This week is Small Business Week, and to celebrate, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is having a conference for small businesses on Oct. 18 and 19.

Melissa Syer, the executive director of the Yellowknifer Chamber of Commerce, told Yellowknifer about the desire from small businesses to have access to professional training.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the things we hear from our member businesses, especially the small businesses, is lack of access to professional development and training opportunities. Through funding from CanNor (Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency) and ITI (Industry, Tourism and Investment), we were able to put on a two-day conference with speakers.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the speakers came up from the south, and some are local Yellowknife business owners who talk on a variety of topics, (such as) talking about the future of work, social media, best practices, how to manage a website, everything. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e able to put on a few catered lunches over the course of two days.

SA国际影视传媒淭he big celebration at the end of the week is our Business Awards Gala (at the Explorer Hotel). We will recognize 10 businesses in Yellowknife for their excellence in a myriad of ways.SA国际影视传媒�

One of the speakers invited to the conference, held at the ElkSA国际影视传媒檚 Lodge, was Dr. Susan Biali Haas. She made a presentation on mental health, particularly on how to deal with behavioral issues typical of leaders, and building healthy connections with employees.

She told Yellowknifer why mental health is important in a business context.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a business leader, people are under an enormous amount of pressure. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e working long hours and are often not sleeping. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e often not taking care of themselves properly, theySA国际影视传媒檙e not exercising, theySA国际影视传媒檙e probably not eating all that well either if theySA国际影视传媒檙e in a really stressful time SA国际影视传媒� and that makes leaders stressed out,SA国际影视传媒� said Biali Haas.

SA国际影视传媒淟eaders, especially in this difficult time that weSA国际影视传媒檝e all been in for the last two-and-a-half years, it does make them more vulnerable. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a very important part of that conversation for the well being of leaders and business owners for themselves, but then also, to be able to have awareness for the people who are working for them, to have their eyes open and be able to identify when people are having challenges and be part of their support and helping people who are working for them to also maybe get help that they need or change things in their life or their work lives. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 part itSA国际影视传媒檚 really about strengthening all of society, ultimately.SA国际影视传媒�

One of the major issues facing small businesses in Yellowknife and, by extension, the NWT, is inflation. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been an ongoing issue for many months now and that hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been lost on William Kellett, a director with the NWT Chamber of Commerce and president of Kellett Communications.

He said businesses sometimes have no choice but to pass on rising costs to the consumer because of how margins are determined.

SA国际影视传媒淯ltimately, most businesses price their goods or services based on cost of goods sold for services (COGS), plus a margin,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢argins can only be squeezed so far before an increase in costs gets passed on to the consumer. Some industries are more sensitive or necessarily responsive to cost increases, which is why we see it at the pumps and grocery shelves first. Eventually though, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a ripple effect to cost-of-living increases that affect wages and materials.SA国际影视传媒�

Kellett said he gave his staff a salary bump to try and offset their rising bills and it hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been detrimental to his business.

SA国际影视传媒淭o their credit, my clients did not mind the corresponding increase to my rates,SA国际影视传媒� he said.