Saturday, June 22, 2013

WBN Was There: Alley Art Show & Sale


Windsor Business Networks was there right at opening and already the crowds were gathering. 
 Click here to see the pictures we took.


If you haven't been there, there's still time.  The show is on Saturday and Sunday.  
Please go and show your support to our talented local artists.

Thanks


Friday, June 14, 2013

Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses




Moved to it's permanent home

Click to read

After a Flood: An FYI by WBN


Here is some helpful info for those affected by flood waters in Windsor/Essex..anyone needs help message WBN and we will try our best to find it for you..

After a flood

Restore your home to good order as soon as possible to protect your health and prevent further damage to the house and its contents. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has prepared a checklist to help organize your cleanup. It is also available by calling 1-800-668-2642 (outside Canada call 613-748-2003).

Re-entering your home
Do not return home until authorities have advised that it is safe to do so.
If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
Use extreme caution when returning to your home after a flood.
Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire when turned on. Do not use any appliances, heating, pressure, or sewage system until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried, and inspected by a qualified electrician.
The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried, and tested by a qualified electrician to ensure that it is safe.
Depending on where you live, your municipal or the provincial inspection authority is responsible for the permitting process required before your electric utility can reconnect power to your home.
Ensure building safety

Make sure the building is structurally safe.
Look for buckled walls or floors.
Watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.
Water

Flood water can be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. It can cause sickness and infections.
If through colour, odour or taste you suspect that your drinking water has been contaminated, don't drink it.
Household items that have been flood-damaged will have to be discarded according to local regulations.
Documentation

Store all valuable papers that have been damaged in a freezer until they are needed (After your cleanup, consult your lawyer to determine whether flood-damaged documents, or just the information in them, must be retained).
Record details of flood damage by photograph or video, if possible.
Register the amount of damage to your home with both your insurance agent and local municipality immediately.
Cleanup

Maintain good hygiene during flood cleanup. Minimize contact with floodwater or anything that may have been in contact with it. Keep children away from contaminated areas during cleanup operations.

Recommended flood cleanup equipment
  • Gloves
  • Masks and other protective gear
  • Pails, mops and squeegees
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Unscented detergent
  • Large containers for soaking bedding, clothing and linens, and clotheslines to hang them to dry
  • Additional equipment

Depending on your situation, you may need to rent additional equipment such as extension cords, submersible pumps, wet/dry shop vacuums, a carbon monoxide sensor and dehumidifiers, fans or heaters.
When using the equipment, keep extension cords out of the water.
Water

Remove water from your flooded home slowly. Drain it in stages – about one third of the volume daily – because if the ground is still saturated and water is removed too quickly, the walls or the floor could buckle.
Use pumps or pails to remove standing water, then a wet/dry shop vacuum to mop up the rest.
For instructions on how to disinfect and restore wells and cisterns, contact your local or provincial health authorities or emergency management organization.
Heating and appliances

Do not heat your home to more than 4°C (about 40°F) until all of the water is removed.
If you use pumps or heaters powered by gasoline, kerosene or propane, buy and install a carbon monoxide sensor. Combustion devices can produce large amounts of lethal carbon monoxide if they're not tuned-up or are improperly ventilated.
Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels until they have been checked by your local utility.
Whether you use a wood, gas or electrical heating system, have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified technician before using it again. Replace the furnace blower motor, switches and controls if they have been soaked.
Flooded forced-air heating ducts and return-duct pans should be either cleaned or replaced.
Replace filters and insulation inside furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers if they have been wet. However, it is often cheaper to replace this equipment.
Dirt and debris

Remove all soaked and dirty materials as well as debris.
Break out walls and remove drywall, wood panelling and insulation at least 50 centimetres (20 inches) above the high-water line.
Hose down any dirt sticking to walls and solid-wood furniture then rinse several times.
Wash and wipe down all surfaces and structures with unscented detergent and water. Rinse.
Floor drains

Flush and disinfect floor drains and sump pumps with detergent and water. Scrub them to remove greasy dirt and grime.
Clean or replace footing drains outside the foundation when they are clogged. Consult a professional for advice or service.
Structures

