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We've Moved!

Come visit us at our new blog: www.lazyfairemagazine.blogspot.com!

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True Success: Lynda Steele

                               For fifteen years, Lynda Steele has played a pivotal role in Edmonton’s public spotlight. Through her extensive experience in broadcast journal­ism across western Canada’s newsrooms, Lynda has established a well-recognized and reputable position. Within Edmonton, she has been hon­oured numerous times for her prominent place in the media and within the community. It therefore came as no surprise that after announcing her upcoming departure from Global in August 2011, a frenzy was sparked among loyal Edmontonians. For weeks after the announcement, Edmon­ton expressed – through blogs, letters to newspaper editors, and tweets – a genuine disappointment to see a favourite Edmonton icon move away. Very few local leaders have achieved the calibre of trust and commitment from citizens within their city that Lynda holds.

From an early time in her life, Lynda has loved writing. She knew that she wanted to be a part of a team, do something different everyday, and tell other’s stories, so broadcasting was simply a ‘good fit’. Lynda loves being an expert on so many subjects and that she has had the opportunity to play an active role in events that helped shape Edmonton to what it is today. Working as a journalist has allowed her to cover a spectrum of stories: from tragic events to personal accounts of profound triumph and inspiration.

When Lynda first entered broadcasting, she was inundated with challenges. One of the greatest challenges she recalls was simply differentiating herself from competitors. In her words, 75% of the people competing for the same job were young, Caucasian women. Therefore, like many new graduates just about to enter the working world, Lynda needed to set herself apart to succeed. She leveraged her strong work ethic, passion, and ability to develop good relationships, took risks where others refused and was willing to “think big”. Her dedication paid off – eventually landing her the co-anchor position she has now. Still today, Lynda attributes much of her success to hard work and creative risks.

 Lynda’s prominent role within Edmonton’s community has garnered a lot of personal attention. As a local celebrity, she is often greeted by complete strangers who feel as though they know her. She even recalls intense conver­sations with people who she has never met before – because they immediately trusted her. Fortunately, Lynda hasn’t experienced very much negative atten­tion directly. In public, she always considers herself to be an ambassador - both for Global News and for Edmonton.

To date, Lynda recognizes the success of her first book, “Laptop Diaries” as her greatest accomplishment. The book was a collection of columns written by Lynda for the Edmonton Journal and all of the proceeds from sales of the book went directly to Alberta’s women’s shelters. “Laptop Diaries” sold out of all 5,000 copies in only a few short weeks and raised thousands of dollars for women’s shelters. Lynda said the project was particularly gratifying because it was really all for the shelters. As she says, “no one was trying to get anything from it”.

Through her unwavering dedication, empathy and professionalism, Lynda has achieved a level in the Ed­monton community that can’t easily be matched. Her daily presence within Edmontonians’ homes as a reli­able and highly trusted news source will be missed, but never forgotten. To many, Lynda Steele’s empathy, professionalism, and class has become the epitome of what the City of Edmonton aspires to be.

Over the course of fifteen years, Lynda says that news has changed tremendously: there is less of a focus on community, less control over airwaves, and much greater element of big – ticket news stories. People have become more cynical about the news, but have also questioned the media more and held the government to a greater degree of accountability.

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Backpacking Across Canada

                     With only about 2 weeks left of my second last year of university, I find myself exceptionally unable to focus on studying for my highly weighted final exams. With the coming summer being the last that I will spend as a student, I decided I needed to do something different. Everything just goes according to plan, and I was tired of it. I needed a change, and it would be this summer. Having been a hermit most of my life, I decided that a backpacking trip would be ideal. After hours of research, I’ve finally found my trip: Backpacking across Canada via train. It seemed a bit more expensive than I expected but luckily there are alot of perks and discounts available to students.

ISIC Card The international student identity card can be used for discounts from restaurants, accommodations, tours, flights and shopping The ISIC card is available to full-time students at school, college or university, aged 12 years and above and usable in over 120 different countries including Canada. The ISIC card is only available to full-time students, so you must be able to prove you are currently studying full time at school, college or university. When you apply, be sure to bring a copy of your university or student identity card, clearly dated and indicating you are a full-time student. You will also need a proof of your date of birth and a passport-sized photograph. Several locations that offer the ISIC card are:

The Adventure Travel Company University Of Alberta, Hub Mall #9006 - 112 St.

Travel CUTS University of Alberta Students’ Union Building

HI / YHA Card The HI / YHA Card can come in handy anywhere there’s a hostel that is part of the HI or YHA Network, which as luck has it, is just about anywhere in the world. In Canada there is over 400 different places that accept the card, including every HI Hostel in Canada.

Canrailpass The Canrailpass is the perfect choice for people who want to go a long way on a limited budget. Travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific and even north to Hudson Bay! Or purchase a Canrailpass for travel exclusively within the Québec City -Windsor corridor. The choice is up to you!

For approximately $600 depending on the season, you’ll get 7 one-way trips anywhere in Canada, in Economy class, during a 21-day period. There are many different routes in Canada, from long coast to coast trains, to short rides between neighboring cities. The one that appealed to me the most was The Canadian. It runs three times every week and links Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper, and Vancouver. If you decide to go on a straight train scenery trip from Toronto to Vancouver without stopping to visit the other cities it will take approximately 4 nights from start to finish. There are two classes to choose from on The Canadian:

Economy class In the Economy Class, you are provided with a comfortable reclining seat and have access to the ‘Skyline’ car where you can visit the coffee shop, lounge and ‘vista dome’. Although sleeping in  a seat may not be very comfortable, especially for four days, the seats recline to about 40 degrees which allows lots of room for your legs. Furthermore,the Economy class costs at least half as much as the price of a Sleeper Touring class sleeper, and with a coffee shop, lounge area and observation dome, the facilities in Economy class are definitely excellent and more comfortable than traveling by bus.

