Business, Management, Marketing, Money, Tax, Law, People

SCC decision confirms that certain “counter-speech” is deserving of protection

The Supreme Court of Canada recently considered the statutory test to dismiss strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) under British Columbia’s Protection of Public Participation Act, S.B.C. 2019, c. 3 (PPPA). On May 19, 2023, the Court released its long-anticipated decision in Hansman v Neufeld, 2023 SCC 14. In a 6–1 decision, the SCC granted Mr. Hansman’s appeal and dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought in 2018 by a school board…

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:9 mins read
Continue ReadingSCC decision confirms that certain “counter-speech” is deserving of protection

Supreme Court of Canada issues much-anticipated decision on GAAR

On Friday, May 26, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC or the Supreme Court) dismissed the taxpayer’s appeal in Deans Knight Income Corp. v Canada, 2023 SCC 16 (Deans Knight). This much-anticipated decision deals with the general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) in section 245 of the Income Tax Act1 (Act). The GAAR, where applicable, allows the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to redetermine the tax consequences of a transaction. For GAAR to apply,…

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:7 mins read
Continue ReadingSupreme Court of Canada issues much-anticipated decision on GAAR

Lifting the design potential of Japanese companies

Great design is good business. In 2018, a McKinsey analysis of 300 publicly listed companies showed that those with the strongest design behaviors grow twice as fast, and generate almost twice as much value, as their industry peers. In our previous article, we argued that Japanese companies could have even more to gain from an increased focus on design. We showed how best-in-class design practices are already helping some companies to…

Continue ReadingLifting the design potential of Japanese companies

Staying ahead: How the best CEOs continually improve performance

Success breeds complacency, complacency breeds failure. Andy Grove Most people know the fable The Tortoise and the Hare. In the story, the two animals challenge one another to a race to prove who is faster. The hare starts strong and is soon out of sight. Midrace, the hare lies down to rest, feeling certain that it’s going to win. After a time, the tortoise plods past the place where the…

Continue ReadingStaying ahead: How the best CEOs continually improve performance

Vietnamese consumers are coming of age in 2023: How businesses can stay ahead

For the past few years, the middle class in Vietnam has been on the rise, spreading out geographically and growing increasingly diverse. Consumers are growing in number and becoming more demanding and discerning. It is estimated that more than half of the Vietnamese population will enter the global middle class by 2035, creating more disposable income and fueling consumption. Middle-class consumers in Vietnam have generally been optimistic—a sentiment that appears…

Continue ReadingVietnamese consumers are coming of age in 2023: How businesses can stay ahead

University leaders under pressure to invest despite increasing financial uncertainty

New research from international management consultancy Nous Group shows university leaders are under pressure to make big investments to embed hybrid learning despite subdued confidence in their financial outlook and sustainability. The findings come from Nous Group’s second annual Study of Higher Education Professional Services Leaders which brings together insights from more than 80 leaders at universities around the world to examine the changing landscape of university administration.  The top…

  • Post category:Nous Group
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingUniversity leaders under pressure to invest despite increasing financial uncertainty

Reimagining the nursing workload: Finding time to close the workforce gap

US healthcare organizations continue to grapple with the impacts of the nursing shortage—scaling back of health services, increasing staff burnout and mental-health challenges, and rising labor costs. While several health systems have had some success in rebuilding their nursing workforces  in recent months, estimates still suggest a potential shortage of 200,000 to 450,000 nurses in the United States, with acute-care settings likely to be most affected. Identifying opportunities to close…

Continue ReadingReimagining the nursing workload: Finding time to close the workforce gap

ESG momentum: Seven reported traits that set organizations apart

  It is becoming increasingly essential for companies to understand and address the effects that externalities can have on their social license. The latest McKinsey Global Survey on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues asked more than 1,100 respondents in more than 90 countries how their organizations are rising to this challenge. More than nine in ten respondents say that ESG subjects are on their organization’s agenda. While environmental topics…

