The glow of a bright future┬áKeith Regan learns how Ember Resources has positioned itself to weather any downturns in commodities prices and take advantage of long-term trends. The province of Alberta has become a key producer of energy for much of North America, mining and pumping natural gas to heat and cool homes and businesses across Canada and the United States.

Designing the future┬áAndrew Pelis learns how Graziani + Corazza Architects is leaving its mark on TorontoÔÇÖs skyline by designing for the 21st century with modern innovation. The Toronto skyline is currently undergoing a transformation.

Measuring performanceIn part six of his series on managing and leading people, Jon Minerich, Principal, Oliver Wight Americas, Inc., discusses the importance of performance measurement, and in particular, ensuring that the right things are measured. IntroductionMeasuring performance is a perennial topic in the executive suite, in board meetings, and at meetings of management scientists. To paraphrase Dr. Deming, measuring performance is good; measuring the right things is the trick executives must learn.

David Lengacher, a six sigma master black belt, tells us what high dollar consulting firms donÔÇÖt want us to knowÔÇöthere is little return from expensive training programs. The answer is to find the ÔÇ£pullÔÇØ from within. Traditional analysis tools common to continuous improvement initiatives are long overdue for an upgrade, as is the method for selecting those who should be trained in these tools. In todayÔÇÖs business environment, companies are collecting more customer, supplier, and operational data than ever before.

The business of remembrance┬áWilbert Funeral Services, Inc. is the largest supplier of concrete vaults and memorials to funeral directors throughout North America. John OÔÇÖHanlon talks to vice president of manufacturing Denny Knigga about how he is bringing kaizen thinking to the most traditional of professions. The funeral industry deals in bereavement and loss; its image is a timeless one, and nobody would want that to be otherwise.

The green dimension┬áAndy Ball and Phil Williams tell Martin Ashcroft how green building has become a way of life at California-based Webcor Builders. A year ago, when I first encountered Andy Ball, president and CEO of Webcor Builders, he told me that the construction industry was slow to change.

Castles in the sky┬áIt is often said that every manÔÇÖs home is his castle. In San Francisco, new residential castles are nearing completion at One Rincon Hill, despite local concerns about seismic disturbance.  One Rincon Hill is a two-tower residential complex currently under development in the capable expertise of Urban West Associates. Upon completion, the two towers and townhomes will contain a total of 709 residential units.

Campus for the future┬áKeith Regan reports on how the building and renovation projects at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are coming together to create a campus built for todayÔÇÖs students and tomorrowÔÇÖs discoveries. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has long been known for its hugely successful athletics program and increasingly as an internationally prominent center of academic and research excellence. But for most of this decade, the University has also been known for its construction cranes and renovation projects.

Road renovation┬áTransports Qu├®bec, the agency charged with ensuring the safe passage of people and goods throughout the Canadian province, is literally building new lanes to the future, Kate Sawyer reports. Reliable delivery is a crucial element of modern business.

Growth in good times and bad┬áKeith Regan learns how investments in technology made by Towne Air Freight during past economic downturns have set the company up for success and set the stage for a repeat performance. The air freight trucking business is no place for companies that enjoy longevity, with volatile fuel costs, constant consolidation and other challenges creating constant change. Towne Air Freight is an exception to that rule.