I am going to take some time off over the holidays this year, and might not even blog during that
time!

In January I will reach my 4th year anniversary of blogging and this post is my 834th so I am averaging close to 18 blog entries a month … pretty consistent I think!

I hope that everyone reading this gets the opportunity to enjoy some down time over this next week or so, spend time with loved ones, give a little back to those who need some help and generally have time to recharge the batteries.

I really believe that 2010 is going to be a good year … the economy will pick up, we will get back to full employment and the stronger economics will mean we can make a dent in some of those social issues that need to be addressed … such as homelessness.

For all of you I wish only the best for 2010 … may it be your best EVER!

This is a funny time of year … some observations about the run up to the holiday.

• The roads are quiet on the drive to work … (I walk but I see the reduced traffic).
• The malls are teeming with frenzied buyers.
• Tim Hortons is as busy as ever … I still have to line up for my coffee!
• People are winding down at work.
• Non stop advertising for the latest greatest gadget.
• There are lots of parties … lunch and evening.
• There is a reduced commitment to healthy eating.
• There is holiday music music playing all over the place … malls, bars, offices, coffee shops.

What I don’t see so much these days … but it is still there, just buried amongst the hustle and bustle of big box shopping and frenzied partying.

• A focus on what the holiday is REALLY about.
• A commitment to the family time OVER the commercial aspects of the holiday.
• A commitment to giving rather than receiving.

Nothing new, just an observation that this holiday is NOT one of my favorites … it has become “all about me” and far too little about giving to those who need it. Maybe this is another one of societies “norms” that could benefit from a makeover!

As a business owner I have long held the belief that I am responsible for my own destiny. The world doesn’t owe me a job, or a way of life or a standard of living or anything that I haven’t earned.

I’m lucky enough to live in a society that offers me one of the best standards of living in the world … of course I chose to move here, and I contribute to society by working hard, paying taxes, giving back to the community and generally “earning” my right to be a part of this community we call Canada.

The same principle that applies at the individual level also applies at the company level. Eagle is lucky enough to have a set of great clients, and we work hard to service them well with the hope that they will be clients for a long time to come.

The reality is that things change and as a business we need to be able to adapt to change or else we go the way of the “buggy whip” manufacturers. Some years ago Eagle’s second largest client chose to reduce its vendor list from 17 suppliers down to 4, and Eagle did not make the cut … despite being one of their largest suppliers at the time. It hurt, but it also provided us with a valuable lesson in business … your client base needs to be diversified. Today Eagle’s client base is well diversified (a) geographically across 10 offices, (b) across multiple industries (government, banking, oil and gas, utilities etc) and (c) no one client represents more than 15% of Eagle’s business.

That doesn’t happen overnight. There needs to be strategic planning sessions, that create action items, that are executed. It requires discipline and commitment, but at the end of the day if you are totally reliant upon one client or one industry sector, then you run the risk that your world could change … so how can you NOT do it?

In Ottawa, we are seeing some of that fear from SMEs, particularly from companies who devote all of their efforts to the Federal Government … so when there is talk of changing direction, or procurement or policy then these people get worried about their future. They lobby loudly, telling the government that they are not being fair to small business and they cause the politicians to get involved, which stops the bureaucrats from doing their jobs.

Some random points to ponder …

1. Change is inevitable. The world is changing and the Canadian Federal Government can’t be left behind, that is not fair to anyone … the taxpayer, suppliers OR government employees.
2. The government does not owe anyone their business … they need to earn it.
3. Governments change slowly and the effects of the procurement changes and demographic changes and policy changes will take years.
4. I do believe that government needs to find ways to help Canadian businesses to grow, but not be responsible for that growth. Companies need to take ownership of their own destiny.
5. The Canadian government spends a lot of money … if you are good at what you do you will get some of that action.
6. Positive action is always better than fighting a rearguard battle.
7. Just because a number of companies are loud it doesn’t mean that they represent the views of the SME community.

What can Canadian small businesses do …

1. Be part of the solution … not part of the problem.
2. Find constructive ways to help government get to their destination.
3. Embark on strategic planning exercises within your own companies that revisit your business model … if you are selling a product or service to the Federal Government then why can’t you sell to private industry? Are there other services you can offer? Can you find teaming partners to help each other grow? What new geographies could you explore? What new industries and offerings could you chase? Should you sell?

There is ALWAYS opportunity in change, our job is to help our clients wit the change and find our niche there.

