Local entrepreneurs share success stories from global marketplace

A7

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff

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Are you a local entrepreneur looking for ways to leverage technology to carve your niche in the global economy?

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GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

Dan Martell, co-founder of Martell Homes, talked about how the use of technology has been applied to a traditional business like home building.

You will want to go global in your search for answers of course, because if you're not thinking globally, you already don't get it. But if you'd like to start with something a bit more familiar, you could do well just to look around our own backyard.

Delegates to Day 1 of the City of Moncton's Intelligent Communities Conference got both lessons and inspiration in how a handful of New Brunswick entrepreneurs out here at the fingertips of North America's outstretched hand have proven the broadband economy can be open to anyone, anywhere.

With Shift Central founder, CEO and broadband success story Mario Thériault moderating the discussion, fellow New Brunswick success stories Bill Barrett, Neri Basque, Carol Chapman, Ken LeBlanc and Dan Martell all shared insights into how technology has been the driver of their various businesses.

From its headquarters in Woodstock and with the aid of satellites and leading edge technology, Barrett Xplore is bringing internet to much of the nation, especially rural Canada.

While that digital inclusion is empowering Canadians outside the major centres, Neri Basque's Virtual-Agent Services has allowed New Brunswickers in 18 small New Brunswick towns and villages to work in their communities, and soon, many employees in even remote areas will be able to work right from their homes.

Carol Chapman's C2 Comunications has helped New Brunswick-based global giant McCain International market and support its products to the far corners of the globe via iPods with corporate videos in four languages.

LeBlanc, the founder of Property Guys, has famously used the internet to take the middle man out of real estate sales. And Dan Martell and his brother Pierre have allowed buyers of Martell Homes to check on the progress of the construction of their homes via picture feeds and other communications from each job site, increasing transparency for consumers and often allowing builders and customers to catch problems before it's too late. Whatever the industry they are in, the presenters all showed that thanks to broadband, doing businesss in New Brunswick was no impediment. And because of the quality of life offered here, it may even prove an advantage.

New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham will be on hand today to expand on that message, sharing speaking duties at an Economic Club of Canada luncheon that's part of the conference agenda.

Wrapping up the conference will be noted Canadian new media strategist Rahaf Harfoush, the author of the book Yes, We Did, about the historic use of new media to help elect U.S. President Barack Obama and her role in Obama's use of social media.