Businesses need effective sustainability strategies to keep in step with consumers, policy, says expert

Businesses need effective sustainability strategies to keep in step with consumers, policy, says expert

Building a sustainable future for Canada takes Positive Energy – and that doesn’t just mean good vibes. Exploring and analyzing how to achieve this future requires vision, ideas and the best team of experts.

The University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program uses the power of the university to build teamwork and public confidence by bringing together researchers and senior decision makers from industry, government, Indigenous groups, communities and environmental organizations.

Monica Gattinger is founder and chair of the Positive Energy program. An award-winning researcher and sought-after speaker and commentator, Dr. Gattinger is also director of the University’s Institute for Science,

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Rural businesses in Cape Breton struggle to find workers

Some employers in Cape Breton say adding employee perks is still not helping them land long-term employees. 

Trina Doucette and her husband own Doucette’s Market and Eatery in Ingonish Beach, N.S., located along the Cabot Trail. The year-round business has been open for more than three decades, but Doucette said finding staff has been nearly impossible in recent years. 

“If we do manage to get somebody in the door to work they just don’t last,” Doucette said. “It’s like a revolving door. They’re there for, at most, a couple of months and then they’re gone.” 

The family-run business pays its

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What businesses want from the Ontario budget

Businesses in Ontario hope Thursday’s budget from Premier Doug Ford’s government will offer some solutions to the labour force crunch they’re facing. 

Statistics Canada released its latest job vacancy figures Tuesday, showing 323,000 unfilled jobs in the province.

In advance of each budget, organizations that represent businesses submit their annual laundry lists of requests to the provincial government. What makes this year’s requests different from the usual is the level of concern over finding workers. 

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce says 87 per cent of large businesses in the province face labour shortages.

“There are very significant gaps that need

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Thompson businesses not sure of next steps after fire forces them out of mall

A fire in downtown Thompson last week has forced roughly half a dozen businesses to set up shop elsewhere in the northern Manitoba city, with the future looking unclear for some.

“We actually have no clue,” said Bobby Moore, owner and operator of Moore Specs, an ophthalmology-based business that was based in the Burntwood Plaza strip mall, which was hit by a fire last Thursday.

“Nobody has really nothing to say right now,” she said. “We’ve just took our stuff out of there, and we’ve moved across the street.”

Moore’s business is now operating out of Thompson Plaza, across the

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Pandemic inspires six Peterborough entrepreneurs to establish sought-after service-based businesses

Pandemic inspires six Peterborough entrepreneurs to establish sought-after service-based businesses
These six Peterborough entrepreneurs overcome pandemic challenges to launch businesses providing in-demand services. Each particpated in Starter Company Plus, an entrepreneurial training program offered locally by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Ontario government. Left to right, top and bottom: Desiree Bandi of 1.5 Degrees Composting Solutions, Karen Kearney of K9 in Motion Wellness, Jenish Odigineyev of Odigski Media, Lyle Saunders of Peterborough Disability Tax Services, and Shawn and Jolene Morris of Trim Time. (Photos: Jenish Odigski)

Events that were unleashed in March 2020, and the related restrictions that followed, proved particularly

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Downtown business owner says City ‘whitewashing’ plight of nearby businesses from social disorder

Kearns confirmed that crews were on scene for over two and a half hours.

Due to a city bylaw change in 2016, fees could be charged to building owners where rescue response services last for over one hour in motor vehicle, structure or Hazardous Materials incidents. Prior to the bylaw change, there were no response fees relating to fire calls within city limits. In a fire requiring over one hour in response time, a total of $615 is charged for the first hour and then $615 for each apparatus on scene per hour following, in increments of 30 minutes.

During

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3 Ways Small Businesses Can Use AI to Drive Growth

3 Ways Small Businesses Can Use AI to Drive Growth

For businesses looking to optimize their operations and enhance customer experience (CX), artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as game-changing technology: systems that can perform complex tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as speech recognition, decision-making, and content creation.

With its capability to automate processes and personalize experiences, AI, including platforms such as ChatGPT, has become an invaluable asset for businesses of all sizes. For small businesses, AI offers three strategic advantages to enhance customer service, strengthen marketing and sales, and drive growth.

Customer Experience

As businesses strive to enhance CX, AI is emerging as a powerful tool for customer service.

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