Inside: SOS: Please Someone Help Me Message from Dean Banks P. 4
Contents
Klara Raic President Design Editor Rochelle Heinrichs Editor-in-Chief Cathy Phung Assistant Editor Catherine Tong VP Human Resources Lilly Chen VP Marketing Irina Ilie Promotions Chris Li Promotions Dhruv Agarwal Finance Manager Roderick Barrie Web Editor Promotions Ena Petrovich Layout Design Rosalie Eid Photography Arooba Kahn Columnist Leeza Pece Columnist Victoria Craig Columnist
The views and opinions shared by some columnists do not necessarily represent those of Atrium Media Group
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Message from the AMG President Klara Raic
9 SOS: Please Someone Help Me Mike Gregor
3 Message from the AMG Editor-InCheif Rochelle Heinrichs
12 10 Things to Know about Laurier Uma Durrani
4 Message from the Dean William Banks
14 My First Apartment... Help! Rochelle Heinrichs
4 Messege from the SBESS President Dragana Savic
15 What is innovation in 2011? Arooba Kahn
5 How to... Survive First Year BBA Leeza Pece
16 PrinterOn: The New Stage of the Internet Cherise Carlaw
6 The Great Dilemma: Co-op or No Co-op? Klara Raic
18 An Interview with Jillian Swartz Uma Durrani
8 How to Survive (and Succeed at) New Venture Victoria Craig
From the President... W
elcome!
Welcome to Waterloo, welcome to Laurier, welcome to SBESS and welcome to the Atrium Media Group! We exist for you, the students of Laurier and the SBE, to express yourself Klara Raic and get the word out to hundreds of President kraic@sbeatrium.com your peers, faculty, staff and the community. We publish three issues of Atrium Magazine each year, filled with articles to help you, inform you and challenge you. If you ever want to share something interesting or get the word out about an issue, submit an article to us. You can contact articles@sbeatrium.com, or you can join our team and become a permanent writer. You can apply for many other positions as well, such as marketing and promotion, design, photography and more. If you want to get involved in the SBE, join AMG – we’re always hiring! Check out www.sbeatrium.com for applications and information on the positions.
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On behalf of the entire AMG team, have an awesome first year!
From the Editor-in-Chief...
elcome, First Years!
It’s nearing the end of O’Week and you’re probably tired of hearing about all the “firsts” you’re going to experience, all the ways you can get involved, how hard you’ll have to work or how many times you’ll get Rochelle Heinrichs lost in the Peter’s building. I’ll make this brief. Editor-In-Cheif rheinrichs@sbeatrium.com
Over the summer we have been working hard to bring you this issue – it’s entirely for first years! We have detailed the ins and outs of Laurier and given you a close-up look at local success stories. We’ve also showcased numerous SBE clubs to let you know about all the great opportunities available at Laurier. I know you’ve probably heard about these opportunities all week, but this is by far the best thing about WLU: by getting involved, you are able to change what you see or be a catalyst for something good. There are countless clubs, numerous support groups, boards, conferences, teams and more special events than you could count. If you want to support something – join a group and rally behind it! If you are a natural leader, apply as an executive! It all comes down to how you want to experience the next four years. Seizing these opportunities will not only make you happier and more excited about Laurier, it will give you the experience you need to jumpstart your career.
While working on this issue, I couldn’t help reminisce about my first year and how it is literally unlike anything else you’ll experience in life. Living in a dorm with hundreds of strangers (soon to be friends), getting to know an entirely new environment, learning the ins-and-outs of university life…it’s definitely a unique adventure, filled with some of the most frightening and exciting moments of your youth.
I think the best way to go about this year is by enjoying every moment. No, I’m not telling you to slack off and party often – I mean don’t worry yourself sick about finding your class or taking the right notes. These things will come with time and practice. Instead, enjoy the nights you and your floor-mates watch ANTM in the lounge. Seize opportunities to meet new people, try (and maybe fail) new things and learn along the way. Now that I’m in fourth year, I definitely don’t miss being back in first year, but I can appreciate all the experiences I had. I worked hard (most of the time), had fun and learned more than I probably wanted to. Just go for it because you’re only in first year once! Good luck!
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Message from the Dean W
elcome back. As a 30-year veteran faculty member and as recently being appointed the Acting Dean of SBE, I have a great adventure that I would like all of you to consider. The adventure goes well beyond your four years at Laurier. At Laurier you will get a great education. You are learnWilliam Banks ing accounting, marketing, economics, etc. You are also networking and learnDean ing life skills from the many activities around the School. The great adventure that I am talking about comes from a keynote speech made by one of our recent alumni at an alumni dinner. This student speaker made the following statement: “You have been given a great gift – you are among the brightest students in the province, you have the gift of intelligence, a great mind and the opportunity to follow your star. But, what is your responsibility? Because of these gifts you have a responsibility to make a
difference, a positive difference in our complex world of competing approaches and philosophies. Think about the global challenges – poverty, terrorism, starvation, slavery, false imprisonment.” Part of your future should be to wrestle with these great issues. If you don’t make a positive difference on these issues – who will? Enjoy and expand during the education and social process at Laurier. There is much to learn, much to discuss and much to do. Our goal at Laurier is to inspire lives of leadership and purpose. Make our goal your goal! Good luck to you all and embrace your great adventure. Sincerely, William Banks, PhD, FCA Acting Dean
Message from the President of the T
o the SBE class of 2015:
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Wilfrid Laurier University School of Business & Economics—the top business school in Canada—and your home for the next four years.
Dragana Savic In choosing Laurier, you have opened` SBESS President the door to endless opportunities that dragana.savic@sbess.com many others do not have access to. Over the next four years you will have access to first-rate professors, supportive staff and administration, well-respected employers and industry professionals, and the top student leaders in the country. You now have the opportunity to become an integral part of the Laurier community; to get involved, to challenge yourself, and to make a difference within the school. Having been in your shoes three years ago, I could never have imagined that I would be where I am to-
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day and that I would have had such incomparable opportunities and experiences during my time here. I want you to feel the same way three years from now, so I challenge you to make the most of every experience. Get involved with student activities, engage yourself in everything that Laurier and the SBE has to offer, and take the time to get to know your professors and peers. For more information in regards to the opportunities and resources available to you, as well as to find out how you can further get involved with the School of Business & Economics Students’ Society (SBESS) and our SBE Clubs, please visit www.sbess.ca. I am excited to meet each one of you and to see all of the great things that you accomplish over the next year! Dragana Savic President School of Business & Economics Students’ Society
How to... Survive First Year BBA
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ou’ve already been accepted to Laurier’s BBA program and by now you’ve probably heard it all—rumours and horror stories included. Not to worry! The following list will help you survive Get a head start on New Venture. Head your first year and come out in May unscathed.
Leeza Pece Columnist lpece@sbeatrium.com
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Be friendly with your New Venture group. You’ll be spending countless hours with the same people and it can be an ugly situation if no one gets along. Exchange numbers and establish good communication right away.
Schedule your time. Directly after reading this, head straight to the bookstore and purchase a wall calendar. After the first week of classes, go through each course syllabus and mark down all assignment, test and midterm dates.
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Try to prepare for class. We admit it can be difficult to balance school, extracurriculars and friends, but professors tend to move quickly –reading ahead is a great advantage!
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to your first BU111 tutorial with a few ideas up your sleeve. The project can seem in`timidating, but this will give your group a starting point for brainstorming and bouncing ideas off one another.
RELAX! School can get hectic, so set aside leisure time to prevent potential insanity. Go ahead and guiltlessly fill that calendar with social events. Remember, work hard, play hard. You deserve to enjoy your first year!
Keep course work organized: make sure each course is kept in a separate binder or notebook with neat notes and divided by unit. A messy room may be harmless, but messy notes can be lethal come exam time.
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Start to build your resume. Once you join a few clubs, it’s easy to apply for an executive position. Try and venture outside of SBE as well—a resume looks best when it’s well rounded.
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Invest in a business casual outfit. Whether it’s a presentation, interview or club event, you’ll need an outfit that looks professional and appropriate. That means no short hemlines or low cut tops, ladies.
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Get involved within SBE. Take advantage of the Get Involved fair and add your name to a few club mailing lists. This will help you make connections and friends within the business community.
Utilize study aids like SOS sessions. You shouldn’t rely solely on a session to make up for a semester’s worth of learning, but attend if there are specific topics you find tricky. 5
The Great Dilemma: Co-op or No Co-op? T hose of us in the Laurier BBA program all know the Co-op option exists and how much people rave about its success. But is it really worth it? We took the time to ask some recently graduated students, both those in Co-op and those who opted
Klara Raic President kraic@sbeatrium.com
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out, about their experiences and how they felt about it in hindsight. After compiling their comments, we came to one conclusion: Co-op or no Co-op, a Laurier education coupled with work or volunteer experience will get you far.
I think the Laurier brand and the social side of the school helped me the most.
Sangwon Oh
Program: BBA, without Co-op Employment Status: Currently working as a marketing associate for the Walt Disney Company.
