Branding plays an important role in our capitalistic society. It takes a product or service and transcends it beyond its features and specifications into something that consumers form an emotional bond over. This bond leads to consumer loyalty, defending and endorsing brands, and a willingness to pay more solely for the brand. Apple has evolved…
Being able to develop a product, service, or business that can be exported to foreign markets provides a sustainable advantage for Canadian firms. Although Canadian businesses are typically known as global leaders for quality products, being certified under an international quality standard will help businesses to engage in additional trade opportunities. For many Canadian businesses,…
Ontario small and mid-sized technology companies often face technical challenges when developing innovative products and services. In order to develop innovative technologies, businesses must have access to high performance computing equipment and other resources that enable creativity, productivity, and collaboration. To harness the power of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), post-secondary research institutions, and high…
Project Management Professionals (PMPs) were once commonly sought out for niche fields such as ICT and construction, but many businesses are beginning to utilize project management and product management standards to help run their business more efficiently. The benefits of utilizing standardized and centralized processes for managing projects goes beyond efficiency gains. Some small businesses,…
According to several Canadian business publications, staffing and human resources challenges remain a primary barrier to growth. These challenges include finding skilled workers, improving productivity, and planning for impending retirements. Attracting and retaining quality employees should be an ongoing process that, over time, mitigates these challenges and builds a highly efficient company. Canadian small businesses…
Ontario manufacturers have unparalleled access to business relationships in the United States. Close proximity to U.S. border crossings increases the speed of delivery times, reduces risk, and ensures a consistent and reliable export relationship. For decades, Ontario manufacturers have benefited from these relationships for decades, however early-stage manufacturers often face knowledge barriers that prevent their…
Kaizen, a Japanese word for “improvement”, is often used in business environments to implement and improve standardized activities & processes. Introduced by Toyota after World War II, kaizens have now become common practice in the manufacturing industry to continuously improve methods or procedures that increase productivity, eliminate waste, and/or reduce costs. However, with the vast…
I have always been expected to work hard and be a high achiever, perhaps because I was raised in a traditional Chinese family. My father was extremely influential in shaping this dynamic; relationships and parties were off limits until my university studies were complete. By age 20, I had never gone out to a club,…
Most small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada have difficulty understanding the process of applying for government grants and loans. Between researching the Canadian government funding program they’re applying for, completing an application, and submitting it to a government agency for review, most SMEs have a difficult time investing the time and resource required to…
Research in the last 30 years suggests that success is driven by your ability to work with emotions and social skills. It suggests that performance potential is less about an individual’s IQ and more about their Emotional Quotient/Intelligence (EQ). As a business leader, I look for stronger assessments and strategies to develop our recruitment processes,…