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Under The Knife at IVEY

2009-05-15T13:49:42Z

Our Chairman & CEO talks about managing through turbulent times at the IVEY IDEA FORUM. The Globe & Mail features the video in today's edition of BUSINESS INCUBATOR. Sound advice from a business leader who's seen these challenges before and knows when (and how) to come out swinging.

The Editor

Power - The New Confidence Video Series

2009-05-12T14:56:06Z

The fifth and final chapter in The New Confidence Video Series, "Power" highlights the currency of the suit as a statement of confidence. Featuring silhouettes from our Spring 2009 Collection, Harry Rosen Chairman & CEO, Larry Rosen speaks to the details that will afford you a look of distinction and mastery in any business environment.

“First impressions are critical. When you walk into a room looking great, you start above zero in people's eyes.” – Matthew Corrin

2009-05-04T11:17:00Z

THE CONFIDENCE INTERVIEW – MATTHEW CORRIN

Matthew Corrin is the Founder and CEO of Freshii Inc, a privately held corporation operating within the North American restaurant industry. In 2008, Freshii was ranked by Profit Magazine as one of Canada’s 25 fastest growing companies and Corrin was recognized as one of Canada’s Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” award finalists for Young Entrepreneur and by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s “30 Under 30” award.

Matthew took some time to give us his thoughts on reacting, rebranding, and a serious bout of the navy blues.

On first days...
I started out in the fashion industry. I worked PR and marketing for Oscar de le Renta. My first day of work at Oscar, I was standing in a room with this New York socialite - and she took all her clothes off. It's just me, and her, and she's saying, "Could you help me with this dress?" She was going to some event at the Museum of... whatever. By comparison, my first day at Lettuce, we ran out of avocado. We ran out of change in the till. We ran out of all our lettuces. Two very different experiences!

On living with the blues...
I started wearing black shoes this winter, which is a first. I normally don’t like the colour black. Right now, I'm obsessed with navy blue. I’m very comfortable in navy. I love navy sport jackets, navy golf shirts, dark denim jeans. It's actually an ongoing joke - it seems to pop up everywhere for me. My wife and I recently bought a couch that we thought was black. But once we got it home and got it in the light, it turned out to be navy.

On the quick fix...
The one thing I’ve always been is nimble. What I've been focusing on recently is reacting very quickly. Adjusting the company to the right size, making adjustments to staff, cutting overhead, tweaking the menu to ensure that consumers feel they're getting a great value. It's difficult being forced to let a person go, or to ask a person to do a different job. But you need to look at the big picture - those quick, short-term decisions are the right ones to ensure the company's long-term success. There's no time for paralysis - you need to be constantly executing if you expect results.

On silver linings...
Every day, you open up the Globe & Mail, you read that Starbucks has closed another 600 locations, and Nike laid-off 10,000 staff, and somebody else is filing for Chapter 11. I think my staff realizes that it’s survival of the fittest out there. They realize that I have to make quick, difficult decisions. But just yesterday, I had a senior management meeting, and it was really positive. Morale's actually really high. Those who are still around are there for a reason. The company culture becomes stronger and tighter because people realize that remaining in the job is a testament to their skill and their ability.

On the new chapter...
We started off as "Lettuce,” the salad place and we did gangbuster business at our TD Centre location. But when we tried to take the menu forward, we found that the name was a bit of a mental barrier. People didn't want to buy oatmeal or a warm wrap from a “lettuce,” place. But I've never been interested in being strictly a salad place - you don’t want salad everyday. The menu has to evolve, and our solution was to re-brand. We recently introduced the chain in the US under the new name: Freshii. And we saw immediate advantages in being perceived as more than "just a salad place." In fact, at the new stores, we're selling far more rice bowls and wraps than salads. The Canadian re-branding will be taking place in the next 30 days or so.

On first impressions...
I think fashion is very important. Superficially, first impressions are critical, right? Your first impression when you walk into a restaurant. Your first impression when you shake the hand of the founder. When you walk into a room looking great, you start above zero in people's eyes. When you walk in dressed like average folk, you start at zero. You can work your way up. But you've just made your job harder.

For his appearance here, a donation has been made on Mr. Corrin’s behalf to Heifer International. He is wearing Etro. His clothing specialist is Scott Rivard of our Bloor Street store.

Is Business Casual on the outs?

2009-04-24T14:20:11Z

Number four in our series on dressing for the new economy, "Dress Down," offers tips and just a little bit of caution for those looking to leave the tie at home today. Video features select merchandise from our Spring 2009 collections. Presented by Larry Rosen, CEO of Harry Rosen Menswear.

