Quarterly Profit | Summer Issue by Quarterly Profit

QUARTERLY P R O F I T

SUMMER 2015

Alumni Feature Mark Stewart

Read about Targetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular failure

The secrets behind the regulation of green products

A Step-ByStep Guide Make the most Revolutionizing out of your the nature of summer job social ventures

CONTENTS 3 Letter from the Editor

4 Introducing COO from the Degroote Commerce Society 5 CBCD Relationship Managers 6 How to | Take Control of Your Summer Alumni Interview

8 Mark Stewart 12 Economics | The downfall of Target in Canada 14 The Secrets behind “Green Products” 16 The Market | The Social Venture Exchange Special Feature

18 CANADIAN RECRUITMENT: Sarah Grace Law 20 The Market | The Maker Movement 22 Desjardins Memo 24 Social Proof Can Make Or Break Your Business 26 Get the Most Out of Your Summer Job 28 Grassroots Activism

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Quarterly Profit Summer 2015

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Imran Dhalla MANAGING EDITORS Alexander Karpenko Julia Dinh Andrew Kwast CREATIVE DIRECTOR Danielle Fraser DESIGNERS Anduena Sertolli Florence Pau Xue Qin Lin WRITERS Mohamed Kazem Basmah Ahmed Lindsey Schneider Joseph Cruz Sehrish Khan Tara Khudairi Marryiam Khan Lauren Zylik Taylor Browne MARKETING DIRECTOR Ryan McNeely

Letter from the Editor Hello DeGroote! Let me take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Imran Dhalla and I have the pleasure of serving as the next Editor in Chief for the Quarterly Profit. Currently going into my final year at DeGroote, I am majoring in Accounting and hope to complete my CPA in the near future. I still remember the first time I was introduced to the Quarterly Profit. It was at the DeGroote hiring fair where I met the first ever Editor in Chief, and she shared her vision for the Quarterly Profit with me. Immediately, I knew that I had to get involved. I spent the following year writing for the magazine, seeking every opportunity to learn as much as I could. I see a very bright future for the Quarterly ProfitÂa future that shines brighter still with the talent that we, as students at DeGroote, have. I truly believe that the Quarterly Profit is the best way to showcase what we learn both in and outside of the classroom. I aim to show all at DeGroote the potential for growth and success that I see in the Quarterly Profit, and hopefully by the end of the year you will share my enthusiasm. Imran Dhalla Editor In Chief | The Quarterly Profit

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Courtney Smith

Contact us at: magazine@degrootecommerce.ca Visit us online: http://issuu.com/quarterlyprofit DISCLAIMER // All photos or logos used without sourcing are used in compliance with the Fair Use Law - for not-for-profit educational purposes. In no way do we assume ownership or affiliation with any images seen. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact us at: magazine@degrootecommerce.ca http://copyright.mcmaster.ca/Fair_Dealing

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INTERVIEW

DeGroote Commerce Society Chief Operating Offier (COO)

Jake Shipman Throughout summer, DeGroote has been going through a few changes and the DeGroote Commerce Society is proud to introduce its new COO -- Jake Shipman. The Quarterly Profit had a chance to sit down with Jake and discuss his plans for DeGroote...

Q1 Tell us a little bit about yourself After failing to get involved in the school community during my first year at McMaster, I had a challenging and humbling summer sales experience that summer that kicked me into gear. Now entering my fourth year, I’ve had incredible experiences through the DCS, MARS Apprentice, JDCC, Welcome Week, and more. On a professional level, I am proud to be working for PepsiCo in warehouse sales, managing a number accounts for the Quaker, Tropicana, and Gatorade division. While my interests lie in sales, marketing, and consulting, my exact career trajectory is unknown, but I'm confident that my experiences at DeGroote have set me up for success.

Q2 What do you hope to contribute to the Degroote school of business this year? I hope to leverage my skills and past experiences to improve the opportunities and events that DeGroote has to offer. This means collaborating and pushing my fellow exec and committee cochairs to challenge the status quo, and remain goal-oriented. As well, it means maintaining a strategic outlook at all levels to ensure the long-term success of the DCS and DeGroote. One passion project that I created and brought to life over the last year is “DeGroote Green”, a new environmental advocacy, advisory, and action committee that I will have the pleasure of overseeing as COO.

Q3 What do you hope to gain in terms of professional and personal development? On a personal level, I hope to inspire action to not only seize the opportunities available at DeGroote but to work to continue the legacy because our prestige is dependent on such investment from our students. Professionally, this is a leadership role unlike one I’ve ever had before, so I’m looking

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to gain experience through the consultative role with the committees and clubs, and better my strategic thinking, problem solving, and teamwork abilities through working with my fellow executive team.

Q4 What is your message to the rest of the DCS team? “What’s your legacy?” is the key phrase that is going to keep our exec pushing forward this year. I hope we can not only acknowledge it, but also bring it to life through bold and unique thinking and sheer dedication to surpass goals and expectations. Exhaustion is temporary, legacies are forever.

Q5 What is your message to the DeGroote Student Body this year? Never settle for less, and don’t be fooled that “good things happen to those that sit and wait”. The biggest barrier to greatness is the person looking back in the mirror. Only by taking advantage of great opportunities (or creating opportunities), and pushing yourself to improve, will you know yourself and your true potential. I hope the DCS can continue to provide DeGroote students with critical opportunities that develop the whole self – socially, academically, and professionally.

UPDATES

3 DCS Cookout

September 15th Want to know how to get involved? Come to the DCS Cookout, which has all DeGroote Committees and Clubs present to let you know ways to get involved! Free food is also provided. coo@degrootecommerce.ca

The FYO Kick-Off

September 22nd The FYO Kick-Off event is a formal Business Banquet held for first year students to introduce them to the DeGroote School of Business. An opportunity to talk with upper year mentors and network with professors, faculty and other first year Business students. fyorientation@degrootecommerce.ca

Backpacks to Briefcases

October 3rd Formally known as Academic Awareness Conference (AAC). A day long Conference that gives you an opportunity to listen to industry professionals, alumni through panel discussions, speakers and workshops. B2B@degrootecommerce.ca 5 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

Take Control of Your Summer! one

fear that we may have as university students is to wake up one day, twenty years down the road and realize that we are not at all where we had hoped we’d be. I don’t mean this only in a careerwise sense we’re all afraid to move on into the “realworld” and find ourselves to be unhappy.

gotten in a university course that seemed to define your entire future. It comes from missed chances at new life experiences, adventures and opportunities. We are at a point in our lives where we are faced with life defining diverging paths that we must pick between.

