News

Who says two devices are better than one? Streamlining has become a major theme in Canadian businesses, from streamlining processes to reorganizing departments for efficiencies.

Construction is well underway in Ponoka to set up a sales and technology centre for a big name employer. An Alberta corporation, Hi Tech Canada Development Inc (HDC), is constructing a 5,000 square foot Sales and Technology centre in Ponoka’s north end industrial park which is expected to be finished before the end of the month.

To be competitive in today’s economy, more and more Canadian business owners are realizing they need to stay focused on strategic growth and building core products and services, not administrative tasks like payroll. Instead of hiring additional staff, who often end up idle at times and can significantly add to overhead costs, entrepreneurs are increasingly outsourcing administrative red tape which can be surprisingly affordable.

Coming together for the benefit of the community seems to be a major focus among residents in Ponoka and the mentality has incorporated its way into local businesses as well.

October 19 to 25 is Small Business Week all across Canada. Since 1981, there has been a week in October set aside to celebrate the important contributions of entrepreneurs. And their contributions are significant: They create jobs, provide valuable and interesting goods and services, and generously donate to community and charitable causes.

Do you own a business? Thinking about starting one up? Before you do, consider this: research shows that many small businesses fail because they lack a solid business plan and a market idea that is different from their competitors.

After receiving an outstanding 77.1 per cent of the district’s votes, Wetaskiwin’s Blaine Calkins remains a Member of Parliament. “I am very grateful to the constituency for providing such a strong mandate and I would like to sincerely thank the volunteers and supporters who worked on this campaign,” said Calkins.

It’s hard to believe another Thanksgiving came and went. This particular holiday means a day off from work and the consumption of a delicious meal, but have you ever stopped to ponder why?

A young man has been charged with second degree murder following a shooting in Hobbema on Oct. 4. There were seven other people who were also charged related to the murder of 20 year old Brian Randall Littlechild, a member of the Ermineskin First Nation.