Issue #65 

Network & Share

Explore & Learn

"Go forth and Innovate"

Key to surviving and prospering in the 21st century

We are also announcing the line-up of Our Thursday webinars through November and December introducing two webinar series of three episodes each: 1. Exploring life and business in China today and 2. Decarbonization - understanding the global energy transition

Join us - using the same url/link on Thursday's 4:00-5:30PM MST

ttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85896241732

Former recorded webinars are accessible

HERE

Send comments to Perry@PerryKinkaide.com

"Go forth and Innovate" is key to surviving and prospering in the 21st century. That's the message for Canada's SMEs as shared by my guests for this Thursday's webinar November 18th "Innovation and the resilience of SMEs".  As the Host and Moderator for the webinar, I conferred with each guest and shared the results of our recent survey of economic resilience and the innovation ecosystem seeking their insights.

October's survey results support views that innovation is key to economic resilience, and where it is weak all industries, professions, and public services suffer. This is particularly evident in regions and economic sectors that lack diversity and a weak culture of innovation. For example, the weak resilience of Edmonton contrasts with Calgary where the energy sector is undergoing a cleaner-tech transition and diversification into infotech. Survey respondents were almost universal in emphasizing the essential role of SMEs in developing economic resilience and the role of a supportive innovation ecosystem for their survival, growth, and retention. The ecosystem was also viewed as stronger in Calgary than Edmonton. And finally, the most appropriate role for governments in developing resilience was sited as in policies supporting SMEs and the development of manpower fitting for the economy.  The survey results continue to reflect the merit of advancing economic resilience through: an energy transition, development of manpower fitting for the economy, and bottom up leadership in innovation. Here's what our presenters had to say.

MODERATOR - Perry Kinkaide

Guests

  Irene Sterian is the Founder, President & CEO of REMAP Network a not-for-profit organization that bridges the commercialization gap for SMEs. Irene shared, "Start small. Think BIG and create value! SME's make up 99% of Canadian companies. They are the foundation of our economy and recovery. SMEs can compete with their multinational counterparts by digitizing, automating and creating business models that incorporate hardware, software and AI-related services." 

   Simon Raby has global exposure to SMEs, having researched SMEs in the UK and now in Canada - why they fail and what it takes to prosper. He shared that "Most SMEs grow in episodes that last 2-3 years. Key to growth is innovation. But innovation is more than new product development; to grow SMEs requires an 'Open Innovation Strategy' that takes into account products, services, markets, business practices, relationships, processes and more."

 Kathleen Todoruk is a thriving entrepreneur and founder of Todoruk Designs and referrals in Edmonton and recognizes the significance of "Relational intelligence that has changed tremendously since the advent of eCommerce and with technology further improving our client interaction."

   David Watters with Global Advantage Consulting in Ottawa, is no stranger to the important role of SMEs in Canada's economy. He has served as a policy advisor to the Canada's federal government. I asked him about the role of government in helping develop a culture of innovation supporting SMEs. "Governments should establish permanent partnerships with industry associations in each key sector, to shape the support provided to SMEs through spending, tax, regulation, procurement, skills training, immigration and trade initiatives.”  

For more ... join us and share your views - Thursday November 18th exploring "Innovation and the resilience of SMEs". - Editor

WEBINAR SCHEDULE - Thursdays 4:00-5:30 MST - November/December

November 25, December 9th, and ?? pending. A view of life and business in today's China.

This 3-episode webinar commences with "A view of life in today's China", followed by further insights to it's economy, leadership, and opportunities for trading with Canada.  SAVE THE DATES and the time 4:00-5:30 MST using the following url/link to access the webinars https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85896241732

Chaired by Doug Horner is currently a Partner with P3 Capital advising and developing Canada-China business relationships.  Chairman of the Canada Asia Synergy Group - Business to business matching and advisory group for China and Canada and linking business, academia, and networks between Canada and Asia. Also President of Timber Wolf Investment - Advisory, network and consulting services to broad range of industries on value added agriculture, International trade, and how Provincial and federal governments work. Elected in Alberta to serve as Senator; awaiting appointment by the Canadian Government. Formerly elected for four terms as MLA to the Government of Alberta during which he served as Treasurer.  Graduate of the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

Guests - November 25th

   Lu Xu  Consul General Lu Xu took office as Consul General of the People’s Republic of Shina in Calgary in September 2017.  Her diplomatic career began in 1991 and has rich diplomatic experience.  Previously, she served as the deputy director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and worked in the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Consulate General in San Francisco, the Embassy in the Czech Republic and the Embassy in the Slovak Republic Married.

