Planning and Advice

Recession-proofing important for SME owners Fallback Image Decorative pattern

Planning and Advice

Recession-proofing important for SME owners

(April 2008) Economic optimism among Canada’s small business owners has led to a widespread lack of contingency planning, a new Harris/Decima report commissioned by BMO Bank of Montreal concludes. The survey found more than three-quarters (77%) of 777 Canadian small business owners with $5 million in revenues or less describe the Canadian economy as good, […]

By Mark Noble |April 17, 2008

5 min read

Rules, referrals and registration reform Fallback Image Decorative pattern

Planning and Advice

Rules, referrals and registration reform

(April 2008) Many financial advisors have chosen, consciously or not, to avoid or abandon sales and other activities that require them to be registered under securities laws. At the same time, though, many have not been monitoring proposed changes to securities legislation that will have a broad impact on marketing, sales activities and revenues for […]

By Richard E. Austin |April 14, 2008

3 min read

First Person: Persistence for key prospect pays off Fallback Image Decorative pattern

Planning and Advice

First Person: Persistence for key prospect pays off

(April 2008) Two years ago, I met a couple who I’ll call Susan and Matthew LeClair. They were in their late 50s and their retirement “nest egg” was over $1 million. Nearing retirement, they expressed concern about poor returns in their investment portfolios over many years, and a lack of service and communication with their […]

By Beverley Moir |April 7, 2008

3 min read

Background checks and registration reform Fallback Image Decorative pattern

Planning and Advice

Background checks and registration reform

(April 2008) Imagine hiring an employee with an apparently sterling reputation, one who instills confidence and ease with his self-assured manner and personable daily banter. Now, imagine paying $40,000 six months after hiring that employee just to make him go away. That’s the average cost American firms report paying for a “bad hire,” including severance, […]

By Romana King |April 4, 2008

5 min read