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John Thomson  

Here and there

John Thomson - | Story: 51529
"As it’s the time of year for fruitcake, I wonder if I might update you on what’s happened since I started Nuttier than a Fruitcake in 2004. I first began with one product, which I call Totally Decadent Fruitcake. It’s made with glace fruit, chunks of chocolate, gently roasted pecans and is soaked in brandy after being baked. Then some people tried it and said they liked it, but would prefer natural fruits, so I invented a second product called Okanagan Harvest Cake. It’s made with dried fruits like apricots, pears and apples, also has chunks of chocolate, contains gently roasted almonds and is soaked in rum after being baked. Both are made in small batches, hence the term artisan bakery.

In 2007 I had a commercial kitchen installed in the basement of our home, and now bake there. Please see my site for a video made by CHBC of me making fruitcakes there:

Fruitcake

My stores have been growing over the years, and now include the very chi chi Urban Fare stores in Vancouver. And as well, the extremely chi chi Dufflet Pastries in Toronto. I’ve been on CBC radio several times, even being dubbed Canada’s Fruitcake Queen by the host of Sounds Like Canada. I sent my fruitcakes to Monda Rosenberg, Food Editor of Châtelaine Magazine. She e-mailed me and described them as ‘wonderful’ and said, “You make one of the best-tasting fruitcakes in Canada.”

--Moni Schiller (www.fruitcake.ca)

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Partridge in a Pear Tree and Five Golden Rings Jump in Price

Making one's true love happy will cost $87,403 US this year, a minuscule increase from last year, according to the latest cost analysis of the items in the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas.

That's the grand total for the single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests, according to the annual "Christmas price index" compiled by PNC Wealth Management. The price is up a mere $794 US, or less than one per cent, from $86,609 last year.
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The Holiday Office Party Is The Best Time To Introduce Yourself to the Executives...

But, You Must Have a Plan!

“The holiday office party is NOT just a place for free food and drinks. It can be the best time to introduce yourself to an executive,” explains Networking Specialist, Ivan Misner PhD. “Making an impact on the boss can be a real career booster, it opens the door for a raise and even a promotion.”

Networking Strategies for the Holiday Office Party, Do’s and Don’ts:

  • Be Prepared! - Know whom you are talking to, what their job role in the company is and what they’ve done this year that has improved the overall performance of the business. Use this info as a way to start a conversation, “Hi Mr. Boss, I was so impressed by the way you handled the Jones Company’s campaign, how did you know that would work?”

  • Have A Teaser Topic Prepared. - We’re approaching the end of the year and every executive wants their company to increase profits and performance in the New Year. Have an idea ready that describes how you can improve you sector in the coming year. Don’t give away the goose, set up a meeting to discuss the details.

  • Don’t Over Do It. - Yes, the holiday party is a good time to introduce you to the execs but remember, it’s still a party. Don’t act as if you’re in the boardroom giving a presentation, keep it natural and leave them intrigued.

  • Don’t Have More than One Drink. - It’s a party, but it’s not YOUR party. You don’t want to be stinking of liquor when you approach the higher ups. Remember, the holiday office party should be considered a work event and you should never over do it on alcohol or you could potentially lose your job.

  • Use the Introduction as a Segway. - The end game here is to open the door for follow up. You want to be able to connect with the Boss after the party, one-on-one.

  • Be Confident. Know Your Value. - Introducing yourself to the company executive can be an intimidating experience, so give yourself an informed pep talk. Know your value make a list of the things you have done for the company over the past year and understand your role in the company’s success. Once you’ve got this down, there’s no reason you shouldn’t feel good about yourself.

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    About the Author

    John Thomson is the Okanagan's pre-eminent business columnist writing his column, Rumours and Things, for over 24 years. Plugged in to the valley's who's who, John keeps his readers coming back for more with his straight talk and optimistic perspective on where we are headed next.

    When John is not writing his column, he runs a sixteen year old think tank called the Executive Roundtable and holds his popular "Thomson Presents" quarterly business speaker seminars.

    Have a comment, question, or tip for John? 

    E-mail John at
    [email protected]
    or send him a fax at 250-764-8255.

     



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    The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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