Sleeper Touring class This is the luxury option. In the Sleeper Touring class you have your own private 2-berth bedroom or 1-berth roomette or ‘section’ with comfortable beds. The fare includes all meals in the elegant Sleeper Touring class restaurant car, and also includes access to the ‘vista dome’ at the rear of the train. There are several different types of the sleeper class, all included with hot showers at the end of the corridor:

Sections: the lowest priced of the sleepers, also refered to as ‘upper or lower berths’. During the day there are open-plan seats arranged in pairs facing each other. The lower berth is more expensive as that seat always faces forward. At night, the seats pull together and form the lower berth, and the upper berth folds out from the wall. There are also curtains attached to each bunk for privacy. Roomettes or bedroom: The roomlette is for single travellers and is very compact: just big enough for a large seat with plenty of legroom, and a legrest with a toilet bowl hidden underneath. There is a washbasin in the corner. At night, a bed folds down from behind the seat, taking up almost all of the roomette. Bedrooms are larger rooms for two people, with separate washrooms and toilets in the room. An upper and lower berth convert to seats for daytime use. Bedrooms are the same price per person as a roomette. The appeal of backpacking for me is having the chance to meet different people at different places, learn their culture, and just the feeling of risk and adventure; stopping at every city on the way to the final train destination and visting different places out of the blue. There’s no fun in planning every single place to visit and stay but here are several locations you can’t miss.

The Great Canadian Bungee Located at the edge of a cliff, the Great Canadian Bungee is the highest Bungee Jump in Canada. It is 200-foot high and will definitely pump your adrenaline as you drop down towards a beautiful blue lagoon. After your fall back to Earth, take a break and relax on the hidden beach in Wakefield, Quebec.

Ottawa Jail Hostel If you have a love for horror, stop by at the Jail Hostel in Ottawa, Ontario. The jail cells have been renovated into hostel rooms and is perfect if you want to see what it feels like to spend a night in a jail without actually commiting a crime. Don’t worry, you will still be able to enjoy the freedom of a TV, internet kiosks, wifi, and dining rooms. For the horror lovers, try ghost hunting around the hostel as it is apparently haunted. During day, take a tour to the many museums and parks nearby.

Chateau Bahia Located at pointe-à-la-Garde, Gaspésie, Québec, this hostel/castle will enable you to experience what it feels like to be in a fairy tale. The castle has 23 rooms, some even in the towers of the spires. Chateau Bahia has the best views of the local area and has many great hiking/biking trails. A pancake and maple syrup breakfast is served every morning and Quebecois dishs are served for dinner.

So that's my plan this summer, an adventurous tran ride across Canada. Whats yours?

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Western Canada Fashion Week

  Fashion is a word that is often synonymous with glamour and luxury. But what is often swept aside is the amount of hard work and drive required to give off such grandeur depictions. We recently sat down with Western Canada Fashion Week founder and director, Sandra Sing Fernandes, to talk about her work here in Canada’s fashion capital… Edmonton. Undoubtedly, a difficult market that Sandra has been able to work like Naomi Campbell on the catwalk. What we discovered was a very passionate woman, driven by her love for the arts and her community.

                       LF: Thank you so much for sitting down with us Sandra!

SF: Oh, it’s my pleasure! I love what you guys are doing!

LF: How did you start Western Canada Fashion Week (WCFW)?

SF: I got back from New York City, and there was nothing in Edmonton for young designers. There were no collaborative possibilities for people in the industry to work and come together. There were other avenues of the artistic community that were quite active, but they weren’t focused on fashion. So it was a natural fit for me!

LF: As a businesswoman, how have you branded WCFW?

SF: Well, originally we started off as Edmonton Fashion Week (EFW). Our focus has always been on local involvement and getting the community working together. Our branding is very much an evolution of how we’ve grown through the years. We have some great professionals, working together and growing together. We try to think locally and work towards a more global concept – creating and developing more opportunities along the way. And a lot of people from the outside have taken notice! Currently, we’re the 3rd largest fashion week in Canada!

LF: Why the change from EFW?

SF: We were getting designers from Calgary and Vancouver showing their collections here, so it was a natural progression that we decided to make. We branded our business to encompass all of Western Canada because we wanted to show support for those designers and photographers and graphic artists and the others in the industry that weren’t necessarily just from Edmonton.

               LF: You also have a magazine called Phabrik. Could you tell us a little more about this?

SF: Well Phabrik is very much a part of our evolution as well. It gives us an opportunity to look at the Canadian fashion industry as a whole, and also facilitate opportunities by profiling local artists. Because, again, our focus is really on supporting our community and informing our audience of what and who they are buying. It’s also been great because I’ve been able to bring in international friends from all over the world to collaborate and contribute in providing some insight from the industry.

LF: What other resources, aside from the magazine, do you use to operate your business? How do they work together in your business model?

SF: Fashion week isn’t the only time of the year that we’re active. We’re working 24/7 and never stop! We work a lot with the artistic community and the different organizations, from the Edmonton Opera to the City Ballet. We participate with most of the art organizations by either offering our support, or cross promoting in order to facilitate different opportunities across the artistic spectrum. We cross-pollinate!

