WATERLOO - JacPac CO2 Power System was awarded Popular Mechanics' Editor's Choice Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in new product design and innovation at the National Hardware Show in Orlando, Florida on May 8, 2007.

The award highlights "the most useful and innovative new products for your tool box."



JacPac's: break-through technology uses easy-to-carry CO2 canisters as its pneumatic power source. Popular Mechanics' editors recognized that with JacPac, common air-powered handtools are now free from reliance on the heavy, noisy conventional air compressors.

The JacPac CO2 power system was developed by Supplierpipeline Inc. of Waterloo, Ontario. Supplierpipeline is Canada's number one manufacturer of climbing products (ladders) in Canada, which are marketed under the Lite brands. Supplierpipeline is also an emerging player in the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) power tool market with the introduction of the JacPac line in 2006.

Awarded "Top 10 Tool Innovation" by Workbench Magazine

JacPac has already garnered another major award when it was named one of the Top 10 Tool Innovations for 2007 by Workbench magazine in March. jacpac logo 2007

Workbench, a popular publication targeting the rapidly growing do-it-yourself market, said, "...with the advent of the JacPac CO2 the inevitable extinction of the hammer maybe at hand." Workbench Top 10 Tool Innovations 2007.

Presenters from salespeople to CEOs have embraced PowerPoint, but they're using it incorrectly and undermining their own messages. Paul LeRoux, author of Visual Selling, offers six tips for regaining control and delivering presentations that truly persuade.

Hoboken, NJ - If you present for a living--whether you're a CEO selling your ideas to the board or a salesperson trying to win new business--your job is tougher than ever. You face relentless competition. People are bombarded with messages from the media, the Internet, and other sources. It's getting harder and harder to break through the clutter, yet that's what you must do in order to persuade your audience. And ironically, in a time when you most need to hit your prospects with a powerful pitch, you're likely to fall back on an ineffective crutch: PowerPoint.

"Sellers have become projectionists, throwing words onto a screen while listeners read ahead and sellers plod behind, mouthing what's already been displayed," says LeRoux, coauthor (along with Peg Corwin) of Visual Selling: Capture the Eye and the Customer Will Follow (Wiley, April 2007, ISBN-10: 0-4717936-1-2, ISBN-13: 978-0-4717936-1-8, $24.95).

"PowerPoint's electronic barrage of words, bullet points, and sentences threatens to turn the art of persuasion into a lost art."

That's right. LeRoux is on a mission to break presenters from the seductive PowerPoint routine. When you allow yourself to play second fiddle to PowerPoint text, you cripple your own selling efforts. By adopting the principles of visual selling--which basically means drawing attention to yourself and shaping images, room environments, personal appearance, and gestures for maximum impact--you can give dynamic presentations that truly persuade.

Interestingly, says LeRoux, presenting your ideas with images rather than text says four important things about you:

1. You're different from the average presenter. From the first visual, you're separating yourself from competing ideas, dramatically and non-verbally.

2. Your work and service also will be personalized. Tailored image presentations are more difficult to create than text slides, and they show you'll go the extra mile.

3. You're smart enough to speak without huge cue cards on the screen.

4. You're creative. Rather than presenting the same old material the same old way, you've demonstrated your ability to think conceptually. Your images reflect your imagination.

"People respect individuals who exhibit these four qualities," says LeRoux. "Even without saying, 'I'm dependable; I deliver,' you're conveying these facts. They understand implicitly that the person who is creative, who is smart, who makes an effort, and who is different is more likely to deliver than someone who is not."

Here are six tips, excerpted from LeRoux's book, on regaining control of your presentations:

· People remember pictures, not words. Use this principle to your advantage. Researchers tell us that the mind stores and retrieves pictures more efficiently than words. A face is easier to remember and recall than a name. Cognitive psychologists call this phenomenon "the picture superiority effect." You can leverage it to sell your ideas by presenting powerful images to your audience, unsupported by text, as you give your pitch.

"In its anti-smoking campaigns, the Canadian government makes the connection between tobacco use and impotence," says LeRoux. "On cigarette packages it shows an image of a flaccid, burned cigarette. This is clearly a far more effective and memorable way to get the point across than text alone."