Whether you’re working this summer, taking summer courses, Unhappiness doesn’t only stem or even just taking the time off from the bad mark you may have to unwind, it is important to take

control of your life and make sure to live it to the fullest, for the sake of your current and future self. Since most of us don’t have time to do that during the school year, summertime is the perfect opportunity to seize the day, every single day for the four months that we have. Here are some tips on how to carpe diem this summer:

Travel, travel, travel! While you are young, make your best effort to travel. Put aside some money from your part-time job or ask your parents for a communal birthday or Christmas present in the form of a trip. Right now, you may think that it’s a waste of money that could go to other things, or that it’s a reward you have to earn later by working hard now. That isn’t the case. Travelling is what you need to do to discover aspects of yourself that you don’t have access to when you’re trapped in your own world. Everywhere you go, the new places you see and the new people you meet become a part of you, and it is a huge step in self-growth. If you’re feeling adventurous, apply for internships or jobs in foreign countries for the summer. Need volunteer hours for graduate school applications? Free The Children offers tons of opportunities all over the world for driven and passionate students (www.metowe.com/volunteertravel/). Whether it’s a one month getaway to Europe to live like the Romans or even just a weekend road trip to a part of Ontario that you’ve never been, getting away from your daily routine and everyday sights is an important thing to do. It reminds you that there’s so much more out there that you sometimes forget about, which will often remind you how minuscule your problems, which might seem important right now, really are in the grand scheme of things. At the very least, travelling is your personal escape.

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What’s your dream?

Words by: Tara Khudairi

I don’t mean what is your career dream unless you’re one of the fortunate ones who is studying their one and only passion. I mean: what do you do in your spare time when you’re about to rip your hair out from school stress? Are you into making music? Are you an athlete? Are you eager to ace your LSAT? What is your dream? This summer is your time to make progress on the journey to your dream. Train hard for the football team tryouts in August. Get started on that business plan for the café you dream of opening. Write a novel, perform at a coffee house, set a world record, buy a camera and start taking your photography more seriously. Time is so precious—when is a better time than now? Set a realistic timeline in the development of your dream for these four months of summer. Follow it.

Who do you love?

Risk and Reward

Who are the friends or family who you truly love and whose company you genuinely enjoy? Use this summer to reconnect with them. Spend as much time as possible with them, even if it’s only for a few hours after your 9 to 5 shift – make the most out of every minute this summer. Do simple things and do crazy things because it’s tough sometimes in the hectic lifestyle during September to April for a university student to make time for the people they care for.

Take a risk! Or two! Or one every week this summer! There isn’t much to this, except that you may feel a certain level of fulfillment in trying something that scared you at first, whether it be skydiving for the first time or trying sushi although you hate seafood. You never know, you may find that you like it. At the very least, you’ll have a cool story to tell.

The Little Things Ultimately, this summer is about being happy with yourself and learning to enjoy life. This might seem simple or obvious, but it’s often hard to do when you’re a stressedout university student juggling many courses and extracurriculars while also trying not to let your mental and physical health slip. If you’re working, volunteering or taking a summer course, remember that your summer doesn’t revolve around this job or course—it is a set commitment, but you should still fill your summer with the other things you deem important. This summer is so important— do the things that you tell yourself you want to get done; the things that make you happy, or will in the long run.

Take control. 7 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

IN CONVERSATIO

MARK STEWA INTERVIEW BY JOSEPH CRUZ

Director of Commercial Activities, Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) President, Flyprint Board Member, Board of Governors, McMaster University

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I eventually found was advantage of the experiential le 8 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

ON WITH

WART

that it felt rewarding to be participatory, engaged and taking earning opportunities during my MBA..â&#x20AC;?

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I’ve got a long history with McMaster. I was born there back in 1983, and so I’ve kept the relationship for a long time. I did an undergraduate degree there in History and enjoyed that very much. When I finished, I was still trying to figure out what to do with myself. I had been working as a Physical Trainer here in Hamilton and continued to do that for a couple of years. Then, I got more into the sales and marketing end of health and fitness, which led me to go back to school and do my MBA at DeGroote in 2007. In particular, I did my MBA there because of its strong co-op program, which I think is a critical opportunity to go and explore different career opportunities. I had interesting times doing co-op terms with RBC Capital Markets, Scotia Capital, and Ontario Power Generation so I got to see a broad scope of corporate experience. After graduation, I worked for GE Capital but ended up where I am today because I realized that I want to be an entrepreneur. To do that, I needed to put myself in an environment where I could do entrepreneurial work and made the switch to working for the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) in 2010. It has been a great experience ever since because I can work on so many entrepreneurial projects. I also run my printing company, Flyprint, which I started in 2007 while I was still a student through the DeGroote student project that was part of the MBA curriculum. The project launched the first clothing store that the school had. I remember setting up a store in the lobby of the DeGroote School of Business building because the MBA program was still at the Hamilton campus at the time. So our base started at McMaster and since then, we have grown to serve clients across Canada. It has been a great learning experience for me to grow a business and to be in the position where we can give back in many ways. As often as I can, I hire DeGroote and McMaster co-op students at Flyprint, and we also sponsor some student groups and initiatives at McMaster, such as the DeGroote Marketing Association. We are a small company, but we have had the chance to ride the wave of Hamilton’s development during recent years. Because of all the new businesses across the city, we have had the opportunity to work with many of them on their products and branding. Please tell us more about your role as the Director of Commercial Activities at the AGH. The position of Director of Commercial Activities for the Art Gallery of Hamilton is inherently entrepreneurial. When the opportunity arose in 2010, the role was brand new, and they were looking for someone who would grow and introduce new revenue-generating programs for the gallery to help fund it. Funding is a common theme across many notfor-profit organizations in the country, having less and less funding available from staple government sources. Companies need to make their money, and that is essentially what the role is about. This is a new and emerging field, and so we see these types of roles more and more. Organizations 10 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

