Trifaux Breaks Sound Barrier in CF-18 Hornet

Tom Trifaux, 2011 keynote speaker for the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies and Director, Canada West, for Canadian Management Centre, recently addressed the annual gathering of Canada's 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake.

Before Tom could bring his message of Abundant Living to the squadron  he was required to take a 'ride' in Canada's front line tactical fighter, the CF18 Hornet.  When asked about the experience, Tom said, "the ride was about power, performance and control.  I have never experienced such amazing power, I have never witnessed such inspiring performance in equipment or people, and I've never felt such responsibly for control  - making sure I didn't upchuck."


Tom is one of few civilians who can boast of breaking the sound barrier.  "Flying faster than the speed of sound was not what I imagined," said Tom.  "Everything is happening behind you, so in the cockpit everything is pretty calm.  When we slowed down we experienced a bit of chop but the biggest thing I was aware of was my breathing and the pressure changing in my flight suit.  When I briefly took over the controls I found it wasn't as easy to maintain controlled flight as it looked when the man up front was in charge"

Now, in addition to professional athlete, speaker extraordinaire and family man, Tom can add 'fighter pilot' to his resume.  Now that is abundant living! 

Forbes - LinkedIn a Disruptive Influence on Recruiters

Forbes magazine, earlier this month carried an excellent article on the complete disruption of the Human Resource Recruitment trade by LinkedIn.  According to Forbes, LinkedIn has moved human capital into a professional network which has dramatically changed the way recruiting takes place around the globe and in the process, has converted revenues associated with the HR industry.

Did the HR industry see this coming?  Even if they did, what could they have done about it?  Where is the real value in facilitating recruitment?  How many of the HR superpowers have adopted a LinkedIn response?  These are just some of the questions associated with a large scale industry transformation like LinkedIn. There are lessons to be learned from the LinkedIn model and the execution of this business strategy.  Are you on LinkedIn??

READ THE ARTICLE

YourSAY™ 2012.2 Survey Results Revealed - Corporate Healthcare

Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder Corporate Vets

The second public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded February 9-17, 2012. The survey captured public opinion related to one of the most read InfoStream blogs in 2012 which reported the VCA Antech purchase of the remaining shares of Associated Veterinary Clinics (AVC), Canada's largest chain of clinics.

Read the VCA Story

Forty-two respondents participated in the PetLynx YourSAY™ 2012.2 forum featuring opinions about Corporate Vet Care. Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada.  

Highlights of  YourSAY™  2012.2:

• One-half of the participants felt negatively about the trend moving the delivery of animal healthcare toward large corporate entities and away from the owner/managed independent clinician. The remaining participants felt neutral about the trend [37%] or felt it was positive [13%].
• A slight majority of participants believe the rise of large corporate providers is inevitable due to modern healthcare demands.
• Two out of every three participants thought the capital required to deliver modern animal medicine disadvantages the independent owner/manager.
• The most common response categories for the implications of these resource demands included: financial impact, leveled care (e.g., specialist vs. generalist), pooling resources, consolidation of independent practices and collaboration
• Only one out of every ten participants viewed the investment of foreign capital in Canada, that is, the purchase of AVC by a large US corporation as positive.
• When framed 'as a local clinic backed by a large corporation', about one-quarter of respondents considered the move as positive .
• A slight majority of participants would expect to receive similar services from an independent owner/managed clinic versus a local clinic backed by a large corporation.
• The majority of participants thought they would get the best health services available and the lowest cost health services from an independent owner/managed clinic vs. a local clinic backed by a large corporation.

Demographics of  YourSAY™  2012.2:

·         Gender: 65% Female, 35% Male

·         Age: 9% 21-35 years old, 46% 36-50 years old, 46% 51 and older

·         Region: 41% Central, 37% Prairie, 13% Pacific, 9% Atlantic

·         Pets: 67% Dog owner, 63% Cat owner

·         Industry: 30% Animal Services, 30% Animal Welfare, 30% Animal Health and Wellness, 9% Animal Control and Enforcement

·         Executive Level: 24% C-Level Executive, 39% Senior Management, 22% Middle Management, 4% Individual Contributor, 11% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx. Copies of the complete 2012.2 YourSAY™ Survey Report including QT Verbatim, PowerPoint slides and Summary are available from PetLynx at a nominal cost.  
Please contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.