LF: What are the biggest challenges that you have had to overcome in your career?

SF: My career in NYC was great. Working in Edmonton has been very difficult. It’s not like you’re coming to a place with an existing industry. This process does not come without a lot of sacrifices and hard work. You must continually push yourself. If you’re a designer, you don’t have fabric wholesalers here. We did not have a garment industry, and in some ways, we still don’t. We don’t have factories and wholesalers necessary to produce with. And sometimes, that makes it tough. But the talent here is just amazing. And what keeps us going is that we’ve been able to accomplish so much. Even though we know we have so far to go, we’ve come a long way and have seen a lot of progress.

       LF: What are your thoughts on the Canadian fashion industry?

SF: The Canadian fashion industry is absolutely great, and definitely developing a name for itself. But it’s difficult. Part of it is education. If you’re starting a handbag company, for instance, it’s definitely not easy. Most Canadian designers are unknown and we have few publications to support them. And they can’t afford to generate these massive advertising campaigns that you see with some companies, like Louis Vuitton, to gain some visibility and awareness. We’re a much smaller country, and the marketing wheel is not the same. It can be a little discouraging sometimes because you have to try to convince consumers to invest in a designer that is Canadian over one that is, for example, Italian. But, we’re growing and getting there!

LF: Now, Edmonton is not really considered a hub for fashion in the Canadian market, itself. How have you managed to address and deal with this hurdle?

SF: It’s definitely a major obstacle. But we have this spirit of collaboration and generosity. We’re in it for the right reasons – support. So because of those things, we’re getting the response back that we want to have, which is pushing us forward. We have a lot of talent; it’s just a matter of showcasing. You have to develop this “never die” outlook. We’re very stubborn! The way we’re approaching it may be seen by some major cities as silly, because we have a very local approach. That community involvement is very important to us. We have contests, which are very uncommon for fashion weeks. Anyone can show a collection, but what takes energy and drive and commitment is supporting the growth of an industry, which we try to do with things like the contests.  We use these to support individuals in their evolution as artists. We’re trying to help them develop a name and get their products into stores.

LF: What is the feedback that you’ve received on WCFW, on a local and national/international level?

SF: We’re constantly receiving feedback. Locally, we’ve had skeptics… But 12 seasons later, people have congratulated us and really developed a respect for us. Local support has been amazing. We’ve also received some eastern support as well. A lot of things during WCFW have been covered in newspapers and publications like FLARE and FASHION magazine. There is a definite interest in what we’re doing.

         LF: How have you grown, as a person and as a businesswoman, since you started WCFW?

SF: I’ve learned an awful lot. It’s interesting because we are a smaller place that sometimes has the, “prove it to me first” mentality. It’s hard to face that on a personal level at times, but we’ve been really persistent and have gone the full route. At the same time, we’ve also had a lot of support from the community. But it’s a relationship that has taken time and a lot of hard work to build. It takes passion and heart and drive. Do I necessarily consider myself a businesswoman in this project? Not really, because I don’t look at the bottom line. With these things, you can’t develop a business focused solely on that bottom line because it is one that is based on support. In a way, our “business model” is different because it’s all based on that – support and compassion. Everything we do goes toward facilitating new opportunities for growth and development within the community.

LF: What are some success stories that have come out of WCFW?

SF: Local designers have gone off now to sell in stores across Canada, which is absolutely great! Others are doing runway shows in other places, like Syd Neigum, who has shown in Vancouver and, soon, in Toronto as well. We’ve heard through the grapevine that MTV has shown some interest in him as well! Linsay Willier, a model that we discovered at West Edmonton Mall, has also been a rising star. She competed in Canada’s Next Top Model and placed second, which is huge!

LF: Do you have any advice for business students?

SF: If you want a business, don’t start fashion week haha. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of passion and drive. But, I guess in anything that you do, you must do your research! Research, research, research! You need to know and understand what’s out there and know your business. With fashion, it’s a very multi-faceted business that involves everything from design to production to distribution. It’s also a business that is constantly changing, several times throughout the year. You need to understand the full scope. It is not enough to just have a unique idea; you must understand the industry that you are in. Most of all, do what you love. I’ve worked in all aspects of creativity. That is my love. My career has been based on that. I LOVE the arts. I can be working 14 hours for the arts, and it won’t be a problem. That’s the key. You must LOVE what you do. If you’re going to be a businessperson, you have to have that kind of passion. If not, don’t start your own business.

LF: Thank you so much Sandra! You are truly a force to be reckoned with!

SF: Thank you so much!

Western Canada Fashion Week is being held on March 24 - 31 at the TransAlta Barns (10330 84 Ave.) in Edmonton, Alberta. Make sure to visit a show!

For more information on Sandra and Western Canada Fashion Week, visit www.westerncanadafashionweek.com!

By Lance Chung

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Canadian Undergraduate Technology Conference (CUTC)

In a nutshell: passionate young students gathering to discuss and learn about the newest and coolest ways the world is changing.

CUTC (The Canadian Undergraduate Technology Conference) is Canada’s largest, longest-running student-organized technology conference. 2011 will be its 12th year. CUTC brings together hundreds of the country’s brightest students for two days in the heart of downtown Toronto, and gives them a chance to interact with technology in way that school can’t. This includes incredible keynote speakers, intimate breakout sessions, and a wide variety of activities and competitions bringing together students and tech. CUTC 2011 is all about sharing the stories behind these changes, about answering the “how” and “why” more than just the “what”. If you want to see a 3DTV, go to Best Buy. If you want to see why this tech has surged in popularity and meet the people behind it, come to CUTC.