Program: BBA, with Co-op Employment Status: Actively seeking employment.
Natasha, a former Laurier Ambassador, was very willing to answer our questions and share her advice! “One of the reasons I came to Laurier was for the Co-op program. I went through the entire process and was accepted but eventually decided that it wasn’t for me. “ She adds, “I never regretted not doing Co-op. I still got a great education from Laurier and was able to spend my summers at home. For me it was the best of both worlds.” She also shared with us her job seeking experiences. “I found that most interviewers were more concerned with situational experiences as opposed to various positions I held. I used my part-time Laurier employment more often than my summer work as an example. The employers I met with understood that I was a new graduate and therefore knew my experience was limited. The interviewers were less focused on hearing about my different jobs and more focused on applying them and discussing situations.” When asked about how Laurier contributed to her success, Natasha said, “I think the Laurier brand and the social side of the school helped me the most. As a Laurier business student we know we’re receiving the best education possible but we are also being trained socially. Last year Laura Allan addressed a lecture hall of incoming first year students and said something I will always remember, “At Laurier, you get the business degree without the arrogance.” I think today that is so rare and employers are taking note of it. I found during my interviews that employers recognized Laurier as a great business school with students that were down to earth and personable. This is important because they want to retain those types of people. Working at Disney I am pleasantly surprised with the amount of Laurier graduates that are here, I am sure it has to do with the reputation that we have and uphold while we are working. At the very least, employers pay attention when your resume says a you’re a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s School of Business & Economics.”
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Natasha Babcock
Sangwon is glad he chose Co-op. He explains that “being out on Coop placements teach you various value added things that classrooms could never provide. Coop has also definitely narrowed down the search for what I want to specialize in.” He also adds that the associated costs of Co-op are “worth the experience” and that “it helps that you make it all back” when you begin working. In summary, Sangwon simply says, “I have no regrets, Laurier summers are some of my best times in university.”
Kevin Kong
Nina Blagojevic
Program: BBA, without Co-op Employment Status: Actively seeking employment.
Program: BBA, with Co-op Employment Status: Currently holding a marketing position at a Toronto company.
Kevin chose the route without Co-op stating, “I wanted to be more involved with clubs and activities on campus during the school year without having to leave for work terms.” Kevin is glad he stuck to BBA without Coop because he still gained work experience through his various summer jobs, but also had time to gain volunteer experience. He still praises Laurier, though, when he says “I believe the tight knit community and the approachable professors contributed the most to my success. My overall experience at Laurier has been very memorable and I have gotten to really establish myself as a well-rounded business person.”
Nina initially wanted to participate in the Co-op program to find out what she was really interested in and to gain experience in the workforce. However, she’s had some doubts. “After second year I considered dropping out because being part of Co-op meant that I had to pass up other extracurricular activities because of scheduling. I now realize that it was all worth it!” She also adds, “Co-op gives you a chance to get ‘hands–on’ work experience. Classes give you a lot of theories and Co-op is the application of all those theories. At times, you learn that some theories are too simple for the ‘real world’ and that there’s a lot of other factors at play that you probably didn’t consider.” As for the costs, she does think they were worth it for her because it landed her a full time position at a company she loves. Not surprisingly, she says “at first it sounds discouraging to be in school during the summer but the summer term is by far the most fun!
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Classes give you a lot of theories and Co-op is the application of all those theories.
Tim Savini Program: BBA, without Co-op Employment Status: Currently holding a position at Mattamy Homes
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Like Natasha, Tim was also accepted into the Co-op program but chose to decline after two years because he found it easier to find a job on his own than through Co-op. He worked at Mattamy Homes in his first work term and after no success in finding a better position elsewhere, he returned to Mattamy. “This meant I had to withdraw from the Co-op program which was one of the best decisions I made in my four years at Laurier,” he explains. “I don’t feel that my degree is any less valuable than a Co-op BBA’s because once you get your career started it’s not about what your transcript says, its about your experience.” He adds, “The knowledge and experience I gained working at Mattamy rivals that of my four years at Laurier.” Dropping out of the program was clearly the right decision for Tim as the company was able to create a full time position for him and offered him a job in February of this year. Other than working, Tim feels that getting involved really made his Laurier experience exceptional. “I know getting involved is a cliché but it helps you get a job, makes you a more well-rounded person and it’s a great way to meet new friends.” Finally, Tim adds, “I know a lot of friends who got great jobs through the Co-op program but I wonder if the jobs they would have gotten without being in Co-op would have been any less valuable and for that reason I would advise second years who don’t get accepted into Co-op to keep their heads up because it may just be a blessing in disguise.”
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How to Survive (and Succeed at) New Venture By this point you’ve probably heard more than your fair share about what to expect in your first year of the BBA or economics program. Whether it’s from your Icebreakers, your parents (who have looked up enough info about your program to make you think they are the ones starting university) or Laura Allan, warning you Victoria Craig that one of the people sitting next Columnist vcraig@sbeatrium.com to you in your lecture will probably drop out, you’ve likely gathered that first year BBA isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But not to worry, it isn’t like walking over a pit of hot coals either. You just have to figure out how to balance it all. I am here to give you some useful tips on how to get through the New Venture project successfully! Firstly, if you’re still scratching your head wondering what the New Venture project is, here’s a summary. You are put into a group with four other business students and over the entire year your assignment is to come up with a new product or service and create a business plan for it. This plan involves creating the product or service itself, as well as all of the aspects of bringing it to market such as manufacturing, distribution, marketing and financing. When you present your new venture to your business lab, you are asking investors (the class) for money and your goal is to convince them that you have a viable and successful business (think along the lines of Dragon’s Den). First, you’ve got to take into account your business labs; these are once-a-week classes run by a teaching assistant (TA) who is an upper year student. This is where you will have the opportunity to ask questions about lecture material, where you are assigned homework and where you will be given the instructions and guidance for the New Venture project (including the group assignments...and no you never get to pick your group). So here are some tips for getting through the project: •Pick a creative idea, but not one that’s impossible -While your idea needs to be new (hence the name NEW Venture) and creative to stand out, it can’t be impractical. For example, you probably shouldn’t propose a new method of space exploration, in light of the NASA space program ending, unless you’ve done
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all the mechanical drawings and know of a company that could hypothetically build it for you. •Get the assignment done BEFORE the deadlines -Complete the different stages of the project a few days before each deadline so you have time to edit. Your sleep deprived brains are sure to miss something if you finish the assignment at 4am the day it is due... trust me, I know... •Deal with group conflicts when they actually happen -Nothing is more awkward than telling that lazy group member who contributed nothing to the assignment that they are kicked out of the group three days before the final presentation. If you deal with team member problems sooner, you’re more likely to sort them out and avoid bitterly hating each other’s guts by the end of the year. •Run your presentations by older business students -They’ve been there, done that – don’t be afraid to pick their experience-filled brains for presentation tips. •Talk to your TA and your profs...yes they will actually listen -These people are your resources to bounce questions off of and to make sure that you are on the right track. If they are able to help you, they definitely will. •Balance the lab work....and every other thing else on your plate -Remember that on top of New Venture assignments, you have lab homework, additional assignments and exams as well as your other classes and your social life...while new venture is important, so is everything else. If you give some time to each, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by the deadlines!
Another summer, another school built by SOS Laurier. This one is in San Pedro Columbia, Belize and is ready for a ceiling!
SOS: Please Someone Help Me D
uring my first year in Laurier’s BBA program, I spoke those very words many a time. No, I was not singing Rihanna’s 2006 smash hit. I spoke those words because I required some scholarly support, intellectual instruction and educational assistance. I needed help.
Mike Gregor Columnist mgregor@sbeatrium.com
It was early October and I was beginning to study for the first five midterms of my university career. Parking myself in a library cubicle, I opened my microeconomics textbook and started to review. Supply and de-
mand. Check. Opportunity cost. Check. Nash Equilibrium, game theory, market structures. Do not check... Uh-oh. I attended class, completed assigned homework and understood the material. What I really needed was a “refresher.” Laurier SOS is the ultimate refresher.
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An Inuksuk built to protect the brand new, SOS funded well in San Pedro Columbia, Belize. Mixing cement.
SOS: Students Offering Support is an international charitable organization managed by students and founded by Laurier’s own, Greg Overholt. The organization has a simple, honest and effective objective: “raise money to raise roofs through raising marks.” Across Canada, over 2,000 SOS student volunteers provide comprehensive tutorial services to over 20,000 students. Prior to a midterm or final exam, one to three volunteer tutors host an Exam-AID session in a lecture hall on campus. The Exam-AID session is an extensive group study session which summarizes an entire semester into an intense three-hour period. Laurier SOS, the organization’s WLU chapter, has offered Exam-AID sessions for over 70 different courses at Laurier and is only growing larger. As one student explains:
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“Sometimes when you study by yourself you are not sure where you are compared to others. Most of the time I have no idea where I’m at. SOS sessions allow me to see how I’m doing and if more effort needs to be put forth towards my studies.” All it costs is a $20 donation. Twenty-dollars. It is one bill that you may spend on a few drinks at Phil’s. It’s one bill that you may spend at the movies. Twentydollars is one bill that could be used at SOS to make a difference in your marks and even more so, in the lives of thousands. Since the organization’s founding in 2004, donations have allowed SOS to raise almost $500,000 for 33 different sustainable development projects in thirdworld countries. The Laurier chapter itself has raised over
Adding a new layer!
$100,000 and every year it sends a group of SOS volunteers to Latin America to help build schools, community centres, medical buildings, agricultural gardens and more. The volunteers at SOS help to raise the roofs of structure that truly make a difference in the community. So remember the following the next time a Rihanna song hits the airwaves: Laurier SOS acts as an umbrella from failing grades and ensures you do not become unfaithful to your academics. With the help of SOS, you will truly run this town. I apologize for the overuse of Rihanna references.
Setting level bricks.
A now completed medical centre in Cerro Azul, Costa Rica.
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Uma Durrani Columnist udurrani@sbeatrium.com
10 Things about La 1 2
There is a shortcut to the SBE building. Walk out of the concourse towards the OneCard office and take the stairs up from the Arts wing.
Buy your textbooks early! Don’t wait for classes to start because you’ll only find yourself stuck in massive lineups at the bookstore.
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If you’re planning to buy used textbooks, take advantage of Laurier SIFE in the Solarium each term where a book swap is held. Be sure to check the edition number on the book and confirm with your professor that you can use an older edition.
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Need a quiet area to study? The 24 lounge and concourse are not the places for that. Your best option is to head to the upper floors of the library. 12
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Labs, tutorials, clickers, online quizzes and assignments are usually mark boosters, so don’t take them lightly.
to Know aurier
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Find effective study methods and get into the routine of reviewing material regularly. A lot of midterms and exams will be multiple choice, so make sure you know the material thoroughly. Often the answers aren’t very obvious.
If you’re writing a midterm or exam in the AC, bring some extra layers because it gets cold. Brrrrrr, it’s like you’re sitting inside an igloo.
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Make sure you go to the washroom before an exam or midterm. You won’t be allowed to leave in the first hour, and your bladder is all you’ll think about for that hour.
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When course selection opens, don’t wait around to choose your courses because a) the elective you want will probably fill up or b) you’ll be stuck with an inconvenient time (8:30 in the morning…really?). Get on LORIS as soon as you can because everyone is glued to their computer and starts picking the moment LORIS lets them.
Prioritize your tasks and keep deadlines in mind. Having a calendar in your room is a great way of remembering those important dates. Ditch the parties before a midterm or exam and have a date with your books. Waterloo is a student city and the parties never stop—there will always be another one.
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My First Apartment... Help! I
n your first year, December is stressful enough: finishing up final projects, attending the last couple of classes, studying for your very first final exams of university. Unfortunately, this is also the time when keeners start choosing roommates and taking the first steps of their apartment hunting for next year. I Rochelle Heinrichs was definitely one of those keeners. Editor-in-Cheif By the beginning of December my rheinrichs@sbeatrium.com four roommates and I were busy with countless apartment viewings, late nights on MyLaurier’s Off-Campus Housing webpage and a never ending stream of emails to potential landlords. “Overwhelming” was an understatement. I had never rented an apartment before and it had been ages since my parents had – how was I to know if I was getting a good deal or if my landlords were trustworthy? These questions may not seem that important if you end up with a great apartment and a fantastic landlord.
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The Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario (www.ltb.gov.on.ca) should be your first stop as newbie renters.
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It’s when you don’t end up with these things that you wish you had read up on your rights (and responsibilities) as tenants. My roommates and I didn’t have any problems until this past year, but using the resources available to us to learn our rights, we stood up to our landlords and saved ourselves money in the long term. The Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario (www.ltb.gov.on.ca) should be your first stop as newbie renters. The FAQ page is a good summary of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), pointing out the basics that you need to know. It covers everything from lease agreements to key deposits, rent increases to apartment repairs. There is also a great resource called “Information for New Tenants” (click on Information > Brochures By Topic) that 14
addresses all the things you may not (but should) know as a first time renter. In fact, landlords are required to provide you with this information on or before your tenancy begins. Finally, if you are still confused, there is a toll free number you can call if you need help deciphering or clarifying an item in the Act (a service I used numerous times last winter). I don’t want to be a cynic, as this is really an exciting stage in your life, but I strongly advise you spend some time browsing all the information and links available to you. It really pays to be informed as you will feel more confident and capable. Think of it as studying for an exam – you are eventually going to be “tested” on what you know, so you just feel better if you know
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It really pays to be informed as you will feel more confident and capable.
