March Forth

March Forth
by Dale Botting, Richard Jankowski, and Alan Wallace
Published by Benchmark Press
Review by Sally Meadows
$25.00 ISBN 9781927352533

March Forth is a bold undertaking by three seasoned Saskatchewan businessmen to help guide and strengthen business and government leadership during our current tumultuous economic and political climate. Drawing from decades of real-life experience in multiple, diverse industries, the authors challenge leaders to take decisive action by putting forward-thinking economic policies into place immediately and in the coming years to mitigate the negative impact of volatile trade wars and other geopolitical hazards on socio-economic growth in Saskatchewan and beyond.

Effective transformational change starts with a vision, and the book opens with the authors’ passionate visualization for a stronger Saskatchewan (and Canada) by 2040. Having a vision is only part of the story; the remainder of the book includes specific strategies to help business and government leaders get from where we are to where we could be.

Included are detailed, practical policy recommendations that address such topics as improved trade strategies, leveraging grassroots efforts, alternative global import sourcing, improved supply chain management, regulatory reform, strategic trade and energy infrastructure, Indigenous engagement, tax reform for global competitiveness, modernizing municipal assessment and finance systems, investing in critical social infrastructure, attracting talent, environmental stewardship, and more. While the content focuses mostly on Saskatchewan, the authors’ ideas can be applied to facilitate systemic transformation on a national scale.

The book includes a number of appendices including a list of the business and advocacy groups asked to “march forth” through pre-publication email “briefs,” which formed the pillars of the book’s content; a list of program ideas for EDOs and business advocacy groups; policy ideas for the government of Canada, the government of Saskatchewan, and municipal governments; and a timeline for launching or establishing strategies for all levels of government up to and beyond 2030.

This book isn’t solely for business and government leaders, but for all of us who care about our province and our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. The better informed we are about the issues we face–and their possible holistic solutions–the better we can collectively work together for a more sustainable, enriched life.

Dale Botting is a corporate strategist, executive and business coach, and a leadership trainer. He is the founder of the Global Alliance of Professional Leadership Development (GAPLD). This is Dale’s second book.

Richard Jankowsi has extensive private sector experience in the construction and development, commercial real estate, food manufacturing, and agri-food supply chain service industries. He currently provides advisory support to the real estate industry, and investment support and mentorship to entrepreneurs.

Alan Wallace leads planning and development activities for numerous clients in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in his role as Planning Director for Wallace Insights. Previously, he had a storied career as the Director of Planning and Development for the City of Saskatoon. He is a University of Saskatchewan lecturer and a frequent guest on CBC morning radio and other media outlets.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM.