News Briefs

Despite facing barriers to entry, Generation Z is embracing entrepreneurship in Canada with an optimistic outlook, according to Gen Z: A New Age in Canadian Entrepreneurship, a new report from technology company Square. The report is based on the findings of a survey conducted with 400 Canadians aged 18–27 who own a business or are in the process of starting one, conducted in collaboration with Leger.

While more than one in two (56%) respondents believe they have better economic opportunities than the previous generation, a far larger percentage of men (60%) than women (49%) shared this optimistic outlook.

When it comes to entrepreneurial role models there is a significant gender divide, with 34% of male respondents indicating they looked up to Elon Musk the most. Women had far less interest in Musk (14%), favouring entertainers-turned-moguls Selena Gomez (25%), Ryan Reynolds (18%) and Rihanna (18%).

The definition of success also varied largely between Gen Z men and women, with 51% of women indicating that growing a customer base was the number-one success factor, compared to only 38% of men. Women were also far more concerned with customer satisfaction (39%) than men (29%).

However, in many areas there was general consensus across genders. For example, more than three in four respondents (77%) believe Gen Z is more open to alternative paths to success instead of a corporate 9–5 job than previous generations. Jasmine Linton, who owns DIBS Scratch Bakery, a bakery in Richmond Hill, Ontario, agrees.

“We're not only more open to alternative paths, but in many cases, I think we actually prefer it,” said Linton. “Being able to do my own thing on my own time, rather than being confined to 9–5, is part of what led me to start my own business.”

Linton is, however, in the minority: 25% of Gen Z entrepreneurs consider their business a full-time endeavour while 53% see their businesses as side hustles.

Technology's Starring Role

Technology is a big factor in growing these businesses from part- to full-time, with 79% of respondents saying they consider technology tools, such as payment processing, essential to starting a business. More than a third (36%) attribute Gen Z's entrepreneurial nature to greater access to technology and related tools. But they still lack comfort with some of the financial tasks required to run a business: 86% of respondents have at least one finance-related task they feel ill-equipped to handle, with more than one-fifth (22%) struggling with knowing how to secure funding. Some (21%) also admit to difficulties with budgeting and cash flow management, and another 19% find it difficult to manage invoices.

To learn more about Square  visit Square.ca.

Shiji, a global hospitality technology innovator, has partnered with IPORT, an award-winning manufacturer known for enhancing the usability of iPads and iPhones, to introduce an all-in-one software solution for hotel restaurants. This collaboration will provide hoteliers with a seamless combination of a tablet and payment device to maximize their F&B operations.

The integrated iOS and payment device solution simplifies guest service for hotel restaurant servers, providing them with an effortless tool to cater to their guests' needs. As a certified Apple partner, Shiji and IPORT guarantee exceptional performance and reliability. Hoteliers can choose from multiple device options, including iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with their operations.

“IPORT products are built around modularity and flexibility that empower our hospitality customers to do more with the iOS platform. We are thrilled to partner with a leading iPad and iPhone cloud PMS and POS platform provider like Shiji,” said Chris Lawson, Head of Partnerships, IPORT. “We look forward to innovating with Shiji in disrupting legacy, monolithic providers who have limited the industry from harnessing the power of iOS and mobility. The future is bright, and the possibilities are endless with IPORT, iOS, and Shiji.”

"The partnership with IPORT is a significant milestone for Shiji in our commitment to provide innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry," said Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Shiji in the Americas. "By combining our expertise with IPORT’s hardware solutions, we empower hoteliers to streamline restaurant operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration represents another step forward in our dedication to driving success in the Americas, and globally."

The tablet and payment device solution seamlessly integrates with multiple payment gateways, allowing hoteliers to choose the system that best suits their needs. By simplifying the payment process, it reduces operational complexities, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time and resources for hoteliers.

Businesses frustrated with time-consuming recruitment can now transform their hiring process via a new platform which leverages dating strategies, AI, and video to help businesses of all sizes find the best fit for their vacant positions. 

Candydate.app is an Applicant Matching System (AMS) which uses short videos and assistive AI technology to transform the traditionally arduous hiring process. It marries the visual appeal of social media-style video with the efficiency of artificial intelligence, while underscoring the importance of first impressions and collective decision making. It’s TikTok meets Tinder, but for recruitment and the result is an experience that makes the hiring process as sweet as candy.

Unlike conventional Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), Candydate adapts to every avenue where job vacancies are advertised. From online platforms to print media, web portals, Tweets, stickers, and t-shirts, Candydate is wherever the opportunity is. It's simple: candidates can directly apply to a job offer without the hassle of forms, accounts, or downloads, using a link or QR code. 

All that's required is a short video where candidates can express their personality and compatibility with the role, giving employers a more authentic representation of their applicants. This innovative approach mirrors speed dating, where compatibility is often gauged in the first few minutes.

What sets Candydate apart from other recruitment processes is its AI-driven personality assessment. Advanced algorithms evaluate applicants based on a wide range of factors – from body language and personal traits to content – ensuring a strong alignment with both the role and the company’s culture. This approach makes the screening process faster and more efficient, leading to a drastic reduction in time-to-hire. Candydate makes hiring as easy as watching engaging videos or pressing a like button, all the while maintaining the rigor required to build a cohesive team.

