http://businessinmotion.ca/Podcasts/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/focus2040CFMU.mp3

Click the link above to listen to this interview.

Focus 2040

Interview with Julia Piccioni, and Heather LoPresti – Co-chairs of Focus 2040

Julia and Heather are both students at MG DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University.

This is the fifth year for the Focus 2040 competition. This program is open to college and university students across Canada from any field of study. No charge to register.

Students are challenged to envision and predict then convey their thoughts about the workplace of the year 2040.

Description from the Focus 2040 website…

“It’s 2040. As you’re getting ready for work, you glance out your bedroom window and you ask yourself, “Who would have ever predicted the world to look like it does now?” The answer? You. You are the business leaders of tomorrow. You have the imagination to bring forth new ideas. You have the potential to change the world. Together, we must focus… because you are the future.”

Prizes of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 for the top three winners.

Corporate internships will be offered.

Additional benefits to students:

Opportunity to develop and demonstrate their abilities to think creatively, research, support their ideas and convey those ideas in writing and orally before a group

Connecting and networking with students, professors and corporate representatives

A bonus differentiating item for your resume

Deadline for this year’s competition to register is January 31, 2014

The final phase along with the announcement of the top contestants will take place at the Burlington Convention Centre on March 20, 2014.

Register or learn more at www.Focus2040.ca

Learn more about the founding partner, The Strategic Capability Network at http://www.scnetwork.ca/

Learn more at DeGroote School of business at

http://www.degroote.mcmaster.ca/articles/what-will-work-be-like-in-the-year-2040

Click below to listen or download file:

http://businessinmotion.ca/Podcasts/focus-2040-student-competition/

http://businessinmotion.ca/Podcasts/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Rob-Hattin-on-Business-in-Motion.mp3

Rob Hattin

Robert Hattin

CEO, ProVantage Automation Corp

Chair of the National Board of Directors, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)

About ProVantage Automation

An engineering firm that designs and builds automation control systems to improve manufacturing

We don’t make the widgets. We create the machinery that makes the widgets.

The concept was formulated over pizza and beer

19 months old

About Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Association, resource and advocate for manufactures and exporters

The first chairman was John A McDonald (first Prime Minister of Canada)

The role as Chair is a volunteer position

Passions of Rob Hattin

Ethics

AC DC

Fast Cars

Super Tuscans (fine wine)

Heavy Manufacturing

On Canada and Canadians

No one goes destitute in Canada  by failing in business.

It’s hard to fail in Canada.

Canadians need to participate more in global markets

There is a skills shortage in Canada

A concern is about Canada’s place in the industrial global market

Three parts to innovation

Product

Process

People

Three keys to success

Ethics

Passion

Be authentic

Planning

We made a plan. It turned out to be crap but it gave us the discipline to find other opportunities

Other insights from Rob Hattin

A CEO has a 10 year effective life

The Brand means a lot but it’s the people that really make the difference

We need more women in manufacturing especially in leadership roles

Innovation is meaningful change and Canadians need to get off their butts to innovate

The world is your oyster and the world is going to chew you up

You have one chance at ethics – don’t screw that up

Entrepreneurs, you need to nurture your health and relationships. Remember that while working those late nights.

You need to become number one at what you do

It has to be fun

 

More information about this guest

ProVantage Automation

Rob Hattin in Hamilton Business

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Association

Click below to listen to or download this radio interview:

Ron Foxcroft

Insights from this inteview with Ron Foxcroft

About Ron Foxcroft

Wears at least three hats

Chairman & CEO Fluke Transport

Chairman, CEO and Founder Fox 40

Professional Basketball referee

Kicked out of high school

Trained to become a basketball referee

Paid 75 cents to referee his first game and told that he was lousy and would never make it as a referee.

Ten years later he refereed the basketball Olympic game

If you want to be respected, learn to listen.

Fluke Transport

Fluke Transport is the most challenging hat he wears. Trucking is not for the faint of heart. It is high volume with low profit and fraught with complications. It depends on people and trucks – both which occasionally break down.

I knew nothing about trucking before I bought the trucking company

How did he buy Fluke Transport with no money?

How did he add 20 trucks with no money?

Everybody has a hot button – a deal making button. It’s something other than money.

Entrepreneurs and Business Success

I didn’t want to work for a dumb boss.

Hire people smarter than you

No such thing as raw inborn talent. Entrepreneurs learn and grow. They are built.

My entrepreneurship qualities:

Drive to success

Fear of failure

Challenges are speed bumps. I had to practice overcoming speed bumps

Failure is a learning experience

My business approach was simple – revenue must exceed expenses

I’m 68 years old and work 100 hours a week. But it’s not work because its fun.

Contacts are everything. That’s why community involvement is important. Every person I meet is smarter than me in something.

