town? Does quality servicing, warranties or product make his bosiness unique? Can he focus on one product, or one market, suc- cessfully? , - "You pick you niche and you go Business consultant John Geddes _ for it," Mr. Geddessaidprter ; He's an avid supot of Dynamic Planners Leris i lamh strategic p ing, it's is don. business and, he stresses' that it's "Don't ignore your problems.. an essential exercise that every Don't bury yourself in your work business owner must -carry out. when the bank is calling, the "You can't takeyour finger off suppliers calling," he warned: the pulsefora minute, You're Many -banks are requesting never done assessing, but the Writteti strategic_plans— frinn------process-is: -critical:ICI:41s you businesses before they approyemiR4etennine...how you will market - loans. These strategic plans assist - the banks in guaranteeing their loans. "You Shouldn't grow or 'change your business without a blueprint. your • strategic plan is your blueprint fo,r business,"•ivIr. Ged- des urged. Once . a business has gone. through .the analysis process, it is ready to set a mission statement - a brief, written description of what the business does, how it operates • and who. it serves. This written mandate helps businesses make a positive statementabotit who they are and what theyare ac- complishing. It also advertises busitfegs strengths and helps deter- mine future goals. Mr. Geddes suggested that a 'more statement should be no more than° 100 words brig. It may take five or six drafts, to finalize, and in the final analysis, he noted, "It's got to feel good. WS got to sit right. It's not something you want to change every -six months.' A well defined plan works to help the, business owner develop specific strategies, The owner can now readily identify products and seivices, determine' areas of growth, areas where service can be maintained, methodicallY thinned out; or cut. The popular A&W fast food chain 'has gone • through this procedure in recent years. The large; drive-in retaurants have been slowly phased out over the past two decades after A&W your product." - Mr. Geddes advises that business analysis and strategic plan development is not a process that can- be accomplished over a cup of coffee, while you're waiting on customers, or stocking shelves. It is best done on a separate agenda, away from your place of business, and should include other key employees and management people., To be done properly it takes time, thought and objec- • tivity. Once -the first steps are, taken, the plan can take form with • relative ease and becomes an ongoing dynamic process that is key to the tuskless. • He warned that strategic plans work well, as long as they're not cast in stone, filed away in - a forgotten desk draiver, 'or left . unattended. Goal setting -is a popular exer- • cise for business, but if goals are to be effective they must include specific time &ales and amounts. Every goal needs an implemen- tation plan, every irriplementation plan needs specific, dates and the assigned people who will carry the workout,; "Humans are great strategists, but we need to say when we'll do it and who will do it," Mr. Geddes noted. Strategic planning may be a relatively new business tenn, but its a program of action that may make the difference between business success and failure. • Latex paints can beleftto dry by removing the lid. This. should be done in an area which is away from children and aninials. Allow the paint to dry completely. In most areas the container can then be " disposed of in your household trash. Leave the lid off the can so that your household refuse hauler can see that the paint is hardened. • Solvent -based paints (also known as alkyd or oil-based) require special disposal practices. These paints are ignitable and present particular hazards. They should not be disposed of down storm sewers, household drains (especially if you have, a. septic tank), or on the ground. Solvent -based paints should be disposed of as a household hazard- ous waste. Hold for a household hazardous waste collection day. If your community does not have a household hazardous waste pro- gram, contact your local works department or provincial environ- ment ministry for guidance on disposal. • Paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits and solvents should not be poured down a drain or storm sewer. With a few simple steps, you, can reuse these types of products. Leave used turpentine or brush cleaner in a closed container until the paint panicles settle out. Then pour of theclean liquid which can be reused. Add an absorbent such as cat litter to the residue and let it dry completely. Contact -a house- hold hazardous waste program, local works department, or regional environment ministry -office for advice on proper disposal. The Ontario Waste Manage- ment Corporation is a provincial Crown agency responsible for bnproving hazardous waste man- agement in the provnee.