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Analysis on risk, pressure, and decision-making across systems.

The CORE Series brings together analyses on risk, pressure, and decision-making across sectors. Each piece focuses on how issues emerge, how signals are missed or misread, and why outcomes are often shaped well before they’re publicly visible.

The goal is simple: surface patterns early, clarify what matters, and create space for better judgment before decisions are forced.

Sinking another Canadian industry

Sinking another Canadian industry

The goal of CORE is not to be partisan, but we do have ideas. We support many different industries because of the impact they make. They allow small communities to grow, becoming vibrant hubsof activity and places for people to live and work. They provide quality jobs close to where people want to live. Industry pushes innovations and technologies forward so we realize greater benefits. And yes, they contribute significant investments and opportunities for people to benefit – companies, suppliers, investors, rights holders, stakeholders, employees and governments alike.

We interviewed the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance to learn more about this issue - and the devastating impact this activist-driven policy will have on communities in Canada.

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Can you get your credibility back?

Can you get your credibility back?

Planes. Trains. Automobiles. We rely on all of them for many things in our lives. And at times, the companies we rely on in those industries fall far short. On safety, quality, transparency and accurate information.

Not only does it shake public and consumer confidence, it leads to long-term damage for those companies. Sometimes they can make their way back - but the reputation damage is still there. Enjoy reading our look at some of the major reputation crises for brands we all know.

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Wrecking your reputation

Wrecking your reputation

Seems like kind of a strange thing to do, don’t you think? We agree. But we recognize things can happen that damage an organization’s credibility and how it is perceived. And once the stench of uncertainty in your honesty takes hold, or stakeholders begin to lose trust in your ability to manage a challenge, it’s so hard to come back from that.

When more than 1 million people in Calgary and surrounding communities were left without reliable water supplies and weeks of restrictions, the anger and resentment grew. So read our take on the water main break in Calgary - and how the initial communications fell far short of what the public needed.

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6 Centuries of Reckoning

6 Centuries of Reckoning

Every time I’ve been honoured to meet with Indigenous people, I come away with a deep appreciation for how they approach life, history and progress. There’s no doubt they view the world differently than how many of us have been taught. They take the time to get to know you – because so much of how they interact with others is based on the ability to trust and know who we are as individuals. They aren’t transactional (unlike how many organizations and individuals approach things) and we can all learn from this.

After a series of Indigenous events and ceremonies I had the honour of sharing some of the learnings. Find out about the cross-cultural connections - and the lessons we can bring into our lives as we learn from Indigenous traditions.

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Be Prepared to Act

Be Prepared to Act

In our May 7, 2024, edition of CORE Insights, we told you that professional activists will be targeting European airports during the summer. By linking air travel to environmental issues, they want to use these disruptions to both inconvenience people and cause us to re-think the desire to travel.

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Open for Impact + A Summer of Rage & Discontent
CORE insights, Reputation + Risk Protection Shawn Howard CORE insights, Reputation + Risk Protection Shawn Howard

Open for Impact + A Summer of Rage & Discontent

Activists aren’t improvising — they’re executing a well-honed strategy. With global networks, deep funding, and rapid coordination, they’re outpacing institutions in influence and impact. From targeted campaigns to street-level disruption, their playbook keeps evolving — and organizations need to be ready for what’s next.

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