Business leaders give budget input

A group of female business leaders met with Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose Monday to offer input into this year's federal budget.
The roundtable discussions, held behind closed doors, gave the women an opportunity to share their priorities with Ambrose, also minister for the status of women, as the Conservatives finalize the 2011 document.
Kerry Weiland, vice-president of Titan Contract Welding, said it's important to have a voice.
"I think it gives an opportunity to hear the voice of a diverse group of people," she said.
The Wardlow-based businesswoman said she had a specific list of items to discuss with the minister, including better access to technology for rural entrepreneurs.
Shannon Lenstra, president of Kon-strux Developments, also had budget suggestions. Those included making the renovation tax credit permanent and cracking down on under-the-table contractors.
Lenstra said bringing together female business leaders -- Treasury Board president Stockwell Day held a similar round table on the economy with local business leaders last summer -- also makes sense.
"Women do have different opinions and different strengths," she said before the meeting.

Online marketing services see e-commerce growth in October

Current figures from the Interactive Media in Retail Group and Capgemini sale index showed internet marketing services experienced significant growth in e-commerce during October.

Shoppers in the UK spent a total of £5.2 billion on the internet during the previous month – the equivalent of £85 per person, which was an increase of 23 per cent when compared with the same period a year ago.

Chris Webster, chief of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini, said the results were better than expected and reminded retailers now is a crucial time to be exploring innovative strategies and promotion to gain an edge over the competition.

"The web is consistently seen as the place to go for bargains and retailers with an online presence should utilize this to their advantage", he added.

The study comes as eMarketer forecasts sales in the US online sector are expected to reach $38.5 billion (£24.3 billion) over the festive season.