Aside from the universal challenges of running a small business—HR, finance, and operations—distribution is often the most contentious and stressful issue we face as sales representatives and agencies. The Pie Every distribution decision involves multiple stakeholders, each with their own incentives, pressures, and sometimes competing values. In an ideal world, everyone would agree that newContinue reading “Navigating Distribution Challenges in Outdoor Retail as a Sales Representative”
Author Archives: Rob Owens
Security vs Inspiration
There is a season for both, BUT security is rarely inspiring, and following inspiration is seldom secure. I have always been best served by the inspired path. It comes with elevated risk, but it need not be reckless. Security is closely tied to stagnation. Sometimes, security is the best choice, but when there is anContinue reading “Security vs Inspiration”
OnwardUP’s Journey to B Corp
OnwardUP Sales and Marketing Ltd, has become a B Corp. I want to share some thoughts on the How and Why we went on this journey. To start, I got into business by accident. I needed financial security, wanted to maintain a healthy lifestyle, work with great people, and ultimately contribute more than I consume.Continue reading “OnwardUP’s Journey to B Corp”
Frenetic
That is the word that keeps coming up as I think about the past couple of weeks. Had to look it up to ensure it was even the appropriate word to describe my state. Frantic or Fragmented would have also worked. There is too much going on, and can’t get it under control. No matter howContinue reading “Frenetic”
Values and Purpose Attract
A very common statement in cover letters, that come with the job applications at OnwardUP Sales and Marketing Ltd, is as follows: “I am particularly drawn to OnwardUP because of its reputation for inclusivity and environmental advocacy, and commitment to providing exceptional outdoor experiences.” Every new vendor partnership over the last 6 years has alsoContinue reading “Values and Purpose Attract”
A Letter to Dad for Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I put together a little shrine made up of some of the old things that make me smile and help me feel closer to you in your absence. Owens Specialty Services hat: Circa early nineteen eighties when you were running a small business in the evenings after you’d finish your jobContinue reading “A Letter to Dad for Father’s Day”
Dirty Work: An Opportunity
Never be above cleaning a toilet. Whether you are the CEO, a VP, the intern, or the one who has the “duty” listed on your job description, I don’t think there is a better way to earn respect from your team/boss (and maybe even a raise in pay), than doing the dirty work (the workContinue reading “Dirty Work: An Opportunity”
Beware of “Sure”.
While I admit to have used this word in the past week I highly recommend trying to use it sparingly, as opposed to your default method of agreeing to something, and also be deliberate with it. Agreeing to something with the word “sure” it telling the person, identifying the situation and/or admitting to yourself thatContinue reading “Beware of “Sure”.”
It’s not too late to change course: What’s next for Canmore?
Little Sister Mountain
Leadership when your Hand is Forced
As a leader you sometimes have to make tough choices that are outside of your control. You may need to make hard choices to sustain your company’s mission or vision or simply to keep the business and as many jobs as possible alive. Sometimes you need to make decisions that are a result of someonesContinue reading “Leadership when your Hand is Forced”
Stakeholder Hierarchy
Several months ago I created a “Stakeholder Hierarchy” for my business OnwardUP Sales and Marketing LTD. While I was aware of the stakeholders of my business, I had never gone through the process of ranking them. It was a great exercise and something that I shared with my team at our recent Annual General MeetingContinue reading “Stakeholder Hierarchy”
Ready for Anything
Resilience. We all have some and (should) seek more. It’s a sliding scale and the resilience of the individual, business, community will rise and fall over time. How do you build resilience? I’d love to hear your answer but for me it comes from trying to see the risk and consequence in everything I do,Continue reading “Ready for Anything”
More and Less 