Happy 4th birthday, Social Focus Consulting!

Social Focus Consulting logo (made with Wild Blackberry and Red Apple Jelly Belly's and yogurt-covered peanuts)

Hello sweet world,

Mid-December has always been a joyous time with the holiday season in full swing, but ever since 2012, it also means it's time to celebrate Social Focus Consulting's birthday! We're now 4 years old, so please join me in one big unified "WOOT!" as we revisit this past year's accomplishments and let downs with another ridiculously long but emotionally charged open letter:

2015 marks a successive year of positive financial growth and our first year of profitability. We've managed these milestones due, in large part, to our biggest project ever. What's extra special about this client, a seniors organization, is that it's located in a part of Toronto I spent my earliest years in - Crescent Town. It's an honour to have developed business strategies that will ultimately benefit the people of this very humble yet vibrant neighbourhood. We also secured our biggest and highest profile client ever, the Ottawa Senators Foundation!

In support of our value of community, we've also grown our number of partnerships which now includes DavidsTea and Domino's Pizza who contributed to our March recruiting event. Further, we were nominated for several awards including an Ontario Business Achievement Award by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

We've also improved internally which is critically important to a service-based business. For example, this year's team has the largest proportion of upper year Commerce students ever, signaling increased retention. Our recruiting efforts have also improved with the 2nd annual case competition drawing even more applicants. We've also been holding more socials which is critical for bonding time and much lols.

Despite this year's achievements, we've also had some difficult times. Some clients have become disengaged after the project and repeat business is below our targets. While growth is positive, we're still very small in absolute terms. And although we were nominated for several awards, we failed to become a
finalist or winner in any of them.

Good times or bad, we are tenaciously relentless and are fighting on the daily to be Canada's most innovative and socially impactful consulting firm. In 2016, we'll explore new business models (strategically connecting non-profits to corporations and other valued partners), expand hiring into programs outside of Commerce/MBA and continue to improve our culture to make it more engaging and higher performing.

Much love to my amazing team members for none of this is possible without you. As an only child, I consider you my little bros' and sis'. To all of our supporters: hugs, daps, and fist bumps for days!

#SFC4

"I'mma prove that the funk run in my veins. And (marketing) run in my brain, so they one in the same. My definition is success, keep 'em running from my reign...is it money or love?"

John Paul de Silva, MBA

Founder and Managing Director

Social Focus Consulting

when it comes to your cause, we mean business
JohnPaul@SocialFocusConsulting.ca
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