are looking at all the assets they have and finding ways to leverage them to make money. This is a new kind of thinking because, as a not-for-profit organization, it is not fundamentally our mission. There is a careful balance on how to do it, and there are regulations for charities and nonprofit organizations that are different from for-profit organizations. So when I started the position, there were programs already in place, but I was still given a bit of a blank space to come up with sustainable ideas that are profitable. One of the most substantial projects has been the AGH Design Annex located on James North and that’s a case wherein we created a model of having a self-sustaining satellite location that advances our mission because we present our experiences there. More than that, it also introduces a new revenue generating stream for the gallery from retail sales and event rentals. We have also expanded our mission by selling the work of local Canadian craftsmen and designers. As someone who has worked for both for-profit and not-forprofit, I can say that there are differences. I think that people who are drawn to work for non-profit tend to be very passionate about the mission of the organization. Another way it is different is because, as someone who runs business activities, you are not surrounded by people who necessarily have the experience or who fundamentally feel that business programs are a top priority. Ultimately, they are, not because it is why the organization exists but it is a function to support its existence. One of the challenges that I face in hiring is not getting a lot of applications for positions at the gallery from people who would work in for-profit fields. However, these are the people I need to run our business programs. In that sense, there a lot of differences but I take a lot of my lessons from for-profit and decide how they can be adapted here since our business still needs to be competitive and offer value to clients. During recent years, there has been an emphasis on the Arts and Culture scene in Hamilton. How has that helped the AGH and how has it contributed to the growth of the organization? We’re very much involved in that, and the local art scene is one part of Hamilton’s current overall economic, social, and cultural growth. At the gallery, we’d like to think that we play a leadership role in moving that forward. Something like opening the Design Annex—some of the business owners along the street came up to me and said that they felt confident opening their business there because of our presence. In general, when Hamilton is talked about as a destination for people to live, the Art Gallery of Hamilton has always been noted as an attraction and something that is appealing to reason to come here. We have grown a large film festival over the past five years that has now become a substantial anchor activity of the city. Our programs and exhibitions have become broader and more diverse and we also have a group called “Click”, which is a young professional organization that supports the gallery and is actually one of the

founding professional groups in the city. On one hand, we try hard to contribute to Hamilton’s cultural and economic life, and on the contrary, we certainly benefit from the city’s growth because it increases the amount of patrons and people interested in the Arts. You are also a Sessional Faculty Member at McMaster-Syracuse Master of Communications Management program. Can you please tell us more about the program and your role as a faculty member? I became a faculty member recently with the program, which I have supported and helped since 2007 when I started my MBA because the program was originally part of the DeGroote School of Business faculty. Over the past two to three years, I’ve worked as a Teaching Assistant for the program and worked one-on-one with many students in developing their application of their studies towards their careers. So I took the opportunity to teach Strategic Management in the program this year when it became available. One of the things that I think is the students appreciate having someone who’s able to contextualize how to apply the knowledge that they are learning. My courses are heavily focused on case studies and applied learning. I bring in a lot of special guests and speakers from different backgrounds and try to anchor how strategy applies to the context. Also, a number of the students are from not-for-profit backgrounds, so I work hard to make sure that I am not just providing them a “cookie cutter” program, but rather tailoring it and bringing in my perspective on how the not-for-profit world works to apply business strategy. What was the highlight of your experience during your time at McMaster, and how has your undergraduate and MBA studies contributed to your professional development?

During my undergraduate years, I wasn’t as engaged as I would have liked to have been. I didn’t engage substantially at that time and did a lot more during my MBA. The highlight of my experience is serving as the President of the DeGroote MBA Association. What I eventually found was that it felt rewarding to be participatory, engaged and taking advantage of the experiential learning opportunities during my MBA, which contributed immensely to my professional development as it expanded my network. It was also a great time to hone my skills in a safer environment by taking leadership opportunities. With your numerous accomplishments and recognitions, such as being recognized as one of CBC’s “Five Young Professionals to Watch” and receiving Hamilton-Halton’s Top 40 Under 40 award, is there a particular achievement that you are most proud of? I think a particular achievement that I am most proud of is when I was asked to serve as the President of the McMaster Alumni Association. To be the lead representative of our alumni, not just in Hamilton, but also across the world. I had the opportunity to host events with our alumni in Trinidad, Paris, Pittsburgh, and many different places. I am proud to have been asked to take that role but also proud to have put in all the work to do an excellent job during my term. What is the most important advice that you would give to students at McMaster? My advice is to definitely get involved because I personally found immense value taking on leadership roles and in doing things outside of the classroom, such as leading initiatives, doing informational interviews, and tapping into the McMaster network—things that are immensely valuable and that are uniquely available to you as a McMaster student. 11 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

Words by Marryiam Khan

...the aftermath details and why you should care #targetbankruptcy

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Late Target acquires 189 Zellers sites

Customers had similar views on the reason for the closure. That is the limited amount of middleclass consumers who decided to give this American brand a chance in the first place. On the other hand, Financial models by mega-store industry gurus have made dramatic statements about Target. In a press release, Brian Cornell, the Chief Executive Officer for Target talked extensively about

March The first 3 Target stores open in Ontario

2014

Target announces to enter Canada market

for the customers who shopped at Target.

2013

Employees will tell you that the closure has everything to do with insufficient product supply; the store had not established a proper supply chain before opening up its stores. As a result, the customers frequently complained of limited variety. The items on sale were rarely accessible, getting shipped only through the U.S suppliers across the border. Delays in the delivery of goods led to frustration

2011

As everyone in Canada should know by now, Target has left Canada. The mega-store retailer shut down its 133 operating stores in Canada as of spring 2015. The

reasons behind this closure vary depending on whom you are talking to: employees, customers, or industry experts.

2013

Back in second year, I took a microeconomics course for the sole purpose of fulfilling a graduation requirement. I never looked back at the concepts from Professor Bruce Ivanovâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2GO3 class. Frankly, I was too busy planning my summer vacation. Two years later, the same ideas have come back to haunt me. But, more on that later.

Late Target reports a loss of US$941 million

Now this is where my economics “expertise” comes in. Target left the mega-store industry because it was “incurring losses”. Rewinding back to 2013, the first thing I learned in 2GO3 was the nature of firms in a competitive economy. Unfortunately, it was not until Target announced their plans to leave that I finally understood this concept. The sole purpose of a firm is to make a profit. There are no deviations from this principle. Sure, there are some frills. Many companies sponsor or start charities but that is just one of many of their regular PR activities. The bottom line comes down to profit. Any revenue below a certain expected

amount, for a given period, leads to a firm shut down.