CUTC prides itself on giving you, the delegate, more practical knowledge in a 2-day event than you’ll get in months of school. Just ask any of our 3000 past delegates.

CUTC11 will be held in downtown Toronto from Saturday May 7th to Sunday 8th, 2011.

Check out cutc.ca or Canadian Undergraduate Technology Conference on Facebook for more information.

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Manitoba International Marketing Competition (MIMC)

We here at Lazy-Faire are all about the advancement of student culture and achievement at the UofA School of Business. Never resting on our laurels, students are always at the forefront of new opportunities and ventures.  And this year, although just begun, is no exception! From January 5th-9th, the annual Manitoba International Marketing Competition was held in Winnipeg, challenging participants from around the world to “make business decisions based on marketing strategy”. Representing our beloved school were five students (Ahmed Kamar, Kristi Lewis, Jennifer Albers, Regina Tsai, Spencer Norris) and one faculty advisor (Dr. Yuanfang Lin). The grueling competition was comprised of three elements: Simulation (which used Capstone simulation software to make decisions based on strategic marketing concepts), Strategy Statement (which tested teams’ understandings of their industry and environments), and Presentation. We caught up with participants Ahmed Kamar and Kristi Lewis to discuss the competition.

LF: How did your team compete?

AK: Our team came first in the intra-industry portion of the competition, which is comprised of three other universities. There were 3 different industries with 4 universities from North America, Africa, and Europe competing for first place. After we placed first in the intra-industry portion, we advanced directly to the final round.

LF: The global aspect of the competition seems like an intimidating factor, with talent coming in from around the world! How did the competition go for you?

AK: I felt that the competition went really well for our team. We definitely knew we were facing tough competitors’, however, the fact that our team was creative, ambitious, intelligent, and hard-working definitely contributed to our successful outcome.

KL: Absolutely! Our team was **AWESOME** (please put extra stars to indicate this). We had a great team dynamic. Yes, it was a little intimidating, but we just focused on doing our absolute best and in the end, that ended up working great for us.

LF: What was your team’s business plan?

AK: The competition was based on an 8-week capstone simulation revolving around making strategic business strategy decision. Our company, Baldwin Inc., sold sensors, and it was a business-to-business (B2B).

LF: And what did your team end up placing?

AK: Our team for the Manitoba International Marketing Competition placed first. In the final round, hard work and creativity earned the team first place.

LF: Do you have any suggestions/tips for students wanting to participate in this competition, or any in general?

AK: The competition is a great learning experience, as it encompasses all aspects of business. In addition, you get 3 credits and a possibility of winning MONEY… need I say more?

KL: Be professional, confident, and creative! Go up there and believe in everything you’re talking about, even if you’re not quite sure or the fact that your company is entirely fictional. BELIEVE!

LF: How was your team recognized following your win?

AK: The School did a write-up on the School of Business and University website. Further, we were congratulated by Dean Percy, Elaine Geddes, many faculty and non-faculty members, and the Business Students’ Association.

LF: Congratulations well deserved!

The University of Alberta placed first, with Universidad Panamericana (Mexico), Bielefeld University (Germany), and the University of Winnipeg placing second, third, and fourth, respectively.

The motto for the Manitoba International Marketing Competition states that it, “Inspires Excellence and Innovation”.

Something our students know a little about.

By Lance Chung

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UAHRMA's 5th Annual HRM Student Conference

Successful organizations are adaptive, resilient, and customer-centered. Within this environment, the HR professional, considered necessary by line managers, is a strategic partner, and an employee advocate and change mentor.

Want to know how organizations are achieving these goals? Want to know how you can learn how organizations develop into successful and profitable businesses that treat their employees with the upmost respect?

University of Alberta Human Resource Management Association, UAHRMA, is a student-led organization at the University of Alberta that is committed to building and promoting the Human Resources community while preparing HRM students for the workplace.

We are gearing up to hosting our 5th Annual HRM Student Conference, which will be held at the MayField Inn & Suites on March 11th and 12th.

Upon leaving the conference, all attendees will have a better understanding of the different career paths and roles an individual in the HRM field can take. The conference will encourage the value of connecting theory and practice by connecting the Western Canada’s HR community. It will also provide participants with professional development opportunities and a great networking opportunity with other students & professionals from across Western Canada in the HRM field. Attending such an event like this conference can open many doors for an upcoming Human Resource Manager. This will give you the opportunity to be ahead.

Online Registration closes: Friday, March 4th, UAHRMA member price is $75, while a regular student price is $90.

For full details of the conference don’t forget to check out our website at www.uahrma.ca.

Keep an eye out for posters, conference guides, information sessions and much more!

For more information & to register

www.uahrma.ca • hrstudentconference@gmail.com

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Choosing the Right Web Browser

“Hey did you forget to bring your USB with your homework?”

“Nope, I use DropBox.”

“Did you miss Big Bang Theory last Thursday?”

“ I’ll just catch it on some site streaming it.”

“ Bobby Joe has a girlfriend?”

“ Yeah, it was on Facebook dude, yesterday.”

                    We do almost everything on the internet nowadays and one of the most important things we often overlook is the web browser. No web browser, no internet. Bad web browser = fail.

