VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11, 0834-2011
NOVEMBER, 2011
LocaL TechnoLogy Zooms in Deep, ReveaLing WonDeRs
in This issUe: •Cyber security •Mobile resource management •City finances: a new framework
Inviting Applications for Innovation Programs Innovation enhances the ability of emerging and established entrepreneurs to create solutions that address challenges in business and everyday life. Innovation is a building block of a vibrant and highly diversified economy. The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development’s portfolio of Business Development Programs is available to support private sector businesses as they develop new products, services or technologies. These programs support the transformation of innovative ideas into new commercial products.
Commercialization Program
Innovate and Demonstrate Program
To support the development and implementation of cutting-edge industry solutions, funding is available for activities that lead to the development of innovative, market-ready products and services. This program is designed to bridge the funding and investment gap between product research and market introduction.
The program enables businesses to demonstrate and showcase their early stage, innovative products, services, and technologies within a public sector setting. Each project will take the form of a demonstration in a public sector environment.
Technology Utilization Program
Global Travel Program
The program assists businesses with increasing their technology capacity to improve business process, product quality, efficiency and competitiveness. This program also enables businesses to utilize technology to become energy efficient and reduce emissions.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and public sector institutions, funding is available to encourage incoming and outgoing trade and business initiatives by helping clients promote their capabilities, products and services to the international marketplace.
For more information on any of these programs, or to recieve application forms, please contact us:
www.gov.nl.ca/innovation 709.729.7000 1.888.563.2299 innovation@gov.nl.ca
Contents IN THIS ISSUE Business News is a monthly publication of the St. John’s Board of Trade. Reproduction of any material contained in Business News is permitted provided written approval from the St. John’s Board of Trade. Articles and criticisms are invited, but opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent those of the St. John’s Board of Trade. We encourage you to support the business leaders whose names and products you see advertised in this issue as well as throughout our entire membership. The Board reserves the right to edit submissions. Editor: Printed by: Layout:
Alisha Morrissey British Group of Companies Roxanne Abbott
ST. JOHN’S BOARD OF TRADE EXECUTIVE Jo Mark Zurel Steve Power Denis Mahoney Sharon Horan Derek Sullivan Sherry Walsh
Chair Senior Vice-Chair First Vice-Chair Second Vice-Chair Immediate Past Chair Secretary-Treasurer
COVER STORY
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CHAIR’S MESSAGE FEATURES
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4
KEEPING CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kim Keating Dallas Mercer Jeff LeDrew Bill Mahoney Brenda O’Reilly Karen McCarthy Dorothy Keating Des Whelan
STAFF Nancy Healey Jennifer Chaytor Shari Palmer Margie Davis Alisha Morrissey Craig Ennis Wanda Palmer Jackie Bryant-Cumby
Chief Executive Officer Manager of Finance and Compliance Business Affairs Manager Sales Manager Policy Research Analyst Vice President of Policy and Communications Events Marketer & Administrative Coordinator Member Relations Administrator
St. John’s Board of Trade 34 Harvey Road P.O. Box 5127 St. John’s, NL A1C 5V5 Canada Tel: (709) 726-2961 Fax: (709) 726-2003 E-mail: mail@bot.nf.ca Website: www.bot.nf.ca
Business News
November 2011
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Cover Story lights, camera, wave action! Genesis Centre helps ocean technology companies set the stage for success
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larenville-based SubC Control is a local ocean technology company making big waves in the underwater operations industry. The company specializes in the development of highdefinition video, digital stills and recording solutions that can be used underwater. The cover image shows the seafloor in the Gulf of Mexico and is an example of the level of detail that SubC Control products offer. The company, established just last year, has already sold cameras in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada to clients in the oil and gas and environmental industries. SubC Control is one of four ocean technology (OT) companies being incubated at the Genesis Centre, Memorial University’s support network for high-growth technology companies. EMSAT offers custom environmental monitoring and reporting solutions to resource-based industries by combining environmental sensor technology, remote satellite communication and advanced data management software. Grey Island Energy has developed a device that extracts energy from ocean waves. ExtremeOcean Innovation is designing a vessel to transfer people, supplies and equipment to and from offshore wind turbines. “Ocean technology is a sector that the Centre has been very active in since the beginning. We have helped more than a dozen ocean technology companies since our inception,” said Michelle 2
Simms, Genesis Centre business analyst. Companies including Rutter, Virtual Marine Technology and Genoa Design were incubated at the Genesis Centre. There are a number of advantages and opportunities for local start-ups in this sector. One of the most significant advantages is the local human capital, much of which is represented in the industry association, Oceans Advance. The technical and business experiences of other local entrepreneurs can be a tremendous advantage to a new start-up. “The most important predictor of entrepreneurial success is the skills and
experience of management,” Ms. Simms explained. “This success is greatly enhanced by drawing on advisors, mentors and network contacts, which is one of the key advantages that Genesis Centre clients have.” Clients of the Genesis Centre have access to world-class mentors, experienced advisory boards and other business resources, in addition to the technical and scientific resources of Memorial University and the National Research Council’s Institute for Ocean Technology (IOT). “We have a relationship with IOT that gives our clients in the ocean technology sector access to IOT’s technical services while the Genesis Centre offers business support to their start-up clients,” explained Ms. Simms. November 2011
As part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Oceans of Opportunity strategy, the Genesis Centre received funding to develop its Blue Initiative, a program designed to encourage people to develop ideas for ocean technology businesses, and to support their incubation. “The Blue Initiative offers focused support to ocean technology companies. Another program that should be a big advantage to OT entrepreneurs is the OT Entrepreneurs’ Stipend, which provides a salary stipend for OT entrepreneurs who are accepted into the Genesis Centre and approved by the Provincial Government’s Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development,” said Ms. Simms. The stipend provides $50,000 per year for up to two years, for up to two entrepreneurs per company. Since opening the doors in 1997, the Genesis Centre has seen hundreds of business ideas ranging from learning software to simulators for life boat launching. Simms has seen her fair share of interesting ideas. “Most people will come to us when they are putting the concept together, but, some have technologies developed and in the marketplace,” Ms. Simms noted. A recent example is GRR Systems. When they came to the Genesis Centre, they had a product in the market, called DBGallery, which is a tool to help organize and manage an organization’s large digital photo collections (see article on page 12). “At the end of the day, the Genesis Centre is looking to select technology companies with high growth potential whether they already have a product or not.” For more information, visit www.blueinitiative.ca or call 864-2625 to discuss whether or not the services of the Genesis Centre could help your technology business. Business News
Chair’s Message a new relationship
Chair, Jo Mark Zurel
Several weeks ago the City of St. John’s asked the province to consider a new fiscal arrangement.
