video conferencing Archives - Rostie & Associates Inc.

Your Career Path: Making the Most of a Bad Situation

May 26, 2020/0 Comments/in Business, freelance, Networking, News, Security, video conferencing /by admin

Let’s face it times are tough with almost every sector having taken a massive hit, literally overnight.

No one would think you’re crazy for saying that there are no opportunities out there right now but, surprisingly, there are.

Many industries are hiring to either meet current demands or to prepare for changes going forward.

Realistically, for some people it may mean changing industries or learning new skills to adapt.

However, you may be fortunate enough to already be working in one of the industries currently hiring or planning to expand post Covid-19.

This article from The Muse lists 94 companies across a variety of industries that are currently looking to hire.

And here is some encouraging news from Business Wire and Forbes.

This article from Accenture provides some great insight regarding the effects of Covid-19 on the technology industry.

Of course we all realize these are not the “best of times”, but while conducting my own research into what types of industries are hiring and what types of positions are available, I came across dozens of articles – both USA and Canadian centric – far too many to list here.

But, it does show that if you are considering searching for a new position or perhaps changing careers, this may be the time to make that happen.

Just as of writing this article, Rostie & Associates has positions available for a Sales Director, Senior Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Account Executive, Senior System Administrator, Cyber Security Engineer, Cyber Security Manager and a Senior Systems and Network Engineer.

You can find more details on these and other positions, at www.rostie.com

Speaking with other recruiters confirms that, yes; companies are hiring and utilizing technologies such as Zoom, Skype, Webex, etc. to conduct interviews.

Many of the roles will be “work from home” until it is safe for them to re-open their offices.

These recruiters have also advised that they’re seeing an uptick in hiring for various types of roles in healthcare, eCommerce, Fintech and Cyber Security, just to name a few.

Of course, there are a great number of positions available in areas such as distribution.

If you are of an entrepreneurial nature, perhaps now is the time for you to go out on your own. This article from Forbes suggests this could be the time to make it happen.

And, if you just need some encouragement, here are some success stories from Mental Floss and Business Insider that show that adversity can be turned into advantage!

The Skype Interview

March 19, 2018/0 Comments/in Business, Personal, video conferencing /by Pamela Inglis

So, you submitted your resume, got past HR, and you’re moving on to the next steps in the interview process.

Now you can’t wait to meet the hiring manager, and you will, but not necessarily in person.

With remote work and de-centralization, it’s quite possible that you and the hiring manager don’t live in the same city – or even in the same country.

Skype/Video calls save a tremendous amount of time and money, but they do have their drawbacks.

Here’s some things to keep in mind…

Double-check your connection – make sure there are no technical issues on your end.

If you don’t have a home office, find a quiet corner where you won’t be disturbed and household noises won’t filter through.

Be conscious of your body language – you don’t want to appear too comfortable or laid back.

Dress for success still applies… no matter how tempting it is do not dress formally on the top half and casual on the bottom – just don’t do it!

Have everything you need ready at hand – pen, paper, your resume, list of questions for the hiring manager.

If you want water or coffee then use a proper mug or glass – no Disney themes, please.

Look them in the eye!

This is crucial to video interview success.

I’ve conducted a number of video interviews and it’s very disconcerting when someone doesn’t look you in the eye when you’re speaking with them. Even worse, you don’t feel like you’ve connected. A lot of people tend to look at the other person’s image on the screen but you need to look into the camera – not stare of course, you don’t want to freak them out(!), just natural eye contact.

Most of all, treat a video call as what it is, a formal interview, and act accordingly.

Best of Luck!

from the March edition of The Scoop
By: Pamela Inglis

The Scoop is out for August

August 4, 2016/in Business, Event Planning, Meeting Rooms, Office Space, social, The Scoop, Toronto, video conferencing, workspace /by admin

Hope everyone is looking forward to a month full of exciting summer fun. This August is jam packed with waterfront activities running all month long. The Rostie Group is pleased to welcome several new tenants to our work community including One Great Photo/Roy Danics Photography, Novus Calculus, Tempus Wood Watches, Creditgence Inc., Tidyapp Inc., Accu Translation, and Ackah Business Immigration Law.

Our newest meeting room “Toronto Bay” is newly renovated and fully equipped with a boardroom table, TV screens and lounge area perfect for your unique meeting room needs. Toronto Bay is ready for booking today!

