Get to know Canada's Bio-entrepreneurs
From renewable energy to 'green' consumer products and processes, biotechnology today offers viable options for any business. What is biotechnology? It's not just an esoteric branch of science. Biotechnologies and products are a multi-billion dollar business that spans health care, industrial processes and products, commodity businesses like forestry, and even agriculture. Consider this: - car seats in the Ford Escape are today made of biotech generated soy-based foam; - cold water detergent and biodegradable plastic are biotech products we use every day. These and other innovations contributed $78.3 billion dollars to Canada's GDP in 2008. Take a look at this number in comparison with the automotive sector ($77.7 billion) and the aerospace industry ($13.4 billion) (according to the Journal of Industrial Biotechnology, 2008) and you'll realize how big this sector is! For the enterprising business owner, biotechnology offers products, processes and technologies that can enhance day-to-day business operations. This includes providing alternative energy options to power offices, new technologies and products offering value to inceasingly green-aware consumers, and sustainable disposal and cleaning options for waste produced by your business. Visit the National Biotechnology events calendar at imaGENEnation to see that is happening in your region.

Analysis of the 2008 Speech from the Throne
The Canadian Chamber fully supports the Government’s making the economy its top priority. Today’s Speech from the Throne included the Government’s commitment to act on many priorities (see √) identified by the Canadian Chamber and forwarded as recently as in letters to the Prime Minister immediately following the October 14 Federal Election and prior to the November 10 First Ministers’ meeting.

November 2008 - Action! news magazine
WBC Proposes Rate Reduction Crown Investment Policy Changed SaskFerco becomes Yara International Land Sales Reach New High SGI President Steps Down Province Announces Support for Disabled NDP Leadership Race Underway New Saskatchewan MPs Liberal Leader Dion Resigns Government Increases Assistance to Seniors

Labour Market Challenges
A Look at What They Are, How to Prepare, and How to Respond
As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, it is expected that Canada will face critical demographic composition changes and labour market shifts. These two developments are major headliners in world economic news and if left unaddressed, they have the potential to create a lasting effect on many industrialized economies. If these emerging trends indeed become permanent fixtures in society, the number of workers retiring from the workforce will greatly exceed the number of young people entering the labour market, in which case current labour concerns will become massive shortages in the future. The repercussions of these demographic shifts on the business community will be profound and can be expected to cause serious problems for employers in maintaining their labour requirements.

Human Resources Management - Corporate Fitness Programs
With concerns about current labour shortages, attracting and retaining workers is especially important. Young workers, in particular, are allured by not only monetary rewards, incentives and compensation, but are also interested in less conventional benefits. One such benefit is working in an environment that encourages physical and mental well-being. Increasingly, overall mental and physical well-being is regarded as essential in maintaining happy, healthy, and motivated staff members. In many cases, incorporating such programs into the workplace translates into immense benefit not only for employees in their professional capacity, but also in their personal lives.

Swift Current Economic Outlook 2008
In one word - Opportunity can explain both Swift Current’s growth in 2007 and the outlook for 2008.

Making the Most of Diveristy in Working Teams
As was mentioned in an earlier edition, adding diversity to working teams can create a competitive advantage for most businesses. With the help of multilateral agreements like NAFTA and especially with the emergence of economic and political unions such as the EU, barriers to trade are beginning to crumble.

Expanding the Potential of Business
Expanding the Potential of Business: A Case for Working Teams
Businesses are continuously seeking new and better ideas for their products and services and with intense global competition, pressures to increase productivity, and working under short deadlines, an increasing number of companies are responding to these changing business dynamics by implementing teams. Current research in team theories has focused on determining what makes working teams effective. This article will summarize recent research findings and will give suggestions for how to leverage the advantages of teams to help organizations reach their full potential.