PetSmart Charities Accepting 2012 Grant Applications

Three million dollars to Animal Welfare since 1999

PetSmart Charities® of Canada is accepting 2012 applications for spay/neuter grants.  

The application system will be open from March 15, 2012 through April 15, 2012. 

VISIT THE PETSMART CANADIAN GRANT APPLICATION PAGE

About PetSmart Charities of Canada:

PetSmart Charities of Canada, Inc., (PCCI) is a registered charity that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raises awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promotes healthy relationships between people and pets. Since 1999, PCCI has granted more than $3 million to animal welfare agencies and, through its in-store pet adoption program, has helped save the lives of more than 130,000 pets.

Cisco Expects 18-fold Growth in Mobile Traffic in Next 5 Years

According to the new Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2011 to 2016, worldwide mobile data traffic will increase 18-fold over the next five years, reaching 10.8 exabytes per month – or an annual run rate of 130 exabytes – by 2016. 

Cisco reports that the expected sharp increase in mobile traffic is due, in part, to a projected surge in the number of mobile Internet-connected devices, which will exceed the number of people on earth. 


During 2011-2016, Cisco anticipates that global mobile data traffic will outgrow global fixed data traffic by three times. 


READ THE FULL REPORT

An interview with Petland’s, Amy Pawson

Petland “Share the Love” Donation Sticker Campaign a Success

Petland has been providing support and industry awareness to local communities for years. InfoStream had the opportunity to visit with Amy Pawson, Director of Operations, Petland Company Store Division, about the "Share the Love" Campaign, which ran from Feb. 1-14, 2012 in the Red Deer store.

InfoStream: Thanks for taking this time to speak with us, Amy. Can you please start off by telling us about the event, the goals and the stats you achieved with this event?
Pawson: Petland partnered with Alberta Animal Services (AAS) after attending the 2011 Regional Summits for Urban Animal Strategies in Red Deer. Together, we compared our visions, then took it to the next level by  partnering with in-store adoption space for AAS animals. We wanted to create awareness for adoptable animals, our partnership and what Alberta Animal Services does for the communities it serves.

The sticker donation campaign was driven by PetLand cashiers on the tills from Feb. 1-14. All donations were for Alberta Animal Services to reduce animal over population through spay and neuter programs. We are proud to say we raised $1,783.02. Our donation goal was to have at least 20% of people through the store donate and we achieved 21%. We also increased our Store Guest Flow from a goal of 12,106 and to 12,782. Overall we exceeded campaign goals and landed a very successful event.

On Saturday February 11th, 2012, we held an in-store event the goal of which was to promote Responsible Pet Ownership through pet identification, awareness of Alberta Animal Services and the in-store adoption partnership. We advertised through in store posters, staff promotion, radio public service announcements, radio commercials, an event radio remote, an Ad in the Red Deer Advocate newspaper and a Facebook online program.

InfoStream: What did customers find as they entered the store on the day of your event?
Pawson: We created a customer experience around adoptions. At the start of the event, we brought 12 adoptable animals into the store from Alberta Animal Services and now only 4 are left!

We also offered on-site Microchip implanting.  Twenty-six people had their pets permanently identified and registered in the PetLynx recovery system. Customers that heard about this offer came to see what the event was all about. Those who were not aware of the campaign were disappointed they hadn't brought their pet. Through this promotion, we learned there is a lack of information about microchips and recovery services as well as a misunderstanding about the implanting procedure. It turns out that many people are not implanting their pet with a microchip because they are scared about the effect of the procedure on the animal.

In addition, Alberta Animal Services had by-law officers available to educate and answer questions.  This created a softer feel about them and their role in the community. And of course for the children attending the event we gave away kids packages that included a tooth brush (for Dental Health month), a Petland colouring book and crayons. We also provided balloons and tattoos for the kids at the front of the store to engage them and provide interaction with the animals.

