Month: April 2013

Spotlight: Canada’s Green Technology Leader – Energate

 About The Founder

NIRAJ BHARGAVA, BASc, MBA, ICD.D Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Energate Inc.

NIRAJ BHARGAVA, BASc, MBA, ICD.D Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Energate Inc. Niraj Bhargava is Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energate Inc., a company specializing in home energy management solutions. Previously, Niraj was President and CEO of Enerstat Limited, the company that first commercialized the electronic programmable thermostat. After Enerstat, Niraj became a faculty member in Entrepreneurship at Queen’s University, Founder and CEO of Queen’s Centre for Enterprise Development, and then Dean of the Business School at Royal Roads University. Earlier in his career, Niraj practiced engineering at Bell-Northern Research, marketing and business development at Northern Telecom and General Electric, and was General Manager of GE Energy Management. Niraj has a BASc from University of Waterloo and an MBA from Ivey Business School, including an International Business Certificate from Stockholm School of Economics. With his degree in Systems Design Engineering, Niraj received his Professional Engineering license in 1989.

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A Prayer for Mercy In Time of Trouble

By: Jerome Downey

Positive Impacts of Religious Awareness

After talking to my 76 year old grandmother I was inspired to share a bible verse she recited to me after we discussed the challenging week it has been in the news regarding the loss of life and violence which has transpired. I don’t attend church as regularly as I once did in my youth however as I grow older I have become more aware of the positive impacts religion has played in my life.

Within the African Nova Scotian culture there is a strong connection to the church within the community. The African United Baptist Association (AUBA) was founded in Nova Scotia and has been in existence since 1818. Drawing from this history and understanding of my culture I personally identify with a lot of traditional Southern Black Gospel music, it has an empowering emotional and strong impact on the listener. This is one of my favourite Gospel genre songs these days I hope you enjoy!

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY8dIRbhIug” title=”A%20Prayer%20for%20Mercy%20In%20Time%20of%20Trouble%20″]

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Royal Bank Takes Social Finance Leadership

By: JeromeDowney

Recently the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) suffered a public relations setback with the announcements of the outsourcing of  jobs within the banks internal administrative IT division. This type of negative media focus has been prevalent since the 2008 financial crisis for many banks. With record job losses, home foreclosures and the rise of predatory B lending capital there has been no shortage of material for public’s scrutiny. However with that said positive solutions must come out of this financial crisis one way or another. And that is where the concept of social finance as a new financial tool of lending capital has an opportunity to succeed.

rbc-web

A Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) logo is seen at a branch in Toronto. (© Mark Blinch / Reuters/Mark Blinch /REUTERS)

Finance As a Tool of Equity and Growth

The financial service sector has always been an engine of economic growth for North America’s economy. The development of different financial instruments, products, services and credit approval criteria has revolutionized how money is exchanged between consumers and merchants. In Canada our finances have become increasingly digitized. We have online banking, secured/unsecured credit cards, and simple debt cards. We have online equity trading platforms and a verity of other tools that enables the economic flow of capital. However there has been little development on the technology of lending criteria. The big question social finance can help us answer is “How do we value the human element of capital”?

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching

Professional Development

I have always encouraged and supported the practice and development of professional executive coaching. Any young or seasoned professional that is developing businesses or working within established corporations can gain and benefit from the insights of a coach in the business world.  Nikoleta understands the challenges of today’s business leaders.  And it is for that reason that I highly recommend Nikoleta & Associates services particularly for those within my network who want to take things to the next level. 

Founder of Nikoleta & Associates.

Founder of Nikoleta & Associates.

The Power of Executive Coaching

The process of becoming a leader involves commitment to growth, courage and penetrating guidance.  At Nikoleta & Associates, we offer executive coaching and leadership development services designed to forge each client’s individual journey.

Executive Coaching – Executive coaching begins where the clients are, not where they think they should be – at Nikoleta & Associates, this is the origin of the journey.  Executive coaching can accelerate a leader’s commitment to growth, propel team effectiveness and cohesion, and serve a strategic purpose for transition.  Nikoleta & Associates is committed to helping executives garner the full opportunity that transitions offer, whether these transitions are between traditional jobs, between roles within a firm, or the day to day mini-transitions that highlight the executive’s inner challenges to growth and self-authorization

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