                  There are so many factors to decide when choosing among web browsers. It’s kind of like finding a boyfriend/girlfriend: get the one that suits you best. Some may want the one with the most bonuses, others may go for stability. Everyone has something that attracts them; whether it is the wavy long hair or their favourite plug-in they can’t live without. For the people who have no idea about how many web browsers there are out for them, here’s a short list: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Firefox, Avant, FlashPeak, Sleipnir, Flock, K-meleon and Maxthon. As for me, I am currently in a long and stable relationship with Google Chrome. Here are a couple of reasons why:

1. Un-crash-able 

Chrome isolates each webpage, every tab, and plug-in separately. If a bad site or application is causing trouble, you won’t have to end everything else open. Don’t have to wait for every site to load again!!

2. Fast

It’s fast. As each site is isolated, one slow site won’t bring the house down. Did I mention it is fast?

3. Minimal

Futuristic and minimal interface. No more multiple search or home bars, buttons and logos. What you see on the screen is the site. Sometimes I don’t remember I’m using a browser! Love it.

4. Search is SO much simpler

Welcome to the The Omnibox – ONE multi-purpose bar used for searching and basic URL link typing with a function to remember where you went. Search engine? Google, of course.

5. The Tab War

Drag or drop tabs into separate windows; I abuse this function every day! You can also custom set the browser to start up with various tabs such for example tabs from previous sessions.

6. Customized homepage

Chrome comes with a default dynamic home page. The top nine sites most often visited appear in snapshots on your home page, along with your most commonly used search engines and bookmarks. There's no force-feeding here though. You can override the dynamic home page with any home page you want.

  7. Go Incognito

Like Internet Explorer 8's recent beta release, Chrome offers a private browsing option—Incognito mode. You can open a special type of new window and rest easy knowing nothing you do in it will be logged or saved on your computer.

  There you go. Those are the reasons why I like using Google Chrome. Choose the browser you feel is best for you and don’t worry if you try out different ones as well. I use Firefox once in a while too. 

By: Sally Au

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Impossible Dreams

Have you ever sat down and truly examined what you want to do with your life? Have you ever imagined a world where the possibilities are endless and there really are no limitations? And if you have done both, were you able to successfully follow through? Donloree Hoffman did just that.

Like many before her, Donloree began seeing a life coach after feeling as though she needed a greater sense of direction in her life. After several sessions, she realized that a life coach is a different form of counselling – one that helps clients find and capitalize on their true passions. Donloree became so inspired by the experience, she decided to get certified herself! Through extensive training, she was taught how to ask questions and draw out other’s passions. She enjoyed helping others at their own pace, and customizing her counselling to fit the individual client. Over the years, Donloree has helped people overcome weight issues, relationship issues, and career dilemmas. For her, each session has a “homework assignment” for the client – to empower them to put what was discussed into action. Donloree describes life coaching as reciprocal process: clients must start plans on their own, but are promised that their coach will be “running alongside and helping them along the way.”  As a self-made businesswoman, Donloree loves working on her own schedule and expanding her client base on her own terms.  She also enjoys empowering others to pursue seemingly impossible dreams...

When Donloree was 20 years old, she was married in a size 20 dress, weighing 216 pounds. She hated exercising and was a self-proclaimed “emotional eater”. One day, she decided that she simply had enough and began to pursue a healthier body. She said that one of the greatest epiphanies she had was the realization that “I was worth fighting for.” So, with a lot of zeal and persistence, she enlisted the help of a personal trainer and abandoned her unhealthy eating habits. She also began testing her limitations and discovered, in her words, that “I am more resilient than I thought I was.” After dropping a third of her body weight and transforming her health and self-confidence, Donloree set her sights on another dream: bodybuilding. Unlike running, Donloree loved to lift weights and wanted to do “something big.” She now wakes up at 4:45 a.m. every day to go to the gym, has successfully completed a figure bodybuilding competition in October, and is training for her next competition. Her blog (www.bikiniorbust.wordpress.com) has incited a tremendous following of women (of all shapes and ages) who are also looking to pursue a fitness dream and sparked a network of other amateur figure bodybuilders (under the “Bikini or Bust Challenge”).

Through her own experiences, Donloree said that she discovered that when “you’re self-confident enough, you can start to give it to other people.” She’s now able to impart her own passions to her clients and the many loyal followers of her blog. Despite the many challenges Donloree has faced and the many times her self-confidence might have been challenged, she pursued and fought through it.

Next time you want to give up on a huge dream, think of Donloree. 

By: Breanne Fisher

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the Sales Diva

Kim Duke said that at one time, she was terrible at sales. But, through extensive experience and years of perseverance, Kim successfully became a national award winning salesperson and founded her own sales training company– The Sales Divas. Among many accomplishments, Kim was the second youngest sales manager in Canada for CBC Television, worked with the WNBA and NBA, and has appeared in multiple national magazines, newspapers, and television networks.

            Through recognizing a relatively untapped market, Kim Duke has become internationally recognized as a sales expert for women. She said that at the time she entered a marketing field, not a lot of resources were readily available for women in sales. According to Kim, “women have always adjusted” to the ways sales have been traditionally performed. However, Kim felt that women in sales may perform better if they utilize their intuitive skills – listening and building relationships. She questioned the term “networking” and suggested that her clients instead focus on “building a community” – developing newsletters, communication with clients on a regular basis, and helping others for free.  On this premise, Kim began working with managers, national corporations, doctor’s offices, and other clients to double and even sometimes quadruple the size of their businesses.

            So, what does she feel lead to her success and what can business students learn by example?

1)     “You have to have the guts to do it!”

Kim didn’t always know that she wanted to start her own company.  Branching out on her own was a tough decision and one that she considered extensively. But, because she was so clear and focused on the market that she wanted to serve, decided she was ready. Although big risks may mean big rewards, she said that it’s crucial to be prepared and clear on who you’re targeting. 

