"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
Confucius
A topical update on areas of interest!
The Legalization of Cannabis in Canada!
What impact will this have on business in Ontario and Durham Region?
December 3, 2018
The November 2018 edition of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce magazine Chamber Insider is now available. According to Michael Kadonoff, CEO Braingrid, “Cannabis is one of the best examples of where Canada's actually leading the world.” Please read my article on page 12 for more details.
Follow the link below:
https://www.whitbychamber.org/magazine/2018-ci-november/
From The President/Chair/CEO's Desk!
November 9, 2018
The HRPA Durham Fall 2018 Resource Magazine is now available. The issue is called Mental Health a Workplace Priority. Please read my article on page 3.
Follow the link below:
https://issuu.com/suep/docs/hrpad_fall
As we celebrate UNESCO's World Teacher's Day on October 5, 2018; the mounting importance of lifelong learning in our working lives has never been more obvious.
Learning for the 21st Century, what are the options?
October 5, 2018
I start with a quotation that connects very well with UNESCO. "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family."
Kofi Annan, Diplomat and seventh Secretary-General of the UN (1938 – 2018)
In 2017 The Economist produced a special report called,"Lifelong learning is becoming an economic imperative." Andrew Palmer, the author, argued that the rapid advances in technology required stronger links to be made between learning and work. He believed a functional template was slowly evolving. In 2018 many of his points remain accurate and pertinent.
We are left with the question, what can be done? Thankfully, there is a clear answer! You must Keep Educating Yourself as it's obviously the KEY to continued success.
Follow the links below for more information:
https://www.economist.com/special-report/2017/01/12/lifelong-learning-is-becoming-an-economic-imperative
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldteachersday
An Employee Value Proposition (EVP) - Why is it important?
Do we need one? Thankfully, there is a guide on how to create one!!
September 7, 2018
The search for an effective Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is a challenging one but well worth the effort. Research has shown again and again that engaged employees really add to an improved working environment and a better bottom line. I hope that more businesses are inspired to create, sustain and enhance their EVPs.
Minchington (2005) defines an employee value proposition (EVP) (or employer value proposition) as a set of associations and offerings provided by an organization in return for the skills, capabilities and experiences an employee brings to the organization. The EVP is an employee-centered approach that is aligned to existing, integrated workforce planning strategies because it has been informed by existing employees and the external target audience. An EVP must be unique, relevant and compelling if it is to act as a key driver of talent attraction, engagement and retention.
"We cannot forever hide the truth about ourselves, from ourselves."
John McCain (US Senator, 1936 - 2018)
Follow the link below for more information:
http://www.hrmonline.com.au/section/featured/how-to-write-an-evp/
NAFTA Update - Beyond NAFTA Canada and Mexico must find new markets!!!
August 8, 2018
Can the current tripartite agreement between Canada, Mexico and the USA be salvaged? Perhaps a new NAFTA accord can "rise phoenix like from the ashes", we can only wait and see?
Goods, Customs, NAFTA agencies , Services and the Movement of skilled labour on demand are all on the table . The USA has been pursuing independent talks with Mexico on NAFTA for the last two weeks, just before the latest round of joint talks between Canada, Mexico and the USA resume at an unspecified date. Canada is also holding high level unilateral NAFTA strategy talks in Ottawa on August 8, 2018.
Given the current economic uncertainty, it is prudent for Canada and Mexico to explore and develop new global markets.
Follow the links below for more information:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/high-level-nafta-preparation-meetings-ottawa-1.4776273
https://theconversation.com/beyond-nafta-canada-must-find-new-global-markets-98430
Released Today - The Latest Update by the UK Government on Brexit!
"The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union White Paper"!!
July 12, 2018
Catch up on the latest UK Government Brexit proposals for Goods, Customs,
EU agencies, Services and Freedom of Movement. The clock is ticking down to March 29, 2019. Almost eight and a half months beforehand a proposal document has been published by the UK Government. The UK and EU now have to negotiate a practical and binding agreement. This will be a challenging, complicated and a deadline focused process. The only certainty is that developments will be observed by all stakeholders with mounting interest.
Follow the links below:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44807561
From The President/Chair/CEO's Desk!
June 14, 2018
The HRPA Durham Spring/Summer 2018 Resource Magazine is now available. The issue is called Working Together to Create Safe Workplaces. Please read my article on page 3.
Follow the link below:
https://issuu.com/suep/docs/working_together
Lights, Camera, Action!!
Global Community Action vs Unilateral Country Action
May 9, 2018
The big issue is do we resolve key international disputes as a global community or do countries act unilaterally and purely out of self interest?
The NAFTA renegotiation, the continuing China - USA trade dispute, the United States withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal (May 8), the three US citizens released from North Korea (May 9) and a USA and North Korea Summit appearing to be imminent; we must ask ourselves, what next is in store and are international treaties binding?
Petroleum prices, world economies, jobs and individual livelihoods are hanging on events to come.
The words of Mark Twain spring to mind, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.”
BREXIT - AN UPDATE
Halfway to exit on March 29, 2019!!!!
Be aware, be very aware !!!
April 5, 2018
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has a comprehensive website giving information on how Brexit will affect businesses.
https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/brexit-hub
The BBC has extensive content too. "Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU."
European Union (EU) has important coverage of Brexit on its website as well.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/brexit-preparedness_en
WE ARE HR - A WORLD VIEW
From the USA to Singapore, what challenges do we face and where are the victories?
March 13, 2018
"The heads of HR associations from all over the world speak about the future of the profession, and how work itself is transforming." (HRM magazine, Australian HR Institute)
"Around the globe, HR is on the frontline of dramatic workforce changes. HRM spoke to the heads of HR associations in the UK, USA, Canada, Singapore and Australia to find out about regional challenges and shared goals."
Read their views by following the link below:
http://hrmonthly.ahri.com.au/?iid=157462#
(Please note, there is a 30-day free trial that allows you to read this and other articles in the HRM magazine)
How do you audit the effectiveness of your HR department?
March 7, 2018
"A helpful tool for any professional or team transforming HR, that breaks down how to do so with a wide focus. Use it to audit your organisation." Dave Ulrich
Follow the link below:
http://www.hrmonline.com.au/section/strategic-hr/audit-effectiveness-hr/
From The President's Desk!
February 6, 2018
The HRPA Durham Winter 2018 Resource Magazine is now available. The issue is called Managing Workplace Change. Please read my article on page 3.
Follow the link below:
The 2018 Global Economy - How will it affect you?
January 2, 2018
The Goldman Sachs 2018 MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK
It makes interesting reading and viewing. I am pondering how many of the predictions will come true?
http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/outlook-2018/