Technology

BDC and Equifax Launch Innovative Canadian Small Business Health Index

Published

2 months ago

October 29, 2024

New solution to help small businesses across Canada

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2024 /CNW/ – BDC, Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs, and Equifax Canada are proud to launch the Canadian Small Business Health Index, an innovative dataset that combines real-world data and business sentiment to provide a comprehensive view of the financial well-being of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Canada.

Using robust, anonymized Equifax data, this innovative index is designed to help entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financial institutions make informed decisions based on a holistic picture of the business landscape. The Canadian Small Business Health Index is the first of its kind, offering a predictive model that answers critical questions such as: What is the state of small business health in Canada? How can we expect it to evolve within the next 12 months? And for entrepreneurs: What’s my next business move?

Key Highlights:

A unique combination of data: The index integrates boots-on-the-ground data with business sentiment, providing a full picture of SME health. It is a composite index that includes credit performance, business growth projections, business sentiment, and the business environment. It is meant to become a reference for anyone involved with the business ecosystem, leveraging anonymized credit bureau data from Equifax, SME survey data from BDC, and macroeconomic data from Statistics Canada and the Bank of Canada.Regional insights: Different regions have different dynamics, and the new index helps explain why some regions perform differently versus others. That’s what makes it so powerful; the insight is an invaluable dataset for decision-makers across Canada.A quarterly overview with forward looking components: the index offers perspective on growth potential, cash-flow projections, financial needs, debt repayment, revenue projections, planned investments, workforce expectations and consumer behavior. It enables informed decision making based on comprehensive and up-to-date projections.

“SMEs are crucial to Canada’s economy, responsible for 88% of private sector jobs and generating over 50% of the country’s GDP. They drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth”, says Isabelle Hudon, President, and CEO, BDC. “With the index, BDC and Equifax are providing entrepreneurs with the ability to anticipate, and, more importantly, act, with confidence. As Canada’s development bank, we are proud to help bring yet another resource to empower support small businesses to defy the odds and make better decision about growth and opportunities.”

“Equifax Canada is proud to partner with BDC on developing this unique and innovative economic indicator which provides insights for Canadian businesses and lenders,” said Sue Hutchison, President and CEO of Equifax Canada. “Small and medium businesses are a major economic driver in Canada. Using our robust data, this index will help Canadian businesses and lenders navigate the complexities of the Commercial market.”

The Canadian Small Business Health Index is a powerful tool that combines data from knowledgeable sources with real experiential input. Equifax leads the Credit Performance component, BDC leads on the Business Confidence component, and each organization contributes equally to the Growth Projection component. The Business Environment component is based on public macroeconomic data. BDC data comes from BDC’s Investment and Financing Outlook Survey (IFOS), which is conducted quarterly. Data from companies with more than 500 employees is excluded. Anonymized Equifax data comes from all credit product-providing institutions that subscribe to Equifax. The collaboration between BDC and Equifax will help entrepreneurs thrive and contribute to the economy.

For more information on the Index or its methodology, click here.

About Equifax
At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.ca.

About BDC: 80 years as Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs
BDC is a partner of choice for all entrepreneurs looking to access the financing and advice they need to build their businesses and tackle the big challenges of our time. Our investment arm, BDC Capital, offers a wide range of risk capital solutions to help grow the most innovative firms. BDC’s development role means we are in a state of perpetual evolution – wherever entrepreneurs go and whatever the Canadian economy needs – we will be there to help them defy the odds. 80 years later, that commitment remains very much alive. The financial value of BDC’s services is estimated to add $23.6 billion in GDP to Canada’s economy over the next five years. We are one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and the first financial institution in Canada to receive the B Corp certification in 2013. For more information on our products and services and to consult free tools, templates, and articles, visit bdc.ca or join BDC on social media.

