We’re fooled into thinking that there’s a direct relationship between being busy and success. In truth, we need to find a life balance
A business owner reached out to me to schedule a strategy session. First he emailed me and then he called me. I figured he must be serious. As we were talking on the phone, he told me that he was overwhelmed, he wanted to take his business to the next level but he needed to…
When we get into a downhill spiral of negativity, it’s often hard to change. And negativity can sink a business very quickly
I recently worked with a company to solve a long-standing problem in one of their departments. The stressed owner of the company was frustrated at the lack of positive results. The company had brought in professionals over the years but to no avail. In fact, things were getting worse. Shortly after I came on-board to…
CPP expansion could result in a reduction in domestic investment up to $114 billion from 2019 to 2030
By Charles Lammam and Taylor Jackson The Fraser Institute Canada has a growing investment problem. Business investment (excluding residential structures like houses and condos) has dropped nearly 20 per cent since 2014. The level of business investment (as a share of the economy) in Canada is now second lowest among 17 advanced countries. Meanwhile, foreign…
The private sector can help revolutionize government services by improving productivity, cutting costs and introducing new ideas
Amen to the ideas offered in It’s Time for High-Performance Government, written by Howard Risher and William Wilder and published in 2017. But how do we bring about high-performance government? The authors say it’s not about efficiency, it’s about engaging workers. And on that score, government is 30 years behind the curve. The 1990s began…Fifty-five per cent of businesses are going to transition to new owners or close in the next decade
I recently gave a talk to a commercial real estate association. They asked me to talk about how they could sell more listed businesses. During the presentation, I asked them what percentage of businesses that are listed are actually sold. The response was “very few.” I wasn’t surprised. Not only is it hard to sell…Good leaders provide a clarity of vision, decision-making structure and communication systems
It was 6 a.m. on a Monday morning and the instructor for the spin class didn’t show up. Lost without leadership, half a dozen women and a sprinkling of middle-aged men were sitting on their bikes pedalling aimlessly. Disappointed that there wasn’t going to be a fitness class, I considered what I should do for…
In Prince George, Canfor accepted the challenge to address pollution issues. Other businesses can and should follow suit to deal with social conflicts
A few years ago, I was involved with a small team of people in my community of Prince George who gathered with the sole goal of improving the air quality. I was spurred on by a letter to the newspaper by a woman unknown to me, Betty Bekkering, complaining about the local air quality. I…
Communication, accountability, time management, servitude and mentoring all play important roles
The surprise snowfall that spring day stopped just before I dropped my girls off at their high school. But more surprising than the snowfall was the vision I encountered at the school. The principal and the vice-principal were shovelling the sidewalks so the students didn’t have to trek through the wet snow. They were greeting…
You want to leave behind a functioning, viable business. And you want to ensure your employees are prepared for this stressful change
It was one of my most embarrassing moments. I climbed out of the water at the triathlon at West Lake and in front of all the spectators, I threw up on James Sexton’s shoes. As his kids cheered me on, I moved to the transition zone where I quickly got on my bike and away…Most business leaders don't share their problems and concerns even when they should. Here's how you can get them talking
Beads of sweat were dripping off his forehead as he looked at me and contemplated his answer. I’d just asked him what was holding him back from the success that seemed to elude him, even though he had been laying out the plans for months. I could see his mind turning, the beads of sweat…