Your go-to spot for Business Updates
We’d like to start this week off with a moment to honour all those who have passed away from COVID-19, and to offer a message of love, compassion and support to their friends and families.
Here at GYB, we took immense comfort from the beautiful music in Andrea Bocelli’s solo Easter performance . Played to an empty Duomo Cathedral of Milan, it sent a message of healing and hope to all those around the world.
 
We encourage everyone to listen to this incredible performance – may it be a beacon of light, a reminder of beauty, and a chance for us to connect in our humanity and in our loss.
First, an update from Trudeau
Starting with changes to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – the government has loosened the eligibility restrictions to include seasonal workers without jobs, those who have exhausted their EI benefits since Jan.1, as well as workers whose hours have been drastically cut but who still have income. Now, those who are making up to $1,000 a month will qualify for the $2,000-a-month benefit.
 
Similarly, updates to the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) have included a 100% refund for certain employer-paid contributions (such as EI, CPP, QPP and QPIP). More details are available on the government website, here .
Plus… comprehensive info on all three claiming periods have been released. A full table outlining each claiming period, the required reduction in revenue and the reference period for eligibility is available here

Essential worker wage top-up. The federal government is also planning to top up the wages of essential workers.
Mandatory Quarantine. Ottawa has announced that any traveler returning to Canada without a quarantine plan will be required to quarantine in a hotel. His example of an inadequate quarantine plan - someone who might find themselves in close contact with the elderly upon re-entering to Canada.
Apply through your bank. Bank of Montreal (BMO) bankers can now apply for the federal government’s Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program (providing qualifying business owners with an interest-free loan of $40,000) directly on the BMO website.
Added clarity . BMO also posted a video with further details on the program and have published a thorough FAQ.
Things to keep in mind
The pandemic is new to all of us – to adapt to effectively, we must lean on the wisdom of others. Here are some points to remember as we navigate the crisis.
 
Inclusive Leadership. Now is a time for leaders to think about what type of leader they need to be for all of their workers, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized” – read on for essential guidance on how to be an inclusive leader through a crisis .
 
Climate Change in a COVID-19 world. Canadian Club Toronto is hosting a virtual expert panel to discuss the climate crisis in the context of the pandemic. How can we continue to build on progress? What steps must we take in the future? Join them on April 22 nd – you can register for free here .
 
Boards – we’re counting on you. As corporate boards navigate the pandemic, there are a lot of factors to consider. Here’s a list of 10 questions that boards can use to guide their focus as they handle the crisis.
Video Series
With all this extra screen time, our eyes are working overtime. If your peepers aren’t up for a lengthy article, try a quick video instead.
 
Everything you need to know about wearing masks . Should we be wearing them? Can we make our own? Dr. Seema Yasmin answers your questions in this 4-minute video .
 
Making sense of mortality rates. With so many numbers out there, sometimes a quick video is all you need to understand what’s going on.
 
How to collaborate with a remote team. This 2-minute video boils down the basics – clarity and consistency go a long way. There’s also an article to go along with it .
 
Vaccine updates with Bill Gates . Featured on a virtual Ellen show, Bill Gates discusses his foundation’s efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19.
 
Pandemic from the kids’ perspective . 4 minutes long, this video features kids as they offer their reflections on what is happening around the world.
Keeping it light
Uplifting photos, internet challenges and trending stories – some light content for your weekend reading.
It’s official, quarantine TV is here. Last week, Tom Hanks hosted Saturday Night Live from his very own kitchen, saying: “Ever since being diagnosed, I have been more like America’s dad than ever before since no one wants to be around me anymore and I make people uncomfortable.”




Put the work in workout. GYB member Susan Kabani found a social distancing workout method that goes well with checking emails. Now presenting, the Outdoor Gym-desk.


Time to play pretend. May as well have some fun with your imagination while in quarantine, right? Click the link to explore a long list of celebrity homes and choose which one you’d like to quarantine in most.



Quinn the Quarantine Fox has taken the internet by storm. People are loving this home-safety mascot, created by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
To Everest and beyond! This UK man took it upon himself to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest from his very own home . He succeeded, climbing 41,000 steps!

