Kalina Newmark brings an Indigenous lens to management in a Fortune 500 company
As a brand manager for Starbucks’ Instant packaged coffee business, Kalina Newmark seeks to make each team member feel that their contribution is valued at the same level. It’s just one of the ways that Newmark seeks to incorporate Indigenous teachings into her work. For Newmark, who is Shúhtagot’ı̨nę and Métis from the Tulita Dene First Nation, the idea of valuing each person’s contribution at the same level is really important, writes Prof.
Canada is experiencing major air travel headaches, but isn’t the only one
After more than two years of intermittent lockdowns and travel restrictions, summer 2022 was the season that many Canadians decided they were ready to travel again. Our return to the skies hasn’t gone so smoothly, to say the least. Extended delays at the country’s airports have made headlines across the country, and with Air Canada’s announcement that it will cancel 154 flights per day for the rest of the summer, it could get even worse for air travellers, according to Prof.
Family-owned firms outperform over the long term: National Bank of Canada report
Publicly traded Canadian family businesses provide superior long-term performance, according to a new report by the National Bank of Canada. To better understand what makes these firms distinctive, the Bank analyzed 44 Canadian corporations under family or founder control.
WestJet expected to reduce service in the east, increase focus on western Canada
WestJet is expected to reduce service in the Toronto-Montreal-Ottawa triangle to focus on growth in western Canada. That could leave the east with a competition problem, but it’s likely a good move for Calgary-based WestJet, according to Professor Karl Moore. The choice doubles down on WestJet’s strengths – and pulls out of routes where Air Canada is dominant, and it’s difficult for WestJet to compete.
HITLAB is using artificial intelligence to identify the hit songs of the future
A hit song can capture lightning in a bottle, but what is the exact mix of characteristics that make one song a global phenomenon - and another a hidden gem. There has always been a bit of alchemy to this formula, but HITLAB is using machine learning to demystify it. Led by Michel Zgarka (BEd’1975), the company has created the Music Digital Nuance Analysis (DNA) tool, writes Prof. Karl Moore in Forbes.com.
Celebrating excellence in teaching at Desautels
Across programs and subject areas, the Desautels Faculty of Management recognizes the vital role that teaching plays in enriching the student experience and in inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Government of Canada Deputy Minister encourages employees to seek practical ways to encourage reconciliation
Talking about racism in the workplace can be uncomfortable, but that’s how you know that it is working, according to Gina Wilson, the Deputy Minister, Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage. Wilson encourages managers and employees to talk about practical things that encourage reconciliation.
Ukraine’s strong territorial defence owes much to strong sense of civic duty
Russia’s attack on Ukraine was not unexpected, but its scale surprised many. “There was a common expectation of escalation in the East and the South,” says Mykhaylo Petechuk (MBA’13), who has worked for McKinsey & Company in Ukraine. “But no one expected the launch of missiles into every region of the country.”
Competition from Flair Airlines could contribute to lower airfares in Canada
Canada’s airline duopoly has kept airfares high, and Flair Airlines set out to challenge that with ultra-low-cost flying. A foreign ownership stake brought the company under investigation by the Canadian Transportation Agency, but many Canadians are sympathetic to the notion of a feisty underdog challenging the status quo, according to Professor Karl Moore.
Sustainable materials could help solve the fashion industry’s emissions problem
The fashion industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and most originate with the raw materials used in clothing -- like leather, cotton, and synthetic fibres. Evoco is working to reduce fashion’s emissions. Led by James Robinson, the Toronto-headquartered company provides sustainable materials to leading footwear producers like Kodiak and Timberland. The company claims to have saved 948,900 kg of carbon emissions, and in an interview with Prof.
Environmental pressures are one factor in the increased probability of pandemics
Joanne Liu (MDCM'91, IMHL'14, DSc'16) is no stranger to health emergencies. The physician and former International President of Médecins sans Frontières is leading McGill’s efforts to prepare for future health emergencies. As the director of the Pandemic and Health Emergency Readiness Lab, Liu is seeking to develop solutions to current crises and prepare for future ones.
Bombardier’s shift to business jets coincided with sustained increase in demand
Bombardier is all in on business jets, and that seems to be a good thing. The Montreal-headquartered aerospace company sold off its commercial aviation business to focus on building the business jets that serve the travel needs of the ultra-wealthy, and the pandemic has given that choice a boost. Demand for private jets soared as COVID-19 restrictions were enacted, and it has not yet come back to earth. For every business jet that Bombardier ships, it’s receiving 2.5 new orders.
Introverts and extroverts can both benefit from breaks that lean into their inclination
Acting like an extrovert is exhausting for introverted people–and vice-versa. Prof. Karl Moore encourages everyone to take mental breaks during the day to recharge. An introvert with a meeting-heavy schedule that demands a lot of interpersonal interaction might need to schedule a solo walk, while an extrovert who is working from home might need to take time to get outside and talk to their neighbours.
Alumni create digital platform that helps businesses collect unpaid bills
When customers don’t pay their bills, it can be a major drain on a business. To collect unpaid bills, creditors have long relied on credit control specialists who use techniques like outbound phone calls. But that’s 20th-century technology, and Dimitri Raziev (BCom’09) spotted an opportunity to modernize the approach.
In virtual work environments, leaders must take steps to ensure employees feel free to share ideas
The specifics of leadership in a virtual environment differ from in-person, but some core aims remain the same. Whether a team is working remotely or at the office, it’s important that managers create a psychologically safe workplace, according to Prof. Karl Moore.