2)     Build a community of supporters

Kim says that her success came through building a community - not a network. She communicates with clients and visitors to her website on a regular basis through a newsletter and blog, and she provides a constant stream of valuable content. She calls this marketing technique “h'orderving” – in which potential clients are always able to “sample” you and your services.  This way, she is seen as more approachable and less “risky”.

3)     Re-educate yourself constantly

When not holding presentations or working on her next book, Kim is attending a seminar, reading, or speaking to her mentors and other experts. She is always educating herself on new innovations and the latest techniques in marketing and is never complacent with what she already knows.

4)      Separate yourself from the rest of the competition

Kim said that many traditional sales techniques tend to be boring. It’s important, therefore, to “cut through the noise” of other marketers. Clients know when you’re genuine and when you’re not. Kim’s success came through her ability to cut through the clutter of other salespeople and come out on top.

As Kim continues to grow her business and develop her position as a leader in sales, her bold and sassy take on marketing is one to watch out for. If you’re interested in reading more about Kim or perhaps talking to her directly, check out her website at www.salesdivas.com/

By Breanne Fisher

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Introducing Your New BSA Exec!

Incoming President's Address:

Hey everyone! My name’s Kimberley Menard, and I would first of all like to thank you for electing me as next year’s Business Students’ Association President. The amount of support and interest you showed through campaigning and elections was truly humbling and gives me great hope for next year. Second of all, congratulations! You have elected an amazing and dedicated team of executives that I look forward to working with to serve you, the students. We want to thank you for having a say in electing your BSA by reading our platforms, showing up to the forum and most importantly, by voting.

My experience within the Alberta School of Business is as a Dean’s Ambassador, the Chair of Five Days for the Homeless 2011 and as the Director of Corporate Relations on the BSA. Through these roles, I have gained a strong understanding of how the SoB and the BSA operate and I look forward to bringing that knowledge into my new role as I work to improve on an already solid foundation.

The BSA strives to be representative of the student body and provide you with resources and events to complement your business degree. From academic events like ICBC and Case Lunch-and-Learns, to social events like Winter Gala and Beer Gardens, and career-based events such as Energize and Backstage Pass, we hope that are reaching out to as many of you as possible. 

Every single person on this team is as enthusiastic as I am to hear from you about how we can improve our services to maximize your benefit and improve your undergraduate experience. Feel free to stop us in the hallways, drop by the office (BUS 2-06) or send us an email and let us know your thoughts on how we are doing.

I’m looking forward to a great 2011/2012 school year and hope you are too! Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions or suggestions for the incoming executive at knmenard@ualberta.ca.

  Kimberley Menard

President-Elect

Business Students’ Association

Alberta School of Business

  Your 2011/2012 BSA Executive

Kimberley Menard            President

Joachim Chau                   VP Academic

Derrick Stielow                 VP External

Nick Williams                   VP Internal

Clint Peter                        VP Events

Paul Kan                          VP Marketing

Josh Sereke                       VP Finance

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Monsters Against Myeloma

Life’s events may not always be pleasant. From wars to poverty and natural disasters to the fight against cancer, many individuals have to face these hardships on a daily basis. At the same time, many others are working to support individuals suffering from these causes. So often you hear the phrase, “I want to make a difference.” Yet the ability for one person to actually make a change is definitely a big feat. About a year ago, Lance Chung took on this challenge of making a difference after an unexpected event changed his perspective on life.  An organization called “Monsters Against Myeloma” was created and Lance developed awareness and support for his cause all around the world. The Lazy-Faire caught up with Lance to find out a little more about the “monster” he created.

 Why exactly did you start this organization?

“My mother was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma in the past year. Monsters Against Myeloma (M.A.M) was my way of giving back to a community that really helped us get back onto our feet. The people that are a part of the cancer community are absolutely amazing and inspirational. So this fundraising and awareness campaign was really my way of expressing gratitude, support, and hope for those who helped us and needed help. It was also very much a way for me to gain some control in a situation that often leaves many people feeling powerless. By raising awareness and funds for Multiple Myeloma, there is hope that one day a cure might be found as a result of our efforts and the efforts of many others.”

  What gave you this idea?

“Well, the idea behind M.A.M. didn't really manifest until about 6 months after my mom was diagnosed. We had already been through the motions, through chemotherapy and the emotional ups and downs that come with a diagnosis. With all those experiences, the people in the cancer community were there to help us pick up the pieces. All these people who helped left me feeling so incredibly grateful and inspired to do my own part. So, I decided to create an opportunity out of an unfortunate circumstance. The Lady Gaga concert in Edmonton was coming up, and I had tickets. I decided to donate my tickets towards creating a fundraiser through M.A.M. I thought that it was a cool way to merge entertainment within charity.”

How did you start to raise awareness?

 “I just got on my computer and contacted the MMRF (Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation) about my idea, and they were all aboard! I contacted every single media outlet I could think of that would reach the type of audience I was looking for, which was the younger, media-savvy crowd fluent in pop culture. Then I literally messaged every single person on my Facebook an individual message stating what we were trying to do and asking to spread the word. Never underestimate the power of social media, because it was solely through personal contacts that we were able to get as much support and attention that we received.”

How did you motivate people to raise money?

