Valium With Your Milk?

Who would have thought, in Ontario, that farmers are using sewage “sludge” as fertilizer for food crops? It sounds like such an American thing to do… (and I suppose it is)

In Georgia, for instance, farmers fertilizing with sewage sludge discovered the milk that their dairy cows produced was extremely high in Valium. Several major food companies, including Campbell and Del Monte, won’t use food that has been fertilized by sludge, saying not enough is known about it.

Macleans has a horrifying story on the usage of sludge in Ontario farms:

About 120,000 tonnes of sludge are spread on 150 square kilometres of farm fields in Ontario with what critics say is no real monitoring system to track health concerns.

The potential impacts are staggering. It’s a complete contamination of Ontario’s food chain. :-(

Paypal At it Again with Exchange Rate Gouging

Last year, with the falling value of the US dollar, PayPal came under fire for having exchange rates that weren't a reasonable representation of the economic exchange rates between the US dollar and the Canadian Loonie.

It looks like they are at it again. FYI - the exchange rate for October 28th 2008 was $1 CDN= $0.7796 USD.

Paypal Canadian Exchange Rate, Gouging

Hate Crime and Punishment: 45 Days

A 26-year-old man was sentenced to 45 days in prison this week after pleading guilty to a hate-crimes charge, York Regional Police said yesterday.

The charge stemmed from an incident last year where the man painted a skeleton black and hung it by a noose from a flag pole - which was flying a Confederate flag - outside a Georgina, Ont., home.

globeandmail.com: Georgina man jailed for hate crime

45 days? That's it? For being about as hateful and obnoxious as you can be? In Ontario? I get it, Canada's a pretty tolerant place, but do we have to be tolerant of hate crimes as well?

Ontario, hate crimes, Georgina, Globe and Mail

Changing of the Guard: Dave Dobbin

I can't say I'm all that surprised, but yesterday's announcement by Cogeco of the resignation of Dave Dobbin as President of Cogeco Data Services leaves me feeling a bit sad. Mergers and acquistions are always fraught with changes, but still...

Dave Dobbin was the leading force behind Toronto Hydro Telecom (it's been since purchased by Cogeco), and was very involved in THT's innovative wifi blanket of downtown Toronto.

I was lucky enough to hear him speak at the Canadian Telecom Summit in 2007. Fantastic speaker, down to earth fellow.

I look forward to hearing about his next endeavours.
Good Luck Dave!


Resignation of Dave Dobbin as President of Cogeco Data Services - MarketWatch

Dave Dobbin, Cogeco, Toronto Hydro Telecom

Bailing Out Dinosaurs?

Should the US government throw $10 billion in *aid* at a merger of GM and Chrysler? Isn’t that akin to throwing good money after bad?

Should the US government be investing in companies who, by their own admission, made grave management errors, financial blunders and are having their lunch eaten by smaller, more nimble organizations who are better run?

Sure, let’s support behemoths who are stuck in the 1950’s with respects to the innovation of their products, and let’s forget about the impact that their product has on the environment.

I understand the need to protect the economy and jobs, not to mention the pensions of all the US workers who are employed by GM and Chrysler, but $10M could go a lot further and do a lot more good for the country as a whole if invested in new technology, or a new industry for these stranded workers.

Agassi will sell his battery-powered cars cheap and make money off drivers’ electricity purchases. Photo: Joe Pugliese

I bet Shai Agassi could use $10B VERY effectively and efficiently, completely changing the face of the automotive industry and the employees as well! Give the money to him, and watch the economic and environmental benefits ring up. Shai’s got a very innovative plan to roll out electric cars, but it’s his plan for the recharging infrastructure that’s going to be the boon in his plans.

Even if the US government attached some serious caveats to the bailout, such as only being able to use the aid for specified applications, that could enforce the directive to improving the employees’ lot in life. Just handing over a blank check to admitted *screwups* is not something the US taxpayer should have to undertake.

Shai Agassi, GM, Chrysler, $10B Bailout, better place

McCain vs Obama: Choice 2008

Last night I invested 2 hours in watching PBS' Frontline, which outlined the lives of John McCain and Barak Obama. I was fully expecting a politically charged program, heavily charged either in one direction or the other.

Instead, I was treated to a fantastic expose on both these mens' lives, and the roads they traveled to get to where they are now - at the front of what could be the most charged election in US history.

