Late evening on April 5^th Community Access Program (CAP) sites across Canada received a letter from Industry Canada Director General Lisa Setlakwe that the Program ‘has achieved its objective’ and funding has been terminated, effective immediately.   Currently, TAG administers 60 CAP sites with the region of Counties of Haliburton and Simcoe the District of Muskoka and the Township of McMurrich Monteith as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes. 

The letter goes on to say the Federal Government is committed to ‘prioritizing expenditures’.  It does, however, suggest that youth employment money may be available for public internet access sites that continue to exist after the cuts.  How a CAP site can hire and supervise youth when it has no funding to operate is not explained in the letter.

The Technology Alliance Group (TAG) for Kawartha Lakes organization is looking at what, if any, options it may have to enable it to continue to serve the Kawartha Lakes community.  The TAG site in Lindsay continues to be busy with people using computers, people requesting training and people bringing electronic waste to be responsibility recycled.  “We are dismayed to learn of this decision.  We disagree that the work is completed; the demand for our service continues to increase, “says Michael Semple, TAG Board Chair. “CAP is not a social program, but an economic one – with very real economic benefits and value to this community,” Mr. Semple added.

TAG assists the general public in acquiring computer literacy/Internet proficiency and facilitates community economic development. They service people with disabilities, people facing literacy challenges, people trying to reintegrate into the job market, as well as people who live in distant and/or poorly connected communities. Computer training is provided to small business owners and people needing to upgrade computers skills for employment.  Some users are unable to afford a computer or the monthly connectivity charges, for high speed Internet. In addition TAG recycles and refurbishes computers, donating the refurbished computers to families in need and other non-profit organizations.  Interns and high school co-op students have been provided with a great work experience and skills development.  There are 944 CAP sites in Ontario that will be affected by this government decision.

For more information contact:

Lynda Rickard, Executive Director

Technology Alliance Group for Kawartha Lakes

(705) 878-9261

TAG is a community leader on many fronts:  computer education, social media classes, refurbishing computers for citizens with financial constraints and responsibly recycling to name a few.  TAG staff have contributed to the United Way campaign as a workplace for several years.  Last year they were creative in their giving—by adding the split in revenue from the e-waste for the month of January.  It is a win-win—citizens can be green by safely disposing e-waste and they are assisting two non-profits who help people who live in the City of Kawartha Lakes!” says Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

TAG is open from 9 – 5 throughout the week and on the first Saturday in Jan (Jan 7^th) Protect the environment and do a good thing by dropping off unwanted cell phones, inkjets, toner cartridges and digital cameras  @ TAG, 50 Mary St., Lindsay or by contacting Lynda Rickard at (705) 878-9261.

For more information contact:

Lynda Rickard, Executive Director

Technology Alliance Group

(705) 878-9261

The turnout of volunteers this year was fantastic! Despite the inclement weather, the volunteers arrived with enthusiasm and were eager to get to work helping out.

Sponsors for this event were essential to providing a foundation from which this event could be launched. We are grateful for their support.

We also owe a huge thank you to the community members who brought their electronic waste in to us on that day for responsible recycling. Without their donations, these events wouldn’t be possible.

TAG looks forward hosting the E-Waste Unplugged next year. With the generosity of community members and local businesses we anticipate the continued success and growth of this event.

Please contact TAG at (705) 878-9261 or drop in; we are located at 50 Mary Street West to find out how you can be involved.

Thank you!

We’re really excited right now because one of our instructors is offering an amazing set of Computer Camps for Movie Making and Game Creation!

They’re coming up really quick, both running July 18 to July 22! and will be running at our location at 50 Mary St. West, Lindsay

Each camp is only $99 + $20 materials + HST

For more information and to register call: 705-854-0485 or email info@diversifiedbusiness.ca right away!

John Wilkinson, Minister of the Environment, tells us that “Keeping e-waste out of landfills today will leave a cleaner environment for our children and grandchildren.”   A cleaner environment is something that everyone is concerned about, but the people of the City of Kawartha Lakes, have demonstrated a special concern as they have given 44,826 kg of electronic material to TAG to recycle and/or refurbish in 2010.  Your donation of unwanted equipment will help a family in need or provide support to TAG allowing them to continue to offer their excellent computer training at their 50 Mary St. W., location.

“Congratulations! City of Kawartha Lakes as you succeed in protecting our environment.  Ontario households and businesses generate about 85,000 tonnes of old or obsolete computers, televisions, copiers, phones and stereos each year.  In Kawartha Lakes people care enough to make sure those items are properly recycled” says TAG’s Executive Director, Lynda Rickard.

Call TAG to learn more about saving our environment for our grandchildren, and helping a non profit organization at the same time. (705) 878-9261

Have a look below at a video we’ve created with the tools we use in class and use the comment form below to let us know what you think!

This is your chance to drop off your old or unwanted electronics for free! Not only is this a great way to de-clutter your home or garage, it’s also a great way to keep toxic chemicals out of our landfills and recycle useful materials. All the materials we collect are recycled right here in Ontario.

This year we will be accepting more than just computers! You can bring anything from iPods to fax machines to electric typewriters. Click here and look below the event poster for a complete list of all the new items you can recycle.

Come see us in Lindsay, Ontario on October 21st 2010 at the Canadian Tire parking lot on Kent Street. 10am to 6pm!

If you’re unable to make it to the event we will be happy to accept your items each weekday at our E-Waste Diversion Centre.