Unfortunately the story does not end here. The other major, and perhaps the biggest, megastore in Canada is Wal-Mart, which is geared specifically towards the lower and middle classes. The company attracts all sorts of shoppers by offering discounted products for everyday use. Target served as a buffer against Walmart posing as a competitor, prohibiting any price increases. Before Target, this was a job for Zellers. Right now, Target is competing for many of the same customers who shop at Walmart. Alas, this buffer will soon be gone. Walmart, being the only discounted megastore in Canada, will soon gain a seemingly monopolistic position. There is now room and incentive for this Megastore to increase its prices shortly after Targets’ official shutdown date. Even a two percent price increase on Walmart products will yield substantial

First Quarter: Second Quarter: Third Quarter: Loss of US$211 Loss of US$204 loss of US$211 million million million

2015

profits for Walmart while leaving many customers worse off. All in all, Walmart has the ultimate satisfaction of knowing that it will soon be the only low-end superstore in the Canadian Market. For customers, it is a tradeoff between shopping at Walmart at increased prices, or going to highend retailers, such as Canadian Tire and Shoppers Drug Mart, who charge even higher prices. Theoretically, Walmart is at a monopolistic advantage, and can raise its product prices, soon. You may ask why executives would do that to their ever-so-loyal and hard-working customers? Well folks, you don’t need to take Econ 2GO3 to find out why. Walmart would raise its prices for the same reason Target packed its bags; it’s all about the Bordens Baby!

NOW

profitability. According to the target financial model, any profits for the company were unlikely to be made at least until the year 2021. In a competitive economy, the company could simply not afford a six-year wait before becoming profitable. The firm left the industry because it was incurring losses.

Target closes all 133 stores in Canada

Target announces to leave Canada

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What Makes a Product “Green”?

Exploring the regulation of green products #greenwashing

The case SC Johnson and the Greenlist Backlash discussed the risks of greenwashing through use of certification labels. SC Johnson currently uses an internal Greenlist™ process that ranks 95 percent of the raw materials it uses in its products based on environmental impact. Although this is an internal system, SC Johnson used Greenlist™ certification labels on its products that inadvertently led consumers to believe the label was

an independent thirdparty environmental certification. The company was accused of greenwashing, which is the practice of promoting a product as environmentally friendly to meet consumer demand and increase sales, even though the product or business itself may not be environmentally friendly. Prior to reading the case, I trusted and valued all “green” labels on cleaning products. I assumed government regulations (specifically those

regarding advertising) protected consumers from companies that try to greenwash. Through follow up research, I learned there is a lack of control and regulation on green labels in the cleaning supply industry. Had green labels affected my purchasing habits of cleaning products in the past? Will my learnings on the subject change my habits in the future?

Words by Lindsey Schneider

14 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

“According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no clear-cut definition for “green”.” When I worked as a maid for a cottage resort, I purchased and used many different cleaning products, including: window cleaner, stain remover, all-purpose, bathroom cleaner, etc. Cleaning supplies are commodities; there is no quantitative differentiation in the market as brands compete on price. I consider qualitative According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no clear-cut definition for “green”. The EPA website states: “a product may be considered “greener” if scientific evidence demonstrates that human health or environmental impacts have been significantly reduced in comparison with other products that serve the same purpose”. This definition presents a number of concerns as a consumer. Firstly, the term “greener” is ambiguous; there is no true meaning. How do I determine what product is greener, or which products are the greenest? Secondly, the term considers “green” to the union – hence the definition uses “or” rather than “and” (human health and environment). Lastly, there is no value assigned to the reduced impacts. The EPA needs to learn the concept of SMART goals, specifically M: measurable. This definition of a “green” product fails to properly define the term green; a proper definition would assist consumers in making environmentally friendly choices.

factors when making a selection from a variety of brands such as scent, or whether the product is environmentally friendly. As an environmentally conscious consumer, I am drawn to products (or brands) with a green label. But wait, what makes a product “green”?

It is sad that consumers cannot trust companies to not greenwash their products, whether it is intentional on their side or not. But as a consumer, how can I not view it as greenwashing? The lack of regulation allows the industry greenwash; this enables lawsuits from consumers on the basis that companies are deceiving their customers. No regulation encourages companies to act freely; this eliminates consistency and prevents consumers from making educated decisions. With regulations, firms would avoid the risk of lawsuits and consumers would trust labels as they appear on products. My key learning is as follows: if I want to be an environmentally conscious consumer, I need to do my homework. Until regulation is put in place, I will research green and make informed and environmentally friendly decisions.

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The Social Venture

Exchange

Words By Taylor Browne

ocial ventures exist to better the world we live in, from the support of environmental objectives to raising awareness of the manifold of injustices that taint our earth. A social venture contrasts a typical venture in that their focus, as one might have guessed, is not solely profit, and although they possess a lucrative function, their focus is more towards a social end.

as research has shown, social ventures have a particularly difficult time attaining said capital. Over 70% of social ventures report “access to capital is a major barrier to success”. If this is the case, how do we make capital more accessible to these social ventures? This is the crux of impact investing, and as we’ll discover, a problem with a solution.

One thing all ventures depend on, however, is capital. Capital is what drives and supports a venture to succeed regardless of its social scope. However,

Adam Spence, McMaster alumnus and now Associate Director of Venture and Capital programs at the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, had an

16 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

idea. What if there existed a matching mechanism between social ventures and those willing to invest in them? It would be a sort of stock exchange for social ventures, or, as Mr. Spence coined it, “the eHarmony of impact investing”. The idea was first proposed in 2007 and was immediately believed to have potential. It was further discussed with government, local leaders in social innovation and capital markets, and leaders around the world taking part in similar projects.

