Presidents' Message
As another year draws to a close, we would like to share some of our Chapter highlights for 2007 and to thank all of our members and sponsors for your support.
We kicked off the year with a lively panel on What’s Hot in Emerging International Markets covering China, India, Russia, Brazil and the Middle East.
In the spring, author Andrea Mandel-Campbell gave our chapter a thought-provoking presentation on what she considers Canada’s slack approach to doing business internationally that was tied to the launch of her book Why Mexicans Don’t Drink Molson.
Consultant and women’s trade advocate Betty Wood clinched the 4th Annual JoAnna Townsend Award at our ever popular annual bbq and Awards ceremony, held in September. The inspirational evening also featured keynote dynamo, Kyle MacDonald of Phoenix Interactive Design Inc., who shared her secrets to success in elevating a small company to world domination of its niche.
OWIT-Toronto participated in a meeting this November with representatives of other women's business organizations from across Canada on the topic of certifying women-owned businesses. Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, the purpose of the meeting was to introduce the U.S. Diversity Buyers Program (DBP), the primary objective of which is to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses, of which women-owned businesses qualify. If Canadian women-owned, export-ready companies are certified, it would enable them to access and benefit from the DBP that comprises most Fortune 500 companies. Plans are underway in Canada to get a certification process in place. If you would like more information about OWIT's involvement, contact Susan Baka at sbaka@baycomm.ca. We participated actively in two OWIT International Board meetings this year – one in Monterrey, Mexico in the spring and one in Miami in the fall, in conjunction with OWIT’s Annual Global Conference. These represented excellent opportunities to meet OWIT members from chapters around the world and to share best practices. Amanda de Vogel served on the International Board this past year, and Susan Baka and Alma Farias will serve on it in 2008.
In line with our philosophy to partner with other like-minded organizations, our chapter participated in events organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Importers & Exporters Canda (IE Canada), Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the Canadian Consulate in Florida, the Canadian American Business Council, and Women Entrepreneurs of Canada as part of its Community of Interest. We also participated in an incoming trade mission in the spring, organized by the UN’s International Trade Centre in Geneva, which brought women to Toronto from Asia, Africa and South America.
As OWIT-Monterrey begins preparations to host the 2008 OWIT Global Conference in Mexico, we have taken an active role on the Conference Planning Committee. Our chapter has been a mentor to OWIT-Monterrey since its start-up a few years ago.
We are also planning a trade mission to coincide with the conference that will take place next October, all the more reason for you to plan to join us. Watch for details in the months ahead as this will be a terrific opportunity to build business across borders.
Exploring business opportunities with your fellow OWIT members on the other side of Canada is another benefit of membership that you can access through our new Business Matching newsletter and website feature.
We look forward to building on our program in 2008 and continuing to create opportunities that will encourage more women to get involved in international trade. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season… and a very prosperous year ahead!
Susan Baka and Amanda de Vogel,
Co-Presidents
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Note of Thanks
OWIT-Toronto would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Partners and Sponsors for their support over this last year:
We would also like to thank our speakers. Over the course of 2007 OWIT has had the privilege of hosting a number of dynamic speakers:
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Defining the Canada/U.S. Relationship in the 21st Century
By Susan Baka
Representatives of OWIT-Toronto participated in a Cross-Border Business Policy Forum in November, presented by the Canadian American Business Council (CABC). In line with the theme Defining the Canada/US Relationship in the 21st Century, here are a few of the take-aways:
- The American electorate is ready for a major change in politics, and a premium will be put on the authenticity of candidates, according to a panel of experts including news commentators and former presidential strategists who provided their analysis of the most expensive and hotly-contested U.S. presidential campaign in generations.
- The Great Lakes/Midwest states have the greatest trade links with Canada and will be a key battleground for the U.S. presidential campaign, said John Austin, Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington. He emphasized the huge assets in the Great Lakes region, from fresh water and advanced manufacturing to huge talent pools and corporate R&D, that could be leveraged so much more for the future global success of both Canada and the U.S.. “No one has more expertise than our combined countries,” he stressed, adding that the U.S. does not focus enough on the potential of this very powerful binational economic relationship.
- Canadian businesses show inertia towards global trade, with only two of 10 trading internationally now, according to a recent survey conducted by UPS. Despite the advantages of cross-border trade, 44% of Canadian businesses are neutral about expanding to new markets outside of the country.
- Unclogging our Canada-U.S. border crossings is key, said Alan Gershenhorn, President of UPS International, adding that low-risk goods still take too long to move across borders even a decade after NAFTA.
OWIT Member Gail Morris with Norma Gamble at the CABC Achievement Awards Luncheon.
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OWIT-Toronto Co-President Susan Baka [l] and member Linda Wilson [r] with Ralph Klein at CABC Reception.