What types of items are you planning to bring?

What Goes On In Your Head When You Want to Buy a Product or Service?

There are so many possibilities in marketing.  I know that people are constantly calling me, emailing me and presenting to me marketing ways.  And if you are like me – it is easy to get hooked by all the pitch and possibility.  And use up a ton of money while you do it.

I thought it may be helpful to step back and consider several “internal” approaches to shopping.  By considering how your ideal customer “thinks” you can THEN decide which market strategy works best for your business or organization.  This process will provide you with a filter to help analyze what strategy or combination will work best for you. 

It is helpful to analyze your ideal client and get into their head

1. I search and I find you – I know what I want – I type it in and I look for keywords and up comes a list and I make a choice.  Examples include a restaurant, a tire changing place or a bed and breakfast
2. I need a referral – For this type of product or service, I like to ask people who or what they have used. Examples include a coach, health professional or work done on my house
3. I need an expert – I want to trust that the person I choose knows what they are talking about.  Examples include financial advisors, a specialized treatment or a mould specialist
4. I need someone I know – if I have met you, I feel more comfortable. I like the feeling of being able to talk to the owner or a key staff person and get advice and my follow-up issues resolved.  Examples include realtors, store owners, car repair
5. I need the best price – I know what I want, I just want the best price.  Examples include theatre tickets, technical equipment, tools
6. I need something unique and creative – I like having and giving something with a story, meaning or craftsmanship. Examples include artists, stained glass or pottery, wood craftsperson
7. I need someone who shares my values – I like to support people who understand the way I think. For example, I may like to support charities and local causes so I like to support companies who do the same. If I have strong environmental values I will look for someone who does the same. Examples include eco-services, parenting advice or printers
8. I need to see it before I buy it – I like to know how it works. Examples include jewellery, equipment, speakers

How Online Strategy Can Help Address These Needs

You probably know tons of “traditional” ways to market to these needs so I thought I would make a list of newer online strategies that might help you.

1. I search and I find you
   • Know your keywords – what do people type in to find you? Use these keywords often in a variety of locations. Make a list of 50 words and use them in articles, profiles
   • Be sure to have your website and blog search engine optimized (you can do it yourself in a WordPress blog with every post)
   • Have profiles in several locations on the web (LinkedIn, Plaxo,
   Facebook Business Pages, Twitter, Google Buzz and many more)
   • Register on Google Places
   • Automate your blog articles (RSS feed automatically to Facebook, LinkedIN and Plaxo) and status updates (use Ping.fm) to save time and spread your reach so that new people can find you
2. I need a referral
   • Post testimonials on your site and WordPress blog
   • Get people to post referrals on your LinkedIN page
   • Get referrals for your Google Place profile
   • Note: Google loves that you have referrals – they will rate you higher
3. I need an expert
   • Write blog posts that answer common questions that people ask
   • Respond to questions in groups on LinkedIn or Facebook business pages
   • People will read how your advice and if they like it click on your link and check you out
   • Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete
   • Post your articles on article sites so that you become known as an expert
4. I need someone I know
   • Build your own following through your blog or Facebook business page or LinkedIN groups
   • Use video clips on You Tube
   • Stay connected to groups after you have taken a training
   • Keep your content fresh, entertaining, educational, engaging and real
5. I need the best price
   • Use the Genie app to search the net http://www.myshoppinggenie.com/corawhittington
   • Make sure that your keywords are USED in a way that Google can bring you to the top
   • Ask people to sign up for a list if they want to hear about sales and specials – I have this with Tiger Direct and Ricki’s
6. I need something unique and creative
   • Create a e-commerce or a portfolio WordPress site
   • Use pictures in your articles
   • There are easy and inexpensive ways to set these up (What used to cost $1000.00 can now be done for less than $100.00)
7. I need someone who shares my values and goals
   • Create a WordPress membership site
   • Set-up a WordPress blog on a Specific topic i.e. See www.hopewillprevail.com
   • Create an opt-in list where you give tips, advice or education
8. I need to see it before I buy it
   • You Tube videos, photo portfolios and educational clips are great ways for people to see or experience your product or service
   I hope these get your mind thinking about some of what you can do to attract new clients and customers.

Breaking News
In partnership with TAG – Technology Alliance Group in Lindsay I will be teaching an 8 week program called Strategic Online Solutions beginning in October, 2010
TAG just received a government grant of $280.00 per business to help you take the course. This is an amazing opportunity to help take control of your marketing and attract your perfect clients.
Details are at http://www.goldenpathways.ca/SOS.htm
Or call me at 705-745-4006

PS: Let me know what goes on in your head when you are shopping so that we can address them in the next article.
Cora Whittington
Cora is a professional coach who helps small business owners grow their businesses, make more money and have a really great life.
We help you bring your dreams to life.

Our first “SOS” training class is coming!

Learn to promote your business online and why you should create a strategic online solution. Here are a few of the topics that we will be covering: 

• How  the new technology of blogging is revolutionizing how you run your business, attract more clients, and make more money
• How a blog can be used as the cornerstone of your online strategy
• About the  different ways that you can use a blog to serve and engage  your clients
• How you can automate the system to save time and energy
• How adding even a few online strategies can significantly affect your Google search results
• How to find the easiest and most economical  ways to implement your strategy

Cora Whittington will share success stories of small businesses, solo-entrepreneurs and organizations that will inspire you to create and implement your own plan.