InfoStream: What other incentives did you have for the in-store event?
Pawson: Yes, we had three huge giveaways:
• A 1 year supply of pet food from  Hill's Science Diet
• A grooming package from Riverside Kennels and Spas
• A 1 year supply of Pet Health Insurance from Petsecure

InfoStream: Why was Red Deer chosen for this prototype event?
Pawson: We saw this as an opportunity to explore a more collaborative approach to the community with Riverside Kennels, Alberta Animal Services and our vendors. This event was not just a one-time, one-way initiative. This event has brought about new partnerships for us and has changed how we plan to do things in the future.

InfoStream: What would you say are the three top achievements of the event?
Pawson: The top three achievements would be the money raised, the animals that found new homes, and the awareness of the role each of us play as collaborators delivering services to pet families in the Red Deer community.

InfoStream: How do you feel this event has impacted the companion animal industry as well as the city of Red Deer?
Pawson: It has created awareness for collaboration in the companion animal industry throughout the community. The bylaw officers were a huge help in educating people on what exactly responsible pet ownership is and why proper identification can increase return-to-owner rates.

InfoStream: Based on the success of the event, are there plans to move an initiative like this to other Petland locations across Canada?
Pawson: Our next in-store launch will be at our Winnipeg location on March 3rd featuring an in-store adoption event for cats. Our goal is to obtain 1,001 donations for the Winnipeg Humane society and create awareness for the many adoptable animals they have in that community.

InfoStream: Amy, do you have any closing remarks about the event overall?
Pawson: It was nice to leave Red Deer knowing that we made an impact on the community. It reinforces for me why I do this job and why I work with organizations that understand a collaborative vision.  At the end of day it is about creating healthy communities for the pets and people we all serve. Everyone needs to play a role, we all have an impact and by working together we will all be more successful.

InfoStream: Thank you Amy for taking the time to share your vision and your achievements.  We wish you all the best at your future Petland events!

The Emerging Role of Machine to Machine (M2M) Collaboration

Dr. David Jacobson, Director of Emerging Technologies at PwC, discussed the emerging role of machine-to-machine (M2M) social networking and collaboration in last week’s RADIO IT World Canada’s weekly podcast.  These 10 minute interviews provide food for thought and education about the future of technology.


LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW

The Rogers Report on Technology is Fascinating

Rogers has released new results of its Rogers Innovation Report that regularly explores Canadians’ habits and views on technology.

The latest Report focuses on how technology users connect to family and friends and includes a survey that shows six in 10 (58%) Canadians cannot imagine life without the modern conveniences of texting, e-mail and social networking, while nearly four in 10 (39%) feel that staying connected with loved ones is equally as important as eating and sleeping. 

Among other findings, the Report reveals that women have a much stronger tendency than men to use technology as a tool for keeping close to those they care about.

And while young adults continue to rely heavily on newer technologies like texting to connect with friends and family, they still recognize situations when a traditional phone call is appropriate. 

READ THE ROGERS REPORT

An interview with PetLynx founder Larry R. Evans

An Indepth look at the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies


InfoStream:  The Summit program has become an industry-wide program that now involves all sectors of the industry and hundreds of thought leaders. How did it all begin?
Evans:  The Summit program grew out of an annual gathering of PetLynx clients which was first held in 2003.  By 2005 we realized that collaboration should be an industry goal and that a much broader representation was required.  So in the Fall of 2005, we held a dinner at the Rimrock Inn in Banff, Alberta and presented a plan to create the Summits.


InfoStream:  Who were the other industry participants that helped create this program?
Evans:  Among the founding thought leaders were: Jim Sykes, HBSPCA; Katherine Tremble-Taylor, P and G; Randy Valpy, Western Financial Insurance Company; Dr. Lynn Webster, Western Financial Insurance Company; Mario Vinet, CDMV; Patricia Cameron, Calgary Humane Society; and, Louis McCann, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada.


InfoStream:  So what did you and your colleagues see as the goal for the Summits?
Evans:  These leaders met and accepted the following vision and mission statements for the Summit program:

• Our vision is to gather executive level thought leaders who can advance the state of the art in urban animal strategies
• Our mission is to promote strategies that build healthy communities for pets and people and to recognize those who achieve success

InfoStream:  When was the first Summit held?
Evans:  In October 2006, the first International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies was held at the Banff Centre for Leadership Development with the theme of ‘Care in the Community’. The Summit featured several speakers fresh from the Katrina disaster response in Louisiana.  The Summit looked at how community resources could be brought together to meet such challenges in a collaborative fashion.


