The first step to receiving a merchant cash advance is the qualification process. This is one of the most evident signs that Synergy Merchant Services is nothing like a traditional bank. There is no need for you to get a new haircut, put on a sharp suit with shiny shoes and walk into our offices for an appointment that you needed to book a week in advance.

Instead, you simply need to spend a couple of minutes on the phone informing one of our great staff members about a few simple details. They include how many years you have been in business, which company you process your credit and debit card transactions with and what your average monthly credit and debits sales volume is.

That’s it! Now if you have been in business for at least one year and make a minimum of $5000 monthly through your Visa, MasterCard and Interac transactions, you are qualified to receive a free quote from one of our licensed funding specialists. Notice we didn’t even mention who your process with? That is because we are still happy to offer you a quote with no obligation to participate in the program regardless of who provides you with your point of sale terminal.

The quote involves you faxing in a copy of your monthly merchant statements provided to you by your processor. In fact, our funding specialists do not even require entire statements but instead are only looking for the summary pages. This is generally the first page of each month’s statement which lists the totals of your credit and debit transactions for the month.

Once this information is received, our funding specialists will be able to determine all of the important specifics about your merchant cash advance. Your quote entails three detailed pieces of information. Firstly, you will be informed of exactly how much of a cash advance your company is approved for. All companies are different, and as such we may be able to approve you for anywhere between $5000 and $125,000 depending on how much you process each month in credit and debit sales. We generally offer up to 110% of your monthly average.

Secondly, you will be informed about precisely how much the cash advance costs. We provide you with what is called a “discount fee”. In other words, you will be informed about the exact cost of the cash advance in an actual dollar amount. Notice again, another significant difference between Synergy and your bank? There is no accruing interest rate, so therefore your balance will never get higher.

Finally, we come to what we consider the best part about our program. And that is how you pay it back. You will be told your “withholding percentage”. This is not an additional cost, it is not a charge and it is not a rate of any kind. Very simply, this refers to the portion of your future credit and debit card receivables that will be used to pay back your cash advance.

There is no fixed repayment schedule. Therefore, you will never be considered late on a payment, avoiding the possibility of late fees or accruing interest charges. To make payments, all you have to do is continue with business as usual. We only get paid when you make a sale.

With this information, we are confident that you will be able to make an informed decision about what source of extra capital is right for your company. If you are looking to grow your business through expansion, renovations, advertising or the purchasing of new equipment and/or inventory, Synergy’s merchant cash advance program may just be what you have been looking for.

The annual CRFA Show is one of the most anticipated events of the year for the Synergy Merchant Services staff. Excitedly looking forward to this year’s incredible showcase of amazing restaurateurs, chefs and other members of the food and foodservice industries, the Synergy team will proudly be on hand at Booth #1009.

We happily invite you to join us and all of the other wonderful business owners at their booths between March 7th and 9th at the beautiful Direct Energy Centre on the grounds of Toronto’s Exhibition Place. No, we really mean it! Synergy invites you to be our guest at this year’s show…free of charge!

Seemingly in a great mood this week (regardless of his age, evidently) Synergy’s Vice President of Marketing, John Meloche is offering a free pass to anyone who would like to check out the CRFA Show. Simply e-mail John at jmeloche@synergymerchants.com to get access to this wonderful event!

Known as Canada’s largest hospitality event, the CRFA Show is an absolute blast. As proud members of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Synergy is celebrating its third consecutive year at this event. There’s no way we would miss it…and if you attend this year’s show, you’ll know exactly why.

Firstly, there is an endless supply of complimentary foodstuffs offered up by all of the amazing chefs and restaurateurs who are showcasing their food businesses and restaurants at the show. In addition, you can partake in a number of workshops and seminars by some of the world’s most celebrated chefs.

As CRFA’s website explains: “Visitors to the show in 2010 will experience a full line-up of industry specific seminars, educational workshops and presentations with strategies for new approaches in the foodservice sector. Attendees will also meet celebrity chefs and industry personalities participating in culinary competitions and cocktail contests on the Kraft and Garland stages throughout the three-day event.”

Perhaps, most importantly however, the CRFA Show offers business owners the opportunity to network with numerous members of the foodservice industry in an effort to grow and expand each of their respective companies.

