The C.H.I.E.F.S. Story – Business Social Functions

Last week I attended one of the my first business social functions since the end of COVID. However I don’t think we’ve quite recovered, since both the number of events and their relative “depth” seems to have diminished post-pandemic.

I well recall that when I worked in L.A. I could easily attend at least one function each month. These were fun gatherings that often included a new release, preview, press gathering, or holiday party. The attendees were usually a mix of senior industry execs and talent (we were all working towards the same thing so nobody expected to be treated as an “A-lister”).

During my 11-plus years in the DC area, as time went on I found myself invited to functions that could be scheduled virtually around the clock. You had your pick of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Attendees typically included politicians, senior staff, cabinet secretaries, corporate leaders, and often foreign dignitaries.

Everyone mingled and you never reflected on who you shook hands with. Again, our individual goals may have differed but our overall one was often the usually same…find a way to mutually advance everyone’s agenda.

Having returned to Canada, I can’t really say if things are the same as they were in those other locales. However, I tend to wonder if those attending events in the other jurisdictions could be feeling the same ennui as I am.

Some of this is probably because of the lack of industry leaders at what I expected to be a real draw for them (the host and venue), which it had been in the past.

Don’t get me wrong, at last week’s event there were colleagues I hadn’t seen in a long time. And I was really glad to be there since some of the discussions I had, especially about C.H.I.E.F.S. were excellent. But perhaps it was the first person I encountered on arrival who dampened my mood.

VCs aren’t known for being uplifting folks, although I’d known this one for well over ten years I should have been prepared. Maybe I was out of practice, but in discussion they acknowledged that if faced with a Canadian health innovator who had used the C.H.I.E.F.S. Tool?, or better yet taken advantage of the optional C.H.I.E.F.S. Outcomes? it would improve the likelihood of their considering the company for investment. However, they still ?believed there is insufficient investment capital in Canada, even for worthy opportunities.

Later I had an exchange with a group of industry providers who had a contrary view about capital. One of them had recently landed a significant investment partner who was instrumental in their huge expansion. The others were also well along in their respective development. However, they all agreed that capital was liquid and if investors started to see better prepared Canadian opportunities it was up to the money people to get on board.

Overall the evening was extremely enjoyable. I met a number of new acquaintances and reestablished contact with a handful of old ones. And, the canapés were excellent!