Continue ReadingESG momentum: Seven reported traits that set organizations apart

The Empowering Role of AAC Devices in Assistive Technology

Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, allowing us to express our thoughts, needs, and emotions. However, for individuals with speech or language impairments, this basic form of connection can be challenging. In such cases, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices emerge as powerful tools, empowering individuals to overcome communication barriers and engage with the world on their terms. In this blog post, we will explore what AAC devices…

  • Post category:Perficient
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingThe Empowering Role of AAC Devices in Assistive Technology

Gopher State Goes For Broke with Proposed Non-Compete Ban

Minnesota is joining the growing list of state legislatures targeting non-compete agreements, and doing so with one of the most aggressive laws in the nation on the subject. Included as part of the Senate Jobs and Economic Development and Labor Omnibus Budget Bill (S.F. 3035), the newly-enacted Minn. Stat. Section 181.988 (“Section 181.988”) categorically bans non-compete agreements with Minnesota workers subject to a few narrow exceptions. Section 181.988 also takes…

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingGopher State Goes For Broke with Proposed Non-Compete Ban

Is this the end for single wholesale networks?

  Championed by some as a route to universal access to mobile services, single wholesale networks (SWN) have failed to deliver. Lee Sanders, Managing Partner at Aetha Consulting, wonders whether Malaysia abandoning its SWN means the concept has run its course. Governments around the world are increasingly attuned to the importance of infrastructure to economic growth and societal well-being. Hence their interest in telecoms; the services provided, and their reach…

  • Post category:Aetha Consulting
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingIs this the end for single wholesale networks?

Future-proofing your job against the robots

Like in most lines of work, soft skills are critical to your success as an independent consultant, perhaps even more so. This is especially true in a free market, where you compete against other professionals. It’s not just about “what” you have to offer but “how” you sell your services too. Your soft skills and personal approach can make or break a good deal. In the future, soft skills will…

  • Post category:COMATCH
  • Reading time:6 mins read
Continue ReadingFuture-proofing your job against the robots

Leveraging Digital Marketing Tactics to Increase Diversity in Clinical Trial Recruitment 

Traditional methods of recruiting clinical trial participants include tapping into healthcare providers such as doctors or clinics, patient advocacy groups, online registries, or referrals. However, to seek out a more diverse and representative group of potential patients, trial coordinators and sponsors might consider looking to other sources or methods to recruit new groups. Though clinical trials have unique nuances and target demographics for their particular studies, companies can implement digital marketing…

Continue ReadingLeveraging Digital Marketing Tactics to Increase Diversity in Clinical Trial Recruitment 

Connecting with your Patient Population with Doug Pohl

Episode Introduction Doug explains why hospitals need to prioritize ‘’humanity’’ over the bottom line, how to become a two-way mirror to build patient relationships, and why Business 101 is all about listening. He also shares how his experience as a singer/songwriter helped him to understand the power of storytelling, and why true leadership is about helping people climb the ladder. Show Topics Hospitals need to focus on humanity in marketing…

Continue ReadingConnecting with your Patient Population with Doug Pohl

Creating strong, engaged teams for a successful and reliable platform migration

The situation Our customer is a large enterprise with a portfolio spanning financial and insurance products and services. At the centre is a key piece of infrastructure, supporting more than 30 internal and customer-facing applications. This platform is a complex array of business logic, policies, and multiple interfaces, creating a fragile environment.  As a consequence, attempts to upgrade the platform generally caused catastrophic failures, with unpredictable and severe business and…

  • Post category:Elabor8
  • Reading time:3 mins read
Continue ReadingCreating strong, engaged teams for a successful and reliable platform migration

Sourcing and Managing World Class Statements of Work

Structural changes in workforce composition and how we work have dominated the headlines since the COVID pandemic and received much research attention. Most of the analysis has focused on remote working, the gig economy, hybrid models, and the astounding growth of the contingent workforce which today is over 50% larger than pre-pandemic and represents about 36% of total US employment. What has received less attention are high-end professionals working in…

