ABCtech #09 08FEB14 Theme 2014 – The Missing M in SME – Why Albertas Small Businesses fail to grow

ABCtech #09 08FEB14 Theme 2014 – The Missing M in SME – Why Albertas Small Businesses fail to grow

EDITORIAL. “The Missing ‘M’ in SME – Why Alberta’s small businesses fail to grow” is ABCtech’s theme for 2014.  The theme reminds me of a question Dan Hinchey asked me about 10 years ago. He was then President of MicroAge – an infoTech SME in Edmonton.  He is now an Executive with IBM: Canada in Edmonton.  The question, “Why with all the extraordinary talent in Edmonton’s infoTech companies, hasn’t someone attempted their aggregation?”  Our theme reflects broad interest in associated small business issues that can hardly be ignored, but are hard to understand:

• High failure rate among start-ups across Canada. Est. 2 in 10 survive 5 years and only 1-2 of 100 small businesses ever growing to more than 99 employees.  See also
• High youth unemployment and rising income disparity between generations
• Under-employment and out-migration of talent – including new PhDs
• Low rates of entrepreneurship  For more  Thank you Peter Kelly
• Small “lifestyle” businesses with no interest in growth or mergers and without succession plans.

All at a time when:

• “Baby-boomers” – are retiring, many with: time, capital, networks, and knowledge to share
• New technologies – are emerging and converging that – if anticipated, can be an opportunity and – if not, VERY disruptive
• Competition and market forces – are ever-more demanding, with emerging markets adding to the fray
• “Bigger may not be better” – as organizations restructure for increasing productivity, flexibility and innovation  For more  Thank you Haley Simons
• Banks are prospering, interest rates are historically low and the economy is recovering
• Investors and public patrons – of advanced education and research are expecting more pay-back
• Governments – are alert to the need for more innovation, flexibility and a safety-net that supports transition.

Preparing to pivot!  ABCtech has launched a campaign for conducting panAlberta site consultations for engaging entrepreneurs and SMEs in a discussion (Apr-Sep) about: 1) Why small businesses fail to grow, 2) Why the lack of growth in Alberta is viewed as a problem, and – if a problem, 3) Who might do what to resolve it?

Get engaged! You could help as a co-host with logo recognition by:

• Marketing. Distribute our survey and the registration notice to your network targeting local SMEs and entrepreneurs
• Locating. Securing a site, date (Tues or Thus), and time: 7:30AM, 4:00PM or 7:00PM
• Welcoming. Attend a 1.5 hour workshop, restricted to 25 attendees – $25@
• Editing. An industry Report will be released in November, with co-hosts having early access to the draft for comment and final for simultaneous release.

Please REPLY if interested as we have several co-hosted sites still available. And even better, consider a Sponsorship/Donation  to help us cover costs. Comments and ideas welcome. – Perry Kinkaide, Founder & Past President

    Construction & Real Estate

The industrialization of home building – an emerging trend within the industry. For more  And the Modular and Off-site Construction Summit, May 8 & 9, Edmonton. And more  Thank you Klaas Rodenburg

‘Passive house’ design fundamentals for construction –  a rigorous and scientific approach to design and construction.   For more  And more  Thank you Peter Kelly

   Convergence & Creativity

Pathways to a creative economy – visions and versions. For more  And more Thank you Haley Simons

Creative economy gets a boost – as solution to the world’s financial problems.  For more  And more  Thank you Haley Simons

     Health & Biotech

Alberta health industry promises collaboration – for increased medical technology innovation and innovative health solutions.  For more  Thank you Bob Rauscher

Improving growth of embryonic bodies – from induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells.  For more  And more  Thank you Ariel Poliandri

Corporate Genetic Testing on the Hot Seat – US Food and Drug Administration warn 23 & Me to stop its mail order DNA testing.  For more  Thank you Derrick Rancourt

Who to trust or not in health care – the cost of therapeutic misadventures.  For more  Thank you Peter Kelly

    InfoTech & Analytics

What happens when robots take over – robots are not the problem.  For more Thank you Randal Adcock

Artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics: The new semiconductor – Alberta needs to embrace AI with a sense of urgency.  For more  Thank you Bruce Matichuk  See also

Fully robotic functionality achieved – US military’s largest land vehicles make real-life transformers look plausible.  For more  Thank you Nathan Armstrong

Big businesses are trying to get small – the wealth of data available today isn’t just a boon for big business.  For more  Thank you Randy Duguay

    Energy & Environment

Excellent introduction to Fusion Power – Steven Cowley, Director of the Culham Fusion Science Center in the UK.  For more  Thank you Klaas Rodenburg who notes that Steven Cowley was met in developing ABCtech’s Fusion Roadmap for Alberta due for release in March.

Moving energy safely – how safe is the transportation of bulk hydrocarbons by transmission pipelines, tankers and rail cars in Canada?  For more  Thank you Aman Verma

Changing expectations – monitoring transitions in the US energy market.  For more  Thank you Peter Kelly

Greenhouse gas emissions data sets – as well as other climate-relevant indicators. For more  Thank you Peter Kelly

    Government & Public Policy

What diversification is all about – Alberta’s long-term prosperity depends on the careful and deliberate decisions says Bruce Graham, CEO Calgary Chamber of Commerce.  For more  Thank you Victor Panlilio

Citizens engaged to tackle BIG government problems – Americans appointed to Presidential Innovators Fellows.  For more  Thank you Peter Kelly

     Finance & Investment

Foreign capital takes note of Canadian start-ups – evidence of Canada’s maturing eco-system.  For more  Thank you Perry Kinkaide

Human Resources & Development

Tech labour shortage? – diversifying the workforce with women and minorities.  For more  Thank you Haley Simons

Science fiction often redefines our logic – so, get ready to feel really uncomfortable.  For more   Thank you Don Diduck

Community leadership development – targeting rural Alberta’s economic development.  For more  And more  Thank you Yvonne Fizer

Gives, Gets & Events

Explore new business markets – BC is the gateway to Asia Pacific & Latin America mining, energy, innovation and cleanTech. ExpoPlaza Latina – March 24-25^th, Vancouver.  For more  Thank you Roxana Woda-Frydman

About bitcoins – a new payment option.  For more  Thank you Jim Gibbon

Artist/ inventor returning from China – competencies IT, media industry and fluent in Mandarin Chinese.  For more  Thank you Matthew Deblock

Dynamic technology solutions provider – Bodhi Solutions as PMO & Management Consultation focuses on big data/ e-commerce / RF-MEMS & analog sensors – serving industry systems & business process optimization.  For more  Thank you Jeev Selva