MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (June, 2023)

Another busy week on the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Mark Warner, Michael Hyatt, and Natalie Kalata, talking concerns about artificial intelligence, Air Canada pilots taking early steps to negotiate their next labour agreement, and BMO’s acquisition of Air Miles.  You can watch our segment here.  Some thoughts on our discussion.

Various science, academic, and technology leaders issued a warning about artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to harm humankind with the following statement: “mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war”.  This has resulted in discussion about how AI could harm the public (such as through disinformation and privacy issues) and has raised questions about what should be done.  In general terms, it stands to reason that since parties/companies that develop and commercialize products (including technologies) tend to benefit financially (sometimes, quite significantly), they should also play a role in addressing any negative impacts.  This is analogous to issues such as pollution and the downside of social media, for example, something that has been unaddressed for too long.  It is not sufficient to engage solely in “finger pointing”, typically at government, for an ineffective regulatory environment (or none at all); rather, industry has a key role to play in identifying, assessing, managing, and mitigating risks, given that they have the expertise to do so.  Further, no one benefits from an industry that causes significant harm and there is a responsibility to ensure that this doesn’t occur.

As Air Canada’s pilots opt to pull out of the existing labour agreement early to commence the bargaining process (perhaps, in the Summer of 2023, with the current contract set to expire this September), travelers are likely on edge, particularly given the fallout from the recent near-strike at Westjet.  The unfortunate truth is that Canadian travelers are in a less than ideal position, given the very limited airline options in this country.  Speaking as one of the many travelers impacted by the Westjet strike, despite being told that the flight would not be cancelled due to the labour dispute (false), there is no sufficient compensation when life events are missed, often accompanied by significant frustration and disappointment.  Reviewing the communications by the company, the lack of customer focus is obvious, with commentary priorities being primarily Westjet and its pilots.  At its core, these situations are internal human resource matters, and in a typical competitive marketplace, companies don’t survive for long if customers are not their top priority.  Customers simply want to receive what they purchased, with reasonable quality and in a reliable manner; this is not too much to ask.

BMO Financial Group announced its acquisition of the defunct Air Miles rewards program, indicating that improvements are on the way.  Given the many rewards program options available to consumers, it is likely that people select the ones that best meet their needs and bypass the rest, setting the stage for an uphill battle to reinvent Air Miles.  There is also a need to attract more vendors to participate, and companies are only likely to do so if they see a meaningful opportunity to increase business.  Will have to wait and see what BMO has in store and whether or not consumers and vendors will engage.

And, finally, it was my pleasure to join the Biz Panel from beautiful Nova Scotia once again, albeit in the face of difficult times for many, given the devastating forest fires.  Being in proximity to two forest fires has certainly been concerning, and I have been thinking about those who have been impacted over the past week.  Sincere thanks to all those who have been working so hard to keep our communities safe.

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (April, 2023)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Mark Warner, Rubina Ahmed-Haq, and Hillary Johnstone, talking Federal Budget highlights and what’s next for the banking industry, in light of recent failures (also a good opportunity for common sense governance reminders).  You can watch our segment here.  Some comments on our discussion.

From a corporate perspective, one of the important areas in the Federal budget that family businesses should be focusing on is the intergenerational transfer provisions, in terms of succession.  In short, this section addresses past tax related discrepancies that could make it more desirable for business owners to sell their shares to a third party, rather than intergenerational transfer, and identifies two transition approaches.

The issue of business succession is an important one, as many business owners have “overstayed” their time at the helm, with the pandemic resulting in additional delays.  The reality is that the majority of small businesses lack a formal succession plan and qualified successors with the necessary funds are difficult to find.  In addition, many small businesses have not kept up with marketplace competition and industry trends, which typically results in a declining customer base and value.  Business owners don’t only need transition options, they also need to have this important issue brought to the forefront in a constructive manner, otherwise, the likely outcome will be windup or closure.  The key message at this point is to get professional advice, in terms of business transition and preparation to do so, as this is best done years in advance.  Reading Defusing the Family Business Time Bomb can be helpful to moving this important process along, including identifying steps to take, decisions to make, and the basis of advisor conversations.