Personally I think that Friday evenings are “dangerous” for me. Typically, by the time that the work week is done I am mentally very tired, the stress levels are a little high and that can mean a few different kind of evenings can ensue …

1. Friday evening events can be … entertaining (?). Take last Friday for instance, tired and hungry I set out with my wife to attend a party at a friends house. It was one of those parties where the wine glass never seemed to empty … and I didn’t eat a lot, and I was a little tense so the wine went down well. The alcohol probably acted fast, and before I knew it my mouth was “motoring” faster than the brain and there wasn’t anything I didn’t know (you know the type – right?). I’m not shy at the best of times … but an alcohol fueled Kevin can be just a tad “loud”! Good job I had a designated driver … OOPS!

2. Friday evenings can also be extra “quiet”. We sometimes elect to just “chill” for a Friday evening. Maybe we’ll open a bottle of wine, have something easy to make, perhaps even order in a pizza. before you know it I’m mellow, mellow, mellow and really not much company at all. The eyes are droopy and conversations are not really very scintillating!

3. The best Friday evenings are a mix of company, not too much alcohol and perhaps some fresh air and exercise. A walk with the dog on a brisk Ottawa Winter evening is a great way to wake up … but when you hit the warmth at home, it doesn’t last too long. Good company, good conversation and not too much alcohol makes Friday evenings more comfortable.

So back to that comment about Friday evenings being an adventure … I’m a planner (lots of blog entries about planning, setting goals etc) but life is about balance, compromise and not being totally consumed by work and structure. This evening could be adventurous … we are going to another party but just maybe I’ll behave myself tonight.

I don’t think any other evening has quite the same effect on me … but maybe I’m just too close to the “subject”!

As a blogger I like to give people an idea about who I am, I think it lets people see that CEOs are really not much different than anyone else … we just like to think we are big shots

Have a great weekend!

General Observations:

The slow recovery is happening … SLOWLY! The markets are rebounding a little, but we do see hiccups even there … however the TSX is currently up around 11,600 which is close to the 52 week high. Many investors have seen some improvement in their portfolios over the last months, but most have not seen a return to the highs they had reached. All of which to say things are improving, but … SLOWLY.

November did see a slight uptick in activity for Eagle over October, which had seen a slight increase over September. Having said that we are starting to see people begin to wind down for the holiday period … and after the year we have all endured, everyone is ready for a break!

November saw Canada add 79,000 jobs and the unemployment rate improve by .1% to 8.5%, however we have still lost 321,000 jobs since October last year. Most employers are still not having a problem finding the resources that they need and the value staffing companies bring in this kind of market is wading through the “many resumes” and being able to find the nuggets, thus saving client’s time and non-productive energy.

The deficit is still a concern, at a projected $55.9 Billion, but the government is still promoting spending as a way to keep the recovery going. (If they would spend a few more of those dollars with us I might feel better about it). Provincial and municipal governments are starting to reduce their spending as they deal with their increased debt and lower tax base (provincial taxes lost through unemployment).

More Specifically:

The GTA (Greater Toronto Area) remains the hottest market for us. It is the largest market in Canada, has the most head offices and is the home of our financial sector. Indeed the financial sector together with the telcos seem to be leading the IT recovery, and we have not yet seen governments increase their IT spending either at the Federal or Provincial levels … if anything, we are seeing less spending from governments, perhaps a reaction to increased scrutiny due to scandals.

Calgary is showing some signs of returning to life, but is certainly not the hot market that it was just a little more than a year ago. It is however probably the one beacon of light in Western Canada, where the other markets are still extremely slow. Of course oil prices recently dropping $8 a barrel doesn’t help and nor does the relatively strong Canadian Dollar against the US Dollar (close to 95 cents). We need Calgary to get “hot” and perhaps the other markets will follow.

Ontario continues to suffer from the devastation to the manufacturing base, the downfall of the auto sector and a business unfriendly government. There is trepidation about what will happen with the introduction of HST, when both Bill 139 and Bill 168 will hurt business and it will be some time before the full effects are known. The Toronto market offers some hope, but maybe this government can do something to “fix” that!

There is little change in the Federal Market in Ottawa. A minority government, a few scandals and some loud opposition to planned projects seems to have put a stop to any interesting large projects hitting the streets. Hopefully that will change in the New Year.