“I went about this in a way that I thought wouldn't annoy or irritate the audience I was trying to reach. Usually with these kinds of things, a lot of people will try to gain

pity and guilt a person into giving them money. Pity is absolutely not what we were

looking for. Instead I tried to instill a sense of rallying behind what we were fighting

for, almost as if we were motivating an army of "monsters" in a revolution against

cancer. At this point in my mother's treatment, I was more frustrated and angry than anything with our situation, which was good, because it motivated me to do more. I tried to relay those frustrations onto the audience. I wanted them to direct their attention to cancer, not on me or my family, which sometimes happens when you focus too much on gaining sympathy rather than the cause at hand.”

  So many people got involved, including celebrities like Perez Hilton and Lady Gage herself. How did you manage this? 

“Solely through the power of social media! We did an interview with the Edmonton Sun (which actually ended up making front-page news), and I guess some angel decided to send Perez Hilton a message about it. After he tweeted about our cause, it was like the floodgates had opened. I think within the span of an hour, 400 new members joined our group, from all over the world! Our small local fundraiser had all of the sudden turned into a global campaign against cancer in a matter of hours. Once that tweet had been read, news of our campaign spread like wildfire! We were getting this huge influx of messages from people all around the world, including Iceland, Germany, the U.S. and Brazil.”

What was your biggest accomplishment to date? 

“The amount of awareness we have been able to achieve is definitely something I am proud of. At our highest point, we reached just over 1000 members on Facebook, which I think is pretty substantial. I think we were able to educate a lot of people on our cause and Multiple Myeloma itself, which represents only about 1% of cancers out there.”

What are some of the past successes of your organization?

“I think just the amount of awareness we were able to generate is definitely our biggest success from M.A.M. We received media coverage from the Edmonton Sun, Perez Hilton, Global Shift, and the Myeloma Beacon and even GagaNews – Lady Gaga’s official newsletter. To date, we've also raised just about $3000 dollars in funds. It's a lot, but we can definitely do better!” 

What is Monsters Against Myeloma doing now? 

“I'm currently running a Phase II of the campaign. After we received all the media

coverage that we did, someone heard about our cause and graciously donated their own tickets to Gaga's show in Salt Lake City in March! So we've started that up, which is basically the same premise as the first phase; the highest individual fundraiser will be sent the tickets electronically before the event. Having the fundraiser in an entirely unfamiliar and distant city has presented some unique circumstances, but we love a good challenge!”

What are your future plans? 

“Just to keep rallying and to motivate people to fight against cancer and help to find a cure! ­­­­That's the least that I can do, right?”

  For more information on how to help, visit their Facebook group:

Monsters Against Myeloma 

By: Breanne Pisani

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Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (ICBC)

The School of Business Undergraduate office will be holding the internal round ICBC competition on March 21, 2011.  The format will change to a written case competition. Cases will be handed out on March 21 and due on April 4th.

Workshops on successful case writing will be held prior to March 21. Undergraduate business students who do not graduate this summer will be eligible.

We are hoping that the change in format and date will give the selected teams more preparation time for ICBC.

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Five Days for the Homeless

After originating in the University of Alberta School of Business in 2005, Five Days for the Homeless has quickly risen to national recognition, raising $200,000 for local charities across 20 schools in Canada!  This year, Five Days for the Homeless takes place March 13 – March 18, 2011 and has a goal of raising $20,000 for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society(YESS).

Seven students from the University of Alberta and one student from Grant MacEwan University will be remaining on campus for five days, abandoning all income, methods of communication (cell phones, laptops) and only consuming the food donated to them.  Kimberley Menard, the Edmonton Local Chair says that the goal of the campaign is to “raise awareness [about homelessness], and not emulate homelessness.”  A week ago, Kimberley personally met with YESS staff and saw what a tremendous impact this annual fundraiser has.  “YESS helps youth who are homeless to get clean, find jobs, or go back to school. The money raised will increase programs, help with upkeep and with the society’s long-term needs.”

This year, Kimberley says that students should expect to see big surprises. Including a visit from Mayor Stephen Mandel at 3pm on Tuesday, March 15th (outside the business building)! Also, participants in the fundraiser will be recording their daily experiences on blogs on their website (www.5days.ca). 

  How to help:

-        Donate online at www.5days.ca/ualberta.   

-        On March 1st, Coffee/Orange Juice/Hot Chocolate will be served in the Business Atrium and outside the BSA Office to raise awareness about the campaign

-        Come to the Five Days Wrap-up Party the evening of Friday the 18th (tickets are $5) and can be purchased from any of the Five Days team members.

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The Year of the Rabbit

The upcoming Chinese New Year is on February 3. According to the Chinese Zodiac, this is the year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. The 12 animal signs and their symbols are: the Rat (charm), the Ox (patience), the Tiger (sensitivity), the Rabbit (articulacy), the Dragon (vitality), the Snake (intuitiveness), the Horse (popularity), the Goat (elegance), the Monkey (cleverness), the Rooster (confidence), the Dog (loyalty), and the Pig (chivalrous).Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor thought it would be better to assign an animal to each year so people could more easily remember the Zodiac cycle. So, he decided to hold a meeting with all the animals and choose 12 of them to be the Zodiac animals. At that time, the Rabbit and the Ox were neighbors, so they got along well. The Ox worked hard every day and the Rabbit was smart, and both of them had a good life. They were very excited about the meeting and decided to go early. On the way, the Rabbit was boasting about how fast he could run, so the Ox asked the Rabbit to give him some advice for running. The Rabbit responded by shaking his head and mocked the Ox for having a heavy body. Instead of feeling defeated, the ox started running every day.  On registration day, the Rabbit raced far ahead of all the animals, just like everyone thought. Rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the other animals. He was hot and tired, so he decided to take a short nap. However, Rabbit slept longer than he had thought and woke up. He knew that he was late and he went at full-speed to go to the meeting. When he got there, he found that the Rat, Ox, and Tiger were already there waiting for other animals. That’s why Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Zodiac. By Shirley

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Your Top Reasons to be in Business!

