Posts Tagged ‘Nova Scotia’

Yesterday on News 95.7, my favourite daytime radio station (It’s a talk show and yes, I am addicted to calling in – sometimes I feel like I am in a 12 step program when I call – ahem… It’s Kathy, from Dartmouth, yes)…

Anyhow, morning host, Andrew Krystal, was asking people all morning to call in and say what they felt were the greatest things about being Canadian and he also kept on his point of view that there were 3 more distinct regions than any others in Canada – the East Coast, Quebec and the Northern Territories.

Of course being from the East Coast, I agreed on that point, but I felt (as did several callers) that other areas of Canada probably have some uniqueness about themselves as well.  It’s just that we may not hear them or they may not be as vocal or visual as us! Just ask anyone at a recent conference with me… they all knew where I was from!

I have lived in several provinces and visited almost every province but four, and having lived 34 of my 42 years in Nova Scotia or PEI, I am fiercely proud of the East (and in particular Nova Scotia) and what is has to offer people who live here as well as work and visit.  I am also glad to be a Canadian and living in a country that many others view as a good and fair country that values it citizens. I wouldn’t trade living in Nova Scotia, or Canada for anything.

It’s Canada Day, go out and Celebrate!

Technorati Tags: Canada, Canada Day, Nova Scotia

Last year James Mielnik of the Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce asked if I was interested in becoming a Charter Member of the Nova Scotia Come to life program. I jumped at the opportunity for two reasons;

1 – I love Nova Scotia and talking about how great it is to live, work, study, invest and play here is very easy for me (Just ask any of the recent participants at the Forum on Virtual Assistance ~ Everyone who attended now knows something about Nova Scotia.  No one left there wondering where I came from, though technically it is Alberta!)

2 – It seemed a good way to do some more networking, which I truly enjoy.

That opportunity presented by James has turned into many more; a networking event where we signed a ‘charter’ document with the Premier of Nova Scotia, a day of media training, as well as meeting other contacts which has lead to new clients for my business. I also ‘gave back’ by helping the Come to Life staff customize their Twitter profile and showed them how it can help connect their program with more people.

Recently, I was contacted by a journalist, Marie Weeren of 10th floor Solutions. She was assigned by the Come to Life program to “Tell my Story”.  It was slightly daunting being interviewed for this; complete with tape recorder, notepad and all.  However, my story has now been told and is published on the Come to Life website should anyone like to take a read.

Thanks to the people who helped Ms. Weeran with by providing background information about me for her story – Tawnya Sutherland of VAnetworking , Donna Toothaker of 1stVA and David Eisnor from the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Education & Development (CEED).  Your time is also appreciated!

For any business, joining in similar type programs (although this one is very unique) may take a bit of time and effort, but you’ll always find rewards in  the end!

Technorati Tags: be thankful, Entrepreneurs, Nova Scotia, reward, Small business, virtual assistant

As part of my Charter Membership with Nova Scotia’s Come to life program, I recently attended a one day Media Training Session.  It was meant to help the members learn how to “tell your story” whether to print media, or radio or tv.

Jim Meek, Jennifer MacIsaac and Hugh Fraser of Bristol Group were on hand to lead us through a day of learning many new things; most notably writing press releases and being interviewed on camera.

I think the biggest message I received from the day of training  was that “I have to stop selling my skills short”.

It’s easy to do, most of us find it very difficult to talk bout ourselves and our accomplishments and abilities. Sure, we can rave about others, but when it comes to “me”, most people tend to take a step back and save the “raving” for others.

As a business owner, trying to sell your services to others, it is not the way to do it.  You have to train yourself to speak up more about you and your services or products.  If you don’t tell people they are quality products and services and of value to others, who will?

Technorati Tags: elevator speech, motivation, Nova Scotia, promote business, Small business

Last month I attended the Third Wednesday meetup in Halifax at the Foggy Goggle – people from the area interested in and using social media. It’s a group that gets together monthly to discuss and share. At this meet the group was discussing how social media is affecting print media.

There were a few first timers there, including myself,a few others and also Dan Legere  from the Halifax’s Chronicle Herald newspaper. The Herald has been in the news lately itself, due to cutbacks and a few layoffs. But it was great to see someone there listening to ideas of others.  And listen he must have.

Today, I see that the Herald is hosting a live chat on social media.  They want to hear directly from people how they can change.  How can print media translate itself into something new, innovative and cost-effective?

If you have any ideas to help them make changes that will keep print media devloping audiences, please join in.  I will be and am very interested to see how it goes and what people have to say. More importantly, what will happen in the future.

Technorati Tags: cost effective, newspaper, Nova Scotia, Social Media, twitter

Congratulations Janet, for guessing the word JUST as the one we were searching for in the contest. Just is a word that can be removed from many of our sentences, spoken or written. Think about it when you go to use it next time.  Especially this sentence – I was just calling you for….

I will contact you for an address to mail out your prize, the print from Maria Erman Photography.

Technorati Tags: contest, Nova Scotia, virtual assistant