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I can still remember August 5, 2014 like it was yesterday. This date marks my first day as a full-time employee in the electrical distribution industry, and even though I didn’t know at the time, it would mark the first day of my growing professional career.

I was recently at a high level discussion listening to several tradeswomen speak about their experiences working in a field dominated largely by men (5% of the trades workforce is made up of women in Canada).

When it comes to automation and its associated fields debate certainly remains as to its future direction, as well as the subsequent affects it will have on the workforce. However, there is consensus that education and cross-sector co-operation will be key factors to maximize that innovative potential.

Two major things have happened to Canada recently, which I can’t help thinking are indications of our lack of preparedness for what is happening in the world around us. There is some evidence of a plan, but we as Canadians have never really had a good discussion about the impacts.

Employment Gains Employment rose nationally by 94,000 in November, driven by gains in full-time work. The unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 5.6%, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1976.

Building Permits Canadian municipalities issued $8.1 billion worth of building permits in October, edging down 0.2% from September. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower construction intentions for industrial and institutional buildings.

In setting growth plans for the coming year, one should ask, “What percentage of my customers might go away?” Some will go out of business and they stop buying.

Quick — name two words which, when frequently used by waiters and waitresses, increases tips by 12%. (Hint: it’s not please or thank you).

The stigma behind dealing with contractors has forever been “they are a tough group to build a relationship with” and figuring out the best approach to growing business with them.

The Transformer industry is a vital component of our electrical system. Transformers allow the efficient transmission and distribution of power across grids, providing society with safe and reliable access to electricity.

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What’s Hindering Your Marketing Department and Inhibiting Your Growth?

Olson By Katrina Olson

A recent CEW article by David Gordon caught my eye. The headline was, Are Your Sales and Marketing Teams Inhibiting Growth?

As a marketing consultant, writer, and trainer, I recognized the challenges and barriers that David was writing about. We agree on many issues (and their causes) facing electrical distributors and marketers. But I also hear from marketing people all the time that the C-Suite is hindering their efforts which, in turn, hinders the company’s growth.

Canadian AD Members and Suppliers Recognized at 2018 Electrical North American Meeting

On October 29-31, 2018, the AD Electrical North American Meeting drew over 1,000 attendees. This event attracted 151 first time attendees and representatives from over 362 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Attendees benefited from a variety of agenda topics, including: Network Meetings, Emerging Leaders Session, and Country-specific Business Meetings. New to this year’s agenda was a SPA Optimization Workshop led by industry veteran Mo Barsema. In addition, members and suppliers also attended a panel discussion on managing and measuring your digital success.

Why Helping Employees Develop Their Coping Skills and Resiliency Is Good Business

CEW 6 HR 400 People with low levels of coping skills are at higher risk for mental health issues and mental illness than those with high levels. Gaps in coping skills inhibit the ability to solve problems and to make healthy and effective decisions.

To examine how coping skills can predict health outcomes, Dr. Bill Howatt facilitated a doctoral research study that examined the question: “What role does an individual’s coping skills have in predicting psychological and physical health outcomes?” The study found that coping skills mattered and were, in fact, a moderator that partially explains why some individuals had better physical and psychological health outcomes than others. The study concluded that when combining a person’s coping skills with their perceived stress levels, coping skills were significant in predicting which employees were at more or less risk for health issues.

Thermon Selects Desdowd Inc. for Quebec

Desdowd Inc. has been chosen to serve as Thermon’s manufacturer's agent for the province of Quebec ...

Changing Scene

Changing Scene: Cree to Sell Lighting Business to Ideal Industries, Inc.

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Looking Back

Copper $US Dollar price per pound