The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and weaknesses in others have raised a lot of questions about the stability of this sector, and although the Canadian banking system is not directly comparable to institutions in other countries, the news of recent weeks is an indication of how a ripple effect of concern can travel.  A lot has been said about senior management and regulators, and although we do not know all of the details here, situations such as this are a good opportunity to be reminded of governance responsibilities, including the following:

  • Boards of Directors have an important role to play, beyond that of the basic governance responsibilities that include representing shareholders and providing oversight; these are givens.
  • Board members need to ask the difficult questions, including in terms of adherence to policies and key systems and practices that should be in place.
  • Risk management is a critical issue, especially in challenging times; the recent pronounced environmental shift in areas such as inflation, interest rates, and the capital markets are good examples.  Communication with the Board should be enhanced during difficult times.
  • Board members with a significant level of experience and skill have the ability to add considerable value, especially in the face of challenge.  In order for this to occur:
    • Board members have to make the effort to do so, in a tangible and practical manner; and
    • Management has to “park its ego” and be receptive to this type of advice.  CEO’s who surround themselves with weak senior team and Board members are a red flag, to say the least.
  • Finally, Board members are not there to be friends with Management, to cheerlead, or provide only the sunny side of input; this does not fulfill the governance role, at its core, nor is it helpful, particularly in times of trouble.  Board members who “look good on paper”, but prove to be ineffective in raising the tough questions when needed do little to fulfill their role.

When a prominent business fails, there are many questions to be asked.  It is important to remember that the accountability conversation is not just one that involves Management and industry rules and regulations; governance also has a seat at the table.

Thank you for watching and see you again soon.

 

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (February, 2023)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Mark Warner and Hillary Johnstone, talking high grocery prices, the US Federal Reserve interest rate increase, and ChatGPT’s subscription plans; you can watch our segment here.

Some thoughts on our discussion.

It’s no secret that rising prices have been challenging for consumers in recent months, especially at the grocery store.  And now that price freezes have concluded, many consumers are wondering when they might see some relief.  Although inflation rates have declined in recent months, it is expected to be a while before “near normal” levels will occur, which means that shoppers have a need to keep time tested advice in mind: make a list, be flexible in choices, focus on buying what is needed, and shop around.  As the Summer months near, we will see some additional produce choices in the marketplace, which could be helpful.  Having said that, it isn’t too late to start your own garden preparations, as seed displays begin to appear in stores!

Speaking of inflation, the US Federal Reserve slightly raised interest rates this past week, but unlike Canada, did not indicate a pause in rate hikes.  Although our countries are closely connected, in terms of business relationships and trade, there is something to be said for stepping back to observe how rate increases impact not only the economy, but also companies.  Business owners deal with a tremendous amount of practical, real world challenges on the front lines of their company on a daily basis.  Although inflation also affects companies, in terms of the goods/supplies that they purchase, they are also impacted by rising labour costs and interest rates, by way of debt and financing obligations.  It is important to balance increasing rates to combat inflation with adverse impacts to business in other areas, keeping in mind that the implications are often not immediate and there is a danger in “oversteering”.

And, finally, as ChatGPT continues to attract attention, will it be able to access subscriber money, to the tune of $20 USD per month?  There is a need for people and technology to work together to be more productive, in terms of business applications, however, as consumers choose carefully about where to spend their money in challenging economic times, paid subscribers may be elusive over the longterm (building a sustainable customer base is so important for companies!).  This technology has some applications, however, expect a number of real life stakeholders (such as those in the business world) to require more robust solutions.

Thanks for watching and see you again next time!

MEDIA: 2020 Delivers Canada Post a New Business Model (CBC News)

COVID19 has brought interesting times to many companies and organizations, including Canada Post.  It was not that long ago when people might have viewed this longstanding organization as having a waning future, as society became increasingly mobile and digital in nature; then, 2020 came along.

With Canadians confined to their homes on an ongoing basis, the need to procure goods was, and continues to be, of heightened interest, while efficient movement of money and information has also been in need.  This situation has presented both opportunities and challenges for Canada Post, a topic I recently discussed with CBC News.  This story is of significant interest, as the Holiday Season approaches, appearing in print and also on CBC Cross Canada Syndicated Audio (great to chat with radio in major markets, from coast to coast to coast!).