Growing Your Business From Home

November 17, 2015/in Business, Co Working, coworking, Event Planning, Event Space, Events, Featured, freelance, Meeting Rooms, Networking, Office Space, Toronto, video conferencing, Virtual Office Toronto, workspace /by admin

A virtual office is:

All the benefits of a physical office, without having to physically be there! (When you do get lonely though, you are welcome to join us in our coworking space if you need some social interaction and a change of scenery…and coffee!)

A virtual office is great for:

Work from home individuals who would like to maintain a professional appearance and have their administrative duties handled professionally.
Small businesses that want to save costs on office space.
Medium and large businesses looking to expand into a new market.
Business individuals who need to meet clients in a professional environment on a semi-regular basis.
Businesses that conduct interviews on an irregular schedule.
Independent workers (freelancers, lawyers, and family-run businesses) that want to save time and cut employee costs.
When permanent space for all staff doesn’t make sense, but a central address and location for client meetings is needed and will ensure your business runs effectively.

Virtual tenants can have all their phone calls answered by on-site receptionists, and mail forwarded to anywhere in the world, from our high profile downtown location. Whether your company is located locally, nationally, or abroad, The Rostie Group’s Virtual Office solution can help you build a truly “borderless” business.

Come visit us to meet your ‘virtual assistant’. We have real people who you will come to know very well, handling all of your mail, greeting your clients on the phone in your company name or in person.

Cut overhead costs by only coming into the office when you need to meet a client who just arrived via Porter airline, for videoconferencing, or having a team meeting. The quaint Baltic, Caspian and Lake Joe rooms boast beautiful views of downtown Toronto.

At The Rostie Group it is all-inclusive. You receive a discounted rate for meeting rooms, the ability to use coworking space and invitations to all networking events, lunch ‘n’ learns and training sessions. Plus when you are ready to move into a physical office, your transition will be seamless! Your business can grow within The Rostie Group community, from virtual office to coworking to long-term office resident, your business will thrive and grow without having to change your business address!

We love our work community and are involved in local events taking place along the Waterfront all year long! Don’t miss the Spectacle of Lights beginning on November 28^th! #itsbetterbythewater

Ultimately the best reason for having a virtual office – at the very least a mailing address – is that it enables you to focus on developing your business, sales and client base – avoiding the stress of day-to-day operations .

Check out all of the flexible packages available here. We can custom build a package to suit your business needs! Want 10 hours of coworking with a mailing address and live receptionist? We can build a membership just for you! Need a meeting room every week for 4 hours, plus a Bay St. address for all your packages to be delivered to? We do that!

Check out some more of the benefits of having a virtual office here,

then share this with your friends, so they can establish the image they need for their business to grow!

Happy Birthday Cynthia!

July 7, 2014/in Business, Co Working, Cowork, coworking, Event Planning, Event Space, Events, Marketing, Meeting Rooms, meetings, Office Space, Offices, Proworking, Staff, Startup, Toronto, toronto meetings, video conferencing, Virtual Office Toronto, workspace /by admin

The team at The Rostie Group would like to wish Cynthia Rostie a very Happy Birthday. We hope she has a wonderful day and is enjoying her travels. We look forward to celebrating with her upon her return!

Meetings made easy with videoconferencing

July 2, 2014/in Business, Meeting Rooms, Office Space, Offices, Toronto, toronto meetings, video conferencing, Virtual Office Toronto, Webinar, workspace /by admin

Videoconferencing is a convenient and effective meeting option which can save your organization both time and money. This technology has many advantages over traditional business meetings.

Lowers travel expenses

Share information with colleagues around the world in mere seconds without unnecessary travel costs, long layovers, pricey courier services, and all those other stresses and hassles associated with travel.

Conduct worry-free recruiting

Find the best candidate for the job no matter where they may be located. Videoconferencing enables you to pre-screen, interview, and privately interact with potential employees all while providing personal contact in the assessment process.

Gain a Competitive “Edge”

Videoconferencing gives you the instant “edge” in an increasingly globalized business world. Get a variety of diverse perspectives from off-site associates with limited planning or notice.

Stay ‘in the loop’

Whether working from the office, connecting from home, or conducting business off-site, videoconferencing allows you to effortlessly manage your business priorities while remaining an integral part of the decision making process.

Reduces your Company’s Carbon Footprint

With the business world changing rapidly, videoconferencing allows you to host a traditional meeting without the traditional constraints of space and location Bring your groups from several key locations together rather than relying on high-emission transport to get everyone into the same room.

