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So… ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

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For those of you who are ready to make some tech purchases… this is a great time of year.

If you are looking for recording/editing software you might want to look at TechSmith products (I personally am using Snagit to record my soon to be published online classes – and Camtasia. I see that TechSmith is teasing a sale on Cyber Monday (see below).  I’ll keep my eyes out for other notices…. I’m on the lookout for a microphone. I have a Blue Yeti – which I love… but I’m looking for a presentation mic… and I hear Plantronics has a good one…. Stay tuned

Simcoe Muskoka is moving to Orange Restrict classification November 23rd

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What does that mean?

Here is the link to the ontario.ca site and below are details.

Note: There are new requirements for a safety plan for many businesses. Please see links in your business classification below – here is the guidance: https://www.ontario.ca/page/develop-your-covid-19-workplace-safety-plan

https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open#orange

Organized public events, social gatherings and religious services, rites and ceremonies

  • Limits for functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, barbeques or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, or parks:
    • 10 people indoors
    • 25 people outdoors
  • Limits for organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities:
    • 50 people indoors
    • 100 people outdoors
  • Limits for religious services, weddings and funerals:
    • 30% capacity indoors
    • 100 people outdoors

Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments

  • Maximum number of patrons permitted to be seated indoors is 50
  • Require patrons to be seated; 2 metre minimum or impermeable barrier required between tables
  • Limit of 4 people may be seated together
  • Dancing, singing and performing music is permitted, with restrictions
  • Karaoke permitted, with restrictions (including no private rooms)
  • Require patron contact information for all seated patrons
  • No buffet style service
  • Line-ups and patrons congregating outside venues managed by venue; 2 metres distance and face covering required
  • Face coverings except when eating or drinking only
  • Personal protective equipment, including eye protection, required when is a worker must come within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a face covering
  • Night clubs only permitted to operate as restaurant or bar
  • Establishments must be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Limit volume of music (to be no louder than the volume of a normal conversation)
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Strip clubs closed or permitted to operate as a restaurant or bar
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Sports and recreational fitness facilities

  • Maintain 2 metre physical distancing, unless engaged in a sport
  • Maximum of 50 people total in areas with weights and exercise machines and all classes (revoke OCMOH approved plan)
  • No spectators permitted (exemption for parent and guardian supervision of children)
  • Team sports must not be practiced or played except for training (no games or scrimmage)
  • Team or individual sports must be modified to avoid physical contact; 50 people per league
  • Exemption for high performance athletes and parasports
  • Patrons may only be in the facility for 90 minutes except if engaging in a sport
  • Limit volume of music to be low enough that a normal conversation is possible; measures to prevent shouting by both instructors and members of the public
  • Face coverings required except when exercising
  • Increase spacing between patrons to 3 metres in areas where there are weights or exercise equipment and in exercise and fitness classes
  • Require contact information for all members of the public that entre the facility
  • Require reservation for entry; one reservation for teams
  • Require screening of members of the public, including spectators (for example, questionnaire)
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Meeting and event spaces

  • Maximum of 50 people indoors per facility (revoke OCMOH approved plan)
  • Booking multiple rooms for the same event not permitted
  • Establishments must be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information for all seated patrons
  • Limit of 4 people may be seated together
  • Limit volume of music to be low enough that a normal conversation is possible
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Retail

  • Fitting rooms must be limited to non-adjacent stalls
  • Line-ups and patrons congregating outside venues managed by venue; 2 metre distance and face covering required
  • Limit volume of music to be no low enough that a normal conversation is possible
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Requirement to maintain 2 metres while standing in line and flow management
  • For malls a safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Personal care services

  • Oxygen bars, steam rooms, saunas, bath houses, other adult venues, hot tubs, floating pools, whirlpools and sensory deprivation pods closed (some exceptions)
  • Services requiring removal of face coverings prohibited
  • Change rooms and showers closed
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments

  • Maximum of 50 people
  • Table games are prohibited
  • Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments can operate in accordance with a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Cinemas

  • Maximum of 50 people indoors per facility (revoke OCMOH approved plan)
  • Face coverings except when eating or drinking only
  • Drive-in cinemas permitted to operate, subject to restrictions
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Performing arts facilities

  • Maximum of 50 spectators indoors and 100 spectators outdoors
  • Singers and players of wind or brass instruments must be separated from spectators by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
  • Rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event permitted
  • Performers and employees must maintain 2 metre physical distance except for purposes of the performance
  • Drive-in performances permitted
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

So it looks like today is Instagram Day! Excerpt from Social Media Examiner

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I follow a log of people – one of my favourites is the newsletter by Michael Stelzner of Social Media Examiner. I’ve taken courses and read information from them (a lot).

Here is an excerpt from today’s newsletter – again featuring Instagram among other topics:

Hey Patricia, this newsletter is brought to you by our new Google Analytics for Marketers course. Two things to end your week:

#1: Instagram Hashtag Changes: What Marketers Need to Know (Live on YouTube)
We’re about to go live (10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern) to explore what Instagram’s changes to hashtags and keyword search mean for marketers, and more with special guest, Natasha Samuel. Join us!

#2: Google Analytics 4: What Marketers Need to Know (Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts)
Want to improve your marketing analysis? Wondering how Google Analytics 4 will change the way you measure your marketing? Discover how Google Analytics 4 differs from Google Universal Analytics, find out how Google Analytics 4 can better track and measure the customer journey, and learn what analyses are possible with Google Analytics 4.