There is much that can be said about business model evolution.  One of the interesting things about this particular example is the notion of “everything old being new again”.  Some viewers will remember the old days of home delivery, be it milk, department store trucks, or other household items being sold door-to-door (yes, people actually earned a living this way).  We waited by the mailbox for important letters, cards, and parcels; perhaps, if we were lucky, there was a cheque in the mail.  Having a family member that worked at the downtown Eaton’s store meant that the delivery man was at the door, often.  Why was this business model so popular at the time?

As recently as the 1970’s, many Canadians had limited mobility; think about the relative norms of women taking time off from the workforce to raise children and families having one vehicle, at most.  This created a need for products and essential goods to be brought to the doorstep.  Studies have shown that women have significant purchasing power, in terms of shopping decisions made by households, further supporting this business model of the past.

Increased mobility brought progress, where the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s meant that a lot of time was spent out and about.  This new freedom included Canadians spending a significant amount of time in shopping malls and restaurants, as well as at events and attractions.  As 2010 and beyond arrived, it is interesting to see how much this trend has changed.

In short: technology has provided a different type of mobility, one that we can hold in our hand.  Be it by way of a smartphone or tablet, Canadians can order just about any type of item for delivery, as well as transmit information and money.  Many businesses have capitalized on this trend, including major courier companies and financial institutions, as well as relative newcomers, such as Amazon and food delivery upstarts; this has also changed how businesses, in general, operate.  The masses of envelopes that once included letters and payments can now be sent electronically, representing a decrease in traditional mail, while parcel traffic has increased (at the time of this writing, thousands of parcels are stuck across Canada, as a result of volume increases and COVID19 protocols, including one of mine).

What this means for Canada Post’s business model is actually not that different from the case of any business: know where the company can successfully compete and have the pieces in place to do it well.  So, while traditional letter mail will continue to decline, there is an ongoing need to get goods to Canadians.  Integral to doing so on a competitive basis are the logistics infrastructure and capability, within acceptable cost parameters.  This includes continuing to invest in technology, for both Canada Post staff members and customers.

This brings the story full circle, where getting goods to Canadians (rather than going out to get them) is the priority.  The reason, this time, is not due to a lack of mobility, but rather, it is a function of how mobility has changed (it is now digital, not physical), as well as the time constraints that have become a way of life for many.  Think about this the next time a purchase is being contemplated, and ask: what is driving this decision?

Thank you for including me in your stories, CBC, and best of the Holiday Season, everyone!

MEDIA: Dragons’ Den Blog Interview

Thanks to the Dragons’ Den Blog for being in touch to discuss The Worst Ways to Raise Cash as an Entrepreneur; it’s always great to share some tips and traps when it comes to building a company.

Although it’s no secret that there are various approaches than an entrepreneur could take to finance a young venture, this should be considered in a broader context. Startup companies typically receive their initial financing through “founders, family, and friends”, with perhaps some support through grant and similar programs. What tends to get lost in the process is whether or not doing so is actually a good investment.  Considering this includes determining the likelihood of: (i) the capital being repaid, at some point in time; and (ii) the return that could be generated, if any. Doing so can really only be achieved by way of developing a thorough and complete business plan, including a financial forecast for at least a three year period.

Entrepreneurs and business planning don’t always have a good partnership, however.  Business planning tends to get downplayed as “not that important” or “impossible to do for a startup”; both of which are false. When an entrepreneur prepares a business plan, they tend to insufficiently address areas that are of significance to investors, such as industry and market issues and the right business model, and instead, focus on an abundance of product and technical content.  The impact?  Little to no chance of raising investment capital.

Entrepreneurs should, instead, consider whether or not a startup is worth spending their time and money on, as it will surely take plenty of both. It is important to take the time to do so before investing one’s own capital, regardless of the source, and before asking others to do the same. As a business advisor and former venture capitalist, I have seen too many young companies that likely would not have been launched, had these questions been asked and answered in advance. Further to this point, rarely have I met an entrepreneur who actually took the time to do their business planning homework first, although I have met many who wished that they had better understood the financing implications and realistic potential of their company sooner.

Not sure how to address these important areas?  Advisors can help. Not only can they assist with putting the right business planning efforts in place, they can also help to identify opportunities to generate cash sooner, which is another area that entrepreneurs tend to miss.  Contact us to learn more.