Rest in peace, rest green

If you are concerned about protecting the environment and leave a better planet for your loved ones, you might want to start thinking about your funeral. Indeed, although this is not a common topic of conversation is important.

A traditional coffin made of wood or metal, besides being expensive, contains various polluting elements (varnishes, metal parts and other synthetic elements) that cannot be degradable. Cremation is also a polluting process, since it involves the emission of toxic gases. 

Companies now are offering a wide range of ecological, innovative and cheaper biodegradable coffins and urns to help reduce the soil contamination, the carbon footprint and toxic gases produced during the incineration.

Receive a warm reception to your new home with the Welcome Pack Canada

When I immigrated to Canada one of my new neighbors gave me a floor lamp. "I came 5 years ago, he said. And one day you'll probably do the same for someone else...” 

After all the immigration process, the emotional drama of letting go all what we had in our country of origin and the one way trip, here we were, me and my husband, sitting on the floor of our empty apartment, with just one lamp welcoming us to our new home. I cherish this kind gesture and I’m sure I will always remember it.

Whether Canada or any other country, immigrants are an important market for companies providing all kinds of products and services. Some brands might be familiar to them, some of them might not. The bonding process starts since their landing day and never stops. Over time, they'll develop affection and loyalty toward different brands.

Therefore, it is important that the brands present themselves to the newcomers and maintain a positive image, since this is an audience actively seeking for new suppliers.

Creating a “Welcome to Remember”

Image: Welcome Pack Canada

Entrepreneur and visionary, Albert Yue, created a new way to give immigrants a warm welcome to Canada while connecting them with national and local brands through the Welcome Pack Program and the Gift Box.

The Welcome Pack is a box that comes with daily use products and gifts from leading brands of different industries: banking, telecommunications, real estate, automotive, food & beverages, consumer products and services, etc.; as well as an informative magazine with advice and special offers.

The box was designed with caricatures of different families representing some of the places where new immigrants come from. “The welcome gift box that is gifted free of cost to each new immigrant who have recently arrived in Canada is designed as a keepsake ‘memory box’ to enable new immigrants record their fun and memorable life events/moments as they settle into this beautiful country”, explained Andrew Srinarayan, Vice President of Welcome Pack Canada Inc. in an exclusive interview for The Visionaries Media.

Srinarayan detailed the impact and benefits for the associated brands and companies: “The WelcomePack Canada program is a unique multi-dimensional marketing program connecting Canadian brands with new immigrants.

WelcomePack is the ‘Brand Ambassador’ on behalf of multiple Canadian brands of goods and services that welcomes new immigrants in Canada. Thereby we gain their unique attention and affection. We aim to gain lifetime customer value of the Canadian immigrants from their arrival and throughout their settling journey. This is a very significant role since when new immigrants arrive, they are new to Canadian brands and Canadian brands are new to them. They need to get to know and love these leading brands that they will continue to interact with during the rest of their lifetime and for their off-springs. WelcomePack enables Canadian brands establish a relationship with a range of touch points in short term, medium and long term, while extending significant value”.

Image: Welcome Pack Canada

Launched in 2013, the program also includes contests, gift cards and other rewards, such as the chance to win prizes after completing a survey on the website. According to company’s information, in 2014 there are 40 brands participating and coupons are over $1,000 in value and savings.

“The welcoming does not start and end with the gift box. WelcomePack continues to be by the side of the newcomers helping them navigate through the different stages of their settlement. We continue to provide them with helpful information, advice and tips in several formats – ebooks, bi-weekly emails, online content, webinars, etc., and more special offers, as well as fun and excitement through contests and prizes”.

The company is preparing for the launch of the 2015 WelcomePack program hoping to reach another 30,000 new immigrants. "This is our target each year. We will be having more brands/companies involved and more great offers for new immigrants, while creating much more helpful content for them in multiple formats. Our focus area will continue to be Ontario and particularly the Great Toronto Area where over 40% of new immigrants settle", Srinarayan added.

New to Canada?

If you are a Permanent Resident; 18 years of age or older and immigrated to Canada after September 2011, you are eligible to receive your free gift box.

Learn more about how to obtain your package here: http://welcomepackcanada.com

About Albert Yue, President of Welcome Pack Canada Inc.:http://welcomepackcanada.com/a-welcome-from-the-president-ceo/

Your First Job in Canada – No Canadian Experience? No Problem!

http://welcomepackcanada.com/offers/your-first-job-in-canada-no-canadian-experience-no-problem/

As part of the ongoing engagement and relationship building with newcomers, the organization has launched a new series of short stories in an ebook version. More branded information products covering a bevy of topics in this format will be released in the next months.

See the first ebook:

English version - http://welcomepackcanada.info/ebooks/01/en/

Chinese version - http://welcomepackcanada.info/ebooks/01/ch/

Aída Ulloa
The Visionaries Media
Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed
www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

“Lotería Jarocha”, a revamp of a traditional Mexican game

Help Alec Dempster launch the Lotería Jarocha game.

This project will only be funded if at least $6,000 is pledged by Thursday, Aug 14 2014 10:59 PM EDT. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/276896498/loteria-jarocha-a-game-of-mexican-music-poetry-and

Visual arts and musician Alec Dempster is transforming the traditional Mexican "Lotería" game and creating a new musical version to promote the game in Mexico and abroad. Recently he started a campaign on the website Kickstarter.com to fund the cost of recording a CD that will accompany the board game.