We surveyed 100 business students at the University of Alberta to see what they thought were the top reasons to be in the BComm program. Here are their responses: 1.Accounting is the bomb. 

2. Possibilities to travel - study or working abroad.

3. Free computer programs :)

4. You can get your taxes done for free.

5. To take advantage of excel.

6. No classes on Fridays.

7. Free stuff.

8. It's the only faculty where you see the Dean jump into a cold pool of water in the middle of winter.

9. You can BBQ on the roof. 

10. It's the only faculty where you're encouraged to go to parties and network.

11. The people you meet.

12. There's nothing more romantic than a boardroom.

13. Because we can build paper airplanes as part of a MIS project.

14. We are probably the best dressed faculty at the UofA.

15. We have our own library.

16. Accounting and getting my CMA opens so many doors.

17. Keeps you up-to-date on current events.

18. Social events, great food and great people!

19. Business has more flexibility than some of the other faculties. It prepares you for the real world.

20.   Opens up a ton of opportunities. Not only within the country you study in, but internationally as well.21.   Opportunities to expand into other areas.22.   To meet all different types of people.23.   Our own lounge!!24.   Because you'll have a job after you graduate (well...maybe).25.   No 3 hour labs, calculators are allowed and it's not engineering...what more do you need?26.   Open book exams.27.   That my parents still love me.28.   The very best people, faculty, and free food on campus! (Shout out to Anti-burnout!).29.   Lacey Suen?30.   The people, the applicability, having a job when I graduate, and so my parents don’t disown me.31.   More opportunities, useful degree.32.   Because my parents are in it.33.   It’s more practical and I can go into almost any field—health, sports, environment, education. It has a wide range of application.34.   Because I want to make money. (Pause). That, and I want to be a part of creating something new this generation and business provides the building blocks to start.35.   Opportunity!36.   Because I hated sciences. It’s the next best option.37.   Because my parents are in it.38.   Applicable skills.39.   Opportunity.40.   I didn’t like labs.41.   To make my parents happy.42.   I like managing people.43.   I think it’s a practical degree.44.   We are one of the only faculties with a Coop program.45.   The majority of classes are in one building so we don't have to walk around in the cold during the winter.46.   We have coat hooks in our classrooms.47.   We have our own computer labs.48.   We have our own microwaves.49.   I want to make money.50.   Back in high school I had a desire to learn how the world’s financial markets worked. There were so many things about money and business which I knew I was ignorant of and I would probably never learn otherwise. That, and I wanted a practical degree.51.   Free money to go to conferences.52.   Anti-burnout snacks and drinks.53.   All-nighter preparations for case competitions.54.   Famous guest speakers.55.   Waking up at 4 in the morning for RMBS.56.   Warranted use of smart-sounding buzz words like 'benchmark', 'ROI', and 'deliverables.'57.   The best student culture in all of University of Alberta, yeah that means we have 16 clubs with their own offices on the second floor. 58.   Student leadership is a core value in the culture of the school. Business students succeed on a massive level! Just look around at all the clubs and events and activities energizing the school. There are more posters and events and fun stuff than you see in the Archie comics!!!59.   Dual monitors in computer labs.60.   Free copies of the newspapers up on 3rd floor outside the General Office.  61.   The opportunity to compete at national and international case competitions on behalf of the school.62.   Incredible support from Faculty for student-led initiatives.63.   Access to computers in student lounge.64.   Very charity-oriented faculty, raising money for YESS, United Way, Streetlight Canada, Movember and Run for the Cure.65.   Our own magazine!66.   Started 5 Days for the Homeless, now a national initiative.67.   Most events are theme nights...we like to party in style.68.   Our own frosh week with free food and agenda books.69.   Our own frosh retreat to orient students to the SoB.70.   Our own Orientation to meet the faculty, the BSA, and older students.71.   It’s not engineering.72.   Free popcorn every Wednesday outside the BSA office.73.   Cohort system- where you end up meeting some of your closest friends.74.   Being able to have cohort reunions in the future.75.   Being able to form study groups for major exams because you know lots of people in your classes.76.   It’s a practical degree.77.   Being able to throw your own events and party with students from all years of Business.78.   I want a job.79.   Networking!80.   It provides transferable skills.81.   To gain a better understanding of the business world.82.   I want to own a business.83.   It’s applicable to a variety of fields!84.   It’ll make my parents happy.85.   I don’t know…it’s not engineering?86.   Free food!87.   It keeps my options open—there are lots of possibilities.88.   I love marketing!89.   The opportunity.90.    It’s practical and I’m not sure where I want to go yet.91.   All the amazing people!92.   Why not?93.   It’s practical.94.   Better communication skills!95.   I might as well start getting used to giving presentations.96.   It’ll get me a job.  97.   The variety!98.   Travie McCoy’s song ‘Billionaire’ ft. Bruno Mars says it all.99.    All the people, the events, the food…it’s great.100.   Cause it’s simply, unequivocally, truly awesome.   By Farzana Allidina

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Gala 2011

Another year, another wonderfully successful Gala! This year's theme?Sabotage & Espionage! (Ooh LaLa!) Rolling in by the masses, attendees came dressed to kill, decked out in only the finest duds and gowns for all to see!