According to www.crfa.ca: “Canada’s foodservice industry is comprised of eleven different sectors making it difficult to connect with remote independents and buyers. CRFA has developed a powerful marketing strategy, and with the strength of its 33,000+ membership, the association has designed an Expanded Marketing Program to attract more buyers than ever before.”

We, here at Synergy, simply can’t wait for this year’s CRFA Show. Not only do we plan on stuffing our faces, but we look forward to connecting with a variety of different business owners who we would love to develop healthy working relationships with.

As previous CRFA Shows have proven, this is an event where we are afforded the opportunity to personally meet with so many entrepreneurs who may greatly benefit from our merchant cash advance program. We look forward to seeing you there this March!

This past November, the Synergy Merchant Services Blog addressed the Toronto Transit Commission’s fare hike that was to be implemented in the new year. And while this did nothing to make TTC riders very happy, the news brought about expectations for the services provided by the TTC to be that much better. However, as Transportation Reporter for The Toronto Star, Tess Kalinowski points out today, the TTC is reaching its lowest point in public perception in years.

She highlights that for the past two months, the TTC has introduced a fare increase, experienced a “disastrous subway disruption”, found itself short on tokens and has had pictures of sleeping employees distributed all over the news media! Evidently, the TTC is in a bad way, these days.

Clearly, this is disappointing news for a large portion of Toronto’s population who depend on TTC buses, subways and streetcars to navigate throughout the country’s biggest city on a daily basis. As Kalinowski points out, however, the TTC has recognized this and earlier today issued an apology to Torontonians.

The expectation for TTC to raise the bar will be met. Or so says TTC chief general manager Gary Webster, who introduced a number of proposed changes to the services TTC will be providing its riders in the coming months. Improvements in the technology used to communicate with passengers will be made in addition to enhanced customer service training for the staff.

Said Webster: “The most challenging part of our job is the people side. Some of the real challenges are the one-on-one interfaces of our employees.”

TTC chair Adam Giambrone has this to offer: “There’s a higher expectation today and the TTC needs to line up to that expectation…I expect TTC staff will act quickly to restore the customers’ confidence.”

TTC hopes that the rise in customer confidence will start immediately with the announcement of the promised changes to their services. Kalinowski writes that the technology upgrades will include text messaging from all 800 streetcar stops by July to inform riders of when the next few cars are expected to arrive. Not bad.

As well, 50 new fare vending machines will be added to help alleviate the long monthly line-ups for passes. New video screens will be set up at station entrances, collector booths will be suited with new microphones, a 24/7 customer assistance and complaints line will be opened and there will be more TTC ambassadors at stations to assist in directing riders.

Well, finally it seems as if TTC passengers will actually be getting something extra for the increased fees that they have had to pay since the beginning of the new year. Apparently it took over 30,000 complaints last year to get the TTC moving on these upgrades. Here’s hoping that “riding the rocket” will once again become “the better way” after all.

Today, Synergy Merchant Services’ big Vice President of Marketing John Meloche turned the big 3-0! And by big, we mean about 6′ 7” (we’ll leave his weight out of this). So we’d like to welcome you all in joining us in wishing John a very happy 30th birthday! Of course, we’d also like to encourage you in rubbing it in that John now has a full three decades of life under his belt.

Tease all you want though. Ask John how he feels about hitting this new landmark in age and he’ll tell you that nothing has changed. Chances are, John is too busy fulfilling his duties with all of the endeavors he has taken on over the past several years. A constant workhorse and savvy businessman, John not only helps for the Synergy office to run in good working order but he is also responsible for a number of other projects.

In addition to today being John’s 30th birthday, today also marks his 15th anniversary in the marketing, design, copywriting and business consulting industries. Now, practically a master at developing website traffic, John has designed a number of websites for his various businesses including MeloTel.com and of course, the beautiful Synergy Merchant Services website that you’re on right now.

And if those websites don’t turn you into a believer in John’s graphic design and website-traffic-increasing prowess, then feel free to check out his very own JohnMeloche.com for more information on how he just may be able to help out your business’ online image.

Take it from the birthday boy himself: “My website isn’t about me. It’s about you…The same thing applies to your website. It’s not about you. It’s about your customers. It’s to help them decide whether or not you are the solution they are looking for. If your customers like your website, trust me, they will like you too!”