Ventilate or dehumidify the house until it is completely dry.
Rinse and then clean all floors as quickly as possible.
Replace flooring that has been deeply penetrated by flood water or sewage.
Clean all interior wall and floor cavities with a solution of water and unscented detergent.
Carpets and furniture

Carpets must be dried within the first two days. For large areas, hire a qualified professional to do the job. Carpets soaked with sewage must be discarded immediately.
Remove residual mud and soil from furniture, appliances, etc.
If items are just damp, let the mud dry and then brush it off.
To test if material is dry, tape clear food wrap to the surface of the item. If the covered section turns darker than the surrounding material, it is still damp. Dry until this no longer occurs.
For upholstered furniture you should consult a professional to see what can be salvaged. In the meantime, remove cushions and dry separately. Do not remove upholstery. Raise furniture on blocks and place fans underneath.
Wooden furniture: Remove drawers and open doors. Do not dry quickly or splitting may occur.
Mould

Mould can lead to serious health problems.
You may need to have your home professionally cleaned for it to be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance company.
If you are cleaning up in a room where mould is present, wear a face mask and disposable gloves.
To minimize mould growth, move items to a cool, dry area within 48 hours and set up fans.
Alternatively, textiles, furs, paper and books can be frozen until they are treated.
Wet mould will smear if wiped. Let it dry and then brush it off outdoors.
You can also kill mould spores by lightly misting the item with isopropanol (rubbing alcohol).
Food and medicine

All undamaged canned goods must be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
Dispose of all medicines, cosmetics and other toiletries that have been exposed to flood water.
Dispose of any of the following food items if they have been exposed to flood water:
Contents of freezer or refrigerator, including all meats and all fresh fruit and vegetables
All boxed foods
All bottled drinks and products in jars, including home preserves (since the area under the seal of jars and bottles cannot be properly disinfected)
Cans with large dents or that reveal seepage
What to discard

All insulation materials, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, stuffed toys, pillows, padding, cushions and furniture coverings that have been exposed to flood water.

What is salvageable

Frames of high-quality furniture can often be saved. However, they must first be cleaned, disinfected and rinsed, then dried by ventilation away from direct sunlight or heat. Drying too quickly can cause warping and cracking.
Clothes can be cleaned. Scrape heavy dirt from washable clothes. Rinse and wash them several times with detergent and dry quickly.
Before moving back in

Once the flood waters have receded, you must not live in your house until:

The regular water supply has been inspected and officially declared safe for use.
Every flood-contaminated room has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and surface-dried.
All contaminated dishes and utensils have been thoroughly washed and disinfected – either by using boiling water or by using a sterilizing solution of one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Rinse dishes and utensils thoroughly.
Adequate toilet facilities are available. (For more information, consult your local health authority.)

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Job opportunity at Caesars Windsor