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he city rightly argued that it provides many regional services, like water and sewer, fire and emergency services, parks and recreation infrastructure and programs – many of which are used by residents of other municipalities. Some of those regional services are paid for by those neighbouring towns and some are not. As the capital city, St. John’s has to maintain roads being driven on by people from other towns and cities when they come here to work and to shop. St. John’s is home to the provincial government, which doesn’t pay taxes on its many properties and lands within city limits. City Hall is crying foul. The city is even offering up its municipal operating grant in lieu of a better financial agreement with the province. Officials say, even with the $3 million municipal operating grant hacked out of its budget, and only charging the province 75 per cent of its assessed tax values, the proposed arrangement will result in $25
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they’re located in, can pick up and move to million in revenue to a city with aging another city. infrastructure. The St. John’s Board of Trade isn’t Obviously, the election threw government suggesting its members move to a more services into limbo for the time being and business friendly climate, nor are we there’s been no formal change to the city’s arguing that the city shouldn’t get more financial relationship with the province as of a share from the province. What we are yet though we continue to support the city in asking for this fiscal arrangement – if the saying is that while the city is looking for more money from the province, they’ll money will be directed to infrastructure, also be doing the same with you and with roads, and wastewater and sewers and all business owners again, as they have for the other parts of a city that we all take for the past number of years. Maybe you, as a granted. taxpayer, should look at their expenses and Considering all this, on behalf of many learn why. of our small business members, I’d like to The idea of busitake this oppornesses demanding a tunity to ask new fiscal relationfor a new fiscal In fact, the better the ship with the city is, relationship business climate in the city, of course, facetious. with the city. But the concept that You see, the better the city does and I should have without busifinancially. How many times you some say in how our nesses, their have you heard how many tax dollars are spent owners and employees, councillors say in the recent isn’t a joke. The province gets there would be past that “this development to choose whether or no tax dollars to not to enter into this draw on to run will bring welcome tax new relationship with the City of St. dollars to the city?” the city because the John’s. city cannot legally In fact, the tax a higher level of government. The only better the business climate in the city, the better the city does financially. How many way Mayor Dennis O’Keefe can possibly see more revenues from the province is times have you heard how many councilby exerting public pressure. Just like you lors say in the recent past that “this develand I don’t have a choice in how much we opment will bring welcome tax dollars to pay the municipality we live and work in, the city?” we can use public pressure to tell the city Businesses pay $3.50 for every $1 a what we need and want them to do with homeowner pays – and let’s not forget that the people who own and operate businesses our money. This fall, leading up to the municipal have to pay their residential taxes too. budget, the St. John’s Board of Trade will Business taxes help pay for public pools, garbage collection and snow clearing of the be asking you, our 850 member companies and the many thousands you employ, to roads, just like homeowners’ taxes do. The ask your city what they’re doing with your difference is that business owners almost money. We’ll be asking you to help us always have to pay a private contractor demand a better fiscal relationship between to clear snow from their parking lots, for you and your city. garbage pick-up and businesses couldn’t Because in the end, whether the city or possibly fit into those public pools. province is spending that $25 million on The unfortunate thing about the city’s roads, health care or other services, they’re relationship with business owners, is all spending it out of your pocket. that unlike the city’s necessary relationship with the province, businesses, when they’re not being treated fairly by the city November 2011
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Feature establish effective governance
Amanda Perran
Governance is defined as the act of maintaining control and order
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t has become a hot topic within information management due to the potential risks on data protection, information findability and system maintainability, in the absence of an appropriate governance plan. SharePoint, Microsoft’s Enterprise Content Management and Collaboration platform, is certainly no exception to this matter and is often viewed as a higher risk technology for governance due to the rapid nature by which it is typically deployed and adopted within organizations. While most of us recognize the importance of a good governance strategy, we struggle with understanding where to start and to what level of detail we should address. Many guidelines and best practices exist online for what an effective plan should include, however many fail because they assume or prescribe that an organization should complete all activities in a single step at a single point in time. Instead, governance planning is something that is not so much a single task that occurs during your implementation, but a theme that exists from day one and continuously evolves and adapts over time to suit the direction of your business. By adopting such thinking, you will find that you become better equipped to address certain core aspects of governance at different stages during your implementation. 4
Consider the following when developing your governance strategy:
This can be a difficult balance, as rarely two organizations are the same in this regard.
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined: Roles should be defined for usage, maintenance and decision making related to the system. Failure to properly define ownership and responsibility can create gaps in supportability, but also result in decreased buy-in and trust from stakeholders; as it may not be felt that an appropriate level of corporate ownership has been established.
Use it: The goal is not only to create a governance framework, but to also put it to use. Far too often, emphasis is placed on creating a governance plan and then once a document is created, it is placed on a shelf and forgotten about. Make sure your various stakeholder groups are aware of its existence and remember to continuously review its relevance.
Avoid rapid and uncontrolled content proliferation: While a goal of any organization implementing an information management solution should be to achieve high user adoption and acceptance, it is important that guidelines and restraints exist to protect the system from unplanned and unstructured growth. Consider how each feature should be used and then consider how guidelines can be established to control its growth over time. Take the time to plan the content that will be stored within the system including attributes, required permissions levels and expiration rules. If you don’t take the time upfront to consider when out dated content should be removed or archived from the system, chances are that no one ever will.
Governance is not one size fits all: While downloading a checklist and framework plan from the Internet will assist in generating initial ideas and discussion on your organization’s approach to governance, it is not the end solution. Due to the specific nature of more core elements, it is important to make the appropriate considerations for your organization.
Establish guidelines and policies for effective operations and maintenance of system: Nothing will kill adoption of an information system faster than poor performance, unreliability or downtime. In addition, if you do achieve your goal of making SharePoint the central source for information within your organization, you need to ensure that the data that is stored within the system is well protected and secure. Establish an appropriate balance of comfort versus control: Users should be granted an appropriate level of empowerment within the system in order to achieve maximum benefit from the flexibility that the tools provide. However, control should be maintained in certain areas to ensure that the stability and maintainability of the system are preserved. November 2011
Schedule appropriately: Some organizations attempt to define governance far too early and are therefore not equipped to make all required decisions. Similarly, organizations that leave governance as something that takes place after the system has been implemented, rarely loop back to adequately address all details. Instead, integrate your governance planning as a continuous theme throughout your implementation project. Create a checklist of the items you plan to address in your governance strategy, and ensure that steps are included in your implementation plan to address these items at the appropriate time. Amanda Perran is SharePoint Practice Lead for Plato Consulting Inc. Amanda is a 10-year veteran of Microsoft SharePoint, five-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for Microsoft SharePoint Server and has recently published her third book, Beginning SharePoint 2010: Building Business Solutions with SharePoint. For more information, please contact Amanda at aperran@platoconsulting.com.