No mention of who said what, who voted which way, who did this to that. It was an outstanding display of the lives of these guys. The conviction and integrity of both. The challenges they had to face, and the planning and strategy they both needed to deploy to achieve their goals. When you distill all the political crap that these men are wrapped up in, and simply judge them by the lives they've led up to this point, they are BOTH incredible people. I'm heading out to buy their biographies this weekend.

McCain doesn't like George W Bush. Full Stop. He hated the way the US went into the various wars over the past 7 years, but when he realized the only way out was to commit further, he stood by that decision.

Obama had to cut ties to his minister over racist rhetoric.
He's likely one of the smartest people in the government, and he's followed a plan for his entire life. He doesn't use his power to further any personal agendas that might be thrust upon him.

I was expecting the program to fully defend my belief that Obama was the best choice for America. It did to a certain extent, but it also showed that McCain is also a very plausible option.

If you do nothing else today, check out this PBS special. (Or you can download if for free from iTunes!!

John McCain, Barak Obama, Choice 2008, US Election

Outlawed - Texting and Emailing

CityNews: Province Moves To Ban Cellphone Use While Driving

Details of the proposed legislation aren't yet available, including what the punishment for offenders would be, but it will reportedly include rules forcing Ontario motorists to use hands-free devices if they plan to make calls. Texting and emailing would be outlawed.

I love the phrase "texting and emailing would be outlawed".Apparently hands free phones are still safe.

But not all organizations support the proposed new ban - the Canada Safety Council feels the rules would be ignored and suggests police should use existing laws to crack down on careless drivers.

This is what I wrote about last week - finally cracking down on dumb drivers.I wonder if this means I cant take a photo of dumb drivers and post it to facebook any more?

Ontario cell phone ban, texting, emailing, dumb drivers

Service Credit Union Phishing Scam

Wow! It’s an auspicious sort of day. Aside from having the first killer cold of the season, I also just became a target of a phishing scam ;-)

The illustrious folks from the Service Credit Union just sent me an interesting email.

Service Credit Union Phishing ScamAside from the fact that I’ve never heard of the Service Credit Union, and I’m not a customer, it’s a bang on phishing scam.  Presumably, had I been a customer, I’d have clicked on the link, generously provided, but masking the TRUE destination of http://wxjs.com/servicecu.html, and then dumped in a whole bunch of banking information.

Heh.

I feel special.

The plot thinkens. wxjs.com is registered to:

Registrant:
Agricultural Bank of China Wuxi Branch (WXJS6-DOM)
Agricultural Bank of China Wuxi Branch (WXJS6-DOM)
No.55 Jiefang(N) Rd.
WUXI, JS 214002
CN

Working with the Environment in Mind

It’s a case of doing good for the environment.

And doing better for employees. :-)

Telus Corp., for example, is looking to reduce air travel by at least 10 per cent this year not only to trim operating costs but also to reflect its commitment to environmental issues, says Andrea Goertz, Calgary-based vice-president of strategic initiatives and enterprise solutions.

reportonbusiness.com: Adapting to an eco-friendly itinerary

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Tags: TELUS, Environment

Canada's Do Not Call List --- The Pressure's On

This week has been simply filthy with telemarketers. New Windows? Charity? Save the planet?
Are we down to the last week of *grace* before the big dawgs come and cart all the evil telemarketers to telephone jail? Is it the last attempt before the doors shut to telemarketers. On Nov 1, in theory, the worst of the worst will be shut down. Or so the Canadian government thinks.

(insert evil laugh here)

Well, funny story for you. Telemarketers are already going off shore. 3 of the 4 calls this week were folks who were not located in Canada. One group left a message in Spanish. With VoIP and cheap canadian termination minutes, telemarketing firms can be safely ensconced away from the *short* arms of the Canadian Government.

It’s easy to shut down someone who’s in Canada. Slightly more tricky to find them and shut them down if they’re outside of Canada. Or outside of North America. Or outside of our hemisphere.

My confidence in the Do-Not-Call list is a measly 2 out of 10. If you are looking to stike back and take telemarketers into your own hands, check out walkonmypath.com - some good ideas, and ways to trace where and who the telemarketers really are.

Electronics Ban in Ontario Cars

Oh no.  I was afraid of something like this. 

How do you really enforce a ban on using a cell, or a berry or an iPod?  Ack.  This is just nutty.  Why not curb the bad driving behavior that results from being distracted?  Dumb slow person in the fact lane because they are on the phone - charge them for being a dumb slow person in the fast lane.  Not for using a cell phone.

