Death and Taxes

Today is my birthday.  Its also a day when I’ll be attending a wake for a family member. Today the Chronicle Herald headlines are about the upcoming provincial budget and the state of our province.  Last night I attended a workshop for my professional association where we discussed how Certified Management Consultants could take action to support the One Nova Scotia Coalition in response to the Ivany Report about the future of our province and its Now or Never call to action.  One of my newest best friends hosted the workshop.  She was the only women among 12 men exploring how we could do something to make a difference in the future of our province.  This morning I woke up thinking how privileged I am.

In many respects our province is dying.  No doubt it will continue to be a a great place to live for a long time.  There are many success stories and many missed opportunities which we share.  So here’s a quick birthday thought for fellow Nova Scotians.  Two questions. What have you done in the past year to support an immigrant to our province?  How have you helped innovation and entrepreneurship in Nova Scotia?

If we are to have many more birthdays and avoid premature death, we should each think about these questions more often.  Now would be a good time.  Then, now, we should wake up and do something about it.  And the answer is not in paying more taxes. Failing to think, plan, and do in response to these questions is not an option.  Happy birthday!

Students success just makes you feel good all over…

Tonight I had the pleasure of watching a success story.  Some students I had the good fortune to work with for a short time walked into the Dragon’s Den on CBC television and walked out with a $500,000 investment in their business.  I knew they were good, really good, but this was validation of the highest order.

About 18 months ago a colleague of mine, Ed Leach, who was teaching a new course, Starting Lean, was kind enough to introduce me to these students and give me an opportunity to work with them.  I learned a ton from the experience.  Most of all I learned that determination pays off.   I watched Cam and Dan push an idea forward.  As their “mentor” I was more of a cheer leader.   They made some predictable mistakes but that didn’t matter.  They pressed on. These were real real entrepreneurs.

I watched 2 very smart, very talented, very determined young men follow their instincts and make things happen.  I connected with them a few times following the conclusion of the course, as the business really got going.  Although their career success was a sure thing, truth told, I thought the chance of success with this venture was 50/50.  Alas I am not an entrepreneur at heart.  I was delighted to see Cam and Dan (and their partner Bobby) successfully pitch and win a big investment on prime time TV.  It was better than seeing the Habs win a big game.   As someone who wants to teach more and more, watching these recent students compete and win for real just made me feel good all over.  Thanks again Cam and Dan!  Even if the deal doesn’t stick, as sometimes happens, you are real entrepreneurs we can all be proud of.