Author: Zenergy

LEADING RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE BROKERAGE FIRM RECOGNIZED FOR EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING AND WORKPLACE CULTURE

MONTRÉAL, QC – (JANUARY 29, 2024) — BFL CANADA, a leader in the Risk Management, Insurance Brokerage, and Benefits consulting Industry, is delighted to announce its inclusion in Forbes’ prestigious list of Canada’s Best Employers 2024, ranking 193 out of 300. This recognition underscores BFL CANADA’s commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace environment and is a testament to the company’s dedication to employee engagement and well-being.

Forbes, in collaboration with market research firm Statista, conducted an independent survey that involved more than 40,000 employees across various industry sectors in Canada. The study focused on companies with a workforce of at least 500 individuals within the country. The Forbes ranking is based on a range of criteria, including salary, gender pay equity, work flexibility, opportunities for promotion, on-the-job training, and employee recommendations. With over 900,000 employer evaluations considered, BFL CANADA has secured its place among the top 300 companies.

“BFL CANADA’s inclusion in Canada’s Best Employers 2024 by Forbes is a testament to our commitment and engagement towards our employees. We understand that our strength lies in our people, and we are dedicated to investing in professional development as well as employee engagement. Our private business model is tied to our culture, making our company a great place to work,” said Lisa Giannone, President and COO of BFL CANADA.

BFL CANADA continues to set standards in the industry and beyond, nurturing a workplace culture that resonates with the aspirations of today’s workforce and ensuring they not only meet but exceed employee expectations.

ABOUT BFL CANADA

Founded in 1987 by Barry F. Lorenzetti, BFL CANADA is one of the largest employee-owned and operated Risk Management, Insurance Brokerage, and Employee Benefits consulting services firms in North America. The firm has a team of over 1,300 professionals located in twenty-six cities across the country. BFL CANADA is a founding Partner of Lockton Global LLP, a partnership of independent insurance brokers who provide Risk Management, Insurance and Benefits Consulting services in over 140 countries around the world.

For more information, visit bflcanada.ca and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Facebook.

– 30 –

Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com   

As we usher in the New Year, our team has been taking time to reflect on 2023 and using those insights to anticipate the various factors that will influence businesses and individuals in the year ahead. Based on our research and expertise, here are the top four trends you should watch for in 2024.

1: The AI Renaissance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become more than just a buzzword; it’s a transformative tool shaping the digital age. However, as we delve deeper into AI-driven solutions, the need for genuine human skills and emotions remains paramount. In 2024, we anticipate an exhilarating combination of AI technologies and human-centric strategies across various sectors. This synergy will not only increase efficiency but also ensure that technology continues to serve humanity rather than replace it.

2: Social Media: The Evolution of Engagement

As social media users become increasingly aware of digital burnout, 2024 will witness a shift in how consumers engage with various platforms. Instead of prolonged browsing and static content, consumers will gravitate towards more ephemeral and engaging formats. Specifically, Instagram stories will surpass traditional feed posts in popularity. For brands operating in the B2C realm, this signifies a pivotal moment: a transition towards more story-driven, transient content that fosters genuine connections and meaningful interactions with customers and prospects. In the B2B realm, businesses may begin to rely more heavily on LinkedIn to connect with prospects as new features emerge such as auto translations, real time insights into trending topics on company pages and live audio events.

3: Investor Relations: North American IPO Market Rejuvenation

The North American IPO landscape has experienced a significant lull, with 2023 marking one of its most challenging years in recent history. However, signs of resurgence are becoming evident as we transition into 2024. A lower interest rate environment coupled with a surge in equity financings and the tech sector’s robust performance, could set the stage for a potential IPO rebound. The intricate processes associated with IPOs, spanning regulatory approvals to financing, often require several months. Considering the conventional avoidance of IPOs during the summer, the latter part of 2024 appears to be a more plausible window for companies contemplating public listings.

