TIPS for TOUGH TIMES

Your go-to spot for Business Updates

As provinces , states and countries begin to reopen, we’re seeing a range of different attitudes about getting back to business. You might be asking yourself: how at ease would I be going back to work or heading to a lunch date? To get to the bottom of it, our friends at The Hustle did some digging. Here are the highlights .

Of 1,800 respondents:

WORK – 37% are comfortable returning to the workplace ASAP
RESTAURANTS – 33% are comfortable dining out ASAP
SCHOOL – 28% are comfortable sending their kids to school ASAP
TRAVEL – 27% are ready to travel ASAP

What do you think? Would you be comfortable hopping on a plane, heading out for dinner or sending your little ones to school?

We want to hear from you –reach out on our LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook page or at info@GroYourBiz.com to give us your two cents.

News from Trudeau

Coronavirus response. Justin Trudeau has joined other world leaders to launch the Coronavirus Global Response , an online pledging event to raise more than $8 billion USD to help researchers develop solutions to test, treat and protect people from COVID-19.

Canada’s contribution: To date, the PM has announced investments of over $850 million.
Where it’s going: mobilizing Canadian coronavirus research, vaccine development, finding an effective treatment through the WHO Solidarity Trial, providing diagnostic support to more than 20 countries, tackling misinformation and stigma.

Mental health support. The government announced an investment of $240.5 million to develop, expand and launch virtual care and mental health tools to support Canadians.

Available online tools include:

Wellness Together Canada. Online portal dedicated to mental wellness and substance abuse support. It will connect Canadians to peer support workers and mental health professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls.
Canada COVID-19 app: Featuring a symptom tracker, a self-assessment tool, up-to-date info on COVID-19 as well as info on mental health and substance abuse support.
Get Updates on COVID-19: Web-based email service that provides subscribers with critical info related to the pandemic.

Aid for farmers and food businesses. They’re also investing more than $252 million to support farmers, food businesses and food processors. Further, they intend to propose an additional $200 million in borrowing capacity for this sector.

There is a long list of initiatives, ranging from AgriRecovery programs for cattle and hog management, to expanding AgriInsurance, to a Surplus Food Purchase Program to redistribute unsold inventories.
More details on the individual programs are available here.

Changes to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will go into effect on Friday May 8 ^th to allow expectant mothers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 in March to receive the benefit without jeopardizing their parental leave.

Applications are open for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – there are three ways to apply, which are listed below. A full application guide provided by the government can be found here.

Through My Business Account
Using Represent a Client
Or, using the Web Forms application with your web access code

An existing program that could help. The Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) allows employers to increase their employees’ weekly earnings when they are unemployed due to a temporary stoppage of work, training, illness, injury or quarantine. Deloitte has put together this helpful article on how you can apply – scroll to the bottom to read.

And a quick note from B.C.

British Columbia has just announced their Restart Plan to reopen the province. Expect small dinner parties and hugs with family in time for the Victoria Day long weekend . You can check out the full plan here .

Biz from the Banks

Wage Subsidy Access. Businesses can now access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) through Canada’s banks – if eligible, you can go through your bank’s portal to register your business payroll account for direct deposit with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

TD bankers – EasyWeb Online Banking Portal.
BMO bankers – BMO Online Banking or BMO Online Banking for Business
CIBC bankers – CIBC Cash Management Online or CIBC Online Banking for Business
RBC bankers – RBC Online Banking for Business or RBC Express platfor
Scotiabank – Scotia OnLine banking or ScotiaConnect

Tailored advice. CIBC has just launched Advice for Today , an online hub providing financial advice and information to Canadians through the pandemic. Expect content from economists, advisors, as well as personal and business banking leaders.

Quick look: There’s a video on asset management, an article on estate planning, info on lower RRIF withdrawals, and much, much more!

All Leaders on Deck

"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” - John Maxwell

Another leadership series for our captains – may these help you to adjust the sails and lead your team through the storm.

Recover revenue, quickly. McKinsey’s SHAPE model provides the foundation to reposition your revenue profile, set yourself up for the long term and move beyond the competition. Read this, and three other priorities for business strategy here.

Disengaged employees? The first step is identification. To keep your remote team strong, find out what disengagement looks like and what to do about it.

Image credit: AndreyPopov/Getty Images

Talent is out there. With companies downsizing and reshaping in response to Covid, the pool of skilled, available employees is only getting bigger. Read more about this unprecedented opportunity to hire great talent.

Downsize the right way. Wielding a “bottom-up” approach when it comes to cutting costs has proven successful for companies in hospitality to food service. The trick? Gather data from your on-the-ground experts – your employees. You can learn more about how to avoid “wrong-sizing” here.

Give your team some structure. All meetings need structure, virtual ones especially. Designate a leader, set a clear agenda, minimize attendance – these are just some of the tips on limiting chaos in your next remote meeting.

Image credit: Getty Images

Fight off burnout. Combatting emotional exhaustion is necessary for avoiding burnout. As you and your company face the stress of the global pandemic, these three approaches can help you to refuel and recharge.

Plus…a different kind of fitness . Check in with yourself, feel your emotions fully – these are just some of the mental exercises you can do to strengthen your emotional fitness

Image credit: HBR Staff/Emilija Manevska/Getty Images

Reimagining capitalism. How can entrepreneurs build a better world ? Join Harvard Professor Rebecca Henderson in this FREE webinar as she discusses how to find opportunities to make a difference while building a successful business. Hosted on May 14 ^th at 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT, you can register here .

Plus… The World Ocean Initiative is also hosting a future-oriented webinar on building a sustainable ocean economy in a post pandemic world. Hosted at 10:00 am – 11: 00 am EDT on May 12 ^th , you can register here .

