businesses, and then relating information we get from them to the various levels of government — municipal, provincial and federal. But, I really believe the challenges we face are outweighed by our current regional assets and potential. Cup of Joe: In your research have you encountered the stereotype of this region as being a militant labour area, which may cause new businesses to be hesitant about looking to Windsor? Many would suggest that while this may have been a label Windsor Essex deserved decades ago, our current labour force certainly doesn’t reflect this reality today. SM: On a higher level one of the things that has become apparent to me is that the strengths and assets of this region are not well known, sometimes even within the region itself, let alone by outsiders. We need to step back and be able to see the forest for the trees and acknowledge the good things that are going on. And unless this Corporation works to update the region’s brand image and reputation, driven by data informing of the facts, then, by default, the position is maybe a 40 year-old perception continues to linger. In my short time here I can confidently say that reputation you speak of is not deserved. Too often labour disputes make great headlines and the rhetoric of two sides give rise to unfair and inaccurate conversations. Outsiders look not so much for whether there is a union or not, but if there is harmony and a partnership relationship between the two sides, providing a consistency that can be counted on for immediate and for longer periods of time. So I look forward to doing what I can in this regard and dispelling outdated perceptions. Cup of Joe: How important is it to foster good relations with partners such as Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) and our schools of higher education? Specifically, I point to the success of the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and how, through their presence in our region in the past few years, we have been able to improve
this region’s doctor shortage through the retention of out-of-town students who studied here and subsequently chose to remain here after graduation. SM: Again, I’ve only been here eight days but it is already clear to me that the wonderful assets and news of this region, including the quality of life, is not getting out there. I can say with confidence that as an outsider becoming an insider, this is a message we will work hard to get out. And the message will be fact driven. It’s not going to be a flowery lipstick on a pig approach, because that is not required. There are great things happening here and we are going to work hard to promote those and work hard to change old and unfair images. I’ve always considered tourism as an industry buster; it’s a little bit different and special, but it’s just as important as the automotive industry, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging industries. I’ve always looked for the synergies with tourism whose mandate is to promote the assets of the region. Because while businesses looking to expand here will look at business cases to be made, they also look at the quality of life their employees will require. They want to know what kind of amenities, schools, affordable housing, safety, low crime statistics, entertainment and recreation the region has to offer. And so you can count on the fact that we will work very closely with the tourism people. Cup of Joe: What importance do you give the fact that this region is the fourth most culturally diverse region per capita, behind Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal? SM: I can tell you that from my professional and personal perspective — and that of my wife as well — the multiculturalism component of this region was a big plus for both of us in accepting this position. We have lived and worked together in three different countries now and clearly understand the importance of cultural diversity from a business as well as a personal perspective. It is really helpful when you are recruiting internationally and addressing the cultural
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and social concerns that companies might have, that we can proudly demonstrate our ethnic organizations and diversity. Just look at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College with the numbers of international students making Windsor their temporary home. Many of them choose to stay on here after graduation and oftentimes become a liaison to businesses back in their homeland. Cup of Joe: Stephen, here’s a hypothetical scenario for you. As the new CEO of WEEDC, you’ve been asked to address the first-year class of the Odette School of Business and let them know what their future will be like in this region four years from now when they graduate with their MBA. What do you say to them? SM: Joe, that is an excellent question. I would tell our young Millennials that the future is a very positive future, that whatever career they hope to pursue will be available for them whether it be in the more traditional fields like automotive, or in the emerging innovation and technology fields. The programs taught here help nurture existing businesses, and to start up new businesses. And there are so many diverse businesses to choose from, for example: entertainment businesses, or ICT Communication, etc. I would appeal to the students to come outside their comfort zone and to explore and engage the myriad of possibilities before them. I would encourage them to have a voice in their future. As a matter of fact, we are going to be running a campaign to identify and recruit a youth representative board member for the Development Corporation. And then our office location, located right across the street from the EPICentre, allows for a complementary relationship between our youth start-up programs and business start-up programs, and their programs with innovation as the driving force behind all our clusters. Joe, I would thoroughly enjoy the opportunity of making such an address to these Millennials, so even though this is a hypothetical, I’d appreciate if you could maybe help set that up (laughter).
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