InfoStream:  As you look back what were the most important developments in the evolution of the Summits?
Evans:  I think there were three developments that carried the Summits to a different level:

• In April 2007, we delivered the first Regional Summit for ‘Associate’ level participants in Kitchener, Ontario. This program has now been expanded to four regions across Canada: Atlantic, Central, Prairie and Pacific. It is focused where the 'rubber hits the road' on managers that deliver services to the pet family.
• Also in October of 2007, we delivered the first of the Urban Animal Surveys and a fact/evidence base that could influence thinking about urban animal issues and the strategies that could be applied. The first survey was directed to 'Dangerous and Disruptive' pets in response to the challenges of breed-specific legislation.  In 2010/2011 we published the first Annual Report of Urban Animal Activities and we now expect to publish this report on a continuous basis.
• The third and possibly most controversial change came about in October 2010, when we invited Karen Dawson to facilitate an 'OpenSpace' session on the second day.  While this change seemed a bit risky at the time, OpenSpace has allowed industry conversations to form at the International Summit and continue online between these annual Summits. There are now several strategic conversations underway across Canada [Breeders, NCAC and Cats] that have arisen specifically from these sessions.

InfoStream:  What kind of recognition have the Summits achieved in Canada and abroad?
Evans:  The Summit Alumni and Associates have achieved recognition in several ways. The 2011 Summits were officially sanctioned as worldwide events under the Vet 2011 project. Recently, Summit programs have attracted attention from Europe, Austral-Asia and South America. While we expect our focus for the next year or two will continue to be North America, it's encouraging to see interest and ideas being shared with other markets.


InfoStream:  The Summit mission statement says you wish 'to recognize those who achieve success'. How successful has this peer recognition aspect of the program been?
Evans:  You are correct that a significant aspect of the Summit mission is peer recognition. The first program to launch was the Summit awards program. This program brings peer reviewed nominations to an academy style election of award recipients who are honoured at the National Awards Gala at the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies each Fall. In 2011 there were 12 Summit categories. Over the first six years, Alumni have conferred 50 national awards upon their peers.


InfoStream:  The underlying Summit objective seems to be about bringing industry peers towards more collaboration. What plans do you have to enhance peer-to-peer relationships in the industry?
Evans:  As we move into the seventh year of the Summit program we are launching a P2P [peer to peer] program that will expand recognition and relationships across the industry. Six designations [badges] will be used in the Social Media and Communications channel to promote professionalism and leadership development among industry peers:

• Advocates - There may be 12 in Canada
• Mentors  - There may be 30 in Canada
• Alumni - There are 169 in the International Summit program
• Associates - There are 249 in the Regional Summit program
• Collaborators - There are 1,569 in Canadian Collaborative programs
• Social Media and Communications - There are just over 40,000 stakeholders within the sound of our voice

InfoStream:  The Summits have been a 'big vision' and PetLynx has made good progress so far, where do you see the Summit program headed in the future?
Evans:  PetLynx is in the midst of one of the most exciting developments that I have lead in my career. We have created a new business unit at PetLynx Corporation. The Summit program, the Urban Animal Surveys, all business intelligence and all PetLynx market services have been incorporated into a unit called Marketing Services and Intelligence [MSI]. In this business area we are providing the communications channel and technical facilities to equip the ‘New Companion Animal Industry’ for this new era. The ‘will’ to become more collaborative is clearly evident. Even though there will be challenges to overcome, I think that everyone can observe the emergence of new relationships and a 4th wave of thinking in our industry. I am now confident that together with our industry colleagues we can deliver healthy communities for pets and people and that, after all, was the original vision of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.


InfoStream:  Thanks for sharing the vision and history of the Summits.

PetLynx to Support CVMA Committee Weekend

PetLynx Corporation is pleased to support the CVMA Committee Weekend and strategic planning activities, March 9-10, 2012, by providing two remarkable thought leaders –  Dr. Lisa Chen to present at the March 9 Council meeting and Dr. Alex Jadad to speak during the Saturday evening banquet, March 10.

