Ukraine鈥檚 strong territorial defence owes much to strong sense of civic duty
Russia鈥檚 attack on Ukraine was not unexpected, but its scale surprised many. 鈥淭here was a common expectation of escalation in the East and the South,鈥� says Mykhaylo Petechuk (MBA鈥�13), who has worked for McKinsey & Company in Ukraine. 鈥淏ut no one expected the launch of missiles into every region of the country.鈥�
Competition from Flair Airlines could contribute to lower airfares in Canada
Canada鈥檚 airline duopoly has kept airfares high, and Flair Airlines set out to challenge that with ultra-low-cost flying. A foreign ownership stake brought the company under investigation by the Canadian Transportation Agency, but many Canadians are sympathetic to the notion of a feisty underdog challenging the status quo, according to Professor聽Karl Moore.
Sustainable materials could help solve the fashion industry鈥檚 emissions problem
The fashion industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and most originate with the raw materials used in clothing -- like leather, cotton, and synthetic fibres. Evoco is working to reduce fashion鈥檚 emissions. Led by James Robinson, the Toronto-headquartered company provides sustainable materials to leading footwear producers like Kodiak and Timberland. The company claims to have saved 948,900 kg of carbon emissions, and in an interview with Prof.
Environmental pressures are one factor in the increased probability of pandemics
Joanne Liu聽(MDCM'91, IMHL'14, DSc'16) is no stranger to health emergencies. The physician and former International President of M茅decins sans Fronti猫res is leading 海角社区鈥檚 efforts to prepare for future health emergencies. As the director of the Pandemic and Health Emergency Readiness Lab, Liu is seeking to develop solutions to current crises and prepare for future ones.
Bombardier鈥檚 shift to business jets coincided with sustained increase in demand
Bombardier is all in on business jets, and that seems to be a good thing. The Montreal-headquartered aerospace company sold off its commercial aviation business to focus on building the business jets that serve the travel needs of the ultra-wealthy, and the pandemic has given that choice a boost. Demand for private jets soared as COVID-19 restrictions were enacted, and it has not yet come back to earth. For every business jet that Bombardier ships, it鈥檚 receiving 2.5 new orders.
Introverts and extroverts can both benefit from breaks that lean into their inclination
Acting like an extrovert is exhausting for introverted people鈥揳nd vice-versa. Prof. Karl Moore encourages everyone to take mental breaks during the day to recharge. An introvert with a meeting-heavy schedule that demands a lot of interpersonal interaction might need to schedule a solo walk, while an extrovert who is working from home might need to take time to get outside and talk to their neighbours.
Alumni create digital platform that helps businesses collect unpaid bills
When customers don鈥檛 pay their bills, it can be a major drain on a business. To collect unpaid bills, creditors have long relied on credit control specialists who use techniques like outbound phone calls. But that鈥檚 20th-century technology, and Dimitri Raziev (BCom鈥�09) spotted an opportunity to modernize the approach.
In virtual work environments, leaders must take steps to ensure employees feel free to share ideas
The specifics of leadership in a virtual environment differ from in-person, but some core aims remain the same. Whether a team is working remotely or at the office, it鈥檚 important that managers create a psychologically safe workplace, according to Prof. Karl Moore.
Edmonton-headquartered discount carrier Flair Airlines under preliminary investigation by the Canadian Transportation Agency
Flair Airlines wants to bring low-cost airfares to Canadian cities, but despite strong demand, the Edmonton-based carrier could lose its license this May. At issue is the role of the investment firm 777 Partners LLC. The Miami-based company owns a 25 per cent stake in Flair, leases aircraft to it, and controls its board of directors. The control they exert is the reason that Flair is facing preliminary investigation by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), Prof.
Executives should understand what data tells them about the present 鈥� and the future
Data can tell you a lot about the current state of business, and what the future holds. That鈥檚 information that companies can use to make strategic decisions, and it is multiplying quickly. Up to 90 per cent of all data was created in the past two years alone. To leverage, Prof.
Understanding the five languages of workplace appreciation can help managers make employees feel valued
Employees need to feel appreciated to maintain workplace morale 鈥� but not everyone receives positive feedback in the same way. Gary Chapman and Paul White鈥檚 book The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace provides managers with a framework to make their employees feel that their contribution is valued, writes Prof. Karl Moore in Forbes.com.
Psychological safety in the workplace
In a two-part series in Forbes, Prof. Karl Moore and Lainie Yallen (BCom鈥�18) explore psychological safety in the workplace.
Former Desautels professor Kunal Basu explores human experience through fiction
An author鈥檚 job is to empathize, to go outside of their world to explore and understand. To indulge in life, and not be judgmental 鈥� to immerse yourself as much as possible. Kunal Basu has used this approach to author a series of best-selling novels that explore diverse experiences, from 6th-century painters to contemporary sex workers in India.
Encouraging fathers to take parental leave can demonstrate a company鈥檚 values 鈥� and help them compete for talent
Parental leave is available to both mothers and fathers, but men often do not take this time off鈥揺ven though it helps them bond with their children and support their partner. This is partly due to work culture, but competition for top talent could help change this, according to Prof. Karl Moore. By encouraging male employees to take parental leave, companies can differentiate themselves.
Tech giants' business ecosystems transcend traditional economic sectors
Technology is always evolving, and keeping up with the pace of change is an ongoing challenge for business leaders. Companies can be vulnerable to competition from entirely different sectors鈥攃onsider how Apple made a MP3 player called the iPod and killed the compact disc forever. It was the first time the computer hardware company had even ventured into the music business.