Local challenge. Libraries on the North Shore of Vancouver have created a book cover challenge they’re calling on people to recreate their favourite book covers and post them to social media with the hashtag #bookcoverchallenge. Search the tag or click this link to see some pretty accurate recreations.

A beautiful world. These 25 photos of life under social distancing will remind you that there is still beauty in the world. From tulip fields to baby lambs, it’s a lovely slideshow.
Weird dreams lately? You’re not the only one. This article from the New York Times sheds some insight into why we’re dreaming more vividly these days.
Mental Wellness
The work-from-home mental health guide. To address the toll that isolation can take while working from home, the Government of Canada has provided this online resource, complete with a list of actionable steps that you can take right now.
 
Ask the Experts. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has an online hub with some truly amazing resources on mental health and wellness through the pandemic. Their Ask the Experts section offers answers to common questions and concerns by mental health professionals, their video covers tips on managing coronavirus stress , and they have a full list of links with resources for anyone seeking help (including Provincial sites with phone lines for assistance).
 
Pay-what-you-can support. The Centre for Mindfulness Studies is offering pay-what-you-can access to some of their mental health support services. You can register here .
 
Navigating uncertainty . Don’t let it paralyze you – this article shares three habits that will help you develop what the author calls “uncertainty capability”.
 
Women & Coronavirus. On the latest episode of this Harvard Business Review podcast titled Women at Work , women from around the world discuss the professional and personal stresses they’re facing through the pandemic, and how they’re handling them.
Post-Covid Preparation
While it might be hard to even think about what the post-Covid world will look like, slowly but surely, it will come. Here are some great resources to prepare you for this impending transition.
 
Hiring after COVID-19. Drawn out hiring periods stifle productivity. For tips on a quicker hiring process , read this article by Carolyn Betts, Founder and CEO of Betts Recruiting. One suggestion: not vetting too much.
 
Post-pandemic business plan. The Harvard Business Review is adopting the 5-P method to help you prepare your business for life after the pandemic . Read through this article to understand how to embrace each P: Position, plan, perspective, projects and preparedness. 
 
Stand out on social media . Now is the time to push content, according to this article from Entrepreneur. Check out these 10 Instagram tools designed to help you establish your brand’s narrative and increase engagement.
 
Steer your marketing team. This extremely thorough article stresses the essential role that marketing teams will play both during and after the pandemic, urging businesses to rethink their media strategies, redefine loyalty and empathize with customers.
 
Emphasize your value online. Your LinkedIn page should tell a story -the story of your professional career. Share a compelling narrative with your network by taking these sage words of advice: know your audience, connect the dots for them, and write your own happy ending.
 
The changes that are here to stay . With businesses across every industry resorting to video conferencing to maintain communication, there are some virtual business practices that will be here to stay. Expect mobile food pickups, e-learning options and online workout classes to stick around.
 
Laid off? Next steps. As widespread layoffs leave many workers jobless until further notice, the horizons might feel a little less than sunny. But fear not – there are steps you can take to help you pivot , such as reaching out to your network.
 
Plus…a few resource hubs to reference as you look to the future
 
Tax for tomorrow. Ernst & Young (EY) has put together a monthly summary for Canadian Tax news . Their focus: How could today’s tax news help you prepare for tomorrow? They also have tax alerts that you can subscribe to here .
 
What now? Women of Influence are answering that question with their online hub for entrepreneurs – complete with virtual events, advice from fellow entrepreneurs and a host of other resources and tools, it’s a great link to keep on-hand. 
GYB Member Spotlight
Compassionate and creative leadership – that is what these inspiring GYB members are displaying as they work to do good in the face of the pandemic. In the midst of these challenging circumstances, each one has found a way to make a positive impact on the world around them.
 
Join us for another round of the GroYourBiz member spotlight!
Melanie Ratnam , CEO, Indaggo
Melanie Ratnam , CEO of Indaggo is using her small business to help healthcare organizations get the items they desperately need.
 
Using their web application platform, Indaggo will track healthcare facility needs, and correspondingly, mobilize a large community volunteer base to collect and deliver those essential goods. Further, Indaggo is working with volunteers and tailors to produce and deliver guideline-approved masks.
 