   Gordon Houlden  Director Emeritus of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta. Professor Houlden joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1976, serving in Ottawa and abroad. Twenty-two of his thirty-two years in the Canadian Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese economic, trade and political affairs for the Government of Canada including five postings in China. He also served at Canadian Embassy in Havana and Warsaw, and at Canada National Defence College. His last assignment before joining the University of Alberta in 2008 was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for Greater China, Japan, the Koreas and Mongolia.  

Under Professor Houlden’s leadership, the China Institute focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and bilateral relations with the PRC, and Asian security issues. His third co-edited book on the South China Sea was published in the summer of 2021 by Bristol University Press.

  David Wong  In 2012, David retired from the Government of Alberta and the Canadian Embassy. He provided business consulting to Alberta Advanced Education, Alberta Innovates and from 2017 has been the China Representative for The Schulich School of Engineering, Graduate Program, University of Calgary. He remains in Beijing and travels throughout China, assisting numerous Chinese Universities that have collaboration with UofC. Earlier in his career David served as Managing Director of the Government of Alberta China Office responsible for Alberta operations in the Greater China region with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. His diplomatic position was Counselor. His former role was Diplomat with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade posted to the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, as the Agriculture Trade Commissioner. Prior to that for the Government of Alberta's Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Development he served as the Trade Director for China/Hong Kong and was promoted to Senior International Trade Director of Asia Pacific. 

He is also a writer for the monthly publication called Jin Mag which is circulated in Tianjin, a city of 11 million 100 km south of Beijing. David’s topics include culture, education, business and travel. David is knowledgeable of China and Canada, been to every province and is an excellent bridge for culture and business. “Anything is possible in China but Nothing is easy.”

  Barry Mehr  President of Mehr Holdings, Board Chair and CEO of Canada's Ha Ling Mountain Enterprises and founder and Board member of the Canada/Asia Synergy Group.  Barry has held industry Board positions in agriculture, food, and technology innovation. Prior to his return to the private sector Barry was Deputy Minister for the Alberta Government's Departments of: Economic Development, Innovation and Science, and Agriculture. Prior to that he was a senior manager with the Swift Canadian Company. Barry has also been Chair and Board member for Olds College and it's Centre of Innovation and the Alberta Science and Research Authority.  He received his B.A. in Food Chemistry from the University of Toronto.

December 2nd, 16th, and 23rd. Decarbonization - an Alberta perspective. The public webinar's 3-episodes each feature a Panel Chair and 3 presentations, exploring Decarbonization from three perspectives: The Global Energy Economy - the forces and source of change, Panel Chair - Eric Newell; Emerging Technologies - addressing climate change, Panel Chair - Eddy Issacs; and Pathway to Energy and Economic Sustainability - the transition, Panel Chair - Jim Carter.  SAVE THE DATES and the time 4:00-5:30 MST using the following url/link to access the webinars https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85896241732

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France's stance

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Canada Confused

China Watch

Understanding China's leadership potential

Xi Jingping secure

Inflation rising/spreading

Outsmarting America

Innovation

Core to economic resilience

Calgary's transition

  Infotech Investing Rising

Crises drives innovation

Higher Ed needs help

Energy Transition

Respecting the environment

US$130T pledged

$100B hydrogen opportunities

A hydrogen economy

  Feds invest $1.35 in AB

Alberta booming again

Calgary another win

Inflation

Higher and longer

Food and Housing

Energy and Labour

Weathering inflation

Supply Chains

Trade barriers and Covid hangover

Woes continue

Produce shortages

ESG Activism

Values-based advocacy

Carbon credits boom

John Cleese weighs in

Moses style leadership

Survey 2021 Results

Fall Economic Resilience

Spring Recommendations

SEEKING HELP

We are intent on telling the story about the economic plight of rural communities but we need your help.  Please let us know if your community warrants an interview..

Contact

Perry@PerryKinkaide.com

PARTNERING

If you have an interest in partnering with us contact

Perry@PerryKinkaide.com