· Use PowerPoint images, but stay away from text. Let's say you're a financial planner trying to get your audience to buy into a retirement plan. Instead of posting a lot of dry bulleted points stating that 57 percent of retirees must continue working to maintain their lifestyles--and parroting the words people see on the screen--you simply show them an image of a senior citizen serving fast food. Emblazoned on his apron is "57%." People look at the screen momentarily and then quickly shift their focus to you.

"If you don't read text aloud, you can bet your audience is reading it and not paying attention to what you're saying," says LeRoux. "If you do read it aloud, your audience is insulted. Aren't they smart enough to read for themselves? Either way, PowerPoint text takes the focus off you and drains the persuasiveness right out of your presentation."

· You wouldn't propose marriage with a handout. Don't try to sell your ideas with one, either. Imagine you are about to propose marriage to someone with whom you are madly in love. In your mind, you know what you want to say. You are confident that you know you can make a compelling argument to convince her to say "yes." You get down on bended knee and you begin your proposal. But first, you provide her with a written summary of your main points.

"Obviously, this is ludicrous," says LeRoux. "You would draw her attention away from you eloquently emoting on bended knee and direct it toward the piece of paper. That's what happens when you distribute a handout before your speech. I'm not saying you can't give your audience a handout or deck at all; I'm saying that you should delay doing so until after your presentation."

· When presenting to a group who insists you use a handout, give them an "image deck." You'll satisfy their need to "follow along" without distracting them. It's true that there are situations in which a group demands a handout. When this happens, print full-page versions of your image slides and duplicate them to create your handout. This is an acceptable compromise. With an "image version," your audience will not be overly distracted.

With a text-driven handout, heads are down and eyes are glued to the copy. With "image handouts," people rapidly peruse the entire document and return their attention to you. The viewer's "fast take" occurs because image pages only broadly indicate where the seller is heading. It gives the skeleton of your message, but it doesn't flesh it out in a way that is absorbing. Images need a presenter to fill in the details. As a result, your listeners will listen that much harder while you speak.

· Do use strategic hand gestures. When you're under pressure, your adrenaline surges and you want to do something with your hands. Don't try to squelch this natural impulse by hiding your hands behind your back or jamming them in your pockets. Instead, use gesturing to your advantage--to indicate size ("small" costs or "huge" margins) or action (sales will "skyrocket" or we'll "check off" results). (LeRoux's book provides illustrations.)

Proper gesturing has five specific benefits:

*Burning off energy--Instead of fidgeting, pacing, or making inappropriate movements, gestures provide a positive outlet for your increased energy.

*Looking professional--Gestures, executed correctly, become positive movements instead of negative, embarrassing ones. The right gestures can convey confidence and commitment to your prospects and customers.

*Supporting the message--It's not uncommon for gestures, even more than words, to carry the message. (Think of how an obscene gesture can enrage the viewer.)

*Involving listeners--When sellers gesture, people pay attention. Viewers find it mentally hard to turn away from the "action."

*Slowing down--It takes a half-second to match the words to the gesture, so you naturally slow down into a conversational pace.

· Learn the simple technique that creates instant enthusiasm. No doubt about it, enthusiasm sells. In fact, "enthusiasm" is a Greek word that translates roughly to "the god, the spirit, and the energy within you." Yet, it's the hardest of all delivery skills to learn or to teach. But LeRoux says there's an easy technique anyone can use to convey heart, drama, and passion: just speak up.

"Increase your volume and, like magic, enthusiasm usually appears," says LeRoux. "It is a direct, one-to-one relationship. When you speak more loudly, you are also more likely to display body language that communicates your enthusiasm. Oh, and by the way, a microphone does nothing to produce enthusiasm. It's a crutch. I suggest that, unless you're in a large room speaking to forty or fifty people, you don't use one at all."

It should be clear from these tips that there's no mysterious "speaking gift" involved in delivering compelling presentations. With practice and coaching, anyone can learn to sell visually. And speakers who do, consistently outshine the competition to win new accounts, convince stockholders, or bring home venture capital monies.

