Calling All Nova Scotians

It's time for Nova Scotians everywhere to help out a budding entertainer! Mitch MacDonald from Port Hood, Inverness Co., is competing in Canadian Idol and has made it to the Top 16.  Now it is time for all of us to make sure he continues his move to the top.  That means VOTING!!!

That’s what Nova Scotians do.  We support each other.  And Mitch needs our support.  Mitch is a carpenter, but his passion is music.  The 22 year old is the youngest of seven children.  He is a proud Nova Scotian.  "No matter how far away a Port Hooder can get from home, we all love coming back," he says. "I'm proud of where I'm from!"

Nova Scotia Companies Value Employees

I attended a celebration last week that honoured the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada.
Nova Scotia companies did well.  Really well.  Half of the companies on the Top 20 list are based in Nova Scotia.  Well Done!

Progress Magazine handed out the awards at its annual Best Places to Work luncheon. 
The business magazine partners with Best Companies Group to offer regional organizations an opportunity to evaluate their workplaces.  And the employees were the ones doing that evaluation.  A scary prospect for some employers.  But there are definite benefits to hearing some truth telling.  Participating companies get to see the results of their employee survey, which can be used to help improve their companies.

Competition for workers is huge.  So winning a distinction like this will no doubt help recruitment.  It can also help morale.  I witnessed some very happy people at this luncheon.  Many employers gave luncheon tickets to their employees, while Presidents and CEO’s spent the afternoon working.

So, lets take a moment to salute the 10 Nova Scotia companies that made the Top 20. 
Here they are in order of ranking!
2. Premiere Executive Suites, Halifax
4. Cambridge Suites Hotel, Sydney
5. Bruce Chevrolet Pontiac Buick GMC Limited, Middleton
7. RBC, Halifax
8. Corporate Research Associates Inc., Halifax
11. A&H GMAC Real Estate, Dartmouth
15. Macdonald Chisholm Trask Insurance, Kentville
17. AMIRIX Systems Inc., Halifax
18. Jacques Whitford, Dartmouth
19.  Huestis Ritch Barristers and Solicitors, Halifax

Next year, think about submitting your company.  You never know, you may be pleasantly surprised by the results.  And for those of you investigating Nova Scotia, discover what sets our businesses apart.

Until next time,

Stacey

Nova Scotia - The People Make it Great

I received an e-mail from a good friend last week.  It was one of those e-mails that is sent en masse.  Normally, I delete those types of things, but this one really stood out and I thought I’d share it with you.  It was about Friends.  Not just any friends, but friends from Nova Scotia.  It compared them with regular friends and it really points out the difference with the people of Nova Scotia.  We are a genuine, friendly and welcoming bunch.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and if you don’t live in Nova Scotia, I suggest you check out our hospitality - first hand - sometime soon.

NOVA SCOTIA FRIENDS

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
NOVA SCOTIA FRIENDS: Always bring the food. And lots of it.

FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'.
NOVA SCOTIA FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. More than one.

FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.
NOVA SCOTIA FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad, and often.