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your stuff! It also shows your landlords that you won’t be taken advantage of. I have a sneaking suspicion this happens more than we think, mostly because we are so inexperienced. Don’t be afraid to have discussions with your roommates, either. The rental process can be overwhelming, but you are all in it together, so if you are concerned about something make sure you speak up. You are going to be spending the next eight or more months living with them so you better get used to being open and listening. Make sure you are all comfortable with the terms of the lease and don’t immediately dismiss a roommate’s concerns. Stay informed, work together and you are in for an unbelievable second year!
What is Innovation in 2011? T
he term “innovation” is probably one of the most commonly used terms of the 21st century. We see it when reading the business section of the newspaper or hear it from a friend talking about a new company dominating the market. Whether thought of as a growth strategy or just an over-rated term, innovaArooba Kahn tion is truly the fuel to the engine Columnist of growth in the 21st century. Inakahn@sbeatrium.com novation can be big or small. It can be brand-new or something slightly modified. It could be an idea that is very complex or an idea that is easy to implement. Innovation involves taking the inventive work of an individual or a team and directing it to a broader audience. Innovations also vary company to company. Regardless of what industry the company decides to dominate, the scope
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The ability of a company to not only keep up with its current business practices, but to exceed its own – and its competition’s – expectations are crucial in order to survive.
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of an innovation’s impact is what determines its qualification. The future of many businesses depends upon their ability to innovate. Competition is fierce. Knowledge spreads quickly. The ability of a company to not only keep up with its current business practices, but to exceed its own – and its competition’s – expectations are crucial in order to survive. Not every small business or corporation can persist in the ruthless competitive market. Many businesses fail because they put up barriers which block strategic growth, often due to a lack leadership, faulty management or a poor organizational culture. The company’s leadership style and organizational culture are the two most prominent barriers to innovation. If your company’s culture is not set up to accept innovative ideas and creative contributions from its employees, new inventions will not break through to the marketplace. An organizational culture can also be too conservative and not susceptible to the changes in consumer tastes. Hence, if the company does not keep up with the market and the or-
ganizational culture does not change accordingly, the company will most likely remain stagnant and not experience future growth. These days, real innovation is accomplished through a systematic process and must incorporate a way of delivering customer solutions. In 2011, the following three companies were considered a few of the most innovative in the world:
1.APPLE INC. “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs (former CEO of Apple) Apple is one of the most recognizable brands worldwide, known for its unique technological products and appealing designs. Apple’s iPod music player was, and still is, one of the most influential new tech products to hit the market in years. At the same time, Apple maintains its reputation for making elegant, easy-touse desktop and laptop computers. In recent years, Apple has captured the market with the iPhone and is currently taking the tablet-world by storm with its iPad product. Apple has managed and sustained its innovative process by encouraging innovation through its organizational culture, enabling the company to experience substantial innovative growth.
2.GOOGLE “We don’t have a traditional strategy process [or] plan15
ning process like you’d find in traditional technical companies. [This] allows Google to innovate very, very quickly, which I think is a real strength of the company.” – Eric Schmidth (CEO & Chairman of Google)
What is your web browser homepage? If it isn’t Facebook, most likely it is a variation of Google. The popular search engine is widely known for its efficient and relevant search optimization results. Google’s innovative strategy factors in an interactive process that identifies what users want and what they are looking for. Consumer preferences continue to change rapidly and Google is well-aware of this. The Google management team is instantly updating its search engine experience, making about 100 quality upgrades each quarter. It also runs 50 to 200 experiments at any one time. Google also has other innovative products such as Google Chrome OS, Google Maps and a Google Android operating system for cell phones, which have allowed the company to branch out while staying with the realm of their expertise. 3.NISSAN “We say [to our staff], ‘You’re going to have to adapt to the new technology. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. What you’re learning today is good, but tomorrow you’re going to need something else.’” Carlos Ghosn (CEO of Nissan) Nissan was considered to be one of the most innovative companies in 2011 due the launch of its electric car, the Nissan Leaf. The Nissa Leaf is the only zeroemission car on the market; hence, this product is classified as one of the most innovative products on the market. Other electric cars still use some gasoline but this one does not. There is also no vibration, smell or noise. The CEO of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn stated that it is not end of the internal combustion engine, but he is looking to create different solutions for the people in the market. He does not want to look at just one technology but various technologies that will meet consumer needs. Change is not easy for such a large automotive company like Nissan, but it is definitely not impossible.