"You don't have to be a 'born speaker' to convince a group," says LeRoux. "That's a myth. You simply have to be trained in proven techniques for selling your ideas, not merely 'telling' them. You must abandon the put-'em-to-sleep-with-a-PowerPoint approach and seize the attention of your audience. Selling visually is a tangible skill--and you can master it."

TORONTO- The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD Ontario) elected its first woman President, Nicole Vallée, amongst the 2007 Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting in Toronto on April 28.

"I am honoured to have been elected president of RGD Ontario," said Nicole Vallée, President of Allegro168 in Ottawa. "RGD has become a valuable resource for designers with initiatives such as the DesignThinkers conference, Design at Work, showcasing how design helps meet business objectives, our national salary survey and advocacy against spec work (requests for free work as part of pitches for business).

In the coming year, we will build upon RGD's successes and continue to promote design as a strategic business tool for private and public sector clients." RGD Ontario is the professional body for graphic designers in Ontario, setting standards of practice in graphic design, improving the quality of design education and promoting the value of graphic design.

The organization grants qualified graphic designers exclusive use of the designation Registered Graphic Designer. For more, go to www.rgdontario.com.

R.G.D. Members of the 2007 Board are:

President:
Nicole Vallée, Allegro168, Ottawa

Past-President:
John Furneaux, karacters, Toronto

Vice-Presidents:

Peter Gabany, Limelight Advertising, Port Hope;
Jack Mlynek, Avalanche Communications, Paris;
Wendy Wong, York U, Toronto

Corporate Secretary:

Angela Bradfield, dragonfly design, Toronto

Treasurer:

Lionel Gadoury, Context Creative, Toronto

Directors:

Brian Dodo R.G.D., BMDodo Strategic Design, Kingston;
Bob Hambly, Hambly + Woolley, Toronto;
Kevin Hoch, Pylon, Toronto;
Wayne McCutcheon, Entro, Toronto;
Albert Ng, Albert Ng Graphic Design, Richmond Hill;
Laura Piché, Entercom, North Bay; Annelies Vogel, Brandwork, Toronto

Ex-Officio (non-R.G.D.):

Donald Lapowich Q.C.,
Koskie Minsky;
Mark McAllister ProvRGD,
50 Carleton, Sudbury;
Holly Polanick, Student, Kitchener

Distributor Leads Industry with New Initiative Bringing Vendors Together for the Sake of Seamless Interoperability

Van Nuys, Calif. – AVAD LLC, America’s leading distributor of custom home electronics, announced the introduction of a new marketing initiative called “Integration Partners.”

This new AVAD program strives to improve interoperability among the distributor’s roster of home technology manufacturers. The program benefits consumers and installers alike by fostering products that “play well” with one another, so components can be used together for seamless installation and operation.

Examples of the program in motion include the following scenario of AVAD manufacturers working together: A Pronto® TSU9600 universal controller integrates with Escient® Fireball® media servers, whole-house lighting products from Lutron and iPod® media, resulting in a seamless control experience for the end user – and ease of programming and design for the custom installer.

So far, AVAD is the only distributor within the custom installation industry whose network of manufacturers work together to create fully integrated systems and solutions. This cooperation among manufacturers makes products easier to use, easier to install and service, and enhances customer satisfaction. Several of the AVAD manufacturers have joined the initiative. Installers can tell which manufacturers are supporting interoperability by looking for a new AVAD Integration Partner logo labeled on products from integrated vendors.

“We believe this program is unique in the industry. Individual manufacturers often have technology partner programs, but they are focused only on their product line. AVAD has the ability to broker these engineering-level relationships with dozens of disparate vendors and product types. The end result will be more scalable, easier to install systems with high levels of functionality. From the flat panel display to the media server to the distributed audio system and the lighting controls, everything will work seamlessly together. And the work is pre-engineered so our dealers can have confidence the outcome will be successful and repeatable,” said Bob Gartland, President of AVAD, LLC.