Mom rear-ends someone at a light because she’s yelling at 1 of 3 toddlers in the back of her not-so-mini van? Charge her for rear ending someone, not for beng distracted by the kids.  Kids are likely more distracting than electronic devices.  And when you are frustated with them it’s not like you can toss them onto the floor mat of the passenger seat ;-) 

Are they going to ban kids in cars next?  (say, that might not be such a loony idea)

Liberal government at Queen’s Park will be introducing a long sought bill to ban not only cell phone use behind the wheel in Ontario, but all electronic distractions in your car.The bill will be introduced at 1:45pm next Tuesday.

CityNews: CityNews Exclusive: Ontario To Ban ‘Distracting’ Electronic Devices In Cars

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Tags: ontariobans electonic devices

Watch Where You Work, and Who You Work For

This has been something I’ve been thinking about for a few days now, and every time I get some free time to think again, it strikes me as how lucky I am.

I have a cool job.

I have a cool boss.

I do interesting things (most of the time) and have a great amount of flexibility and autonomy. I was part of an interview panel this week, looking for potential new hires. Listening and learning and asking questions of folks who wanted a job like mine. I think it was a good experience. For both parties, regardless of what the outcomes may be.

Yesterday I had a call from a headhunter (Hi Winston) who had been referred to me by someone on my network. Someone who didn’t want it known yet that they were talking with Winston (someday I hope they will let me buy them a coffee in thanks for giving my name to Winston. He was a neat guy.

Anyways, there was an opening at a web hosting company who shall remain nameless, for sales execs. Did I know of anyone who might be interested. Did I!  I don’t think I swing a dead cat without hitting someone in the web hosting industry. ;-)  I made a few calls. Put out the word that the nameless hosting company was looking for Senior Sales folks.

Wow. Did I get an earful. One of the folks I’d talked to had actually met with the hiring manager, who’d turned out to be a complete nut job. He was looking for the old *A* type personality sales guy who you could run into the ground and manage by fear. I remember sales types like this - the golden oldie cold callers who would sell and run as soon as the contracts were signed. Guys who would try and sell the carpet out from under your feet. Guys who just made you want to wash your hands right after meeting them. This is the 21st Century. Sales has come A LONG WAYS. No one wants that sort of relationship, or sales experience, for that matter.

I was completely surprised, since I’d met with the un-named hosting company a few years ago. Mind you, I spoke with the VP of Network, and the VP of sales (who were both really great guys). Maybe the leadership isn’t aware that they’ve got a snake-oil sales director?

Seth Godin’s got an awesome article that talks about the trickiness of making sure you’ve got a good place to work, and a good boss.

His most poignant quote:

If you want to become the kind of person that any company would kill to have as an employee, you need to be the kind of employee that’s really picky about who you align with.

The single most important marketing decision most people make is also the one we spend precious little time on: where you work.

Seth’s Blog

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Tags: SethGodin, good jobs

One For The Good Guys

Ontario judge rules that death threats and vile accusations amount to assault; Edmonton man ordered to pay $50,000 in damages

globeandmail.com: Anti-hate crusader wins fight against online foe

I like that it’s not a nameless-faceless internet, and you can’t get away with whatever you want do do or say without there being a repercussion (or 50,000 of them).

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Tags: Richard Warman

Etsy :: Venbead :: No Ordinary Steam Boro Glass Beaded Skeleton Key Necklace

Etsy :: Venbead :: No Ordinary Steam Boro Glass Beaded Skeleton Key NecklaceNever in my life have I lusted after something as simple as a necklace. But this is no ordinary necklace. Sigh. Etsy. You are a cruel friend. There is a complete collection from Venbead. The price is right.After all, a girl can't live on technology alone.

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Tags: Etsy, Venbead

Feigning Surpise at US Credit Crash?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress on Thursday he is “shocked” at the breakdown in U.S. credit markets and said he was “partially” wrong to resist regulation of some securities.

Greenspan shocked at credit system breakdown | U.S. | Reuters

 

How can someone as smart as good old Alan be shocked? What’s to become of the rest of us who don’t have near as many braincells?

