Small Business Blog from Atlantic Canada

I think the answer lies in speculators and hedge funds. They are no longer buying (using debt) futures and forwards as they used to. Did this cause the increase in demand in the first place? Did these funds create an artificial demand? I find it quite hard to believe demand for crude from actual users (i.e. those individuals and businesses who actually take delivery of the asset in a forward or a futures contract) just slid off the cliff in less than three weeks.

The decision to undertake a project must be taken only after:
1. You are clear about the project objectives; the objectives must further the strategic objectives of the business.
2. You develop a business case for undertaking the project; i.e. the benefits must outweigh the costs
3. You are clear on the project deliverables, and
4. You have stakeholder buy-in

So far the financial crisis has centered around mortgages and mortgage backed assets. As the current historical crisis unfolds and gobbles up respected Wall Street investment banks - here is a question to ponder. Will private equity companies be next?

There seems to be an aura around “project management” and “project managers” - at least in Atlantic Canada. Some people tend to think of project management as an exotic discipline. They think they need to slave away and chip at its various layers for a long period of time before they can be considered a project manager. Well, it does not help that one of the requirements for a PMP is a minimum three year (4,500 hours) experience to take the exam.

Times have changed. We no longer live in an isolated world. Our competition is not only the guy down the street. The competition is in China, in India, in Europe … all over the globe. For all the new theory, new management principles, there is only one fundamental way to survive in the business world:

It is important to do things right; but it is all the more important to do the right things. You do not want to start traveling in a direction only to find out after a few hundred miles that you were traveling in the wrong direction to begin with. Bring out your maps and plan before you start your journey, identify a few destinations you would like to visit and then begin your journey. The same holds true for your business. The process of identifying your destination is called strategy.

If you are thinking of purchasing your home, let a mortgage broker guide you through the financial details. A good mortgage broker will help you establish your budget even before you start house hunting. A wealth of information is available to you through Canada Mortgage and Housing as well as Genworth Financial use it. If you are considering moving Quispamsis/Saint John and surrounding areas, consider talking to Pat Lockhart. Pat’s an accredited broker and she can help you get the best rate that suits your needs.

I was recently informed of Dell’s small and medium business contest that I thought was worth passing along to my readers - especially in Atlantic Canada..
Once again Dell is holding its annual Dell Small Business Excellence Award, rewarding the innovation and technological know-how of small business across Canada and around the world.
The Canadian winner [...]

Welcome to the 33rd edition of CoSBI.

The brief hiatus that I had over the past couple of months from the blog world has been beneficial. Taking breaks periodically is good. It alters the vision - akin to taking a step back. Your frame of vision changes to include the big picture. It is also a good time to ask some hard questions…

Despite talent shortages businesses are working to weed out candidates with the right credentials, but the wrong personality. Why should a business hire you over the other individual? The answer lies in branding. But first let’s define personal branding. Essentially it is the value that others perceive you possess in your role in an organization. The best part is that like any other product, it is something that you can develop, shape and control.