How do you see your business – the people recruiting and contract management industry – going forward over the next quarter?
… we have a staff of 42, but we issue T4s for over 3,000 people who we manage for or provide to our customers. Business is very good right now. 2010-2014 were our best years. 2015-2017 were our toughest years – and that difficult time led us to broaden our business by business sector and geography. We are now in 10 provinces and one territory, working with five-times as many people. We used to be largely oil & gas and now we are across many other fields.
And over the next five years?
… as an industry I think we’ll stop trying to undercut each other. There will be more use of robotics and A.I. on the front end. We’ll become far more efficient.
What qualities distinguish your preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… my age and time here allow me to make careful choices about how I spend time and money and particularly about people we engage with and do business with. Honesty. I’m loyal. Do they work toward a win-win? I’m a convenience shopper more than a price shopper.
What distinguishes you that causes people to choose Shannon/Bowen, and why do they do business with you, why have they hired you, over your competitors?
… the execution of my word. I do what I say. People trust me, trust us, to go above and beyond. It’s one thing to earn trust, it’s another to keep it. I’m a community networker and I like to help people.
How would you describe your leadership/management style?
… I used to have three direct reports as Pres. & CEO, but now we have a President Debbie Werschler, so I have just one direct report. But we’re a big team. I desire to inspire them to be the best they can be. I walk the talk about 93% of the time. Under great stress I shift in to ‘command and control’ mode about 7% of the time – militant and directive would describe me then.
Work/life balance?
… I’ve got so much of it! And I’ve started another business on the side – an online jewelry consignment business we’ve recently launched. I’m involved on a variety of board and committees with the Calgary Zoo, Calgary Economic Development and the YWCA.
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
… many things ~ from kid things, planning a birthday party, launch of Canary, STARS Rescue in the Rockies initiatives – and executing on my word.
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point?
… the most significant – when Peter and I lost our son Scott; he was stillborn in 2000. We talked about what we could do in his memory – and took an action. We’ve raised money ($1.5 million) through golf tournaments to fund ‘Scott Smed rooms’ in hospitals to support families in the maternity wards, for people experiencing what we did. That work has led to other charity projects we’ve gotten involved with. And the other huge influence, we’ve adopted our two children who have changed every element of our world.
For fun?
… we are avid travellers, golf (Priddis Greens), skiing and snowboarding with our kids (19 & 12).
What do you read?
… my taste is wide ranging – intrigue, autobiographies, business books. Books rather than devices. Online things too. I like GapMinder.
Her ride?
… 2018 Mercedes SUV – GLE.
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