January 30, 2008 ~ Thunder Bay ~ This Thursday, January 31st is the presentation by Mr. Ron Mulholland, where he will discuss his report titled The State of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Northern Ontario which was released by FedNor.

Mr. Ron Mulholland is Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Marketing in the School of Commerce at Laurentian University. He has a Ph.D. in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship (minor in marketing) from the Schulich School of Business, York University. His research interests focus on entrepreneurship and business development in Northern Ontario. Additionally he consults to business and government on issues relating to marketing, strategy, and entrepreneurship.                            

The State of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Northern Ontario (November 2007) report draws on secondary and primary research data in an examination of the environment, challenges and key success factors for several industries in Northern Ontario. It documents the decline of business associated with the forestry sector in the North West in contrast to the rise of mining and related industry in the North East. There are indications that businesses in Northern Ontario do not reach comparable sales levels to similar sized counterparts in the south. Bankruptcy rates in the North are significantly higher while the proportion of high knowledge businesses is lower. Success factors in business include employee and productivity issues, particularly for businesses growing their revenue greater than 15% per year. Overall businesses in the North seem to be doing well except in the forestry sector. Over eighty percent of business owners expect their performance to be the same or better in two years time.

To register click here 

To read Mr. Ron Mulholland's report titled The State of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Northern Ontario please click here.