“I truly believe that if you want to get ahead in today’s environment, you really can’t afford to be in a negative frame of mind.” - Robert Deluce

2009-04-20T12:42:40Z

THE CONFIDENCE INTERVIEW – ROBERT DELUCE

Robert J. Deluce, CEO of Porter Airlines, is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and respected airline industry leaders. He brings to the industry over 50 years of Deluce family experience in successfully owning, financing, restructuring, operating and managing a number of regional airlines in Canada including: White River Air Services, norOntair, Austin Airways, Air Creebec, Air Ontario, Air Manitoba, Air Alliance and Canada 3000 Airlines.

Robert took some time to give us his thoughts on reclining seats, maintaining focus, and sharing the fruits of labour.

On the big picture...
I’ve been in this industry for a good period of time, and I’ve enjoyed some success. In a challenging economy, there are always companies that come out ahead and there are some that come out behind. I believe that within any challenge lies opportunity. As less confident companies might retrench and falter over the next year, the prospects for Porter are extremely good. We are in an expansionary mode. We’re adding ten new airplanes. We’ll probably take on a half dozen, or more new destinations. We feel really good about the business plan we have and we’re staying very focused/

When flying was fun…
In the 1960's and 1970's, flying was a big deal. It was romantic. It was glamorous. There was a certain dignity about the flying experience. I think Porter is about a return to that dignity. The most important thing to me is that our passengers come away feeling like they’ve been well treated.

On the gravity of flight...
My desire to run an airline is partly the product of being from a larger family. I'm the oldest of nine children, and I was handed a certain amount of responsibility from an early age. I was also part of a family business, and along the way was given a fair bit of responsibility in that regard too. At one point I positioned myself to become a doctor, but when you’re around aircraft at a young age, there's no getting around it. This business really does get into your veins.

On picking the right planes...
There are many challenges in running a successful airline in an unpredictable economic climate, but having the right airplane makes a big difference. We looked at a number of different aircraft, and in the end we selected the Bombardier Q400. It’s a turboprop that thinks it’s a jet. It flies at near-jet speeds and it’s very quiet. But the big plus is that it burns 30 - 40% less fuel than do comparable narrow-bodied regional jets.

On shared success...
Of course, I recognize the weight of my responsibilities as the CEO of Porter Airlines. On the other hand, I also recognize that it takes more than one individual to make a company. I appreciate the efforts of every person contributing toward Porter’s strong health and financial wellbeing, and I do my best to ensure that everyone within our organization feels a part of the success we’re enjoying.

On maintaining a positive frame of mind...
I think the trick to weathering this economy might be to disregard some of the headlines and just get back to focusing on business. Just concentrate on executing your business plan. I think one needs to be optimistic in order to perceive opportunities. If you’re somehow in the wrong frame of mind, you’ll miss opportunities when they come along. I truly believe that if you want to get ahead in today’s environment, you really can’t afford to be in a negative frame of mind.

For his appearance here, a donation has been made on Mr. Deluce’s behalf to the Arthritis and Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) Foundation. He is wearing Canali. His clothing specialist is Johnny Aleandro of our Bloor Street store.

How much should you spend on a prom suit?

2009-04-17T04:29:16Z

This question came to us recently, and while the short answer is to keep within your budget, it got us thinking. There’s always plenty of discourse around prom dresses, but little said on the subject of what is often a young man’s first sartorial endeavor. However, we’re quite certain most young men will be doing all they can to look elegant that night as well. Whether your aim is to look sharp next to your date or you are hoping to muster confidence to ask for a dance with the girl of your dreams, a great looking suit will be a fine asset. Here are five things to keep in mind when you go shopping:

1. Choose a classic suit over an evening suit like a tuxedo. This way you'll be able to use your suit again. Between job interviews and upcoming events at university this will prove to be a sensible investment.

2. These days, flat front trousers and single breasted, slim fitting jackets are the fashion. They also happen to be enduring styles, and flattering to most body types.

3. We suggest you the first suit be fairly plain in a black or navy. Again, this will assure you of suit you can wear after the prom.

4. Shirts and ties are a terrific opportunity for self expression: Bold patterns or stripes will stand you apart in the shirt department, while ties offer you the choice of everything from colour, pattern and fabric.

5. Lastly, don’t forget the details. Your pocket-square, belt, cufflinks and shoes complete the look. Your first pair of dress shoes should be black and the belt should match.

What is your style saying about you?

2009-04-15T18:53:37Z

The other day, I was at an industry function, surrounded by my peers, when I noticed something that’s probably obvious to our clients, but perhaps not ourselves: too many of us look like we took the day off to work in the yard!

Sure, we’re in the advertising business, so graphic Ts and pre-worn denims are “de rigueur.” (How else would we go about acting half our age?!) But in this new economy, are we really sending out the right signals? I doubt it.