Through these efforts, Indaggo hopes to establish a sustainable flow of goods powered by donations from the local community. Not only will this secure critical supplies for health care workers, it will motivate neighborhoods to rally around the common goal of helping out.
Amanda Ellis , Executive Director, Hawaii and Asia-Pacific and Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at ASU
Amanda Ellis is an expert in sustainable development, women’s economic empowerment and leadership. She sits down on a podcast with RELX’s Global Head of Corporate Responsibility, Dr Márcia Balisciano to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls. Listen to hear Amanda’s expert perspective on how the pandemic is impacting gender equality around the world.
 
She has also written an inspiring article on the compassionate, cooperative leadership demonstrated by New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern . As she puts it, Ardern is rewriting the leadership playbook, and for the better. 
 
Did you know…Amanda is also the co-founder of the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge , a global business competition for women entrepreneurs. This year’s challenge is coming up and there’s BIG news – they’ve extended their deadline to April 26 th , 2020 . Details on how to apply can be found here .
Audrey Ple , Owner, Magenta Marketing
GYB member Audre Ple , Owner of Magenta Marketing , has partnered with an online volunteer project to produce and distribute 2,000 homemade masks to at-risk individuals, medical clinics and home support agencies in Vancouver.
 
The project, called FTC Masks , is a volunteer effort to flatten the curve and keep frontline workers equipped with the tools they need. Inspiring work, Audrey!

News! Another GYB member, Yvonne Hogenes, Designer & Owner  FirmaEnergyWear   answered the call to offer support. We love collaboration!
Sylvie Peltier , President, Red Letter Films
As we all embrace life under quarantine, President of Red Letter Films and GYB Member Sylvie Peltier has some content that might just ease our confinement. Her and her partner Greg Nosaty will debut their upcoming documentary, titled “Demystifying Cannabis” , on April 20, 2020.
 
This engaging documentary seeks to enlighten viewers to the many aspects of cannabis, covering its medical and psychotropic components, addiction and harm reduction, legalization vs. decriminalization, and the ways in which our attitudes toward the drug have negative impacts on public policy.
 
“Demystifying Cannabis” will have its World Premiere next Monday on April 20, followed by a Q&A with the director on the 21 st . The screening is by invitation only – you can sign up to get your invitation here .
 
While you wait for Monday to roll around, you can watch the trailer here . We can’t wait to see it!
Don't miss these Freebies
You can sign up for a one-hour free trial virtual advisory board with GroYourBiz. Just imagine having your very own professionally facilitated Peer Business Advisory Board! The trials will occur four times throughout the rest of the month - on April 22, 23, 29 and 30. Easily register here!
For more freebies here are some great services you can get for free right now.
Security Tools. In response to the growing number of work-from-homers, Cisco Webex is providing extended free licenses and expanded usage counts for three of their major security technologies: Cisco Umbrella, Duo Security and Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
Tax Assistance. Get 30 days of free access to CCH IntelliConnect’s News Tracker, which provides daily updates on tax measures, cases and legislation you wish to follow. Provided through Wolters Kluwer, you can sign up here.
Activity guide for parents and kids. The Mothers Matter Centre is providing parents with Stay ‘N’ Play guides. These weekly in-home schedules are full of parent-child activities and follow the HIPPY parent-child curriculum format. Completely free, they’re available at the link here.
Two words: Free Coldplay. Coldplay, John Legend, Pink and many more artists have been offering free streamed performances for their fans . Nothing like the sweet sounds of Chris Martin to get you through isolation.
That's all for today.
We’ll see you here next week for a brand-new issue of TIPS for TOUGH TIMES.
 
While we’re away… Catch up on the special guest appearance that occurred on UK Chair Emma-Jane Taylor’s Webinar, titled Enjoying the Positives, During the Chaos . On April 15 th , poet Michael Bourton blessed us with an original poem that he wrote and recited live. Inspiring and heartfelt, you can listen to it here .
To make sure you don’t miss anymore webinar gems like Michael’s poem, browse upcoming GYB webinars and register for one here.
To end the week on a funny note, we’re leaving you with this hilarious clip covering the trials and tribulations of isolating with family - it’s pretty much a guaranteed laugh. We hope you can relate, cause’ we sure did!
 
Enjoy that springtime sunshine!
#togetherathome
#excelsior
GroYourBiz Ltd.
Barbara Mowat, President
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