Continue ReadingSourcing and Managing World Class Statements of Work

Sixth Circuit Joins the Chorus of Appellate Decisions Requiring Arbitration to Be Assessed Before FLSA Notice Issues

  Seyfarth Synopsis: Businesses with arbitration programs often oppose the issuance of notice in FLSA collective actions on the ground that many potential recipients have binding arbitration agreements precluding them from participating in a case. The majority of federal appellate courts have not yet addressed whether arbitration must be addressed before or after notice issues. The Sixth Circuit recently joined the Fifth and Seventh Circuits in requiring the question to…

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:6 mins read
Continue ReadingSixth Circuit Joins the Chorus of Appellate Decisions Requiring Arbitration to Be Assessed Before FLSA Notice Issues

Redefining life insurance: An interview with Nichole Lecher

Buying life insurance can be a long, uncomfortable process for consumers. Northwestern Mutual, a 166-year-old company, decided to change the paradigm by building an automated, efficient, and clear solution. In this episode of the McKinsey on Insurance podcast, Eli Larrea, a senior partner in McKinsey’s Boston office, sat down with Nichole Lecher, Northwestern Mutual’s vice president of client experience, strategy and journeys. They discuss the purpose of this transformation, the…

Continue ReadingRedefining life insurance: An interview with Nichole Lecher

The lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur 

Over the past few months, I have shared more than 30 personal stories that helped shape my professional journey through my ‘Series of an Entrepreneur’. And as I’ve seen in the responses, these experiences, and accompanying lessons, transcend far beyond the consulting industry. We all experience failures, make missteps, endure bad days, weeks, months, even years. And we also, hopefully, experience success, see the reward of good decisions, and hit…

  • Post category:ElixirrImportant
  • Reading time:8 mins read
Continue ReadingThe lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur 

Recognizing 5 DEIB Influencers in Unexpected Places

Picture this: a world where workplace culture is transformed not just by well-known DEIB influencers, but by unexpected heroes who wield the power of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in their own unique ways.  DEIB are increasingly recognized as crucial components of a successful workplace culture, and we recognize these individuals who may not typically be associated with the DEIB space, yet their contributions are critical to the success…

Continue ReadingRecognizing 5 DEIB Influencers in Unexpected Places

The Incumbent’s Deep Tech Strategy Playbook

Deep tech — the innovative use of emerging physical technologies enabled by digital technologies to solve large-scale problems — has the potential to create transformative growth opportunities for businesses. By tapping into these advanced technologies, leaders are better positioned to address large-scale problems and reshape entire markets. Consider the impact of synthetic biology; by 2030, this rapidly advancing field could affect industries that account for as much as 30% of…

Continue ReadingThe Incumbent’s Deep Tech Strategy Playbook

Deep Dive with Avinash Srivastava

Our Deep Dive series features our technical experts who give you an inside look at how we are solving complex infrastructure challenges for our clients from across the world. This week, we are highlighting our global director of urban analytics from our Buildings + Places business and how he and his team have used their skills to help develop The Point Utah, a 600-acre innovation district outside of Salt Lake…

Continue ReadingDeep Dive with Avinash Srivastava

Making government an even better place for women to work

When it comes to women’s representation in the US workplace, the public sector continues to have a clear edge over corporations. However, new McKinsey research finds that governmental organizations may struggle to keep leading the way toward gender parity. The latest edition of our annual Women in the Workplace report reveals that the public sector lags private-sector organizations in critical areas that could help curb burnout and attrition among women…

Continue ReadingMaking government an even better place for women to work

Why did I bother coming in?

