Wednesday, February 14, 2007 · Page 21 Laundry Ex-xperts come to Essex ing outside of town and as soon as someone Entrepreneur R.J. Russell comes in and nabs the spots has big plans for the town of in downtown, we'll have Essex. bigger businesses on the Along with his wife outside of town and then Valerie, Russell pursmaller ones can chased the site of the come in. That's Laundry former growth." Express on Gordon R.J. considers himAve., and the couple self a man of action. has converted it into He said he'd like to "a dry cleaning servpartner up with other ice without the local businesses and expense." form a collective. Laundry Ex-xperts "To come up with opened early last plans and sit down to month. They service discuss what's imporcommercial and tant and what we can industrial businesses, do with some time and are open for pubfunds," he and lic use. explained. R.J. has been in the For Valerie, who cleaning business has a background in since an early age. customer service, His father ran his own Valerie and R.J. Russell have recently bought the site of the former local residents and service in Laundry Express and converted it into Laundry Ex-xperts, a dry clean- business owners have ing service without the expense. Collingwood, Ont. been warm and welWhen R.J. and Valerie folding. "There are a lot of empty coming. moved to Gesto late last As a new business owner storefronts right now and a "I love it in Essex," she year, they thought an urban in town, R.J. has more than lot of people see that as neg- said. "People seem very centre like Essex would be a few ideas about how to ative, but I see it as a posi- helpful." the ideal spot to open their stimulate the local econo- tive. It's opportunity. The For your laundry needs, own cleaning service. my. bigger businesses are mov- call 519-776-9117. BY FREE PRESS STAFF ESSEX PAYDAY ADVANCE Trust us for speed and convenience when you need money FAST. CASH! WHEN YOU NEED IT They take everything from comforters to throwdown cotton rugs to uniforms, offering an air dry service, stain removal and professional washing and First off, he says he plans to be involved with the Essex Business Improvement Area. "I believe the town is in a state of growth," R.J. said. 35 VICTORIA AVE., ESSEX · 519-776-9986 Personal Service · Confidentiality Ontario's new tax collection agreement The Ontario Government and the Government of Canada recently signed a new tax collection agreement. Under the agreement, the federal government will collect and administer Ontario's corporate income and capital taxes. "The Canada Revenue Agency is set to administer Ontario's tax collection agreement, as it currently does for seven other provinces and the three territories," says Chartered Accountant Maureen F. Lafortune, Associate Partner, KPMG LLP in Sudbury. . "Beginning in 2008, businesses will make combined tax payments and file a single corporate tax return in 2009 for years ending after December 31, 2008." The new regime promises to reduce administrative overlap, duplication and compliance costs. For further information about taxes, contact a Chartered Accountant. Brought to you by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Small Business 101 Telephone techniques How you answer the phone says a great deal about your business, and a phone call is often the first point of contact a customer has with your business. Whether the callers get voice mail, an employee or the owner, ensure they get courteous service that will win business, not lose it. CFIB offers the following tips: ·Establish standards. Your business name should be clearly stated. How are callers being transferred; how long can they expect to be on hold; when is the call going to be returned and how is the call ended. ·Answer all incoming calls before the third ring. ·When answering the phone, smile. ·If a customer does not want to be placed on hold, ensure whoever answers the call takes a detailed message, including time and date of the call, verify the phone number and name and try to get a short statement about the caller's intent if possible. Then make sure the message gets to the intended recipient. · Always answer your calls within one business day. · Never use slang or company jargon. · Call your business at different times of the day. Make sure your message sounds inviting. · Consider getting a professional promotional mes- starts with an Invitation that Expresses Your Love! for every bride and groom, with a wide variety of accessories to match! A Wedding to Remember... Personalized Invitations Bold and bright, soft and subdued, classic or contemporary, we feature sage created specifically for your business. · Invest in a dial-by-number directory, so customers can leave a private message in the voicemail of the person they want to do business with. · Ensure the caller can leave a message on voicemail. If your business has a menu of options a caller must go through, listen to it carefully and make sure it is reasonable. · Establish a separate line for your business, especially if you operate out of your home. · Don't use a speakerphone unless absolutely necessary. The only time you should use a speakerphone is when you need more than one person to be in on the conversation at your end. · If your business is going to be closed for a holiday, update your recorded message to say so and state when your business will reopen. · Provide additional information such as directions to your location or parking options. The telephone is a powerful business communication tool, so make sure employees understand how important a phone call is and how each caller should be treated. Small Business 101 is an information service provided by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. It is not intended to replace legal and/or accounting advice. INJURED AT WORK? Lost in the Web of the WSIB? Suzanne Dajczak, Workplace Safely and Insurance Law specialist, invites you to join her for a FREE information session. Untangling the Web of WSIB A general overview of the WSIB Essex Community Centre Tuesday, February 20, 2007 Room #6 - Training 25 Gosfield Town Line W. 4:00 - 6:00 pm 16 Centre Street, Essex, ON. (next to public library) Wedding Invitations (Until Feb. 28/07) 2 0 % OFF essexfreepress@on.aibn.com 776-4268 For more information, call 519-969-3262