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Practically Speaking

Actionable ideas for today’s most pressing issues in Canadian business

Download the Practically Speaking Series Guides

Which of today’s pressing business issues are on your mind? Are questions about your organization's people and strategies top of mind? MNP is here to help.

Our online content library is below - sorted by topic for you to explore. And, subscribe to access our FREE People and Strategy Guides which address the core of your most important business matters!

Tackling today’s challenges

Over the past few years, business news headlines have maintained some consistent themes: volatility, uncertainty, and cryptic predictions about what’s next. It’s understandable for you, or any other business owner, to feel apprehensive about the future and confused about what you should be doing today.

While observing trends is important, we believe all Canadian business owners must take today’s economic news and data in context. The Practically Speaking series is here to offer you relevant solutions to the economic challenges you’ve been experiencing or reading about.

Get the information you need

MNP is dedicated solely to small and mid-market Canadian businesses, and the people who run them. We understand your struggles and concerns because we deal with them every day.

Over the course of this series, we will offer solutions and ideas addressing your concerns with:

  • HR Strategy
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Strategic Leadership Alignment
  • Enterprise Transformation
  • People
  • Planning
  • Performance Improvement
  • Profitability

You’ll receive relevant insights and advice directly from some of Canada’s leading business consultants, updated every week. Stay up to date through our social channels, and our weekly Real Talk Tuesdays newsletter.

Practically Speaking Insights

HR Strategy Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Leadership Alignment Enterprise Transformation Organization & People Strategic Business Planning Performance Improvement Profitability

HR Strategy

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  • Securing Your Business: Human Resources and the need for a Cyber Breach Response Plan

    Understanding a company’s cyber security processes is a key component of the human resources team’s role in risk management. Find out more in this blog.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

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  • Where risk and EDI meet: Validation and mitigation

    A strong EDI strategy is more important than ever for Canadian business. But there are risks associated with getting it wrong.

Strategic Leadership Alignment

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Enterprise Transformation

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  • Digital transformation and the evolving role of people management

    New technologies are redefining what it means to contribute, create value, and empower teams to succeed.

Organization & People

  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion — Your actions speak the loudest

    Your organization’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy must be built on more than just the right messaging. Do your actions support your words?

  • Building on a firm foundation: How effective retention strategies set the stage for success

    Discover why investing in employee retention is crucial to your success, and how to go about building your organization’s unique retention strategy.

  • The role of organizational culture in change management

    Your workplace culture will ultimately make or break your efforts to transform your organization and effectively manage change.

  • Making hybrid and remote work make sense for you

    If your organization has adopted a hybrid work model, here’s what to consider as you customize your hybrid strategy to your team and your circumstances.

  • Unlocking the power of your brand promise and how employee engagement contributes to its success

    Positive experiences with your business are critical to grow your bottom line. These best practices can help enhance both the customer and employee experience.

Strategic Business Planning

  • Tracking and reporting — a closer look at the “E” in ESG

    Organizational leaders in all industries should be prepared for more robust climate disclosure mandates that are likely to arrive in Canada in the coming years.

  • How to maximize the value of your scenario planning

    Scenario planning can become one of your organization’s most valuable tools for anticipating risks and fostering creativity. Here’s how to approach it.

  • Broadening your perspective: How social factors impact your business

    The “social” side of ESG has a broad scope, covering internal factors like your culture and EDI practices, all the way to external factors like modern slavery.

  • Corporate governance forging a new standard and a new mindset

    Today’s stakeholders have elevated expectations and standards of what strong governance should look like. Here’s how you can raise the bar for the “G” in ESG.

  • Why scenario planning is a key factor for the future success of your organization

    How can your organization navigate through uncertainty? Comprehensive scenario planning can provide a roadmap to help you overcome challenges.

  • The Leadership Lens: A predictive model for optimal organizational performance

    Successful businesses aren’t only defined by their strategic plans, but by their ability to align leadership and culture to execute those plans.

  • Demystifying AI: What does AI really mean for my business?

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, but many CEOs are struggling to understand how to effectively harness its power.

  • Future proof your organization: Aligning strategy, leadership, and culture

    Building a future-ready organization requires more than just a solid strategy — it demands aligned leadership and a culture that supports your goals.

Performance Improvement

  • Why a value creation strategy is an investment in your long-term success

    While investing in a value creation strategy might not net immediate returns, it is an essential part of securing the future of your business.

  • How building a resiliency strategy can help your business weather periods of economic hardship

    A resiliency plan can help your business remain competitive as growth stagnates across all industries and interest rates continue to rise.

  • How to maintain and grow profitability in a high borrowing cost environment

    A specialized strategy can help your business maintain and grow its profitability in the current high borrowing cost environment.

  • How to ensure mergers and acquisitions deliver on your business growth objectives

    Merging with or acquiring another company can enhance your enterprise value and transform your business — but you need to have a plan to ensure your success.

Profitability

  • Why investing in a productivity improvement plan can increase the profitability of your business

    How do you improve productivity? Our best practice guide identifies six ways you can get more from your operations to increase your profitability.

  • What now? Taking a 360-degree approach to your business’ future

    How can you secure the long-term success of your business? A 360-degree approach will empower you to make informed decisions to increase profitability.

  • Why a process improvement strategy is a valuable investment for your business

    Business process improvement can help you evaluate your operations and unlock efficiency to increase the profitability of your business.

  • Three practical strategies that can help increase profit margins in your business

    Has your bottom line taken a hit? These strategies could help you improve your profit margin.