4: Graphic Design: A Palette of Possibilities

2024 will be a year of bold experimentation in graphic design. We anticipate a departure from muted tones and subtle gradients, with designers embracing intense color schemes that grab attention and evoke visceral reactions. Innovative gradients will redefine the conventional boundaries of color transitions, ushering in a new era of visually striking and emotionally resonant design aesthetics.

2024 promises to be a year of innovation and transformation and we are committed to remaining one step ahead of trends affecting our industry and our clients.

Stay tuned for more insights, updates, and strategic perspectives from the Zenergy team.

Here’s to a prosperous and impactful 2024!

This year Zenergy Communications is celebrating its 20^th anniversary (yahoo)! Our journey has been filled with exciting challenges, creative breakthroughs, and memorable encounters with talented individuals.

To commemorate 20 years of ideas in action, our team got together and compiled a list of everything we’ve learned over the past two decades. It turns out…there was a LOT but we’ve managed to pare down the list into the five most valuable lessons that have been instrumental in shaping our identity, honing our skills, and ensuring success in the ever-evolving MARCOM landscape. We hope you find our insights helpful and informative.

Lesson 1: Adaptability is key

In the fast-paced world of MARCOM, the only constant is change. To thrive, we have had to and continue to embrace innovation, remain agile, and be ready to pivot when needed, especially as new technology and trends emerge. Adaptability has allowed us to stay relevant and deliver effective solutions to our clients. Being flexible and open minded is paramount. We’ve learned to avoid getting trapped in the mindset of, ‘that’s how we’ve always done it.’

Lesson 2: Relationships matter

We cannot overstate this! Our journey has been influenced by some truly incredible people and other people who were more…challenging. But every relationship is important. We’ve come to realize that fostering relationships and putting in effort to follow up and stay in touch with people we’ve met is paramount to success. We have never written off a connection we’ve made. In fact, our business was primarily built on referrals. Relations really do matter!

Lesson 3: The Client isn’t always right

We know…that’s a bold statement but hear us out! Our clients hire us to help bring their visions to life but they also hire us to provide feedback and expertise. There have been instances where the approach suggested by the client was unlikely to succeed, and we provided feedback and guidance that got the project back on course! We’ve always worked as an extension of our clients and take their business very seriously. Not every idea is realistic and in those instances, we help them adapt the thinking to ensure success.

Lesson 4: Don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach

Although many of our clients come to us with similar challenges, we always take a uniquely tailored approach for each one. Most companies are looking to drive awareness and sales but the omni-channel marketing strategy we implement will vary depending on a wide range of factors. We’ve learned the importance of managing our clients and their expectations instead of letting them manage us, understanding the ins and outs of their business in a holistic sense to provide them with the best support. This bespoke approach has allowed us to maintain the personal touch of a boutique agency even as we’ve grown and scaled our business.

Lesson 5: Find the purpose

Last but certainly not least, we’ve discovered that finding purpose in our work is the most rewarding aspect of what we do. Integrating our values and mission into each project has made our work much more fulfilling and authentic and helped us to develop an incredible roster of like-minded clients. A shared vision creates powerful connections and meaningful impact.

These lessons have been integral to our story. To our clients, colleagues and every person who has played a role, big or small, in shaping who we are today, thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to the next 20 years of ideas in action!

COMPANY CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO CANADA-WIDE
SERVICE WITH NEW CONSULTANTS ACROSS FIVE PRACTICES.

Montréal, Québec and Toronto, Ontario – December 5, 2023 – Normandin Beaudry, a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services, celebrated the fifth anniversary of its presence in Toronto. This notable milestone underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to serving Canadian clients coast-to-coast and those with cross-border requirements through a recent joint venture with MBWL International (MBWL).