SOURCE Business Development Bank of Canada

Technology

ResumeTemplates.com Survey Reveals 3 in 10 Gen Zers Believe CEOs Are Evil; Many Support Release of Mangione

Published

58 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

The majority of Gen Zers feel CEOs wield excessive power, with some expressing extreme views about corporate accountability

SEATTLE, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ResumeTemplates.com, the leading platform for professional resume templates and career advice, has released findings from a recent survey revealing critical attitudes among Gen Z toward corporate leaders. Conducted in December 2024, the survey of 1,200 U.S.-based Gen Zers highlights the sentiment that CEOs hold excessive power and are overcompensated, with some respondents expressing extreme views about corporate accountability.

According to the survey, more than half of Gen Zers (55%) believe CEOs wield excessive power in society, particularly influencing elections, the economy, and policymaking. Additionally, 59% of respondents believe CEOs are overpaid, with most saying total annual compensation should not exceed $750,000. Only 7% of respondents support unlimited earning potential for CEOs. The survey also found that 39% of Gen Zers believe all levels of a workforce equally contribute to a company’s success, while only 20% think CEOs create the most value within an organization.

The survey also explored Gen Z’s perceptions of corporate leadership. More than half believe CEOs are responsible for driving corporate greed, and 30% of respondents view CEOs as “evil,” reflecting deep skepticism toward corporate leadership.

Additionally, the survey examined opinions on high-profile cases like Brian Thompson’s killing. Among respondents, 21% agreed that “CEOs deserve to lose their lives for their professional actions,” including 7% who strongly agreed. When asked specifically about Brian Thompson’s killing, 22% of respondents believe he definitely (10%) or probably (12%) deserved what happened to him. Regarding Luigi Mangione, Thompson’s accused killer, 21% supported his release, while 51% opposed it.

This survey, conducted December 18, 2024, via Pollfish, gathered responses from 1,200 U.S.-based 18 to 27 year olds. The full report can be viewed here: https://www.resumetemplates.com/3-in-10-gen-zers-say-ceos-are-evil-many-believe-mangione-should-go-free/

ABOUT RESUMETEMPLATES.COM
ResumeTemplates.com offers a comprehensive selection of free, industry-specific resume templates, tailored to meet the needs of various job seekers. The website also provides extensive resources to help facilitate the job application process, including expert advice, resume examples, and tips and tricks for creating impactful resumes. For more information, please visit: https://www.resumetemplates.com/.

Media Contact

Abigail Davis, ResumeTemplates, 000-0000, abigail@resumetemplates.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/resumetemplatescom-survey-reveals-3-in-10-gen-zers-believe-ceos-are-evil-many-support-release-of-mangione-302338434.html

SOURCE ResumeTemplates

Technology

Founder Shares Unforgettable Lessons After Spending $1 Million on a Domain Name

Published

59 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

ATLANTA, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VPN.com CEO Michael Gargiulo recently shared invaluable insights with Entrepreneur on the unforgettable lessons he learned while spending $1 million to acquire the premium domain VPN.com.

Gargiulo’s journey to acquiring VPN.com wasn’t just about landing a high-value web address. In the Entrepreneur.com article titled “5 Unforgettable Lessons I Learned Spending $1 Million on a Domain Name”, Gargiulo emphasizes the long-term value a premium domain brings to brand trust, visibility, and scalability.

Investing in a Domain: More Than Just a Name

Gargiulo’s $1 million purchase of VPN.com was more than a simple transaction—it was an investment in the future of his business and the value of owning a recognizable, exact-match domain. “The right domain can change everything for a brand. It immediately creates trust and credibility with customers, and it sets your company apart from the competition,” said Gargiulo.

In the article, he shares five critical lessons learned during his experience, including the importance of patience, timing, and the negotiating power of a premium domain. “A domain isn’t just a digital asset—it’s a business strategy. Acquiring VPN.com helped us stand out in the crowded cybersecurity market and continues to drive our success.”

Brand Trust and Global Recognition

Since acquiring VPN.com, Gargiulo has expanded his company’s mission to help hundreds of millions of people secure a private internet experience. The premium domain has played a pivotal role in building trust with customers, partners, and investors. “A premium domain acts as an instant signal of authority,” Gargiulo noted. “It makes a lasting impression, and in today’s fast-moving digital world, that’s invaluable.”