Caesars Windsor - Ontario, Canada





Job Description

Reporting directly to the Manager Internal Audit, Caesars Entertainment Inc. and the Caesars Windsor, Compliance Review Committee concerning matters of policy, purpose, responsibility and authority, and indirectly to the Vice-President, Legal and Compliance for matters concerning administration and daily operations, the Manager of Internal Audit is responsible for leading and motivating a team in assuring the effective planning and execution of compliance, financial, and operational audits and special projects at various locations.  This person interacts with mid-to-senior level management to discuss and resolve potentially contentious issues and recommends improved business practices. This person also liases with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
Manage internal audit activities, including the effective planning and execution of compliance, financial, and operational audits of business operations at Caesars Windsor which includes the review and appraisal of the adequacy of internal controls and the compliance with internal control procedures with reporting of instances of non-compliance with the System of Accounting and Internal Control to the Caesars Windsor Compliance Review Committee and the reporting of any material weakness in the System of Accounting and Internal Control to the Committee and the recommendation of procedures to eliminate any material weakness in the System of Accounting and Internal Control.
Research and develop practical solutions and business improvements, highlighting value-added activities.
Assist in the annual and ongoing risk assessment process, recommend real-time changes as appropriate.
Assess the risk associated with potential compliance program failure and apply appropriate resources and communicating the high risk issues to the IA and SOX management.
Provide regulatory interpretations and apply accounting, auditing, and regulatory requirements in the casino and corporate environments.
Lead, manage, or perform special project activities, and provide consulting and advisory services to clients.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to formulate appropriate business improvement recommendations orally and in writing to various levels of management.
Liaise with management, regulators, and independent accountants to assure objectives are met.
Offer input and demonstrate commitment to the long-term advancement of the audit function.
Assist with hiring, training, developing, mentoring and evaluating job performance for professional staff.
Assist in department administration, including audit plan development, performance analysis, and resource management.
Lead and encourage departmental innovation and consistency.
Develop an appropriate (annual) individual training program with all staff members, ensuring a personalizing interaction with each staff member to provide legendary leadership.
Provoke ideas and actions to foster innovation and analytical prowess of the staff members.
Understand commercial awareness in interactions with management and department members.
Complies with Caesars Windsor’s policies and procedures. 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manage a team of professional staff in the performance of internal audit, fraud prevention, and consulting activities.
Motivate the team with designed programs, providing a positive interactive work environment.
Engage the team to succeed together, driving a departmental mindset of confidence and personal strengths.
Take necessary actions to act upon client and employee feedback, both positive and corrective.
Desired Skills & Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
Ability to obtain the equivalent of a Gaming Key employee license (Category 1) with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Excellent leadership, time management, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
Ability to influence and motivate others.
Excellent knowledge of casino accounting and auditing principles/standards, regulatory requirements, company policies, computer systems, PC applications.
Ability to travel to various locations.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to a University Degree in Business and/or a related field. Five or more years of internal audit, public accounting or related business experience, with a minimum of two years of managerial or supervisory experience.  CA (Chartered Accountant) or CPA required.  Training experience in a corporate or operational environment required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complains from customers and employees.  Ability to communicate policies and procedures to individuals and groups, and to persuade others to accept or adopt a specific opinion or action.  Ability to effectively present information and/or a convincing argument to executives. 
ANALYTICAL AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports.  Ability to accept ambiguous circumstances and take action where answers to a problem are not readily apparent.  Ability to analyze information, problems, situations, practices or procedures to: define the problem or objective, identify relevant concerns or factors, identify patterns, tendencies and relationships, formulate logical and objective conclusions, recognize alternatives and their implications.  Skill in managing multi-faceted projects to a successful conclusion.  Ability to multi-task. 
Note:  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands:
Physical effort requiring manual dexterity is frequently required. (i.e. between 25% and 50% of time on the job)
Company Description

Caesars Windsor is the largest casino resort in Canada and the first of its kind outside of the U.S. to be branded with this legendary, world-renowned name. Caesars Windsor features two hotel towers of luxury accommodations with a total of 758 rooms and suites. The 5,000 seat theatre features headline entertainment. Two floors of non-stop gaming action offer round the clock excitement with 2,300 slot machines and 85 table games. There are eight delectable restaurants and lounges to choose from and more than 100,000 square feet of multi-use convention space. Caesars Windsor is the proud recipient of the CAA/AAA Four Diamond hotel award and the 2011 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. Caesars Windsor was also voted “Overall Best Hotel and Casino” by Casino Player Magazine and has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its gourmet steakhouse, Neros. Please visit caesarswindsor.com

A member of the Caesars Entertainment Family of 40 Casinos across North America.
Additional Information

Posted:June 3, 2013Type: Full-time Experience: Mid-Senior level Functions: Finance  Industries: Accounting  Job ID:5927712

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Bootcamp to Successful Employment





2 Consecutive days of training.  June 12th & 13th
9AM till 3PM
College Boreal
7515 Forest Glade Drive.
Windsor, Ont.

Contact Zakaria.Chemzari@collegeboreal.ca
519.988.1766 ext. 7611


Music Scene: The Blue Stones




Official music video of Rolling with the punches by Windsor's own The Blue Stones along with the lyrics and band information has been moved to it's permanent new location

Click HERE to go there now 

Contributing Writers

Coming soon ...