The Bedford Consulting Group

The innovation imperative: How CEOs can deliver the type of innovation they seek

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:34:00 +0000

In this article from chiefexecutive.net, Peter Maulik sets out a roadmap to "make the most of the moment, to set your company up for greatness and be in the best position to deliver results in the new decade." Read the article in its entirety here.

Pursuing personal excellence together...

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:03:00 +0000

Read this article from chiefexecutive.net which is a Q&A from the world's fastest man Usain Bolt and his coach Glen Mills. It gives some interesting insights into the process of translating potential into achievements.

How to keep your best executives

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:48:00 +0000

In this article from the Wall Street Journal last week, the authours give insight into an often overlooked facet of talent management during tough economic times "Companies that neglect the issue during a downturn maybe in for a nasty surprise when things start looking up." Read the article on the Wall Street Journal website here.

When the complete stranger is better suited than the boss

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Check out this article from the Globe & Mail which points to some interesting research that suggests "decision makers who share a psychological connection with their predecessors....are subconsciously motivated to continue past policies and investment rather than make big changes." Read the article in its entirety here.

No time to waste getting back into fighting form

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:35:00 +0000

"Even amid a downturn, unexpected opportunities await executives who can capitalize on their firms' internal strengths" says McKinsey's Jiri Maly in this article that appeared in the Globe & Mail last week. Mr. Maly points to a recent McKinsey study that found adaptable organizations are more likely to thrive coming out of downturn. Read the article on the Globe & Mail website here.

Glint of jobs seen in mining

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:05:00 +0000

"I think the optimism is increasing as we go forward" says Bedford Managing Partner Russ Buckland, in this article that appeared in the Financial Post last week. The article posits that mining executives are moving out of "survival mode" and beginning to bolster their teams. Read the whole article on the Financial Post website here.

"Coaching the team" launched by The Bedford Consulting Group and Leadership Advisor Dr. John Burdett

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Nothing defines business possibility more clearly than the quality, capability, flexibility and speed of response of the key teams that populate your organization. The Bedford Consulting Group and Leadership Advisor Dr. John Burdett, have launched a Coaching the team assessment tool. The proprietary workbook will allow team leaders and/or team members to "step back and reflect on the quality of the team that is being led or that they are part of...providing a platform to orchestrate the changes needed to "coach" the team to the next level." Contact The Bedford Consulting Group for more details.

Even in a tough market, execs ready to jump ship

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:25:00 +0000

Take a look at this article which highlights the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) regarding executive tenure.

Times are right for the silent type

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:51:00 +0000

Tough times call for a different type of leadership, but what kind of leadership qualities are desirable in our economic environment? We tend to associate the hardened, outgoing leaders who take control and shoot from the hip as the type of leaders that are successful in tough times. But this is not necessarily the case according to workplace expert Jennifer Kahnweiler in her new book The Introverted Leader: Building on You Quiet Strength, read the synopsis of her argument here on the Globe & Mail website.

Bedford hosts mining executive roundtable

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:11:00 +0000

On May 25th, 2009, Bedford Resources hosted a Mining Executive Roundtable at which some 12 senior executives from a variety of base metal producers, EPCM contractors and intermediate and junior firms attended to discuss, in-camera, how their firms have been dealing with the turbulence in financial markets and the impact on their operations. The group also discussed how they were planning for the rebound and reviewed some of the results from the recently released Bedford Resources Global Mining Survey.

In praise of dullness

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:31:00 +0000

This article, which appeared in the New York Times in May, explores the most important characteristics and abilities for a CEO. The conclusions drawn may surprise you, check out the article here.

Mining execs on recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Take a look at this blog entry regarding Bedford's Global Mining Survey by Senior Writer Sharda Prashad of Canadian Business online, read the bog entry on the Canadian Business website here.

Google develops algorithm to stem talent loss

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Check out the interesting approach Google has undertaken to attenuate the "brain drain." Read the article here.

Canadian survey of world's leading mining executives reveals surprising optimism for industry recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:18:00 +0000

An international report released this week by the Bedford Consulting Group illustrates optimism for the international mining industry for 2009. Read the key findings of the report Bedford_MiningReport2009.pdf

Managing Director Howard Pezim on 680News

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Listen to Bedford's Managing Director Howard Pezim discuss on 680News why inspirational leadership is a key characteristic for CEOs to have during tough economic times. Pezim_680News.mp3

Hiring smart: It's who, not what, that matters

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:15:00 +0000

In this morning's Globe and Mail, Harvey Schachter reviews the book "Who" by Geoff Smart and Randy Street of ghSmart, strategic partners with the Bedford Group. Read the review on the Globe and Mail website here.

How a positive outlook helps business

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:22:00 +0000

"A downturn is also a great time to snatch up new talent and get a head start on the war on talent, which will resume in full force once the economy picks up" says the CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Perrin Beatty, in this interesting article by Alexandra Lopez-Pacheco, from Monday's Financial Post. The article explores how having a positive outlook can increase the odds of small businesses surviving difficult times. Check out the article here.

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion leads charge in wave of tech sector hires

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:09:00 +0000

"This is the exact time to invest- if you can- because not only is there opportunity, but there are lots of resources out there" says Founder and Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis. Check out the article here and see how RIM ( and other Canadian-based tech companies) are anticipating waves of hires as the broader Canadian economy sheds jobs.

Presidents & CEOs: The letter you should be writing in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Check out this interesting letter written by Gregg Thompson, President of Blueprint Leadership Development. The letter is written from the perspective of a President/CEO looking back at 2009. View the letter here.

Tricky manoeuvre

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:06:00 +0000

In yesterday's Globe & Mail, a thought provoking article by Eric Reguly on true leadership in turbulent times, the man behind Italian auto maker Fiat's turnaround, Italian-Canadian Chief Executive Officer, Sergio Marchionne. Read the article here.

Managing through a crisis: The new rules

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:44:00 +0000

In the January 19th issue of BusinessWeek, Emily Thorton pens an interesting article on how leaders can effectively manage through the economic crisis, " The pie is getting smaller, and less nimble rivals are getting weaker. Don't wait for your competitors to fall to the ground. Hire away their best people while taking steps to make sure they don't grab yours." Read the whole article on the BusinessWeek website here.

Meet your new leader...

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:06:00 +0000

In the November issue of Fortune magazine, Senior Writer Jennifer Reingold explores how the fallout from the financial crisis could very well breed a new type of corporate leader. Read the article in its entirety here.

For true leaders, a crisis just might be a terrible thing to waste

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:13:00 +0000

"To those of you in leadership positions...It is truly time to lead, follow, or get out of the way" says Daniel Muzyka in todays Globe & Mail, where he pens a thought provoking piece on the quintessential value that strong leadership can provide during rough economic periods. Read the article here (subscription required).

Moving upward in a downturn

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:46:00 +0000

Check out this interesting article from Harvard Business Review, which was originally published in 2001 after the dot-com bubble burst. The authour, Darrell Rigby, studied hundreds of companies and found that the recession winner placed counterintuitive bets to outperform slumping competitors. Read the article here.

Managing employees in a downturn

noreply@blogger.com (Darren Raycroft) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:57:00 +0000

This article in the November issue of BusinessWeek tackles a number of prescient issues surrounding talent management in an economic downturn "... smart leaders see downturns as having plenty of upside, too. Talent is cheaper." Read the whole article here.