| "Canadians Look Forward to 2010 with Caution, Optimism |
[Jan. 25th, 2010|05:49 pm] |
"With bitter-sweet memories of the year 2009, Canadians look forward to 2010 with caution and optimism.
Most people Xinhua interviewed this week see 2009 as a difficult year in terms of economy. Yet, many still managed to tide over the hard time and make some headway in their careers. They believe that 2010 will be a better year given that the economy is recovering.
2009: A VERY CHALLENGING YEAR
""2009 was anything but normal for Canada's manufacturers and exporters,"" Jean Michel Laurin, vice president of the Global Business Policy of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), told Xinhua.
""In fact, the past 12 months have rewritten the instruction manual to business success in Canada. Just in 2009 we have witnessed a 30 percent evaporation in sales to our largest export market, the loss of more than 200,000 manufacturing jobs, and a 20-percent reduction in manufacturing sales,"" he said.
""2009 was a very challenging year for us,"" said Stephanie MacKendrick, president of Canadian Women in Communications (CWC), a non-profit national organization for women in the communications sector, such as broadcasting and print media.
""The industry we serve - an advertising supportive one - was really hard hit by the economy. For CWC, we were concerned that the sponsorships would significantly drop down as well as our memberships,"" she added.
Caroline Lennox, a veteran publicist who established her company CL Communications in February 2009, said, ""I discovered lots of interests from clients, but the budget definitely has been pulled back. Lots of clients cut back budgets on public relation and marketing side.""
""However, I also saw opportunities,"" Lennox explained why she started her own business while many other small businesses were worried about their future, ""because TV producers still have to hire somebody to promote the TV series, and my rich experience in broadcasting can help them.""
Her secret to success during the recession is to use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to do promotions for her clients. ""With a small budget, social media provide new ways to attract more people,"" she said.
For Dennie Theodore, a single mother who lost her job, the biggest challenge in 2009 was to find a new job for herself while helping her 17-year-old son figure out his future.
2010: EXPECTATIONS & RESOLUTIONS
""We know that economic recovery in 2010 will be slow and full of uncertainties,"" Jean Michel Laurin said, ""but it is going to bring changes and improve market conditions in Canada and around the world.""
""For example, as demands and risks remain high in U.S. market, Canadian companies need to diversify their products and services,"" Laurin said.
He said he believes that the business environment would change substantially, therefore, CME's goal in 2010 is to help Canadian manufacturers and exporters better respond to those changes so that they can tackle the challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
For small business owners like Lennox, the best wish for the new year should be growth of her business.
Lennox said various signs have shown that the country's economy is getting better and she expects to have more clients with larger budgets. ""I will continue to find creative ways to help my business, particularly in the new realm of social media,"" she added.
What's more, she has a special New Year gift for her company--a new website. ""As a publicist, I am good at putting my clients in the limelight. I want to do the same for myself this time, and an entertaining and informative website would be of great help.""
However, Mackandrick said that she and CWC are prepared for a slow recovery. Therefore, one of CWC's main tasks in 2010 is helping members who had lost their jobs in the recession.
Single mother Theodore is optimistic about her job-hunting in the new year. ""I believe that I can find a new job and I won't miss any opportunities,"" she wrote in her blog.
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