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Feature maxImIzINg rETUrN oN mobIlE rESoUrcE maNagEmENT five steps to ensure that you get the most out of your mobile assets by cutting costs, boosting productivity and securing mobile data
mobile solutions that fall under MRM.” Based in St. John’s, Radient360 is a leading provider of in-field mobile solutions leveraging Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) technology, such as RFID, for the oil and gas, industrial and aerospace industries. With more than 40 years combined experience, Radient360’s n a few short years, workforce mobility Mobile Resource Management (MRM) has grown from a convenience to a solutions allow clients to quickly and accumission-critical corporate enabler that rately locate assets, perform standardized can influence an organization’s success. maintenance and inspection processes and Mobile Resource Management (MRM) has then push reports not kept pace, however. In in real-time via many cases, their handheld today’s devices. This processes and data is fully procedures integrated into lag behind an organization’s the latest ERP system technology that allows for advancements Steven Taylor, CEO, Colin Power, VP Technical Services, on-demand in areas such Jeff Brown, EVP, Mark Murphy, Marketing Director inspection, audit as Automatic and compliance Identification and Data Collection (AIDC). reports. As a complete system integrator, This leads to lapses in data security, loss Radient360 offers comprehensive enterprise of productivity, and a higher total cost of solutions to improve a client’s operational ownership. Furthermore, today’s supply bottom line. networks are characterized by high “To succeed, an enterprise needs the complexity, consisting of several enterprises ability to automate visibility and coordiwith overlapping supply chains. Information nate its mobile workers, assets, and tasks. about products, unfinished goods and raw Our clients realize immediate benefits and materials along such supply networks are achieve longer-term value by transforming hard to acquire and to manage with conveninitiatives from reactive and haphazard to tional methods based on local Enterprise proactive and directed,” says Brown. Resource Planning (ERP) systems. In order For many organizations, the steps for for enterprises to maximize their return on success include: mobility, this must change. Step 1: Ensure Executive Buy-In maximizing mobility - requirements for C-level executives and senior management Success must lead by example and emphasize that According to Jeff Brown, executive vicesecurity, regulatory compliance and cost president at Radient360, “Although the management are vital. objective is clear, the path forward is not. Step 2: Conduct a Mobility Assessment Enterprises aiming to maximize their return It is important to find out exactly what on mobility must step-up their management efforts in a way that simultaneously contains the situation is before any steps are taken their total cost of ownership, ensures mobile or decisions made. What is the day in the data security and improves business produc- life of a mobile worker? What networks do they connect to? What data and applications tivity. To achieve this, organizations must do they access? This assessment should be align the people, processes and technology paired with a needs-analysis. to implement comprehensive enterprise
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November 2011
Case-in-Point: Mobile Field Inspection in the Oil & Gas Industry In the oil and gas industry, success hinges on timely and error-free delivery of product through a complex, highvalue supply chain. Proper infrastructure maintenance as well as inventory and asset management are not just regulatory issues, they’re mission critical for business health – and employee safety. Inspections, routine maintenance, and repairs must be performed on time on oil rigs, platforms and downstream facilities to not only prevent the ramifications of a failure – but also to maximize the efficiency and lifespan of key infrastructure investments. Today’s Challenges: • Advancing Worker Safety • Ease of Regulatory Compliance • Maintaining Asset Integrity • Efficient Equipment Inspection Effective MRM Deployment Results: • 300% increase in number of daily inspections • 30% reduction in time spent locating assets • 100% asset visibility with real-time inspection updates • Improved production uptime, equipment maintenance and worker safety • On-demand inspection, audit and compliance reports • Immediate alert notification of failed inspection to maintenance personnel
Step 3: Develop a Cross-functional Working Group Integrate the various organizational silos, forcing the budget-focused, securityfocused, and productivity-focused to work toward developing policies and procedures aligned with the best interests of the organization. Step 4: Map Automated Mobile Workflows Identify those processes and workflows that can be automated and digitized such as paper-based data collection forms. This will provide 100% data integrity with on-demand inspection, audit, and compliance reports. Step 5: Address Technology Fragmentation Any new approach and technology to support it must overcome infrastructure diversity. This diversity imposes a host of security, cost, and integration implications. It is important to examine and integrate devices, networks, platforms and applications. For more information and additional case studies, please visit www.radient360.com. 5
Feature ambassador column Clare Barry
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wo and a half years ago, when my second career was launched with the opening of a health clinic, joining the Board of Trade became one of my priorities. I was new to business, felt there was a lot to learn and getting to know the business community of St. John’s was important. When the opportunity to serve as an Ambassador with the Board of Trade presented itself, I grabbed it and haven’t looked back. I have always believed that one gets out of an experience what one puts in. As a member, it is easy to sit on the sidelines. However, in the role of Ambassador, one is drawn into the experience; there is a reason to network and a purpose in attending functions. I have learned all I had hoped and more.
The Board of Trade staff and its Ambassadors are a positive, upbeat and supportive group, committed to making St. John’s a better place to do business. Being part of that team has been an awesome introduction to the St. John’s business community. I’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand how the Board advocates for its members, builds business relationships, develops personal friendships and learns about business from the masters. It has been wonderful experience and one I highly recommend to all. Clare Barry is part owner and full-time Manager of Avalon Laser Health, a multidisciplinary health clinic focused on the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions. www.avalonlaserhealth.ca
REAL VALUE EXPERTS
We don’t have a single expert on a real property value. We have an entire team. Simply put, we’re in the know. AIC members are experts in all areas of real property value. Our members advise government and city planning officers, so whatever your real estate investment, AIC experts can help you make the best decisions, from acquisition and development to management and disposal. Make a real property expert – an AACI or CRA – part of your team today. For more information, visit newfoundland.aicanada.ca.
Appraisal Institute of Canada Newfoundland and Labrador
Advisory Services | Consultation | Due Diligence Feasibility Studies | Valuation
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November 2011
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Feature ambassador column Natasha Hudson
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ince joining the Ambassador’s team at the Board of Trade in January 2011, I’ve continually expanded my business network by assisting Board staff at various events. As a business development professional with an industry association, the experience has been an incredibly rewarding one. As an Ambassador, I get to build lasting relationships with a great group of people: members, my fellow Ambassadors, and the Board’s staff. As the leading business association in the province, the Board has earned the reputation of a strong and respected voice, and one that I’m very proud to represent. One of the memorable events that I’ve assisted Board staff with was the Premier’s luncheon. This event was a full house, and the networking opportunities were
endless; it’s just one of the Board’s events where you can meet other local business leaders and expand your business network. With over 800 member organizations, the Board of Trade offers the best networking opportunities for business in St. John’s. If you’re a member who hasn’t attended a Board event yet, get more from your membership. Come to a mixer, or any of the number of quality events presented by the Board every month. See you there! Natasha Hudson is the Business Development Coordinator at NATI, the Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Technology Industries. A member-focused organization, NATI works to enhance the business climate for the province’s advanced technology sector, and assists NATI members to achieve their growth and export goals. natasha@nati.net, www.nati. net, 709-757-3253.
ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF BUSINESS TO ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT PROVIDES ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSISTS MEMBERS ON ISSUES AFFECTION BUSINESS
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Feature do Smbs NEEd To worry aboUT cybEr SEcUrITy? recent studies have shown that small- and mediumsized businesses lack the proper security for their systems, putting them and their clients at risk.
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any also believe that they don’t need to worry about security because they have nothing of value and that attackers are focused on larger more interesting companies. Unfortunately that is far from the truth. The size or characteristic of a business has no bearing on whether a company is a target for an attack. The value may just simply be the computer resources that can be used for other attacks or botnets activity. These are five things companies should be doing to help keep their organization secure. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it is a start if your company is connected to the internet. (1) Make sure your anti-virus program is kept up to date Most organizations have anti-virus software deployed, but is it current? Thousands of viruses are created daily and having anti-virus software that is not updated at least daily provides little value. The software works by comparing the data on your computer against a collection of virus “signatures.” Any of the major anti-virus companies provide a mechanism to update using a push technology which companies should be using. (2) Software updates (patches) It’s not surprising to find out of date software during a security assessment. There are a lot of different software vendors and keeping up is difficult. The problem is that these patches usually contain fixes for security vulnerabilities which leave security holes for attackers to exploit. There are tools to help identify this software and some allow for automatic updating. Companies should put focus on 8
this as most exploits are based on known software vulnerabilities. (3) Using weak passwords You may think that your company is pretty good when it comes to security. Your systems are patched, anti-virus is up to date, and you have a number of other security technologies deployed and running, but how good are your passwords? A weak password is like having a safe with a paper door. A number of online databases derived from various security breaches show that most passwords are very weak. Many even use the word “password” as their password. Passwords should not be a dictionary word. Try using phrases instead. It will make it easier to remember and harder for someone to guess. (4) Employee awareness One of the easier ways attackers can make their way into a company is through the employee. E-mails can be made to look legitimate, websites can look enticing, and everyone is a friend on social networks. Unfortunately each of these can contain threats. It could vary from simple spam to more sophisticated scams that try to steal account credentials or infect the computer. There are security solutions that can help November 2011
but ultimately the best solution is one where the employee is informed and aware of dangers. (5) Don’t forget your web application More and more companies are servicing their clients through the web. They are either creating their own custom application or are purchasing a third-party developed application. Whatever the case, secure coding practices and web-application security testing need to be taken into consideration as a lot of successful attacks are through the web. This could mean the loss of customer data or even trust. There is no quick and simple solution to security. Good security consists of people, process and technology, and like a chain, all links need to be strong. Companies should work to improve in each area in a systematic and consistent manner. Remember that an attacker just needs to find one single problem. We have to try and find them all. Norbert Griffin is a Senior Security Consultant at Hidden Target Consulting Inc., an IT Security Consulting firm based in NL. He has a Bachelor of Technology degree and holds the CISSP, CISA, CEH, GPEN and various other industry recognized security certifications. More information can be found at http://www.htcon.net
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Feature managing security risk Where to start? the security of the underlying network and physical infrastructure cannot be assumed.