Vulnerability at work. Bringing your whole self – vulnerability and all – is key when it comes to good leadership. This HBR podcast features Jason Rosario, Founder of The Lives of Men as he discusses vulnerability and masculinity at work.

And we can’t talk about vulnerability without bringing up Brené Brown. Her book Dare to Lead is “the ultimate playbook for brave leadership”. No surprise, it cites “rumbling with vulnerability” as the first of four teachable skill sets integral to leading with courage.

The zoom zone out. Find your mind wandering off during virtual meetings? Here’s a theory that might explain why, along with five strategies for effective listening on your conference calls .

And a couple other gems we found…

Free COVID-19 business templates from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
The power of big picture thinki ng
The problem with productivity bias
7 mistakes leaders make when managing a remote team
Practicing conscious leadership to combat isolation

In the Lab

Israel’s antibody breakthrough. Researchers in Israel have made progress in isolating an antibody that could be used to treat those with coronavirus.

Image credit: AFP/Getty Images

A vaccine from Oxford. The University of Oxford is working alongside pharma company AstraZeneca on the development of a potential Covid-19 vaccine. With £20 million in government funding, the project is currently being trialled in a study with 510 volunteers.

Pfizer trials. Pfizer and BioNTech are running human trials of a possible coronavirus vaccine, based on genetic material known as messenger RNA.

Image credit: Oxford University, via Associated Press

Here at home. Vancouver-based biotech company AbCellera is receiving $175 million in federal funding to expand their efforts in discovering antibodies that could be used in drugs to treat or prevent the virus.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Economic transformations lead to changes in human activity. Let’s see how the pandemic will play out in fashion, film and at work.

The next “professionalism”. As barking dogs and young children make appearances in zoom meetings across the globe, the norms for professionalism are shifting . Check out this article as it discusses the increasing intersection between our personal and professional lives.

PPE but make it fashion. Designer Joe Doucet has bridged safety and fashion with this haute couture protective face shield . After thousands of emails inquiring about the design, Doucet is in talks with four companies about getting the product to market.

High security cinema. Reopened movie theaters in Texas are giving us a glimpse of what a night at the movies could be like for the foreseeable future. Airport-security-style check-ins might just be the norm .

Image credit: Leonard Mclane/Getty Images

Extra, extra!

Welcome to the good news corner, where we shine a light on pandemic relief initiatives, innovative tech uses, and businesses giving back.

Hospital recharge rooms. Three hospitals have installed “recharge rooms” – rooms which incorporate multisensory aspects of nature to provide peaceful areas for workers to refuel in.

Image credit: Studio Elsewhere

When candy gets handy. Paul Moyer of Beamsville, Ontario is using his candy apple cleaning technology to sterilize N95 masks. His “Clean Flow Mini”, originally designed to ensure the safety of candy apples, kills 99.9% of pathogens and can disinfect 800 masks per hour! Approved by Health Canada, production of more clean flow minis is underway!

On the big screen. Remember GYB member Carolyn Cross and her company Ondine Biomedical’ s innovative nose-sanitizing technology? See them featured in this video from NBC Chicago – NBC 5’s Lauren Petty covers how the Steriwave technology can fight the coronavirus. Congratulations, Carolyn!

The power of peanut butter. Vancouver Island peanut butter company Fatso has teamed up with SaltSpring Kitchen Co to provide 300 peanut butter and jam sandwiches PER WEEK to marginalized populations in Victoria. Fatso has also donated $45,000 in product, developed a short-term supply of perishable foods from restaurants, and has raised almost $2,000 for food banks. WOW.

One woman, $100,000 goal. Karen Dean, founder of Countryfied Clothing set out to raise $10,000 for the Stronger Together Nova Scotia Fund by selling Nova Scotia Strong apparel and donating the proceeds. After raising $30,000 in a single week, she’s already aiming for $100,000! You can purchase a T-shirt or hoodie here.

Taking after Tom. Victoria’s very own centenarian John Hillman was inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s efforts to raise money for the National Health Service. This 101-year-old has pledged to do 101 laps around his retirement home with the goal of raising $101,000 for Save the Children. So far he’s raised over $42,000 – you can donate here .

Image credit: Molly Jane Grant/Molly Jane Photography/Carlton House

And a helping hand for you…

Tech relief. Band of Coders, a software and app development company, is offering $3000 in service credits to help business leaders in need of a tech partner through the pandemic. You can fill out the form here to inquire.

Virtual classrooms. Canadian company Tech Adaptika ’s virtual classroom offers an immersive online learning experience for students and workers alike. Think live classes, lectures, and virtual online events. Through the Covid crisis, they are offering their LiVe Virtual Campus to teachers for FREE ! Check it out - even if you’re not a teacher it’s pretty cool!

Your chance to give back

CARE , an organization helping women and girls in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty or crisis, has long been dear to my heart. Ever since their “Walk in her Shoes – 10,000 steps” campaign, I’ve been an active part of their growth in Vancouver.

I am happy to see CARE doing great work in response to this crisis, and I wanted to share one of their initiatives with you. CARE’s goal is to provide 1250 hygiene kits to women and girls living in vulnerable communities around the world. Two donors have stepped up to match all donations, meaning one purchase provides two kits! You can donate here .

What issues are important to you right now? What relief initiatives would you like to see highlighted in our newsletter? Let us know on the socials or contact us at info@GroYourBiz.com.

Warning: Mascara not recommended

If you’ve been missing your favourite meal, snack, or fast food item through the lockdown, you’re going to relate to this hilarious clip . Seriously though, tears of laughter may ensue. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya.

That's it for this week.

While we’re away…There are only two spots left on our free virtual advisory board! Don’t pass up the chance to share your current business challenge with like-minded women leaders – you can register here.