“The team at Normandin Beaudry is immensely proud to be celebrating this milestone of progress, innovation, and growth. We have always been and remain strongly committed to delivering excellence to our Canadian clients. Our ongoing expansion of Total Rewards practices in Toronto, coupled with our pan-Canadian survey, remun, our global partnership with MBWL, and the addition of prominent clients over the past few years, underscores the trust our team of experts has built by meeting and exceeding client needs,” said Éric Montminy, President at Normandin Beaudry. 

Normandin Beaudry’s Toronto office Market Leader and Senior Principal, Emmanuele (Manny) Campione, stated: “We continue to expand and to add new consultants across numerous practices, all who will focus on prioritizing independence and quality while consistently delivering exceptional value to clients.”  Normandin Beaudry’s Toronto team now boasts 20 dedicated consultants in Compensation, Performance, Group Benefits, Savings, and Communications with new practices and specialists slated to be added in 2024.

Normandin Beaudry recently announced a new partnership with MBWL to extend its services to Canadian companies with cross-border requirements. Normandin Beaudry joined as an equal and independent partner alongside MBWL’s already strong, multinational presence across the UK, US, Germany, and over 30 other countries worldwide.

About Normandin Beaudry

Founded in 1992, Normandin Beaudry is a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services. From its offices in Montréal, Toronto, and Québec City, nearly 350 employees serve clients across Canada in eight areas of expertise: Pension and Savings, Pension Plan Administration, Investment Consulting, Group Benefits, Compensation, Health, Performance, and Communication.

– 30 –

Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com   

ELLINGTON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ADVISORS AMALGAMATES WITH CDNGLOBAL TO DELIVER FULL-SERVICE EXPERTISE IN THE GTA SUPPORTED BY THE FIRM’S GLOBAL CAPABILITIES

Toronto, ON – (November 22, 2023) – CDNGLOBAL, a proudly Canadian, privately held, independent commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm, is pleased to announce its expansion into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) commercial real estate market, underscoring its ongoing dedication to providing nationwide coverage. The newly established operations will be overseen by Joe Cianfarani, Rick Comish, and Scott Mulligan, experienced professionals in commercial real estate.

“The team at Ellington Commercial Real Estate Advisors, which as of today will operate as CDNGLOBAL Toronto is excited to be a part of this exceptional expansion strategy in the Toronto market. Our experience in office, life sciences, and industrial real estate combined with the vibrant landscape of Toronto’s market and the strengths of CDNGLOBAL’s coast-to-coast infrastructure will enable us to offer a more dynamic and holistic range of services to our client base,” said Scott Mulligan, Managing Partner / Broker of Record at CDNGLOBAL Toronto.

“The CDNGLOBAL leadership team wanted to ensure that we found the ideal partners for the Toronto marketplace who were aligned with our values and mission. We’re not just combining companies; we’re merging our visions and strengths to shape the future of our industry. We’re excited to announce our immediate plans to recruit skilled front-line professionals specializing in the industrial and investment sectors in Toronto. These talented individuals can anticipate competitive compensation and the backing of an exceptional team as we ramp up our operations in the GTA,” added Agron Miloti, CEO and co-Founder of CDNGLOBAL.

About CDNGLOBAL®

Proudly Canadian. Privately owned. Client focused.

A progressive team of leading real estate advisors focused on building strong relationships and powering prosperity through innovative commercial real estate solutions based on localized market intelligence, trust, and human connectivity. Designed to serve you better, CDNGLOBAL solutions are tailor-made to suit our clients’ short-term goals and long-term success. CDNGLOBAL provides a wide range of commercial real estate services including industrial, office, and retail leasing, capital markets, investment sales, and commercial real estate advisory services. With expert localized teams in every major Canadian market as well as strategic global partnerships, our clients gain access to any service they seek, in the markets they need, through a single point of contact – your strategic ally in business. Our team’s singular goal is to use our shared resources, expertise, and market intelligence, along with a collaborative and entrepreneurial approach, to deliver the single best strategic solution for each and every client. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, CDNGLOBAL has offices across Canada. For more information, please go to www.cdnglobal.com.

