Culture Council

The easing of COVID sanctions sent droves of shoppers back to physical stores, convinced that a bit of retail therapy would provide a cure for their two-year bout with cabin fever. The most recent numbers from Statistics Canada reveal that in-store purchases account for 93.5% of monthly retail activity. The …

As the ones who are deeply involved in the day-to-day running of a business, employees often have the best insights about what does and doesn’t work in a company. When you’re a leader, figuring out what employees think about how operations could be improved can be a vital part of …

In the past, storytellers depended on publishers to release, market and sell their work. However, if you are a new writer and not Stephen King, you’ll likely have a hard time getting them to invest in you if you choose to go this route. It can be frustrating and, sometimes, …

The holiday season is all about giving, and just because a business is for-profit doesn’t mean it can’t participate in doing a little good for its community. Whether their focus is on local communities or a larger cause, businesses big and small can do their part to show their customers …

As a brand marketer, I often notice how consumer packaged goods companies create narrow definitions of their markets. That is, after all, what makes for cost-effective marketing. “Define your customer!” — that’s what we’re all taught in marketing school, whether it was an academic program or the school of life. …

Warning: Before reading these best practices on creativity, I must warn you that there are side effects from reading this article that include: Reaching a new creative elevation, developing a numbness for naysayers and feeling a constant flow of new ideas. (Please discontinue reading this article if you are afraid …

The adage “content is king” exists for a reason, and nearly every modern business has taken it to heart. It’s easier than ever to publish your thoughts and perspectives on multiple online channels. However, with the sheer volume of content, it’s hard to break through the noise and get your …

I recently took a trip to San Diego — no internet, no distractions, just the book Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, my Pinetti journal and my Cartier pen. For six days, my goals were to read, write, meditate, not crash a motorcycle, and play some golf. Upon arrival, I picked up …

In early 2020, the cannabis industry achieved a major milestone. At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, state governments quickly declared cannabis dispensaries “essential” businesses, allowing them to remain open during mandated shutdowns of many other retail and service industries. In other words, they were permitted to operate much like …