The session “Doing Business on the Global Stage from Atlantic Canada” prompted some active discussion amongst panellists and delegates at ECC’s Atlantic Business Summit held on June the 5th 2009.

ABS2009 Session 2: Doing Business on the Global Stage from Gregory Lam on Vimeo.

To begin the discussion, moderator Gordon Fullerton, Associate Dean of Masters Programs at the Sobey School of Business posed the quesiton: Globalization versus Localization, do they impact each other?

George Armoyan, Chairman of Clarke Inc. stated a most intriguing metaphor: “it is like you have squeezed too much toothpaste out of tube; it [globalization] is out there now so face reality and remain competitive.”

Denise LeBlanc, partner at McInnes Cooper added that “the worst thing you can do is turn inward. You must adjust your attitude and not turn inward.” Dan MacDonald, President and CEO of InNOVAcorp echoed this idea stating that “Both these things are a threat as well as an opportunity.”

The second question was how does a Knowledge Based Economy relate to Atlantic Canada?

MacDonald argued that “Every industry has to be knowledge based so it is not realistic to transform the Atlantic Economy into just a knowledge based economy.”

LeBlanc and Armoyan agreed that we need to lay the building blocks to connect Universities and businesses together to keep the knowledge in the region and to not put all of our eggs in one basket and count on one sector (knowledge or manufacturing) more than the other.

The next question asked of the panel was “What can the government do to strengthen business in the region?”

In order to be a principal actor on the global stage, we need to “execute more then we plan” said Armoyan. “This responsibility doesn’t fall onto anyone group.” elaborated Armoyan: “Universities, Businesses and Government should work together and think outside the box”.

Dan MacDonald, President and CEO of InNOVAcorp, agreed that in order to strengthen economic development in the region, Atlantic Canada should adopt a multi stakeholder approach that involves all levels of government to create an environment where people want to stay and shape their policies in such a way that “allows Universities and businesses to play harder”. LeBlanc furthered MacDonald’s point adding that: “we need the building blocks of Universities and businesses to get better connected”. MacDonald also posed the question on the role of government for everyone to ponder: “Can we be globally competitive if we are not competitive in our own backyard?”

Lastly, the panel was asked is what can we do collectively to create the next Atlantic Canadian export and success story. Paul Dube, CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technological Industries, highlighted the unique position opportunities afforded to his province to celebrate their success overseas. “To the rest of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador has always been regarded as a lower tier province, but we are enjoying success on the global business stage because that reputation doesn’t precede us”.

Everyone agreed that Atlantic Canadians need to work together to strengthen economic ties with the rest of the world. But the question remains: How do we reconcile the planning versus action gap? The gauntlet was thrown down by a delegate to the session attendees. Is this a new role for East Coast Connected to begin championing, as suggested by Dube, an Atlantic Canadian brand?

East Coast Connected believes in fostering brain circulation and during this session the ideas that circulated around the room prove without a shadow of a doubt that we are ready to shine on the global stage and that everyone has a part to play in order to make our contribution to the global production of business a success.