WikiLeaks memo and your business...

A BBC news story on a WikiLeak memo points out the U.S. collecting information on infrastructure it considers vital to its National security interests.

In this global world it is looking at vital services around the world.

Some of the sites listed includes gas pipelines.....termination point of oversea's internet cables, and a variety of other types of facilities.

The question for your business is have you got the same information on what interests are vital to the survival and growth of your business....and are you vulnerable?

My experience has been most companies are not aware of their weak points, so they are essentially defenseless to any interruption. Not being aware of the points....they have no back up plan or risk mitigation plan ready to be put into effect.

If you would like more information on our solutions for Business Continuity and Disaster recovery, contact us today to put it on your radar for 2011

G20 Summit in Toronto June 26&27th Are You Prepared

The G20 Summit will be in Toronto on June the 26, 27, 2010. Expect lot's of action and business interruption. Is your business prepared?

We will be offering a checklist at www.rossmcleansecurity.com later this month.

Check back for more info.

Workplace Violence Prevention Legislation Passes in Ontario

On December 10, 2009, the provincial government passed Bill 168 - The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009. Bill 168 amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address issues of workplace harassment and violence.

Employers will be required to develop written policies with respect to both workplace violence and workplace harassment and must review those policies at least once per year. Employers must also develop and maintain programs to implement the policies and to deal with incidents and complaints of workplace violence and harassment.

The law comes into effect in June of 2010 and affects ALL COMPANIES with 5 OR MORE EMPLOYEES.

Fork Lift Accident Brings Down the House 39 sec in..

Blogging Break

Economic Crisis Explained

For a brief explanation of where this crisis came from, watch the first 10 minutes of this video from the Economic Department of Princeton University.

You will see just how "fragile" the economic structure of the failed companies are.

It is almost the corporate equivalent of living off your credit cards and using one card to pay for another cards monthly payment, using the proceeds to flip paper and hopefully make enough money for profit and paying next months payments.

This is of particular importance to the real estate market for pricing support, this type of short term credit which allowed properties to be flipped has become severely contracted, which will hurt prices (correct prices) for properties.

More than ever, debt to cash flow ratios will decide who survives in real estate.

You should be doing all that you can to improve cash flows.

BOMA Market & The Banking Crisis - What's Ahead

THE RACE FOR TENANTS

The fallout from the banking crisis is coming. For the BOMA market in the GTA it is time to take action in preparation for the consequences for owners and managers.

Quality tenants and vacancy rates are going to be an issue on profitability for the next several years.

Recent & Expected Events in the BOMA Market

• Several malls in multi-use complexes in the U.S. have seen bankruptcies by major anchor tenants. Larger retailers and food chains have simply closed up.
• Financing/refinancing for current and planned projects just got a lot tougher to get, and more expensive putting pressure on profit margins when rents will be softening.
• Insurance underwriting dollars just became more scarce and expensive which could also lead to financing difficulties (make yourself the best risk!)
  
• Consolidation in the banking and insurance industry will inevitably lead to those businesses rethinking their space and facility strategies to reduce costs. This will have a major effect in the class "A" buildings as expansion plans are stalled, reductions or terminations of leases are on the table.
  
• In the GTA new building stock is coming on line that will drive the vacancy rate from it's current rate of 3.9% to over 12%
• Renewing tenants are going to be looking for better deals, and are going to be offered better deals by the competition.

Now is a good time to start shoring up your value proposition, looking at your costs, your vendors, and your facilities for how you can attract or retain quality tenants.

Remember the Chinese word for crisis, is made up of two words......Danger & Opportunity, this will be a time for smart operators and owners to profit.