How to Learn from Summer Interns
Interns are adding value to companies, non-profits and the public sector around the world this summer. At Vancity, one of the things that we want from this experience is an exchange of ideas – put another way, we want “reverse…
Three Career Lessons from Vancouver’s Craft Brewers
It’s summer in Vancouver and odds are you’ve noticed the proliferation of craft breweries across the city. There’s a reason they are so popular. Craft breweries offer a tempting and tasty opportunity to try new brews in interesting and engaging…
How my Mom is Winning the Sharing Economy
“In the collaborative economy, people can get what they need from each other – instead of buying from you,” says Jeremiah Owyang in his awesome presentation called “sharing is the new buying” that outlines how to win in the collaborative…
Four Professional Lessons from Northern Italy
Italy is hot, beautiful and the home of some of the best food in the world. While renowned for its gastronomical delights, Italy also has plenty to teach us about our professional selves. After traveling there this summer, here are…
Three Career Lessons I Learned from Tossing Hay Bales
I grew up in a small rural community on Vancouver Island, British Columbia called Merville. When I was a kid I helped my dad help his best friend clear hundreds of hay bales from his field. When I was a…
Three Workplace Lessons from Canada Day Celebrations
All across the country, people are celebrating our nation’s birth today. Eclectic parades are rolling down streets from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Sidney, British Columbia. Folks are firing up their barbecues and grilling premium Alberta beef. Kids are screaming around…
Six Tips for Collaborative Presenting
We’re nearly two months into wedding season and this means speeches. Lots of ‘em. Sometimes you can get away with giving a speech or a toast solo. In many cases, giving a speech requires collaborative team writing and dynamic duo…
When Employees Win, Organizations Win
Career development within organizations is at its best when corporate culture, learning experiences and peoples’ individual growth align to serve the organization’s vision and values. Simply put, when employees win, organizations win. Vancity is one of Canada’s largest financial co-operatives…
Five Steps for Becoming a Great Listener
You and your partner are locked in verbal battle. No matter how you express it, they don’t seem to get it. Instead they seem to be waiting for the last word to come out of your mouth so that they…
What I Learned from a Week of Prototyping
Creating new learning experiences like onboarding programs, training activities, or youth employment initiatives requires many creative minds, the ability to work rapidly, and a willingness to learn from failures. At Vancity, where I work, our business model of member-led innovation…