Now don’t get us wrong, John isn’t all business all the time. Readers of this blog are well aware that in addition to turning 30 this year, 2010 also marks the year that John takes that giant leap (figuratively and literally). This September, John will be walking down the aisle to make his lovely girlfriend Kathryn, his beautiful wife.

So what advice can we give John today as he reaches yet another milestone in his life? When posing this question around Synergy headquarters today, there were a variety of responses. “Quit now. It’s all downhill.” was one of them. Another was “Live it like every other day. Remember yesterday, you were 29. What has really changed?”

We are sure that the latter response is the one John will appreciate more. No matter the age though, John remains poised to continue his successful journey as a hardworking office manager and business owner. But more importantly, we’re sure he’ll continue to be the fun-loving and dependable guy that his friends and family know he is. (No matter how old he gets).

Happy birthday big guy!

It’s a good day to be a Canadian. The entire nation has every right to be proud, as Canada has shown incomparable compassion and goodwill towards their fellow man this month. And the timing for Canada to show its generosity couldn’t be better.

With the tragic earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti taking place a couple of weeks ago, the impoverished Caribbean nation is still reeling from its worst natural disaster in 200 years. The current death toll is up over 100,000 and the number of people missing and injured continue to mount. That number includes 236 Canadians. And our country has not forgotten any of them.

Thus far, Canadians have donated very generously towards the relief effort in Haiti. So much so that this past weekend, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the federal government would be lifting the $50 million cap he previously put on matching the donations made by Canadian citizens. In fact, donations from Canadians have already exceeded $60 million, making us “the world’s most generous contributor of aid to Haiti on a per-capita basis” according to the Canwest News Service.

In this past Saturday’s edition of The Toronto Star, Harper was quoted as saying that Canadian donations have exceeded all expectations. With the cap removed, the federal government will now continue to match all ongoing contributions towards the relief effort in Haiti dollar for dollar. This, of course, provides an added incentive for caring and concerned Canadians to continue to donate as they know that all contributions will be doubled.

Not only has Canada agreed to continue matching the donation of its citizens but the nation is also fast-tracking the adoption of Haitian children. As The Star pointed out, “The federal immigration department has been working with provincial counterparts to expedite the processing of some 154 adoption applications that were already well-advanced when the earthquake struck almost two weeks ago.”

One of the reasons that Canadians have likely been so quick to donate towards the Haitian relief effort is because there are so many ways that one can donate. Collection boxes have been set up at schools and stores all over the country. As well, the advent of “text donations” has made it virtually impossible not to donate at least $5 towards the cause.

For example, texting the word “AID” to 45678 will place a $5 charge on a cell phone user’s bill, representing a donation towards Canada For Haiti. According to The Toronto Star, “Technology is also making it easier for Canadians to donate online; 80 per cent of donations to the Red Cross are done online, or even by texting from a cellphone…That technology has put cash in the hands of aid agencies faster, which has helped speed their response.”

The article notes that, to date, Canada is leading the world in providing aid to Haiti by giving an average of nearly $2 for every single citizen. So while Canadians can all be very proud today for being leaders in relief effort contributions, they are encouraged to give for far less selfish reasons. We are needed, and we are heeding the call. Congratulations on showing Haiti and the world what we are all about. Keep up the good work.

Tonight, a number of Canadian television stations including CityTV, CBC, CTV and Global are coming together to dedicate their evening broadcasts to Canada For Haiti: a telethon for the Haiti relief effort. Absolutely devastated by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake from over a week ago, Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, remains a city in ruins.

Very sadly, hundreds of thousands of citizens have died. So many more have been injured and have been forced to endure the amputation of limbs. So many others are without homes, food or clothing. The Canadian federal government announced last week that it would match each and every Canadian donation to the relief effort in Haiti dollar for dollar up to $50 million.

Tonight is the night that Canada can show the world exactly what type of nation it is. Hosted by television and radio personality George Stroumboulopoulos, the live telethon taking place tonight is encouraging Canadians to give generously to this very worthy cause.