The “Lotería” game is a Mexican form of Bingo. The traditional “Lotería” consists of images and verses rather than just numbers. His adaptation called “El Fandanguito” includes 60 images which represent “sones”, which are jarocho folk songs from the state of Veracruz. The songs are sung while the players listen and try to identify the corresponding images on their boards. 

Sources: alecdempster.net / cafeconpan.ca

The new game will include the CD, 8 letter press boards and a deck of 60 illustrated cards (linoleum printed images with the lyrics or verses, written specially for the playing of the game). Each verse is an "adivinanza" (riddle) with the title coming at the very end or poetically insinuated. The game is played by reciting or singing the verses, explains Dempster on his website.

Dempster spent three years in Mexico creating the print images which then custom printed on 8 playing boards at Lunar Caustic Press in Toronto, using the letter press technique, explains on Kickstarter. 

Sources: alecdempster.net / cafeconpan.ca

Watch the images from the Lotería Jarocha game:

http://www.alecdempster.net/Loteria_Jarocha/Fandanguito_Gallery.html

Supporters may receive one the following rewards:

- His most recent CD "Nuevos Caminos a Santiago" along with a CD of unreleased live Cafe Con Pan music group recordings.

- Signed copies of his book about son jarocho called "Lotería Jarocha"

- Choose from 30 of the "Lotería" limited edition prints.

About Alec Dempster:

Dempster was born in Mexico City and grew up in Toronto where he received his formal art training. It is in Veracruz, Mexico however that his work became synonymous with son jarocho folk music and other aspects of local popular culture. Over a period of twelve years his printmaking has been part of a multidisciplinary project combining; research of local oral history, doing field recordings with elderly musicians, creating educational games, as well as performing professionally with established son jarocho groups. 

Source: http://www.alecdempster.net/

Alec Dempster‘s biography on Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/people/dempstergrafik

About the music group: Café con Pan

Alec Dempster and Kali Niño conduct interactive son jarocho workshops, classes and courses, for all age groups. They lead to a broader understanding of Mexican culture, Spanish language, and develop musical skills. An important component is the zapateado dance form which has been described as “Mexican tap”, as well as singing, playing the jarana and percussion.

Source: http://www.cafeconpan.ca/ 

 

Aída Ulloa, Editor The Visionaries Media Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia

Tackle the hidden job market: Buy your next job

The hidden job market is not a secret to anyone. Approximately 80% of jobs are not published; meaning that employers are filling the positions by promoting their staff or employees' referrals. In this way is much easier, faster and cheaper.

Accessing the hidden job market is not easy; HR experts suggest: contact potential employers, use your network, make new connections on Linkedin, join a job-finding club and a professional association, visit career fairs, volunteer, attend conferences, speak with alumni, conduct information interviews, etc. Uff... Exhausted? But what if none of this is enough and you still cannot find a job?

Good Golem (www.goodgolem.com) tackles the hidden job market by giving job seekers the opportunity to buy their next job.

www.goodgolem.com

Jill and Jack Kids, clothes to inspire the next generation of leaders to think beyond pink and blue.

Image: Jill and Jack Kids

For generations we have accepted the established cultural frames to differentiate what is feminine and masculine, as the typical color-coded: pink for girls, blue for boys. The standards governing societies have changed and in that sense, fashion must evolve to embrace diversity and changes in taste and ways of thinking, especially when it comes to the youth generations.

The mainstream in retail stores is still limited and stereotypical. Because of this, Graphic Designer, Jenn Nielson, from Toronto, Canada, decided to start her own business: Jill and Jack Kids, to make clothes that change the messages we’re sending to kids.

"The first time I went shopping for my daughter I expected to find fun, bright colours for her to wear – I was disappointed to find girls’ departments that were all pink and frills, and boys’ departments filled with trucks and sports. Even though I know lots of kids who love these things, most boys are into more than just sports, and we need to tell girls that even if they like princesses, it’s cool to like other stuff - like dinosaurs - too!", says Nielson on Kickstarter.com

We are at the "Golden Age of Entrepreneurship", says Teresa Kruze

We are at the "Golden Age of Entrepreneurship" and there has never been a better time to start a business, says Teresa Kruze in her book: "The In-Credibility Factor", coauthored with Terry Beech.

In an interview with CTV News, Kruze explained some of the factors behind the statement: a greater support from the Canadian government; low start-up costs as well as the amazing quantity of information available on the Internet.

In “The In-Credibility Factor", Kruze showcases the stories of 30 Canadian entrepreneurs; their moments of triumph, trials and successes. Is interesting that the listed multimillionaires and business owners have several things in common, starting with the fact that many of them have humble origins.

After interviewing so many entrepreneurs, Kruze gathered some keys to success:

• Wise time management.
• Surround yourself with the best team possible.
• Take advantage of mentors.
• Risks management.
• Persevering: "always believe in yourself".

Teresa Kruze is a Canadian television personality. She has worked as reporter, sports anchor, international speaker, host and producer. Nowadays she hosts an interactive television talk show and runs a production company.

In the book she also gives some ideas on how to think and act like an entrepreneur and tips to get the people and money you will need. 

http://www.teresakruze.com/

Find the book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-In-Credibility-Factor-Teresa-Kruze/dp/0987950703

Watch the complete interview on CTV News and listen to some of the inspirational stories that give shape to the book:

http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.815911

Aida Ulloa

Amazon.com