Your go-to spot for Business Updates
To mask or not to mask…that seems to be the question.

Or at least when it comes to US politics it is. In fact, things have been getting pretty spicy between Joe Biden and Donald Trump after a mask feud was sparked this Memorial Day Weekend.
Image Credit: CNN
While Biden geared up with protection for his first public appearance since the outbreak, Trump delivered a Memorial Day speech in Baltimore sans mask.
This tension reflects an emerging divide - for some, masks have become yet another staple of daily life. For others, they’re a controversial issue staked in partisan values about how to reopen the economy and handle this crisis.
 
One thing we know for sure – we all need to be as vigilant and as careful as we possibly can, as our grandparents, elders, and immunocompromised community members are counting on us to keep them safe. Dr. Abdu Sharkawy’s plea says it all – “we have to do better”. 
What do y'all think?
Just wear the dang mask!
Masks are just part of a political agenda
Country-wide updates
Support for Indigenous peoples. Trudeau announced $75 million in support for Indigenous peoples living in urban centres and off reserve . The funds will go to Indigenous organizations and will support community-based projects that address issues like food security, mental health, and protective equipment.
 
Addressing labour shortages. The government is expanding the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) to help Canadian Agriculture through the pandemic. This investment of up to $9.2 billion will fund up to 700 new positions.
  • Employers will see 50% (up to 14k) of the cost for hiring a Canadian youth (age 15-30) covered. More details are available here.
Image Credit: Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press
The Business Resilience Service. The Government is launching a four-week hotline providing financial planning advice to entrepreneurs, small business owners, not-for-profit organizations and charities. It is meant for those with the most urgent needs, particularly those without access to an accountant.
  • Who? 125 members of Chartered Professional Accountants Canada (CPA Canada)—will be available to provide customized financial guidance to small business owners.
  • How? You can call 1-866-989-1080 (toll-free) seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET)
In the news

See… CBC’s hidden camera investigation into the “grim reality” of long-term care.
Image Credit: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
To the banks!
Reduced interest rates on credit cards
  • CIBC, BMO & Scotiabank– Eligible customers will benefit from a lower interest rate of 10.99% on deferred payments at CIBC, BMO & Scotiabank.
  • RBC & TD – Eligible customers will be reimbursed for 50% of interest charges at RBC and TD, with the time period for and details on reduced rates specific to each bank. 
  • Vancity – The enviro Visa Financial Assistance program offers 0% interest and payment deferrals for six months to eligible cardholders.
 
( Scotiabank ) Fee relief – Scotiabank is waiving Stop Payment and Interac e-transfer fees between April 21 and June 30, 2020 for all Retail, Small Business and Commercial banking customers.
The Ultimate Leadership Toolkit
Need we say more? Keep these around your belt for the time being – you never know when they might come in handy.
 
Your summer reading list. As organizational psychologist and best-selling author Adam Grant puts it, “leaders who don’t have time to read are leaders who don’t make time to learn”. Check out his top 15 books on leadership for this summer. 
Image Credit: Getty Images
Scale up your digital transformation. Wield the Digital Factory model to lead a digital transformation where designated teams work on change-the-business programs alongside run-the-business functions.

Supporting employees of colour. The pandemic is unearthing and magnifying structural inequalities. With Black and brown workers overrepresented on the front lines in low-status, low-wage service jobs, Asians being targeted with racial slurs and assaults, and the compounding effects of existing inequalities, it’s time to ditch the ‘we’re all in this’ together approach.
Image Credit: Pexels/Rebrand Cities
Intuitive scheduling. With the Intuitive Scheduling Method, you create a schedule that works for you, not against you. Start by taking note of how your habits affect you, then use that knowledge to build your week. Get burnt out by meetings? Schedule them further apart.
Image Credit: Unsplash/Jazmin Quaynor
Wine and dine online. Take a peek at how INC 5000 companies are entertaining customers and leads through the pandemic . Imagine private cooking lessons with Michelin-rated chef Dominique Crenn!
 
Avoiding virtual micromanagement. With employees at home, the urge to closely monitor their productivity might be emerging. But according to Forbes, clear goals, clear expectations, and regular support are a better solution.
Image Credit: Getty
A literal toolkit. Business Development Canada (BDC) offers an Entrepreneur’s Toolkit, complete with a digital maturity assessment, cash flow quiz, productivity benchmarking tool, tariff finder, website assessment and lots, lots more.
The long haul
Which parts of this “new normal” are here to stay? How might we rise and rebuild?

Let’s look forward.
Image Credit: Exponea
The case for better jobs. What if we rebuilt the economy around good jobs ? Lower turnover, fewer operational mistakes, less wasted time, better service and stronger customer loyalty – this list goes on.
 
A big moment. In this transformative moment for philanthropy , donors are giving more to local communities, accelerating the pace and volume of their giving and simplifying life for grantees. McKinsey & Company tell us what this might mean for the future of this sector.
 
