D6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday March 22, 2000 Business To reach this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5567 By Nancy Alexander SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER YOU WOULDN'T TRUST JUST ANYONE TO DRIVE YOUR CAR, SO WHY TRUST JUST ANY COMPANY TO INSURE IT? Building bridges to future engineers AGRA Monenco hosts young "engineer for-a-day" 15 year-old Toronto student knows a little more about but terflies and a lot more about the engineering profession thanks to a unique cooperative effort partnering students throughout Ontario with pro fessional engineers. As part of National Engineering Week in March, Rob Loach of Toronto .linked up with engineer Rob Luison of AG RA M onenco in Oakville to learn about the challenges involved in designing the Bronte Butterfly Park, the largest outdoor butterfly park in Ontario. Becoming an "Engineer for a Day" was the main prize in a contest which encouraged students age 12 to 16 to continue with math and science studies and consider a career in engineering. A total of ten winners were selected from among 600 entries in a province-wide engineering quiz. If the experience of Rob Loach is any indication, the contest seems to have had the desired effect. Pronouncing the day "a great expe rience", Loach said he is now giving the engineering profession some seri ous thought, whereas he had previously been intent on a career in the computer field. Loach says his day at Monenco AGRA included meetings with all of the principals in the project, as well as A some hands-on computer work on the park's design which involved changing palm trees to maple trees on a comput erized 3-D drawing of the park. "We went through all the steps involved in designing and engineering an object, and I realized there were a lot of similarities to what we're doing in design technology at school. I found that really interesting," he told the Beaver. For his part, engineer Rob Luison says he looked forward to the day with Rob, especially for the opportunity it afforded to explain the specific design challenges posed by the project, as well walking him through the steps involved in taking it from conception to comple tion. "I find a lot of satisfaction in work ing with young people," said Luison. "I hope I can impart to Rob that there is a great feeling in seeing a completed pro ject. It is a very satisfying profession." As a special memento of his day with AGRA Monenco, Loach says the company also purchased a brick in his name which will form part of the com pleted butterfly park walkway. Bricks are being sold as a means o f raising funds for the park which will include a waterway, pedestrian bridges and a "skateway" during winter months. Construction on the project is slated to get underway in about two months, and Loach says he looks forward to returning to Oakville for a look at the finished project. Rob Luison Structural Engineer fro AGRA-M onenco and student Rob Loach. Photo by Barrie Erskine Competency based on self-confidence Q: How do I tell my customers that Congruency counts big time-walk, talk I am meeting for the first time, how and look like a professional busi competent I am without seeming as if I nessperson at all times. Keep current in am a boor, boasting, sounding or being all areas of dress, grooming and man arrogant? ners. Class shows and class counts. Be A: Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: aware-people do notice.Dare to be pas"W hat you do shouts so loudly in my sionate-emotion is contagious. My Lasting ears I can't hear a word you're saying." biggest, most interesting contracts have Impressions Others seldom believe in your com always come from showing an abun petency based on what you say about after the meeting at your office. dance of enthusiasm for how the train yourself, your credentials or back 6. Be totally present. Asking the ing I offer would change and enhance ground. It's your behaviour that counts. questions is the first step. Being pre my client's image, credibility, success The word competent means "able, pared to hear the answer and respond to and performance. qualified, fit." Assuming you are actu it professionally is key. Don't think Remember, from the very begin ally competent, knowledgeable and about the next question or comment. ning, your client must be able to see, professional, the tips mentioned here 7. Keep to the time allotted. Be con hear and experience your competency. will definitely help you convey that fact siderate of your client's timetable. If the Being competent is a key factor in and make it easier for you to sell your meeting appears that it may go past the building trust. Keep me informed and product or service. specified time-ask for permission to good luck. Shannon Sm ith is pre sid ent o f 1. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. continue, arrange another appointment Premiere im age International Inc., an This will set the tone for your appoint or leave. image institute offering business/person ment. If you are rushed or appear ruf 8. Leave nothing to chance. Be total al training, image mastery, presentation fled, you can be sure the meeting will ly prepared. skills, manners, b u sin ess/socia l e ti be. If you appear relaxed and profes A couple of final thoughts. quette. sional, the meet ing will progress well. 2. Ask quality questions. John Sculley, form er CEO o f Apple says: "The solu tions are often obvious once you get the question right." Your com petency is m ea sured by the qual ity of your ques tions. Practice Join us in welcoming Peggy's beforehand. Distinctive Ladies 3. Listen actively. Listening Fashions to the Hopedale is anything but Neighbourhood. passive. Let you client do all the Pop over and say hello talking. Let his and see their great 1 concerns and par ticular problem s selection of be yours. ladies' clothing. d istin ctive lad ies fashions 4. Keep it sim l ple. Make it easy for them to buy from you. It's Mon - Fri 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. been my experi ence that the more Sat...............9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. sophisticated, suc Sun 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. cessful or wealthy my client is, the more he/she appreciates sim plicity. 5. Take notes. Keep your notepad handy and take notes 3rd Line & Rebecca 827-0229 religiously. Make www.hopedalemall.on.ca more notes when you review them Shop: Mon. - Fri. ~ 9:30 am to 9:00 pm · Sat ~ 9:30 am to 6:00 pm · Sun. - Noon to 5:00 pm SHANNON SMITH Weekday Service Route 2 0 RATHBURN Earlier departure time The 5:27am eastbound trip from Square One will depart 2 min utes earlier at 5:25am. Route 2 3 LAKESHORE Earlier departure time The 10:11am, 11:11am, 12:11pm and 1:11pm westbound trips from Longbranch Loop will depart 2 minutes earlier at 10:09am, 11:09am, 12:09pm and 1:09pm. Route 3 8 CREDITVIEW Cancelled trips The 5:02am and 11:01am northbound trips from Mississauga Hospital (Trillium Health Centre) will be cancelled. 121989 Time Expired Transfers Effective, Monday, March 27, 2000 our new transfer offers unlimit ed travel in any direction for the cost of one fare from the time you board the bus until the expiry time shown on the transfer.* IVEI/V Remember to...KEEP YO UR TRANSFER - You w ill need to show this transfer to each driver on each bus that you board. Here's h ow it works: Peggy's ASK for your transfer at time of payment by ticket, cash fare, or pass, while boarding the bus. A transfer will not be issued if you forget. KEEP your transfer to show each driver on each bus that you board. Do not give your transfer to the driver. SHOW your transfer to your driver for verification upon boarding each bus. Remember to keep your transfer if you are going to board another bus. * The time shown on the transfer is the exp iry time, w hich is tw o (2) hours from the starting time o f the route on w hich the transfer was issued. You are allow ed unlim ited travel until the e xp iry time indicated on the transfer. Once the transfer has expired you w ill be required to pay an additional fare when boarding another bus. Transfers are only valid lor use b y the customer to whom the transfer was issued. In the event o f a dispute, customers are requested to pay the correct fare and contact Customer Service a t (905) 6 1 5 -3 8 9 0 . Keep the disputed transfer and record the bus number, date and time o f the occurrence. Store Hours: G o o d Neighbours t o K n ` >vV' Hopedale M all For m ore inform ation p le a s e c a ll (905) 615-INFO