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PrinterOn: The New Stage of the Internet I
n a world where technology seems to be growing at an exponential rate, it seems hard to separate relevant new technology from unnecessary technological novelties that are soon cast aside. Angus Cunningham, CEO of PrinterOn, has developed a technology that is both relevant and necessary. PrinterOn has become the Cherise Carlaw leading company in mobile printing Columnist due to their developing software that ccarlaw@sbeatrium.com allows one to wirelessly send a document to a printer in order to have it printed. Ten years ago, after the internet began its conquest of the modern world, Cunningham and his team began to work with the concept of printing documents wirelessly, thus creating a “new stage of the internet,” as he puts it. The team at PrinterOn has continuously modified and
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The concept of printing documents wirelessly, creates a “new stage of the internet.
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upgraded its system in order to overcome the obstacles and setbacks that would threaten the success of the company. While this work began in 2000, PrinterOn was without a paid customer until 2004. It is fair to say that, without a market, even the most awe-inspiring technology is irrelevant and Cunningham acknowledges this reality. “Well, this [was] sort of uncharted territory,” he explains, “It coasts a fair bit on the servers and the challenge was whether there was really a market here… Could we make a business out of it so that we could get a return on all the money we were spending?” At first, the size of the market for this new technology was questionable, but the time and money invested into PrinterOn has not been squandered. By partnering up with the hospitality industry, PrinterOn has created a
mutually beneficial relationship. While PrinterOn is able to profit from its software, hotels are able to offer their guests the convenience of wireless printing. Cunningham realizes that this gives hotels the edge on their competition by “[playing] on what the clientele [want] and [helping] them fill rooms.” While PrinterOn’s main customers are hotels, libraries, and universities, PrinterOn’s main goal is to bring mobile printing into coffee shops such as Williams and Starbucks. Cunningham believes that at “places like Williams, it can help. People know they’ve got more functionality.” Presently, it is typical to have access to internet in virtually all coffee shops. Consequently, the ability to print documents wirelessly seems like the next step. Despite the possibility of competition from other software companies, the team at PrinterOn is confident that they dominate the mobile printing market. With such features as privacy protection and the ability to control the release of documents, PrinterOn is able to maintain the upper hand over the little competition that they do have. “There are a lot of…small players,” reports Cunningham, “…but they don’t have the broad reach that we have.” While many of these small players are able to accommodate aspects of the mobile printing market, only PrinterOn has been able to meet the majority of the market’s needs. Although the convenience of wireless printing could potentially lead to an increase in the use and waste of paper, Cunningham puts faith in both his product and the intelligence of the public, stating that “people are intelligent enough and aware enough...[not] to print just because they can print.” Furthermore, the release codes needed to initiate the printing of each document make it less likely for people to print accidentally or needlessly. PrinterOn also gives students an opportunity to become involved with this technology, as it is deeply involved with Laurier’s Co-op program. “Every company needs students,” admits Cunningham, “We’ve hired students in past summers… We’ve probably had ten students or so.” While four years of university are supposed to give students the knowledge necessary to become success-
ful in the competitive work market, every graduating student realizes that they have learned much more than what was taught in lectures, mostly through various work experiences. Cunningham reveals that “it’s not necessarily what they took in school [that matters].” Instead, acquired skills such as “how they interact with people” and “how they think” are more important when searching for a job after university. In fact, the most important skill or experience that stu-
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It’s not necessarily what they took in school [that matters]. Instead, acquired skills are more important when searching for a job.
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dents should take from university is the ability to be open-minded and the ability to apply one’s learning to various situations. “You use the concepts you learned in school to develop yourself and solve whatever problems or challenges you have in front of you.”
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Uma Darrani Columnist udurrani@sbeatrium.com
An Interview with Jillian - Foun
illian Swartz is the founder of Atrium Magazine and a graduate of Laurier. She was a dedicated student and excelled at what she put her mind to, therefore, attending law school after graduation was a natural fit. Jillian is now a lawyer working for one of Canada’s largest law firms, Blakes. The following is an interview with Jillian, discussing the challenges of creating Atrium Magazine and the success she now experiences as a lawyer.
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What year were you in when you started the magazine? I know many students who want to start a club but don’t know where to begin.
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I wanted to create a newsletter that was written by business students for business students.
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I started in my third year, which would have been 1990. What I really wanted to do was get involved in the business school and at that time it was sort of a school on its own, even though it was part of the campus. I wanted to assist in the distribution of information from different viewpoints and it was important for me that the newsletter’s primary focus was the business school, rather than Laurier as a whole. I wanted to create a newsletter that was written by business students for business students. I started talking to Franklin Ramsoomair, a professor at Laurier, probably at the beginning of my third year. He was very encouraging and we went for it. We tried to get other people to write things, we wrote things ourselves. Back then was much different; not everybody had a computer. What you guys have now looks so much more professional than what we had back then. We had to do things by hand. We had to photo copy things in the business school and hand staple them and distribute them. It was a lot of work but I really liked it and Franklin was a fantastic professor. He was really supportive right from the get-go. We still keep in touch.
