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. W o l l 16 ' WM I K! til ) CHRONICLE - Wednesday. [let ember H. :00“ . . ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ 1 we «mm-~â€" l 1 o o o o : T 6 new year 18 a time to 1' BVIBW your sm - usmess i j operations and consider making some change ‘ Ithouglit tlus would be a fitting some better terms and conditions. have by Feb. 23. advertising last year? time to reflect on the past year ‘ H ' S \( ) U R ‘\Iso look at your fixed costs to This can be a big job and very The average amount spent by i and look at the year ahead of us. ’ ‘ ‘ see if you can get a better deal detailed to capture all deductions small business is anywhere ; all within the perspective of your BUSINESS j than the one you've got. properly. between two per cent and lite per j business. j ‘ You never know. and you won't You may find it easier to have a cent ofsales, : lhe beginning of a new year is ‘ find ottt unless you ask. payroll service do your payroll for In these slowing economic I a good time to revtew your bust» ’ M for example ask your bank to you, and produce your Us autor times, don‘t stop advertising, just ‘ ness operation. . y ‘ . ~ l review your account and see if you matically with the last payroll of look for better and more creative j It‘s also a good time to look to I 1; v. . I could get a better banking fee the year. ways of reaching your buying ; make some changes that will help i .» ‘ _ 4 J package based on your volume. [fyou shop around, you can audience without spending more I you to increase your productivity, j 12'" ’ If you rent or lease any equip- find a payroll service that can pro as a percentage of your sales. as well as reduce costs and 3;? ment, check to see if there are any vide you with automated payroll If you look at these, and other increase sales. ‘ 1 deals being offered by the suppli- services at reasonable rates, ways to reduce your operating 3 1 ers. Look in the yellow pages under costs and increase your sales. you Here are a few tips on things to j W ROY l They often offer special pricing payToll services or check with your will have a prosperous and prof, look at for this new year: WEBER to attract new customers. But if bank. Many of the major banks itable new year, 0 look for ways to reduce costs you ask them you just might be now have a payroll division. ’ without affecting the quality of ,4 . able to get them to give you the - Finally, you should take a look i _ service and product offering to In these SIOlUlng same deal. at your marketing plan. l your customers. economic times don't °You maybe doing your own Ask yourself if you are getting Roy Weber Ls an tulr'ixor with the This would be a good time to . . ' ,, payroll. and ifyou are you know the biggest bang for your advenis- Waterloo Region Small Business review the costing with yottr sup» 510p advertwmg .. . that you are required to produce a ing buck. Centre. He can be reached a! pliers to see if you could negotiate T4 slip for every employee you How much did you spend on rueberél‘cir}: waterlrmnncu, There are some exceptions to government regulations on gift cards (lift cards are a convenient and ' Expiry dates on mall gift cards paid phone cards and credit card and l encourage holiday shoppers popular gift this holiday season issued as of Sept 1, 2008 are “ branded gift cards. to learn more about gift cards 7 and Ontario has taken important banned and there are limits on Smart Consumers are 0 Cards and certificates and to remember to usethem." steps to protect consumers by administrative fees ' redeemable for specific services. banning expiry dates. There are sortie exceptions goodfor busmess and such as massages. manicures or Here tiresome giftrcard facts: though. [encourage holiday dinner for two. even if a dollar ' lzightytwo per cent of (Lana Here's what you should know amount is specified on the card. da's largest retailers offer gift cards. before you buy: Expiry dates andlor shoppers I? learn ,_ "Consumers in Ontario enjoy - Canadians spend about $1 26 ‘ [Expiry dates on gift cards administrative fees may still "70’? aboutglft cards. stronger protections when it billion on gift cards during the bol- issued on or after Oct. 1. 2007 are apply to: ‘ Harinder Takhar comes to gift cards? said llarinder iday season. banned. . Loyalty cards used to collect > 7 Takhar. Minister of Small Business ' luffective Oct. 1, 2007. Ontario . y . . , ' . V . . > Human ofamull HlLfilrlt’SA . _ . . ., . . 0 l-ees or deductions from a gift rewards or points or cards subject and ( onsumer Services Smart no longer allows expiry dates on cards value are banned. to federal jurisdiction. such as pre- consumers are good for business gift cards. 4" 2‘ ‘ y ,1 KT; ’ l . . I . "' ‘ l '51 ,, / ' \ / J k I I'._ t I ‘ y -. ._ . . -,c ‘x - a ‘5 . 7' i ’ ,_ \\ 7 4* V s, \ i ‘a ‘1‘: l T New Year sal I le 03 ° I O A to continue to be your No.l source for local business information. 7 Gold Book goldbook.ca i . :