Business thoughts while building the family “Pram”

by David Rankin | Aug 19, 2020 | Insights Blogs

I took advantage of the pandemic-forced business disruption (we temporarily shut down our operations) and completed a project languishing in my garage for the last year. The family sailing pram – which needed a solid 45 days of my attention before we could launch –...

Prepping to fail – Does it happen in today’s business?

by David Rankin | Jul 25, 2018 | Insights Blogs

I, like many out there, love history and in particular how it repeats itself. With so much going on both politically and in business here in Canada, I’ve been thinking about life’s fast pace and ways we can improve our chances for success. Both Baden-Powell and...

Interruption – Do you talk more than you listen?

by David Rankin | Feb 13, 2018 | Insights Blogs

It’s now post-holiday as I write this blog. Family get-togethers are history, treats all consumed and the New Year has arrived with the usual Toronto winter bluster. This is a great time to reflect and analyze what worked and didn’t work last year and perhaps...

Join the Smart Team

by David Rankin | Mar 21, 2017 | Insights Blogs

  I recently attended a national real estate conference in Toronto and had the pleasure of sitting with Gordon Campbell, former High Commissioner to the UK and a former B.C. Premier. I have met Premier Campbell many times when I was at UBC so I thought it would...

Flat Squirrel Syndrome? Doesn’t have to be your affliction!

by David Rankin | Jan 5, 2017 | Insights Blogs

A phrase I saw displayed in poster format in a Toronto firm’s conference room sparked some thought.  It said “The road of life is paved with flat squirrels that couldn’t make a decision”. We have all seen the poor squirrel confronted on the busy roadway facing big...