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After you graduated, did you think the magazine would still be running? I was hopeful, but I really didn’t know that it would be running all these years later. It has been 20 years since I graduated from Laurier and it is nice to know that it is still there. I went to your website prior to this interview and there was such a nice tribute to me written by Franklin. I hadn’t read it in a long time and it was very nice to read that. You always hope that what you start takes off and that other people find it as interesting and as important as you. You guys have done a tremendous job with it!
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Tell me a little about your work – Jillian 101.
Generally what I do is provide business advice in all aspects of corporate commercial work, infrastructure, private equity and not-for-profit to a variety of corporations and all types of entities; they can be entrepreneurs, start-ups, or public companies. What keeps me busy, though, are transactions. These would typically be mergers and acquisitions. If a company decides they want to sell a division of assets or the whole company, they come to us and we’ll plan and execute it with them. In the last couple of weeks we closed almost 100 million dollars. We work with them to get their licensing up to date or work with their banks to let them know about the change, and also to settle their contracts and work with their landlords and so forth. Sometimes we work on moving companies around and changing their capital structures to make them more tax efficient.
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Getting into law school seems to be one of the hardest things these days. How did you manage
I believe that you get out of life what you put into it.
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to juggle extracurricular activities with your academics? I think it’s just a matter of good time management and focusing on the things that you want. When I was going to law school I always had a part time job, I was always focused on getting good marks at school and I always had a boyfriend. Sometimes I didn’t go
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Swartz nder of Atrium Magazine out as much as some of my friends but you just try to juggle it as best you can.
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I’m sure our readers are wondering about the key to your success. What you have to do when you’re thinking about your future is find something you’re passionate about and pursue that with dedication and determination. When I was at Laurier I knew that I wanted to do something after my undergrad. I wasn’t sure if it was to get an MBA or a law degree. I had two alternative career paths in mind. I wanted to do one of two things: I wanted to work in a large law firm in downtown Toronto or I wanted to be a senior executive at consumer packaged goods company, like Proctor and Gamble. I knew that either way I would have to get really good marks, but at the same time I knew that it was important to be involved in the school and to have an active school life. I participated in all sorts of activities. Thinking back, I was involved in a lot of clubs and competitions like the Intercollegiate Business Competition. I was a teaching assistant for a couple of years and I was a research assistant as well. I believe that you get out of life what you put into it.
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From your bio on the Atrium website, we see that you’ve always been driven and motivated. Do you have any words of wisdom for the students at Laurier? I think the trick is simply to find something that you’re interested in, really dig in deep and go for it. People say if you find something you love, money will follow and I think that’s true. You shouldn’t do a job because you think it’s going to pay all the money. You’ll end up doing the 9-5 and be miserable when you get there. Everybody likes people who are positive, driven and fun to be around, and I think that’s what you should try to do all the time.
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amazing how much we had in common. She was really smart and hard working. She had a great work ethic, was really focused on her studies and had a part time job. The mentoring can happen at the law firm or at the school, but we also have other activities outside, like cooking programs or inspirational speakers.
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Now that you’re where you planned to be, do you have any future plans for your career? Is there somewhere you want to eventually end up? When you’re happy where you are, you don’t really think about the next step. When you’re in business you might, but in a law firm environment people don’t move around as much as if you were in the corporate world. I work with lots of good people and I love the work. It gives me the opportunity to do the things that I like to do, so right now, I’m pretty happy where I am.
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You said you’ve been in touch with Franklin. Have you been in touch with your other friends from Laurier as well? There was one of my very best friends who I met during frosh week at Laurier. Every September we always keep track of how many years we’ve known each other. Unfortunately I haven’t been as good generally keeping up with the people at Laurier. But with LinkedIn it’s easier to find people. I’m in a Laurier Alumni group. A lot of time you don’t find everybody that you’re looking for.
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What is the LAWS mentoring program and what kind of mentoring do you do? What is the criterion to become a mentee? This is a program that was set up by the University of Toronto Law School and runs from September to May. Basically, the university has partnered with two high schools, Central Technical School and Harbord Collegiate in downtown Toronto, and students who are interested in a legal profession can apply to be mentored by LAWS mentees. The mentees get chosen by the University of Toronto. I got matched with a teenager who was sixteen at the time. It was 19
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