January 2006

Where’s the Beef?

Hubris alone won’t sell Alberta >

International Investing

Sure, there are above-normal profits, but expect greater risks >

Great Space

Company: Edmonton BMW >

Contributors

Alberta Venture's contributors for January 2006 >

Who Really Runs the Economy

For the second time in two years we have been plunged into a federal election campaign >

Running for Coverage

Insurance is becoming a major headache for many small to mid-sized businesses, though the size and scope of the problem is unknown. Here’s what you can do if your premiums are getting bigger while your coverage shrinks >

Sorry, Hon, I have a conference call

How entrepreneurs strike a balance between their companies and their lives >

Anatomy of a Marketing Campaign

A Calgary brewery shakes up the beer industry – proving that you don’t need buxom blondes to sell more suds >

Talking About a Revolution

At an intimate gathering in Jasper last fall, women plotted how to storm that lingering male bastion, the corporate boardroom >

Reborn as a Bull

By sticking to its specialty and beating the competition on delivery times, oilpatch manufacturer Brahma Compression caught the gas-price wave >

The Loan Ranger

In an industry that can’t get no respect, payday lender Rentcash is raising the bar. Profits have suffered, but revenues remain on a tear >

When Accidents Happen

Workplace accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. The toll is horrific and affects not only the employee, but the business as well. How your company can avoid disaster after disaster  >

Watercooler Brainstorm

Instead of shuffling employees off to the gym or a hockey game to reward good performance, why not keep them in the fold?  >

Too Much of a Good Thing

Money doesn't buy happiness and in Alberta that's especially true >

The Secrets of Spectacular Growth

Though they do different things, Alberta's fastest-growing companies offer a similar recipe for preparing for, managing and sustaining growth: match the right product to a big market, and find the right people to pull it off >

The Business Sentiment Index

#1 in an 8-part series on economic perspectives by Alberta business owners >

Agrarian Dreams

Farmers face the harsh reality that it's time to evolve or become extinct >

Sideswiped

The Alberta government's auto insurance rollbacks solved a political problem, but they're hitting brokers where it hurts. And more hazards may lurk down the road >

President, CEO and Premier?

Outside the Tory box for Alberta's next leader lies an intriguing prospect >

Podcast News

In June, Albertans were treated to a podcasting accompaniment to the Autodesk North American tour, "Realize your ideas," hosted by Guy Kawasaki, managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, a California venture capital firm >

Look Ma! No Wires

It took decades for an old technology called wireless to take off. But now it has and it's changing the way we do business >

Git Along Little Embryos

Whether used to produce the highest-quality meat or cheese, Canadian cattle are considered some of the best in the world. And, because of that reputation, they're in demand globally at their most primitive level >

January-February 2006

Fort McMurray has grown weary of the oil-boom paparazzi

Are You Being Served?