Sponsors:

15 Tips to Reach Customers Everywhere
Customer expectations for convenience, personalization, and service are skyrocketing. Discover 15 tips to help you provide personalized, connected experiences that attract new customers and jumpstart revenue streams.

Sale Ending Today: Google Analytics for Marketers Course
Imagine beginning an adventure that transforms how you think about your marketing and your business growth. Get comprehensive training that will guide you deep into Google Analytics through the lens of a marketer–from your friends at Social Media Examiner. The world’s leading analytics pro will make it easy for you. Don’t miss this!
Mike Stelzner – Founder and CEO

P.S. Add michael@socialmediaexaminer.com into your contacts list. Use Gmail? Make sure to get our updates Watch this quick video.

New Instagram Terms – fyi

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We wanted to let you know that we’re making a few updates to our Terms of Use to make them clearer. We’re making it easier to understand what is allowed on Instagram and how our service works. These terms will be effective on December 20, 2020, and continuing to use the app will mean you accept them.

© Instagram. Facebook Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
https://help.instagram.com/1215086795543252?helpref=page_content

 

Looking for Christmas gifts? Can you buy and give back all at the same time?

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Do you think your $20 for the Raw and Reflective Calendar will make a difference? The answer is yes. (the link is below)

This year more than others, our charities and not-for-profits need our help. So do the 1 in 2 people who are battling cancer. For those of you who have heard this diagnosis – you’ll understand the impact of hearing news that still carries a lot of fear.

  • Will I be okay?
  • What will I have to do to survive?
  • How will my family cope? How will I cope?

It’s complicated and life changes in an instant.

So many of us who have gone through this nightmare have been able to turn to Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka.

Do you know why? 

Because they don’t turn people away. Ever. 

Their mottos is… so no-one faces cancer alone. And whether you are diagnosed, or your loved one is – you are welcome.

They have pivoted too and are providing support virtually. In fact they are helping people even outside our area because of that.

And yet they are not funded… by anyone except us. They aren’t on anyone’s payroll.

So while I know times are tough for business this year – and God knows we don’t all see a clear path forward.  But if you can spare $20 to buy a calendar for yourself – or for your kids as we have… to help people see inside this disease – but more importantly to honour the courage of the remarkable people featured this year who are fighting or have fought this battle.

So if you can spare $20 for a Christmas gift that will support the courage of those facing cancer and their families…. please go to:

https://gildasclubsimcoemuskoka.org/ways-to-give/raw-and-reflective-2021/

And if you want to see a quick video about the calendar project… from

Attached is your INFO Simcoe Segment.  Thank you for being a part of the show. https://youtu.be/Z9lH-lL0bsQ

Thank you.

Patricia

Webinar through Entrepreneur November 18th on Building Small Business Resiliency

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Webinar: Motivating Trends: Building Small-Business Resiliency in a Pandemic
Covid-19 turned the world upside-down in March and businesses of all sizes were presented with never-before-seen-challenges. The way we work, sell, service and market to customers has forever changed.

Six months later, how are growing small- and medium-size businesses (SMBs) handling the new economy? Join us for a free webinar, Motivating Trends: Building Small-Business Resiliency in a Pandemic, to find out. During this live conversation, we’ll uncover data-backed insights and strategies from new research gleaned from more than 2,000 SMB leaders from around the world.

Journalist and CultureBanx CEO Kori Hale will interview renowned keynote speaker, futurist, award-winning author, and Global Innovation Evangelist for Salesforce, Brian Solis. For nearly three decades, Solis has helped executives of leading brands and startups understand what’s happening and why, visualize future trends, and deliver the future they want to see.

Attendees of this webinar will learn:
– The top trends impacting SMBs via Salesforce’s annual SMB Trends Report
– Data-backed insights from new research from 2,000+ SMB leaders
– New ways to drive innovation through digital transformation
– Strategies to plan for the future and build resilience

RegisterBrought to you by Salesforce and Entrepreneur, Motivating Trends: Building Small-Business Resiliency in a Pandemic will take place live on Wednesday, November 18, at 2 p.m. EST | 11 a.m. PST.
Register Now

Small Business Connect celebrates 9 years on November 12th – join us!

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Networking – Connection – Prizes

Join us on Thursday November 12th from 9 am to 11 am over Zoom

We’ve gone virtual in this very different year, but we’re still connecting people. And next Thursday we’re going to cenlebrate 9 years together with and prizes for some inventive networking, and other activities including the best party hat! (byoc …. cake!)

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/smallbusinessconnect

If you don’t know Small Business Connect, join us. 9 years ago 4 entrepreneurs got together to form a group to network together to create a free networking group to help people connect with each other.

Those who attend can join a Facebook group to promote their events, and a directory to list their company online.

So much value for a free networking group!

Patricia (one of the SBC founders)

 

CIRA Report on Canadian Cyber Security….

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I know… I know. It’s kind of like having to eat broccoli (or brussel sprouts for those of you who like broccoli)

But it’s important that you consider your cyber security.

Cybersecurity report.

Do you want the good news or bad news first? OK, the good news is that the report has lots of colourful graphs. The bad news is that the anxiety around the pandemic has complicated the threat landscape more than ever. Read the report: cira.ca/cybersecurity-report-2020.

Patricia

©2017 Grow Vantage