The Agenda

Nourishment for the corporate mind and soul

LEARN SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT

This one-day event presented by Small Business BC kicks off with a trade show and ends with a networking reception. In between, workshops offer tips on digital marketing, social media and networking; a panel of young entrepreneurs discuss their paths to success; U. Gary Charlwood, founder of Century 21 Canada LP, talks about his journey from employee to entrepreneur to franchise mogul; and there are fireside chats between Herschel Supply Co. co-founder Lyndon Cormack and Daily Hive editor-in-chief Farhan Mohamed, and Steve Thorp, co-founder of Belgard Kitchen, Freshtap, Postmark Brewing, Roaring and Vancouver Urban Winery with Bcbusiness editor-in-chief Nick Rockel. The Roundhouse, Vancouver; October 2 Trade show: free; education pass + evening reception: $79; education pass: $50; evening reception: $39; smallbusinessbc.ca

SERVE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE

As outstanding customer experiences become an increasingly important competitive advantage, this new course led by Robert Murray will teach you how to establish new standards of service excellence. A partner with Incrementa Consulting Inc., a strategy, leadership development and business optimization organization based in Vancouver, Murray has more than 25 years of international customer service, marketing and sales experience. He will discuss topics that include how to build an EPIC culture (engaged, purposeful, inspired and customer-centric); ways to respond to difficult clients and emotionally charged situations; and strategies for improving engagement and using feedback to refine your service delivery. Ubcsauder School of Business, Robson Square; October 2 and 3 $1,495; sauder.ubc.ca

DIVERSIFY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Organized by Royal Roads University's School of Leadership Studies, this year's conference focuses on Diversity, Creativity and Possibility. Sessions include such topics as mindfulness; leading through conflict; indigenous lessons on mixing oil pipelines and water; and the dark side of leadership– mining for gold in the shadows. Keynote speakers are Adam Kahane, author and co-founder of Reos Partners, a social enterprise that helps people work together on complex challenges; Hilary Bradbury, a professor in Oregon Health & Science University's division of management whose focus is creating collaborative learning communities; and Kwagiulth artist Carey Newman. Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria; October 5 to 7 Pre-conference workshops: $100 (half day), $175 (full day), $166.25 (group of 5-9), $157.50 (group of 10+); reception: $20; conference: $350 (presenter), $425 (student/alumnus), $500 (delegate), $475 (group of 5-9), $450 (group of 10+); rrulc.com

LEAD BC HEALTH LEADERS CONFERENCE

The theme of this national gathering organized by the Canadian College of Health Leaders is team leadership in health care. Look for sessions and case studies on how information and communication technologies have changed the relationship between leaders and their work environment; how to restore balance to the patient experience, from preoperative education through to postoperative rehabilitation, with a focus on long-term wellness; and how the BC Children's Hospital team confronted a critical shortage of perioperative nurses and achieved results. Fairmont Empress, Victoria; October 11 to 13 On-site: $612 (member), $689 (non-member), $383 (student/retired member); cchl-ccls.ca

MARKET RETAIL WEST

Those attending this year's conference will gain insights from industry experts who include Mountain Equipment Co-op president and CEO David Labistour on the importance of brand in today's digital world; Builddirect.com Technologies Inc. COO Jim Hourigan talking about redefining the supply chain cycle; JAK'S Beer Wine Spirits director of sales Tim Dumas explaining how to leverage in-store service as a powerful differentiator; and DIG360 founder and president David Ian Gray, who will look at the future of department stores. Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, Vancouver;

October 12 $499 (non-member), $399 (member or educator), $249 (exhibitor/sponsor), $99 (independent retailer member), $79 (student); retailwest.ca

READ PATKAU ARCHITECTS: MATERIAL OPERATIONS

Plywood: Material of the Modern World, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England, until November 12, displays plywood ice-skating shelters created by Vancouver's Patkau Architects along with work by designers Alvar Aalto, Marcel Breur, and Charles and Ray Eames. Can't make it to the show? Check out the shelters and other Patkau projects in this new book. Raincoast Books $64 (hardcover); raincoast.com

INFLUENCE REDEFINED

Chicago-based thought leader, C-suite mentor and keynote speaker Stacey Hanke's passion is helping people communicate and influence others. The co-author of Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A to Z to Influence Others to Take Action has now come up with a step-by-step Influence Model, which she outlines in her latest book. Influence Redefined: Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday covers such topics as Feedback: Fake, Fluff or True; Practice: Don't Wait for the “Big Gig”; and Consistency: Does Your Message Sink or Swim. Greenleaf Book Group

Press US$23.95 (hardcover); gbgpress.com