Gaining more and more traction, this idea was eventually endorsed by the Government of Ontario as part of its Poverty Reduction Strategy in 2008, and it finally manifested into what is known now as the Social Venture Exchange (SVX). The SVX was later further supported with funding by Social Innovation Generation (SiG) at MaRS, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI), Causeway Social Finance, and TMX Group Inc. So what exactly is the SVX? The SVX is an access point with the function of connecting accredited investors with social ventures and impact funds through an online platform. Ventures are screened for feasibility beforehand and ensured to meet a set of requirements before launching on to the site. Such ventures fall into several classes: cooperatives, charities, nonprofits, and for-profit corporations. If a social venture is deemed to not have financial plausibility or a strong enough social impact, the venture is rejected. One of the foundations of the SVX is their new model for raising capital. The model outside of the SVX is unorganized and fragmented, making it difficult for ventures

to find investors. Whereas the new model, involving the SVX, allows social ventures to receive the necessary tools, education, and resources for success through the SVX platform. Additionally, given that investors often do not have the time or experience to find or make deals with social ventures and co-investors, the SVX is beneficial in that it takes on that responsibility for them. To further illustrate this idea, let us go back to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;dating siteâ&#x20AC;? analogy given by Adam Spence. Imagine two entities: an investor and a venture. They do not know each other, they have never met, but they are perfectly compatible and both have what the other needs. Instead of wandering aimlessly around searching for each other, the SVX brings them together, and furthermore, assists in their marriage. Since 2013, the SVX has profiled twenty-six impact ventures and funds, over one hundred investors, and mobilized US$3.5 million in impact investing. With the continued support of the SVX, the hope is that more and more investors will become interested in impact investing and take part in the movement towards a better world.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Interview with

Ms. Sarah Law Sarah Grace Law, Canadian Recruitment Lead

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your educational and professional background?

and Human Resources at the University of Toronto and was extremely eager to jump into the workforce by that point!

I was born and raised in the GTA and grew up possessing the typical childhood aspirations of becoming a teacher, a lawyer, and a singer of course. In high school, I developed a particular affinity for Accounting and was convinced that I’d become a CA for my career. I was blessed enough to be accepted into the University of Waterloo for its AFM program, bringing me one step closer to what I thought was my dream profession. As the first few terms progressed, it became evident that my personality and personal strengths were quite misaligned with the duties of a CA, and I bravely made the switch into the Psychology program despite not having a clear idea of what I’d do with that. I had always been intrigued by the interplay of motivations and intentions vs. choices and actions and was driven to learn more about how the human psyche works. After a summer HR internship, I returned to UW to finish my Bachelors with a Human Resources Specialization. I then went on to complete my Masters of Industrial Relations

What sparked your interest to pursue the field of business, particularly Human Resources?

18 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

The catalyst was no doubt my Human Resources summer internship at World Vision Canada where I was exposed to the different pillars of HR including training and development, payroll and benefits, as well as recruitment and selection. In particular, I discovered my passion for talent acquisition through this full-cycle recruitment experience. Despite how cliché this sounds, it was a ‘eureka’ moment where I knew 100% that I’d finally found my calling. Recruitment is an integral function of any company, and the idea of being able to add to a company’s bottom line through finding the right people was something that could get me out of bed every morning. To finally be able to use my knack for developing relationships and building genuine rapport to benefit not only the organization but also an individual’s life was the perfect match for me.

Can you please tell us a little bit more about your role as the Canadian Recruitment Lead for FDM Group Canada? I started off as an Asia-Pacific and Canadian Recruitment Consultant with the company when we first established our Canadian presence in the Financial District of Toronto a little under a year and a half ago. Being an international company headquartered in the UK, I was thrilled to play a part in pioneering the growth in Toronto. I handled developing relationships with universities and colleges to ensure that we had a robust pipeline of fresh graduates coming into our Program. I also screened applications, conducted phone interviews, facilitated face to face meetings, and was the point of contact for applicants and educational institutions alike. Currently as the Canadian Recruitment Lead, I manage the Recruitment team in Toronto and am involved with higher level strategy planning. Solidifying brand awareness and recognition is one of my key focuses in this role as we continue connecting expanding our Canadian footprint. What are some key developments that you have seen in the field of Human Resources in recent years that you think have had or will have a significant impact in the field’s future? I am interested in seeing how the upcoming changes in immigration legislation for express entry will affect the demographics of our workforce. This will affect the employment of local talent and increase diversity in the workforce that will need to be accounted for when predicting upcoming supply and demand trends. Company culture fit will play an ever-increasing role to ensure a mutually beneficial match between the organization and candidates. What has been the highlight of your experience as a young professional in the field of Human Resources?

The highlight of my experience thus far has been the recurring level of trust given to me in the various organizations I have worked with. I will forever be grateful to my mentors at World Vision Canada that shaped my understanding of the importance of an efficient HR department to the overall operations of a company. They guided me on the right path to finding my dream job, the perfect intersection between my passion and my strengths, at a time when I was not much more than a confused student trying to find something I could spend the rest of my life doing. What would be your advice to students who are planning to pursue the same career trajectory? Moreover, what is the most important advice you can share to students at McMaster University? The field of Human Resources is broad enough for people from various educational backgrounds to join, which is another reason it’s so fantastic. For those of you savvy with data analysis or quantitative subjects, you could potentially be involved with Compensation and Total Rewards. Those more interested in public-speaking and creating presentations can be part of Training and Development. And for those of you similar to myself who thrive on interpersonal communication and are bursting with creative ideas, Recruitment and Selection could be your niche. Capitalize on your time in university. Make the right networking connections and don’t be afraid to try new volunteer or internship experiences, even if they are seemingly unrelated to what you think you want to do. When I first started my HR internship at World Vision that summer, I had no idea what was in store for me. Broaden your horizons and try different things – just like dating, it’s equally important to know what you don’t like than it is to know what you do like!

19 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

Makers:

Words by Lauren Zylik

Our Future Economy

The

maker movement is shaping the future of economies around the world. I have a confession to make. I do this thing where I collect garbage and try to make it into something useful again. It has allowed me to save some money from time to time and even stop me from buying anything new and shiny. The truth is, I am a maker. I make things, from air fresheners to zipper pouches. You name it and I have probably made it or at least attempted to. You hand me a mason jar and I’ll make a hanging wall sconce in no time! I pride myself in the fact that I haven’t bought a piece of furniture from somewhere other than a thrift store or a garage sale in the last two years, and that I’ve knit enough scarves to last me fifty Canadian winters. 57 percent of the American adult population are makers. The maker movement is an extension of DIY (Do It Yourself) culture, in which we become self-sufficient by attempting to build, modify, or repair something without the aid of experts or professionals. Makers take DIY one step further by innovating and contributing to the processes and designs they use. Through informal peer networks, makers have begun to learn and contribute to a variety of pursuits including electronics, robotics, 3-D printing, skilled trades, and the arts. As makers think of new ideas and design new products, corporations have taken notice. The maker movement is spurring people to create products they would usually buy in stores. It has also become a way of empowering individuals to launch small businesses using their creative abilities.