Similar initiatives have in the past revolutionized entire industries. For example, the National Screw Thread Commission, convened in 1928, standardized the number of ridges per inch, and their slopes and diameters, vastly simplifying the construction and manufacturing industries. Within the electronics industry, DARPA developed Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the 1970s, which set the framework for networked computer interoperability that eventually made the modern Internet possible. More recently, Microsoft made computers accessible to millions of novice users, and facilitated the introduction of countless new computer devices, when it integrated ‘Plug and Play’ to its existing technology – essentially ensuring seamless equipment interoperability with a minimum of effort on the part of consumers.

“Ultimately, we believe that our Integration Partners initiative will not only create scalable systems and increased profitability for our customers, but also provide a better, more reliable end user experience,” Gartland added.

Most Popular Online Movie Store Offers Over 500 Movies

LOS ANGELES and CUPERTINO, California — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Apple® announced that MGM is now offering titles from its prestigious catalog of feature films for purchase and download.

Beginning today, iTunes customers will be able to purchase legendary films such as “Dances With Wolves,” “Mad Max,” “The Great Train Robbery” and “Rocky,” with other titles to be added in the coming weeks. MGM has the largest modern film library in the world and has received 208 Academy Awards in its history, making it one of the biggest award winning collections of films in the world.

“It’s exciting to be bringing so many amazing films from our catalog to iTunes,” said Douglas A. Lee, MGM’s executive vice president of Worldwide Digital Media. “We have an unrivaled movie library and are looking forward to adding even more films in the future so users can take their favorite movies with them wherever they go.”

“More than two million movies have now been downloaded from the iTunes Store making it the world’s most popular online movie store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We’re absolutely thrilled so many legendary MGM films are joining an iTunes film catalog that now has over 500 movies.”

Titles from MGM’s collection of blockbusters and classics that will be available on iTunes will include “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “Ronin,” and the acclaimed musical “Lilies of the Field.” Movies downloaded from the iTunes Store are downloaded in near-DVD quality at a resolution of 640x480 (up to 480, depending on the aspect ratio) and can be viewed on a computer, fifth generation iPod® or widescreen TV with Apple TV™.

The iTunes Store features the world’s largest catalog with over five million songs, 350 television shows and, with the addition of the MGM catalog, over 500 movies. The iTunes Store has sold over 2.5 billion songs, 50 million TV shows and over two million movies, making it the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

It comprises establishments primarily engaged in: creating mass-media advertising or public relation campaigns; placing advertising in media for advertisers or advertising agencies; selling media time or space to advertisers or advertising agencies for media owners; creating and implementing indoor or outdoor display advertising campaigns; creating and implementing direct mail advertising campaigns; delivering (except by mail) advertising materials or samples; creating and implementing specialty advertising campaigns; providing related services, such as sign painting and lettering, welcoming services and window trimming services.

This industry does not include advertising sales by newspapers, magazines, radio, television or internet, which accounts for the majority of the difference between results of this survey and calculations of total advertising spending in the Canadian economy.

The use of the federal government's corporate signature - which is strictly reserved for the Government of Canada - and the similarity to the former name of the Department of Industry - Industry, Trade and Commerce - has led many businesses to believe that receiving this solicitation is in association with the Canadian government.

Neither Industry Canada nor any other government department has anything to do with this solicitation, which is apparently being conducted out of Switzerland. Authorities there are aware of this scam.

Based on information gathered to date, recipients have received invoices in the amount of $749.00 for a directory that they supposedly ordered. In addition, it appears that Canadian Companies Directory for Industry, Commerce and Trade is not located at the address shown on the document.

The use of the corporate signature is reserved for Government of Canada business activities. Neither Industry Canada nor any other government department produces or markets a directory of Canadian businesses.

Tips for business to protect themselves:

- The Government of Canada does not market business directories or solicit business.

- If the federal government's corporate signature is used, check the name of the stated organization on the official Government of Canada Web site to determine if this organization is part of the Canadian Government: www.gc.ca.

- Don't pay for products that you did not order. If you receive invoices for services you are unfamiliar with, verify that an order was placed.

Anyone receiving this type of solicitation is invited to send their complaints to the Competition Bureau; these will be forwarded to the Swiss authorities.

