Mark Borkowski

The LCBO's decision to scan customers' IDs to buy alcohol is one of the biggest corporate blunders in recent memory

The LCBO's decision to scan customers' IDs to buy alcohol is one of the biggest corporate blunders in recent memory. What were they thinking? Since theft is out of control, I propose a better alternative. In the 1960s people would fill out a little chit of what they wanted to buy from a panel of all the products in a display area.

"How AI Can Make Background Checks Smarter"

In today’s high-stakes deal making environment, yesterday’s due diligence background checks that rely on simple Google searches and personal references won’t cut it. What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that investors can’t always rely on in-person interaction to evaluate potential business partners, and thus, risk management solutions need to hold up even when exchanges happen online. When allocating significant capital to an individual or company, investors need to make sure they are placing their trust in worthy hands. This requires conducting pre-investment due diligence that goes beyond the standard DDQ and takes an in-depth look at company executives. However, the proliferation of data has made it more difficult than ever to run these screenings in a timely and accurate manner.

Private Ownership in Canada now being replaced by Private Equity Funds

Canadian companies have been stalked by Private Equity firms seeking acquisitions or investments. Institutional Investor.com reports that there are over $ 1 Trillion dollars of dry powder seeking investment opportunities. There is more money in the system than anyone can imagine.

Corrupt UAW Executives and the General Motors Strike

According to a report in the Detroit News, UAW corruption was responsible for the General Motors strike. UAW Secretary/Treasurer Gary Casteel and Danny Tull, the former deputy to UAW Gary Jones, are co-operating with US Federal investigators in providing information of over $1 million allegedly spent on luxuries for UAW officials. The article cites unnamed sources and a Federal Court Affidavit by the US Labor Department. The allegations directly implicate UAW President Jones. Investigators uncovered sworn witnesses that allege that Jones spent UAW dues on golf clothing in Palm Springs, and that money was also spent on high-end retreats, cigars, and liquor, among other luxuries. Jones’ charity, 5 Game Changers Charity Fund, was allegedly ordered to hide the expenses

Business Owner Succession Planning—Don’t Put It Off Any Longer.

Canadians are aging and Canadian entrepreneurs are aging even faster. According to the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, over the next 15 years, more than half of the country’s medium sized business owners are expected to retire. In Southern Ontario, it is expected that more than 56% will need to retire in less than 11 years.

Creating jobs for youth is critical for our future

The world is facing a growing youth employment crisis. According to the latest International Labour Organization (ILO) ILO data, about half of the world's estimated 191 million unemployed people in 2004 - or nearly 86 million – are aged between 15 and 24.  In many economies, young people are more than three times as likely as adults to be out of work. Today, both industrialized and developing countries are failing to increase employment opportunities for young people.

Evolving Whiners into Winners

When Canadian manufacturers faced their self-proclaimed “brush with death” experience with the recently once-soaring Canadian loonie, it starkly exposed the traditional Canadian method of making money – use a cheap dollar and cheap wages (compared to Americans) to compete and produce essential commodity products in many cases.

Think Better: An innovator’s guide to productive thinking

There are thousands of books about thinking. Almost every business book, leadership book, and self-help book mentions the importance of thinking better. But there are very few books that provide clear how-to information to actually help you think better. Tim Hurson’s new book, by the same title, Think Better, does just that. It’s one of the only innovation books I’ve come across that actually shows you how.

A Woman's Place

I spoke with Diane Walter, Executive Director of Margaret Frazer House. This organization has been in existence since February of 1984 and was named in the honor of former schoolteacher and social activist Margaret Frazer who left a strong legacy on the Toronto community with her involvement in a variety of landmark charities such as Nellie’s.