This massive interest in making products on our own is being described as “the Next Industrial Revolution.” It is hardly a new concept, since doing it yourself used to be a basic necessity of life, but when buying a product instead of repairing it yourself became more accessible, consumption convenience replaced knowledge acquisition. Advancements in technology have brought a resurgence to DIY culture culminating in the maker movement. Developments in media software and the global spread of high-speed internet has provided the opportunity for makers to thrive. Back in the 1970’s, tech-savvy entrepreneurs started this revolution in their garages, and eventually advanced technology through companies like Microsoft and Apple. This also brought innovation and creation to a more accessible and personal level. People are now flocking to websites and applications to learn and acquire skills they were never taught. University courses are now being taught for free online, and research and development facilities are being made available to the public. Moreover, the effects on the economy are staggering. Ordinary individuals can now fund, design, prototype, produce, manufacture, distribute, market, and sell their own goods more easily than ever before.

20 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

Etsy is a great example of this. It serves as an online marketplace for people who wish to promote, sell, and buy their unique and handmade items. It connects creative individuals from all over the world to sell and buy items you can’t find in a store. DIY is also one of the most searched categories on Pinterest, a photo sharing website where users can upload, save, sort, and manage images, which are referred to as ‘pins’ on the site.

Here, you can find endless photos and video tutorials to teach people how to do things like home renovations, furniture projects, and even how to preserve foods yourself. The term “The Pinterest Effect” has also been used to describe this long-lost DIY lifestyle, as the site is jam-packed with tutorials, projects, and “hacks” on how to make things yourself.

consumers are becoming creators. Manufacturers are becoming " Essentially, suppliers. Businesses now face disruption and competition from the very people they used to sell to, up and down the supply chain. With the barrier to production hitting new lows, this threat is only materializing… and accelerating.

The maker movement puts the power in the hands of individuals. This philosophy threatens mass production establishments, and corporations are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Brian Solis, principal analyst at Altimeter Group, anthropologist, and futurist effectively summarized the maker movement’s effect on the economy by stating, “Essentially, consumers are becoming creators. Manufacturers are becoming suppliers. Businesses now face disruption and competition from the very people they used to sell to, up and down the supply chain. With the barrier to production hitting new lows, this threat is only materializing… and accelerating.” In more ways than one, this shift from buying to making is changing the way the market functions. With the advent of the 3-D Printer, for example, anyone can now design anything they want, wherever and whenever they want! This doesn’t mean that consumers are altogether opting out of the economy. They are reconfiguring it by taking on a greater role in the production process.

an environment of collaboration that is conducive to maker culture. It is projected that by 2025, the crowdfunding investment market will hit $93 billion, and the 3-D printing industry will grow to $4 billion. In the U.S., the maker movement contributes to 28 million small businesses, creating 8 million new jobs. In 2013, venture capitalists invested $848 million into hardware start-ups, almost doubling the amount invested the year before. Whether you personally feel that the resurgence of DIY culture is good or bad, it’s happening and it’s not going away. A maker lives by the philosophy that everyone is capable of learning and making things without the help of experts or automated systems of production. It’s about ordinary people devising extraordinary products and about empowering individuals to go back to their innovative roots. After all, even life itself is what you make it.

Innovation economics is a theory of growing prominence that emphasizes the essentialness of innovation to economic growth and prosperity. As growth in developed economies like Canada stagnate or potentially contract, it is pertinent to revisit what makes an economy strong. Perhaps it has to do with, not necessarily capital assets, but with the entrepreneurial capacity that comes from 21 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I urge you to partner with leading research universities in Canada as soon as possible so that Desjardins will have the competitive advantage of a more accurate catastrophe predicting model.â&#x20AC;?

MEMO R AN D UM TO:

Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President, and CEO

FROM:

Mohamed Kazem, Assistant to VP of Risk Management

DATE:

March 1, 2015

SUBJECT:

Natural Disaster Risk Management

22 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

The purpose of this memo is to bring to your attention the urgent need for a more comprehensive climate change strategy. There is a consensus by the scientific community that humans are increasing the average global temperature. Climate change is resulting in the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters such as droughts, hurricanes, and floods. These disasters are highly unpredictable, devastating, and extremely costly. Future events, if unanticipated through modelling, could drastically affect risk profiles. Two things must be done in order to address this problem: partner with Canadian universities in order to research and better understand climate change, and then use this data as well as previously published data in order to create a catastrophe risk model. In order to create an accurate risk model, first data needs to be gathered, analyzed, and interpreted. This is why Desjardins should lead the Canadian insurance market by funding climate change research at universities. There is

currently a large and growing body of scientific papers about climate change that have been published in recent years. However, only a small fraction of this data is from Canada. In order to increase this, Desjardin should partner with research universities. Strategic partnerships with universities will go far beyond simply collecting data; they will also allow risk assessors/forecasters at Desjardins to better understand the effects of climate change and to adjust our risk profiles, models, and actuarial tables accordingly. Building close relationships with researchers is not only strategic from a risk management and financial aspect, but it will also send a positive message to Canadians that Desjardins is concerned about and addressing climate change. The current risk management system that we use at Desjardins is insufficient because it fails to address the effects of climate change. A catastrophe risk model must be created to forecast the frequency and severity of floods, hurricanes, and other catastrophes which will affect nearly all of the

Canadian regions that we insure. Creating this model will cost millions; however, the risk of incorrectly predicting natural disasters if we proceed without it is much too high. If this model helps us predict even a single disaster that we otherwise would not have, the millions of dollars invested in the creation of the model would be justified. Failure to adequately predict natural disasters can be extremely costly for Desjardins. An accurate model is crucial for choosing premiums, assessing future liabilities, developing relevant products, and deciding on whether or not to underwrite policies of those potentially affected by catastrophes. I urge you to partner with leading research universities in Canada as soon as possible so that Desjardins will have the competitive advantage of a more accurate catastrophe predicting model. This will allow our company to maintain profitability despite the increased frequency of natural disasters in the future.