In 2010, security and privacy graduated from IT department concerns.
Intelligence network: Build industry, government or thirdparty relationships to establish ongoing intelligence partnerships to share leading practices, breach post-mortems and live dynamic intelligent feeds to drive policy and control refinement.
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e have all seen the headlines, and c-suites and boardrooms took notice of highly visible incidents in the news. At the same time, the regulatory environment around sensitive data protection has become more rigorous, diverse and complex. Organizations are aware of the shifting threat profile and are working to deal with technical barriers as well as sophisticated criminal elements. Incidents are increasingly originating in the trust vector – due to inadvertent employee behavior via the sites they visit, the posts they access on social media sites or even the devices they bring with them to the workplace. A “protect-the-perimeter and respond-when-attacked” mentality is no longer sufficient for today. Yet the vast majority of businesses in 2011 have only limited capabilities to detect and react to point-in-time breaches. Vulnerabilities are understood based on past events – not based on emerging cyber threats or on the actual risk profile of the organization.
Risk management 101: Many cyber security roads lead to and from an automated identity, credentials and access management solution. This becomes the baseline for authentication, entitlements and information controls. Integrate across internal transactional and security systems – then expand this footprint into business partners and any potentially customerfacing systems according to risk profiles. Suzanne M. Kenny
Bring the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the table:
urgency is met with uncertainty about what specific steps to take. Here are suggestions to help you get started:
Where do you
CSOs should be both boardroom advisors and general business leaders, with security domain knowledge but not necessarily tool-level experience. Many organizations have CSOs reporting into the Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Chief Risk Officer (CRO), a noticeable shift from their legacy in the IT organization.
start?
Business connection:
Awareness of cyber threats is no longer an issue. Headlines paint vivid pictures of the impact of penetration and extortion; security should no longer be disregarded as a cost center buried within the IT organization. But with visibility comes accountability. Given the immature starting point at which many companies find themselves with regard to their security posture, their general sense of
Use cyber intelligence to enable the reduction of risk and loss to the business. Determine three to five use cases and show how they enable the business – saving money from incident prevention, preventing data leakage for brand protection, etc. – beyond a typical threat assessment. Know what you have, get access to it and use it. Like business continuity, it can be an insurance policy that you’ll hopefully never use.
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Threat assessment: Start by understanding the value of your organization’s assets and current
vulnerabilities. This will guide your entire security strategy, so take your time to get it right. Specific attention should be placed on operations in foreign countries, where November 2011
For more information regarding technology related solutions and risk management services offered by Deloitte, please contact: Suzanne M. Kenny, senior manager, at 709-758-5136 or suzkenny@deloitte.ca 9
Keeping Current policy matters City Finances – a new framework
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The city’s tax base In July, Statistics Canada released information indicating that the population of the St. John’s area is growing at a slower rate than the national average for cities. The average growth rate of other Canadian cities was 14.7 people per 1,000 while it was 13.3 in St. John’s for 2009-10, down from 13.5 in 2008-09, indicating a population growth rate of just over 1.3 per cent. In 2001, the population of St. John’s was 99,180 and analysis by the provincial
at the end of 2009, that number stood at 3,535. (During 2010, the city began to track business occupancies in a different manner, altering the ability to compare numbers year-over-year at present).
he City of St. John’s recently asked for a new financial relationship with the province, which the Board The city’s tax pace supports. A tax system based on real estate, Our tax bills and tax base are on different which we have in St. John’s, may not trends, which the Board is concerned is be the best and most sustainable way to already leading to problems, such as tax finance a municipality. Considering we are increases every year, and even greater a capital, it is interesting that the provincial future problems. The city’s 2011 budget government does not pay for permits, real documents indicate estate taxes and other that the net increase in fees, yet receives services expenditures average The business community breakdown: from the city which cost per cent each year. Businesses in the capital region are primarily small. 6.9 St. John’s taxpayers, That means that the city both residential and has to collect nearly 7 commercial. The Board 1-4 employees: 50% per cent more money supports the principle every year because of its 5-19 employees: 37% that a provincial capital expanded spending. which serves provincial 20-99 employees: 11% Call to action needs has different costs The Board is expecting and expectations simply 100+ employees: 2% tax increases again this because there are more year for businesses and services (i.e. hospitals, residents. Tell council 87% of the business community is represented by university, airport, etc) that increasing taxes for located here. In practice, companies which employ fewer than 20 people businesses and residents any and all additional Source: City of St. John’s every year isn’t the right investment, however, must solution to its financial only be used to address the situation. Tell them that government earlier this year suggests it infrastructure deficit in St. John’s because your income hasn’t grown as fast as their currently stands at approximately 102,580. of its role as the capital and not for any tax burden and that something has to give In the city’s 2000 annual report, it notes operational shortfalls at the city. and you’ve already given enough. that business occupancies stand at 3,609;
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Feature polIcy maTTErS
The Board The Board of of Trade Trade is is offering offering insight insight and and analysis analysis on on the the data data and and positions positions contained contained within within the the City’s City’s position position paper paper ‘Towards ‘Towards aa balanced Provincial-Municipal fiscal relationship and Municipal Sustainability’. Page 11: Page 11: “Growth “Growth brings brings with with it it the the requirement requirement for for expanded expanded municipal municipal services.” services.” Board analysis: Board analysis: A A dense dense city city core core is is in in the the long long term term both both more more economically economically sustainable sustainable and and also also contributes contributes to to aa heightened heightened sense of sense of community, community, while while sprawl sprawl means means more more tax tax for for aa longer longer period period of of time time -- new new roads roads have have to to be be built, built, then then repaired repaired and and plowed, a considerable expense to the city. Height restrictions in the downtown work against more effective and efficient density. Even the Even the city’s city’s paper paper states states “this “this gain gain from from increased increased residential residential and and commercial commercial construction construction is is directly directly offset offset by by the the expansion expansion of water, of water, sewer sewer and and road road systems, systems, etc. etc. to to service service these these new new properties.” properties.” The The problem problem will will be be worse worse in in coming coming years years when when property property values start values start to to decline decline from from recent recent historic historic highs. highs. Chart #1 Chart #1 indicates indicates that that expansion expansion has has brought brought with with it it growth growth in in the the city’s city’s budget, budget, which which is is taxed taxed from from residents residents and and businesses. businesses. Page 11-12: Page 11-12: “While “While the the population population has has remained remained relatively relatively stable, stable, the the property/water property/water tax tax burden burden has has increased increased by some by some 31%. 31%. Over Over the the same same period, period, expenditures expenditures increased increased by by approximately approximately 36% 36% to to keep keep pace pace with with the the increased demand increased demand for for municipal municipal service.” service.” Board analysis: Board analysis: The The property property and and water water tax tax burden burden has has increased increased substantially substantially (faster (faster than than the the economic economic growth growth of of incomes, incomes, business development, business development, etc. etc. that that supports supports it) it) and and still still hasn’t hasn’t kept kept pace pace with with the the city’s city’s expansion expansion in in expenditures, expenditures, meaning meaning that that the the city will city will have have to to capture capture even even more more tax tax in in the the near near future future to to make make up up the the shortfall. shortfall. Chart #2 Chart #2 indicates indicates that that the the city’s city’s tax tax base base has has not not grown grown nearly nearly as as much much as as its its expenditures expenditures and and its its taxation taxation burden burden to to residents and residents and businesses. businesses. Page 12: Page 12: “Broadening “Broadening the the City’s City’s tax tax powers powers beyond beyond the the current current over-reliance over-reliance on on water/property water/property tax tax may may eventually be eventually be necessary necessary to to meet meet future future fiscal fiscal challenges.” challenges.” Board analysis: Board analysis: Future fiscal challenges have two potential solutions: broadening the city’s city’s tax powers or limiting its expenditures. Long expenditures. Long term, term, systemic systemic changes changes such such as as giving giving the the city city the the ability ability to to tax tax more more is is not not the the solution solution to to its its current current issue issue of of spending at spending at an an unsustainable unsustainable rate. rate. The breakdown The breakdown of of businesses businesses by by number number of of employees employees in in the the St. St. John’s John’s area area (see (see text text box box previous previous page) page) clearly clearly shows shows that that the private the private sector sector is is primarily primarily small small businesses, businesses, which which would would be be more more greatly greatly impacted impacted by by the the city’s city’s increased increased tax tax powers powers and its and its desire desire for for more more revenues. revenues.
Business News
November 2011
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Feature a pHoTo collEcTIoNĂ• S TrUE valUE a collection of photos sitting where nobody can find them is worth as much as the digital dust collecting around them.
U
nknown to most company leaders, these company assets can have great value. "Why, they're just photos?" is often the response when this is suggested. Photos are a major component of many aspects of a business and are used in marketing presentations and sales proposals, as well as in public relations and legal departments in many cases, for insurance, engineering, and sharing with customers. At a trade conference in Fredericton recently we spoke with a vicepresident of a large North American sign company. They have tens of thousands of billboards put up every year by contractors. Those contractors take photos of every piece of completed work, photos kept for years for quality, insurance and legal reasons. Being able to find a specific set of photos 10 or 15 years later is often critical. Do you know where your company’s important digital photo assets are? Could you find a specific photo if you needed to? A photo collection, organized and datatagged, is worth many, many times more than one which is not. An unorganized, hard to find, often lost, set of photos residing on computers all over the company is a terrible waste. A searchable, easy to find, never lost set of images is a great thing and can be the difference between waste and gold. Surprisingly there is little process or effort to make this transformation if one has the correct software. Digital photography and software is a marriage made in utopia if there ever was one. Good photo database management software can make tagging hundreds or thousands of images a snap. It can apply saved sets of data, such as company address and copyright info, to any number of photos all at once. Shortcuts to frequently-used data is just one more time saver in this area. It can utilize data 12
to create effective ways to browse a collection based on analysis of data. This data may be keyed tags, GPS stamps, or data stored by almost all digital cameras. It is able to allow many virtual sets of photos to be built, which simply point back to the original photos, saving the headaches and storage space of duplicated files. And of course searching across all data is a snap. As is the option of finding images recently added to the database, the ones most often viewed, and the images recently added. Because a good digital photo management solution shares its ease of accessibility across the entire enterprise, everyone in the company can take advantage of the importing and organization efforts of everyone else. Add up the cost of replacing a lost set of images of an oil platform when the engineering group needs to review their design. Personnel costs, maybe $10,000 for the helicopter, and lodging? Perhaps it's the four hours lost in expensive engineer's time trying to find the right images? Maybe it's just lost opportunity, or was that the lost court case? It's not hopeless. With just a little process and the right software tool the value of your collection can increase ten-fold. And that can't help but make a difference to your bottom line. Glenn Rogers has played a major part in the design and building of DBGallery, a shared photo database solution for the enterprise. He is a project manager with Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, and has been selling framed and stock photos for over eleven years now. For more information, visit www. GRRSystems.com.
November 2011
The Ten The Ten Realities Realities of of Photo Organization Photo Organization 1. Photo 1. Photo organization organization never never comes without comes without some some effort. effort. 2. With 2. With surprisingly surprisingly little little effort, effort, photos can photos can be be organized organized in in an acceptable an acceptable manor. manor. 3. A 3. A photo photo collection collection only only ever ever grows. grows. 4. Folders 4. Folders are are no no way way to to organize images, organize images, unless unless the the collection is collection is very very small small (see (see rule 3). rule 3). 5. A 5. A strategy, strategy, augmented augmented with photo with photo management management software, is software, is required required to to organize any organize any substantial substantial photo collection photo collection 6. An 6. An organized organized photo photo collection is collection is worth worth many many times that times that of of an an unorganized unorganized one. one. 7. Imaging 7. Imaging technology technology will will continue to continue to improve. improve. 8. Digital 8. Digital photos photos must must be be backed up. backed up. 9. Data 9. Data is is the the only only way way organize photos, organize photos, be be itit tags, tags, GPS data, GPS data, or or even even data data about faces about faces and and objects. objects. 10. Someday 10. Someday the the instant instant a photo a photo is is taken taken itit will will automatically be automatically be placed placed where itit belongs, where belongs, and and the the organization of organization of photos photos based on based on all all aspects aspects of of the image the image and and the the person person taking the taking the photo, photo, but but that that is is still some still some years years away. away.
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Feature integration innovation CNS Systems and ICAN have integrated and now operate under one new corporate brand and logotype
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he new corporate brand includes the “CNS Systems” text since the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance market aim of the business has not changed. However, we are not using either of our former logo types. We have a completely new logo that represents aspects of our proud past but clearly points to a bright future. CNS Systems will continue to grow as a strong and competitive software and hardware product manufacturer, subsystem supplier and prime contractor. We will continue to benefit from the wealth of experience, knowledge and performance resident in our team to deliver reliable products that are readily available in response to market demands. Our high performing, integrated organization uses the latest technology to develop and deliver solutions under a rigorous quality system. Our flagship products, AIS transponders, Base stations, Airborne transponders, display software and data management software, are based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) requirements and technology. AIS is an automated tracking system used on board ships, aircraft and by Vessel Tracking Services to identify vessels and monitor vessel movements using data exchange over a VHF data link. Information is transmitted using the SOTDMA
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(self-organizing time division multiple access) protocol, which uses precise timing data in GPS satellite signals to synchronize multiple data transmissions on a single narrow-band channel. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and national authority have mandated the use of AIS on specific classes of vessels. The market outlook for AIS based technology solutions looks strong. The ever present needs for vessel traffic monitoring, advanced navigation and surveillance capabilities combine with new requirements for maritime domain awareness and AIS monitoring of helicopters to create the
robust outlook for AIS technology. The software development and support services for CNS Systems are based in Mount Pearl, yet the customer base is worldwide. As AIS usage requirements are expanded throughout the globe, CNS Systems stands ready to serve these markets with both existing and innovative new hardware and software products. The Maritime industry has been the dominant user of AIS based solutions, and while this is anticipated to continue, the offshore oil and gas industry has also November 2011
recognized the safety and traffic management benefits of AIS technology when used onboard service helicopters. With AIS, ground controllers can monitor for risk of collision between helicopters in the same area and provide precise position in the event of a crash at sea to facilitate quick search and rescue efforts. As most vessels operating in offshore service operate in international waters, they are required to have AIS capability under IMO regulations. CNS Systems was initially founded to serve the civil aviation market so it has extensive knowledge of and expertise with aviation based products. In addition to the Airborne AIS transponders for aircraft use, a suite of products based on the VDL Mode 4 standard is used for both air and ground operations to increase safety and optimize efficiency. IP based point to point communication on aircraft, while thought impossible by some, is possible with the VDL Mode 4 based technology developed by CNS Systems. While AIS is no longer considered a “new” technology, there continues to be novel and unanticipated uses for AIS based hardware and software products. Certainly, as national security continues to be top of mind for governments, AIS plays an important role in plans and programs for maritime and coastal security. CNS Systems is well positioned to offer solutions to the diverse markets both here in Newfoundland and worldwide. 13
Lead Today FOR THE BEST TOMORROW
Photo by Kevin Kroeker – www.ontherockphotography.com
Experience an event that unites business leaders. Build your knowledge and your network at two distinct business events – the annual Outlook Conference and Trade Show. Information and opportunities you need to hear about! Book your tickets today. Contact Wanda Palmer at 726-2961 ext.9 or email events@bot.nf.ca. DESIGNED & PRODUCED
Outlook Trade ShowConference Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday Jan. 26, 2012 Delta St. John’s Hotel and Conference Center delta Hotel main ballroom and crush lobby
10am - 5pm The Trade Show is a great opportunity to showcase your products and services to decision makers in the St. John’s business community.