Why did I bother coming in? – Reimagining the role of the office and our working patterns It’s a no-brainer that the expectations of the workforce have shifted so dramatically that different working patterns are now no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a non-negotiable. Organisations need to quickly adapt to a more distributed world. Going forward, asking your people where and how they work best will be vital to attract…

Continue ReadingWhy did I bother coming in?

Key considerations for fintech providers

In many cases, fintech providers themselves will also need to ensure compliance with certain regulatory regimes as well as helping their customers to do so. In this article, we provide an overview of some key regulations fintech providers should be aware of when offering services to their regulated customers, including new obligations under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (“DORA”), the revised Directive on security of network and information systems (“NIS2”)…

Continue ReadingKey considerations for fintech providers

How Long Does a Lawsuit Take?

When a client has asserted a claim against someone and we are unable to negotiate a voluntary resolution, we have to start thinking about plan B—filing a lawsuit to vindicate the client’s rights. Invariably, the client’s first questions are: how much will it cost, and how long will it take? The answer to the first question can vary enormously, but most clients are not terribly surprised to hear that it…

Continue ReadingHow Long Does a Lawsuit Take?

Balancing Valued Tradition With Innovation

Sooner or later, most successful companies face the challenge of updating a cherished old product. Make no changes, and you risk becoming irrelevant to new customers. Change too much, and you may alienate your most loyal customers. So how do you leverage a historically strong brand with sensitivity to heterogeneous customer preferences? To explore this question, we studied Italian opera companies, which face this dilemma every season. Many of the…

Continue ReadingBalancing Valued Tradition With Innovation

Applications for ChatGPT and Retail

Few new technologies have taken the tech, business, and academic world by storm quite like ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot developed to perform everyday tasks such as answering questions, writing code, or drafting cover letters. A range of plug-ins have allowed for even more applications of this tech, further driving the platform’s hype. With its abilities and popularity growing daily, many leaders in retail may be curious as to how…

Continue ReadingApplications for ChatGPT and Retail

AEM as a Cloud Service – Authentication made simple

Authentication in AEM as a Cloud Service is a critical aspect of securing the platform. It also ensures that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and functionality. In this blog post, we will explore the different authentication options available in AEM as a Cloud Service for author environment, how authentication in AEM as a Cloud service works, how authentication in AEM as a Cloud Service differs from on-premise,…

  • Post category:Perficient
  • Reading time:7 mins read
Continue ReadingAEM as a Cloud Service – Authentication made simple

Pensions Update: Spring 2023

Master trusts – Applicability of Pension Adjustment Orders (“PAOs”) An ongoing issue in respect of master trusts is the applicability of pension adjustment orders (“PAOs”) made prior to a scheme transferring to the master trust. These orders would have been made by the Court in relation to the original pension scheme and served on the original scheme trustees. A question has arisen as to whether master trust trustees can administer…

Continue ReadingPensions Update: Spring 2023

Companies Implementing ‘Super-Voting Preferred Stock’ as Stockholder Meeting Solution

Increasingly, many small-cap and microcap public companies are failing to secure stockholder approval of critical proposals, particularly for reverse stock splits and authorized share increases. With heavy concentration of shares held in street name (i.e., by retail investors in US brokerage accounts), these companies historically have relied on brokerage firms to vote retail shares both to establish a quorum – the minimum threshold in voting power of shares that must…

  • Post category:Cooley Law Firm
  • Reading time:17 mins read
Continue ReadingCompanies Implementing ‘Super-Voting Preferred Stock’ as Stockholder Meeting Solution

Advanced chip packaging: How manufacturers can play to win

Semiconductor wafers are the basis of the integrated circuits so crucial to most of today’s technology. The wafers’ packaging—whether metal, plastic, ceramic, or glass—connects them to their environment and protects them from chemical contamination and damage from light, heat, and impacts. Compared with the front-end process of designing and fabricating wafers, the back-end process of packaging has been undervalued for two reasons: First, it’s still possible to package wafers using…