Let The Rostie Group host your next videoconference. Our cutting-edge equipment is safe, secure, and reliable. Plus, we offer on-call technical support and assistance throughout the entire videoconferencing process. Whether purchasing or renting our equipment, The Rostie Group can provide your organization with innovative communication solutions for an ever-changing global marketplace.

Now Available: A New Home for Your Office Team

June 9, 2014/in Meeting Rooms, meetings, Office Space, Offices, Staff, Toronto, Uncategorized, video conferencing, workspace /by admin

Here at the Rostie Group we pride ourselves in being able to provide quality and affordable office and team space for rent.

Move In Today!

An excellent space that can be used for projects, team space for up to 30 employees, or whatever your business need may be.

Features include:

Fully furnished and available at any notice.
Spectacular city views
Situated in the thriving downtown South Core, steps away from Union station and just a stone throws away from the lake.
Flexible and customizable office configuration to meet your company’s unique needs
- Currently configured for 10 stations but large enough for many more options.
Excellent as a day office for brainstorming sessions, focus groups, and project work
Committed specialist support available from any of our teams (catering, in house IT support etc).
Rostie Group meeting rooms, voice over IP, videoconferencing, full service kitchen and business lounge all available at or for preferred rates.

We look forward to offering you a unique office solution that meets your company’s needs.

Feel free to contact us for further information or to book a tour: 416-214-1840 or visit www.RostieGroup.com

Great meetings result in something tangible.

May 29, 2014/0 Comments/in Meeting Rooms, meetings, Office Space, Toronto, video conferencing /by admin

Do you know what it takes to have a great meeting? Or, how not to ruin one?

Making sure that you have certain rules when it comes to the preparing for and running a meeting is critical to ensuring that your team emerges from the meeting room on the way to something valuable and tangible.

“No agenda should include the words information, recap, review, or discussion.

Great meetings often have agendas that are no more than one sentence, like “Determine the product launch date” or “Select software developer for database redesign.”

Information? Share it before the meeting. If I need to make a decision during a meeting, shouldn’t I have the information I need to make that decision ahead of time? Send documents, reports, etc., to participants in advance.

Holding a meeting to share information is unproductive and wastes everyone’s time–it’s lazy.”

Read this really great article about having great meetings here…

Meeting Room Special: Book One, Get One 50% off

May 14, 2014/0 Comments/in Business, Co Working, Cowork, coworking, Event Space, Events, Marketing, Meeting Rooms, meetings, Office Space, Offices, Toronto, toronto meetings, video conferencing /by admin

After a long and dreary winter, we are ready to celebrate SUMMER. We are excited to be offering a summer special for meeting room reservations.

Book your meeting online with one click!

During July and August, when you book one meeting room, you get the second one for 50% off. Simply book both your meetings at the same time and get 50% off the second one. Please note that the discount is applied to a second meeting reservation of equal or lesser value and does not include catering or AV requirements.

The Rostie Group is Toronto’s premier mid-sized meetings and conference centre and boutique provider of fully furnished personal and shared workspaces including virtual offices, team rooms, workstations, pro and coworking spaces as well as event spaces. Situated at Bay and Queen’s Quay in the city’s thriving south core, our experienced and professional staff are always on hand and dedicated to your business success.

Please feel free to contact our team if you would like to take advantage of this limited time offer or if you have any questions. We can be reached at 416-214-1840 or meetings@rostiegroup.com

Hiring For Small Business — Overcoming Challenges And Tips For Success

May 14, 2014/0 Comments/in Business, Meeting Rooms, Office Space, Offices, Startup, Toronto, video conferencing /by admin

By Jason Whitman (Huffington Post)

According to the most recent ADP employment report, small businesses added 82,000 jobs to the U.S. economy in April. Also, according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses provide more than half of all jobs in the U.S. But, as every small business owner knows, each and every one of these individuals within your business makes a difference and has the opportunity to move the needle depending on whether that individual is the right fit for the business.

We interact with small business owners every day to help make that right hire that is so essential to the bottom line. It’s clear that not having the right person in an open role can make or break the future success of your small business. But hiring that perfect talent for an opening is not always something that small businesses feel well-equipped to tackle.

Often, small business owners feel a lot of similar pain points, which typically fall within three major areas:

Time is of the essence for a small business owner looking to hire talent. In contrast with a larger company, where hiring managers do workforce planning, have some flexibility and often can afford to be patient when hiring, small business owners can’t. Typically, if they don’t fill an “empty seat” quickly, the work to be done accelerates in a ripple effect, seriously increasing the workload of the rest of the employees.