As part of the telethon, Canada For Haiti has secured the support of a number of Canadian celebrities and artists to both speak and perform on behalf of this great cause. Just some of the amazing Canadian talent participating in this telethon broadcast are musicians The Tragically Hip and K’naan, actors Michael J. Fox and Rachel McAdams (of Sherlock Holmes and Wedding Crashers fame) and Olympic champion Donovan Bailey.

All of them are bound by one important goal. That is, of course, to raise as much money as possible for those who so desperately need it. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in fact, spoke as part of the telecast reminding Canadians that each dollar of each donation will be matched by the federal government up to $50 million. Encourgaging us all to give as much as we are able to, the message of all those involved is clear and unified.

To donate to the relief effort in Haiti, a donation of your choice may be pledged to Canada For Haiti by calling 1-877-51-HAITI (42484). In addition, cell phone users may text the word “AID” to 45678 to donate $5 towards the same cause. You may also visit the website CanadaForHaiti.com to make a donation as well.

Again, Canadians are asked to give generously as Haiti is in dire need of the greatest humantarian effort of our lifetimes. The earthquake, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, is possibly the worst natural disaster of our lifetimes. If there ever was a time that Canada could adequately display its compassion and generosity, it is now.

The importance of your participation in this effort will truly speak to the kindness that Canada is known for worldwide. Michael J. Fox spoke about the people of his country being so willing to give by stating: “At the end of the day I can’t think of anything more Canadian than that.”

CanadaForHaiti.com sums it up best: “The suffering in Haiti is immense. The nation’s leading artists are joining Canada’s international humanitarian agencies, broadcast networks and corporations to raise funds for those in desperate need. Join us now. Show the people of Haiti they are not alone.”

Having developed great relationships with numerous business owners all throughout Canada over the past several years, there is a trait that we have come to realize binds them all. Owners of small to medium-sized business are very detailed, determined and diligent when it comes to making successes out of their companies. They are all bound by “The Three D’s”, if you will.

In yesterday’s edition of The Toronto Star, however, an article highlighted the fact that there is a missing “D” in the minds of business owners. Apparently, typical entrepreneurs generally have mapped out each aspect of their businesses with the lone exception of what they will do when they are done. (The fourth “D”, we suppose).

Interestingly, most business owners do not contemplate their retirement. While they are able to make crucial decisions about their businesses at present, it appears as if most have no plans for what will take place with their businesses once they retire. Notably, a BMO survey, that was released last fall, found that half of small business owners over the age of 45 plan on retiring in the next ten years.

Says Tina Di Vito, director of retirement strategies for BMO Financial Group: “If you ask a business owner about their business plan, or where they want to take their company, they’ll be able to explain it because they have to have that information prepared when they go to the bank for financing…But if you ask that same business owner about his or her plans for retirement, they probably would not even have started thinking about it.”

It makes one wonder how entrepreneurs neglect to contemplate what will happen when they leave the businesses that they have worked so hard to create, build and help flourish. The survey found that an astounding “81 per cent of owners do not have a formal succession plan in place (and) as many as 40 per cent said they plan to just shut down the company when it’s time to retire.”

Di Vito notes that this type of improper planning can have drastic effects on the economy. The closing down of businesses, she says, can severely impact their respective communities. Of course, her recommendation is for business owners to begin seriously thinking about their successors once they retire.

Needless to say, owners should consider the amount of time, energy and money that they have invested into their businesses so that they do not let it all go to waste. They are encouraged to build an advisory team to help with both the personal and business side of retirement, perhaps utilizing the expertise of a lawyer, accountant or financial planner.

Clearly, there are very important decisions for business owners approaching their retirement ages to make. They include whether or not the company will be sold, passed on to family members, split into pieces or dissolved altogether. Such planning is crucial and as such, should not be taken lightly.

Whose idea was it to call Canada “The Great White North” again? If it’s one thing that Canada has been stereotyped for, it’s being cold and snowy. Now, the cold part can’t be argued…as long as we’re talking about the winter season throughout most of the country, of course. The snowy, on the other hand…well, that’s a different story.

Most non-Canadians associate the nation with vast, white landscapes covered in ice and snow. And with the 2010 Winter Olympic Games fast approaching, fans from all over the world are preparing to watch their countrymen slide down the many snowy slopes offered up by the mountainous hosts of Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.