Dr. Chen, a Market Analyst for PetLynx, will speak to a number of issues currently affecting the companion animal industry, including:

·  The proactive/reactive consumer – are we giving consumers the experience they want from their veterinarian? 

·     The experience gap – is there a difference between what consumers receive and what service providers think they are giving?

·    Planned wellness – can what you know about the proactive consumer and healthcare provide the tools they need to establish a care plan for the animals in the modern pet family?

Dr. Jadad, the sponsored dinner speaker, will create discussion on the topic ‘From medicine to health: A conceptual shift in the age of social media.’

For more information on how PetLynx can help with your corporate engagement, please call 403.219.1088.

 

Facebook Stores - Facts and Failures

Does the Retail Model Deliver?

A report by Ashley Lutz, which appeared yesterday on Bloomberg News suggests the Facebook retail model may not deliver.

Last April, Gamestop Corp. (GME) opened a store on Facebook to generate sales among the 3.5 Million-plus customers who’d declared themselves “fans” of the video game retailer. Six months later, the store was quietly shuttered.

Facebook, which this month filed for an initial public offering, has sought to be a top shopping destination for its 845 million members. The stores’ quick failure shows that the Menlo Park, California-based social network doesn't drive commerce and casts doubt on its value for retailers, said Sucharita Mulpuru, an analyst at Forrester Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“There was a lot of anticipation that Facebook would turn into a new destination, a store, a place where people would shop,” Mulpuru said in a telephone interview. “But it was like trying to sell stuff to people while they’re hanging out with their friends at the bar.”

A year ago, investors hailed so-called F-commerce as the next big thing, speculating that the company had potential to threaten Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) and PayPal Inc. Facebook is the most- visited website in the world.

READ THE WHOLE STORY

2011 Year of the Cat Report Released

The 2011 Year of the Cat focused awareness on the need for routine veterinary care, identification and spay/neuter procedures, which resulted in a better understanding of Canada's most popular pet – the cat.

Now available is an indepth look into the 2011 Year of the Cat campaign. Click here for the full report.

For more information on Year of the Cat, please contact Judi Cannon at judi.cannon@petlynxmail.com or 705.930.7387.

Euthanasia of dogs and cats drops in U.S.

Across the United States there has been a significant drop in the number of dogs and cats being euthanized at animal shelters. In fact, in 1970 there were 20 million pets euthanized in the U.S. and that number has dropped to about 3 million in 2011.

It is shown that pets are now more commonly living out their lives in pet care facilities and with families.

The decline in the number of animals being put down is due to changes within the standard of care for pets in America at shelters and by pet owners. A big part of this decline is a result of widespread awareness of appropriate pet ownership.

Read the complete story.

Standardized Web Identity? CNN Article Says Maybe

Standard credentials for everywhere on the web?

Read this CNN Story

Westminster Dog Competition: Best in Show 2012

The competition is now over at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York and a new Best in Show has been claimed.

Click here to read the full story.

The Regional Summit Cross Canada Tour set for April.

The 6th Annual Regional Summits of the Canadian Companion Animal Industry are set for April.  The map shows the location and date most convenient for each delegate.  


The 2012 edition of the Regional Summits brings forward a new format that gathers input from National Issues as well as reports on the National Conversations and Surveys that are underway.


Among those featured in the 2012 Summits are these:

• Sources of Urban Dogs and Cats
• Breeder Certification Program
• Research on Surrender and Abandonment
• YourSAY Report - Canadian Kennel Club
• YourSAY Report - Corporate Animal Health
• 20/20 Summary - The Proactive Consumer
• National Companion Animal Coalition/National Action Group
• Collaboration activities in each region

Fifty (50) seats have been reserved for each region. Delegates are invited to 'get the facts, have their say and move the industry'.  Registration is $250 including meals, breaks and hospitality. 


The Iams Early Bird Coupon contributes $100 to delegates registering prior to March 7th.  Contact Judi Cannon 705.930.7387 or click on Iams VIP to register.

