Village Gamer

The Conference Board of Canada has just released a report that identifies and provides ideas on building the kind of knowledge and understanding that we require to effectively contribute to our own personal digital security as well as that of organizations and nation-states that are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, devices, and applications. Read the rest of this entry »

Half of Canadian businesses believe that social media has the potential to increase their profitability, according to a new BMO Bank of Montreal survey. However, while social media tools such as podcasts and social networking sites present significant, cost-effective opportunities for businesses to engage customers, only 29 per cent of Canadian small business owners are taking advantage. Read the rest of this entry »

For years there has been great debate over foreign takeovers of familiar Canadian companies and the question of whether corporate Canada is being hollowed out. But based on the results of a recent independent survey of 7,000 Canadians conducted by ICMA International and sponsored by Randstad Canada, a leading agency for staffing, recruitment and HR services, Canadians have made it clear that being a part of a Canadian company has never been more desirable. Read the rest of this entry »

ESAC has released its 2011 edition of the Essential Facts report on the Canadian Entertainment Software industry, which is available now as a downloadable PDF. This booklet provides a great overview of some of the key stats and information about the Canadian video game industry. What’s the average age of a Canadian gamer? How many studios are there in Canada? How big is Canada’s video game industry? How do we stack up in the world? These questions, among others, are answered in the new report, and also includes other important bits of information such as: Read the rest of this entry »

The newly released 2012 Salary Guides from Robert Half International show Canadian starting salaries will increase an average of 3.2 per cent next year. Technology positions are projected to see the largest gains among all fields researched, with an anticipated 4.4 per cent increase in base compensation. Accounting and finance professionals can expect starting salaries to rise an average of 2.5 per cent, according to the research. Read the rest of this entry »

Results from the annual Best Employers in Canada study, conducted by global human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions business Aon Hewitt, identifies those organizations with the highest employee engagement. At the same time, the data provides insight into the types of workers that are least engaged and thus more likely to leave to join competitors and other organizations. The list of 2012’s 50 Best Employers appears in the October 31 issue of Maclean’s magazine, available on newsstands today, and the November 3 edition of La Presse. Read the rest of this entry »

Legalized gaming has nearly tripled in size since 1995, from $6.4 billion in gaming win to about $15.1 billion (2010) according to the most recent economic impact study released by the Canadian Gaming Association. With total industry revenues of $16 billion, the industry now exceeds the combined revenues generated by magazine and book sales, social establishments, spectator sports, movie theatres and the performing arts. Read the rest of this entry »

Coinciding with Small Business Week, Sage today released the findings of a survey of more than 500 Canadian small business owners to determine ‘financial literacy,’ by gauging the overall perceptions, knowledge and habits of small business owners with regard to financial management, resources and compliance. Conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion on behalf of Sage’s Simply Accounting business, the survey succeeds a 2009 study also focusing on financial literacy. Read the rest of this entry »

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have released the Small Business Profile 2011 (PDF), a report that highlights the major role that small businesses play in BC’s economic success, through job creation, wage increases, exports and contributions to the province’s gross domestic product. Read the rest of this entry »

When you retire, are you thinking of leaving your business to a family member or third party?  Are you planning on selling it? Closing it? Have you decided? According to the TD Waterhouse Business Succession Poll, Canadian small business owners haven’t fully prepared for the day when they will no longer be running their business: 76% of small business owners polled admitted they don’t have a succession plan, which may cause major complications down the line. Read the rest of this entry »