23 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

HOW SOCIAL PROOF CAN MAK

Imagine you are visiting New York City for the first time and you are walking down Times Squa naturally assume that the restaurant is somehow unique and be curious to try the food

“Monkey See, Monkey Do”

We are social creatures. We look

ratings or reviews, we are likely to trust the seller and purchase the product. If the product or the seller’s rating is bad, we would probably not buy the product. When we make a purchase on Amazon.com, it also displays other products bought by other people who had bought the same product as we did. Arguably, then, we buy the product because that represents the behaviour of other people who are similar to us. Social proof reinforces the decision to buy products.

at the actions of others, especially when these people are experts or similar to us, to determine our actions. Have you ever jaywalked because others around you did? Have you ever convinced yourself to buy a product because others around you were using that product? According to psychologist Robert Cialdini, one of the principles of persuasion that influences consumer behaviour is what he calls social proof. He states that “we view a behavior as correct in a given situation to the degree that we see others performing it.” The Good Social proof influences the products we buy on Amazon.com. The work culture of the design firm If the product or the seller has good IDEO is such that its employees are engaged in collaborative help. They are always offering assistance to one another, and it has become the norm of the organization. How?

Through the power of social proof. Work culture is crucial to the success of any company. It becomes a guide to the behaviour of employees in a business. If the manager offers assistance to employees, it leads employees to engage in collaborative help because of the power of social proof; since their managers’ and

24 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

peers’ support was seen as valuable, the employees feel they want to pay it forward and help their colleagues.

The Ugly Have you ever wondered why many educated and wealthy people invested their money with Bernard Madeoff, a former stockbroker and investment adviser who operated the largest financial

fraud in United States’ history? Madeoff was an active member of the Jewish community and was trusted by many people in this community. This included many wealthy Jewish people who entrusted their earnings with Madeoff’s investment brokerage. This laid down the foundations of social proof, leading to many other people from both inside and outside the community to invest with Madeoff in confidence, snowballing into what would become the largest Ponzi scheme in history.

KE OR BREAK YOUR BUSINESS

are. You come across a restaurant that has a huge lineup. If you are like most people, you would naturally d there. And you might even add it to your list of tovisit places during your trip there.

The Business of Social Proof Companies need to utilize effectively the following social proof strategies to succeed:

1) Make your business or product publicly observable.

// Sehrish Khan

Jonah Berger in his book “Contagious” states,

“If something is built to show, it is built to grow.”

For example, Apple made white headphones that distinguished it from its competitors. It was easier for people to see others using it and gave a visible social proof that the product is special. People need to see what others are doing to follow them. You need to make sure your business or products are as visible as possible to your target market.

2) Testimonials, Recommendations & Ratings These are excellent ways to increase credibility for your business or product. Testimonials, recommendations or rating signal to customers that others have used your product or service, and it has worked for them, which in turn reinforces their decision to buy your product or use your service. According to Harvard Business Review, a onestar increase in Yelp rating leads to 5 to 9% increase in sales of the company.

3) Social Media Popularity If your company has a website, make sure the company’s website is easy to use and can easily be shared by your customers. You need to include social media sharing links everywhere! The number of followers you have on social media determines your popularity that in turn influences many others to follow you. If you do not have many followers on your social media, people would not be confident in investing in your product and may assume that your product is not good enough.

“Realize that everything connects to everything else” - Leonardo Da Vinci 25 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

a step-by-step guide:

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SUMMER JOB

For the lucky few, summer is the time to sit-back, relax, and enjoy those precious four months of freedom. Though sadly for most, summer is the time to make as much money as possible in order to pay for tuition, decent food beyond Kraft Dinner, rent for a tattered shack they call a ‘student house’, and textbooks that are priced as if they’re made of the finest and most rare paper material found

only in the depths of the Amazon rainforest. And as much as you need the money, you have a hard time justifying any benefits that can come from waiting tables or mowing lawns for four months of your life. Well, I have some good news for you all; it looks as if you’re not entirely wasting your time at your mediocre summer job! There are many ways that your summer job is preparing you for

success in your future career that are most likely just hidden behind your negative attitude and lack of enthusiasm. There are valuable skills you are gaining, monetary opportunities to better your finances, and the experience to add to your resume that are all provided by your summer job. Here’s how to get the most out of this summer killer we like to call seasonal employment:

Recognize Your Skills

One of the most popular types of summer jobs is in Retail Sales. When working in retail sales you find out how to work with all different kinds of people. It’s the best way to develop good people skills, which are so important in any career path you choose to go into. This type of job is great experience for any future customer service careers. Even when you are stocking inventory you’re practicing effective organizational skills that will be beneficial in any career you go into.

26 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

Another popular summer job position is in Clerical and Administrative work. This type of job will continually develop your organizational skills. Answering phone calls will develop your customer service skills and help to improve your problem solving abilities. This job may also include some sort of website updating and marketing-related tasks, which is excellent experience if you’re looking to go into that.

Jobs in Information Technology or Web Design are not as common. These jobs usually start out as paid/unpaid internships, or you can start as a freelance contractor during the summer and build up your portfolio. This field of work is advancing

and is known to lead to more successful careers. Scoring this position in a summer job will build your creative and technical skills and will open so many doors to employment later on.

Earn More Money (and make it last)

One way to literally make the most out of your job this summer is to try to boost your pay. Many employers will increase your wage if you’ve worked there more than one summer. And don’t be afraid to ask for a little extra if you feel you deserve it. Also, does your workplace offer timeand-half pay on holidays? Take advantage of that bonus and ask to work those days. Another point to consider is continuing working part time during the school year. It can be hard to juggle school and work together, but if they’re

close to each other why not take the opportunity to keep earning money?

It’s easy to burn through your money in the summer when it’s warm out and summer music festivals sound like the perfect use of your wellearned cash. The only thing harder than making your money, is holding onto it. One way to end the summer with the most savings out of your job is to automate your savings. If you get your paychecks directly deposited to your account, you can

have the bank move a certain amount straight into your savings. You won’t even notice it’s gone! Then you can spend the rest of the money guilt-free.

Another way to make your money last is to throw it into a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Why not let your money grow and save the tax on the interest earned by your savings? This is a great option if you have some debt to pay off after school or if you’re looking to save for the future.