Warren Buffett - Why Equity may be the Safest Investment

Warren Buffett always sees things in a simple, clear way.  If you're concerned about world events and the prospects of your investment portfolio - this Fortune article may be for you!

"Berkshire's goal will be to increase its ownership of first-class businesses. Our first choice will be to own them in their entirety -- but we will also be owners by way of holding sizable amounts of marketable stocks. I believe that over any extended period of time this category of investing will prove to be the runaway winner among the three we've examined. More important, it will be by far the safest."

READ THIS FORTUNE ARTICLE 

from the February 27, 2012 issue of Fortune.

DELOITTE’S SAYS: STRONG TABLET GROWTH TO CONTINUE IN CANADA

As new technologies go mainstream, new revenue streams replace old ones. Do you know where the new opportunities are?


Tablets will have the quickest “multi-anything” market penetration in history as Canadians continue to buy them in 2012, even if they already have one, according to Deloitte’s 11th annual global Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions 2012. The 2012 Canadian TMT Predictions, which accompanies the global report, are based on in-depth interviews and research, input from Deloitte clients and alumni, industry analysts, leading global TMT executives and more than 7,000 Deloitte TMT member firm practitioners. 


READ THE FULL REPORT

MOBILE GIVING: Hill's and Global Pets Raise Funds for Shelters

Global Pet Foods and Hill’s Science Diet are asking Canadian pet parents to make a donation to help raise funds for animal shelters across Canada during the 7th annual “Show Us Your Heart” campaign from February 1 to 14. Since 2005, the campaign has generated over $250,000 for the Global Pets and Animals Foundation.  As part of this year’s campaign, cell phone users can 
help support the Foundation by texting HEART to 20222 to donate $5. 


Information about Global Pets 


Information about Mobile Giving Foundation Canada

Meet Glenn Williams CEO of Western Financial Insurance Company

Glenn Williams recently became President and CEO of Western Financial Insurance Company (WFIC), Canada's largest and oldest Pet Insurance business.  InfoStream had an opportunity to visit with Glenn about his career, his experience and his vision for delivering the future at Western Financial.

InfoStream:  Glenn, thank you for granting us this interview and the opportunity to find out more about Western Financial.  How big is Western Financial Insurance Company and what kind of an impact has it had on the Canadian companion animal industry?


Williams:  Western Financial Insurance Company is Canada's largest companion animal insurer.  Last year we led the Canadian industry with almost 60% of the policies in force.  However, the metric that makes us most proud, is claims payouts.  Western Financial has paid out more than $122,000,000 since the company entered the market in 1989.  This level of commitment to communities, pet families and veterinarians is what we believe sets us apart from our competitors.  With respect to impact, Western underwrites policies for 5 different brands in Canada, which has raised awareness of pet insurance for all service providers and for all pet families.  I think this may be the greatest impact we have had on the insurance business.


InfoStream: As you look back on your career, what experience are you drawing on for this position?

Williams:  I started my business career in the summer of 1985.  Much of my early experience was related to being a Chartered Accountant with roles in audit or as a financial analyst.  As I gained experience, my curiosity about how business worked drew me into management roles in operations, technology and production.  By 1994, I was working as an executive level manager for Thomson Newspapers at the Winnipeg Free Press.  I was originally hired as VP Operations for Western, but since May of 2011, I  have been employed as the Chief Operating Officer. I bring a breadth of experience to this new role as CEO that will support the excellent sales, marketing and client service teams we have here at Western Financial.  


InfoStream: You now head Canada's largest and oldest pet insurance business, what new directions do you want to see Western Financial Insurance Company take as you approach the future? 


Williams:  In 2011, we completed a multi-year project to equip ourselves with a new operating system.  This was a long and expensive project that taxed our resources.  I feel that we are ready once more to become more agressive in the market, to invest in understanding the needs of clients more completely and to take a more active role in the industry collaborations where health and wellness are paramount.  I think our team can  now leverage our technology to add value to relationships and to maintain our role as the leader in underwriting and providing pet medical insurance.

InfoStream: We have the feeling that you see this new role as a big opportunity for you at this point in your career.  Can you elaborate on this?