Continue ReadingAdvanced chip packaging: How manufacturers can play to win

Green Hydrogen investor pathway

Hydrogen-derived green energy is widely perceived as a potential game-changer in tackling climate change. With the pressure to reduce global emissions and achieve temperature targets, it is the focus of numerous innovators, businesses, and financial institutions. Increasingly, the question of green hydrogen is coming to the fore in both the United Nations annual climate summits, as well as across regional and national clean energy conversations. Where are the large investors?…

  • Post category:Mishcon de Reya
  • Reading time:3 mins read
Continue ReadingGreen Hydrogen investor pathway

EU Commission publishes the first list of very large platforms to fall under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) stricter regime

EU Commission publishes the first list of very large platforms to fall under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) stricter regime The European Commission has confirmed 19 online platforms and search engines identified as ‘very large online platforms’ (VLOPs) and ‘very large online search engines’ (VLOSEs) for the purposes of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Such companies must comply with the most stringent rules of the DSA. Online service…

Continue ReadingEU Commission publishes the first list of very large platforms to fall under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) stricter regime

Invest in the Metaverse for first-mover advantage

The Metaverse and its associated technology have raised concerns from its inception. But the objections often take short-term, attention-grabbing views that discount the potential of the technology, and the need for early adoption for any emerging tech or business looking to innovate in the space. So, whilst this recent critique of the Metaverse from Business Insider is nothing new, it’s an important one to analyse. The challenges presented in the…

  • Post category:ElixirrImportant
  • Reading time:5 mins read
Continue ReadingInvest in the Metaverse for first-mover advantage

R and D Tax 101

We speak to companies every day who don’t believe the UK’s R&D incentive schemes apply to them. In reality, the definition of R&D for tax purposes covers a much broader range of activities than you might think, and some of your everyday activity could likely qualify as well. The schemes weren’t only created to incentivise scientists and the more traditional ‘research & development’ heavy industries. They’re designed to apply to…

Continue ReadingR and D Tax 101

UK Local elections 2023 – what have we learned?

Greg Campbell assesses the impact of the May 2023 local elections, held in 230 councils in England, and draws out key lessons and questions. When a party leadership projects a number of election losses, they believe the reality will be appreciably less bad so they can claim a ‘victory’. Greg Hands, Conservative Chair, claimed to expect the loss of 1,000 seats – presumably anticipating perhaps 500-700 losses. The actual loss…

Continue ReadingUK Local elections 2023 – what have we learned?

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulations Introduction

  In today’s interconnected digital world, data privacy and cybersecurity have become crucial concerns for individuals, businesses, and governments alike.   Introduction In today’s digital landscape, data privacy and cybersecurity have become paramount concerns for individuals, businesses, and governments. Safeguarding personal information and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are essential to foster trust and protect sensitive data. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the intricacies of major data privacy and…

  • Post category:NMS Consulting
  • Reading time:6 mins read
Continue ReadingData Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulations Introduction

Can customers tell you how to run your business?

The business benefits of moving from customer-centric to customer-driven strategy  Businesses talk a big game about customer needs, specifically the ways their particular products can meet those needs. We call this the ‘customer centric’ approach which puts the customer 'at the heart of everything a business does’. While this seems like a great strategy, it actually delivers a somewhat narrow outlook. Why? Because it reduces the understanding of your customers to…

  • Post category:Yonder Consulting
  • Reading time:6 mins read
Continue ReadingCan customers tell you how to run your business?

Take a Skills-Based Approach to Culture Change

Companies worldwide are launching interventions to create innovative organizational cultures that support effective responses to shifts in their business environments. But many well-intentioned programs aimed at cultural change fail to affect employees in a meaningful way, leaving organizations unfit for transformation despite having invested hundreds or even thousands of employee hours. Unlike most types of culture initiatives, a skills-based approach can more effectively infuse new culture components into scale-ups and…

Continue ReadingTake a Skills-Based Approach to Culture Change