Bulk Up Your Resume

One thing to remember when you’re applying for jobs out of University is that for certain jobs, employers are far more interested in your previous work experience than the degree you graduated with. And it doesn’t necessarily matter if your summer job had anything to do with the field you’re looking to go into, but the fundamental skills you developed and strengthened at that job are what really matter. You first need to narrow down what field of work you may want a career in. Then figure out what skills are required to successfully complete that job. Does the job require great people skills? Does this job require analytical thinking? Does

the job involve computer-based work? Then ask yourself if your summer job is allowing you to build these skills you need.

Last, but not least, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn! Your summer job experience is better than no experience at all. When writing your work experience on your resume, make sure you briefly include the tasks involved in performing the job, as well as the skills you developed while doing it. This gives more background to the nature of work you were doing and the employer will attribute more value to the job.

Words By: Lauren Zylik 27 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As human beings we love to complain, but do we

make the effort as human beings to impact change in the causes that matter to us, and more importantly in the communities that we live in? Creating societal change is not the responsibility of just corporations and government, change starts with you.â&#x20AC;? ...

Grassroots Activism ...its role in the food system, and why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more important to start with you

Words by Basmah Ahmed

28 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

Over the past few years, documentary after documentary has covered the ills in the food system from high sugar, high saturated fat, high calorie, and generally low nutritional food. In wake of these criticisms, industry leaders have risen to the challenge in small but significant ways to keep their profits up, and their conscience clear. For example, PepsiCo has made changes to its product line, offering Naked Juice (a maker of soy and organic drinks), Quaker Oats, and other more wholesome brands. These actions have come under tough criticisms and are portrayed as “unhealthy food becoming a little less unhealthy.” In addition, 80 percent of PepsiCo’s product offerings are still the typical low nutrition food items, so it is no doubt that the hard work has only just begun. However, is it possible that consumers can shape businesses just as they have shaped us?

support from the City of Hamilton, and food was being grown locally just six months later. The movement started with citizens, quickly garnered government attention, and then finally leveraged business to become a social enterprise. In the same time period, the Mustard Seed Cooperative opened. This grocery cooperative focused on selling food from local producers and manufacturers, making sure options were affordable, and lastly, ensuring that the food was wholesome, organic, and minimally processed. Those changes took time, but more than anything they required education. Consumers must educate themselves with the tools necessary to make better decisions in a food industry that is slow to change. As noted in the PepsiCo case “The consumer can move to baked chips or pretzels, or Sun Chips, but they’re not yet giving up their chips for an apple or a “Hypocrisy is evident even in my own daily life as I carrot stick.” In many ways, corporations become our main form of education. spend three days out of the week at the gym, and still have From ‘blue stars’ to ‘smart choice’ and ‘eat find myself eating pizza three days out of the week. well,’ brands are using keywords in packHow can I so easily place blame on corporations when aging and advertisements to dictate our decisions. Looking to the urban farm my actions are so inextricably linked to their sales?” food started in Hamilton, the corporate system had let down consumers and this motivated Despite my financial and physical ability, in the consumers to look for new and better options. When past I have rarely made an effort to purchase whole- consumers are better educated it is easier to make better some ingredients and cook my own meals. Hypocrisy is purchasing decisions, shifting the demand side of the evident even in my own daily life as I spend three days economic equation in favour of health and wellness. out of the week at the gym, and still find myself eating Consumers can bring short‐term changes pizza three days out of the week. How can I so easily through methods such as product boycotts, petitions, place blame on corporations when my actions are so and utilizing the power of social media to voice coninextricably linked to their sales? cerns on the role food companies play in their lives. Social movements are happening all across Hamilton, Citizens are changing in the methods with which they Ontario that are changing the way people think about are contributing to the political system, and when confood, and transferring power from corporations back to sumers speak out together it is inevitable that compathe people. nies will have to listen. In McQuesten (an East‐end community in Ham- While it is important to question corporations ilton), an entire population of people had no access to and the products they sell, it is even more important to a local grocery store. As a business, a grocer could not start with yourself, start now, and start locally. Corpojustify opening because of the low‐income population. rations and government have an important role to play. Instead of settling on the status‐quo, in January of 2014 Let’s make sure they hear what we want so that they residents did their part in taking back the food system. can work with us rather than for us. A community‐led urban farm was planned through 29 | Quarterly Profit | Summer 2015

CBCD Centre for Business Career Development

Connected with the Centre for Business Career Development (CBCD) Now " Stay and Into the Summer! "

Are you starting to panic about your job search? Realizing summer or graduation is right around the corner and you have not yet secured employment? No need to stress, CBCD is here to help! There is still time to find a job, and to access CBCD services. Coaching sessions, resume and cover letter critiques and all online resources are available to you throughout the summer months. These services can be used in person or virtually (via email or skype) if you are no longer on campus. For students who are graduating, you have access to CBCD services until August 31st, 2015. When looking for a job on OSCARplus, remember to look at both SSC Job Postings, and Business Student Job postings to maximize the number of opportunities available to you. In addition, grads can also consider Full-time Immediate roles in addition to Grad Recruitment Positions. For any role, if you can confidently sell your skills and experiences to align with 65-70% of the qualifications in a job description, APPLY!

Remember to also utilize other job search strategies including online sites like Talent Egg (http://talentegg.ca/), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) or your personal networking connections. There are so many positions out there that are never posted, so you can have success with “who you know”. Let CBCD help you to navigate this job market as well!

JOB SEARCH ADVICE: NEW GRADS: Consider contract roles. Depending upon your previous experience, do not discount the benefits of a contract role. This will provide you exposure you a business environment and develop your transferable skills into relevant experience, even if it is not on a permanent basis. Job postings on OSCARplus will be available to you up to five years post-graduation. So while we are confident you will find a role before then, if you want to utilize OSCARplus in your long term career strategy, the resource is available to you. SUMMER STUDENTS: For students still looking for summer roles, remember it is not about finding your dream job – it is about gaining transferable skills and experience that will be a stepping stone towards your ideal position once you graduate. Think about the skills you want to utilize such as communication, problem solving and customer service and what types of administrative roles can help to build your resume.

CONTACT US! Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm in DSB 112. Schedule an appointment with a Relationship Manager through OSCARplus www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca under the Business Appointments section. Email your resume/cover letter/general inquiries to cbcd@mcmaster.ca Find us online through OSCARplus www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca Avenue to Learn http://avenue.mcmaster.ca/ and Facebook.