Like Doug Mahoney, I belive more women-started international businesses should be encouraged, particularly in the UK. However, besides the fact that he claims if women started up as much businesses as men, there would be 150,000 more international businesses started up in the UK, Mahony doesn’t really go on to provide the unique benefits of women-initiated businesses. Companies such as Omega World Travel and Baby Einsteins were founded by women, both going on to be mega-successful, unique corporations, OWT going on to become the fourth-largest US independent travel agency, and Baby Einsteins being sold for huge bucks to Disney, prior to the deal grossing $10 million in its first three years. Wow! Women bring a unique perspective, adding spice and variation, but not at the expense of successfulness, to the corporate world, catering to target audiences with approaches that may not otherwise be prioritized (with reference to BE: could you see a man coming up with that?). I think women may sometimes feel their ideas and entrepreneurial spirit may receive less than deserved confidence and consideration because of sexual discrimination/ inequitable male/female roles (what other reason is there for women’s international businesses to account for only 16% of the UK’s total, honestly?), but I believe that with authentic support from the industry, women’s entrepreneurial abilities will significantly benefit the world through innovation and perspective.

(http://blogs.birminghampost.net/business/2012/11/inspiring-more-women-led-busin.html)

Alberta’s fire-sale prices on its natural gas, oil, petroleum, are leaving its money pool shallow. Insisting on remaining “competitive,” Alberta’s below-reasonable royalty rates and cheap selling prices are cutting an estimated $42 billion of potential government revenue. How much of a disservice can a government do to its population? Clearly a large one. Albertans only see about one fifth the value of the oil-related product their province sells; on top of that, Alberta’s keeping the pie from which Albertan’s slice is cut small in itself. What gives? I understand there’s the election coming up, and no party wants to be under the microscope of their respective oil purchasers, but that’s no justifications for the past 40 years; Alberta is dropping the ball here. If the government wants to rebuild Alberta’s Heritage Savings Trust and Sustainability Funds and ensure the stability of Alberta’s future, being more assertive in its demanded royalties and selling price sure wouldn’t hurt. I think Alberta is going to have to show oil companies some tough love- after all, extra money in a province seems like it will be put to better use than in a sector where retailers are basically swimming in excess profits. It’s time to stop being nice to the guy with 100 apples by giving him one of your two.

(http://canadiandimension.com/articles/4523/)

It is estimated that between 20-31 trillion dollars are lost globally every year by individuals and corporations secretly moving their money to tax havens, countries such as Hong Kong that have relatively low taxation rates. Firstly, let us clarify the definition of “lost” in this context. The Canadian government is whining that 10 billion dollars a year are being lost to secret jurisdictions, but this is simply not the case. Though these tax evaders reduce the government’s revenue, the money is far from having vanished. Rather, it is saved by the citizens of Canada, which gives buyers more power and supports the health of the economy. If all individuals and corporations paid their taxes honestly, the economy may slow down simply because that money would be cycling back in slower than it would be leaving, triggering economic panic, instigated government to perhaps reduce taxes, increase wages, and work to re-strengthen the economy in a hurry. The way I see it, tax-evasion is in essence cutting that process short. Sure, it’s unfair for those that do pay the taxes, but everything isn’t fair. In response, the government can 1.) Increase taxes in attempt to make up the losses, which would be a weak move as it may just provoke further tax evasion, or 2.), more effectively, they could reduce unjustified spending and make up the losses through cost cutting.

Michelle V. Stacy is a Dartmouth M.B.A graduate who claims taking a step back and moving toward where she felt passion improved her leadership skills. While working as brand manager, Stacy realized she would feel closer to her work if she was working more closely with people, and so demoted herself to a sales representative, where she expressed such authentic leadership that she was promoted to vice president of management. Obviously moving into a position that you feel good about helps you flourish if this story is any indication. I believe this can apply anywhere in life, and particularly in business. By moving into a position of passion, you enjoy working and pursue excellence, which is noticed by others in the business, improving the probability for promotion and bonuses. Stacy’s story is part of a bigger mantra- to which the antithesis is working where you don’t feel passionate. It sounds cliché, but liken it to dieting. If you know you will succeed by eating an exclusive oyster and celery diet, but you hate those two foods, though you know that’s how to succeed, chances are you won’t get too far, whereas if your diet consists of foods you like, it doesn’t even feel like you’re on a diet, and you experience great success. Case and point- do what you love, even if it doesn’t give the same money as an alternate and less enjoyable job. Take this with a few grains of salt, but chances are the financially advantageous and the passionate route will in the long run be one and the same.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/jobs/keurigs-president-on-stepping-back-to-lead-better.html?ref=business

On Tuesday Nov 13, a bylaw was passed that cleared the way for an intermunicipal business licence to be obtained by small businesses in the tri-city area (Coquitlam, PoCo, and PoMo). This licence is a great way to support local businesses, granting small businesses to operate within all three tricites under only a single operating permit. This will obviously help family businesses to expand with less cost, and better service the population. Many people in the tricities, myself included, are familiar with the entire area, and consistently intertravel between them to shop at specialized stores ie Typhoon Tayler’s Sports, etc. By reducing the barriers to expand, it is predicted that 10% of currently single-permit owning businesses will upgrade to the IBC, therefore making access to their stores more convenient. Looking forward to the streets being less congested and the community runnning that much smoother, I believe this is a step in the right direction, with little drawbacks and clear benefits to many.

Reference: The Now, Friday Nov. 16th, 2012 Edition

Business is by definition unethical. And nowhere is this more evident than by the degree and velocity damage is being accumulating against our oceans. It has been found that our previous estimates of ocean life species may be off by a factor of 10, representing just how little we know about our oceans, which only accentuates the possibility that we are extremely underestimating how negatively affective pollution and other unethical practices are to the ocean, but also to the environment as a whole. Many people believe that businesses should focus on maximizing profits within the laws set by government, and forget about thinking ethical. It is wrong to think this. Businesses should be MORE conscious of the environment- way more than any individual should be, because their impact is astronomically greater than that of an individual. Government is moving at a snail’s pace to go green, and all regulations being imposed are pathetic as far as what needs to be done. By the time they do anything, businesses, among other causes, will have the world suffocating in sludge and smog. Why? Because the government too just wants money… we’re waiting for those who are indifferent to the environment’s well-being to take initiative to save it against their stronger will (which is to make money, in case you are unfamiliar with governments). They focus so much on money, putting money above everything else, when, in reality, it’s not even a real thing. Money is not tangible. Oceans are real. Forests are real. Money is not. Capitalism by its current definition is going to drive the world into hell faster than any amount of money will be able to reverse. Money is important in our world today, but not at the expense of our world. Anyone who thinks otherwise has unfortunately had their brain knocked right-side around.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/geekquinox/marine-species-registry-reveals-just-little-know-oceans-223549003.html