While I’ve not always bought into the “dress to impress” adage, I do believe there’s merit in dressing to respect. For me, its one of the first steps in establising credibility with a client: Respect their position, authority and the their importance in the relationship you hope to forge.

For the record, I’m not suggesting everyone should be wearing a suit and tie to every meeting. But looking professional, in keeping with the position you play in your organization, and leaving an impression of confidence with external audiences are certainly worth aiming for.

Do I expect to see the plumber in a suit and tie? No, but neither will I be signing cheques to, say, my lawyer or accountant if their appearance suggests his or her mind might be more focused on getting back up to the cottage, than on my business.

Dressing professionally is the same as marketing your business: determine the target audience; dress up (or down) accordingly; reap the rewards of mutual respect.

The Editor

Inspiration - The New Confidence Video Series

2009-04-13T13:07:32Z

The third in our series on dressing for the new economy, "Inspiration," offers tips on inspiring confidence in a variety of business situations, with varying degrees of formality in mind. Video features select merchandise from our Spring 2009 collections. Presented by Larry Rosen, CEO of Harry Rosen Menswear.

The Obama Effect - Dressing for Change

2009-04-09T02:11:21Z

I just stumbled upon a great post on Edictive. A look at President Obama's sense of style and leadership, much in keeping with the sartorial points about leadership made in our video on the subject. Check out this great post... Barack Obama: Menswear Leadership

“A great leader's job is to refuse to make tough choices - and that takes enormous confidence.” - Roger Martin

2009-04-06T00:04:50Z

THE CONFIDENCE INTERVIEW – ROGER MARTIN

Roger L. Martin is the Dean of the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. A Canadian from Wallenstein, Ontario, Roger was formerly a Director of Monitor Company, a global, strategic consulting firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During his 13 years with Monitor Company, he founded and chaired Monitor University, the firm’s educational arm, served as co-head of the firm for two years and founded the Canadian office. In 2004 he won the Marshall McLuhan Visionary Leadership Award, and In 2007 Business Week magazine named Roger Martin a “B-School All-Star,” as one of the 10 “most influential business professors in the world,” alongside the likes of Michael Porter and Clay Christensen.

Roger took some time to give us his thoughts on career change, recognizing opportunity, and maintaining inner confidence.

On confidence…
In the business world, you need confidence. But confidence comes in many different forms, or styles. Think of how Richard Branson's style of confidence differs vastly from that of, say, Donald Trump.

On switching gears...
I was a strategy consultant for seventeen years, and then I decided to take up Robert Prichard’s offer to assume the head of the business school at U of T. It's an ongoing learning process. It's a completely new career in some ways - very different from my old career. I consider myself a recovering strategy consultant in training to be an academic.

On cultivating a look...
I tell our MBA students it’s really helpful to have a look that is you. I think it’s important to dress in a way that fits comfortably with who you are. People can intuit pretty quickly whether you’re comfortable with what you’re wearing or simply trying to be somebody you’re not. It’s a really bad idea to go around dressed in a three-piece suit if you're uncomfortable with formality. We've had Harry come to the school several times to conduct sessions for our students, and the core message is very cool. He presents a bunch of looks - very fancy, semi-formal, kind-of-casual. And his message is that you don’t have to be fancy if that’s not you. However, you do have to be thoughtful.

On creative problem-solving...
In researching my book, "The Opposable Mind," I interviewed a series of highly successful leaders about their decision-making process. It turns out they each share a distinguishing feature. When faced with a choice between x and y, in a situation where neither choice is particularly desirable, they take the time to create a better solution. That solution typically contains elements of x and y, but it’s not a compromise - it’s actually better than both. Most leaders say their job is to make tough choices. I disagree. A great leader's job is to refuse to make tough choices - and that takes enormous confidence.

On market corrections...
Companies that pull in their horns too much right now would be missing an opportunity. By prudently expanding, smart companies can pick up market share that would be more difficult to pick up in good times. In a rising market, when demand outstrips supply, the market becomes bloated. For instance, when everybody was buying OC192 fiber optic cable and wrapping it around the world a million times, any little riffraff engineering company could hop into the market. Now, with many markets contracting, a lot of those people are getting blown out. But these markets will come back. And the companies that endure will have picked up share. It’s a good time for strong, smart companies.

On keeping your head...
In an economic climate like this, the most important thing is to maintain your sense of inner confidence and strength. It's not bravado. It's not talk. It's a quiet stability in your inner core, and it ensures that, if you have to take a shot from the economy, you can get right back up. It keeps you from being rattled. And it gives you the resilience you'll need to find your way through this market and onto the other side.

For his appearance here, a donation has been made on Mr. Martin’s behalf to the SickKids Foundation. He is wearing Ermenegildo Zegna. His clothing specialist is Carlo Di Giuliantonio of our Bloor Street store.