The Competition Bureau chairs the Fraud Prevention Forum, which is a concerned group of private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, government agencies and law enforcement organizations committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses. Through its partners, the Forum works to prevent Canadians from becoming victims of fraud by educating them on how to recognize it, report it and stop it.

What if I told you a growing number of 21st Century CEOs spend a majority of her day car-pooling, changing diapers with a little spit-up in her hair. Mom-preneurs are breaking ground with particularly innovative products for the chic and stylish mommies.

Tired of the cumbersome diaper bag, Christie Rein founded Diapees and Wipees™, fabric sleeves in contemporary prints and colors that hold enough diapers and wipees for any mommy or daddy outing. Featured in the gifting suite at the Golden Globes this year Diapees and Wipees™ get the thumbs up from celebrity parents as varied as Tina Fey to Britney Spears.

Too nauseous from morning sickness to deal with raunchy maternity tees that read “this isn’t the threesome my husband imagined,” designer ShaeLyn Werner developed Blessence Maternity, chic, fitted mommy and baby tees with empowering messages such as “Baby Love,” and “Simply Divine” for mother and child. Werner’s designs, too were featured at the Golden Globes this year.

Lastly, rockers everywhere are excited to learned about Tracy Bobbit’s Crib Rock ™, a brand of innovative, fun and stylish line of mock rock concert tees and children’s wear in colorful, butter-washed Supima and pima cottons. Crib Rock’s concert series tees free classic nursery rhyme characters from the bookshelf and let the legends run wild through your child’s closet. Crib Rock's Baa Baa Black Sheep tee pays homage to ACDC’s “Back in Black;” The Queen of Hearts tee reminds you not to “Phunk with her Tarts;” and a trio of visually-challenged mice hit the road on the “Carving Knife Tour!” Endorsed by rocker parents Ricky Sambora of Bon Jovi and Chris Martin of Coldplay amongst many other celebrity moms and dads (see below) Crib Rock ™ is the coolest thing for little head-bangers since baby mohawks.

“Electrohome has become an iconic brand with Canadian consumers, this year marking its 100th year of Canadian heritage,” explained Andy Redmond, President and CEO, Redmond Group of Companies. “ The purchase of the trademarks, represents great opportunities for us to further invest and grow the Electrohome brand in Canada, expanding its product categories and offerings.”

Redmond Group acquired the exclusive license of Electrohome consumer electronics-related products in 1999. The Company also provides consumer audio, video electronics and home appliance products from brands like Citizen, Koss, Magnasonic, Sylvania, Memorex and Emerson.

"Canada's New Government is a proud partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Minister Bernier. "By introducing this bill today, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to VANOC and its efforts to secure private sector sponsorships, an important source of funding for the Games."

"Hosting the 2010 Winter Games will provide Canadian businesses, from coast to coast, with significant economic benefits. The sustained growth in numbers of foreign visitors, construction of Games-related sport and event venues, and the potential for increased sales at home and abroad are only a few examples of the positive impacts the Games will have on Canada's economy and our international reputation," said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. "This legislation provides appropriate protection for 2010 Winter Games sponsors in recognition of their important contribution toward the success of the Games in Vancouver and Whistler and will ensure respectful and responsible business practices."

In July 2003, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose Vancouver to be the host city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. A significant part of the funding for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games comes from sponsorship agreements between VANOC and the private sector.

The bill will enable VANOC to maximize sponsorship opportunities by strengthening existing trade-mark protection over Olympic and Paralympic marks and by preventing non-sponsors from advertising in a manner that falsely suggests a business connection with the Games (known as "ambush marketing").

The security and stability brought about by these changes will reassure existing and potential sponsors without impacting on legitimate business practices, such as the use of a protected word in a business address or to explain the nature of a good or service. The bill also contains a "sunset" clause which will result in the automatic termination of some of its protections once the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games end and the need for sponsorship funding is no longer as pressing. VANOC has committed to use its intellectual property rights in a disciplined, sensitive, fair and transparent manner, and will be issuing public guidelines to that effect in the coming weeks.