The following are some facts/indicators we are tracking as of time of writing:

> The price of oil has dropped down to around $72 a barrel … not so low as to affect existing projects, but not high enough to create a “boom”.
> Natural Gas prices hit a seven year low in September 2009, but have almost doubled again since that low. This should start to have a trickle effect on confidence in the “energy patch”.
> The TSX is in and around 11,600 … a positive sign.
> The Canadian dollar is strong, currently close to 95c US. Not always a good thing for Canadian business, but a positive economic indicator.
> Prime remains at 2.25%, making borrowing inexpensive. This is good for when companies feel optimistic enough to invest!
> November saw some positive news on the unemployment front, with Canada gaining 79,000 jobs and the unemployment rate improving to 8.5% nationally. Canada still has 321,000 less jobs than in October 2008.
> The Alberta government is forecasting a $7B deficit, and announced government cuts to projects of $430 million.
> Many sectors appear to be picking up activity … banks, oil companies, and telcos all appear to be picking up steam.
> There have been few signs that any “stimulus” package will bring relief in the IT services sector. Hardware companies are benefiting from tax breaks but no big new IT services spending yet!

In Summary:

November saw the continued slow improvement in the economy generically. Some sectors and some geographies are coming back a little faster but generally things are still “in the doldrums”.

As we head into the holiday period I expect people will take time to try and recharge their batteries, it will not be the most productive work period … but I know I need it! Hopefully it means that we will charge out of the gates and make 2010 a banner year.

Did I mention that I’m an optimist?

Around this time each year I start to prepare for my personal goal setting.

First I look at how I have done against my goals in the last year … I make excuses for those things at which I didn’t do so well, but I am also honest with myself about where I could have done better.

I re-evaluate whether those things I am measuring are really the right things to measure … where is my best return? What is most important to me? I have written down my process before, but thought it might be timely to revisit it. Here is how I flesh out MY goals …

Step 1.

I develop categories that work for me …

- Health and Fitness
- Vacation
- Career
- Family
- Training/Education

Step 2.

I set at least one goal for each category, several goals in some categories. Here are some examples …

Under health and fitness you might want to lose 5lb by March 2007; you might want to add weights into your workout routine at least twice a week; you might plan to reduce coffee consumption to 2 per day. Etc.

Under Vacation you should really give some thought about where you would like to go this year. It could be to enjoy the cottage at least 12 weekends, or plan a weekend getaway without the kids; or take a 2 week vacation somewhere exotic etc.

Under Career you might set a goal of mastering certain aspects of your current role by the Fall; having a career planning meeting with your boss or HR; or developing a training plan to advance your career.

The goals that you pick need to be achievable and within your control. This way you will see progress and as you do progress you can always add more goals or increase the “intensity”.

Step 3. Plan into your calendar a monthly review. At that review you will check your progress against each goal and will create action items to address them … which will go onto your “to do” list (of course you have a “to do” list!).

This is just the way that I do things, but the most important thing is to actually DO SOMETHING. The POWER of setting goals is only understood once you have done it. To be able to look back at achievements is powerful, but when you actually set out to reach those “goals” you have a much better chance of getting there.

Now is the time … Just Do It!

Continuing with my theme of diversity, and understanding the many and varied traditions and celebrations of different cultures and religions …

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday which is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights. In 2009, Hanukkah begins December 12th and ends December 19th. The holiday originated when Judah the Maccabee and his followers reclaimed the temple in the village of Modi’in from Syrian King Antiochus IV. The temple was cleansed and prepared for re dedication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication.” When the sacred temple Menorah was re lit, there was only enough sacred oil to burn for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days.

In remembrance, a candle is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. An extra light called a Shamash is also lit each night, and is given a distinct location, usually higher or lower than the others. The purpose of the extra light is to adhere to the prohibition, specified in the Talmud, against using the Hanukkah lights for anything other than publicizing and meditating on the Hanukkah story.

Children receive gifts of gelt (coins) or money and play games of dreidel. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top that children play with on Hanukkah. Some traditional foods are those which are fried in oil to symbolize the oil that lasted eight days. Deep fried puffs dipped in honey or sugar as well as potato pancakes, known as latkes, are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah.

One of my industry colleagues likes to explain this process … because in essence it is really quite simple.

There are only 3 ways to get a job …

1. You go out and find one yourself.
2. You get one through the government programs … good luck if you are looking for something at a professional level (Note: I am not talking about applying to the Government. I am talking about government programs that help people find jobs).
OR
3. You get one through the STAFFING INDUSTRY.