However as Stephanie Levitz and Jim Morris report in today’s edition of The Toronto Star, “Winter Games officials have given up on any help from Mother Nature and will now be trucking in snow for the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events at Cypress Mountain, on Vancouver’s North Shore.”

According to Levitz and Morris, the forecast for Canada’s west coast next week doesn’t report any snowfall. This, of course, isn’t exactly welcome news for the area which is set to host a number of skiing events at the 2010 Winter Games. In fact, it apparently will not even be cold enough for organizers to make snow to cover the mountains for the scheduled events.

As the article states, “contingency plans are now being rolled out which include using straw and wood to take the place of snow to build the base for the courses.” Weird, huh? No snow in Canada in the winter time? Who would have ever guessed?

Cathy Priestner Allinger, executive vice-president of sport and Games operations for the organizing committee, known as VANOC believes that there is enough snow on other parts of the mountains that can be moved to the ski slopes to prepare for the skiing competitions. Trucks, snow cats and even helicopters will be used, if necessary, to haul all of the white stuff to its appropriate spots.

Fans shouldn’t be worried says Priestner Allinger. “We are going to create a fantastic field of play and we are just doing it a little differently than we had originally planned,” she was quoted as saying.

Some organizers and athletes are starting to get concerned, however, about the slope and its ability to represent a fair and safe field of competition. Peter Judge, chief executive officer of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association worried that there may be an adverse effect on the athletes.

Said Judge: “If they don’t have the material they can’t build the features (jumps) as big or as radical as maybe they had originally planned. That may have some affect in terms of dumbing the course down a little bit.”

Judge doesn’t believe that the change will tarnish the image of the Games in Vancouver. Let’s hope it doesn’t spoil any of the events. Go Canada! Great White North, indeed.

John can hardly contain his excitement. You know who we’re talking about. You know the coming-up-on-his-30th-birthday, about-to-get-married, Halloween-costume-contest-winning, tropical-vacation-taking giant that rules the roost at Synergy Merchant Services?

Yeah, that John! Synergy’s Vice President of Marketing, John Meloche is ever-so excited once again. And this time, it’s because of his (picture Bob Barker’s voice on “The Price Is Right”) BRAND NEW CAR!

That’s right. After years of saving up his funds, John is just days away from driving into the Synergy parking lot in his fresh new ride! And while the entire office awaits the fateful day when they see John in the driver’s seat of his new pride and joy, we’d like to take this time to burst his bubble. Just a bit.

In today’s edition of The Toronto Star, business columnist James Daw reports that the cost of Ontario auto insurance is continuing to rise. As Daw writes, “Twenty two insurers won approval in the final quarter of 2009 to raise their premium rates – one by a whopping average of 15 per cent starting in March.”

Actually it was John who, in fact, originally brought this information to the attention of the other drivers on the Synergy Merchant Services staff. Never before considered an inexpensive cost of living, car insurance for Ontario drivers is set to increase by an average of 8.77 per cent, according to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

Apparently, now may not necessarily be the right time to begin driving again if you haven’t gotten behind the wheel in a while. According to Daw’s article, Traders General Insurance Co. of Canada tops the list of insurance companies issuing the biggest rate increases with an average increase over two years of nearly 30 per cent.

It is at this point that a necessary interjection must be made. As if this wasn’t always the case, drivers should remain as alert and cautious of the road as possible whenever driving. And while safety is always first, increased premiums are nasty side effects of getting tickets for speeding or other traffic infractions.

This is known all too well by one of the Synergy team members who reported damage to his vehicle to his car insurance company just a year ago. Discovering a large hole and crack in his bumper without any knowledge of how it got there, this individual contacted his insurance company to look into having the damage repaired. And although the claim was accepted as a “no fault, no collision” incident, he found that his premiums were raised upon renewal later in the year.

After contacting his insurance company to inquire as to why his rates had increased, he was informed that the company had researched his driving record to discover an out-of-country speeding ticket that was issued three years prior! Livid, our staff member questioned why this “ancient” ticket would not have affected his premiums for the three years prior to the present date. Unsatisfied with the shifty answer, our associate quickly changed insurance companies.

However, for Ontario drivers it appears as if it won’t matter which companies are insuring their vehicles. 2010 will prove to be a more expensive year for drivers all over the province. Safe driving, John!