– 30 –

Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

1.866.440.4034 | media@zenergycom.com

Toronto, Ontario – November 16, 2023 – Esteemed stylist and owner of John Steinberg and Associates hair salon, Benjamin Raine proudly presented the John Steinberg Community Service award on Sunday, November 12 at the Western Harbour Castle.

In 2003, Ben was introduced to John Steinberg, legendary hair stylist, mentor and renowned figure in his community. The two became close friends working together for nine years, before parting ways to pursue different career paths.

Over a decade later on August 31, 2011, John passed away, leaving behind the vibrant community he had built over his 52-year long career. Per John’s instructions, Ben was presented with his scissors to carry on his legacy. Following the pandemic, Ben returned to John Steinberg and Associates to help rebuild the salon and fulfil John’s wishes.

“Over the course of a decade, my journey has led me to unexpected places, on a path that was anything but linear but I’ve finally returned John’s scissors to their rightful place and know without a doubt that I’m where I’m supposed to be,” Ben explained after the event. “Presenting the award that honours my friend was the greatest privilege I’ve ever had.”

This event also marked the one-year anniversary of Ben’s decision to return to the salon, a pivotal moment in his career.

The John Steinberg Community Service award is presented each year to a hair professional or a salon that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to bettering their community through fundraising or events. This year’s recipient was the Aveda Institute of Winnipeg whose team donated 125 haircuts to underprivileged women in need, boosting their self-esteem, promoting personal care and enhancing their professional opportunities. This act of kindness fostered a sense of community connection, empowering marginalized women and raising awareness about the challenges they face.

The award, which carries the namesake of Ben’s salon commemorates the life, achievements and impact of John Steinberg on his community and celebrates Canadian salons that are actively working to better their own communities.

About John Steinberg and Associates:

Established in 1991 by the inimitable John Steinberg, the salon and the friendly culture it promotes, helped carve the path for what has become a truly iconic Toronto namesake. Today, Ben and his team continue John’s tradition with a mission to treat every patron like a friend and strive to offer a welcoming experience in a warm and comfortable space.

– 30 –

Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

1.866.440.4034 | media@zenergycom.com

Toronto, Ontario – November 8, 2023 – Esteemed stylist and owner of John Steinberg and Associates hair salon, Benjamin Raine was confronted with circumstances so perfectly aligned, he couldn’t help but take them as a sign. For Mr. Raine, a Toronto film creative, this proved to be truer than he ever could’ve imagined.

In 2003, Ben was introduced to John Steinberg, legendary hair stylist, mentor and renowned figure in his community. John saw potential in Ben and took him under his wing as an apprentice. The two became dear friends working closely together for nine years, before Ben eventually left the salon to return to pursue hair in different mediums.

Over a decade later on August 31, 2011, Ben received the call that he’d been dreading for months. John Steinberg had passed away. That very night, per John’s instructions, Ben was presented with his scissors by his sister and daughter, to carry on his legacy. 

“A seemingly simple gesture to some,” Ben recalls, “but to me it was a symbol of his friendship and belief in me. It was the sign I’d been looking for.”

Following the pandemic, Ben returned to John Steinberg and Associates to help rebuild and carry on John’s legacy.

“So much shouldn’t have worked out that did,” reflects Ben on the journey that led him full circle. “It just seems like John had a hand in all this, and that everything has worked out for reasons bigger than me.”

Today, Ben’s salon is more than a place for hair transformations; it’s a hub for cultivating meaningful relationships, where clients can come to work remotely, connect with one another and feel like part of a community. A place that honours his friend, John.

About John Steinberg and Associates:

Established in 1991 by the inimitable John Steinberg, the salon and the friendly culture it promotes, helped carve the path for what has become a truly iconic Toronto namesake. Today, Ben and his team continue John’s tradition with a mission to treat every patron like a friend and strive to offer a welcoming experience in a warm and comfortable space.

– 30 –

Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

1.866.440.4034 | media@zenergycom.com