Better Business Bureau – LIFT -  Len Andrusiak

Mr. Len Andrusiak was introduced by Nancy Morris. He is the President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Manitoba and NW Ontario.

 

Len was a BBB accredited business owner for 14 years before taking over as President & CEO. In his effort to promote the BBB Code of Business Practices and growing market place trust, Len’s vision for your regional BBB is to become an educator in all of our communities focusing on core values and ethics.  He works closely with business owners assisting them to promote and build their reputation as great companies that consumers can trust.  Previously Len was employed for 11 years with Fisheries & Oceans Canada out of the Freshwater Institute at the University of Manitoba and had the opportunity to work and travel extensively throughout the Arctic. Len left the federal government and was the co-founder of two successful technology companies in Winnipeg, Seerx Technologies and 365 Technologies. He had served as Director on the BBB board for 4 years and held the position of Vice Chair prior to his current role. Len is past Chair and has served 14 years as a Director on the Board for the Manitoba Marketing Network, a non-profit organization of volunteers helping Manitoba entrepreneurs succeed in business. Len also serves as a Director on the board of Red Road Lodge, a non-profit charitable organization providing a home to the homeless while assisting them as they transition to a better quality of life.

 

Len advised that he has had a passion for volunteering during the past ~20 years. He was asked if he would be interested in running a not for profit as his next career step. He felt that that was something that was missing in his work career, so he now is the President & CEO of the B.B.B. in Manitoba / N.W. Ontario. The BBB was founded in 1930, so it has an 88-year history. The BBB does very well with owners that are 35 years + in age, not so well with those under 35 years old.

 

When Len took over the BBB here in Manitoba, he felt that something was missing, the younger cohort. He was looking for a way to increase the involvement of the under 35 age group. He came across a program being offered to grade 9 thru 12 in Denver, Colorado called LIFT. It was provided through the Goodwill organization. The LIFT program focuses on ethics and developing a personal brand. Brand is critical for success in business and the same can be said for the individual. If you make bad decisions in your young life, they can affect you for the rest of your life. The problem for Len was how to make the LIFT program work here in Manitoba. He needed partners in the LIFT program. He was looking at the Winnipeg Foundation and the United Way. His board at the BBB Manitoba was able to create the BBB Education Foundation 2 years ago. This was to apply for CRA approval for charitable status. – Approval today! The Board of Directors are:

Chairman, Jamie Hall, COO, Safe Work Manitoba

Vice-Chairwoman, Jane Bachart, technology education consultant, Pembina Trails School Division

Treasurer, James Dark, director of finance, Convention Center Corp

Secretary, Len Andrusiak, president & CEO BBB Manitoba & NW Ontario

Bonnie McKissock, branch manager, Cambrian Credit Union

Tom Russell, Managing Partner, Four Points Financial Solutions Inc.

Dan Belhassen, president, Neovation Corporation

Kerry Swanson, president, Herzing College

 

Pembina Trails School Superintendent came onboard early. There are now 85 students with an Ethics Certificate through the LIFT program. This can be attached to any employment application they may make in the future.

 

The next big step is to train the trainers – teach LIFT to the teachers. Also, get youth agencies involved- Manitoba Youth Centre. The youth in the centre already have a damaged personal brand, but that can be changed. Need to also take LIFT into aboriginal communities. All this is possible due to support from area businesses. Len has already received three letters of support for the LIFT program that will be given to graduates with their certificates;

The University of Denver with the BBB of Manitoba has put on a workshop for the Winnipeg Free Press. They used the Circulation Department to try the LIFT program with. There were 15 employees that graduated with certificates and found that even adults can change their outlook on the world and themselves after taking the LIFT course.

 

The official launch of LIFT in Manitoba will take place on September 27^th, 2018 at Shaftsbury High School. The program material has been translated to French over the summer by University of St. Boniface and Louis Riel School Division staff. There is also support from; Asper School of Business, Pitblado Law, Canstar Community News, Neovation Corporation, Toshiba Solutions, Herzing College, Pembina Trails School Division, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technologies, Safework Manitoba, Winnipeg Free Press.  

 

For more information on the Manitoba BBB LIFT Program, https://www.bbb.org/manitoba/bbb-foundation/lift-ethics-certification-program-2018/

 

Q/A

1. Paul Brault asked what is the actual core material of the course?

A.- LIFT offers students five one-hour sessions that focus on different approaches to ethical decision-making and how to critically think through difficult situations. The program focuses on the Virtue Approach, Justice Approach and Utilitarianism. When the course is completed, a student must recite a commitment to the principles of the LIFT course, then a certificate is given to them.

 

2. Catherine Moltzan asked if there is any follow-up to evaluate success?

A.- One of the board members is a teacher. She asked her class ,”how many have cheated on exams?”, almost all indicated that they had at one time or another. She had a pre-course survey as well as a post-course survey. This was also done with the Winnipeg Free Press study group. Viewpoints regarding ethical position did change.

 

3. Chuck Crocker asked where the funding comes from?

A.- The BBB Manitoba put up $25,000 to start LIFT in Manitoba. This was with the hope that CRA would approve charitable status. SHAW is negotiating to be a sponsor.