When you work 20 hours a day it’s amazing what good luck comes your way.

You can buy a business even if you don’t have any money.

You need a business plan and a plan B and Plan C

You need a stable of mentors

You can’t be a winner without a team

Sometimes you have to have Onions

About Fox 40

The Fox 40 whistle is sold in 140 countries

The Fox 40 whistle was conceived out of frustration with the existing product

In Canada they don’t like change. We were selling in 35 countries before we sold any in Canada. The first Canadian customer commented that “I read about you in Sports Illustrated. If the Americans like you, it must be good.”

The whistle is sold in sports, marine and personal safety markets

 

More information about our guest

Fluke Transport

Fox 40

Canada Basketball

Hamilton Community Foundation

McMaster Alumni Gallery

http://businessinmotion.ca/Podcasts/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/RonFoxcroft.mp3

 

Click below to listen to or download this audio file

Stephanie McLarty, REfficient

Stephanie McLarty is CEO and Founder of REfficient

Insights from this interview with Stephanie McLarty

There was a problem that launched this new business

About REFficient

Reduce, Reduce, Recycle

An online marketplace for companies to buy telecom and AV equipment

They can shop for deals in the excess inventory of other corporations

Benefits to participants

Buyers can buy equipment at reduced costs

Sellers free up storage space and gain income

Useful resources are kept out of landfill

Sellers receive certified statements about their environmental performance

Most equipment comes with warranty

About Stephanie McLarty

Graduated from an Arts & Science program – that taught her to connect the dots

Masters in Peace and Conflict with intention to work for UN but that training helps manage people in business

Got first job because a friend on the inside recommended her

Asked lots of questions to learn the job

Enjoy speaking with customers

Working and travelling in Thailand and India challenged her to think differently

Continues to take courses on personal and professional development

Other Insights from this interview with Stephanie McLarty

Shipping was a problem so we introduced Shimple – Simple Shipping – we learned how to ship and calculate all costs – and we make money with this service

Learned how to run a business and to market and that is more important than the technical part

Trend in business of being a good company – sustainability is important

Key for startup business is deciding where to focus your limited resources

I was afraid

Excited and nervous in early state – suffered at least five nights of no sleep

In early days – fake it till you make it

Don’t try to get it perfect before you launch

Media attention was a nice to – not a must do

Tips for others

Grow yourself – that will help you grow your business

Try – in spite of your fears

Put support structures around you

Sleep, eat well, and connect with friends and family

Learn more about the company – REfficient

Read about REfficient in Business Week

Watch video interview with Stephanie McLarty on NewsClip TV

Click below to listen to or to download this interview with Stephanie McLarty on Business In Motion.

James Burchill

James Burchill is CEO, Business Fusion Marketing and Founder of the Social Fusion Network.

About James Burchill

“C” Level Management Expertise

Prior to starting his own company, James was Vice President of IT & Consulting for an international management and recruiting firm in southern Ontario. There he lead numerous multi-million dollar development projects and managed a team of more than a dozen skilled web programmers and designers.

Internationally Traveled

Born in England and now a Canadian citizen too, James has lived in Europe, Africa and Australia and along with credentials in public speaking, psychology, communications, automation and technology, James is a certified Neuro Linguistics Practitioner. He learned the craft of penmanship at England’s prestigious London School of Writing. James is a former member of Mensa (the high IQ society) and has the little badge somewhere to prove it…

Insights from the interview with James Burchill

 

It’s the People

Technology changes quickly and often and people mistakenly obsess on the technology

Instead they should start with the core of communication and that is people

It’s not about the technology, its how you can use it to connect at a richer level

We are a social species, we want to connect

Psychology is more important than technology 

As a species we do not share information unless it has survival value. We remember information and stories that helps us survive.

Small Business

Small business often sucks at marketing

Small business is seduced by the glitter of big corporate brands 

They need to connect with their marketplace

A market is a conversation and it moves 

Small Business and Social Media 

Be authentic, reveal a flaw

Imperfection is attractive 

Important to market on multiple channels

Combine old school face-to-face marketing with Social Media for best results 

 

Social Fusion Network

I held an event that hosted over 500 people using Social Media to attract them 

There are many networking groups – why dare to start another one?

We work on the Freemium model – making money from advertising 

This started as an experiment and now has seven chapters

I wrote a business plan after we generated serious buzz, but the plan predicted failure 

Look at business that is different from yours and steal ideas for your business.

Related Links

http://jamesburchill.com/

Click below to listen or to download this file.

  Business Conversations On this special show George Torok talks about how to deliver better Business Conversations Important Insights from this radio show include: Why are Business Conversations important to you and how might you use them? Selling Promotion Networking The most important conversations are face to face. Listen to examples of bad conversations and […]

Bill Johnson – former CEO McDonalds Canada

At age 18, Bill Johnson started flipping burgers at a McDonalds in London, Ontario. It was painful to be behind the grill on a Friday night while his friends ventured out for a night of socializing. When they stopped by for burgers they laughed at him and the funny outfit with the paper hat.

