Big Ideas
Big Ideas is the BCBusiness catbird seat – the column from which top experts from a variety of fields deliver missives from the front lines. Stay tuned to Big Ideas for the latest – and smartest – analysis from relevant sectors of BC's economy.
January 23, 2012 Big Ideas: Business Planning
For a seamless business expansion south of the border, the key is all in the numbers.
As Canada’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner, the U.S. is often the most obvious choice for Canadian companies looking to expand beyond the country’s borders. Our common bonds – language, culture, free market philosophy and democratic ideals – are backed by trade and tax treaties aimed at making cross-border business as seamless as possible.
So southward expansion should be a fairly easy exercise for a Canadian company, right? The short answer is yes . . . and no. In spite of...
October 06, 2011 Big Ideas: Corporate Finance
Businesses looking to expand are wise to consider the intangibles.
As Canadian companies grow and face ownership transitions, many of them will have to find creative financing solutions. This is particularly true in B.C., where a lot of companies are focused on distribution or services in such areas as architecture, healthcare, marketing and engineering. These companies often don’t have a large base of fixed assets to leverage.
While some assets – real estate, accounts receivable, equipment and inventory – are considered “tangible,” others are harder to valuate. A...
September 05, 2011 Big Ideas: Career Advice
Even in an employment market where job security is a memory, you can take control of your career security.
Job security is fast becoming an anachronism. As businesses continue to be cautious, cutting back wherever possible, it is now up to the employee to build his or her own “career security,” rather than job security. Career security is something the individual has control over, while job security is subject to the whims of the economy and the employer.
There is no shortage of recent examples of major layoffs in North America. Research in Motion recently slashed 2,000 jobs and...
May 02, 2011 Big Ideas: Social Media
Businesspeople, beware potential libels online – especially in social media. You're not just among friends.
You’re not likely to get slapped with an expensive lawsuit for denigrating your boss over drinks after work. But if you write the same things online, watch out, because you could find yourself buried in legal trouble.
For generations, the power to publish information widely was the exclusive preserve of governments and big media organizations like newspapers, radio stations and television broadcasters. Social media have decisively ended that monopoly by putting the power to publish...
April 04, 2011 Big Ideas: Entrepreneurship
How can Canada stop losing entrepreneurs to other, more accommodating countries?
There is a competition going on to attract and retain the world’s brightest entrepreneurs and Canada has yet to throw its hat into the ring. We have a lot to offer startup founders, including a beautiful environment, multicultural society, publicly funded health care and a strong economy. Unfortunately, Canada has fallen behind the pack as our existing entrepreneurial immigration programs are outpaced by aggressive new policies from more forward-thinking nations. Since 2006, the number of immigrants in the entrepreneur category...
March 07, 2011 Big Ideas: Legal
Is stress leave connected to a legitimate illness, or just a cover for poor performance?
Workplace stress is a common problem, and it is also incredibly expensive for Canadian businesses as employees seek paid time off and medical benefits to treat their stress. While the employers I speak with are committed to helping their employees who are facing legitimate illness, a growing concern for many bosses is how sick-leave benefits are being unfairly exploited by some poorly performing employees.
Employers often tell the same story. They inform an underperforming employee they want to speak...
Do you like networking at events?
Brian Wong, CEO of Kiip Inc.,
on being a 21-year-old CEO
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