Candydate understands the diverse needs of different businesses, and therefore offers two options. There is an entirely free plan tailor-made for bootstrapping start-ups and gives the everything they need to manage their recruitment process at no cost. For larger businesses and those with more frequent hiring needs, the affordable PRO plan, priced at $99/month is ideal for non-stop hiring and more advanced needs. 

Aleesa Coe, Candydate operations manager said, "Hiring is a challenging process, especially for small businesses without the luxury of recruitment expert and extensive HR tools. Candydate levels the playing field and provides an effective and affordable way for businesses to discover the right talent. Skills can be learned, but personality remains. 

“We aim to find candidates who seamlessly blend into a company's culture and ethos, promoting a harmonious and more productive work environment. By focusing on personality traits, we hope to assist employers in avoiding costly hiring mistakes that occur when technical capabilities overshadow alignment with core values and goals."

For more information, visit https://candydate.app  

Fourth has partnered with Pendella to provide individual life insurance offerings to Fourth’s human resources (HR) and payroll customers.

According to financial research firm LIMRA, approximately 42% of Americans would experience financial difficulties within six months if the primary wage earner in their household were to pass away unexpectedly.

“Typically, group life insurance policies offered by employers offer either a flat sum of $20,000 or one-year’s salary as a benefit,” said Gene Cabrera, SVP of operations, HR and Payroll at Fourth. “It is far less than what an individual life insurance benefit could offer or what a family may need from an unexpected or catastrophic event.”

• Leveraging Technology and Processes to Tackle the Worker Shortage

Pendella's branded life insurance technology seamlessly merges with Fourth's workforce solution platform to create a completely digital process to shop, compare and buy financial coverage – all achieved without requiring a medical exam. Fourth’s HR and payroll customers can purchase comprehensive life insurance coverage for as low as $9 a month and in less than 15 minutes.

By expanding the accessibility of life insurance, Fourth hopes to close a huge coverage gap in which about 50% of U.S. households (according to the 2022 Insurance Barometer Study by LIMRA) have no individual life insurance. 

To learn more, join Fourth and Pendella on a live online session about “How Restaurants and Retail Chains can Win the Talent War” at fourth.com/win-the-talent-war.

​​Nomadix® Inc​., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced its Global Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Mike Gray, has been re-elected for a third term to the HTNG Vendor Advisory Council. This leadership group is an important link between the vendor community, hoteliers and AHLA, as they tackle critical technology needs and shape priorities for the hospitality industry. Nomadix supports the efforts of this council and Gray’s continued dedication to the industry.

The HTNG Vendor Advisory Council (VAC) represents the collective interests of technology vendors supporting the hospitality industry, focusing efforts on unlocking global business potential. The council strives to surface thought leaders, elevate workgroup outcomes, increase awareness of AHLA initiatives, strengthen Allied membership engagement and educate the hotelier community on industry-wide technology initiatives.

“We could not be more pleased to welcome Mike Gray for another term on HTNG’s Vendor Advisory Council,” said AHLA CTO Michael Blake. “Mike holds a wealth of knowledge and experience that has helped direct technology advancement in our industry, and he continues to provide sound direction to help us move hospitality forward.”

“I’m honored to have been re-elected to the HTNG Vendor Advisory Council by my peers and AHLA leadership. Having served on the council for the past six years, I’m excited to continue the important discussions and leading initiatives that improve hotel efficiencies, safety, profitability and technology for a stronger future,” said Mike Gray, global vice president of strategic partnerships at Nomadix.

Favor Delivery, a restaurant delivery app for Texans, is launching its largest ad campaign to date.

The integrated campaign, "How Texas Orders In," features Texas newcomers learning the unique, and at times, funny ways in which things are done in their new home state.

From 2000 to 2022, Texas gained close to 10 million new residents—a 43% increase in population, according to Census.gov. 

Founded in Austin in 2013, Favor currently operates in more than 200 cities across Texas with over 100,000 Runners (drivers), who have delivered more than 75 million Favors to date—which range from restaurant meals and alcohol to groceries and everyday essentials. In 2018, Favor became the first US on-demand delivery company to achieve profitability, which prompted its sale to grocery retailer H-E-B.  

Texan Quirks in the Spotlight

The centerpiece of the campaign, which is running exclusively in Texas across all major markets, is three 30-second spots featuring newly-arrived Texans sharing what they've learned about their neighbors since moving in. The first, that Texans love ordering food delivery through Favor. The second, always a signature Texan quirk–like that neighbors will want to help with whatever it is you're doing in the yard, or that your neighborhood will likely turn into a ghost town on Saturday during football season. The spots will run across local linear broadcast, connected TV and digital channels. 

Out-of-home ads echo the local angle with messages like, "Proudly Unavailable in 49 States," and "Welcome New Texans. No State Income Tax = Extra Guac." Social media posts will provide helpful hints for Texas newcomers ("Don't rush out to buy boots. We don't all wear them. But do download Favor. We all use it for delivery.") and playfully reference the four seasons in Texas. ("Winter, Spring, Summer, and Football"). 

View the spots here: Neighbors, Yard Signs, and Ghost Town.