Communication is an essential function of human behavior and of business. Marketing communication helps companies share messages, grow markets and manage crisis. Communications are changing at Internet speed and society is having difficulty adapting. We have moved along a continuum from sharing stories around a fire, to writing messages on paper, to instantly blurting … Continued
When Islanders go for their annual health checkup, if they are fortunate enough to have a physician, there are a number of routine checks that can be performed quickly to assess your overall health. Blood pressure, heart rate, blood work; each offer an assessment to the overall harmony of one’s health. The economy has a … Continued
For anyone disbelieving the Canadian economy was in a fragile state, the Governor of the Bank of Canada affirmed your fears earlier this week. If the unexpected rate slash was an acknowledgement of just how challenged the economy is, then we can anticipate more unrest in the labour markets. In difficult times the pendulum of … Continued
Next week we will witness what happens when a developed economy, corrects. The Greek economy has been living on borrowed time for years resulting from unbridled spending and poor deficit management over numerous governments. Some may see similarities to another Island culture a little closer to home. Greece has been supported, artificially, by neighboring states … Continued
Observing the economy is akin to studying any other body of science. The ocean tides, the human body, the plumbing in your home, electrical systems; all are circulatory in nature. There is a fluid motion, which can be accelerated, obstructed or disabled. All of these systems must be monitored and sometimes intervention is required to … Continued
Earlier this week, I noticed an article from the Economist journal that stated Canadian homes were 35% over valued. Ironically, I also attended a local presentation this week where Scott McEwan of Altus Group was discussing the possibility we may be approaching a bubble in commercial and residential real estate markets. What is a bubble? … Continued
If you consider the most successful people you know, are they solely responsible for their achievements or is there a well-orchestrated team supporting the accomplished success? Team building is a critical element of success, but one infrequently discussed or acknowledged. Sports teams like the Islanders or Storm; local businesses, like BioVectra or Vector Aerospace; … Continued
With seventeen (17’) feet of snow reported thus far, winter 2015 is already record-breaking and unforgettable. Winter 2015 has witnessed some dramatic economic conditions. This time last year oil prices were approximately $1.09 per litre, while this year they are $0.85/ liter, a 23 per cent decrease in energy input costs. This is, perhaps, … Continued
Islanders are resilient. Forced to adapt and seek advantage where our resources are often limited, and there are many current success stories of Islanders who are adapting to markets outside the Island. The coming years will be ones of austerity and self-reliance for Island businesses. Finally freed from the shackles of government intervention, which … Continued
What interesting times. Oil at an unexpected low price, our dollar depreciating in value and interest rates being slashed to unprecedented levels. A provincial government rushing to election in avoidance of presenting finances, and a Federal government delaying financials release because they are too far from an election date. Are things really this bad? … Continued