Williams:  I do feel excited about this role. At Winnipeg Free Press I watched over the transformation of a centuries old newspaper business that held a solid position as the primary distributor of information.  It feels to me like Western also stands on the threshold of a transformation that will bring new approaches to meeting the needs of an informed and proactive consumer.  We can imagine this transformation will bring more choices for care profiles, a more interactive approach to wellness and a more satisfying way of managing the risks our clients have. Western brings a team that is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of this new day.

InfoStream:  Canada will see the arrival of two large competitors shortly.  How will Western respond to the competitive pressure and maintain the leading position in the Canadian market?


Williams:  Well, I think your readers need to see the market as it really is.  First, for all of the success we have enjoyed, Western has only scratched the surface of a very large market.  The industry as a whole only supplies service to about 2% of the dogs and cats in Canada.  Second, current practices are unlikely to reach the clients whose requirements are NOT now being met.  Finally, with so much market left to service, there is room for additional brands that bring well known approaches to serving clients. However, for Western to maintain its position, we will have to embrace change, lead the brands we underwrite into new services and perform more attentively as a company.  I am confident that we are on a path that will deliver a leading position in this industry. 


InfoStream:  Glenn, thanks for this.  We wish you good fortune with your new position!

CEO, Bob McDonald speaks about P&G, the Poor and Profits

 

The CEO of P&G, is in charge of the largest expansion in the history of the company.  He faces civil unrest, political instability and many other challenges as he moves to touch another billion people who may live on only a dollar or two a day.

Using a combination of corporate programs that are philanthropic and for profit, he sees the opportunity where many do not.  Mr. McDonald  presents a unique view of the world that incorporates the personal needs of the foreign nationals he serves and the shareholders for whom he toils.  

Read the interview

2012.2 YourSAY™ Survey - Animal Healthcare in Canada

Recently VCA Antech announced the purchase of the remaining shares of Associated Veterinary Clinics (AVC), an investment reported to be worth $77million USD.  AVC is Canada's largest chain of clinics with 44 clinics in three provinces and annual revenues of $95 million CAN. 

Read the VCA Story

This story is one of the most read InfoStream blogs in 2012.  We'd like to collect your personal opinions as a thought leader in the Canadian industry to illuminate future discussions of Animal Healthcare in Canada.  

This YourSAY™ survey will close on Thursday, 16 February 2012 at midnight.  You may start and stop your participation to serve your convenience until you push the 'finished' button or until the survey closes. Click this link to respond to the survey:

 2012.2 YourSAY Survey

  

Your identity is protected and cannot be associated with the opinions you express.  Summary results of the 2012.2 survey will be reported to industry on Thursday, 23 February 2012.  

See what Canada's leaders had to say about the CKC.  The 2012.1 YourSAY survey was reported on Friday, 03 February 2012. 

2012.1 YourSAY Report

Thank you,

PetLynx Corporation

Market Services and Intelligence

The future is collaborative! 

How talking pets helped the SPCA

An incredible story of how one man from Halifax, ‘talking pets’ and social media, affected the lives of companion animals at the Nova Scotia SPCA, raising over $25,000 from the popular Youtube channel Talking Animals.

The popularity of the Youtube channel and comedic videos such as Ultimate Dog Tease and Cats talking, translation, lead to all the profits from the Talking Animals merchandise being donated to the Nova Scotia SPCA.

Read the full story here.

Pfizer India sells Animal Health Division

Dow Jones reports that Pfizer India has sold the Animal Health Division in keeping with the parent company's strategy of exiting animal health, nutrition businesses.

The move is part of the U.S. parent's aim of reorganizing its operations in a manner that will give it the most flexibility to focus on its core pharmaceuticals business. About 80% of Pfizer Ltd.'s sales come from the pharmaceuticals division.  "The decision to get out of the animal health business is positive for Pfizer as the division's margins were below those of its main pharmaceuticals business," said an analyst at a local brokerage.

Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read said last week that the company remains on track with its timeline of finalizing strategic decisions for the animal health and nutrition businesses this year.  He added that the company continues to expect that any separation of these businesses from Pfizer will occur between July 2012 and July 2013. 