With the recent tragedy that is taking place in Haiti, both Canadian citizens and businesses have been donating generously towards helping those in the impoverished nation who so desperately need it. Since last Tuesday’s earthquake, donations have been made by Canadians from all over the country to help the Caribbean nation with the relief effort.

And while donating money towards this cause is a very noble and generous action, may business owners rightly consider the benefits that such donations may have for their businesses. In a December 2009 article in The Toronto Star, the many benefits associated with small businesses giving to charity were discussed.

According to the article, experts believe that companies who donate to charities are not only generous but are also making good business sense. Becky Reuber, professor of strategic management at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, believes that donating can raise a small company’s profile in the community.

“You might get some media coverage from it, which would bring attention to your business,” says Reuber, noting that involvement in the community can allow small business owners to gain access to networks that “could play off…later on.”

Boosting employee morale is another benefit to giving a portion of your profits to charities, according to Eileen Fischer, a marketing professor who holds the entrepreneurship and family enterprise chair at York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Says Fischer: “There’s a sense that employees want to feel they are part of something that matters to the world.” She adds that creating relationships with charities can “make the workplace a much more meaningful place for employees. So it may be easier to attract employees and…keep employees.”

Fischer also believes that donating to worthy causes can help set your company apart from its competitors. Supporting non-profit organizations, she says, may help reinforce your brand.

The Toronto Star article notes that some business owners have personal reasons for donating to charities which are generally the most important reasons to do so. Charles Bybelezer, president of S.I.R. Waters International, donates a portion of his earnings from ELLE Water to the Canadian Cancer Society. He does so in support of breast cancer research because his mother and grandmother are breast cancer survivors.

Meaning “she” in French, ELLE water bottles are decorated with pink ribbons which are associated with breast cancer awareness. Five percent of all proceeds from the sale of these bottles are designated towards his charitable donations.

It is never a bad idea to consider donating a portion of your proceeds to a charity of your choice. Needless to say, the benefits of doing so are plentiful. For both personal and professional reasons, it may be one of the most important business decisions you can make.

Canada has answered the call. Proving to be one of the world’s greatest humanitarian nations, Canada has expressed an outpouring of support for the people of Haiti who are currently experiencing one of their worst tragedies in centuries. Following the earthquake of this past Tuesday in the nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince, the death toll continues to mount and the destruction seems endless.

Answering the call of the Canadian government for citizens to generously donate towards the relief effort, Canadians have been quick to provide what they can through numerous outlets. Yet while various organizations are receiving funds on behalf of Haiti, the FBI and the RCMP are warning people to be weary of con artists who are posing as aid groups seeking donations for the ravaged Caribbean nation.

Writes Peter Zimonjic in today’s Toronto Sun, “both agencies say fraudsters have already started rolling out the scams and it will get worse in the days and weeks ahead.”

FBI special agent Jason Pack had this to say: “We’re trying to get out in front of the scammers because we know in situations like these, when people really need help, unfortunately the scammers come out and try to set up shop as well.”

One would think that during such a horrific time when human beings are in such dire need of assistance, that even the lowliest of con men would take a break. Not so, reveals Zimonjic, as he notes that the RCMP has received numerous calls from people saying that they have been called by so-called “representatives” of legitimate aid agencies looking to have cash wired to bank accounts.

Cpl. Louis Robertson of the RCMP revealed the following: “Somebody will call and say they are from the Red Cross Canada asking people to wire them money. When they want you to wire money, you should hear alarm bells, real aid agencies don’t do that.”

Robertson warns Canadian citizens that another phase of scams will come through e-mail with “fraudsters” utilizing the logos of legitimate agencies to create convincing messages that will request for credit card numbers among other details.

Sadly, such circumstances were the case shortly after Hurricane Katrina, reports Zimonjic. Several hundred thousand dollars found their way into the hands of criminals who had set up fake websites to collect money purporting to go towards the relief efforts.

The easiest way to avoid a scam, warn police, is to contact a legitimate agency yourself in order to make a donation. Canadians are reminded that one of the easiest and most convenient ways to lend a much-needed helping hand to the people of Haiti is to simply text the word “Haiti” to 45678. This will provide a $5 donation towards the Salvation Army’s Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund. If you are a Rogers or Bell carrier, the donation will simply appear as a charge on your phone bill.