We are over 50% sold already so make sure you book now. Register to take advantage of the early bird rate before Nov. 30th, 2011. Prices vary by size and location of the booth. Contact Margie Davis at 726-2961 ext 2 or mdavis@bot.nf.ca to book.
outlook conference Thursday Jan. 26, 2012 delta St. JohnÕ s Hotel and conference center
8am - 4pm Outlook will feature presentations from leading experts on business trends, opportunities and challenges for your organization in 2012 and beyond. The conference gives you the information you need to lead for the best tomorrow. Visit us online at www.bot.nf.ca for updates on our exciting speakers featured at this year’s Outlook Conference.
Trade Show
Tickets are $225 (non-member rate) and $175 (with member discount) for this full day event. Thursday, January 20, 2011 Main Ballroom and Crush Lobby
This is a one day event you don’t want to miss. Book your tickets today! SIlvEr SpoNSorS
This is a one day event you don’t want to miss. Book your tickets today!
Keeping Current around the board
St. John’s Board of Trade Chair Jo Mark Zurel was the ideal good sport as the Board hosted the 2011 Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM. The Rally in the Alley, hosted by the St. John’s Board of Trade, was one of the most popular events, with most delegates going home with stories of George Street to tell. Thanks again to our volunteers and sponsors for helping us to put off an amazing conference. For more photos from the conference please visit the St. John’s Board of Trade on Facebook.
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November 2011
Business News
Keeping Current around the board
We partnered with NOIA and the United Way to present a lunch with Bruce March, chair, president and CEO of Imperial Oil. March spoke about his company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility in oil sands development.
Steve Power introduced us to Andrew Molson with a clink of beer bottles before Mr. Molson told us how his family has lasted seven generations in the beer business. Afterwards, our senior vice-chair was interviewed by NTV about our election issues.
Business News
November 2011
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Keeping Current aroUNd THE board
Liberal candidate Danny Dumaresque, NDP leader Lorraine Michael and former Cabinet Minister Tom Marshall talked economic issues at our debate, co-hosted by the CBC.
provincial Election 2011: Statement from the chair of the St. JohnÕ s board of Trade Jo mark zurel, chair of the St. JohnÕ s board of Trade, issued the following statement on the provincial election on behalf of the over 800 members of the board. Ò once again we have been given the opportunity and privilege of exercising a basic right: deciding who represents us in government. we now have our representatives in place for the next four years and they have been granted authority by us to make decisions that will guide Newfoundland and labrador into the middle part of this decade. Ò I wish to congratulate premier dunderdale for leading her team to electoral victory. as only the second female to be elected premier in this countryÕ s history, it says a great deal about our progressive society that we put our desire for leadership above what gender people are, where they are from, and other factors that are far less important than the capacity, courage and commitment to do the job. congratulations to you and your team and we look forward to working with you, your cabinet and your caucus in the coming months and years. “I also congratulate the official opposition and the NDP caucus as they take part in the important work done in the peopleÕ s House. I encourage them to be diligent in their efforts and to balance the roles of keeping government to account while supporting the things that need to be done for the benefit of the province. Ò There are now 48 dedicated men and women who have been elected as members of the House of assembly. as you prepare to serve your individual constituencies for the next 1,461 days, remember also to represent the needs of this province as a whole. There is a greater good to be served and the over 500,000 people you represent all have dreams and wants and needs. In all your actions, remember the thousands of people you represent in your districts and the hundreds of thousands of Newfoundlanders and labradorians who call this place home. Ò you are the custodians of our natural resources, our tax dollars, our laws and many other factors that provide a quality of life in this province. Use them to benefit people today and use them to give our descendants a better future. It is our right to use the tools at our disposal today; it is our responsibility to do it in a way that makes tomorrow even brighter.Ó 18
November 2011
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Keeping Current around the board
Comfort, convenience and a quality you can trust.
Chair Jo Mark Zurel and CBC provincial affairs reporter David Cochrane co-hosted the debate.
Pool
•
Fitness Centre
•
Hotel Suites
•
Business Floor
Downtown Corner Brook • 1-800-399-5381 • www.greenwoodinn.ca
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November 2011
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Membership members in the news Member companies some of region’s business leaders The St. John’s Board of Trade would like to congratulate its member companies who ranked on Progress Magazine’s Top 101 list. Fortis Inc. is the biggest local player with $3.7 billion in revenue in 2010, and ranks at No. 2 on the list. Johnson Corp. takes the No. 6 spot with $805 million in revenue, Oceanex comes in at No. 23 with $153 million and new Board of Trade member the Marco Group of Cos. ranks at No. 28 with $131 million. Ocean tech companies, Rutter and Mad Rock Marine Solutions came in at No. 54 and No. 100 respectively, while Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union took the No. 65 spot. Two other local companies made the cut: Dennis Chevrolet Pontiac Buick GMC of Corner Brook was given the No. 57 spot, while the Eagle River Credit Union of L’Anse Au Loup came in at No. 99. The Progress Magazine’s rankings are based solely on revenue.
Going mobile The St. John’s Board of Trade would like to congratulate ClearRisk Inc on its fifth anniversary and the launch of its mobile app.
The risk-reduction company, led by Craig Rowe, got a major boost this year when GrowthWorks Atlantic and the First Angel Network teamed up to back it with a $1.2 million investment. The company, which targets mid-level insurance brokers, is using the investment to expand by allowing clients to use its services on mobile phones and devices. The mobile app is a risk calculator that allows an insurance broker to enter the client’s loss history to calculate a premium. ClearRisk is also working on other apps that are compatible with its web-based products.
New lab at MUN Students may not be waving around and screaming about it like they would on the trading room floor, but a new skills lab will bring a taste of
Bay Street to the classroom at Memorial University. The Faculty of Business Administration has unveiled the White Trading Lab on the first floor of the Business Administration building. The state-of-the-art trading lab will offer students and faculty a unique experiential teaching and learning opportunity by allowing users to interact with the global financial community in a real-time setting. Students will have access to global market information including equity, fixed income, commodity, foreign exchange and all derivatives information, research and analytics.
(L-R) Alex Faseruk, Josh Quinton, Brad White and Dr. Wilfred Zerbe The lab has been made possible by a generous donation from Brad White, the founder, CEO and CIO of Toronto-based EdgeHill Partners and a 1991 Memorial commerce alumnus. Josh Quinton, an equity derivatives specialist at Bloomberg in New York and a 2007 Memorial commerce alumnus, helped negotiate a donation from Bloomberg which included operating software and several pieces of equipment.
Business students in this province are some of the best in the world Memorial University’s SIFE team didn’t win the SIFE World Cup, held earlier this fall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but they walked away with their heads held high. On its Facebook page, the team wrote; “We are extremely proud of everything 20
November 2011
Business News
Membership members in the news we’ve accomplished this year. Competition didn’t go our way - but hey! That’s the way she goes sometimes. External validation is lovely, but not receiving it doesn’t mean our work is any less significant than it was before we got here.” Germany took first place at the annual student business competition. SIFE Memorial were the national champions and represented Canada at the
Referral Rewards Program Photo courtesy of SIFE World Cup Flickr
John Dearin Business Management Services Inc. Dennis Dillon Steele Communications Thank you for your referrals
competition and in their projects created 44 jobs, made a $2.9 million economic impact and touched 6,181 lives. In the lead up to the World Cup, nearly 9,000 projects were delivered by more than 50,000 students from 1,500 academic institutions in 37 countries. For more visit http://www.sifememorial.ca/
A happy union Two of our members have joined forces. Cathy Dornan, of Cathy Dornan Public Affairs, has signed on as the new vicepresident of communications for New
Millenium Iron Corp. and will work out of the company’s new St. John’s offices. Dornan has more than 20 years experience in the communications business working primarily in the resource sectors of mining, and oil and gas working with companies like Chevron Canada Resources, Cougar Helicopters, Iron Ore Company of Canada, Vale INCO, and Newfoundland Transhipment Limited. The company’s DSO project is well underway and the Taconite projects are well into feasibility phases.
You receive a $25 gift certificate toward Black Car Service
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November 2011
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Membership INdUSTry NEwS Investment in Education Chevron Canada has announced a $2 million fund for scholarships, bursaries and international co-operative education opportunities in partnership with Memorial University. The funding will be allocated to both undergraduate and graduate students studying engineering, earth sciences, business and economics at the university during the next 10-plus years. The $2 million in funding will be distributed in the following manner: • $900,000 for six merit-based Rising Star Awards valued at $15,000 annually for 10 years, with 80 per cent of these awards to earth sciences student applicants; • $480,000 will provide 12 undergraduate awards of $4,000 annually for 10 years; • $420,000 will create an endowment fund to provide up to eight annual undergraduate awards in perpetuity; • $200,000 will create a term fund for international co-operative education support. Starting in 2012, three international placements will be supported annually; two at $7,500 and one at $5,000. Priority will be for applicants taking a work term with an employer in the oil and gas industry. In 2008, Memorial was selected for Chevron Corporation’s University Partnership Program. Through this program, support is provided to a global network of more than 95 colleges and universities to develop talent in key academic disciplines, foster research capacity, increase community engagement and build relationships critical to the global workforce and meeting the world’s energy demands.
Royalties for resources A new C.D. Howe report suggests that when provinces raise royalties charged on oil and gas production, the result can be less, not more tax revenues. According to Rethinking Royalty Rates: Why There Is a Better Way to Tax Oil and Gas Development resource-rich provinces would be better off relying more on
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UP FRONT
TOP TECH INVESTMENTS A recent BDC survey indicates that the top technology priority for Canadian entrepreneurs over the next 12 to 18 months will be building their online capability. Several studies have found that information and communications technologies investments have a direct impact on innovation and productivity.
D WEB PRESENCE
MOBILE SOLUTIONS
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT, E-COMMERCE, ONLINE TRANSACTIONS, SOCIAL NETWORKING, WEB 2.0, SOCIAL MEDIA
WIRELESS DEVICES, SOFTWARE/DATA SERVICES
62
%
34%
TELEPHONY
17%
CUSTOM APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SECURITY
15%
BACKUP, DISASTER RECOVERY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY SOLUTIONS
HARDWARE INFRASTRUCTURE DESKTOP PCs, MACS, LAPTOPS, NETBOOKS, FAX MACHINES, PRINTERS, SERVERS, STORAGE
40
25%
14%
%
SOFTWARE INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATING SYSTEMS, SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, NETWORK MANAGEMENT, VIRTUALIZATION
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ACCOUNTING, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS/ PRODUCTION SOFTWARE
35
%
SERVICES SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, TRAINING
24%
ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE LICENSING MODELS SOFTWARE-AS-A-SERVICE, APPLICATION HOSTING, APPLICATION OUTSOURCING, CLOUD COMPUTING, OPEN SOURCE
10% CONTENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND COLLABORATION SOLUTIONS
OTHER
4%
OFFICE APPLICATIONS, MESSAGING, SHARED ONLINE RESOURCES
18%
Multiple answers were allowed. Therefore, the total exceeds 100 %. BDC is currently recruiting Canadian professionals and entrepreneurs to join our ViewPoints panel. Apply at www.bdcviewpoints.com
November 2011
Business News
Membership industry news auctions for exploration and development rights and relying less on royalties levied on output. Oil and gas taxation in Canada consists of two main elements: an auction payment, known as a bonus bid, by which firms purchase rights to explore and drill for Crown-owned resources for a specified period of time; and royalties that apply to the value of resources extracted. The authors, all current or former Albertans, examine the results of Alberta’s short-lived decision, in 2007, to increase royalty rates on oil and gas production. “The increase in royalties reduced the rewards to companies from oil and gas extraction, and therefore reduced the amount they were willing to pay to explore and develop new resource projects,” said co-author Bev Dahlby. “The problem with the current heavy reliance on royalties is that they impede resource exploration and development, whereas upfront auction revenues would not do so.” For more on this report visit http://ow.ly/74vBG
Are we Remote. Resource Rich. And Ready General Electric and its partner the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have released the “Remote. Resource Rich. And Ready,” report. The St. John’s Board of Trade was involved in the consultations for this report, which focuses on realizing opportunities in remote communities and the actions required to accelerate further investment. A second report called “Building the Business Case for Investing In Canada’s Remote Communities,” the Canadian Chamber of Commerce combined its research with GE’s findings to make policy recommendations that would accelerate investment in Canada’s remote communities. Both reports highlight the critical role remote communities may play in Canada’s ongoing economic future success.
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According to the reports, 93 per cent of survey respondents believe remote communities will play an important role in the future of Canada’s economy. At the same time, respondents identified significant challenges that must be addressed to realize future opportunities. GE Canada’s full report, summary document and media release are available at www.ge.com/ca. Similarly, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce document is available at www.chamber. ca.
Big federal investment for researchers at Memorial Five top researchers at Memorial University have received a total of $2.5 million in funding from the federal government’s Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program. Drs. Valerie Booth, Ratana Chuenpagdee, Matthew Rise, Gerard Van Herk and Susan Ziegler were each renewed as tier two chairs, for exceptional researchers who have been acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. As a result Memorial University will receive $100,000 annually for five years for a total of $500,000 for each chair. Thanks to the investment, research in the area of health, natural resources and ocean technology, as well as language, will continue at Memorial University. The investment in Memorial was part of a Canada-wide announcement of 253 newly-awarded or renewed Canada Research Chairs at 56 Canadian postsecondary institutions. In total, the Government of Canada invested $203.9 million to undertake new research. Memorial is home to 21 Canada Research Chairs in a variety of disciplines, including archaeology, traditional music/ethnomusicology, healthy aging and ocean technology. More information about Memorial’s Canada Research Chairs can be found online at www.mun.ca/research/chairs.
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Membership MEMBER PROFILES
At Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John’s we are all about kids. We recognize that every young person has the potential to fulfill their hopes and dreams. Our goal is to help them get there. Operating from two locations Buckmaster’s Circle and H.G.R Mews Centre on Mundy Pond Road, our staff and volunteers act as positive role models and provide a warm environment where children and youth are encouraged to be the best they can be. That’s why Boys & Girls Clubs of St. John’s is so important. We have been a home away from home for young people in St. John’s since 1946. Our caring environment enables over 750 children and youth every year to learn and develop the skills they need for life.
Radient360 is a leading provider of in-field mobile solutions leveraging Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) technology, for the Oil & Gas, Industrial and Aerospace industries. Radient360’s Mobile Resource Management (MRM) solutions allow clients to quickly and accurately locate assets, perform standardized maintenance and inspection processes and then push reports in real-time via their handheld devices. This data is integrated into an organization’s ERP system that allows for on-demand inspection, audit and compliance reports. As a complete system integrator, Radient360 offers comprehensive enterprise solutions to improve a client’s operational bottom line.
