Guest: Jacquie Griffiths (president of investment organization)
How do you measure success? For Jacquie Griffiths’ role in Invest Vancouver, it has to do with how many jobs Vancouver attracts. She had always been interested in economics, but also people – and how those two are always linked. To her, the willingness to listen to your people (and change your approach if needed) is key to success.
Vicky Yehl lives for mining. In her job at the British Columbia Securities Commission, she helps mining companies include information that they are required to share with the public, ensuring maximum transparency. She knows what she’s talking about as well – her background as a geologist gives her a wealth of knowledge to draw from. “It’s a bit of a dream job,” as she says. “I get to read geology all day [and] every day and someone pays me to do it.”
As former President of Shell Canada, Susannah Pierce worked to make sure all of Shell’s Canadian business initiatives could actually get into the country – and it was more than just the gas stations that people saw. Her goal was to make sure all the Canadian businesses associated with Shell were set up for success, as well as make sure other stakeholders such as indigenous groups were clear on what the company is, and how their goals can align for mutual benefit.
Do you have an idea or product and need to gauge what people think? Colin Whelan can tell you. As vice-president of Innovative Research, he leads a team that helps companies gather the consumer opinions and information needed to make their plans successful. His job has morphed through the years, as information gathering has changed from door-to-door to phone to online methods. This is a constant challenge, but a vital part of knowing if your idea will hit or sink.
Todd Yuen is the president of Beedie Industrial and responsible for property management and construction across Canada. As a self-admitted “micro-manager,” he has learned to trust people around him to move the business forward, while he goes out to external stakeholders and makes connections. And this is especially important, as an operation which tends to make things happen quickly.