For more information, visit www.salvationarmy.ca.

We talk a lot about money here at Synergy Merchant Services. But no one could be more in need of financial support at this time than the ravaged citizens of Haiti. Struck by a destructive earthquake just two days ago, Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince is suffering tremendous loss. This morning, it was reported that the death toll in the impoverished Caribbean nation is in the tens of thousands. Maybe more.

Countries all over the world are participating in an outpouring of support for Haiti, who is in the midst of trying to cope with this disaster. The Toronto Star has reported that Canada has immediately donated $5 million towards the relief effort and will match every dollar that Canadians give to the relief effort in Haiti up to a maximum of $50 million.

In addition to the death toll, a reported three million people have been injured and left homeless. The Tuesday earthquake was truly devastating. With a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter scale, the quake was the worst to hit Haiti in 200 years. The Star reports that at least three Canadians have died in this tragedy and about 100 Canadians have been evacuated from Haiti.

According to Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Canada is sending two warships and two aircrafts to carry humanitarian aid to Haiti. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement that he has spoken with United States President Barack Obama about working together during the relief efforts.

“Our governments are cooperating closely,” said Harper, “particularly on the deployment of a response. We will closely coordinate as we move forward…We will have to do some response to the needs of people, but the first priority is to try to get to those people who may still be alive and can be saved. I can assure you that we are acting as quickly and as comprehensively as we can.”

Canadians are encouraged to look into their local charitable organizations who are accepting donations on behalf of the relief effort in Haiti. Donations made by each Canadian will be matched by the federal government through the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund until February 12.

If you are a Rogers or Bell cell phone user, perhaps the easiest way to make a donation is to text the word “HAITI” to 45678 in order to donate $5 to The Salvation Army Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief fund.

Make no mistake, donations are sorely needed. There are many citizens without homes, water or food. There are still thousands who are missing. All accounts are that the devastation is unimaginable.

“It is a horrific scene,” said Sebastian Walker, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Port-au-Prince, “Thousands of people are in the streets and many are carrying suitcases, looking to leave the city and go to the provinces.”

Let’s hope that Canada reaches $50 million in donations in no time. There is no better time to show our nation’s compassion and concern than now.

We like to be asked questions. If it’s one thing we love here at Synergy Merchant Services, it’s to be asked as many questions as possible by curious business owners from all over Canada. What better way to give us the opportunity to discuss our unique and innovative merchant cash advance program?

Have you ever heard the expression that “there is no such thing a dumb question”? Well, we firmly believe that around here. That’s because we recognize that most entrepreneurs and consumers alike think first of a bank when considering getting themselves some extra money. So when a merchant cash advance company comes along and reveals that it is no longer necessary to go to a bank in order to get money, it is understandable that there is some skepticism.

We more than welcome the challenge. In fact, our licensed Funding Specialists take great delight in the many fascinating questions that they are asked. The most popular perhaps is “How can you be giving out money with no interest?”. Well, of course, we recommend that you give us a call so that one of our talented staff members can fill you in and give you all the details on how our merchant cash advance program works.

But since we love this question, here’s our answer: Synergy charges no interest rate on a merchant cash advance because unlike a bank, the money we give our customers is NOT a loan. Instead, it is a purchase of a merchant’s future credit and debit transactions. It is a payment from us to them. It is not borrowed money.

Of course, it isn’t free money either! Instead of having an accruing interest rate, we charge a one-time discount fee that simply represents the total cost of the cash advance. As a result, our clients may rest assure that their balances will never get higher as nothing grows on top of their balances over time, regardless of how long it takes for the cash advance to be paid back.

“So how is it paid back?”. Another great question. Perhaps our favourite. This question gives us the opportunity to divulge what we believe is the BEST thing about our program. Merchant cash advances are paid back through a small percentage of a merchant’s future credit and debit card sales. If no sales are made, no payments are made either. We only get paid when the merchant makes a sale.

That way, our customers have the peace of mind in knowing that they will never be late on a payment. In addition, they will never have to make payments that they cannot afford. There are, of course, so many other questions that we are asked as a result of skepticism. With merchant cash advances having been in the Canadian marketplace for only a few years, we know that business owners across the country are still getting used to this relatively new concept.

