George's Musings Blog

Ski-Doo maker quietly revives plan for IPO

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Gino
Jose Boisjoli, CEO of BRP poses for a photograph outside the BRP design and innovation centre in Valcourt, Que.

Jose Boisjoli, CEO of BRP poses for a photograph outside the BRP design and innovation centre in Valcourt, Que.

Ski-Doo maker BRP Inc. is quietly reviving plans to go public as it whips up double-digit growth in new motorsport hot spots such as Russia and benefits from a retreat by Asian rivals.

The American owners of the Quebec company, formerly known as Bombardier Recreational Products, have a “horizon of two to five years” from now to monetize their investment — likely through an initial public offering, BRP chief executive José Boisjoli said during an interview at the manufacturer’s headquarters in the Eastern Townships… Read More

Source Photo and Text: Financial Post

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Canadian M&A activity reaching new heights in U.S.

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Gino
Canadian corporations aren’t allowing economic uncertainty south of the border to affect their appetite for U.S. acquisitions, according to a report released Thursday that says the rate of Canadian activity is “making M&A history.”

Canadian corporations aren’t allowing economic uncertainty south of the border to affect their appetite for U.S. acquisitions, according to a report released Thursday that says the rate of Canadian activity is “making M&A history.”

OTTAWA — Canadian corporations aren’t allowing economic uncertainty south of the border to affect their appetite for U.S. acquisitions, according to a report released Thursday that says the rate of Canadian activity is “making M&A history.”

Canadian firms have been involved in 385 U.S. acquisitions as of Nov. 14 this year, with a total value of more than US$22-billion, “40% of all cross-border deals by value and an all-time record-setting pace by volume,” says consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers… Read More

Source Photo and Text: Financial Post

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Five personal branding tips for business leaders

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Gino
Well dressed businessman claiming to be the boss.

Well dressed businessman claiming to be the boss.

One of the biggest challenges CEOs face is building and then maintaining their personal brand without sacrificing their own outlook or interfering with their company’s integrity. I recently met Dan Schawbel, an author and public speaker widely considered as the go-to expert on the topic of personal branding, and sat down with him to get some of his advice on how to find the right balance of personality and professionalism to craft the perfect voice… Read More

Source Photo and Text: The Globe and Mail

 

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How to come up with 100 ideas to create content

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Gino
Content marketing consultant Marcus Sheridan.

Content marketing consultant Marcus Sheridan.

As the U.S. economy tumbled into recession in 2008, Marcus Sheridan saw a dark cloud hovering over the swimming pool company he co-owned.

With pools costing $40,000 to $70,000 apiece, Mr. Sheridan realized the home equity loans customers used to finance purchases were going to shrink as real estate values fell… Read More

Source Photo and Text: The Globe and Mail

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Your guide to planning a great conference

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Gino
Dan Jacob, co-founder of the SociaLIGHT Conference.

Dan Jacob, co-founder of the SociaLIGHT Conference.

Conferences and in-person events remain one of the best ways to bring people together for business purposes. But planning them isn’t as easy as it looks, and I speak from experience, having attended or planned hundreds of events.

Here are 10 things to consider.

1. Identify an unmet need

A problem or question that can be solved or answered by your event will help create demand… Read More

Source Photo and Mail: The Globe and Mail

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The lesson from Canada on cutting deficits

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Gino
Canada's former prime minister Jean Chrétien sat down with Reuters in his law offices to describe how his Liberal government eliminated the country's deficit in the 1990s.

Canada's former prime minister Jean Chrétien sat down with Reuters in his law offices to describe how his Liberal government eliminated the country's deficit in the 1990s.

Finance officials bit their nails and nervously watched the clock. There were 30 minutes left in a bond auction aimed at funding the deficit and there was not a single bid.

Sounds like today’s Italy or Greece?

ddNo, this was Canada in 1994.

Bids eventually came in, but that close call, along with downgrades and TheWall Street Journal calling Canada “an honorary member of the Third World,” helped the nation’s people and politicians understand how scary its budget problem was… Read More

Source Photo and Text: The Globe and Mail

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The keys to competitiveness? Innovation and productivity

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Gino
In a knowledge economy, talent and innovation are creators of competitive advantage and drivers of success.

In a knowledge economy, talent and innovation are creators of competitive advantage and drivers of success.

If there were such a thing as a global competitiveness lottery, Canada’s current numbers don’t appear to be paying off. Our dollar is at parity; average business productivity levels are just 72 per cent of those in the United States; spending by business on research and development is 50 per cent of what businesses in the U.S. spend; and economic growth of our biggest trading partner is a sluggish 1.6 per cent… Read More

Source Photo and Text: The Globe and Mail

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Shop at companies that give back to your community

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Gino
Shop at companies that give back to your community

When Jana Madill’s children were born, she started following her favourite and most-used brands on social media. The Vancouver mom says it’s the best way to source deals and see upcoming promotions. Last month, Seventh Generation told followers that for every package of its diapers purchased, one would be donated to a local women’s shelter. Ms. Madill stocked up… Read More

Source Photo and Text: The Globe and Mail

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