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Juicy Eyecandy

Thomas Hawk can completely rock my socks off. Full Stop.His imagery makes me sit and watch in quiet contemplation. This man was born with a camera clutched in one tiny fist. His photo titles are simply the icing on the cake. Go. See. It's a vacation for the mind. This is just one sample of many tasty, sensory treats.

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Tags: ThomasHawk

And So It Begins.... The Great Canadian Wireless Race

Mark Goldberg has the scoop on what Videotron is planning for its wireless rollout. Curious that they too have chose Siemens as a hardware partner. I’m wondering where the Globalive plans are? Could they still be trying to figure out their financing?

Videotron announced its mobile network plans Wednesday morning, saying that it has awarded its network build to Nokia Siemens Networks.Videotron plans to spend another $250M building its network over the next 12-18 months and it will roll-out price leading mobile services. Peter Nowak at CBC has a number of the details from the announcement.Telecom Trends

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Tags: CanadianWireless, Videotron, Globalive, Mark Goldberg

Advances in Telecom in Toronto

It’s good to see good things happening in telecom in Toronto. I wonder if this will be the defacto new home of the annual Sales Kick-offs? Sure beats the heck out of the International Centre ;-)

Benson Steel puts final Allstream beam in place – Daily Commercial News

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Tags: Allstream, Toronto, CNE

How to Plan Personal Branding in a Corporate World

It occurred to me this week that I've got a professional brand. It's not necessarily related to jules.ca, but this endeavor has also likely assisted in giving my professional, and personal brand *lift*.

I'm taking about corporate capital. Career equity. Company stock... personal stock. It's the "umph" that helps you to be recognized as a leader in your field. It's the bit of professional "floobergeist" that develops after you've proven your net worth. It's your own internal professional branding.

If you are looking to get above the radar, or in some cases, onto the radar, in corporate Canada, there are a few key tactics that make quite a bit of sense, and are well worth the effort.

You're hired, you report to work, you join a team -- and you immediately start figuring out how to deliver value to the customer. Along the way, you learn stuff, develop your skills, hone your abilities, move from project to project. And if you're really smart, you figure out how to distinguish yourself from all the other very smart people walking around with $1,500 suits, high-powered laptops, and well-polished resumes. Along the way, if you're really smart, you figure out what it takes to create a distinctive role for yourself -- you create a message and a strategy to promote the brand called You.
 - Fast Company --- The Brand Called You

And therein lies the crux, how to go about creating a message and a role for yourself in a corporate organization where employees can number in the thousands.

1. Be Brave - it sucks being the new kid. But it's also one of the best reasons to reach out and meet people, or re-connect with old people. You can call people right out of the blue, and let them know you are *here*.
   
2. Be Genuine - nothing else on this list will matter one iota if you aren't genuinely interested in what you're working on, or the people you are working with. I have a habit of starting every conference call with "hallooooo!" It makes me smile, and it makes the folks who are on the other end of the phone smile as well.
   
3. Don't be afraid to screw up - but have a Plan B if you do. Plan B can rescue you from almost everything.
   
4. ALWAYS recognize folks who have helped you - even if indirectly.
   
5. Have a sense of humour - if you can't laugh in your job, at yourself or even with a team on a project, you'll get remembered alright.  As the grumpy person who never laughed.
   
6. Go outside of your organization and even your industry to build relationships, ask for help or offer help - so many times I share assistance, what you sow is what you reap. No fooling. Once I asked the internets for Help with VoIP. And Ted Wallingford answered. I'm not even kidding. He even gave me his phone number.
   
7. Have a digital persona - this worked for me but I know some people are simply uncomfortable with havng their live on-line. Folks I don't get to see in real life can keep up with my life digitally. I use LinkedIn AND Facebook for both corporate peers and business colleagues. One of the first things people say to me when I meet them the first time in real life is "wow - I love your LinkedIn Profile, what's an internet evangelist"?
   
8. Volunteer - with charity work, with special projects, with helping someone track down something tricky. Really, this comes down to lending a helping hand. And it doesn't hurt a bit.
   
9. Stay in touch - You switch roles, switch jobs, switch companies. Don't forget about the folks you *used* to have coffee with every morning.
   
10. Be honest - own up to anything that's your responsibility. The good as well as the bad. Be truthful and have integrity. This will only increase your personal net worth.
    

Creating a personal brand isn't all that complicated. It comes down to applying effort and general, good playground manners.  :-)

Technorati Tags: personal branding, corporate Canada

Snow at 3:00 pm Oct 21 2008