1. A new era in the world of work

At the beginning of the year, our columnist Jenny Ouellette, founder of BonBoss , listed possible solutions that she saw to overcome the leadership and recruitment crisis that was hitting our organizations. That was on January 15, 2020. Kindness, listening, respect, inclusion, but also sharing a clear vision, helping people progress and modernizing hiring processes… All of these components seem more relevant than ever today, as workers and managers have been greatly weakened by the crisis in 2020. For the year ahead, there is no doubt that people will be at the center of our concerns in the world of work (and telework!). Read the full column .

His column Let's Stop Selling Happiness is also among the most read content this year.

2. Quebec innovation: a disinfectant that kills the coronavirus

In March 2020, many entrepreneurs were desperately looking for ways to pivot their businesses or minimize losses. Others were dealing with a different type of crisis: that of hypergrowth in the midst of a pandemic. This was the case for Serge Auray, president and founder of Laboratoire M2 . He could never have predicted that the natural thyme-based disinfectant he had developed would become such a popular product in times of global crisis! By the end of March 2020, 80,000 litres of Thymox concentrate were leaving the Sherbrooke production plant every week. Discover his story here .

3. Become a better manager through continuing education

“I can’t wait to be the pride of the family, to drag my children and parents to my graduation. To show them that there is no age limit to continuing your education and to satisfy this feeling of personal and professional accomplishment. It took me longer, but I did it.” Geneviève Richard is the coordinator of the admissions and customer contact centre at the Réseau de transport de la Capitale in Québec City. She is currently completing her second certificate in Continuing Education Management from Université Laval . She will eventually obtain a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree. Find out how the hybrid formula allows her to continue climbing the corporate ladder while continuing her studies. It’s never too late to learn! Read the full article .

4. Covid-19, women and entrepreneurship

In the tumult of the first wave of the pandemic, the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Expert Committee met and suggested to our public decision-makers a series of actions to take to protect and support women during and after COVID-19. Compensation for caregivers, short-term liquidity arrangements, emergency investment in programs for children and seniors, … in total, there are eight interventions to help women-owned businesses increase their chances of recovery. Discover them here .

5. The reopening of hair salons: three owners testify

What happens when an industry reopens after three months of closure under a series of new health and safety measures? What happens is that clients with shaggy heads and split ends are loyal, grateful and compassionate. What happens is that salon owners are agile and resourceful and don’t let the complexity of this new beginning deter them. Three of them spoke this summer about their determination to succeed in this relaunch at all costs. And it’s downright inspiring! Read it here .