They’re not laughing anymore. Bill leveraged hard work and a little luck to move up through the ranks. After serving as President of McDonald’s Mexico he returned home to become President, CEO and Chairman of McDonald’s Canada.

It was a challenging 35 year career that equipped Bill with powerful lessons for career success. He retired in his early fifties. He now generously shares those life lessons with university students and almost anyone who wants to grow their career.

Insights from this interview

McJobs – that term angered Bill so much that he went on the TV news to defend retail work. Today he’s adopted “I am McJobs” as his banner and website.

You don’t need to invent the solution. Somewhere in the world someone has gone through this before.

The expensive lesson from guacamole burgers

Contrast

Bill Johnson didn’t go to college or university but today he lectures to MBA and EMBA students at Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Career advice

Tell the company about your expectations.

What was the silver bullet? Hard work!

You might need to grow a mustache.

Find a mentor that you can call anytime.

Get out of Canada. Work internationally.

Links

I am McJobs

Video – work international

McDonalds Canada

Click below to listen to or download this audio file

Jim Estill – Zero to $2 Billion

Jim Estill was CEO of Synnex Canada at the time of this interview (June 2008). Synnex Canada with sales of about $2 billion is a distributer of computer and electrical products. Jim started EMJ Data from the trunk of his car in 1979 and grew sales to $375 million 25 years later when he sold to Synnex Canada and became the CEO.

Interesting facts about Jim Estill

Started a painting business while in high school

Author of the book, Time Leadership

Started his CEO blog in May 2005

Marathon runner

Insights from this interview

Started selling from the trunk of his car because that’s what he had at the time

A growth maniac – set and revised sales goals at $100M to $200M to $500M

There is a right business opportunity for everybody of every size

For selling – “no” means “not now”

Every strength is a weakness and every weakness is a strength

Being healthy is a good time management tool

Hire for cultural fit and integrity

Seek out successful people to learn from them

Start, do it, build momentum.  Success breeds success

Fail often, fail fast, fail cheap.  I want to have failures because it means I’m stretching

Links

CEO Blog: Time Leadership

TEDx Talk

Forbes Article about CEO blogging

Computer Dealer News on Jim’s departure from Synnex

Jim Estill at CanRock Ventures

Click below to listen to, or download the audio file.

Alan Bottomley is a Business Coach and an Ambition Facilitator. He is a principal with The Achievement Centre and a champion of OwnerShip Thinking.

About Alan Bottomley

Alan graduated with an Engineering degree in Geo-physics then obtained his CA which led to a 31 year career as a partner with Price Waterhouse Coopers. With a solid education in working with “things and numbers” Alan reached an epiphany when he started to manage and lead people. He discovered his passion for working with people.

That same analytical mind that enabled him to understand the intricacies of engineering and accounting helped him address the challenges of understanding, managing and leading people.

Insights from this interview

Ownership Thinking is a methodology of encouraging employees to think and act like owners.

Compare the list of things that owners think about to what employees think about. They are different but not in conflict.

Implementing OwnerShip Thinking in a company results in both dramatic culture change and improved profitability within two to four hours.

The first major obstacle is for the business owner to give up control and reveal important information to the employees.

The second major obstacle is for the employees to realize that they aren’t being punished. They are simply invited to identify problems and opportunities.

Most problems are caused by management.

3 criteria for a company owner to participate in OwnerShip Thinking

The owner must be a caring person

The owner must be able to recognize the potential within others.

There must be discipline within the company to implement.

Advice for startup entrepreneurs

Be caring because this sets the culture

MUST have fun (This one is critical for the next point)

Establish highly visible expectations of performance

Links

Alan Bottomley on Linkedin

The Achievement Centre

OwnerShip Thinking

Click below to listen to, or download the audio file.

David Wojcik, President of Steps for Success – a coaching service for business owners who have hit Stagation – and Host of TV show “In Business”.

David is an entrepreneur who has started at least six businesses. Many of them were successful – yet he learned most from the ones that failed.

He opened a restaraunt because he loves to cook – but that wasn’t enough to succeed in that business. There’s a world of difference between cooking for a bunch of friends and cateering a wedding.

————————–

Insights from David Wojcik

Started his first business at age 15 because he was too young to get a job

Do something that no one in your neighbourhood is willing to do

You might need to wash your hands of bad staff and bad clients

Successful people don’t know how to give up

The business is the baby for the entrepreneur

Research your competition

David Wojcik is host of Biz TV Canada

David Wojcik is host of In Business on Rogers TV

David Wojcik on Linkedin

Listen to or download this interview below.