But that’s just fine by us. We love the questions. So keep them coming! Give us a call today and ask away. You may just find that a merchant cash advance is the ideal source of extra capital that your business is looking for.

Last week, the Synergy Merchant Services Blog reported that the new year would bring the availability of new jobs for Canadians. Today, the QMI Agency reports that the Bank of Canada’s winter Business Outlook Survey has confirmed this prediction.

According to an article from The Toronto Sun’s website: “Roughly 54% of firms surveyed by the Bank of Canada plan to boost staffing levels in the next 12 months, up from only 42% three months ago.”

Following a year when the unemployment rate skyrocketed due to the recession, this, of course, comes as very comforting news. This is especially true considering that Canada’s unemployment rate was 8.5% in the month of December after having shed 2,600 jobs.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty reminded Canadians at a new conference in St. Boniface, Manitoba, however, that the recovery process is a slow one. Said Flaherty: “As you can see from the employment numbers on Friday, there’s still reason to be concerned about the performance of our recovery.”

There is hope, however, that Ontario and British Columbia – two provinces “ravaged” by the recession –will make up for most of the new job opportunities in the country. The Bank of Canada’s survey suggests that these areas of the nation are confident that business will pick up in 2010.

The QMI Agency’s article also notes that these findings were supported by another survey conducted by CareerAIM.com. This study found that the number of job classifieds posted in December was greater than the amount posted a year previous. It was the only month in 2009 when this was the case. Clearly an indication that companies are beginning to hire again, the statistic is certainly more encouraging that the cutback numbers that took place in December of 2008.

According to the CareerAIM.com study, “the number of new job ads was up 4.3% compared to one year earlier, or by 4,540 more postings.”

So, it looks like Canadians should be diligent in making sure their resumes are up to date. And although it appears as if there are more opportunities today than there was a year ago, it should be remembered that Canada is still experiencing a slow recovery from the recession.

Synergy Merchant Services proudly continues to do its part in offering employment opportunities as our hiring policies remained consistent into the new year. As we look to expand our team, we also look towards the nation increasing the employment rate overall.

On December 3, 2009, the Synergy Merchant Services Blog discussed the imminent arrival of HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The new tax, which combines the current GST (Goods and Services Tax) and PST (Provincial Sales Tax) is set to take effect in these two provinces on July 1, 2010.

Purported to make tax collection “less taxing” (pardon the pun) on merchants, this proposed new tax has drawn the ire of many Canadians. There is fear that they will begin to be charged taxes on products and services that did not previously incorporate one of the two taxes that HST will combine together.

One month ago today, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association posted an article on their website declaring a protest against HST on behalf of its members in the restaurant business in British Columbia. According to the CRFA, HST “will result in a new 7% tax on restaurant meals, which are currently exempt from provincial sales tax”.

The CRFA’s protest comes in the form of a new initiative known as “The No Meal Tax” campaign. The website detailing this cause – www.nomealtax.ca – offers up facts and figures that outline the impact that the additional 7% tax will have on dining prices and potential job losses. In addition, it connects to an online petition which is addressed directly to both the provincial and federal governments. In-restaurant campaigns are also planned to combat HST in BC restaurants.

Says CRFA’s Vice President Western Canada, Mark von Schellwitz: “A new 7 per cent meal tax will take a big bite out of customers’ wallets, employees’ wages and threatens our members’ livelihoods. We’re calling on consumers and industry staff to let their MPs and MLAs know they are against this unfair tax.”

To assist in the process of both raising awareness and helping to dispute the additional meal tax on BC residents, von Schellwitz offers up a No Meal Tax Kit which can be ordered by calling 604-685-9655 extension 1or e-mailing mark@crfa.ca.

There is no word yet as to whether or not a similar initiative will take place in Ontario. However, as a recommended member of the CRFA, Synergy Merchant Services remains very confident that the best interests of all CRFA’s members are always protected by this great organization.

As reported last week, this coming March, Synergy will once again take part in the annual CRFA Show at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre to meet with other industry professionals who also share the benefits of being CRFA members. For more information on how you may attend this amazing event, visit www.crfa.ca.