It’s leg day again. This article looks at what a post-covid trip to a luxury gym looks like. Equinox, for example, is booking gym-goers in for 90-minute sessions to a max of three times a week.
Image Credit: Getty Images
And we thought the lines were long already. When everything’s back up and running, this is what you can expect at the airport. Think immunity passports, temperature screenings and socially distanced lines.
Image Credit: iStock/Berezko
Beyond the Band-Aid. While many scrambled to get virtual teams up and running as isolation measures first set in, now they’re faced with a new problem: preparing virtual teams for the long term . Here’s HBR’s take on how to make it happen.
You're not alone
A lot of these changes have left us feeling a little…off. Fog, stress, the constant ups and downs – they can be isolating. This series is to identify those pandemic-induced hurtles and remind you that you’re not alone.

I feel like I’m…….

Backsliding a bit. Business leaders have noted that the first few weeks of the crisis had them energized and locked in, but that their productivity and feelings of enthusiasm have been waning lately. Learn about the psychology behind regression here.
Image Credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
“Always on”. In an age of constant connectivity, boundaries between home and work life tend to blur, taking its toll on overall well-being. Working from home, these effects can be magnified. Read on for tips on creating healthy separation.
Image Credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
Underappreciated. HBR tells us that executives are feeling overworked and cut off from their colleagues. They also tell us that practicing gratitude can help. Check out the link for 5 tips on to embrace gratitude in your leadership.
Image Credit: Getty/Naom Galai
Sign of the times
Contact tracing, PPE, masks, risk, 6 ft apart…the covid lexicon evolves more with each new day. This series aims to reflect and explain some of these emerging realities, shining a light on what’s happening and offering tips to help navigate it.
 
Contact tracers explained. What exactly does a contact tracer do? What’s a day on the job like? Two tracers share key insights on contact tracing through an outbreak. 
 
High risk or low risk . In this NPR article , experts rate the risks of 14 summer activities. From camping, to going to the beach, to using a public restroom.
Image Credit: Meridith Meotke for NPR
Tighten that mask. In an effort to help essential workers ensure their safety amid a shortage of N95 masks, an ex-Apple designer came up with an innovative fix: elastics. Click the link to find out how a couple of bands can make a huge difference.
Image Credit: Fix the Mask
They say sitting is the new smoking…Calling all work-from-homers - according to this new study, just 20 seconds of exercise can combat the negative effects of sitting. That’s a workout plan I can get behind.
Image Credit: Getty Images
International mask of mystery. Masks have appeared on famous statues from around the world – in France, Brazil, the US and more – scroll through this photo-series to take a look.
Image Credit: Getty/OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP
The GYB Experience
For our final section of the day, we’ve compiled some of the most exciting resources on offer for our GroYourBiz members. 
The GYB spotlight. First things first, we’re spotlighting GYB member Sylvie Peltier for her recent nomination for two major awards in Canadian Television.
  • Through her production company Red Letter Films, Sylvie co-produced a documentary series titled "D'Amours et d'eau fraiche”, which now been nominated for TWO 2020 Leo Awards, including ‘Best Documentary Series’ and ‘Best Direction Documentary Series’. Amazing work Sylvie! I know what I’ll be watching this weekend….
Image Credit: Red Letter Films/Sylvie Peltier
Relationship Marketing. As I like to say “Building a business is dependent upon building relationships and building relationships is dependent upon knowing yourself.”
Connecting women across the globe. GYB members can now join Virtual Peer Support Groups. This gives Women Business Owners, who are increasingly tapping into global markets, the opportunity to collaborate with other global professionals while transcending the hurdles of travelling. Hear me say a few words on the benefits of virtual peer support and the opportunities it opens for business owners in this 5-minute video.
…Interested? Register here .
Chairs Catherine Gardiner, Marg Hachey, Marla Kott, Vania Sakelaris & Victoria Eastwood will each facilitate some amazing sessions over the course of the next month. Here’s what’s coming up:

  • Tuesday, June 9 - 11:00AM-12:00AM MST with Catherine Gardiner
  • Thursday, June 11 - 10:00AM-11:00AM EST with Marg Hachey
  • Wednesday, June 17 - 4:00PM-5:00PM PST with Marla Kott
  • Thursday, June 18 - 10:00AM-11:00AM EST with Marg Hachey
  • Tuesday, June 23 - 9:00AM-10:00AM EST with Vania & Victoria
  • Tuesday, June 23 - 7:00PM-8:00PM EST with Vania & Victoria
  • Wednesday, June 24 – 9:00 AM-10:00 AM PST with Marla Kott

See what it’s all about. We wanted to introduce our members to the benefits of peer advisory and support groups with one cohesive, informative event. At A Taste of GroYourBiz Guelph , we do just that. Tune in to get a sense of how YOUR business might be shaped by the wisdom of other global leaders.
Last but not least…we’ve got an incredibly topical webinar for these trying times, covering wealth, “money blocks” and how to shift your mindset.
  • It’s Ok to Make Money! June 3, 2020, 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT. Hosted by Holly Sorgen, Executive Director of Community Futures. You can register here.
That's all folks.
We'll catch you next week for another round of TIPS!

But before you go...

As we finish up our 10 th week of TIPS for TOUGH TIMES, we really want to get some feedback from our lovely readers. That way, we can make this newsletter even better for YOU. If you have a couple minutes to spare, please consider filling out this short survey – it would mean the world to us!
Can’t wait to see you back here next week.
#togetherathome #togetherweshare #togetherstrong
#excelsior
GroYourBiz Ltd.
Barbara Mowat, President
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