COMPASS

Mastering value management

Jim Matthews, general manager of Leasebusters, says "the only way to ensure you are being efficient is to break down exactly where value is coming from, how you are creating it and how much it costs."  Source

Europe climbs out of recession

Europe's economic recovery gained traction when Germany and France reported further growth in the third quarter on Friday and Italy's economy started to grow too, lifting the euro zone and wider European Union out of recession.  Source

Adapting to career pressure

As the world of work faces replacing a generation of older workers and the school system grapples with preparing students for life after high school, students in middle school are under increasing pressure to think about their futures.  Source

Underlying jobs story something to cheer about

Canada's job market just reminded us that when an economy is struggling back from recession, it doesn't usually climb back in a straight line.  Source

B.C. real estate sales to surge 20% this year

British Columbia's real estate sector is in the midst of a sharp rebound, with residential sales projected to increase by 20 per cent this year and a further eight per cent in 2010.  Source

Most job losses came early in recession

Job losses were felt more in the earlier stages of this recent recession compared with previous economic downturns in recent decades, according to report from Statistics Canada.

What to do when workplace tensions turn violent

Everyday clashes that can boil over in the average office and create a dangerous work environment if they are not dealt with properly.  Source

After gender bias, women face gender fatigue

 Women have come a long way in the workplace, helped by legislation and the recognition by many companies that diversity and gender is something they should "get." But diversity's move into the mainstream corporate world has its disadvantages. It can make more subtle discrimination harder to spot and tougher to deal with.  Source

You have seven minutes to make an impression

Ever wonder how much face time your resume gets before a) it's thrown in the trash or b) your name gets placed on a list for an interview?  Source

Ten best jobs

Women over 40 want more meaningful work, according to the results of a new survey by the U.S. edition of More magazine.  Source

Three steps to help stay focused at work

Focus. Even before turning on your computer, write down what you need to do on this day to make it a success.  Source

Job quality falling

OTTAWA — Canada's labour market may appear to be stabilizing but employment figures alone don't tell the whole story, says a CIBC report released Monday that shows measures of job quality have declined in the past six months. Source.

Premier Campbell announces sweeping BC energy policy review

Premier Gordon Campbell on Monday announced a sweeping, fundamental review of energy policy in British Columbia.  Speaking at the annual conference of the Independent Power Producers association of B.C., Campbell said the Liberals will strike four task forces to work on distinct facets of the province’s green power sector.  The intention is to make B.C. an international leader in green power development — both for this province and for export to markets including the United States and Alberta, Campbell said.  Full article here.

Canada plays catch-up in closing the gender gap

Canada moved ahead of the United States in an annual global survey that assesses the participation of women in the economic and political life of 134 countries.  Source

Swine flu crisis gives telework boost

A swine flu outbreak may be the catalyst reluctant employers need to embrace telework in the workplace.  Source

Helping kids on the job hunt: when parents go too far

Parents are always meddling in their kids' affairs – but never have they gone to such lengths to try to rescue their children as in the current economy, writes Dr. Barbara Moses in her latest Career Intelligence column.  Source

Give feedback in good, bad times

When giving feedback, have the recipient paraphrase what you have discussed to ensure you are both in agreement and no assumptions are being made.  Source

Keep quizzing yourself on what you value most

If work/life balance is a high value for you, a job that requires a 60-hour per week commitment will probably not be the best choice.  Source

Attitude makes all the difference

It's time to act on productivity

In challenging economic times like these, it's easy to focus only on the short-term impact of the recession and on the measures we need to take to mitigate its damage. The greater challenge, however, will be the vital structural and strategic decisions on which our prosperity will depend once the economic cycle turns.  Source

Beware costly surprises in your contract

An increase in first-time franchisees, many of which are laid-off workers who've received a golden handshake in the past year, is causing some experts to warn potential franchisees about exactly what they are getting into. Source

Companies see economy picking up

A majority of companies have handily topped analysts' expectations for quarterly profit and revenue improvements as they pull out of the recession. Now, with the beat-the-Street pattern well established, market-watchers are focusing on what corporate leaders have to say about future prospects.  Source

Tourism bolsters B.C.'s business allure

A recent survey by BMO Capital Markets found Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria are among the Top 10 fastest growing small business municipalities in Canada in the past five years.

Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=2118553#ixzz0Un9mrYPw
The New Financial Post Stock Market Challenge starts in October. You could WIN your share of $60,000 in prizing. Register NOW

A recent survey by BMO Capital Markets found Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria are among the Top 10 fastest growing small business municipalities in Canada in the past five years.

Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=2118553#ixzz0Un9mrYPw
The New Financial Post Stock Market Challenge starts in October. You could WIN your share of $60,000 in prizing. Register NOW

A recent survey by BMO Capital Markets found Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria are among the Top 10 fastest growing small business municipalities in Canada in the past five years.

Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=2118553#ixzz0Un9mrYPw
The New Financial Post Stock Market Challenge starts in October. You could WIN your share of $60,000 in prizing. Register NOW

A recent survey by BMO Capital Markets found Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria are among the Top 10 fastest growing small business municipalities in Canada in the past five years.

Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=2118553#ixzz0Un9mrYPw
The New Financial Post Stock Market Challenge starts in October. You could WIN your share of $60,000 in prizing. Register NOW

A recent survey by BMO Capital Markets found Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kelowna, and Victoria are among the Top 10 fastest growing small business municipalities in Canada over the past five years.  Source

How to turn around your credit rating

Got a scorched-earth borrowing record? Do's and don'ts for rebuilding it from Rob Carrick.  Source

How to find a job with a top employer

Winning a job with companies rated as top employers in all regions of the country demands a bit of thought, a bit of research and a bit of preparation, according to the men and women who should know: the human resources professionals at the companies themselves and experts in the recruitment field.  Source

Women outpacing men as small business owners

Sisters are doing it for themselves, as more and more women are taking on entrepreneurial roles in the workforce.  Source

Healthy minds, happy workers

Include employees in conversations about what actions are being taken to deal with business problems and why these are necessary. Discussing options for employers such as telecommuting or working from home to save jobs for instance, offers staff an opportunity to help the business deal with economic issues.  Source

Students, check online reputation before job hunt

Most employers today Google their prospective employees before considering them for an interview. Some of the negative side-effects of social networking, such as posting questionable photos to Facebook, could ruin their chances.  Source

Productivity 101: ‘Being smart about how to be lazy'

Guru David Allen shares insight into his Getting Things Done system and why multitasking won't make you work any better.  Source

Be very clear in assigning tasks

As a Manager, your direct report may need some additional time or reassurance from you before he or she is set loose.  Source

How To Give A Great Presentation

Jokes help. So does audience participation. The trick to making an effective presentation is to keep your energy high and engage the crowd, CEOs say.  Source

Workers needed for diagnosis, screening

Plenty of kids dream of growing up to become astronauts or ballet dancers, race-car drivers or surgeons. Some dream of becoming teachers or lawyers, bus drivers or chefs.

But it's a safe bet there aren't many kids out there dreaming of careers as mammogram or ultrasound technologists.  Source

Careers now 'borderless' in new global economy

Simon Fraser University business professor Rosalie Tung has, for the past 30 years, studied how companies select candidates for overseas postings, train them and assess their impact in a foreign setting. Source

Small towns contributing to their own demise

An exodus of young people seeking education, adventure and success in bigger cities, combined with economic upheaval that has left little opportunity for those who stayed behind, has resulted in a dramatic "hollowing out" of North America's small communities. And worse, by not adapting to this new reality, small towns are playing a big part in their own demise. Source.

Full recovery in steel demand by 2010

BEIJING — Global steel consumption will rebound by more than 9 percent next year, recovering after this year's 8.6 percent decline, which was less severe than earlier expected thanks to strong China growth, a global body said on Monday.  Full article.

Canada's Top Employers

Now entering its fifth year, BC's Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the British Columbia employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.  Source.

Vancouver 2010 recruiting in high gear

There are still literally thousands of Olympics-related jobs to be filled, and hiring efforts are ramping up in earnest.  Source

Everyone makes mistakes, even when they are apologizing

Apologizing doesn't have to be an extremely painful process if you take the right steps.  Source

Steps to finding new employment

Michel Nadeau (left) of Vezina, Nadeau, Labre, with job candidate Rick Leroux, says the first 24 hours after a job loss are critical.  Source

Resume lies can cost you more than a job

It's an employer's market now with tens, even hundreds, of applicants vying for every position available. So if you were fired for performance issues and so far are unsuccessful in finding work, and your finances are quickly depleting, what are you do do?  Source

Interview Tips for Introverts

The typical job interview includes many activities and situations most introverts could live without, including handshakes and introductory greetings, being the center of attention, getting peppered with questions, thinking while they're talking and tooting their own horn.  Source

Buzz words get boring, so drop the cliches, execs told

The workplace is home to an endless amount of buzzwords, enough to drive some people crazy.  Source

Self-sabotage at work

From underestimating your value as a professional or bellyaching about a new assignment at the water-cooler (in full view of your superiors) to not sharing your ideas at meetings (with those same superiors sitting around the table), these gaffes can cause women to lose their reputations, promotions and, sometimes, their jobs.  Source

Bank of Canada says recovery progressing quicker than thought

The Bank of Canada indicated Thursday it has become more confident about the economic recovery in this country and abroad, adding growth in Canada in the second half of this year could exceed previous expectations.  Source

Be co-operative on feedback

Hard feedback is effective when delivered with a soft start-up.  Source

Green jobs blooming in skilled trades

So-called "green jobs" are growing at more than twice the rate of traditional jobs in Canada--9.1 per cent over the last decade compared with the average of 3.7 per cent--but it's the skilled trades that could stand to reap some of the biggest gains as new green initiatives in sustainable energy and construction get underway across North America.  Source

Working the arts

Gene Lewis, director of sales and marketing for Intuit Global Business Division, a business solutions provider based in Edmonton, confirms that. "When we look for individuals, it's less about the degree and more about their capabilities and potential," he says. "Thinking is the critical component, and the ability to clearly communicate is at a premium -- whether that's in person or through e-mail."  Source

Having children changes work patterns

The delicate balancing act between parenting and job responsibilities has carved out different work patterns for Canadian families with and without children, according to a new Statistics Canada report.  Source

Survey: 53% of employers plan to hire in next 12 months

More than half the employers in a new poll say they plan to hire full-time employees in the next 12 months, according to research released Tuesday that could spell relief for unemployed U.S. workers.  Source

Become an active commuter

Active commuting isn't just for downtowners.  Source.