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Canada China Environment Forum
By Carla Kearns
On November 1, 2007, OWIT-Toronto partnered with TLI - The Mandarin School to present the inaugural Canada China Environmental Forum. 100 industry, government, entrepreneurs and academic leaders and influencers met to explore opportunities in the environmental sector between Canada & China, and how market solutions could address environmental challenges between these 2 countries. The event, chaired by OWIT board member, Carla Kearns, was well documented by both Chinese and Canadian media, including CCTV, The Globe and Mail, CBC Radio, Fairchild, OMNI and Green Living.
Beyond presenting the opportunity to learn about the substantial business opportunities in this sector, and to networking with like-minded individuals, this event presented an opportunity to raise funds for the Yunnan Mountain Heritage Foundation (YMHF). YMHF operates in a beautiful but impoverished part of Western China; with a mandate to support the tourist development of this area in an environmentally and socially sustainable method, including empowering local, women-owned businesses.
Speakers, Panelists & topics from the event included:
- Doug Tingey, Davis LLC - Lost chances and future opportunities in the environmental sector between Canada & China.
- PANEL – experience from the field; practical strategies for doing business between Canada & China in the environmental sector
- Steven W. Peck, President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (moderator)
- Valerie Bell, President, Bell Alliances International
- Richard Lu, VP, Arise Technologies
- Ken Toews, President and Co-Founder, BCTINT Limited
- Eric Wong, VP, Menergy
- Rick Whittaker, VP Investment, Sustainable Development Technology Canada - Funding available to technology companies to become export-ready.
- Ian Morton, CEO, Summerhill Group - Profitability through sustainable operations.
- Toby Heaps, President & Editor, Corporate Knights Magazine – A mechanism for decarbonising China's economy and how to harness its economic potential.
- John Hong Zhang, Program Manager, Foundation for International Training - Bridging Canadian technology and expertise with Chinese needs - and strategies for increasing Canada's profile and effectiveness.
OWIT-Toronto VP Events, Carla Kearns, speaking at the Canada China Environmental Forum.
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Monterrey to Host Next International Conference
The Monterrey Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade is sponsoring the 2008 OWIT conference and is preparing an amazing program. To be held October 22-24, 2008, the theme of the conference is Trade and the Environment: The Triple Bottom Line and its Impact on Business. Plan now to attend. You will leverage your membership in our international organization and expand your contacts with members from around the world. Visit www.owit.org for more information to come.
Preliminary plans are underway by our chapter to organize a trade mission to Mexico in conjunction with the conference, which would include business matching. If you are interested, contact OWIT-Toronto Co-President, Susan Baka, at susanb@owit-toronto.ca .
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Empowering Women Speaker Series
Renew & Refocus: A Return to Well-being
You're invited to attend the Empowering Women Speaker Series featuring three inspiring Canadian women, a health, beauty and fashion trade fair, and an opportunity to meet other professional women.
Speakers include:
- Sherry Torkos, Pharmacist and author of "The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"
- Kelley Keehn, Financial Expert and author of "The Women's Guide to Money"
- Linda Edgecombe, Life perspective specialist
Spaces are limited - reserve yours today at www.empowering-women.ca. Admission is free.
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Business Matching
Welcome to this exciting feature that introduces you to an OWIT member from another chapter. It is designed to encourage and assist business development with like-minded women across chapters. Visit our website at www.owit-toronto.ca/resources/resources.html to find out more about Cheryl’s services, what kind of business she is looking for and what she can offer you in terms of business development.
 Background:Cheryl Lockhart is the owner of and principal consultant for International Strategies. She has worked in international trade and international development since 1999. Cheryl is also the President of OWIT-Alberta.
Business Description: International Strategies Ltd. is a Canadian consulting firm that works with small- and medium-sized enterprises to develop and implement international business development plans. In working with the firm, clients are able to avoid many of the errors commonly made by first time exporters, and more objectively evaluate and pursue international business opportunities.
Product/ Services for Export: Cheryl also offers her services to non-Canadian companies and has worked on CIDA projects in several developing countries including Ukraine, Indonesia and Botswana. At the moment, she is the Gender Equality Consultant for the Canada-Ukraine Grain Quality and Rural Credit Systems Project. From 2004 – 2006 she travelled to Indonesia seven times to work with garment manufacturers in Bali and increase their marketing and export capacity.
Competitive Edge: Firms collaborating with International Strategies benefit from a practical and proven approach to international business development. As an independent consultant with a global approach, Cheryl has the ability to research and recommend any number of global strategies, rather than focusing on a specific region or country or market development opportunity.
What I'm Looking For:
• Clients that are interested in expanding their business internationally and looking for export development plans, coaching or an export manager.
• Introductions to individuals working in other aspects of international business (i.e. customs brokers, freight forwarders, other consultants) to build my network.
What I Can Offer:
• Conducting an export readiness assessment
• Coaching and mentoring assistance to encourage and develop export sales networks,.
• Developing market development plans, including identification of top prospects
• Creating a marketing strategy
• Organizing and participating in an exploratory trade mission
Visit our website at
www.owit-toronto.ca/resources/resources.html to find out more about
Cheryl's
services, what kind of business she is looking for and what she can offer you in terms of business development.
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