ClearRisk’s applications help insurance brokers and insurance companies deliver risk management to their clients. Insurers and Brokers are able to be more competitive and more profitable by helping clients improve their risk. ClearRisk customers are in North America and around the world. ClearRisk™ Inc. 40 Aberdeen Avenue, Suite 006 St. John's, NL, Canada A1A 5T3 1-877-734-RISK (7475)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition unites leading business organizations in the province and advances their work on issues of common interest in industries focused on mining, manufacturing, seafood production, tourism, restaurants, environment, oil and gas, information technology, construction and contractors, as well as business organizations for employers, independent businesses and board of trade members. The Coalition represents the collective interests of business in the Strategic Partnership, a unique, dynamic partnership of business, labour and government dedicated to improving the quality of life of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador through sustainable, balanced economic and social development. For more information contact Marilyn Butland, director of business, at 709.726.2961 ext. 8 or mbutland@businesscoalition.ca http://www.businesscoalition.ca/
Since 1991, our goal at Triware has been to help our clients make the best technology decisions for their business. With more than 40 industry professionals our team includes a wide range of experience, training, certifications and knowledge. Our success has been achieved through the desire to exceed clients’ expectations. Product fulfillment, network and user support, communications, collaboration, security, web strategy and custom application are the areas we lead the way. Visit www.triware.ca for more information.
For more information, contact: Jeff Brown, EVP (709) 699-9021 www.radient360.com. 24
November 2011
Business News
Register now Reserve your table
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2010 Business Excellence Awards!
Celebrate Member Achievements! December 7, 2011 Convention Centre 12 – 2 pm Purchase a full table and save! Table of ten: $650 Half-table: $330
Holiday Inn St. John’s CIBC Coast Broadcasting Ltd. Telelink Call Centre Inc. Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd. Jumping Bean Coffee Company Newfoundland Chocolate Company Anne Squires
*Individual tickets: $67.50. Ask about non-member rates.
To book your tickets call Wanda at 726-2961 ext. 9 or email events@bot.nf.ca.
Membership new members Office to Advance Women Apprentices Karen Walsh, Executive Director 89 McNamara Drive Paradise, NL A1L 3W2 P: 709-757-5434 F: 709-757-5437 kwalsh@nlrc.ca
Marco Group of Companies Don Allen, Vice President, Finance & Administration 78 O’Leary Ave St. John’s, NL A1B 4B8 P: 709-754-3737 F: 709-754-3715 Email address: dallen@marcogroup.ca
XIT Consult/Websites Garage Jing Xiao, Project Manager 28 McNeil Street St. John’s, NL A1C 2T9 P: 709-800-1567 jingx@websitesgarage.com
Alderon Resources Corp. Gary Norris, Executive V.P. Government & Communications 10 Fort William Building, Suite 804 Baine Johnston Centre St. John’s, NL A1C 1K4 P: 709-576-4672 F: 709-576-7541 gnorris@alderonmining.com
SharePoint? We Do That. Remember to check out Amanda Perran’s article on Sharepoint Governence in this issue of Business News.
Hidden Target Consulting Inc.
Customizing our services to meet your needs is what Plato does best. Our industry leading team offers the most in Microsoft SharePoint solutions services, and will turn your vision, into reality.
Norbert Griffin, Owner 3 Daniberry Place Paradise, NL A1L 0A2 P: 709-726-6854 ngriffin@htcon.net
Discover what Plato can do for you.
www.platoconsulting.com
Pan Maritime Energy Services
William Griffin, Operations & Business Development Manager 277 Water Street, 3rd floor St. John’s, NL A1C 6L3 P: 709-754-9014 F: 709-754-4704 wgriffin@panmaritime.ca
Seaford Marine Consulting Bob Hollings, President 44 Duffy Place St. John’s, NL A1B 3M9 P: 709-765-3570
Party Bus Inc. Rod Sheppard & Keith Culleton, Directors 124 Groves Road St. John’s, NL A1B 4L3 P: 709-727-8928 F: 709-739-7247 info@thepartybus.ca 26
November 2011
Business News
Membership new members Bonaventure Capital Siobhan Coady, CEO 354 Water Street Suite 208 St. John’s, NL A1B 1R5 P: 709-687-6794 Siobhan.coady@nf.sympatico.ca
Complete Drywall Systems Ltd. John Furlong, Owner 1432 Black Head Road St. John’s, NL A1C 5H2 P: 709-237-7010 F: 709-237-3358 completedrywallsystems@gmail.com
Radient360 Steve Taylor, CEO & Jeff Brown, Executive Vice President 100 Signal Hill Road Lower Tower St. John’s, NL A1A 1B3 P: 709-754-7343 F: 709-754-7349 jeff.brown@radient360.com
CNS Systems and ICAN now operate under a single corporate brand. This brand represents our proud past and clearly points to a bright future in St. John’s. Our MARINET system provides Automatic Identification System (AIS) solutions to the offshore industry, Search and Rescue operators, port traffic monitoring and vessel based operations.
CNS Systems Canada 1118 Topsail Road, Suite 201 Mount Pearl, NL A1N 5E7 (709) 754-0400 joel.box@cns.se
Business News
November 2011
27
Upcoming events LUNCHEON
MEET YOUR MATCH MIXER
Presented by
Presented by
More Twists and Turns On The Road To Recovery
Need some solid information about the economy locally, nationally and globally? Warren Jestin is Scotiabank’s Chief Economist and has been with the Bank since 1979. His expertise both about Canadian and global economic issues is extensive and his team’s research work is leading-edge.
Where: Comfort Inn Airport When: Wed., Nov. 2 Time: 12:30 p.m. Networking 1 p.m. Luncheon Cost: $79 non-members $39.50 member discount
Mix and mingle with emerging and established members of the St. John’s business community. This will be a great opportunity to network with other business members, so don’t forget your business cards. Where: College of the North Atlantic 1 Prince Philip Drive When: Wed., Nov. 16 Time: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
To confirm your attendance please contact Wanda at 726-2961 ext.9 or email events@bot.nf.ca
RSVP Wanda events@bot.nf.ca.
UNITE AND IGNITE: BRINGING GENERATIONS TOGETHER Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador and the St. John’s Board of Trade are excited to have Rebecca Ryan present to the local business community. Ryan is the founder of Next Generation Consulting, a company that helps clients design strategies to retain their young, future leaders. Ryan’s session will be high-energy and high-content. She will focus on the importance of intergenerational collaboration and how it is used in cities and companies around the world, as well as what each generation brings to the table, and how these unique perspectives can create a powerful shared vision for the future. For more information on Rebecca Ryan, visit: www.nextgenerationconsulting.com You may attend a half-day session including lunch or lunch only with speaker, Rebecca Ryan. To ensure maximum opportunities for audience engagement, this morning’s session is limited to 100 individuals. The ideal audience: workplaces facing challenges with multiple generations, retention and/or generational leadership changes.
Registration Session including luncheon with speaker Rebecca Ryan
Luncheon with Rebecca Ryan
Where: Sheraton Newfoundland Hotel When: Tues., Nov. 15 Time: 8:30 am registration 9am session begins 1pm luncheon Cost: $225 For further details on the session, contact JA at 753-9533.
Where: When: Time: Cost:
Sheraton Newfoundland Hotel Tues., Nov. 15 12:30 pm networking 1pm luncheon $79 non-members $39.50 member discount
To register, contact the St. John’s Board of Trade at events@bot.nf.ca or contact Wanda at 726-2961 ext. 9. 28
November 2011
Business News
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