Technology developers understand that the most critical stage of any project is the point of commercialization. Will the technology work once a prototype is created? Can it be tested to identify potential issues? Who will buy your technology, and how much of it will they buy? The commercialization gap kills innovation in all industries and…
Lean and Six Sigma initiatives are popular amongst medium and large manufacturing firms. These data-driven approaches to managing quality, waste, and continuous improvement are ideal for complex manufacturing environments where a large volume of data can be collected and analyzed, however businesses of all sizes and sectors can use the strategies to improve their operational…
The Government of Canada recently made policy changes to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Among the announced changes, the program’s ‘4-in, 4-out’ rule will no longer apply. These changes will promote workforce stability and reduce hiring challenges faced by many Canadian employers. What does ‘4-in, 4 out’ mean? The Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s ‘4-in, 4-out’…
Canada’s transportation sector has a significant impact on climate change. In fact, reports suggest that transportation currently accounts for 1/4 of all Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Because of this, the Government of Canada has accelerated the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging station network, spanning from coast-to-coast. The network will support increased range for…
There were many signs of growth and prosperity for Canada’s manufacturing industry in 2016. New manufacturing orders increased by nearly 3%, a roadmap was developed to help the industry double in size by 2030, and investments are being made across all sectors, especially the automotive industry. Despite this success, a dark cloud still looms over…
Imagine any type of negotiation unfolding in front of you. What comes to mind? Most people think of a car sale, negotiating a contract at work, negotiating salary or compensation with an employer, or something simple. However, the reality of the situation is that most people negotiate every day on multiple occasions, but most of…
The Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) is a competitive first-purchase program established by the Government of Canada. Its purpose is to facilitate the testing and sale of pre-market innovative technologies, ultimately reducing the commercialization gap commonly faced by technology developers. Through the program, businesses may sell their pre-revenue technologies to a specific government department…
Although public healthcare is one of Ontario’s most technology-driven sectors, the process of procuring advanced technologies can seem exceedingly difficult. As a member of the broader public service (BPS), public healthcare organizations care often required to issue public tenders that detail product specifications and financial terms. While this procurement process works for some BPS organizations, it…
Dajcor Aluminum Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of extruded and fabricated metal components. Their products are used among the automotive, renewable energy, military, construction, marine, and indoor plumbing industries. Since being established in 2010, the company has invested significant resources to its expansion and now supports over 150 employees. Dajcor recently received a repayable contribution…
Approaching the end of an uninspiring 2016, Canadian export confidence slipped to its lowest recorded point since Fall 2012. This decline make sense; in a year marked by Mexico’s overtaking as the United States’ #2 exporter and the election of Donald Trump, Canadian businesses are waiting cautiously to see what the future brings. The Trade…