Let’s talk about applying yourself …

• You don’t necessarily know who is hiring, many companies don’t advertise their jobs.
• You likely won’t have any inside knowledge of the environment, so you apply cold.
• You will likely be one of many applicants.
• If you are successful there is a good chance that you could have found something better, but you won’t ever know it.
• It IS a good way to get a job, if you can find one.

How about getting a job through a government program … I don’t have much to say about this because I don’t see it working too much.

OK then what about Staffing Companies …

• They have the inside track on available jobs
• There is a full range of services from Executive search, through to temporary engagements.
• Their core business is finding work for people and people for the work.

There really is NO EASY way to find a job, but Staffing companies provide an important service to the economy, increase your chances of becoming employed and I am proud of this industry!

David Allen is a “time management guru” and author of GTD (Getting Things Done). I read one of his articles about motivation this morning and thought it was worth sharing.

I have written about motivation myself several times, and certainly can’t really disagree with David’s perspective. Whether we are parents/teachers trying to motivate a child or managers/executives trying to motivate staff we all tend to suffer from impatience, we have trouble understanding why “they” don’t get it!

David’s idea is to paint a picture for “them” of what is possible, to believe in their potential and by letting them see our belief sometimes that will help the path to awareness. Certainly it has been my experience that you can’t “beat it into them” and you can’t “nag it into them” but you also don’t need to just accept the current situation! Mentoring, teaching, showing the way and a little patience are probably the best motivators … if you have the luxury of time to do that!

In the workplace there is a little more leverage because if, after all is said and done, “they” still don’t “get it” then “they” are unlikely to be around long!

Here are David’s thoughts …

DAVID’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

GETTING OTHERS TO CHANGE

How do you motivate people to change their behavior? This is a common question for managers, executives, coaches, teachers, parents, and anyone else who ever wants other people around them to act differently in a consistent way.

I hear this regularly, because as I work with people to set up systems to maintain focus and increase their productivity, they often complain that one of their problems is other people being unfocused and out of control. “How can I get my staff, my boss, my spouse and my kids to get this?!”

If you want to be good at getting other people to change, ask yourself: “Who got me to change?…and how did they do that?” Bring to mind the three people in your life you would say were most effective in getting you to improve, learn, stretch, and grow in a positive way. What was common to all three?

For me, there was only one common denominator about those people in my life. Whether it was the sweet little old teacher in the 4th grade, or the coach that ran my tail off in high school—they all held a vision of my being and doing better than I was currently doing, they held that as a standard when they related to me, and they cared enough about me to hold me to task when I fell short. (They also all did it lovingly, though it didn’t feel like it sometimes!)

Really want people to change? Try that.

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” … Goethe

Every now and then I ponder about why thing are “the way they are” … because, as a society we are sometimes just a little too accepting of the status quo.

Here are a couple for you …

1. Why is that the government decides how big government is? Isn’t that a conflict of interest? The “public service” is paid for by the taxes generated in the private sector, yet government just gets bigger and we don’t seem to have any say.

For example … between the years 2000 and 2006 the Federal Government’s in-house computer ranks grew from about 8,000 people to some 18,000 (CATA research). I have no reason to believe their ranks have shrunk.

Why is that a problem? Because government workers do not contribute to Canada’s GDP and because engaging Canadian industry to do the work of those in-house people would have helped establish/grow Canadian businesses to contribute to the economy in so many other ways.

2. Canada’s forces are deployed in harm’s way around the world, currently it is Afghanistan, but it has been Bosnia, Rwanda, Korea and the great wars etc.. It is our youngest and fittest who go off to battle, and who die in far away places.

Does it always need to be that way? Many of those injured and killed in modern day engagements have been driving vehicles … do you need to be 20 years old to drive, or could a fit 50 year old do a similar job? Would we rather lose those young men or the old “farts” like me? I know where my vote lies.

3. In our society we have a safety net that provides an income to those who can’t provide for themselves for whatever reason. That money comes from the taxes paid by the other members of society that are going to work every day.

Why can’t those receiving “free” money be expected to work for it? It is normal to expect a return for an investment in our world, so why not expect something for the welfare money paid. Just perhaps if the work wasn’t so pleasant it might encourage people to be a little more committed o finding employment if it exists. Worst case the tax payer might get services that currently are not provided or that are short changed.

Of course such thinking would be absolutely foreign to our Provincial government led by Comrade McGuinty. Now how did I get to mention him again?

I’ll leave my heresy stand at that for now … maybe I’ll rattle cages again in a few weeks.