October 2016 - Shawn Casemore Keynote Speaker

Something new; a few ideas borrowed but nothing that is blue.

Next year marks the tenth anniversary for my business, an incredible journey in which I’ve met some amazing people. If there is one thing that I’ve learned during the past ten years, it is that change is a constant IF you are seeking to continue to offer value and remain relevant. You’ve likely heard me […]

Why a Sticky Strategy Trumps a Vivid Vision

I was once speaking with the CEO of a Distribution company who was amidst their annual vivid vision session, an annual event in which the entire company contributed to forming what was to be the future vision for the company. Although there were definitely some strong points to her approach, the methodology was weak as […]

Generation Next: Your New Customer

Every Monday I drop my boys off at their bus stop. It’s a weekly ritual that allows me some father and son time before I often hit the road for the remainder of the week. What I’ve observed at the bus stop, however, has got me thinking about business (surprise!). There are usually five teenagers […]

Transparency; A Strategic Competitive Advantage

I once delivered a workshop on transparency to a small group of companies. The discussions generated during the workshop centered around the increased demand for transparency in several key areas: Product/Service origin (labor practices) Environmental Sustainability (eco-friendly products and practices) Product or service origin (community support) Pricing transparency (understanding cost drivers and opportunities for cost […]

Have You Learned from Volkswagen’s Mistake?

Several years ago I purchased a Volkswagen Passat. It was my first Volkswagen, and although I’ve moved onto a different car, I’ve continued to admire VW’s ability to rapidly grow their brand and sales. I was in disbelief when I first heard the news of VW’s misstep (to put it lightly), however, upon reflection it […]

Great Leaders Ask More Questions

Let’s talk about leadership. More specifically, the value of listening more often and asking more questions. I’ve met with a lot of leaders in my travels for my job, and what I’ve found of leaders – at any level – is that the ones who are most effective tend to talk less. How exactly does that […]

Lack of Service-Ability Kills Competitive Advantage

I was boarding a plane back from Ottawa last week and was faced with the reality of having to sit at the “back of the bus” as I call it, last seat at the back of the plane. I was happy to do it though (despite someone presumptuously taking my seat and asking me in […]

Keep More: Rethink Sales

Growing sales is time consuming and costly. In today’s business environment, it’s becoming more and more difficult to sustain profitability, despite increasing sales (that is if you’re fortunate enough to succeed). Longer sales cycles; rising commodity prices; global market competition; intensifying competition for employee talent and increasingly educated customers who demand a faster and more […]

The ONE THING To Differentiate Your Business

Now, if you are sole proprietor (it’s only you and your business) this may not exactly be as relevant – but you may pick up a few things. However, if you are a bricks and mortar, in retail, or you are a larger organization (your business is built on structure, capital, systems and procedures, people – […]

How to Extinguish a Disgruntled Leader

With winter in Ontario only a few short months away, I’m reminded of receiving my license. It was a blustery Saturday when the Young Drivers instructor was coaching me through skid maneuvering. We were in the parking lot of a local grocery store and trying (that’s right, on purpose) to get the car to skid […]