Puppies or Robots - Children's Choice in Companions

Unless Your Dog Can Teach Math, Robots May Become Kids’ Favourite Companions in the Future 

Maybe it’s just an American Gen X thing, but what shapes my conception of robots in the home is the TV cartoon of the 1970s, “The Jetsons.” Rosie the Robot was amazing. She helped the family with housekeeping, cooking and keeping that dog, Astro, out of trouble during his daily hijinx. Boy, as a mother of three young children now, I could really use a Rosie the robot at my house!

Interestingly enough, kids imagine a whole different level of companionship from a robot. About 350 kids from six countries (Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, the UK and the US) were asked, “What would happen if robots were a part of your everyday life?” Only one in four of them had a “Rosie” in mind who would help with household chores.

Although there were some answers that revolved around game playing, the most notable responses were that robots would help them with homework. And… do a better job at helping than parents because not only could they help with spelling and math mistakes, but they could provide constructive criticism as non-judgmental friends without making kids feel self-conscious or embarrassed. Kids also felt that robots could help them think more critically, so instead of just being a vehicle of knowledge content, they would be an interactive tool in helping kids explore, create and collaborate.

To read the whole story: http://ow.ly/8Q9iL

 

PetHealth reports Microchip movements in US, UK and Canada

PetHealth a leading provider of companion animal RFID technology for pets announced record microchip sales in January following strong growth in 2011.

The Company reported sales of 130,250 microchips in January, up 20.3% from January 2011 and surpassing the Company's previous monthly record of 121,895 microchip sales in August 2011. The increase in sales was driven in large part by record sales in the United Kingdom and the Company's introduction of the MiniChip, a much smaller microchip ideally suited for cats, kittens and smaller dogs. The January results come on the back of the Company's record sales of 1,341,000 microchips in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom for 2011.

Sales in microchips also helped drive a record number of registrations in the Company's 24PetWatch database, with over 98,000 new pets registered in January, bringing the total number of pets registered to over 5.3 million. The 24PetWatch database plays a key role in Pethealth's insurance and non-insurance operations alike and is supported by an in-house call centre that received nearly 22,000 inbound calls in January resulting in a record of over 7,400 unit sales of identification tags, Emergency Care policies, and annual and lifetime maintenance plans.

Microchips are sold through an extensive network of outlets which totaled 5,657 across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom in 2011.

YourSAY 2012.1 - Canada's Thought Leaders speak of CKC

The first public opinion poll of 2012 is reported.  

The PetLynx YourSAY forum for 2012.1 totaled 1,698 thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada.  Over three hundred (325 or 19.14%) of these thought leaders reviewed YourSAY 2012.1.  Fewer of these reviewers (75 or 23.07%) completed the poll, down from 104 in March 2011, which is the last time a YourSAY poll featured CKC as the subject matter.

Although, fewer thought leaders expressed an opinion about CKC than in March of 2011, more respondents were CKC members (23%) in 2012 than in 2011 (15%).

Highlights from YourSAY 2012.1:

• Value that CKC contributes for almost all categories remained virtually the same as 2011, (just above the mid-point in value ratings).  
• The perception of CKC’s contribution to the Industry Codes of Conduct for non-purebred breeders declined this year (from 3.7 to 3.1)
• Sixty percent of the respondents provided an opinion on recent leadership changes.  Of the opinions expressed 82% felt the changes were Neutral or Progressive.
• Twenty-nine percent of respondents felt the biggest challenge facing the new leadership of CKC was to be a "team player" building industry relationships.
• Thirty-five percent of respondents felt that CKC should reinvent its structure and brand.

Demographics of YourSAY 2012.1:

• 62% Female
• 38% Male
• 14% 21-35 years old
• 48% 36-50 years old
• 38% 51 and older
• 42% Central Region
• 24% Prairie Region
• 22% Pacific Region
• 12% Atlantic Region
• 89% Dog owner
• 51% Cat owner
• 37% Animal Services
• 21% Animal Control and Enforcement
• 20% Animal Welfare
• 17% Animal Health and Wellness
• 15% C-Level Executive
• 37% Senior Management
• 27% Middle Management
• 10% Individual Contributor
• 17% Identified themselves as Breeders of Dogs

YourSAY public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx.  Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost.  Contact Judi Cannon if you wish to procure a copy.