Canadian Publicly Traded Firms
8.1 List top management.
8.2 Summarize any recent management changes.
8.3 Provide management biographies.
8.4 Compile management compensation.
8.5 What other corporations are top managers associated with?
8.6 List any other news items about management (social clubs, political activity).
In trying to understand how power flows in a firm, it is fundamental to learn as much as you can about management. Is top management new or are they the founders of the firm? What has happened to their compensation over the past several years? Does it mirror the economic performance of the firm? It is also important to discover if and how they are connected to other firms. In building a strategic campaign these connections and corporate interlocks may be very important in exerting pressure on the firm. Personal connections may be important as well. They may be a big supporter of their alma mater or the local opera, and these connections can also be important in bringing pressure to bear.
The Management Information Circular available from SEDAR provides basic information on management. There may be additional information on the Annual Information Form.
The company annual report and company web site typically also includes biographical information of management.
The System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders (SEDI) is Canada’s on-line, browser-based service for the filing and viewing of insider reports as required by various provincial securities rules and regulations.
Use a Canadian news search and social media to find out more about management’s current activities.
When doing news searches, make sure to go to local newspapers and media outlets in the city in which the firm is located. Some of this information many not show up on a general search.
Firms and top management are increasingly using a variety of social media and it is becoming an important research tool. LinkedIn is a popular business social-networking site. You need to be a member to search (membership is free) and you can search by companies as well as individuals. Facebook can be a great source of information.
Paid Resources (Subscription Required)
Factiva allows you to search directly for news on management. The Datamonitor Report from Business Source Complete (you will need to select Business Source Complete from the list)also provides some basic information on management. Look under “company profiles” for the Datamonitor report.