A Vision for the Future

Gargiulo’s vision for VPN.com extends beyond the domain. With a mission to provide a secure internet experience for one billion people by 2030, VPN.com is at the forefront of internet privacy, security, and premium domain brokerage. Gargiulo’s experience acquiring VPN.com has equipped him with unique insights into the premium domain marketplace, helping businesses recognize the value of digital branding in today’s world.

Read More About Michael Gargiulo’s Insights

To read Gargiulo’s full breakdown of the lessons learned from his $1 million domain purchase, visit the Entrepreneur article here.

In addition, Gargiulo also contributed to the Entrepreneur article “Getting a Divorce With a Six-Figure Domain Portfolio”, where he shares insights on the unique challenges of managing and valuing a high-profile domain portfolio in complex personal and financial situations.

For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:

Michael Gargiulo
855-VPN-FAST
388102@email4pr.com

Visit: vpn.com for more information.

About VPN.com
VPN.com is a global leader in internet security and premium domain brokerage, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, businesses, and individuals protect their brands and secure their online presence. With a $1 million domain name and a mission to serve one billion people by 2030, VPN.com is at the cutting edge of internet privacy, security, and digital branding.

Learn more about VPN.com’s work:

Michael Gargiulo Shares Insider Secrets on Premium Domain Valuation How to Acquire a Premium Domain Via Stealth Acquisition VPN.com Renews Commitment to Freedom, Digital Liberties, and Brand Protection

For more insights on digital brand protection and domain name acquisition, visit: vpn.com/domains.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/founder-shares-unforgettable-lessons-after-spending-1-million-on-a-domain-name-302339666.html

SOURCE VPN.com

Technology

OCR Canada Rebrands to Levata

Published

2 hours ago

December 27, 2024

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2024 /CNW/ — OCR Canada Ltd., Canada’s leading solutions provider of automated identification data capture (AIDC) products, software, and services for businesses across industries and government organizations, is pleased to announce its rebrand to Levata as of January 1, 2025. This transition unites Canada’s operations with Levata’s global identity, streamlining the company’s messaging while honoring OCR Canada’s more than 40-year legacy of trusted service and expertise.

The name OCR, which originally stood for Optical Character Recognition, reflects a technology that no longer represents the company’s comprehensive offerings. Rebranding to Levata supports the broader strategic vision of uniting Levata across markets under one multinational brand to better communicate the full value Levata delivers to its customers.

“This rebrand is an exciting milestone for Canada,” said Tony Mastrangeli, Executive Vice President & GM of Canada. “While our name is changing, the exceptional service, expertise, and relationships our customers rely on remain the same. Levata will continue to empower businesses with tailored solutions, just as OCR Canada has for more than 40 years.”

The transition follows a successful history of growth in Canada, with OCR Canada joining Levata in 2014. Since then, the Canadian arm has expanded its expertise through strategic acquisitions and established itself as a leading provider of AIDC solutions across industries.

“This rebrand marks the next step in Levata’s long-term vision,” said Dan Nettesheim, CEO of Levata. “By uniting under a single, global identity, we are amplifying our global message that we enable our customers to elevate their potential. Today, we provide solutions beyond OCR and barcoding, we also offer leading technology and services for enterprise mobility, RFID, networking, IT infrastructure, and more to help customers succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.”

To complement this transformation, Levata Canada will launch a French-enabled eCommerce platform in January 2025, further enhancing customer access and experience.

For more information about the rebranding, visit www.Levata.com/en-ca/news/ocr-canada-rebrands-to-levata.

About Levata
Levata enables customers to elevate their potential by providing strategies, solutions, and services that power modern environments. With a broad suite of technology products to enable enterprise mobility, a digital supply chain, a secure workplace, and an elevated customer experience, and the services to move businesses forward, Levata unlocks the power of thousands of organizations worldwide. Levata has operated as a market leader in full-stack technology solutions for over 40 years. Learn more at www.levata.com.

Alana Tufford, Director, Enterprise Marketing
Levata
905-475-5505 x242
branding@levata.com

SOURCE Levata