Ratings agency takes Ontario to task

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, Global Management.

Description: Moody’s downgraded Ottawa’s outlook to Aa2 with a stable outlook from Aa1 with a negative outlook. This came one day after Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed Ontario’s current AA- rating, but put the province on “negative watch.”     Source: Business News Network Date: April 27, 2012 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/4/27/Bond-markets-take-Ontario-to-task.aspx Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with… Read more »

Ottawa Questions Target’s Move to Canada

Posted by & filed under Change, Conflict, Diversity, Environment, Global Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility.

Description: The Canadian federal government has ordered a review of U.S. retail giant Target Corp.’s move into Canada, examining whether it would be of net cultural benefit to Canada.   Source: The Globe and Mail Date: April 05, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/ottawa-to-review-targets-move-to-canada/article2393504/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree that the Canadian government should question whether Target Corp…. Read more »

Glencore Acquiring Canadian Company Viterra

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Social Responsibility.

After the abortive takeover attempt by BHP Billiton of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Glencore has a tough task to convince the Canadians on the net benefits of acquiring Viterra. Glencore explains what these benefits are. Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/streetwise/glencore-explains-net-benefits-to-canada-in-viterra-deal/article2375052/ Questions: Do such global acquisitions need to benefit the Canadian economy? Can these acquisitions not be carried out with… Read more »

Globally Integrated Business

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Management, Strategy.

Description: Bruce Ross, President of IBM Canada, discusses the importance and features of a globally integrated business system in today’s economic environment Globally Integrated Business, part 1   Source: Financial Post Executive Video Link: http://www.financialpost.com/executive/video/index.html?embedCode=o4cTBlMjoEQT7h_uMRjbrj6LZ_TXnLT7 Questions for Discussion: What is meant by globally integrated businesses? How is this new system different from the traditional export… Read more »

Canada falls out of top 10 most competitive economies

Posted by & filed under Global Management.

According to the World Economic Forum, this year Canada slipped to 12th position in Global competitiveness. As the Canadian economy slowed down, it lost its position among the top 10 global competitors to emerging economies from Asia. While emerging economies showed robust growth, the developed economies were mired with slow recovery and high unemployment. While… Read more »