A recent article in Forbes India looks at the buzz-concept of disruption, and how many companies are caught up in a disrupt-or-die philosophy.
When the idea of disruption was first floated in the early 20th century, it reflected the standard market movements of the day; today’s lightning-fast disruption cycle has completely turned the old concept of “normal” on its ear. But is disruption just a by-product of the modern world?
SAQ VP and COO Catherine Dagenais, an EMBA student, recently appeared on 98.5 FM’s Inspiration, Inc to talk about being a woman at the top of her game, her management style, and how she has dealt with the infamous glass ceiling.
An Air Traffic Management article states that French airport operator Groupe ADP and DSNA Services are working together on a system designed to detect drones in areas where they shouldn’t be. The Hologarde system uses radio frequency, radar and high-definition video to detect drones within a distance of five kilometres.
By all accounts, the Internet of Things (IoT) is going to be the next major paradigm shift in online technology. Rather than being about information transfer between humans, the IoT is all about contact between smart devices, a sensor in a field speaking to an irrigation system without human intervention, for example. X-Telia is a Quebec company that is rolling out a new network specifically aimed at connecting those devices.
Though today’s female comics are making breakthroughs, stand-up is still very much a men’s game. In a recent Le Devoir article, Louise Richer (EMBA’16), Director General of Quebec’s École nationale de l’humour, points out that humour is seen by many women as an attractive feature in a man, but that the reverse is not often true.
She also mentions how female comics often hear the old cliché “You’re good for a girl,” which is a sign that there is still work to be done.
A study partly authored by Desautels professor Laura Doering explores the broader issue of gender and jobs. The authors studied microfinance loan managers as a profession that hasn’t yet become gender stereotyped.
As managers moved among clients, repayment rates varied according to their assumed authority, with male managers enjoying more clout.
According to a Financial Post article by Desautels professor Karl Moore and BCom undergrad Sara Avramovic, New York Times journalist Adam Bryant has spent the past eight years interviewing some of the world’s biggest-name CEOs for his column, Corner Office.
The Ordre des comptables professionels agréés du Québec is the province’s third-largest professional order, and covers accounting services across the public, business, education and non-profit sectors.
Through the Fondation CPA, the organization offers scholarships and awards at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The graduate awards have just been announced, and six of the 30-plus award recipients are students in the Desautels GCPA program.
Wireless broadband solutions specialist Cambium Networks has named Munich-based Tabatha von Kölichen (MBA’91) as the new Regional Sales Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, known collectively as the DACH region. She will be responsible for management solutions, Wi-Fi and Industrial Internet of Things activities, as well as for expanding the company’s network of resellers throughout the region. Ms. von Kölichen will answer to senior Europe Sales Director Allesio Murroni.
George Drummond Birks (BCom‘40) was practically destined to go into the jewellery business. Born into a family of silversmiths, he eschewed an apprenticeship in favour of a McGill Commerce degree and a stint in the Black Watch Regiment during World War II, where he served well enough to get a citation for bravery. After the war ended, he joined the family business and was running it a decade later. He was a director at Standard Life and a freeman of the City of London who kept up a lifelong association with the Black Watch.
The Quebec Press Council has elected Caroline Locher (BCom’01) to the position of Secretary General, effective September 5th. Prior to her election, Ms. Locher was Executive Director of the Fédération professionelle des journalistes du Québec. A journalist by trade, she worked as a CBC Radio One producer, and as a bilingual reporter on the international stage at BBC World Service, France24 and Radio-Canada. Ms. Locher says she will continue to “defend press freedom and the public’s right to information,” and to promote the value of journalistic integrity.
Desautels professor Karl Moore and actor-cum-management consultant Kat Garcia (BCom'16) recently appeared on ABC Radio in Australia to talk about skills that CEOs can borrow from actors to improve their own performance.
eFinancialCareers.com has published a list of eight young London-based investment analysts to watch, all of whom started at their respective companies in June. The high-octane London banking scene is highly competitive, but these newly-minted pros have what it takes to make a real impact.
The Sustainability Literacy Test (aka “Sulitest”) is both a non-profit and a method for verifying sustainability know-how across the globe. It is the work of an international cadre of academics and business professionals alike, mandated by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012.
Chief Investment Officer’s Class of 2017 Forty Under Forty list is out. It’s a roundup and Q&A with forty up-and-coming investment leaders from across the globe, selected by anonymous nomination.
