"Productivity and innovation are the building blocks of our future
prosperity" - Monique F. Leroux
TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - "Whether we examine the issues through the lens of global competition, or with the specific challenges faced by each Canadian province or industry, the conclusion is always the same: productivity and innovation are the building blocks of our future prosperity." This powerful message was delivered today by the Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group, Monique F. Leroux, during her address before an attentive audience at a Women in Capital Markets event in Toronto.
"The evolution of world trade has had profound repercussions on the stability of the world and the influence of emerging markets is on the rise," Ms. Leroux noted. In her opinion, these new markets constitute areas of growth and opportunity for production, consumption and innovation. While these growth areas may generate tremendous excitement among exporters, they also threaten to weaken certain economic sectors.
The CEO of Desjardins Group reminded her audience that in 2009, Canada still ranked 17th out of 23 OEDC member nations in terms of productivity, while the United States, despite the economic crisis, placed 7th. Ms. Leroux invited Canadian businesses to increase their productivity, a process which inevitably filters through innovation. "If there is an attitude, a quality, a cultural shift that must be implemented above all others, it is innovation. Innovation not only in terms of technology or pure invention, but rather by showing creativity in every sphere of human activity," Ms. Leroux noted.
In her opinion, the more Canada can rally individuals, professionals and business leaders to become standard-bearers for innovation, the more such a culture will spread throughout our businesses and organizations. "An innovative company is essentially based on entrepreneurship. It takes risks. It is fuelled by boldness. It learns from its mistakes and celebrates its successes. Innovation creates added value. Innovation means finding new ways of doing things," Ms. Leroux said.
Ms. Leroux invited the financial community to increase their participation in various Canadian forums which promote productivity and innovation. "We must lend more active support to young people in their studies. We must also forge even closer ties with our business customers, who rely on innovation to succeed in their strategic development."
During the speech, Ms. Leroux shared Desjardin's ambitious development and innovation plans while reminding her audience that Alphonse Desjardins, the founder of the organization, was considered a bold innovator when he unveiled his vision for a cooperative financial institution (or caisse populaire). Innovation remains a strong force within the organization as it nears its 110th anniversary.
"We are positioning ourselves for development, for growth and for openness to the world," Ms. Leroux explained. This drive to innovate and to undertake is the underlying rationale behind Desjardins' concept of sustainable prosperity, which aptly describes its vision - or aspiration - for the future.
"Sustainable prosperity, to us, is economic growth and wealth generation based on a strong and responsible foundation and grounded in respect for the environment and the people, for the benefit of present and future generations," she explained.
In closing, Ms. Leroux invited her audience to become innovative. "Let us not be afraid of new ideas. Let us welcome with an open spirit the new generation of employees entering the work force. Let us encourage new trials and new approaches in every field. Let us give our organizations a hunger for excellence and success. Our future, and particularly that of the generations to come, depends on it."
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest in the world, with assets of over $175 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8 million members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. As one of the largest employers in the country and one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Cultures™ of 2010, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 42,200 employees and the commitment of near 6,000 elected officers. For more information, visit www.desjardins.com.
For further information:
(for journalistsonly):
André Chapleau
Director, Media Relations
514 281-7229, 1 866 866-7000, ext. 7229
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