By introducing this bill, Canada is aligning itself with best practices in other host countries that have enacted special legislation for Olympic and Paralympic marks. These include the Sydney 2000 Summer Games, the Athens 2004 Summer Games, the Torino 2006 Winter Games and the Beijing 2008 Summer Games. The bill is also consistent with similarly intentioned legislation passed by Parliament in respect of the Montreal 1976 Summer Games.

Friends of mine, George Torok and Peter Urs Bender wrote a great book about marketing and branding called, Secrets of Power Marketing in which they point out, “You cannot not market.” In other words everything you say and do – or do not do, affects your brand. Somehow the collective leadership at Telus figured their brand wouldn’t be affected by this new enterprise – one which no one ever associated with a phone company. Hmm...

I believe the huge amount of negative publicity Telus received about this provides yet another wakeup call to business leaders. Think about how your decisions affect your personal image and your company’s reputation. Over the long term your reputation is everything. Of course you have a responsibility to maximize profits for your shareholders. There is however a greater calling than short term profit. As a leader, you are expected to do the right thing. Always. No matter what it costs you.

The leaders at Telus gave a lot of people the impression that they sold their corporate souls. Frankly, I felt sorry for the employees at Telus who had nothing to do with this ill-conceived management decision. Telus leaders now have the distinction of being Canada’s most high profile example of how to mismanage your brand. Let this at least serve as a reminder that everything your company does creates an impression. As a leader making strategic decisions, you’ll of course check your sales forecasts and government regulations. Above all that external noise, however, you need to stop and listen to that voice in your gut.

Jeff Mowatt, BComm, CSP, is a customer service strategist, professional speaker, and the author the critically acclaimed book Becoming a Service Icon in 90 Minutes a Month. His Influence with Ease® column has been featured in over 200 business publications. He is based in Calgary and can be contacted through his website at www.jeffmowatt.com

02.21.2007 - SAN JOSE and CUPERTINO, California—Cisco and Apple® announced that they have resolved their dispute involving the “iPhone” trademark. Under the agreement, both companies are free to use the “iPhone” trademark on their products throughout the world. Both companies acknowledge the trademark ownership rights that have been granted, and each side will dismiss any pending actions regarding the trademark. In addition, Cisco and Apple will explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security, and consumer and enterprise communications. Other terms of the agreement are confidential.

I’ll leave it to others to debate the morality of pornography on the Internet. The issue I want to tackle is how ‘leadership’ in such a large company decided this was a good business decision. Apparently there is a lot of money to be made in this new enterprise. I’m trying to fathom how a phone company that markets to both adults and youth decided that this was the direction to move their brand.

Friends of mine, George Torok and Peter Urs Bender wrote a great book about marking and branding called, Secrets of Power Marketing in which they point out, “You cannot not market.” In other words everything you say and do – or do not do, affects your brand. Somehow the collective leadership at Telus figured their brand wouldn’t be affected by this new enterprise – one which no one ever associated with a phone company. Hmm...

I believe the huge amount of negative publicity Telus is receiving about this provides yet another wakeup call to business leaders. Think about how your decisions affect your personal image and your company’s reputation. Over the long term your reputation is everything. Of course you have a responsibility to maximize profits for your shareholders. There is however a greater calling than short term profit. As a leader, you are expected to do the right thing. Always. No matter what it costs you.

The leaders at Telus gave a lot of people the impression that they just sold their corporate souls. Frankly, I feel sorry for the employees at Telus who had nothing to do with this ill-conceived management decision. Telus leaders now have the distinction of being Canada’s most high profile example of how to mismanage your brand. Let this at least serve as a reminder that everything your company does creates an impression. As a leader making strategic decisions, you’ll of course check your sales forecasts and government regulations. Above all that external noise, however, you need to stop and listen to that voice in your gut.

Jeff Mowatt, BComm, CSP, is a customer service strategist, professional speaker, and the author the critically acclaimed book Becoming a Service Icon in 90 Minutes a Month. His Influence with Ease® column has been featured in over 200 business publications. He is based in Calgary and can be contacted through his website at www.jeffmowatt.com